Be a Part of Someone Else's Miracle

The Story:

1 Kings 17:1–16 NKJV

1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 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. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 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.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 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. 14 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.’ ” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 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.

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Important Considerations About This Text:

This woman needed a miracle herself.

It is very possible that the widow didn’t know the prophet needed a miracle.

The widow woman may not have even known that God had appointed her to be a part of the miracle for the prophet.

God doesn’t consider this woman’s socio-economic class for her eligibility to be a part of someone else’s miracle.

God cared for the widow woman JUST AS MUCH as for His prophet - God just took care of them differently.

We can’t judge our potential to be a miracle based upon what we have, but rather on the God we have and our level of obedience.

Important Thoughts On Obedience:

Obedience is not always easy, but if we let ease or discomfort stop us from obedience, we will seldom be obedient.

Obedience is not always easy, but if we let lack of ease or comfort stop us from obedience, we will seldom be obedient.

Comfort is a stance of avoidance rather than the pursuit of excellence.    -Craig D. Lounsbrough

Obedience is seldom necessary in the things we WANT to do.

Craig D. Lounsbrough

Obedience doesn’t take skill, just desire and a willing heart.

The ONLY time that we prove that Jesus is LORD in our life is when He says, “No” and we obey.

If the devil knows that all he needs to do to stop our obedience to God is to make things hard and/or uncomfortable, we will be easily and consistently stopped from doing the will of God

You are well-qualified to be a part of someone else’s miracle!

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 NKJV

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

1Cor1.26-29

You Are Thoroughly Equipped:

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 tim

Just One Thing:

Just One Thing:

You are positioned to be a part of someone else’s miracle. Will you allow God to use you this week?

Discussion Questions:

What is the 1 thing you would like people to most know about you? Please tell that. (BTW, we are going to assume that you Love Jesus, so please choose something else)

Have you ever had someone be a part of a miracle in your life (& possibly they never even knew how big of a role they were in that miracle)? Tell the story briefly.

Read & share what this scripture means to you regarding what God desires from us.

What aspect of obedience to God is most difficult for you? If you know why that is, please take a risk and share it.