Yes, Elijah’s greatest fear may have been of being the only one of God’s prophets left, alone and without help. However, God had a much more penetrating question of His prophet. Not once but twice He asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (19:9,13). Incredible, isn’t it, that the LORD‘s charge to Elijah should occur on that very same mountain where He had spoken to Moses in the burning bush and given him the Law (Exodus 3:1-3;19:9,16)?
The fire of the LORD fell (18:38). The people proclaimed Yahweh, the self-existent and eternal God, Supreme* (18:39). And as surely as the LORD promised Elijah, the rains poured down (18:45) after three long years. It was evident that Baal had not begun and ended the drought. Surely God’s people would return to their senses.
The key to your story is the size of your God ladies. Oh, not that you can diminish God in any way. But how big is He in your eyes? Elijah had an inkling. You would too if God had hidden you by a brook and ordered ravens to feed you (17:4). And what if you then were witness to the daily multiplication of a widow’s meager supply of flour and oil to sustain all three of you (17:16), plus the miraculous return to life of her son (17:22)?
The drought continued in Elijah’s time. After all, God had said “neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). Eventually, the brook had to dry up. But who’d have thought God would send Elijah to a widow’s home for food, considering she was on her last bit of flour and oil.
A curveball: “something unexpected, surprising, or disruptive” (online Dictionary). Ever been thrown a curveball, ladies? How about a year of curveballs? Not entirely what I expected of 2021, especially after 2020.
I’m not surprised that the Apostle John closed his Revelation with a blessing. John’s words of blessing are not only directed to seven churches in Asia Minor but to each one of us—if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord.
The Apostle Paul offers a prolific collection of grace-filled words in his letters. Reading them along with John’s and Peter’s blessings touched my heart and reminded me of the power of words, especially words of kindness among believers.
After Jesus Christ inhabited the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, we begin to encounter an abundance of kindnesses and blessings sprinkled throughout the New Testament. Jesus described what we should expect when God’s presence is with us. He explained to his disciples just before His crucifixion, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
What exactly is a blessing? It must be more than good wishes or hope for good luck. To me, blessings feel more like a prayer asking God to walk with, abide with or accompany someone on a journey. Discovering the variety of blessings in Scripture warmed my soul and gave me a hunger to know more about them.
he smallest gesture of kindness can refresh someone’s soul.
While waiting for assistance recently, a young adult with a developmental disability suddenly announced to me, “My daddy just died from COVID.”
“What does your Good Shepherd look like?” our Bible study leader asked. Even though I had never thought about that question before my grandmother popped into my head immediately.
We lived in the country during part of my childhood. Clearing off the front part of our land took place before the building of our house. From the road you could see the driveway going over a cattle guard and winding up the hill to our home. Trees scattered appropriately for visual effect and shade made for a pretty picture.
My husband travels for work. He usually leaves on Mondays and returns early Friday afternoons. He keeps me informed of his itinerary regularly.
Some weeks I do really well with time management. I complete certain tasks on certain days. Then there are those weeks I piddle around not really accomplishing anything. With his return day in mind, I feel like I have plenty of time and put things off until the last minute.
After birthdays and holiday celebrations I have to admit I gather up the collapsible gift boxes to use again. I store them in an under-the-bed box so I know right where to locate them when needed. My family good naturedly teases me about it.
For years I felt guilty for not having a family devotional time with our girls as they grew up. We provided plenty of other spiritual growth opportunities, but not that dedicated sit down time as a family. I stewed and fretted about it a lot.
Last week I turned over my calendar to a new month. At the top of the new page was this quote:
Kind words are jewels that live in the heart and remain as blessed memories years after they have been spoken. M. Johnson
During a recent lunch conversation, a friend and I got on the topic of “significant” birthdays. The particular number under discussion was one looming on her horizon, but solidly in my rearview mirror, making me the expert on the subject.
If you ask young children to name the seasons, some might answer, “Christmas, Easter, July 4th and Halloween.” Following that train of thought, the sign of each new season would be the bursting forth of appropriate merchandise on the shelves of local retailers. Ah, sad, but true…
On day 4 of Creation, God placed two great lights in the heavens. Lights we recognize as the sun and our moon; one direct and one reflective.
The earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours.
The moon’s rotation around the earth every 27.5 days..
The earth makes a complete rotation around the sun every 365.265 days.
As I write this, it is August and it is hot. The recent rains were only a temporary respite from temperatures that promised 90’s and threatened 100’s. But, I know this: the heat of August won’t last forever and better days—days of dappled sun and fall breezes—are ahead. I know that because I have experienced many years and many seasons.
