Preparing for Revival -1 Kings 18:16-40

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 22

Theme – Preparing for Revival

Verses- I King 18:16-40 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals.

Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.

Preparing for Revival-

This month we have experienced international Winter Olympics where there has been competition among the best athletes in the world in the sporting field. It has been awesome to see those who accomplish individual feats as well as those who work together whether it be bobsledding, hockey, couples ice skating or relays.

I too often think, however, of the time, effort, sacrifice and money put into these events and folks who commit their whole lives to win an award. It is a great achievement from a worldly view and I don’t want to minimize that, for the lessons they learn in competition are noteworthy for the rest of their lives. It is a positive way to exercise commitment, excellence and disciple.

Unfortunately we usually hear stories of cheating, political pressures, and drug use where rules are not followed, but the desire to win at all costs overrides the purpose of the sport. But what about eternal things?

Today we begin looking at the passage of the conflict between God and the false gods. Elijah is used to call out Ahab and the nation to revival. The power of God is going to be demonstrated in a most dramatic fashion. The goals are far more important than gold, silver or bronze. It relates to eternal life of their souls. It is not enough to be declared a winner, but after is said and done the only thing that lasts for eternity is the spiritual preparations we make now! The conflict isn’t with men it is with Satan and God.

Revival begins by exposing sin.

After Obadiah ran into Elijah he feared for his life for it was king Ahab, his master who wanted to kill anyone who still worshiped Jehovah. Although Obadiah was feeding and hiding true prophets, he knew anyone who knew of Elijah’s whereabouts could suffering death also.

Elijah was more concerned for God’s glory than he was for his own life. He had no fear and when he presented himself to Ahab the king begins his verbal attack. “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” But Elijah counters with confronting him with his real sin. "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals.’

All the trouble was on the head of Ahab ( and Jezebel). Most will blame other people for their own shortcomings and sins. Ahab did not want to own up to his evil.

Yet we all need to have sin exposed to have the power of the Lord revealed. We have all sinned and unless we face our sin we are limited to see the power of God. We cannot make God into our image or our ideas; we cannot replace him with anything else.

Ahab abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed false gods. He led others astray. Political power and pleasures kept him from taking God seriously. We don’t worship idols of stone and wood, but whatever comes before God in our lives is an idol.

Even though his sin is exposes he does not repent. So Elijah set down the requirement for the contest. If they wanted rain so badly, lets see who it is that can bring the rain. Since Elijah was the only one who God appointed to pray for the return of rain, Ahab agreed to this contest. He followed the instructions by calling the prophets of Baal and Asherah, over 850 who eat at the table of Jezebel.

People easily extinguish the fire from God by being pressured by the crowd. They compromise their faith commitments and ignore the truth for worldly things. Soon evil is thought of as good and God’s voice is harder to hear. His word is ignored. Fellowship of other Christians are lacking. Sin has a slow, but powerful way to dimming our eyes to the Lord. We need revival.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 23- Choices

Verses- 1 Kings 18:21-25 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it.

24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire-- he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good."

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire."

Call to Commitment

Elijah went up before the people and must face them now too with their sin. “How long will you totter between two opinions?” The problem is you cannot live two lives with God. Elijah knew where he stood. The false prophets knew where they stood. But many of the people were fickle. They were going along with the crowd, doing what was easy.

Elijah was calling them to make a choice- either serve the Lord God Jehovah with all your heart, or follow the falsehood of Baals and Asherah, wood and stone. For revival to come in power our hearts need to come clean with the place we give the Lord in our hearts and lives. The call to commitment is to be devoted to the Lord or not. Make a choice as to whom you will serve.

Many will try to have God in their live along with other things that are not consistent with a godly heart. I am not talking about falling short, I am talking about making conscientious choices. Many will have Jesus in their lives, but other things that go against His will and word and think that is OK. Today the choice seems more with Jesus or the world.

I talked to fellow in the Twin Cities that was into the occult practices. He told me he does white magic, not black magic. He told me he believed in God and Christ and he will also use Ouija boards and taro cards and séances to get direction for his life and others around him. He felt good about that since he doesn’t want to hurt anyone but help them. He failed to see the inconsistency of using “spiritual” powers that the Bible calls the enemy.

Even in Hinduism most have no problem making Jesus a god along with the cow, a monkey or a piece of stone or wood. He is one among many gods they worship. But that is not the Jesus of the Bible. That is not the God of the Bible who declares “I will have no other gods before me.” With God there is nothing else. He is not the one among many. He is the only one to wants our hearts. A choice has to be made. Who are you going to serve?

It is so easy to go along with the crowd. It is so easy to be uncommitted and be neutral. So many want both worlds; they want to be in the world and carry on in sinful deeds and be involved with lord as well.

We see it in the church, where homosexuals are forcing denominations to perform same sex marriages (blessing services) or risk losing those adherents to a church that will. When Elijah came to Mount Carmel that day, the middle ground disappeared. Lets expose the false gods once and for all. The contest of which “gods” would consume the fire was to be a determining factor which people needed to see God’s power.

If you chose God you are blessed with the refreshing rain of heaven, if not your heart becomes hardened and you wind up committing sins you would have never dreamed possible. To be a Christian in the days ahead will continue to expose the choices we make if Jesus is our Lord or not. It will be revealed those who refuse to bow to public pressure and political correctness when it comes to faith matters.

For it has already been written in the book of Revelations- "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 24

Verses- 1 Kings 18:26-35 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened."

So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.

Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins.

Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel."

With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed.

He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood."

"Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time.

The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.”

Call to Truth

Lies need to be exposed before revival can occur. Satan is the father of lies. It is so easy to slip into the mold of little white lies, gossip, to outright believing lies because we fail to look at truth. We have been blinded. False cults grow upon lies. They ignore the truth of God and follow their own schemes ideas and delusions. Elijah proposes the contest to expose the lies to all. If God is the true God then follow Him. If Baal and Asherah are true then follow them. Let’s see where the true power lies? Which ever deities can consume the sacrifice with fire reveals true power.

I think the reason Baal worshippers accept the conditions is they believed Baal controlled the weather and he was the sun God. Who can better send fire than the sun god? They cut the sacrifice open and called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “O Baal, answer us”, they shouted, But there was no response. And they danced around the altar they made.

How can people believe in gods made from stone and wood? How is it people will fall for Horoscopes or read tea leaves? Spiritual powers of Satan are real, but they are liars. Most of what pagans fall for are not even real, but their own imagination.

Some people are told the lie that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. Baloney! It makes a difference that you believe. A mother may be very sincere in her belief that when her child is sick she goes into the medicine cabinet and pulls outs Tylenol. Only it is dark and she mistakenly pulls out another bottle of medicine that does the child damage. She sincerely believed it would help but the child almost died because she was sincerely wrong.

These people dance and to prove their sincerely even put up the bodies and tortured themselves trying to appease the god of Baal with blood.

Elijah gets in some wise cracks now. He mocked them, out of a righteous anger. He is upset with the extremes of their charade. The Hebrew phrases are rather strong in the original language. One person told me the actual phrase “your gods must be busy”, means “your gods must be on the toilet.’ Elijah is literally blaspheming the false apostate religion. With all their actions there was no fire.

People may sincerely believe their religious rituals and practices will save them. Sincerely believe that going to church will get them into heaven. They may go through all the motions, but there is only one way, it is turning your life and heart over to Jesus Christ, admitting that you are a sinner and confess it, repent of it and accept Christ to come into your life and make you a new creature.

Recognizing the lies also requires the truth of who God is and what He wants of us. It is not wanting God to do what we want, but accepting and following what He wants. There is a need to rebuild the altars.

Altars symbolize prayer, fellowship with God. They point to dying to self, and yielding to the will of God. The fact that the altar was in a state of disrepair was a powerful symbol in and of itself of how far the people had gotten from God. Our text says the altar was broken down, and I believe there were two reasons for this people have ignored God and they have created what appeals to their own pleasures and wants.

Prayer is a key to keep God on His throne and us on our knees. Our society has done what it can to eliminate true prayer from any public arena. As it was in Elijah’s day so it is in our own. The national prayer altar has been broken down. The foundations of Christian principles have been removed.

This week I see that the chapels built in hospitals in the Twin Cities, which were central to health care as people would come and pray and services were held. Now all religions symbols are being removed even from chapels so as not to offend anyone. The altars are being broken down.

What is happening in the churches? Man made programs are replacing prayer. "My house shall be called a house of prayer", was Jesus’ declaration, but of how many churches is that true? The personal altar has also been heavily under attack. I wonder if a snapshot could be taken from heaven’s point of view, what would most people’s personal prayer altar look like? I think to our shame the word "broken" would be an accurate description of the state of affairs.

The first thing Elijah does as a man of prayer is repair the altar of the Lord that was broken down. The text also states that he took 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel. I believe that he did that to say that individually they have a call from God to the place of prayer and communion with God.

The call to truth is exposing the lies and rebuilding prayer to the only true God. The Psalms could pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 25

Verses- 1 Kings 28: 36-38 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.

37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

Praying for Power

Now Elijah calls the crowd to come to him. They watched while he repaired the altar of God that as significant for it was dedicate and devoted for sacrifice to the Lord God Jehovah. And Jezebel and Ahab and the prophets of Baal had torn it down and left it for ruin. The stones represented the whole nation of Israel and the sons of Jacob. An animal was sacrificed for the sins of the people.

Since the nation was divided into two kingdoms the altar helped them realize that they were brothers. God did not desire two Kingdoms, but one. Spiritual unity is found in the worship of the only God.

Furthermore, Elijah makes sure no one can accused him of trickery. He had jars filled with water poured over the altar, animal, and wood. Ironic, isn’t it that water was the very thing they were praying for and now it was used on the altar. It wasn’t just one dowsing it was done three times.

That is when Elijah came before God in powerful praying for power from on high.

When Hudson Taylor went to China as a missionary he was sailing between the southern Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra, there was a knock on his cabin, “Mr. Taylor, we have no wind. We are drifting toward an island where the people are heathen and I fear they are cannibals.”

“What can I do?” Taylor asked.

“I understand that you believe in God. I want you to pray for wind.”

“All right Captain. I will, but you must set the sail.”

“Why that is ridiculous there is not even the slightest breeze. Besides the sailors will think I am crazy.” But he agreed.

45 minutes later he returned and found the missionary still on his knees. ‘You can stop praying now we’ve got more wind than what we know to do with.”

Confident praying also prepares for an answer. When God’s will is in it and it pleases Him, His power is seen even in miraculous ways.

Elijah’s prayer was more than anything to glorify God, not himself. He acknowledged himself as a servant, humble and the one obedient through whom God chooses to work. He was pointing the people to the reality of the true God and reminded them of the covenant made to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Notice that Jacobs name was changed to Israel and he identifies the name to match the name of the countrymen so they don’t miss it. He is their God, not some stone or wood. Convincing them that God is alive and also that he responds obedience according to the commandment of God.

Compare the length of the prayers. The Baal worshippers started in the morning and they danced and bellowed from morning until noon and continued even cutting themselves until evening. Nothing happened. But after things were in order Elijah prepared for the power of God calmly but distinctly got on his knees and prayed the simple prayer. It didn’t depend on length or works of man, but praying to the right God for the right reason.

Then the fires of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and stones and the soil and also licked up the water in the trench. The dramatic power of the Lord was witnessed by all! It was as if the lightening bolt from heaven streamed down at the target.

The power of God was unleashed at the prayers of Elijah. The sacrifice was accepted. The true God was revealed.

We delight in seeing the extra ordinary power of God displayed. By God grace miracles happen. The greatest miracle of all was when He came to die for our sins and rose again for all to see that there is not God but the Lord God Jehovah.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 26

Verses- 1 Kings 18: 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-- he is God! The LORD-- he is God!"

40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

Returning to God

The was the miracle of fire consuming the sacrifice. People saw the power of God and the lies of Baal. They saw truth compared to the falsehood. They were convicted of righteousness and judgment.

The fire fell and there was a purging in the camp. The fire had a direct and dramatic impact on those under its influence - they forsook their sin! The strongholds of Satan broken and their resistance was torn down. What Satan had spent a lifetime building up was pulled down in a few moments through a man who was consecrated to God, and living in holiness.

I am sure today someone would make a movie or TV special of the reenactment of the event full with drama of the uniqueness of Elijah, the evil characters of Ahab and Jezebel. They would delight in the costuming of the 850 prophets and the simple and ruggedness of the one lone prophet of God. We would have movie trailers and with the wonder of pyrotechnics explosions high into the air with fireworks would be astounding.

But there is no entertainment that day. There is the uncovering of the rot and sin of hearts far from God. There is the holy purity of the fire from above. There is a fear of the eternal one whose power in a second is no match for anything mankind can conceive.

The natural disasters of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, volcanoes are reminders of a glimpse of the one who speaks and sun and moon and stars are formed. WE forgot who He is and who we are.

The sacrifice was required for their sin. The bull was killed and slain to forgive their iniquity. One man and God made the majority that day. WE have seen those odds in the Bible repeatedly. David couldn’t believe people would fear the giants when there was God. So the shepherd boy in faith took those stones and slingshot and toppled Goliath.

Joshua and Caleb the minority report among the 10 spies did not look at the problem but the potential because of their faith in God who said it would happen. Gideon was not strong in the faith. In fact he was full of doubts and low self esteem, but the mighty God convinced him of the success over the multitude of the Midianites. 300 overtook numbers the couldn’t count with no weapons but a torch, a trumpet and a pitcher.

No man, no woman can conceive those miracles. God invades at his will to show us Himself. What is our response? How long before the reality wears off and we return to ruts of doubt, disbelief and sin?

But the revival was a returning to God. It was destroying what they once worshipped at the altars of Baal and destroying those things (and ones) that led to sin and fell on their faces in wonder and worship returning to the Lord God Jehovah. He was gracious to show His presence and the willingness to forgive.

Get rid of what takes first place in your life if it is not the Lord. The time seems short. Satan has had His day. But God is calling hearts to Himself.

We long for the returning to God and His glory to be seen in our land beginning in our life, our homes, our churches, our country. Revival is by the power and presence of God returning to the One to whom we belong.

Pastor Dale

Differences 1 Kings 18:1-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 15

Theme- Differences

Verses. 1 Kings 18:1-15

Differences

Can you identify with the feelings of little Jimmy who prays, “God I know that you said we’re suppose to love everyone but you haven’t met my sister, Ellen, yet.”

Indeed there are people who get under our skin in unbelievable ways that try our patience and tempt us to respond in ways we know later would make us sorry.
How we look at differences in others is in part how we look also at ourselves in our weaknesses and our strengths, our values and our abilities.

Comparing ourselves with others seems to be common in everyday life. Sometime it is important diagnosis of health. Is my blood cells the same as most other people’s tests? Do I have some social abnormality that needs some professional attention?

Comparing will be part of our lives I am afraid. We begin by comparing babies. Sometimes that can spill over to competition. We want our babies to show more aptitude in speaking and walking and mental ability. We see comparisons when they go to school to see “if they are ready” meaning do they function like those around them? There are educational theories as to how different kids learn differently

It seems that in junior high there is strong desire to be like everyone else and be accepted socially by one’s peers. I compared myself with those I admired in different areas. I remember first a girl named Dana. She was a brilliant student. She had a photographic memory looking at chapters and out of test book and quoting them. She made all A. and I wish I could have her report card.

I compared myself to Bob who was rich, or at least his parents were. Bob was a son of an optometrist. He owned a boat, had nice clothing and traveled to Europe during his summer vacations and Hawaii during the winter. Our vacations trips averaged one every 4 years because we could not afford them.

Stan was a classmate who had athletic ability. I hated gym classes because I was among the last chosen. When we had to run laps or do calisthenics I was on the lower 25%. Stan scored the top 5

Martin and I went to school together since Jr. High. He wasn’t a good student, he wasn’t rich, he wasn’t an athlete, but he was very popular because of his outgoing personality. He had human charisma that made him popular with peers, parents and teachers alike. Being likeable was really the key to growing up as a Jr. Highers. He was very likeable.

Many in church will fall into religious comparisons as to who reads the most Bible, prayers more often, comes to church the most, wins more souls to the Lord, has the largest of churches. And my feeling of inferiority surface when I think I am not doing as good as job serving the Lord as others I admire. Attitude doesn’t always improve with age.

I constantly need a reminder that God makes us differently. He made you the way he wanted you, except to live for Him. He did so for a purpose. He loves you. He wants to use your uniqueness in ways that honor Him. Satan wants to take us out service. God wants to show us how our differences can be our assets and not liabilities.

I want this week to compare and contrast Elijah with Obadiah and recognize how God uses them differently.

Obadiah was under the authority of the king who denounced the very God whom Obadiah worshipped. One stood up to the King and his evil, the other worked as he could under cover within the very house of the oppressor.

In what ways do you see God’s unique design in your life? How has that helped you and do you think hindered you? Can you see God using you with your gifts and talents? How?

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 16

Verses- 1 Kings 18: 1-4 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

Different Personalities

We will begin to compare and contrast Elijah, the prophet of God, with Obadiah one who was a devout believer in the Lord. Both were serving the Lord in different ways. Both were used of God to accomplish His purposes. But they were far different people.

God uses different personalities to accomplish different tasks. It is hard to think that everyone comes from the same mold. Look around you and see how God chooses all kinds.

Elijah was the outdoor type. He was rugged, comfortable being alone, strong in his convictions, and a confronting personality. Obadiah was quiet. What we know about him was more of a urban person who worked with those who held different convictions and beliefs. He ate not food of the wilderness but more the plates of the palace. I think of Elijah as a camper and Obadiah more a motel man.

Obadiah was determined to face challenges living in an environment hostile to the Lord. Yet he knew in his quiet manner how to secretly care for a hundred prophets hiding them in caves and providing food and water. This is not the same prophet who wrote the other OT book with that name. In fact there are at least 12 different Obadiahs mentioned in the Bible.

Having peace with who we are helps us see our differences in personality and traits and how we can be used of God. Most obviously there are people who are more introverted and others more extraverted. They are different. They approach life differently because of their personalities. There are some who love to be with people most of the time and others who enjoy books and behind the scene responsibilities.

Sometimes in marriage counseling I will give a temperament analysis test where couples can better see how they compare with their partner in important areas of life. It is easy to expect someone to understand us or be more like us when we operate out an entirely different personality. The more obvious things include details verses the bigger picture.

I remember discussing in one of my seminary classes discussing the difference between managers and leaders. Few people can do both well. A leader is one who is creative, a dreamer, visionary, one who can inspire and get listeners and followers. He is a trailblazer and can challenge people to new and exciting things. He gets into trouble for ignoring details or how to carry out his plans. He can offend others by being task oriented and ignoring the needs of those around him, and can be offensive.

The other personality characteristic is a manager. This is an administrator type. One who more concerned for detail. He prefers to have answers before he starts projects. He needs not only to see the big picture, but how to get there. He anticipates the objects and problems that might be faced and is more cautious to risk. The first may challenge faith to raise the money and wants to call people to move on and see how God works; the latter will want to see the money raised and plans in place before decisions are made. It is hard for them to see the other’s point of view.

Elijah was definitely a leader. Obadiah was definitely a manager. Look at the different personalities of Paul and Barnabas. One was a behind the scene worker, preferring to work one to one. He was a people person, a friend to many. Paul was a dynamic preacher, a brilliant debating mind, and visionary. It became a challenge working together. Peter and Andrew were brothers but had very different personalities.

Some of the conflicts we face in church or at home come from failing to see how God created personalities different from ours. There are some on extremes of traits and others more in the middle.

Ask yourself-are you more composed or more anxious to get things done right away? Are you typically more light-hearted or serious; more introverted or extraverted? How about when it comes to leadership, are you more of a follower or decision maker? Are you more open sharing your thoughts and feelings or hidden, reluctant to speak up? Are you more dominant or submissive? Are you more impulsive or reluctant to try new things?

As you are about your activities don’t judge those different than you in personality, but see the importance of the balance each brings to a relationship. Seek to understand yourself and others. Be willing to admit some people will not change the basic ways they are wired but can learn how to cooperate with others of different personalities by God’s grace.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Wed Feb 17

Verses- 1 Kings 17: 5-13 Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."
6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
7 As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?"
8 "Yes," he replied. "Go tell your master, 'Elijah is here.'"
9 "What have I done wrong," asked Obadiah, "that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death?
10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you.
11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.'
12 I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.
13 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.

Different Gifts

We are comparing and contrasting Obadiah with Elijah. The two certainly have different personalities. But they also have different gifts and abilities as given by the Lord.

When we speak of gifts, we usually speak of Spiritual gifts. I would suggest that in the New Testament when someone had accepted Christ as Savior and Lord the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within that new believer. The Spirit is at work in different ways. He chooses to give gifts at His will in order to better serve the Lord. Rom 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

A talent is an ability also given by God but can be used by Christian or non Christian. A talent or aptitude might include such things as singing, ability to teach, or obtain intellectual abilities. It might include having mechanical ability or artistic aptitude.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit works with individuals and is upon them for certain tasks or purposes but does not dwell with a person as He does since the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Having acknowledged that, God used Elijah for purposes of proclaiming His truth by confronting Ahab and the priests of Baal. God used the talents and abilities of Obadiah in organizing the details whereby God’s prophets could be hid and provided for. Elijah had more faith than Obadiah. We see that demonstrated in Obadiah’s fear and lack of trust in God’s protection. But they used their abilities according to their faith.

When we use the word, grace, we must think of Gods’ gifts to us. There is common grace that all people enjoy- beauty of the universe, rain, sun, air, and food. There is grace of salvation preparing us for eternity. There is grace given which are gifts and abilities allowing God to work in and through us.

Obadiah had used his gifts in the position of serving King Ahab. God needed someone with administrative skills to organize the feeding of his people while they were hiding. I think of the vast organizational skills required to help relieve the suffering and help with the reconstruction of Haiti right now. Certain gifts are needed. How to administrate the process of food distribution so as not to have chaos is huge. Having leadership ability to call the shots is not only someone with the job description but must be a decision maker, have followers to carry out those decisions and think of ways to accomplish the task. God uses those gifts to accomplish His purpose.

I remember talking to a wealthy Christian. He made an interesting statement, “I’m surprised how much the Christians honor the workers who go out and live by faith, meaning they work without any set income. Anything they receive is a blessing from the Lord and often unexpected. They are placed up on a Spiritual pedestal for their great faith. How do you think they get their money from the Lord? From people like me. Yet among other Christians we are made to feel guilty for making money. Is it not also faith that God allows some to provide for others? I believe I am just a much in the will of God in my generosity, for if there were not people like me there could not be people out there living on nothing.” He had the gift of giving.

While a youth pastor there was a neighboring youth pastor who had many gifts. He was musical, he could juggle, gave great devotions, and like the pied piper, kids follow him everywhere. I looked at all the gifts he had and felt inferior. I was hurt and envious when some youth from my church started attending his programs because they liked him so well.
Then God spoke to my heart. “Dale, I made you. I gave this other fellow certain gifts and to you other gifts. To whom much is given, much shall be required.”

That hit me right between the eyes. My youth pastor friend had more responsibility before God than I did. He was given more and expected to use them and do more with what God gave him than what God required from me. At that point I no longer felt envious. In fact, I prayed that indeed God would give him wisdom how to improve and use those gifts to the best of his ability and God’s glory. But I had a responsibility to use mine for the Lord as well according to my faith.

God needed and called Elijah. God also called and used Obadiah. As a Christian, God has also given you certain gifts to be used for His glory. Are you willing to be filled and used by His grace today?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 18

Verses- 1 Kings 18: 1 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,
3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
4 While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
5 Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."
6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.

Different Tasks

Someone asked a famous conductor of a great symphony orchestra which instrument he considered the most difficult to play. The response was “Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddles we have no harmony.”

You have seen the motto, “Bloom where you are planted”. Many people make up all kinds of excuses- “if I could only have a beautiful voice, I’d sing for the Lord; If I could stand up in front of others, then I would be a preacher; If I only had money, I’d really be faithful in giving lots to he Lord’ work; If I only I wasn’t sick I could do more for the church….”

If you don’t have what you want then use what you have. Bloom where God plants you. You know if you are where God has you then do what He gives you to do until He presents another task. So many people are caught up in the dreams of something happening out there in the future they miss the possibilities and responsibilities right before them. Or some linger in the past that they miss the opportunities for the present.

Obadiah had a job that God wanted him to do and that was to provide for the servants of God and hide them from the armies of the King from arrest and murder. He had the ability, resources, and position to do that task.

So quietly and carefully he would hear about a prophet they were after and then intervened and found a safe spot for him. I think of the hundred of Jews who were saved from the Holocaust in Nazi Germany when Christians and well meaning people used their influence and resources to save lives. Obadiah was authorized to get food for his tasks within the palace as one of the key administrators. But when others were unaware he saw to it that there was enough left over to feed a hundred prophets in two caves.

Obadiah was a good employee and very important to Ahab. He was highly respected because of his work record. He was a secret believer to Ahab and Jezebel. But ultimately he worked for God and God saw to it he was in the place to serve Him by serving others.

Being a good worker is a testimony to the Lord. I think of the hard work and good reputation of the Amish community. Because of their industry and integrity they are sought after for their quality of products and work ethic. Since they live simple lives free of material accumulations they often are wealthy farmers. But money is not their reward. Serving God and providing for family and helping one another in need is more important to the community.

When I was attending Bethel college I worked at the Grain Terminal Association near old campus. I was told they liked to hire Bethel workers for they weren’t as lazy and were more conscientious workers. If there is one thing that is a good witness to the outside world it is being a good employee and a fair employer- someone who works as unto the Lord. Develop good working habits, courteous and consistent for what is honoring to the Lord.

It is not easy to be a godly man or woman among evil people. The Bible says, “Come out be separate” Elijah was called to come out and stand up against the king and apostasy. He was called to be a transformer, not a reformer. He wasn’t trying to change the system from within, but from without. There wasn’t any real change until God rose up someone and gave him courage and conviction to stand up and declare the truth in boldness and faith. We will see the task he took to call people to repentance and make a choice between Baal and Jehovah, between sin and godliness.

If you rely on God in your job, city, home, school, if this is where you are planted then bloom for Him. Do something, but by all means don’t be influenced by the temptation of sin, or the influence of evil people around you. God may have you where you are to pave the road for a plan just like he did with Obadiah, who also paved the way for Elijah. Each had different task and would be wrong to do something else.

Remember there was a time when it was within God’s will for the Apostle Paul to hide by concealed in a basket and escaping to carry on a task. And there was a time when he knew he was to go to Jerusalem and be arrested. God can call Christian to different tasks and situations in different stages of life. Don’t try to make others fit your mold or calling. Don’t think God can’t also change your situation when the time is right by His timetable. The question is are you doing what you know God wants you to be doing by the gifts and abilities He has given you?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 20

Verses- 1 Kings 18: 10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you.
11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.'
12 I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.
13 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!"
15 Elijah said, "As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today."

Different Stages of Maturity

When it comes to differences there is something else that we shouldn’t ignore and that is that God can use us even at different levels of Spiritual maturity. I believe there is a feeling that to be used from God we must be a super saint. Many fail to serve the Lord thinking they are not a strong enough in their faith or good enough for God. Some see their shortcomings and take themselves out of ministering opportunities.

How can I make the point that none of us are perfect, so God can only use imperfect folks who slip and sin? And yet on the other side there are people who live hypocritical lives- pastors that sexual abuse children, embezzlers, cheats, and folks who ought not to be in the ministry. Headlines are full of Christian leaders who fall into sin and stay there. The Bible warns of false teachers and hirelings who care nothing for the sheep.

Obadiah has weak faith. We will see Elijah will go through deep depression. Yet I think Elijah’s faith is stronger in the long run than Obadiah’s faith. God uses them both.

Where is your heart? Do you love the Lord, or are you a pretender? Do you desire to serve the Lord or yourself? Are you recognizing your short-comings and desire to grow, or are you satisfied in your sin? God knows the heart that sins and the one which dwells apart from Him.

Satan will sideline us in anyway he can and keep people from being used of God. We know we have faults. Confess them and move on. Let Him still work in and through you while you are growing in love, godliness and service.

I have seen some prideful people that are on quite an ego trip and God uses them anyway. I’ve seen teachers and preachers really loving the limelight always want to be the center of attention yet God has used them bring folks to repentance and salvation.
Obadiah knows that Elijah is a Spiritual giant and he is not. He is full of fear and afraid for his life, whereas Elijah does not seem concerned about anything except to be God’s instrument. Don’t forget that Elijah has spent 3 years in hiding and waiting on God in spiritual preparation. Obadiah has been used of God in an evil environment and hindered from practicing the faith of his heart. He is not on the same level in trusting the Lord, but don’t undersell what God has done to use him for good.

Obadiah is still more concerned for self that Elijah was. Selflessness is a characteristic demonstrated by Christ and taught throughout the Bible, yet his followers kept asking who was the greatest in the kingdom. They kept wondering who got the privilege of sitting next to Jesus in the future. They were used of God but still had some maturity to do in their faith, practice and understanding.

Ahab certainly was evil and selfish. Here was a nation dying of starvation and he was more concerned about his animals than about people. He was more concerned about pets than hungry children. When we live in our own little world, little things become big things. We learn to curse hangnails, while there are people dying. We can complain about food not cooked to perfection while others are starving to death. We are upset about the price of fuel for motor boats, snowmobiles and recreation vehicles while others cannot keep warm in the winter.

Obadiah calls Elijah master or lord, but Elijah correct him vs. 8 and says “Go tell your master, or your lord Ahab, that I am here.“ Elijah wasn’t his lord or master, Ahab was. I realize those terms can be greetings in that culture, but I think it was to point out those first lessons that Elijah wanted to serve God as His master and Obadiah was still on the learning curve.

Obadiah is quick to point out his “accomplishments” as a means to excuse him from the task Elijah is asking of him. He does not want to confront the king with the news that he just talked with Elijah. He is afraid he is going to die. I think of when people are asked to go to the next step in their faith how they want to excuse themselves with they are doing, or have been doing instead of growing into greater trust, and service or character development. What is keeping them from trusting and obeying?

God is not done working with us yet. We are all on our journey. Don’t let excuses get in the way of what God wants to do in and through you. Elijah gives him confirmation and promise he will show up to see Ahab. God gives us the promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Act on his truths instead of your fears. And when you seem weak and falling short, don’t give Satan the opportunity to sideline you but God the permission to keep working in you.

Pastor Dale

Facing Tragedy 1 Kings 17:17-24

Sermon nuggets Mon Feb 8

Theme Facing Tragedy

Verses 1 Kings 17:17-24

Facing Tragedy

Farmers in southern Alabama in a certain area were accustomed to planting one crop every year-cotton. They would plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Then one year the dreaded boil weevil devastated the whole area. The next year the farmers mortgaged their holdings and planted cotton again. But as the cotton began to grow the insect returned and destroyed the crop, wiping out most of the farms.

The few who survived those two years of the boil weevil decided to experiment. They planted something the following season they’d never planted before-peanuts. The peanuts proved hardy and the market proved so strong for that product that the farmers who survived the first years reaped profits that third year that enabled them to pay off all their debts. They planted peanuts from then on and prospered greatly.

Do you know what they did? They spent some of their new wealth to erect in the town square a monument to the boil weevil. If it hadn’t been for that insect they would never have discover peanuts. They learned that even out of disaster there can be good things happening.

I dare say that there is hardly a home or a family in which some type of difficulties and tragedies occur. For many it becomes the means of growth and development in ways they could not begin to understand any other way. For others it becomes an experience from which they never recover.

I am hesitant to talk about facing tragedies or hard times because each person and family does so differently. We have different personalities, experiences, and faith levels. There is no right feeling or uniform paths that all should experience. There is one thing such as the tragedy of Haiti that affects the whole country or 100,000s of people. There is another thing when there is a death in the family of a loved one, a child or a spouse. It is one thing, like Job in the Bible, who loses everything in one day-all his possessions as well as his whole family and finally his health. It is another thing when someone loses his or her employment. Both are real, but the multitude of problems can surround a person beyond belief and be overwhelming.

A professor at Asbury Seminary conveyed the story of a country preacher who stood up in a testimony meeting and said, “Christ might near ruined me.” It shocked the people. He had listened to all the glowing reports of things that God did for them and explained sickness in his home, lost crops, financial worries and didn’t think they were any better or worse Christians. How is it when some feel like their prayers are never answered?

The Bible talks about peace with God, but it also addressed suffering.

In our series on Elijah we saw how he stood up to King Ahab, believing in a God who is alive and sovereign. He believed God was in charge not the King of a government, nor other men. He committed himself to obedience as a servant of God. He believed in God’s word and promises and would pray to that end.

Last week we discussed Gods provisions as Elijah learned to trust by taking the step of obedience into the wilderness to be fed by raven and the brook. He was further tested. The brook died up. Circumstances became difficult in the wilderness. God lead him to a widow woman and her son several miles away out of the country. She experienced the power of God when she sacrificed what little she had and gave it to Elijah. She found God provided enough flour and oil each day for their needs.

The Lord isn’t in the business of making us rich and glamorous, nor famous and problem free. The Lord is in the business of making us into the image of his dear Son and wants us to experience all that we need to grow into loving and trusting Him better even through calamities. He is preparing us for heaven.

This week we will look at reactions in tragedies that might allow some self evaluation.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 9

Verses- I King 17:17-18 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing.
She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"

Emotional Responses

There is no time when feels run so deeply as in times of tragedy. There are feelings that may not be the same to all involved. Certainly emotions differ depending on the incident, people involved, relationships, and history for starters.

I don’t think there is anything as traumatic as a terminal illness of a young child. Compound the crises with the mother who already experienced the death of her husband. She is a widow. She is living in a land going through a draught. She obviously doesn’t have any resources as the four and oil are only enough each day for one day’s food.

One of the frustrations in that society is a woman had little if any rights. She was vulnerable. Work options were extremely limited. It is hard to find a job to provide for herself and her son.

There are no mention of nearby relatives. Aloneness seems to be overwhelming. The one she loves most in the world, her reason for living is her son who needs her and now he is taken from her. She saw him getting worse and the first feeling is hopelessness. This despairing experience that there is nothing one can do, or everything one tries doesn’t work.

When tragedy hits victims feel helpless. They are often in shock. It is hard to comprehend what is happening and confusion as to what they should do. Emotions and psychological turmoil is seeking to bring some balance, but one cannot make emotional sense out of what is happening.

In the past I have had the experience of being with parents of very seriously ill children. That is among the hardest things I have had to do. In the Children’s hospital to watch a younger in pain and not do anything is stressful. You want to do something but there is nothing anyone can do.

I remember when my son was running around and getting into things I wished he would be quieter and sedate, but after my trip to Children’s Hospital I thank the Lord with all my heart that he was healthy and can run around and cause havoc compared to the high fevered moaning of little ones.

Grief is the normal response to death or loss. Elizabeth Kuber Ross studied grief and noted some similarities depending upon the relationship and circumstances around a death. Initially there is often shock. Sometime people feel like they are going crazy because they are flooded with all kinds of thoughts. Your system is numbed and sometimes sick. Many have a lot of nervous energy. Denial of reality is the mind’s way to process it slowly. Maybe this is just a bad dream or one goes over and over in their mind how things could be different. The big “if” is asked, “If only I had done this, or didn’t do that”

In our relationship with people there are always things that we do wrong and they do wrong. Common thoughts are “What did I do to deserve this? Why Me?”

As a chaplain I learned that when many people are really mad at God they take it out on one who is suppose to represent him like clergy, or Christian friend or the church.

The sense of overwhelming despair is having what little hope the woman had taken away from her. Perhaps you’ve known folks who have struggle with a tragedy in their lives. Even people of faith can feel devastated and bitter. That anger turns toward God or those who represent him. The widow let’s Elijah have it with her anger. It is not his fault. What does he have against her?

Out of their confusion and anger man feel bitterness toward God. They can no longer worship a God who has the power to change the event, but God doesn’t Or they are disillusioned into thinking that there must not be a God who would keep his grace and mercy from situations such as these. I’ve seen pastors and church leaders who have held responsible and significant Christian position, today defeated spiritually and quit. They have rejected the Lord.

Anger can do that. Self pity can do that. In grief it is not at all unusual or people to reject and distance themselves from folks who are near. It is not uncommon for grief people to lash out as if they need to pace blame on someone. One of the reason doctors often have malpractice suits against them is the grief and anger to those unable to keep their loved one from dying.

When folks react to the situation, especially in the early responses, listen and love. Time is a great healer of emotions when people can feel free to talk it out. Do not try to correct their theology or preach at them, but help them by your prayers, presence and love.

More to be said in the next days.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Wed Feb 10

Verse- 1 Kings 17:18 She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"

Guilt Responses

In addition to emotional responses that are typical with grief, the widow expressed something also common-her guilty feelings. Many will replay in their minds following a death of a loved one, “I should not have said this” “I should have been a better mother (father, wife, husband)” “Maybe things would have been different if only I….”

Unresolved guilt can turn into depression, as well as inward anger. We get a glimpse of this type of response from the widow when she blasts Elijah.

When tragedies hit home people ask, “Why?” “What did I do to deserve this? “ Is there some sin in my life that caused this to happen?” We like to see cause and effect of things even if it is beyond our understanding.

The widow immediately thought of her sin when her son died. It is as if God is punishing her for something she did in the past “Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” There is no detail of actually what happened in the past. It might have been her heathen Baal worship, since the whole county is being punished for it. Maybe it concerned her husband. Possibly since it was directly relate to her son. Maybe the son was illegitimate, Maybe not her husband’s? Maybe had a son after her husband died. We just don’t know, but she knows and immediately that is what comes to her mind.

Either way this shows that there is a hidden sin that she did not deal with. It is unconfessed and needs to be handled with the Lord. There are times when you are under the conviction of the Spirit that someone’s word may raise it into your conscience. Or a song, or a sight of something or someone else and anguish, guilt, fear, suspicion all can be part of this hidden and unconfessed sin.

When crisis comes people do re-evaluation of their lives. Sometimes it is a means of re-prioritizing one’s commitments. Sometimes it prompts change in behavior or even accepting Christ to be one’s savior. Sometimes we take our weaknesses and sins and want to make things right before we died. Sometimes we hang on to things in the past that we cannot let go of because we can forgive others but cannot forgive ourselves. Satan is a master at making us feel unforgiven.

Loved ones, for God sake take care of it. Confess it and repent of it. Don’t carry around that burden. I Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Unresolved guilt can get in the way of spiritual growth or can affecting your relationship at home or with others. Get rid of it and be free from that bondage. Confess it to the Lord and anyone else that needs to know. Ask forgiveness of others and clean your conscience.

If you bring your sin to Christ then God has forgiven you. There is no need to keep reminding yourself of it. And pity the other Christian who throws that up in their face of the offered often. As far as the East is form the West that is what the Bible says. God wipes it from his mind completely, buries it in the deepest sea. That is the reason Christ died. His blood cleanses you from all unrighteousness. Not some, not part, not only a few, but all unrighteousness and God picked murders adulterers and liars, and cheaters, and prostitutes and swindlers to prove it. As they all became his follows and served him in joy.

Claim the promise of Heb 10:17 “There sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” and for the racer in the faith He instructed in 12:1 “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders , and the sins that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

False guilt is carrying that feeling that we have been responsible for something when we haven’t at all. Some feel guilty that they are alive after a tragedy while others have died. They should have died in their minds because others are “better than me.” False guilt is guilt that individuals place on themselves for their regrets, failures to live up to the expectations of themselves or others. Talking about your past may be a good way to begin the healing process and to realize that you are not at fault.

We say we cannot change the past, but God can. We might not change the circumstances but God takes our past sins, real or imagined and by the works of Jesus takes our burdens upon himself and removes them from us. Do what you can do and leave the rest up to a merciful God who is full of compassion and ready to forgive. Even if the person we have offended has died I found it helpful to give that to the Lord who works even in our unseen world.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 11 – Practical Responses

Verses- 1 Kings 17: 19 "Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed.
20 Then he cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?"
21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this boy's life return to him!"

Practical Responses

If we concentrate on the responses of Elijah we see some practice things he did regardless of the outcome. In v1 9 we see he listened to her grief and anger and rather than respond to it in defense he centered on the need most pressing. “Give me your son.” He went upstairs. He didn’t take it personally thinking “Well if that I the way she is going to speak and think about me then it is probably a results of her attitudes that her son died anyway.”

Elijah was concentrated on the situation more than his own need to defend himself. One of the things I learned as a chaplain is to be listening and seeking to understand the other person more than trying to think of how I am going to respond or how I feel. I ask myself, “Are you doing this more for them or for you?”

Elijah listened to her situation and her anger. He didn’t try to correct her thoughts of God or himself or her sin at that point. He didn’t’ hold a grudge. He didn’t stop speaking to her. He didn’t let his own feelings get in the way of what was really important to her and to him.

People are sensitive. I am sensitive. I don’t like to be spoken ill of any more than anyone else. Yet, I’ve been in people’s hospital rooms and in situations where they called me names. When it first happened I left the room and felt sorry for myself and anger toward my verbal attacker. I wanted to be a help and instead seemed to be the opposite in their need. I felt like a failure.

In our class the supervisor talked about projection and abuse directed toward God, or past reactions that people have had with ministers. The next time it happened I chose to reflect over their feeling and said, “It sounds like you had some back experiences with pastors” and that was all it took in that incident for them to unload the grudge they held. Sometimes staying to listen didn’t help and I had to ask myself again, “Whose needs am I trying to meet?”

Elijah shows that one’s feelings aren’t nearly as important as the well being of the child and mother’s.

Obviously the most important need at that moment was the emergency of seeing if something could be done with the boy. Was there anyway to help save his life? Was he really dead? Now Elijah could have thought of the Jewish law not to become unclean by touching a corpse. Lev 21 talks about that. It is defilement. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath so did Elijah recognize the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law and did Gods’ will. From unclean ravens to unclean Gentile widow and to touch an unclean body was part of his ministry call. The Lord sometimes brings us into situations that we might be uncomfortable. It may be easier not to get involved than to work in messy situations. Our world is messy. There are people without Christ. We may have contact with people that have bad reputations. People might talk negatively about us. What can be done to show compassion and help in their situation? What practical things need to be done?

For some it may be food, clothes, money, water, or transportation. The practical thing in this situation was health and healing. As Elijah sorted out the priorities of the situation the boy needed immediate attention. That is what the mother would have wanted also. He I willing to save a life.

So what is the next thing he does? He shares his doubts. I am glad that Elijah was a man like we were. He didn’t understand the situation either. Here was the widow woman kind enough to let him stay there and God had blessed him and her son with the gift of daily food. Just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean you are exempt from problems death or tragedies or questions. Even as a minister on is open enough to lay open his doubts and questions. Elijah didn’t know the answer either in vs 20. It didn’t make sense to him either.

Jesus was at the synagogue and the disciples came to him and inquired about this man who had been born blind. ‘Lord, who sinned, this man or his parents?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (Jn 9).

I wonder if I can have enough faith to say when the clouds of life are dark this is happening so the work of God might be displayed in my life?

Elijah spread the problem before the Lord. That is the great part. He knew didn’t have the power to change anything, but he still believed in the living God, the sovereign God, the God who gives us his promises and power. Elijah spread the problem out before the Lord and prayed. He exercised faith and didn’t give up. He laid outstretched upon the boy and prayed three times. The one practical thing people of faith can do is pray. Leave the matter to the Lord. Express your doubts, your feelings, and your requests. Talk to the one who does understand. Seek direction and wisdom from above. Don’t stop praying.

What can we do in troubled times as a helper? Listen. Seek to address the immediate needs, recognize your limitation, express you doubts and not try to answer questions that you don’t know, and pray. Just be there and show your compassion from a sincere heart! And wait upon the Lord.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 12

Verses- 1 King 17:21-24
21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this boy's life return to him!"
22 The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived.
23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, "Look, your son is alive!"
24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."(NIV)

Faith Responses

Elijah in his confusion poured out his heart to the Lord. The happy news is that the Lord heard and answered his prayer. Remember what James said, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Remember who was praying? It was the one who not only had faith, but a heart right with God. He had passed the tests placed his way, The Lord was preparing Elijah for the conflict on Mount Carmel and I believe this was one of the steps of preparation. God was showing the repeated lesson that only He was the one who can do the impossible.

Elijah was gentle with the widow. He was not a complainer. Imagine having the same food day in and out. How we like variety and change of diet, but Elijah was willing to take whatever the Lord provided as long as the Lord provided it, whether a barren cave in the hills with food from ravens, or bread from a poor widow staying at her humble home. He was grateful to receive these from the hand of the Lord. He emptied himself of pride and was prepared to let God use him. He was open to God’s word and promise. They were on close talking terms. The boy was brought back from the dead.

I think of my life and the activities that fill up the day that limit my time with the Lord. I think of not only of personal interests and hobbies but good things that little by little nudge the walk and talk time with God to a few minutes. He is waiting, I am impatient. He wants to show me more of His character and love, and I want to be about busy religious work as a pastor. Only in times of need and sometimes tragedies do I look again and re-evaluate and remind myself that wasted time is in my activity- not in my waiting, quiet and listening times. In those uninterrupted times God shows Himself to be faithful and has more things of Himself to show me. I am a poor listener.

To empty myself is on my terms and my negotiations of what I want to give to Him. It seems so trite to hang on to things that will disappear. It is a hard to step to understand naked I came into this world and naked I shall return. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

So God raised the widow’s son. Elijah had seen miracles in his life, not caused by his own efforts, but given by God’s grace and love. Now he had seen the best miracle of all from man’s perspective. It is to raise the dead.

Some have concluded that when Elijah laid on the boy he was probably breathing into him. They suspect this was early form of CPR. It was artificial respiration and resuscitation. It was fast thinking of the man who helped his heart beat again.

That seems so unlikely in the boy’s gradual declining illness and rapid recovery. The skeptics are so quick to think of natural reasons instead of acknowledging the miracle. They fail to also see the timing and the power in natural causes which are also the inventions of our Almighty creative God.

God uses circumstances to prepare us for bigger challenges in life when we are able to face smaller ones.

I hear of stories often of people who seek to demonstrate their faith and prove God by refusing medical treatment for loved ones and instead seek to trust only in the Lord. There are too many stories of people expecting God to raise their loved one from the dead. Daniel Rogers was in the news a few years back when his mother died. Believing God raises the dead refusehd to have her embalmed or buried. He kept her dead body in his living room, until the smell of her rotting flesh alerted authorities. The judge intervened and weeks later she was buried for public health reasons.

What does that do to the faith of many people who have a loved one- spouse or child who dies? There is much prayer for healing, for recovery for God’s glory. People gather around in faith believing, yet there is no miracle.

Paul prayed that God would remove his physical infirmity. Three times he sought the Lord to answer his prayer for relief of his “thorn in the flesh” his physical pain and ailment, but the answer he received was “My strength is made perfect in your weaknesses”. So Paul was willing all the more to boast in his weaknesses so that God would do what God wanted to do and if that meant his glory in pain or death so be it.

There are only 8 or 9 recorded incidences in all the Bible of people who were brought to life again. It was authenticating ministry pointing people to God, to truth, to His glorifying power. But is He any less when out of His sovereignty he decides to act differently than we want him to act? All those who were brought to life in the bible eventually died again including this boy. Jesus was the only one after his resurrection days later returned to his Father, and so shall all who believing in Hm. But remember Lazarus also had two funerals.

We live in a world filled with effect of sin and fallen nature. Evil is rampant toward the just and the unjust all will die unless Jesus comes first. All will experience death. There is illness, tragedy, circumstances that are impossible to explain. It is proper to pray for healing for divine intervention, to have God be glorified through normal and supernatural means. It is Scriptural that his grace is made known even to endure sufferings of various sorts. He is still God.

What do you do in tragedy? Express your emotion, your questions, your heart ache and your despair. Release the doubts. Recognize normal grief includes shock, anger, bargaining, depression. Seek to be a helper to others by practical ways of listening, helping, loving, and praying. But don’t fail to trust and trust and keep on trusting in the God who will never leave you nor forsake you. For to each one who has held tight to His hand find it is His hand that is holding us. In Him is hope. I will praise Him in my joys and in my sorrows. The woman had a new found faith in the Almighty.

Pastor Dale

Learning to Trust 1 Kings 17:2-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 1 – Learning to Trust

Theme- Learning to Trust

Verses- I King 17:2-4 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."

I was in a store and saw a posted a sign, “In God we trust” all others pay cash.

We still have that motto on our coins but I am not sure for how long. Increasingly the government has either voted religious phrases are no longer acceptable or they say it is so identified with society it is no longer religious. It seems they are either taking government out of God, or God out of government.

Political groups such as the Civil Liberties Union claim to stand up for the rights of others. Even though they may not be atheistic they believe we should uphold the rights of atheists and agnostics by eliminating all references of God from our government.

As Christians we believe that one of the reasons God has so richly blessed our country was because of the faith of our forefathers, the growth of Christianity and the freedom of speaking out our faith throughout the land and acknowledged by government. As mentioned often the protection provided in the constitution was to protect churches from government interference and uphold the rights of others to believe what they want, (not to keep them from faith). The government officially has long since ceased from trusting in God, even though most of the political speeches end with “God bless America”, or “God bless us all”. It seems the government believes the strength of America is economics and the size of our military. Therein does it place its trust. Scary, huh?

Abraham Lincoln said, “I am not so concerned that God is on our side, as I am that we are on Gods’ side.” The Psalmist says, Ps 20:7-8 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Where is your trust?

Many will say they trust God, but as soon as difficulty comes financially they prove that they really were rusting riches. As soon as difficulty comes with health or well being many give up on Him. Some might place all their energies working in their vocation to get ahead and by all outward practices they trust their own resources.

Last week we began a series on Elijah, the man of God. We saw that James said Elijah was a man like us. He believed God was alive, and well in Israel. His life was proof to that. He believed God was King and sovereign over all. God was in charge of Israel, not King Ahab. He believed in God’s word and was willing to pray it into action as he got on his knees an the rains of heaven stopped.

As a reminder King Ahab of Israel was married to Jezebel so he could trust in the military strength of her father, King of Phoenicia. They trusted in Baal who was supposed to be the god of the weather and crops.

Since many in the land still worshipped Jehovah Jezebel instigated her husband to make it illegal to worship Him and even killed his prophets. This was the situation that Elijah was in when he courageously stood up and spoke the prophecy of the draught to the King. That draught was a direct slap in the face to the false beliefs in Baal. Maybe if the people saw there was draught instead of rain they would know Baal could not help them. Perhaps they would repent and turn back to the one and true God.

In verse 2 God gave Elijah a new command to go to the Kerith Ravine. He gave him a promise that he would supply his needs miraculously. If Elijah was trusting the Lord there would be some steps along the way. Real trust results in some responses.

Think about how your responses today reflect your trust in God. Do you act or do anything differently than your unsaved friend or neighbor today? What?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 2

Verses- I King 17:5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.
Vs 8-10 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
So he went to Zarephath.

Trusting involves a step of Obedience-

We know what people believe by what they do. I can proclaim all I want what I believe.

I knew a family that believed Sunday School was so important for their kids that when their church ceased having Sunday School they came to Stanchfield. The problem was they seldom came to Sunday school. Most of their Sundays were spent with hobbies, sports and other activities. The fact of the matter is, we know what people believe more by what they do more than what they say. If Elijah believed in God then he is going to obey God’s word.

The first step of trusting God is obedience. Elijah was told in vs. 3 to leave and go eastward and hide out at the Kerith Ravine. That was all he needed to know. Can you imagine Elijah saying, ”Wait a minute Lord, that is wilderness out there. How about a nicer place than that barren hill region? There are snakes out there. After all I just spoke a good word for you. What else do you have?”

Yet, there are many who think just like that. O, they want Gods’ direction in their lives, but they want to know what all is involved before they do what God tells them to. They want the plan completely laid out before them before they move to obey.

Friends, if God is directing you he will direct only one step at a time. You are not given a whole set of blueprints that map out your life as much as I wish He would do that. Instead He leads only one step at a time. Often we can never see the next one until we, by faith and obedience, move on what we know we should be doing next. God doesn’t send us anywhere without providing for us what we need to do what He wants. It may not be the Taj Mahal, it might be a desert or a wilderness, or a place of hiding, but that is far better than the Taj Mahal if that’s where God wants you to be.

There used to be marketing phrases appealing to our wants. Burger King’s phrase was “Have it your way.” McDonald’s slogan used to be “We do it all for you”. We hear things like that on advertisements enough we believe the whole revolves around us and Christians have bought into that thinking as well. The name it and claim it people make demands on God as if one wonders who is serving whom? That thinking toward God is sin. Sin is going your own way instead of God’s way.

God told Elijah to go to a barren, wilderness called Kerish. Elijah trusted God by taking that first step and what did he find here? He found the same situation that everyone else found all through their land-a draught. There wasn’t a nice cabin by the lake and beef steak on the open grill. There was a little tiny brook and the promise of God that birds would come and he could get food from them. Elijah experienced hardship as much as anyone else.

There is an unusual situation as Elijah step out. Ravens come and he gets his food, just as the Lord said would happen. God who could feed the Israelites in the desert with Manna from heaven, stopped the Manna as soon as the people entered the land and could work for themselves.

Elijah was cared for by a different miracle. The miracle didn’t have to be supernatural as much as intervention through the natural by God. Ravens could have easily come to feed their young with bread and meat, and the Elijah could have made himself available to it. Or they could have been so tame that Elijah was like their young, and the food was brought and laid out at his feet. The miracle was that God had so direct Elijah and promised food and drink. The ravens were directed to come to the very spot Elijah was directed to go.

Ravens were the first bird mentioned by name in Gen 8:6. Noah released a raven and it never returned to the ark. That bird was considered by Jewish law an unclean animal. The people were not allowed to eat it. We also read in the Psalms that God provides for the raven. Jesus said in Luke 12 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap and they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them.”

Henry Bosh from Radio Bible Class told a story of Christians in Japan. They depended upon orchards of 1,000 trees for their livelihood. They noticed the infestation of a type of worm that could destroy their crops. They gathered for prayer and cried unto the Lord. They had labored long and hard to see their crops destroyed. The next morning they awaked to see 100s of strange birds eating the worms without inuring the fruit, and saved the crop.

God arranges the circumstances of obedient servants, bent on knowing and following God’s will. Move out on what you know in obedience even if you do not know where that path may lead. Trust Him to arrange the circumstances.

What is the next step of obedience God is asking of you?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 3

Verses- I King 17:5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.

Trusting involves a step of Waiting.

I am too often tempted to be impatient in my Christian walk. Time when I know the truth of God’s word and the direction of God’s leading and seek to be obedient to that call. Then nothing happens. What went wrong? Did I misunderstand? What about others that seem to be getting blessings I long for? Temptation of trying new and improved methods, latest spiritual fads and competing in the spiritual race are attractive.

But when Elijah went to where God wanted him to go the word said “He stayed there”. He didn’t keep going looking for what God promised, he waited in obedience to see the next step God had.

For Elijah he was preaching the word. Now he is in the wilderness all by himself. I am convinced this was a growing experience. James says “count it all joy, my brethren when you fall into various trails for they produce patience.”

One of the jewels of faith is not so much the victory of success as it is the commitment to patience and perseverance in doing what God wants you to do. Waiting is hard. The problem with waiting is that we feel as if there is more for us to do. The struggle with trust is that we want to be in control again to accomplish what needs to be accomplished until we are reminded and taught the lesson that God must do His work in us. That is far more important than our doing our works for Him.

Type A personalities don’t wait very well. There is a time to run and a time to rest. Those times are determine by our Lord. When one waits one isn’t “doing nothing.” He is focusing on the Lord and reminded of His sovereignty. He is in prayer. He is in expectation of what is ahead not trying to force Gods’ hand but watching for what He is doing and learning contentment that He is a work in ways we know not of.

As I am thinking of the experiences of Moses I am reminding how much of faith is learning to trust in the waiting times. There are many examples in Scripture of barrenness and anticipating Gods’ next step. On the journey to the promised land God’s pillar of fire and cloud moved and stopped. When it moved the people picked up camp and were on their way. When it stopped they set up camp and waited. Certainly times of rest were important. Certainly preparation of heart and soul were needed during those waiting times. But can’t your imagine as I would the impatience they would have waiting for the blessings they were promised? God was wanting them to focus on Him more than what they were about to receive.

As much as I hate those waiting times if I am yielded to wait and not use my efforts and wisdom to do Gods’ work my faith, although not dramatic, is strengthened in the waiting and trusting times. Moses was in the wilderness 40 years before the promise land was realized. Jacob was 14 years in Hebron working before he received his wife and family. Paul was 3 years in training in Arabia before taken with Barnabas to Antioch.

With such important work to be done doesn’t it seem to be a waste of time to wait? But we read Ps 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Do what you know God wants you to do, and wait to watch Him do His work in and through you. Elijah did just that.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 4 - Testing


Verses- I King 17:7-9 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him:
"Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."

Trust involves a Step of Testing

To trust God completely almost always involves testing and trails in the life of any servant of God. I cannot stress that enough. There is too long the false teaching that when one becomes a Christian everything goes well. That is not Biblical.

There is peace that the world cannot offer. There is joy in serving Jesus. There is victory and happiness because life now has meaning and purpose and we are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ for all eternity, but don’t confuse that with the circumstances of this world. There will be times of testing of your faith. There will be difficult periods, depression, frustrating, times when you almost want to say you’ve had enough. God sometimes doesn’t seem fair and you want to quit.

Elijah is having a long crash course in trusting God. I believe that this is in preparation for the tremendous contest that he will perform at Mount Carmel. Too many Christians want to reach the top of Mount Carmel and call down the fire from heaven, but are not wiling to take the steps required of faith.

As we have seen so far, the first step is obedience to His word and the second step is faithful through waiting for Him to do His work, and next is being persistent in testing. Notice that the brook dried up. That certainly can be a mind boggling after being fully convinced that God led him there and is sustaining him there. Now his resources dry up.

This is the experience in the lives of pastors I know. They are led to work in a certain church. They are convinced of it. Things are going well, and all of the sudden everything goes wrong. There is tension, fighting, lack of resources, tragedy, and hardship. It is easy to shake one’s his head and murmur, “What happened? Lord, where are you? If I knew it was going to be like this I would never have come.”

That is exactly what the Lord wanted. It prepares him for the hard times. Not to lean or your education or how to do it books, or trust ones own understanding or rely on your own resources but to trust entirely on God.

There is a lesson in Elijah’s progressive dinner. The brook dried up. And the circumstances fell upon him. He couldn’t stay in the place provided for him. God has something more. Many times those next steps are not given into the first door is closed.

I was talking recently with friends who were growing in their faith. Things were never better. The door of opportunity opened up for them which they interpreted as God’s leading. Then that door closed right in their face. There was confusion. There was questioning of God. They did some soul searching and was forced to look at other areas of their lives. Would they trust God in the dark as much as they trusted him in the daylight of their lives? It wasn’t until that door was shut that they were even interesting in looking at another opportunity. There seemed to be a testing in their life.

Why do brooks dry up? -To teach us to move on to be alert to new instruction, to test our faith, to keep us from being content in our surroundings. That brook didn’t mean a thing. God did. He was the provider. It wasn’t the ravens or the trickle of the stream.

I do not like the testing times in my life. I want answers that I cannot come up with clearly. I have feelings I want to get rid of quickly. I want situations to change immediately. But God puts me through experiences to test me and try my faith. I find there is no one else to turn to. That the things I trust sometimes become more important than the person I am to trust. Circumstances can become more important than the most important relationship. We need to be barren at times to trust God alone and bury our self-centeredness. We need experiences beyond us so that we learn to learn.

I read a prayer that was found in Eleanor Roosevelt’s Bible “Lord may our opportunities always exceed our abilities that we may ever trust thee for strength.”

Jesus was 40 days of testing in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. What about your times of testing? You will have them. Will you remain faithful through them? Can you be convinced that God will not let you down? When it is the roughest He will be there to pick you up, and give you the strength to endure. Then you will be more like Jesus.

2 Cor 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into the our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 5


Verses I King 17:9-16 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread-- only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it-- and die."
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'"
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. (NIV)

Trusting Involves a Step of Sacrifice.

Trusting is complete when we can give up that which we think we need the most believing in God. Elijah was told now to go to the city of Zarephath of Sidon. That was where Jezebel was raised. That is the area of Baal worship. That was pagan land not occupied by the nation of Israel. Elijah was sent many miles away to a Gentile widow woman. But we recognize the important steps he too of obedience, waiting, and testing. In obedience God was going to provide food in a different way.

Remember when the apostle Peter was keeping the Jewish law so as not to have contact with Gentiles? Yet interestingly Elijah was told to go and eat with a gentile woman and receive her hospitality. She was not a woman of means, but indeed the very opposite. She was in great need. Peter had to have a vision from the Lord 3 times on the roof-top of unclean animals to eat. Peter had to learn what God makes clean is clean. That was the opening to spreading the gospel among the Gentiles.

I just wonder if that is what happened partly in the desert at Kerith. There were unclean birds, the ravens, that provided Elijah’s food. He took it and ate it as it was from God. Now the Lord is sending him to this unclean Gentile woman. I believe God is showing Elijah and us that throughout the history of Israel He was working among non Jewish people as well.
Elijah asked for a drink and she agreed to give him some. He also asked for bread. But she didn’t have but enough flour and oil to make but one supper and then die of starvation. What would you do if you had only enough food for one more meal and a stranger, who was also from a different race, came and asked for food? More than likely you would do what I would do. No way! But when Elijah speaks of the God of Israel, she knew this was a prophet from the God. She may have even known that he was the one the whole country side was looking for.
Here is the step of sacrifice that leads to trust. Would you be wiling to give even what little you have in trusting God first? By faith she was willing to give up first what she had believing the Word of God that He would provide. He asked for a sacrifice. The feeding of the prophet of God before her son was not only a test, but a sacrifice.

This reminds me of an old Country Western song about a fellow finding a pump in the dessert. It has a sign saying the water is clean and pure and there is plenty of it, but first you must take the jar of water that is buried beside it to moisten the washers with all the water. Do not take a drink from the water. It is a step of faith. Giving up what water when you are thirsty is a step of faith that requires the sacrifice of what you need believing the word so you and others will receive what you need.

God wants us to trust Him with the little bit that you have. Give it to Him and I will multiply it beyond your imagination if it is in accordance with his truth. The God of miracles could have easily given a whole roomful of food for the next 2 years supply. But the lesson was to trust God for one’s daily need, continually applying faith. They must sacrifice to God what they had first, and He would supply the rest. Bread was given day by day. Strength that God gives is for the moment, not before and not after, but just for the time you need it. We must continually be looking to him for our strength. God he does not want us to trust the gifts he gives, but Himself as the giver.

I know a friend of our family in Detroit who was unemployed and his resources were running out. He prayed often for a job and nothing came. He attended the church meeting one evening and heard the plight of mission program. He sensed God wanting him to give his last $5.00. He thought of his need and wisdom said he shouldn’t. But out of obedience and sacrifice he put it in the offering plate- all he had. Tomorrow he would go beg for food.

Following the service one of the men from the church offered him a job to start immediately in the morning, food provided. He couldn’t believe it. He was not manipulated by some manipulative evangelist; his dealings were between him and God. His faith was not in what he gave but in obedience to trust the Lord with what he was prompted to do.

The story is told of Dr. Henry Ironsides from the Moody church met with some founders of Dallas Theological Seminary realizing there was a debt of $10,000 that had to be paid before the school was in forecloser. Henry prayed, “Lord, we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are Thine. Please sell some of them and send us the money.”

While they were praying a tall Texan with boots on and an open collar came into the business office and said, “I just sold two carloads of cattle in Fort Worth. I’ve been trying to make a business deal go through and it won’t work. I felt God is compelling me to give this money to the Seminary.”

The secretary took the check to where the men were praying and it was the exact amount of the debt.

There are many stories of people compelled to sacrifice under the direction of the Lord who find that with obedience, waiting, testing and sacrifice, God is worthy of their trust.

This widow found a little bit and God was enough.

Pastor Dale