Standout verse: 1 Kings 18:21

“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.”

God’s people had been living in a culture of such mixture and impurity that they had become confused about who they were and about who He was. Their silence and lack of definition was killing them, SO, God sent Elijah to deliver a wake up call.

The world’s ideas and lifestyles claim to bring happiness, but they are built on the sinking sand of half-truths and self-centered ideologies.  Let’s not be fooled and influenced by these life-stealing ideas and principles. If we live our lives with one foot in the world and one foot in God’s truth, we’ll get ripped off from the GOOD STUFF our awesome Heavenly Father has made available to each one of us!

Just like back then, these are days of decision and definition. GOD WANTS US TO TRULY KNOW THAT HE ALONE IS GOD, THAT HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER AND LEAD TO FRUITFUL LIFE.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man but it’s end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:15-16 ,“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident”.

Standout verses: I Kings 17:1-9 - Elijah Goes Into the Wilderness to Escape the Drought

Elijah was one of those guys who got things done.  When God said, “I want you to go here”, or “do this”, there was no argument from Elijah, he just did it – even when it appeared highly unconventional.  As Elijah overcame his fears and stepped out in obedience and faith (time and time again) the Lord never failed to protect him and provide for his every need.

Be encouraged by the life of Elijah!  He knew that “when God guides, He will also provide.”  Many times when we are facing situations that seem impossible, it is easy to question God’s plan and fall into fear.  However, if we are walking closely with Him, we have no reason to be afraid.  Stepping out in faith can lead to incredible breakthrough (in our lives and the lives of others), unconventional blessings, provision and adventure that we could never have imagined!

Standout Verse:

Psalm 133:1

“Behold, how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Our God loves REAL fellowship and unity.  This kind of fellowship holds no secrets and is truthful and honest. This is what He wants us to enjoy with Himself and with others.

1 John 1:6&7 says, If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

True spiritual unity doesn’t come from simply smiling at each other, ignoring each others differences and “playing nicely” together. It comes when people know, enjoy, and experience God’s reality and presence in their lives and run this race with conviction, passion and purity dealing swiftly and directly with sin. If we are people of mixture who are allowing the world and it’s ways to influence our lives we will never fully enjoy true fellowship with God or with one another.

Compromise, secret sin and worldly living breeds shadows and sinful mixture blocking true fellowship and life.  Conviction, confession and correction shines the light on and destroys secrets and shadows bringing true fellowship and unity!

Standout verse: I Kings 13 – Jeroboam’s Rebellion Jeroboam was insecure and afraid that the people would return to Jerusalem to worship and that their allegiance would return to Rehoboam. He lacked confidence in the Lord’s ability to establish his reign, so, he tried to establish it by his own hand. He cunningly swayed the people of Israel to craft for themselves two golden calves reminiscent of the one that Aaron made for the people in the wilderness. He also set up a false priesthood, and a counterfeit feast all in the name of protecting and preserving his kingship.

Even when the ‘Man of God’ confronted him and prophesied regarding his rebellion against the Lord, Jeroboam remained stiff-necked. He desired to gain power, and manipulated the people into worshipping his way. He wasn’t willing to REST IN and RELY ON God to bring to pass the words He had spoken over Jeroboam regarding his future. Last week, we read Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the workers labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain.” Jeroboam’s actions are an excellent example of what happens when we push God to the side and try to accomplish His promises to us apart from Him. If we run around trying to establish what God has called us to do on our own strength it won’t go well.  INSTEAD, WE NEED TO CHOOSE TO REST IN AND RELY ON, GOD’S PERFECT TIMING AS HE PREPARES US FOR (AND LEADS US INTO) THE PROMISES HE HAS PLANNED FOR OUR LIVES

Standout verse:
Acts 9:1-9
Saul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus

This powerful conversion story should give us great hope! We should never assume anyone is ‘too far gone’ to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We can be quick to write people off and assume they would never desire to walk with God. We then find ourselves backing away, ceasing to reach out to them in love and truth. NO WAY - NEVER GIVE UP BELIEVING GOD CAN CHANGE A LIFE!!

God has the power to radically change the heart of even the most hardened unbeliever for His purposes. One of His favorite things is to take broken things (broken lives) and make them beautiful and fruitful and FULL OF LIFE.  What an unbelievable promise to embrace!