April 2022 – Page 3 of 3 – Sonshine's Journal

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022

Using Your Spiritual Gift

2Kings 4-6 God heard the prayer of Elisha. He asked that he receive a double spiritual gift if he saw Elijah depart to heaven. When God responded to his humble request, he didn’t just take that gift and put it on the shelf. He used that gift to meet the needs of those who were hurting. Do we do the same? What spiritual gift has God placed in your hands that can be used to minister to the hurting? The Ephesians had the gift of ministry, but they had left their first love. (Rev 2:4) Have we been busy with sundry tasks but have left our first love? What does that look like? It looks like selfishness because we are keeping God’s gift to ourselves. Instead, God has given it to us to minister to others.

Remember this principle: “If your enemy is hungry, give him foot to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” [Prov. 25:21-22] And when you are obedient to that you will hear: well done, thou good and faithful servant. [Luke 19:17]

What do I want to hear from the Savior’s lips today?

April 6, 2022April 6, 2022

What is on your wish list?

2Kings 1-3 The wicked king Ahab is killed in battle, and his son, just as corrupt, begins to reign. Like Ahab, Ahaziah does not consult God when a problem arises, so God sends the prophet Elijah to ask the simple question: Is there no God in Israel that you have to call upon Baal when you are injured? How often do we seek other avenues than God when we want an answer to our problems? Ahaziah learns a lesson that as God validated Elijah before his father Ahab, He will do it again for his son and because he did not inquire of the true God, he would die. Lesson to learn: God will not share His glory with another. [Is. 48:11]

God has used the prophet, Elijah, repeatedly for the kingdom of Israel, but his destiny date is soon upon him, and it will be a ride into the heavens via the heavenly chariots of fire! His replacement, Elisha, is asked what he would like, and he asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spiritual gift. Have we ever asked that question?

As Daniel eloquently wrote, God raises up and puts down leaders, but this is the only time when a man of God has been asked for his spiritual gift to be bestowed upon his protégé. I wonder what we might ask of one who is spiritually gifted?

If you could ask for one thing what would it be?

April 5, 2022April 5, 2022

Be Grateful! Acknowledge God’s Provision.

1Kings 20-22 Ahab rejects God’s Word

How many more evil kings will there be in Israel? The answer is many, for not one will be good, not one! Ahab has to be the epitome of selfishness and ungratefulness, yet God saw his heart of humility and let him live. That is God’s character which is so “not me!” I am grateful that God sees beyond my heart to what His heart is and forgives me repeatedly. That is one lesson from the life of Ahab.

These two chapters prove this lesson: God is merciful whether you are a believer or an apostate. God’s mercy wasn’t because of anything Ahab did, but to show His character of mercy.

As I look back on yesterday and the day before, I can see the hand of God’s mercy upon my life, and I am humbled to be grateful.

Warning! Beware of being an Ahab who saw God’s provision and protection yet refused to acknowledge Him. How quick we are to accept from God’s hand His mercy but walk away and forget. Perhaps you can relate to this story as well.

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022

God is our Provider

1Kings 17-19 Jehovah Jireh

Like many, people grumble when their comfort zone has been disrupted— even about God. We live in an instant gratification society and we want the problem fixed. Enter the prophet Elijah to remind us that God doesn’t work on our timetable because He is the God of creativity and nothing is too hard for God, for He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

God’s ways are not our ways. [Is. 55:9] Who would ever have thought that God would/could use ravens who are scavengers, not providers to bring Elijah food day after day while he waits on God’s next assignment! Then God uses a desperate Gentile widow outside Israel to provide a meal when the cupboard was bare! To add to that, her son dies while Elijah is living with them! At this point, Elijah may have returned to his depression, but instead, he goes to God in prayer, and God revives the child. In the meantime, back in Israel, Obadiah has been busy snatching food from King Ahab’s kitchen for 100 prophets he has hidden, yet Elijah doesn’t know any of this. Sometimes God works in front of us and sometimes behind the scenes. Lastly, when Elijah was weary, He provided a replacement in Elisha! In all of that, He teaches Elijah, and us, that no problem is too hard for Him.

If God can use unclean ravens, a Gentile widow, an Obadiah, or an Elisha, will He not provide for our every need? Do we trust Him to take care of our essentials this day?

April 3, 2022April 3, 2022

“You Can’t Fool God.”

1Kings 14 The gecko in the garden tries to fool by staying still and changing his coat to match the plant. He thinks you can’t see them, just like King Jeroboam thought he could fool the prophet Ahijah. Jeroboam sent his wife to Ahijah disguised as an ordinary woman when the little prince was very ill. What Jeroboam didn’t know was that although the old prophet was now blind, God would be Ahijah’s eyes.

Is. 46:9 says, “Truly, I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me.”

Our disguises do not fool God. Even blindness cannot fool God. We may change our clothes and put on a new face, but God sees us as we are. God sees our heart. He sees our motives. He sees the situation.

Do you attempt to conceal yourself out of shame, thinking the world doesn’t know you as a believer? Jesus reminded us: “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” [Luke9]

Beloved—God will reveal who you are even if you are trying to hide. Don’t be like Jeroboam because God will reveal who you are because you can’t fool God.

April 2, 2022April 2, 2022

God is not like us; He says and He does…

1Kings 13 Contradicting messages…

We often say we will obey, but something comes our way, and we question what God has said. As our loving Father, God often gives us warning signs to beware. Take the story of the prophet sent to King Jeroboam of the consequences of worshiping idols. God confirmed His message to the prophet by having Jeroboam’s hand wither, and the altar broke. He obediently spoke for God and declined a meal and went home a different way--just as God said to do. However, on his way, he met an old man who also claimed to be a “prophet” with a message that an angel said he should ignore that first set of instructions.

Warning Sign:

It was while he was obeying that God tested his obedience. He failed to return to ask God about what He has said. God is not a man who changes his mind. [Num. 23:19] The prophet rehearsed God’s message to the older man, but then he began to falter. Well, he said he is a prophet and he said he heard an angel speak. Beloved, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! And, like us, he did not check back in with God. So while dining, he heard this news:

You will die before reaching home–and he did.

Be forewarned; the adversary can use even what seems like righteous words.

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022

The Prayer Essentials

1Kings 8-10 Solomon’s Prayer
God has blessed us with many prayers of HIs people just like Solomon’s. Each has the outline of adoration, confession, and supplication, and we would do well to include those in our prayers. Just as Daniel included himself, so did Solomon, as he prayed that God would “hear in heaven.”
You are the most holy God of gods; you are faithful even when we are unfaithful. There is no god like you in heaven above or earth below. You are a promise keeper and the giver of life and godliness to Your people. So, Father, “hear in heaven” this plea of your servant: that others would come to know You and seek to serve you. We confess that we have sinned and are astray from Your way, but You promise to “hear in heaven” and forgive. We need wise leaders to guide us, so please “hear in heaven” and raise godly leaders.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Amen and amen.