Often times in life we will take a job, an assignment, or other task if we know all the risk involved.  God does not always give us the full picture, but yearns for us to seek after Him that we might depend on Him for all our needs.  Do you depend on God for all your needs?  Elijah was a man of God who demonstrated total obedience, no matter how unusual the request.

Many of you may know the story of Elijah. He was a Prophet no doubt spreading the message of condemnation to those disobeying God, which happens to be King Ahab. The Bible says, “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. 31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.”  You get the picture that Ahab was definitely on God’s short list. 

Elijah drops in on the pages of the Bible much like Melchisedek, without any mention of his father, or mother, or beginning of his days; like a man dropt out of the clouds, and raised by God's special providence.  Elijah’s first job was to tell King Ahab because he was disobeying God there was going to be a drought, until he spoke again.  Of course this did not go over well, so Elijah had to go into hiding.  God told Elijah exactly what to do.

            2 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 directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”5 So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there 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 olive 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 loaf 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 sends 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.

If someone told you to hide out, and birds would bring you your food; you would think they were nuts.  Then he tells him to go to the brook, also known as a wadi.  Wadi’s are seasonal and eventually dry up without rainfall, so this was definitely was not a solid source for water.  It is also interesting that God used birds to minister to Elijah.  By their nature Ravens are mean and greedy birds. Ravens neglect their own young, and do not feed them: yet when God commanded, they brought food twice a day to the prophet Elijah.   So not only did God provide food, He did it in an extravagant way.  Meat was normally only eaten on feast days, certainly not twice a day like Elijah was being fed. 

Eventually the water dried up, and the Lord commanded Elijah to move on to Zarepahath, which was a Gentile city.  Jezebel was Elijah's greatest enemy; yet, to show her how powerless was her malice, God would find a hiding-place for Elijah in her own country.    Elijah was now being tested from another perspective, taking charity from a Gentile woman.  Jews and Gentiles were not exactly on the same page with their religious practices. This was a foreshadowing of the calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews.  Because Elijah was a man of God he did exactly what God said.  He found the widow at the gate, and asked for a bite to eat.  The woman had a choice to make.  In her mind she knew she only had enough for one more meal for her family; yet this man claimed she would never go hungry if she obeyed the Lord.  Can you imagine having to make a decision between something you can see, and something you hope will happen?  The widow chose wisely, and provides a cake for Elijah in her home.  The Bible tells us the flour jar, and the jug of oil did not run dry until the famine was over.

Elijah, and the widow were living their lives fully relying on God.  A gentile trusting in God even before God grafted the Gentiles into the family.  A prophet receiving his food from birds, drinking from a brook for water, and being fed by a gentile woman.  This story is a powerful example of waiting on God.  God sent Elijah to the brook Cherith for protection, training and provision.  God provided for Elijah and sustained him, even when it looked like God’s plan might not work out.  Imagine the thoughts that went through Elijah’s mind as he watched the brook slowly dry up each day.  Notice how God waited until after the brook dried up to give Elijah his next orders. Elijah was truly depending on God for his very life.

 We can apply the principles in this story to just about any situation we are facing in life.  Human nature usually does not wait on God, but strives to fulfill its own needs.  It is encouraged by the world’s idea that if we don’t look out for ourselves, nobody will.  The truth is that if we surrender our lives to God, he will provide for us.  This is also a story that reminds us that our prayers might not necessarily be answered the way we hope.  We must be careful to be flexible in our expectations.  What we envision as God’s provision may be different from what he gives us.  Finally the story reminds us no challenge is too big for God; He can use anybody, and anything to fulfill His will.

May we find ourselves saying, “The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"  The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” 

Lamentations 3:24-25

I love to work in the garden, and in my flowerbeds.  There is something about helping to make things grow, and look nice that inspires me.  For the first time in a while I had the opportunity to work in the yard.  A neighbor had given me several types of flowers to plant.  Since our house is on the market, I took them to our land to plant.  As I was digging a hole for the plants and adding water, something caught my attention.  All around the plant where the dirt was untouched, the water simply ran down the hill never penetrating the ground.  The whole point was to get as much water to the roots as possible.  What seemed to be the problem?  I had not cultivated, or tilled the dirt around the plant; I had only dug a hole.  Because I had not taken time to prepare all the ground around the plant, it was not receiving the full benefits of the water. 

I wonder how often we find our self as Christians in this situation. We may wonder why we don’t seem to get much out of Bible Study, preaching, or Sunday school; why God does not speak to us; or why we can’t sense the Holy Spirit.  Have you ever been there?  Most of the time we want to blame the person bringing the lesson.  The truth is that sometimes we simply don’t take the time to cultivate our self in preparation for the sermon, or lesson we are about to hear.  It is amazing to me how many people walk into church never picking up their Bible even once during the week, praying, or anything else, and expect to miraculously hear from God. Now I am not saying God cannot speak in this situation, because He most certainly can speak at any time, but to really know His will I believe we have to walk with Him daily.

This week in Kids Worship we studied about Joshua taking over as leader of the Israelites for Moses.  You see God didn’t just randomly speak to Joshua, or give him a leadership position.  Joshua had been allowing the Lord to cultivate his life for years.  He was the spy that came back and gave a good report that they could take the land of Promise.  The Bible had referred to him as Moses aide, or helper.  You see when it was time to lead, it was time to go; he had no time to think about how to be a leader. It was the time spent with God and Moses, which prepared him to receive God’s instructions, and to have spiritual knowledge.

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

If we really want to know the will of God, and what He has in store for our life, we have to spend time with Him.  If we don’t spend time preparing our hearts to receive what God is going to give us through His word, it will be like the water that could not penetrate the hard soil.  His Word will leave us untouched, and unchanged. The Lord says, “do not turn from left or right, and to meditate on His Word day and night”. How many times have we walked out of church untouched and unchanged?  It is not enough to be emotional, or to say it was a good sermon; the Word should literally change something in us every time we hear it.  The next time we want to blame someone for us not receiving a Word from the Lord, maybe we should take a closer look at our own preparation to receive it.  Everyday of our life is a teaching moment from God, if we are prepared to learn.

Make a plan now to keep a daily appointment with God. The enemy is going to tell you to set it aside, but you must carve out the time. If you're too busy to meet with the Lord, friend, then you are simply too busy"  
(Chalres Swindoll )

"Every experience God gives us, every person he brings into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see"   ( Corrie ten Boom )

“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God…or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.”
  ― Elisabeth Elliot

These past few weeks have proven to be unsettling and disturbing.  Our Government seems to have lost all reason.  There have been tragic accidents in the news lately; such as unborn baby and mother died in car accident, teenagers taking their life or losing them in  accidents, and soldiers losing their life fighting for our country. Then in my smaller circle of friends there has also been disturbing news as well.  Some with marriage issues, others with serious diagnosis of cancer, and then just last night our distant cousin lost her mom in a freak accident, after losing her brother to suicide a few months ago.  
Life can takes its toll on us, causing us at times to feel disenchanted, frustrated, and without hope. The responsibilities can weigh us down, and the brokenness of our lives can leave us looking for more. The Psalmist poured out his heart, knowing where his hope rested, even during those difficult times. The Psalmist encourages us to cry out to the Lord over and over.  Even if its not our personal crisis, we should pray on behalf of those who cannot gather the strength to pray.  I just needed an encouraging Word from the book of Psalms, I hope you will be encouraged by these verses too.

• My hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5b
• May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. Psalm 25:21
• Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24
• We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
• May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22
• I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalm 52:9
• Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
• But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14
• You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
• I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:30-31

If you have not heard the song "worn" I am posting a link, please take time to listen to it.  Especially if you are indeed 'worn" from the weight of this World. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM


"Worn"

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

We often talk about how the power of God is all we need, and how material things should not matter.  However, if you look around do you believe that to be true?  We are inundated with the more, more, and more mentality.  Yesterday in community Bible study we were talking about the beggar that always sat at the gate; and how two poor men with nothing to their name, transformed his life.

Acts 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I would like to point out in this story that literally the disciples by all standards were poor men.  Most of them did not have intensive schooling, or any for that matter.  If you remember Jesus found a lot of them fishing in their family business.  However, these physically poor men had the spiritual power to say, “in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk”.  Although they had nothing else to their name, they had the power of God.  In Biblical history, there were times when God would allow miraculous wonders in order to bring His children out of rebellion.  I often wonder when I look at our world what would happen if God once again unleashed the outpouring of miraculous signs and wonders.  Would people be so busy it would simply pass them by?  Don’t get me wrong God creates miracles for us everyday, but I am talking about times of Moses, the parting of the red sea; Elijah, the soaked alter that lit with a blaze, and Jesus’ days where the lame walked and the blind could see.  During these times men were able to speak a word, and by the power of God made it so.  The following is an exert from the commentary on Acts 3.  It gives us all something to think about.

“Though the early church had poured out its gifts abundantly, Peter had not enriched himself, and was a poor man (Ac 2:45), presenting a great contrast to the popes who claim to be his successors.  It is related that Thomas Aquinas came to Rome and visited Innocent IV. He looked somewhat amazedly upon the mass of plate and treasure, which he saw there. "So", said the pope, "you see, Thomas, we cannot say as did St. Peter of old, 'Silver and gold have I none.'" "No", said Aquinas, "neither can you command, as did he, the lame man to arise and walk".

Although we may not be able to perform miracles today humanly, we have a message that can transform lives, and save souls.  It is our responsibility just as Peter did to “truly see” those people around us, and help them by what means we have.