YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH YOUR MARAH TO GET TO YOUR ELIM

Exodus 15:22-25

"Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested (proved) them.

Numbers 33:8-9

"They journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days' journey in the wilderness together and camped at Marah. They journeyed from Marah and came to Elim; and in Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there." 

Marah

Marah (H4781) means "bitter." Chemicals made the water unfit for drinking. Arabs seldom even permit their camels to drink from it. The experience at Marah was just another in the training of God's people. 

ELIM

Elim the name of the second station where the Israelites encamped after crossing the Red Sea. It had "twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees."

SEE WHEN THE FIRST TIME DONT WORK TRY IT AGAIN, THE DEVIL HAS A PATTERN OF SENDING YOU THE FAKE ONE BEFORE GOD SENDS THE REAL ONE.

THE ISRAELITES DIDNT SETTLE FOR MARAH, BECAUSE THEY REMEMBERED THE PROMISE GOD GAVE TO MOSES TO GIVE TO THEM, MARAH WAS A TEST, ELIM WAS THE REWARD FOR GOING THROUGH THE TEST.  

TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR ITS ONLY A TEST.   ELIM IS JUST UP THE STREET.

ELIM HAD 12 SPRINGS OF CLEAR WATER AND 70 PALM TREES, DONT SETTLE FOR YOUR LITTLE WHEN GOD HAS A WHOLE LOT.

KBCM WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR MARAH WITHOUT MUMBLING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ROUTE WE ARE HAVING TO GO DOWN,  YOU CANT START ON THE AUTOBAHN, TOO FAST, YOU HAVE TO WORK YOUR WAY UP, FROM THE BACK ROADS, THE POT HOLES, AND EVEN THE NO ROADS BEFORE YOU GET ON THE AUTOBAHN.  COME ON SOMEBODY.

SEE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH:

Darkness before light 

Sacrifice before blessing 

Marah before Elim 

Wilderness before Canaan 

Humiliation before exaltation 

Death before life 

Travail before birth

Mortgage before redemption 

Tribulation before patience 

Suffering before glory 

Work before reward 

Cross before crown 

Fight before victory 

Temptation before overcoming 

GIVE OUR GOD SOME GLORY.

7 Spirits of the Lord:

Spirit of the Lord (Isa. 11:2..2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;)

1. THE FEAR OF THE LORD: (Awe or reverence for God) 

Prov 8:13...13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:
Prov 16:6...and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

2. WISDOM: (Good judgment, quick and sure decisions, prudence) 

Prov. 9:10….The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
Job 28:28….Behold,the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;...

3. KNOWLEDGE: (Clear perception of a truth, fact or subject) 

Prov 1:7….The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: 

4. UNDERSTANDING: (The faculty of reasoning, discernment, intelligence, mental power to perceive, sympathetic)

Job 28:28 ...and to depart from evil is understanding. 

Prov 9:10 ...and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

5. COUNSEL: (To give advice, to recommend as a course of action) 

Prov 8:14...Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding;
Isa 9:6 ...and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,

6. MIGHT: (Great strength, power, or force) 

Jer 32:18-19…18 the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name 19  Great in counsel, and mighty in work:...

7. TRUTH: (Agreement with reality; the eternal principle of right or the natural law of order, fidelity, constancy)

John 16:13...Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

GLORY TO GOD!

MY FAVOR IS A FAVOR FROM GOD!

“The LORD was with Joseph and GAVE him FAVOUR in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39:21)

I want you to understand when we have the FAVOR of GOD upon our lives we can be in prison like JOSEPH was and still have FAVOR, TELL SOMEBODY HIS FAVOR IS ALL OVER ME.

FAVOR is not FAVOR unless others can SEE IT, see you can't hide FAVOR, it has to be SEEN.  Many want GOD's FAVOR but we don't want the persecution that comes with the FAVOR. TELL SOMEBODY FAVOR AIN'T FAIR.

See When we have and OPEN INTIMACY with God, then God will grant HEAVEN to be OPENED for us. Now when we have OPEN HEAVEN, then the FAVOUR OF GOD will rest upon us and follow us like a shadow.  Can I tell you what the Bible says, SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE. SOMEBODY SAY THATS A SHADOW.

The word “FAVOUR” simply means: “friendly or kind regard; goodness; approval; loving-kindness.”

The FAVOUR of God simply means that, God will:

1. Regard you as his FRIEND – “No longer do I call you servant but my friend.” (Jn 15: 15)
2. Be KIND to you – “For he is Kind even to the unthankful.” (Lk 6:35)
3. Shine his GOODNESS on you – “Do you know that the Goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Rom 2 : 4)
4. APPROVE you – “Salute Appelus approved in Christ.” (Rom 16:10)
5. Show LOVING-KINDNESS towards you – “I will show my loving kindness toward you says God.” (Jer 9:24)

OPEN FAVOR of God will also give us:

1. A UNEQUAL ADVANTAGE – This UNEQUAL ADVANTAGE will enable us to DEFEAT the works of Satan,  who is already a defeated foe,  SUBJECT his demons under us, who have already been made subject to us through Christ and for us to KNOW the PLANS and PURPOSES of God, for which Satan will never know. (Rom 3: 1 )
2. POWER OF ATTORNEY – God will give us to REPRESENT HIM, so that we can ACT on his behalf, SPEAK HIS WORD for him and OPERATE in the same POWER and ANOINTING as He did. Satan cannot override us, because we now become the REPRESENTATIVES of Jesus Christ here on earth. (Acts 9:15)
3. TO GO AHEAD OF HIM – Jesus will SEND us forth ahead of him to PREPARE the way as John the Baptist did. We will go to every place that God wants his PRESENCE to be made manifest. Jesus will send us to places to ESTABLISH APOSTOLIC BASES, in our homes and churches, OPEN HEARTS that He can come and reside and open the CITIES and the NATIONS that will allow his PRESENCE to be seen and felt. (Lk 10:1)

When the FAVOR OF GOD is upon us, people will see and know that God is with us, they will hear what we have to say, they will act favorably towards us, hearts and minds will be open to us, Ministry will become our way of life, Power and Authority will be our sign of his presence, resources will come to us and we will not be in want, the Stature of God will encompass us, Government Leaders will seek us and Churches will align themselves to what we preach and teach.

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!

“PUT THE DEVIL ON THE RUN?” 

(James 4:7) 

James 4:7 says “if we resist the devil, he will {FLEE}”! 

Ephesians 6:10-13 says “believers can overcome {ALL} of the devil’s attacks”? 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says believer’s “weapons are not carnal, but {MIGHTY}”! Why are so many living in {DEFEAT}? (John 10:10) 

I. YOU MUST BE {REBORN} :

*John 3:3 *Ephesians 6:17a *John 8:44 *I John 4:4 *John 10:9 *Luke 10:17 *Luke 22:31-32 *Romans 8:34 *Colossians 1:13-14 

II. YOU MUST BE {RIGHTEOUS}:
*Ephesians 6:14 *II Peter 1:5 *Ephesians 4:26-27 *Job 1:8-10 *James 1:13-15 

III. YOU MUST BE {RENEWED}:

*Romans 12:1-2 *John 8:30-32 *I John 2:12-14 *Hebrews 5:11-14 *James 1:8 *Isaiah 26:3-4 

IV. YOU MUST {RESIST)
Note: No one can do it for {YOU}! (James 4:7 & Ephesians 6:10-11) 

1. The {WORD OF GOD} (Revelation 12:9-11; Ephesians 6:17b; & Matthew 4:3-4)
2. {PRAYER} (Matthew 26:41; I Peter 5:6-8; & Ephesians 6:18)
3. {FAITH} (I Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:16;)

Conclusion: A person must “resist the devil” again and again! When the devil and demons flee, they always {RETURN}! (Luke 4:13)

THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED IN YOUR LIFE!

Do you feel like you are in turbulent place in your life and nothing seems to be going right? I have good news for you! God is shifting you into a place of blessing! Get ready for a shift!

Isaiah 40:1-5 KJV...Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

As we read in the scriptures, Isaiah was prophesying to a people who were in a backslidden state. They knew that they were the apple of God’s eye through the covenant that Abraham had with God. Abraham obeyed God and God counted him as righteous. Because of Abraham, the people of Israel were blessed.

We can read in the Word of God that Israel is the only nation with the testimony of the Red Sea Experience, the Wilderness and Supernatural Provision, the Jericho Wall, etc. Through all these trials, the Israelites knew that God was with them. God wanted them to continue to obey so that they could continually reap His blessings.

God told them to stay away from the people who didn’t obey Him. He told them not to fellowship light with darkness. He told them not to fellowship righteousness with unrighteousness. He didn’t want them to fellowship the world and the church.

God is still saying that to us today: Be careful whom you hook up with. It’s not that everybody you fellowship is bad, but they are not good for you. They are not good for you because God is taking you to a place and they aren’t a part of it. God wants many today to snip, snip, and cut off relationships.

As a matter of fact God told me to tell you to kill them. I don’t mean with a gun or knife. I mean cut off the relationship. Many of these relationships are more powerful than God in your life and God wants you to kill it. God wants to turn around some situations in your life. If you don’t instead of you killing it, it will kill you.

If you are going to a new place in God, some of you will have to die to "self". You need to get rid of the emotions, family hinderances, etc. that take you away or distract you from the things of God.

Did you know that anything dead can’t hurt or have an effect on you? Many things are draining you and you let them drain you. You need to come to the place where you can’t hurt or manipulate the situation. You need to become a "dead man walking".

IT’S PRUNING TIME IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2

Prophetic people go through pruning at times, and whether the pruning relates to the barrenness of a winter season or the process of disobedience or rebellion we have to discern the difference.

7 PURPOSES OF MY PRUNING!

1. Pruning for Future growth

(Gen 37-50)

Joseph knew that his destiny was one of rulership, but it seemed that his life was taking the opposite course. Sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned, he developed skills that would be invaluable to his future. During the season of trial, God may be working gifts and skills into your life that you need to fulfil His destiny in the long run.

2. Pruning for Refining Character

(James 1:4)

Integrity is of vital importance so that the ministry and God’s Name is not discredited. This is especially true when operating in spiritual gifts such as prophecy.

Other character traits that God looks for in His people are humility and the ability to persevere. After a 40-year sojourn in the wilderness, Moses was a man of great humility. God had refined his character in the desert.

3. Pruning for Repositioning

During a wilderness time, God may actually be repositioning us for a new season of fruitfulness.

Elijah sat under a tree in the desert and actually prayed that he would die. The Lord visited Him and gave him directions for a new season of his ministry. He was to call Elisha as his successor and anoint a new king who would bring Jezebel’s reign to an end (1 Kings 19).

Elijah had an appointment with God in the wilderness and so do we. During the times of difficulty or separation, allow Him to speak to you about the next season He has for your life.

4. Pruning for more Intimacy with God

(Hosea 2:14-15)

Testing times are seasons when we have the opportunity to get closer to God than any other time. Perhaps there are fewer distractions. Perhaps need or barrenness causes us to draw nearer to Him.

5. Pruning for Timing

While we feel as though we are fighting to survive, God is moving to change the scenery on the stage of our lives—positioning circumstances, others and us for what is to come. David went on the run from Saul in the wilderness. He was destined to become a king, but he became an outlaw first. He stayed in the desert while God worked things out on his behalf. Saul died and eventually the people called for David to be their new king.

6. Pruning for Strengthening our Faith

Abraham is known as the ‘father of faith.’ It was twenty-five barren years before Isaac was born in fulfilment of God’s promise to make him a great nation; God waited until it was physically impossible. Paul later said of Abraham in Romans 4:19-20:

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”

7. Pruning for Greater Fruitfulness

Pruning seasons occur when the best that we have produced is stripped away from us and every natural means of being fruitful seems to have been removed, leaving us barren (John 15:2). God is allowing fruitful areas of our lives and ministries to be cut back, in order that we can focus in a significant way.

THERE’S A MIRACLE IN YOUR DETOUR!

Judges 6:11-16 KJV......One day the angel of God came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, whose son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress, out of sight of the Midianites. The angel of God appeared to him and said, “God is with you, O mighty warrior!”13 Gideon replied, “With me, my master? If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about, telling us, ‘Didn’t God deliver us from Egypt?’ The fact is, God has nothing to do with us—he has turned us over to Midian.”14 But God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven’t I just sent you?”15 Gideon said to him, “Me, my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan’s the weakest in Manasseh and I’m the runt of the litter.”16 God said to him, “I’ll be with you. Believe me, you’ll defeat Midian as one man.”

The Israelites had it good they were free out of captivity heading to the promise land but they made a detour from the plan of God.  Today many of us had to make a detour because the roads are flooded, but I warn you to Make sure that your detour is Divine. A detour could be a set up for a MIRACLE or an AMBUSH.

What is a detour?  A wandering from a direct route. A different path. Unexpected turns and obstacles. What do you do when your life takes you down a path for which you didn't plan? You pray and ask other Godly people to pray with you to make sure you’re hearing God correctly-their is safety in the counsel of the Godly.

Detours are Interruptions. A cancelation. A delay. A different route. Sickness. Lack of money. Brokenness. They knock us off our intended and preferred route. They force us to adjust and go a different route. Detours move us from ordered, planned and set paths. But detours are a reality that we must all face.  Look at Abraham who was asked to sacrifice his son of promise Isaac in my message last week. Will you continue to follow and obey if His expected end isn't your expected end? Will you accept His plan if it means your plan has to be rejected? Will you continue to follow if the answer is "No"? Tell somebody their’s a miracle in your detour.

HOW YOU WALKING?

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)…10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The phrase Walk in the Spirit refers to lifestyle. In Biblical terms, to walk means to conduct oneself in a particular manner; pursue a particular course of life.

The Greek word “walk” is peripateo; it is a compound word that is made up of two words – peri means “about, concerning, around;” and the main verb pateo means “to tread, to walk along” – thus peripateo means “to stroll or walk about.” 

This Greek term is used ninety-five times in the New Testament as a metaphor for “live,” as illustrated by Paul in Ephesians 2:10). As stated earlier, to “walk in the Spirit” is to live in complete submission to the control of God’s indwelling presence – “We are not to let sin reign in our mortal body that we should obey its lusts, and we are not to present our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin instead, we are to present ourselves to God as being alive from dead works, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom 6:12-13).

The figurative meaning of “walking” refers to conduct –

~As believers we are to conduct our life in the paths indicated by God (2 Kg 20:3).

~As sons/daughters of righteousness walk in the light, rather than walk in darkness (1 Jn 1:7).

~The sinners way of life is to walk according to the flesh (Rom 8:4; Eph 2:2; 1 Cor 3:3).

~But Believers are to… 

•walk in Christ (Col 2:6 – that is our “position” in Christ)    

•walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4 – according to His leading)    

•walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16 – that is the realm in which we are to walk)    

•walk in love (Rom 14:15; Eph 5:2; 2 Jn 1:6 – that is the essence of a godly walk)    

•walk as children of light (Eph 5:8 – that is the sphere in which we are to walk)    

•walk in good works (Eph 2:10 – our lives are to produce fruit)    

•walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4 – we are to live in this new reality)

•walk in a way that pleases God (1 Th 4:1 – by obeying God we please Him)    

•walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7 – we must trust God and walk accordingly)    

•walk in the light and walk in the truth (1 Jn 1:7; 2 Jn 1:4; 3 Jn 1:3 – the whole way one lives proves fellowship with God – 1 Jn 1:6; 2:6)    

•walk in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1; 1 Th 2:12; Col 1:10 – conduct your life in a way that corresponds with your holy calling)

GLORY TO GOD!

WHAT THE MINORITY SAID, WHAT THE MAJORITY SAID AND WHAT GOD SAID!

One. GOD SAID: "The land of Canaan which I give unto the Children of Israel" Numbers 13:2. "Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours . there shall be no man able to stand before you" - Deuteronomy 11:24-25, Joshua 1:3.

Two. TEN SPIES SAID: "We be not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" Numbers 13:31. "We saw the giants . we were in our own sight as grasshoppers" - Numbers 13:33.

Three. TWO SPIES SAID: "Let us go up at once, and possess it . the Lord is with us, fear them not" - Numbers 13:30; 14:9.

Four. It is amazing! Twelve men walked side by side, saw the same country, witnessed the same conditions. All gave a glowing report of what they saw. But ten men had a negative, fearful attitude. Two had a confident, faith attitude. Ten voted for defeat and failure. Two voted for success and victory. A right and wrong attitude is what prevailed.

Five. How about you? "God has given you all things that pertain to life and godliness" 2 Peter 1:5. "He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3. "God is the giver of every good and perfect gift" James 1:17. "God delights to give you richly all things to enjoy" 1Timothy 6:17. The Bible declares "All things are yours, and you are Christ's" - 1 Corinthians 3:21.

Six. Are you praising God for these wonderful gifts which are yours? Cease glorifying your defeats, your lack, your sickness, and begin to glorify God in your victories, your supply, your health. It is high time to convert your excuses into testimonies!

Seven. On which ballot are you voting? For victory or defeat? For success or failure? Boldly affirm the scriptures that assure of conquest in all spiritual battles and you'll experience them. Be hesitant and reluctant about your provisions in Christ and you'll be defeated.

Eight. The bolder your confession of faith, the greater will be your victories. Praise God for all things that are yours. Not "I wish I was blessed," but "I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus!" Hallelujah, it is so!

Nine. Confess your riches in Christ, then possess your possessions!

GLORY TO GOD!

You need to abide in God as God abides in you. The anointing you have received is an abiding anointing. (1 John 2:27).

The anointing you have already received is an abiding anointing. It stays in you and with you as you walk with Him continually. This anointing also requires you to abide in Him – The Holy Spirit. The anointing is for an end. For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).The purpose of the anointing, first and foremost is to guide you, teach you, strengthen you and help you in everything, so the sacrifice of Jesus, dying for you; - its purpose will be fully realized.

I pray that God will perfect you forever, and your spirit, soul and body will be found blameless at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter the challenges you are facing today; may He deliver you, teach you, lift you and be glorified in you; in Jesus mighty name! Amen and Amen!!

In 2 Kings 9:6, the Bible says concerning Jehu And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.

God anointed Jehu for a purpose.