Revive, Renew, Rekindle, Repair

This from Pastor Phil Whetstone.

This past sunday message was SO good. Often I want to go home and "think" about what we just heard in an hour at church... but as soon as I walk in the door life happens. How many times do we actually revisit the sermon we just received, not only to think about it but to let it change us in some way.. More often we go week to week just forgetting what we heard. I pray that I can take something away every Sunday, something that I will not only remember but something that will make me more like Jesus..

The message was from 1 kings 18 Not only is this an actual physical event that happened, but it represents 4 different spiritual conditions..

I. Drought v.1-2 The famine was severe. These people were parched for GOD. Sometimes life just sucks the moisture right out of us and it HAS to be replenished! We need a constant refreshing and quenching. The Christian life is not just one and done.. We have to DAILY refresh. Just as we need water/food to survive physically, we need the Holy Spirit EVERY day or we will become spiritually dry. REVIVE

II. Disorientation v.16-17 The people do not recognize where they are spiritually. They have drifted far from God and do not realize it. Ahab called Elijah a "troubler" of Israel. That is so far from the truth. Ahab was disoriented spiritually. This is subtle. We do not even realize it is happening. We as a people have drifted. The standards of this society are SO far off the mark. Even the standards in our own homes Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much close attention to what we have heard, lets we drift away. RENEW

III. Divided v.20-21 The people have a divided loyalty. "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him. but if Baal, follow him." The people said NOTHING. How can we sit by and remain quiet? Hold tight to the TRUTH of God's Word!

James 1:8 being a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. Too many of us have divided loyalties. Trying to ride the fence, with one foot in the world, and one foot with the LORD. He wants ALL of our heart. Do NOT hesitate! REKINDLE

IV. Disrepair v.30 The altar of the LORD had been torn down for 50 years and the people paid NO heed! The altar was their visual reminder of their relationship with God and it was in ruin. Elijah repaired the altar! What needs repairing in our spiritual walk with the LORD. Have we forgotten Him? It is time to repair what is broken. REPAIR

The FIRE of the Lord fell... and when the people saw it they said, "The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God" v.38

Let the FIRE fall on us, let it be known today that we are a people of God and that we have turned our hearts toward HIM. Be renewed, refreshed, rekindled, repaired, revived... Be a people TOTALLY surrendered to HIM and may all those around us recognize it!

May we recognize HIS presence, HIS power, HIS purity, and HIS perfection in our lives.

Sin will take me further than I ever thought I would stray.

Sin will keep me longer than I ever thought I wold stay.

Sin will cost me more than I ever thought I would pay.

LET THE FIRE FALL

a Lesson on Wisdom

Some thoughts from a message i heard recently about wisdom...

What is wisdom? The quality of having knowledge, experience, and good judgement. Wisdom is the ability to make the RIGHT choices based on the RIGHT information. As a parent, I pray that my kids will have this kind of wisdom. As they are getting older and making more choices on their own, I pray that wisdom will guide them.

In 1 Kings 3 Solomon asks for wisdom. He does not ask for long life or riches. He asks for an understanding heart for discernment. May we all long for the wisdom only God can give.

I. A person that displays wisdom FEARS GOD.

This is not a fear that is afraid of God but one that trusts God so much that we can live in submission to HIM no matter what happens in this life!

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. The opposite of this is found in Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator.

II. A person that displays wisdom SUBMITS to AUTHORITY.

This authority is not only God's authority in our lives but that of our parents and others who are positions of authority.

Prov. 13:1 A wise son ACCEPTS his father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Prov. 10:8 The wise of heart will receive commands

Rom. 13 :1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

The opposite of this is selfishness, deceitfulness, and rebellion.

III. A person that displays wisdom is a GOOD STUDENT.

Proverbs 10:14 Wise men store up knowledge. We need to be always learning! The opposite of this is a lazy student, one who is not teachable. Young people are not the only learners, we adults are students of God's word. Be teachable.

IV. A person that displays wisdom is HUMBLE.

Prov. 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.

Prov. 11:2 When pride comes then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.

1Pt. 5:5 Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.

V. A person that displays wisdom WINS SOULS.

Prov. 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.

Col. 4:5-6 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward others, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech ALWAYS be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

VI. A person that displays wisdom LISTENS.

Prov. 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. Seek advice. We all need some accountability.

VII. A person that displays wisdom has wise FRIENDS.

Prov. 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise. But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Abraham Lincoln once said " I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. " May we all seek the wisdom that comes only from God and may we teach these important character truths to our children!

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. Let him ask in faith without doubting...