1 Kings 19:5-12.........5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat." 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
11 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. NKJV
What a life of Elijah, a prophet that seen things come to pass so quickly when he prayed, believed and participated with God to see the end results. Spend some time in 1 Kings and become acquainted with Elijah, the man of prayer.
From history of the beginning, we know that Abraham was to come out..........to come out from among them and go the new land!.If we know that we are offspring of Abraham, we know that we can as heirs of the promise experience the coming out, to go the "new land", the place prepared for us. In coming out, we have to know what Elijah faced too, it was a struggle against idolatry as Abraham had encountered. Through the passage above, we see that God would not allow Elijah to be defeated!
Defeat was nowhere in the plan of God for Elijah!
For this elderly man, power was the foremost thing he saw from God. It was power of the fire falling from heaven found in 1 Kings 18:38-40...........38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" 40 And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. NKJV
Elijah came against idolatry on Mount Carmel and defeated the false prophets and had them executed there. It was just Elijah and God. He did not put God in a box but kept his focus that God would answer prayer. In 1 Kings 18:36-38...........36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. NKJV
The fire fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood and the stone, with dust, and licked up the water in the trench as well.
He executed the false ones and this made Queen Jezebel mad that she sent out a big threat against God's anointed one. And Elijah ran.............to the the cave in the mountain.
There are times for each of us in standing with God, in our walking with God and even in our running with God. I believe you can see these in the life of Elijah. There are the those times in trusting for something specific, the stand and the wait! We saw it in prayer for the return of rain. There are those times of the walk in each moment of our day and then of course the running, is that which the anointing comes on to that which God commands us to do.
BUT THERE ARE THE TIMES OF THE SILENT STILL VOICE!
When I had first entered into ministry outside of the four walls of the church, the Lord spoke to me about being able to hear Him above all the noise. For He said there would be chatter everywhere and many, many people wanting to be heard. I remember going to the Seattle airport to pick up our daughter and son-in-law back from a trip to one of the Hawaiian islands. I remember leaving early and getting to airport in plenty of time of the arrival of the plane. I got me a coffee, you know, one of those fancy ones and sat down. I noticed where I sat they had three T.V. monitors all within close proximity of where I seated myself to enjoy that black and white mocha! Then I noticed the amount of people passing by and how their voices were growing loudly as they passed by it seemed to drown out the voices of those speaking on the T.V. monitors.
When I had first entered into ministry outside of the four walls of the church, the Lord spoke to me about being able to hear Him above all the noise. For He said there would be chatter everywhere and many, many people wanting to be heard. I remember going to the Seattle airport to pick up our daughter and son-in-law back from a trip to one of the Hawaiian islands. I remember leaving early and getting to airport in plenty of time of the arrival of the plane. I got me a coffee, you know, one of those fancy ones and sat down. I noticed where I sat they had three T.V. monitors all within close proximity of where I seated myself to enjoy that black and white mocha! Then I noticed the amount of people passing by and how their voices were growing loudly as they passed by it seemed to drown out the voices of those speaking on the T.V. monitors.
I talked with the Lord about those speaking all at the same time, and He told me that He had placed His Holy Spirit in all of us to hear those who had a heart for Him, and that I would be able to see and know those who would be refreshed by His words when ministering to the multitudes.
And it happened as He said. The more I prayed in my language and allowed the Holy Spirit to have His way, then I would see those who really had the desire to come out, to see those who had such a broken and hurting hearts readily receive that one word of God to bring change to their lives.
Elijah knew those who had a heart for God and those who were just playing their games to get their way. Elijah had seen how powerful Jezebel ruled. The idolatrous queen had her husband Ahab to erect a city that worshiped Baal. When Elijah came to Mount Carmel and executed her false prophets there, she swore revenge on Elijah. (1 Kings 18:19)
Now you must understand that Queen Jezebel had all kinds of sexual activity going on throughout her palace even while she had visitors in from the outside. She was deeply entrenched into sexual immorality.
And it happened as He said. The more I prayed in my language and allowed the Holy Spirit to have His way, then I would see those who really had the desire to come out, to see those who had such a broken and hurting hearts readily receive that one word of God to bring change to their lives.
Elijah knew those who had a heart for God and those who were just playing their games to get their way. Elijah had seen how powerful Jezebel ruled. The idolatrous queen had her husband Ahab to erect a city that worshiped Baal. When Elijah came to Mount Carmel and executed her false prophets there, she swore revenge on Elijah. (1 Kings 18:19)
Now you must understand that Queen Jezebel had all kinds of sexual activity going on throughout her palace even while she had visitors in from the outside. She was deeply entrenched into sexual immorality.
As we return now to Elijah in the cave. All the noise and confusion reigned in those who had other gods, but Elijah wanted to remain faithful to the One who sent him out. And to Elijah, he felt he was the only one "who" remained the prophet of God, but God came and told him otherwise.
The mountain broke into pieces, the wind blew fiercely and fire came down, but God was not in those things...........all the loud sounds came and went and Elijah was left in silence, in a dark cave! In that quiet the silent voice spoke. Not to harm Elijah, not to accuse him, but to ask him a simple question.
The mountain broke into pieces, the wind blew fiercely and fire came down, but God was not in those things...........all the loud sounds came and went and Elijah was left in silence, in a dark cave! In that quiet the silent voice spoke. Not to harm Elijah, not to accuse him, but to ask him a simple question.
1 Kings 19:13-21.......13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 15 Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant. NKJV
"What are you doing here, Elijah?"
God came and had a quiet conversation. He gave Elijah the next thing for him to do for God's plan for not only Elijah, but for Israel!
Now in this same wilderness, where Moses fled from Pharaoh, Elijah fled from Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah pleaded his stand for the "Lord", and even though his zeal had left, his heart was still connected to the truth of God's plan for the now impatient Elijah. The miraculous is awesome, and is a tool no doubt to give a view to the unbeliever that God is real and is powerful. But at looking at Elijah in this deserted place, we see that it is knowing God in the quiet! It is like when the drummer no longer drums, when the singer no longer sings, the prayer is done, and people leave the "sanctuary", there is another place that God will speak in "the silent voice".
There is no pomp and circumstance......there is just the quiet!
No praise and worship singers, no blazing guitars and bass needed here. Our true relationship in this relationship with God, is finding God when all has quieted down, and the musicians leave, and even people may exit our lives, yet, God reaches out to us in His loving and giving manner of the Father for the child.
Elijah was given a list of things still to do and that included in finding Elisha and train him.
What amount of time? Not certain, but things had to be in place for God to take him to heaven in glory!
It is not over till God says it is over..................God has as much for you and I to do, just like He had for Elijah. He is not through with us. If you find yourself in the "cave" today, listen in the quiet. Find solitude that God is with you today to give you His plan for "you" for tomorrow. He is on the scene to speak and we should be willing to abide in the "quiet".....and hear Him give us the details of the plan ahead of us.
Whatever may be plaguing your life today, whatever circumstance, God is still on the scene.
I asked my niece if I might share a portion of poem she wrote with help of the Holy Spirit on April 24, 2012. It is titled: My God, My Rock.
I believe it is the Holy Spirit who reminded me today of those words penciled by my niece and the guidance of the Holy Spirit Himself! I quote only a couple of verses, but it moved my heart and wanted to share today this from Psalm 23 and Psalm 103.... that she took and wrote ........."Your love and blessings ever increasing
Today, may we find "our place".
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve us for You can see the evil that has surrounded so many today Lord.(Ps. 40:11-12).
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
God came and had a quiet conversation. He gave Elijah the next thing for him to do for God's plan for not only Elijah, but for Israel!
Now in this same wilderness, where Moses fled from Pharaoh, Elijah fled from Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah pleaded his stand for the "Lord", and even though his zeal had left, his heart was still connected to the truth of God's plan for the now impatient Elijah. The miraculous is awesome, and is a tool no doubt to give a view to the unbeliever that God is real and is powerful. But at looking at Elijah in this deserted place, we see that it is knowing God in the quiet! It is like when the drummer no longer drums, when the singer no longer sings, the prayer is done, and people leave the "sanctuary", there is another place that God will speak in "the silent voice".
There is no pomp and circumstance......there is just the quiet!
No praise and worship singers, no blazing guitars and bass needed here. Our true relationship in this relationship with God, is finding God when all has quieted down, and the musicians leave, and even people may exit our lives, yet, God reaches out to us in His loving and giving manner of the Father for the child.
Elijah was given a list of things still to do and that included in finding Elisha and train him.
What amount of time? Not certain, but things had to be in place for God to take him to heaven in glory!
It is not over till God says it is over..................God has as much for you and I to do, just like He had for Elijah. He is not through with us. If you find yourself in the "cave" today, listen in the quiet. Find solitude that God is with you today to give you His plan for "you" for tomorrow. He is on the scene to speak and we should be willing to abide in the "quiet".....and hear Him give us the details of the plan ahead of us.
Whatever may be plaguing your life today, whatever circumstance, God is still on the scene.
I asked my niece if I might share a portion of poem she wrote with help of the Holy Spirit on April 24, 2012. It is titled: My God, My Rock.
I believe it is the Holy Spirit who reminded me today of those words penciled by my niece and the guidance of the Holy Spirit Himself! I quote only a couple of verses, but it moved my heart and wanted to share today this from Psalm 23 and Psalm 103.... that she took and wrote ........."Your love and blessings ever increasing
I stop and remember You
are my God, My Rock
You are my Shepherd and
I am part of Your Flock
By Your gentle Rod, You
guide me, I find my place"
Today, may we find "our place".
Father, I pray, in Jesus’ name for those who have been on the forefront of ministry, not only in the ministry in church but outreach as well and those in the workplace. I pray that each will find "our place". Today, Father I pray that each would have
faith in YOU to redeem their souls from negative emotions. You have said in YOUR
Word that You redeem our souls when we put our trust in You according to Psalm
34:22. May we never be controlled by depression, anger, anxiety, jealousy, hopelessness, fear, or suicide. Specifically, I pray about anger, fear, depression and sickness caused by an unforgiving heart. Deliver Your people today from this and all other controlling emotions. (Psalm
40:17). Free Your children to share the deepest of feelings with those who are committed to reconciliation, and those qualified to help. Please give each of us the ability to not be so serious all the time. Give us the gift of
laughter and ability to find humor even in those serious situations. Teach us Your children to
take our eyes off of circumstances and trust in You, regardless of how we might be feeling. Father, I pray that You would give Your children patience to possess their soul and the ability to take charge
of it (Luke 21:19) . anoint us with the “oil of joy” (Isaiah 61:3), refresh us with Your Spirit, and set us free from negative emotions this day.
Father, we come to the place of quiet and seek to wait as long as necessary to see what You will say (Hab. 2:1-2) to us and what we will answer when we are corrected. Truly You are for us and will lead us in a smooth path to bring glory to Your name. Thank You Lord for meeting us today in the quiet and solitude of this place where Your tender mercies are demonstrated.Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve us for You can see the evil that has surrounded so many today Lord.(Ps. 40:11-12).
In the Name of Jesus I plead the Blood of Jesus over the
portals of the minds, will and emotions and body of those who read and pray this today. I believe that we are protected by the blood of the
Lamb that gives us access to the Holy of Holies. Satan I declare to you that
you will not bring in strife, anxiety, or anger to those of the children of God.
Lord, You have said that the life of the flesh is in the
Blood. Thank You for this blood that has cleansed us from sin and sealed the
New Covenant of which we are partakers. Today we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ. We find our place in YOU. Amen.
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
Amen. Exactly what I needed today. Thank you.
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