Welcome!
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Today: Who is your God?
Passage: 1 Kings 18: 20-21 NIV
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.
Many a time, Christians live like they have nothing to do with Christ
They copy what people who do not worship Christ are doing
Elijah was never given a proper recognition by the king or the people
But he was recognized by God
In the spiritual world of today, we see people dying for recognition
In order to be recognized, one must have good “connections” and even money!
But the way of the Lord is just the opposite
Elijah had no other goal than bringing glory to God
If we are not much concerned about our name and fame, we can accomplish so much for God, working together- each person contributing his/her share
Let the glory be for God
Elijah did not look left or right, as he spoke the oracles of God
Apostle Paul said, “What I received from the Lord, I gave it to you”
Paul is not making any amendments to it, nor is he diluting it
When we serve to others what God gives us, we have no right to alter it
Years back, I was teaching in an interior design school in Kochi, India
The school was run by a famous paint company in India
Their demand was to teach so much and give so much of home work
I felt that it was too much for the students who came from various back grounds
But, as an employee of that company, I had to do what they expected me to do!
When we work for God, God’s standards have to become the standards we use
We cannot become too soft or too hard than that; we cannot simply modify or make amendments as we like
I see lot of churches struggling with so many issues
Sometimes, it is personality clash; sometimes, it is leadership issues
Can we strive for reconciliation and peace?
Why should we have so many divisions?
In most cases, divisions are not for principle or doctrinal issues, but for silly reasons
Someone wants to be a leader; someone wants things in a certain way!
Most of these divisions are because people are not willing to forgive and reconcile
If we make it to heaven, God will have a tough time because we cannot sit next to our brother/sister
Everybody believes they will make it to heaven
But everybody will not!
Let our actions speak where we are going to, and what citizenship we have
Look at the behavior and commitment of people who worship “Baal”
They spent hours in prayer to their god; they are very committed to what they believe
If we worship the Lord Jesus, let us have His attitude
Let us resemble Him in some way!
It is not my name, but His name that is to be recognized
Let Jesus recognize me
God bless
BG
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my pride and ego. I see how people who worship “Baal” are much committed and united. Help us to live with the mind and attitude of Christ. Amen