1 Kings 19

The great prophet Elijah had just called fire down from heaven, had 450 prophets of Baal executed, and ran from Carmel to Jezreel … but he was terrified of evil Queen Jezebel.

She must have been SOMETHING.

If we fear God, we don’t have to fear man … or woman.

1 Kings 18

Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a power demonstration.  Could he consume an offering doused with water by fire? Elijah began taunting them when after hours of fruitless invoking, nothing was happening. He sarcastically said, ” Maybe Baal is sleeping.  Cry out louder.”

It was no use. Baal was a powerless idol.

When Elijah called upon GOD, fire came down from heaven in a dramatic display of power and licked up the offering and all the water which had soaked it “real good.”

1 Kings 15

You may think it’s all wonderful to be a king. Not so. King Asa had bad feet. Scripture says they were diseased. It also relates that he sought physicians and not the Lord. Mistake.

I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet from a medication I took early in my cancer treatment called Velcade. I hereby commence to seek the Lord’s healing for them.

Seek YOUR healing from the Lord.

1 Kings 14

Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam were highly flawed kings. Their heretical behavior brought devastation upon God’s people, being given to idolatry and carnality.

Jeroboam’s son was sick. He sent his wife incognito to the prophet to inquire if he’d live. The prophet unloaded on her about the king’s grave errors … sadly the son was the only good one in the bunch, but passed, maybe to spare him the pain of his father’s gross sins.

Parents, live right for the sake of your children.

1 Kings 12,13

God sent a man to call down wicked Jeroboam for instituting idol worship in his kingdom. The man was clearly instructed NOT to stop after his mission to confer with anyone.

An old prophet waylaid him after his mission. He stopped and ate with the prophet, but was devoured by a lion on his way home. His disobedience cost him his life.

Through God’s grace, live a life of obedience.

1 Kings 12

Because Solomon followed foreign gods, 10 tribes werd ripped away from his son, Rehoboam. He was warned NOT to go to war with them. God hates it when family fights.

We are wise to do all we can to eliminate contention with family members.

1 Kings 9-11

Err … concubines. That’s too many women. They ended up being Solomon’s undoing. As warned, they stole the king’s heart away from God to their false gods.

When God and His Word issue a warning, pay attention to it and live.

1 Kings 8

King Solomon knelt before the altar of the Lord in the temple he had built and prayed a profound prayer that was obviously recorded. I personally intend to study this prayer to strengthen my ability to ” cover the bases” as I bring my petitions to the Lord.

For me, prayer is one of the only things I can effectively do … and it’s probably the BEST thing I can do.

I can’t run a mile any longer, but I can pray for those who can.

1 Kings 4-8

Solomon spared NO EXPENSE as he had the new temple built. Only the finest materials were used for a house God would live in.

WE are the house God chooses to live in. The processes He puts us through are not intended to merely chasten us – they are meant to refine us.

Do you want to be cheap gold or costly PURE GOLD?

I recently watched an interview with Arthur Blank, the former owner- executive of Home Depot. I was impressed with his devotion to making every day count. He is also very benevolent, giving away multiplied millions of dollars.

King Solomon was also a productive individual, having written 3000 proverbs and composing over 1000 songs.

Come to think of it, I’ve published several thousand morning devotionals.

If you have any stories of whether these posts have helped you, please let me know. I want to be a blessing.