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!

GOD IS NEAR!

God is near!

How does one know God is near?.......

.........For the Bible tells Him so!

In the 60's water tag game, "Marco Polo" if Daddy is "it" he wants his children to "find" him! God is similar in our lives. He wants to be found by those who seek Him. He is always near whether they can see him or not.

Allen Bible Church, 3/8/2026. (Click link for service.)

Verse summation God is not far from any one of us.

 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, (Acts 17:27)

Hallelujah---that preacher, the Marco Polo Dad, cometh to us today!

ABIDING IN CHRIST!

Apart from Christ we can do nothing.

A fruitful life is an overflow of one who abides.

As my grandson, Nathan said,--- "no root = no fruit" so water your roots with His goodness and grace!

Monday Musings appropriate to begin the week! 

LISTEN MORE!

 LISTEN MORE......

.......but discriminate when necessary!

Often many reels that come through on one's phone can be a waste of time. Instagram can lead one down rabbit trails. 

Look to God's Word to verify

Identify truth through Scripture

Summarize revelations

Take away fewest so as not to overwhelm

Embrace relevant parts

Nurture others with pertinent truths 

Some on-line pastor's spout self-serving messages.

Not this one. Consider words by each pastor to know his source. 

Listen closely and decide.

Pay attention to TRUTH! Truly Listen to Truth!

MINDSET MATTERS!!

Does one's mindset matter?

Be present where you are----not worrying about achieving the next thing on your to-do check list. Such things are fleeting! Transitory.  Unsatisfying. Meaningless.

Hebel (הֶבֶל) is a Hebrew word used 38x in Ecclesiastes translated as vanity, ie. "chasing after the wind" in life. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Think striving after a vapor or mist. 

Live in the pleasant tense.

A wise man (Solomon) asks God for wisdom. (1 Kings 3:12)

Mindset does matter. 

Set your minds on things that are eternal!

PRUNING FOR 2026

OUCH! A BIG OUCH!

OUCH FOR A PURPOSE!

Clearing clutter! In our much smaller house we're beginning to look like hoarders. In our minds, we can't hold it all.  

Prune to eliminate superfluous. Think unneeded.

How does one distinguish in the worthy? 

Decluttering means giving not having.

God's Word is worthy! All of God's word is purposeful!

Allow His Word  continue to touch your heart. 

Think purposeful pruning to allow the fruitful to dominate.

........verses of hope

.......so that you may abound in hope;

.......call unto God for answers;

.......first, seek God and His righteousness;

..........Bless the LORD with every part of your being;

Prune fear, control and self centeredness that deters fruitfulness!

Nurture and Embrace Jesus the King of Kings; necessary to allow more fruitfulness!

MONDAY MUSINGS FROM SUNDAY SERMONS!

Bits and pieces from compilation of journal jottings:

TX Buddy---Times of REFRESHING" come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:17-26) AMEN!

• Unity--a longing for belonging 
• OK to write in Bible 😀
• Ambassadors-for-neighbors-next-generation 
• Togetherness--with one mind. God is our facilitator
• Let Acts go through us.

NC Pastor Dave (Luke 16:19-31) Rich man had no name. Ignored poor man's need. Poor man's name was Lazarus. When he died he was carried by angels to Abraham's side. Rich man died and was buried and in Hades in torment. A great chasm existed between the two. 

NC Cole A--Pastor's Corner--This in-between time of fall might be inviting us to slow down and savor moments inside and out. Find God in the ordinary things. remember God is not only "at work" in the things that lie ahead, but also right here in every breath we take.

NE Jim---often a Greek word specialist. "One of the lessons we've learned is that we have lots to learn"--quoting Jonathan Robbins pastor @ Summit Church in Triad of North Carolina--PTL now starting Daniel!

TN (Memphis) Pace--Recalls Mark 1:1  Jesus Christ the Son of God (his deity) to Son of Man (His humanity) When one encounters Jesus they are changed. (Mark 2:1-12) Friendship element seen in friends of paralytic who lowered him through roof to Jesus, who forgives his sins first (eternal effect) and then had him "rise" to walk (present day effect) Pace shared elements of friendship of David and Jonathan's soul to soul relationship (1 Samuel 18:1) to believers who are there for one another.

Best friends with believers will make us the best friends with God. "A friendship that is marked by edification." Friendship with non-believers is an essential friendship for evangelism. We all need friendship in the faith.

TN Nashville) Cole H. "Hebrews is a book of many layers like one of Lynn's casseroles." What! You don't know what a casserole is. Cole makes the deep things of Scripture relevant and can even throw in a humorus quip to catch attention. There is a difference between a covenant and a contract. Christ's sacrifice is once for all. 

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is [a]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin

(Hebrews 10:16-18 NKJV)

DUSTERONOMY

A recent sermon by ABC elder Mark Andrews, in Texas on the fruit of the Spirit....focused on the aspect of faithfulness. 

The opposite of faithfulness is forgetfulness. Pithy with a punch! 

I'm still musing on it. One cannot remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, if they forget who He is! God's son. Our sovereign Savior!

Emphasizing how the faithful love the Lord and serve others, he used reminders from Deuteronomy of the same truths.

He encouraged listeners to explore one of the most quoted and alluded to OT books in the NT. (Allusions are important but can be difficult to measure) 

Narrowing it down to the top 3, I became interested in Deuteronomy as earlier, Mr. Andrews had used the term, Dusteronomy. Being more familiar with Psalms and Isaiah, I decided to "dust off" the verses of Deuteronomy and ask the LORD for contextual clarity as I begin to study this 5th and final book of the Pentateuch! 

Emphasis loving God and serving others.

When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus, in Mark 12:30 cited Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." 

Seems like a good place to start my dusting!

MONDAY MUSINGS!

CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT TODAY to ENDURE CRISIS TOMORROW!

Avinash ABC (Philippians 4:13) 

GIG

What's your GIG in this season of life?

Journal Jottings from Galatians 5, in recent ABC sermon....

"Grace is done, settled---Christ has set you free by faith in His grace" 

Grace not Grit!

My GIG is----

G row

I n

G race

What's your GIG?

GOD'S MERCY

Some days are a stay in one's jammies all day kind od day. 

Two days ago was such a day for me. Was that a "bad" thing for me to do? I certainly berated myself for each nap I needed.

Even though I was beyond being physically pooped, I certainly wore the guilt robe throughout the day!

But God in his love and mercy has us reading from the Allen Bible Church reading plan each night.

That night, April 30, had us reading from 1 Samuel 16!

When we got to verse 7, I knew I had been exonerated. Staying in one's "PJs" is not a crime. In spiritual terms, I could forgive myself because God does not look at one's outward appearance but at one's heart.

Hallelujah!

FELLOWSHIP / BEYOND FRIENDSHIP!

Abide in the Lord (the vine) love one another.

Y'all-ianity--a community of believers. Folks who love one another "in Christ" 

Southern speak of sorts, created by Pastor Buddy. 

Y'all-ianity that rolls off the tongue and flows from the heart..

Fellowship beyond friendship!

CONTINUE RESOLVE.......

Drive Research reports that the average New Year's resolution lasts less than 4 months. What is key in persistence? 

Allen Bible Church in Allen, TX has the answer..........

...............Abide with the Lord and you will continue to abound in HIs purpose. A resolution with His purpose.

Resolve comes from Him, not self!

REVIVE & REVERE!

VANIITY OF VANITIES! Anything done without God's Guidance is vanity! (Ecclesiastes 1:1)

TURN AWAY MY EYES FROM LOOKING AT VANITY

REVIVE ME IN YOUR WAYS

ESTABLISH YOUR WORD

TO YOUR SERVANT

AS THAT WHICH PRODUCES 

reverance for YOU. (PSALM 119:37-38)

3 Rs....revive, Revere, REPEAT!

MONDAY IN PSALMS, MATTHEW & 1PETER!

Today my cloudy, anxious thoughts are multiplying (Psalm 94:19) with aging, death of a friend, medical problems = one more portal and a password I'll forget, whining, political madness and all else I can't control in this worried and weary world! Fatigue reigns and I am out of strength.

Help my hopes outnumber my fears! (Psalm 43:5)

Matthew 6:25

The answer is TRUST! (1 Peter 5:7)

May I TRUST Him more and fixate less on "fixing" life's problems as I pour my morning cuppa anxie-TEA down the drain!

BOLSTERING FAITH!

Life is full of challenges. Ups and DOWNS. Highs and LOWS, 

Life is full of difficulties. 

Struggles strengthen.

Some brought on by ourselves....others by loved ones.

All can be used to bolster one's faith.

Our reactions to these difficulties can also bolster the faith of others.

Respond today in His strength. Allow Him to bolster faith in your life for others to see. They might need a faith boost as well.

LET IT GO!

12/31/23

Lay aside every encumbrance. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Let go of the unnecessary. The heavy. The bulk. 

Let go of worry. 

Let go of digital distractions.

Let go of expectations of pleasing others over the Lord.

Travel light. Do less. 

Get rid of unhealthy habits.

Run with endurance. 

Fellowship with God's people fuels endurance.

Daily allow God's word to energize you.

Make most of your time. (Ephesians 5:15)

Fix eyes on Jesus! 

Make Jesus your daily FOCUS!

Don't let Him go.

SPIRITUAL AMNESIA!

Those of us familiar with an "age related cognitive decline" diagnosis know the deep sense of fear. Losing one's memory, short term or long-term is not what one hopes for....esp. brain-wise.

What about spiritual recollection, or lack there-of? Have you ever sensed in your "heart" that you were suffering from spiritual amnesia?

The good news in that area is an RX prescribed in God's word. "Turn" the pages of truth. Remember "God abounds in loving kindness and truth." (Exodus 34:6)

Give attention to His faithfulness and love. 

Take daily. Overdose is impossible. No adverse side-effects!

To remove the symptoms of anxiety and fear, remember "turn" to Him. If spiritual amnesia "hits" again, "turn" to another brother or sister in fellowship who can join you in prayer. (Thanks Avinash Joseph for that recommendation.)

This week my RX includes a scripture memory trial to enhance my age-related cognitive decline, laced with amyloid angiopothy. 

Yellow sticky notes on post-it-notes are on my bathroom mirror to begin my day with God's promises! Spiritual amnesia be gone!

EMPTINESS:QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS!

Feeling spiritually empty??

What's your energy source?

What's the best long-term protocol?

How does one realize his/her emptiness? I sense mine at my core. 

How does one.........replenish one's heart?

Fuel up?

Fill up?

Power-up? 

The only answer........In Him! In Christ alone.

He is the one we we proclaim...so that we may present everyone "full" (fully mature in Christ) How grateful I am for the energy Christ "so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:28-29) 

Think long-term.

HS pump ---a believer's premier gas/energy station.

Holy Spirit---never runs out. Cost is free to all believers.

EMPTY YOURSELF ---DON'T CLUTCH YOUR STUFF! (Malachi 3:10)

Fill up and overflow to others!

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY!

"Cultivating Community" communicates relational identity that requires deposits from participants. Plural. Think reciprocity.

A continual devotion to apostles' teaching and fellowship of believers.

Cultivating Community in no way negates getting alone to spend time in prayer or meditating on God's Word.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states that the "Lord has placed eternity in our hearts." Embedded in each of us is a sense of something more..... a longing.

Two needs of life resonate with each of us....to belong and to matter. Fellowship supports those truths. Longing for belonging.

Long to belong--a bedrock for Christian fellowship

Theology of Togetherness. Made to be known. Knowing we matter to God. 

NO "I"-dentity.

"We"-dentity. In Christ together.

Sounds like fellowship at its best.....aligned with awe and one purpose.

Single-mindedness in worship; yet, unity in diversity. Practicing/preserving that diversity without slamming another's politics or opinions on social media. Do unto others....for their benefit. (John 13:34)

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. (John Bunyan)

A community coming together to know Him and make Him known not in words alone but in our actions. 

Cultivation that bears fruit of awe and purpose that blesses community.