Reading for today
Old Testament: 1 Kings 16, 17, 18
New Testament: Acts 14
Thoughts from today’s reading
1 Kings 17:8-16. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath for He had commanded a widow to feed him. When he got there he saw the widow, but she was hesitant to bring any food based on what she had left. When Elijah reminded her of the word of the Lord, she went ahead to bring the food. She had to make food for the prophet first before making for her son and herself. This addresses the principle of seeking God first and all other things being added, or of loving God and your neighbour as yourself.
1 Kings 18:30-40. Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord and offered sacrifices on it. The water that was poured on the altar was not just to show that the fire of God could lick up water, but it was also a sacrifice because in the time of famine, water is a very precious resource.
Acts 14:8-18. The apostles performed a miracle of healing and the people wanted to worship them as gods, but they forbade them strongly. This situation was then turned around by the Jews to have them stoned to death.
The offer of the worship of men always comes from the enemy, and if rejected the tide will turn to persecution against the saint.
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father, I thank you that when I seek your kingdom first you add all things that I need to my life. As I give to support the work of the kingdom of God, it is added unto me good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over. Thank you that as I love God and take care of my fellow man, I am abundantly supplied in Jesus name.
2. Lord I commit myself to you that in the midst of the miracles and breakthroughs you work in and through my life, all the glory will be given back to you. When men make me to be more than I am, may I always redirect them to the God who gives all ability to be what I am.