I hate bullies! I can’t stand to see someone who seemingly has the upper hand take an unfair advantage of someone else. They make threats and cause havoc all because they think they can. I’ve noticed that, most of the time, a bully is all talk. They will make you think they are going to do something to you but it turns out they were just trying to scare you into believing they are more important than they really were. If anyone can give us insight into the adverse effects of giving in to a bully’s threats it would be Elijah. In 1 Kings 19 you’ll discover a man who has just been used by God to utterly destroy over 400 prophets of Baal. He was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. But after this great victory he was suddenly caught in the grips of a paralyzing fear because of threats on his life by Jezebel. Always remember that the enemy won’t bother with anyone who is not doing something great for God. Have you ever felt life’s subtle and not so subtle threats? You’re just coasting along and life suddenly sucker punches you so hard that you can’t seem to catch your breath. Maybe it’s a devastating diagnosis or receiving the news that your marriage is ending. It could be the report that says your child is failing in school. Whatever it is, I’m telling you it’s just a threat. Elijah ran for his life after hearing what the queen threatened to do to him. God had a plan for his life but he chose to believe the words of someone who had no real power. Sound familiar? Our enemy gets in our ear and tells us we won’t recover from the illness or get the promotion or lose the weight. We have to make up our minds to believe God’s word and not the enemy. Worry and doubt won’t change a thing but Faith will. When you are feeling the pressure of life’s threats just remember that Jesus came that we might have life and to have it more abundantly (John 10:10). If the diagnosis comes back negatively, believe God to be a healer. If your marriage is falling apart, believe God to be a restorer and a sustainer. And, if your child is failing in school, hire a tutor :) Have Life! I hope this encourages you today. If you know someone who could benefit from reading it, please share it with them. If you’d like this entire teaching for your library, visit sherylbrady/havelife for more information. You’ll find a wealth of resources including ministry videos and mentorship moments on this very subject. Thank you for being such a vital part of this ministry. Your prayers, love and support have kept this ministry going for over 30 years. I’m grateful for that!
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:13:43 +0000
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