That Still Small Voice

Through all the noise of the great wind, the rocks being broken apart, the earthquake, and the fire, a still small voice could be heard. Elijah realized that the still small voice was God’s. -Kings 19:11-13

Let’s take a look at this account. In the preceding Scripture. Elijah has rebuked the evil king, Arab, and has had a contest with the evil prophets, wins the contest, and has the evil prophets slain.

Jezebel, the wife of Athabaskan and one of the evilest women in the Bible, was angered by the death of her prophets, since they revealed to her all that she wanted ti hear, forecasting her future might and grandeur. Elijah had been a streaky thorn to Jezebel since he was foreseeing their misery and judgement.

But Elijah began feeling pains of weakness and debilitation soon after these two incredible spiritual triumphs: the loss of the prophets of Ball and the addressed petition for rain.

Regularly debilitation sets in after incredible spiritual encounters, particularly those requiring a lot of emotional energy. But one would wonder. What was Elijah’s state of mind? Why does Elijah feel that way?

Maybe he expected a different reaction from Jezebel and Arab. Elijah expected God to act in a certain way, and that his faith was based on his knowledge of God, not on God Himself. If we read about Elijah’s account we see fear, which is evident in his flight. Fear had gripped his heart, so he fled. Elijah was overworked, over wrought, and over-worried

Elijah became despondent and wanted to die, you he ran away because he was afraid to die. He asks the Lord to take his life. His attitude had become the “I quit; I give up.” How many of us have felt like this and cried out, what’s the use? (Jeremiah 20:14)

Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that it does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have not rest, only turmoil.

Job 3:20-26

What’s the significance of God’s still small voice?

We may expect God ti act a certain way. But when He does not move like we think that He should, our faith hit the bottom – oh woe is me. A true believer in Christ is to be fearless, continually cheerful, and constantly in trouble.

We all become illogical when we turn from faith to fear. Self-pity sets in. Self-pity is the result in having fallen from faith to self-trust, and self-trust results in self-pity. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

To lead Elijah out of his depression God let’s Elijah rest and eat. God takes care of the physical as well of the spiritual. Elijah needs rest and resuscitation, then he was strengthened for the next part of his journey,

Then God reminded him of the need to get back to his central goal, to proclaim God’s Word in Israel. Elijah’s fights were not completed; he still had work to do (Exodus 24:18; Deuteronomy 9:9; Matthew 4:3).

God is not finished with us after we have hit rock bottom,we still have a central goal. There is something about fasting and prayer that is important for us to find out central goal in life.

Whenever we feel let down after an incredible battle or spiritual encounter, we should remember that God’s motivation for our life is not yet finished,

Next we see that Elijah comes to a cave. He is sitting in the cave and then God want to know what he is doing there. (God already knows). Elijah proceeds to tell God what the Israelites have and haven’t done. He thought he was the only one left that was serving God. He have forgotten that there were others who had remained true to God during the time Israel was wicked.

There are time we get like that. We question if we are in the place we should be. We know we are supposed to be serving God, but we doubt if it is even making any difference. We question if we are in the way of our duty or is there someone or something hindering us. Are we where we should be and are we doing what we should be doing? (Romans 11:2-3).

Through all of the noise of the great wind, the rocks being broken apart, the earthquakes and the fire, a still small voice could be heard. Elijah realized that the still small voice was God’s. He understood that God does not generally uncover Himself in just the amazing, phenomenal ways.

If we search for God just in something important (rallies, big tent revivals, churches, or influential leaders), we might miss Him since He’s regularly observed to be delicately murmuring in the quietness of a heart that is humbled.

Yes, God shows up in phenomenal ways, but there’s nothing more amazing than when show up with a still small voice,

Does God need to be loud and boisterous? Does God need to scream at us? That would not be such a terrible thing for some believers, hearing God yelling at them would get them to move. Or does God just need to whisper or speak in a soft voice to get our attention.

I would venture to say that for some to be able to hear God, they need to turn down the volume of everything else that’s going on in there lives. Maybe there is so much going on we cannot recognize His voice. Maybe they just don’t want to hear Him because they are trying to avoid Him (that’s called conviction).

Maybe that is what many of us need to learn regarding that still small voice,

The Only Option

Some people think the Bible provides just one of many options to consider. They think we can believe what we want, do the things we like, and ignore guidelines that seem challenging. They want to choose what they concentrate on and pay attention to the things that sound more attractive.

Solomon, in Proverbs reminded us of why it is critical to be serious about learning the Word and living by its principles. He shared his personal experiences, mistakes he had made, and things he wished he had taken more seriously. And he offered his advice to others,particularly his son.

We all have advice for others, but sometimes it comes too little too late. Most of us are to stubborn, and think we know what’s best for us. I know for myself, I regret not knowing God’s Word sooner. It sure would have saved me a lot of pain.

Solomon learned the importance of having a reverent attitude towards God’s Word, not just thinking about His words but obeying them and putting them into practice. I have learned not just to read God’s Word, but treasure them. And realize they are central to life, and also keep His Word close to my heart. They are critically important truths.

Solomon was known for his great wisdom. He urges us to fill our minds with God’s Word by reading it everyday. And apply biblical principles to our lives, to be guided by the truths in the Bible. It is critical for health, success, peace, and direction.

Yes, we have many options, it’s called “God’s Will.” I know I would rather be following God, have Him watching over me and guiding me, than spending one day without His Wisdom and Strength.

Don’t Stumble On What’s Behind You

Your past is just a story. Don’t keep reading the same chapter again and again while wishing you could read the next one. If we dwell on the past we tend to stay in the past.

Don’t keep thinking about the past, it’s gone and it’s never coming back. There’s a quote that says “there’s a reason the rear view window is small and the windshield is so large.”

Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come, and get stuck on something or someone that has moved on.

Whether we’re feeling guilt, sadness, anger or hurt, somehow what we have already overcome latches on to our present state of being.

The fact is that if we don’t heal what hurt us, we will bleed on people who didn’t cut us, sometimes we’re so afraid of something bad happening again. We lose trust in everything and everyone we come in contact with. We hurt the people we love the most, because of a past that’s haunting us. It becomes a vicious cycle.

We have to remember that the things that have happened to us are not who we are. Those experiences have to ability to shape who we are good and bad , but don’t rule who we are.

By choosing to heat and move forward we choose to not let the damage of the past control your life.

Have a faith and hope for the future. And realize that healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.

Don’t look back. Your not going that way.

7 Healing Oils In The Bible

In Biblical times there were no doctors. They used oils to heal ailments. Here are 7

These oils do not take the place of medical care for sickness and diseases.

Here are the 7 oils used as mentioned in the Bible:

Cedarwood

Egyptians used cedarwood to embalm the dead as a means of preservation for the after,I’ve. It was also used as a traditional medicine in Tibet. Derived from the cedars of Lebanon, much like its balsam for neighbor, cedarwood is known for its healing and cleansing properties.

Cedarwood in Scripture:

“The priest shall order the two live clean birds and some cedarwood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought to be cleansed.” – Leviticus 14:4

Uses for cedarwood:

In the Bible, cedarwood is noted as part of the rituals cleansing of lepers. However, you may be surprised to learn that cedarwood oil is used today to help such ailments as ADHD and to combat hair loss.

The Practical application:

Diffuse cedarwood oil in an aromatic diffuser for help with sleeping. Due to cedarwood’s strong smell, you will want to combine the oil with lesser aroma oils to soften the order.

Cinnamon

Although cinnamon is most commonly used as a spice in food. The Bible notes cinnamon is both an anointing oil and an attractive scent. Cinnamon is related to a bark called cassis, a fragrant, aromatic bark ground into powder.

Cinnamon in Scripture:

“All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory, The music strings make you glad.” – Psalm 45:8.

Uses for cinnamon:

It only is cinnamon used in sacred anointing oil, and as a perfume or spice, cinnamon is known for being an aid for illnesses such a stomach ulcers, and as an anti-parasitic (worms).

The practical application:

Apply 2-4 drops of oil directly on the stomach area to help with digestive issues, add to toothpaste, or dissolve in hot teas to soothe your throat.

Frankincense

Christians know frankincense best as one of the gifts to baby Jesus as part of the Christmas story, but frankincense is currently also thought to promote skin cellular health and build a healthy immune system.

Frankincense in Scripture:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices – Gun resin, onycha, and galbanum – and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in from of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet you. It shall be most holy to you.” – Exodus 30:34-36.

Uses for frankincense:

The Bible mentions frankincense is used as part of a holy ritual as an incense. People claimed frankincense had more worth than gold. It was used as a natural healer, and an aid to heal almost any disease that plagued people during that time. Today frankincense is also used to boost immunity, shrink tumors, and decrease inflammation.

Practical application:

Place 2-4 drops of oil directly onto the part of the body in need of healing.

Hyssop

In biblical times, hyssop grew in Egypt, in the desert of Sinai, and in Palestine. Today, it is derived from the plant Hyssopis Officinalis currently found in the United (Utah) as well as France and Hungary. Hyssop was used in ceremonial offerings and cleanings, and one of the ingredients in the sponge used to souk up sour wine given to Jesus on the cross. It represents the freedom and forgiveness of the Gospel; pointing to the atoning death of Jesus.

Hyssop in Scripture:

“Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.” -Exodus 12:22.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” -Psalm 51:7.

Uses for Hyssop:

While in Bible references Hyssop was used for purification purposes, Hyssop is also used to stimulate creativity and also helps open up the circulatory system.

Practical application:

Create a balm by adding Hyssop essential oil to shea butter and rub all over your feet for overall health and well-being.

Balsam Fir

Derived from fir trees, fir oils are known For the highly medicinal properties. Today, the fruit is beloved as the most popular type of Christmas tree.

Fir in Scripture:

“ The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fur and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet.” -Isaiah 60:13.

“ Then David in the house in Israel play music before the Lord all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on string instruments, and tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.’ -2 Samuel 6:5.

Uses for Balsam Fir:

Biblically, fir was used to make musical instruments. Today, the oil is used as an anticoagulant and to heal elements such as throat and sinus infections, as well as urinary tract infection and arthritis.

Practical application:

Combine with other oils such as myrrh and frankincense to create a pleasant smelling diffuse oil. Place a small while in a roller and place on temples in the back of neck.

Myrrh

Not only with Myrrh used as a gift for baby Jesus, Myrrh is known as a highly valued and desired oil. It is listed in Dr, Wighard Strehlow’s book “Medicine,” which highlights early medicines compiled by Hildegard of Bingen ( who lived from 1998-1179).

Myrrh in Scripture:

“ before a young woman’s charge came to go to King Xerxes, she how to complete 12 months of beauty treatment prescribed for the woman, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics” – Esther 2:12.

“ and they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked and there was a company from Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt.” – Genesis 37:25.

Uses for Myrrh:

The Bible mentions Myrrh as a part of a daily regimen. Today myrrh is used to control diabetes, but also can be a powerful aid to cure various skin disorders as well as a cure for fungal infections like candida and ringworm.

Uses for. Myrrh:

Create a lotion using beeswax and shea butter. Add 2-4 drops of the oil and mix well. Apply directly onto the skin irritation. Do this until the skin condition improves.

Myrtle

Myrtle is a low growing plant with flowers that produce an intense, lovely aroma. It originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. At one time, Myrtle was common throughout Palestine in Lebanon. Today in Israel, most myrtle is grown intentionally or ornamental purposes; however some she’ll grow wild in upper Galilee and Golan.

Myrtle in Scripture:

“During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse, I was standing along the myrtle tree in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses… Then the man standing among the Myrtle Creek explained, they are the ones lord has sent to go throughout the earth.” -Zechariah 1:8.

“Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths at it is written.” – Nehemiah 8:15.

Uses for Myrtle:

Despite you should be able to be used as a perfume, God use the trees as part of the prophet Zacharias vision and as a prophetic picture of God‘s promise blessings. Today, myrtle is extracted from the leaves via stream distillation. Myrtle is best used to smooth the respiratory system and balance the thyroid, as well as a variety of other health benefits.

Practical application:

Use a carrier oil such as olive oil to create a row on containing Myrtle. Rob the roll-on mixture directly onto the bottom of the neck to stimulate the thyroid gland.

Although essential oils can be an incredible asset to anyone looking to enter gate more health until their daily routine, be careful and do your research and learn more about these other oils.

How To Change Your Thought Patterns

Thoughts can move mountains or thoughts can lead to sad and gloomy days.

It’s a fact that if we change our thoughts we can change our lives. Sadly many people just settle from the day in day out doom and gloom of negative thoughts,

It’s quite clear that if you want to improve your life you must bring about change in the way you think in order to create happiness and a sense of fulfillment in your life. A good thing about our brains is that it willingly adopts any changes that we bring about in our thinking patterns.

I wanted to share with you some powerful ways to change your thoughts and transform your life. This is how I went from serious depression to a happy fulfilling life.

1.Change your thoughts by creating positive affirmations.

Affirmations are not always positive. They can be negative as well. The hexes created by the witches are negative affirmations. We can also hex ourselves by sayin negative things to ourselves.

The truth is that most pare given to making negative affirmations. When we say to ourselves “I’m can’t do anything right!, or think we’re not going to success in a particular part of our life, it’s a negative affirmation. Affirmations, both negative and positive impact the neurons functioning of the brain.

Positive affirmations are like mantras. They have a sacred and spiritual force about them. Let’s be clear about creating positive affirmations. They should not be normative or weak.

Thoughts such as “I should,” “I ought to, are normative.

I used to tell myself “I hated myself,” So I began everyday by looking in the mirror and telling myself “I love you.”

Examples of negative affirmations are: “ I can’t do this. It’s too difficult.” Instead of saying this say things like, “I am going to, “I can do this.” “I will,” or “I am going to do this.” Our brains are always adapting to our thought patterns and it directs our organs to act accordingly.

2. Learn to apply full stops

When we keep mulling over misfortunes, or perceived wrongs committed to us by those who we have loved and stood by so sincerely. We never stop cursing ourselves for the mistakes that we think we have committed. What would have happened if I had done this or that? What would happen if I do this or that in the future?

This is not saying that we shouldn’t learn from past mistakes or plan our future intelligently. The only thing is we should stop thinking over and over once we have learned from our past and decide to move forward insyof backward.

3. Let go of the need to be masochist

Quite often we love to wallow in our misery. We enjoy creating self-punishing thoughts or being gloomy and passmistic.

“i will never be happy.”

“i was born unlucky. Nothing ever goes my way.”

“I am cursed to live this way all my life.”

Such thoughts not only hurt the mind, but they adversely affect your physical health as well.

4. Change your thoughts by counting your joys and blessings

Most people take their joys and blessings for granted and start complaining about what they don’t have; or when faced with problems and troubles. Maybe by thinking your situation could have been worse, “I can’t believe I was diagnosed with cancer, but I’m so glad I haven’t died from it.” I can’t believe they screwed up my pay on my check.” but at least I have enough to feed my family until they fix the error.” Begin to see that glass half full instead of have empty.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance. Chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a bad past into a good future, a house into a home.

5. Appreciate and enjoy what you already have

A great way to change your thoughts is to appreciate and enjoy what you already have. You can aspire to work on a better house, better car, and a better job. But appreciate that you have a house, a car, a job. Enjoy what success you have not what you’re about to achieve. There is nothing wrong with always fixing higher goals, but failure to reach them should not spoil your enjoyment you already have.

6. Change your thoughts by Savoring the joys of your achievements

It is one thing to achieve your goal; it is another to enjoy it after you have achieved it. For example, you marry the person of your dreams, but get bored with them and soon start looking for another one. This is the most common causes of divorce.

“There are two things to aim for in life: first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.” – Logan Pearsall Smith

7. Stand tall and hold your head high in trying circumstances

We often tend to feel demoralized in adverse conditions. We stop and feel lie as if we are bending under the weight of things. This happens both literally and figuratively. You will, however, surely feel better if you try to lift your spirits and also your head like a person.

8. Allow yourself to be playful and childlike

Children are known for their innocence and simplicity of mind. They soon forget their quarrels with friends and start playing together once again. This is the reason that generally they are always happy and smiling. Translated into the language of adult, we should learn to forget and forgive.

9. Seek happiness and contentment in the present moment

Do not associate happiness with future events. Don’t think or say “I will be happy when things happen this way… It’s like postponing your happiness to an unsure future. The better alternative is to try to postpone your sorrow to some future moment as much as you can. The time to be happy is today because yesterday has already passed and you cannot be sure that tomorrow will bring any happiness.

Proverbs 27:1 says, “ do not be anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself.”

10. Change your thoughts by being a master of your moods

Be a master rather than a servant to your own moods. You are the ruler of the kingdom of your happiness. Do not allow other people or circumstances to make you happy or sad. Do not depend on material possessions to create happiness for you. It is for you to choose to be happy whatever the situation. Do not allow your heart to be broken if a lived one has ditched you. If they can be happy without you so can you.

11. Wake up with a resolve to stay happy all day

Resolve the first thing as you wake up in the morning to remain happy throughout the day. Choose to wake up like Tigger not Eeyore. Spend time looking a the trees and flowers. Listen to the birds. Look for something beautiful each day..

Go out for a walk and remember your resolve is to remain calm as soon as you sense trouble coming. Know that it’s okay to walk away from bad situations,

12. Your body is your temple, honor it

Keep the temple of your body neat, clean and well-ventilated. Do not dump garbage of dirty, negative thoughts and toxic junk food init. It is really difficult to remain happy when you’re sick physically or mentally.

There is a close relationship between the mind and the body. Do exercises regularly according to your needs. Go for a walk, go swimming… whatever exercise you enjoy do it daily,

13. Change your thoughts by meditation daily

Even if it10 minute a day, practice mindfulness. Get your breathing right. And get everything off your mind. No one can be happy thinking about there issues constantly. Enjoy a few minutes of music or look up mindfulness meditation on u-tube.

During meditation, your metabolism and your breathing rate need to go down to a level of rest.

14, Focus on changing yourself instead of changing the world around you

It is impossible to change others or the world around you. So stop getting upset when people do not come up to your expectations. The best course is to change yourself or at,East adjust with the people or situations do not like.

“Never underestimate your power to change yourself; never overestimate your power to change others.” – Wayne Dyer

15. Change your thoughts by making the best of what you have

It is always better to make the best of what you have rather than pine for what you think is the best. A perfect state of mind only occurs in Utopia and the world you live in is not that kind of ideal place.

You change your life by changing your thoughts. If your thoughts you think are positive, your life will be positive.

Do you believe that when you change your thoughts you can transform your life? What you believe stands between you and happiness.