Close Your Umbrella

A Simple Choice Week #6 Close Your Umbrella 1 Kings 18:41-46

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:10-11

• Do I really want to receive the Word the Lord has for me?  

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” 1 Kings 18:41

• Both Ahab and Elijah needed the same amount of rain to sustain their life
• People that are far from God matter to God
• We get changed as we receive the Word of God

So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. 43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. 44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” 1 Kings 18:42-44

• Condemnation is meant to shame us  
• Conviction is meant to change us and point us in a new direction  

And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:45-46