[Q2. Ravens]

 

On 9/28/2022 at 7:21 PM, S Roberson said:

After Elijah went into hiding at the Kerith Ravine as God had directed him, there ravens brought him bread and meat twice a  day as he got water to drink from a nearby brook.  Elijah obeyed the voice of God and in return God provided for him at a time when nothing else was available as he was running for his life. This shows that God by His power is able to do the impossible to those who obey Him. We see Elijah obeying without hesitation. We also see God keeping His promise to Elijah and He sustains him I a mysterious way. 

By Elijah eating the food brought in by the ravens shows us his great trust in God. By faith he knows that God cannot feed him meat that is unclean because God created all beings. Elijah was living in the wild and anything that the ravens brought he ate because his survival and wellbeing depended on it as God had commanded the ravens to provide for Elijah. 

By fully obeying God He has promised to be with us always and thus meet our needs Matthew 28:30. This shows us that God is faithful and just and He will do what He says He will do. 

 

[Q1. Courage]

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is “speaking truth to power” so difficult when the power structures are corrupt?

It took great courage for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of impending drought in the next few years. Elijah had faith in God , Yahweh and thus his courage was derived from his faith in Yahweh. King Ahab trusted in Baal the rain god and  could not fathom anybody discrediting Baal. He had ruled Israel for many years and he had married  powerful Queen Jezebel. As Elijah declared the drought to King Ahab, he declared that as long as the God of Israel lived, whom he served, there would not be dew nor rain in the coming few years expect by his proclaimation.  

The danger that this message to King Ahab brought to Elijah was him being killed by King Ahab. The King had become angry and was acting up as this meant that Baal who was the god of rain and fertility was not powerful after all and this did not go well with him. As the king was in that state of humiliation Elijah stalked out the palace and disappeared. God told Elijah to go into hiding and directed him where to go and even made plans of how Elijah would survive in hiding. 

Speaking truth to power becomes very difficult when the power structures are corrupt because they usurp all power and disregard any counsel from common or lowly people. 

[Q1. Spirit Falls]

Q1. (Acts 2:1-4) When the Holy Spirit falls on the Day of Pentecost, what is the significance of the sound of wind?

On the Day of Pentecost, the significance of the sound of wind was to indicate that the Holy Spirit was present or had come as it had been promised. The sound of the wind was so loud thus the 120 people who had gathered knew that this was it, the gift that had been promised had come. The sound was audible but there was no wind.  Wind signified breathe  which is life.

 Of the flames? The flames were seen as visions and broke out in tongues of flames that went to everyone who was in the room and once the flame touched them they were filled by the Holy Spirit and immediately started speaking in tongues. 

Of the spontaneous speaking of the praises of God in other languages?

The spontaneous speaking of the praises of God in other languages signified the filling up of the Holy Spirit of the Apostles of Jesus  Christ and other followers of Jesus. The people who had gathered to watch this phenomenon were able to understand what the apostles were saying each in their own language as they spoke of praises to God. The Apostles were also filled with power and that day Peter preached and over 3000 people became followers of Jesus Christ.

How does this filling conform to Old Testament patterns?

The Holy Spirit was also at work in the Old Testament as  He has been mentioned during the time of Moses and King Saul. In the Book of Joel, the Prophet also prophesied about the Holy Spirit  filling up young  men and women.

[Q3. Prayer]

Q3. (Acts 1:14) While we know that individual prayer is powerful (James 5:16b), Jesus indicates that group prayer is even more powerful (Matthew 18:19). How would you describe what was happening with this “Fellowship of the 120”?   

Group prayers are powerful. A group of people coming together in prayer  are able to pray in unity and as Jesus said where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name he shall be there in their midst. 

When Jesus was about to be lifted to heaven, he told his disciples not to leave Jerusalem for in a few days they were going to receive a gift that had been promised by the Father, a gift of the Holy Spirit.  As the disciples waited they gathered  other believers and prayed waiting on the promise of the Holy Spirit. 

Have you ever been part of a group praying like this?

Yes I have been part of  praying groups in the recent past. One group came together on Whatsapp when covid19 pandemic came and there was a lockdown in Kenya. We were many people in the group and prayers went on 24/7 for 3 months with people picking the hour they are to watch and pray.

I am on another church group where we meet on zoom every day at 4.30am for 1 hour to pray. 

Do you value prayer enough to gather with others to pray? Yes I value the power of prayer and by praying I have seen God work. How much of your church’s “prayer meeting” is spent in actual prayer? During Church we spend about 1 hour in prayer and worship and at times we meet for worship nights and spend more time in prayer 

 

 

[Q2. Power]

The Holy Spirit gave them the power to witness the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the world. They were so effective and thousands of people came and followed Jesus. 

We too can receive power to witness to people and bring many to Jesus.

[Q1. Stay]

This was very critical call for the disciples and followers of Christ to be together and wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the beginning of the Church after the ascension of Jesus. 

[Q1. Stay]

They had been instructed by Jesus not to leave Jerusalem until after a gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to them by God. Therefore they waited together, men and women, in Jerusalem for God to  visit them. 

[9. Blessings]

Day 9 Meditation Psalm 128 : What does it mean to fear the Lord?

Fear here does not mean to be scared but rather to have utmost RESPECT for God, to be in AWE of God,  which is made possible by my great love for God, my trust in God  and my faith in God. 

 

What kinds of blessings has God showered over your life?

The greatest gift God has showered me with is the gift of salvation. Without Christ id be nothing. He made me whole and filled me with his love.  In times of difficulties I become a warrior in spirit knowing that he has promised never to leave me.  

In His blessings, He has showered me with wisdom, love and patience that have helped me in my marriage,  bringing up my family and also in my work environment.  It is by God's grace/blessings that all our needs have been provided for and we have been able to share with others in need.

 

Why does he allow remaining struggles?

At times life is not rosy and we go through difficult times. During the fall of Adam and Eve, God told them that they would go through hard work and pain in this world. we see struggle here as a result of sin. Godly people also encounter hardships but they overcome  them due to their faith in God. God has promised us that He shall never leave us nor forsake us. God also allows struggles so that He may be glorified in our overcoming and standing firm in our faith in him. Abraham, Job, Paul and even our Lord Jesus had to endure great struggles all for God's glory. 

God allows suffering to happen to people so that they can learn to obey him . Many a times the Israelite's suffered  and God blessed them when they repented and turned back to Him.  In the present day ,  who would have imagined the world coming to a halt and people going through great fear and suffering . I believe  God wants us to turn away from our WICKED ways (think of all the wickedness in today's world). God is calling humanity back to him. We have to  answer God's call.

Does faith always result in prosperity?

Yes, eventually it does

How do you define prosperity?

Prosperity to me is the richness of the heart. The abundance of joy, goodness, strength  and love that comes from knowing Christ. All other things  are added blessings from God.