Part 2 recap, Elijah got to the place of being straight up with how he was with God, we learned the WHY which is always LOVE, the Love God has for us and Love He is that allows us to go through hard times, BECAUSE He sees the end from the beginning and is smiling for the REWARDS that will come forth from these times for you and others. Wow, I want that don’t you?
Let’s get back to the Word:
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV)
God’s Revelation to Elijah
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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; 1 Kings 19:12
and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
Wow! Did you notice that the first three things the Lord sent did not contain Him? Right now I’m sure you’re going yes things I’ve thought sent by God, actually haven’t contained Him or been of Him, they were good but not Of GOD, or From God. We can have many expressions of the Father in, or come into our life, but we need to always be asking FATHER ARE YOU IN THEM/ THIS? Hmm let’s park that for the moment.
Now for Elijah, the first three were sent as distraction. But why because He had seen the Lord turn up in all three in miracles in his ministry to date.
Did you know The Father wanted to show Elijah A NEW EXPRESSION OF WHO HE WAS!
What was this ‘still small voice’ the bible talks of, in the original language of the day ‘still small voice’ can be translated as THE THIN SILENCE. The Father I believe reveals a truth and inner most character of who He is‘LOVE’ which can be only felt, seen and understood in silent place and expression with Him.
Psalms 31:20 (TPT)
“So hide all your beloved ones
in the sheltered, secret place before your face.
Overshadow them by your glory-presence.
Keep them from these accusations, the brutal insults of evil men.
Tuck them safely away in the tabernacle where you dwell”
This was exactly what the Lord was doing for Elijah and what He is wanting to do for us. In this place, He taught me a wonderful truth that has transformed my life for ever
‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING WITH HIM, NOT JUST DOING FOR HIM’ (Go to Matthew 7:21-23 and have a read)
Now In these places His message maybe different, our Journey to this place may not look and be the same way, But Our Father is always wanting and waiting to draw you near so you can truly know Him. TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN BY HIM, not just do things He wants or He’s asked you to do.
My heart now cries over the above verse in Matthew, as it the works we do, sound so extreme that many discount themselves. Let me rephrase that:
• WE FEED THE POOR ALL OUR LIFE- sorry I did not know you!
• WE RAISED UP A FAMILY IN YOUR WAYS – sorry I did not know you.
• WE NEVER BROKE ANY OF YOUR COMMANDMENTS -Sorry I did not know you
• WE NEVER MISSED A SUNDAY AT CHURCH – sorry I did not know you
Wow! I don’t want to hear that ‘sorry I did not know you’ because remember many things, even miracles can be done in and with His name, BUT THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. Is this where Elijah found himself?
Let go back to 1 king to see what happened.
1 Kings 19:13 (NKJV)
“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Did you see it? When the thin silent moment happened Elijah walked in obedience and walking tothe entrance of the cave. He was RESTORED in heart,RELATIONSHIP with the Lord. Only in this place will be the discovery of our identity! Ask I believe Elijah did.
Let’s carry on:
1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV)
“And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” An honest pray in right relationship with the Lord.”
In your spare time, read about what happens next. But the commission to Elijah to complete His work, plan and purpose for His life and most importantly PASS IT ON with the VALUE AND WORTH of what it cost to another to carry it to a new generation. A LEGACY OF INHERITANCE straight from the Father.
Included in my story is the same, TOTAL RESORATION BY THE LORD of health, relationships, finances, and He gave me clear directions and opening a door to write message like this one (Note: I am dyslexic and struggle with writing) BUT GOD, for these messages are now released in 7 different languages globally and have brought a LEGACY OF INHERITANCE to many that I now have the great privilege and honour to pour into.
Please note I did not like the journey, my thoughts were the same as Elijah’s, Job’s and even Jesus. But now I thank the Lord for it! TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER, AMEN!
My first Heart question to you today is ‘Do you really know Him?
Do you really deep in your heart, soul, spirit know Him, not about Him or His works, but KNOW HIM?
If your answer is no I don’t, may I lead you in a prayer
Will you say or repeat after me
“Lord Jesus I admit I am a sinner, but You died on the cross for my sins, I ask will You come into my life, and manage my life from this day forward”. Amen
Wow I celebrate you for this decision as in the bible it say they celebrate you and this defining moment in your life too.
My Second heart question to you is: “Are you in a Desperate, Uncomfortable, or Refining place?” I champion you son and daughter of God
DO NOT TO GIVE UP, or THROW IN THE TOWEL, but learn as I did how to celebrate in the middle. What I mean is in the middle of the mess, we still enter into God’s Presence, we still choose to be with Him, Be known by Him and to know Him. Child, don’t give up, embrace this space!
Jesus did this when he sweated blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, for me it was insomnia, in this place of great pain. Here I couldn’t pray, only but look at His face or allow my eyes and heart to worship Him.
But hear this that the REFINING IS ONLY PRESENT to show that we are His TRUE WITNESSES. We see this in Job’s story (if you haven’t read it lately, then be encouraged to read it and sit with the Lord in it). That the devil, was not out to destroy what Job had or was given, BUT is always out to destory WHO WE Are and Whom’s we are, through who we KNOW and live in Relationship with – God as he was in the story of Job ( and by the way if we KNOW JESUS there is a target on our back – we are hated, but that’s ok because Jesus was to)
The true expression of worship comes only out of a-DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH LOVE.
Would you ask Him:
1. Jesus what are you wanting to teach me in the middle? (Record all He says)
2. Jesus how are You asking me to celebrate in the middle? (Record all He says)
3. Jesus what does Expression of who You are Thin Silence look like for me? Draw or write what He says.
4. Jesus what does the Thin Silences look like from Your view? Draw or write what He says.
Choice time: If you want His view of the Thin silence, and what He’s wanting to teach you in the middle, then simply say a prayer “ Father I give you my view of the thin silence (what He showed you) and pick up in exchange Your view (what He showed you) and I receive all that You are wanting to teach me in the middle and choose to celebrate while I’m in the middle.
5. Worship time: Can we encourage you to simply put on SOAKING music and BE THERE WITH HIM for 5 minutes (set a timer and worship who He is) then set another 5 minutes in this time listen for what He wants to share with you or/and ask Jesus questions as His son or daughter.
It’s about BEING PRESENT, FOCUSED and WITH HIM.
End with Thanks and Prayer from the heart.
Father thank You for this message, the 3 parts to it. Lord we pray for those that are in the place that Elijah and many others have been, would You send angel to strengthen them and we ask that Your words wouldencourage them back to you. So that once in right relationship with You, they can fulfil all the purposes and plans You have for them. Lord would they be willing to pass it on, to another with the value/worth (what it cost) so it may go down through the future generations and win one’s for you! Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate/Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
