Tri-Cities Baptist Church

Over the next several weeks, the Tri-Cities family will explore a study written by Dr. Henry Blackaby over 20 years ago called “Experiencing God.”  This biblical study confronts us with basic truths intended to transform the way we follow Jesus.

Most of us want to know God more intimately and follow Him more faithfully.  We have a hunger for God, but too often our faith experiences leave us disappointed.  We don’t experience the real results we expect.

Like you, I am working out my faith through trial and error, but let me encourage you with a few simple steps that help me and may help you get the full benefit of this study over the next few weeks.

(1) Escape to God’s presence.

I’ve been reminded in my study of Elijah that God is far more willing to reveal Himself to us than we are to wait on Him to do so.  Many times we throw up quick prayers, read a quick devotion, and move on to make quick missteps that do not go away quickly.  We attempt to run long distances without any fresh Word from God, without any real direction, and without the necessary power.

Elijah lingered in God’s presence.  He was patient to wait on Him.  He was undistracted by many of the things going on around Him and ultimately he was able to hear God’s voice in the gentle breeze (1 Kings 19).  Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “cease striving and know that I am God…”

So during these days, escape to God’s presence by scheduling more time to meditate on His Word…by writing down what He is showing to you…by praying back to Him the biblical truths He has revealed, and by considering how you will apply His Word to your life.  Slow down and learn to linger with the God who created you and called you.

(2) Elevate your thinking.

Elijah was challenged in 1 Kings 19 to change his thinking.  Discouragement and distractions were killing his vision and eroding his faith.  God met with him, spoke to him, and gave him fresh eyes to see God’s ways.

Personally, I can be caught in the same trap as Elijah…distracted by small thinking.  Philippians 4:8 challenges us to dwell on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, and things that are excellent and worthy of praise (emphasis mine).

We cannot be who God intended if our minds stay down in the fray of life…if we are consumed with petty, base, selfish, mediocre, and trivial pursuits.

As we engage in this important study, let’s elevate our thinking so that we are consumed with the glory of God, the ways of God, and how we can adjust our lives to join Him.

(3) Expect to grow.

By all accounts, Elijah was an accomplished prophet.  The events at Mt. Carmel alone make that clear, but there were other huge successes in his ministry as well.  Yet at Mt. Horeb, God pushed Elijah, stretched Elijah, and expected more from him.  Sometimes our past successes or failures can close our hearts and minds to attempt anything else for God.

As “mature” as Elijah was, God wanted to do something new in his life.  Wherever you find yourself…whatever successes you have enjoyed in your Christian faith, remember that yesterday’s victories are no match for today’s challenges.  God wants to do a new thing in each of us.  He wants to teach us.  He wants to grow us up for greater fruitfulness.  He wants us to know Him and His ways like never before.

So as we study these seven realities from Experiencing God, let’s be teachable.  Let’s surrender our “been there done that” mentality.  Let’s abandon our cynicism.  Let’s believe God to do more than any of us can ask or imagine.  Let’s adjust our lives to His work.  Let’s trust God to do what only God can do so that there can be no mistake about Who deserves the glory.

As I close, let me express how expectant I am of God showing Himself strong in our church family during these days and as a result of our investment during this special season.  We are at a “crisis of belief which requires faith and action.”  Our next days are our best days.  So don’t miss out…Escape to God’s presence, elevate your thinking, and expect to grow!

-Daryl Crouch