If you don’t know your destination, it doesn’t matter what kinds of directions you’re using. But when you have a specific outcome in mind, you’ll follow whatever steps –– no matter how specific they are –– to get there. Our focus always determines what direction we take...so if we could just get our focus right, we’d know the right steps to take through life too. In this weekend’s message, we’ll zero in on what the BEST focus is, in any given situation.

Words have creative power. God spoke, and a universe was born! Jesus spoke, and the sick were healed, demons were cast out and the dead rose. Made in God’s image, our words have tremendous power too, both to build up and to tear down. That’s why it hurts so bad when someone uses words against us. In our new series, The Way Up, we’ll see the wordsmiths of the Bible using the artistic and creative power of words to glorify God and pray powerfully...with miraculous results.

When things have been tough for a while, following the Lord can start to feel like we’re just trudging through life. It’s tempting to take matters into our own hands in these moments. Or, if we’re set on being faithful and obedient, we might feel like God has only our duty, and not our delight, in mind. The beautiful thing about God is his best plans for us, although not always easy, always result in joy for his children. As we wrap up our journey alongside Elijah, we’ll see that God had a unique and inspiring conclusion for Elijah’s story in mind all along.

Jesus taught us to count the cost. But let’s be honest, sometimes we just want what we want, consequences be what they may. Unfortunately, we have all made what had the potential to be catastrophic mistakes. In some cases, the consequences were absolutely awful. Yet, if our hearts are open and humble before the Lord, He can teach us the most profound lessons in these types of situations.

Life can be such a mixed bag. I know it’s hard that way. But there are times of great joy and overwhelming sorrow. There are times of tremendous trust and crippling fear. And sometimes, all of these different things can happen in a very short span of time, leaving us feeling like a boat being tossed about by a tremendous storm. This is not only true for us. It was also true in Elijah’s life. This weekend we will see Elijah being truly human and the Lord’s provision to help the process.

In every season of our lives, we look forward to events. Concerts, tournaments, games, parties, weddings, births, you name it –– it often seems like we spend our lives moving from one season of anticipation to the next. Most events have the potential to become defining points in our lives. Anytime something out of the ordinary happens, we have opportunities to choose, sometimes in insignificant ways and sometimes between right and wrong. For the prophet Elijah, big events in his life were a platform for God to show up big time...and they are for us too!

“Speak the truth, even if you voice shakes.” That’s a popular quotation with a very important reality attached to it. Sometimes speaking the truth is hard. Sometimes telling the truth comes with severe consequences. It is especially hard to speak truth to power. In this week’s study, we will see the prophet Elijah confronting the evil king of Israel. This study is packed full of important applications for our lives.

There’s something about tough times that really brings out the best and the worst in us. Our true character shines (for better or for worse) in the midst of suffering...but so does God’s. When we choose to trust the Lord in the midst of the messiness of life, He does His most cherished work. We will see this on display as we watch how God works through Elijah in the life of the widow of Zarephath. And the great news for us is, then and now, God is and always has been in the miracle business!