Fall Creek Christian Church

"But Jehoshaphat asked, 'Isn't there a prophet of the Lord around, too? I would like to ask him the same question. ... So Micaiah told him, 'In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountain, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, 'Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.' ... So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat led their armies against Ramoth-gilead." II Chronicles 18:6,16,28 After reciting my litany of aches, pains, and "things I used to be able to do", my doctor gave me her prescription. Eat healthier. Consume less caffeine. Exercise ... a lot. So, I went home grabbed a bag of chips and a soda, sat down on the lazy boy and complained about how she had no idea what she was talking about it. Fundamentally, my problem was not an information shortage. It was an unwillingness to do anything with the information I had. Our story today reveals a king suffering from that same malady I see in myself way too often. K

"One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." Romans 1:10-12 "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy was, to say the least, wildly popular. In the story line, an unlikely group was formed called, "The Fellowship of the Ring." It included a dwarf, an elf, two men, a wizard and four hobbits. One of the great appeals of the movies for me was the undying bond of friendship between these characters. They found in each other the strength, the courage, the will, and the perseverance to complete the mission. In his letter to this church, Paul speaks of a longing in his heart to be able to visit his fellow Jesus followers in Rome. Why? In a word ... fellowship. He wanted to help them. He wanted to both gi

"About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: This is what the Lord says, 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.' When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 'Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.' Then he broke down and wept bitterly." II Kings 20:1-3 As the ambulance whisked our baby away, we scrambled to find family to take our other children so we could get to the hospital as quickly as possible. On our way, we prayed. We cried. We begged and we pleaded. She was so close to death and we knew it. God, in his providence, chose to answer 'yes' to our cries and her life on earth was extended. Hezekiah entered fully into the cry of the desperate heart. He was given the news of his imminent