In the World - Not of the World
I recently heard a testimony of a sister in Christ whose family had been without food and had no money for more. They literally were down to popcorn in their pantry. So they sat down on that night around a bowl of popcorn - much like the woman in I Kings 17 who had only enough flour to make a small loaf of bread. She intended to make that final loaf to feed to her son and then watch him die. She had resigned herself to starvation based on her situation - a great famine throughout the land. But then the prophet Elijah, who had been instructed by the Lord to go to her, arrived and asked for bread! She told him she didn't have any to share. Elijah told her that if she would feed him, the Lord would see to it that she never ran out of bread or oil throughout the entire famine! She believed him and fed him the last of her pantry.
Our sister's family sat around that bowl of popcorn to give thanks for what they had to eat. The kids thought it great fun - but mom knew... Her thanks was a sacrifice of praise as she knew she was without means to provide another meal for her children, but she trusted God. With tears in her eyes and praise on her lips, they said Amen and dug into the popcorn. As they ate, the doorbell rang and a man stood there and had this to say,"You know, the Lord told me three days ago to bring this food to you. I just got so busy I forgot, but something just wouldn't let me forget today. You see, I have been called to the military and I have to leave tomorrow. I have to give this food to you."
They watched in amazement as the man's family carried in box after box of food to their home!
As I listened to this woman share her story, I was moved by the power of her testimony of God's provision. Moved by God's ability to act contradictory to the controlling factors of the times. The woman in I Kings 17 was experiencing a severe famine - today we face recession, job loss, home loss, economic hardship. And yet God is not shaped or contained in any way by any of it! Aren't you glad? Aren't you relieved? You should be.
As a child of God, we are called in Romans to be in the world - but not of the world. Having served as a youth pastor for many years, we often explored this scripture with our teens. We were certainly able to encourage them to stand up and stand out for God. To assure them that they were called to withstand and overcome the 'easy' ways of this world - the 'expected' ways. I challenge you to apply this scripture to your own unique circumstances of your current controlling factors. Are you staring into your pantry at a bag of popcorn? May I remind you that you belong to a generous Father who owns every parcel of food on this earth?
Pick up any newspaper and you can read accounts of economic woe and financial hardship. From gas prices, to foreclosure, to falling stocks the world is ripe with fear and worry and anxiety. There are 76% of the US population who identify themselves as 'Christians'. What if the newspapers were full of miraculous stories like my friend's? What if the articles spoke of people who weren't afraid or worried or anxious? In fact, of people who were being blessed and found increase when all of the news stations tell us everything is falling apart?
Do you have enough faith and confidence in your Father to stand apart from the world? To smile and shine and reflect his glory when other's circumstances are dark? How 'bout when your circumstances are dark? I know it is hard to smile when circumstances are wounding. I know it is hard to praise and give thanks when the most meager fare is placed before you. But that, my sister and brother, is when we shine the brightest! Even a very small glimmer is brightest when it is the darkest! And God will be honored to bless such children! It is His desire and joy to do so.
God's promises will always remain! Praise Abba! The woman's flour and oil never did run out! Look up I Kings 17 and finish her story. Her full pantry wasn't the only miracle God performed in her life! I know God is prepared to do many more in your life, too!
Our sister's family sat around that bowl of popcorn to give thanks for what they had to eat. The kids thought it great fun - but mom knew... Her thanks was a sacrifice of praise as she knew she was without means to provide another meal for her children, but she trusted God. With tears in her eyes and praise on her lips, they said Amen and dug into the popcorn. As they ate, the doorbell rang and a man stood there and had this to say,"You know, the Lord told me three days ago to bring this food to you. I just got so busy I forgot, but something just wouldn't let me forget today. You see, I have been called to the military and I have to leave tomorrow. I have to give this food to you."
They watched in amazement as the man's family carried in box after box of food to their home!
As I listened to this woman share her story, I was moved by the power of her testimony of God's provision. Moved by God's ability to act contradictory to the controlling factors of the times. The woman in I Kings 17 was experiencing a severe famine - today we face recession, job loss, home loss, economic hardship. And yet God is not shaped or contained in any way by any of it! Aren't you glad? Aren't you relieved? You should be.
As a child of God, we are called in Romans to be in the world - but not of the world. Having served as a youth pastor for many years, we often explored this scripture with our teens. We were certainly able to encourage them to stand up and stand out for God. To assure them that they were called to withstand and overcome the 'easy' ways of this world - the 'expected' ways. I challenge you to apply this scripture to your own unique circumstances of your current controlling factors. Are you staring into your pantry at a bag of popcorn? May I remind you that you belong to a generous Father who owns every parcel of food on this earth?
Pick up any newspaper and you can read accounts of economic woe and financial hardship. From gas prices, to foreclosure, to falling stocks the world is ripe with fear and worry and anxiety. There are 76% of the US population who identify themselves as 'Christians'. What if the newspapers were full of miraculous stories like my friend's? What if the articles spoke of people who weren't afraid or worried or anxious? In fact, of people who were being blessed and found increase when all of the news stations tell us everything is falling apart?
Do you have enough faith and confidence in your Father to stand apart from the world? To smile and shine and reflect his glory when other's circumstances are dark? How 'bout when your circumstances are dark? I know it is hard to smile when circumstances are wounding. I know it is hard to praise and give thanks when the most meager fare is placed before you. But that, my sister and brother, is when we shine the brightest! Even a very small glimmer is brightest when it is the darkest! And God will be honored to bless such children! It is His desire and joy to do so.
God's promises will always remain! Praise Abba! The woman's flour and oil never did run out! Look up I Kings 17 and finish her story. Her full pantry wasn't the only miracle God performed in her life! I know God is prepared to do many more in your life, too!
Comment
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Comment by Donna Little on July 21, 2009 at 7:19am - Loved this post and will share it with others.
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