Elijah

Dave Ens pastor One88.org http://www.one88.org/

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord , the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." And the word of the Lord came to him: "Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."

1 Kings 17:1‭-‬4 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.17.1-4.ESV

Who's in charge? The rain god or the God of the universe? 

What we trust influences guides our life. When following Jesus we find peace. 

Trusting God can be hard. 

Queen Jezebel was not happy so King Ahab was not happy. Elijah had to hide. He had to speak and then trust God. Not worry about what else God has for us. Do what God has called you to do. 

The ravens fed Elijah and then God called him to go to a window in the middle of Baal country. The widow's food did not run out while the famine was in the land. God can be trusted. He is the provider. His jar never runs out. He has abundance. He does not disappoint. He was willing to die for you. 

And she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.

1 Kings 17:12‭-‬13 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.17.12-13.ESV

Communion table has bread and juice to symbolize Jesus's broken body and blood. 

Come out of the darkness

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in his arms

Competent counseling

J Adams 

I went to my psychiatrist to be psychoanalyzed to find out why I kicked the cat and blacked my husband's eyes

And here is what he dredged up from my subconscious mind

When I was one my mummy hid my dolly in a trunk and so it follows naturally that I am always drunk

When I was 2 I saw my daddy kiss the maid one day and that is why I now suffer from kleptomania

At 3 I had feelings of ambivalence to my brothers and so it follows naturally I poison all my lovers

But I am happy now because I've learned that everything I do that's wrong is someone else's fault

 https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/turning-point/listen/rising-above-the-circumstances-part-1-771242.html?ref=sm #biblestudytools #bst #bible

God is Making Things Right

Songs 50 attendees less than 1/2 inner city

Dave Ens http://www.one88.org/

Rwanda genocide no one wanted to help. Why? Why should anyone care? Rwanda has no international value. 

Justice and reconciliation. God loves justice. Criminals don't know what justice means, but all who respect the Lord understand it completely.

Proverbs 28:5 CEV

https://bible.com/bible/392/pro.28.5.CEV  

Ahab was married to Jezebel. Naboth's family had generations of vineyard next to the palace. It was a blessing and gift from God. Ahab wanted it for a vegetable garden. When Naboth refused the king pouted. Jezebel said aren't you the king? I'll get it for you. 

We may think we are doing the right thing, but the Lord always knows what is in our hearts.  Doing what is right and fair pleases the Lord more than an offering.

Proverbs 21:2‭-‬3 CEV

https://bible.com/bible/392/pro.21.2-3.CEV

We always think what we do is right. But is it?

How can I find justice for those around us? 

My prayer is that we would respond with vigor to bring justice. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. 

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken. Amazing love. How can it be that my king would die for me?

There is no such thing as incompatible

There is no such thing as incompatible. It's a term made up by the divorce attorneys. We're all different. No one is going to be completely compatible with you. Because no one is exactly like you. You can get along with anyone you choose to get along with. You can choose to love anybody you choose to love.

Here are the two words you need for your marriage to be a success: "Grow up!" It's immaturity that causes a marriage to die.

Inflexibility is the problem. The first cause of conflict is self-centeredness.

The greater your differences in marriage the greater your potential for growth. The primary purpose of marriage is not to make you happy but to make you holy. It's not a matter of compatibility but am I willing to grow up and learn.

It's always more rewarding to resolve a conflict than to dissolve a relationship.

Our nature is to be self-centered. You're always thinking about you. Not about me. It's my nature to be stubborn. If I want a good relationship I need to think less about me and more about you. 

The second cause of conflict is pride. With pride I get my feelings hurt easily. Humble people don't get their feelings hurt. Pride only leads to arguments. Proverbs 13:10 Too much pride causes trouble. Be sensible and take advice.

Proverbs 13:10 CEV

https://bible.com/bible/392/pro.13.10.CEV

That's the first verse to memorize on your honeymoon.

Here's a secret sentence that will break a log jam in any conflict "I'm sorry I was only thinking of myself."

Memorize that and get over your conflict.

https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/daily-hope/listen/how-to-reconcile-a-relationship-part-two-765482.html?ref=sm #biblestudytools #bst #bible