Podcasts about kerith brook

Daily Dose of Hope October 10, 2024 Day 5 of Week 28   Scripture:  1 Kings 17-18; Psalm 119; Jude   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Daily Bible reading plan.  When you listen to this, I'm not really sure what will have happened with the hurricane.  What will our community experience?  We rest in the truth that God is in control and God is good.  If you are able, let me know how you are doing and if you need anything.  Please know that you are loved a lot!   Our first Old Testament Scripture passage for today is 1 Kings 17-18.  The evil of King Ahab and the idolatry and disobedience among God's people has gotten really, really bad.  Thus, God sends prophets to point out the error of their ways and essentially be their theological conscience.  In chapter 17, we meet the prophet Elijah.  His name literally means “My God is Yahweh” and that is basically the theme of his entire career.     The chapter begins with Elijah proclaiming to King Ahab that there would be no rain for the next few years until the one true God declared it so.  This is particularly important because the main Canaanite god, Baal, was worshiped as the god of rain.  By Yahweh stopping all rain and dew, he is declaring that HE alone is God and that Baal is a fake god with no power.  The Scripture doesn't explicitly state the response of King Ahab but we can guess it wasn't good, for God tells Elijah to leave the area and go hide by Kerith Brook.    As you read through the chapter, Elijah's obedience and trust in God are quite remarkable. He trusts God to provide provisions for food and water through animals and people!  My favorite aspect of this chapter is how God uses an impoverished outsider, the widow of Sidon (a city in what is now Lebanon), to provide care and nourishment to one of the most faithful of all of God's prophets.  Keep in mind that a widow would have been one of the poorest and most vulnerable people in that world.  And yet, God chooses her and she (possibly out of desperation) agrees to be part of God's plan. As a result, she and her son are saved from the drought, the ensuing famine, and even illness.  At the end of the chapter, her faithfulness to Elijah is rewarded with God bringing her son back to life.  By being faithful and open to God at work, this widow puts to shame many others who rejected the one true God.   How often God uses the weak and lowly to shame the powerful.  I think this is something we all need to reflect on today. When have you personally seen this at work?   In chapter 18, God has called Elijah to come face to face with King Ahab once again.  Times are tense–the drought is severe; animals and people are dying.  Ahab blames Elijah for Israel's trouble.  Afterall, in Ahab's mind, Elijah has offended Baal (the Canaanite god of rain) and that is why the rain has stopped.  Elijah, amazingly brave and solid, denies Ahab's claim and turns it around–it's actually Ahab's fault because he has been so disobedient to the Lord, Yahweh, and it is he who is in charge of the rain.   What's interesting to me is that Ahab and the people of Israel were still worshiping Yahweh, but they also were worshiping the Canaanite gods of Baal and Asherah.  Elijah is tasked with challenging Ahab on this issue.  The king can't have it both ways; it's time to choose.  Will he choose the one true God OR the Canaanite gods?  Verse 21 is quite powerful, Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!”  But the people were completely silent.    Elijah then proposes a contest to demonstrate who is really God–is it Baal or Yahweh?  The prophets of Baal spent hours calling on Baal to light the altar, complete with dead bull and wood, on fire. They dance around it, then begin to cut themselves and allow their own blood to be shed, begging Baal to respond. Not surprisingly, Baal is silent.  But when Elijah calls on Yahweh, the one true God, to light the altar (bull, wood, twelve stones to represent the tribes of Israel, and lots of water), God demonstrates his power in an awesome way.  Everything is consumed in flames and the water is quickly soaked up.  It's only then that the people acknowledge that the Lord is God.   We may think that we've far removed from Ahab and the people of Israel during Elijah's day.  Granted, we probably aren't bowing down to Baal and worshiping Asherah.  But the reality is that we try to serve Yahweh along with other gods as well.  What other gods vie for attention in your life?  Money, power, jobs, family, boats, campers, travel, food, exercise, retirement plans, golf, you get the idea.  There are so many things that we put before God or at least on the same level.  We may think this is harmless but it is insidiously dangerous.  What have you allowed to creep into your life and take on the same level of importance as worship, as ministry, as mission, as Scripture, as tithe, as God?   Be sure to read through the Psalm, although I'm not going to address it in the devotional today.  I really want to head over to the New Testament and talk a little about Jude.  While its not the shortest book in the New Testament, Jude is probably one of the more obscure.  Scholars don't know a lot about it.  We do believe that Jude was a brother of Jesus, although he probably didn't become a believer until after Jesus' death and resurrection.  We don't have a good date for this letter either, although we can guess that Jude himself died around AD 90, so certainly the letter was written before that time.   What is the point of the letter?  There isn't a big theological statement here.  It seems that Jude is trying to direct a group of believers to stay away from false teaching.  We don't really know which believers he is referring to OR which false teachers have reared their ugly head.  But Jude wants them to stay strong, engage in moral behavior, and not be distracted from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think that's a good reminder for all of us.   Stay safe, my dear brothers and sisters. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

SHOW NOTES:   In Podcast Episode 284, “God's Training Camp Drills,“ Kim discusses the training camp the Lord put the prophet Elijah through during the three years of solitude. The Lord wants to do miracles through each of us, but He needs to prepare us through spiritual disciplines, as well as through our daily lives. Are you leaning into what the Lord is seeking to do in and through you?   Our focal passage for this episode is 1 Kings 17:1-7 with 2-4 as the focal verses:   2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT FEATURE:   What is the Lord teaching you through your current season of life?   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Kings PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings” by Tony Merida “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda” “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III. "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Zencastr and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack was created in GarageBand by Kim Smith. The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/

Sunday's Notes- Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel lives, the God I serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” I Kings 17:1 NLTThen the LORD said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. I Kings 17:2-6 NLTFollowing God with conviction requires trusting God for provision and protection.But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:7 NLTThen 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.” I Kings 17:8-9 NLT Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner, a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Luke 4:25-26 NLTJehovah, like a prophetic poet, author's provision with a redemptive rhythm only God can give. So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” I Kings 17:10 NLTAs she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” I Kings 17:11 NLTLack can never become a license to hoard the very thing your called by God to give.Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 ESVBut she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” I Kings 17:12 NLTDon't let desperation be the voice that determines your decisions or destiny with God.But Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!” I Kings 17:13-14 NLTSo she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. I Kings 17:15-17 NLTThe key to trusting God for provision is to obediently to give the best of what you have to Him.

Why? 3 Possible Reasons We Experience Spiritual & Writing Drought 1.) We disobey God…An example from the Israelites – Deuteronomy 28:22-23 – “The Lord will strike you with wasting diseases, fever, and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, and with blight and mildew. These disasters will pursue you until you die. The skies above will be as unyielding as bronze, and the earth beneath will be as hard as iron.” 2.) We may be lacking nourishment in God's Word and prayer – Psalm 63:1 – “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” 3.) We might be going from one season to another – 1 Kings 17:5-9 – “So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 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.” Elijah was being prepared for his grand showdown with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel. • 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 Talking to King Solomon – “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” • Acts 3:19-20 (The Message) - “Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus” See the pictures CJ referenced here: https://apnews.com/article/california-reservoir-levels-winter-storms-da455706e614b95fb49d98a211f788d3   The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.   Get access to the video and PDF download now here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/businessmeeting/   

1 Kings 17 NLT read aloud by Simon MacFarlane. 1 Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 17 Some time later the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” 19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child's body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. 20 Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” 21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child's life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”

Message for 08/28/2022 "When I Feel Stuck Part 2" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Genesis 4:7b - “…watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 2 Peter 1:3a - By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Prepare, Patience, Plow PREPARE Ephesians 2:10 NIV - For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Luke 19:30-35 - 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?' just say, ‘The Lord needs it.'” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. John 14:1-3 - “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” PATIENCE Romans 8:25 - But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. Proverbs 20:21 - An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. 1 Kings 17:2-9 - Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” PLOW 1 Kings 19:19-20 - So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”

In today's passage, Elijah has a new mission. For the past three years he has hidden himself, as God directed, near the Kerith Brook and then in Zarephath. Now God sends Elijah to show himself to King Ahab.We learn that King Ahab has searched extensively for Elijah and come up empty handed. We also learn that God has placed a loyal servant of His in a most strategic position—the man in charge of Ahab's palace. In this week's podcast we meet Obadiah and witness the moment when his story collides with Elijah's. Again, we are shown examples of obedience to God, but also how each life is valued.Here in the Old Testament, we find an example that God values each life foreshadowing the Good Shepherd that would leave the 99 for the one.Join us as we journey with Elijah back to Israel. Bible verses referred to in this episode:1 Kings 18:1-16Matthew 18:12-14Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce  or at hlynnpierce.com

(English) In this message Ps Richard talks about positioning ourselves for God's provision in these 4 points: (1 Kings 17:2-4 NLT)   Then the LORD said to Elijah, (3) “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. (4) Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 1.God Knows Our Needs and is Already Making Plans (1 Kings 17:5-6 NLT) So Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. (6) The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. (1 Kings 17:7 NLT) But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.  2.We Will Still Face Moments that Require Obedience and Faith (8) Then the LORD said to Elijah, (9) “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”  3.God's Provision Doesn't Always Look How We Expect (10) So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” (11) As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”  (12) But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”  (13) But Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.  4.Tithing is Positioning Ourselves for God's Provision (14) For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!” (15) So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. (16) There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. Philippians 4:19 NLT And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

A drought. That's what God is promising here, in 1 Kings 17. Is there value in such an experience? God thinks so.In this setting of a drought, it becomes essential to determine how to live. What are the basics of life? What will nourish us? What keeps us alive?This week we begin our summer with Elijah as he embarks on a journey with the Lord. Let's join Elijah on the bank of the Kerith Brook.We may just find ourselves...alone…in the wilderness…in a drought…and God miraculously providing for our needs. Dependent on God is a beautiful place to live.Bible verses referred to in this episode:1 Kings 17:1-7Find me on Instagram @HLynnPierce   

1 Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”

February 08, 2022 Daily Devotion: “God Is Directing You…” 1 Kings 17:2-4 New Living Translation 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” In Scripture, God had a place of provision for Elijah. He gave specific instructions, and as long as Elijah obeyed, he would walk right into His place of blessing. Just as God directed Elijah to his place of blessing, God is directing you, too. He's aligning the right opportunities for you and causing the right people to come along your path to help you get ahead. He is constantly working behind the scenes on your behalf. But you have to do your part to keep your heart in the right place by following His word. That means living in peace and unity. The Bible says that when we live in unity with other believers, there He has commanded the blessing. And when your heart is in the place of blessing, the rest of your life will be in the place of blessing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gerzon-etino/message

1 Kings 17: 2-4 NLT Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” “Why St Cuthbert’s Oratory?” is a question often asked of me. The simplest answer is that it’s what God has guided us to. A longer one is that it affords a home of prayer where we are able to practise the principles that provide the foundation for our Christian walk of faith and call into the contemplative life. Contemplative life involves the growing awareness of the presence of God in every sphere and detail of my life, learning to discern the goodness of God in all things. Elijah heard and responded to God. He was fed by the hand of God courtesy of the ravens. My faith was quite some measure from that, yet was I willing at least to explore journeying further along faith’s road? So we began life in the Oratory; a routine of prayer and then we made the offer of our first retreat. Made known simply through Facebook and a small group of contacts, we welcomed precisely no one but ourselves. However, as God had called us to this first retreat, Jayne and I participated together and had a wonderful day. It was the first of many experiences when God tested our sincerity in this venture, and where we had to press on regardless of how our human reason processed that reality. Faith demands obedience. Faith is a realm that lies beyond rationality, even as its substance is perfectly rational. Faith is a mystery; it is both reasonable and unreasonable. We simply respond to God’s invitation to the degree that we feel able to at the time of calling. So, no surprise that it has taken so many years for me to find the conviction and the courage intentionally to pursue the way of a contemporary contemplative. QUESTION: What steps of faith is God asking you to take? PRAYER: Lord, when you speak and call me onwards, give me the strength and courage to follow.

Redemption Story Video - https://vimeo.com/286974627Stories week 3 - Recipe for Redemption - Recipe's are made up ingredients.Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 1 Kings 17:1 NLT Elijah the protagonist in our story was from the rocky hill country of Gilead where rough, tough, rugged, and perhaps somewhat solemn and stern people lived. His name actually means My God is Yahweh. What an entrance onto the scene. Ch. 16 tells us our, Antagonist King Ahab (also known from extra-biblical history) was the most evil and disobedient King to date in Israel. And to top it off, he actually married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal King of the very pagan Sidonians in Phoenicia. A first ingredient in the recipe for redemption is the need for redemption. (Elijah was dealing with heart ache, hurt, and the failure of a nation to follow God!)Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 1 Kings 17:2-6 NLT (Elijah didn't complain, He knew something we need to remember.)Neither the brook nor the ravens were Elijah's source, they were God's provision for the season.PTR: Never equate the provision with the source.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 NLTIt was 80-100 miles across Israel to Sidon!? Out of the Frying pan and into the fire. And, A WIDOW?So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 1 Kings 17:10-12 NLT (Not exactly the faith-filled follower Elijah may have hoped)THT: Negativity has the capacity to keep you from the redemption God wills for you…I believe this lady had heard from God, but refused to believe Him or even consider Him her God!He calls to us too, in our brokenness, our disobedience, and running. He persists and pursues…But Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 1 Kings 17:13-14 NLTA second ingredient in the recipe for redemption is faith. Faith to believe that God's grace is bigger than your life's grief or your goofs / gaffs.So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16 NLTThe great German composer Felix Mendelssohn once visited the cathedral at Fribourg, having heard of the great organ thunderer as it was known but was almost refused from playing it…A third ingredient in the recipe for redemption is surrender. This widowed lady from Phoenicia lived fully provided for through out the drought. Wow! Obedient surrender leads to God's miraculous and redemptive provision.And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLTEddie videoSome time later the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” 1 Kings 17:17-18 NLTV. 19-22 / Elijah takes the boy and intercedes 3 times and He's healed…Elijah picked the boy up, carried him downstairs from the loft, and gave him to his mother. "Here's your son," said Elijah, “alive!" The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks a true word!” 1 Kings 17:23-24 MSGGod, I see it all now. You really are a God of hope, relentless love and miraculous redemption!The final and most critical ingredient in the recipe for redemption is God's amazing Grace!

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”

Pastor Jeff concludes his series on Kerith Brook with Gods call for Elijah to leave. Elijah was about to go from being fed to being used. What about you. is God feeding you or using you?

Pastor Jeff concludes his series on Kerith Brook with Gods call for Elijah to leave. Elijah was about to go from being fed to being used. What about you. is God feeding you or using you?

Pastor Jeff concludes his series on Kerith Brook with Gods call for Elijah to leave. Elijah was about to go from being fed to being used. What about you. is God feeding you or using you?

Pastor Jeff concludes his series on Kerith Brook with Gods call for Elijah to leave. Elijah was about to go from being fed to being used. What about you. is God feeding you or using you?

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah and his STAY at Kerith Brook...His staying in a place of obedience...in his House of Meat and Bread.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah and his STAY at Kerith Brook...His staying in a place of obedience...in his House of Meat and Bread.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah and his STAY at Kerith Brook...His staying in a place of obedience...in his House of Meat and Bread.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah and his STAY at Kerith Brook...His staying in a place of obedience...in his House of Meat and Bread.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah's obedience to the word of the Lord in his life when God called him to LEAVE and go to Kerith brook, east of the Jordan and how his obedience led to Gods blessings and annointing.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah's obedience to the word of the Lord in his life when God called him to LEAVE and go to Kerith brook, east of the Jordan and how his obedience led to Gods blessings and annointing.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah's obedience to the word of the Lord in his life when God called him to LEAVE and go to Kerith brook, east of the Jordan and how his obedience led to Gods blessings and annointing.

Pastor Jeff looks at Elijah's obedience to the word of the Lord in his life when God called him to LEAVE and go to Kerith brook, east of the Jordan and how his obedience led to Gods blessings and annointing.

Pastor Jeff introduces us to 1 Kings 17:1-6 and the preparation of Elijah at Kerith Brook. preparation for ministry, for the anointing, for power and for receiving the Word of the Lord in his life.

Pastor Jeff introduces us to 1 Kings 17:1-6 and the preparation of Elijah at Kerith Brook. preparation for ministry, for the anointing, for power and for receiving the Word of the Lord in his life.

Pastor Jeff introduces us to 1 Kings 17:1-6 and the preparation of Elijah at Kerith Brook. preparation for ministry, for the anointing, for power and for receiving the Word of the Lord in his life.

Pastor Jeff introduces us to 1 Kings 17:1-6 and the preparation of Elijah at Kerith Brook. preparation for ministry, for the anointing, for power and for receiving the Word of the Lord in his life.

Sunday's Notes-Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel lives, the God I serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” I Kings 17:1 NLTThen the LORD said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. I Kings 17:2-6 NLTFollowing God with conviction requires trusting God for provision and protection.But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:7 NLTThen 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.” I Kings 17:8-9 NLT  Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner, a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Luke 4:25-26 NLTJehovah, like a prophetic poet, author's provision with a redemptive rhythm only God can give. So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” I Kings 17:10 NLTAs she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” I Kings 17:11 NLTLack can never become a license to hoard the very thing your called by God to give.Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 ESVBut she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” I Kings 17:12 NLTDon't let desperation be the voice that determines your decisions or destiny with God.But Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!” I Kings 17:13-14 NLTSo she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. I Kings 17:15-17 NLTThe key to trusting God for provision is to obediently to give the best of what you have to Him.