1 Kings 18:38 – “Then fire fell from the LORD fell from the sky.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, Elijah and the prophets of Baal came to my attention.  Then, the Gospel of Luke completed the musing.

On Mt. Carmel, the confrontation between Elijah and Jezebel’s spiritual army offers powerful insight and encouragement.   In 1 Kings 18:38, we read, “Then the fire of the LORD fell…”  The fire is important, but don’t miss the “then.”  What led up to the Fire Falling!   What brought the Fire?

• The 1st thing Elijah did was challenge the people about their commitment.
• The 2nd was to rebuild the altar of God. 

(Not just any altar, but the altar of sacrifice and commitment to God.  Give God a place in the heart.) 

• The 3rd was to saturate the altar and sacrifice with water (prayer).
•  The 4th was a recommitment and review of the Covenant.
• The 5th was a simple prayer – Then The Fire Fell!  
• The 6th was when he removed evil.

(If we want the FIRE, we must restore the altar!)

In Luke 17, we have a powerful message on restoring the altar and having the Fire!   You will say, “What?” I contend that is the message.   Jesus taught about forgiveness! I suggest that forgiveness is rebuilding the altar.

The disciples were stunned by the message of constant perpetual forgiveness from us to others (the same forgiveness we get from God).  Then in verses 7-10, what seems unrelated is germane.   The responsibility is tied to forgiveness and rebuilding the altar.

It is a message that we dare not think we are super saints if we practice forgiveness.  No, it is simply doing what is expected and required.  It is normal Christianity.  It is impossible for the flesh, but possible through God.

We want The Fire, but we fail to rebuild the altar, soak it with prayer, and then follow through. Fire! Where is The Fire?

LORD gives us Your Holy Fire!

Proverbs 31:10 – “Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.”

I know that it is a little after Mother’s Day, but I felt prompted to offer this reminder.

What are the characteristics of God’s kind of Mother? 

• She Is A God-given Helper.

She is more than a mate or a companion, but a completion of the man.  She is designed to walk beside him, care for the home, not rule it, and bring honor to her husband.   His glory is her glory!

• She Is To Care For Her Family’s Well-being.

Her ministry is molding the children and encouraging her husband to become the priest of the home and provide the covering God designed for the family.

• She Is To Be Obedient to God’s Word.

Her children observe her commitment and faith and are inspired to serve God. Her husband is inspired by her character, which motivates him to be a godly man.  The world sees her devotion, and it is a witness to them.

• She Is A Source of Strength For Her Family.

She is a vessel God uses to teach the strength of obedience and the value of faith.

The Bible teaches that if a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing!   Man and woman were created to be joined in the union of matrimony to complete each other.

Ladies, I salute you; no job is more difficult and requires more discipline, patience, love, and commitment than yours!  

God bless all the godly mothers, and may we always honor them!

Luke 9:23 – “Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, what can I say but WOW! I was moved by more than I can convey.  My journey began in 2 Samuel 21, when Israel was enduring severe conditions.  David sought God’s presence, not just relief.  The key is that the presence of God is the answer.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus gave us the revelation of developing a genuine relationship with Him. He said we must “deny self.”  No more self-centeredness.   If we truly examined our lives, how many decisions are based on “self”?

He said, “Take up his cross DAILY.”  We focus on our Cross rather than His Cross, and also miss a key word, “daily.”   It is an ongoing relationship, not a one-time experience.

Then He said the ultimate key – “Follow Me.”  Every decision, every word, every action, and every thought is to be His.  What would Jesus do is not the focus, but what Jesus is doing in and through us is.

The Christian life is IMPOSSIBLE for the flesh. We cannot live “for” God until we live “in” Him.  Until He is “in” us, living “through” us, we expend energy trying to do the impossible.

Try doing Luke 6:27-35, through your willpower.  Frustration will be your constant companion.  But when Jesus lives through you, His yoke becomes easy and His burden light.   The only way to live “for” God is “through” God.  You cannot!  He can!  It is time to do as David and seek His presence! 

LORD, help us to learn to take up our Cross daily and follow You!

Luke 5:39 – “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the thought of being SATISFIED!  There are two types of satisfaction. That is especially true when it comes to spiritual matters.   Our text speaks to this truth!

Think about that.  The purposes of God require continual growth in grace and understanding of the things of God.  It requires being stretched and expanded so we can mature in Christ.  It requires stepping out onto unfamiliar ground and into uncharted waters, totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. It requires new wine and new wineskins.  It requires pruning, correction, and dying to self.  It does not feel safe because it does not allow routine and the status quo.

However, many believers are satisfied with the old wine and the continuation of the old.  It is safe!  Satisfied with the status quo.  Satisfied to have the routine, the familiar, and live in the confidence of what they know and are accustomed to having.

If we are going to see The Kingdom Come, and The Will Done, status quo is a NO!   If we are to have active faith in operation, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to shake us and shape us.  New Wine in New Wineskins!

Luke 5:17-20 is the account of the paralytic brought by 4 men and let down through the roof to Jesus.  In verse 20, Jesus SAW their faith!  Saw It?  What did He see?  He saw what they did.  He saw their persistence.  He saw their expectations.  He saw New Wineskins presented to house the New Wine of healing.  Status Quo was a resounding NO for them. Healing was the goal, and nothing would hinder them. They said NO to Status Quo. How about us?

LORD, help us to say no to status quo!

Matthew 12:34 – “But you who are known as the Pharisees are rotten to the core like venomous snakes.  How can your words be good if you are rotten within?  For what has been stored up in your hearts will be heard in the overflow of your words!”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, one word echoed in my mind – Overflow.   That began yesterday.  Today, as I read about David at a time, his men considered stoning him, and he encouraged himself in the LORD. (1 Samuel 30:6)

Then I read in Mark 16:15-18, Jesus’ Commission, Promise, and bequeathal of Power. This assignment was monumental and mountainous.   As I read, the Spirit reminded me of the word “Overflow.”  In Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45, Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

• Abundance (perisseuma) = abundance, surplus, overflow.
• Heart (kardia) = heart, but not the physical organ.  Rather, the seat of thought or being.

Our words justify and condemn us. Our words are a reflection of who and what we are. Our words are thoughts brought to life and light.   The question is, what is overflowing in our hearts? What is the surplus in our hearts?

To fulfill our assignment, we must become saturated with Jesus and His Spirit.  Out of that surplus (the uncontainable deposit in us), we speak and act.  It’s time to examine the overflow!  Are we fulfilling our assignment?  If not, could it be that we are not saturated to the point that we overflow? What is most important in life?  That’s what we are filled with!

Lord, help us to seek You above everything! Help us to become crammed full of You and Your Spirit. Help us to overflow with You! We overflow with something; let it be You!

May the Overflow of our hearts reflect Jesus!