Make It Rain

1 Kings 18

Many days had passed from the time God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the evil king Ahab, until He was ready to reveal His omnipotence to the nation that had turned against Him. During these times, a severe famine overtook Samaria, but the king and those he ruled were still unconvinced of the sovereignty of the true and living God. After an eventful three years of miraculous signs and provision, God spoke to the prophet Elijah, and instructed him to return to the king with another important message. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” Could you imagine not having rain for three years? Without rainfall on the earth, there would be catastrophic damage all over the world. But, God allows things to happen so others can witness for themselves, all power belongs to Him, and He alone is deserving of worship, honor, and glory. Unfortunately, men are too consumed in their own beliefs, that they totally disregard the obvious workings of the living God, in favor of their futile idolatry.

As you read further into chapter 18, you’ll discover the very unique and elaborate plan God commanded Elijah to follow, which revealed the falsehoods and foolishness of Baal worship, and brought to light the mighty power of the God of Heaven and earth. 450 prophets who worshiped Baal were left without an answer from their “god of rain and plenty”, yet they witnessed the power of the true God with their own eyes.

Nothing compares to the power of the almighty God. Men and women are drawn away daily into deception, and allow falsehoods to overtake their sensibility, but every idol worshipped by men, has no power to do anything, except distract them from the truth. Have you pledged your allegiance to serve weak and powerless idols, or are you aligned with the God who created all things?

The Only Wise God

Isaiah 57:14-21

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9 KJV). The more I try to understand the intricacies and details of God the Father, the more my head hurts. I often quote Dr. Kent Hovind when he says,”if my little three pound brain could understand the Creator of all things, then He would not be worth worshiping”. Simply reading descriptions of the nature of the Creator and His dwelling place, makes me so excited to soon inhabit eternity with Him! The Lord our God is many wonderful things, including eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, in all places at all times, humble, just, righteous, consistent in love and judgment, and more! God inhabits eternity, and dwells in the high and holy place (with Christ), and His plan is to revive the spirit of those who walk in humility, and restore the hearts of those who’s were broken.

With the state in which the world is today, many, including Christians, have given up hope that God truly cares for those who suffer. But, know this; God never gives up on those He loves, those who walk in His ways, and keep His commandments. Even when we fall short, while trying to walk in the Spirit, God will pardon our iniquities, and restore us to a right place in Him. God sees our suffering and is fully aware that we need Him, but only in His perfect timing, will He step in to deliver His people.

We may not understand all that’s going on today, but focus your attention on being consistent in obeying God, because He made us, and He knows all about what we’re experiencing. In due time, the one whose name is Holy, will show Himself mighty in the lives of His children.

The Sovereign Creator

Habakkuk 1:5-11

Throughout all the world, including the heavens and the earth, there’s not one who compares to the God of all creation. God’s omnipotent power has been recorded doing things no man, angel, or demon could ever do! Aside from speaking all things into existence, God holds the power to control creation, as He sees fit. A great example is given in our text, of the sovereignty of the God over all creation. God created man with the power to choose his or her own path in life, but He’s in full support of His agenda, over the enemy’s.

When the people God chose to carry His name throughout the earth, decided that they would find more pleasure in doing things contrary to what they were created for, God would raise up other nations, to sort of whip His people back in shape. There’s nothing like a swift kick in the pants, to help someone regain focus. Discipline is always good, especially when it’s intent is to bring someone from darkness, to light. When we claim to love God, but live contrary to holiness, our actions bring shame and embarrassment to His holy name. In turn, we force the hand of God to bring chastisement in our lives, in hopes that we’ll turn away from wickedness, and back to righteousness. I’m certain God gets no pleasure from allowing His children to suffer, but if a little affliction can save them from eternal suffering, then it’s worth it.

God has plans for all His people, and His thoughts toward us are good, and not evil. But, when we choose to make plans outside of God’s will, He’ll allow things to happen, to whip us back into shape.

Walk in love,

Ell

The Lord responds to complaints

Exodus 16:9-12

“…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him (Matthew 6:8). If God knows what we need, then why doesn’t He just give them to us, without having to ask Him for them? God is all-knowing, and well aware of the needs of His people, but the purpose behind us making requests is to first ensure that what we desire is what He wants us to have, and to never get to the point where we feel we can live independently from His wisdom. We pray to God, and make requests because God is the source of our supply. Whether it be a natural need, or spiritual one, God provides for all of us, whether we choose to admit it, or not. Think for moment, if God moved His hand from the earth, and caused everything to cease, except for people, how would we live, without God keeping things in motion? Could we eat, if the plants and animals suddenly disappeared? How could we build and construct things if there were no more trees to cut down for wood? God made everything while considering the future. We can barely see beyond the tip of our nose (without the help of glasses or contacts), yet God knows the end, from the beginning, so it’s always wise to seek first His wisdom, when making requests. Even when we get frustrated, and begin to murmur and complain that God may have forgotten to assist us, these are the moments when He’s stretching our faith, to see whether we’ll trust Him when we seemingly don’t have enough.

In our text, the children of Israel murmured and complained that they would be better off dead in the wilderness, and had life better when they were captives in Egypt. It doesn’t take much to cause people to complain, no matter how much good you do for them. God had performed many miracles for Israel, including delivering them out of Egypt, yet they quickly forgot about the past miracles, and were yearning for new ones. In an effort to appease their requests, God planned to provide daily miracles, so that they would know, He is the Lord their God.

God doesn’t want anyone to suffer, instead to consider Him in all things. This world is getting worse by the second, and our dependence on God’s wisdom is vital to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. There will be moments when we’ll become frustrated, and complain, but as long as we keep our focus on fulfilling God’s will, He will always answer our prayers. Be thankful for what you have, and for all God has done for you thus far in your life. Never get to the point where you become ungrateful, because God daily loads us with benefits. We simply have to stop, and look at all the amazing things He’s already done in our lives.

Walk in love,

Ell

God overpowers adversaries

Nahum 1:2-8

In the midst of all the chaos taking place in this world of wickedness, the fact remains, that God is still in charge. Does God approve of man’s evil deeds and sinful lifestyles? Absolutely not! So why won’t God simply rid the world of all those who are influenced of the enemy, and make the world a better place? God is omnipotent, and there’s nothing that can rival His power, yet He has to allow time for all men to taste and see that His love is worth dying for. The prophet Nahum declared in this text that God is jealous, furious, and has amazing power, but He is not one who blows a fuse uncontrollably. Unlike men who are unable to control their rage, and does all sorts of outlandish things to each other, our God is slow to anger, and reserves judgment for the appointed time. Disney and Marvel makes superheroes seem almost God-like, by showing how they can destroy mere planets, and alter universes, but that fictional depiction of a man’s childlike imagination pales in comparison to the God of creation who made the world, and can literally dry up rivers, rebuke the sea, control storms and whirlwinds, cause earthquakes, and will eventually bring an unquenchable fire to this earth.

God is capable of doing some awesome things, and He has performed numerous omnipotent acts in the past when bringing judgment on certain nations. It’s important for everyone to understand, God has a set time to bring future judgments to the people of our generation, and beyond. It’s a sad thing to be on the opposite end of God’s terrible wrath, so believers should make it their business to strive to win souls daily. God loves all whom He created, even those who have been beguiled by satan and his evil influences, but there is still time for sinners to turn away from a defeated foe, satan, and turn to the omnipotent, righteous, loving, and holy God.

Walk in love,

Ell

God is great; God is good

Psalm 33:1-9

The God of all creation is sovreign, and stands alone as the only God with omnipotent power in the spirit realm. The apostle Paul expressed the unique position of our Father (YHWH) in 1 Corinthians chapter 8 as he wrote, “we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

The effects of sin are revealed throughout the world in the form of things anti-God. Where God boldly expresses His position as the true and living God, the enemy contrasts that with countless idol gods. Where God daily portrays His majestic power through His creation, our adversary gives this credit to evolution and “Mother Nature”. When God spoke, things literally came into existence. He alone is worthy and deserving of all praise, glory, and honor. King David understood that without God, he could do nothing, so he offered praise to God continually. According to David’s Psalm, praise is comely for the upright. In other words, a natural response for a believer who gives reverence and appreciation for who God is, and what He has the power to do, is praise.

David offered praise to God with songs and music from his harp. Music’s original intent was to bring glory to, and set an atmosphere in the presence of God, but it’s far gone from being used for that purpose, because satan now uses music in almost every capacity of society. His intent is obviously to mock God, but at the same time, influence the minds of people to worship themselves, or other idols. Have you ever watched the show, “American Idol”, or “The Voice”. How much glory does God get from the performances of each contestant? They sing, not to reverence and honor the God who blessed them with a voice to sing, but for money, fame, and a name. David sung to God, because he stood in awe of His greatness, power, and authority. Can you imagine for a moment, if every television show that involved singing, offered songs of praise and worship to God? Or what if the popular rap and pop stars repented of their sins, gave their hearts to God, and brought forth music that blessed the Lord, instead of spoiling the minds of our children. What a wonderful world it would be then.

We give praise to God because His Word is right, everything He has done was in truth, the earth is filled with His goodness, the heavens and its host were made by His word, He controls all creation, and He set everything in order, as He saw fit. Sadly, not every man has this knowledge of who God is, so they suffer with a weak and defiled conscience. This is why many can so-called, “sell their souls” to the devil, or disrespect and dishonor God in unimaginable ways. It’s never our job to judge the unsaved, rather to continue to let our lights shine before them, knowing that God inhabits the praises of His people, and hopefully our praise will win them over as well.

Seek peace,

Ell