Tag Archives: king ahab

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – One True God

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Idol worship. The followers of the pagan god Baal had become so numerous in Israel that God sent the prophet Elijah to confront King Ahab and 450 of his priests. On top of Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the priests to a contest. Sacrifices were often offered in ancient days to gain the favor of a god. So Elijah proposed that whatever god (or God) ignited and burned the sacrifice would prove to be the true deity who was worthy of the people’s allegiance.

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.

I Kings 18:37

Elijah prayed to the Lord with courage and faith for a supernatural sign so people would know that “you, O Lord, are God.” The Lord then revealed Himself as authentic and supreme by sending fire from Heaven and miraculously burning the sacrifice.

When you pray, God may choose to answer in a remarkable way or in a soft whisper. Yet always know that He loves you and longs to reveal more of Himself to you each day. Pray also that America’s leaders will turn away from modern-day idols and instead seek the One True God in their personal and public decisions.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 66:1-8

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Faith and Obedience

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Charles Stanley

1 Kings 18:1-15

Think of faith and obedience as travel companions heading to the same destination—namely, to please and glorify the Lord. You cannot have one without the other. They grow simultaneously as they are practiced but will wither if neglected.

Elijah was a man with both of these qualities. He believed God and always responded in obedience. When told by the Lord to show himself to King Ahab, Elijah didn’t permit fear to stop him. He had learned through experience that the Father was faithful and trustworthy.

Fear short-circuits faith when we begin to doubt that God’s way is really best. If we allow worry to gain a foothold in our minds, we’ll respond by refusing to do what the Lord says, which is disobedience. The result will be a change in our “travel plans,” and by rejecting the way of faith and obedience, we’re actually choosing the path of unbelief and sin.

Satan loves our fear and disobedience because they hinder the journey that God has designed for us. We can’t believe the Lord for great things in one area of our life if we are allowing sin in another. Self-examination is essential in the walk of faith. Where have you compromised by allowing sin a foothold? Are you resisting anything God says in His Word?

Great faith begins with small steps. When you choose to follow God’s Word, an ever-increasing cycle of faith and obedience will begin. Don’t let fear or sin rob you of the great adventure He’s planned for your life. Who has a better track record for choosing the right path—you or God? So believe Him!

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R.- Straight Talk

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The final tapes from the Nixon White House were released by the National Archives last month, and they reveal a President with a blind spot similar to the one of King Ahab, the subject of today’s scripture. The tapes include once-secret Oval Office recordings of conversations between Nixon and his aides. Time after time, Nixon surrogates are heard reassuring the President that the Watergate scandal will pass. Of course, it didn’t pass at all – Nixon was soon forced to resign.

I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left.

I Kings 22:19

King Ahab, likewise, surrounded himself with “yes” men. But there was one prophet, Micaiah, who was willing to give it to him straight…even though the truth was unpleasant. Micaiah told the king that the Lord and the “host of heaven” beside Him had forecast disaster for Ahab.

Are you willing to speak the truth in love to others? As you come beside America’s leaders today in prayer and seek ways to influence them, remember that while tact, timing and diplomacy are important qualities, the truth must never be surrendered. When you ask boldly, God will give you the wisdom and courage to say what must be said!

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:17-25

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John MacArthur – Dealing with Sorrow

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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”(Matt. 5:4).

Most people in our society have an amusement-park mentality. They spend much of their time and money on entertainment, wanting to enjoy life and avoid problems whenever possible. To them, Matthew 5:4 is a paradox. How can someone who mourns be happy? The answer lies in the difference between godly sorrow and human sorrow. Godly sorrow is sorrow over sin; human sorrow is sorrow over some tragic or disappointing turn of events (2 Cor. 7:8-11).

In Matthew 5:4 Jesus is referring to godly sorrow, which is our topic for tomorrow. But we all face human sorrow, so I want to discuss it briefly today.

Human sorrow is a natural emotion. Our Lord Himself was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). Many things can cause it: we might mourn out of love, disappointment, loneliness, or physical illness. There is nothing wrong with that kind of mourning. It is a God- given relief valve for the pain and sorrow in this fallen world, and promotes the healing process.

Scripture gives many examples of human sorrow. Abraham wept when his wife, Sarah, died (Gen. 23:2). Through tears Jeremiah preached God’s message of judgment (Jer. 9:1). Paul expressed his concern for the church with his tears (Acts 20:31). Those are natural, healthy expressions of human sorrow.

However, sorrow can also be caused by evil desires or a lack of trust in God. King Ahab mourned to the point of sulking and not eating when he couldn’t have another man’s property (1 Kings 21:4). Some Christians mourn excessively when they lose a loved one. Forsaking the comfort of the Spirit, they focus only on their own grief. Extreme or prolonged manifestations of sorrow are sinful and must be confessed rather than comforted.

God is gracious to His children amid times of human sorrow. Ultimately He will do away with mourning and pain forever (Rev. 21:4). Rejoice in that promise and be comforted by His wonderful grace!

Suggestions for Prayer:

Thank God for the ministry of the Spirit, who is the great Comforter or Helper (John 14:16-17). When sorrow occurs, lean on the Spirit, feed your soul on God’s Word, and commune with Him in prayer.

For Further Study:

Read Psalm 55. How did David express his desire to escape his difficult situation? What was his final resolve?