LESSONS FROM ELIJAH

Life Lessons are often learned in the struggles. People can see Christ in our up and down lives. Such was the truth for the times of Elijah.

His  name alone means, “My God is Yahweh.” He challenged Israel against worshipping false gods. "The Lord alone is God." 

Elijah was not perfect. Even after a great miracle on Mount Carmel, he became fearful and discouraged. Think human nature. 

A man just like us. 

Our lives should be congruent with the truth of God's word. 

Morals seen in Elijah's own life by those he served, taught obedience even in the hard times, to practice truth with courage, in the midst of fear and overwhelming circumstances. 

Trust God's provision and pray with persistence.

Not perfect but faithful.

 

..Elijah prayed, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”  

(1 Kings 18:21, 36-37)

In life, with all it's struggles, our actions should be in agreement/harmony with the entirety of Scripture.

Think congruity!

WORTHY WORDS!

This past Sunday, I received worthy words..... from a grandson, no less.

WITHOUT COMPLAINT! 

A prepositional phrase that spoke volumes to me. Complaint, the object of the phrase, greatly needs the preposition "without" in my life......I need to modify dissatisfaction! 

In a concise manner, think remove! 

No bellyaches, cranky fusses, grumbles, gripes, grouching, moans or worries!

Words that led to conviction of fear but covered in love. 

FEAR NOT! The most used command in Scripture......with both a sense of belief and relief! God always has a plan. 

Think....God's got this! 

God's "words of grace" in a thin silence/low whisper came to Elijah (not in wind, earthquake or fire)

AMEN!

ALONE..........

8/16/10……………….for a reason or a season. In the scriptures, we read that Timothy had Paul by his side for awhile and then Paul went to Macedonia and Timothy went to Ephesus, without his mentor. How alone Timothy must have felt. 2 Kings 2 tells of Elisha the prophet being separated from his predecessor/mentor, Elijah. My Utmost for His Highest speaks of such times as these---when we are left alone and often think we can’t go on without our "spiritual sidekick".

“It is not wrong for you to depend on your “Elijah” for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay.” (My Utmost 8/11)

Alone at Your “Jordan” (2 Kings 2:14) The Jordan River represents …… separation…..no fellowship with anyone else, …. no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your “Elijah.” You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. (emphasis mine) There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your “Jordan” alone.” (My Utmost 8/11)
Alone at Your “Jericho” (2 Kings 2:15) Jericho……the place where you have seen your “Elijah” do great things….when you come alone to your “Jericho,”.…. a strong reluctance to (emphasis mine) ……trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you.…….remain true to what you learned while with your “Elijah,”.……..(My Utmost 8/11)
Alone at Your “Bethel” (2 Kings 2:23) At your “Bethel” you will find yourself at your wits’ end (emphasis mine) but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your “Elijah”— use his mantle and pray (v.13-14)…..determination….trust in God,…..do not even look for Elijah anymore. (My Utmost 8/11)

After a while, we have to learn to “go it” alone though as believers we never truly face anything alone. Our Emmanuel, “God with us” is always present.

Though I have been blessed at different stages in my Christian walk to have a prayer partner, as well as a mentor or “discipler,” there have been many times where God has chosen for me to “go it” on my own. This week, I want you to “go it” on your own in meditation. Take time to be alone---in His presence. Ask the Lord to guide you to a verse/passage just for you. Pick up your Bible and begin reading---maybe in 2 Kings or the Psalms or one of the Epistles. Allow the Spirit of God to speak to your heart and teach you from his word.