Psalm 42:2

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

At one time hidden (even as His name was absent from the Esther's book), He suddenly breaks forth through His wonderful works, in the lives of people like Esther, Moredcai, and, yes, in Jesus...

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

“Do not be afraid” depends on “for I am with you.” Esther learned the truth of that statement and the truth of Isaiah and Jeremiah who wrote decades before she lived.

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Our reading this week tells the story of fear’s complex layers.

1 Kings 19:2

So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow."

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 15th & 16th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Elijah's response defies everything we know about him on Mount Carmel, the courageous, zealous prophet, cleverly outwitting Baal's prophets, an instrument of the divine judgment on the day the fire fell.

1 Kings 19:1

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 15th & 16th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Our text this week stands in stark contrast to miracles of 1 Kings 17 and the shock and awe of 1 Kings 18.

1 Kings 17:21

Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the LORD, “LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 8th & 9th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Confronted by the abyss of death, Elijah dares to seek resurrection life from the God he had just before accused of taking it away.

1 Kings 17:1

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 8th & 9th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Miracles, wonders, and signs are common terms applied to God’s actions as human beings experience them.