Teachers Training

Elijah heard God's voice and obeyed it.  What a marvellous day it was (1 Kings 8 and 19) when he called down fire from Heaven, killed 350 false prophets, prayed earnestly to end a three-year drought, and outran a chariot over 30 kilometres!

Yes, we can do all things through the power of God.  However, Elijah forgot to enquire about God's response to Queen Jezebel's threat: "I vow that I will have you killed in the next 24 hours".  He had experienced a very draining spiritual and emotional day and so became vulnerable to Satan's attacks of fear, depression and discouragement.

The result?  Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness, threw himself under a tree and said, "It is enough!  Now O Lord, take my life".   Fortunately our God lovingly healed Elijah first with food and then with sleep.  But what food the Angel brought him!  With it, Elijah was able to go the next forty days as he went to the "Mountain of the Lord".

On the mountain, God gently renewed Elijah's calling and the still small voice said, "Go".  Restored and full of faith, Elijah carried on with the ministry that God had commissioned him to do, and anointed kings and Elisha as prophet in his place.  Elijah needed God's viewpoint and once God opened his eyes, Elijah's attitude changed.

Often we find that children's work can be lonely, frustrating and tiring, especially when we do it in our own strength.  But remember, God is waiting for us to call on Him right now for help as, for Philippians 4:13 says:

"I can do everything God asks me to
with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."

Elijah needed to hear from God and receive His anointing, power and inspiration.  As teachers, for the Holy Spirit to be able to minister through us, we need to be growing spiritually.  A picked flower looks excellent but it is dying since it is no longer attached to the root that nourished it.  In John 15:5-7, Jesus tells us:

"I am the Vine, you are the branches.
Whoever lives in Me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit.
For apart from Me you cannot do a thing.
But if you stay in Me and obey My commands,
you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted".

As we study the Word of God, the Holy Spirit applies the truths to our own lives.  If we then obey what the Bible says, we will grow spiritually.  Prayer is communion with God and as we pray, we need to allow God to speak into our hearts.  Pray for spiritual power and a heavenly vision for your children's work, so that God can give you the ability, anointing, power and inspiration that you need to teach!

God bless.