Your Challenges Become Stepping Stones

This is so because you rely solely on God’s wisdom and direction. When you hear God, understand Him and do what he has asked you to do, you are simply operating in faith. It is faith because your operation, sustenance, and outcome of the assigned task are totally dependent on the word you received and implemented. So, when faced with a challenge or challenges, you can be confident that you will overcome and make it to the next level. Amen!

Let’s be very practical as we read these verses. There was a drought and Elijah was instructed to go meet the widow at Zarephath to provide his needs. The widow said she only had a handful of flour and a little olive oil. That statement was true yet very discouraging from a physical standpoint. How can you ask someone in that condition to go ahead and make bread for you first before feeding her family? Think about it.

Elijah could ask for his share of the bread first because he was not operating out of emotions but out of faith. Elijah understood the faith walk. He had received a word and his only responsibility was to implement that word and see results. Amen!

Another challenge was that, the widow’s son died, yet God raised him up from the dead and that action alone brought about a testimony. What was her testimony? 1 Kings 17:24 tells us…

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”

From the brook Cherith drying up, to Elijah asking for bread from a widow who could barely feed herself and her family, to her son dying; all we see beyond the challenges are steps of victory. Amen!

So, my encouragement to you is this, when your faith is at work, challenges will come, however, do not grow weary in the process. Remind yourself of the word you received and have faith in the Father that you will see results. Amen!

Vigilance Is Required

We can say without a doubt that, indeed, God’s word to you is the best tool you can use to determine the seasons of your life. We previously examined that, He will speak to you directly or reveal Himself through the pages of scriptures. Amen! Let’s take this a step further. It is imperative to remain vigilant in order to recognize the vessels through which God will use to minister to us. We see this in the life of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. The Lord spoke to the widow through Elijah. Listen to what scriptures have to say;

1 Kings 17:13-14 (NKJV)

 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.

Emphasis Mine

It is noteworthy that,

1)     God did not speak to the widow through scriptures

2)     God did not speak to the widow directly

3)     God spoke to the widow through a vessel – the prophet Elijah.

Vigilance is very much required when it comes to allowing the word to determine the seasons of our life. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you on this journey. He is your helper. Be vigilant to recognize and know when God is using a vessel to bring His word to you. Amen!

Understanding Is Required

In order for God’s word to determine the seasons of your life, you need to understand “the word” for you during that season. In 1 Kings 17, when the word of the Lord came to Elijah with instructions as mentioned in verse 2 and verse 8, the word spoken by the Lord was specific to Elijah for that season. Remember that the drought was declared when King Ahab ruled Israel, however, I am not certain how much surface area the drought covered. It, therefore, means that many people were affected by the drought and many survived the drought as well. However, the survivors were not sustained by the same “word” that came to Elijah. Elijah’s sustenance during this season of his life was somehow tied to “the words” he received from the Lord on different occasions. Amen!

Another point worth mentioning here is that “the word” that came to Elijah was not a written word. The bible does not tell us that Elijah read scriptures somehow and understood what needed to be done. The word came to him; another translation says that the Lord spoke to him. This is very significant because it exposes us to the many ways that the Father speaks to us. Elijah did not read scripture and suddenly got a revelation out of it, rather he received a direct word from the Lord which is equally important. Amen!

So, as you make up your mind this season to allow God’s word to determine the season of your life, remember the following;

-He could speak to you through scriptures by revealing Himself to you beyond the pages of your bible.

-You could receive a direct word from Him by Him speaking to you directly.

Whatever, the case, purpose in your heart to understand what He is saying. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Is the word for you as a person or is it not for someone else? Amen!

Love And Faith Are Required

Previously, we examined that obedience is required as we allow God’s word to determine the seasons of our life. Obedience, love, and faith are godly attributes that are inseparable.

We are told in scripture that “We love Him because He first loved us” – 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

Also, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me”. John 14:21a (NIV). Amen.

We also understand that according to His command, faith requires works. James 2:14-26 (NKJV). Amen.

How are these applicable? When God’s word comes to you like it did for Elijah, you receive the word and your decision to comply with the word received is an act of obedience, based on love (His love for you and your love for Him). Then, your ability to implement the word received is an expression of faith. Amen!

So, it suffices to say that, these 3 attributes function together. In order for the next season of your life to find full expression, you need to engage your obedience, love, and faith in God. We can rest assured that our God will speak to us when he has to, however, the question is “What will you do with what He has told you?” Elijah heard and Elijah did. The Widow of Zarephath heard and she did. They expressed their faith and as a result, the door to another season of their lives opened’. Do the same and be blessed. Amen!

Obedience Is Required

Obedience is required, in order to allow God’s word determine the seasons of our life. The only way to transition from one season of our life to another as we receive the word is to act in obedience. Obedience can be likened to a key that unlocks the door of a season. Amen!

1 Kings 17:9a (NKJV)

So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:10a (NKJV)

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.”

The principle of obedience is required as we rely on God to determine the seasons of our life.

Emphasis Mine

Elijah did not have a dispute with God. When the Word came, he did accordingly.

In order to experience the benefits, each season of our lives have to offer, we need to live in obedience. Meaning, we need to comply, carry out or behave in accordance with the instruction, direction or request given to us in scripture. What is the Father saying to you this season? Are you complying with the instruction, the direction or the request?

When it comes to obedience, the choice is yours. It is preferable to obey instantly – as soon as you receive the word from the Lord, you apply. Rather than debate with God on reasons why you cannot do what He has instructed. Amen!

When the word of the Lord comes to you and you implement the Word immediately, just as Elijah did, it is an expression of your faith in God and your trust in the character of God (as a Father who is faithful, responsible, and dependable).

As a child of God, your obedience will be tested. The Father Himself desires for you to handle more responsibilities and the obedience test will reveal to Him your capacity. Amen.

In 1 Kings 17, obedience to the word was the key that unlocked the next season of Elijah’s life. So it was with the Widow of Zarephath. It was her obedience to the Prophet Elijah that resulted in her and her son enjoying an inexhaustible supply of oil and flour.

1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.

Emphasis Mine

How could she have known that although she was down to her last use of oil and flour, her obedience to the Prophet, by making bread for him first will result to a continuous supply of oil and flour? Obedience!

Most often, the next phase of our lives, or the breakthroughs we so much long for, are all wrapped up in obedience. Obey God’s instruction to you today and expect a great outcome. Do not let fear, unbelieve, discomfort, discouragement and all the negative aspects of life rub you. Amen.

Accommodation Is Guaranteed

When God’s word determines the seasons of your life, the people, the things, and the activities in that environment adjust in order to accommodate your presence. Amen! This is so because, His word goes ahead of you and commands the situations, the people and the things to do exactly as he has instructed pending your arrival. That was the case with Elijah. God himself commanded the ravens to feed Elijah even before he got to the brook Cherith. God also commanded the widow of Zarephath before Elijah got to Zarephath.

1 Kings 17:4 (NKJV)

And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:8-9 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

Emphasis Mine

When you step into a situation or person’s life accommodation is required. God in His faithfulness will make sure that your presence in that environment is not burdensome to the people nor the environment. This was evident in Elijah’s life – the Bible records that the ravens brought bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening.

1 Kings 17:6 (NKJV)

The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening;

The widow at Zarephath, although she complained to Elijah that she was down to her last use of oil and flour, she still obeyed Elijah’s instruction by making bread for him first before making some for her and the son. As a result of her obedience, she did not run out of oil and flour.

So, the Ravens accommodated Elijah by feeding him, morning and evening for as long as that season of his life lasted. The widow at Zarephath also accommodated Elijah by providing for him for as long as that season lasted. In both cases, we see that his presence in each environment was not burdensome. Amen!

Expectations And Outcomes Are Clear

God’s word to you in every season of your life brings clarity to expectations. Amen!

When Elijah declared a drought – he expected dryness n the land.

When God’s word came to Elijah – Elijah expected to be fed by ravens and to drink from the brook.

1 Kings 17:4-6 (NKJV)

And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”  So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.

When another word came from God to Elijah – Elijah expected to meet a widow at Zarephath who will provide for him according to God’s word. Amen!

1 Kings 17:10-11

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”

When Elijah met the widow, he did not anoint her to be a prophetess. Because that was not the instruction from the word that came to him. However, when he met Elisha, he anointed him to be prophet.

It suffices to say that the purpose of God’s word to our lives in every season, is to bring clarity not confusion. There is so much confusion in our world today. If we can just make up our minds to depend on God’s word, we will eliminate confusion in our lives. Amen!

Influence is Guaranteed

When God’s word determines the seasons of your life, your words will influence situations. Amen! Elijah declared

1 Kings 17:1 (NKJV)

“...there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

Emphasis Mine

A desire to influence situations with our words can be fulfilled when we allow God’s word to determine the seasons of our lives. We are looking at a case in point, the prophet Elijah. We should not overlook the fact that 1 Kings 17 is the very first chapter in the bible where Elijah is first mentioned. We are introduced to him communicating to Ahab and declaring what the land should expect – a drought. And so it was.

Sometimes we yearn for our voices to be relevant voices in our generation and in this dispensation. I believe one of the ways that such desires can be fulfilled is when we allow scriptures to guide us. If we do, the impact will be beyond what we expected.

Desire to be in a place in your life whereby you only speak what the Father tells you to say (John 12:49 NIV). This was a great example modeled by Jesus Himself.

One of the ways that we can make these truths our reality, is by living a purpose driven life. A godly life; a life dependent on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. By so doing, your presence in every situation will leave a lasting positive impact.

By this we mean, the words you speak will influence the situation and the people. Amen!