Trusting God
1 Kings 17; James 5:17 – Simply Trusting Every Day (December 5, 1999) – MP3 / YouTube
We see how God teaches the prophet Elijah to trust Him day by day, meal by meal and need by need, and then Elijah is able to teach this lesson to others. The secret to effective prayer is prayer based on the word of God. Effective prayer is not thinking of something big, and praying that God will do it. The core of effective prayer is for us to pray for the things that God has promised in His word that He will do. Other passages mentioned include: Deuteronomy 11:16-17; Genesis 19:1-11; Psalm 27:5; Proverbs 18:10; 1 Kings 4:22-23; James 2:5.
1 Kings 18:1-19 – The Fear of God and the Love of God (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
The strange behavior of Obadiah, administrator of King Ahab’s house, serves as a mirror for us to examine whether we are afraid that God will not help us when we are in need. The starting place for all true spiritual wisdom comes from a reverence and respect for the greatness and majesty of the power of God. However, although the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of God is not the end of wisdom. What is our image of God? Is it an image, where God is a stern and righteous and judgmental Father? If we have a fear that God won’t stand by us in our hour of need, we need the reassurance from the word of God of God’s compassion and love for us. Other passages mentioned include: Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Romans 8:35, 37-39; 1 John 4:10. Please note, that the original recording contains moments where the microphone failed to record.
1 Kings 18:16-46 – Courage and Confidence in God (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
In Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, we have one of the most outstanding examples of courage and confidence in the Bible. One of the keys to successful spiritual warfare is courage and confidence in God. The secret to boldness in front of men is humility in the presence of God. Sometimes God answers prayers quickly, but other times God’s answer is to wait. Part of courage and confidence in God, is to believe God will answer our prayers according to his word, even when we see nothing. Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 18:1-15; James 5:17; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; James 4:6; Hebrews 12:1-2.
1 Kings 19:1-18 – Serving God Is Not a Walk in the Park, It Is a Ride on a Roller Coaster (April 23, 2000) – MP3 / YouTube
Fresh off his victory at Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah replaces his faith in God with fear and depression. We learn the lesson that you cannot live today on yesterday’s faith. Although we are saved once and for all by an act of faith in Jesus Christ, every day is a new battle of faith. God reserves the right to give us something better than what we ask for. When we are angry, the best thing to do is to put aside such anger and ask the question, “What is God telling me to do from His word?”, and then, get busy and do it. This is how we gain victory over anger, frustration and depression. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Kings 17:20-22; 1 Kings 18:36-38; 1 Kings 18:42-44; James 5:18; Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; John 14:21.