After the prophets of Baal could not call fire from heaven, Elijah took his turn. He soaked the altar of The Lord with water and prayed to God. The fire fell from the sky and consumed the altar, wood, rocks and water. The people proclaimed The Lord as God and the false prophets were slain. Many times God seems to soak our lives with the water of impossibility before He does a mighty work. The fire of Elijah stands a warning to all mankind, that in these last days God is speaking through His Son Jesus. Jesus will one judge the world in righteousness when fire again falls from the heavens and consumes those who deny the gospel.

As the people of God were lured in by the false prophets of Baal, Elijah the prophet proposed a challenge. They would build two altars and ask the true God to answer by fire. God’s people hesitated between two opinions as many do, but we are called to make a clear decision. As the false prophets shouted, leaped and bled around the altar of Baal, Elijah waited his turn. When Baal did not answer, Elijah repaired the altar of The Lord. Maybe some of us need to do the same.

God tells us in His Word that He will be our refuge, our shelter, and our comfort. He has created safe boundaries for us and asks us to stay close. Yet, many times, we see the temptations in this world and they seemingly promise us happiness, joy, and peace in our lives. Today we will look at the consequences of falling into the temptations of this world and how God gives us "The way of escape".

Some people feel that God will never love them or use them mightily because they have lived a life of sin. Many feel untouchable because they have hurt people through self-righteous judgment that was absent of grace. Others have defied God in their rebellion, anger, and immorality. Praise The Lord for His merciful grace, as He has always been saving and using, “The Sinners.”

Acts 26:12-15
James 1:19-20
Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-3
Luke 7:36-39, 47

Additional Scripture:
Acts 23:6
Proverbs 15:18
Proverbs 27:4
Exodus 32:19
Numbers 20:10-12
Isaiah 30:1

Many people feel they are disqualified to be loved and used by God due to being an outcast. Whether someone is an outcast because of their righteous life, unfortunate circumstances, or simply being rejected, God loves you. Jesus died to save such people and use them powerfully. Those that feel like an outcast can find encouragement to stand in the company of men like Daniel and women like Leah. Are you an outcast?

DANIEL 6:3-4
DANIEL 6:19-22
2 SAMUEL 4:4
2 SAMUEL 9:6-8, 13
GENESIS 29:31-35

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

1 PETER 1:3
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
1 PETER 2:10
REVELATION 19:9
REVELATION 5:5

The Bible tells us that God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. Many people feel like they are disqualified from being used powerfully by The Lord. Sometimes this is because of the family they come from, or the age they are, or what they lack in ability. However, in the work of God’s Kingdom, it’s often the “nobodies” that are chosen for the mighty things.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31
JUDGES 6:12-16
2 SAMUEL 9:6-8, 13
1 SAMUEL 16:6-12, 17:32-33
HEBREWS 11:11-12
EXODUS 4:10-13

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

1 TIMOTHY 4:12
LUKE 14:12

Satan posed the question to Eve, “Has God said?”. He is still posing this question to mankind today in an effort to undermine the truth and bring about destruction. Society will tell us to do what we want, have what we want, and be what we want. But has God really said this? Or is another voice tempting our fallible heart?

GENESIS 3:1-6
1 JOHN 2:15-17
1 SAMUEL 24:1-6
1 JOHN 2:16
2 SAMUEL 11:2-5
1 JOHN 2:16
GENESIS 3:4-5

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

ACTS 24:16
1 TIMOTHY 4:2
JOSHUA 7:21
JEREMIAH 17:9-10
JOHN 3:30
LUKE 22:42
GALATIANS 2:20