Tag Archives: Encouragement

After the Lord defeated the false god Baal and his prophets through the Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel, He graciously gave Baal-supporter King Ahab a victory against an invading army from the north. But soon afterwards, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were up to their evil tricks again.  Ahab tried and failed to steal aContinue reading “Incautious Alliances – 1 Kings 22”

The prophet Elijah had told God that he had had enough as he fled through the desert, running away from a death threat by Queen Jezebel.  His resignation came after he had already won many victories with the Lord, demonstrating great faith and trust in Him.  But God did not condemn Elijah for his request.Continue reading “Assuming the Mantle – 1 Kings 19”

When the Lord asked Elijah what he was doing at Mount Sinai, 300 miles south of Jerusalem, it was not because God did not know the answer to the question.  He knew well that Elijah was on the run from the death threat of Queen Jezebel, whose palace was in Jezreel, located around 60 milesContinue reading ““Anoint a Prophet in Your Place” – 1 Kings 19”

Have you ever found yourself in an uncomfortable situation of your own choosing, and asked yourself, “What am I doing here?”   Even worse, what if it is God asking us that question?  This happened to the prophet Elijah, shortly after God brought him a great victory over the prophets of Baal. 9 And there he wentContinue reading ““What Are You Doing Here?” – 1 Kings 19”

As the Lord’s final act in His showdown with Baal, the demon-backed false god that had turned the hearts of the Northern Kingdom of Israel away, He condemned Baal’s 450 prophets to death.  Queen Jezebel, Baal’s chief supporter, and the main benefactor of Baal’s prophets, vowed revenge against the prophet Elijah, God’s chosen instrument ofContinue reading “On the Run – 1 Kings 19”

From the very beginning, at His calling of Abraham, God instructed His followers to separate themselves from the allure of worshiping other gods, and to draw close to His life-giving presence and goodness.  The Lord intentionally called Abraham away from his idol-worshiping family and homeland, and led him down into the land of Canaan, theContinue reading “And They Served Other gods – 1 Kings 18”

When God chose the widow in Sidon to provide food and shelter for the prophet Elijah, it was miraculous that he, she, and her son were all able to eat their fill throughout a three-and-a-half-year drought.  God accomplished this through provision multiplication, as each day, the widow was able to bake bread from never-quite-emptying containersContinue reading “The Widow Believes – 1 Kings 17”

As King Asa was nearing the end of his reign in the Southern kingdom of Judah, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had gone through an entire series of immoral kings. Their throne was a revolving door of turmoil, complete with palace conspiracies, intrigues, and murder. One rogue king overthrew another, finally leading to the ingloriousContinue reading “Ahab and Jezebel – 1 Kings 16”

Until we recognize what sin is, we cannot recognize the priceless value of the treasure of salvation.  – Russell Roseberry 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.  Psalm 51:6 (NKJV) King Asa ruled over Judah for forty-one years, a member of the line ofContinue reading “Recognizing Sin – 2 Chronicles 14”

King Jeroboam had been promised by God that if he obeyed and followed the Lord, he and his descendants would reign on Israel’s throne forever.  By this time, it was only a portion of Israel, the Northern Kingdom. God had preserved Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah to host His temple and to honorContinue reading “Chasing Idols – 2 Chronicles 13”