1 Kings 19:18
"Yet I will leave 7000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that have not kissed him."
At times living in this world, we may feel surrounded, even overwhelmed by the worldliness of those around us. At work, in the marketplace, at play, in our neighborhoods, on our job sites, unless we live in a bubble, we are surely it seems surrounded by those who don't know the Lord. Even as Elijah felt all alone, we too at times outside of church may seem inundated by a sea of those who worship other gods. God's answer to Elijah was "I have a remnant", and it's the same for us. He has and never will leave us alone, there's always those like-minded believers, as we seek Him, He will reveal to us our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 19:3
"And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there."
We see Elijah, after a tremendous victory over the enemies of the Lord, now threatened by the wicked Jezebel, stricken with fear and panic, running, leaving all behind. At a point, fear overcame faith in God for Elijah. For us, we too at times suffer a point where we fail to trust the Lord through the difficulty. When those times come, running to Him is our best choice, giving Him all the fear and turmoil, we may be suffering through. The place Beersheba, or well of oath, may have been a wellspring of God's faithful word for his fear-filled child.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 18:42
"So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah went to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth, and put his face between his knees."
As the wicked king fulfilled the desires of his flesh, we see contrasted with Elijah seeking the Lord in all he had spoken and what he had ought to do. We see the conflict of the Spirit and the flesh exhibited in these two men, and we can often identify with this example. We hope, we pray that the Spirit win out in our lives, as we put Him first.
Pastor Russell
Proverbs 21:5
"Steady plodding brings prosperity."
We may think that we are not moving so quickly as others, or bumps and missteps taken throw us off course at times, impeding our progress, yet we seek to move on, following Christ our Saviour. The writer of this proverb encourages all to stay the course, encouraging us in our walk, moving along in the Lord. At times discouragement or despair may suggest taking ourself out of the game, but we have no choice but to move on in the Lord with His urging, comfort and strength. I believe the key word, steady, says we ought to determine, be resolute of heart, to not be turned from the diligent plans instilled in our hearts, by Him. This new year, let us move on in this manner.
Pastor Russell
Isaiah 9:6
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
As the prophet wrote this some 700 years before the birth of our Lord, he would also add on a little later in chapter 40, "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God.
In all of this, we His people would find great comfort and hope in the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, then, as we do so today. So today, as in each and every day, rejoice in the Lord, in all He has done for us.
Pastor Russell
2 Chronicles 15:7
"But for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work."
The prophet's word of encouragement to king Asa, is one that rings true to all today. Asa, we're told, in chapter 14:2, "did good and right in the sight of the Lord..." "he removed the foreign altars" 14:3, "he built fortified cities", and was encouraged by the prophet in 15:2 "if you seek Him, He will let you find Him". All of us can glean words of truth and encouragement, exhortation for our own walk and relationship with the Lord.
Pastor Russell
2 Chronicles 14:5
"And in those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands."
As we approach the celebration of the birth of the Christ, we can see many centuries ago the prophetic word of God in real time then, and today even more relevant, as we see all the chaos around the world. Israel battles Hamas, Russian and Ukraine, China stealthily advancing against its neighbors, the US, with at will invasion of its southern borders, the list goes on. Even our streets filled with gunfire and acts of violence. Never more have we needed the Saviour. Come worship and adore Him, each and every day.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 14:30
"And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually."
Between these two leaders of Israel, sin had caused the split of the nation, and sin continued to cause strife between the two. Both of these men had strayed far from the basic precepts of God, and they led their people away from the simple worship and devotion to the Lord. The grim results would urge us to pray sincerely for our leaders today, that their hearts would be open to the Lord's best. Please continue to pray for our federal, state and city and county officials, as well as the justices and judicial members.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 14:22
"And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy more than all their fathers had done, with their sins which they had committed."
We were told in the previous verse, that Rehoboam was the son of Solomon, the wisest man in the world, yet he failed to live up the standard of his fathers life, as well as his grandfather David. The Lord, must have been brokenhearted over His Rehoboam's choices. As we study through God's word, we see a wide range of choices being made, some good , some not so good. We have, in retrospect, the whole counsel of God in His word the bible. All the advantages are at our beck and call, fellowship, study aids, KLTH radio and much more to keep us on the right track. Lets do our best to stay the course in Christ.
Pastor Russell
1 Thessalonians 5:18
"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
As we observe the Thanksgiving holiday this week, our situations, as quiet or filled with a lot of stuff, should always be as a reminder of the rich fulness we have in Christ. It's He who gives all things, but especially the blessing of forgiveness and life abundant. Don't forget, in all things we can give thanks to Him.
Pastor Russell
Psalm 131:3
“O Israel, put your Hope in the Lord both now and forever more.”
The world wide sentient flips rapidly from one side to the other. From shock and horror, to the atrocities of an unprovoked attack upon an unsuspecting people. Murder, mayhem, rape, the taking of hostages, the terrorists now use their own people as shields and subjects of propaganda, while world opinion softens rapidly towards the terror mongers, and begins to look upon the Jews as culprits. Child of God do pray for the peace of Jerusalem, look up, for our Redeemer draws near.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 12:28
So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, "It is too much to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt."
A radical change in leadership brought dramatic change to worship in the land of Israel. This new leader devised in his heart to draw the people away from the worship of the True God. Idols have existed since the beginning, even today we may question ourselves, is it a relationship, substance abuse, or my hobbies or is it ease and leisure? Whatever turns us away, and focuses our attention elsewhere, may pose itself an idol and seek to turn us away.
Pastor Russell
1 Kings 11:14, 23, 31
"Then the Lord raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite".... "God raised up another adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada"..."Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes"....
The downward spiral of Solomon brought sad consequences. Battles from outward forces, were magnified by opposition from within. Solomon, once surrounded by peace and rest, now embroiled in a battle as he turned his attention away from the Lord. All the while, God in His great mercy, I believed waited for Solomon to come to Him with a repentant heart. So simple it seems, Father, forgive me, yet so hard as we may be trapped in pride and a hardened heart. If you find yourself in that same place, don't be shut off from the grace and mercy of God. Call out to Him.
Pastor Russell