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In the Wilderness

May 3, 2020 • Gregg Parris

I Kings 19:1-9 The wilderness is different from the valley, because time in the wilderness usually lasts a lot longer. I. Your deepest need becomes a gift, when it drives you to depend on God. 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. I Kings 19:5b-6 Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest in the presence of God. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just take a breather, and let God restore your soul. He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:10 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12 The devil shouts his lies, but God whispers his truth. God doesn't shout to get your attention, he whispers to draw you close. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps 34:18 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

In the Valley

April 26, 2020 • Gregg Parris

Psalm 84:5-7 We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know Him intimately in the valleys. “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7 I. Seek His strength. If you don't know God intimately, then what you have is all you have. God gives us a strength that goes beyond just what we have. II. Fix your mind. "Set your mind on things above, not on things below." Colossians 3:2 "If anything is excellent or praise worthy, or admirable, or lovely, think about such things." Philippians 4:8 III. Dig a well. Most often, the way is through the valley, not out of the valley.

In the Storm

April 19, 2020 • Gregg Parris

Acts 27:20-26 Never allow the presence of a storm to cause you to doubt the presence of God. I. Keep your courage. he said, "…Everybody else deserted me. No one stood by me… But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength." II Timothy 4:16-17, I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 Real peace is not found in the absence of a storm. Peace is found in the presence of Jesus. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world." John 16:33 II. God is not finished. III. Have faith in God. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3