From: June 16, 2023
“Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”” (1 Kings 17:8-9 NLT).
After Elijah warned King Ahab about the coming drought in Israel, he fled to the wilderness. Eventually, the Lord sent Elijah out of Israel to the land of Sidon, where God had commanded a widow to provide for his needs. In this way, God both protected Elijah from Ahab and provided for his needs during the drought and resulting famine. It also showed the Lord’s care for the widow and her son. For even though they were not Israelites, God used Elijah to meet their physical needs and to impact their faith in Him. For though Israel was chosen to be God’s very own people, they were chosen in order that God might bless all the nations of the world. For God promised Abraham that “in your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
And that “Seed” is Jesus. For Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise that Elijah’s ministry foreshadowed. That Jesus would be the mediator of God’s blessing to the Jew first and then to the Greek.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your provision and protection, but most of all thank You for Jesus. Yet, Your desire for the nations continues. We feel the passion of Your Spirit in us for carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. Strengthen us this day to accomplish this great commission You have given us through Jesus, Your Son. In His name we pray, amen.
From: June 16, 2022
MOBILIZED FOR MISSION
The apostle Peter told the Roman centurion named Cornelius that Jesus had ordered the apostles to “preach and testify that Jesus is the one.” He was appointed by God to be the “judge of all” and everyone who believes in Him will be forgiven their sins. Hearing this message, Cornelius and his whole house believed.
Cornelius was a Roman soldier, but now he was drafted into the Lord’s army. Just as Jesus had trained and equipped Peter and then sent him out as an apostle, so now Cornelius was to be mobilized for this same mission.
Just as Peter was “ordered” by Jesus to preach and testify about Him, so have all believers been commissioned. As Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21).
Believer, you are sent. Submit to Jesus as Lord over all of your life. Be equipped and discipled in a Bible-believing church. Recognize that the Lord wants to mobilize you for mission.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe that Jesus is the One. He is our King, Savior and Lord. He is the Judge of the living and the dead. We submit our lives to Him afresh this day. Here we are Lord, send us! In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 16, 2017
The Roman centurion, Cornelius, had sent for the apostle Peter and upon hearing that he was on the way, he “called together his relatives and close friends” to meet and hear him. Cornelius wanted everyone he cared about to hear the gospel. Have you invited your relatives and friends to hear the gospel? Have you “called” them to come with you to follow Jesus?
From: June 16, 2016
In Genesis 9, Ham saw his father, Noah, naked with a hangover from too much wine and he went out and told his brothers. But his brothers took a garment and walked into Noah’s tent backwards to cover his nakedness without seeing him. They exhibited love because they sought to help cover their father’s sin, while Ham did not. Ham was a gossip. Love helps the sinner get forgiveness. It does not seek to condemn or make matters worse. Nor does it attempt to enlarge the sin by repeating it to others.
From: June 16, 2012
Fault-finding is easy, but love looks for good. When we focus on faults, we foster separation. But looking through the lens of love, we find forgiveness and oneness. Are you a fault-finder? Or have you learned the art of seeing others through the eyes of God’s love?
From: June 16, 2011
After the brook dried up, Elijah heard from God. I wonder how long he sat there without water before God spoke?