Podcast appearances and mentions of king ahab

Today we will be taking a look at 25 chapters that are both exciting and complex. The 25 chapters: 1 Kings 15 - 22 2 Kings 1 - 11 2 Chronicles 17 - 22 A period of approximately 33 years. As our study begins we see Ahab (874-853 BC) - is the ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Jehoshaphat (870-848 BC) - is ruler of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. There's good news and bad news from this period of 33 years… There was an alliance made between Israel and Judah. Bad news: 2 Chronicles 18:1 tells us, "Now Jehoshaphat (Judah) had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab  (Israel) by marriage." As we dig into this we see Ahab (Israel's worst King) was married to Jezebel, they had a daughter named Athaliah.  We also see that Jehoshaphat had a son named Jehoram. Athaliah and Jehoram marry. This is the alliance between Israel and Judah, but the marriage brought great tragedy. Ahab invites Jehoshaphat to Samaria in Israel. Ahab tells him he wants land back that had taken from him and he wants Jehoshaphat to help him fight to get it back. Ahab has 400 false prophets that say he should attack Judah because he will be victorious. Jehoshaphat listens but requests a 2nd opinion. That 2nd opinion comes from a prophecy of Micaiah son of Imlah a prophet of the Living God. Micaiah tells them, "I saw all Israel was scattered on the hillside because the shepherd was gone." And what happens is that he is thrown in jail. Judah and Israel go to battle and attack Remoth Gilead and the bettle ends in great defeat for Israel and Judah. King Ahab is killed and one of his sons takes over his throne.  About 5 years later we read in 2 Chronicles 21:1 that Jehoshaphat dies and his son Jehoram succeeds him as king of Judah. Additionally, in 2 Chronicles 21:4-5 we see Jehoram puts all his brothers to death in order to protect his throne. And now we see Elijah stepping in with a letter to King Jehoram. 2 Chronicles 21:12-13 we see Elijah tell Jehoram that he has not followed the way of his father and grandfather in following God and instead follows the worship and practices of idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. Jehoram has turned away from the God of David. Vs 13-14 he holds Jehoram accountable for killing his brothers, and tells him that he will become sick and die of disease.  This is a warning to the way Jehoram is headed and it's God's call to stop and to come back to Him. But Jehoram continues to do what he had always done. So he dies and his son, Ahaziah, becomes King of Judah.   Reminder: Athaliah is King Ahab and Jezebel's daughter. Ahab and his wife led Israel away from God. Their daughter Athaliah is married to Jehoram (King of Judah) and when Jehoram dies their son Ahaziah becomes King of Judah. The spiritual pollution of Israel has not only come down to Judah, it has taken the throne. The line of Ahab is on the throne in both Israel and in Judah. In Israel Ahaziah's uncle, Joram, is King.  There is a second Battle of Remoth Gilead at this time. Ahaziah (King of Judah) and his uncle Joram (King of Israel) decide to do the battle again, expecting to win this time. Joram, King of Israel is severely injured in the battle, Ahaziah, King of Judah, goes to check on his uncle. 2 Kings 9:1-3 Elisha has a man go to Remoth Gilead and anoint Jehu as King over Israel. The result is found in 2 Kings 9:22-23, Jehu confronts the Joram King of Israel and Ahaziah King of Judah at the bedside of Joram, Ahaziah's uncle, where he and Ahaziah are talking. Jehu says there can be no peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of Ahaziah;s mother Jezabel abounds. Joram flees and Jehu pulls out his bow and arrow and hits Joram in the back killing him.  Jehu then chases Ahaziah wounding him. Ahaziah dies, too, and now both the King of Israel and the King of Judah are dead. I Kings 11:1 tells us that when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah saw he son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of Judah. She desired to eliminate the whole line of David through which the Messiah was to come.  2 Kings 11:2 but the Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.  She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. And as a result a godly king will ultimately come to the throne against the desire of Ahaziah. Join us next week as our story continues! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

What happened to Ahab and Jezebel? Come Bible Study WITH ME through 1 Kings 20 and ask all the questions!

Today we continue our study of Elijah's ministry. Elijah's Ministry     ⁃    Prediction and Provision - no rain or dew     ⁃    Contest at Mount Carmel the time of drought ends in a contest     ⁃    Encounter at Mount Horeb     ⁃    Word at Naboth's Vineyard     ⁃    Elijah taken to heaven We pick up the story from last week, at the contest at Mount Carmel where we learn that Jezebel has promised to kill Elijah. After the threat, Elijah, fearful for his life, travels forty days to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai). Pastor shares several possibilities for the location of this mount leaning towards today's Jabal al Maqla.  Elijah makes it to Mt. Horeb and he is discouraged and fearful and exhausted and we read of his depression in 1 Kings 19:9-10. He ends this verse saying, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."  God's response is, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord for the Lord is about to pass by." Divine Encounter     ⁃    Wind comes - but the Lord was not in the wind     ⁃    Earthquake comes - but the Lord was not in the earthquake     ⁃    Fire comes - but the Lord was not in the fire     ⁃    Gentle whisper comes - the Lord speaks of Elijah's assignment.  Elijah thinks of himself as a failure and wants to give up, but God tells him He has more for him to do, that he is not to give up. Mission: Anointing     ⁃    Elijah is told to anoint Hazael as king over Aram     ⁃    He is told to anoint Jehu over Israel     ⁃    He is told to anoint Elisha as his successor Then God assures Elijah that he is not alone and tells him that there are 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed down to Baal. Elijah obeys God's commands and leaves Mt. Horeb and he comes to Elisha working in the field and Elijah anoints him. Elijah now has a partner for the rest of his ministry time on earth. This may have been as long as 10 years together. God gives Elijah a word of judgement to give to King Ahab. Ahab's response was to tear his clothes, put on sackcloth and fast. And because Ahab humbled himself in repentance, God withheld the judgement saying, "I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son" God relents, because He is gracious and He desires all people come to Him.  God responds when we repent. At the end of Elijah's ministry Elijah is one of two people mentioned in the Bible who were taken alive to heaven. We read in 2 Kings 2:11-12 "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, 'My father, My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!' And Elisha saw Elijah no more." Elijah's Legacy     ⁃    Malachi's prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6)      ⁃    Gabriel and Zechariah (Luke 1:17)     ⁃    Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11;13-14)     ⁃    Transfiguration of Jess (Matthew 17:2-3)     ⁃    Prayer life of Elijah (James 5:17-18) A big takeaway from Elijah's story is that we are to follow God no matter what comes our way, no matter what may be happening in our lives or in the world around us because God is faithful and He knows how to defend and take care His own. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Dive into one of the most intense and thought-provoking Bible studies yet — Elijah: The Tishbite. In this episode of Nephilim Death Squad (NDS), The Raven, Top Lobsta, and Matt Hepner of The Standard Coffee Shop unpack the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 17, exploring his confrontation with King Ahab, the ravens who fed him, the widow of Zarephath, and the miracles that followed.This is Straight Bible, where real conversation meets Scripture — humor, theology, and raw faith collide in a way only NDS can deliver. Recorded live from The Standard Coffee Shop in Lady Lake, FL, this session covers divine provision, obedience, miracles, and modern parallels of faith under pressure.If you love deep Bible talks, unapologetic truth, and a little banter, you're in the right place.

Pastor opens today's class with the words from Psalm 135:15-18 "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." We will see the truth of these words in today's study. Elijah' Days: Most of this prophet's ministry was during the height of King Ahab in the north in Israel and King Jehoshaphat in the south in Judah. His name, Elijah, is even prophetic. In Hebrew it literally means, my God is Jehovah. ⁃ A time of great apostasy - under Ahab and Jezebel there was an attempt to get rid of any semblance of worship of the Living God and to supplant God with the worship of Baal. ⁃ A prophet of great faith (Elijah) ⁃ A man of insignificance (very little is know about him, was he even an Israelite?) ⁃ A time of great danger for believers. Ahab and Jezebel sought to destroy God's prophets. ⁃ A ministry of great impact Elijah's ministry is recorded in 1 Kings 17-19, 21 2 Kings 1-2 2 Chronicles 21 Elijah's Ministry: ⁃ Prediction and Provision (1 Kings 17) Elijah speaks that there will not be rain or dew for the next few years. This is a direct attack on King Ahab's gods. And the drought begins. Elijah goes into hiding. There are some great stories of God's miraculous provision for Elijah during the famine. ⁃ Contest at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18-19) God tells Elijah 3 years after the drought started that he was to go to Ahab and tell him that God would send rain. Elijah confronts Ahab about abandoning God and says for Ahab and his people and 850 prophets of Baal to meet him, a prophet of God, at Mt. Carmel and offers them the choice to follow God or Baal. Elijah is severely outnumbered against 850 false prophets, but the contest begins. ⁃ The Contest - those prophets worshiping Baal were told to pray to Baal for Baal to bring fire onto their altar, but it never comes. Elijah then builds his altar of 12 stones (1 for each tribe of Israel), slaughters the bull and then covers the altar in water and at 3pm he prays to God and the fire of the Lord falls on Elijah's altar. When the people see this they fall and cry out, "The Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is God!" They destroy the false prophets, and the rains start falling. ⁃ The Aftermath - Elijah runs to Jezreel (the summer palace) where Jezebel threatens him saying she is going to ensure he is killed. Elijah becomes fearful and runs for his life. He hides in the wilderness and becomes very discouraged and depressed. He tells God that he's had enough, and to take his life. Then an angel of the Lord comes and tells him to head to Mt. Sinai where the Lord will appear to him. Join us next week as we continue our study of Elijah! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

When life gets hard, it can feel like God has stepped away. Elijah faced this reality as Israel fell deeper into sin under King Ahab and Jezebel's influence. Yet even in a nation drowning in idolatry and personal heartbreak—like the death of the widow's son—God was still near. This episode explores what happens when we feel distant from God, how our obedience or disobedience affects His presence in our lives, and how Christ reminds us that love and obedience go hand in hand.

This series shows the lessons we can learn, both good and bad, from the Kings of the Old Testament. Have you been blessed by this message? Please bless us back by clicking like, sharing and commenting on our messages. If you need prayer, leave a message below or call us at 314-303-2141 and we will pray for you. Would you like to know more about becoming a Christian? Click here: http://summitchurch.us/Becoming-a-Christian If you would like to help support us financially, go to http://summitchurch.us/Giving

Can indecision hold your spiritual life hostage? We explore this compelling question by diving into the dramatic biblical story of Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. This narrative underscores the vital importance of making firm choices and committing to God, especially amidst life's uncertainties. Drawing from the profound insights in James, we emphasize the necessity of seeking God's wisdom to overcome the paralysis of indecision, as wavering beliefs can lead us astray. As we navigate the "valley of decision," inspired by Joel chapter 3, we confront the internal struggles and fears that accompany choice-making. Indecision often stems from fear of the consequences, but recognizing the urgency and judgment that awaits can spur us to action. Here, we learn the importance of taking self-inventory and pursuing wisdom, while considering the eternal consequences of our choices. With examples from notable figures like Charlie Kirk and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we discuss the transformative power of living for God and the courage required to embrace truth and self-denial. Finally, we reflect on the essence of choosing to live by faith, inspired by the teachings of both scripture and the lives of those who have walked the path before us. Through prayer and seeking God's guidance, we can find the strength to become not just hearers, but doers of the word. Join us as we explore how each decision impacts not only our lives but also future generations, reminding ourselves of the peace and direction found in committing wholeheartedly to faith. Where to dive in: (00:08) Decide (12:32) Valley of Decision and Consequences (22:40) Seeking God's Wisdom for Decision Making (36:51) Choosing to Live for God (44:18) Deciding to Live by Faith (57:07) Choose You This Day (01:05:51) Finding God's Guidance Through Faith Next steps: - Spend Time in the Word: Read the passages mentioned today: 1 Kings 18, James 1, Joel 3, and Joshua 24. - Reflect on what it means to choose God daily — not just in belief, but in every decision. - Ask God for Wisdom Daily: Make it part of your morning routine to say, “Lord, give me wisdom for what's ahead.” Let that simple prayer be your first step toward clarity and peace. - Share This Message: If this episode encouraged you, send it to a friend or family member who might also feel stuck between choices. Sometimes, your obedience opens the door for someone else's freedom. About your host: Jaime Luce' testimony has daunting personal mountains and treacherous financial valleys. She was trapped in day-to-day stress and couldn't see a way forward. But how she started is not how she finished! And she wants you to know God has a plan for your life too, no matter how tough it seems. Today, Jaime has been married to the love of her life for almost three decades, owns two companies, and has become an author and podcaster. God's way is always the blessed way! Free chapter of Jaime's new book: You Don't Need Money, You Just Need God: https://jaimeluce.com/book/ Connect: - Website: https://jaimeluce.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaime.luces.page - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime_luce/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-luce-00395691/

Today’s Bible Verse:"The king of Israel answered, 'There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me. — 1 Kings 22:8 This verse exposes a timeless tension—our struggle with truth when it challenges our comfort. King Ahab rejected Micaiah’s prophecy because it wasn’t what he wanted to hear, even though it was what he needed to hear. In the same way, God’s truth often confronts us before it transforms us. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ MEET YOUR HOST: Dr. Kyle Norman at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. Rev. Norman has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.Find more from Rev. Norman at revkylenorman.ca Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This series shows the lessons we can learn, both good and bad, from the Kings of the Old Testament. Have you been blessed by this message? Please bless us back by clicking like, sharing and commenting on our messages. If you need prayer, leave a message below or call us at 314-303-2141 and we will pray for you. Would you like to know more about becoming a Christian? Click here: http://summitchurch.us/Becoming-a-Christian If you would like to help support us financially, go to http://summitchurch.us/Giving

In this episode, we explore the chilling rise of King Ahab as recorded in 1 Kings 16:29–34, where he is introduced as the most wicked king in Israel's history up to that point. Ahab doesn't just walk in the sins of Jeroboam—he escalates them by marrying Jezebel, the Sidonian princess, and bringing full-blown Baal worship into the heart of Israel. His 22-year reign becomes a long, tragic demonstration of God's extraordinary patience in the face of deep national and spiritual compromise.We trace how Ahab's marriage to Jezebel essentially turns Israel into a colony of Sidon—not by war, but by religious infiltration. Ahab becomes a vice-regent of Baal in Samaria, building a temple for Baal and erecting an Asherah pole for his wife Jezebel. But even in this dark moment, God does not abandon His people.From there, we turn to John 4:19–26, where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. In a region shaped by the legacy of Ahab's idolatry, Jesus' prophetic yet compassionate interaction with the woman mirrors Elijah's call to the northern kingdom—and even more, reveals the heart of God: patient, personal, and persistent. Rather than condemn her, Jesus draws her back to the true King of Israel—Himself.This episode ends with a challenge: if God could show such patience with Ahab, and if Christ could show such grace to a Samaritan woman steeped in spiritual confusion, how much more should we model that patience in our relationships today? Key Passages: 1 Kings 16:19-34John 4:19-26⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Monday October 13, 2025XVIII Week After Pentecost In today's episode, we see the collision between greed and grace, pride and power, temptation and truth—and how God calls His people to walk in integrity and dependence on Him.

Are you keeping the peace in areas where God is calling you to stand out?King Jehoshaphat loved God and did what was right—but he made one compromise that changed everything. He made peace with King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history. This alliance almost cost him his life and opened the door for rebellion in the next generation.This message challenges us to examine where we might be blending in when God has called us to be different. It's not about being judgmental or isolating ourselves—it's about having the courage to stop compromising with things that are at war with God. Sometimes the pressure to fit in, maintain influence, or avoid conflict can lead us to make peace with relationships, habits, or practices that slowly pull us away from God.

The sermon, "The God Who Answers By Fire," is an exposition of 1 Kings Chapter 18, detailing the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The message uses this historical event as a pattern for how God's people should approach and return to Him today. Background: Apostasy in Israel The sermon sets the scene by describing the wickedness of King Ahab, who did "evil in his sight above all that were before him" and led Israel to worship the false god Baal. Following a three-year drought—God's judgment—Elijah challenges Ahab and his 850 prophets to a contest to prove who the true God is.

A Sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21 & St. Luke 7:11-17 by William Klock “The next day,” says St. Luke in our Gospel lesson, “Jesus went to a town called Nain.”  No doubt to preach the good news that, in him, the God of Israel had finally come to his people to fulfil his promises to them.  No doubt to heal the sick or the blind or the deaf or whoever else came to him to be healed.  No doubt to cast our demons.  Not just to tell them that God's kingdom was breaking into darkness of the world, but to show them.  To make the sad things untrue, as Sam Gamgee put it so eloquently.  But I expect that Jesus was frustrated.  Sure, crowds were following him wherever he went, but they didn't get it.  They wanted their own personal miracle worker and, like the people in Nazareth, they got angry with him when he wouldn't stay.  They knew—because it was impossible to miss—that in Jesus light had come into the darkness.  They knew hope for the first time.  But their vision of God's light and life was just so, so, so small.  And then there were people like the scribes and Pharisees who were angry because, if he was the Messiah, he was doing it all wrong.  They couldn't see past their rules and boundaries.  They had no grasp of the great height and width and length and depth of the love of God.  They were thrilled to have Jesus wipe away their tears and make the sad things of their lives untrue, but they were still committed to, still doing the very things that made the sadness in the first place. Luke says here, in 7:11, that this happened on the “next day”.  It was the day before that Jesus had been met by the friends of a Roman centurion with a sick slave.  He got word that Jesus was on his way to his house to heal his slave and sent words to say, “No, don't come to my house.”  He knew that as a gentile he wasn't part of Jesus' mission.  “No, Jesus, just say the word and my slave will be healed.  I know you've got authority to do it.”  And Jesus stopped and marvelled.  He healed the centurion's slave, but he also turned and rebuked the crowd that was following him: “How is it that I've found more faith in this gentile than in you lot, in God's own people?” And now, it's the next day, and he's on his way to Nain and the crowd has followed him from Capernaum.  It's about five miles.  And all the way he's been teaching his disciples and anyone else within earshot who will listen.  I expect Jesus was trying to broaden their vision of the kingdom and what it all meant.  And then they arrived at the city gate.  Luke writes, “As he got near the gate of the city, a young man was being carried out dead.  He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.  There was a substantial crowd of townspeople with her.” From a distance Jesus noticed that the town gate was unusually quiet and now he sees why.  Or maybe he heard it before he could see it, because as they got to Nain they met a burial procession coming through the gate.  There was the stretcher being carried by pallbearers and on it was the body of a young man.  Following behind was his mother, crying her eyes out and wailing loudly.  I wonder if Jesus knew them.  Nain wasn't far from Capernaum or from Nazareth, so it's entirely possible that Jesus knew these people or, at least, knew who they were.  Luke knew enough about them to report that the woman was a widow and that the young man was her only son.  Her husband was dead and now so was her only son and that meant that she was destitute.  That meant that she was without hope. The whole town was gathered and they wept and they wailed loudly so that she could weep without embarrassment.  They were on their way to the burial plot outside town.  There would have been a little cave.  Sort of a family plot, with the bones of her husband's ancestors.  Some time before she'd made this trip with her son by her side as the mourners carried her husband to that little cave and laid him to rest.  Eventually, she had gone and put his bare bones in a box, leaving the burial shelf empty.  And today she would put her son there.  And then what?  Come harvest time, she'd have to join the poor, gleaning in the fields and the vineyards, collecting whatever was left behind by the harvesters.  And she prayed no one would come to seize her house and turn her out into the street. And seeing her, Jesus knew her grief.  He knew her hopelessness.  And I wonder what went through his head.  Did he recognise an opportunity here to make a point about the bigger, deeper, wider meaning of the kingdom for the crowd following him?  I suspect it occurred to him.  But I think, more than anything, Jesus saw in this woman the pain and the sorrow and the tears of this fallen and broken world and he was overcome with love—because that's who he was.  The widow and the orphan have always had a special place in God's heart.  How they were treated was always—and still is—emblematic of whether or not the people had the heart of God themselves.  And so I think it was simply the most natural thing in the world for the heart of Jesus to be overwhelmed with love and pity for this woman and he simply did what came naturally to him. Luke writes, “And when the Lord saw her, he was very sorry for her.  ‘Don't cry,' he said to her.  Then he went up and touched the stretcher and the people carrying it stood still.” That would have been bad form for anyone else, but not for Jesus.  I still expect people were shocked.  You didn't get in the way of a funeral procession then any more than you do now.  But to touch the stretcher—that would render him unclean.  So the crowd watched in surprise or shock as Jesus stopped the procession.  And they heard him say to the woman, “Don't cry.”  And I can only imagine what they were thinking when he then went to the dead boy and said, “Young man, I say to you, ‘Get up!'”  They'd seen Jesus do some amazing things.  They'd seen him heal the sick and the blind and the lame, but could he actually raise the dead?  That was kind of over the top, even for Jesus.  And yet…there were stories from the old days.  Could the things in those old stories happen again? These people were deeply steeped in the scriptures and some of them must have recognised that what Jesus was doing had echoes of the stories they knew so well.  I say that because Luke recognised the parallels and makes a point of reporting this story very deliberately so that it echoes the stories of the prophets Elijah and Elisha—particularly Elijah in 1 Kings 17. Nine hundred years before, King Ahab had ruled Israel.  He was the latest in a line of wicked kings who did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.  Ahab built an altar to the Canaanite fertility god Baal in the Lord's temple and he led the people into idolatry and all sorts of unspeakable evils.  First Kings says that Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.  And so the Lord visited his people with a drought and the drought brought with it a famine.  And the Lord announced that drought and famine through the Prophet Elijah, whom he sent to the king.  Of course, that made Elijah rather unpopular with the king, so the Lord first led him to a hiding place in the wilderness, where he sent ravens to bring him bread and meat each morning and evening and where he could drink from a creek.  But when the creek dried up, the Lord sent him to the home of a widow and her only son. The widow had nothing left but enough flour and oil to make a small loaf of bread.  When Elijah met her, she was planning to bake the bread for herself and for her son as a last meal.  Then they would die.  But the Prophet told her to bake the bread for him in faith.  If she did that, he said, the Lord would keep her jars of flour and oil full as long as the famine lasted.  And so, in faith, she did as he told her and, in response, the Lord provided.  All through the famine the Lord took care of her.  Neither the flour nor the oil ran out. And then one day that poor widow's son became ill and died.  And she forgot all that the Lord had done through Elijah to keep her and her son alive and she berated the Prophet for bringing this on her.  And so Elijah took the boy and laid him on his bed, and stretching himself over the boy three times, he pleaded with the Lord to restore his life.  And the Lord heard and the boy rose up and Elijah took him to his mother.  When she saw her boy alive, she declared, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.” That, of course, wasn't the end of the story.  This was all to spare Elijah from the wrath of King Ahab and eventually the Lord would send the Prophet back to the King to announce an end to the drought.  But it wasn't quite that simple.  The Lord told Elijah to challenge Ahab's pagan priests to a showdown.  Elijah would give them a chance to build and alter, offer a sacrifice, and to pray to Baal to end the drought, before building his own altar, offering a sacrifice, and praying to the Lord.  On the mountain, Baal's priests proved their god's impotence, while the Lord visited his people: sending down fire to consume Elijah's offering and then causing it finally to rain, while his priests slaughtered the priests of Baal who had led the people of Israel into idolatry. The story of Elijah and the widow of Zeraphath, situated in that bigger story of the God of Israel and the defeat of Ahab and his false god, it was a story about the Lord's love.  About the Lord's love for his people—a love so great that he would not let an evil king lead them off forever into idolatry and evil.  It was about the Lord's love for the poor and destitute.  And it was a story of hope.  The Lord will not let his people languish forever in sin and darkness and hopelessness.  When the time is right, he will visit his people, he will deal with sin and death, he will wipe away the tears, and he will set the world to rights. And it was that vision of the love of God that the people around Jesus—most of them, at any rate—it was that great vision of the love of God and the restoration of all things that they lacked.  When the Messiah came, they struggled to see him as anything more than their personal miracle-worker.  When it came to setting things to rights, they had trouble seeing any further than their desire for the Messiah to rain down fire and brimstone on the Romans and their pagan allies.  There were all these interest groups in Israel, from the Pharisees to the Sadducees, from the Essenes to the Zealots (well, the Zealots would come a few decades later, but their spiritual fathers were there in Jesus' day).  And they all had their own vision of what the Messiah would be and what he would do and what it would look like when the Lord finally came to visit his people.  And their visions of all of that were just so incredibly small and self-centred and lacking in grace and with no real grasp of how truly deep and wide the love of God is.  The crude idolatry that Israel had known in Elijah's day was long gone from Israel, but a more subtle idolatry had taken its place and it blinded people to who Jesus really was and what God was doing through him. But this day the God of those old “fairy tales” was going to burst into the present—like King Arthur returned to rescue Britain in its darkest hour.  That day at the gate of Nain, Jesus—like Elijah and like Elisha (that's another story Luke echoes, but we don't have time for this morning)—Jesus stopped the pallbearers, put his hands on the stretcher, and said to the dead boy, “Get up!”.  And instead of uncleanness passing from the dead boy to Jesus, the life of the living God passed from Jesus to the dead boy and, Luke tells us, “The dead boy sat up and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother.”  And her tears of sorrow turned in tears of joy.  Jesus not only raised her son, but he also gave the womam back her own life.  But the bigger thing, at least for Luke, was the response of the crowd.  “Fear”—or maybe better great awe—“came over all of them.  They praised God.  ‘A great prophet has risen amongst us!' they said.  ‘God has visited his people!'  And this report went out about him in the whole of Judaea and the surrounding countryside.” Many wondered if the God of those old stories was real.  They hadn't heard a prophet speak in centuries.  The same went for the raising of the dead.  And the glory cloud, God's presence in the temple, had been gone for five hundred years—if it had ever been there at all.  But now they knew.  The God of Israel was real and alive and he was working through Jesus.  But did they really get it now?  Yes and no, I think.  Even the disciples wouldn't really and fully get it until after they'd encountered Jesus risen from death.  And even then, they wouldn't really, really get it until Pentecost and the sending of the Spirit.  But Luke does seem to be saying that the people “got it” more than they had before.  They stood in awe because they knew they were somehow and in some way either in the presence of the God of Israel or in the presence of this representative and one who had his power and authority.  They knew they had seen God at work and so they praised him.  And when they proclaimed that a great prophet had risen up amongst them and that God has visited his people, they were exuberantly proclaiming that they now knew that God had once again come into the darkness to set things to rights like he had done back in the days of Elijah, because only the living God has such power over death.  And so they cheered even if they didn't understand or even if they still had messed up ideas about what it all meant or how it would play out.  They knew that in Jesus God had come to fulfil his promises: to right the wrongs, to wipe away the tears, and I think with this latest miracle, the hope dawned in some—maybe even many—that Jesus had come to defeat even death itself. It's important that in telling the story, Luke doesn't just look backward to Elijah.  The story echoes back into Israel's past, but it also looks forward.  Because Luke also deliberate tells this story in a way that anticipates the story we know so well, the story to which all of this is leading.  We meet Jesus at the cross, where sin and death did their worst, where Mary wept as he died.  And then, three days later as Jesus burst from the tomb alive again, having conquered both sin and death; as he wipes away the tears of another Mary, who mistook him for the groundskeeper because he was there tending the garden, like Adam restored to Eden. Brothers and Sisters, it's the final story, the climax of the Gospels, the story to which all these others lead us, it's there that we're confronted once and for all by the love of God made manifest in Jesus.  God gives his son to die in order to set the world to rights, in order to defeat sin and death, and he does it for the very people who broke his creation and brought sin and death into it when they rebelled against him.  That's love—and grace and mercy and patience and so much more—but above all it's love.  And Brothers and Sisters, it's love that overwhelms absolutely everything it encounters.  It's the love that finally opened the eyes of Jesus' disciples to understand that the Messiah wasn't their personal miracle worker or that he belonged to Israel alone—to set them on the top of the heap while raining down fire and brimstone on the gentiles.  No, the love of God made manifest in the crucified and risen Jesus is the love that reveals a plan to redeem not only Israel, but the nations and even creation itself.  And a love that will spare nothing to do so.  It was that love, encountered in the risen Jesus, that opened the eyes of Paul and turned him from being a persecutor of Jesus' people to being an evangelist, an apostle, a gospeller of the gospel—proclaiming the good news of this love made manifest in the death and resurrection of Jesus to the nations. Paul knew that this love that is already in the process of setting the world to rights, is the same love that will—if we can only begin to grasp its depths—this love will set us to rights.  This love will realign our affections and purge us of our idolatries and our sins.  This love will reveal the values and systems and plans and things of this old evil age to be the worthless garbage they are and will set our hearts and minds on God and on his kingdom.  But for that to happen we have to truly encounter God's love in Jesus.  This is why Paul, in our Epistle today from Ephesians, wrote to struggling Christians to say, “This is my prayer: that [God] will lay out all the riches of his glory to give you strength and power, through his Spirit, in your inner being; that the Messiah may make his home in your hearts, through faith; that love may be your root, your firm foundation; and that you may be strong enough (with all God's saints) to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the Messiah's love—though actually it's so deep that nobody can really know it!  So may God will you with all his fullness.” Brothers and Sisters, if we are still invested in sin, if we are still invested in ourselves, if we are still invested in the things of this age, if we are still looking for philosophy or science or politics or economics to set this broken world to rights, we need instead to focus all the more on Jesus and the cross and to plumb the depths of God's love revealed there until our hearts are aligned with him and with his new creation. We need to steep ourselves in the love of God that we might know the riches of his glory—riches so great, a vision of new creation so glorious, of all the sad things of this world made untrue—that we fall in love with it and let go all our idols.  A pearl of great price so beautiful that we give up everything to have it.  But Brother and Sisters, instead we too often lose sight of that vision as we're overcome by the sadness and the pain and the darkness around us.  Our faith stumbles and we stop being the on-earth-as-in-heaven people that Jesus and the Spirit have made us.  We let the idols creep back in, and we start looking to them—to the things of this fallen world—as the way out and as our hope.  And we align ourselves with the very things that have corrupted God's creation, with the very things that hurt our relationships, and that keep us and the people around us from flourishing in God's goodness.  In the face of greater evils, we accept the lesser and we do it over and over and over until we've embraced idolatry, lost our vision of God's new creation, and forgotten the true power of the good news of God's love in Jesus. The solution, Brothers and Sisters, as St. Paul says so often, is to keep our eyes on Jesus and on his kingdom.  To daily plumb the depths of the love of God made manifest in Jesus, crucified and risen.  If you struggle with sin, if you struggle with selfishness, if you struggle with idolatry, if you struggle to keep God's new creation at the centre of your vision, if your hope is not in Jesus and Jesus alone, hear Paul's words today: let the love of God in Jesus be your root and your firm foundation. Let's pray: O Lord, let your continual pity cleanse and defend your church; and because it cannot continue in safety without your aid, protect it by your help and goodness for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Explore the turbulent reign of King Ahab in the northern kingdom of Israel. Delve into the story of Ahab, son of Omri, as he leads Israel further into idolatry by marrying Jezebel and promoting Baal worship. Witness the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, showcasing God's supreme power. Learn about the drought that plagued Israel, Elijah's miraculous provisions, and the first resurrection in the Bible. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

King Ahab’s prophets told him what he wanted to hear—except the prophet Micaiah. He told Ahab the truth, and he hated Micaiah for it—but the truth wouldn’t—couldn’t—go away. A timely message for a wrong-headed nation…

Come As You Are Series - Elijah1 Kings 19:3-4 “And he was afraid, and got up and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah; and he left his servant there.  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked for himself to die, and said, “Enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”Elijah is someone we can relate to. He is so real and down to earth. He is a good example to us of real faith. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah gets word from the Lord that he is to go show himself to King Ahab. At this time, God's people were worshiping Baals, the false Gods, and the Lord was not happy. God sent Elijah to show His people He was the one true God. Elijah asked the priest to call all the prophets of the false Gods to the top of Mount Carmel. He called all the people of Israel as well.Once they were all gathered, Elijah told them to build an altar to their God, and he would build an altar to his God. They would take two bulls and each sacrifice one. They would get the sacrifice ready, but would not light it on fire. They would call upon their gods to consume the sacrifice with fire. The false prophets did as they were told, and they called upon Baal all day, but he did not answer them. There was no fire.Then Elijah called the Israelites closer to him, and he rebuilt the altar that used to be there. He also built a trench around the altar. He told the people to get four buckets of water and dump them on the offering and the wood. He had them do this three times. There was so much water that the wood was drenched, and it filled the trench. Then Elijah said, “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You, Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back.” (1Kings 18:36-37) The Lord sent fire so hot that it consumed the offering, the stones, and even all the water in the trench.The people of Israel immediately fell to their faces and said, “The Lord, He is God.” Elijah had them gather all the false prophets, and he killed them. When Jezebel, Ahab's wife, heard this, she vowed to kill Elijah. This is where today's verse comes in. It says, “And he was afraid, and got up and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah; and he left his servant there.  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked for himself to die, and said, “Enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”The reason I said earlier that Elijah was someone we can all relate to is that even though he was just able to call down the fire of the Lord, he is still scared when he finds out his life is in danger. Sometimes we think that if we get scared of something, it must mean that we don't trust God. This story is a great example to show us that it is not true. Elijah called all the people of Israel up on the mountain to see God show His power. He also called 450 false prophets there to tell them to call on their God to consume their sacrifice. This requires a great deal of trust in the Lord. He had to trust that he was really hearing from the Lord. He had to trust that God would show up and consume the sacrifice. He also had to trust that the false God would not show up.God was speaking directly to Elijah. Elijah heard God, did what God told him to do, and then saw God show up in a powerful way. Elijah knows how powerful God is. He knows there is nothing God can't do. Yet, right after this amazing demonstration of his faith and God's power, someone threatens his life, and he is afraid and runs for his life. He not only runs for his life, but he also asks to die. It is crazy how quickly our emotions and feelings can change. I would say that the experience on Mt. Carmel would have had Elijah on a high for days or weeks. He literally called down fire from the Lord. How cool is that? However, almost immediately after that he is running for his life and asking to die.This is how it can be with us as well. Some days we see God do incredible things and know without a doubt He is our Lord and Savior. We trust Him completely. Then something awful happens, and we don't know what to do. We forget to turn to the Lord. We forget how powerful He is. We just get so stuck in the moment and the fear of the situation. Being afraid doesn't mean we don't trust God. We all have weak moments; we are all human. Elijah knew God in a special way. They had a relationship, and Elijah could hear the Lord when He talked to Him.Elijah had just called down fire from heaven. I would think if Jezebel was threatening his life, he could call on the Lord to protect him. Reading this, you wouldn't think that he had any reason to be scared. The Lord is for him, and the Lord is powerful. However, that is not what happened. Instead of turning to the Lord and asking him for protection, Elijah ran for his life. We tend to think when we do this, when we forget to turn to the Lord, or when it looks like we don't trust the Lord, that the Lord is angry with us. We think He turns away from us when we turn away from Him.That is not what this story shows us. Elijah ran for his life. It doesn't say he asked the Lord for help; it just says he got scared and fled for his life. He also asked to die. Many of us have been there before. Things in life felt so scary that we thought that if we died, everything would be better. If we died, our loved ones would be better off, or we would be better off. We think God is mad at us when we have those thoughts. Here is what it says that God did for Elijah when he asked to die. 1 Kings 19:5-8 "Then he lay down and fell asleep under a broom tree; but behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat!” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a round loaf of bread baked on hot coals, and a pitcher of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him, and said, “Arise, eat,  because the journey is too long for you.” So he arose and ate and drank, and he journeyed in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.”Was God angry because Elijah ran instead of coming to Him? No. Did he punish him for not having faith that He could protect him and take care of Jezebel? No. God let him take a nap and then sent an angel to wake him up for a snack. Then he let him go back to sleep for a bit longer and then gave him another snack. Does this fit with the idea of what you think God is? If it doesn't, I invite you to take another look at all that God has done for His people in the Bible.God doesn't need you to be perfect all the time. Having fear, worry, or anxiety doesn't mean you have lost your faith or that you don't trust God. We are all human. We are often influenced by this world. We can see a miracle one minute and then wonder if God will come through for us in the next minute. It is important to know that you are not alone when this happens to you. It happens to all of us. Elijah was an amazing prophet, and yet he struggled with feeling like he wanted to die. He knew the Lord, they had a relationship, and often talked, and yet he was not shielded from those emotions. Following God and trusting God does not mean that we will never encounter difficulties again. It means that when we do, He will be there for us even if we don't know that He is.My prayer for you is that by the time we are done this series you would have seen yourself in at least one, but likely several, of these stories and you can see that you are not alone and that no matter what you think you have done, or how bad you think you are, God still wants you to come to Him just as you are. You are never too far gone for the Lord. He can always bring you back. He can always use you. He ALWAYS  loves you!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless each person listening today. Lord, you are amazing, and we are so grateful. Lord, thank you for looking out for Elijah and giving him rest and a snack. Lord, we ask that you help remind us to take a rest and a snack when we are upset and feel as though we want to die. Lord, we ask that you send an angel to the side of each and every person who asks to die. Lord, we ask that your angel protect them and help them make it through that moment to the next. Help them see that things will get better if they can just hang on. Help them to see that you love them and are right next to them. Help someone in their lives see them and help them. Lord, I ask that you help each person listening to this realize that you want them to come to you just as they are. Lord, help us see through the enemy's lies that no one cares about us, and let us see and feel how much you care about us. We love you, Lord. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are the almighty one, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you have a person in the Bible that you turn to in certain trials because of all they have been through, I would love it if you would reach out on social media and let me know, or email me at Catherine@findingtruenorthcoaching.com. Who do you relate most to in the Bible? I would love to know. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Are you the same as you were 10 years ago? 50 years ago? No. You are always new. You are always living. You are always growing. And because you open yourself to my grace, you grow in my way. You grow in likeness to me. And it pleases me.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

There are moments in history, like the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers and Martin Luther King Jr., that I find helpful to define as thresholds. Thresholds are what you have to cross to get from one room to another by entering through a door. The shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 was one such cultural threshold that we crossed as a nation. Before April 20, 1999 there were 183 documented school-related shootings that included everything from suicides, gang-related incidents, and mass shootings. Since crossing that threshold on April 20th, 1999, there have been an additional 435 school shootings. There are other defining moments that have affected America, such as the attacks on September 11, 2001. The political landscape and how candidates behave has affected our nation indefinitely. Now, we find ourselves in a place where it is not always safe to talk about the political party you belong to or who you voted for without risk to friendships or more. We have crossed a political threshold that I am not sure we will ever recover from. The 2020 COVID pandemic is another threshold our country crossed and the fruit was not the kind of unity we witnessed the days following 9/11, but anger, resentment, and unprecedented suspicion concerning just about everything. Although the pandemic was global, it left a lasting mark upon Americans. In 1993, the world wide web went mainstream, and that has affected American culture. In the early 2000s smart phone went mainstream, and that has affected our culture. In 2023, AI went mainstream resulting in a global shift, and that is affecting our culture. And now, truth is more difficult to discern than ever! Now, instead of helping those in need, we stare at a device that feeds us the kind of information that is literally driving us mad as a society! If we are not staring at our phones, they are used to record acts of violence for show and entertainment. I am not sure, but it seems to me that we crossed another threshold this past week. I believe we will be able to look back to September 10, 2025 as a,pivotal shift in American culture. I am not sure what that will look like moving forward, but all that I can say is that while my confidence is fixed upon a greater hope, my heart aches for our country. I do not know a lot about Charlie Kirk, but I did watch some of his open-air debates on some of the college campuses he visited. While I do not agree with all of his viewpoints, I did agree with him on two fundamental core values he had before he was assassinated on Wednesday: "When people stop talking, that's when you get violence." Charlie Kirk believed that we should be able to debate charitably even when we do not agree. Jesus saved my life. Im a sinner. I gave my life to Christ, and that is the most important decision Ive ever made. Charlie Kirk believed that Jesus was only hope for the forgiveness of sins, redemption, salvation, and eternal life. It was reported that minutes before Kirk was shot and killed, he shared 2 Corinthians 5:15 with the crowd: and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. (2 Cor. 5:15) If you believe that Jesus rose from the grave, then that ought to change everything for you. It ought to affect the way you live your life in light of the reality that God does indeed exist and that what He has said about Himself and creation is true. To believe and submit your life before the risen Christ, is to yield to Him as Lord over your life. In so doing, you do not get to decide what parts of the Bible do or do not apply to you unless the Bible (the Word of God) has already made that clear. Many of the things that Charlie said came from a conviction that the Bible was and is the Word of God. The reason why Kirks assassination feels like a significant threshold in history that we as a nation have crossed is because he was assassinated by someone who hated what Charlie Kirk said and stood for. What adds to the heaviness that I feel is that some within the media publicly celebrated his death and many others posted to their TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook accounts celebratory responses to his death. This is why I posted to my Facebook account the following statement: Timothy, a pastor in Ephesus and the recipient of two of the epistles that are included in the Bible, was beaten by an angry pagan mob, then dragged through the streets, and finally stoned to death by that same angry mob because they did not like what he said about the ungodly nature of the pagan Artemis festival; Timothy spoke up because he was a Christian. The murder of Charlie Kirk and the response of some in the media feels like that to me. I believe his assassination was more than political and that we witnessed the first martyrdom in America. What I wrote is how I am processing my thoughts and feelings. What I feel is not as or more important then what the Word of God says about what is happening in our world. So, lets look at James 5:7-20 to see how the Word of God can speak into what we are feeling. Patiently Watch for His Returning (vv. 7-11) Just as the farmer understands that he has no control over the germination of the seeds he plants and must wait until his crops grow and mature before they can be reaped, so it is with the return of Christ. How are we to be patient? James tells us four ways that we are to be patient: We are to be patient until the coming of the Lord. (v. 7a) We are to be patient with the confidence that He is coming. (v. 7b) We are to be patient by standing on the promise of His coming. (v. 8) We are to be patient by enduring suffering while we wait for His coming. (v. 10) We are to be patient until the coming of the Lord. (v. 7a) The fact of the matter is that Jesus is coming back. How do we know that? We know because He walked out of the tomb! How will He come back? Jesus said when He comes, He will do so with a host of angels and that His return will be visible and it will be noticed! Jesus said that when He comes, all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30). We patiently wait because although it is true that He is coming, He is coming at an hour you do not expect (Luke 12:40). We are to be patient with the confidence that He is coming. (v. 7b) When Jesus ascended to heaven after He had risen from death while the disciples stared off into the sky, two angels appeared and asked, ...and they said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). In some ways, we can do the same thing but just sitting around while staring up into the sky is not what the angels meant when they asked the disciples that question. They continued: This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. We are to be patient by standing on the promise of His coming. (v. 8) Standing is not sitting. What I mean by the word Stand is the same thing that James means with his words: You too be patient; strengthen your hearts... You strengthen your heart by filling your mind with the promises of Gods word. You do it with the kinds of promises Jesus left us with: Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be (John 14:1-3). We strengthen our hearts by doing the kind of things we read in the Bible such as Hebrews 10:24-25, ...lets consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. We are to be patient by enduring suffering while we wait for His coming. (v. 10) What was it that enabled the prophets who suffered ridicule, financial hardship, beatings, and even death at the hands of the people God sent them too? They were holding onto a better promise! They were looking for a different city, a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:10). This is why Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward (11:25-26). While Job found himself swimming in the pain of great loss and unrelenting pain, he was surrounded by friends and a wife who only added to his burden. Covered in sores and nothing to show of the great wealth he once enjoyed, the one person who should have been a source of encouragement said this to Job: Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die! What does the kind of patience James encourages us to have look like in the life of Job? Here is how he answered his wife: Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity (Job 2:9-10)? How did Job endure? He endured by first remembering that God is good, which enabled Job to endure while suffering because his eyes were focused on an infinitely good God! However, he did not only hold onto the assurance that God is good, he held onto the promise of His coming: Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I will see God, whom I, on my part, shall behold for myself, and whom my eyes will see, and not another. My heart faints within me! (Job. 19:25-27). Prayerfully Live for His Returning (vv. 12-18) Jesus is coming back, so pray! Jesus rose from the grave, so you know that when you pray, God hears you. So, when you are suffering or when trials come your way, remember that God takes your words seriously. How easy it is to make promises to God we do not intend to keep or have thought little about before making them when suffering. I believe James is warning us of this very thing in verse 12, But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment. After I was hit by the car and found myself laying in the middle of Route 1 at the age of 16, because I sincerely believed that I might be dying and was scared, I made all kinds of promises to God. You know how it goes: God, if you do this, I will do that! I told God while lying on that busy road: God, if you let me live, I will do whatever you want me to do. Instead, our first course of action should not be to talk about our suffering, not to complain about our suffering, and not to try and negotiate with God out of our suffering. Our first response must be to pray: Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray (v. 13). Are you suffering with a sickness that will not go away? You seek out those who will pray for you: Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (v. 14). Are you cheerful? Well sing praises to God then! Are you experiencing the discipline of the Lord because of unrepentant sin? Confess your sins to one another, James instructs (v. 16). Dont stop there though! James tells us to, pray for one another so that you may be healed. Whats the point? Jesus is coming back so do not wallow in your grief, nor ignore your sins, and do not doubt that the same God who raised Jesus from the grave, is the same God who listens when we call to Him. Elijah lived in a time of rampant idolatry and corruption. Guided by God, he prayed for a drought, giving King Ahab, Jezebel, and the people of Israel a chance to repentyet they refused. Later, Elijah confronted King Ahab and the 450 prophets of the false god Baal, challenging them to a test to reveal whose god was real. The story of Gods dramatic display of power before Elijah, the prophets, and the gathered crowd can be found in 1 Kings 18:20-46. In short, Baal did not respond, as he was no god at all, but the true God answered Elijah in a miraculous way. After this, Elijah prayed for the drought to endand it rained abundantly (see 1 Kings 18:41-45). Even after all of that, Elijah fled for a place to hide after Jezebel threatened his life. One moment Elijah was courageous and bold, and then the next he was filled with fear, despair, and believed that he was all alone. Why did James feel the need to use Elijah as an example? He tells us: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours... (v. 17). Daniel Doriani wrote of the prophet: Like us, he served from a position of weakness. He felt the worlds powers arrayed against him. He was prone to despair. He was not worthy, he was simply a righteous man who prayed, for individuals and for his society.[1] Conclusion What ought to be our response? Jesus rose from the grave! Jesus life and resurrection made your redemption possible! Jesus is coming back! The God who spoke the galaxies into reality when there was nothing now invites you to come to Him, so go to Him and pray! Bring your troubled heart, bring your sins, bring your sickness, bring your concerns for this nation, bring it all before the God of all creation! Know that the same God who made your salvation possible, is the God you can bring those who need to be saved before. If God can redeem Saul who watched and encouraged an angry mob to murder Stephen because they did not like what he said about the Bible and Jesus, then there is hope for Tyler Robinson. If God can part seas and raise the dead, then there is hope for Decarlos Brown who murdered Iryna on that subway train! This is the point James is making in these final verses: My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. [1] Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2007), 201.

Everybody wants to reap a harvest in life. You do, I do. But sometimes, our lives feel a whole bunch more like a drought than a harvest. So exactly what is my drought about? What exactly is your drought about? Why is God letting this, this drought happen, to you and to me?   Another Drought This week on Christianityworks we are continuing with the series called, “Reaping God's Harvest in My Life.” We all want to reap a harvest but sometimes, well, sometimes life is a bit more about drought than it is about harvest. Why is that? What's going on when we are going through a drought? Maybe you're going through a drought; a dry time; a difficult time, a time where things aren't just going the way you'd like them to go and when that's happening, it's dry and there's no rain and in a lot of countries there are famines when there are droughts. And when there's a drought on, what everybody is hanging out for is what? Well, of course we're all waiting for rain when there's a drought because we know to have a harvest we need rain. It's a very simple cycle – you buy some seed, you plant it, you wait for the rain, the rain comes and then the seed grows into a harvest and then we send out the workers into the field and we gather a harvest. No rain, no harvest! That's right isn't it? Well, let's see. Let's have a look. Last week we looked at Isaac's experience when - if you have a Bible, you can go back and look at it in Genesis chapter 26 – he went and did some silly things but then he went and sowed some seed in the middle of drought and we're told that his harvest, he reaped one hundredfold. So he planted one seed and for every one seed he planted, he reaped one hundred seeds. Today we are going to look at another drought. If you have a Bible, grab it. We are going to go to First Kings chapter 16. This is a time when Elijah, the Tishbite, got involved in a drought because one of the Kings of Israel was doing some silly things. If you have a look in First Kings chapter 16 verse 29, it says this: In the thirty eighth year of King Asa, of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab, son of Omri, reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty two years. Ahab, son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who went before him. Now remember, in the history of Israel, by this time they were in the Promised Land, but the twelve tribes of Israel had split. The ten tribes to the north were referred to as Israel and the two tribes to the south, Judah and Benjamin, were referred to as Judah. That's why we have two Kings that the writer is here talking about. We're talking about Ahab who reigned over Israel, that's the ten tribes to the north and this guy was a bad dude. He was just not one of the good Kings; he did some terribly bad things and so God decided to deal with him by sending a drought. And this is where we see Elijah come, in the beginning of chapter 17 of First Kings and this is what happens. Now Elijah, the Tishbite, of Tishbe, in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word. The Word of the Lord came to him saying: “Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself in the Wadi of Cherith which is east of the Jordon. So Ahab did bad things; he married Jezebel, he worshipped another god called Baal and so God's response was to send God's man, Elijah, a prophet, to say to the King: “Listen, I am going to send a drought, not only on you but on your whole country.” Now what's going on here? God is a God of grace but He is also a God of great wisdom. God's blessing rains down on us when we are living in His will, when we are living obedient to Him, when we're living in a relationship with Him. He is like any dad, Dad wants to bless His kids but when we rebel, as the King did here, as Ahab clearly rebelled by worshipping other gods. What does God do? Does God throw a tantrum? I mean, is that what God is doing here? No, no! God is being like any father and saying, “Well, if you are going to rebel against me, my heart is to bring you back.” There are consequences to your rebelling, so when we rebel, as Ahab did, against God, God turns the blessing off sometimes. The blessings stop raining down from heaven. If you're a parent who's brought up a teenager, you know that you want to bless them. Don't you? I do! I have a wonderful daughter and I love to bless her but when they rebel; when they turn against us, when they do things that we say "you shouldn't do" because we know that there'll be consequences, well, sometimes we have to withdraw some of the blessings. Why? To be mean? No! To help them to grow; to help them to lift up, to help them to learn that there are consequences to rebellion. And it's the same deal with God, the original Father, sometimes, sometimes our drought is about that very thing. What about your drought? What is your drought about? What droughts have you got in your life at the moment – in relationships or maybe they're in a financial area of your life or maybe in an emotional area of your life? Stop and think for a minute and say, “Where are the areas in my life that I would say – well, I'm not really reaping a harvest there? That part of my life is going through a drought.” Ok then, is there anything that you are doing or not doing in those areas that might have caused God to be a good Dad and stop raining down His blessings on that part of your life? Is God trying to get your attention? We are not doing a guilt trip here. We're not saying, “Well, you know, if I don't do everything a hundred percent perfectly, God's going to come a whack me over the head with a big stick.” No! God's Dad! Jesus referred to Him as ‘Abba‘, Dad. God is a loving Father so we are not doing a guilt trip number. Ok? This is a realistic assessment of our lives and I want to ask you, “Is God speaking to you today and saying, “There is something that you need to turn away from?” Maybe you've got some financial issues and I would ask you, “What does your giving life look like? How much are you giving to God‘s work? How much are you giving to the poor because so often, when we stop giving our very best; giving the top of what we earn to God's work, all of a sudden our finances turn to a mess because God's plan is to use God's people to fund God's work and when we stop giving to God‘s work, then God says, “Well, you know, your life's out of balance,” and all of a sudden we seem to be having a financial drought. Sometimes we're having relationship problems or maybe a problem in a marriage and maybe God's saying, “Well, what's your relationship with me looking like? How come we're not spending any time together at the moment? What drought are you walking through right now? And let me ask you: exactly what is your drought about? I think it's a good question. Not every drought; not every difficult patch; not every wilderness experience that we have in our lives, is because we have made some mistakes. Sometimes it just happens. Sometimes other people do things and things are just happening and it's the way life is, but I gotta tell you, sometimes we are doing things that rebel against God like Ahab and God allows drought to come into our lives. The question is what can we do about it? We are going to look now at how Elijah went to be with a neurotic, suicidal widow and we will see exactly what God did.   The Suicidal Widow We are talking this week about reaping God‘s harvest in my life, in your life and sometimes we go through a period of drought in our lives and it's Dad's way of getting our attention. God's way of saying, “Look, there's something in your life that's not quite right.” That's why we need to ask, when we are going through a time of drought, “What is my drought about?” But in a drought, we can spend our whole time hanging out for the drought to break and the drought breaks when? When the rain comes! We have seeds, we plant the seeds and we know we will need rain before the harvest will come. We can be so busy moaning and groaning about the fact that there's no rain, that there's a drought but we miss the whole point of the journey that God has got us on. Elijah was God's man, he didn't do anything wrong. He was God's man in the middle of this drought and he had to get some food and He did provide for him when he went down to that Wadi at Cherith which was east of the Jordon. God said, “You will drink from the Wadi and I'll command the ravens to feed you,” and that's exactly what happened, but eventually the water ran out, even in the Wadi and God said, “Well, you know, Elijah's my man, I am going to provide for him,” and he also had a plan to provide for a woman, a widow. Let's have a quick read of what exactly happened. This is coming from First Kings chapter 17, beginning at verse 8: The Word of the Lord came to Elijah and God said to him: “God now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon and live there for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” He's thinking, “Yes, yes! God has given the food to this widow and she's going to feed me and it's going to be fantastic.” So he goes down there. He sets out to Zarephath and when he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there, gathering sticks and he called her and said: “Bring me a little water in the vessel so that I might drink.” As she was gong to bring it, he called to her and said: “And bring me a morsel of bread in your hand,” but she said: “As the Lord, your God lives, I have nothing baked only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I'm now gathering a couple of sticks so that I can go home and prepare it for myself and my son that we may eat it and die.” Aw, fabulous! Elijah goes all this way down to this Zarephath place and he thinks God's going to provide for him and God gives him an neurotic, suicidal widow, who's about to have her last meal and die. Aw, fabulous, thank you, God! But Elijah says to her: “Do not be afraid. Go and do as I have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me and afterwards make something for yourself and your son, for thus says the Lord God of Israel: “The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain of this earth.” She went and did as Elijah said so that she, as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the Word of the Lord, that He spoke through Elijah.” This is God's amazing provision. If drought was God's way of getting our attention to bring us home, doesn't it follow that He'll sustain us during the drought? If we die in the middle of the drought, it's punishment. If we survive and we learn and we change, that is grace. That is God's blessing from the God of grace. Elijah was a prophet but the drought still affected him and he goes down there and he goes to this widow and he demands something amazing of this widow. He says to her, “Look I know you've got almost nothing left. I know you're about to die and your son is about to die, but first, from the little bit that you have left, cook me something to eat and I promise you that God's blessing will chase you down and your food will not run out until the day that the rain comes on this land.” Can you imagine if you were that widow or I was that widow and this man says, “Gimme, gimme! Gimme what you've got,” and the widow has a choice, either to withhold it – and we now know from this story, if she had withheld from the man of God – she and her son would have died because they would have run out of food. Or she had the choice to give and take a "faith risk". She was sowing seed in drought and she chose to give to Elijah. Question: what's the point of the widow's story? Why is it included? Because if you look at the few chapters around the particular chapter in First Kings, there's a big macro level story going on. There's a King who had sinned, a land full of famine and drought and just after this – we're not going to have time to go there – there's a big picture story where Elijah has a showdown with the prophets of Baal. All this big stuff going on here and we think this macro level is important but at the micro level God tells us here about this widow with no name who is dying, who in faith plants seeds and takes risks and experiences God's blessing. And what God's saying is that the little story is as important as the big story. Here's a guarantee – in the midst of your drought; in the midst of my drought, the Word of God will reach out to us, somehow in some little way and there might be some much bigger things going on as there were here but God will come along and say, “Plant a seed here and now.” A faint whisper, a prophet, the Holy Spirit stirring in our hearts, “Plant seed here and now,” and you know what I've noticed? – often we have a problem; an area in our life where there's drought and God says, “Plant a seed, not in there, not is that field, plant a seed way over here in another field,” and we think, “Hang on a minute, God, these two things have got nothing to do with each other. I need to plant into my field, I need to feed my need,” and God say, “No, don't feed your need, plant my seed.” That's really important – “Don't feed your need, plant my seed.“ The widow could have feed herself and her son first and God said, “No, feed my prophet first.” “God, why do you want me to plant over there, my problem's over here? Why, this is crazy, this doesn't make sense? Why?”   The Lord's Rains Well, we are looking at reaping God's harvest in our lives and we've been looking at the story of Elijah and the widow and this drought and in the middle of this drought, when she had nothing left, God called the widow to sow the very, very little bit of food she had in her hand and give it to the prophet. Now she had a choice – she could have kept it. She could have said, “No, I need to feed my need,” but through Elijah, God said, “Don't feed your need, plant my seed over here, where I tell you.” And so the widow gave Elijah food. She sowed into his belly not her own belly and we saw as we read that story before, that God made sure that she was provided for. That none of her food ran out. Why is that? Why did God say, “Plant your seed over here – not in your need, not is your field – not where you want, do it the way I want you to?” Well, I think what's going on here is that God says, “Put me first.” We want to sow into our belly and that's not God's plan. This little story of this widow – we don't know her name - and Elijah is God's story. It's God's story of grace. It's a fabulous, wonderful miracle that she steps out in faith with her last little bit of food and she ends up with an endless supply of food to carry her through the famine. Isn't that a great story? God does that! When we honour Him, when we put Him first, He blesses us and she must have thought, “Fabulous, everything is going to be wonderful from here on in and then “Bang”! If you have a look at chapter 17, beginning at verse 17, we see that all of a sudden her son dies. After this, the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. His illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him and she then said to Elijah: “What have you got against me O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son.” But he said to her: “Give me your son,” and he took him from her bosom, carried him up into the upper chamber, where he was lodging and laid him on his own bed. He cried out the Lord: “Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?” Then Elijah stretched himself upon the child three times and cried out to the Lord: “Lord my God let this child's life come into him,” and the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah and the life of the child came into him again and revived and Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and gave him to his mother and then Elijah said: “See, your son is alive,” so the woman said to Elijah: “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the Word of the Lord in your mouth, is truth. Isn't it amazing how  we are going through a drought and God does some miracles along the way and we think, “Fabulous, we're on easy street and all of a sudden "whack"! It's like three steps forward, five steps back. It happens sometimes. It's often the way – miracle, calamity, another miracle. Why? Well, have a look at what it says in verse 24. Now I know that you're a man of God and that the Word of the Lord, in your mouth, is truth. The reason God lets this happen is so that we learn faith and so that we learn that God will provide; that God will come through. There's so much more in this story that we can't go through in the next chapter, chapter 18 – we don't have time for that but there's God's powerful showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. I really encourage you to read it in chapter 18. But eventually, eventually, the drought comes to an end. This is what happens. Picking it up in chapter 18, verse 41: Elijah said to King Ahab: “Go up and eat and drink for there is the sound of rushing rain.” So Ahab when up to eat and drink and Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, there he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees and he said to his servant, “Go up now and look forward to the sea.” And the servant went up and looked and he said, “There is nothing.” Then he said go again seven times and at the seventh time the servant said: “Look, a little cloud no bigger than a persons hand is rising up out of the sea,” and then he said: “Go say to King Ahab, “Harness your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.” In a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind and there was a heavy rain and Ahab rode off and went to Jezreel. But the hand of the Lord was with Elijah and he girded up his loins and ran in front of Ahab, to the entrance of Jezreel. There's a drought. There's been a drought for three years. Nothing's been happening and all of a sudden, it's time for the drought to come to an end and this man, Elijah, speaks the Word of God and says, “There's going to be rushing rain, there's going to be a flood, get home before it happens.” He spoke those words before even one cloud appeared, because he serves the God who calls things that aren't as though they are. What about your drought – your relationship drought or financial drought or health drought or whatever it is – we are walking through life and we are travelling along and we have this sense that – "nothing is really going right for me" – and the Holy Spirit comes along and says, “Plant a seed in another field.” He whispers that into our hearts and we do that and we just decide to be obedient to God and we plant that seed and maybe there's some other big spiritual battle going on, we don't really understand and we think, “Well, God's got to worry about that because I've got to let Him fight that, I can't deal with that.” And one day in your heart, one day in your Spirit, you'll sense that the drought is about to break. Why? Because you've figured out what your drought was about and in your heart you see that little cloud; you see a cloud no bigger than a persons hand is rising out of the sea and in your heart you can rejoice. Before the rains even come, we know. We pray in faith; we give thanks because God takes us through the drought and like that widow, He calls us to plant a seed, to take a risk, to take a step of faith because in the middle of the drought God wants to change us because in the middle of the drought, God wants to grow us because right in the middle of the drought God wants to bless us. And so we experience His blessing in the drought and there are ups and downs and there are days we want to cry and days we want to laugh, but one day the drought finishes. One day when we've figured out what God is doing and we bend our will towards His and we obey Him and we plant a seed in another field. When we finally figure out we have to stop feeding our need and start planting God's seed, then God says,“He's learnt what I wanted him to learn; she's learned what I wanted her to learn.” And then it's time for the drought to break. It'll take time. Droughts always take time and when we're in the middle of the drought it's never a lot of fun. But when the rain comes, it's God's rain. When the blessing comes, it's God's blessing. See if we had planted the seed in our own field, we'd be able to say, “I did it!” but when we take this seed, this Spiritual faith decision that God is calling us to – whatever it is – maybe it's forgiving someone, maybe it's giving money to some ministry, maybe ... whatever God calls us to do. When we plant His seed, in the field of His choosing and the blessing comes and the rain comes and He changed our heart along the way, we know that it's the Lord's rain, we know it's the Lord's blessing and we know it's His flood-tide, and that's so much greater and better and sweeter than you or I could ever do. So let me ask you - what exactly is your drought about?

In the days of King Ahab of Israel, Hiel of Bethel attempts to rebuild the city of Jericho with some dire consequences! Based on 1 Kings 16:34. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Battlefield 6 Streaming Music Vol. 33 [Sneaky Sniper] by Sascha Ende (Ende.app) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support Retelling the Bible If you would like to support the work that I do creating these stories, go to patreon.com/retellingthebible and choose a level of support! Contact me on Social Media! Bluesky Facebook Reddit

Pastor Tyler's new book "The Desolation of Israel" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/the-desol... Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville!

Scattered Sheep 1 Kings 22 Chew the Bible Season 3In 1 Kings 22, King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah consider going to war against Aram (Syria) at Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat insists on seeking the word of the Lord first. Ahab's prophets all predict victory, but Jehoshaphat asks if there's another prophet of the Lord. Ahab reluctantly calls for Micaiah, who truthfully prophesies disaster: Israel will be scattered like sheep without a shepherd, and Ahab will die in battle. Despite this, Ahab ignores the warning, disguises himself, and goes to war. A random arrow fatally wounds him, fulfilling Micaiah's prophecy. Jehoshaphat survives, and the chapter ends with a shift to Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah and Ahaziah's in Israel.Your words were found and I ate them

Ben-Hadad Beaten 1 Kings 20 Chew the Bible Season 3King Ben-Hadad of Aram gathers a massive army with thirty-two allied kings and demands King Ahab of Israel surrender his silver, gold, wives, and children. At first Ahab agrees, but when Ben-Hadad demands even more, Ahab refuses. A prophet tells Ahab that God will deliver victory to show that He is the Lord.Israel's small army defeats the Arameans twice—once in the hills and later in the plains, proving God's power isn't limited to one place. Ben-Hadad eventually flees, and his servants advise him to beg Ahab for mercy. Ahab spares Ben-Hadad and makes a treaty instead of carrying out God's judgment. Because of this disobedience, a prophet tells Ahab that his life will be taken in place of Ben-Hadad's, and his people in place of Ben-Hadad's people. Ahab returns home angry and sullen.Your words were found and I ate them

Send us a textHave you ever wondered what a word in the Bible meant?  In this episode Veronica walks us through her 5 minute process she does when she wants to know what a word means.  Bonus to this episode is finding out what it means when Scripture says God repents or God regrets in Genesis 6:6.Veronica mentions her new tween/teen Bible studies on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus.  Those are available for purchase on Amazon.  Erika mentioned her "Restoring Ancient Word Studies" which is also available on Amazon.We also mentioned the episode on repentance and King Ahab which is episode #92 and the episode on grace, favor and Moses' interaction with God is episode #138. Websites mentioned in today's podcast are:BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many LanguagesHebrew for Christians - Learn Hebrew for FREE!home - Chaim BentorahOur website is The Context and Color of the BibleWe are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | FacebookWe are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebibleWe are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTubeMusic: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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

1 Kings 17 introduces Elijah the prophet during King Ahab's evil reign: Elijah's Drought Prophecy: Elijah declares to Ahab that there will be no rain or dew in Israel except at Elijah's word—God's judgment for the people's idolatry. God Provides for Elijah: God tells Elijah to hide by the Kerith Brook, where ravens bring him bread and meat morning and evening, and he drinks from the brook. When the brook dries up, God sends him to Zarephath in Sidon. The Widow's Miracle: Elijah meets a widow gathering sticks. She has only a handful of flour and a little oil left, enough for one last meal before she and her son starve. Elijah asks her to make him bread first, promising that her flour and oil will not run out until the drought ends. She obeys, and the miracle happens—her supplies never run out. The Son's Revival: Later, the widow's son becomes gravely ill and dies. Elijah prays and stretches himself over the boy three times, asking God to bring him back to life. God answers, and the boy revives. The widow then believes Elijah is truly a man of God. Your words were found and I ate them

1 Kings 17 introduces Elijah the prophet during King Ahab's evil reign:Elijah's Drought Prophecy: Elijah declares to Ahab that there will be no rain or dew in Israel except at Elijah's word—God's judgment for the people's idolatry.God Provides for Elijah: God tells Elijah to hide by the Kerith Brook, where ravens bring him bread and meat morning and evening, and he drinks from the brook. When the brook dries up, God sends him to Zarephath in Sidon.The Widow's Miracle: Elijah meets a widow gathering sticks. She has only a handful of flour and a little oil left, enough for one last meal before she and her son starve. Elijah asks her to make him bread first, promising that her flour and oil will not run out until the drought ends. She obeys, and the miracle happens—her supplies never run out.The Son's Revival: Later, the widow's son becomes gravely ill and dies. Elijah prays and stretches himself over the boy three times, asking God to bring him back to life. God answers, and the boy revives. The widow then believes Elijah is truly a man of God.Your words were found and I ate them

Join us for our deep dive into the ministry of the prophet Elijah. His fiery devotion to God❤️‍

THE PASSING of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha was spectacular: A fiery chariot pulled by horses of fire in a whirlwind carried Elijah off to heaven. The whirlwind was a theophany, an appearance by God Himself. The chariot, as Sharon noted, was believed to be the vehicle that carried human spirits to the netherworld—but in this case, Elijah was carried off to heaven. We discuss the location of the event, the plains of Moab across from Jericho, and why that has supernatural significance. For one thing, it's where Moses was buried after his death, and it's probably not coincidental that Moses and Elijah are the two who joined Jesus on Mount Hermon, the “Canaanite Olympus,” for the Transfiguration. The place from which Elijah was caught up was below the ruins of Sodom, at the southern end of the Jordan River called the Valley of the Travelers by Ezekiel. “Travelers” was a term used by the Canaanites for the spirits of the Rephaim, which were venerated by the pagan neighbors of the Israelites. It's also the Valley of Siddim, where the armies of Sodom, Gomorrah and their allies fought the kings of Mesopotamia (Genesis 14). Siddim can also be rendered shedim, which is a Hebrew word meaning “demons”--in other words, the Valley of Demons. In other words, God carried off Elijah from a place that had been notorious for demonic activity for about a thousand years by the time of Elijah and Elisha. We also discuss the final days of the son of King Ahab, Ahaziah, who turned to Baal-zebub (“Lord of Flies”) for healing instead of God. Big mistake! Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship JOIN US IN ISRAEL! Our next tour of Israel is October 19–30, 2025. For more information and to reserve your place, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. NOTE: If you'e going to Israel with us in October, you'll need to apply for a visa online before you travel. The cost is 25 NIS (about $7.50). Log on here: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the right-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

When we last read from the book of 2 Chronicles we were introduced to Asa's son, King Jehoshaphat, and as we've read from 1 Kings, we've heard an account of his partnership with King Ahab of Israel. We'll hear some parallels from the 1 Kings account today, but we'll hear more about King Jehoshaphat then Ahab. Remember that Asa, Jehoshaphat's father, failed to call upon the name of the Lord when there was threat of war, but by contrast, Jehoshaphat regularly calls upon the Lord throughout this narrative. Each time Jehoshaphat humbles himself and prays or calls a prophet to inquire of the Lord, the Lord is gracious and delivers him from trouble, blessing Israel with riches and peace.1 Chronicles 18 - 1:01 . 1 Chronicles 19 - 9:20 . 1 Chronicles 20 - 11:59 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

After experiencing the power and authority of the God of Israel on top of Mount Carmel, where fire fell from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice, the prophet runs to Jezreel ahead of King Ahab. Upon hearing Jezebel's threats to execute him, Elijah then flees in despair to a distant mountaintop. Later, King Ahab of Israel goes to battle with Ben-Hadad of Aram. The Lord sends an unnamed prophet to alert Ahab that the Lord will win the battle for Israel so that Ahab will know that He alone is God over the whole earth. Then, when Ahab disobeys the Lord's command and spares Ben-Hadad instead of destroying him, the Lord sends another unnamed prophet to pronounce judgment.1 Kings 19 - 1:06 . 1 Kings 20 - 6:29 . Psalm 119:49 - 17:45 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The line of kings in Israel began with Jeroboam who built golden calves for a more convenient worship experience. After him came Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri, all of whom were evil in the Lord's sight. This brings us to King Ahab, who should be worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who brought Israel out of Egypt, but instead he marries a Baal worshiper, turns to serve Baal himself, then builds a temple to Baal in Samaria. Elijah boldly confronts the king in the name of the Lord of Armies. God works wonders through Elijah, and by God's strength, Elijah performs miraculous signs. 1 Kings 17 - 1:06 . 1 Kings 18 - 10:18 . Psalm 119:33 - 17:12 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

PSALM 82 is a courtroom scene in heaven. This psalm is the source of the term “divine council,” a concept well known in the ancient Near East. The high god in the pantheon was believed to preside over a group of lesser gods, who were tasked with carrying out the will of the king of the pantheon. But in the religions of Babylon, Canaan, Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc., the lower gods were part of a polytheistic pantheon. This is a twisted version of God's council. We see God's divine assembly in action in Job 1 and 2, and especially in 1 Kings 22, where God asks the council for recommendations on how to lure King Ahab to go to war with the Syrians where he will fall in battle. To be clear, God doesn't need a council to carry out His will. He created one for His pleasure, because He desires family. However, just as with us humans, the spirits in the unseen realm were created with free will, and many of them chose to rebel against His authority. What we see in Psalm 82, then, is God passing judgment on those lesser elohim, the “sons of the Most High,” for exercising their free will to “judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked”. As a result of their mismanagement of creation, which threatened the very “foundations of the earth,” God decreed that these small-G god will die like men. We also discuss the New English Translation's rendering of Psalm 82:1, in which Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “stands in the assembly of El,” the creator-god of the Canaanites, to pass judgment on the gods of Canaan! Was that a prophecy of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the summit of Mount Hermon? Here's the link to the paper by Dr. Michael Heiser explaining Jesus' quotation of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 (link opens a PDF document) Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship JOIN US IN ISRAEL! Our next tour of Israel is October 19–30, 2025. For more information and to reserve your place, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the right-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

In our last reading, we left off with two kings, King Baasha, who has just become king over Israel, and king Asa, who has ruled over Judah for three years at the time of Baasha's ascension to the throne. Baasha became king by force, killing Jeroboam's son Nadab as well as the rest of Jeroboam's family. Take note of the rotating door of kings who rule over Israel, leading up to King Ahab, who is incredibly wicked. Not only that, you'll also notice how long Asa rules in faithfulness to the Lord while Israel's kings come and go. Later in 2 Chronicles, we'll hear the account of Baasha declaring war against Asa, who fails to trust in the Lord, and calls upon the king of Aram instead.1 Kings 16 - 1:07 . 2 Chronicles 16 - 8:13 .  2 Chronicles 17 - 11:13 . Psalm 119:17 - 14:36 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible Story, Elisha anoints Jehu as the next king of Israel. Jehu embraces his role as God's cleansing instrument. Jehu kills King Joram and King Ahaziah, and begins his mission to rid Israel of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's evil influence. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 8:28-9:29. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 8:13 from the King James Version.Episode 138: Riding towards the gates of Joram's former palace, Jehu confronts the wicked king's mother Jezebel. As she yells curses at him, her servants, following Jehu's lead, throw her out the window. Next were Joram's seventy sons. Their caretakers slew them in allegiance to Jehu and in accordance with the word of God spoken about Ahab's line. Finally, he gathered all the prophets and followers of Baal in Israel for a feast, closed the door, and killed them all. Thus eradicating the sins of the line of Ahab from Israel. But all this killing would take a toll on him as well.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, we learn about Elisha's interaction with the future King of Syria. Elisha is able to see in him a deep darkness that would cause death and destruction to many in Israel. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 8:1-15. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 8:10 from the King James Version.Episode 137: The reign of King Ahab had finally come to an end. But his son Joram was just as set on evil as he was. So God told Elisha of his plans to put an end to the line of Ahab. Then Elisha sent a prophet at once to go and anoint Jehu as king over Israel in secret. In the barracks of Ramoth Gilead, the men of Israel proclaimed Jehu as king, and at once, rode out to meet Joram and put an end to him as punishment for his crimes.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, we learn about the departure of Elijah. The faithful prophet is taken up into the clouds by chariots of fire. Elisha, his faithful student, took his place as prophet over Israel. Now he watches over the people, ministering to them in times of trouble. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 2:11 from the King James Version.Episode 129: Joram, King Ahab's son was now King over Israel, and for 12 years he built a kingdom that fed his self-importance. Sick of being under Israelite subjugation, the nation of Moab rose in revolt. King Joram quickly sent word to King Jehoshaphat and the nation of Edom asking for help. As the three kings and their armies were marching up for battle they ran out of provisions. Frightened, the kings sent for Elisha that he might inquire of God on their behalf. Then Elisha prophesied water for the men, and victory over the Moabites.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Jehoshaphat becomes king over Judah and rules righteously. He sends out teachers and priests to care for the people, and teach them God's ways. However, his alliance with Ahab the King of Israel proves to be unwise, as Ahab leads them into an unwinnable battle. This story is inspired by 1 Kings 22 & 2 Chronicles 17-19:3. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Chronicles 17:10 from the King James Version.Episode 126: Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, spent his time fortifying cities and tearing down idols. He also sent teachers and priests to the surrounding territories so that they might know God. What the King was doing became so influential that even other nations such as the Philistines took notice and sent tribute. Jehoshaphat wanted to extend this peace to his brothers in Israel, so he made an alliance with King Ahab. During their celebration, King Ahab requested Jehoshaphat's help in reclaiming some territory. But Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from the Lord first. So Micaiah was called in and prophesied that this battle would be King Ahab's last.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, we dive more into the mind of the Witch Queen Jezebel. Her evil and twisted ways have a hold on King Ahab, as she enacts cruelty on his behalf. After she has a farmer killed for his land, Elijah confronts Ahab, and he repents before the Lord. This story is inspired by 1 Kings 21. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 1 Kings 21:3 from the King James Version.Episode 125: In Israel, there was a man named Naboth who lived close to the land of the king. Naboth had a beautiful vineyard that had been handed down in his family for generations. Naboth loved his vineyard and saw it as a gift from God to himself. But King Ahab also saw it and wanted it for himself. When Naboth refused Ahab, he left to go sulk to his wife. Jezebel was quick to plan and execute Naboth's murder. Though she was crafty, her involvement did not go unseen. And God would not let her or her husband go unpunished.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue in our timeline of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah today. Remember that King Ahab has died, but at this point Elijah is still alive. Ahab's son Ahaziah is now on the throne, but he won't outlive the Lord's prophecy against Ahab which says that his family line would come to an end in the next generation. King Jehoshaphat continues to reign in Judah and partner with the kings of Israel, pointing each king to consult the Lord through his prophets. And speaking of the prophets, in today's episode Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha who receives a double portion of Elijah's spirit.2 Kings 1 - 1:13 . 2 Kings 2 - 5:45 . 2 Kings 3 - 12:21 . 2 Kings 4 - 18:26 . Psalm 98 - 27:28 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible Story, Elijah puts the God of the universe on display against the false Gods of Baal. 450 prophets of Baal and King Ahab gathered to challenge Elijah and the One True God. In front of the whole nation, God sent fire and rain down from the skies to prove his power and might. The blighted and unfertile land finally received rain. This story is inspired by 1 Kings 18. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 1 Kings 18:39 from the King James Version.Episode 123: For three years the famine in Israel continued and King Ahab was desperate to find Elijah. One day, when his servant Obediah was out searching for water, Elijah appeared to him. Elijah tells him to send for the king and challenges king Ahab to bring all of his “prophets” of Baal and Asherah for a showdown on Mount Carmel.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, A great drought fills the land of Israel, yet God continues to meet Elijah's needs. The drought is a symbol of Israel's spiritual state as they have strayed away from the Lord and worshiped other gods. This story is inspired by 1 Kings 17. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 1 Kings 17:7 from the King James Version.Episode 122: As a drought was entering the land, Elijah looked around with sorrow. He received a word from God that this would be a lasting famine and was sent to King Ahab to share the message with him. After this Elijah followed God to a brook where he was miraculously provided for until the brook dried up. But God would not abandon His servant Elijah and He sent him to Zarephath to be provided for by a widow. Little did this widow know that she herself would experience God's miraculous provision in her obedience with what little she had.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18-19; Colossians 4 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Host Hunter welcomes us to the 18th of June, guiding us through powerful passages from 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18 and 19, and Colossians 4. We'll hear the dramatic story of King Ahab, the courageous prophet Micaiah who stands for truth amidst a sea of deceit, and the steadfast leadership of Jehoshaphat. Turning to the New Testament, Paul's heartfelt words from prison in Colossians inspire us to let our conversations be gracious, to carry out our unique ministry, and to shine as children of light in a dark world. As we reflect together, Hunter draws a practical connection between the ancient stories and our lives today—reminding us that God calls not just prophets and apostles, but each of us, to be faithful lights wherever we are. The episode includes thoughtful prayers, encouragement to live with integrity and faithfulness, and a gentle reminder that, above all else, you are deeply loved. Join us as we journey through scripture and prayer, growing together in hope, purpose, and God's abundant grace. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Micaiah, the truth-speaking prophet, is a light. In the face of deceit, of dark kingdoms and dark prophets, he stands out. God always has his lights—those who are willing to speak the truth no matter the cost. Micaiah is one of them, refusing to be silenced, refusing to speak anything but what the Lord tells him. Even when the pressure mounted, when the crowds and the king himself wanted him to just go along, Micaiah remained faithful. He shone. God always has his lights because he is the Father of lights. That's what James tells us. In seasons of darkness and confusion, God's people—faithful men and women—shine with his light, reflecting truth, refusing to surrender, even if their voices tremble. Paul was one of those lights, too. Paul deeply desired to shine the truth of the Gospel in the darkness. He understood how difficult it could be—he wrote Colossians while in chains, and it would only get harder. But he kept shining and didn't do it alone; he asked for prayer. “Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.” Paul knew how hard it would be, but he also knew who he was—a child of the light, called to be a light-bearer in a world that desperately needed it. But God, the Father of lights, isn't just the Father of prophets like Micaiah, or apostles like Paul. He is the Father of ordinary people as well. People whose names are often overlooked, whispered among the closing greetings of Paul's letters—faithful people like Aristarchus, Demas, Epaphras, Archippus, Tychicus, Nympha, Onesimus, and countless others through the age. People like you and me—Craig, Rebecca, Tom, Mary Ellen, Luz. All lights, born of the Father. We each have a ministry, a purpose to shine the Father's bright light in this dark world. Paul asked for prayer, for help to proclaim the truth. He exhorted others to carry out the ministry God had given them. You, too, have been given the light of the world—Jesus himself shining in your heart. Reflect that light. Do what God has called you to do, in his strength, bringing glory back to him. Let us all learn—together—what it means to shine our lights. That's my prayer for my soul, for my family, for my wife and daughters and son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Merciful God, you have brought us through the night. Into this new day we offer you our lives again. Our hopes, our fears, our work, our rest. Keep us faithful in the little things. And mindful of your presence in every moment. Let us not be led by anxiety or pride, but by your peace that passes all understanding through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lord Jesus, you stretched wide your arms on the cross to draw all people to yourself. Draw the hurting, the hungry, the weary. Break down every wall of hostility and build us into one family by your spirit. Amen. And now, Lord, teach me to walk not with fear, but with faith. Where there is noise, let me be still. Where there is boasting, let me be quiet. Where there is suffering, let me kneel. Let me not crave recognition, but righteousness. Not applause, but communion. For in you I have life, and in dying with you I rise. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, host Hunter guides us through day 169 of our year-long journey through the Scriptures. We begin with the dramatic stories of First Kings 20-21, witnessing the confrontations between King Ahab, Ben-Hadad, and the tragic story of Naboth's vineyard. We continue into Second Chronicles 17, where King Jehoshaphat's faithfulness brings strength and blessing to Judah. Our reading concludes in Colossians 3, with the Apostle Paul's powerful reminder to embrace our new life in Christ and to clothe ourselves with love, forgiveness, and gratitude. Hunter brings these ancient texts to life, reflecting on God's impartial love, the futility of viewing our relationship with Him as transactional, and the good news that we are all included and deeply loved. Join us as we listen, pray, and let the truth of God's Word shape our hearts today. TODAY'S DEVOTION: God has no favorites. I have three daughters and there have been times in life when people have asked me, Hunter, who's your favorite? And I have to chuckle when I hear that because my mind doesn't even go there. I don't think in terms of one daughter being favored over another because they're all my kids. They're my girls. I love them dearly. I have no favorites. And we're told that God has no favorites. We are all his children. It doesn't matter whether we're Abigail, Magdalene, or Eden Hunter, or Heather, or you, or whoever. It doesn't matter. Whether we are Jew or Gentile, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free, it doesn't matter. Christ is all that matters. He is the favored one. And we—our lives—are hidden in his. That's what Paul says. Our real life is hidden with God in Christ, the favored one. He has no favorites because we're all favored. We're all loved. We've been included. God has reconciled the whole world to himself. Paul says he has no favorites because we are all loved by him. And that, my friend, is such good news. And the prayer of my own heart today is that I will see who I am in Christ, favored and loved. And that's a prayer that I have for my family, too—for my daughters, for my wife, and for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Jesus is my shepherd. You have called me by my name into the life of the Beloved. Here in the stillness, I remember that I am not alone. I belong to you and to the great communion of saints and sinners held together in your love. Remind me, Lord, that every breath is grace, every encounter is a chance to give what I have received—mercy without measure. When I forget who I am, when I lose my way, lead me again to still waters. Restore my soul, renew my hope. Reroute me in the joy of simply being yours. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

After experiencing the power and authority of the God of Israel on top of Mount Carmel, where fire fell from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice, the prophet runs to Jezreel ahead of King Ahab. Upon hearing Jezebel's threats to execute him, Elijah then flees in despair to a distant mountaintop. Later, King Ahab of Israel goes to battle with Ben-Hadad of Aram. The Lord sends an unnamed prophet to alert Ahab that the Lord will win the battle for Israel so that Ahab will know that He alone is God over the whole earth. Then, when Ahab disobeys the Lord's command and spares Ben-Hadad instead of destroying him, the Lord sends another unnamed prophet to pronounce judgment.1 Kings 19 – 1:09 . 1 Kings 20 – 6:35 . Psalm 94 – 18:23 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The string of men who reign as king over the ten tribes of Israel continue to get worse and worse, each king being more corrupt than the last. King Ahab should be worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who brought Israel out of Egypt, but instead he marries a Baal worshiper, turns to serve Ball himself, then builds a temple to Baal in Samaria. Elijah boldly confronts the king in the name of the Lord of Armies. God works wonders through Elijah, and by God's strength, Elijah performs miraculous signs. 1 Kings 16 - 1:09 . 1 Kings 17 - 8:14 . 1 Kings 18 - 12:43 . Psalm 92 - 23:49 . Psalm 93 - 25:38 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org