![]() In this six-week study grounded in 1 and 2 Kings, we will examine the life of the prophet Elijah, an ordinary man who did extraordinary things for God in the midst of the highs and lows of life. He needed spiritual stamina in order to keep on going and fulfill all the plans God had for his life. Even Elijah grew weary of all the ups and downs, telling God, “I have had enough” (1 Kings 19:4). One moment he was hiding out in the wilderness during a famine, being fed by the ravens, and the next he was on the mountaintop where God showed up in a powerful way with fire and then rain. The prophet Elijah experienced this rollercoaster ride as well. Then there are those in between days when we’re coasting along without much thought to the highs or lows. One day it seems that everything in life is good, and the next day it can feel like everything is falling apart. Find her online at is like a rollercoaster. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids. Her newest study, Elijah: Spiritual Stamina in Every Season, will release in early August. She is the author of several women’s Bible studies including Numbers, First Corinthians, Joseph, and Jeremiah which include video teaching and daily study. ![]() Melissa Spoelstra is a women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages know Christ more intimately through serious Bible study. Help me to have eyes to see those around me who need encouragement and support today.Īre you in need of some reminders of God’s faithfulness right now? If so, is there someone you can authentically share your fears with and ask for reminders of God’s presence and power? Take a moment right now to call or text a trusted mentor or friend and set up a time to get together this week to share vulnerably. Help me to remember I am not alone in following You. Give me the boldness to ask for help when I need it. Rather than be skeptical of one another, let us be supportive of our sisters and brothers in Christ.ĭear Lord, thank you for the gift of believers who have been supportive throughout my journey of faith. ![]() Elijah and Obadiah had served Yahweh through a long season of standing alone, and God brought them together to remind them of the greater community of followers. One of the secrets to spiritual stamina is looking for the good in others and offering them specific encouragement. When we see someone struggling with their calling or their circumstances, we should affirm the gifts we see in them. ![]() One day Obadiah met Elijah who would have been the equivalent of a Christian celebrity. He hid 100 prophets of God in caves when Jezebel was trying to kill all prophets of God. He worked for them, but he was a secret follower of Yahweh. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel put Obadiah in an awkward position. While Elijah was hiding from the evil King Ahab, Obadiah was working for him as his right hand man. It was during a season of drought in Israel that the prophet Elijah had pronounced. In 1 Kings 18 we find a man named Obadiah who needed encouragement. So instead of stuffing our doubts, we can express them when we are with fellow followers of Jesus who can come alongside us with support. It means admitting that we can’t manage our thoughts, feelings, and actions without help. However, God has wired us to depend on each other, and sometimes we have to ask for the encouragement we need. So, at times I stuff my fears and concerns rather than tell others that I need their prayers, help, or words of affirmation. I like to be like the woman in the song who says, “I am woman, hear me roar!” I prefer to be independent and strong rather than weak and needy. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT).Īsking for help isn’t my strong suite.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |