Jesus loves you

@Livingwater Study3B...Faithful even among unfaithful. 1king17:8-16 Not all the inhabitants of Baal-worshipping Zarephath were completely corrupt. By sending Elijah to this widow, Jehovah showed that He takes note of well-intentioned individuals who are not yet serving Him. Indeed, “in every nation the man who fears [God] and does what is right is acceptable to him.”​— Acts 10:35 . Let's consider the remaining points... 2 . THE PROPHET’ ’ S UNDAUNTED FAITH Any man of smaller faith would have faltered and failed when the brook dried up, but not Elijah! His faith was evident in that: He had faith to take God at His word. Look at verses 8-10. Elijah lived on the word of the Lord, as we should –- Matthew 4:4, and compare 1 Kings 17:8, 14 and 16. When our actions are regulated by the Word of God and our lives are lived in the centre of His will, we have nothing whatsoever to fear. Elijah’’s faith was very strong, as was Abraham’’s –- look up Romans 4:17-21. He had faith to ma...

@Livingwater Study 3A IN THE WIDOW’S HOUSE AT ZAREPHATH (Scripture Portion: 1 Kings 17: 8-16) There are three matters that constantly exercise God’’s people. The first has to do with God’’s guidance. “”Does God guide?”” we ask. In these studies we see clearly that He does. Elijah was divinely led, a step at a time –- Psalm 37:23. The second matter has to do with God’’s discipline. Why do troubles and trials come to the Christian? Study Deuteronomy chapter 8, and Hebrews 12:3-11, and see also the answer to your questionings in the incident before us. The third matter has to do with God’’s provision –- look up Genesis 22:14: “”The Lord will provide””. Will He? Does He today? This study supplies the answer to that question. After Elijah had been at the brook Cherith for about a year it dried up. Did that mean God had failed? No, it meant God was about to lead him on. Where to? To Zarephath, where He had commanded a widow to sustain him. Read 1 Kings 17:8-16 several times, and notice...

@Livingwater Study2B...Elijah by the Brook 1King17:4-7 Brook experience is a must for every faithful Christian.... In verse 4 God promised to supply Elijah’s needs while by the brook. How gracious of the Lord! It is a wonderful truth to know He never sends us anywhere to do anything without His presence and provision. The promise of Scripture is always “my God shall supply all your need . . .” (Phil. 4:19 ). Below are remaining points... 2 . THE PROMISE THAT HE RECEIVED Verse 4. With God’’s command will come His promise –- always. The promise was certain – – it shall be”. It was sufficient –- God’’s supply always is. It was conditional. God says, ““If you will……, I will…”…”; or, ““I will……if you…”…” The important word in verse 4 is the word “”there””. “”Elijah, if you want the water and the food you must go there –- into the place of My choice.”” Are you “there”, in the place of God’’s will? for “there” is the place of God’’s provision. Compare Psalms 23:1; 34:10; Luke 22...

@Livingwater Study 2A HIDDEN BY THE BROOK CHERITH (Scripture Portions: 1 Kings 17: 2-7; Psalm 34: 1-10) The announcement to Ahab that there would be no rain (1 Kings 17:1) was a terrible one for Elijah to have to make. Yet he had prayed that it might not rain (James 5:17). Some might ask: Was this not a cruel prayer? Did Elijah not realise the suffering and loss of life that would ensue? The answer is that Elijah was only praying for God to honour His own word –- look up Deuteronomy 11:16-17. More terrible than the judgment itself would be for God not to do what He had said. Thus Elijah, knowing God’’s mind, prayed for a fulfilling of His word, and spoke boldly to Ahab. The Lord then graciously sent him away to a quiet place to experience Psalm 91:1 to the full (and indeed, the whole psalm). This story of Elijah revolves around two God-given commands: “Go, HIDE thyself……”” (KJV) –- the private aspect of his life and service; the going “in” (John 10:9); the “prayer” ministry (A...

@Livingwater Study1B...Elijah,A man like us... (Scripture Portions: 1 Kings 16: 28-34; 17:1; James 5: 17-18) Elijah’s ministry marked the beginning of the end of Baal worship in Israel. Elijah’s life was filled with turmoil. At times he was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and tentative. He alternately demonstrates victory and defeat, followed by recovery. Elijah knew both the power of God and the depths of depression. Below are the remaining peculiarities of Elijah.... 3 . ELIJAH LIVED IN A DAY OF SPIRITUAL DECLENSION AND APOSTASY A succession of seven wicked kings had reigned over Israel: (1) Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-33); (2) Nadab (15:25-26); (3) Baasha (15:27-28); (4) Elah , a drunkard and a murderer (16:8-9); (5) Zimri, guilty of treason (16:20); (6) Omri (16:25-26); and (7) Ahab (16:28-33), with whom must be linked his notoriously wicked wife Jezebel. Worship of the true God had all but ceased; Baal-worship had become the national religion. Only 7000 Israeli...

@Livingwater Series 17 Happy Sunday! Ruminate on this as you prepare for service Study 1 ELIJAH, THE MAN AND HIS MINISTRY (Scripture Portions: 1 Kings 16: 28-34; 17:1; James 5: 17-18) Elijah was a mighty man of God –- in some respects the greatest of all the prophets since Moses and until the advent of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). Although he lived 3000 years ago and his period of ministry was comparatively short, he is by no means a forgotten character –- look up Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; 27:47; Luke 1:17; John 1:21. As we study his life and ministry the Holy Spirit will teach us valuable lessons which will enable us to live for and serve the Lord more effectively. Elijah’s sudden appearance upon the page of scripture centres upon the tremendous announcement he made to Ahab –- read 1 Kings 17:1, and compare James 5:17-18. However, before we look more closely at this remarkable man, let us suggest several classes of people to whom this series of studies will make a sp...

@Livingwater Study 12B...Ambassador 2 corinthians 5:1-21 In a letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul discusses the ministry of reconciliation, and he uses the term “ambassadors” for Christ: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us ” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, emphasis added). We stopped at point 1 in the part A..... 2 . The MESSAGE of an Ambassador of God This is clearly defined in 2 Corinthians 5:19-21. We are to proclaim the fact that at infinite cost to Himself God has made a way of reconciliation possible; that He has done this by sending His own Son to die for sin; and that through His sacrifice the barrier of sin has been removed and God and man have been brough...

@Livingwater Study12A...Ambassador CALLED BY NEW NAME Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians 5: 1-21 In Proverbs 13:17, Isaiah 18:2, 30:4; 33:7 and Jeremiah 49:14 we find the word ‘’envoy’’, meaning an ambassador . In the New Testament the Apostle Paul speaks of himself as Christ’’s ambassador (Ephesians 6:20), and of all Christians as the ambassadors of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:20). What is an ambassador? In 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul says, ““We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”…” An ambassador is a REPRESENTATIVE –- one who represents another. He goes to a foreign country and represents the Throne and the Government of his own people. Now this is true of ambassadors for Christ – representatives of the King of heaven and of heaven itself in a foreign country –- this world. His position is one of great RESPONSIBILITY, so think of this in its spiritual significance. Christ is our representative in heaven (Hebrews 9:24) and we are His personal representatives on the earth (2 Corinthia...

@Livingwater Study11B..Friend John 15:1-15 John 15:16: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” We stopped at point 1 in the last study...here we are today,by His grace 2 . The PRIVILEGE of this Friendship There are many privileges in a true friendship, but there is one very special privilege indicated here in verse 15, and it can be summed up in two words –- intimate fellowship . You see, the servant is not taken into his master’’s confidence; he does not know all his personal interests and plans; but with a friend it is so different. To be a friend of Jesus means to be taken into his confidence, and it therefore means to share in his trials and joys. It is a great privilege for a servant to be in the kitchen of the royal palace, but it is a far greater privilege to have an audience with the king. Notice that Abraham is...

@Livingwater Study11A...FRIEND CALLED BY A NEW NAME Scripture Portion: John 15: 1-15 INTRODUCTION One of the greatest gifts that God has given to us is the gift of friendship. How great it is to have a true friend. As Christians we rejoice in the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Saviour, is our Friend. He is the best Friend of all (Proverbs 18:24); and He is our Friend because He is first of all our Saviour. In the light of John 15:14-15, are we His friends? Undoubtedly He is a true Friend to us, but are we true friends to Him? (see James 4:4). We should be perfectly clear that in these verses in John 15 our Lord is speaking to saved men and women. In the Old Dispensation the Law said, ““Do this, and live””; but under Grace the Lord says to us, ““Live, and do””. We are not saved by doing, but having been saved by the Lord He says to us –- John 15:14. In other words, to be a true friend of His carries the responsibility of full obedience to Him. 1 . The N...

@Livingwater Study10B...still on witness Act1:1-11 You are a witness. When a person has experienced the forgiveness of his sins, he is then able to witness or give testimony to the salvation that is mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 , but it puts you in the same place as those who were witnesses in the early church. They said, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" ( Acts 4:20 ). You are able to witness about Jesus, for you have met Him personally. The last study stopped in point 2...We'll start from point 3.. 3 . THE PLACE GOD INDICATES Where are God’’s witnesses to go? We have already noticed that He wants them everywhere, but in Acts 1:8 a very definite geographical setting is indicated – – “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”” –- compare Matthew 28:19. This means that some witnesses must leave their homes and go to other places, other lands, in order that they may obey the Lord’’s commission. Notice t...

@Livingwater Study 10A..WITNESS CALLED BY A NEW NAME Scripture Portion: Acts 1: 1-11 One of the great and deeply significant names given to Christians is the name ‘’witness’’. The word appears many times in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Acts. In Isaiah 43:10-12 the Lord twice says of His people, ““You are my witnesses””, and just before His ascension the Lord Jesus said –- Acts 1:8. We shall confine our study to this verse and it will help us to understand something of the privileges and responsibilities of witnessing. There are five lines of truth:- 1 . THE PEOPLE GOD CHOOSES Who does the Lord choose to be His witnesses? It is most encouraging to notice that He does not choose angels or supermen, but ordinary men and women –- ““You……you……you…”…” (Acts 1:8). In the first instance He chose Peter, James and John, and other ordinary men and women from the rank and file of life. How often we come face to face with the principle made clear in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29! God does...

@Livingwater Study10B..Stewardship... Scripture Portion: 1 Peter 4: 1-11 Therefore, stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the administration of everything God has placed under our control, which is all encompassing. Stewardship is the commitment of one’s self and possessions to God’s service, recognizing that we do not have the right of control over our property or ourselves. Echoing Deuteronomy 8:17 , we might say: “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But Deuteronomy 8:18 counsels us to think otherwise: Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Notice the following scriptures which refer to this matter of stewardship:- (1) Every Christian is a steward. Look up these references and compare them –- Luke 19:13; 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 11; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10. If we are Christians then we are stewards and we are accountable to God. (2) We may be good stewards or bad stewards. Noti...

@Livingwater Study 10A STEWARDS CALLED BY A NEW NAME Scripture Portion: 1 Peter 4: 1-11 God calls us His servants, but He also calls us His stewards. There must therefore be a distinction between a servant and a steward. A servant is one who serves (Romans 1:9), or a worker (Matthew 9:37). A steward is a servant but in the word ‘’steward’’ there is the added idea of responsibility. God has entrusted certain things to us and we are responsible to Him to use them properly. Eliezer was the steward of Abraham’’s household (Genesis 15:2, KJV); Abraham had placed all his household affairs in Eliezer’’s hands, and Eliezer was accountable to his master, Abraham. Compare also Genesis 43:19. Look up and read also Luke 19:12-13. These ten servants were stewards and their job was to administer and dispense their master’’s goods and to ‘’trade’’ the money he had given to them. This raises the question: What has God entrusted to us that we are to administer and dispense, and for which He will ...

@Livingwater Study9B...Peculiarities of a Faithful servant Act20:17-38 Jesus completed the work of salvation for us on the cross, brings us into it, gives us the Holy Spirit as our counselor, and sets us about his business. He has finished the work of our salvation, but he still calls us to work for his kingdom. Therefore, with gratitude and love, we train to be the most effective servants possible. Let's continue on our points....we stopped after point 3 in the last study 4 . The fourth mark is A STEADFAST SPIRIT In verse 19 Paul tells us he was ““severely tested by the plots of the Jews””. Did you ever know a servant of the Lord who was not tested, and when reading your New Testament been impressed with the great testings that Paul experienced? We have a powerful Enemy whose whole aim is to get us down, and if we are honest, we admit that one of our chief handicaps is ourselves; so as servants of the Lord we need grit as well as grace! See what Proverbs 24:10 says, and ...

@Livingwater Study 9A SERVANT CALLED BY A NEW NAME. Happy Sunday! Ruminate on this as you go to church. Scripture Portion: Acts 20: 17-38 In this passage of Scripture, which contains the record of Paul’’s charge to the Ephesian elders, we have the portrait of a true servant of the Lord. God has not only made us members of His family, calling us His children (Romans 8:16), but He has called us into His service and He delights to call us His servants (Philippians 1:1). In Acts 20:19 Paul says, ““I served the Lord””, and this gives us the key to our present study. What are the characteristics of a true servant? 1 . The first mark is A SURRENDERED WILL The word ‘’served’’ in verse 19 contains the whole idea of being a slave, or as Paul says in Ephesians 3:1: “…“…the prisoner of Christ Jesus””. If a man is a prisoner of Christ it means that he has laid down his own will, and now the supreme thing in his life is to do the will of the Lord Jesus and to please Him. Is that true of ...

@Livingwater Study8B... CHARATERISTICS AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE JEWEL Malachi3:7-18 WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LORD’’ S JEWELS ? Verse 16 gives us the answer: ““Then……” ” When? When the majority of God’’s covenant people were out of touch with Him and were sinning against Him, there were some who did three things, and these tell us the marks or characteristics of those who are the Lord’’s jewels: (1) They feared the Lord. This was not a slavish fear but the reverential fear of a child for its parent. It is the fear of holy worshippers. Instead of acting as those did who are mentioned in Malachi 3:13-15, these who are called ‘’jewels’’ feared the Lord. Do we fear Him? Look up Psalm 34:9-11. (2) They talked with each other (verse 16). Their lips were full of praise to God and of testimony before others (Psalm 66:16). Is that the testimony of your heart and soul? If you are His jewel it should be. (3) They honoured His Name (verse 16). Their meditation was centred on th...

@Livingwater Study 5A JEWELS CALLED BY A NEW NAME Scripture Portion: Malachi 3: 7-18 (KJV) In Revelation 21:19-22 the Lord tells us that the heavenly city is ablaze with jewels; and in Malachi 3:17 (KJV) the Lord speaks of His people as His jewels. Are you one of the Lord’’s jewels? The dictionary defines a jewel as – – “a precious stone, or anything or anyone highly valued.”” This leads to our first point:- 1 . The Lord has a company of people He calls His Jewels because they are very precious to Him. Malachi 3:17 (NIV) translates ‘’jewels’’ as ““treasured possession””; so the Lord has a people who are a treasured possession to Him. Who are these highly valued ones? Every Christian, everyone who is born again, is a treasured one, so what amazing grace that the Lord should make us His jewels and should tell us we are very precious to Him! Why are we so precious? (1) Like jewels, we are God’’s creation. No man can make a jewel; no chemist has ever been able to make a diamond,...

@Livingwater Study7B...Conditions of Discipleship Luke14:26-35 Look at this case study,Discipleship is like a different solid chemical  with different solvent,a particular solid will never dissolve until they get to their own solvent.. Some people will never free to express themselves untill they get to that environment peculiar to them... Every Christians is a disciple in the church,but if you want to know their true picture go to their solvent( environment peculiar to them,where they can really express themselves without the fear of their pastor, coordinator, member or their mentor...).some people solvent is their Home,working place,classroom,among Friends ,Hostel and others... Below are the remaining conditions of discipleship, may you be bless as you go through them.....  The third condition of discipleship is GIVING UP EVERYTHING Luke 14:33 reads: ““Any of you who does not give up everything……cannot……” ” To be His disciple must I forsake all that I have? Yes...

@Livingwater Study 7A DISCIPLES CALLED BY A NEW NAME Scripture Portion: Luke 14: 26-35 Many times in the New Testament believers are called ‘‘disciples’’ –- a disciple being one who learns of Christ, who follows Him and obeys Him. Broadly speaking, of course, every Christian is a disciple, and yet it is possible to be a Christian, to be saved and to know that your sins are forgiven, and yet not to tread the path of discipleship –- because to be a disciple means to be a disciplined Christian. Discipleship is a costly business. So with this thought in mind we begin by asking the question which was asked of Peter so long ago, when he was out of touch with his Lord and Master: “”You are not one of his disciples, are you?”” (John 18:17). The Man referred to is the Lord Jesus; the questioner was a young girl who was at the outer door of the High Priest’’s house. The question is pointed, personal, challenging, disturbing and decisive. What is your answer to it? Perhaps it will be eas...