From the Desk of Steve Shultz:
Many are saying that in this time of being shut-in, it's the most opportune time to spend with the Lord and allow Him to prepare us for the days ahead.
We've heard reports of people being healed in many ways, deep encounters happening with the Lord, and intimacy and communion happening with families on a grand scale. Even Bible sales are at a significant increase right now!
No, God did not send this virus, but He is working this shut-in time for our good.
I want you to read this profound word by Kathi Pelton about the Pentecost season just ahead of us. God is getting us ready for "the greater works" as never before. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Enjoy!
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Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
elijahlist.com
When the coronavirus first began to be revealed, prior to the quarantine orders, the Lord was whispering the words from the first verses of Song of Solomon 3 into my spirit. I want to share these verses with you from The Amplified Bible:
"On my bed night after night [I dreamed that] I sought the one whom my soul loves; I sought him but did not find him. I said 'So I must arise now and go out into the city; into the streets and into the squares [places I do not know] I must seek him whom my soul loves.' I sought him but I did not find him. The watchmen who go around the city found me, and I said, 'Have you seen him whom my soul loves?' Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held on to him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me." (Song of Solomon 3:1-4)
The words, "When I found him whom my soul loves...I held on to him and would not let him go," echoed in my heart like a voice calling into a deep canyon of desire. I was longing to return to the deep place where He alone is my every "desire fulfilled." I deeply longed to throw off everything that hindered that pursuit because I knew that it would take me back to first love; which must be the source and foundation for for all that I do.
Just as in our earthly marriages, we can get to points and times where we are merely "going through the motions." It's not that we do not still love our spouses, but due to busyness (parenting, careers, responsibilities) we forget the passions and longings that we shared when our love was new. If we remain in that place without rekindling or reawakening love, it will eventually grow cold. Our "I love you" will become just words that the end a phone call or a salutation rather than an ongoing experience that takes us to new depths of oneness with each other. This is true with our walk with the Lord as well.
In January and February, as these words were stirring in my soul, a hunger was growing inside of me to throw off every hindrance and run fully after Him to awaken first love once again. I wasn't satisfied with merely going through the motions or saying the right words, apart from a place of passionate pursuit. I didn't want all that I did to merely become "works."
Then came March when a sudden HALT came to the entire earth. It was like the Commander of the Host of Heaven's army arrived on the chaotic scene of busyness and commanded everything to "BE STILL!" Since that point, many have been living out a sudden self-awareness of their spiritual state. This abrupt "stop" has allowed for us to come into much needed awareness of the condition of our relationships; with God, our spouses, our families and with one another.
For me, personally, it took... (continue reading)
