New Math

It is so frustrating some days helping my daughters with their math homework.  Math was my favorite subject in school but this 'new math' is frustrating.  All these extra steps to get to a simple solution.  I have been reading over Pastor Woodberry's sermons about Elijah, specifically a sermon entitled "An Unusual Request taken from I Kings 17:8-11.  In this text you find Elijah at a dried up brook in the midst of a drought. 

'Then the word of the Lord came to him, "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there.  Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.  So he arose and went to Zarephath.  And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks.  And he called to her and said,"Bring me a little water in the vessel, that I may drink.  And as she was going to bring it. he called to her and said. "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."  I Kings 17:8-11

The story goes on to say how the widow told Elijah that she only had a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.  Yet Elijah insisted that the woman make him a cake first and then make something for her and her son.  Now I don't know about you but there have been months where I have looked at my bank account and then listed my bills.  I then looked back at my bank account trying to figure out how I was going to buy groceries and keep the lights on.  And not only was I taking care of myself but there were children who were depending on me as well.  As I look back on the situations now I see how there was not one night that my family went without.  The bank account might have read $0 but the pantry said 'full';  Anybody shouting yet!  When I think about how many times what I saw on paper showed negative but God made it to where I never skipped a beat. I praise God.  You see, God is able to take what we see as a minus and turn it into a positive.  Or as my Pastor said,"You're sitting there looking at the paper and seeing 1+1 =2 and God is looking at it and seeing 1+1 =8.  That's what I call 'New Math'.  'New Math' is where God is able to take our limited resources and turn them into blessings overflowing.

If you read the remainder of the story you find that the widow did as Elijah asked. (Sidenote: Your blessing may be tied to your being obedient to what God or His vessel is telling you.)  She made the cake for Elijah first and afterwards Elijah, the widow and her son ate for days.  'The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty (v.16).  Stop stressing about what you don't have and instead start praising God what you do have.  You might not have that perfect job right that pays you for what you are worth.  But you can praise God that the job you do have God has allowed it to stretch to meet your needs.  Someone reading this may be sitting in a house knowing they are behind on their mortgage or driving a car that you know should be repossessed.  Maybe you have been sitting at home wondering when things are going to get better.  I challenge you today to embrace the 'New Math' concept.  Stay obedient to God and His Word.  Put Him first and watch how He fulfills His promises in your life.  Sometimes its hard to see past what is staring you right in your face, the phone ringing, the bills coming in the mail,  the doctor's report, a loveless marriage, a broken relationship.  Just know that God is able to take all those things and turn them around for your good and His glory.  You just have to trust Him! 

Our Father which are in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Lord I come to You today believing Your promise knowing that if You said it, it will come to pass.  I'm trusting You.  I know in my heart that trouble won't last always and in spite of everything I see, I can still have joy.  Father  I praise You because I know that even though the sky is cloudy right now, the sun will shine again.  Lord I am asking you to remove all distractions...both people and things...that stop me from living in Your will.  Thank you for answering my prayer.  I will continue to give Your name the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.

Already

Such a simple word, with such a powerful meaning.  The word 'already' by definition means 'prior to a specified time' or 'by this time'.  As  I continue to reflect on the life of Pastor A. G. Woodberry, I am reminded of a series he taught on Elijah, specifically the story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath.  Most of you are already pretty familiar with the story but I want to share some nuggets of wisdom that I have turned to on many a sleepless night. 

There Elijah was after predicting a drought.  There would be no dew or rain.  I wonder if Elijah wondered what he would drink during that time.  Surprisingly enough as you read on you find that the word of the Lord came to him instructing him to 'depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of Jordan.  You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there'.  (I Kings 17:2-4)  Now there may be those of you who are wondering what the word 'already' has to do with this story.  Well let me tell you.  I remember a time in my life when I was experiencing a season of drought.  Everything in my life had seemingly dried up.  I was stressed and worried, wondering what direction my life was headed.  In my limited vision I couldn't see past the present.  But now I look back and realize that God had already looked ahead.  Hallelujah!

Elijah didn't know where his next drink would come from but God did.  In fact his life had been directed by God.  And you must know that He is directing your life.  In fact he has guided you to 'a place called there' so that He may show you His protection, His provision, and most of all His promise.  Just last week I was reminded that 'God will never leave me nor forsake me'.  He's always there.  There is not a place you can go that the hands of the Lord won't reach.  Sometimes He sends you to those places of drought to remind you that you need Him for everything.  Even in moments of grief that many of us are in now, God has already provided you with a place of protection, provision and most importantly a promise.  What is that promise?  My daughter Peaches said it so plainly on Saturday.  "Momma don't cry, we will see Poppy again."  That is why 'we do not weep as those who have no hope'. (I Thessalonians 4:13)  Another promise....'and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes' (Revelation 21:4). Want another one...'weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning' (Psalm 30:5).  And what about the most important promise...He's coming back again!  I'm alright with a little suffering down here on earth because when I get to Heaven, O What a time!  That's why I praise Him! Although my heart is sad, I can't help but picture my Pastor  sitting with the Savior, talking to his parents, hanging out with old friends, having a hallelujah good time.  Church at the Mount magnified to the 100th power.

I don't know where your 'THERE' is right now but one thing I do not that God has 'ALREADY' provided a brook.  And even when that brook dries up, he has made provision with a woman at Zarephath.  For my God is a Waymaker!  He is a Burden Bearer!  He is a Heavy Load Sharer!  And even in the midst of a drought He will give you JOY! Unspeakable JOY!

Heavenly Father,

I thank You today for Your promise.  I know that You haven't brought me this far to leave me.  In fact You have brought me to this place for such a time as this so that You may be glorified.  I might be a little sad right now but deep down I know that Your Word is true and that it will accomplish what You have designed it to do.  Help me to be obedient to Your Word, listening to Your still, small voice as it leads me along the path You have laid out for my life.  I will continue to  give Your name all the glory, honor and praise you so richly deserve.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.