Recovery Ministries aims to see people of all nationalities recovering from loss, in accordance with the promises they have in Jesus Christ
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TEXT: ‘Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit’ (James 5:17-18) Today’s Teaching focusses on prayer, a subject of interest to Christians who wonder, “How can I be more effective when praying?” There are three things I want to highlight from our text. 1. The Person – ‘Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings]’ (James 5:17 AMP). The previous verse says, ‘The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results’ (James 5:16 NLT). This statement can discourage us from praying, for we know only too well our personal weaknesses and failures. We need instead, to focus on the word “righteous”, as that will give us confidence to come boldly to the throne of grace. Righteousness that is not dependent on us to achieve, other than to believe what God has said is true, ‘For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). God said it and we need to take it by faith. Our text states, ‘Elijah was a man with a nature like ours’. Maybe no one will ever match the heights of Elijah, especially when he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and saw fire come down from heaven in answer to his prayer. We can, however, identify...
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TEXT: ‘Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.” Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people’ (1 Chronicles 13:3-4) David’s heart desire was to bring the Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence) to Jerusalem. Years earlier the Israelites had lost a battle and the Ark had been taken captive by the Philistines, who soon discovered the God of Israel could look after Himself (see 1 Samuel 4:1 – 7:2). To stop the plagues and safeguard the nation against further calamity, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Beth Shemesh. Tragedy struck the inhabitants when they looked inside the Ark and several died for their lack of reverence. Panic-stricken, the people invited the citizens of Kirjath Jearim to come, take the Ark and look after it. It was from here that David and all Israel came to transport the Ark to Jerusalem. A carnival atmosphere ensued as the Ark was put on a new cart, as the Philistines had done. Arriving at Chidon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled and Uzza put out his hand to steady the Ark. Immediately he died and the celebration party quickly became silent and everyone wondered what to do with the Ark. Eventually it was decided to put the Ark into Obed-Edom’s care and he was consecrated to look after it (see 1 Chronicles 13:13). Today’s Teaching studies David’s reaction to the setback of his plans and how the matter was resolved. 1....
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TEXT: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken-hearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him’ (Luke 4:18-19 TLB) These verses prophesied how Jesus would start His ministry, but it was the same at the end. What do you expect when approaching retirement from a job, church ministry, or nearing the end of your life? You don’t have to be an old person to reach that point, because Jesus was just 33 years old when He died. The elderly and housebound often ask, “What can I do?” The answer is, “Plenty!” Jesus said, ‘I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work’ (John 9:4). The Holy Spirit reminded me how Jesus acted at the end of His life on earth and we can do the same. 1. Pass on what you know Jesus was continually sharing with His disciples about principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. Shortly before He was arrested, His focus was on two main themes: His return and the end of the world – See Matthew chapters 24 and 25 Jesus taught the importance of staying true and faithful while waiting for His return and not being deceived by world events or false teaching. The role of the Holy Spirit as His replacement – See John chapters...
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