Fire fall down

I've been reading 1st Kings in my quiet time latley and I've heard some people talk about the story of Elijah but have never actually read it for myself...until today.

Elijah goes to Isreal and confronts their king about all the trouble he's been causing God's people. He decides to organize a little bbq (smiles) in which all hte people gather two cows they are going to sacrifice to God and their gods. They cut the cows up and Elijah tells them to call on their god to set the alter on fire. Isreal does everything they can think of to call on their god. They dance around, yell and even cut themselves and still nothing happens. Then Elijah sets up his alter, he has to rebuild it because it's in shambles from trying to call on Isreal's god. He then instructs the people to start pouring water over the whole thing so that only the One true God can set fire to this thing. After it's soaked to the brim he prays a simple but heartfelt prayer. "God please let it be known, show them Lord, open their eyes that You are real and their One and only God" all of a sudden God rains down fire and everything burns into flame, not just the alter but the wood, stone, soil and the water. 1st Kings 18:16-39

I have idols in my life. Things that turn my attention away from God. Things that I don't really need, distractions. Things of my past that I wish would just go away. Anger issues, the desire to have a house. Wanting a house in itself isn't wrong but the fact that sometimes it's all I can think about, the want consumes me if I'm not careful. The boulders I can't move on my own, the shyness, the weight issue...there are tons of idols. Lots of "gods" that we don't realize are in our lives until it's too late.

I find myself wishing that God would just get rid of them, just open my eyes and help me clean everything up. Then I start thinking well maybe He won't, maybe I'm stuck with this struggle for ever...I wonder if you have something like this in your life? Do you think He won't help you?

The point is, what makes you think He won't? What makes me think He won't? We were made for victory and the truth is He is very capable and very willing to rain down His all consuming fire on the idols and gods in our lives so HE is the only thing we can see.

Do you have something that needs to burst into flames? Let Him have it today.

An open heart

A couple weekends ago we visited with my mother and father in law and went to Church with them. The Pastor's service was pretty amazing and definitley had me in tears.

His messege was "When God's word meets an open heart". Maybe this messege seems a bit simple to some but stick with me. He had a demonstration of 3 plastic cups - the solution in the cups was considered to be "an open heart". The water poured in the cups was considered to be Gods word and when Gods word was poured in to the open heart there was a huge explosion of power and the open heart overflowed.

This can be said of a heart that doesn't know Jesus and comes to Church for the first time. God's word meets this persons heart and BAM! there's an explosion and all of a sudden God is more real than anything they've ever known. I remember a time not so long ago that this was me. My heart was open and desperate to learn more about God. Taking in whatever I could get at the time. There was a huge explosion in my heart and the power that came out was amazing and could have only come from God.

This can also be said of a "seasoned Christian". Someone who has known the Lord for a while. Someone who has gotten comfortable in their faith. Someone who is just coasting along but doesn't realize they are coasting. I've been realizing through the grace of God that my heart has been closed off. That I've been coasting along. I've become comfortable in my walk and before I knew it my walk has become a crawl and God seems further away than ever before.

Thank God that when one of His sheep get lost along their way He goes out to find him or her though and that's what He's been doing with me. Gently calling me back and waiting for me to respond. I think that's why this messege from an unknown Pastor spoke so deeply to my heart. God was asking me if my heart was open to what He wants for me. At the time my answer would have been no but now it's a definite YES. Yes Lord my heart is open and I'm listening now. Work isn't always easy but it's definitley worth doing.

Whether you're a new Christian, seasoned Christian, or not a Chrisitan at all but are curious ~ ask yourself if God is trying to tell you something and then ask yourself if your heart is open to receiving it. When God's word meets an open heart the power that comes from His word is amazing.