TROUBLES BREWING

     Bill Peterson, John McDonald and Randy Smith were having a “meeting of the minds” as they called it while sitting on the local fishing peer. Wanting to try and piece together a few more ideas and pieces to the rebellion yet not wanting to waste a beautiful day they decided this was going to be a win win situation even if they didn't catch a fish.

     “You did tell Robert and Tim where we were meeting, Bill?” John asked. “Yeah” Bill replied, “But I think I told them the wrong time. They should be here soon though.” “Does anybody know if Harold ever found anybody to listen to him?” Randy asked. “Why? Do you need some pointers for your sermons?” John said with a laugh.

     “Any other time I would have thought that to be funny.” Randy said “But, wait, who's that over their behind that tree?” “I don't see anybody.” Bill said as he turned to look. “Me neither.” John said. “Well, I'm sure I saw someone over there.” Randy said, “And it looked almost like it could have been Stella.”

     “STELLA! We know you're over there.” Bill called out wondering if someone was really there and to his surprise, someone answered back “I’m not here.” Everyone immediately recognized Stella's voice and Bill called out “Alright, Stella. What is going on here? Why are you spying on us from behind that tree?”

     “I'm not spying on you.” Stella called out, “I'm looking for Bud.” “Bud?” John asked, “Who in the world is Bud?” “Bud?” Stella repeated, “Did I say Bud? I meant MUD. Yeah, That's what I meant, mud.” “But I was sure you said Bud.” John said “Yeah, I heard you say Bud too.” Randy added. “No.” Stella replied, “You couldn’t have. Nobody is suppose to know He’s here.”

     “Know who is here?” Bill asked. “Bud!” Stella replied to which all three guys said “BUD!?” in unison. “Where? Where?” Stella said coming out of here hiding spot and looking all around. “So you did say Bud.” John said. “What's going on Stella?” Randy piped in. “You better come clean” Bill added, “you're already in a heap of trouble.”

     “Harold’s messing up our plans.” Stella said, “He’s become a mister nice guy, and he’s being obedient. And that’s going to mess up our plans.” Plans for what?” John asked, “Plans to take over the city?” “'Yes” Stella replied, And that's not all, but now we have to stop Harold or he’s going to ruin everything. And I’ve already said to much.”

     “Well you better keep talking.” Came another voice. It was Tim. But Stella didn't keep talking, she took off on the run. Bill was about to chase after her but Randy yelled out that he got a bite and he got sidetracked helping keep Randy from falling in the water.

     Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, cause it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."

1 Kings 21:1-3 (ESV)

     Have you ever seen something you wanted? Ahab saw something he wanted and he offered to buy it or trade for it which was the right thing to do for we shouldn't steal but as the story goes, he was told no deal, he pouts about it, his wife - the wicked queen - finds out and trouble starts brewing.

     Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?" And he said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' And he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' " And Jezebel his wife said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death." And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned; he is dead." As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead." And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

1 Kings 21:4-16 (ESV)

     When you read through the Bible it seems like trouble is always brewing. So God warns us.

• Proverbs 6:12-14 - Some people are wicked and no good. They go around telling lies, winking with their eyes, tapping with their feet, and making signs with their fingers. They make evil plans in their hearts and are always starting arguments. (NCV)
• Proverbs 1:10-16 - My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them. They will say, “Come with us. Let’s ambush and kill someone; let’s attack some innocent people just for fun. Let’s swallow them alive, as death does; let’s swallow them whole, as the grave does. We will take all kinds of valuable things and fill our houses with stolen goods. Come join us, and we will share with you stolen goods.“ My child, do not go along with them; do not do what they do. They are eager to do evil and are quick to kill. (NCV)
• Proverbs 14:22 - Those who make evil plans will be ruined, but those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted. (NCV)
• Proverbs 19:22 - What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. (NASB)
• Proverbs 12:2 - The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what way might you brew trouble?
• In what ways do you avoid trouble?