Being led by Holy Spirit into wilderness & away from local church?

[GoldenEagle]

3. Elijah (1 Kings 19)

 

Here's how I see Elijah & 1 Kings 19

 

*Elijah – flees Jezebel into the wilderness due to fear (1 Kings 19), not being led by God’s Spirit

Elijah had a “mountain top” experience as he had just defeated the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel. God’s fire descended from the heavens, the people of Israel acknowledged the Lord, and Elijah put to death all the false prophets. Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel, sent word to Elijah that she planned on taking his life.

After this thread comes the “valley” experience for Elijah. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. God provided miraculously for Elijah food and water for a journey for 40 days and 40 nights to the mount of God or Horeb.  (1 Kings 19:1-8)

 

Then Elijah complains not once but twice about how much he’d done for God, how the people of Israel were wicked breaking God’s covenant, and seeking his life. Elijah goes onto say he was the only one left as all prophets were killed by the sword. God instructs Elijah of his duties including the appointment of new kings (Syra & Israel) by telling him, among other things, to appoint Elisha as God’s future replacement as prophet. (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah thought he was the only faithful servant of the Lord left. Yet God chose Elisha for Elijah to mentor. On top of that God promised to spare 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed to or kissed Baal. (1 Ki. 19:18)

Thoughts?

God bless,

GE

 

[Willa]

There have been seasons, months, when I went through chastening (involving dying to self) that I withdrew from people and groups, but never from church. There were times when I learned to depend on God and not on people such as mentors. There were other times when I changed churches, but God always led us to another church before we withdrew from one. He always prepared our hearts to make the change. But God deals with us all differently so we should not be quick to judge others.

I don't think we are meant to be alone as Christians. We are not a church unto ourselves but are part of a living organism. God means for us to serve in a local church in some compacity, however modest. Sometimes we are physically unable to function as we once did so we are unable to attend regularly let alone to serve in the same ways. This is both confusing and heartbreaking. But we can pray for our pastors and for prayer requests in our local church. We can bear one anothers burdens, which are things we do here as well.

[Marilyn C]

So very, very true Swordman Jr,

 

To limit Christ`s way of His Body living, functioning, serving, meeting to a man controlled organisation is not to know Christ`s true Body. There are many ways we operate as a Body but I tell you & you would have realised this long ago that the man made institutions will continue to label us as - back slidden, in the wilderness, not accountable etc etc. They cannot accept there are a variety of ways we can function as the Body.

 

My husband & I are more accountable, with more joy of disciples than ever before. Yet I realise that not everyone can operate as we do & we have friends & family who go to traditional ways of meeting. yet it is very, very hard for them to understand how we operate in the Lord with others as it is not the traditional way. We need to be gracious to those who do not understand.

 

Blessings, bro, Marilyn.

[zhavoney]

 

Elijah went it alone. Moses went it alone. Christ went it alone. I went it alone. But none of Us were really alone were we? They are few who know that God is truly there to hold them up. It is the Spirit of God that leads us on and gives us the strength to continue. 

 

9 For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. 10 "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. 11 As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, 12 So the Lord alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him. 13 "He made him ride in the heights of the earth, That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock; 14Curds from the cattle, and milk of the flock, With fat of lambs; And rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, With the choicest wheat; And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes.

I do agree the Spirit of God leads those who believe in Jesus. I also agree God gives us the strength to carry on. Finally, I agree we are never alone as God is with us.

Moses was fearful for his life and fled. Moses motivation was not reverence/love for God or following His Spirit. God still used this and made Moses into a leader of Israel.

Elijah was fearful for his life and fled. Moses motivation was not reverence/love for God or following His Spirit. Right after killing the prophets of Baal. God still used this to fulfill His purpose in selecting new Kings for Syria and Israel as well as replacing Elijah (with Elisha).

Christ was never alone. He was with his disciples to the end. Jesus was united with the Father and Holy Spirit until the end.

What you are quoting is Deut 32:9-14. God found Jacob in the wilderness I guess is what you are referring to. Context is important in any discussion of Scripture. If you look at the context of this passage it goes back to Deut. 31:30 with Moses farewell song. The song is a reminder to Israel of where they came from and Who they belong to. Hopefully we can agree this passage is not an encouragement for people to go out into the wilderness to be found by God?

God bless,

GE

 

 

 

All scripture was an invite to me to fast and pray in the wilderness for forty days. All without preparing the way back to the pig pen. Moses was on the mountain with no food and water for forty days. It changed his direction and life. Elijah traveled for forty days without food or water to .Horeb, the mountain of God and it changed his direction and life.  Christ Fasted and prayed without food and water in the wilderness for forty days and it added to and strengthened  his way of life.

[Marilyn C]

Hi Zhavoney,

 

I would say that obedience to the Holy Spirit`s leading makes us receptive to His power in our lives. The activities of themselves have no power (eternal) as many from different religions do these sort of things.

 

Marilyn.

[GoldenEagle]

All scripture was an invite to me to fast and pray in the wilderness for forty days. All without preparing the way back to the pig pen. Moses was on the mountain with no food and water for forty days. It changed his direction and life. Elijah traveled for forty days without food or water to .Horeb, the mountain of God and it changed his direction and life.  Christ Fasted and prayed without food and water in the wilderness for forty days and it added to and strengthened  his way of life.

 

Please explain this concept of "All without preparing the way back to the pig pen"? Are you referring to lost people, the Church, other Believers, or what? 

What passage of the Bible are you referring to Moses being on the mountain with no food and water for 40 days? Are you referring to Exodus 24 or Exodus 34 for example?

In Exodus 24-25 God was re-affirming His covenant with Israel and giving Moses instructions such as directions on the Ark of the Covenant. 

Ex. 24:18

18 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

If this is what you are referring to in Exodus 34 God was calling Moses to a very specific task by giving Moses the 10 Commandments:

Ex 34:28

28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Elijah travelled without food and water... Actually if you are referring to 1 Kings 19 Elijah had 2 meals that lasted him for 40 days. However, that was after Elijah asked God to end his life... And Elijah fled out of his own will the queen Jezebel. 

Are you saying that fasting for 40 days and nights is something Christians are called to today? 

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

Not being involved in a local church can result from a variety of circumstances.   We'd moved to a small community a number of years ago intending to support the small local Baptist church because we are Baptist and at the time - there was a good Bible teaching pastor.  What we hadn't known was that the community was Chek / Catholic -- all we knew was that it was a very small community with a lot for sale that we could afford.  We'd lived out in the country and didn't really know anything about the town.  We'd lived in other small communities and did just fine -- but Now the church has changed pastors several times and doesn't really teach anything.  There Is a church 45 minutes from us, but that is Not local.  So -- my husband can travel and it's no longer practical for Me to travel that distance.  So -- I have 'church' via T.V.  Dr. Jeremiah and other preachers on Sunday mornings. 

   But I Do miss being part of a church service -- and now that it gets darker lots earlier -- my night driving doesn't allow for  much driving, either.  But I DO share on various Forums.   And I enjoy Bible study / researching / sharing with others. 

  So -- to simply choose to Not fellowship with other believers is Not to our well being / advantage. 

Sorry there aren't many options in your area. Typically churches teach something. And unfortunately pastors do not stay in churches longer than 3-4 years on average in many instances. But the church service isn't the only part of the local church. Bible study, Sunday School, Small Groups, etc. are all vital parts of our growth with others in Christ. 

So the only Bible teaching church close to you guys is 45 minutes away? Why is it not practical to travel that distance? 

Watching a tele evangelist's sermon I guess is good. Not the same as fellowship with other Believers.

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

Hi GoldenEagle,

 

This topic has been very interesting & I have appreciated reading the other comments. We all have our journey in the Lord & different experiences along the way. Thank you for opening it up to us to discuss. Now I have a few thoughts & some personal experiences too.

 

1. The Examples.

I do not believe that the examples of Moses & Elijah are applicable to the Body of Christ. Those people were physically separated from their nation, Israel for a time. The believers cannot be separated from the Body of Christ which is a spiritual Body. We can of course harden ourselves to the Holy Spirit & over time fall away from the faith.

Some believers, like crotchetlady find themselves physically not seeing other believers, but the Holy Spirit will still help them to receive from the Body – through letters, phone calls, internet & visiting others further away when they can.

 

 

2. The Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ is one Body & the Holy Spirit tells us –

`For even as the Body is one & yet has many members…..But now God has placed (set) the members, each one of them, in the Body, just as He desired.` (1 Cor. 12: 12 – 18)

Someone may sit in a public church meeting & not be a believer, in the Body. So being in or out of a public meeting is not a criteria for being in the Body of Christ or in the wilderness.

 

 

3. Our Functioning.

I really love the picture Paul writes in Ephesians concerning the growth of the Body –

`…Christ, from whom the whole Body being fitted & held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the Body for the building up of itself in love. `(Eph. 4: 16)

I`m sure as crotchetlady speaks to others that `every joint supplies.` That encouragement, comfort, edification & exhortation flows to each other for their building up.

Over the years I have been blessed to have been taught God`s word, given opportunities for expression of gifting, had great fellowship etc all within different denominations. However my husband & I have come to realize, with others that the formal, public meeting once a week in a pew, is not the only way to function as believers. Thus we now, by God`s Holy Spirit are functioning in a relational network situation. This we find to be most fulfilling relationally & fruitfully as we are now moving into helping our disciples (people we mentor) disciple (mentor) others. (like spiritual grandchildren) Note we still have friends & family that function in the denominational setting.

People often asked us, `Where do you go?` Meaning what religious organization do you belong to. They tended to think that we were either backslidden or in the wilderness. Over time however it has shown that we do relate, pray, teach, care, get involved with people`s lives, minister, etc. etc. I believe we are in a time where there are multiple ways to function, as well as a formal Sunday meeting in a traditional sense.

 

Blessings, Marilyn.

 

Re: 1. The Examples

I do agree with you the examples of Moses & Elijah aren't good in comparing to Christians today. 

While it is not clear if Crotchetlady is disabled. If she is not I don't think the inconvenience of driving 40-45 minutes to church is a valid excuse not to fellowship physically with other Believers. However, better to have fellowship online, phone, or via letters than not. Not the ideal situation though. 

Re: 2. The Body of Christ

A public church service is just one aspect of the local church. There is evangelism outreaches (following the Great Commission) and bridge events to get people familiar with the local church. There is service to the local community a Christian can be involved with. There is Bible studies, small groups, and Sunday School options... Living, playing, laughing, crying, learning, and growing together. 

Re: 3. Our functioning

Sure people can function outside the local church. We have recently enjoyed getting to know people of other denominations and it is wonderful to celebrate what we have in common. However, ordinances like baptism and communion ( or Lord's Supper) are specifically for the local church. That's of course besides teaching sound doctrine to equip the saints, etc. 

These are my initial thoughts. Good discussion.  

God bless,

GE

[gdemoss]

I am out in the wilderness.

[crochetlady]

To GoldenEagle  #27

 

What is the problem with driving 45 minutes to a church?  Well -- cause in This area there's nothing Local about it -- our younger son had been home on vacation from college and was invited to visit the church.  Well -- it's in another town -- so I assumed it would be a one-Sunday visit.  To further answer your question -- the traveling is mostly out in the country -- no bathroom stops along the way and my 'system' is fairly unpredictable.

 

My husband and son - the younger one who's not around here any more - are pro KJV.  I grew up with KJV and have since gravitated to NKJV and NIV.  We're in a liberal area.  My husband's job transferred him / us to this area 25 yrs ago. Our small town is Check / Catholic and we're neither. 

 

Yes, all churches Do teach something.  We went to a church for a while that / while the Pastor Did preach from KJ -- he managed to preach from passages with very little doctrine -- we realized after a while that he wasn't teaching doctrine.  It was Strange.  We left and kept on visiting churches trying to find one that taught Bible with authority and wasn't in process of loosing a pastor or looking for a new one. 

 

In this area -- church becomes more of a social center -- lots of activities -- but Where did Bible go?  Maybe it's a sign of the times -- people don't Want to hear sound doctrine -- they Prefer to Not have their conscience pricked by Scripture -- and the congregation Does hire / pay the pastor. 

 

Last year or so -- our church's youth pastor was being ordained.  Pastor asked all the former pastors in the congregation to come forward for the laying on of hands.   Since pastor knew that  'we' were formerly pastor and wife many , many years ago -- he was one of 8 men who went up.  That amazed me -- 8 former pastors.  A possible 'sign' that churches don't want Bible taught with any authority.

 

And I agree-- watching Dr. Jeremiah and Jack Graham on T. V. and  'It Is Written'  -- are Not a substitute for church.  But -- I guess that my being on several Forums is my 'outlet' for sharing  with others on various topics.

I've gotten into some interesting 'discussions' over the past months.  Years.