Jesus loves you

@Livingwater(LW) First quality of Abel... ABEL EXERCISED FAITH BY DISCOUNTING HUMAN SCHEMES , METHODS AND REASONING AND BY OBEYING GOD . Picture these two men, Cain and Abel. Before they could come into the presence of God they must bring an offering, because they were sinners. How do we know they were sinners? –- Romans 5:12 tells us. So both men built an altar, and Cain brought his offering –- ‘the fruits of the soil’; and Abel brought his offering from ‘fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock’ –- a sacrificial lamb. Cain’s offering was far more attractive than Abel’s, but Abel’s offering was what God wanted, because He had evidently revealed His way of salvation to his parents, Adam and Eve. We learn this from Genesis 3:15, and from Genesis 3:21. Before the skins could be provided for a covering for Adam and Eve, an animal had to be killed and blood had to be shed. So, while Cain placed upon the altar the fruits of his own labour –- grain, vegetables, which he had

@Livingwater(LW)  THE EXERCISE OF FAITH – ABEL (Scripture Portions: Hebrews 11:1-4; Genesis 4:1-8; Luke 18:10-14) In this series of studies we shall consider some of the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews 11. This chapter contains the most complete treatise on faith to be found in the Bible, and its biographical illustrations show us faith at work in the lives of a great variety of people. We shall see the presence, the principle, the power and the possibilities of faith. These men and women were all ordinary, sinful people; but they are mentioned because they believed God. Faith is the indispensable quality for which God looks –- look up Hebrews 11:6 and 1 John 5:10. The difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is that in the life of the former the principle of faith is operative, whereas in the life of the latter faith is not present –- look up Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38. The first man of faith who is mentioned is Abel –- read Hebrews 11:1-4,

@Livingwater Study 1B..FATHER’’S LETTER TO HIS SON Scripture Portion: 1 Timothy 1:1-7 In the previous part ,we were able to study the life if the writer of the letter and his mind set of writting the piece to his spiritual son Timothy.We were able to learned from him to have hope in Christ as he did...this will lead us to studying the life of the recipient of the Paul's letter,which is Timothy. 2 . THE RECIPIENT Verse 2 tells us that Timothy was the recipient of this letter. Notice how Paul describes him:- (1) He gives his name – – “Timothy””. Timothy was Paul’’s greatest friend and companion in his labours, and wherever the apostle speaks of him it is with affection. Paul was about thirty years older than Timothy. What would account for this special affection? See how Paul goes on to speak of him:- (2) He states his relationship – – “my true son in the faith””. Timothy was Paul’’s spiritual son, for he had been converted as a lad when Paul had visited Lystra, his home to

@Livingwater Study 1 A FATHER’’S LETTER TO HIS SON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO TIMOTHY Scripture Portion: 1 Timothy 1:1-7 In this Series we turn expectantly to a study of Paul’’s first letter to Timothy. It is quite literally ““a father’’s letter to his son””, for the father is Paul the Apostle and his son (in the faith) is Timothy. Notice four things about this letter which was written about AD 63:- 1 . THE WRITER Notice how the writer describes himself in verse 1:- (1) He gives his name –- ““Paul””. In the first century the writer of a letter began with his own name and then followed it with the name of the recipient and with some form of greeting. Thus Paul, who wrote this letter, began it with his name. “”Saul”” was his Hebrew name (Philippians 3:5), but “”Paul”” (Latin: Paulus) was his Gentile name (Acts 13:9). (2) He states his office –- ““an apostle of Christ Jesus””. Here, by the use of the word “”apostle”” (Greek: Apostolos), Paul tells us that he was one who had been se

@Livingwater Study 10B HOW GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE Key-verse: ““May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”” (Psalm 119:170) We know what it’’s like to be faced with sudden temptation, though possibly not the kind that threatened Joseph. Study Genesis 39 carefully, and notice the terrible temptation which came to him and the courageous way he overcame (verses 7-12); then notice how the whole situation was aggravated (verses 14-20); and finally, notice the word ““but”” in verse 21, and the words that follow on into verse 23. So there is deliverance for the child of God in times of sudden temptation, and here is the promise for you –- look up 1 Corinthians 10:13.we stopped at point 2 in the last part...there are still some point to note on how God deliver His people, may His deliverance not elude us. 3 . We need deliverance from gripping fear: the illustration of this is in Psalm 34 :4 , and the promise is in Proverbs 1 : 33 . It has been suggested

@Livingwater Study 10A HOW GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE Key-verse: ““May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”” (Psalm 119:170) Our key-verse gives us a picture of King David praying to the Lord, earnestly requesting deliverance. What does this mean, ““deliver me according to your promise””? It means, according to the promises God has given in His Word and according to the examples that are recorded of His mighty deliverances. No less than ten times in this psalm David uses this expression when praying to the Lord –- see verses 28, 41, 58, 65, 76, 107, 116, 154, 169, 170. Let’’s study some of the ways in which we need God’’s deliverance, find a scriptural illustration of God delivering in that way; and then we shall look for a promise from the scriptures applicable to that special deliverance. 1 . We need deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin : the illustration of this is in Luke 18 :9 -14 , and the promise is in Acts 13 : 38 -39 . Luke’’s pa

@Livingwater Study 9B PRAISING THE LORD FROM DAY TO DAY Key-verse: ““Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”” (Psalm 119:164) God has not only come Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit, to live within us, but He has given us His Holy Word to guide us in all matters relating to faith (that is, what we believe) and practice (that is, how we should live). The Bible is God’’s book, fully inspired from Genesis to Revelation (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is a reliable and authoritative revelation of the mind of God, and it is adapted to our needs while we are down here on earth. It tells us all we need to know about creation, redemption, God’’s plan for the world, for His Church, for Israel and for eternity. Without the Bible we are completely in the dark about God Himself, His Son, the salvation He has provided, about death and the hereafter.we stopped at point 2 in the previous part... 3 . Praise the Lord that the Holy Spirit is our Indwelling Comfo

@Livingwater Study 9A PRAISING THE LORD FROM DAY TO DAY Key-verse: ““Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”” (Psalm 119:164) David was so full of love for the Lord, and with an appreciation of the Lord’’s greatness and goodness, that he said, “”Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”” Praise includes petition and confession, but more particularly thanksgiving and adoration. To praise God means to ascribe glory and worship to Him (Psalm 50:23), and see the record we have of the vast number praising God in Revelation 7:9-14. Seven times a day David praised the Lord. What does this mean? The language suggests that he praised the Lord frequently and habitually with much love in his heart. Consider why we should praise Him:- 1 . Praise the Lord that God is our loving Heavenly Father There is much confusion about the biblical doctrine of the fatherhood of God; but from Malachi 2:10 and Acts 17:24-29 we learn that, while God is the Father of all men

@Livingwater Study 8B. A BELIEVER’’S HEART-CRY FOR REVIVAL Key-verse: ““It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken.”” (Psalm 119:126) We need to remind ourselves that revival is God’’s work. Only the sovereign Lord Himself can send revival. Man cannot produce it – – “according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”” (Ephesians 1:11). And that is why in Psalm 85:6 we read, ““Will you not revive us again?”” –- with the emphasis on the word ““you””. It is also true that revival is the work and power of the Spirit of God manifested in the Church and through the lives of God’’s people. God is the Author of revival, but God’’s people have a responsibility to do their part and to open channels through which God may pour out His blessing. Notice 2 Chronicles 7:14, which reads, ““If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves…”…” Only God can send revival, but it begins in the hearts and lives of God’’s peop

@Livingwater Study 8A . A BELIEVER’’S HEART-CRY FOR REVIVAL Key-verse: ““It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken.”” (Psalm 119:126) It is quite obvious from these words that the psalmist was a very burdened and troubled man. He loved the Lord and wanted to please Him, but he was surrounded by godless and careless people who lived and acted as if God’’s laws, and even God Himself, did not exist. David was so affected by this spiritual and moral laxity, that suddenly all the pent-up longings of his heart gushed forth in an urgent heart-cry for revival, a passionate prayer to God Himself to step into the situation and do a mighty work that would turn back the tide of godlessness. How up-to-date this subject is! Indeed, this prayer of David’’s is the one prayer above all others that should be in our hearts and on our lips! The greatest need of our time is for God to work in spiritual revival in His Church, and thus to the world around.This take us to point one. 1

@Livingwater Study7B...Quickening through HIS Word Key-verse: “”Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word!”” (Psalm 119:107, KJV) How easy it is to get into bondage to sin (Romans 6:12); to self (Romans 6:16); and to Satan (Luke 22:31)! In Psalm 119:153 the Psalmist prayed, “”Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.”” The Lord Jesus Himself, from the Throne, is the great Liberator, as we learn from John 8:36; but He liberates us by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we learn from Romans 8:2, and the medium through which He works is the Word of God.we stopped at point two in the last part.. 3 . It is through God’’ s Word that the Holy Spirit instructs us in the way of righteousness and enables us to please God . Many times in Psalm 119 the psalmist prays that God would show him the right way and enable him to walk in that way. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit does as we turn to God’’s Word with the desire to hear Him speaking to us

@Livingwater Study 7A THE QUICKENING POWER OF THE WORD Key-verse: “”Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word!”” (Psalm 119:107, KJV) The word we shall consider in this study is the word ““quicken”” (or “”quickening””). It means ““to give life and to preserve life”” and “”to be made alive””. This covers our basic needs, because we need to receive life and to be preserved by life; we need to receive life initially, which takes place at the time of conversion, but we also need to be preserved by life continually, which refers to God’’s work of sanctification From the scriptures we learn two things:- 1. The HOLY SPIRIT is the one who GIVES LIFE (quickens) –- look up and compare John 6:63 and 2 Peter 3:18. 2. The WORD OF GOD is the INSTRUMENT the Holy Spirit uses to accomplish this work –- we learn this from many references in the Scriptures and Romans 4:17 and Romans 8:11 illustrate this. 1 . It is through God’’ s Word that the Holy Spirit quickens us with new life, so that we b

@Livingwater Study6B..WHY WE LOVE THE BIBLE Key-verse: “Oh, how I love your law!”” (Psalm 119:97) We will be checking on the remaining points today.we have study how bible can convince sinner like Zacchaeus,Ethiopia man and others. 2. THIS BOOK CONVERTS THE SEEKER The Bible is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses to show man that he is a sinner. Only the Holy Spirit can convict or convince of sin, and He does it with the sword-thrust of the Word, of which He is the Author –- look up and compare John 16:8 with Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12. The Bible shows us that we are sinners, and this is one reason why many do not read the Bible; it shows them their sinful state and their sinful actions. For example, look up Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; John 8:7-9 and Romans 3:10-23. The Bible not only declares that all men are sinners, but it states that because of our sin we are dead (Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:1); and we are lost (Luke 19:10 and 2 Corinthians 4:3).If we were in a bu

@Livingwater Study 6A . WHY WE LOVE THE BIBLE Key-verse: “Oh, how I love your law!”” (Psalm 119:97) In Psalm 119 we only have to compare verses 16, 24, 47, 103, 111, 113, 119, 127, 128, 140, 159 and 162 with the key-verse of this study (verse 97) to see how much the psalmist loved God’’s Word. It is true to say that our love for the Bible is like a thermometer by which we may tell the temperature of our love for the Lord Himself. Think of Stephen, whose preaching was filled with the Word of Truth (Acts chapters 6 and 7). He was martyred for his love for God’’s Word, and thousands have followed. Why did David love God’’s ““law””? Why do we love the Bible? We could give forty answers to this question, forty reasons for loving the Bible! Here are four worth considering,but in this part we will be considering one out of four and we shall conclude it in the next part...God bless you. 1 . THIS BOOK CONVICTS THE SINNER The Bible is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses to show man tha

@Livingwater Study 5B..God's dealing Key-verse: ““I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”” (Psalm 119:75) Notice that David does not say, ““I think so!””, or ““I suppose so!””, or ““I want to believe it!””, or ““I hope so!”” Nor does he say, “”I can see it to be so!””, because the fact is that usually we cannot see what God is doing –- look up John 13:7. What the psalmist says is, ““I know it……!”” This is the language of faith, faith that is operative in personal experience. Is this your language, or are you questioning, fretting, resentful and rebellious? We stopped at point 2 in the previous part. 3 . Psalm 119 :75 – – “ The Lord has afflicted me in faithfulness !”” This is what David says, and it means that the Lord has been at work in our lives with the sincere intention of doing us good, and that He is just and righteous in all His dealings with us. He is faithful to us and therefore deals with us as He sees best, and b

@Livingwater Study 5 GOD’’S DEALINGS WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE Key-verse: ““I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”” (Psalm 119:75) The subject of affliction is not an easy one for the believer to understand, but it is dealt with very fully in God’’s Word. The psalmist has much to say about it, and in our key-verse he tells of something which he had experienced himself; he knew that God was working out His glorious and gracious purpose in his life, and that is something really worth knowing! Looking at this verse carefully you may feel that the word ““afflicted”” is a hard one, but this is not so, because it speaks of God’’s loving and merciful dealings with His own people. It tells us of the Lord’’s discipline (Deuteronomy 8:2-6), and this word “discipline” is not a hard word; it has to do with a father’’s loving dealings with his child. The psalmist knew this and that is why he could break forth with this wonderful testimony in Psalm 1

@Livingwater Study4B..Serious Consideration leads to Definite Action . (Psalm 119:59-60) The words to underline now are, “”I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”” When a man thinks hard and seriously about God and salvation, his own soul and his soul’’s need, he soon makes a decision that leads to action. So we find again in Luke 15:20 that the Prodigal Son came to the point where ““he got up and went to his father””. He turned his back on the old life and set out towards a new life. This lead us to the last point. 2 . Definite Action leads to Loving Obedience. The words to underline now are, “”I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”” Definite action does not stop short at this point –- it must lead to a life of obedience. Conversion is just the beginning of a life of joyful obedience to the Lord, of finding out His perfect will, and doing it (Romans 12:2). Let us think about some other New Testament illustrations which are evidences o

@Livingwater Happy new month and happy Sunday! Study 4A WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CONVERTED Key-verses: ““I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”” (Psalm 119:59-60) In this brief testimony the psalmist defines the meaning of scriptural and spiritual conversion, and that is the theme of this study. We are not only to think about conversion, but about spiritual conversion, Christian conversion, conversion to Christ Himself. Of course, we can be converted to anything –- to communism, fascism, protestantism, catholicism, or any other ‘‘ism’’, so it is obviously not enough to speak about conversion. What does the Bible mean by conversion? The answer is given in these two verses: scriptural conversion is not to a man, to a religion, to a church or a creed, but it is conversion to a Person –- or, perhaps we should say, to the three Persons in the Godhead. It is our whole life being turned into a right relationshi

@Livingwater Study3B...Benefit of meditation in His word Psalm 119:48..Joshua1:8 See what Psalm 19:7 says. This means that when the truth of God is applied to our life, it is so powerful that it turns our life away from all that is displeasing to the Lord, and turns it to the Lord Himself. It changes our lives right round. How is it that some Christians are only ““half-committed””?LOW OR NO MEDITATION IN HIS WORD. We were able to  one point in the last part,we take the lead from there, 2 . We shall find the secret of living peacefully in a chaotic world . Notice the word ““steadfast”” in Isaiah 26:3. It refers to a quiet, unhurried, relaxed waiting in the presence of God until our minds become stabilised with His truth. Everywhere there is fear and there are alarms. Sin abounds and God’’s judgments are surely near. All this is foretold in God’’s Word; but in that same Word we find confidence in the knowledge that God is working out His purpose for the world, the Jews and for th

@Livingwater Study 3A THE GREAT BENEFITS OF MEDITATION TEN STUDIES IN PSALM 119 Key-verse: ““I meditate on your decrees.”” (Psalm 119:48) Many times in Psalm 119 the writer refers to meditating in God’’s Word (verses 15, 23, 48, 97, 99 and 148. There are other references in Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 63:5-6 (KJV) and 1 Timothy 4:15 (KJV), and these all show us: first, that we should cultivate the habit of meditation; and second, that the range of our meditation is to be the whole Bible, the whole range of revealed truth from Genesis to Revelation. We are not only to receive God’’s Word with humility (James 1:21); to let God’’s Word dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16); to keep God’’s Word tenaciously (John 17:6); to continue in God’’s Word untiringly (John 8:31); to live out God’’s Word boldly (Philippians 2:16); but in addition to all this we are to meditate on it prayerfully and regularly, and this will require:- 1. Quietness. To meditate we must be alone. 2. Time. We mus

@Livingwater Study 2B..Open my eyes...illumination Psalm 119:18... No one can see these wonderful things for what they really are without God’s supernatural help. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from your law.” If God does not open our eyes, we will not see the wonder of the word. We are not naturally able to see spiritual beauty. When we read the Bible without the help of God, the glory of God in the teachings and events of the Bible is like the sun shining in the face of a blind man. Not that you can’t construe its surface meaning, but you can’t see the wonder, the beauty, the glory of it such that it wins your heart. 2 . ““Open my eyes that I may …” …” see the love of God and His infinite mercy and grace in the Lord Jesus Christ . We know the story of the grace of God so well; it is wonderfully declared in John 3:16. How great, far-reaching and all-embracing is the love of God! Read again Luke 15:11-24 and revel in verses 20-24. The great proof of God’’s lo

@Livingwater Study 2A HOW TO PRAY WHEN READING THE BIBLE TEN STUDIES IN PSALM 119 Key-verse: ““Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”” (Psalm 119:18) In our study we will examine this prayer of David. Our object will be to see exactly what it tells us and then to suggest ways in which we should pray this prayer, and which we should be aware of every time we read God’’s Word. If we consider this verse carefully we shall see that this one petition embodies five basic and important truths. 1. The Bible is a unique Book. In this section of the psalm it is described as ““your word”” (verse 17); ““your law”” (verse 18); ““your commands”” (verse 19); ““your statutes”” (verses 22 and 24), and the emphasis in each case is on the word ““your””. The Bible is unique because it is God’’s Book; He is the Author. David’’s Bible was much smaller than ours, but now we have in the completed canon of scripture 66 books, all of which are inspired (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

@Livingwater Study 1B GOD’’S METHOD FOR HOLY LIVING TEN STUDIES IN PSALM 119 Key-verse: “”How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”” (Psalm 119:9) The Bible has the answer to every question that is vitally important to us in this life and the life to come. Some say that the Bible is not relevant; for David or for Paul it was ideal in its teaching and application, and even for the Lord Jesus (for the Old Testament was His Bible) but, they say, the Book does not relate to our needs in the twenty-first century. Such ideas are entirely wrong,let check the key word in the answer that the scripture gave to the question asked in the key verse. 2 . THE ANSWER Look at our verse – – “By living according to your word””. Examine this sentence carefully and you will see three things which you must do to gain cleansing:- 1. Stop in your tracks. Note the word ““way””, which has in it the meaning of ““rut”” or ““track”” –- the kind of track that would be made

@Livingwater Series18 Study 1 GOD’’S METHOD FOR HOLY LIVING TEN STUDIES IN PSALM 119 Key-verse: “”How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”” (Psalm 119:9) The Bible has the answer to every question that is vitally important to us in this life and the life to come. Some say that the Bible is not relevant; for David or for Paul it was ideal in its teaching and application, and even for the Lord Jesus (for the Old Testament was His Bible) but, they say, the Book does not relate to our needs in the twenty-first century. Such ideas are entirely wrong, for the Bible is the only book that speaks with authority about the needs of time and eternity; it is the only guide to a holy life, to a life that is pure, dedicated and pleasing to God. So the psalmist, who was deeply concerned about personal purity, cried out, “”How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”” We might re-phrase the question: What is the secret of personal,

@Livingwater Stidy10B.. ELIJAH’’ S GOD IS OUR GOD 2king2:14-17 Luke9:28-36 But not so with Elisha. He rolls the mantle and asks the question as he's striking the water. Elisha seems fully confident that the waters will part. And when they do, he does not hesitate, but walks across on dry land. Elisha's question is not a question at all but an exclamation of faith. The last point is 2 . ELIJAH’’ S GOD IS OUR GOD : When do we especially need to be reminded of this? When we have experienced the sorrow of separation and bereavement. Elisha knew Elijah was to leave him, but that did not lessen the blow when it actually happened. When bereavement comes to us, perhaps more than at any other time, we need to experience the power, presence and sufficiency of our God. Elijah’’s God, the mighty, comforting God, is our God. When we are about to undertake some new responsibility in service. Elisha was now commencing his ministry as Elijah’’s successor; the responsibility was grea

@Livingwater Study 10A WHERE NOW IS THE LORD,THE GOD OF ELIJAH ? (Scripture Portions: 2 Kings 2: 14-17; Luke 9: 28-36) Elisha was Elijah’’s successor. For nine years he had understudied and worked with his master. Now Elijah had gone, and one question burned in Elisha’’s mind as he took up Elijah’’s mantle and walked to the bank of Jordan –- ““Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”” (2 Kings 2:14). “Is Elijah’’s God with me, and is He still the same? That is the one thing that matters!” To seek positive evidence that God was with him, Elisha struck the waters with the mantle –- and immediately they were divided (v.14), and the onlookers saw the power of God (v.15). God was indeed with Elisha! What is the lesson for us? God is still the same, His power is undiminished. His servants may die, times may change, but He remains! He is our God, with us today –- look up Hebrews 13:8. 1 . ELIJAH’’ S GOD IS OUR GOD : What does this mean in a practical sense ? It means that the Lord G

@Livingwater Study 9 THE HOME-GOING OF A SERVANT OF GOD (Scripture Portion: 2 Kings 2: 1-15) As believers (Ephesians 1:13), those who are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19), we have a glorious prospect. At present we live in the body, and we “groan” (Romans 8:23) and long for our Heavenly Home –- look up John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and Psalm 23:6. Elijah finished his earthly life by being caught up to Heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11), and this story contains some valuable lessons for us. 1. EVERY SERVANT OF GOD, WHOEVER HE MAY BE AND HOWEVER IMPORTANT HIS WORK, MUST EVENTUALLY REST FROM HIS LABOURS 2.IN ELIJAH’’ S TRANSLATION WE HAVE AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE WAY IN WHICH A GENERATION OF BELIEVERS WILL 3.THE TIME , THE MANNER AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR HOME- GOING ARE IN THE HANDS OF OUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER 4.ALTHOUGH GOD TAKES AWAY HIS SERVANTS, HIS WORK GOES ON 5.SOMETIMES GOD’’ S PEOPLE HAVE CERTAIN INDICATIONS THAT THE END OF THEIR

@Livingwater Study8B... Naboth ,the man of focus.. 1king 21:1-29,2king9:30-37 We have been discussing Naboth faithful habit and Ahab cunningness and covetousness,then we will be looking into Jezebel's part in this play and also how God took over through His faithful servant,Elijah...please,allow holy spirit to minister to even as you're this short message... 3 . JEZEBEL ’’ S SINISTER PLOT We see this in verses 5-14. Jezebel is one of the most sinister figures in the Bible. She not only wrought great evil, but she influenced Ahab to do evil. See how she acted when she heard of Naboth’’s refusal. She replied with a stinging taunt (verse 7); she resorted to forgery (verse 8).let check her reward quickly...  4 . GOD ’’ S SOVEREIGN ACTION Ahab and Jezebel had defied the Lord, but they could not get away with it, for He is sovereign in the affairs of mankind and He always has the last word. Now He acted – – and take note of this solemn record, for this God is the God with

@Livingwater Study 8 THE STORY OF NABOTH’S VINEYARD (Scripture Portions: 1 Kings 21: 1-29; 2 Kings 9: 30-37) This solemn story reveals two things of which we need to be reminded constantly, which are always true but which we so quickly forget: first, that God is sovereign, all-powerful and infinitely holy, and that He hates sin (Romans 1:18); and second , that man is wicked, wilful and deserving of God’’s wrath (Colossians 3:5-6). As you read 1 Kings 21, ask yourself: What does this chapter tell me about God and about men and women? Five personalities are brought before us in this story, and notice how each of them acted in this terrible drama. 1 . AHAB ’’ S SELFISH DEMAND Verses 1 and 2. Ahab, King of Israel, was very wealthy, but all his possessions did not satisfy him and he coveted the vineyard which belonged to Naboth. He offered to exchange or buy it, but to his surprise and anger Naboth refused –- see verse 3. So what did Ahab do? Verse 4: what a picture it is –- a king su

@Livingwater Study7B...Arise and eat more... 1king 19:1-18 Elijah did not consider the opinion of God, so he arose and ran for his life. He went as far as Beersheba the southernmost city, left his servant there and still began to walk for another day into the desert. He later became exhausted. At this point, he gave up on life and living. Both master and servant became weary in running, master became fainting in walking. That will not be your portion in life in Jesus name. Let's consider this remaining point... 2 . NOTICE HOW ELIJAH GOT INTO THIS CONDITION OF DEPRESSION AND BREAKDOWN He was MENTALLY overstrained. For 3 ½ years he had experienced terrific tension, culminating in the great victory on Mount Carmel and the slaughter of the priests (1 Kings 18). Is it to be wondered that he was exhausted mentally and nervously? He was PHYSICALLY exhausted. Not only had the experiences of the past years made heavy demands upon his body, but now he had just taken an 18-mile cros

@Livingwater Study 7 WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH? (Scripture Portion: 1 Kings 19: 1-18) Our studies thus far have shown Elijah to be a man of deep devotion, unquestioning obedience and daring faith. But then there comes a chapter describing breakdown, humiliating failure and defeat –- 1 Kings 19. A sad chapter –- yet, so up-to-date and applicable to our own experience. ““A man just like ourselves!”” (James 5:17). Do you ever get discouraged, depressed and despondent? Do you ever find yourself in the grip of despair? Does fear ever possess you? Do you ever have doubts? Do you ever experience loneliness and a feeling that nobody understands? Do you ever feel at the end of your tether? Do you ever go to sleep and wish you need not wake up? 1 . NOTICE THE DESPERATE CONDITION IN WHICH ELIJAH FOUND HIMSELF He was suddenly gripped by fear and alarm. Is this the courageous man of 1 Kings 18:17-18 and 40, the same man of which 1 Kings 19:2-3 speaks? Elijah –- running for his