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Steve Wiggins of GroundworksMinistries.com is sharing a devotional from the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, Chapter Eighteen in its entirety.
1 Kings 18:16-4016 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”18 “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”But the people said nothing.22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal's prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”40 Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
Recorded on 8/17/25. We're about three things at @CityPostChurch: Build, Equip, and Send.BUILD Kingdom, EQUIP Believers, and SEND out Agents of the Gospel to saturate Fort Worth with the light and love of Jesus. All under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.Let's Connect!www.citypostchurch.org or email us at info@citypostchurch.org
Three and a half years (42 months, 1260 days spoken of frequently in the book of Revelation) of grievous famine had devastated the land of Israel. This famine had been brought upon the idolatrous nation to punish it and prepare for Elijah's heartfelt call to turn to their God. Elijah returns and announces the contest between Yahweh and Baal. The prophet announces this to faithful Obadiah, who has in the face of great risk to his own life from Jezebel's murderous slaughter, hidden 100 of the LORD's prophets; and fed them from Ahab's own pantry. Elijah seems dismissive of Obadiah, but through him communicates the message to the king. The prophets of Jezebel, who numbered 850 in all, came to Mount Carmel for the contest to see which god would answer by fire. Baal, who was a) the god of harvest; and, b) the god of fire being the sun god; was allowed first opportunity. Given the famine, Baal had already proven himself a failure on the first count. Now, given a parched earth and a burning hot sun, he seemingly had the ideal conditions for the contest. Elijah mocks the frantic frauds. Then at the time of the evening sacrifice, as the sun was declining, he repairs the altar of Yahweh. Next the prophet saturates the slain bull in sea water and calls the people to him. He prays and the Almighty answers by fire. So intense was the fire that it even licked up the water from the trench around the altar. Israel's response was to shout "Yahweh, he is the God" (which was the meaning of the prophet Elijah's name). All of the prophets of Baal were entirely massacred. The prophet earnestly prayed for rain; compare verses 41-44 with James 5verses 17-18. Elijah is then told to run before Ahab's chariot as the king hastened home to his palace. In spirit and power the prophet miraculously ran, as a herald, before the king. The prophet in his 44th chapter outlines the people's incapacity to learn the cause of their suffering. All those of Pathros would perish apart from a small remnant. The stupid leaders of Judah's remnants declare that the cause of their calamity came from a failure to persist in their sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven. It was such a degrading and idolatrous behaviour that the Almighty was judging. The prophet tells them that not only would they be destroyed, but Pharaoh Hophra would be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar.In 1 Corinthians 3 the Apostle regrets his readers lack of spiritual perception. This lack of spiritual understanding was evident in the Corinthians following of leaders. It was both carnal and infantile. All who God had provided as guides for His ecclesia were engaging in the same task - whether sowing, watering, or harvesting. They were all FELLOW workers with their Father. They were His farm, His building, as well as His coworkers. Paul claims to have been a master builder. He has built upon the sole foundation that has been laid - the faithful stone laid in Zion in our Lord Jesus Christ: Isaiah 28 verse 16 read and meditate the message. Each of us is building and care must be taken with what we have chosen to build - the trial of fire will test with what we have sought to build. It may be that our life's work is disastrous. However our Sovereign knows the intent behind our efforts and will save such as have laboured faithfully, even if the outcomes have not stood the test of time. In God's ecclesia we are either builders, or destroyers. Take great care of our behaviours in the household of God. Of chief importance is that our minds have been devoted to the Almighty, as a temple in which He chooses to dwell. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/
Three and a half years (42 months, 1260 days spoken of frequently in the book of Revelation) of grievous famine had devastated the land of Israel. This famine had been brought upon the idolatrous nation to punish it and prepare for Elijah's heartfelt call to turn to their God. Elijah returns and announces the contest between Yahweh and Baal. The prophet announces this to faithful Obadiah, who has in the face of great risk to his own life from Jezebel's murderous slaughter, hidden 100 of the LORD's prophets; and fed them from Ahab's own pantry. Elijah seems dismissive of Obadiah, but through him communicates the message to the king. The prophets of Jezebel, who numbered 850 in all, came to Mount Carmel for the contest to see which god would answer by fire. Baal, who was a) the god of harvest; and, b) the god of fire being the sun god; was allowed first opportunity. Given the famine, Baal had already proven himself a failure on the first count. Now, given a parched earth and a burning hot sun, he seemingly had the ideal conditions for the contest. Elijah mocks the frantic frauds. Then at the time of the evening sacrifice, as the sun was declining, he repairs the altar of Yahweh. Next the prophet saturates the slain bull in sea water and calls the people to him. He prays and the Almighty answers by fire. So intense was the fire that it even licked up the water from the trench around the altar. Israel's response was to shout "Yahweh, he is the God" (which was the meaning of the prophet Elijah's name). All of the prophets of Baal were entirely massacred. The prophet earnestly prayed for rain; compare verses 41-44 with James 5verses 17-18. Elijah is then told to run before Ahab's chariot as the king hastened home to his palace. In spirit and power the prophet miraculously ran, as a herald, before the king. The prophet in his 44th chapter outlines the people's incapacity to learn the cause of their suffering. All those of Pathros would perish apart from a small remnant. The stupid leaders of Judah's remnants declare that the cause of their calamity came from a failure to persist in their sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven. It was such a degrading and idolatrous behaviour that the Almighty was judging. The prophet tells them that not only would they be destroyed, but Pharaoh Hophra would be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. In 1 Corinthians 3 the Apostle regrets his readers lack of spiritual perception. This lack of spiritual understanding was evident in the Corinthians following of leaders. It was both carnal and infantile. All who God had provided as guides for His ecclesia were engaging in the same task - whether sowing, watering, or harvesting. They were all FELLOW workers with their Father. They were His farm, His building, as well as His coworkers. Paul claims to have been a master builder. He has built upon the sole foundation that has been laid - the faithful stone laid in Zion in our Lord Jesus Christ: Isaiah 28 verse 16 read and meditate the message. Each of us is building and care must be taken with what we have chosen to build - the trial of fire will test with what we have sought to build. It may be that our life's work is disastrous. However our Sovereign knows the intent behind our efforts and will save such as have laboured faithfully, even if the outcomes have not stood the test of time. In God's ecclesia we are either builders, or destroyers. Take great care of our behaviours in the household of God. Of chief importance is that our minds have been devoted to the Almighty, as a temple in which He chooses to dwell. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/
In Part 10 of the series "Impacting Prayers" Pastor Jacquie Leveron talks about bold prayers.Scripture 1 Kings 18:41-46Support the show
Faceoff 1 Kings 18 Chew the Bible Season 3In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab during a severe drought in Israel. Ahab has been leading the people into idolatry by worshiping Baal. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel: both sides will prepare a sacrifice, but they must not light the fire. Instead, each will pray to their god, and the true God will answer with fire.The prophets of Baal cry out all day, cutting themselves and shouting, but nothing happens. Elijah mocks them, saying maybe Baal is asleep. Then Elijah rebuilds the altar of the Lord, drenches the sacrifice with water three times, and prays. Immediately, God sends fire from heaven, burning up the offering, the wood, the stones, and even the water. The people fall on their faces, declaring, “The Lord, He is God!” Elijah orders the prophets of Baal to be seized, and afterward, he prays for rain. The drought finally ends with a mighty downpour, showing God's power and mercy.Your words were found and I ate them
Elijah's Altar (1 Kings 18) by TABLE Tandragee
Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, FL - Fundamental, Independent, Bible Believing
August 10,2025
1 Kings - Obadiah Meets Elijah, God or Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah's Prayer1 Corinthians - Lawsuits Discouraged, The Body Is the Lord's
Sometimes we like to have it both ways. Making a clear choice often means that we may lose something we don't want to lose. There may be times when having it both ways works but not often with our relationship with God. This week's episode explores a unique contest where people have to make a life-altering choice.
Listen, read, watch, or see further resources: https://clarence-cc.squarespace.com/podcast-feed
It is in the most desperate times of our lives that courage is most needed. Here in this passage we see the 3 faceted nature of a spirit of courage on display: that of power, love & self-discipline. Even when our courage fails, God is still with us.
Anthony Gammage preaches on 1 Kings 18:41-46 on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Main Idea: Bold prayers lead to bold lives.Lessons:1. Pray sacrificially.2. Pray for new life.How to pray boldly:1. With presence.2. With honesty.3. With frequency.4. With understanding.Challenge:Labor with God in prayer to bear a better world.
John Suh preaches on 1 Kings 18:36-40 on Sunday, July 13th.
Main Idea: Prayer orders our soul with God's mission. But how?1. Prayer explores God's mission.2. Prayer is an encounter with God.3. Prayer is an evangelistic tool.
Verse-by-verse through the book of 1 Kings!
Anthony Gammage preaches on 1 Kings 18:1–15, 17–18 on Sunday, July 6th.
Title: Ordering With GodSeries: Prayer: Order a Disordered SoulText: 1 Kings 18:1-15Main Idea: Payer orders our hearts with God's presence. - But how?Prayer together:Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.Priority1 Kings 16:30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him. 31 As if following in the sinful footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not bad enough, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. Then he worshiped and bowed to Baal. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.1 Kings 17:1 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As certainly as the Lord God of Israel lives (whom I serve), there will be no dew or rain in the years ahead unless I give the command.”1. By becoming UNFAMILIAR with what is FAMILIARPerspective1 Kings 18: 7 As Obadiah was traveling along, Elijah met him. When he recognized him, he fell facedown to the ground and said, “Is it really you, my master, Elijah?” 8 He replied, “Yes, go and say to your master [AHAB], ‘Elijah is back.'” 9Obadiah said, “What sin have I committed that you are ready to hand your servant over to Ahab for execution? 10 As certainly as the Lord your God lives, my master has sent to every nation and kingdom in an effort to find you. When they say, ‘He's not here,' he makes them swear an oath that they could not find you. 11 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back.”' 12 But when I leave you, the Lord's Spirit will carry you away so I can't find you. If I go tell Ahab I've seen you, he won't be able to find you and he will kill me. That would not be fair, because your servant has been a loyal follower of the Lord from my youth. 2. By SEEING more than DOINGPower1 Kings 18:15 But Elijah said, “As certainly as the Lord of Heaven's Armies lives (whom I serve), I will make an appearance before him today.”3. By being RIGHTEOUSLY CONFRONTATIONALChallengeTRUST God with Your PRAYERS
Download the Journey Through Scripture reading plan.Make a donation on my Ko-fi account.Check out more art by Matt Novak.
In the year 2025 we as a church are reading through the One Story Plan from Ownit365. You can find the plan on the Bible app or at Missioncitykc.com/scripturereadingplan. Our hope for these recaps is to supplement your reading through the plan and to offer you a quick way to catch up in case you fall behind.
What should you do when you feel alone, exhausted, and overwhelmed? Pastor Kyle answers this question as he teaches through 1 Kings 18:41-19:18, sharing that depression can come unexpectedly after moments of great success and how God meets us in our lowest moments with care, gentle presence, and renewed purpose.
Elijah - sometimes seeing is believing. For more resources on reading through the Bible in a year, visit my church's website at this link or text us at 888-644-4034. Feel free to join me on my other daily podcast, Your Next Step. God bless - Doyle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1 Kings 18-19; 20 Proverbs 16; 2 John; 3 John; 65 Jude
1 Kings 18; Proverbs 15; 1 John 3-4
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Kings18:1–20:43 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Kings18;Psalm134;James1–2 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Pastor Kyle walks through 1 Kings 18:1-40, challenging us to confront the idols in our lives just as Elijah confronted Baal on Mount Carmel, calling God's people to have wholehearted devotion instead of divided loyalties.
Elijah sets the terms for a contest with the false prophets. Both sides will prepare a sacrifice, but neither will set fire to it, allowing the true God to show Himself by answering the prayer. Elijah allows the false prophets to go first. Although they spend all morning crying upon Baal according to their pagan rites, nothing happens, a reality mocked by Elijah and the author of Kings. When Elijah takes his turn, he prepares his sacrifices so it will be obvious that the answer has come from the LORD and no one else. The LORD's answer is swift, as not only the bull, but the entire altar is burned. Judgment is executed upon the false prophets of Baal by the people, who have returned to the LORD as the true God. Mercifully, the LORD sends rain upon His people after the three-and-a-half-year drought. Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Kings 18:20-46. To learn more about Bethany Lutheran, visit www.bethanylcms.org. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
By the time the LORD sends Elijah back to Israel, the famine has grown so severe that King Ahab himself has to go and look for grass to graze his animals. This provides the opportunity for faithful Obadiah, the man in charge of the king's household, to be alone and meet Elijah. Obadiah initially thinks that announcing Elijah's return to Ahab will prove deadly if the Spirit takes Elijah away suddenly again. In his lament, Obadiah gives faithful voice to his prayer before the LORD. Elijah promises that he will be present to meet Ahab, and so it happens. Although Ahab attempts to label Elijah as the troubler of Israel, Ahab's idolatry is the real source of Israel's trouble. Elijah prepares to bring the LORD's solution by setting up a contest with the false prophets who are being supported by the royal house. Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Kings 18:1-19. To learn more about Memorial Lutheran, visit www.mlchouston.org. "A Kingdom Divided” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Kings. The division in the kingdom of Israel in this part of history was greater than a matter of north and south. The biggest division was between the people and their God. Yet even as the people rebelled against the LORD as their King, still He remained faithful to call them back to Himself through His prophets, working through history to send the good and gracious King, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org