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Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 15-17

Wouldn’t it be great to end the year with a miracle? We have so much talk right now about terror and war, a miracle would be nice.

In our passage today evil was running rampant in the world. King after King would take the throne and turn the people away from the Lord. In fact no one was left seeking the Lord except for Elijah, and without food he was going to die too.

But that is when the miracle took place! Elijah was instructed by God to ask a woman who did not have enough food and water to give him some. The woman finally agreed and God kept her food supply going!

Miracles happen today but most of the time they have to hit us in the face! When we need something we settle for the path that we can make happen and only in extreme cases do we count on God. I do not believe God wants us to sit idly by and wait for Him, but He does want us to step out and live the adventure of faith having to count on Him for a miracle. You see, a miracle would be nice to end the year, but the question is are you counting on one by the way you live or do you have life under control? God’s miracle would have to hit you in the face when you’re not counting on it! We must live in the light that we have a miracle God!

Scott

Questions to discuss with you spouse:
1. As people look at our lives do we reflect a desperate need for God in the way that we live? Why or why not?
2. What miracle do we need from God today? Let’s pray about it!

Questions to discuss with you kids:
1. When you think of a miracle of God what comes to mind?
2. Do you think God still does miracles today? What kind? Have you seen one? Are they different then in “Bible times”?

Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 1:12-14

Religion can be the most controlling thing in the World! Now that is an interesting statement from a preacher! You should see people’s faces when I tell them I am not religious! Many people can’t understand that statement. But, God came to earth to have a relationship with us not to start religion.
,/br> In our reading this morning we can see that Reheboam was worried that his people would go to Jerusaleum to worship and that he might lose their loyalty….so what did he do….he created a whole knew “religious” expereince and a religion for the people in his Kingdom. This only proves a couple of things. He never got to a relationship with God in his own life, and that he was more interested in controlling people then leading them into a relationship with Jesus.

We need to make sure that our relisious practices do not keep us from enjoying intamacy with Jesus. Many people are comfortable with religon for they are uncomfortable with intimacy. Religion allows us to feel good about ourselves cause we feel like good people….intimacy shows us we are NOT good people but leads us to Jesus who allow can make us good!

What are you invovled in a religion or a relationship? How intimate are you with God? Is intimacy tough for you? Does that make religion easier? Some of us might have to take drastic steps to open the door to learn how to be intimate with God! Discuss and ponder these questions with you spouse, friends and kids today! Have a great one!

Scott

Today’s Reading is 1 Kings 10-11

Distractions can be deadly. While driving down the road, distractions can cause an accident or even be fatal! Distractions in our spiritual life can be even deadlier….maybe not physically but spiritually and eternally deadly.

God told Solomon not to marry foreign wives for they would bring distractions in Solomon’s relationship to God. Well Solomon thought he could out thinking God and handle foreign wives…but God was right and soon Solomon was distracted and worshiping other Gods which lead to his downfall as king!

Are there distractions in your relationship with God?
Do these reveal some disobedience in your life?
What steps might you take to stay focused!
Take some time and reflect on these questions with your spouse and/or children today!

Scott