Underestimating GOD

1 Kings 19: ¹⁴ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

¹⁵ The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

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With the announcement of the birth of my children, excitement turned into fear as I watched the world’s moral fabric rip apart. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone left to protect my kids from the world” I thought to myself. “How will they survive?”

Years later I realized I wasn’t the only person who believed in GOD. In fact I found out that I had grossly underestimated GOD’s marvelous power in their lives and everywhere we went.

• When I think too highly of my righteousness I underestimate GOD’s.
• When I think I am the only one who is righteous I fail to see GOD’s power.
• When I think everything is out of control I cannot see GOD’s sovereignty.

GOD is awesome and is not worried about the world today. HIS power is far above anything that’s going on and HE is concerned about every aspect of my life and others.

Can you put your trust in GOD today?

Hiding my faith

1 Kings 18: ²¹ 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.

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Nervous and quite embarrassed, I asked for a coke in a drink glass. Everyone was drinking and laughing and drinking some more. Someone approached me and asked “What will you have?” I didn’t have an answer for him. About a week prior, I had taken a vow that I would never drink again. I did this as part of my journey back to the LORD and I wanted to take HIM seriously by taking a vow. That was the only reason and I didn’t want to say this to the guy.

“I don’t drink” I said to him. “Why?” he replied. “Should I tell him about my vow?” I frantically thought. I panicked and said nothing about GOD. “I just don’t drink.” I wonder if I missed an opportunity.

• There are times that I felt I could have shared my faith and didn’t.
• There are times that I felt like hiding my faith in order to “get ahead” in business.
• There are times that I felt like going with the crowd instead of showing my faith because I didn’t want to be looked at as being weird.

When I looked out the window of life and saw a bunch of people playing in the street of sin, I felt left out.  I mean they seemed to e having so much fun, meanwhile I’m over hear struggling not to do those things AND I’m struggling to make it. It didn’t seem “fair.”

• GOD said “Don’t hide your light under a bushel” meaning let people know “whose” I am.
• GOD said “If you are ashamed of me I will ashamed of you.”
• GOD said “Be ready to speak about ME and I will give you the words.”

I sometimes forget that I am GOD’s creation. HE created me with a purpose to spread the great news about HIS SON. It seems like such a simple task but the world doesn’t want to hear my message and wants me to “say nothing” or join in on the “do anything that feels good” message.

I do know it’s confusing to talk about grace verses working my way into heaven, BUT GOD want me to be prepared to speak about HIM at a moment’s notice. HE will give me the right words to douse the confusion and make HIM known. HE doesn’t want me to “hide” my faith in order to get ahead.

• Are you hiding your faith?
• Do you feel ashamed to say “JESUS” out loud?
• Do you act different around one crowd?
• Can you drop your shame of GOD?
• Can you start by showing your faith in a small way and build on it daily for GOD’s purpose?

Trust takes dependence

1 Kings 17: 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.’”

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“Open Immediately” were the all too familiar words on the envelope. This time it was from the bank stating my rent check had bounced and my account was now negative. I sat and wondered what I should do. My landlord was going to call soon and I only had a few dollars in my pocket.

I hadn’t been to church and someone on campus asked me to go.  I went and they said “give,” well at least that’s all I could hear since I was broke. I nervously reached in my homemade wallet and gave one of my last dollars. I didn’t even know why I did this at the time. A miracle did not happen that day.  I went home dejected. BUT GOD worked everything out in HIS time.

Sometimes I can’t see what GOD is doing.

Sometimes I think GOD has left me to work everything out by myself.

Sometimes I think my troubles are punishment and I can never get out of trouble with GOD.

Complaints roll off my lips when things don’t quite go my way. I mean, “I’m not really doing bad things” I rationalize to myself in my protest to GOD. HIS reply was very simple.

• Trust in ME and I will never forsake you.
• Believe in ME and I will supply all your needs.
• Follow ME and your path will be made straight.

GOD wants total dependence on HIM.  Bank accounts, insurance and conveniences sometimes blind me and others around me to GOD’s saving grace. HIS mercy came with a great price, namely the loss of HIS SON. BUT GOD didn’t stop at JESUS’ death. HE raised HIM from the dead and placed HIM over everything.

By belief that HIS SON is GOD and is now alive, I am adopted in HIS all-powerful family. Now, my circumstances can be directed by the ONE who made everything. I can depend on GOD.

• Are you worried?
• Do you think you have the power to overcome your circumstances?
• Can you ask GOD what HE wants you to do today?
• Won’t you put your trust in GOD today and let go of your worries?

GOD’s Elevator

1 Kings 16: Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha: ² “I lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins. 

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“You are one of the best” someone said to me. I said “Thank you” and moved on. Another person said “You are THE best we have.” I said “Thank you and by the way, have you noticed how other people are slacking off around here?” In fact the more I got complimented, the more I complained about my surroundings.

• Sometimes I think “I” am talented.
• Sometimes I think “I” am the one who is smart.
• Sometimes I think “I” am needed and they are disposable.

It seems like the higher I go the blinder I become as to how I got there. Once I reach a certain height then I think “I” did it all and no one else helped me. BUT GOD wants me to understand where blessings truly come from.

• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to proclaim HIS name every step of the way.
• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to show appreciation by following HIS way.
• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to thank HIM instead of thanking myself.

Recognizing GOD is a must. HE protects me, leads me and loves me so why not proclaim HIS name? Proclaiming HIS name comes with a price. It means I can’t falsely thank HIM and secretly follow the world. I must give each god to GOD and let HIM do HIS way with them. If HE chooses to tear them from my hands I must thank HIM instead of cursing HIM.

• Have you recognized where GOD has brought you?
• Do you think you got where you are by yourself?
• Can you tell others about GOD and how HE has blessed you?
• Can you take your blinders off for a moment and drop the complaints from your lips?

Committed versus Perfection

1 Kings 15: ¹¹ Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. ¹² He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 

¹³ He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. ¹⁴ Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.

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Tired of things going “wrong,” I decided to dedicate my life back to GOD. I mean everything else had failed, why not try this. I actually felt a load fall off of my mind. I could breathe again.  A couple of years into my renewed life things seemed to go extremely well.

But one year I hit a small blip as a family member’s health came into question. Then I got news of a friend who was dying. My car was broken into and other areas of my life were shaken.  “Wait! I thought life would be easy if I were to put my trust in GOD!” I huffed in disappointment. Maybe I’m not trying to live for HIM hard enough! I wonder if I need to give up on GOD.

• GOD understands the times when I feel discouraged.
• GOD understands the times when I feel like giving up.
• GOD understands the times when I feel disappointed.

Many times I thought “Nothing should go wrong because I’m living for GOD.” That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Because I’m living for GOD, things will go seemingly wrong.

• GOD says there will be many trials in my life but HE wants me to trust HIM anyway.
• GOD says HE wants a simple relationship with me, not one where I expect the wrong things from HIM and get disappointed at the drop of a hat when HE doesn’t yield.
• GOD says love one another as I have loved you.

Sometimes I overcomplicate my relationship with GOD.  When things go wrong, I try to analyze my previous moves so I won’t fall into that type of trouble again. BUT GOD knows that when I live for HIM, the enemy will try to tear me down, accuse me and break my faith. GOD wants me to be committed. This means accepting there will be trials and keeping my trust in HIM.

• Have you lost your trust in GOD?
• Are you wondering where GOD is with you right now?
• Can you put your trust in HIM that HIS plan includes this trial?
• Can you help someone increase their faith in GOD today by telling your story?

But GOD saw it

1 Kings : At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill, ² and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go, disguise yourself, so you won’t be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam. Then go to Shiloh. Ahijah the prophet is there—the one who told me I would be king over this people. ³ Take ten loaves of bread with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.” ⁴ So Jeroboam’s wife did what he said and went to Ahijah’s house in Shiloh.

Now Ahijah could not see; his sight was gone because of his age. ⁵ But the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else.”

⁶ So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news. ⁷ Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.

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“Ink erasers were great inventions” I thought to myself as I tap danced my way into yet another free meal. I was very broke and living in an apartment.  I still had my student ID with the last meal sticker on it. The student in charge of the door barely paid attention to the sticker and didn’t notice the erasures of the marks denoting I had eaten already.

I loaded up my backpack with food and sometimes plates, forks and pepper shakers. I had “gotten away” with eating for free… or so I thought.

• When I think I got away with something, I am sadly mistaken.
• When I think I can hide something, I am foolish in my assumption.
• When I think no one will ever know, I am blind and will not succeed.

GOD knows my heart and sees every action. HE knows when I am trying to hide something and does the thing I don’t want HIM to do… HE makes my secret fully known!

• GOD shines light on my sins in public because HE cannot have anything hidden.
• GOD digs through the core of my heart and finds the insincere selfishness because my relationship with HIM has to be pure.
• GOD sees every situation I try to get myself into and allows me travel a path that goes away from HIS teachings.

When I think I can get away with something small, I try something bigger and bigger. Soon I find myself in a world of trouble that only GOD can get me out of. GOD wants me to stop at even the tiniest thought in order to move back on the correct path. I am glad GOD matured me to be able to do without rather than continuing down a destructive road.

• Are you trying to get away with something?
• Do you think your secret is really a secret with GOD?
• When is the last time you have taken inventory of “your” actions and given them to GOD?
• Can you begin to get on the road to maturity and truly confess to GOD?

Should I Obey GOD?

1 Kings 13: ¹⁶ The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.¹⁷ I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

¹⁸ The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) ¹⁹ So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

²⁰ While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. ²¹ He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. ²² You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

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It sounds like I’m double-talking when I say “Do what GOD says” and then later I say “GOD’s grace is sufficient.”  It seems like the two statements contradict one another. GOD says if we live by “the Law” then if we break even one, we are guilty of the entire law.

Does this give me the freedom to sin as much as I want? Not quite.

• GOD knows the destructive power of sin so I should understand “the Law” but not depend on it to save me.
• GOD knows the plan HE has for me so I should follow HIS ways and examples but not depend on my righteousness to save me.
• GOD knows I will fail over and over and over so I should be excited about HIS everlasting forgiveness but not depend on “not sinning” as a method to remain close to HIM.

When I believed that I needed to be saved from eternal separation from GOD, I was given the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside me and will never leave me nor forsake me. Actually, GOD gave this to me before I was born, but that’s another story. Since the HOLY SPIRIT lives in me, I can’t get “away” from GOD.

GOD does however allow consequences to come in my life. My fear shouldn’t be on the consequences rather I should fear “not” following GOD’s ways for many who call on HIS name will not enter HIS kingdom.  GOD wants a real relationship with me rather than one of manipulation to get my way. GOD wants me to obey out of love for HIM.

• Are you walking on eggshells with GOD in hopes to get your way?
• Are you trying to remain ignorant to what HE wants you to do in hopes that HE won’t have a hard task for you?
• Can you seek what HE desires for you so you can truly be successful?
• Won’t you obey HIM today just to show HIM your love?Can you add to your faith that HIS grace is sufficient?
• Can you add to your faith that HIS grace is sufficient?