Elijah came near to all the people and said, -How long will you go limping between two different opinions- If the LORD is God, follow him- but if Baal, then follow him.- And the people did not answer him a word. The Hebrew language that Elijah uses creates a picture of a bird jumping from one branch to the other not settling down on any one in order to make a nest. Consider here what an idol is and how it begins and how you can tell if you have become an idolater.

There are moral laws that govern the universe. Follow them and you press into God's blessings. Break them you tread into the ground of cursing. The prophet can tell the future simply because he knows God's laws and he believes in a moral universe. The prophet Elijah has in the simplest of explanations added up the math of God's commands and God's word and simply presented the tally to Ahab. This is a part of our role in the world in which we live. We must teach those under our influence that there is an absolute Law Giver and that disobedience to Him has its consequences and obedience to Him does as well. We must say it when we can and live out because we can.

Obadiah the administrator of the house of Evil King Ahab is an illustration of hidden faithfulness in a evil age. Obadiah could easily be left out of the story of Elijah and we not miss the heart of that story but God see's this faithful man and wishes that Elijah and we see him too. From the life of Obadiah learn what God see's and rewards from our faithful service to Him.

Thanksgiving is born out of our willingness to see and speak and live with an understanding that God is active and working in all things. But without God what are we capable of seeing, saying and doing. Consider here LIFE WITHOUT GOD.

The authority of Elijah was the result of hearing the Word of God and obeying it. And the certainty in the voice of the prophet is found in knowing that God keeps His Word.

We hide. We hide from God, from others and ourselves. But in order to develop an honest genuine relationship with God we must come out into the open before Him. Taken from an article written by AW Tozer consider with Pastor Van Hoogen 7 questions to guide you in self discovery.

Beginning with three warnings in the work of self judgment. 1st don't mistake judging yourself for the introspective exorcise in rationalizing your actions. 2nd keep in mind that this self-analysis is not a demand that we make upon ourselves to live up to our expectations or the expectations of others. 3rd consider that in this self-judgment you must find a limit, or it will become just that. And as a result, it will not help you progress in obedience to Christ- instead will stop you from pursuing God's call on your life. Now a moment to check yourself for the evidence of contempt and resentment, two of the more destructive attitudes to a life of faith.

There are two Judgments of Christ coming upon human beings. One is the Great White Throne Judgment where the condemnation of lost people culminate in the lake of fire. The other judgment is for the believer, called the Bema seat judgment or the Judgment seat of Christ. This is a place where the rewards you will bring into everlasting life will be determined. Before the reality of both these events the professing Christian is now called upon to judge themselves as preparation for that judgment still to come.

There are two things necessary to stop the historical drift from the foundations of the Christian faith that occurs from one generation to the next. Here is consider why drift happens and what is required to halt it.

You actually cannot have saving faith and not ultimately grow into increasing holiness. Acts 26-18b -that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' The faith in Christ that saved us also sanctifies us.