Draw me close

Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared of old unto me, saying yea, I have loved thee with everlasting love : therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.

Luke 21:18
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.

Psalm 18:16
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 

An Abundance of Rain

Today a ministry that I am connected to sent out a letter and had a widow's mite enclosed in the envelope. I heard it (the mite) hit the floor and I could not find it. I became agitated after a while. I thought to myself...that's typical. I said to myself I will look once more and when I did I found it. I read the story of Elijah and the abundance of rain in 1 Kings 18 later on in the evening and I felt like the message was keep the faith and keep expecting God to do what he said he would do; which is a good principle but knew there was more and I felt led to read the story of the widow's mite; after reading the story of the widow's mite what I believe God is saying is if we are giving according to God's will, there is a blessing there...we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us find it if it is not in plain sight; because it is there. We may need to look again; we may need to call it forth; we may need to pull it from another dimension...but it is there.

Wonderful redeemer

I wrote a post once about how I had driven down by the water searching  for peace and how the weather was beautiful and there was even a man standing at the end of the pier playing an instrument but I could not stay to enjoy it.  Well my God is a redeemer... the weather is  beautiful, the sun is about to set and the guy is at the end of the pier playing...my heart is smiling.

Egypt is in ruin

God often answers by fire and although the fire is  uncomfortably hot, it is by his grace and protection that we are not consumed. I have prayed and God has heard but most times the answer did not come as I imagined it would and sometimes I have felt that process was too much and the price was too costly. But a prayer prayed from the spirit that is aligned with God's word and desire is one that he will answer. I have been guilty of looking back. I have been guilty of thinking that when I was doing what I wanted to do things were better. I have been guilty of falling back into some of those things but not others and that was probably only because I felt grace depart in that area and I did not have the nerve to see what would happen if I proceeded to do it anyway. I feel like being honest. God knows already and he is my Lord. I think on his grace...on how I have been given warning and had to call to say "I'm staying home tonight". I think on the times I resented not being able to do what I wanted to do when God had my best interests in mind when he told me not to. This has been a lonely difficult process but Cannan is in view and God will be there when we get there so this is the time to make ourselves ready...how? you may ask...
2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."
Now is not the time to play sanctified and do and say the unthinkable in secret. The king is near and he knows and sees all. It is time to acknowledge our wrong and ask God for deliverance. I can be open and honest enough to say I need his help in some areas. We are at the threshold of our promise but know that it is on holy ground. I love you with the love of Christ.

"Defense 👐👐 Defense 👐👐 Defense👐👐"

He Is Still Good...He Is Still God

I drove by the water today seeking peace. I love the water and I haven't been able to sit by the water as often as I would like for a while. Today I drove by the water and it was the perfect day for it...the sky was absolutely beautiful...the weather was nice too...as hot as it has been lately today it had cooled down and was pleasant by the water. Circumstances happened and interrupted what I wanted. I mean it was so perfect that a guy randomly stood at the end of the boardwalk and began to a play musical instrument (a horn) and he played beautifully, but because of circumstances I had to leave. It made me so aggravated. After I got home the song "Be Glorified" came up in my spirit and God asked me to sing it and I did. It was still there so I pulled up a video of someone singing it on youtube and I said to myself God is still good. I would like to share the video below with an extra bonus one that I like too. I love you with the Love of Christ...and God is Still Good and He is Still God.

The Root of the Issue

Matthew 3:10

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

A while ago I revisited the need to deal with the root of issues. So often we focus on the fruit. If we were to pick a tree bare the fruit would eventually just grow right back. Mark Chironna use to deal with roots of issues in his early ministry...I had never seen anyone administer deliverance like that. I am sure there were others but his was televised. I am sure that alot of the attacks and temptations that flooded him were all attempts to stop him...excuse me while I trail off...a relative and I were talking about prayer and declarations and I said if we pay attention to the strategies of our enemies we can learn the key to their defeat. When the devil wants to stop you he normally doesn't just hit you with one blow. Its blow after blow until you tap out. Tired and beat up we still have to keep fighting...to keep praying...to keep prophesying and declaring. It is hard to fight wounded but that is the time we need to fight the most.....Back to the root. A ministry that I watch talked about dealing with the root and I was reminded of Mark Chironna. I was also reminded of a time when I reflected on the root of some of my issues. One was my relationship with money. As I thought back I remembered some things from my childhood one was my cussing grandfather (lol) always saying "It's money's mammy around this son __ __ ______." He was from the south with a dirty mouth but still a decent person. What he was saying was there is always something to take your money. I can't count the times I heard that. It impacted the way I thought without me knowing it. I also remembered my glass piggy bank. I had a glass piggy bank when I was growing up that I loved loved loved loved. I got to the point that when the doorbell rang I would take it out and make the people at the door pay a toll for entry (lol). They thought it was cute so soon they brought me dollars instead of change. One day I was showing it off to my cousin and it dropped and shattered. When I told my mom she scolded me and took the money. I think the incedent with the piggy bank affected the relationship that I have with money the most. I know that one day I will be entrusted to steward over alot so it is imperative that I receive deliverance in this area. I have been making declarations about my finances, while writing this I came to the conclusion that I need to add declarations about stewardship of my finances and began praying and studying scriptures about it well. Last night I went to walmart and I saw a piggy bank that was a stuffed animal and I felt it was symbolic of what is going on in that area.

Its super cute!

Good News

I made the decision some months ago to start what I call a "spiritual feast". I pick out  a group of scriptures and read the same scriptures daily for a month or 21 days. I decided to do this because it was like I was being bombarded by the wrong things. I made a conscious effort to feed and strengthen myself with the Word of God. At the end, the scriptures I have been studying will become my foundation. Scriptures that I meditate on daily and pull from when needed. My cousin and I began talking about the effects of removing prayer from school and how you can get reprimanded  or worse if you discuss God on the job. What it has done is make it uncommon to talk about God in certain environments. I remember when God was a common part of conversation. It quickened you...it made you think of God more often. It kept the fire burning. Today while waiting for someone to come out of the store I used the time to listen to the scriptures I was meditating on today and I noticed that after a while the people in the car next to me turned from the station they had been listening to, to a station playing Christian music. Now there is therefore now no condemnation because I listen to secular music too (not bragging about it, just being honest and transparent) but I have to take a moment to reflect and remember that we have the power to change our environment. I am going to begin to share the love of God again until it is common place.


*Update* I felt the need to share the scriptures that I am studying and meditating on. Although I really like a few of them they are not my favorite scriptures per se....one of the chapters I am reading is Hebrews 11 which talks about faith...that in itself is good. I really like the part about "Women receiving their dead to life again" and I also really love Psalm 24 which flows like a melody...I have sung it more than once. I am going off on a tangent so I will share this and real it back in but my favorite scriptures are: "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15 and "I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13. I have them both on the wall in my front room...they are called wall stickers you can order them online; you just have to peel and stick.


Here are the chapters of scripture I am "feasting" on: Hebrews Chpt. 11, Joel Chpt. 2, Psalm 91, Isaiah 61, Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 29, Psalm 23, Psalm 24, Psalm 34, Ephesians 6, Romans 8, Psalm 103, Matthew 5, Psalm 18.
The first month I choose 4 chapters of scriptures and read or listened to them each 3x per day. If you decide to feast on scripture pray and ask God for direction. I am sharing what I did as an example only.

Oh yeah! The Good News today and everyday is God Loves you and so do I! Be Blessed.

Lovely

A friend and I were talking a couple of weeks ago and we began to talk about staying hopeful and optimistic. She told me that she keeps a journal and wrote down something good that happened to her everyday. Later I was reminded about a class we had taken together and the class started out each time with something called "New and Good". It always positively shifted the atmosphere because no matter what you had been through that day or that week there was always good. My friend had implemented that lesson learned in her life and it was inspiring. As we talked further I thought on a  play we had gone to see together earlier that day and I told her about how while getting ready I needed a purse that matched my outfit...I had a purse that would match but I had not seen it in months and the start of the play was drawing near. Suddenly, where I should look came to mind and when I looked there it was; I exclaimed "Jesus, you are so good to me" and when I did, it quickened something in me. The same day of our conversation I began to journal the good that had happened each day. I start each entry out with "Jesus, you are so good to me". The saying has become cliche but it is yet true..."God is good all the time and all the time God is good". We only have to take a moment to think about it...the good is always there and I am not talking about "I woke up this morning, clothed in my right mind" although those things are very good because some didn't; but there is always more if we but look and acknowlege. I love you with the love of Christ Jesus.




Phillipians 4:8
 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Hallelujah

I am really grateful. I have found my song again. I don't know if it was exercising my gifting in karaoke (lol) or the prayers of the saints...either way I'm grateful. Two songs have been playing in my head this morning and I'll add two more as a bonus.

I know the next one may seem a little random since it's not even Thanksgiving yet but it has been coming to mind just the same.

Bonus

Days of Elijah

���� The Power Within A Gallon of Milk

Last night while praying God began to speak...my faith had been shaken so when I began to hear him I began to question. I began to cry and I said God how do I know its you and not just my mind or imagination; I told him I want to be sure that it is you that I have been hearing. Today a cousin of mine from Tennessee sent this video. I had a rough day so I took it as inspiration and thanked her. Tonight as I began to pray God reminded me of the prayer that I prayed last night and said your cousin all the way in Tennessee gave you the answer to the prayer you prayed (by God of course). So today if your faith has been tested or if you just want to know if God hears your prayers know that he does and know that God is still speaking...we only have to listen. God Bless You. I love you with the love of Christ.

Stand...Let's Start a Movement!

In Pensacola, the city I live in a group  named The American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit to have a cross that has stood for 48 years in a park in the area named "Bayview Park" removed. US District Court Judge Robert Vinson ruled that the cross violated the constitution. Mayor Hayward of the city of Pensacola decided to take a stand...he decided to fight to keep the cross. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty will be representing the city of Pensacola free of charge in this matter. The whole ordeal stirred something within me. I remembered a time where me and those around me were always talking about Jesus. A time that we were concerned with bringing others into the fold (telling people about Jesus). What happened?...Life. But no matter what is going on around us we must not lose focus on the things that mean the most. Souls are priceless. I knew about the group trying to get the cross taken down. I talked about it to a friend and I didn't think about it again until a preacher on t.v. mentioned it. He had said it had been taken down. I talked about it to my friend and I felt convicted because although I knew about it...I did nothing. "What can we do?" I asked more to myself than her. We talked and talked, then we started talking about a trend in the area which is painting a painting on a rock and leaving it various places for people to find them. We said we could paint crosses...then we said we can actually leave crosses...we can leave crosses and place bibles in ziploc bags everywhere. Will you join us? This morning I drove to Bayview Park and to my delight the cross was still standing. I placed my first cross at its foot.

Promise

Today I felt that I needed to leave my house...I didn't know why but I knew that I was suppose to. After thinking about it (rationalizing can lead to trouble because sometimes things just don't make sense) I began to talk myself out of it. I reasoned that I really didn't have anywhere to go and I should just stay put...then that still small voice spoke to me "you know what you're suppose to do". I decided on ice cream; while in the drive through I looked up and saw a rainbow. That may seem small but you see I use to see an abnormal amount of rainbows. I hadn't seen one in a long time even when the weather conditions were perfect for a rainbow there wasn't one. I longed to see one. To remind me of God's promises for my life. Just last week I told my mom about a time that I had seen a rainbow. I was riding in the car with my children and I told them sometimes you can be going through something and God will do something to let you know everything will be alright...you will look in the sky and see a beautiful rainbow and it's like God telling you that he is here and things will be okay.  After I told them that, I began talking to God "Lord, I need a rainbow". Right after I said it I saw what I still think today was the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. It was closer than I have ever seen one and the colors were vibrant like they were full of life. I think on that from time to time. Remembering God and his goodness and faithfulness. Thank you Lord for the rainbows of my life.

Seek God's Face

There is confusion all around and God is not the author of confusion so we as believers need to be praying fervently; we need to pray for truth, discernment and that God's will be done. I feel that something needed to be done about terrorism; I saw America changing and how against Christ and Christianity people were becoming. Something needed to be done; America was on its way to becoming the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah where anything goes and morality was the minority. This agenda to remove Hispanic immigrants bothers me though. I have always noticed similarities between my culture and the Hispanic culture. I heard someone say "Turn In the Bad Ones" when referring to another issue and I feel that this should be the case with immigration. This is a nation of immigrants. I feel that instead of focusing on an entire race we should be focusing on doing something about "the bad ones". Most people just want to live and take care of their families...there is no crime in that; it is admirable. Before this immigration initiative I knew good families that lived in fear...they went to work, church, nearby stores and basically stayed in their neighborhood because of fear of deportation...what life must be like for them now. You can feel the thick sense of "Terror" in this community. I have always thought it strange how susceptible people are to becoming the very thing they are fighting against...crooked cops, fallen preachers, unethical doctors. Some of these people went in with the purest of intentions but somewhere along the journey they became overtaken by the very thing they were fighting. I think its because a lot of the time we forget we are not wrestling against mere flesh and blood and if we don't constantly seek God we stand the risk of conversion.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then shall I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Inspiring 1 Samuel 16:7

My daughter asked if she could use one of my boards.

John 14:17

I voted for Hillary Clinton. I voted for her because I am African American and I feared what would happen to African Americans under President Trump...its a shame to admit but I had to fight my flesh to call him President Trump and not just Trump. The killings of young black men and women by police happened under previous presidencies. After I voted for Hillary, after Trump (President Trump...God's not through with me yet) God gave me dreams about Hillary for three nights and they were not good..it was as if God was saying it's not what you thought. I am at war within myself because part of me wants to be that militant black "sista" that stands up and says you better not try it and part of me is saying look beyond the smoke screen.  Below is the video that inspired this post.

Reign Jesus Reign

I had a dream it was raining very hard. I was outside of an old church and I knew it was getting ready to flood. I knew that I needed to leave soon before I wouldn't be able to. It was hard for me to leave because I was enjoying the rain.
I was drenched and enjoying every second of the rain so much so that I was joyfully singing "Its raining". I thought about an old post; it was from 2012. I am reposting it today.

It has been raining since early morning in the area I live in. I went for a drive anyway. Streets were flooded; cars were stuck. It rained so much where a relative of mine lives that water started coming in the house. I knew I needed to pray and felt led to post but I feel the post should be a repost of some posts. Below are Reposts

This morning I heard Zerubabbel and later I began to study. What I have found so far is very interesting.Ezra returned with a remnant from Babylon and God stirred the spirit of King Cyrus and King Cyrus made a proclamation that the God of heaven had charged him to build him a house in Jerusalem.Adversaries attempt to join the building of the temple but Ezra refuses and then Ezra is met with opposition and the building of the temple is put on hold. Haggai and Zechariah prophesy to the people and the building resumes this reminds me of Malachi Chapter 3

7. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said , Wherein shall we return ?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say , Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.,br>9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10.Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

So often we get consumed with the cares of our own lives and forget the weightier matters. The bible says that the elders weeped when they saw the foundation laid

Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the firsthouse, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Haggai 2:1-9
1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying ,
2.Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying ,
3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
4. Yet now be strong , O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong , O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong , all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work : for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remainethamong you: fear ye not.
6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come : and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Haggai again prophesies about the uncleanliness of the nation. At one point Ezra goes on a fast and cries and weeps because of the transgressions of the people

Ezra 10:
9.Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10 And Ezra the priest stood up , and said unto them, Ye have transgressed , and have takenstrange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do .
13.But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
14. Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand , and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
It also reminds me of a scripture I read on Sunday.

Ezekiel 33:1-16
1. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying ,
2.Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land takea man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman :
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4. Then whosoeverheareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning ; if the sword come , and take him away , his blood shall be upon his own head.
5. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning ; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6. But if the watchmansee the sword come , and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned ; if the sword come , and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman'shand.
7. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surelydie ; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
10. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak , saying , If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live ?
11.Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live : turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die , O house of Israel?
12.Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth .
13. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live ; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered ; but for his iniquity that he hath committed , he shall die for it.
14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die ; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
15. If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surelylive , he shall not die .
16. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live .

God is calling his people to lay the foundations for the latter rain and we must be holy if we are not to be consumed by his glory

Hosea 6
1.Come , and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn , and he will heal us; he hath smitten , and he will bind us up .
2. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up , and we shall live in his sight.
3 Then shall we know , if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the earlydew it goeth away .
5. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth .
6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8.Gilead is a city of them that workiniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent : for they commitlewdness.
10.I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.

1 Kings Chapter 18
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying , Go , shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive , that we lose not all the beasts.
6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab wentone way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said , Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go , tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said , What have I sinned , that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said , He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest , Go , tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14 And now thou sayest , Go , tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15 And Elijah said , As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand , I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab sawElijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered , I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send , and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said , How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces , and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said , It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying , O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered . And they leaped upon the altar which was made .
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said , Cry aloud : for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked .
28 And they cried aloud , and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them
. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past , and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer , nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down .
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying , Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order , and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said , Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said , Do it the second time . And they did it the second time . And he said , Do it the third time . And they did it the third time . 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near , and said , LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37.Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38. Then the fire of the LORD fell , and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said , The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape . And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41. And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up , eat and drink ; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink . And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up , and looked , and said , There is nothing. And he said , Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said , Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said , Go up , say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down , that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode , and went to Jezreel.
46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.