A "Chrystal Clear" Calling

Has God ever made it "Chrystal Clear" to you where He wants to plant you to be a witness for Him? Did you finally go, but reluctantly? There will be a time and a place God will want you to go, if you are a true follower of Christ, to help someone get back on track with Him, just as He did Jonah the prophet who was sent to Ninevah. Are you spiritually prepared for the journey?

What is a Witness?

Read Acts 26:12-29

A witness is a person who tells what he has seen and heard. He shares his own personal experience. Anyone who has a vital personal relationship with Christ can be a witness for Him. Witnessing is the overflow of the Christian life. A vital Christian life is contagious. As our lives are filled with the presence of the Lord Jesus, we cannot help but share Him with those with whom we come into contact.

1.) In Romans 1:14-16, Paul tells us his own attitude about sharing the Gospel with others. Using his three "I am's" as the keys to the passage, describe his attitude in your own words.

2.) Compare your own attitude concerning witnessing, with Paul's. (Colossians 1:28)

3.) What did Peter tell us in I Peter 3:15 that we should always be ready to do? Where and when can you do this?

4.) What was Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8. How is this promise shown in your life today?

5.) Name at least three people to whom you are impressed to witness to in the power of Christ. Prayerfully ask God to show you ways to share your faith in Christ with each one.

It is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian to reach his world with the message of Christ. If you would like information on how to witness effectively for Christ, please visit this web site: www.campuscrusade.com.

Dear Lord, let me be your hands and feet today
when I meet people who need your help.
Jesus, in these times of unrest, help me to bring
peace and healing to those around me.

Elijah the Prophet

The story of Elijah, the praying prophet, is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. God shows up miraculously and puts the false gods to shame. Elijah lived in an era when prophets of God were despised by the worshipers of the pagan gods who infiltrated the Israelite Kingdoms.

Elijah was one of the important Biblical prophets, who lived in the 9th C BC during the times of King Ahab and his wicked queen Jezebel. Elijah is regarded by all faiths (Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze) as a healer, a miracle maker, and a great hero who stood against the might of Kings and false prophets. He is incorporated in many of the religious accounts (such as the transfiguration of Jesus) and traditions.

King Ahab and his wife Jezebel rebelled against God and made life hard for the true prophets of the Church (I Kings 16 - 22). Elijah's faithfulness to God revealed to the people who the one true God was, but ended with the retaliation of Jezebel, causing the deaths of true prophets of God (I Kings 18:1-40).

In the Church today, the controlling spirits of Ahab and Jezebel are still trying to destroy the prophets by dismantling their positions with lies of disbelief of the one true God. Learning more about them will help us to identify their destructive tricks of the trade and then deal with them by seeking guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word.

Take Note: The spirit of Jezebel -- one who murders the prophets and has her own religion and “prophets” (who cater to the flesh) -- is one that is coming under damnation, but from Genesis to Revelation, we see that it is the Ahab spirit who allows it and is also the one Jesus holds accountable for its operation.

Elijah was a man just like us. In James 5:17-18 we read, "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

We must not overlook the fact that God provided food for Elijah, the widow woman, and her family for three and a half years. This was not a one time miracle, but rather was one which God repeated daily for over 1,270 days. In 1 Kings 17:15-16 we read, "She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."

God is still one who provides for our needs. Are you experiencing a spiritual drought in your life today? Are you hungry for the things of God? Is God calling you to reach out to others? God still cares. Note, as with the widow, He will not ask you to give more than He has given you. As we share the love of Christ with others, may it be said of us as the widow said of Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man [or woman] of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth." (See 1 Kings 17:24).

Elijah - The prophet. In Hebrew: Eliyahu. Means in Hebrew: Eli (my God) + Yahu (the Lord, the Hebrew God). Thus the name means "The Lord is my God". Elijah came from a place called Tishbi, in the region of Gilad - east to the Jordan river.

Biblical reference: 1 Kings 17:1: "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word".

Elias - Greek for "Elijah" the prophet. Elijah plays an important role in the Greek-Orthodox church. According to the tradition and Biblical texts, Elijah gave his spirit and power to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus.

Bits and Pieces from: Devotions for Development ; BibleWalks.com ; AllSaintsBrookLine.org ; Prophetic.net ; CCEL.org ; WGBD.org

-Debi Webster Perry-