Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

Because Elijah was a man of faith he was able to speak the prophetic word with understanding and demonstrate the power of God to those who serve other gods. On Mount Carmel Elijah ordered Ahab to get all the people of his kingdom to come up to the mountain to decide who the true and living God really is. This was the challenge: the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal were to select one of the two bulls prepared for the challenge and were asked to prepare it, cut it in pieces and lay it on the altar. They were then asked not to light a fire under the sacrifice but to call on their god to consume the offering. After pleading with their god from sun up to sun down, nothing happened. They cut themselves until the blood gushed out from them v.28, but still nothing happened [there are people who still do this today, see the Shi-ites in Iran]. During their frenzy Elijah mocked them and asked them to shout out louder so that their god can hear them.  This still did not awaken their god Baal, to consume the sacrifice. To show that the one true God is God, Elijah had his sacrifice placed on the altar. Before doing this he repaired the altar v.30. This was broken down by the people who welcomed Baal as their god.  He then took 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel and built the altar. This was symbolic of the restoration or order in the house as the kings of Israel had caused confusion and chaos by following other gods and false religions (like in Britain today). He then made a trench around the altar and doused the sacrifice with water until the water collected in it. After this he prayer the following: O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known this day that you are the God of Israel, that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me O Lord, answer me, so that the people may know that you are God v.36/7. The fire of God came and consumed the sacrifice. Today, we need to challenge the prophets who are enticing the people to worship other gods and stand on the word of Yahweh. This is where we need supernatural wisdom, knowledge and understanding to operate all strata of society. So pray with me, “Lord Jesus we know that the gods of other religions are being put on an equal footing in society with you, but today we ask you to raise up people like Elijah who will declare your glory with humility and display your supernatural power even among those who don’t believe, in Jesus’ name amen.” Meditate on chapter 18.