Bread

We are about to experience one of the weirdest Easter’s ever. An Easter with no Sunrise Service. No Church services, in person. No Easter Egg hunts for the masses. No rabbit pictures. And yet, I’m not discouraged. It’s going to be strange, for sure. But, Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And missing out on any of the above items is not going to change that. I know millions of people out there are still going to do the best they can with what they’ve got because that’s who we are as humans. And no circumstance can change the fact that He is Risen!

We have recently been studying the Widow of Zarepheth in my Bible Study. Which is a very encouraging story. It takes place in 1 Kings 17. 1st of all, Elijah the prophet had been living by a river bed, being fed by ravens twice a day for 3 1/2 years during a drought. Read that sentence again. Because our God provides. And when God had told Elijah to go live by this river bed, he just picked up and went. No questions about how God was going to provide, just went. So, he had just gotten done hanging out for 3 1/2 years, camping by a river and being fed meat twice a day by ravens, when God suddenly told him, “Arise, go to ^wZarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” Now, some context here. Sidon is the heart of where Baal worship was happening. And Elijah was not a popular guy amongst the people who worshipped Baal. So – Arise and go deep behind enemy lines, into the heart of the people who hate you and me. And there you will live. Because you know, God never asks us to do easy tasks. Then, please note, that God told Elijah that there was a widow that would feed him. We did discuss in the Bible Study, how did God prepare the widow? How did she know to step out in faith and feed this man when he arrived? The Bible doesn’t say, but it was an interesting point of discussion and food for thought. Because then, Elijah arrives and asks her to bring him water and bread. She explains that she was about to make the last of her bread to feed her son and herself one more time, then they were waiting to die. Elijah explains that if she gives him the first mini-loaf, then there will be plenty for her and her son. And the pot of flour and the pot of oil will never run out until the rain comes. Great setting for #Godshowedup. Cards are down, backs against the wall, time has run out, and there are no hail mary’s left to throw. God’s favorite intro. And low and behold, the widow does it. She steps out in faith, and makes the last morsel of food for the stranger Elijah. And, the miracle of bread happens. The miracle of ever-lasting bread that would feed these three people for an indefinite amount of time, until the drought is lifted. I find it interesting that we do know how long Elijah hangs out by the river and gets fed by birds, but we are not told how long they eat from the bottomless jars of flour and oil.

Then, after an indefinite amount of time, the son of the widow falls ill and dies. And, the widow of course is distraught and upset and accuses Elijah and God that this is their fault. So, Elijah brings the boy into another room and prays over him. And God breathes life back into him. And, the widow’s response, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

This whole story spans 24 verses. And yet, there is so much in it. And, we never learn the widow’s name, or the son’s name, or what happened to them after all of this took place. I like to think that she and her son converted and started following the Lord. That they shared their testimony with others. But, Elijah just goes on with his missions. It was anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 years of his life (maybe more), and it was just a blip in this story. And yet, one of the most inspirational and comforting stories I have read. Here there is hardship in the land, but those who believe (and even those who don’t initially) are being cared for by the Lord. He is providing. He cares and has his hand upon the situation. He asks these people to step out in faith, and when they do, #Godshowsup.

Because He is the Bread of Life. Which was interesting because as we were studying this, here it is, coming on Easter Sunday. And in our study book, there was a recipe for Bread. Which if you know anything about baking, this recipe, is unleven bread. *Bread without yeast…. Which is typically used for communion. And when do millions of people suddenly turn up at Church when they might not go any other Sunday? On Easter and Christmas. And what do you typically have during these services? Communion.

Then, as I’m watching my church’s online service for Wednesday night, here they are, once again talking about how God is bread. I love when this happens. God has a message for his people. And for all who are listening, they all join together and start sharing the same message. And, during this time of hardship and overwhelming uncertainty, God is trying to tell us, not to worry – He will provide. Focus on Him, cast your worries upon Him, and He will care for you. He has seen famine, He has seen plague, He has seen despair and worry and uncertainty, and He was there. And He provided. And He carried His people through. He shows up. This time, is no different. We just have to trust Him. We may have never experienced this before, but God has, and He knows just what to do, and we just have to trust Him – that He is doing it.

Here is Holy Life Tabernacle’s Wednesday Night Service:

And here is a recipe for some bread if you would like to have communion on Sunday, or just share in the experience of the widow of Zarepheth and Elijah. *Also, on the Holy Life Youtube channel Sunday morning – we will be having communion if you would like to share in that.

1 c. whole wheat flour (or white flour – whatever you have)

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 c. water

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ingredients. Knead dough on floured surface for 5 minutes. Roll out dough to about 1/8″ thick. Place on a cookie sheet that is well oiled or lined with baker’s parchment. Bake for 20 minutes. – Recipe courtesy of Waiting A Bible Study of Patience, Hope, and Trust by Sharla Fritz.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your provisions. Thank you for your message this week. That you are the Bread of Life. That we shall partake daily. That we shall rest in your word and feast upon your provisions. That You are the God of more than enough. A God who loves his children. That you will bless us and care for us. That we may rest assured that even though we have never experienced anything like what is happening right now, You have. That You know just what to do and You will be the Shepard. You will ensure our jars never run dry. You will lay your hands upon the land and bless us Father. That you will remove this plague from the land and we will rise up and grow ever stronger in You Father. That You are the Great, The Almighty, the Beginning and the End, Everything to Everyone Father. That You will bless our lands, and our homes, and our bodies. That you will keep us and never forsake us. That You are the God who is always there, and we can count on that every day of the week. Thank You Father for all You have done, and all You will continue to do. Bless Your Holy Name. In JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

Mission’s Circle

Focus on the positive. If you are already doing something, then bless you! Keep on, keeping on!

Ways to reach out, where you’re at:

Make a video of something fun and interesting for those in isolation

Facetime people you know who are in isolation

Are there elderly/older people around you? Save them a trip to the store (next time you go), by picking up their stuff too and delivering it to them

Make masks and donate to local clinics, nursing homes, older people you know (many states have a specific #millionmaskmayday page to find local places that need masks if you’re local clinic isn’t accepting them.)

Participate in #worldofhearts or #we’reallinthistogether by decorating your windows with hearts

Think of something on your own. What can you do to help? Everyone can be a missionary, where they’re at.