Podcast appearances and mentions of Queen Jezebel

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes(00:00) An overview of these chapters. The kingdom of Israel divides when Solomon's son Rehoboam refuses to reduce the burden on the northern tribes.(06:55) A brief history of the Lost Ten Tribes in the north and Judah in the south.(10:48) Jeroboam, worried that his people will turn their hearts towards the leaders in the south when they go to the temple in Jerusalem, decides to build rival sanctuaries in Dan and Bethel.(13:25) Do not take counsel from your fears or be fooled by an imitation.(19:18) A man of God warns Jeroboam against false worship, prophesying of a future day when Josiah will destroy it.(22:17) What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? Could Shishak of Egypt have taken this treasure from the Jerusalem temple?(29:13) Elijah, an embodiment of great power, is a type of many prophets. All prophets are types of Christ. (31:49) Elijah seals the heavens and is fed by a raven. He goes to Zarephath and asks a widow woman for her barrel flour and jar of oil, promising they will never become empty during the famine.(40:30) Elijah raises the widow's son from the dead. Jesus duplicates the miracles of Elijah.(43:28) Obadiah, part of Ahab's court, saves 100 prophets from Queen Jezebel and also helps Elijah.(47:29) Obadiah and Elijah's “50” can be seen as part of a bigger picture, as members of a choral arrangement that were connected to the temple and the sacred drama in many ancient cultures.(52:37) Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven. They fail.(57:14) At times the Lord will manifest miracles to show his might and prove that he is God. The Book of Mormon is that proof for us today.(1:03:40) The famine ends and Queen Jezebel seeks the life of Elijah. In his loneliness, Elijah experiences deep sadness, believing that the prophets are dead. At times, we may feel as Elijah did. Being with the Saints and remembering the truth of the gospel message can bolster our resilience.(1:11:44) Elijah's experience with the still small voice of the Lord.(1:18:17) Ahab, king of Israel, is attacked by the Syrian army. A prophet tells Ahab that Israel will win. Ahab later desires the vineyard of Naboth, who refuses to sell his land. Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, orchestrates a conspiracy to frame Naboth for blasphemy, and Ahab acquires the land through deceit. Elijah comes to inform Ahab that Ahab’s line will cease, that Jezebel will be eaten by dogs, and that Ahab’s blood will be licked up by dogs in the very spot where Naboth was killed. Time vindicates the prophets. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 378 | 1 Kings 12-22, Come Follow Me 2026 (June 29-July 5) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

Join Lynne Hilton Wilson as she explores the powerful and complex stories of the Old Testament women in 1 Kings 12–22, including the wife of Jeroboam, the infamous Queen Jezebel, and the faithful widow of Zarephath. In this study, we examine how these women influenced kings, confronted prophets, and revealed themes of faith, idolatry, power, and God's provision during one of Israel's most divided eras. Join us as we uncover the lessons and spiritual insights hidden within these remarkable Old Testament accounts.

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/compassion-is-love-in-motion/We were blessed to have a team of 7 teen girls and 1 teen boy with Pastor Matt Hennig from Living Word Lutheran Church in Montrose, Colorado join us this week as a mission team. We kept them busy. In the morning, the team ran our soccer camp at Mike Seder Park. We had 25 campers, ages 5-13 for 3 days.The campers learned about passing, dribbling, shooting, and teamwork on the soccer pitch. In the devotion time, they learned about Zaccheus. Though he was a tax collector, Jesus had compassion on Zaccheus by calling him down from the sycamore tree and eating dinner at this house. They learned about Nicodemus, who visited Jesus at night because he was afraid of his fellow Pharisees. Jesus had compassion on Nicodemus by teaching him that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son ... who was sitting and talking with Nicodemus that night. They also learned about Elijah. Though Elijah had a great victory over Baal's prophets on Mt. Carmel, Queen Jezebel issued death threats to Eli that terrified him. God showed compassion on his fearful prophet by whispering his word into his ears and heart through the wind.The kids loved camp! They didn't care about the cold. They didn't complain about the wind. We received lots of positive feedback from parents that their kids wouldn't stop talking about camp on the way home. One of the parents told me that her son played his first soccer game on Wednesday night and scored a goal. She said she could tell he got better during just those first two days at camp.Except for the snack and devotion time, the campers were always in motion. They played soccer, but they also played games like wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, shepherds/sheep/and wolves, and "Ouch!". "Ouch" is where the campers try to kick the ball and hit the coach to make her yell, "Ouch!" They also enjoyed the oversized soccer ball and the pool noodles.Jesus was a man in motion. He healed a paralytic, a sick woman, and two blind men. He raised another man's daughter from the dead. He called 12 men to be his disciples. He answered the questions posed by searchers and skeptics. All that in Matthew chapter nine! Matthew then writes, "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness" (Matthew 9:35). Whew! Jesus was humanly busy! He was also divinely talented.Why all this activity? Why all this urgency? Because the people were harassed by false prophets. They were harassed by forces of evil in this dark world. They were harassed by the guilt of their own sin and the fear of eternal death. By themselves, they were helpless to do anything about it. Matthew explains, "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).We kept our missionary team of teens busy. Last week, we placed flyers on 750 homes in neighborhoods around Casper College, telling them that we would be coming by Tuesday through Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. Our team was going to the door to collect food for the Casper College students' food pantry. The team received mostly positive responses at the door. However, there were a handful of negative reactions. One young woman opened the door, saw our team of young ladies, dropped the F-bomb on them, and closed the door. There were a few who refused to open the door and were just hiding in the kitchen. There were some who slammed the door in their faces. And there was one man on Thursday night, when he saw their Lord of Lords t-shirts, not so politely said, "No, thank you".When we talked Thursday night about their highs and lows, the team shared these stories. I reminded them that the people who responded like this are like sheep without a shepherd. I assured them that these people most likely do not have a church home or a pastor and possibly do not believe in Jesus as their Savior. Otherwise, they wouldn't act like that. So, their reactions are normal for an unbeliever. These are the lost people that Jesus specifically targets for us to find. That's hard to do! But Jesus did it. Why? He had compassion on them.Jesus was a man in motion. But he took the time to stop and spend time with people -- the people he had come to save. With divine compassion, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. But Jesus also sat and listened. He stood and taught. He certainly must have held hands, gave hugs, cried together, laughed together, and prayed with and for those who were hurting.He did all this because of his compassion. Compassion can be defined as "love in motion". That's why Jesus was a man on the move. He had compassion for the lost, troubled, and downcast like us. His love moved him into motion.To have compassion for someone does not mean wallowing with them in their misery. Rather, it's listening to them. Spending time with them. Helping them. Those are all action verbs. Love in motion. It's helping them by pointing them to something greater than themselves, their sins, and their problems. It's sharing Jesus with them. He is the cure for their ailments, the forgiveness for their sins, and the mercy for their mistakes.Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest" (Luke 9:37-38). Jesus sends us out to put love in motion.On the last day of camp, I was talking to a grandmother of one of the campers. She really loved the camp. I was telling her I was new to Casper. She said, "I'll pray for you. And I'll pray for Lord of Lords." She was putting Jesus' words into action: "Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest." So, we pray for the teens from Living Word. And we pray for the teens and adults from Lord of Lords who helped with soccer camp, canvassing, meals, hosting, giving monetary donations to feed the teens on the drive home, and more. You are all workers in this harvest. We've already set it up with Pastor Hennig for him to come back next year with his teens. Lord willing, camp will be even bigger and better.In the abstract, we feel compassion for lost sinners. In the concrete, however, compassion comes with much greater difficulty. We may help with prayers or groceries. We may lend a hand or offer some assistance. But we're busy people. We lead daily lives to meet our personal needs, earn a living, and keep our family together. Having true compassion takes time, effort, and investment that we don't really want to be part of. Oh, we may respond to a mission sermon or a plea for help. But normally, we don't think about the lost. It's not that we don't care. It's more that we don't think about taking the time to care.How different is the single-minded compassion of Jesus for lost sheep? His immaculate conception and perfect life to replace humanity's sinful natures and imperfect lives. His baptism in the dirty Jordan River to take away the grime of humanity's sins. His temptations in the desert to defeat the power of the Devil. His redemption on the cross to pay for humanity's crimes against a holy God. His resurrection that gives the promise of eternal life to all who believe in him. His ascension puts him at God's right hand to rule all things for the good of his people's salvation. That is Jesus' divine compassion for the lost.Jesus' compassion for us moves us to have compassion for others. So often pastors and people get stuck in mainly doing "come" strategies. Just getting people to come to the church for worship, events or activities. Notice what Jesus does with his brand-new 1st century disciples. Matthew, who is among the twelve, writes, "Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, 'Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give'" (Matthew 10:5-8).Jesus sends us as his 21st century disciples to go into the community. Flyers on doors, social media reels and stories, a soccer camp in the park, canvassing for food, and more. When I did the training with the outreach team on Tuesday afternoon, we talked about not only collecting the food and moving on but asking what our church could do to reach out into the community. And if possible, ask for prayer requests and even pray with them at the door. That last one took a lot of courage. But these teenagers were great at it!Despite the handful of negative reactions, the team had a lot of positive experiences. They were able to summarize their Lutheran Christianity in their conversations. They talked about what they liked about the church. One team helped an older lady get her Corgi back inside the house. One lady who works at Casper College talked about how parents will come during midterms to give hugs to all the students. She suggested we do something like that. We discussed doing something similar and encouraging ... but without the hugs. That would be a little weird.When the team asked what our church can be doing in the community, most answered,"This! Keep doing things like this." Though they didn't use the words, they were really talking about doing compassion ministry. Most said that what we were doing for Casper College students was important. One gentleman added that this would create goodwill in his neighborhood toward our church. One person even suggested, "Can you entice politicians to be nice?" ... Probably not. But you know me, I'll try.Like Jesus, our team prayed for and with people on the front porch. One lady asked for a prayer for health for herself and a prayer for safe-keeping for her family that's dealing with substance abuse. They prayed with a lady for a toddler who was having surgery soon. They prayed with a woman who was having a rough night because her boyfriend is in the hospital. And they prayed with a man whose best friend had just lost his grandson.Compassion for the lost. Only God can fill us with it. Jesus sought us out as sheep needing a shepherd. He gave his life for us on the cross. He personally binds up our wounds and forgives us. But he also constantly places before us people who need his love and forgiveness. He moves us into action to look for and have compassion for lost sheep. He wants to use us to teach, feed, and heal them. He wants us to witness through compassion.That's what Jesus' ministry of compassion is all about. God's compassion cuts through our loneliness to join us to community within the Church. God's compassion in the words of absolution that forgives your past and gives you power for sanctified Christian living. God's compassion is the water of Baptism that gives us new life found in the flock of sheep who also bear the scars and healed-over wounds of life. God's compassion is the bread and wine of life that's served at the Shepherd's table for hungry sheep.There is immediacy and urgency in Christ's mission: "Preach 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Help people right where they are. Give them the healing balm of Christ's forgiveness for their wounds caused by hurt and anger. Give them hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ as they face death. Give them the assurance of an eternal home through faith in Christ as they see their homes destroyed by divorce or violence. We are workers in the ripe harvest fields of Casper.Compassion is love in motion. Jesus is calling you and pointing you toward the world -- toward the world he loves, the world he redeemed, and the world that is our mission field. It's time for us to get moving! Amen.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Assisi Saldanha, C.Ss.R., explores the fascinating story of the House of Omri, one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Delving into the lives of Kings Omri and Ahab, Queen Jezebel, and Jehu, he uncovers the complex interplay of politics, faith, power, and covenant loyalty that shaped Israel's history.The episode examines the political instability that characterized the Northern Kingdom, contrasting it with the enduring Davidic dynasty in Judah. Viewers will discover how Omri emerged as a strong ruler who established Samaria as Israel's capital and strengthened the kingdom through strategic diplomacy. Fr. Saldanha also offers fresh insights into the often-debated figures of Ahab and Jezebel, exploring the challenges they faced and the religious tensions that arose from foreign influences and the worship of Baal.The story culminates in the dramatic rise of Jehu and the downfall of the House of Omri, raising important questions about leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of abandoning God's covenant.Join us for this enriching journey into biblical history and spirituality.

In this insightful episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Juventius Andrade, C.Ss.R., explores the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of the prophet Elijah. The video focuses on the powerful story of Naboth's Vineyard, where King Ahab and Queen Jezebel abuse their authority to seize Naboth's land, prompting Elijah to courageously confront injustice and speak truth to power. The episode also recounts Elijah's dramatic departure in the chariot of fire and the passing of his prophetic mission to Elisha.Fr. Juventius reflects on Elijah's lasting influence across Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other traditions, where he is often associated with the coming of the Messiah. The video further highlights fascinating parallels between Elijah and Moses, emphasizing their encounters with God and their prophetic challenge to oppressive rulers.The episode concludes with a guided prayer and reflection, encouraging viewers to trust in God's providence, stand against injustice, and listen for God's gentle voice in their daily lives. Do explore the entire Who's Who in the Bible series to discover more inspiring Biblical stories. 

In this inspiring episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Juventius Andrade, C.Ss.R., explores the remarkable life and ministry of the prophet Elijah, drawing from 1 Kings 21 and 2 Kings 2. The episode begins with the powerful account of Naboth's Vineyard, where King Ahab and Queen Jezebel unjustly seize Naboth's inheritance, revealing the tension between God's covenant values and the corrupting influence of power and greed. Elijah emerges as a fearless prophet who speaks truth to power, confronting injustice and reminding us that God hears the cries of the oppressed.The episode concludes with a reflective prayer that invites viewers to examine their own lives and consider whether they stand with the voiceless or contribute to systems of injustice.Watch, reflect, and be inspired. Don't forget to explore the entire Who's Who in the Bible series to discover the lives, faith, and lessons of other biblical figures who continue to shape our spiritual journey today.

The prophet, Elijah, challenges wicked King Ahab and evil Queen Jezebel to a contest to prove that the One True God, Jehovah, is more powerful than the idol, Baal. #kids, #storiesforkids, #biblestoriesforkids, #bedtimestoriesforkids, #biblelessonsforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #roncarriewebb, #fishbytes4kids, #standupforgod, #godsprotection, #godsfavor, #prayer, #godsendshisangels

Mind Stayed on Him In this mid-week teaching at Church of the Harvest, Associate Pastor Todd Haggard addresses the pervasive spiritual challenge of the modern digital era: the saturation of our attention and the degradation of our spiritual hearing. Using the dramatic narrative of the Prophet Elijah from 1 Kings 19, Pastor Todd illustrates that a chaotic environment or an emotional crisis will actively skew a believer's perspective, making a deliberate pursuit of quiet reflection the ultimate prerequisite for processing the voice of God. Key Highlights The Hostage of Attention: Satan utilizes modern technology, targeted algorithmic marketing (such as tracking data across platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Facebook), and sensory notifications to take the human mind hostage. Pastor Todd notes that we have become like frogs in boiling water—so accustomed to constant mental simulation that we fail to notice our attention is being systematically stolen. The Immediacy Trap: Modern search engines process roughly 100,000 requests per second, conditioning society to expect instant results. This entitlement to immediate answers creates deep friction when brought into a walk of faith, as believers begin to mistake a sovereign God's requirement for patient waiting as a lack of response or absolute rejection. The Danger of Emotional Amplification: When an individual enters a season of physical, circumstantial, or relational trauma, their internal spiritual hearing is instantly compromised. Instead of processing raw truth, the mind filters messages exclusively through the lens of active pain, causing the emotions to artificially amplify fear and distortion. The Logic of Elijah's Flight: After executing the spectacular supernatural defeat of 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, Elijah fled in absolute terror from the threats of Queen Jezebel. He traveled to Mount Horeb (Sinai)—the exact opposite end of the kingdom. While Elijah was actively running from an earthly crisis, his instinct subconsciously guided him toward the historically established mountain of God. The Sovereign Whisper: God did not position His presence inside the mountain-shattering wind, the structural trauma of the earthquake, or the blazing heat of the fire. Instead, He chose to communicate through a fragile, low-whisper cadence ("a gentle whisper"). God uses the subtle volume of a whisper to demand that a believer quiet their environment and pull close to hear Him. The Spectrum of Spiritual Hearing: Noise vs. The Whisper [ HIGH VOLUME: THE STREET LEVEL ] ────► Notifications, News Alerts, Anxiety, Chaos │ ▼ (The Transition: Active Isolation & Cave Mentalities) │ [ LOW VOLUME: THE THRONE LEVEL ] ────► The Gentle Whisper, Patient Trust, Wisdom Source of Sound Structural Character The Impact on the Believer's Mind The Earthly Torrent Digital alerts, targeted tracking, social media loops, and cultural paranoia (e.g., alien conspiracies, global panics). Creates a thick layer of static that clogs the cognitive ability to filter eternal truth from temporary noise. The Voice of Crisis Intense screaming, emotional reactions, active wounds, and feelings of utter isolation ("I am the only one left"). Distorts logic and forces the individual to interpret God's behavior through their current hurt rather than His historical character. The Gentle Whisper Sovereignly timed, slow-paced, intimate, requiring stillness and the total abandonment of performance. Calibrates internal perspective, imparts true structural understanding, and restores clear direction for the calling. Core Message: Trusting the Heart When Blind to the Hand The core directive of the teaching centers on breaking free from the cultural demands for quick, easy formulas. When your current circumstances are completely obscured by structural shifting, you must lean on the historical consistency of God's character. "All the information in the world is useless if you don't know how to apply it and use it... Quick answers usually aren't great answers. When we can't see His hand, we trust His heart." Scriptural Foundations Isaiah 26:3: The promise of absolute, perfect emotional preservation for the mind that remains unswervingly fixed on God. 1 Kings 19:11-18: The structural recording of Elijah's retreat into the cave at Horeb, the subsequent atmospheric disruptions, and the realization of God's presence within the low whisper. Proverbs 4:7: The paramount structural command of scriptural living: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." "Thanks for listening! For more information, visit churchoftheharvest.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube @cothcleveland.

https://www.uncommen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May-8th.mp3 Quick Answers What does the bible say about mental health when facing severe burnout? To understand what does the bible say about mental health, we must look at how God addresses extreme human frailty. Even great heroes of the faith, like the prophet Elijah, experienced severe burnout, paralyzing fear, and emotional collapse. Instead of demanding immediate spiritual perfection, God provided practical physical rest and nourishment. This shows that our minds and bodies are deeply connected, and aggressively resting is a divine mandate, not a personal weakness. Is admitting I am struggling a sign of spiritual failure? Absolutely not. Admitting that you are entirely exhausted is an incredible feat of courage. The modern church often falsely equates emotional exhaustion with a severe lack of faith, but Scripture is entirely filled with strong men—like King David—who openly expressed deep internal turmoil. Violently bottling up your internal struggles behind a religious facade only leads to dangerous isolation. How can a man practically implement biblical rest today? Just as Jesus intentionally withdrew from demanding crowds to pray and sleep, modern men must aggressively schedule daily and weekly rest stops for their minds. Furthermore, overcoming mental exhaustion requires finding a highly trusted brother to honestly discuss your internal pressure, rather than carrying the weight of the world alone. What Does the Bible Say About Mental Health? Whenever guys ask what does the bible say about mental health, they are usually at the end of their rope, completely exhausted, and desperately looking for relief. For decades, the concept of psychological well-being was treated by many men as completely taboo, especially within the walls of the church. If you asked a guy how he was doing, the answer was practically always a robotic and heavily guarded "doing fine, brother," regardless of how much his internal world was violently crumbling. We built this carefully constructed, impenetrable facade where everything had to constantly look like rainbows and sunshine. If you admitted you were deeply struggling, feeling entirely depleted, or fighting serious internal battles, you were quietly viewed as weak or somehow lacking in faith. But as the pressures of the modern world have drastically multiplied, men are hitting a massive wall of emotional and physical exhaustion. The absolute truth is that God never intended for you to carry the crushing weight of the world on your shoulders while silently grinning through the agonizing pain. When we start actively pulling back the heavy layers of religious tradition and carefully examine what does the bible say about mental health, we discover a deeply compassionate, highly practical blueprint for masculine resilience. The biblical text does not shy away from the gritty realities of the human mind. To help you navigate this massive topic, we have broken down 7 proven and powerful truths regarding what does the bible say about mental health so you can step off the exhausting treadmill of perfectionism. 1. Admitting You Are Not Okay Is An Act Of Strength One of the most dangerous, pervasive lies modern Christian men believe is that vulnerability is the exact same thing as failure. We incorrectly assume that a strong, godly man must have a mind like a steel trap—impervious to heavy stress, unaffected by grief, and completely immune to burnout. We falsely think that if we just read our Bibles more and pray harder, our intense anxiety will miraculously evaporate into thin air. However, when exploring what does the bible say about mental health, we quickly find that admitting "I am not okay" is actually an incredible feat of spiritual strength. True biblical masculinity is not about faking absolute perfection; it is about acknowledging your severe human limitations and actively submitting those limitations to a sovereign God. If you flatly refuse to admit you are struggling, you are actively choosing to let pride completely destroy your internal sanctum. We act as if the great heroes of our faith walked around with permanent, unbreakable smiles plastered on their faces. But a quick, honest glance at the Psalms completely shatters that ridiculous illusion. David frequently penned words of profound despair, openly expressing his deep anguish. To fully grasp what does the bible say about mental health, you must actively recognize that God deeply welcomes our raw, unfiltered honesty. 2. Even Great Prophets Hit The Wall To vividly illustrate how heavily the Scriptures address extreme human frailty, we have to look directly at one of the most powerful and uncompromising prophets in the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 19, we witness what we can appropriately call "The Elijah Syndrome." Elijah had just experienced an unprecedented, miraculous victory on Mount Carmel. You would naturally think he would be on a permanent, unbreakable spiritual high. Yet, immediately after this massive triumph, he receives a death threat from Queen Jezebel, and his entire mental fortitude completely collapses. He runs deep into the desolate wilderness, completely exhausted and utterly terrified. He hits "the wall" so incredibly hard that he collapses under a tree and literally asks God to end his life. This intense narrative directly answers the question of what does the bible say about mental health when one of God's greatest generals wants to give up. The Elijah Syndrome definitively proves that no matter how many massive spiritual victories you have under your belt, you are never immune to the crushing, heavy weight of a fallen world. 3. Physical Rest Is A Divine Mandate The gentle, highly practical response from God to Elijah in this specific passage is absolutely critical for modern men to understand today. When we aggressively seek out what does the bible say about mental health in the midst of total, life-altering burnout, we must carefully observe what God purposely did not do. God did not strike Elijah with a bolt of lightning for his apparent lack of faith. He did not harshly yell at him or call him a coward. Instead, God provided an incredibly practical, deeply physical solution to a severe mental breakdown. He graciously gave the exhausted prophet a hot meal and essentially told him to take a long, restorative nap. Because when looking into what does the bible say about mental health, we realize that God intricately designed our physical bodies and our complex minds to work in perfect tandem. You absolutely cannot separate your profound physical exhaustion from your spiritual capacity. Sometimes, the absolute most spiritual thing a man can do is drink a large glass of water, step entirely away from his relentless email inbox, and go to sleep for eight hours. We too often try to hyper-spiritualize our extreme burnout, blaming the devil for spiritual attacks that are actually the direct result of our own stubborn refusal to rest. 4. God Provides Rhythms Of Grace In the New Testament, Jesus addresses this exact, widespread epidemic of physical and mental weariness directly. In Matthew 11:28, He issues a profound, wide-open invitation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This is not a polite, optional suggestion; it is a vital, non-negotiable command for your ongoing survival. Yet, men constantly ignore this direct command, foolishly treating their chronic lack of sleep and endless stress as a twisted masculine badge of honor. We look at our completely packed calendars and proudly boast about how incredibly busy we are. But when we pause to reflect on what does the bible say about mental health, we see that Jesus intentionally operated in a completely different, highly sustainable rhythm. Christ purposefully established necessary Rhythms of Grace. Despite having the absolute most important mission in human history with a strict three-year time limit, He regularly and intentionally withdrew from the massive, demanding crowds to quietly pray and rest. He absolutely did not allow the frantic demands of the people to dictate His internal peace. 5. Isolation Is A Dangerous Enemy Beyond the glaring necessity of physical rest, we must heavily address the toxic, silent isolation that currently plagues millions of modern men. A massive part of the current psychological crisis is directly tied to the uncomfortable fact that guys simply do not have genuine, deeply connected friends. We might have casual acquaintances at work or men we greet in the church lobby, but we severely lack brothers who know the actual truth about our daily lives. When thoroughly researching what does the bible say about mental health, the absolute requirement of deep, authentic community is entirely inescapable. We were never designed to fight the brutal, unseen battles of the mind in solitary confinement. The enemy aggressively thrives in the cold darkness of our isolation, whispering devastating lies that we are the only ones struggling with paralyzing anxiety, failing marriages, or crushing depression. You simply cannot overcome severe mental exhaustion if you violently refuse to let anyone see your messy reality. 6. Vulnerability Creates Iron-Sharpening Community Proverbs 27:17 famously states that iron sharpens iron, but this vital sharpening process inherently requires close, incredibly uncomfortable friction. The exhausting facade of the completely perfect Christian man is destroying us from the inside out. When we bottle everything up, lying to everyone by pretending our lives are perfectly fine, we become incredibly fragile and prone to sudden collapse. Finding out what does the bible say about mental health forces us to step directly out of the shadows and into the blazing light. It forces us to drop the heavy, useless armor of pride, look another man in the eye, and openly ask for help....

It's a name that gets thrown around a lot—used in sermons, used to label people, even used to explain problems in the church.But here's the question: Is any of that actually biblical?In this episode, we're putting that teaching under the authority of Scripture—not tradition, not assumption, not popular opinion.We're going to walk through every Old Testament passage about Queen Jezebel, then go straight into Revelation chapter 2 and examine what Jesus actually says—down to the Greek—because He doesn't speak in confusion.And we're going to deal with this directly: Does the Bible teach a “Jezebel spirit”… or has something been added to the text?Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Life's overwhelming noise can make it feel impossible to connect with God, but the story of Elijah teaches us that divine presence often comes in unexpected ways. After experiencing a great spiritual victory, Elijah found himself exhausted and running from Queen Jezebel's threats. When God met him in the wilderness, it wasn't through spectacular displays of wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a gentle whisper that required stillness to hear. God provided practical care through food and rest, reminding us that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is tend to our basic needs. The story reveals that God speaks most clearly not in life's dramatic moments, but in the quiet spaces where we stop performing and start listening.Support the showVisit communitybrookside.com or facebook.com/communitybrookside for more information!

In 1 Kings 18–21, Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal, demonstrates God's power on Mount Carmel, and exposes the wickedness of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.Read the WHOLE Bible with me! Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. If you appreciate what is happening on this channel, please like, comment and most importantly, share this everywhere you can so we can bring as many people as possible with us on this Bible reading journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!Here is a link to all of the worship songs I have finished the Bible readings with. Worship with me!https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUcMr6ja88bC607BoR1EaQuF&si=e1HfJdRXr4LSdU7WHere is the link to read the WHOLE Bible with me on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv0l3ExigVUdyHEiJ2X2tFvXNINmLMs7O&si=FM_Od_qVefeWU1kYDo you want a Bald Headed Country Boy t-shirt? You can find them on my website with the link below.https://baldheadedcountryboy.com/

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/a-better-resurrection/This morning we took our annual trip to the tomb with the women. There at that Easter tomb we hear a refrain that resounds almost one hundred times in just the New Testament: "Do not be afraid." The women had come out to the grave of their (supposedly) dead Master with a mixture of fear, powerlessness, and hopelessness. But suddenly they learned that their dear Lord was no longer dead. Just as he had promised, death held no power over him. In his saving power, they no longer had any reason to live in hopelessness and fear.As they left the tomb, already the Easter message allowed the fear in their hearts to begin to mix with a great dawning joy. Then, as if the angelic messenger's words had not been enough, Jesus suddenly stood before them. They heard their risen Lord's lips repeat the refrain: "Do not be afraid." His repetition displays the patient mercy of the Savior who knows how difficult it is to drive fear from the hearts even of his believers! His repetition reveals he will not abandon them to their clinging fears. He wants them to know that their lives -- and their eternal lives -- are in the hands of a crucified and risen Lord. There is nothing more to fear.That same Easter message still resounds to this day: "Do not be afraid." Easter proclaims that there is nothing in ancient times, current times or future times that can rightfully make us afraid --not plagues or pandemics or World Wars or anything else that brings death.God's people repeatedly heard their almighty Lord reminding them, "Do not be afraid." Abram, Hagar, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, the Israelites, Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the women at the tomb, and the disciples after the resurrection. They all heard the Lord announce to them, "Do not be afraid."On this, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, we desire a confident, resurrection faith like the Heroes of Faith we hear about in Hebrews 11. They faced starvation, enemies, imprisonment, torture, and more. Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah faced impossible odds against the Midianites, Canaanites, Philistines, and Ammonites. David faced the giant Goliath and Samuel faced the darkening chapter in Israel's spiritual history. They were just a few of God's faithful people who marched against God's enemies trusting God's promises and found those promises to be true. They had no reason to be afraid because God was always present with them.The writer to the Hebrews mentions some heroes of faith by name, but then he gives other unnamed examples. "Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." Daniel faced certain death but found the lions' mouths locked. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the seven-fold fire of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace and emerged without a whiff of smoke on them. Elijah moved among Queen Jezebel's drawn swords which could not reach him. Samson's blindness, baldness, and weakness became a strength as he collapsed the fish god's temple on the thousands of Philistines. The Israelites carried the ark of the covenant into battle and routed numerous superior enemy forces.Each of these heroes of faith faced death as an enemy and were granted the victory through their almighty Lord. But there were some whom death claimed as the spoils of war. Death visited the home of the widow of Zarephath, the home of the Shunamite woman, and the widow of Nain. All of them lost children to death. But all of them received their children back from the dead. Mothers tasted the bitter grief of loss, but later had it turned into joy by the resurrection. Lazarus, Eutychus, and the daughter of Jairus all came back to life through the power of the resurrection -- but all of them were subject to die again.Jesus Christ promises a better resurrection. A resurrection that defeats death once and for all. A resurrection that means that death has lost its grip on you and me. A resurrection that means that no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from Christ's hand (CWS: 752). A resurrection that means that hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today (CW: 163)! A resurrection that means our flesh shall rest and for a season slumber till trump from east to west shall wake the dead in number" (CW: 160).Other martyrs in Hebrews 11 died gruesome deaths by being stoned, sawed in two or put to death by the sword. Those who escaped the martyr's death barely eked out an existence as they lived like wild animals on the move, clothed with sheepskins and goatskins, roaming the deserts and mountains, hiding and sleeping in dank caves and dark holes in the ground.A simple denial of Christ would have kept them from all this discomfort, hunger, suffering, and death. But it would also have lost them eternity. These heroes and martyrs of faith suffered and died looking for a better resurrection. "Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection." They prized the resurrection to come through Jesus Christ as far greater in value than earthly life. They valued earthly comfort little compared to the eternal Christ. Earth's safety was secondary when placed alongside eternal salvation. Earth shrank in importance when compared to heaven's glorious mansions.What do we do when we face difficulties and suffering that are nowhere close to what these heroes of faith faced on a daily basis? When there are tensions in the home, our tendency is to lash out at our spouse, children, or parents. When society rages about gay marriage, our temptation is to go along with popular thought and against God's clear Word. When difficulties arise within the church, our first thought is to find a different church. When illness or debt plagues our bodies and families, our inclination is to cry out that life and God are unfair. When we don't like what God has to say about our misbehavior, our reaction is to simply stop hearing what God has to say ... and an easy way to do that is by staying away from God's house, his Word, and his worship. When death visits our family, our preference is to grieve, mourn, and wail like the rest of the world who have no hope.Whenever difficulties, struggles, temptations, suffering, persecution or death become frequent, but unwelcome visitors in our lives, our tendency is to shut down, run away, cut ties, give up or curl up in the fetal position and let the Devil and the world have their way with us.Fellow saints, we have a better Savior who promises a better resurrection. It is this resurrection faith that allowed Gideon, Samson, David, Daniel, and the others to do such amazing things. It is this resurrection faith that allows us to be confident and deal successfully with our difficulties. It is this resurrection faith that allows us to go into battle against the unholy triple alliance of the Devil, the world, and our sinful flesh.Like those heroes of faith in the Old and New Testaments, we test and trust God's promises -- all fulfilled in the person, works, and words of Jesus -- and find them to be true.Because of Jesus, one thief is in Paradise. Because of Jesus, the gates of hell have been slammed shut and the gates of heaven have been thrown wide open to all those who believe in him as Savior. Because of Jesus, Satan and all his demons are already informed about their utter demise. Because of Jesus, we will be among God's white-robed saints streaming into heavenly glory.Listen to the angel's message to the women at the tomb, "He is not here; he has risen!" Jesus rose from the grave and grabbed that rascal Death by the throat and robbed it of all the power it once had over mankind. Though Christ once was slain, he burst his three-day prison (CW: 160). "For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40).Because Jesus didn't stay in the grave, we won't either. Yes, death will take our lives, and our bodies will be placed in the ground, but death won't be able to hold us ... because we know that our Redeemer lives (CW: 152). And so, Jesus promises, "Because I live, you also will live." Jesus promises a better resurrection -- to a better hope during hopelessness, a better life in the middle of the valley of death, and a better forgiveness and life where there are guilt and sin.Remember, our lives have never truly been in our own hands. Our lives rest in the nail-marked hands of the crucified and risen Christ. Even though fears still want to spook our hearts until heaven, yet here is where we go to silence them. Our hope is not in ourselves. Our hope is not in mankind. Our hope is not in the media, medical experts, or government authorities. Our hope is in the God who wondrously created us and still more wondrously restored us to himself in the life, death, and resurrection of his Son. Our hope is in the fact of a Christ who was dead and is now alive.Even in a fallen world where Death rides its pale horse to haunt and hunt us down, Jesus still patiently reassures us: "Do not be afraid." Death's back is broken. Satan's head has been stomped. The gates of Hades have been ripped off their hinges. Christ rides victorious on his white horse (Revelation 6:2). He has conquered and he continues to conquer. "Death is the last enemy to be done away with" (1 Corinthians 15:26), If Death is done, nothing else can win. If Death has been destroyed, then there is nothing else to fear.Death lies broken and defeated. Now you get to decide what to do with the rest of your troubles, the worst of your fears, and the greatest of your anxieties. Can the terrors of troubles outweigh trusting in the Almighty God? Can the wrath of war overshadow the Lord of Armies? Can the dread of demons live up to their demands? Can the panic of pandemics be greater than Christ walking victoriously out of his grave?Knowing that there was a better resurrection coming allowed all the heroes of faith throughout time to endure in the face of suffering and believe in the face of torture. Knowing that there is a better resurrection coming will get you through each day.Peer into that empty tomb and find the answer for the emptiness of your grief. For your Savior provides you with the promise of a blessed, better resurrection reunion with your Christian loved ones.Peer into that empty tomb and find the answer to the emptiness of your guilt. For your Savior provides you with the hope of forgiveness for every single sin, paid for by his divinely human blood poured out on the Roman cross.Peer into that empty tomb and find the answer to your empty cynicism that comes so easily in a world living in its End Times. For your risen Christ gives you every reason to rejoice in this life for you have the assurance of eternal life.Peer into that empty tomb and find the answer to your hopelessness, your despair, your fears and your worries. For if your resurrected Redeemer has already promised you a better resurrection to eternal life, don't you think he'll take care of the rest of your problems, too?As we look at the bloody cross and the empty tomb, we are overwhelmed with the goodness of our God. Now the writer to the Hebrews is challenging us -- what are you going to do with it? You have been given a better resurrection through a better Savior. Share it. Confess it. Rejoice in it. Sing of it. Be comforted by it. Be emboldened by it. Live it. Die in it. And live in it again. Amen.

PART 1 OF 2 (LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE MESSAGE HERE)  [Eph 6:12 NKJV] 12 For we do not wrestle (think fight or struggle) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age or world, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Folks there is a spiritual war being waged right now. Not only a war in the middle east which is certainly raging as I type this but also and perhaps even more importantly a battle for your soul and the souls of your family. Is there anyone else out there who can feel the strength and oppressive weight of the war being waged right now besides me? Eph 6:12 says our fight is not against flesh and blood. Your family, your friends, your enemies and human adversaries are not really who the battle is against. [Mal 4:5-6 KJV] 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. And then [Luk reconfirmed this promise again in 1:16-17 KJV] 16 where we are told, “many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. What would characterize the return of the Spirit of Elijah that would turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to wisdom to make them prepared for YHWH i.e. Y'shua's return? What was going on during the days of Elijah, King Ahaz and Queen Jezebel? Baal Worship right? Elijah proved to the people that YHWH was God or Elohim and Baal was nothing and Baal worship was powerless and ridiculous right?  What does the modern day spirit of Ba’al look like compared to the spirit of Elijah and the 7 Spirits of God? [Rev 1:1-4 NKJV] 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified [it] by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed [is] he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time [is] near. 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne… Today we look at all of this and more!

"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Deuteronomy 5:21). Last week, I indicated that the Sabbath command introduces the last six. Rest is not just between us and God but also provides space to love our neighbour. Today, let's consider a story in which a lack of Sabbath led to deadly consequences. It is the story of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21. This one is included among the stories concerning Elijah whose task was to call the royal family to account. The top family in Israel has abandoned the Lord God to pursue Baal and Asherah. Covet is not used in the narrative, yet the story illustrates the nature of coveting and the ruin it brings to human society. Naboth is a small-time farmer whose land is his 'ancestral inheritance'. This is property which God gave to his forefather when Israel entered the land of milk and honey. For generations, Naboth's ancestors have enjoyed the fruit of the land. They had lived contently on the Lord's gift to them. However, in our story, king Ahab has seen this vineyard. He set his eyes on it long enough for his heart to desire it. When he approaches Naboth to purchase it, the king is rebuffed. Ahab sees all property as tradable commodity; everything is up for acquisition. There is always a price. But Naboth counters, "The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors (3)." The king is reminded that God is involved in economic exchanges and has imposed limits. These limits ensure that that those with power and money cannot keep acquiring at the expense of those with less influence and means. Further, in Deuteronomy 17, Israelite kings are instructed not to acquire lots of stuff nor to consider themselves above the law. Ahab cares a little about all of this, but Queen Jezebel not at all. She implements a scheme that ends in Naboth's death after which Ahab acquires what his heart desires. The story makes clear that coveting is not only a desire for someone's possessions. It is also the active capacity to seize what one desires. The enormity of this abuse of power is evident in Elijah's judgement on the royal couple. Everything they have will be striped from them and they themselves will meet an ominous end. A society cannot survive if coveting rules the day. This passage invites us to explore our own hearts. We must regulate inner desires, ensuring that thoughts, as well as actions, are obedient to God. Excising the slightest feeling of covetousness that arise in the mind must be our first and only response to greed and envy. God calls us to secure a neighbor's property and rights from both active harm and inner, selfish longing. That is good Sabbath work. This story allows us to stray into the political. When we elect our politicians, it is important that we consider their character as much as their platform. Greed at the top filters down. This story is a warning. As you journey on, hear Jesus' invitation: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

God created a diving design for our marriages to function where peace, joy, love, and the blessing of God can flow. When we build our marriages outside of his design, we become dysfunctional, frustrated, and learn to live with a home like that is less than God's best. We'll look at the most dysfunctional couple in the Bible, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel so we can learn from their mistakes and get our marriages back in order and working again!

Elijah experiences a great victory on Mount Carmel, but at what personal cost? After such a great victory Elijah allows the threat of Queen Jezebel to send him into the desert where he wants to die. But, he finds healing in the gentle whisper of God on Mount Horeb. In Sunday's message, Jackson Crum taught us that this passage has much to show us on to find healing in our trauma and suffering.

December 20, 2025 Daily Devotional:“It's Okay to Not Be Okay”1 Kings 19:4 ​"He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'" ​ ​Elijah, the fiery prophet who had just called down fire from heaven and single-handedly defeated the 450 prophets of Baal, remained hidden under a broom bush, exhausted, alone, and completely despairing. The victory was glorious, but the threat from Queen Jezebel was immediate and terrifying. His prayer is raw and honest: "I have had enough, Lord... Take my life." This isn't just exhaustion but it's a deep spiritual and emotional burnout, a feeling of utter failure and insignificance, bothered thoughts of insignificance "I am no better than my ancestors". It's a profound spiritual dip following a massive spiritual high. ​This verse offers a crucial reassurance of; It is okay to not be okay. Even the greatest figures of faith, people who walked closely with God and witnessed miracles, experienced moments of complete hopelessness and wanted to quit.Elijah, who saw God's power firsthand, felt the crushing weight of human weakness and fear. Where are you sitting under your "broom bush" today?  Is it the exhaustion from a prolonged struggle? Is it the disappointment after a major effort didn't bring the expected result? Is it the feeling that your efforts are pointless, or that you are fundamentally "no better" thanyour past mistakes or perceived failures? ​Elijah's prayer was a cry of pain, and God didn't rebuke him for it. Instead, God met him with simple, practical grace of rest and nourishment on the chapter's succeeding verses. Before giving him a new mission or a spiritual lecture, God first allowed him to sleep and provided food for his journey.   When you feel like giving up, remember this truth; God can handle your darkest prayers, and honesty is welcome in His holy presence. Don't hide your despair, rather bring it to Him, just as Elijah did. Sometimes, the spiritual battle is compounded by the physical one. Rest, food, and a change of pace are vital acts of self-care that God often uses to restore our soul, but your story isn't over just yet! God didn't take Elijah's life. He restored him and gave him new tasks, new hope, and a new companion. The moment you want to quit is often the moment God is preparing to refresh you for the next season! Today, let's pray a prayer of honesty. Acknowledge one thing that is exhausting us. Then, intentionally and consciously take a small step toward physical or emotional rest.

        Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:13). Advent is all about waiting, waiting for Immanuel, God with us. The final word on Immanuel is at the end of Revelation when God makes his home on earth with us. Before that scene, the Bible is littered with stories of God with his people. This Advent we will explore some of those. One of my favourites is God's question to Elijah in his despair, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" You can read the whole story in 1 Kings 19. This comes just after Elijah's mountain top experience with God. He had challenged the priests of Baal to a "do or die contest" of the gods. Baal vs the Lord God of Israel. The Baal priests would build an altar to Baal and Elijah would build one for the Lord God. Which ever god sent fire to light their altar would win the contest. God won in spectacular fashion! It was really no contest. With all the priests of Baal killed, Queen Jezebel wants Elijah's head. Elijah flees in fear and despair. He drops down, exhausted under a broom tree in the wilderness. He just wants to die. Many of God's people have felt the same. One of them was a great hymn writer, William Cowper. Check out his hymn, Oh for a Closer Walk with God. He regularly suffered from severe depression. The thing in this story that always intrigues me is God's response to Elijah. He feeds him. Twice. This is not a prescription for curing depression. However, it does give us an image of God showing up in our discouragement. Later, Isaiah would write this about God's chosen servant, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Isaiah 42:3). Jesus was and is this servant. I wonder if Isaiah got the idea from God's interaction with Elijah? Its an image of Immanuel, God with us, which Jesus embraced. Elijah then journeys to the mountain of God, where God appears to him in the whisper of the breeze, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" We may want to lash out at Elijah, "how could you be so discouraged after what God did on Mount Carmel?" Of course, there may be some mild rebuke in God's question. But God is gentle with Elijah and sets him back on course. Elijah thinks he is all by himself, that he is done and God is done too. But God tells Elijah that he still has 7 000 in Israel who worship him alone. God was doing a lot more than what Elijah could see. And then God gives Elijah more work to do. So often, we think our ability to do God's work is based on our performance. Its not. It's based on God's calling and equipping. Even though Elijah wondered off course, God still showed up. He was still Immanuel, God with us. Be encouraged. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

1 Kings 21 tells the story of Naboth, a righteous man who owns a vineyard beside King Ahab's palace. When Ahab tries to buy it, Naboth refuses because the land is his God-given inheritance. Ahab sulks like a child, and his wife Queen Jezebel steps in with ruthless determination. She arranges false accusations against Naboth, leading to his unjust execution. After Naboth is killed, Ahab seizes the vineyard — but God sends the prophet Elijah to confront him. Elijah delivers a severe prophecy of judgment: the same injustice done to Naboth will return upon Ahab's house, and Jezebel will also face divine punishment. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God sees injustice, defends the innocent, and holds the wicked accountable.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.“Thank you for listening to SendMe Radio — where we share the Gospel, inspire faith, and keep you connected with powerful stories and updates from around the world. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a message.And remember — you can listen to SendMe Radio streaming 24/7 at www.sendmeradio.net or simply say: ‘Hey Alexa, play SendMe Radio.'

November 20, 2025 Daily Devotional: “Bread and Water” ​1 Kings 19:5-6  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. ​Imagine being Elijah, one of the most powerful prophets in Israel's history. He had just experienced a monumental, public victory on Mount Carmel—calling down fire from heaven and defeating the prophets of Baal. Yet, immediately following this incredible high, he was threatened by Queen Jezebel and his spirit plummeted into a deep, agonizing low. He ran for his life, collapsed in exhaustion under a broom bush in the wilderness, and prayed to die. ​Have you ever felt that way? Maybe not literally running from a queen, but spiritually, emotionally, or physically hitting the wall? That moment when the pressure is too much, the reserves are empty, and you just want the struggle to end? The victory of yesterday can't fuel the exhaustion of today. ​Elijah's state was one of total despair and depletion. He was utterly dependent. And this is precisely where we see God's grace in its purest form. ​ ​God didn't immediately rebuke Elijah for his lack of faith. He didn't lecture him on the greatness of the Mount Carmel miracle. Instead, God responded with profound, practical compassion. An angel came, not with a sermon, but with asimple, tangible gift: "some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water." ​This is the essence of God's care for us when we are broken. God saw Elijah's physical need for rest and sustenance before he addressed his spiritual and emotional crisis. God knows that sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is eat, drink, and rest. Your soul is connected to your body. The bread was "baked over hot coals," suggesting it was fresh, warm,and prepared specifically for him. God's provision isn't generic; it is personal, timely, and exactly what you need in that moment. Elijah "ate and drank and then lay down again." God didn't rush him. Sometimes, the Lord's will for you is simply to stop, recover, and sleep before you can takethe next step. ​This simple meal was a lifeline. It wasn't a magic potion; it was God's sustaining grace empowering a weary man for the journey ahead. ​ ​Can you identify a part of your life where you are completely exhausted—physically, mentally, or spiritually?  Don't try to fix it right now. Instead, intentionally ask God for the "bread and water" of his sustaining grace. If you're physically tired, allow yourself to rest without guilt. If you're mentally drained, step away from the taxing task. If you're spiritually dry, simply sit in God's presence, not to do anything, but just to receive. ​

We all experience seasons of heaviness and feeling like life is too much to carry, whether because of the cold, burnout, grief, or financial stress. This week, we looked at the prophet Elijah, who, despite witnessing miraculous provision, spiraled into hopelessness when threatened by Queen Jezebel. Elijah's example shows that when we are overwhelmed, we tend to isolate and forget God's faithfulness, believing lies like "I'm the only one left." God's response was not fire, but a gentle whisper, calling Elijah to rest and restoration in His presence (Matthew 11:28). This restoration is more than sleep; it requires intentional solitude—making space away from distractions and the constant buzz—to allow God to replace our lies with His truth and renew our soul for the purpose He has for us.Support the show

Elijah, once a prophet of great miracles and faith, found himself running in fear and despair after Queen Jezebel's threats. Despite witnessing God's mighty power through droughts, fire, rain, and resurrection, Elijah became weary and hid in a cave on Mount Horeb. There, God revealed that His true presence was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire—but in a gentle whisper. This still, small voice quieted Elijah's fears, shifting his heart from complaint to submission, and restoring his strength for the mission ahead. God used this moment to teach Elijah that divine power is not always displayed through force, but through quiet intimacy and mercy. Elijah's circumstances had not changed, but his heart had. The Lord reminded him that he was not alone—there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel—and gave him new assignments to fulfill His purpose. Just as God met Elijah in the stillness, He meets us today—not always through dramatic signs, but through the quiet moments of surrender. Like the pastor's wife who learned gentleness through her daughter's struggle, God calls us to listen beyond the noise. In His still small voice, He offers correction, revelation, and renewal. When we pause to listen, He restores our hearts and reminds us—He is not finished with us yet.

In this episode of "I Love to Tell the Story," hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Craig Koester explore one of the most dramatic narratives in the Hebrew Bible: Elijah's journey to Mount Horeb and his encounter with God in the "sound of sheer silence" (or "still small voice"). After his dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel's threats and travels from the northern territories all the way to Mount Horeb in the south—literally going "off the map." Exhausted and despairing, Elijah asks God to take his life, claiming he alone is left faithful to God. But God has other plans. In a powerful theophany (divine appearance), God shows Elijah that the divine presence is not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire—as it was for Moses—but in the sound of sheer silence. God redirects the self-righteous prophet back to his calling, reminding him that he's not alone and that his work isn't finished yet. The hosts discuss how this passage functions as a mirror for our own tendencies toward self-righteousness, the importance of reading it dramatically to capture its emotional depth, and how God's gracious persistence calls us out of ourselves and into service for others. TIMECODES: 00:00 Introduction to the Narrative Lectionary 02:06 Elijah's Journey and Emotional Turmoil 08:16 God's Communication and the Theophany 11:49 Elijah's Vocation and God's Call 12:47 Conclusion and Reflection on God's Grace

Monday October 13, 2025XVIII Week After Pentecost In today's episode, we see the collision between greed and grace, pride and power, temptation and truth—and how God calls His people to walk in integrity and dependence on Him.

Send us a textHow can two prophets, who prophesy using the words that God gave them, end up with two vastly different results? Jeremiah, when faced with adversity and threats of death, handled the situation with confidence and Urijah handled his situation with fear. But what about Eljah? When he was threatened by Queen Jezebel he ran in a fear?Andrew and Robert discuss the differences and explain how we should handle stressful, dangerous times.Support the showQuestions or Comments? Please reach out to us through email at questions@truewisdom.info or on Twitter/X @truewisdom_podGive instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:9-10The Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource that we reference in many of our episodes. It is explained in a series of podcasts found at Rightly Divide.God's Precious Word is a condensed, 9-part series, based on the same document. Other Resources:— e-Sword Bible Software— MySword Bible Software— Blue Letter Bible Study Site— "Knowing the Bible" Bible Maps We pray that these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies overall.

September 3, 2025Today's Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 19:1-21; 1 Kings 20:1-22:53; Ephesians 3:1-21“And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched [Elijah] and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.'” (1 Kings 19:7)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.On the run from the enraged Queen Jezebel, Elijah went as far as he could go. But it wasn't far enough. Exhausted in the wilderness, alone and having no food, that was the least of the prophet's problems. For if Queen Jezebel's army caught up to him, Elijah was a dead man. And his own power and strength could not save him.This is your problem, too. In the wilderness of this life, you also cannot go the whole way by your own power and strength. Relying on your own abilities gets you into the middle of a wilderness, exhausted and all alone. Do not think too highly of your strength. See how little ability you have to keep God's Commandments perfectly. To make things worse, the threat of certain death for your sins looms over you as well. You cannot overcome your own mortality. Your own power and strength cannot save you.Elijah was spared when God sent an angelic messenger with a word of grace. That word was, “Arise and eat.” This is truly a word of God's grace, because it promised and gave to Elijah what he had not deserved. This Word brought Elijah a heaven-sent food. It was bread from heaven, a new manna for a new wilderness journey. Elijah ate, not just once but twice. In other words, God gave Elijah this word of grace and this heavenly bread, again and again, because it gave him strength, hope, and life that he did not have.You also are like Elijah. All you can rely on is God's Word of grace in Christ Jesus. His cross has won salvation for all sinners. His empty tomb has defeated your death. Now, His gracious Word carries to you the life and salvation His cross won. Here is life for you! You are not alone anymore, because through faith, God mystically joins you to Him. You no longer have to rely on your own power and strength, for you have God's gracious promise in Jesus. Even better, God's Word of grace directs you to arise and eat a new food from heaven in the Sacrament of the Altar. Arise and eat, again and again. In the Body and Blood of Jesus, there is strength, hope, and life for you. The journey is too great for you, but not if you go by the strength of this new heavenly manna.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.My Lord, You here have led me To this most holy place And with Yourself have fed me The treasures of Your grace; For You have freely given What earth could never buy, The bread of life from heaven That now I shall not die. (LSB 642:2)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

Norbit and Rasputia 1 Kings 21 Chew the Bible Season 3King Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard because it was close to his palace, but Naboth refused to sell it, saying it was his family's inheritance. Ahab sulked, so Queen Jezebel stepped in. She plotted Naboth's death by arranging false witnesses to accuse him of cursing God and the king. Naboth was stoned to death, and Ahab took possession of the vineyard.God sent Elijah to confront Ahab, declaring that because of this wickedness, disaster would come upon him and his family. Dogs would lick up Ahab's blood where Naboth had died, and Jezebel would be eaten by dogs as well. When Ahab heard this judgment, he humbled himself by tearing his clothes, fasting, and mourning. Because of his repentance, God delayed the full punishment until after his lifetime.Your words were found and I ate them

Touched by an Angel 1 Kings 19 Chew the Bible Season 3After Elijah's victory over the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel threatens to kill him. Fearing for his life, Elijah flees into the wilderness, discouraged and weary. He prays for God to take his life, but instead God provides for him—an angel gives him food and water to strengthen him. Elijah then journeys forty days and nights to Mount Horeb, where he takes refuge in a cave.God speaks to him there, not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. Elijah realizes God's presence comes not just through dramatic displays, but also in quietness. God reassures him, giving him new instructions and reminding him that he is not alone—7,000 in Israel have not bowed to Baal. Elijah is renewed in strength and continues his mission.Your words were found and I ate them

Have you ever felt discouraged or alone, even after a big victory? In Week 4 of our "Summer Bible Stories" series, Renee Gowler dives deep into the powerful and relatable story of the prophet Elijah. This message moves past the incredible miracle on Mount Carmel to explore the profound disappointment and fear that followed. Discover the tender, compassionate nature of God who meets us in our moments of despair and learn how to find true hope when your expectations aren't met. This sermon is a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness.In this message, you will explore:- The dramatic showdown between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.- Why Elijah fled for his life from Queen Jezebel immediately after God sent fire from heaven.- How God responds to our burnout, fear, and despair with gentle compassion, not correction.- The vital lesson of finding strength and receiving God's care when you feel like giving up.- How to trust God's plan even when the world around you doesn't change.

In this Bible Story, Elisha anoints Jehu as the next king of Israel. Jehu embraces his role as God's cleansing instrument. Jehu kills King Joram and King Ahaziah, and begins his mission to rid Israel of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's evil influence. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 8:28-9:29. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 8:13 from the King James Version.Episode 138: Riding towards the gates of Joram's former palace, Jehu confronts the wicked king's mother Jezebel. As she yells curses at him, her servants, following Jehu's lead, throw her out the window. Next were Joram's seventy sons. Their caretakers slew them in allegiance to Jehu and in accordance with the word of God spoken about Ahab's line. Finally, he gathered all the prophets and followers of Baal in Israel for a feast, closed the door, and killed them all. Thus eradicating the sins of the line of Ahab from Israel. But all this killing would take a toll on him as well.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 329, “The Lord Is Never 'Slow' in Keeping His Promises,” Kim discusses the challenge of waiting on the Lord to fulfill His promises. In today's story, we see the long-awaited fulfillment of the Lord's promise to destroy Queen Jezebel for her lifetime of evil deeds.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Kings 9:1-37, with 36-37 as the focal verses:   36 When they returned and told Jehu, he stated, “This fulfills the message from the Lord, which he spoke through his servant Elijah from Tishbe: ‘At the plot of land in Jezreel, dogs will eat Jezebel's body. 37 Her remains will be scattered like dung on the plot of land in Jezreel, so that no one will be able to recognize her.'”     WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   Spend a few prayerful moments pondering the sometimes perceived slowness of the fulfillment of the promises of God.   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   20 “So, my enemy, you have found me!” Ahab exclaimed to Elijah. “Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the Lord's sight. 21 So now the Lord says, ‘I will bring disaster on you and consume you. I will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel! 22 I am going to destroy your family as I did the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, for you have made me very angry and have led Israel into sin.' 23 “And regarding Jezebel, the Lord says, ‘Dogs will eat Jezebel's body at the plot of land in Jezreel.' 24 “The members of Ahab's family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures.” (1 Kings 21:20-24) 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (2 Peter 3:8-9) EMAIL — encouragingothersinlovingjesus@gmail.com TWITTER - https://twitter.com/EOinLovingJesus INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus     I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Kings PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings” by Tony Merida “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda” “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III.     "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.     National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Cleanfeed and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack, entitled “Outlaw John McShane” was obtained from Pixabay.         The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/  

Depression can be overwhelming. Even though many people suffer from it, and even though there are treatments and medications that can help it, depression can still be an insurmountable life obstacle for every individual who faces it. There is no easy answer and no miracle cure, so those of us who experience it are left with the sober reality of its potential lurking influence in our daily lives. So, what do we do? As Christians we are taught to have faith and rely on God's peace. While this is sound and powerful advice, we need to find ways to deeply rely on our faith and to transform God's peace into a tool of growth and healing. One way to work on this is to observe the struggles of a biblical hero of faith and step-by-step identify with their struggle and their journey towards a more God-driven life. High highs and really low lows After Elijah's stunning victory over the prophets of Baal, he fell into despair. He was depressed. He had successfully demonstrated the supremacy of God as THE God, and yet Queen Jezebel promised to have him killed. These events show us that even God's mightiest servants can struggle deeply. As he ran and hid from Jezebel, he felt completely alone, ineffective and broken. His next journey showed us how feeling depressed can be overwhelming and lead us to internalization, isolation and insulation. Rather than rebuke him, God gently met Elijah with rest, food and a repeated touch through an angel. What a reminder that divine care often comes in quiet, steady steps! Even though Elijah couldn't immediately respond with renewed confidence, God remained present and patient. To counter the internalization, isolation and insulation that depression can bring to us, Elijah's experiences introduced three small steps toward godly peace: Acknowledge: Recognize that God's presence—whether through Scripture, people or providence—is near, even if we don't feel it. Apply: Take steps, however small, to act on that external input. Elijah walked 40 days to Mount Horeb, still burdened, but at least moving. Allow: Permit God's truth and love to take root, even while feeling numb, broken or depressed. Once Elijah arrived at Mount Horeb, God's question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” invited introspection, not condemnation. This question would open the door to Elijah being able to realize that he wasn't alone. As a matter of fact, there were 7,000 others in Israel who were faithful to God! The lesson for Elijah and for us is that depression doesn't disqualify faith! On the other hand, God often calls those who struggle so His strength can shine through them.

What does it take to lead when everything seems to be falling apart? In 2010, 33 miners were trapped half a mile underground with little hope of survival. Their story of rescue hinged on one crucial factor that made all the difference... Join Pastor Rex as he kicks off our new series examining one of God's most effective leaders - the prophet Elisha. Living in a time of moral chaos under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's reign, Elisha was called to step up and make a difference when his nation desperately needed godly leadership. In this powerful message, discover: -What it truly means to courageously answer God's call -The importance of burning bridges behind you -How loyalty and teachability prepare you for greater influence -The balance between strength and emotional intelligence in leadership -Why God may be calling YOU to step up right now Whether you're already in a leadership position or sensing God's call to greater influence, this message will challenge and equip you to make a difference in your sphere of influence. Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny To give online: gracefellowship.com/give/ To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York's Capital Region. —— Stay Connected Website: gracefellowship.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/gracefellowshipny Instagram: www.instagram.com/gracefellowshipny

There Is Still Good Ahead1 Kings 19:3-9 ““Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.”I heard an episode of the Big Life Podcast last week, and it reminded me of the story about the prophet Elijah that I just read to you. As soon as I heard it, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to share it with all of you this week.What came to mind when I heard this verse is that it might be helpful to know that Elijah wanted to give up. In case you don't know who Elijah is, let me summarize who he was. Elijah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament, known for his bold faith, miraculous acts, and deep emotional struggles. He lived during the reign of King Ahab in 9th century B.C. Israel, a time when the nation had turned away from God to worship false gods like Baal. Here are some Key Highlights of Elijah's Life:Confronted King Ahab and JezebelElijah boldly declared a drought as God's judgment (1 Kings 17:1) and later challenged the corrupt leadership promoting idolatry.Miracles by God's PowerMultiplied flour and oil for a widow (1 Kings 17:14–16)Raised her son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22)Called down fire from heaven to prove God's power on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36–38)Ran for His Life and Struggled with DespairAfter his great victory, Queen Jezebel threatened his life. Elijah fled, became discouraged, and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4).God met him in a gentle whisper, showing that God's presence isn't always dramatic—it's personal and close (1 Kings 19:11–13).Taken to HeavenElijah never died—God took him to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11), making him one of only two people in the Bible (with Enoch) who didn't experience death.Symbol of the ProphetsElijah later appears with Moses during Jesus' Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), representing the prophets alongside the law (Moses).Elijah did a lot for the Lord. He was close to the Lord, and the Lord used him to do amazing things! He knew how mighty the Lord was, yet he felt he wanted to die. He felt like what the Lord asked him to do was too great. Sometimes, when we feel like giving up, we feel weak. We feel like we have failed or let the Lord down because He trusted us, yet we feel we can't go on anymore. If you feel this, I want you to know that you are not alone. There are several people in the Bible—deeply faithful, even heroic people—who reached a breaking point and felt like they couldn't go on. Some even asked God to take their lives. These moments show that God isn't afraid of our despair—He meets us in it, and He restores. Here are some of those people and where you can find their stories in the Bible in case you want to look them up and read more about them.Throughout Scripture, we see that even God's most faithful servants reached moments where they felt like they couldn't go on. Elijah,1 Kings 19:4 “He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,' he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'” Elijah, after boldly confronting false prophets, fled in fear and isolation, collapsing under a tree and begging God to take his life. He felt completely alone—yet God met him not with punishment, but with rest, nourishment, and a quiet whisper of presence. Like Elijah, when we are drained and overwhelmed, God offers compassion, not condemnation.Moses, Numbers 11:14–15 “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me…” Moses, exhausted by the emotional and logistical burden of leading a complaining people through the wilderness, cried out to God, saying he'd rather die than continue carrying the weight alone. God didn't take his life—He sent help. For us, this reminds us that we don't have to carry everything ourselves; God provides support in community.Job, Job 3:11 “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?”Job, who lost everything—his children, health, and livelihood—wished he'd never been born. He poured out bitter questions and deep grief. And yet, God patiently listened, answered with presence and power, and ultimately restored him. Like Job, our suffering doesn't disqualify us from God's love.Jeremiah 20:14, 18 “Cursed be the day I was born! … Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?”Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, was mocked, beaten, and ignored. He cursed the day of his birth, feeling like his life was wasted. But God never revoked his calling—He reassured Jeremiah that his voice still mattered. When we feel like our lives have no impact, God sees eternal value in our faithfulness.Jonah, Jonah 4:3 “Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah, bitter that God showed mercy to his enemies, sulked under a plant and asked to die. God responded not with wrath, but with a question, inviting Jonah to see the world through a lens of compassion. This shows us that God works with us even when our attitudes fall short.Finally, Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:8 “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” Paul confessed that he and his companions were burdened beyond their ability to endure—so much so that they "despaired of life itself." And yet, this deep despair drove Paul to deeper reliance on God. His story reminds us that feeling overwhelmed is not the end—it can be the beginning of a deeper trust. In every story, God meets brokenness not with rejection, but with grace, purpose, and presence, offering the same to us today.The point of the Big Life podcast that I listened to is that there is life after this hard season that you are going through. None of the people listed above stayed in the difficult season forever, even thought it might have felt like they were going to. They had moments when they called out to the Lord saying they couldn't make it any longer, and yet they all made it through the hard time. God showed up for each one of them and showed them how loved they are. He will do the same for you.After their breaking points, each of these men went on to live with renewed purpose, proving that God can bring beauty out of despair. Elijah, after begging God to take his life, was gently restored by God's presence and went on to train Elisha, his prophetic successor, leaving a lasting legacy. He even became one of only two people in Scripture who never died—he was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.Moses, after pleading for death under the burden of leadership, received help through 70 elders and continued to lead Israel toward the Promised Land. He experienced God's presence in deeper ways, even speaking to Him “face to face,” and was honored at the end of his life for his faithfulness.Job, after cursing his birth, encountered God in a deeply personal way. God didn't just restore what Job had lost—He blessed him with double what he had before and gave him a new chapter of joy, family, and peace.Jeremiah, though weary and rejected, faithfully kept speaking God's truth. His words endured, and we still read his laments and prophecies today—proof that even painful obedience has eternal value.Jonah, despite his anger and desire to give up, still completed his mission. The entire city of Nineveh repented and turned to God, one of the greatest mass revivals in Scripture, even if Jonah struggled to celebrate it. God still used him, flaws and all.Paul, after saying he “despaired of life itself,” continued his missionary journeys, wrote most of the New Testament, and encouraged countless believers, many while in chains. His despair didn't disqualify him—it became the soil on which deeper trust and greater impact grew.These stories remind us that our lowest moments are not the end of the story. God doesn't discard us when we're weak. Instead, He draws near, strengthens us, and leads us into a future still full of purpose, impact, and hope. There is life after the breaking point—and with God, it can be more meaningful than before.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless everyone listening. Lord, I ask you to come in a special way to all those who feel like they can't go on. To all those who feel like life is too hard, or what you are calling them to do is too hard. We ask you to send the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and renew their hope. Show them that there is life after this challenging season. Please show them you are there with them and that they can do everything through you. Lift them, Lord, and help them persevere through whatever they are going through until they get to the other side. Help them climb this mountain they are facing. We love you and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. It is that time of year again when I start to mention the retreat I will be holding in October. It is not open for registration yet, but I would like to mention it early so people can start thinking about it. It is always the second weekend in October. This year's theme will be Identity: Who does God say you are? It will be great, and I hope you can join me! More details to follow. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Give yourself to me always. I will renew you each day. You are mine and I love you.”  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Elijah’s story reminds us that God’s provision often shows up in the most unexpected places—and through the most unlikely people. Whether it’s ravens delivering meals or a desperate widow offering her last meal, the message is the same: God is faithful, even when the method doesn’t make sense. ✨ Key Takeaways

The Bible is full of vivid, fascinating characters: heroes and antiheroes, tricksters and villains. One of the most memorable biblical villains is Queen Jezebel, wife of King Ahab in Kings 1 and 2. Jezebel shows up in multiple stories: persecuting the prophet Elijah, trying to institute the worship of the god Ba'al, conniving to steal a vineyard, and finally dying a gruesome death. She is mentioned in the book of Revelation, too, when the author refers to a woman in the church at Thyatira who “calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:20).   Because she lured her husband to worship a false god, and because she is remembered as wearing makeup and finery, she has come to be associated with ideas about women as dangerous, immoral temptresses. The name “Jezebel” has become a slur for a promiscuous woman who leads men astray, and this slur has been used especially to demean and demonize Black women.   But who was Jezebel really? Was she the sexually promiscuous character these slurs imply, and why does scripture depict her as a super-villain?    On this episode of Glad You Asked, theologian and biblical scholar Stacy Davis talks to the host about the character Jezebel and the history of using her as a weapon against Black women. Davis is a professor of religious studies and Theology at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the author of Haggai and Malachi in the Wisdom Commentary Series (Liturgical Press). She is an associate editor of The Africana Bible: Reading Israel's Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora, as well as for the forthcoming Westminster John Knox Bible.   You can learn more about this topic in these links: “Jezebel from an African-American Perspective,” by Stacy Davis  whc.bibleodyssey.com “The Jezebel Stereotype,” by David Pilgrim The Jezebel Stereotype - Anti-black Imagery - Jim Crow Museum “Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel?” by Wednesday Martin Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel? ‹ Literary Hub “Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is,” by Nyasha Junior Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is - Dame Magazine “Naming the 333 women in the Bible,” by Alice Camille Naming the 333 women in the Bible - U.S. Catholic   Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

The great prophet Elijah witnessed God's power and guidance in many miraculous ways. After the showdown at Mount Carmel, where he defeated the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel responded in anger by threatening his life. When Elijah learns of this threat, he becomes overwhelmed by fear instead of placing his trust in God. He runs for his life in the opposite direction and even asks God to take his life. When we lose sight of God, our lives can seem to fall apart, leaving us to wonder, "How did I get here?" God is patient with us during our struggles, but He does not intend for us to remain in that state. He brings Elijah to a moment of reflection, exposing the reasons for his plight by asking one simple question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

The great prophet Elijah witnessed God's power and guidance in many miraculous ways. After the showdown at Mount Carmel, where he defeated the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel responded in anger by threatening his life. When Elijah learns of this threat, he becomes overwhelmed by fear instead of placing his trust in God. He runs for his life in the opposite direction and even asks God to take his life. When we lose sight of God, our lives can seem to fall apart, leaving us to wonder, "How did I get here?" God is patient with us during our struggles, but He does not intend for us to remain in that state. He brings Elijah to a moment of reflection, exposing the reasons for his plight by asking one simple question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

www.northmaincog.org/online Calling (1 Kings 19:11-21) Yearly Theme: “Goodness is… Glorious” Series Title: “Beyond the Noise” November 17th, 2024 Follow along in the Bible App: http://bible.com/events/49347488 So as we wind down this series over the next couple of weeks, we come full circle to Elijah’s story once again. If you remember where we started back in September; Elijah had just experienced one of the greatest victories over the pagan prophets of Baal in the Northern Kingdom and had over 400 of them put to death for their deception and treachery over the people of Israel. However, when Queen Jezebel heard that he had put her prophets to death, she was incensed and put a death warrant out for him. In fear for his life, Elijah, discouraged and seeking refuge, ran south into the wilderness by himself. All alone GOD met with him there. After feeding him and allowing him to rest, GOD sent Elijah further into the wilderness to Mount Sinai to wait on Him there. The following instructions that GOD give him is where we pick up the rest of the story…

In this message from our "Confident" series, we dive into 1 Kings 21, where the wickedness of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel is on full display. They misuse their power, leading to the unjust death of an innocent man, Naboth, to satisfy Ahab's selfish desires. But God's heart for justice shines through as He confronts Ahab's evil through the prophet Elijah. This story reveals God's response to injustice, reminding us that He sees and acts against the wrongs in our world. Dive into this powerful passage and see God's justice at work.For prayer, giving, and to stay connected, please visit: https://www.cccgreeley.orgDiscussion Guide: https://www.cccgreeley.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-10-5-6-Group-Discussion-Questions.pdfFall Nights Call for Chili! Join Us This October for a Cozy and Delicious Evening

In Episode 93 of the "Man Up, Already!" Podcast, host John Puritz dives deep into the complexities of victory and the inevitable challenges that follow.  Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of the prophet Elijah, who, after a monumental victory, finds himself hunted by Queen Jezebel and retreats into a cave, praying for death. John explores the themes of isolation and resilience, and how each are intertwined. Listeners will discover how God nurtures us in our "caves," offering the strength and preparation we need to confront our fears and fulfill our purpose.  This episode highlights the crucial distinction between faith and fear, encouraging listeners to recognize their own struggles and emerge stronger on the other side. Join John as he blends powerful storytelling with practical insights, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and direction for the journey ahead.  Tune in for an uplifting discussion that will inspire you to embrace adversity as a stepping stone to greatness! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/johnpuritz/support

 Elijah was excited–an energetic excited–an excited he had not allowed himself to indulge until now. The tide was turning. The entire crowd witnessed God's answer from heaven. They had been won over. They had chanted, “Yehovah, he is God! Yehovah, he is God!” The king was there too. He saw it for himself. Now he also knew who was the real God.Running off to Jezreel was a bold move for Elijah. King Ahab had a palace there, and the royal family used it to retreat from the demanding affairs of state in the capital city. But the contest had been huge, the miracle breathtaking, and the response of the crowd overwhelming. This was the beginning. God was brining Israel out of their idolatry and back to himself. Elijah was confident of it–maybe overconfident. He may have missed one detail.What happened on Mount Carmel was a substantial breakthrough, and one could imagine that a spiritual revival was underway. However, Elijah may have overlooked one potential fly in the ointment: Queen Jezebel. 

In this Bible Story, Elisha anoints Jehu as the next king of Israel. Jehu embraces his role as God's cleansing instrument. Jehu kills King Joram and King Ahaziah, and begins his mission to rid Israel of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's evil influence. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 8:28-9:29. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 8:13 from the King James Version.Episode 138: Riding towards the gates of Joram's former palace, Jehu confronts the wicked king's mother Jezebel. As she yells curses at him, her servants, following Jehu's lead, throw her out the window. Next were Joram's seventy sons. Their caretakers slew them in allegiance to Jehu and in accordance with the word of God spoken about Ahab's line. Finally, he gathered all the prophets and followers of Baal in Israel for a feast, closed the door, and killed them all. Thus eradicating the sins of the line of Ahab from Israel. But all this killing would take a toll on him as well.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar are talking about the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Elijah, who emerges abruptly in the narrative of 1 Kings 17, was a prophet in a tumultuous time in Israel's history. James later portrays him as a man of profound prayer, highlighting God's responsiveness to earnest supplication. His prayer for a drought, remarkably answered by God, stands as a testament to his unshakeable trust in the Lord's provision. Despite the trials of obedience, God faithfully sustains His servants, using challenges to shape them in the likeness of His Son.Elijah's confrontation with idol worship underscores his bold and unwavering commitment to God's sovereignty. The guys talk about Elijah's challenge that he presented to the prophets of Baal. This showdown starkly contrasts false worship with the true power of the Almighty. While Baal's prophets resort to self-inflicted suffering in futile attempts to invoke their god's favor, Elijah demonstrates that the one true God requires no such sacrifices, for Jesus has already offered the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.In response to the failure of Baal's prophets, Elijah, in a dramatic display of God's power, Elijah constructs an altar and calls upon God to consume it with fire. Despite digging a trench around it and dousing it with water, God's response is swift and undeniable, affirming His supremacy over all idols. This act of faith not only showcases Elijah's unwavering trust but also serves as a reminder of the limitless power of the God he serves.However, Elijah's subsequent flight, prompted by Queen Jezebel's threats, unveils his humanity and vulnerability. Despite his triumph over the prophets of Baal, fear and despair got to him, leading him to plea with God for death. Yet, even in his darkest moment, Elijah acknowledges God's sovereignty over life and death, refusing to take matters into his own hands. His struggle serves as a poignant reminder of the reality of depression and the importance of clinging to hope in God's unwavering care.Ultimately, Elijah's story encapsulates the ebb and flow of faith and human frailty. Through triumphs and trials, God remains steadfast, revealing Himself not solely in thunderous displays but in gentle whispers of grace. Elijah's journey exemplifies the enduring truth that our hope must rest in the Lord, who sustains us through every storm and strengthens us for every trial. In a world plagued by hopelessness, God stands as our beacon of hope, ever faithful and able to see us through. Thanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Topics: Jezebel, Jezebel spirit, Spirit of Jezebel, Queen Jezebel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Revelation 2:20, Not the same people, Neither is spirit, Spirit of Jezebel not in the Bible, Proof-texting, Man-made religious church jargon, Emotionalism, Ignoring what Christ did at the cross to demonic realm, Colossians 2:15, Disarmed demonic realm, Triumphed over them, Made a public spectacle of them by the cross, 20 times in Bible, Old Testament 19 times, New Testament 1 time, Confusing narcissistic characteristics with Jezebel spirit, Don't confuse narcissism with a demonic spirit, Accusations of Jezebel spirit have no biblical foundation, Why aren't we saying to people who lead others you have the spirit of Moses, People who mix law with grace the spirit of James, Labeled promiscuity sexual actions and attractiveness “Jezebel!”, Accusations come from Satan, Accuser of the brethren, Revelation 12:10, Accuses Day and nightSupport the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

In this Bible Story, Elisha anoints Jehu as the next king of Israel. Jehu embraces his role as God's cleansing instrument. Jehu kills King Joram and King Ahaziah, and begins his mission to rid Israel of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's evil influence. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 8:28-9:29. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 8:13 from the King James Version.Episode 138: Riding towards the gates of Joram's former palace, Jehu confronts the wicked king's mother Jezebel. As she yells curses at him, her servants, following Jehu's lead, throw her out the window. Next were Joram's seventy sons. Their caretakers slew them in allegiance to Jehu and in accordance with the word of God spoken about Ahab's line. Finally, he gathered all the prophets and followers of Baal in Israel for a feast, closed the door, and killed them all. Thus eradicating the sins of the line of Ahab from Israel. But all this killing would take a toll on him as well.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.