Last year in our Revival Meetings I preached “The Life of Elijah!” We concentrated on 1 Kings Chapters 17 and 18 and 19, weeks of pondering that great Prophet.

Today I merely mention one verse of this Bible Account …

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1

The Nation of Israel was erring from God’s Ways, egregiously so! Even to the point of worshipping false gods, Baal being a primary example.

Yet commercially and financially the Nation was prospering! Blessing after blessing after blessing had blinded them to the perfect Will of God!

So, what does the Lord do?

To get their attention?

Look at our Verse again …

No rain!

Not even the refreshing (and fertilizing) dew!

Then … no crops!

No food!

Soon enough, no prosperity!

And sure enough, God did (eventually) get the attention of the people of Israel!

To this extent … the Nation assembled on Mount Carmel realized and acknowledged … that only one True God exists!

Yes … “All the people fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” 1 Kings 18:39

Many things intervened of course, the ministry of Elijah unfolding for those years of no rain (no blessings) … but finally (at least for a while) God (not Baal) was declared to be the real Lord!

Here’s my “point” today …

Are we disobeying God in some area of our lives? Are you? Am I?

If so, He needs our attention!

Our repentance!

Our consecration!

And if we choose not to listen, not to heed … HE STILL HAS WAYS TO SHOCK US INTO REALITY! TO FORCE OUR ATTENTION HIS WAY!

It’s a clear choice!

Simple, complete obedience!

Or get ready …

God can halt the blessings!

It worked in ancient Israel.

It will still work in the lives of true Believer in Christ Jesus!

Let us all take heed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

I have known many a good man who was “called” of God to preach the Word, the “whole counsel of God.” And others who have been “called” as missionaries to carry the Gospel into strange lands. I even know a fine Christian who feels “called” into youth work, helping transform the lives of born-again teenagers into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many “fulltime” musicians and song leaders are certain God has “called” them into the music ministry. And yes, that’s a Bible Principle. God has “given the Church” certain skilled “helpers” like Pastors and Teachers and so forth. (Both Ephesians 4:11 and Jeremiah 1:5 provide us examples.)

But what if I suggested to you that every Believer in Christ is “called” into something? (By the way, the Holy Spirit has convicted and “called” us to Salvation, or we would still be in our sins! 1 Corinthians 1:9) But I here mean “called” to a certain way of life.

“Called” to live right!

My Verse to prove such an idea?

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord (Paul), beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3

Look at this Scripture: “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7, see our “calling?” Unto holy living!

My point?

In addition to all else we may do for the Cause of Christ … let’s be sure to live up to our “calling” to pursue lives of godliness!

Jesus even now, I believe, still prays to His Father on our behalf …

John 17:17-19 … “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

Sanctified lives, holy and pure and clean and separated from the filth of the world!

So we are all “called!”

So should we live via the Power of the Holy Spirit!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.