“I am desolate and afflicted.”
Save me Oh Lord…
Christianity serving God
Shared from My Daily Musings
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Shared from My Daily Musing
You Teach People – http://wp.me/p3EI2c-8ye
Elijah, a man of God 10: theunfetteredpreacher
The angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
This is where we left Elijah, 40 days and nights, no food or drink, till he reached the mountain of God.
1 Kings 19
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”
Elijah answered, “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Still pushing I am all You have Lord, I am the only faithful servent You have.
The Lord spoke: “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.”
Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave.
Elijah knew the voice of the Lord, he had spent time with the Lord, we see here the Lord, shaking up his depression. Reminding him, you know Me, trust Me, I know where you are, and the fear that is within you.
The Lord asked him again: “What doest thou here, Elijah?”
Elijah again gives the wrong answer: “ I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Has he forgotten the children of Israel came back to God after the fire fell.
The Lord gave him new orders: “Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. ”
The Lord, in spite of Elijahs wrong headed thoughts, still knew he would do as commanded. He names Elijahs successor, Your work is nearly done, have faith… Then He told him once more: “Yet I have left me seven thousnd in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
We do not need to know all the Lord has, or wants, or does. He needs us to do as He desires, in spite of what we think, or know or think we know.
Even an obedient, faithful man of God, can feel defeated, misused, depressed. It takes obedience, to work through our doubts, fears and misunderstanding.
Just find your secret place, rest in Him, follow His directions, He will see you through.
Tales from my Father 3: theunfetteredpreacher
My Dad always had a love for the mechanical. Is your washing machine, sewing machine or lawn mower broke?
Get young Bob Cote over here, He fixes things. He would take things apart, figure out what was wrong, and Bobs your Uncle… it was fixed.
He was a handy man. He did many jobs before he found his calling. He worked at one of the 3 or 4, wooden furniture shops in town before WWII.
For the war effort, he worked in a factory, making 5″ gun barrels for the Navy: http://www.navweaps.com/ “(This was unquestionably the finest Dual Purpose gun of World War II. Originally designed to arm new destroyers being built in the 1930s, the 5″/38 (12.7 cm) wound up being used on nearly every major US warship built between 1934 and 1945 and was still being used on new construction as late as the 1960s.)” (copied from navweaps.com)
Of course being the man he was, he saved the end cuts, (pieces left over, too small for use), took them home and made ash trays and book ends out of some.
After the war, he opened up Bobs Fix-it Shop. He fixed what ever people needed. Cars, now could get tires and gas and started to break down.
“Lets see what Bob can do?” Right place right time, prosperity was raising her lovely head. Cars, were his future. Families, were getting 2nd cars, he was soon opening a garage, still a Fix-it Shop, but a Filling Station also.
Bobs Fix-it Shop
He worked 12 to 18 hours a day. Sundays, just six, no repairs, only sold fuel, after 6am Mass till noon. We would take rides all over creation on Sunday afternoons, so no one could reach him for their emergency.
Christmas he was off, unless a snowstorm had come over night. He would be out plowing, come home for breakfast, watch us open presents and spend however long it took to plow his garage yard and his customers driveways.
He was a work-aholic. I started out that way…. didn’t stick…. lol.
If I had had, his ambition, I might have made something of my life. Oh well.
Thats all for today. I will try to keep them coming.
Elijah, a man of God 9: theunfetteredpreacher
1 Kings 19
Saints, If we could get our heads around the Biblical truth in this post, we would be walking in the Yoke with Jesus, our burdon would be light, we would find rest for our souls.
Open our Spiritual eyes please Lord.
Our man Elijah, called down the fire of God to burn up his sacrifice, the Israelites, have turned back to God.
Elijah, had a Word of Knowledge, he heard:
“ a sound of abundance of rain.”
He did not just sit and wait for the fulfillment of Gods promise, NO, he found his place of prayer, his secret place. Then he looked for the promise.
When the promise wasn’t seen, he kept praying and had his man look seven times.
The rains came. “ the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Obedience combined with prayer, gave Israel rain and Elijah, super-sonic, God powered, transport, to beat horses and Chariot to Jezreel.
Now Ahab was a wicked King, but he had just seen Gods power, and he was upset at the death of his prophets.
Like most bullies, he went home and cried to his wife. “Nothings going my way, Elijah was so mean, what am I going to do?” “Nobodies going to respect or fear me anymore” “boo hoo” Well, maybe not, but he did tell Jezebel.
Jezebel, wasn’t just a bully, she was completely evil and vindictive…. she was, just plain mean.
She sent this message to Elijah: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.”
Now Elijah, the man of faith and power, stood tall and cried out: “BRING IT ON!!!” Just like Clint Eastwood, in a movie.
Well not quite: “when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life.”
This mighty man of God, running for his life, hiding in the wilderness, sat under a juniper tree: “and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”
(The juniper tree is a favorite spot to camp in the desert, it is one of the largest shrubs. It protects from the wind at night and gives a measure of shade in the day.)
Then he did what I do, when I am depressed, fed up, scared, confused, ….(most days, I guess). He slept.
We don’t worry, when we sleep, we only dream. We rest, regain our strength, sort out our thoughts. We allow the Lord to minister to us.
Elijah, being a man of faith received special treatment. No stream and ravens feeding him, this time.
No, an angel woke him, baked a cake on coals, gave him water. He ate and drank, and slept once again.
Recovery from depression, is the only instance I recall in the Bible, of a healing taking time and no special effort. (wash in the Jorden 7 times).
Our churches should not be hospitals, but Fix-it Shops-Filling Stations, the hurting should be healed, filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out to spread the same.
THAT WAS GODS PLAN.
Jesus healed, “now, today, … go and sin no more.”
The angel.came once again, and told him:
“Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for the thee.”
He arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
Like Moses, back to the mountain of God.
We find the truth, the place of power and answered prayer, if we would only understand and put into practice, Gods Word.
Psalm 65:4a
King James Version (KJV)
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee,”
God called Moses, Elijah, David, Asa, Abraham, Peter, Paul and Mary, and today, you and I.
He desires and offers so much more, than Salvation, He offers us His entire essence.
He will “cause us to approach Him.”
If we will learn to approach, to find the secret place, under His wings, our lives would be so different.
Unfortunately, we don’t, we live in the outskirts of His Kingdom.
He didn’t force us to accept Salvation, He doesn’t force us to come close.
➢Only one, rested his head on Jesus breast.
➢Only one, saw heaven.
➤Only one, died a natural death.
The 400 years of silence. Was not because the Lord had nothing to say. It was because NO ONE, DREW CLOSE TO LISTEN!!!
Today we see vary little of Gods healing power, signs and wonders and miracles.
Not because God dosn’t want to do those things, He promised us we would do them and more.
Because so few draw nigh, we have few Faith Healers, few true Prophets, but many Pasters and teachers.
Learning Gods word and sharing it, takes work, study and prayer but with some effort, a Preacher/Teacher is born.
My question is: “How many are walking in the Power of God? Are the multitudes lining up to hear Gods voice, be healed, comforted, set free?”
God has bigger plans for those who have chosen “to approach Him,”
He has special promises to those who refuse to stay in the outskirts of His Kingdom.
Psalms 65:4b
“that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”
Moses and Elijah could go for 40+ days without food and water because they lived under the shadow of His wings, they found the Secret Place… the place available to all who call Him Lord.
Next instalment… Elijah is schooled by the Father.
Isn’t it interesting, a man of Faith and Power, yet he needs reminding of who he is and who he is dealing with.
Lord, please “cause us to approach” you, lead us to that secret place, help us to understand and then stand on Your Word. Amen
Tales from my Father 2: theunfetteredpreacher
My Dad had a love of cars from a young age. He was driving his own vehicles, on the road, from 12 years and up.
Now these vehicles were usually, only half a body, a front seat and just a flat bed behind.
Two stories that caused him to roar in laughter, when he shared them.
He had 6 younger siblings, they had been a couple miles down the road at a neighbours, gathering and loading hay on his flat bed.
He drove them home, all the kids sitting on top of the hay, he says he turned into the driveway a little too fast.
The hay and the kids all ended up in the middle of the road. No one hurt, but his Dad wouldn’t let him drive for a couple of weeks.
One other time, the vehicle he drove had a gravity fed gas line. He never had more than a gallon at a time and often less.
To go up hill, since the gas tank was under the front seat, he would have to drive in reverse.
He had a friend in the passenger seat, as he whipped it around to go up the hill backwards, his friend fell out, and was run over by the back wheel.
He was not hurt, Dad said the back end wasn’t heavy enough to do any damage. His friend never let him live it down.
On a serious note:
Latter on, when he was around 18, he and a friend were in a street legal car, full body, even registered and licenced.
When he had a terrible accident in which his friend was killed. An event, that you never forgive or forget.
I know the guilt and pain he carried, I don’t know if he ever experienced the forgiveness of Christ. The lifting of the burden off his soul.
He believed, as a good Catholic believes, he knew who Jesus was, he knew the gospel.
He never did know or understand, he could have a personal relationship.
I was never able to make him or anyone in my family understand.
I prayed when I first got saved, fervently, effectually, I was the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
I believe I heard the Lord say: ENOUGH BILL, I HEARD YOU…
I rest on that belief. I trust I will see him and the rest of my family I prayed for. Amen
Tales from my Father 1: theunfetteredpreacher
It just occurred to me, that with the death of my sister, I am now the repository of our family stories.
If you care to read them, be my guest. I just would like them written down somewhere for any grand children that may be interested.
My Dad was born in 1917, and most of these short stories were told to me by him. His right leg had been broken, when in grammer school as they played ring around the flag pole.
Somehow, they pulled hard enough so the pole fell down, my Dads leg caught between it and a rock. He ended up, his right leg an inch and a half shorter then his left.
His friend Charley, pulled him to school and home in either a wagon or a sled for at least that year. Thanks, Charlie, wish I could remember your last name.
His Dad, Wellie Cote, had a home in Ashburnham, Mass. Not really a farm, but a farm house, a field, garden, a chicken house, a small barn, with 3 stalls for milking.
Three of his favorite stories concerned the cows. One, Bessie, spent her days with the other cows, down the road at a neighbours field.
When it was time for them to come home, his little brother Earnie would go up and lead the cows home riding Bessie. Quite a site.
They had another cow that kept getting out of its stall. Dad was kept home from school to find out how she escaped.
It was a quiet morning, he was almost asleep on the hay, when he heard a noise, looked up and the front hooves of the cow were on the the top of the bottom half of the dutch door.
Sure enough, she was over it and out of the barn in a blink of the eye.
One other time they had the outside door of the barn, closed enough so she couldn’t squeeze through.
She got stuck, when she jumped through a closed window. Front half out, back side in.
Lots of broken glass, not a mark on her.
I think that takes care of the cows, next I will try cars.
I realize I should have expounded on the Spiritual meaning, but I don’t think there is one.
Hope it brought a chuckle.
Elijah, a man of God 8: theunfetteredpreacher
Elijah has reappeared in King Ahabs life, we have seen the Lord send down fire to burn up Elijahs sacrifice.
The people of Israel, have repented, and helped round up the prophets of Baal, so they could be executed for refusing to repent and follow God.
That is where we find ourselves. 1 Kings 18
“And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.”
Elijah, given another Word of Knowledge, “a sound of abundance of rain.” Telling the King once more what to do.
“Get thee up, eat and drink;”
Ahab did as directed.
“Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,”
He had a Word of Knowledge, rain is comming, but where is it? He believed, but did not just sit and wait, no, he cast himself down, (Not just kneeled, but fell to his knees), and put his face between his knees.
We find Elijah, praying the Word from God into existence.
“And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.”
Seven times, do you think it might be significant? Check out how often seven times is required.
➣Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
➢dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times
➢dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord:
➢and sprinkle the house seven times:
➢thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.
➣if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
➢ if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
➢seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
➣it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
➢he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child
➣Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
➢The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
➣Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
➢For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
➣they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
➢ I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
➣if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
And it came to pass at the seventh time,
that he said, “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.”
And Elijah said, “Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.”
And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, he ran faster than a chariot… or was he translated?
It doesn’t matter, it was The Lord.
Lord, help us to be people on which, “the hand of the Lord,” could reside. Lord help us to be faithful, obedient servants. Amen
The mercy of the Lord: theunfetteredpreacher.com
We have all heard the non-believers say:
“A loving God wouldn’t send me to hell, I am a good person, I do more good then evil.”
It is a shame that, this argument is so wrong. We cannot be good and God doesn’t send us to hell.
We condemn ourselves by our lack of belief.
We will all live eternally. Will it be an eternal life with the Lord or eternal seperation from all that is good?
Only by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, do we find life.
Psalm: 103
“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting: How does He show His mercy?
➤ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities?
➤ Who healeth all thy diseases?
➤ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction?
➤ Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies?
➤ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s?
➤ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
➤ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
➤ As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
➤ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
The Lord gives us every opportunity to recognize and accept Him as Lord and Savior.
The heavens proclaim His glory, the tides of the sea, remind us of His never ending love.
We only need to open our hearts and eyes, to allow the Lord entrance to our lives.
Then follow His simple instructions:
➤ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
➤ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
➤ Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Lords mercy is everlasting, to us and our children and their children. Give your children a blessing, know, love and serve the Lord. The Lord promises His mercy:
“upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”
Shared from Truth in Palmyra
Elijah-How One Man Made a Difference-Part 10 – http://wp.me/p503cN-4d9
I mentioned my friend Wallys series earlier.
You should check out his site… lots of great content.
Elijah, a man of God 6: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
1 Kings 18: Elijah meets Ahab again, this time Signs and Wonders confirm his Word.
“How long halt ye between two opinions?”
For three years Elijah stayed with the widow, while the Lord provided food daily and raised her son from the dead. (miracles)
The Lord told Elijah to go to Ahab, he went, but Ahab, in the end, came to him.
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said unto him: “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?”
From Adam to you and I, when we sin our first response is: “That woman you gave me.” It’s not my fault, I was tricked, I had no idea You didn’t approve of …
When will we just learn to say, Yes, Lord, I screwed up, forgive me?
Elijah set the record straight: “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” (a Word of Knowledge)
Remember: “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.”
Elijah then sent for all Israel, the 450 prophets of Baal, (the sun God), and 400 of Jezebels prophets, (of the groves), to gather at Mt Carmel.
After they were gathered Elijah spoke:
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him:” (a Word of Wisdom)
This really, is a question for us, today.
Todays Christian is more likely to identify with his Denomination than with Christ.
I’m a Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Church of God, ect…
The symbols, rituals, traditions of our services, have become more important then true Worship.
(If you don’t think so, try skipping a tradition to use the time for teaching, or testimonials.)
We worry more about filling the seats, meeting the buget, tickling the ears, then training our people how to wait on the Lord.
We are double minded.
We cannot follow Christ, because we are following, Luther, Wesley, Billy or Franklin, Charles Stanley…. (all good examples), but not the final word.
The Book is what we need to follow. The people in Elijahs time: “answered him not a word.”
Unfortunately today, we don’t, by silence, admit to our sins. No we have many words, multiple excuses.
Every man, woman and child, written about in the Bible, is just that. Some of them sin, and rebel against God.
Some, hide and feed the prophets of God.
Some sing and pray, and interceed, others are Prophets, some work miracles, some have great faith, and heal the sick.
They are people, like us. No better or worse, not at all different then us except, obedience to God is job #1.
Do you ever wonder why we don’t see signs and wonders following? Why our children are so easily, pulled away from “the church?”
We have allowed “the church”, to become the building, “Worship” to become, the order of the Sunday service.
The “presence of God”, is just an after thought.
We are “The Church, Christ in us, the hope of glory. The things He did and more, are our great commission.”
He sent us to build a house for Him to abide in. Our house, (Gods Temple), is full of the world, instead.
We must empty ourselves of the world, and fill ourselves with His Word and Life.
You might be a powerful prophet of God. Or lead the next great Bible teacher, to the Lord.
We cannot do either with out a strong, faithful, obedience to His Word and Spirit.
He gave us the tools, you know what they are, but they are buried, out of sight, misunderstood, rejected, never to be seen and used, by those who claim to believe.
Lord, open our eyes, lead us to the place, You would use us. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit, to do Your will. Amen
Elijah, a man of God 5: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
As we continue with Elijahs story in1 Kings 18: we find:
O, BLA D, O, BLA DA, LIFE GOES ON,.. YA,… LA, LA, LA, LA, LIFE, GOES ON.
After three years of drought, food and water had become scarce, we find King Ahab and Obadiah, (the trusted head of his house), splitting up to search the land for water and grass to keep the live stock alive.
The Lord tells us twice, how Obadiah had defied his King and the wicked Queen Jezebel, by hiding and feeding, 100 prophets of God, to foil Jezebels plan to kill them.
The Lord is showing us a man, an ordinary man, with the gift of faith, a righteous man, who if caught would have faced death, yet did what he could, even if secretly, to serve God.
Meanwhile back at the widows home, the miracle of provision is ongoing. When Elijah receives more words of Knowledge and Wisdom.
“Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” “And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab.”
Another page turned, leave your place of provision, Go back and find the man who would have you dead, and speak truth to him once again.
Really Lord? Will you at least send an earth quake, or loud voice from heaven or are you going to leave me there alone once again.
We find: “Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab.”
The Lord just will not alow Elijah to get too comfortable. He doesn’t want us to get too comfortable either.
We must be willing to give up our comfortable circumstances and walk where the Lord directs, if we wish to be used for His glory.
When Obadiah meets Elijah on the road, he recognized him, and was afraid to tell Ahab that Elijah was there for two reasons.
First: Ahab had been searching for Elijah and made an oath to punish those who were hiding him.
Second: He was afraid God would translate Elijah away, and Ahab would blame him.
“And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.”
And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.”
This last verse tickles me, God told Elijah to go show himself to Ahab, but:
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
Ahab came to the man of God.
Elijah, a man just like you, used of God, because he knew Gods voice and acted apon it.
If we learn to hear, then obey the voice of The Holy Spirit. We may find ourselves used by God. Possibly in a way that saves lives.
Lord open the doors, help us to hear… teach us to walk with You. Amen
Elijah, a man of God 4: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
1 Kings 17: Now I Know!!!
As we once again join our prophet, he is still being fed by the gift of miracles and the widow.
(Are you tired of seeing gifts and word of? I keep repeating it because they are the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents of Matthew 25, given to us to build His church.
Instead of striving to receive and learning to increase their use, most Denominations have buried them).
Unfortunately, like the manna of old, this never runnng out of oil and flour, it’s not so amazing anymore, this miracle, has become old hat, expected… Maybe it is just the way it is, is it really even a miracle?
Then the widows world gets turned upside down. The son whom she loves gets sick and dies.
She cries out: “What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?”
She believes this sickness is a punishment for past sins. It is not. It is for the glory of God.
Elijah answered: “Give me thy son.” He took the boy to his loft, laid him on his bed.
“O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?”
The man of God, had no fore knowledge of this sickness, he had no understanding of the Lords plan, but he had the Gift of Faith for the working of miracles.
So he stretched himself out three times apon the child, crying out: “O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.”
The symbol of “3” times is important for this first person raised from the dead in the word.
A fortaste of the only begotten.
The Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the child revived, and awoke from the dead.
We underestimate the power of our words, the power of life and death are in the tongue.
We often speak death, to our finances, health, relationships, jobs… We must learn to speek truth and the truth of, Gods Word.
What does God desire for us?
We need to know the answer to that and speak it into existence. As the Lord spoke the world into existence.
Elijah brought the child to his mother and said: “See, thy son liveth.”
Her answer is classic: “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.”
The miracles of provision had become commonplace, of no notice. “by this I know.”
Saints, that is one of my biggest failures, to realize the Lord has supplied my needs for the last 35 plus years.
He said He would, and He has. I heard it asked: “What would tomorrow be like, if we only had what we thanked God for today?”
No, like the Hebrews, we need more. It’s not enough our sandles aren’t worn-out, we have food and shelter. Our lusts and desires only bring leaness to our souls.
It is hard for us to acknowledge the everyday miracles we receive. We just accept them and never really seek the face of God, to walk in his power as Elijah did.
Elijah, like Abram, Moses, David and all the other Bible greats were just men and women such as we are.
No more or less. Why do they stand above the crowd?
They learned to live at the feet of Jesus, they knew and walked in the way of the Holy of Holies.
Even when they missed the mark, their hearts were turned toward God. How about you?
Lord, draw us close to You. Mold us into vessels you can use, to draw all men to You. Amen
What is my responsibility as “theunfetteredpreacher”? The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
The last few weeks I have gotten some wonderful feed back, about some of my blog posts.
My purpose and my prayer is that this blog brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Being brought up Catholic, I had heard the Bible stories, believed Jesus died for me and yet never knew I could know Him.
After much prayer, that if He (God), was real I wanted to know a God of Power, not just of hot wind.
He brought me to Christian Retreat in Bradenton Fla.
They believed and taught me for 3 years, as I worked as a cook, to study the Word for myself, with out Denominational Glasses.
When I first left school, I thought you needed to believe like I do, or you were not a good Christian. Thank God, I grew out of that.
As I found truth in the word I had not been taught I was excited, it was new revelation to me. My eyes were opened, some others were not excited.
We find all sorts of Denominations that do not except the truth of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today.
Where in my understanding, Jesus told us to wait to receive, so we would be equiped for the ministry. This includes all the Gifts in 1 Cor. 12-14, Eph. and Romans.
So I find myself knowing, reading and learning from the KJ only people, Baptists, Catholics, Prosperity Preachers, even the UMC, where I play piano, lead praise (not so much now), and teach OT.
I feed on the truth… backed up by 2 or 3 scriptures, chuckle at some harmless bad Doctrine and throw out the dangerous Doctrine.
In my old age I have realized, if we agree we love and serve Jesus, the rest is the color in Gods garden. He made us all as we are, and loves us even if we are wrong, if our hearts are right.
I leave you with these three scriptures…
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Isaiah 57:15
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
If you meet the above criteria, you are my brother. It is your responsibility to study to shew yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth.
So don’t take my word, or another mans word, as the ultimate truth; KNOW FOR YOURSELF, WHAT TO BELIEVE BY THE STUDY OF THE WORD.
Lord, I pray I lead no one anywhere, except closer to You. Amen
A quick trip down memory lane:
In case you missed it, yesterday, (6/3/16), while visiting family in Massachusetts, my big sister (by 10 years), had a stroke, around 8am, and was brought to the hospital.
Then transferred to a bigger hospital and she passed on a little after 12 noon, the same day.
As far as I know, she never accepted Jesus into her life, and would always tell me not to talk about God around her.
A few years ago, while they were staying with us, I asked why she was so set against hearing about Jesus.
It seems when I was first saved, (late 79?), I would call her collect and tell her about Jesus, often enough to be a real pest.
I am not sure if it is Jesus or calling collect which bothered her more, but she would not speak about God or Politics since.
(me, mom, martha, the last time together at my house)
After I heard of her stroke, I prayed that Jesus would please give her another chance to accept him… I trust that He did.
In my youth she was my babysitter, by the time I was in my teens, I was a terrible example for her children.
We could not talk except for our pets or family, but I still enjoyed her company. I hope to see her at the resurection.
May she Rest In Peace.
Prayer Requested – UPDATE
This is my sister Martha, while visiting our home town in MA. I have just heard she is in the hospital with a stroke.
Please lift her up, for a full recovery. Will update as needed.
Thanks,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, Martha, met her maker a little after noon today.
Elijah, a man of God 3: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
We are looking at Elijah and the widow woman from 1 Kings 17. If you would like to see how he got here, otherwise briefly:
He was beside a brook, exactly where he was told to be by the Lord. Food provided by Ravens, and all the water he could drink.
Until, because of the drought, the brook dried up.
“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”
The Prophet of God, he has the Gift of Faith, now receiving another Word of Knowledge and a Word of Wisdom.
“behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”
Elijah was an Israelite, he knew the law and this was not right. He knew the Lords commands to care for widows and the fatherless.
Yet his instructions are clear, go, the widow will feed, clothe, give him a place to lay his head.
This colors the way he approached her. He didn’t request water, but asked for a little drink, he didn’t ask for a meal, but a morsel, (a small amont), of bread.
He met her where she was.
This is a lesson we all must learn. Not asking people for more than they have to give. This is true of offerings, physical assistence, prayers and especially Salvation.
A lot of folks might come to the Lord if, we weren’t trying to clean them up first. “Quit that lifestyle, then come and join us at church.”
Jesus met them where they were, opened their eyes to the possibilities of a better life, health, wealth, peace, joy.
It wasn’t till they asked questions, did he bring up their faults and offer forgiveness.
Asking for little the woman replied:
“As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
Where she was:
She had no cake – just a handful of meal and a little oil.
She was gathering “2” sticks. (It must have been vary little supply, to be cooked with only 2 sticks).
That we might eat, all that we have, there was no hope, in her, for life, only to die.
She said this in an oath to Elijahs God, not her Canaanite God.
Yet, Elijah once again speaks a Word of Knowledge:
“Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”
A test; feed me first.
We face this test daily, does God come first in our lives. Do we first obey Him, then attend to our desires? I would like to think I do, but in reality,… nope.
“For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.”
This another Word of Knowledge, the meal and oil will not run out. The Word of Wisdom, feed me first.
“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.”
She went and did according to the Word of the Lord, through His Prophet.
The Lord watched over His Word.
We might see this Working of Miracles, God moving in our midst, if we would only learn to listen and obey.
Elijah, a man of God 2: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
As we take another look at Elijah, a quick reminder of what went before.
He appears out of nowhere, a nobody, an unknown who finds himself before the King of all the land. (An evil King at that)
He is a Prophet of the Lord, he has a Word of Knowledge from the Lord, and he has the Gift of Faith, from the Lord and boldly proclaims, to this evil King. (Ahab)
“As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
Picture that, speaking to the King… There are no lightning bolts, earth quakes, darkness covering the earth, or even a loud voice from heaven.
Just your words… (no signs, wonders or miracles confirming your words).
Just the King, his mouth open in amazement, his body guards, frozen in place, not reacting to stop this nobody, who is suddenly here in front of the King , rebucking the King…
An angry King, with the power to have you arrested, imprisoned, beheaded.
Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Lord to show himself strong on your behalf?
The Lord didn’t think so, instead he told Elijah:
“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith”
What? Go hide? I just, in Faith, spoke Your word, rebuked the most powerful man in my world, and all You do is tell me to GO HIDE?
Well not quite, the Lord also told him:
“And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
God is Awesome, able to meet our needs by using Ravens if He so chooses. Why do we get so excited when times get lean?
Where is our Faith?
Did the Lord not promise, He would never leave us or forsake us? Did you not read, My God shall supply all my needs? Or the Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not want?
As I write this, it is the first of the month, my mortgage is due along with all my other monthly obligations.
I’ve not the money to pay, or the work lined up to make The money I need to pay.
“And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.”
I’ve been here, where God sent me, doing Gods will, and now the brook has dried up.
What’s going on Lord, have I sinned?
What did I do, to be here, lacking, my basic needs?
You promised You would provide, what’s up?
Now, I know I am no Elijah, and it seems I am not a rain maker.
In my case, I believe I was sent to this little God loving and loved by God church, to lead them to more.
More Power, More Joy, More Jesus, More Life, More Peace, health, wisdom, grace….
They listen, nod their heads and say: “If God wanted us to have that, He would have given it to us.”
Never to realize, they had to ask for salvation, before receiving it. It is the same with the Gifts of the Spirit. We must ask, let God know He is our provider, let Him know we know His word and will. Seek the best Gift.
The best gift is the Gift needed now. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK…
Do not stop until you receive. An answer. Yes, No or latter.
In Elijahs case, God had more for him to do elsewhere.
“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”
A new chapter is awaiting him as he obeys the voice of the Lord.
Do you feel like you are stuck, that there is little or no forward motion in your life? Have you ignored the voice of the Lord?
Maybe it is time to move on in His will, to a new chapter in your life.
Seek Him, prayerfully. Amen
Elijah, a man of God 1: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station
I hesitate to write this post, but my Wednesday night Bible study has reached 1 Kings 17, this week, so it has been on my heart and mind.
I hesitate, because my friend Wally Fry, from Truth in Palmya, is already doing an excellent study on Elijah – How one man made a difference.
I have enjoyed reading his thoughts and teachings, and I urge you to check it out for yourselves.
So, I humbly submit my thoughts on this, my favorite Biblical figure.
1 Kings 17
King James Version (KJV)
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
The first thing that tickles my fancy is, this man Elijah, comes out of nowhere, A nobody, we know nothing of his back story, yet here he is confronting the most powerful man in Israel, the King, Ahab.
In chapter 16 we read that: “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”
As it is today, it was a light thing, nothing to worry about, of no consequence, for people to worship and serve the false gods of money, status and power.
To ignore that which is right and true, for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, to be preferred.
We may wonder how Elijah came to know the Lords will, how he found access to the king and maybe most of all, where the boldness to speak this word, came from.
Elijah, unlike Abram, in Genisis 12, who we find, “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,”
“The Lord had said,” This implies more than once, the Lord spoke, told Abram, His will, His directions, before Abram was obedient.
We see no recorded words of direction, to Elijah, he just appears on the scene, the faith and power of the Holy Spirit upon him to speak the Words of the Lord.
That is exactly what it was: A Word of Knowledge, by the Gift of a Prophet: “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” Powered by the Gift of Faith.
A lesson on the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents left by the Master to His servents, those who are expected to increase the Talents, (the Gifts), until His return. wow…
That took Faith, a knowledge, a belief in the Lord, that is enviable. I believe it is the Faith, the Lord would have us all, attain.
I believe it is recorded, not to leave us in awe, but to show us, what is possible to them that believe.
We could walk in this place of power and obedience, fulfilling the will of God, but we don’t want it enough, to learn to sit at the Lords feet, to boldly enter in and reside in the Holy of Holies, under the shadow of the Almighty.
We gladly accept Salvation, forgiveness, justification. We are happy that simple belief will keep us blameless before the Lord, through the precious blood of Jesus.
Not because of anything we do, but because of what He did.
How many of us are diligent, persistent, faithful in the renewing of our minds, hiding His Words in our hearts, to become holy, knowing the good, aceptable and perfect will of the Lord, which is, our reasonable service.
The Faith of Elijah, the Power, the signs and wonders, why aren’t we seeing them today?
“Where is the God of Elijah, today?”
2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
Is that you? Is your heart perfect toward Him? Do you believe, would you dare to rebuke the King of His sin?
The measure of Faith you have received, needs to be built up, enlarged and released, for the glory of God.
According to your Faith, so be it.
Watch out though, after being obedient, Elijah heard: “Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide.”
Be ready to retreat, to hide, to be able to fight another day.
Obedience to the Lord, may not be a pleasent place, just the place of power and truth, the place I long to stand.
How about you?
theunfetteredpreacher 