| "Exploring God's Healing" |
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Our service today was a continuation of Pastor Evon's series called "Explore Life Now," with this week's message from Exodus 15:22-27.
In this teaching, Pastor took us through the journey with the Israelites as they had just come through the Red Sea, going 3 days in the wilderness without water. They came upon the Waters of Marah, but found they could not drink the water because it was bitter. The people grumbled to Moses about having no water, so Moses cried out to the Lord. God showed him a tree that Moses threw into the waters, the waters became sweet, and they drank.
For us, the tree represents the Cross of Jesus. Life can be very bitter and we have many struggles. But when we apply the Cross to it, it will filter our perception and will make it sweet. We must look at life and trials through the filter of the Cross. We will each have Marah experiences throughout our life, but these experiences should bring us closer to God IF we will submit. God asks us "will we trust Him?"
At this point, God made for them a statute and tested them. He told them in vs. 26 that "if you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I have put on the Egyptians, for I, the Lord am your healer." In this verse, God's decree was:
1. If you listen carefully to both the good and not-so-good - all that God has to share with you.
2. Do what's right in God's eyes. Let Him set the standard. Ask God for His direction in the first place & let Him guide. You simply obey.
3. If you pay attention to His commands, it will help keep you healthy (just like the Israelites).
4. God said that "they would not have all the diseases of the Egyptians.
5. God's Promise was then expressed, which stated to them (and to us today) - "I am the God that healeth thee."
Then God led them to the oasis of Elim, which was a place of rest and refreshment before they continued on their journey.
During worship this morning, a gentleman from Ohio came and spoke a word to Brownsville about reaching out to the community. He was involved in the Call, where 300 shofars were blown. He blew his shofar over the church for breakthrough. Our worship leaders and Choir poured out their heart in worship, leading the congregation to receive the preaching of the Word.
At the end of service, Pastor's altar call was for anyone who needed healing, and for any bitterness that people had to be made sweet at the altar, as the Cross of Jesus was applied. Prayer continued for quite some time, and then praise and worship began again, as people came forward and danced before the Lord. Thank you Lord for your love to us today!
 
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