Opening satans toolbox exposing the devil satans Expertise Depression_Pt1

Opening satans toolbox / Exposing satan - satan's Expertise - Discouragement/ Depression Tony Cansler / General Opening satans toolbox | Exposing the devil 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 1 2 Corinthians 11:13–14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Peter 2:1 (But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Today we will talk about his tool of Discouragement and Depression Part 1 Discouragement can lead to Depression which is my largest concern. Depression is a serious matter, one of which needs to be addressed and the Lord involved in for a solution. Statistics • Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 2 year. (National Institute of Mental Health “Major Depression”, 2017) • Major depressive disorder is more prevalent in women than in men. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003; Jun 18; 289(23): 3095-105) • 1.9 million children, 3 – 17, have diagnosed depression. (Centers for Disease Control “Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health”, 2018) • Depression is the cause of over twothirds of the 30,000 reported suicides in the U.S. each year. (White House Conference on Mental Health, 1999) Symptoms • During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 3 weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy. (WHO) • During a depressive episode, the person experiences significant difficulty in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other important areas of functioning. (WHO) Causes and Risk Factors (healthline) • low self-esteem • anxiety disorder • borderline personality disorder • post-traumatic stress disorder • physical or sexual abuse • chronic diseases like diabetes • multiple sclerosis or cancer • alcohol or drug use disorders • certain prescription medications • family history of depression • age, gender, race, and geography Have you ever had a time of Disappointment/Discouragement/ Depression? We all get there at times, sometimes we move past it, sometimes we pitch a tent and have us a pity party and stay there. Let’s take some time today and talk about someone that was Disappointed, Discouraged, in Despair, and Depressed. Someone that you Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 4 might not think about. When you think about Elijah you likely think about all of the great things he did for the Lord such as praying for a Drought and it didn’t rain for 3.5 years, prayed for rain and it rained again, he called out sinners, he helped the little widow and her son that were at the end of their supplies, or you might think about how he was carried by a chariot of fire into heaven, or maybe even that he was with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. Elijah was a great man of God but he was not perfect, none of us are, you have already seen my mistakes. But Elijah was obedient to the Lord and did some great things for the Lord. But how many of us think about this Great man of God as someone that battled Discouragement, Depression, Despair? Yet he did Commission before Discouragement 1 Kings 18 1 Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 5 that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. • Commission against the prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18 • Conquering the prophets of Baal “how he had slain all the prophets with the sword” • Communication about the prophets of Baal “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done” A time of Discouragement or Depression or generally speaking being down often comes after a Great Victory or before something Great. In this case it is both, He just had this great victory over the prophets of Baal, and he is about to call Elisha to be his Mentee and Mentor and grow and disciple him in the ways of the Lord. I find it interesting that Ahab which had multiple encounters with Elijah over years, he tells that evil Jezebel that Elijah done this but it was Lord that was behind this and done these works. He understood the assignment Opposition in the Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 6 Discouragement 1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah • Who was Jezebel • Wife of Ahab of which she dominated and corrupted (16:31, 21:25) • Queen • she was ruthless (21:11-15) • influenced pagan worship • Wickedness of Jezebel 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. • Worship of Jezebel • She Worshipped Baal and sought the life of any of the prophets of the Lord Part 2 Declaration leading to Discouragement 1 Kings 19:2b saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 7 • Death Declaration for Jezebel “So let the gods do to me, and more also” • Death Declaration from Jezebel “if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time” She was giving him a day to leave or die, she was trying to Discount the work of the Lord that was being done by Elijah, trying to Discredit his role as Prophet of God, trying to get the people not to listen or believe him. One question I have is if she really wanted him dead why didn’t she send an executioner versus a messenger? think about that. She was really just trying to scare him, for had she really wanted to kill him she would have done it. satan is always trying scare and fear tactics to get us to not follow, obey, or share the Lord. he wants us to not fulfill the Lord’s commission of us. Discouragement is a stronghold in life and if it has you in needs to be broken and Jesus can break that stronghold. Turn to Him, Talk to Him, and Trust Him How to deal with depression…ACT • Admit Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 8 • Cope • Talk to the Lord • Talk to others, seek professional help as needed • Realize you have Hope in Christ • Realized you are loved by Jesus, and us • Realize your triggers and stay away from what pulls you down • Focus on the positives, don’t dwell on the negatives • Lifestyle, Diet, exercise, sleep, abstain from illegal drugs and alcohol, use prescriptions with doctors guidance • Be consumed with the Bible, prayer, church • You are not the only one in this battle • One step at a time, focusing on improving • Trust the Lord and the Process Desperation in Discouragement Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 9 that Led to Depression 1 Kings 19:3-4 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. • Dismay“And when he saw that, he arose” • Departing“and went for his life” “went a day’s journey into the wilderness” ~90 miles • Discouragement “and came and sat down under a juniper tree” • Depression “he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers” Just as she hoped he fled for fear of his life. I do NOT want to come across critical towards Elijah, but, where was Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 10 the faith he had when he had just prayed fire from heaven, where was the faith he had displayed so many times before, why didnt he just stop right there and pray about this issue. Why didn’t he pray and say Lord, I have an issue, this evil woman Jezebel seeks to destroy my ministry, my life, and to discourage me from doing your work amongst your people. I think we would have had a much different story had this happened. But... MOST times that is not what happens, when trouble comes we try to handle it our way, we need to handle trouble when it comes God’s way When trouble comes into your life when you are following the Lord and it will, engage the Lord out of the gate in your trouble. Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him. Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 11 of all his troubles. He was in dismay so he departed then was in a place of depression. Here he was under a Juniper Tree and as he sat there he prayed the Lord would take his life. He was very depressed and was he suicidal at this point, maybe, I don’t know but I know he wished to die and the reason was he was feeling like a failure, he was down, he said that he was worse than his fathers. He was literally quitting on the Lord, giving up. Hundreds of Pastors quit and leave the ministry every year. One of the top reasons they quit and leave the ministry, Discouragement. Let me ready you an excerpt from a sermon I preach to the Leaders of the NDRBA in March 2019, of which Billy Howell was there · When you soul win but you don’t win souls, keep soul winning never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of praying, pray some more, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of studying, study more, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of teaching, teach on, never give up, never quit. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 12 · When you get tired of preaching, preach on, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of serving, serve on, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of leading, lead on, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of singing, sing on, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of working, work on, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of supporting, keep supporting, never give up, never quit. · When you get tired of giving, give more, never give up, never quit. · When you feel like you are not making an impact, never give up, never quit. · When you feel like no one is listening, never give up, never quit. · When you feel like no one cares, never give up, never quit. · When you feel like a failure, remember the One which called you, equipped you, and is sustaining you. · When you are weary and heavy laden over others, Love them, never give up, never quit. · When you are discouraged, never give up, never quit. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 13 · When you are depressed, never give up, never quit. Friends there is times that you will feel like this, I know, I get Disappointed, Discouraged, and Depressed all the time over this and that. I am not always the man you see in the pulpit, I have struggles. Matthew 11:28–30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Galatians 6:9–10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. There is various things that cause someone to feel like they are a failure, you have heard Elijah’s story, but you may have these thoughts. They could be.... • Failing at something in the service of the Lord Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 14 • Not leading someone to the Lord that you have prayed and tried and cried over • Being ran away from a place where God is working in and thru you in a powerful way • Having a struggling or failed marriage • Having Children that are not in church or living for the Lord • Losing your job • Losing your finances • Not being smart/popular/attractive/ athletic/rich or this or that • Dropping out of HS or College • Not making good grades • Poor Decisions • Being Addicted to Drugs/Alcohol/ Gambling/etc Friends I have been at the point of suicide more than once in my life due to feeling like I was a failure, I have too many times prayed the Lord would just take my life, but he didn’t, there was times I was about to take the matter into my own hands,I wish not to scare you but you need to know, I know what it feels like to hold a loaded gun and have it pointed at yourself desiring to die but Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 15 the Lord intervened. That wasn’t the only time that I have had those thoughts and plans to do it but each time the Lord has intervened and stopped me. Listen I still feel like a failure a lot of the time. Depression and suicidal thoughts are serious matter and if you struggle with those things get help. But I can tell you right now that if the Lord is finished with your work he will take your life but if He has left you here and you are alive He is NOT finished with you! He has a work for you to do. Get help and move forward to serve the Lord. Elijah knew what it felt like to defeat the enemy as well as being defeated. If you are hear and feeling you are in defeat right now, put your faith and trust in the Lord and He will direct you to what you should do. Matthew 16:24–26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 16 sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? John 12:24–26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. At this point in his life he wasn’t willing to die for the Lord, the Lord has asked us to be willing to die for him. There is Christians under attack this morning, some losing their life for their faith. How many of us are truly willing to die for the Lord this morning? Motivation in the Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 17 Depression 1 Kings 19:5-8 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. • Depression “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree.....laid him down again” • Motivation “then an angel touched him.....And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him…Arise” • Nutrition “Arise and eat.....And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head...Arise and eat; because the Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 18 journey is too great for thee...and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God” • Submission “And he arose” Depression is a Stronghold and if it has you in needs to be broken and Jesus can break that stronghold. Turn to Him, Talk to Him, and Trust Him God gave him a Messenger and a Meal which is what he needed at that time. He had just prayed a prayer to die and then he laid down and went to sleep. Perhaps he thought that he might die during the sleep but the Lord gave him something better. A personal Messenger with a Message a Meal. God was telling him that he had a journey ahead to travel, a work to do, something he had yet to do, I want you to know today that the Lord has a journey for you, work for you to do. Something that you have not done yet that He wants you to do. You must first “Arise”. The angel/messenger came to him twice with the same words, “Arise and Eat”. The Lord is telling someone today that they need to “Arise” in him Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 19 and “Eat” his words. Part 3 Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Habitation in the Depression 1 Kings 19:9a And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 20 • Isolation • Apprehension Notice the place where he fled to “Horeb” Mt Sinai. The place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. One writer suggested that this could have been the very “cleft of the rock” where Moses encountered the Lord. We really don’t have a way of knowing if it was or wasn’t. We do know Horeb is where Moses encountered the Burning Bush and God. Perhaps he subconsciously chose to go to Horeb however, I believe he was led there from the Lord, in the preceeding text we see that he was told that he needed to go on a great journey. It is my belief that the Lord led him to a place that he needed to be to get him the help he needed. If you are in a Dark place Turn to the Lord, Talk to the Lord, and Trust the Lord. He knows what you need to get you thru this. Trust His paths. He essentially turned into a hermit or recluse. Hiding for fear of his life, here is the man than had just had the showdown on top of Mt Carmel with 450 prophets of Baal and upon praying fire Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 21 feel from Heaven consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the twelve barrels of water, and he had just killed the prophets of Baal. Now he is in a situation where Jezebel has him hiding in fear of his life. Praying to Die, Hoping to Die, Wanting to Die, but yet he is hiding from her so that she will not find him and kill him. Does anyone else see the Irony He felt that he was the only person in the entire nation that was following and serving the Lord. Now more than likely there was more than just him serving the Lord but at times we feel all alone when serving the Lord. Cigna released their U.S. Loneliness Survey this month and reported that loneliness among Americans has reached "epidemic levels." Their survey of over 20,000 Americans found that nearly half reported sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent) David struggled with Loneliness, Jeremiah struggled with Loneliness, others struggled with it. Psalm 25:16–21 Turn thee unto me, and Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 22 have mercy upon me; For I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; And forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; For I wait on thee. Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take me up. Romans 8:38–39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In a Lifeway survey, 98% of 1000 Pastors feel it is a privilege to be a pastor but 55% of them say that they struggle with discouragement - I personally believe it is likely higher than that, I have battled Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 23 discouragement throughout my ministry almost 27 years. One author reports that as much as 70% of pastors struggle with Loneliness GMAB - Sounds right 69% of Pastors wives say they have “very few people I can confide in about the really important matters in my life.” Lifeway 72% of Pastors wives say that their husbands have had resistance in the church - Lifeway 68% of Pastors wives say they worry about having enough money at retirement - Lifeway 59% of Pastors wives say that church commitments limit family time - Lifeway 49% of Pastors wives say they live in a fishbowl- Lifeway http://lifewayresearch.com/wp-content/ uploads/2017/09/Pastor-SpouseQuantitative-Long-Report-2017.pdf • Loneliness has adverse health effects equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day • 1/3 of people in marriages are lonely • 35% say they have no one to turn to when they are stressed Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 24 • ~75% of Americans struggle with Loneliness • 21% of Americans say they have no close friends. • 58% of Americans sometimes or always feel like no one knew them well in 2019. In 2018, that number was 54%. 1 Kings (King James Version) C. The Escape of Elijah from Jezebel: Being Saved by the Living God from Disappointment, Discouragement, and Despair, 19:1–21 He felt defenseless, helpless against the threat of the evil Queen Jezebel. His discouragement was blinding him to the truth of God’s presence and His power to deliver His people from the hands of all enemies. Elijah felt he was alone... “I, even I only, am left” 2 Kings 17:39 But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. Psalm 41:2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; And he shall be blessed upon the earth: And thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 25 Psalm 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. - This Psalm was written about 150 years before 1 Kings 19. Intervention in the Depression 1 Kings 19:9b ...and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 26 unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? I chose the word Intervention here because when I read this I read this as the Lord loving him but also calling him out. I see the Lord saying to him Elijah, what are you doing here? Interesting it is at times the Lord finds us in a place where we are not supposed to be and he will say to us Tony, what are you doing here. • Called out for Cowardice • Fearful • Called out for Compromise • Faithlessness • Called out for Complacency • Comfort - Though I am not sure how much comfort he had in the cave • Calm - Comfort is not always just about having nice amenities but also it also at times about being in a safe space in a place of Calm. Sometimes the Lord puts us in a situation where he wants to get us out of that comfort zone, away from the calm and put us in a storm. The Lord posed a question that would challenge Elijah, not once but twice. He wanted Elijah to know that He knew he had deserted his post, preaching, and Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 27 being a prophet. He was quitting on God. If you are a child of God and you have left your post which He has called you to fulfill then you must ask yourself this same question. What am I doing in the place that I am spiritually. The Lord knew what was going on in Elijahs’s headspace, the Lord gets it when we battle discouragement and depression. The Lord knows. When we commit our path to the Lord he will help us thru those discouraging times, those depressing times. Sometimes he helps us on a spiritual level to navigate thru it, sometimes he gets us professional support. My battles with discouragement and depression Rationalization in Depression 1 Kings 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 28 and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. Excuses and to a point he missed God’s question to him. • Self-Righteousness “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts” • Faultlessness “for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword” • Woefulness - Loathing “and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” Think about this for a minute, here is a man, lonely, discouraged, in despair and dismay, and depressed talking 1:1 with the Creator, the God of the Universe! When we get lonely, discouraged, in despair and dismay, and depressed lets have a 1:1 conversation with God and get His help. He knows what we need to do to move forward. As long as we sit, soak, and sour we are not serving and Sharing the Lord. Elijah was commissioned to carry forth God’s Word but while he was lonely, discouraged, in despair and dismay, and depressed he was not fulfilling God’s Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 29 commission, we have been commissioned to carry for the Word of God, the Gospel and while we are lonely, discouraged, in despair and dismay, and depressed we will not fulfill God’s commission for us. So lets get the help we need and move forth to fulfill God’s commission for us. Inspiration in Depression 1 Kings 19:11-15 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 30 voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria • Go “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord” This was an invitation for Elijah to stand in the presence of the Lord. What an honor to be in HIS Presence. God did not heed what Elijah was saying, God was saying Go forth and be in my presence. • Abide“And, behold, the Lord passed by”...“and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 31 a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” When the Lord passes by things happen, significant and special things happen. • The Wind - “and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind” • The Earth - “and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake” • The Fire - “And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire” Is this where Earth, Wind, and Fire got their name? IDK • The Voice - “and after the fire a still small voice” Why did God do this, Elijah was previously used to God speaking and doing amazing and spectacular things but the Lord wanted him to understand that He desires a personal relationship, not magnificent events. God wants to speak on a personal level to us. God don’t want us to those great things but to Look for God Himself and listen to his Small Still Voice. • Obey “And it was so, when Elijah heard Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 32 it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave” We should live such a life before the Lord that no matter what He asks of us we should just obey Him. It is usually our nature to not do what He asks but lets make it our nature that we do what He asks, when He asks it. Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Deuteronomy 11:26–28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. • Listen“And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?” I think that the Lord is trying to tell him, boy, I am not done with you, you have a work still to do, its time to get busy. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 33 We allow the devil to influence our service for the Lord. We allow others to impact our service for the Lord. We need only worry about what the Lord thinks about our service to the Lord. If He is good with our service that’s all we should really worry about. If you are here today or you have watched this online the Lord has a personal message for you. He wants you to turn to Him, talk to Him, and trust Him, He has a treatment plan. He knows how to help you. He will reveal it to you and once He does trust Him. • Responsibility “And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” He thought he was alone in his service to the Lord, but he wasn’t alone in his service to the Lord. As a matter of fact there was 7,000 others that were still faithful tot he Lord. The devil will lead you to believe one thing but something else is the reality. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 34 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal Elijah answered the same way as he had previously answered, obviously he was not moving forward as God desired. • Finish “And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria” • God met Elijahs and did what he needed to do to get Elijah back to the place that he needed to be. The Lord was patient and understanding, but the Lord needed him moving forward as the Lord was not done with him yet. The Lord wants you to know today if you are struggling with discouragement and depression he Loves you, He is not done with you yet, has has a job for you to do. He wants to help you to move past this. Matthew 10:30–31 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 35 have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, Saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 43:1–2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 36 is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. The Lord was Gracious with Elijah in his Discouragement, Despair, Dismay, and Depression. But, the Lord needed him to move forward from that place and the Lord gave him what he needed to move forward once he trusted the Lord. God has a remedy for your depression, you need to turn to him, talk to him, and trust him. He will direct you to the treatment that you need. And trust me, you need to deal with that if you are depressed. The Lord needs you to move forward from your place of Discouragement, Despair, Dismay, and Depression but you will need to trust the Lord’s instruction to move forward, whatever that looks like. He may just need to have one on one time with you to get you moving forward or He may want you to have help from a professional counselor or anything in between. The Lord wants you moving forward so Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 37 He can use you to fulfill His mission. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:49 PM February 13, 2022. 38