As we learn from the Lord through the Scriptures, we discover why God did not allow the man recreated in Christ to produce what he needed on his own and, through pride, to sin, causing his spirit to fall into the devil's hands again: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  (John 15.5).

           What we need is already prepared in the Scriptures. Then, through our secure communion with God and His Word, we learn what belongs to us and, with a declaration of faith, we take possession of the blessing. This applies to any evil that tries to take hold in body and mind, as well as temptations that incite us to think or act outside what is permitted in the Bible. We are set free!

         After conversion, it's good to maintain a life of prayer and read the Scriptures daily. In this way, our lives would be easier to lead, since we would be warned when the enemy approaches us with his proposal to act outside of biblical standards and, once again, be his slaves. We have been given the freedom to enjoy the goods of God's Kingdom!

         There is much more to God than we think or have been taught. Those who stop reading the Bible have no idea what they are missing out on because they don't know about the power of the Most High, and so they live in difficulty. Meditate on the Lord's affection for those who live in His presence, as Elijah, one of the inhabitants of Gilead, did. By consecrating himself to God, this prophet was given the mission of confronting the king of Samaria and prevailed against him.

      Elijah minced no words before Ahab and delivered the Lord's message. The king of the North wouldn't listen to him, so, as Moses did before Pharaoh, he also cast his “plague”, saying: And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” (1 Kings 17.1). God's envoy announces the words of the Most High!

        Elijah then went to the hiding place prepared for him by the brook Cherith. He stayed there for a long time, until he received orders to go to Zarephath and Sidon, and then to stand before Ahab. With the anointing from on high, the prophet confronted the furious king, ordering him to take the prophets of Baal and the idol-post - 850 in all - to Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-19). In a demonstration of obedience to the Almighty, Elijah brought down fire from heaven, and the people exclaimed that only the Lord is God (vv. 22-39). Great is our God!

           The heavenly Father doesn't want to see His people in misery, overwhelmed by sin, crying day and night, saying they don't know why God doesn't help them or answer them. Give up your inner life of evil desires and turn to the One who died so that you might live to the full (Isaiah 55.7). The Lord wants to give you abundant life, filling your mouth with good things, but he can only do this if you apply yourself to studying the Word and serving him with all your soul.

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares