Holy Fire Came Down

Imagine this scene: 450 crazed prophets of Baal, prophesying, yelling, dancing, jumping, cutting themselves in an effort to get the attention of a god that didn't exist to bring fire down and burn their wood sacrifice. The dead god couldn’t perform.

After this pitiful spectacle, the faithful prophet Elijah steps forward, prepares his wood sacrifice, pouring water on everything just to heckle the false prophets. Then he prays.

1 Kings 18:37-39 Hear me, O Lord , hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  And when all the people saw it,, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

What power! God doesn’t do things half-way. He still answers prayer in a magnificant way. Did Elijah live happily ever after? Not for awhile. King Ahab’s wife put a contract out on him, and He fled in fear of his life.

Much later, far away, he sits under a Juniper tree discouraged and depressed. But God sent an angel to comfort him, feed him, and restore his strength. God does the same for us when we are discouraged and depressed.

 “The God on the mountain is still God in the valley”

Forgiveness

When we experience forgiveness in our hearts, it humbles us and makes us gentle and forgiving toward others.

I wrestled with this many years ago when an elderly lady chewed me out before church in front of everyone for missing some services. Devastated, I wanted to run out the door and never come back. But I loved my church. I needed my church, and I needed prayer to be more faithful --- not this.

It was difficult to forgive her, though I knew I should. Overwhelmed and hurt,  I prayed, “Lord, don’t let me hate her. Help me to forgive her.” We had known each other a long time.

A couple months later she asked if something was wrong. I guess it showed. I told her how she hurt my feelings. She didn’t realize it and apologized. I forgave her as we bawled and hugged. The “unforgiving monster” vanished, and I slept quite well that night..

Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

The People God Uses

God uses unknown and ordinary people who are consecrated to His mission. Why? Because He will receive the most glory.

1 Corinthians 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Remember young David and the giant?

1 Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Many battles are won when we come in the name of the Lord of hosts. When we lean on Jesus and His resources, we expect victory.  David was determined to honor the Lord despite the size and power of Goliath. His eyes were not on the problem, but on the Problem-solver!

Do you want to be the kind of person God uses for His purpose? I do. Regardless of what it costs in time, energy or reputation; dedicate your life to God and let Him use you.

What A Savior!

There are certain aspects of a believer’s relationship with Jesus that brings joy and comfort to our hearts. Think about it. Though He sees everything we do -- the right, the wrong, defects and  flaws -- He still loves us.

He knew me before He saved me, and He saved me still. He knew that I would fail Him daily, but He loves me still, waiting in the shadows to rescue me when I stumble and call upon His name. What A Savior! His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary is the ultimate love.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What does Jesus want from us?  A life devoted to Him. A clean, holy life is a sweet smelling sacrifice to the Lord.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.