God of Wonders

ACTS 17:1-34 (June 26)

I love the Christian band Third Day! I have seen them in concert many times, and their music has spoken to my heart in many ways. My heart was saddened when this band dismantled, each going their separate ways to pursue their individual passions.

One of my favorite songs by Third Day is "God of Wonders". I am sure you have heard it, but if not, here is a little bit for you:

Lord of all creation

Lord of water, earth and sky

The heavens are your Tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on High

And God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares your majesty

You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth

Lord of heaven and earth

This is a beautiful song that spreads the message of the wonder and majesty of our Creator. That is exactly what Paul was doing as we read today's Scripture.

In their travels, Paul and Silas make their way to Thessalonica where Paul went to the synagogue and preached for three Sabbaths in a row. His teaching of the Messiah persuaded some of the Jews to join in his belief.

As in every place they went, there was a group of Jews looking to start trouble. They attacked the home of Jason, looking for Paul and Silas. Not finding them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city council, charging them with treason.

"Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world," they shouted. What a compliment, an unintended compliment, that was to Paul and Silas... that their message was stirring people up and making them think differently.

For safety, Paul and Silas were sent of Berea, where they went to the Jewish synagogue when they arrived. (They are RELENTLESS!) The people of Berea listened intently, being more open-minded than the Thessalonians. They had a simple, teachable attitude. They searched the scriptures to make sure Paul and Silas were giving them truth. In seeing that they were, many Jews believed, along with prominent Greek men and women.

But those jealous, angry Thessalonian Jews got word of this and went to stir up some more trouble. The believers sent Paul to the coast with escorts, and then planned to send Silas and Timothy after him.

Paul, being Paul, spent his time while he waited for Silas and Timothy at the synagogue, trying to spread his message. He was in a place where idol worship was everywhere, and he wanted to give them all the truth.

He spoke with the Epicureans, who believed the primary goal of life was seeking happiness or pleasure. He also spoke to the Stoics who places thinking above feeling and tried to live in harmony with nature. They all seemed to think he was a little "off" and took him to the high council to the city. "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said. "You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about."

Well, Paul didn't need any further invitation. He stood before the council and began to tell them about God. He explained that God made the world and everything in it, he gives life and breath to everything and satisfies every need. He created mankind from one man, decides their days on the earth, and determines their boundaries. He gives them a thorough explanation of God's purpose and plan, and truly defines him as the God of Wonders.

When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, it caused some to laugh at him and some to contemplate and ask for more detail later. Many joined him and became believers, including a member of the council.

Another who joined him was a woman named Damaris, who was an idol worshiper. After hearing Paul, she became a believer. By doing so, she became a teammate, a woman in the early church who helped spread the Good News to all who would listen.

What about you? Are you a teammate? Do you devote yourself to spreading the Good News to unbelievers? It can be done in many ways ... through spoken word, written word, your actions of love and kindness, your prayers for others. We can be used in many ways to share this beautiful message of hope and salvation.

There is nothing better than being a teammate for the God of Wonders!

Clean Up On Aisle 7

One Year Bible (June 26)

2 Kings 9:14-10:31

Clean Up on Aisle 7

Have you ever seen the movie, “Mr. Mom” with Michael Keaton? It is about a dad with two young kids in his shopping cart, and everywhere he goes trouble follows! Grapefruits roll on the floor, his kids both go missing, and Irv, (the grocery store attendant) can be regularly heard on the loudspeaker saying, “Clean up on Aisle…..” This phrase is still used frequently in our culture today and means, “Cleaning Up a Big Mess!”

Today’s story is, “Clean up on Aisle 7” and it is a BIG MESS!!

King Ahab, the king of Israel, is the SEVENTH king and he has been creating quite a mess for quite some time. Sometimes we wonder why does evil go unpunished for so long?

Well, today is the day of RECKONING for King Ahab and all of his family, close supporters, and descendants because of their treatment of Naboth as foretold in I Kings 21.

Jehu will be the “hand of revenge” assigned for this “foretold” house cleaning and Naboth is the man for whom justice is being served.

Who is Naboth and what does he have to do with this? Naboth was a Jezreelite who had a vineyard in close proximity to Ahab’s palace.

Ahab wanted to turn this land into a vegetable garden but Naboth would not sell it to him. “No inheritance in Israel was to pass from one tribe to another”... (Numbers 36:7). It also says, “The land must not be sold permanently.” (Leviticus 25:23).

King Ahab “POUTED” when he couldn’t get his way and Queen Jezebel “POUNCED”!

Notice how the King and his wife didn’t care about following the laws when they wanted something, but Queen Jezebel sure knew how to use the rules to get her way when she wanted something! In order to remove Naboth, she conspired to have two witnesses falsely accuse Naboth according to the law in Deut. 17:6. Because of her ‘trumped up’ false charges, Naboth was taken out of the city and stoned to death, so they could then steal his vineyard.

Queen Jezebel heard the news that Jehu had come to Jezreel. So, what does she do?

Well… “She painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window” to watch! (2 Kings 9:30)

What a strange thing to tell us about this woman! Was she preparing for a state dinner for his arrival, or preparing herself for a mock tribute to Israel’s new king? She called him “Zimri” ( a name referring to a traitor who had killed a king. So, I am thinking the state dinner is “OUT”!)

Just picturing her like this is creepy! Might there be another reason for her weird primping??

Proverbs 6:25 says, “Do not lust after her beauty in your heart. Nor let her ALLURE you with HER EYELIDS.” It sure seems like “Queen Jeze-Hell-Bell” is playing ‘the part’ right up until her very last scene!

Look at what Jehu says about her, “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?” (2 Kings 9: 22)

The long-awaited prophecy of Elijah and now Elisha is coming to pass. Two of her servants pushed her out the window. Also, as foretold, The dogs ate Jezebel’s flesh! (She didn’t really need the eyeliner and hairdo after all!)

The Wicked Witch is GONE…and along with her will be “CLEAN UP ON AISLE 7!”

ALL the people that served Ahab and ALL of his descendants were obliterated from the kingdom!

On this day, Jehus tricks ALL prophets of BAAL to come for sacrifices and burnt offerings. They are ALL killed as Elisha had commanded when he had him ordained as king.

So, was Jehu a good king or a bad king?

He certainly accomplished the Lord’s commands on that day! Let’s look at the end of the passage, “” You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.” (2 Kings 10: 30)

But, Jehu did NOT obey the Law of the Lord completely. He left the golden calves of King Jeroboam and he refused to turn away from those sins! (10:31)

He made a BIG MISTAKE on Aisle 7 that we may want to stop and pay close attention to…

(As in SEVEN stands for COMPLETE obedience!)

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Didn’t Jehu even drive out demons on that day and follow God’s commands? Yes, indeed he did!

However, it’s not just “What We Do”. It’s “Who WE KNOW”.

Jehu bragged about knowing God and doing his work, but did he KNOW God? Just listen to his words and then watch his actions, “Now come with me and see how devoted I am to the Lord.” (10:16)

He was only faithful for the “short-haul” but not the “long haul”.

The man that destroyed all the idols of Baal turned away to worship the golden calves of Jeroboam.

Friends, God wants a COMPLETE OBEDIENCE...

Soooooo, “Clean Up on Aisle 7”!

Fortune Teller

ACTS 16:16-40 (June 25)

They have been around since the beginning of the ages. They are mystical, magical individuals (or so they want you to think) who have been given the ability to look into the future and tell you just what will happen.

They are no prophets. They are fortune tellers. And they make their living by giving you information that you want to hear. You can find them at carnivals and circuses around the world. Some set up shop in small towns and villages. Some work their trade in secret.

I have never been to a fortune teller or a palm reader, or anything like that. To me, knowing the future takes the wonder and surprise out of life. I feel that God gives us the information that we need, when we need it. So, why try to outsmart him by knowing things ahead of time? (But I DO eagerly tear into my fortune cookies, just to see what they say!)

What about you? If given the chance, would you want to know what the future holds? What would you do with that information? Would you make the very best of every moment and live life to the fullest?

Tim McGraw sang a song some years back about a man in his forties who found out he was dying. He talked about what he changed about his life once he had this information:

"I went skydiving. I went Rocky Mountain climbing. I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu. And I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."

The man described in this song took the information about his future and used it to live life fully, enjoying his bucket list and making quality time with those around him.

As Paul, Silas and Luke went down to a place of prayer, they met a slave girl who had a demon spirit in her which allowed her to tell the future. This knowledge wasn't used for checking off a bucket list or making the most of relationships, it was used simply for bringing wealth to her masters. (Isn't it always all about the wealth?)

She shouted to the crowd, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."

Day after day, she spoke these words. Paul knew these words were true but he knew better than to accept testimony from demons. Also, he was saddened by the condition of this poor slave girl. Finally, Paul turned to her and spoke to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her," Instantly, the demon left.

Her masters, realizing their hopes of wealth just went out the window, were furious. They grabbed Paul and Silas (where did Luke go?) and put them before the crowd. The city officials ordered them to be stripped and beaten with wooden rods. After being badly beaten, they were thrown in the inner dungeon of the jail with their feet clamped in the stocks.

Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns. Around midnight there was a massive earthquake which unchained all prisoners and opened all doors of the jail. The jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open and assumed the prisoners had escaped. He was going to kill himself for his failure. But Paul stopped him by assuring them no one had left.

This caused the jailer to fall at their feet and ask, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" to which they replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." (I wonder if he could've predicted THAT would happen to him on this day?)

They shared the word of God with the jailer, he washed their wounds, and then everyone in his household was baptized. He brought the men into his house to eat, and everyone was in a rejoicing mood as they celebrated their new hope in Christ. (We don't need to know the future when our hope is in Christ, because we know he has only good planned for us.)

The next morning, the city officials demanded the jailer let the men go. He told Paul and Silas, "The city officials have said you are free to leave. Go in peace."

But Paul was having none of that! To beat Roman citizens and put them in prison without a trial, right in front of everyone, but to try to quietly send them out of town? NO WAY, JOSE! Paul wanted to be PUBLICLY relieved of his accusations. So the city officials came and begged them to leave, which they did, returning to Lydia's house.

What made these people so upset? Was it the message Silas and Paul were sharing? Or was it the fact that they caused their opportunity for wealth to disappear? The desire for wealth can make a person do some crazy things... even believe in a Fortune Teller.

Like Father, Like Son

One Year Bible (June 25)

2 Kings 8:1-9:13

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

“I got a name, I got a name. And I carry it with me like my daddy did…”(I Got a Name, By Jim Croce)

Old Song. Powerful Message. Familiar Tune.

I can still hear this song from the ’70s in my head as I am reflecting on this passage. The funny thing is that we not only hear the songs that playback in our memories, we often act out what has been imprinted on our hearts and minds… For good or for evil. Today’s powerful message reminds us of this truth as we see it from positive and negative angles.

Have you ever wondered, “When will we quit blaming the parents for the sins of the children?” That’s a good question, isn’t it?

Have you noticed these repeated phrases while reading through I and 11 Kings, “Just as his father did”, “Following the example of his father”, or “They did evil in the sight of God like their father before them”?

Sad to say, but the old record player seems to be stuck playing these lyrics over and over again, “I got a name. I got a name. And I carry it with me like my daddy did…”

How interesting that we are studying this passage right at the time of year that we remember our fathers. Perhaps, we need to take a close look at “What is TAUGHT and what is CAUGHT.”

Today’s passage introduces two characters to us, Hazael (King of Aram) and Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat (King of Israel) The King of Ben-hadad lay sick and so he sent Hazael to speak to the man of God, Elisha. He wants to know if he will get well again. Elisha gives a very weird response to Hazael, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But actually the Lord has shown me that he will surely die”.

Then Elisha fixed his gaze uncomfortably on Hazael and then began to weep. Awkward! What was all of that about?

Elisha saw something “in the spirit”. I am sure that he did not want to see the images that came before his eyes as they were dreadful and brought him to tears. He told Hazael that he knew the terrible things that he would do to the people of Israel. Not only that, but his sad prophecy came true on both accounts.

Hazael went home and told the king what was said and then soaked a blanket in the water and held it over the king’s face until he died. Sadly, he was the new, evil king of Aram.

Next, Elisha has another message to deliver and he uses his young speedy servant to deliver this message. He is to find Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat and pour oil over his head and anoint him as King over Israel. This messengers’ assignment was pretty straightforward, “Get ready to travel. Anoint the next king. Run for your life.” (2 Kings 9.1-3)

Oh, and one more little thing before “running like the wind”, he is to give him a little message. Jehu’s mission as the new king is to wipe out ALL of the family of Ahab and his descendants to avenge the murder of the prophets of the Lord.

Now it’s time to go. GOTTA RUN!!!!

God isn’t looking for perfect fathers, by the way! We had David as a great example of a man after God’s own heart, and he made some really bad mistakes. Here is the defining line. He loved and worshiped the ONE TRUE GOD! God forgave David, but when David sinned against the Lord, he caused great pain that affected his family and all of his descendants. Tragic!

The children’s eyes follow the “FOCUS” of their fathers!

We will end our time today by looking back at the beginning of the 2 Kings 8:4. “Greedy Gehazi” (prophet’s assistant turned leper) was talking with the king as the mother of the boy that was raised from death walked in to see about getting her land back.

The King asks Gehazi, “Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done.” (18:4) Gehazi immediately tells the King about the raising of this woman’s son from the dead. Remember, Gehazi and the SEVEN SNEEZIES??? The King was impressed and took care of all of this woman’s needs.

Elisha is nearing the end of his time as a prophet as we will soon see, but his words, kindness, and the gift of hope will live on… (Even through Gehazi’s words.)

There were 14 major miracles. (not to mention miraculous prophecies that came true.) Let’s look back down memory lane: Elisha divided the Jordan River, Purified the bad waters, cursed the jeering young men, (Hey Baldy!), predicts a miracle victory, multiplies a widow’s oil, promises a pregnancy, raises a dead son, makes poison stew edible, multiplied loaves of bread, cures leprosy (and passes it on to Gehazi), makes an ax-head float, traps a Syrian Army, shows his servant an angel army, and predicts food for a besieged city. (3 Kings 2-7) There were other amazing prophesies that he predicted as well.

Elisha followed in the footsteps of his “spiritual father”, and out of wisdom he asked for a “double portion” of his power and it was given to him by God. Every son and daughter has a choice.

Elisha CHOSE to pick up the mantle!

Perhaps I should tell you the rest of the story about the song, "I Got a Name" By Jim Croce. It was the first single on his album and it was released on September 20, 1973… the day after his death in a plane crash!

Oh, friends, life is short… may we all choose well!

Like Father Like Son...“I got a name, I got a name. And I carry it with me like my daddy did…”

Parting of the Ways

ACTS 15: 36- 16:15 (June 24)

Have you ever had a "parting of the ways" with someone you had spent a great deal of time with? Maybe it is a spouse, a friend, relative, or co-worker. Whatever the situation and whoever the person is, it is not a fun time, and can be hard on the heart.

Paul and Barnabas had spent a lot of time together. They were friends and fellow apostles. They were missionaries together for Christ. They complimented each other with their gifts and calling and God used them greatly to grow his Kingdom.

But sometimes, there is a parting of ways, even in what seems to be a perfect pairing. While they both agreed to return to all the cities they had previously preached in and see how the new believers were doing, they did NOT agree on taking John Mark along. Barnabas wanted to bring him, but Paul was dead set against it.

And there you have it, one disagreement that is so volatile it causes a separation of two servant hearts.

Barnabas took John Mark and went one way. Paul chose Silas as his companion and went another way. Thus marked an end of an era for this dynamic duo.

Paul came across Timothy in Lystra. He was the son of a Jew and a Greek, and Paul heard he was well thought of by the believers. He arranged for Timothy to be circumcised, because he knew that the Jews knew Timothy was not circumcised, and Paul didn't want them to have any reason not to listen to the message.

Town to town they went, giving the believers some rules to live by, such as respecting the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The churches grew and strengthened in their faith.

They traveled on to other places and one night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia (Northern Greece) pleading with him to come to Macedonia and help them. So off they went to Macedonia.

While there, they met some women who were gathered at the riverbank. One woman, Lydia, was dressed in expensive purple cloth and said she worshipped God. She listened to the apostles as they preached, and she and her entire household ended up getting baptized She invited the apostles to be her guests in her home, saying, "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home." They believed she was a true believer, so they stayed with her.

The parting of ways between Paul and Barnabas was not a pleasant situation, but God used it for his purposes. He is so good at bringing good from the ugliness of life.

The same can be said for our own situations. Sometimes we find ourselves in an ugly situation with someone, but God is still there. He will take our ashes and make something very lovely with them if we remain faithful, even in our parting of ways.

Miracle of Miracles!

One Year Bible (June 24)

2 Kings 6:1-7:20

“Miracle of Miracles”

“Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles”.

Perhaps you may remember these words from a song in the Jewish musical, Fiddler on the Roof. I love how their heritage flows into the most important parts of their lives. This song is sung by Motel after Tevye extends permission for him to marry his daughter. He sees the miracles of God throughout all of Israelite history as touching his life with blessing.

Today’s story is all about Wonders and Miracles…Let’s pick up where we left off in yesterday’s passage by looking at the SEVEN (x2) MIRACLES.

Perhaps you may recall that The First Age of Miracles was during the time of Moses when God delivered ‘The Ten Commandments to the people and set them free from slavery to worship Him.

The Second Age of Miracles was during the days of Elijah/Elisha. These miracles were to prove the Lord is the True God to Israel who has fallen into IDOL Worship and has become a divided kingdom due to the sins of their kings.

Elijah captured our attention because he was a “larger than life” character who went to heaven in a “Chariot of Fire’.

The miracles that came through his ministry were MIRACULOUS and ASTOUNDING!

But, did you know that Elisha did TWICE AS MANY miracles as Elijah? Is that surprising to you as you reflect upon the fact that Elisha asked for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit?

Elijah is known for 7 MIRACLES while Elisha is known for 14 (SEVEN X2 MIRACLES). (The Midrash says Elijah did 8 miracles while Elisha did sixteen. So have fun counting for yourself.)

As you are reading today’s passages you are seeing miracle after miracle being performed. Many seem very familiar with the days of Elijah. He was a good Mentor and Elisha was a good Student.

Today’s message is filled with the number SEVEN.

Interesting, isn’t it? Did you know that the number SEVEN means “Fullness/Completion” or “Perfection” in the Bible?

Perhaps you recall that on the SEVENTH DAY God rested because HIS work was “COMPLETE” or “FINISHED”.

God always COMPLETES what HE begins…

In today’s passage, we see that God used the prophet, Elisha, to bring Healing to the Hurting, and Humility to the Haughty.

However, prophets not only brought “Blessings” to the people who repented and sought God, but they also brought “Curses” to those who rebelled or sinned against God, like Gehazi, Elisha’s Sneaky Servant.

Look at the words that Elisha spoke to Gehazi about his “secret sin”. “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you?” (5:26)

This verse is quite a nugget to ponder! Wow! Elisha is letting him know that God’s power in him allowed him to be there “In Spirit” to see Naaman in his sin. This is a powerful thing for us to take note of in this passage!

This warning reminds me of the warning in the New Testament when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit. What is hidden By man is not hidden From God’s Spirit! Gehazi was working as an assistant to the man of God, but was taking advantage of his calling!

The result was a “Cursing”, not a “Blessing”. The leprosy that had afflicted Naaman is now bestowed on Gehazi, and his DESCENDANTS! (5: 27)

Did you get that? His sin brought this disease of leprosy on HIS DESCENDANTS also!!

In this time period, before the age of grace, people were dealt with as a nation and as an entire clan/family.

I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that we live under the age of grace. Jesus changed how we are treated by HIS grace that has paid the penalty for our sins and He sees us as "whosoever will may come" to me without partiality.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Wonder of Wonders! Miracle of Miracles!!

Unlike Gehazi, Elisha didn’t ask for worldly honor or for a high place among men. What he desired was a larger measure of the Holy Spirit in his life like God had bestowed on Elijah had bestowed. God honored his request with a “Double Portion”.

Elisha’s name in Hebrew means, “God is Salvation”. His name is only mentioned once in the New Testament, “Elisha or Elisaios” in Luke 4:27 where it reminds us that ONLY Naaman was healed of leprosy by Elisha, although many others had that disease.

Elisha’s ministry was filled with signs, miracles, proclamations, and warnings. He would be known as the prophet of peace and healing with a “Double Portion” of God’s anointing.

Seven Sneezes. Seven Submersions. Seven (x2) Miracles...

And now you know "The rest of the story"!

“Wonder of Wonders. Miracle of Miracles! …“Mazel Tov!” (Fiddler on the Roof)

Grace By Faith

ACTS 15: 1-35 (June 23)

"You can't earn your way into heaven." I have heard that said so many times over the years.

Yet, we sometimes get our minds set on our "works"...those things we "do" for God that we think will make him proud of us and earn us a special place.

God loves us. He is proud when we serve him well. But that isn't our "ticket to ride". Salvation ... that ticket to the sweetest of places ... comes ONLY through our faith in Christ. It is not bought with our money or our labor, nor can it be won in a contest of "who does the most for Jesus."

There is but one way to heaven and that is by faith. And this was a great topic of argument and conversation in today's Scripture reading.

Paul and Barnabas are back in Antioch of Syria, enjoying being "home" for a while, when some men from Judea showed up. They were teaching the believers that you can't be saved unless you are circumcised. They said this because this went along with the law of Moses.

This was basically an attack on the gospel of the grace of God, which teaches that Christ finished the work necessary for salvation when he died on the cross. All a sinner needs to do is receive him by faith, and he (she) will be saved.

There is no prerequisite for circumcision. So, Paul and Barnabas argued greatly with them, and it became such a situation that the church decided to send the two apostles to Jerusalem to talk to the other apostles and elders about the situation. They wanted to get clarity.

Along the way to Jerusalem, the two spent some time meeting with believers, telling them that the Gentiles were being converted, which made everyone happy to hear.

I find it interesting that most people were filled with joy at hearing the Gentiles had the same opportunity to discover faith as they did. Why should they not be? Why should we not be excited to know that God offers us all the same chance at salvation?

But there are always those "few" in every situation. The "party poopers" who want to argue and have it their own way. So, when this happens to you, just rest in the knowledge that you are not alone, and this has been happening since the days of the apostles.

The whole church of Jerusalem welcomed them, and the two men gave them a play-by-play of all they had been doing to further the Good News. Then James stood up and reminded them of a prediction by the prophets that spoke of the Gentiles being converted.

The judgement was made that Paul and Barnabas were correct in saying no circumcision was needed. The apostles and elders chose some men (Judas and Silas) to accompany Barnabas and Paul back to Syria with a letter stating that this was so. And when they got back to Antioch, they called a meeting of believers and delivered the letter.

Everyone was joyful to hear the message, and then they listened to Judas and Silas as they offered some words to encourage and strengthen their faith.

In all the encouragement we see in this Scripture...the agreement amongst the elders and apostles, the joy of the people, the words from Judas and Silas ... we also see the enemy at work, quietly behind the scenes.

He is always there to bring discord, to work in someone to bring about arguments and dysfunction. He works in the minds of the skeptical and the weak to come against even those who are the strongest in their faith.

That was true then and it is true now. No matter how great our faith, we must always be watchful for the presence of the enemy. We must always be on guard against his wicked ways. He will use whoever he can, whenever he can.

He works through discouragement, disappointment, doubt, fear, anger, confusion, jealousy, regret, sorrow, and so much more. That is why it is CRUCIAL that we stay filled with the things of God through reading, praying, worshipping, and gathering. So that when that enemy comes against us, we have the strength in our spirit to fight and the strength of numbers (found in fellowship) to help us win the battle.

Gazuntite!

One Year Bible (June 23)

2 Kings 4:18-5:27

“GAZUNTITE!”

As a fourth/fifth grade teacher, one of our yearly challenges is administering state testing to all students. Some students don’t show up on testing days and their tests have to be made up. Some students always come late. Some hurry through as quickly as possible, and some “are slow as molasses”.

Not only that, but our teachers' cell phones must be turned off and put away in a drawer, and all writing and decor of every kind must be removed from the walls. It’s a BIG DEAL!

Then there is a paper that we sign to administer it correctly without helping students. Students must be spread out throughout the room and can’t move about or talk to others. Teachers have to make sure that the environment is quiet. Very quiet! I can adhere to all of the rules given to me, except for this one!

Each year we always face a “certain surprise”. A student will sneeze loudly sometime during testing. Without missing a beat, all the students will say, “Gazuntite!” or “Bless you!” It is automatic; they do this without giving it a thought! Do they even know what they are saying or why? Hmmm…

“Gazuntiite” or “Gesundheit” (which was borrowed from the German) means “health”. When they sneeze a person is showing that they may be getting sick and this word is the same as the English phrase, “Bless You!”. Today’s lesson is about Sneezes and Blessings!

In today’s Bible passage we will look at…SEVEN SNEEZES and SEVEN SUBMERSiONS.

First, let’s look at the SEVEN SNEEZES. Remember the woman from Shunem who offered her home in hospitality to Elisha? Her husband was old and she had no children, so Elisha “put in a good word for her with his boss”.

Sometime later her only son got very sick and died. Gehazi took Elisha’s staff and tried to raise the boy from the dead to no avail. Soon Elisha arrived and laid his body on the boy placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands while the boy was laying on the prophet’s bed.

What would you do if you were raised from the dead? Well, the Bible tells exactly what happened next.

“This time the boy SNEEZED SEVEN TIMES!” GAZUNTITE!!! I guess you could say that he was BLESSED indeed! ( 2 Kings 4:35) In fact, I bet you will never think of a sneeze in the same way again!

Secondly, let’s look at the SEVEN SUBMERSIONS. (to dip, plunge, place below water)

“The King of Aram had a great admiration for Naaman, the commander of the army because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories.” (5:1)

The problem was that this mighty warrior, Naaman, had leprosy. Naaman had a servant girl who was from Israel and she knew of Elisha, the prophet. Naaman told his King of Aram what the girl had told them. The king sent him on his way to the King of Israel with a letter of reference in hand. The king of Israel didn’t know what to do with Naaman. He just thought this was a trick for the King of Aram to pick a fight with him. (Do you see how jumpy with their fingers ‘on the trigger’ these kings were at this time?)

Elisha hears that the King of Israel “Has torn his clothes in dismay” and sends him a message, “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel!” (5:8)

Naaman is a very influential, wealthy commander and he brings his chariots, entourage, and gifts with him. He is associated with royalty and expects “The Royal Treatment Spa Package”.

He gets the “Mud Bath” without the perks! In fact, Elisha doesn’t even come out to greet him or bring him his fluffy white robe. He merely sends him a message, “Wash yourself SEVEN TIMES in the Jordan River”. ( 5:10)

No Greeting? No Perks? No Bowing? No Small Talk? Naaman throws a “Hissy Fit”. (This is Southern talk meaning that the man is “Royally Chapped”!!!!!) To add insult to injury, the Jordan River is DIRTY. His water at home is much cleaner. “Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent!”

Naaman is actually getting a little more than your basic “Spa Day”. He is getting some "Humble Pie” as well!

His advisors appeal to his senses, “Sir if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, Go and wash and be cured!” (5:13)

So, Naaman dips SEVEN TIMES! Not, six, or five, or four… He DIPPED SEVEN TIMES.

Interesting that the word SEVEN means COMPLETELY in the Bible, isn’t it?

Naaman was not only COMPLETELY healed that day, but he also found the God of Israel as Elisha the prophet had told the king. He went home a CHANGED MAN ready to worship God! God didn’t just heal his BODY. He touched his SOUL!

SEVEN SNEEZES and SEVEN SUBMERSiONS…What an amazing day of miracles in the land of Israel through the prophet, Elisha!

A humble boy is raised back from death to life, and an important commander is humbled in life to face his own death so that he may find eternal life.

Tomorrow, we will look at the SEVEN x2 Miracles performed by Elisha. (It's definitely a Double Portion!)

All I can say about today’s story is… “GAZUNTITE!”...

That means "Blessings, My Sisters"!!

You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down

ACTS 14: 8-28 (June 22)

A few years ago, I was hurrying into "The Golden Arches" with my kiddos before bible study. It was my first bible study at my new church, and I was excited to get there.

In my rush, I failed to notice the parking curb. I tripped over it at a fast past, landing on my right knee and elbow. The pain was incredible!

I lay there, spread out on the parking lot, not able to move. My purse had spewed all over the ground and my kids were hysterical. Looking back, I can only chuckle at what a sight we must have made.

I finally got up; the pain so intense I could barely stand. Instead of heading to the urgent care center, I went to bible study. I sat through bible study with my leg propped on a chair, watching as my knee and arm swelled to monstrous proportions during the hour.

The enemy was really trying to keep me out of bible study that evening, but I didn't let him. However, immediately following study, my daughter insisted I go to the urgent care center, where I found out I had sprained my knee and fractured my elbow.

I was told to stay off my knee for several days, and to keep my arm in a sling. Yeah...right! Those who know me know that the ONE day I stayed in bed was torturous, and I was up and out by day 2. I was not going to be kept down from that injury when I had things to do. (Yes, I am that stubborn.) (You can't keep a good man - or woman - down.)

In today's Scripture reading, Paul and Barnabas encounter a crippled man. His feet are really messed up, most likely since birth. He didn't trip over a parking curb; he had simply been living his life with this disability for a long time.

Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, saw that this man was listening intently, with faith in what they were saying. Did you know that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you get an awareness of the sincerity of someone's faith and their desire to know more?

Paul said to this man, in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And that is just what he did! He started walking, completely healed and grateful for this miracle.

You can imagine the crowd going wild! "These men are gods in human form!" they shouted. They decided Barnabus was the Greek god Zeus and Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.

Paul said to this man, in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And that is just what he did! He started walking, completely healed and grateful for this miracle. (You can't keep a good man down.)

The crowd went wild! They thought these men must be gods and decided Barnabus was the Greek god Zeus and Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. So, they ran off to the temple and brought back bulls and wreaths of flowers and were going to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

The apostles were not happy with this and ran amongst them, shouting, "Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings - just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them."

Their words scarcely made a difference to this excited crowd.

Suddenly, here come the Jews! They just won't leave Paul and Barnabas alone. Theu won the crowd over to their point of view and stoned Paul. They dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. The believers gathered around him, mourning his death, when he got up and walked back to town. (You can't keep a good man down.)

The two apostles left the next day and traveled even further to preach the Good News before returning to Antioch of Syria, which was where their trip began. They called the church together to give them a full report of all that had happened. They reported that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Can you imagine how excited that church must have been to hear that great report? Paul and Barnabas were safely back to their starting point and stayed there for quite a while.

After all they had been through, it's no wonder they wanted to stay for a while. Wouldn't you? They had been "through the ringer" on this trip but came back successful in the Lord's work, because we all know you can't keep a good man down.

Passing the Torch

One Year Bible (June 22)

2 Kings 3:1-4:17

“Passing the Torch”

This phrase originated in the early 1800s in connection with the Greek race and passing the torch as a traditional pre-ceremony. We use this phrase metaphorically to symbolize the picture of the runner passing it off to the next runner who would carry it across the finish line.

To “Pass the Torch” is to hand off your responsibility to those who will come after you. Today’s Bible passage is about the transfer of spiritual authority and power in the Transference of the Mantle. However, it is about much more than that. It is about “connecting all the dots”...

Yesterday, we saw Elijah perform his very last miracle on earth by parting the Jordan with his MANTLE, so he and Elisha could walk across on dry ground. Does this remind you of anyone else in scripture? Yes, that would be Moses.

We see Elisha boldly ask for “two shares of Elijah’s spirit”. (2:9) This was not a random request. Deut. 21:17 states that a “firstborn” son was entitled to “two shares” of his father’s estate. Elisha was the “spiritual first son” of Elijah and will carry on the prophet’s work that Elijah began with a “double portion” of his power.

As Elisha begins his ministry, we see him confront an evil king, Joram, and he delivers a prophecy to him about “water in a dry land”. Sound familiar? Not only was the water supply a miracle in itself, but God also used it to fool the Moabite army into thinking that the ground was soaked in the blood of their enemies.

Like Elijah, Elisha will wear the same mantle and follow in his footsteps. We see Elisha minister to a widow with a “single jar of oil” that multiplies, raise a son from the dead, and stand up to evil kings. Familiar stories, Indeed!

The Passing of the Torch is much bigger than just a story about Elijah and Elisha, however.

It is about Elijah, Moses, Jesus, and you and I as well.

Remember the saying, “In the Old Testament the New is CONCEALED, in the New the Old is REVEALED”? (Augustine)

Well, God is always up to something BIG and the connections always point to HIM.

It is interesting that against Elisha’s wishes the prophets hunt for Elijah, but he is not to be found… YET!

Elijah won’t be seen again until several hundred years later when he appeared with Moses on “A High Mountain” where both men talked with the Son of God before his transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-3)

Why were these two men, Moses and Elijah, chosen to be there with Jesus, and what did they have in common with this miraculous event?

What is significant about the transfiguration is that the Torah requires two witnesses to establish a matter. The two witnesses present with Jesus were Moses (who had died) and Elijah (who had never died). Romans 14:9 says that the Messiah is “Lord both of the dead and of the living”.

Did you know that Moses, Elijah, and Jesus all fasted for forty days and nights? All three fasted, receiving spiritual strength, comfort, and intervention from God while "On The Mountain”.

Mount Sinai (Horeb) is a very significant place in Israel’s history. It is where God first revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush. (Exodus 3: 1-2) God also revealed Himself in fire, smoke, thunder, lightning, and a quaking mountain. (Exodus 19:18, 20:18)

Moses was led to Mount Horeb (Sinai) to receive The Ten Commandments and a despondent Moses goes back up to Mount Sinai after the breaking of the Ten Commandments and the idol worship of the people.

How interesting is it that a despondent Elijah goes to the very same mountain (after 40 days and nights) while running from Jezebel after destroying the idols and the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel? Also, both Moses and Elijah had experienced God’s force of power in nature.

Elijah learned that His true presence was not in the force of nature but in the “still small voice”. (I Kings 19:12-13)

Why were Moses and Elijah chosen to be there with Jesus?

Essentially, Mt. Sinai is a symbol of our sin and a reminder of our need for a Savior. It was there that the Ten Commandments were given.

Through these two men, Moses and Elijah, people were called back to worship the ONE TRUE GOD and to look for the Messiah.

At the Transfiguration, the completion of the covenant was revealed. It is interesting to see how Jesus explained this connection, “Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:27)

So, what can we learn today about, “Passing the Torch”?

Elisha is not alone. He has a double portion left to him to carry on in the spirit of Elijah. He wears his master’s mantle of authority.

The amazing thing that the New Testament reveals to us through Elijah’s reappearing with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration is that we are not left alone either. We also have a mantle (The Armor of God) and a “double portion” of power (The Holy Spirit).

Let’s look at some of Jesus’ parting words to his disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

He also told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12)

May we always read the Old Testament with New Testament Eyes!

The Passing of the Torch…

Never Alone. Double Portion. Greater Works.

Divided

ACTS 13:42 - 14:7 (June 21)

We know that opinions are just that...opinions. And we never get to a place where EVERYONE agrees. There are always two sides to every story, and we all have choices in what we choose to believe.

The choices we make define who we are. All around us, day after day, are choices to be made. Perhaps no choice is as important as who we will serve in this life. Those of us who choose to serve God do so by Divine Election. God doesn't force us. He allows us the opportunity.

The Jews were facing the same choice when Paul and Barnabas shared the Good (and Bad) News with them. People were begging them to speak about these things again, and many Jews believed and became followers.

But there is always another side to the story... and in this particular story, there were Jews in the crowd that were jealous of these two men, so they slandered them.

Paul and Barnabas didn't let that bother them. "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles."

In other words, you had your chance, and you blew it (your own choice), so we are going elsewhere.

The Gentiles were excited to hear this and gave thanks to the Lord. They became believers (most of them) and continued to spread the Lord's message throughout the region. (That Good News is flying off the shelves!)

But those hateful Jews weren't finished yet. They stirred up the influential Jewish women (interesting...they used women to get things stirred up!) along with some leaders of the city and got a mob going against Paul and Barnabas.

Paul and Barnabas "shook the dust from their feet"(translation... see you later alligator) and went on to another town, where believers were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

They stayed their preaching a long time, even though the Jews created a very similar situation in that town. They performed miraculous signs and wonders, thanks to the power given to them by the Lord.

But this was a town divided. There were two sides to the story ... the believers and the unbelievers. Everyone had to choose for themselves (that Divine Election.) Some sided with the Jews, some with the apostles.

The ugly mob of Jews and Gentiles decided to stone the apostles. So those preachers fled the region and went elsewhere to preach the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas had already made their Divine Election. And I love the fact that they never let the naysayers stop them. If they got run out of one town, they just went to another. They continued to preach the Good News, despite opposition.

We are called to do the same. This world is in some dark times. We have choices to make. The enemy wants us to choose the world. But we know we serve a God who protects us from the enemy and gives us the boldness to stand strong in a world that is so Divided.

Chariots of Fire

One Year Bible (June 21)

2 Kings 1:1-2:25

“Chariots of Fire”

“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

(Quote from “Chariots of Fire”, Eric Liddell)

“Chariots of Fire” is an amazing movie about two men who trained for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell was a devout Christian who was born to Scottish missionaries in China. He sees running as part of his worship and even refuses to run on the Lord’s Day to compete in his favorite 100 meters. Instead, he competed in the 400 meters on a weekday and won!

One of the favorite quotes attributed to him says, “The secret of my success over the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then for the second 200m, with God’s help, I run faster.”

Many know of his Olympic victory through the movie, but do not know that he returned to his life’s work in China where he served as a missionary teacher. The British warned British nationals to leave for their safety. Liddell sent his wife (who was pregnant with their baby) to safety. He remained in China and suffered an inoperable brain tumor until his death in a Japanese civilian internment camp in 1945. This was just five short months before liberation.

The name for the movie came from the British Patriotic Song, “Jerusalem” by William Blake. Listen to a few of the words that this movie was named after, “Bring me my Chariot of fire! I will not cease from a mental fight. Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem.”

Eric Liddell followed in the footsteps of Elijah. He could not only “run like the wind”, but he was also fully committed to following the ways of God and his life’s calling was to build “Jerusalem”... the Kingdom of our Lord and Messiah.

The prophet Elijah left some pretty big shoes to fill, for the Elisha’s, the Eric Liddells of this world, and for you and me...

According to the Bible, Elijah and Enoch are the only two men that God took to heaven without them dying. We are told that “Enoch walked with God and then was no more.” (Gen. 5:24)

Elijah’s departure came after one more GRAND ADVENTURE.

The final assignment given to Elijah by the angel was to visit King Ahaziah (King Ahab’s evil son) who had a short two-year reign as king. Here is the question that he was sent to ask, " Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover?”

Then, Elijah was to inform the king, “Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.” (2 Kings 1:3-4) YIKES!

Listen to the angel’s final advice to Elijah for his last mission on earth, “Go down with him, and don’t be afraid of him. So Elijah got up and went with him to the King.” (1:15)

Look at how Elijah has come “full-circle” again... “OUT OF THE FRYING PAN” and back “INTO THE FIRE”!

It is no easy task to deliver bad news like that to the king who will have you killed. Elijah does not know the OUTCOME, but he knows the God who OVERCOMES!

The king dies as foretold, but as for Elijah… he will NEVER face DEATH! In fact, he is getting ready for a “JOY RIDE” and it will be the second biggest thrill of his life!

It is now time for Elijah’s final moments. The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”

Elisha is asked this question a couple of times and he responds with a faithful commitment to Elijah. “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” (2 Kings 2: 4,6)

Listen to Elisha’s final request of Elijah, his mentor, and model, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” Elijah replies, “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” (2 Kings 2: 9-10)

Guess what Elisha sees as they were walking along together?

“Suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, ‘My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” (vs. 12)

Chariots, Indeed!! Majestic, Masterful, Triumphant!

I can just hear the theme song from “Chariots of Fire” right now in my heart and mind.

Do you know what James 5:17 says about Elijah?

“Elijah was a HUMAN BEING, JUST LIKE US. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.”

Do you remember the last words the angel spoke to him, “Go and don’t be afraid!” (We human beings need that reminder.)

Generation after generation would talk of the Chariots of Fire and of Elisha who followed in his footstep with a "double share of his spirit".

An ordinary man such as Eric Liddell, who “runs like the wind” (like Elijah), would be inspired to live a “Chariots of Fire” kind of life!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t run very fast at all. However, I love to write and no matter how afraid I feel at times I am going to use that for God’s glory because I feel his pleasure when I do.

What will you do when you know that God is FOR you, WITH you, and IN you?

“Chariots of Fire”… Can you hear that theme song playing in your life?

Good News, Bad News

ACTS 13: 16-41 (June 20)

We have all heard someone say to us at one time or another, "Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?"

Which one do you typically pick? Personally, I want the good news first, so I can have a little more time to brace myself for the bad news. I know it's coming. I know I won't like it. But I know I have to hear it and act on it, whatever it is.

Don't you with you only had to deal with good news? Wouldn't life be grand? Unfortunately, that is not the way of our world today. Nor was it the way of the world during the days of the apostles, Bad news has been around as long as good news has been around.

Paul finds himself with an opportunity in the synagogue to stand up and start speaking. Paul welcomed any chance he got to share the message of hope with anyone who would listen.

And what he did was give them the good news, then end with the bad news. (Paul was my kind of guy!)

He stood before the men of Israel and laid out a foundation of Jewish history, a foundation that they couldn't deny. He then went on to share the events in history which connected with the life and ministry of Jesus. (Here is where we start to hear the Good News.) Next, he proclaimed the resurrection of Christ. (More Good News)

Then Paul shared to all who were listening that it was through Christ, and only Christ, that their sins could be forgiven. "Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for you sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God's sight - something the law of Moses could never do." (Forgiveness of sins through Jesus? Now THAT is some GOOD NEWS!)

After he laid out this Good News to these men, he wrapped up his little speech with the Bad News. He warned them about what would happen to them if they rejected Jesus, and it wasn't pleasant. "Look, you mockers, be amazed and die!

Yes, that's right. The Bad News was that if you ignore Jesus, if you don't work towards repentance through a relationship with him, you will not spend your eternal life with him.

So, there you have it, the Good News and the Bad News. The news that Paul spoke in that synagogue so long ago still stands true today.

We find grace and mercy through Jesus. We receive the forgiveness of our sins through our repentance to him. It is our relationship with him that offers us an eternity on the streets of gold. Anything else is just Bad News.

The Master Marksman

One Year Bible (June 20)

I Kings 22:1-53

The Master Marksman

“The Shooter” is a series that has recently captured our family’s attention; it focuses on an all-American boy who became a Marine, a Marksman, and a Sniper.

This series draws attention to how much savvy goes into every single shot. The sharpshooter has to account for distance, wind, movement, and so much more to find the perfect accuracy for each intended shot. The use of a scope grid causes the man to use aim, accuracy, and assessment to reach a target that might be nearly a mile away.

The star of this show is so well trained that it has become “Second Nature” to him. The difficulty is that not everyone who appears to serve his country is really “serving his country”.

It is difficult to know just based on their words, “Who is the Good Guy”? and “Who is the Bad Guy”?

Today’s story has all of the thrills, twists, and turns that are found in a high-action drama!

Unlikely alliances will ALIGN. CIA intelligence will be FLAWED. Kings will ultimately FALL!

Just wait and see who will be caught in the SCOPE GRID today…

Our story begins with a very unlikely ALLIANCE. Perhaps you have heard of the negotiation strategy called, “Good Cop/Bad Cop”. While one uses Intimidation, the other uses Negotiation.

Today’s unlikely union is between King Ahab (Evil King of Israel) and King Jehoshaphat (Good King of Judah). The divided kingdom is united for one episode as they strive to take down King Ahab’s enemy Aram. The town is called Ramoth-Gilead. King Ahab asks King Jeshosaphat to join him in the battle against this town. They are definitely “BAD COP/GOOD COP”, but it’s not an act!

King Jehoshaphat replies to King Ahab, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” (I Kings 22: 4) Yep, he’s the negotiator!

“But first, let’s find out what the LORD says”. This king has got his SCOPE GRID out already and he wants to check for the right direction!

So, King Ahab calls in about 400 of his prophets and asks them the magic question, “Should we go to battle against this enemy?” ( I say “magic” because he uses “hocus pocus”.)

“Why yes, our Intimidating King, we should go as that is what you want to hear!”

Alright. You got me! That was a very sarcastic interpretation for sure. So, let’s jump ahead and see what the Bible actually says about the “400 Wise Guys”. Spoiler Alert: Check out I Kings 22:22 to see what is coming…

In the meantime, King Jehoshaphat asks, “Have you guys got another prophet here?”

Is anyone confused here with the storyline? Who were the 400 flunkies that they just heard from? (Hold that thought as well…)

King A. tells King J. that there is one other prophet named Micaiah, but that he “hates him”.

Yes, King A. actually said that out loud and King J. tells him, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.” (22:8)

So, they call in the prophet Micaiah and he lays it all out for the kings in tactical terms and here is the “Sharpshooting Short Story”...“King Ahab, the scope is on you and you are going down!”

Seriously, read it for yourselves to see all the gory details. The Bullseye is going to be on “Ahab’s A. (I mean “backside”) “Angry Ahab” is, Well… angry! AGAIN!

The prophet Micaiah is getting locked up, King Ahab is disguising himself, and King Jehoshaphat is being left hanging out to dry in his kingly robes. (Now, I warned you about the bad cop/good cop thing.)

King A. has a strategy to let King J. 'take the fall' should the sniper have the king in his scope grid.

Not only is this story about ALLIANCE, but it is also about ACCURACY.

King Ahab’s 400 prophets were inaccurate in their proclamation of victory. Go Figure! How in the world could 400 kingly prophets be so far off looking at their spiritual compass? How could one lonely prophet named Micaiah be so accurate and yet despised?

Micaiah gives us the inside scoop, “And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies. ‘You will succeed’, said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it’. So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.” (22: 22-23) God is so sovereign that he uses the enemy to turn on itself!

This enemy only wants to kill the King of Israel, not Judah. So, while King Jehoshaphat is left exposed to be killed in his kingly robes and the King of Israel is disguised, the scope sees through this diversion. (Amazing!)

Then the marksman fires an arrow that hits the disguised king INBETWEEN THE JOINTS OF HIS ARMOR.” (Miraculous!)

ALLIANCE. ACCURACY. ALL-POWERFUL… Our God, The Master Marksman!

Joined in the Journey

ACTS 12:24 - 13:15 (June 19)

My husband and I went on a long journey a few years back. We flew to upper New York and visited my parents, then drove their car back to California.

We were in unfamiliar territory, and the route home was one we had never taken before. As we traveled, we tried our best to see the sights around us and enjoy the time.

It took us several days to journey from near the Canadian border to near the Mexican border. New places, new faces, new hotels, new places to eat...everything was an experience, and we were glad we were able to make that journey together.

Journeys, short and long, are better when we are joined together with someone else, experiencing the moments together. This is where Barnabas and Saul found themselves in today's Scriptures. They are being joined in a journey that will change the world.

Barnabus and Saul finish taking the aid to Jerusalem and returned, bring John Mark with them. He was the cousin of Barnabas who went on to write the second Gospel.

The church in Antioch of Syria was unique. There was no one senior pastor. Five prophets and teachers: Barnabus, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. They were all from different backgrounds, had different skin colors, and possessed different gifts. This was a huge thing because it showed that there was no prejudice within the church based on skin color or anything else. It was all about serving God. It wasn't who you were but Whose you were that counted.

The Holy Spirit had other plans for Barnabas and Saul. They were to be to travel around Asia Minor, preaching the word. John Mark was going with them to help them.

When they received this calling, the others laid their hands on them and prayed. This was an expression of their fellowship with Barnabas and Saul in the work the Holy Spirit had called them to. It was a huge show of support and encouragement.

So, they traveled to many places, joined in the journey, preaching and teaching, and growing the numbers of those who believed.

They hit a snag in Paphos where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus). He was close to the governor, who was considered to be an intelligent man. The governor wanted Barnabus and Saul to visit him so he could hear them preach the word of God. Of course, Bar-Jesus wanted no such thing.

Saul, who in 13:9 is first mentioned as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit and called out the sorcerer, saying, "You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time."

And that is exactly what happened! And when the governor saw this, he became a believer. (Wouldn't you?)

After that, Paul, Barnabas, and Mark set out to continue their travels, preaching the word of God to all who would listen in the synagogues and in the streets. They gained more and more followers as they lived out their calling, joined in the journey for God.

What about us? What is our journey and who are we joined with? Who are the ones who walk with you through life's moments, good and bad? Who are the ones who will lay their hands upon you and pray? Who are the ones who would go to the ends of the earth for you?

How sweet it is to be joined in the journey!

The Gentle Whisper

One Year Bible (June 19)

I Kings 20:1-21:29

The Gentle Whisper

“Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”-- Billy Graham

Speaking of mountaintops… fire fell, the sacrifice of the altar and the water in the trench were licked up by God’s awesome power, 450 prophets of Baal were wiped out, and rain finally came after three long years! All of this happened by God’s power through one prophet of God, Elijah.

“And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord-He is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” (I Kings 18:39)

What a Mountaintop Miracle!

Speaking of valleys…”When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So, Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: ‘May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them'.” (I Kings 19:1-21)

What a Vicious Valley!

Good news travels FAST. Bad news travels FASTER!!

The Mountaintop Miracle ended with these words, “Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel”. (I Kings 18:46)

The only problem is that Elijah kept on running and running. This running did not come from FAITH in God’s Power but from Elijah’s FEAR because of Jezebel’s Death Threat!

Yesterday, we looked at how God ministered to Elijah when he was ‘Touched by an Angel” and now 40 days later, Elijah has an encounter at Mt. Sinai, The Mountain of God.

God has a question that he asks Elijah twice, “What are you doing here Elijah?”

Elijah proceeds to say that he has served the Lord Almighty and has torn down the altars and now is all alone, and they are trying to kill him. He is emotionally in “WOE-IS-ME-VILLE”!

But, God wasn’t really saying “What are you DOING here?” He is asking, ‘What are you doing HERE?’ While God had called him to minister to Israel, those “running shoes” have taken him a long way off course! God was about to bring Elijah “full circle” back around.

It’s now time for another “Miraculous Mountaintop” display of God’s awesome power. God instructs Elijah to “go out and stand before me”.

Then, “The Lord passed by and a mighty wind storm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” (I Kings 19: 11-12)

Elijah needed to stop listening to the loud threats of Wicked Queen Jezebel and start listening again to The GENTLE WHISPER that took him to Mount Carmel to defeat 450 Priests of Baal!

Then the Lord told him to “get those running shoes on again”. He has a few tasks to do: 1) Anoint Hazael to be king of Aram, 2) Anoint Zehuto to be King of Israel, and 3) Anoint Elisha to be his assistant and replace him as a prophet. Yes, Elijah is going to be busy for a while.

As for Jezebel, well her day is coming! And as for “Angry King Ahab”, he is busy dealing with King Ben-hadad and all of his threats in today’s passage.

Perhaps, like me, you are wondering why God turned his situation around and sent prophets to help this evil man? King Ben-hadad starts out threatening King Ahab, “Your silver and gold are mine and so are your wives and the best of your children.” (I Kings 20:3)

Look at the words of the man of God to the King of Israel, The Arameans have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains, ‘So, I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord’.” (20:28)

Before you know it, Benhadad is giving back towns to King Ahab and has signed a treaty with him in blood to spare his own life. By the end of the chapter, Ahab’s “VALLEY LOW” has turned around and he is back on “Mountain High”...

Here is the reason why King Ahab is getting another chance and why other prophets are being sent his way. “This is what the Lord says: Do you see all these enemy forces? Today I will hand them all over to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” ( I Kings 20:13)

You see, when God sends a nation a prophet (or many), He is giving people the chance to Repent and Return to HIM.

For the sake of his beloved nation, Israel, God is calling on King Ahab by showing him Miracle after Miracle.

The question is…Will he see and hear?

Where is God in our valleys you may wonder?

Well, as the prophet pointed out to King Ahab, “He IS the Lord of the HILLS and the VALLEYS!”

He is “the sound of the gentle whisper” …He wants to grow your fruit in the valley too!

Can you hear “The Gentle Whisper”?

”Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Follow Me

Acts 12:1-23 (June 18)

While Barnabus and Saul were taking aid to the elders in Jerusalem, King Herod was persecuting believers in the church. He had James killed with a sword and then went after Peter. He put Peter in prison, with many guards around him and chained to him to await his trial.

Peter most likely felt the burden of being captive. He most likely felt there was no means of escape. But the night before his trial, an angel of the Lord came to Peter while he was chained to the guards. This angel woke him up and caused the chains to fall off. Then the angel spoke two significant words to Peter, "Follow me."

Peter followed the angel, thinking he was having a vision. They passed all the guards and went through the gate to the city before the angel left him.

Peter finally realized it wasn't a vision. "It's really true!" he said. "The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!"

I can imagine what an experience this must have been for him, and he wanted to share the news. (Wouldn't you?) So, he went to the home of Mary where many were gathered in prayer. When he knocked, the servant girl named Rhoda came to open the door. She was so excited and filled with joy when she realized it was Peter.

Noone believed her when she went and told them that Peter was there. He kept knocking until they finally opened the door then he told them all that had happened.

You can imagine the surprise of the soldiers when they went to get him out of his cell, and he was gone! Herod ordered a search, questioned the guards that were watching him, and sentenced them to death. Unsure of where Peter might be, Herod left Judea and went to stay in Caesarea for a while.

The people of Tyre and Sidon came to make peace with Herod, because he was angry with them, and they depended on his country for food. They managed to get his personal assistant to listen to them and he got them an appointment with Herod.

When he met with them in his royal robes, he gave them a speech. Wanting to get on his good side, they gave him a great ovation, saying, "It's the voice of a god, no of a man!"

As you can imagine, Herod enjoyed all their praise instead of correcting them. So, an angel of the Lord struck him with sickness because he took all the glory instead of giving it to God. Herod died because he did not follow God.

Peter heard the words "Follow me." He listened and obeyed. What about us? Do we hear God whisper in our stillness and uncertainty, when we don't know which way to turn? Do we hear his gentle "Follow me"?

Or do we spend our time looking for answers from other sources, wasting precious time following the world instead of the Creator of the world?

Peter listened and received rich blessings... his life was spared so that he could continue the work of God. The same is waiting for us. God will save our lives, he will bless us according to his good riches, and he will direct our paths. All we have to do is heed the call when we hear him say, "Follow me!"

Touched By An Angel

One Year Bible (June 18)

I Kings 19:1-21.

“Touched By An Angel”

A trio of angels travel the earth inspiring and rescuing human people at their absolute crossroads to completely turn over their lives to the God “who loves them”. The theme song, sung for each episode by Della Reese, “Tess”, reminds us of God’s words, “I will walk with you.”

This series is an absolute favorite for my daughter and me. The angels speak the words found in the Bible to the most desperate of people and these broken people are given hope, second chances, and inspiration. The angels learn lessons along the way as well.

Do you believe in angels? I love Tess, Monica, Andrew, and the cast of this amazing show, but I am not really talking about them. I am talking about Michael, Gabriel, and a “great host of others”.

Here is one important fact the Bible tells us about God’s angelic army, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12)

Today’s message is about a prophet that truly is in “over his head” as he has received a death threat from Queen Jezebel. He is literally shaking from his head to his “Tishbe Toes”.

Can you imagine how you would feel if you received a death threat from your local government?

THE TIMES OF ISRAEL has a recent headline that says, “I’m dying to murder you” and a police complaint is being made over these death threats. Well, Elijah can’t exactly file a complaint with the police. So, who is he going to call? "Ghostbusters?" Not a bad idea...

Before God can use the MAN, he MINISTERS to him in his MESS!

By the way, MESSES ALWAYS proceed MIRACLES!

MIRACLES happen in the darkest of times!

Most people know that the Bible contains miracles but few are aware that hundreds of years of Bible history may pass by without any miracles at all. Most of the miracles of the Bible have fallen into what is considered The Three Ages of Miracles.

The First Age of Miracles spanned about fifty years and was performed through Moses to force Pharaoh to free his people, Israel, from slavery and to deliver them to The Promised Land.

Can you guess when The Second Age of Miracles occurred? This season also lasted about fifty years and involved two prophets, Elijah and Elisha.

Once again God is ready to intervene to set his people free to worship HIM. Through this lineage, He will then bring about the Messiah.

Do you remember when God led Elijah to the village to find the widow who would feed him?

She did not have enough flour and olive oil to even feed herself and her son, but she was willing to “bake a little cake first” for God’s prophet. God blessed it and multiplied her gift so that she would never run out.

When it comes to MIRACLES, this was just the APPETIZER!

Next, the woman’s son dies. Elijah cries out to God and lay the boy on his bed. There he stretched himself out over the boy THREE TIMES and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” (17:21) God raises the boy back to life and he hands him back to his mother, ALIVE!

Next, Elijah receives a FED EX from “Queen Jeze-Hell”. (She wants him to sign for the message in blood!) It reads, “May the gods strike me and even kill me (This part works for me! Great idea there, Jez!) if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” (Ahhh Ohhhhh...)

Now, Elijah has only got 24 hours left, and it is in REAL-TIME like the series "24'!)

So, now we find Elijah fervently praying to his God again, “He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” (I Kings 19:4)

He was now in a place of fear which is the opposite of faith! (I Kings 19:4)

Then, Elijah lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, AN ANGEL TOUCHED HIM! “Get up and eat!”

(Guess what? Now, we have Hors D oeuvres!)

“There is hot bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water.” (19:6) Elijah goes back to sleep and the angel wakes him up for seconds! “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” (19:7)

(This small portion of bread and water is going to have to last him for quite a while... Like 40 days and nights!)

God gave him the strength to travel for forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai. (Does this time period sound significant to you?)

This is the Second Age of Miracles and God is getting ready again to “MOVE THROUGH ELIJAH”...

But first God will “MOVE ELIJAH” from “FEAR to FAITH”.

Appetizers. Hors d’oeuvres… The Main Course is yet to come, so keep reading!

“I heard you cry out to God for help and you have to decide if you really meant it because He’s ready to give it to you if you’re ready to receive it.” (Andrew, Touched by an Angel)

See, he was TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL!

Come Together

Acts 11: 1-30 (June 17)

A line from an old Beatles song... "Come together, right now, over me."

Today's reading gives us a further glimpse into the "coming together" of the Jews and Gentiles. And they are "coming together" over one thing...God.

When Peter got back to Jerusalem, he was criticized by the Jews for going into Cornelius' home and eating with him. They were still bound by their old beliefs about Jews not associating with Gentiles.

He recounted what had happened, and when they saw the many different ways God had made things "come together", they began to believe as well. They stopped objecting and starting praising God, saying, "We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life."

Some of the believers that had scattered when Stephen was killed began preaching in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria, but only to the Jews.

Others went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene and began preaching to the Gentiles, turning many of them to the Lord.

The church at Jerusalem heard about this and sent Barnabas to Antioch. What joy he felt when he saw what was happening there! His encouragement brought even more believers to the Lord. This was actually the first place where these believers were called Christians.

Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul, who had been sent there for safety. He brought him back to Antioch where they both stayed and preached for a year.

A prophet named Agabus also came to Antioch. During one of the meetings, he predicted a great famine would come upon the entire Roman world. All the believers sent what they could to help, trusting Barnabas and Saul to deliver it.

We see the walls between Jews and Gentiles tumbling down. We see them coming together in their beliefs and their worship. We get a glimpse of them helping one another as fellow brothers and sisters.

I think of our world today... all the problems, all the hate. I ponder the division and discrimination. And I can't help but wonder...

What would it be like if we could all Come Together?

A Dreadful Drought

One Year Bible (June 17)

I Kings 18:1-46

A Dreadful Drought

“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” -- Benjamin Franklin

Today’s passage is about a spiritual drought, a physical drought, and an amazing deliverance.

The people of God have rejected the “living water’ that He provided for his people and have sought out idols… lots of idols! Before He can save them, however, he needs to show them a little bit about their thirst. What they are “thirsting after” can be seen in their “idol practices”.

What is the "PULL" to worship "POLES"?

Ashtoreth worship could involve a “Grove of Trees” or a “Pole”. Worship of Asherah was noted for its sensuality and involved sexual ritual prostitution. The priests and priestesses of Asherah also practiced divination and fortune-telling.

Next, let’s look at Chemosh (of Moab). This deity was considered in the same deity family as Baal. On occasions, a human sacrifice was considered necessary to secure his favor. Their ancestral founder was Moab, a son of Lot. That adds context when you think of the land where Lot lived, Sodom and Gomorrah.

The worship of Baal was the primary idol worship promoted and built by Ahab and Jezebel and was related to the worship of Asherah (deity of fertility).

What word comes to your mind when you look at their idol practices?

The word “ORGY” originated with "cultic secret rites” involving dancing, drinking, revelry, worship, and more. Solomon’s love for “many foreign wives” led him to more illicit opportunities.

Idols allowed the people to “choose adultery and call it holy”. They ran towards the “sensual” versus seeking the “spiritual”.

I always thought of idols as mere statues or empty poles, but what I missed seeing is the “evil power” that came from their worship of false gods. Elijah is stepping into the very midst of a spiritual battle for the souls of the nation of Israel.

Pay close attention to Elijah’s opening words to King Ahab.” There will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (I Kings 17:1) “During the NEXT FEW YEARS”...Now, that’s a Dreadful Drought!

Why did God send Elijah with this particular unique message?

The false gods that Ahab introduced and served were thought to control storms and rain. So, this is a frontal challenge intended to prove that only God has that power. These people are going to have quite some time to think about their trust in a god that “can’t deliver what it says”.

Israel had been drinking from “false cisterns” rather than the “living water”, but they are about to find out how thirsty they really are!!

Before Elijah can minister to the people, he finds himself pretty hungry and thirsty. God ministers to him so that he can share the need for water with these lost people. God feeds Elijah with ravens that bring him bread and meat each morning, and he is camped along Kerith Brook (near the Jordan River). The Bible tells us, “So, Elijah did as the Lord told him.” (I Kings 17:4)

Finally, let’s look at the immense spiritual battle involving IDOLS as we see in the great showdown on Mt. Carmel.

Illicit Sex: Not only had the people committed ritual prostitution on this very site, but they had committed spiritual prostitution against their God. See the story of Gomer and Hosea.)

Demonic in origin: On this day 450 prophets of Baal faced off against Elijah. Do you know two words that describe Jezebel? Those words would be "Idols and witchcraft" (See 2 Kings 9:22) )

Obsessive rituals: The people “cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out--as was their normal custom” --I Kings 18:28

License to Sin: If their “god” wins they can continue to do whatever they want. Listen to Elijah’s mocking of their false gods, “You’ll have to shout louder,’ he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming or is relieving himself” (18:27)

Social Pressure: On this day, ALL of the prophets of Baal were seized and killed. The ruling system over this city was put to an end. The Peer Pressure to worship idols will be gone!

Remember the part about, “How things were going to really heat up”? Well, no matter how much the prophets of Baal danced, hobbled around the altars, screamed, or cut themselves… No Water Came!

However, God answered one faithful servant, Elijah. He prayed and “the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench? And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, ‘The Lord God! Yes, the Lord is God!” (18:38)

The miracles aren’t over yet; now it is time for RAIN! Then it says that Elijah tucked his cloak in his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel!” (18:46)

A Verk Dark Hour. A Dreadful Drought. A Miraculous Deliverance.