God Comes Through

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Bob Mathews

In 1 Kings 18:20 and following verses, Elijah, a great man of God goes up to Mount Carmel and sent a message to King Ahab to bring the people and the prophets of Baal up to the mountain. Elijah then proceeded to ask the people why they waffle between worshipping God and Baal. He tells them that they need to choose one or the other. After saying this he sets up a way to show the people that God is the almighty living God. He challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a duel. He had both set up altars and see which God would answer by fire from heaven.

Elijah gave an abundant amount of time to the prophets of Baal to attempt everything they could to try and get an answer from their god, even to the point of cutting themselves. Inevitably their god never answered them. Elijah stood up and built his altar to God, prepared the sacrifice, and then soaked it all in water for emphasis. As soon as Elijah prayed to God rained down a mighty fire that consumed the soaked sacrifice as well as everything else. God came through for Elijah to prove his point to the people that they need to choose the true God.

Today many people look at the world and see how many people, who don’t follow God, seem to be better off and more blessed in this life. However, just because they have what they want in this life does not guarantee their spiritual life. Many times the wicked people of the bible prosper, right up until God brings judgment on them. God’s judgment will come to all of us, but we have a sense of peace because unlike those who don’t follow God in this life, God will come through for us on the Day of Judgment, just as he came through for Elijah. Jacob Saarloos

What Shall Come to Pass

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Bob Mathews

In the Old Testament Scriptures, we find something interesting that happens quite often but never ceases to amaze. God often relays to the rulers of the land through His prophets. And even at times, you will find that these rulers would do a good thing of inquiring from these prophets so they can hear from God what they are to do in certain circumstances, like before going into battle for example. The interesting thing is that even after hearing what God has to say some of these rulers choose to act upon something even when God told them the outcome would be bad. A good example of this is in 1 Kings 22. Ahab the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel led a campaign against Syria. He was able to get the aid of Jehoshaphat the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. However, before Jehoshaphat would go into battle with Ahab he required the king to get word from God through a prophet. Ahab reluctantly complied with Jehoshaphat’s request. The prophet then told him that not only would he be defeated but that Ahab himself would die in the battle.

Now here is the interesting part; Ahab had seen the work of God throughout his life, and every time a prophet was doing the work of the Lord in Ahab’s life, it came to pass. Ahab, hearing from the prophet that he would be defeated and even be killed, still chose to go to battle. It seems to be the opposite of what a rational person would do. But here is the important thing to take away from this event; we need to understand that what God declares will come to pass as He said. The good news is that for us today God has declared to us that we can obtain everlasting life through His Son. And as you will find over and over again throughout the Bible, what God says always comes to pass. So if everlasting life is something you seek Jesus is what you need.

Jacob Saarloos

God reigns!

Posted on August 29, 2019 by

We have seen, heard, and even experienced the idea of change. Politicians have used that word and have we ever seen the change that has happened in our country. We who have been blessed to get past being young and now are getting to be “old” have seen and experienced the changes that have taken place in our lives.

With all this change going on, we wonder what is going to happen next, what will be changed in the morning when I wake up to a new day? Most of us don’t handle change very well. We don’t like big changes in our lives. We don’t like to get out of our comfort zone. So we say, leave it alone, “If it is not broke, don’t fix it.” I know I feel that way a lot of times. However, from the above passage, let’s focus on two things when changes occur.

God…even the One who sits enthroned from of old—with whom there is no change.
Psalm 55:19

First of all it says that God is “enthroned.” When the children of Israel wanted a king like everyone around them, Samuel was disappointed, but God was even more so; but there is one thing that we can be sure of, God is on the throne! He is still in charge! He is still sovereign over all things. It is still true that we “live and move and have our very being in Him.”

One of the first things you notice about the book of Revelation is that John is allowed to see the throne room to see God on the throne. A lot of Christians thought God had left them alone, but He had not, so John sees and tells about God on the throne, ruling everything. When life gets tough, tedious and it looks like God doesn’t care, just remember, He is still ruling this world!

The second thing is that God doesn’t change. Oh, there are things about Him that change. His laws, for example, have changed. We don’t have to build an ark. We don’t have to offer up animal sacrifices. We don’t have to go to Jerusalem. But His nature does not change. He still desires the sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart over our sins. He is still looking for a demonstration of faith in our lives. He is still full of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever!

So, stop wringing your hands and trying to figure out what God is doing. He is still ruling like He always has done and He is not going to change, even if the whole world does. Rejoice and be happy, for He is so good, gracious, and faithful.