Whom will you follow?

We all know people who claim to be Christian, but if you look at how they live their lives you can’t tell much difference between them and the rest of the world. They dress like the world, talk like the world, and eat and drink like the world. They might show up for church on Sunday, wearing their best clothes and best smile. And they lift their hands in the praise songs and as soon as church is over and they are back in the car, they look just like the world again. It’s as if they can’t decided who’s side they are on – team Jesus or team Satan. It leaves you wanting to ask, “Whom will you follow?!”

Elijah challenges Israel to decide whom to follow

In 1 Kings 18, we find Elijah who challenges the Israelites to decide what God they are going to follow. Throughout Israel’s history, they had a tendency of worshipping false gods. At this particular time, the false god was Baal. Elijah tells Ahab to gather all of Israel to Mount Carmel along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah and he then issues his challenge.

He pits himself as the loan prophet of God against all the prophets of Baal. He tells the people two built two altars and bring two bulls – one for him and one for all the prophets of Baal. They each prepare the bull for sacrifice and lay the wood on the altar – but Elijah tells them to not put any fire on the sacrifice. Instead the prophets of Baal would call on their God to send down fire and Elijah would call on his God for fire. The God that answered by sending fire to consume the sacrifice would be identified as the one true God. The people all agreed that this was a good solution.

When you follow a false god, don’t expect an answer from him

Elijah then let the prophets of Baal go first. The people prepared their altar and bull and laid the wood on it. They called on Baal from morning till noon – but there was no answer and no fire. They began leaping around the altar – still no answer. Then around noon Elijah calls out, mocking them, telling them to cry louder because maybe he is meditating or busy or away on a journey or sleeping. So they cry out to Baal louder and begin cutting themselves until blood gushed out on them – but no answer from Baal and no fire. 

When you follow God, expect an answer

Now it’s Elijah’s turn. He calls all the people near him. He takes 12 stones and rebuilds the altar of the Lord and dug a trench around it. Elijah puts the wood on the altar, cut the bull in pieces and laid them on the wood. Then he told the people to fill four water pots with water and pour it on the sacrifice and wood. They did this three times, filling the trench around the altar in the process.

Then Elijah steps up and prays: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” God answered – not in words, but in results! Fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and dust. It licked up all the water that was in the trench. Only one prayer. God answered. That’s the power of a living God for one who believes and trusts in Him.

Today, we still must decide if we will follow God – or someone/something else. You can’t travel down both paths. You are either all in or all out. Which are you?

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Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

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The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

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This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:

Revive Us Again, God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice

Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.

See our graduation tees and products:

Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle

Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

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Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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