June 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers.

You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out.  And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself.

With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan.  You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed him to anoint replacements.  Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people.  And Elisha would become the next prophet.

 You heard the needs of Elijah and answered.  How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel who released Peter from prison, sparing his life.  This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

In my life I have seen answers to prayer.  Sometimes the answer is “Yes.”  Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait.”  Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.”  And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me with things I have never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems.  Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless!

Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for.  Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer.  Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

June 17 Send Your Fire!

For three years, Lord, You withheld rain and dew from the land bringing severe drought.  Crops eventually dried up. Grain was harder and harder to find to make bread.  Olive groves stopped producing so oil was hard to get too.  Soon even the streams and brooks began to dry up.

The famine was so severe that even grass for the livestock vanished; to the point that King Ahab was going to have to kill livestock for lack of food.

All this happened because the people had turned away from You, abandoning what they knew to be right and true.  Without keeping Your commands they had followed and worshipped other gods.

In my times Father, You are not honored or obeyed.  Like then, people have been led away from You to worship many things: self, money, possessions, status, environment, political ideologies, man’s philosophies.   The people live by ungodly values.

And there is a drought.  The life-giving water of Your Word has not been acknowledged in a long time.

But rain is coming!  The stage is set, and Elijah is sent to call the people back.

I Kings 18 tells of the showdown.

Since Baal was worshipped as the god of rain, thunder, fertility of the land, and agriculture; he should have been able to provide for the crops during those 3 years.  He did not.

He was also supposed to be the god of fire, so it should have been an easy thing for his power to burn up the offering his priests set up for him.   But although the priests called and danced and cut themselves, Baal did not answer.

At the end of the day, Elijah called the people together to prove Your supremacy.   He soaked the wood and offering three times to make it even harder for a natural fire to be lit.

Then Elijah prayed – that You would make Yourself seen and known to the people who were watching.  That they would recognize and remember that You, the Lord, are God, and there is no other.

And that with this sign, this miracle, You would turn the people’s hearts back to You.

You showed up!   The “fire of the Lord” fell and burned it all up!   And the people fell on their faces and cried “The Lord – He is God!  The Lord – He is God!”

Father, would You send an Elijah to call the people back to You now.   Open peoples’ ears to hear the call.  Let them see Your miracle when it happens.

Give them understanding to acknowledge Your hand in it.  And let their faith be rekindled, renewed, as You turn their hearts back to You.  So that from here on, people will trust that You, the Lord, are God; and there is no other. 

The stage is set.  The time for so many people is now.

Father, send Your fire!  Amen

I Kings 18:1-40

June 16 Your Provision

Father, let me be like the woman of Zarephath.

You sent Elijah to this widow when he was exhausted, burned out and in need.  And she herself was in dire need.  Because You had withheld rain from the land, rivers and brooks had dried up and crops had failed. She was ready to make a final meal with the last of her supplies to eat with her son, and die.

When Elijah asked, she made him a small loaf of bread first. And a miracle kept her jar of flour and jug of oil full for a long time until the rains returned. She continued to feed Elijah as You had commanded.

Father, like her, reverse my own plans to accommodate Yours.  Let me recognize and be obedient to all You ask of me.

Some time later, another dire need: her son fell ill and stopped breathing. Elijah took him and cried out to You. Another miracle! You returned his life to him, returning this son to his mother.

Even when circumstances are dire and I feel like there is no hope, let me be attentive to You at work in my life.  And in doing so, let me receive Your blessing of hope, provision, and life.  Amen

I Kings 17:1-24

June 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers.

You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out.  And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself.  With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan.  You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed him to anoint replacements.  Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people.  And Elisha would become the next prophet.  You heard the needs of Elijah and answered.  How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel who released Peter from prison, sparing his life.  This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

In my life I have seen answers to prayer.  Sometimes the answer is “Yes.”  Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait.”  Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.”  And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me with things I have never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems.  Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless!

Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for.  Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer.  Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

June 17 Send Your Fire!

For three years, Lord, You withheld rain and dew from the land bringing severe drought.  Crops eventually dried up. Grain was harder and harder to find to make bread.  Olive groves stopped producing so oil was hard to get too.  Soon even the streams and brooks began to dry up.

The famine was so severe that even grass for the livestock vanished; to the point that King Ahab was going to have to kill livestock for lack of food.

All this happened because the people had turned away from You, abandoning what they knew to be right and true.  Without keeping Your commands they had followed and worshipped other gods.

In my times Father, You are not honored or obeyed.  Like then, people have been led away from You to worship many things: self, money, possessions, status, environment, political ideologies, man’s philosophies.   The people live by ungodly values.

And there is a drought.  The life-giving water of Your Word has not been acknowledged in a long time.

But rain is coming!  The stage is set, and Elijah is sent to call the people back.

I Kings 18 tells of the showdown.

Since Baal was worshipped as the god of rain, thunder, fertility of the land, and agriculture; he should have been able to provide for the crops during those 3 years.  He did not.

He was also supposed to be the god of fire, so it should have been an easy thing for his power to burn up the offering his priests set up for him.   But although the priests called and danced and cut themselves, Baal did not answer.

At the end of the day, Elijah called the people together to prove Your supremacy.   He soaked the wood and offering three times to make it even harder for a natural fire to be lit.

Then Elijah prayed – that You would make Yourself seen and known to the people who were watching.  That they would recognize and remember that You, the Lord, are God, and there is no other.

And that with this sign, this miracle, You would turn the people’s hearts back to You.

You showed up!   The “fire of the Lord” fell and burned it all up!   And the people fell on their faces and cried “The Lord – He is God!  The Lord – He is God!”

Father, would You send an Elijah to call the people back to You now.   Open peoples’ ears to hear the call.  Let them see Your miracle when it happens.

Give them understanding to acknowledge Your hand in it.  And let their faith be rekindled, renewed, as You turn their hearts back to You.  So that from here on, people will trust that You, the Lord, are God; and there is no other.

The stage is set.  The time for so many people is now.

Father, send Your fire!  Amen

I Kings 18:1-40

June 16 Your Provision

Father, let me be like the woman of Zarephath.

You sent Elijah to this widow when he was exhausted, burned out and in need.  And she herself was in dire need.  Because You had withheld rain from the land, rivers and brooks had dried up and crops had failed. She was ready to make a final meal with the last of her supplies to eat with her son, and die.

When Elijah asked, she made him a small loaf of bread first. And a miracle kept her jar of flour and jug of oil full for a long time until the rains returned. She continued to feed Elijah as You had commanded.

Father, like her, reverse my own plans to accommodate Yours.  Let me recognize and be obedient to all You ask of me.

Some time later, another dire need: her son fell ill and stopped breathing. Elijah took him and cried out to You. Another miracle! You returned his life to him and returned this son to his mother.

Even when circumstances are dire and I feel like there is no hope, let me be attentive to You at work in my life.  And in doing so, let me receive Your blessing of hope, provision, and life.  Amen

I Kings 17:1-24

June 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers.

You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out.  And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself.

With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan.  You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed him to anoint replacements.  Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people.  And Elisha would become the next prophet.  You heard the needs of Elijah and answered.

How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel who released Peter from prison, sparing his life.  This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

In my life I have seen answers to prayer.  Sometimes the answer is “Yes.”  Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait.”  Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.”  And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me with things I have never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems.  Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless!

Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for.  Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer.  Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

June 17 Send Your Fire!

For three years, Lord, You withheld rain and dew from the land bringing severe drought.  Crops eventually dried up. Grain was harder and harder to find to make bread.  Olive groves stopped producing so oil was hard to get too.  Soon even the streams and brooks began to dry up.

The famine was so severe that even grass for the livestock vanished; to the point that King Ahab was going to have to kill livestock for lack of food.

All this happened because the people had turned away from You, abandoning what they knew to be right and true.  Without keeping Your commands they had followed and worshipped other gods.

In my times Father, You are not honored or obeyed.  Like then, people have been led away from You to worship many things: self, money, possessions, status, environment, political ideologies, man’s philosophies.   The people live by ungodly values.

And there is a drought.  The life-giving water of Your Word has not been acknowledged in a long time.

But rain is coming!  The stage is set, and Elijah is sent to call the people back.

I Kings 18 tells of the showdown.

Since Baal was worshipped as the god of rain, thunder, fertility of the land, and agriculture; he should have been able to provide for the crops during those 3 years.  He did not.

He was also supposed to be the god of fire, so it should have been an easy thing for his power to burn up the offering his priests set up for him.   But although the priests called and danced and cut themselves, Baal did not answer.

At the end of the day, Elijah called the people together to prove Your supremacy.   He soaked the wood and offering three times to make it even harder for a natural fire to be lit.

Then Elijah prayed – that You would make Yourself seen and known to the people who were watching.  That they would recognize and remember that You, the Lord, are God, and there is no other.

And that with this sign, this miracle, You would turn the people’s hearts back to You.

You showed up!   The “fire of the Lord” fell and burned it all up!   And the people fell on their faces and cried “The Lord – He is God!  The Lord – He is God!”

Father, would You send an Elijah to call the people back to You now.   Open peoples’ ears to hear the call.  Let them see Your miracle when it happens.

Give them understanding to acknowledge Your hand in it.  And let their faith be rekindled, renewed, as You turn their hearts back to You.  So that from here on, people will trust that You, the Lord, are God; and there is no other.

The stage is set.  The time for so many people is now.

Father, send Your fire!  Amen

I Kings 18:1-40

June 16 Your Provision

Father, let me be like the woman of Zarephath.

You sent Elijah to this widow when he was exhausted, burned out and in need.  And she herself was in dire need.  Because You had withheld rain from the land, rivers and brooks had dried up and crops had failed. She was ready to make a meal to eat and die.

But like her, reverse my own plans to accommodate Yours.  Let me recognize and be obedient to all You ask of me.

Even when circumstances are dire and I feel like there is no hope, let me be attentive to You at work in my life.  And in doing so, let me receive Your blessing of hope, provision, and life.  Amen

I Kings 17:1-24

Jun 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers.

You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out.  And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself.  With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan.  You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed him to anoint replacements.  Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people.  And Elisha would become the next prophet.  You heard the needs of Elijah and answered.  How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel to released Peter from prison, sparing his life.  This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

In my life I have seen answers to prayer.  Sometimes the answer is “Yes.”  Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait.”  Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.”  And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me with things I have never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems.  Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless!

Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for.  Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer. Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

 

Jun 17 Send Your Fire!

For three years, Lord, You withheld rain and dew from the land bringing severe drought.  Crops eventually dried up. Grain was harder and harder to find to make bread.  Olive groves stopped producing so oil was hard to get too.  Soon even the streams and brooks began to dry up.

The famine was so severe that even grass for the livestock vanished; to the point that King Ahab was going to have to kill livestock for lack of food.

All this happened because the people had turned away from You, abandoning what they knew to be right and true.  Without keeping Your commands they had followed and worshipped other gods.

In my times Father, You are not honored or obeyed.  Like then, people have been led away from You to worship many things: self, money, possessions, status, environment, political ideologies, man’s philosophies.   The people live by ungodly values.

And there is a drought.  The life-giving water of Your Word has not been acknowledged in a long time.

But rain is coming!  The stage is set, and Elijah is sent to call the people back.

I Kings 18 tells of the showdown.

Since Baal was worshipped as the god of rain, thunder, fertility of the land, and agriculture; he should have been able to provide for the crops during those 3 years.  He did not.

He was also supposed to be the god of fire, so it should have been an easy thing for his power to burn up the offering his priests set up for him.   But although the priests called and danced and cut themselves, Baal did not answer.

At the end of the day, Elijah called the people together to prove Your supremacy.   He soaked the wood and offering three times to make it even harder for a natural fire to be lit.

Then Elijah prayed – that the You would make Yourself seen and known to the people who were watching.  That they would recognize and remember that You, the Lord, are God, and there is no other.

And that with this sign, this miracle, You would turn the people’s hearts back to You.

You showed up!   The “fire of the Lord” fell and burned it all up!   And the people fell on their faces and cried “The Lord – He is God!  The Lord – He is God!”

Father, would You send an Elijah to call the people back to You now.   Open peoples’ ears to hear the call.  Let them see Your miracle when it happens.

Give them understanding to acknowledge Your hand in it.  And let their faith be rekindled, renewed, as You turn their hearts back to You.  So that from here on, people will trust that You, the Lord, are God; and there is no other.

The stage is set.  The time for so many people is now.

Father, send Your fire!  Amen

I Kings 18:1-46

 

June 18 You know what I need

Father, how reassuring to know that You listen to me; that You pay attention to my prayers. You listened to Elijah when he was so burned out. And to the believers gathered in Jerusalem who interceded for Paul’s release.

I too, have had times when I felt burned out; when I had done all I could possibly do, and was at the end of myself. With Elijah, You provided for him and gave him a plan. You appeared as an angel and fed him, then gave him directions for a personal meeting with You.   When he responded that he was overwhelmed and done, You gave him release from his ministerial duties.

You allowed Elijah to anoint replacements. Hazael and Jehu would take over the battle against the idolatrous rulers and people. And Elisha would become the next prophet. You heard the needs of Elijah and answered. How reassuring to know that You know me and know my limitations too, and will always have a plan to help me cope.

The believers in Jerusalem prayed; You responded with an angel to released Peter from prison, sparing his life. This was a miracle, as he was literally shackled to two guards, and under the watch of sixteen of Herod’s soldiers!   How heartening to know that when You answer prayer, physical restrictions cannot limit You!

Already in my life I have seen answers to prayer. Sometimes the answer is “Yes”. Sometimes it is “No” for one reason or another, or “Wait”. Sometimes, it is “I will answer your prayer, child, but I have a better plan.” And I am usually amazed that You find ways of answering that surprise and delight me: things I had never thought of!

Thank You Father, that You are not limited by what I can think of as solutions to difficulties and problems. Thank You that Your power is not limited; it is boundless! Thank You that You are merciful and wise in Your answers: not always giving me what I ask for. Thank You, that You, the God of the Universe, listen to and answer prayer. Amen

I Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12: 1-19

June 17 Send Your Fire!

For three years, Lord, You withheld rain and dew from the land. The people had to deal with severe drought. Not only did no rain mean the crops were scanty, and eventually dried up altogether; but the streams and brooks began to dry up too. Grain was harder and harder to find to make bread. Olive groves were not producing fruit so oil was hard to get too.

The drought had caused a famine so severe that not only crops, but grass for the livestock had vanished as well: to the point that King Ahab was going to have to kill livestock for lack of food.

All this happened because the people had turned away from You. They had abandoned what they knew to be right and true. They had not kept Your commands, but had followed and worshipped other gods.

Even in my times Father, You are not honored, not obeyed. Like then, people have been led away from You to worship many things: self, fame, money, possessions, status, environment, political ideologies, man’s philosophies.   The values people live their lives by are not godly ones. And there is a drought. The life-giving water of Your Word has not been acknowledged in a long time.

But rain is coming! The stage is set, and Elijah is sent to call the people back.

I Kings 18 tells of the showdown Elijah set up to prove Your supremacy. Since Baal was worshipped as a god of many things – rain, thunder, fertility of the land, agriculture; he should have been able to provide for the crops during those 3 years. He did not. He was also supposed to be the god of fire, so it should have been an easy thing for his power to burn up the offering his priests set up for him.   But although the priests called and danced and cut themselves, Baal did not answer.

At the end of the day, Elijah called the people and said, “Come to me”.   They did.   He soaked the wood and offering three times to make it even harder for a natural fire to be lit.

Then Elijah prayed. He prayed that the You would make Yourself seen and known to the people who were watching. That they would recognize and remember that You, the Lord, are God, and there is no other.

And that with this sign, this miracle, You would turn the people’s hearts back to You. You showed up!   The “fire of the Lord” fell and burned it all up!   And the people fell on their faces and cried “The Lord – He is God! The Lord – He is God!”

Father, would You send an Elijah to call the people back to You now.   Open the peoples’ ears to hear the call. Let them see Your miracle when it happens.

Give them understanding to acknowledge Your hand in it. And let their faith be rekindled, renewed, as You turn people’s hearts back to You. So that from here on, people will trust that You, the Lord, are God; and there is no other.

The stage is set. The time for so many people is now.

Father, send Your fire! Amen

I Kings 18:1-46