Being Used by God

Today we will learn from a very poor widow & Elijah, a great Prophet who were used by GOD mightily, so that every one of us can be used by God for miraculous way! How did this widow and Elijah could be used by GOD miraculously?
1. Difficult situations give us the chance to be used by GOD.
•
The long drought had made Elijah being used by GOD to make His people to come to realization (verse 1).
•
Our nation’s crisis actually gives us the opportunity to be used by GOD to save many souls!
•
The chaos that happens in the families gives us the opportunity to be used by GOD to save families!2. GOD is taking care of the people who want to be used as His tools.
•
GOD’s care is sometime abundant like the great Jordan River, but it is sometime limited like the small Cherith River (v. 2-4).
•
GOD’s care is right on time, just like the raven that came on time as GOD told them to do so (v. 6).
•
GOD’s care could be from rich people, but could also be from poor people as this widow in Zarephath (v. 7-9).
•
But surely GOD will take care of the people who want to be used by Him!3. To put GOD first will make us able to be used by Him.
•
They needed bread that they made for their own purposes (v. 11-12).
•
For this widow in Zarephath to be used by Him, she had to put GOD first (v. 13).
•
For Elijah to be used by GOD, he had to put Him first. Otherwise, Elijah would not be able to be used by GOD because at that time many prophets were caught, even being killed!
•
For us to be used by GOD, we have to put Him first. Otherwise, we will always say: there is no time, there is no fund, etc.4. Obedience bring us to experience miracles and GOD’s grace! Dare to obey GOD actually brings us great blessings!
•
Because Elijah was obedient in putting GOD first, he were saved and experienced great miracles in his life.
•
Because the widow in Zarephath was obedient in putting GOD first, she experienced miracles and her life was always being fulfilled.
GOD promised if this widow dare to put GOD’s need first, then the miracle will happen (v. 3-14).
When the widow dare to obey in putting GOD first, then GOD fulfilled His promise (v. 15-16).
That was not the only time the widow’s need were fulfilled, but also when there was a great problem she was helped by GOD! (v. 17-24)
The death of this widow’s son could also talk to us about the death of his spirituality, finance and business, family relationship, etc.
•
Last week we learned that GOD had commanded the Israelites to bring tithes into the house of the Lord.
If the Israelites obey GOD’s command, then there would be food and the flood gates of heaven would be opened and GOD’s people would be blessed abundantly in the House of the Lord.
It is the same with us. When we obey to bring tithes to our church, then all the church’s financial for our ministry, the lack of church building fund, and the opening of new school will be fulfilled. The congregations will also receive great blessings.
•
Sometime, GOD uses something that we really need!!!
For example:
The widow in Zarephath.
The Israelites were desperate for water, but were commanded to pour plenty of water (1Kings 18:34-35).
Abraham need a son/an offspring, however he was commanded by GOD to give his only son as a burning sacrifice for GOD.
•
Moreover with the things we do not need, yet!!! For example:
Joseph from Arimathea with his position and new tomb.
David with his wealth and position, etc.
Let us do the Word of GOD so that we could become useful tool for GOD and experience great miracles in our life as this widow in Zarephath.