--Sovereignty Vs. Free Will

One time each month, I like to devote one e-mail to the entire ELIJAH LIST to more fully describe the prophetic/teaching tape we are making available for that month. This month: A teaching on ELECTION.

As the month of January is rapidly coming to a close, I felt this would be a good time to remind you of this tape on "ELECTION" available until month-end.

As I prepared to speak at a church in Wisconsin in December, I sought the Lord as to the Word to deliver to this special congregation. While I waited on Him, suddenly the Lord said, "IT WOULD WORK FOR THEM IF THEY BELIEVED IN ELECTION."

I was surprised because I've never come down in "one camp" or "the other camp" on this area of election. It can be controversial at best, ---- but the Lord had a message for this little church and I realized later that the Word given me was also for the church at large.

HOW DO YOU SEE GOD? AND WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE ANYWAY?

Most would not argue that how we see God; how we understand Him to be; the way in which He interacts with us, greatly affects our relationship and intimacy with Him. In Listening and preparing this Word from the Scriptures, the Lord would not allow me to study old rehashed theories and positions on the "doctrine of election."

Instead, He wanted a fresh word. Surely, much of what is taught will not be new, but many things that are taught on this tape, including the four or five personal stories that are told---I truly believe will shed not only new light on this subject--but light that will truly help in your understanding of the Loving God and POWERFUL, ALL-KNOWING GOD we serve. Beyond that, it will open you WIDE UP to divine appointments from the Lord--appointments FROM YOU and FOR YOU--from others.

MANY CONTROVERSIAL QUESTIONS

While this certainly isn't an exhaustive teaching on the subject, many controversial questions are addressed that I believe have been largely ignored, because these questions are such "hot potatoes."

Included in this teaching, the following questions are addressed in one form or another:

1) Does God have a plan--a destiny for me, that I need to figure out for myself?

2) What if God's plan for me is messed up because I keep making mistakes in judgment?

3) If God has a plan for me, and His word doesn't return void, where does my freedom of choice come into play?

4) The Scripture says we will hear, "This is the way, walk you in it." And yet, I rarely if ever hear God's voice for myself. How can I EVER fit into His plan, if I can't hear what it is ---for myself?

5) God allowed 6,000 years of misery because of Adam and Eve's sin. Why didn't He just wipe them out and start over? Why do we have to suffer for their sins?

6) When was the Lord's plan to die on the cross finalized? Give me chapter and verse please.

7) Why would Satan arrange to drive those who Jesus came to save, (Jew and Gentile alike) to crucify Christ-- if this would only hurt his cause and assure his defeat? Didn't Satan know that the Cross would be the Lord's GREAT VICTORY--causing the dividing wall to fall and allowing for the very ones who crucified Him--to believe and be saved?

8) If Many are called, but few are chosen, I just feel I can't be one of the chosen . . . I'm not that good and not that obedient? So if I'm not chosen, what am I?

9) Teachers are always saying, "It's not about YOU, it's about HIM (the Lord)." If it's about HIM, why does my life seem to be so involved with hundreds of personal challenges that seem to be about ME? What do people mean when they say to me, "It's all about HIM and not about YOU?"

10) Andrew found the Messiah and went and got his brother and brought him to Jesus. Aren't I expected to find the Messiah for myself?

11) I was given a prophetic word that seemed good but it was "off the wall," not even CLOSE to what I have considered doing? What am I supposed to do about it? What if it's God and I just miss it?

12) My sin is ever before me---I know my slip-ups--and while I always confess them to God, my faith seems lacking most of the time. I'm sick a lot. Doesn't that PROVE that I'm sick because of the sin in my life? Isn't God waiting for me to get rid of every last doubt and every last sin before He will heal me?