DAD'S RAMBLINGS – Good Manners
I Kings 17:10-11
"So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink." And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."
How did Elijah know that this was the widow God had told him to contact? Perhaps she wore some kind of clothing that identified her as a widow. But there was probably also a quickening in Elijah's spirit that said, "This is the one." And there must have been the same kind of quickening in the widow for her to respond so quickly. After all, they were strangers to each other. God does confirm His will by moving in people's hearts. But even though Elijah, as a prophet, had the authority to demand her to get him food and water, he still used good manners and said, "Please." Good manners are the oil that make relationships run smoothly. A position of authority does not give a person the right to be rude and run roughshod over people. More can be accomplished by requests with good manners than by rude commands.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Even though we know God's will and have the right to demand, we still need to use good manners in dealing with people.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Obedience to God's confirmed will does not negate the need for good manners.
I Kings 17:10-11
"So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink." And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."
How did Elijah know that this was the widow God had told him to contact? Perhaps she wore some kind of clothing that identified her as a widow. But there was probably also a quickening in Elijah's spirit that said, "This is the one." And there must have been the same kind of quickening in the widow for her to respond so quickly. After all, they were strangers to each other. God does confirm His will by moving in people's hearts. But even though Elijah, as a prophet, had the authority to demand her to get him food and water, he still used good manners and said, "Please." Good manners are the oil that make relationships run smoothly. A position of authority does not give a person the right to be rude and run roughshod over people. More can be accomplished by requests with good manners than by rude commands.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Even though we know God's will and have the right to demand, we still need to use good manners in dealing with people.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Obedience to God's confirmed will does not negate the need for good manners.
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