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1 Kings 17:1-24
It is amazing how when we give a little to God, how much we get in return. While there is no doubt that there are people out there who have tried to take advantage of people because of this, claiming that God would bless people if they gave them money, it does not change the fact that God rewards those who give to him from what they have.
For years, I was unable to work. As an immigrant to this country trying to get my paperwork straightened out, I had no chances to get any work. However, when my wife and I got married, we decided that we would not give up tithing and supporting various ministries. My wife and I had just been married a year when a house opened up for us to buy. Now, at the time, we were just living on my wife's wages, so there was no reason for us to think that buying a house was even a possibility. However, in a series of events that, looking back, could only be described as miraculous, we were able to buy a house, plus have our closing costs covered! I am convinced that part of that blessing came from our obedience to tithe and our willingness to give sacrificially, even a little, to God.
Craig K.
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
Lilia felt empty following her divorce. Her friends stood by her but she felt alone nonetheless. Every day she felt the pain of being alone. She had invested so many years into her marriage and now had nothing to show for it. There were days when she physically felt ill. It was a terrible time for her.
One day a friend asked if she would help her at a local women's and children's shelter in the community. Her friend explained that they were shorted handed and could really used her help. Lilia went to help. At the shelter she found young women and children, some of which had been victims of domestic abuse, some had no where to turn. The first day she gathered the children and read them a story. The children listened intently as she read. Next they worked on a craft together. The children were receptive to Lilia's attention.
It was such a good experience that Lilia volunteered the next week and continues to help out. The director thanked her, telling her that the children need positive adult role-models.
Something happened to Lilia as well. Helping others brought about a healing of sorts in her life. She felt that she was making a positive contribution, making a difference in the lives of the children she cared for each week. "I can feel a vibrant spirit and at the same time a profound peace within," Lilia explains, "and in this peace I see God's healing grace."
The widow of Zarephath had lost all hope when Elijah visited her. In her mind she had just enough food for one more meal for herself and her son. Then they were prepared to die. Elijah asked for food, telling her, "Do not be afraid." The widow discovered that the more she gave away the more she had.
Tim S.
1 Kings 17:1-24
Actor Stephen Lang said, "Playing a historical figure to me bears a certain responsibility. You've got the ghosts looking over your shoulder." And the ghost looking over the shoulder of Lang was General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson who he was portraying in the movie Gods and Generals. Lang, who considers Jackson to be one of the three most famous men in the world during the early years of the Civil War, felt especially burdened to accurately portray an individual of such notoriety. According to Lang, "Jackson was so iconic and mythic during his own life, on a daily basis, that everything was written down that he did and that he said."
Stephen Lang is a stage actor of great recognition. His Broadway roles include a Tony-nominated performance as a homeless man in "The Speed of Darkness." He has also narrated numerous audio books and was awarded the Audiolife Earphone award. Yet, in the role of Jackson, the actor was humbled in the presence of such a great leader. Lang felt exceptionally challenged to be a faithful witness to the man who stood as a "stonewall" during the Battle of First Manassas.
Elijah's name means "Yahweh is God." It is a telling name that wherever Elijah went and whatever Elijah did would be a direct representation of God. In his ministry God was indeed looking over Elijah's shoulder. In our lectionary reading for today we have recounted the actions of Elijah that proclaim the power and authority of God. During the great drought that swept over the land Elijah is fed by the ravens. This is a witness that God, as the sole bestower of nature's gifts, is the Creator of the universe. When the son of the unnamed women in whose home Elijah was residing became ill, he healed the child through a ritual of prayer. The prophet gave witness that God is the sole and effective renewer of life.
We carry the name of God with us in all that we do. God is truly looking over our shoulder and challenging us to remain faithful and obedient servants to the best of our ability. This is a calling that does humble us. This is also a calling of great responsibility as we are prophets in our own communities. We witness through our words and actions that God rules over nature and is the giver of life.
Ron L.
Galatians 1:11-24
It was through a great change of opinion that Jesus fulfilled scripture. The crowds greeted him with joyful Hosannas on his ride into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey. They waved palms and laid their robes in the street as an impromptu "red carpet." Yet mere days later, these crowds were screaming for the blood of he who was once the center of their celebration. Jesus' condemnation and crucifixion are the result of a radical change of opinion. But while a sudden change like this precipitated our savior's death, another sudden change brought his word to the world. Paul's transformation is a change in the other direction: from persecution to celebration of Jesus' power.
Leah T.
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul received a revelation … a vision … from none other than God! The vision centered on the concept of change. The great persecutor of the church became the spokesperson for the church. The stimulant of change was Christ. Paul's roller coaster life would never be stabilized without that vision.
Oswald Chambers reminds his readers that it is God who gives us the vision. He then writes, "He takes us down to the valley to batter us into shape of the vision." The sharpness of the shaping hands of God causes some to faint and falter, but for those who patiently remain faithful to the vision incredible life unfolds. Vision produces:
* an awareness of how God wants you to live,
* a desire to follow the leadership of Christ,
* an ever-increasing spiritual growth … sometimes at a turtle's pace and other times as quick as a road runner,
* a satisfaction in the response to the call of God,
* a rest in God's promises, and
* a hope beyond the material and temporal.
Don't lose heart in the journey. You could be another Paul!
Derl K.
Luke 7:11-17
Sometimes it is in the most desperate of times that God shows up. I've heard of or read about many situations in which God has acted only when the situation was hopeless. There are stories of persecuted Christians in other parts of the world who were practically on their way to their execution when God granted them a means of escape. I recently read of a Chinese Christian who was in prison for his faith, and God miraculously brought about his escape from captivity by helping him literally jump over a prison wall. Many people have been a few breaths away from death, and God would suddenly heal their bodies.
There's something about a last-minute intervention that grabs people's attention. In this account, here is a widow whose son was dead, stone cold dead! This had gone from a harrowing situation to an impossible one! Yet it was at this time that Jesus decided to show up and intervene, raising the woman's son from death. No wonder that "this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country" (v. 17).
Craig K.
Luke 7:11-17
Wilma Mankiller finished three years serving as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. It was 1996 and she accepted a new assignment as a Montgomery Fellow as Dartmouth College. Shortly after starting in this position she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, already in the second stage. Due to a kidney transplant her options for treatment were very limited. During her treatment Mankiller realized that even though she could not control her body she could control her mind. To keep from having dark thoughts and to avoid depression she surrounded herself with bright colors and flowers, played her guitar and danced. Looking in the mirror one day she saw a gaunt, bald figure looking back at her. She was pleased to affirm that her appearance did not match her spirit, which was always soaring. With illness testing her strength and her will, she began each day with her favorite Cherokee prayer that begins, "First, let us remove all negative thoughts from our minds so we can come together as one.…" This simple prayer reminded her that she may not always be able to control what happens to her in life or that of her body, but she can always control her thoughts. The prayer allowed her to find value in the most difficult situations.
Jesus was a healer. His healing took on many forms as recorded in the various gospel stories. He brought the widow of Nain up from the funeral bier. Others to whom he ministered were able to cast away their crutches. With a touch of his hand some regained their sight. He restored to the forsaken a sense of hope, which is a great psychological and emotional healing. Jesus brought healing to the body, mind, and spirit. As Mankiller shares with us, there is a great healing for those who can believe and offer prayers.
Ron L.
Luke 7:11-17
When Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, lost their five-year-old daughter to an SUV driven by their seventeen-year-old son, they questioned their faith and were answered in the most beautiful ways.
The couple struggled with grief and could not seem to shake it. Steven is one of Christian music's most successful artists but at first he did not want any part of his music. "I didn't know if I'd ever write another song," he remembers thinking at the time.
Their mood of despair began to lift when they heard about an earthquake in China. Steven explains, "When I began to pray for those Chinese mothers and fathers who had lost their children, and when I allowed myself to really feel their pain, there arose this unexplainable hope … and I was able to breathe again." He began asking, "God, what would you have me do with what has happened?" Rays of hope shined through their lives and their children's this past year.
The experience led Steven to offer "a public gift of hope -- in the form of a personal and moving collection of songs" titled, "Beauty Will Rise." "Part of the process of creating and releasing this record is to see God bring beauty out of the ashes and to see the comfort to other people that can come from this," Steven explains.
The lyrics from the title song reach out and offer hope; "If you can't believe, I will believe for you/because I have seen the signs of spring/just watch and see/out of these ashes, beauty will rise."
Jesus was filled with compassion when he learned of the death of a widow's son at Nain. He raised the young man to life. "Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen among us!' and 'God has looked favorably on his people!' "
Tim S.
1 Kings 17:1-24
It is amazing how when we give a little to God, how much we get in return. While there is no doubt that there are people out there who have tried to take advantage of people because of this, claiming that God would bless people if they gave them money, it does not change the fact that God rewards those who give to him from what they have.
For years, I was unable to work. As an immigrant to this country trying to get my paperwork straightened out, I had no chances to get any work. However, when my wife and I got married, we decided that we would not give up tithing and supporting various ministries. My wife and I had just been married a year when a house opened up for us to buy. Now, at the time, we were just living on my wife's wages, so there was no reason for us to think that buying a house was even a possibility. However, in a series of events that, looking back, could only be described as miraculous, we were able to buy a house, plus have our closing costs covered! I am convinced that part of that blessing came from our obedience to tithe and our willingness to give sacrificially, even a little, to God.
Craig K.
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
Lilia felt empty following her divorce. Her friends stood by her but she felt alone nonetheless. Every day she felt the pain of being alone. She had invested so many years into her marriage and now had nothing to show for it. There were days when she physically felt ill. It was a terrible time for her.
One day a friend asked if she would help her at a local women's and children's shelter in the community. Her friend explained that they were shorted handed and could really used her help. Lilia went to help. At the shelter she found young women and children, some of which had been victims of domestic abuse, some had no where to turn. The first day she gathered the children and read them a story. The children listened intently as she read. Next they worked on a craft together. The children were receptive to Lilia's attention.
It was such a good experience that Lilia volunteered the next week and continues to help out. The director thanked her, telling her that the children need positive adult role-models.
Something happened to Lilia as well. Helping others brought about a healing of sorts in her life. She felt that she was making a positive contribution, making a difference in the lives of the children she cared for each week. "I can feel a vibrant spirit and at the same time a profound peace within," Lilia explains, "and in this peace I see God's healing grace."
The widow of Zarephath had lost all hope when Elijah visited her. In her mind she had just enough food for one more meal for herself and her son. Then they were prepared to die. Elijah asked for food, telling her, "Do not be afraid." The widow discovered that the more she gave away the more she had.
Tim S.
1 Kings 17:1-24
Actor Stephen Lang said, "Playing a historical figure to me bears a certain responsibility. You've got the ghosts looking over your shoulder." And the ghost looking over the shoulder of Lang was General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson who he was portraying in the movie Gods and Generals. Lang, who considers Jackson to be one of the three most famous men in the world during the early years of the Civil War, felt especially burdened to accurately portray an individual of such notoriety. According to Lang, "Jackson was so iconic and mythic during his own life, on a daily basis, that everything was written down that he did and that he said."
Stephen Lang is a stage actor of great recognition. His Broadway roles include a Tony-nominated performance as a homeless man in "The Speed of Darkness." He has also narrated numerous audio books and was awarded the Audiolife Earphone award. Yet, in the role of Jackson, the actor was humbled in the presence of such a great leader. Lang felt exceptionally challenged to be a faithful witness to the man who stood as a "stonewall" during the Battle of First Manassas.
Elijah's name means "Yahweh is God." It is a telling name that wherever Elijah went and whatever Elijah did would be a direct representation of God. In his ministry God was indeed looking over Elijah's shoulder. In our lectionary reading for today we have recounted the actions of Elijah that proclaim the power and authority of God. During the great drought that swept over the land Elijah is fed by the ravens. This is a witness that God, as the sole bestower of nature's gifts, is the Creator of the universe. When the son of the unnamed women in whose home Elijah was residing became ill, he healed the child through a ritual of prayer. The prophet gave witness that God is the sole and effective renewer of life.
We carry the name of God with us in all that we do. God is truly looking over our shoulder and challenging us to remain faithful and obedient servants to the best of our ability. This is a calling that does humble us. This is also a calling of great responsibility as we are prophets in our own communities. We witness through our words and actions that God rules over nature and is the giver of life.
Ron L.
Galatians 1:11-24
It was through a great change of opinion that Jesus fulfilled scripture. The crowds greeted him with joyful Hosannas on his ride into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey. They waved palms and laid their robes in the street as an impromptu "red carpet." Yet mere days later, these crowds were screaming for the blood of he who was once the center of their celebration. Jesus' condemnation and crucifixion are the result of a radical change of opinion. But while a sudden change like this precipitated our savior's death, another sudden change brought his word to the world. Paul's transformation is a change in the other direction: from persecution to celebration of Jesus' power.
Leah T.
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul received a revelation … a vision … from none other than God! The vision centered on the concept of change. The great persecutor of the church became the spokesperson for the church. The stimulant of change was Christ. Paul's roller coaster life would never be stabilized without that vision.
Oswald Chambers reminds his readers that it is God who gives us the vision. He then writes, "He takes us down to the valley to batter us into shape of the vision." The sharpness of the shaping hands of God causes some to faint and falter, but for those who patiently remain faithful to the vision incredible life unfolds. Vision produces:
* an awareness of how God wants you to live,
* a desire to follow the leadership of Christ,
* an ever-increasing spiritual growth … sometimes at a turtle's pace and other times as quick as a road runner,
* a satisfaction in the response to the call of God,
* a rest in God's promises, and
* a hope beyond the material and temporal.
Don't lose heart in the journey. You could be another Paul!
Derl K.
Luke 7:11-17
Sometimes it is in the most desperate of times that God shows up. I've heard of or read about many situations in which God has acted only when the situation was hopeless. There are stories of persecuted Christians in other parts of the world who were practically on their way to their execution when God granted them a means of escape. I recently read of a Chinese Christian who was in prison for his faith, and God miraculously brought about his escape from captivity by helping him literally jump over a prison wall. Many people have been a few breaths away from death, and God would suddenly heal their bodies.
There's something about a last-minute intervention that grabs people's attention. In this account, here is a widow whose son was dead, stone cold dead! This had gone from a harrowing situation to an impossible one! Yet it was at this time that Jesus decided to show up and intervene, raising the woman's son from death. No wonder that "this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country" (v. 17).
Craig K.
Luke 7:11-17
Wilma Mankiller finished three years serving as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. It was 1996 and she accepted a new assignment as a Montgomery Fellow as Dartmouth College. Shortly after starting in this position she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, already in the second stage. Due to a kidney transplant her options for treatment were very limited. During her treatment Mankiller realized that even though she could not control her body she could control her mind. To keep from having dark thoughts and to avoid depression she surrounded herself with bright colors and flowers, played her guitar and danced. Looking in the mirror one day she saw a gaunt, bald figure looking back at her. She was pleased to affirm that her appearance did not match her spirit, which was always soaring. With illness testing her strength and her will, she began each day with her favorite Cherokee prayer that begins, "First, let us remove all negative thoughts from our minds so we can come together as one.…" This simple prayer reminded her that she may not always be able to control what happens to her in life or that of her body, but she can always control her thoughts. The prayer allowed her to find value in the most difficult situations.
Jesus was a healer. His healing took on many forms as recorded in the various gospel stories. He brought the widow of Nain up from the funeral bier. Others to whom he ministered were able to cast away their crutches. With a touch of his hand some regained their sight. He restored to the forsaken a sense of hope, which is a great psychological and emotional healing. Jesus brought healing to the body, mind, and spirit. As Mankiller shares with us, there is a great healing for those who can believe and offer prayers.
Ron L.
Luke 7:11-17
When Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, lost their five-year-old daughter to an SUV driven by their seventeen-year-old son, they questioned their faith and were answered in the most beautiful ways.
The couple struggled with grief and could not seem to shake it. Steven is one of Christian music's most successful artists but at first he did not want any part of his music. "I didn't know if I'd ever write another song," he remembers thinking at the time.
Their mood of despair began to lift when they heard about an earthquake in China. Steven explains, "When I began to pray for those Chinese mothers and fathers who had lost their children, and when I allowed myself to really feel their pain, there arose this unexplainable hope … and I was able to breathe again." He began asking, "God, what would you have me do with what has happened?" Rays of hope shined through their lives and their children's this past year.
The experience led Steven to offer "a public gift of hope -- in the form of a personal and moving collection of songs" titled, "Beauty Will Rise." "Part of the process of creating and releasing this record is to see God bring beauty out of the ashes and to see the comfort to other people that can come from this," Steven explains.
The lyrics from the title song reach out and offer hope; "If you can't believe, I will believe for you/because I have seen the signs of spring/just watch and see/out of these ashes, beauty will rise."
Jesus was filled with compassion when he learned of the death of a widow's son at Nain. He raised the young man to life. "Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen among us!' and 'God has looked favorably on his people!' "
Tim S.
