After Many Days

And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. (1 Kings 18:1)

There is a fascinating story in 1 Kings 17-18, and if we don't get some rain around here pretty soon we're going to think it hits a little too close to home! For it's in these chapters that we read of Elijah praying that it would not rain, and it didn't rain in the land of Israel for 3 years. This was God's judgement on wicked king Ahab for his idolatry and other sins. It's a good read, so I encourage you to check it out in your copy of the Bible.

After Elijah prayed and the rain stopped, God sent him to a remote location where he would be safe from his enemies. And then three years passed. Now that would be a long time to be thrust off by yourself, waiting for God to do something. That little phrase "it came to pass after many days" just kind of paints the picture for me.

Have you ever felt like God wasn't there anymore? Does it seem to feel like "many days" pass without a word from Him? We all experience periods in our Christian lives which feel dry and lifeless - desert experiences which try our souls. It's important to realize that at such times it is really only a feeling. God never leaves you, even if you sometimes feel like He does.

When you come to the desert places in life, how do you handle it? Some choose the path of drifting away from God and His church. Others, like Elijah, wait patiently for God to send the rain. Even in the desert, my friend, keep right on trusting Him. It may take many days, but He will be there at the end of those days, and He will bring rain to your thirsty soul.

In the Dark

In the black silence of the woods, my stifled cries of pain sounded much louder than then really were. For the millionth time, I felt my flesh tearing as I tried to pull away from the blackberry bush which had snagged me. I knew I was in the general area where I wanted to set my tree stand, but it was pitch black, and I was obviously off course.

Deer hunters like to get into the woods before light, so as not to disturb the deer which are out feeding during the night. The problem, of course, is that you have to try and silently move through the woods in the dark. And stumbling in the dark is no fun.

Bartimaeus knew all about that. I encourage you to read about him today in Mark 10:46-52. He was a blind man, and he sat by the roadside begging. One day he heard a commotion and learned that Jesus was passing by. He began to scream out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He was in the dark, and yet he knew his only hope was to get to Jesus.

What a picture of us all! We are all blind and stumbling in the dark, until we get to Jesus. Only Jesus can give us sight. Now there are many forms of blindness. Some are blind because they have never heard the truth. Some are blind because they have heard but reject the truth. And some are blind because they don't think the truth applies to them.

Don't stumble in the dark, my friend. If you will but run to Jesus, He will turn the lights on. He alone can make blind eyes see.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was BLIND but NOW I SEE!

How Surprising!

Jesus spent some time talking with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Those who worshiped the Lord with us yesterday will be familiar with the story in John 4. There is a fascinating phrase that we never got to in our study yesterday. It is in verse 27, where we read that the disciples, upon returning and finding Jesus talking with this woman "were surprised to find him talking with a woman."

We learned yesterday that it was, indeed, surprising for a Rabbi to talk with a woman, and especially a woman of Samaria. So at first glance we can understand the reaction of the disciples when they first saw the scene.

But what's really surprising is that Jesus would be willing to talk to any of us! They didn't seem surprised when He stooped to speak with them, but it was just as astounding that He would do so, as that He would speak to a woman of Samaria!

We are all unworthy of the love and attention God lavishes on us. And yet He does. Praise Him for that, today.

Pray for the Pastor

Brothers, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

A selfish request, this morning - pray for your pastor. Always and often. He needs your prayers every day.

Years ago a great preacher named Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote a devotional book called "Morning and Evening". This book is available in many forms today, and is even available for free on the internet.

Here is part of today's entry, written by Spurgeon years ago, but still so needed today:

This one morning in the year we reserved to remind each reader of the importance of praying for ministers, and we earnestly implore every Christian household to heed this request first uttered by Paul and now repeated by us. Brothers, our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ill to thousands; we deal with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men.

Will you pray for your pastor today?

Weekend Happenings!

This weekend we have opportunities to worship the Lord, serve the Lord, and enjoy the Lord's people! On Saturday, at 10:00, you can join us as we help serve meals to the homeless and disadvantaged at the Haven of Rest in Akron. On Sunday at 10:30, you can join us in worshiping Him in our regular Lord's Day worship service, and then at 1:00 on Sunday, you can enjoy the fellowship of God's people as the Timothy Club meets to play golf at Paradise Lakes Golf Course.

I believe we are little short on volunteers this week for the Haven of Rest, so may I encourage you to join us for this service time? The work is not difficult, and the rewards are great. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." (Psalm 41:1 KJV) Should you decide to help with this, here are the directions to the Haven of Rest from Randolph. Those coming from other areas will be able to use these same directions, I think.

1. Take Route 76 west, and then Route 8 north.
2. Exit at the Perkins exit, and turn LEFT.
3. Travel 2 blocks to UNION and turn LEFT.
4. Travel 1 block to PARK and turn RIGHT.
5. Travel 1 block to PROSPECT and turn LEFT.
6. Travel 1/2 block to JOURNAL ALLEY and turn RIGHT.
7. Turn LEFT into the parking lot. From this parking lot you should be able to see the Food Service Door. There is a buzzer at that door. Ring the buzzer and somebody will let you in.

We need to be there right at 10:00. We do not need to be earlier than that.

Safe in His Hand

Dr. David Jeremiah shared the following in his daily devotional today:

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28)

The scene is usually a cliff, a waterfall, a window ledge, or some other precipice - a fall from which would result in certain death. One person is over the precipice, kept from falling only by holding to the outstretched hand of another. Three things can happen to the one hanging over the edge: the grip is unintentionally broken due to a failure in strength, the grip is released intentionally due to malevolence, or the person is pulled to safety due to the strength of the rescuer.

One of the strongest images of the believer's eternal security in Christ was painted by the Savior's own words: "Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." Too often, Christian's feel that eternal security depends on their strength, their faithfulness, their perseverance - their ability to hold on to the Savior's hand. The opposite is actually the truth: It is Christ's strength, Christ's faithfulness, Christ's perseverance - Christ's ability to hold on to the believer's hand - that keeps the Christian eternally secure.

When you wonder if you have been faithful enough, hold out your hand, and picture it enveloped in the strong hand of Christ.

Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever? (C. S. Lewis)

God Bless America

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains,
To the prairies,
To the oceans
White with foam.
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Remember, as you celebrate American's independence today, what a blessing God has given us to live in this free land. Paul Sweeney said it well when he said, "How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy." We are so blessed to live here.

Did you know that the Bible says some things about government?

• It says that governments are blessed when they are based on God - " Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34 KJV)
• It says that Christians are to respect and obey the government, because we know that God alone puts governments into power. (Difficult thought for some Americans to accept. We like to think we vote people into power, but the Bible says God makes that decision.) "Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God." (Romans 13:1 NLT)
• It also says that we need to pray for our nation. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

Will you join me today in praying for this nation of ours? More and more freedoms are taken away from us every day, and there may come a day when we are no longer free. But today, we are free to pray. So let's do so. Pray for America, land that we all love.

Off with your hat, as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have its say;
you're man enough for a tear in your eye
that you will not wipe away.
~Henry Cuyler Bunner