Faithful on Fridays Blog

We’ve arrived at the climax of good and evil in the life of the prophet Elijah; the conflict was bound to happen. It’s a face-off, a showdown, between Satan and God: Who will be the Champion?

1 Kings 18 contains this dramatic moment of truth with one representative of God, Elijah, who’s prepared to stand in opposition to the representatives of Satan: 850  prophets. It’s said they eat at Jezebel’s table (vs. 19), a table of demons.

You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. 1 Corinthians 10:21

Elijah poses a striking question, in essence, why can’t you make a decision? At which table do sit? Don’t have a divided-heart, be double-minded, but choose today who you will follow. As believers in Jesus the question becomes relevant as well. Have you become double-minded? Do you have one foot in the world’s way of thinking and the other foot in God’s way? It may be time for a showdown in your heart.

As the story goes, two altars were built: one for Ba’al, the storm god and one for Yahweh, the Maker of the storm. Elijah’s instructions were clear; you call on the name of your elohim (god) and I’ll call on Elohim. That’s the name of God used in Genesis One: ‘in the beginning God (Elohim) created … 

In this lower story Elijah stands ready not only to win a miraculous and decisive victory but also to wipe Satan’s face in it. Through obedience and intercessory prayer God answered with fire and His people’s hearts were turned back to Him. 

Isn’t that the goal of spiritual warfare? It’s not just to triumph over the devil and see God work on your behalf (although that’s wonderful) but it’s to turn your heart back to faith in Him standing in His strength.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil … Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:11, 13b-14

How did the people respond? They fell on their faces in humility and repentance, the fear of the LORD, and made this declaration:

Yahweh, our covenant-keeping God, He is Elohim, the one and only Creator. 

As believers we’re all in this together (Phil. 1:27) standing before God like Elijah, yet at another table ‘in the presence of our enemies’ (Ps. 23:5) preparing ourselves to take a firm stand against our enemy: Satan. Elijah finished this story by slaughtering the false prophets (lower story) at Kishon, a place of trapping with enticements, which brings us back to Ephesians 6 where we stand against the devil’s strategies in God’s strength and power. 

Who will be the Champion?

Faith That’s Tested

Years ago I listened to a Bible teacher who said, “When you encounter a frustration in life, use it as an opportunity to practice the fruit of the Spirit, especially patience.” I agree, but I think James took it even farther. He said, 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Are you kidding? Who ever said, “Oh, I’m overjoyed in my dysfunctional marriage,” or “I have so much joy as I watch my child suffer.” Of course, that’s ludicrous but what’s God trying to convey to us? Consider this: how about using this faith-testing situation to develop your joy in God’s greatness? How about pausing for a moment and thanking God for the opportunity to have your faith strengthened? You know, God considers endurance training valuable to our spiritual life or He wouldn’t allow it. As children of God, nothing can ever confront us unless it has passed through the hands of the Father. 

You may not understand that concept, agree with or not like it, but it’s the truth. God’s desire is for us to depend on Him for everything and when you can’t change your circumstances you have no choice as a Christian except to trust Him to do the heavy lifting. Do you want to grow in faith? Is it your desire to be complete in this life, lacking nothing? Then allow God to complete His work in you by letting endurance, through testing, come into your life with a spirit of joy, not joy in the ugly circumstances but joy and peace in what He’s bringing about in your life.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:5-7 

If you have no other reason to be happy today, be happy that Jesus is returning to this earth to rule and reign as the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords. And the best part? You, as a Christ-follower, will be following Him into His renewed kingdom. Consider that promise this week, especially if your circumstances seem bleak and you’re beginning to lose hope. He has a future planned and you’re a part of it!

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Being prepared to stand sounds militant, and it can be, but often when God calls us to take a stand we’re prepared, like any good soldier, in advance. After Elijah spoke for God to King Ahab he was immediately sent into a time hiddenness and testing. He traveled back to his homeland but he was alone: no family or friends.

In the lower story the Brook of Cherith (1 Kings 17:1-7) was his water supply during this 3½ year drought despite it’s name meaning ‘to break or cut you down’. It was a familiar place of water, but what about food? This is his first test of faith.

This time of hiddenness cost him relationships, job security, social standing, and even the bare necessities of life, nevertheless, he obeyed and God showed Himself to be his  Provider: Jehovah Jireh. He supernaturally sent ravens to provide bread and meat twice a day during this time of seclusion as the process began of breaking down any pride that may remain in Elijah. 

That may be where God has you right now (upper story): a time of hiddenness, pride breaking down, and testing of your faith. God is developing your trust in His provision for jobs, relationships, finances, or whatever you need: He is your Provider.

Elijah’s second test came when he traveled to Zarephath, a place of ‘testing or refining’. It was Jezebel’s homeland (Sidon) but God sent him into the enemy’s camp for several faith-building exercises. Jesus gave His commentary on this story:

But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Luke 4:25-26

God chose one widow-woman, a poor ‘outsider’ to show His power, but Jesus’ point is clear; He cares about the ‘one’. After the miracle of the self-replenishing jars of provision and the reviving of her son Elijah came became fortified, trusting God to provide, once again, with more than enough. This one unbeliever, who is a foreshadow of Gentiles coming to faith, finally recognized Elijah’s words as God’s words. 

He was now prepared to take his stand again before the king and speak the powerful ‘word of the Lord’. That’s the point of miracles; they’re evidence of God’s sovereign power to build your faith and prepare you for what’s ahead.

As you reflect on your life today be encouraged that He cares about the one: you. He sees you, knows you, and is your Provider in any area of need. As you read your Bible, the Word of the Lord, and pray about your circumstances trust Him to prepare you to militantly stand, not collapse in unbelief, as Elijah’s experiences at Cherith and Zarephath demonstrate for us. 

Peter, the Restored

Winston Churchhill is quoted as saying, “Success is measured by your ability to maintain enthusiasm between failures.” That’s a man like Peter; he understood the value of failure. We’re human and make mistakes: in our marriages, with our kids, on the job, and even in ministry. Those mistakes are vital because they open the door for restoration from God. No one knew that truth better than Peter. After his three-fold denial, when Jesus needed him the most, Peter caved. He was filled with grief, remorse, and guilt yet Jesus didn’t let him stay there. He experienced restoration and became the first leader of the Church; now that brings hope to all of us.

Why do you suppose God let Peter go through so much sorrow? Hmmmmmm. Could it be that the future, new believers may have similar experiences? Could it also be that believers of today also experience grief, remorse, and guilt? We wish we hadn’t reacted the way we did, we’re sorry we said it that way, and surely would like to do it over again. The good news is that we don’t have to do it over again. Peter’s failures show us that there is restoration with God.

When you restore something, you bring it back to the original condition. An old car or an old piece of furniture; you rejuvenate it. God has His ways of renewing us also. He takes our anguish or pain and brings us back to Himself through repentance. He takes us from being ‘wounded warriors’ to being victorious overcomers. The key is repentance.

Repentance opens up a way back to God after we’ve fallen, however, it takes honesty: telling ourselves the truth. We were wrong. We missed the mark. We’re sorry. Repentance is good for the soul, therefore, we should be transparent with God and admit our mistakes. He’ll take it from there.

God can use those wounding experiences to purify us and begin the healing process, but be aware; healing is gradual; it takes time. During the time of restoration He’ll give you glimpses of hope and slivers of light to keep you going. He’ll have the right people, at the right time, to give you a word of encouragement as a reminder of His faithfulness. God won’t leave you alone to walk through the trial; He’s right there walking alongside you.

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 NLT

The restoration in Peter’s life is an example for you. God has no partiality, no favorites, and He is unchangeable. So whether in your marriage, with your kids, at work, or at church, God is in the business of reestablishing lives. Don’t leave a bad situation the way it is, pretending it’s not there, begin the restoration process at the foot of the cross and walk back with God at your side.

Elijah: Part One

The TV series Mission Impossible depicted government spies receiving secret assignments ending with, “Your mission, should you choose to accept it, …” The prophet Elijah has a similar calling since God gave him missions which he chose to accept. His personal relationship with the Creator, his name means My God is Yahweh whom he wouldn’t refuse, led him to boldly take a stand which we could learn to imitate.

We find this man living in the northern kingdom of Israel during the time of an evil government: King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 17). Being a prophet meant he spoke with the authority of God, declaring His truth to Israel’s government and people who had fallen into idolatry. God’s Word made him Public Enemy #1 to the government and a target for the devil, yet he took a fearless stand. That’s what we’ll be discussing in this series.

God gave Elijah the power to stand as He had done through the ages when giving an assignment to His chosen apostle or ‘sent one’. Abraham’s mission (Gen. 13:14-17) was to stand up, walk the land, claiming it for God’s people. He needed to stand on God’s promises for Israel (lower story) as we do today (upper story) for our nation, state, or community. 

Moses boldly stood before an evil government in Egypt and ultimately led God’s people back to His gifted land. Listen to his encouragement after he took his stand:

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today.”

Exodus 14:13a 

It’s safe to say that Elijah knew of these saints and, undoubtedly, was strengthened by their stories as he faced the king. His declaration included the insight that he stood before the God of Israel, who’s alive and well, and his words were God’s words. We have the privilege to stand before God as well receiving our assignments and can stand in faith that His Word is as powerful in our mouths as it was in Elijah’s. He declared the Word of God to an evil government that had tried to rid the land of God; sound familiar? 

Being prepared to stand is our assignment as Jesus taught in Luke 12:35-40: be dressed for service, keep your lamps burning, being ready and waiting for opportunities to take your stand. We know we stand on the Rock (Ex. 33:21) like Moses and take our encouragement from His Word.

Some (nations) trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8

You may think, as the Israelites did, who can stand against such evil (Dt. 9:1-5)? Our mission, if we choose to accept it, is to stand for righteousness boldly proclaiming His Word.

At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand. Proverbs 8:2

Peter, the Humbled

What do you think of when I say the names Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, or Joe Frazier? Hopefully, you’ll recognize great boxers. Boxing is all about opposition. You’re face-to-face with someone who has strong resistance against you. Leadership can be like that. Whether at home or work, you may find yourselves in opposition to others. We often believe that our ideas are the best, therefore, people should listen to us and comply, yet they oppose us. Our perspective is the correct one or our opinion is right and everyone should agree. God has a name for that attitude: pride. 

Peter’s life showed that prideful side of his personality, however, Jesus dealt with him in love, grace, and yes, truth. He needed to instill into Peter and the other disciples that humility is the character trait that He favored. Jesus didn’t just talk about humility; He lived it. How do I define humility? How about this: a lack of self-centeredness, pure and simple. When you depend on God and not yourself you are experiencing humility. When you consider the ideas of others; you are walking in humility. We are encouraged in Scripture to be clothed with a humble attitude, just like Jesus. 

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14

When we live in humility, shedding our self-centeredness, we put ourselves in position to receive God’s favor. When we operate in pride we position ourselves to receive God’s correction and He will oppose us. Like the boxers I mentioned earlier, do you really want to be in the ring opposite God?

Jesus exemplifies humility by pointing away from Himself and to His Father.

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. John 5:19

I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells Me. Therefore, My judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent Me, not My own will. John 5:30

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will. John 6:38

As Colossians 2 instructs us, put on humility in your marriage, your work, and your family considering the ideas of others. Sometimes you need to die to yourself to experience life in the Spirit. When you humble yourself to others, when God thinks it’s the right time, He will honor you. I know that’s a paradox, it seems contradictory, but it’s true. 

A testimony is a powerful thing which was the last strategy Satan used in the life of King Hezekiah. God’s future plan was that Judah would also go into captivity but not in Hezekiah’s lifetime. He may have changed the timing of His plan but not the outcome, therefore, He moved the king of Babylon to send undercover agents to hear the king’s testimony. “Tell us about your miraculous healing and the miracle of the sun’s shadow moving back ten steps!” Sounds good … but it wasn’t; they had a hidden agenda. 

Hezekiah stepped right into the deception of thinking the greatness and prosperity of his kingdom should be admired by the ‘ambassadors’, subsequently, he showed them literally everything: treasure houses, gold and silver, precious stones, spices, military shields and armor, and storehouses full of grain, wine, and oil. The king had become quite prosperous and God was using it as a test of what remained in Hezekiah’s heart. What He saw was that the king didn’t respond appropriately to God’s kindness. The axiom proved true:

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

The prophet Isaiah heard about the Babylonian visit and asked the king what happened? Hezekiah told him honestly but Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Babylonian captivity of his people due to his pride and resulting foolishness. The king didn’t pray, he didn’t make his case, but only accepted God’s justice. 2 Chron. 32:25-26 shows us he did humble himself due to his prideful actions but was only thankful, in his self-centered way, that it didn’t occur in his lifetime. That’s the resolution or ending of the story of King Hezekiah.  

Let’s bring this home. How easy it is to arrive at a place in your life when your guard is down and life is going pretty well. You’ve worked hard, made wise decisions, and have been generous but you’ve forgotten, as the king did, it’s God who gave you the ability to enjoy life (1 Tim. 6:17b). We’re warned to watch for the devil who’s like a prowling lion seeking to destroy us even when things are going our way (1 Peter 5:8). He’s strategically watching you, and when the opportunity arrives … he’ll take you down in the blink of an eye. Marriages and families are affected, your reputation at church or work will suffer due to your pride; 

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10:12

Hezekiah’s story shows us that when life circumstances slide downhill we can pray, however, when things are level, peaceful, and secure we should also pray. As believers we can never let down our guard but must depend on the Holy Spirit to alert us to our weaknesses. As God tested the king’s heart He’ll test yours as well, for your own good.

Think carefully, where have you left a door open in your life for Satan’s attack?

Peter, the Servant

“I don’t want to BE a servant, I want to HAVE servants!” That’s a frequent heart-attitude but it shouldn’t belong to a believer. As Christian leaders, whether a mom or dad, an employee at work, or in our extended family our hearts should desire to serve. If we’re truly following Christ, and He’s our example, then there’s no other choice.

It may seem that the title servant-leader is an oxymoron. Well, here’s how it goes. We are all born serving sin whether we become leaders or followers. When we respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ in repentance, our allegiance changes and we are no longer in bondage to sin, as a servant, but we voluntarily serve Christ. We become solely committed to God and are swallowed up in His will. Our dependence is no longer on ourselves and what we can accomplish, but on God. When that happens He gives us opportunities to serve and lead. It’s quite a privilege.

Whether our ministry is at home, work, or church it ultimately belongs to God, but He has gifted it to us. He desires a pure heart and a servant-mentality as we lead, however, in order to accomplish that a heart-check may be necessary. Checking your motives for serving, as we see in Peter (Matt. 19:27-30) is critical. We can’t correct someone if we ignore God’s correction to us; we can’t warn someone if we haven’t heeded God’s warning to us. We can’t give what we don’t have. 

God changes our hearts toward others when we serve Him and as His Spirit works in our life we’re ready to yield to Him even to the point of relinquishing our plans in order to have His. We learn to disregard our own interests for the interests of others; that’s servant-leadership. 

The Holy Spirit helps us to redefine who we are, no longer looking only to our needs but to the needs of those we serve. He develops the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and others watch it grow. Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the apples and oranges on our trees and they are developed from the inside out; there’s no other way. They only grow as you yield yourself to the Spirit, consequently, your perspective changes and you enjoy serving God and others. In 2 Peter 1:1 Peter declared himself a slave of Jesus Christ; his heart had changed after following his Lord and ours will as well. Read Jesus’ words,

And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. Luke 12:42-44 NLT