THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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A young paratrooper was about to jump for his first time. He was given instructions: 1st, jump when you are told, 2nd count ten and pull the ripcord, 3rd, in the very unlikely even that the parachute doesn't open, pull the second chute ripcord, and 4th, when you land a truck will take you back to the base.
At the proper height, the door was opened on the plane and he was told to jump. After counting ten, he pulled the ripcord - but the chute did not open. He pulled the second ripcord, and that chute failed to open.
Then he said to himself, "Uh, huh! And I bet that truck ain't gonna be down there either!"
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IKing 19:9-18
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
(KJV)
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Elijah had just been used by the Lord to show king Ahab what great power God has. Elijah had called for seven years of drought, and it happened. When he returned to the land after seven years, he devised a contest between him and 850 prophets of Baal (idol-worshipping prophets).
Elijah stood on Mt. Carmel and waited all day as the prophets of Baal went through ritual after ritual trying to get their so-called god to answer with fire. Then Elijah called upon God ONCE, and the fire fell. When the fire came, Elijah killed the 850 prophets of Baal. And then Elijah called on God to send rain, and God did!
What a man of courage for the Lord! Here was a man whom God authorized to "shut up the heavens" for 7 long years so there would be no rain. Here was a man powerful enough in the Lord to call down fire from heaven. Here was one of God's all-time greatest prophets!
The king's wife had hired all those prophets and she was very angry. She sent Elijah a note that said she would have him killed by the next day. The man of courage became a man of fear -- he ran! But Elijah ran to be alone and talk to the Lord. He poured out his heart to God and said, "ENOUGH! Just let me DIE Lord. This life of ministry for you is just TOO MUCH!" ((see 1Kings 19:4))
When he got to the wilderness God caused angels to feed him, and sent him to a special mountain. There God spoke to Elijah. God sent a wind, an earthquake, and a fire - but His voice was in none of those. Instead, God spoke to Elijah in a "still small voice."
The "still small voice" of God spoke to Elijah of work yet to be done. God encouraged Elijah and sent him onward with much yet to do in ministry.
If you are discouraged today in your walk and ministry for the Lord, get alone and speak to God. Then listen for His "still small voice."
Perhaps your discouragement was a vehicle of God being used to draw you NEARER to Him!
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org/
If God has brought you TO it, He will bring you THROUGH it!