“When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”
1 Kings 19:13a NIV
I enjoy spending time in the woods. It is a place for me to connect with the Lord. I’m looking forward to camping this spring, so I can take time to plan my sermons for the last half of the year as I prepare to preach weekly at my new appointment. I believe we all have places where we feel closer to the Lord. It might be the seat you do your devotions or another space where you have time to focus on spending time with God.
Elijah also went searching for a safe place. Even after a fruitful ministry, the Queen of Israel had given orders for him to be killed. So, Elijah fled far away. He left the country and traveled to the wilderness. To Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, where Moses had received the Ten Commandments many years before. There Elijah was tired and frustrated with his ministry, despite everything he did it seemed like his situation had changed from before. Israel leaders had killed the prophets and the people were being compelled to worship a false god. Elijah was convinced he was the only faithful person left; he was ready to be done. God told him that His presence who pass before Elijah.
Then, a great windstorm arose that tore into the mountain, but God wasn’t in the wind. An earthquake came and shook that very place, but God wasn’t in the earthquake. A fire swept across the mountain, but God wasn’t in the blaze. Then, came a gentle whisper. That’s when Elijah recognized God was present. I believe a lot of time; God speaks in quiet places. We need to be thoughtful in making time to set apart time to spend with the Lord. In these moments God can speak to us and give us encouragement as he gave Elijah. I hope you can take some time to spend in quiet prayer and reading the scriptures to focus on how God can help you to grow this Lenten season.
I would like to share with you a prayer of self-dedication from the Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hearing God in the Silence
Recommended Reading: 1 Kings 19:8-13a
“When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”
1 Kings 19:13a NIV
I enjoy spending time in the woods. It is a place for me to connect with the Lord. I’m looking forward to camping this spring, so I can take time to plan my sermons for the last half of the year as I prepare to preach weekly at my new appointment. I believe we all have places where we feel closer to the Lord. It might be the seat you do your devotions or another space where you have time to focus on spending time with God.
Elijah also went searching for a safe place. Even after a fruitful ministry, the Queen of Israel had given orders for him to be killed. So, Elijah fled far away. He left the country and traveled to the wilderness. To Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, where Moses had received the Ten Commandments many years before. There Elijah was tired and frustrated with his ministry, despite everything he did it seemed like his situation had changed from before. Israel leaders had killed the prophets and the people were being compelled to worship a false god. Elijah was convinced he was the only faithful person left; he was ready to be done. God told him that His presence who pass before Elijah.
Then, a great windstorm arose that tore into the mountain, but God wasn’t in the wind. An earthquake came and shook that very place, but God wasn’t in the earthquake. A fire swept across the mountain, but God wasn’t in the blaze. Then, came a gentle whisper. That’s when Elijah recognized God was present. I believe a lot of time; God speaks in quiet places. We need to be thoughtful in making time to set apart time to spend with the Lord. In these moments God can speak to us and give us encouragement as he gave Elijah. I hope you can take some time to spend in quiet prayer and reading the scriptures to focus on how God can help you to grow this Lenten season.
I would like to share with you a prayer of self-dedication from the Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan