Sunday Words of Encouragement January 29, 2023 - Hungry for God

Our Sunday School teacher led this morning’s lesson from James 1:5-8 which he titled If You Need Wisdom. He distinguished wisdom from knowledge, noting that wisdom involves the proper use of knowledge. And part of Biblical wisdom is seeing the situation from God’s point of view. Going through trials helps refine us, to get out impurities.

We had a lovely time of praise and worship and then celebrated Communion.
Pastor’s message this morning was from 2 Kings 2:1-14 regarding being Hungry for God and the double blessing. You can't tell anything to a person who knows everything. It is hard for such a “know-it-all” to hunger for more when you think you have it all. But when you have an open, teachable spirit, you can recognize the many acts of Grace in your life.

When Elijah first invited Elisha to follow him, he went by and threw his mantle (cloak) on Elisha and kept moving. Elisha responded by chasing after Elijah. He wanted Elijah to mentor him. We all need mentors. We have to pursue and follow after wise and experienced believers who will help us grow in our relationship with God.

After Elijah defeated the pagan god, Baal and battled with Ahab and Jezebel, he was tired. As he knew he was going to meet God, Elijah took Elisha to three places where he told him to stay. First was Bethel which was considered a “house of God”, a good place. But Elisha said he would not leave his mentor. They then went to Jericho a place of victory. Again, Elisha would not stay. Elisha went on with Elijah to the Jordan, the place of transition. When Elijah asked what Elisha wanted, Elisha asked for a “double portion” of his spirit. Elisha wanted more. Elijah said that was a difficult thing, but to watch and if he saw him go, then it would be given. This was to acknowledge the sovereignty of God.

Part of the goal of fasting and praying is to seek more of God and more of our relationship with Him. We need to have a teachable spirit. Don't just be settled where you are. Don't be satisfied with your current level. Don't be so attached that you can't grow. Don't resist learning. Don't be too proud to learn.

Are you hungry? When you are hungry, you don't need a great cook. We count our hardship with joy. James 1:2-4. God is moving forward. Are we ready to move forward too? Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the gift. 2 Timothy 1:6.

Our Pastor stated that he believes our church is at transition. We need to press in for more.
Are we hunger for more? Ask for the move of His Spirit.
Grace abounds greatly in a world full of sin.
Don't give up or grow weary...
Stay committed. Keep on doing. 2 Kings 13:15-18.
Stay committed. God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,...” Ephesians 3:20. Press in and Believe God for more.

I like this song for today’s message. I Need You More.

Verses for Today:
2 Kings 2:9-10 NIV
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”


Lord, I pray that You keep me hungry for more of You.