The Bible Speaks - You’ve been here long enough, turn and take your journey

[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees

[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun

[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees

[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock

[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International

[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's Word

[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast

[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin

[00:00:46] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus the Christ

[00:00:51] And as we continue our celebration of the season of Pentecost

[00:00:56] I have invited back Dr. Ovidia Rulac to come and share with me a message that the Lord gave me while I was studying the Book of Deuteronomy

[00:01:09] And he didn't waste any time because the verses from chapter one

[00:01:16] And I was listening to a Bible scholar that I frequently listened to for just a deeper dive into the Word

[00:01:27] Which I believe the Lord always wants us to take

[00:01:30] And he was reading this particular scripture from the amplified version

[00:01:36] And when he said it, it immediately jumped out even though he was reading the entire chapter

[00:01:45] And it came from chapter one as I mentioned, verse 6 through 7a

[00:01:52] And I'll read it to you from the amplified

[00:01:55] It reads, you've been here long enough, turn and take your journey

[00:02:03] For me, that had so many implications and applications that I just wanted to invite Dr. O here to make sure that I'm on track

[00:02:14] That we're rightly dividing the Word because one thing that we have to do in order to be a teacher is be able to be taught

[00:02:23] And I always like the opportunity to have different perspectives

[00:02:29] So what I'll do is I'll kind of give you the lead up to it and then invite Dr. O to give us some of her insight

[00:02:38] And we'll just see where the Holy Spirit takes it

[00:02:41] So the Israelites arrived at Mount Horus about three months after leaving Egypt as detailed in Exodus 19 verse 1

[00:02:52] According to biblical chronology, they spent about a year at the mountain

[00:02:58] A period marked by profound revelations and the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel

[00:03:04] And also during that time, the Lord provided guidance on the following things

[00:03:09] The covenant and giving of the law, instructions for building the tabernacle, establishment of the priesthood

[00:03:17] We also had the golden calf rebellion and then the renewal of the covenant

[00:03:23] For me, the period from the journey from Egypt to arriving at Mount Horus

[00:03:29] Which just by the way that Mount Sinai is in that group of mountains

[00:03:34] So when you hear them, if I say Mount Sinai or you hear people talking about Mount Sinai, it's in that same area

[00:03:41] But it represents our journey from the bondage of sin to the realization of God's truth

[00:03:47] It also underscores the need for us to seek God's guidance, not only during the trip

[00:03:53] But when we arrive at our first assignment or destination

[00:03:57] We must be still and listen for God's guidance through the Holy Spirit

[00:04:02] However, there comes a time when you have received all of God's instructions

[00:04:09] And preparations that you need in order to move into your next season

[00:04:15] God's statement delivered by Moses of, you have stayed at this mountain long enough

[00:04:20] Was a divine prompt that the time of learning and preparation was complete

[00:04:26] And now it was time for application and conquest

[00:04:31] This was about more than physical relocation

[00:04:35] It was about spiritual and communal advancement

[00:04:39] God was urging them not to become complacent or to settle into a comfort at Mount Horus

[00:04:46] But now it was time to step out in faith, to embrace the challenges and the battles that lay ahead

[00:04:53] And to claim the promises he had made to them

[00:04:57] So with that I will invite Dr. Ode to join the conversation

[00:05:03] And love to hear what you get from that same scripture

[00:05:08] Well thank you, Brother Elgin

[00:05:11] I was just looking at when we think about what took place, the revelation

[00:05:18] Being in that place that there were the transformation and it came from an encounter with God

[00:05:25] And one of the things that as I was looking at this, you know, revelation, there was a revealing

[00:05:31] And I thought about the mountain, you know, oftentimes yes, we think about the spiritual mountains

[00:05:37] But sometimes we stay at that mountain where we're going through tests and trials

[00:05:43] You know, mountains of health issues, mountains of financial issues, mountain of family issues

[00:05:51] And we get to that place and it's like we become stagnated

[00:05:55] But God is allowing us in a holding pattern because what he's doing, he's strengthening us in the midst of what we're going through

[00:06:03] We may not see the total picture, but that mountain is gotta move

[00:06:09] We're gonna speak to that mountain, people say I'm gonna go around and no, no, no, no, no

[00:06:13] He says speak to the mountain, be thou removed in the midst of the sea

[00:06:18] And that mountain has to see so when I begin to think about, you know, the mountain

[00:06:24] And moving into our next season

[00:06:27] You talked about it not just being a physical location

[00:06:31] But we also got to think about it mentally

[00:06:35] Some of us, that move has to come mentally, there has to be a change of our mindset

[00:06:40] We have to be able to think on those things that are good, those things that appear, those things that are lovely, those things of a good report

[00:06:47] We have to begin to think on those things because a lot of times we are stuck at the mountain because of our mentality

[00:06:56] We got to cast down those imaginations

[00:06:59] We got to bring our thoughts into captivity

[00:07:02] You know, that's often times what I see is that when God brings us to that place, that mountain look like we're stuck

[00:07:10] But we're really not stuck, God is doing a work in us

[00:07:13] And often times we so focus on the mountain how big it is, how wide it is

[00:07:18] That we don't even realize and understand that God is saying you're in my presence

[00:07:24] You're in my presence

[00:07:26] And I made the mountain

[00:07:27] Come on, come on

[00:07:29] Yes, he made the mountain

[00:07:32] And so I think about the transformation that has to take place mentally

[00:07:37] The transformation that has to take emotionally

[00:07:41] Because we get in our emotions and our emotions can cause us to become stuck

[00:07:47] And it's like the more I'm wiggling, I mean, quicksand, I'm sinking deeper when God has said, look, this is your training ground

[00:07:58] I'm preparing you for what's ahead of you

[00:08:02] And we got to make that change

[00:08:04] Physically, we got to come up out some things

[00:08:08] We can't stay stuck

[00:08:10] And that's what God is saying to us

[00:08:12] Listen, I brought you to this place

[00:08:15] I allowed this place to come

[00:08:18] Because I'm dealing with you now

[00:08:20] I need you to refocus, redirect

[00:08:23] Because I'm alerting your steps

[00:08:25] That's right

[00:08:26] I got you

[00:08:27] That's right

[00:08:28] And that's it, right?

[00:08:30] So that's why the next thing that touched my spirit was the word turned

[00:08:36] Right?

[00:08:37] So we came out of a traumatic event in Egypt to a solace at Mount Horvath for a whole year where he let us regain, refresh, renew and get strengthened

[00:08:49] But now it's time to move

[00:08:52] It's time for action

[00:08:53] And the first thing we need to do is turn

[00:08:57] Acts 17 verse 30 tells us in the past God overlooked such ignorance

[00:09:04] But now he commands all people everywhere to repent

[00:09:09] As we are being prepared to carry out the work of God, he is long suffering

[00:09:14] But once it's time to move, we must put aside all of those things that so easily beset us

[00:09:21] Repent and be obedient

[00:09:24] Turn also represents a mindset shift

[00:09:28] As we are filled by the word of God and the Holy Spirit, we should turn away from fear, doubt and unbelief

[00:09:36] If we believe that the word is true, then we have no reason to fear any weapon formed against us

[00:09:43] Situations that may seem insurmountable or attacks from the enemy

[00:09:49] This type of resolve is the fuel for God to use us in a mighty way

[00:09:55] John 8 and 36 tells us, so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

[00:10:04] Jesus' death, burial and resurrection freed us from the bond of being bound to sin

[00:10:11] So it is our choice to trust God and do good

[00:10:16] And the requirement of us turning from our wicked ways, turning from the things that keep us stuck

[00:10:25] Or even feeling stuck is required

[00:10:28] You know when I was thinking about the word turn, that word definitely deals with a transformation

[00:10:37] It deals with a metamorphosis

[00:10:42] You start out as that little in the butterfly stages and it must go through the stages

[00:10:48] And I say even inside the cocoon everybody want to, if you ever took and opened the cocoon

[00:10:55] It will impede the progress strengthening because the struggle of the wings causes it to be strengthened

[00:11:02] So when it breaks it open, it can fly freely

[00:11:05] So when we begin to turn, it definitely comes to a place of mindset

[00:11:10] If we're going to be victor, we can't keep a mindset of a victim when God has already made us a conqueror

[00:11:17] We are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus

[00:11:19] When we talk about turning, it must start in our mind

[00:11:23] Because I truly believe the battlefield of the enemy is our mind

[00:11:27] And one thing we have to begin to realize and understand is

[00:11:31] If we're stinking thinking, we're going to stay stuck

[00:11:34] We won't be able to turn

[00:11:36] Because our mind is telling us that I can't do this or I can't do that

[00:11:41] When the Lord says I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthened me

[00:11:45] When I turn, that mind, the key thing is the mindset

[00:11:50] Now we could talk about repenting too

[00:11:52] You know a lot of people want to say confessing a sin

[00:11:56] Yes you confess it

[00:11:58] First John 1 and 9, he's faithful and just to forgive us

[00:12:01] And cleanses of all unrighteousness

[00:12:03] But he's calling for repentance in this time

[00:12:06] A change, a transformation

[00:12:09] Presenting our bodies, living sacrifices

[00:12:12] Holy and acceptable unto God for a reasonable service

[00:12:16] It's no time for us to be conformed to this world

[00:12:19] There's no time for that

[00:12:20] And he's telling us turn

[00:12:22] Because you've been here too long

[00:12:24] I don't gave you the revelation that you need to move forward

[00:12:27] I didn't equip you because you have now had an encounter with me

[00:12:31] What is your excuse?

[00:12:33] Alright, alright

[00:12:35] See that, that's a nugget for all of y'all

[00:12:38] I'm writing that one down, okay

[00:12:41] Next was the word take

[00:12:44] Which means possession, dominion and providence

[00:12:49] When we're told to take something by God

[00:12:51] We should know that the battle has already been won

[00:12:55] God also uses the term take

[00:12:57] When assigning a new responsibility

[00:13:00] Or transferring authority

[00:13:02] For example, when Joshua was commanded to take leadership

[00:13:06] After Moses in Joshua 1 verses 1 through 9

[00:13:10] It was an instruction to assume the role and responsibility

[00:13:14] That came with leadership over the Israelites

[00:13:17] This type of taking involves

[00:13:19] Stepping into a role ordained by God

[00:13:22] And I believe that that is the case here

[00:13:25] Because the Israelites were to leave Mount Horub

[00:13:28] And take the promised land

[00:13:31] But mismanaged the journey

[00:13:33] And that's what made it take so long

[00:13:36] You know when I was thinking about take the journey

[00:13:39] Moving into the promised land

[00:13:40] I immediately began to think about

[00:13:42] When Moses sent Joshua and Caleb and the spies out

[00:13:46] You know, when they began to go over there

[00:13:48] They were so busy focusing on the giants in the land

[00:13:52] And their mindset was

[00:13:54] Okay, we are as grasshopper in their sight

[00:13:57] So the mentality that they had

[00:13:59] They were already defeated

[00:14:00] But I love Joshua and I love Caleb

[00:14:02] Man, we see these giants

[00:14:04] But there's a promise here

[00:14:06] It's a promise here

[00:14:08] I gotta get to the promise

[00:14:10] So instead of focusing on the giants in the land

[00:14:13] Instead of focusing on what you don't think you could take

[00:14:17] You gotta realize and recognize

[00:14:20] That God has already made the provisions

[00:14:23] And when Caleb and Joshua went into there

[00:14:27] They bought back the evidence of what God had promised

[00:14:32] So when he said go and take the journey

[00:14:36] Listen, again I know it's gotta start in the mind

[00:14:40] Say get this mind right

[00:14:42] You know you have the word of God

[00:14:44] When he say no weapon form

[00:14:46] Listen, the word is going to

[00:14:48] The word says the weapon is going to form

[00:14:50] You gotta recognize it

[00:14:52] See we get lost on the weapon being formed

[00:14:55] We don't recognize and understand that God says it's going to form

[00:14:58] But guess what? It will not prosper

[00:15:01] We get stuck there

[00:15:03] We gotta realize and understand

[00:15:05] He's already made provisions for us to turn

[00:15:08] He's already made provisions for us to take the journey

[00:15:11] He gave us those instructions

[00:15:13] He gave us those directions

[00:15:15] He has made a promise in order for it to be fulfilled

[00:15:19] We got to meet the condition

[00:15:21] And the condition is we gotta turn

[00:15:23] We gotta repent, we gotta do what?

[00:15:25] Take that journey

[00:15:28] Make the decision that no matter what I see

[00:15:32] No matter what I hear

[00:15:34] This contrary to what I may even be believing

[00:15:37] I gotta trust the word of God

[00:15:40] Absolutely and you know I'm making a note here

[00:15:43] Of one of the conversations I want to have later this week

[00:15:47] Because the 10 came back and said

[00:15:50] It is everything that God said but

[00:15:55] And that is a problem that we all have sometimes

[00:16:00] We know the word of God

[00:16:02] We know what he told us

[00:16:04] We even feel the purpose that he's laid on our heart

[00:16:07] But

[00:16:09] So I made a note here that

[00:16:11] Please tune in with me later this week

[00:16:13] And I'm gonna take a little bit of conversation

[00:16:15] To get off your butt

[00:16:17] Amen

[00:16:19] Get off your butt

[00:16:21] I always say when I see a butt that means change

[00:16:24] That's right

[00:16:26] Something's changed

[00:16:28] Up until this point but

[00:16:30] It's changed

[00:16:31] What do they allow?

[00:16:32] They allow fear to step in

[00:16:34] They allow the doubt to step in

[00:16:36] They allow unbelief to step in

[00:16:38] But you saw it

[00:16:40] Get off your butt

[00:16:42] That's it

[00:16:44] So in the final section

[00:16:46] Take the journey for me speaks to

[00:16:48] Trusting God

[00:16:50] But more importantly understand that

[00:16:52] God works through us to accomplish his will on earth

[00:16:55] No matter how far the journey seems

[00:16:58] And how long it takes to arrive

[00:17:00] Or our willingness to be obedient

[00:17:03] To what we've been told is the key

[00:17:05] To bringing God glory

[00:17:07] Of course when we think of taking journeys

[00:17:09] The person that immediately comes to mind is

[00:17:12] Abram

[00:17:13] Found in Genesis 12 chapter 1

[00:17:16] Genesis 12 verse 1

[00:17:18] And reading from the NIV it says

[00:17:21] The Lord has said to Abram

[00:17:23] Go from your country, your people

[00:17:26] And your father's household to the land

[00:17:28] That I will show you

[00:17:30] And what a journey he went on

[00:17:32] Including being told he would have a son

[00:17:34] In his old age

[00:17:36] But having to wait 25 years

[00:17:39] For that to happen

[00:17:42] A journey implies a longer

[00:17:44] More substantial experience

[00:17:46] That often involves personal growth

[00:17:49] Or transformation

[00:17:51] While it includes the physical act of traveling

[00:17:54] A journey emphasizes the experience

[00:17:56] And the development that comes with it

[00:17:59] It can be both literal

[00:18:02] And metaphorical

[00:18:04] Referring not only to physical travel

[00:18:06] But also to the personal and spiritual quest

[00:18:09] And growth over time

[00:18:12] Journeys are typically more open-end

[00:18:15] And less predictable than trips

[00:18:18] With a greater focus on the experience

[00:18:21] And what can be learned

[00:18:24] Or how one can change as a result

[00:18:27] Of the journey

[00:18:29] I heard a pastor say once that

[00:18:32] There's a date when you are born

[00:18:35] And there's a date when you die

[00:18:38] In between is the dash

[00:18:41] And for me, the journey is the dash

[00:18:44] And it's through that journey

[00:18:47] That we learn who we are

[00:18:50] Who we are in God's eyes

[00:18:52] Who we are in each other's eyes

[00:18:55] And the growth that occurs

[00:18:57] Allows us to then bless people

[00:19:00] And we learn more as we grow

[00:19:03] Because God wants to use you to bless others

[00:19:06] So when you're looking for a blessing

[00:19:09] If your first thought isn't who you will bless

[00:19:13] When that blessing comes

[00:19:16] You're going to find it's going to take a whole lot longer

[00:19:19] Because the tendency for us to get caught

[00:19:23] At the base of the mountain

[00:19:26] Wondering which way to go

[00:19:29] Understanding that we're there for refueling

[00:19:32] And we're there to get the strength

[00:19:35] That we need to move up that mountain

[00:19:38] Because as we go from peak to peak

[00:19:41] There's a valley in between

[00:19:44] During that journey that we gain the most knowledge

[00:19:47] I've had times where I prayed to the Lord

[00:19:50] And said, I've never had life this tough before

[00:19:53] And he says to me, well, I've never been this close to you before

[00:19:57] So take that and think about that

[00:20:01] As we really recognize the journey that we have to take

[00:20:06] And I'll let you have the closing thought

[00:20:09] I was just thinking about when you were talking about Abraham

[00:20:12] And the journey, the instruction was to go from your country

[00:20:16] So when we repent, change

[00:20:19] And we begin to take that journey

[00:20:21] Sometimes it causes us, it demands of us

[00:20:24] To leave familiarity

[00:20:26] It demands that

[00:20:28] We get comfortable

[00:20:30] So he's saying, okay, I need you

[00:20:32] And in that it can mean even leaving away from family

[00:20:36] Familiar friends and family

[00:20:38] Because God says I'm getting ready to do something new

[00:20:41] And you need to be mindful of who you surround yourself with

[00:20:46] As you begin to take this journey

[00:20:49] Because everybody are not going to be able to go

[00:20:52] With you where I'm taking you

[00:20:55] Everybody are not going to be able to speak life into you

[00:20:58] Because on this journey, they're going to be

[00:21:00] Like you said, there are going to be some valleys

[00:21:02] And there are going to be some mountains, some highs and lows

[00:21:04] And you need somebody to be able to speak to you

[00:21:07] And say, listen, we may be here now

[00:21:09] But begin to speak life and say, you know what?

[00:21:12] God got this

[00:21:14] You know, we're coming out of this

[00:21:17] So we can't stay at the mountain or in the valleys

[00:21:20] And know that we know that we know

[00:21:23] God is still with us, it's the main key

[00:21:25] That we need to understand

[00:21:27] He wants us to take this journey

[00:21:29] Life itself is a journey

[00:21:32] When you were talking about the ministry

[00:21:35] Talking about the birth date and the death date

[00:21:37] And the dash in between

[00:21:39] God said, I know you're ending before your beginning

[00:21:42] That's right

[00:21:43] God already knew when we were yet a concept

[00:21:46] In his mind before he placed us

[00:21:48] On the one sack of the Father

[00:21:50] All the sperm that was released

[00:21:52] Only one survived

[00:21:54] Only one made it

[00:21:56] So you got to know when you've been purposed and destined

[00:21:59] God allowed us to go through things for purpose

[00:22:03] To fulfill destiny

[00:22:05] That he would get the glory in the end

[00:22:08] So, you know, once we came through that

[00:22:11] Birkenel and embedded us in the womb of a mother

[00:22:14] Listen, journey started way back then, y'all

[00:22:17] Didn't just start because we manifested in the flesh

[00:22:21] The journey started while we were yet a concept

[00:22:24] In the mind of God, he was already preparing

[00:22:26] And placing us for our purpose and destiny

[00:22:29] Y'all already knew what we were going to go through

[00:22:32] So he knew the mountains we would face

[00:22:34] He knew when we would have that divine encounter

[00:22:36] With him, that transformation was going to take place

[00:22:40] So I just want to encourage those who are listening

[00:22:43] To us today, listen, you may be at your mountain

[00:22:46] You may be a mountain of stress or because of bills

[00:22:49] Mountain of stress because of health

[00:22:51] A poor doctor's report

[00:22:53] Mountains of health because there's troubles and trials

[00:22:56] Going on in your family

[00:22:58] But I need you to take your eyes off the mountain

[00:23:01] And begin to speak to it

[00:23:03] Because, you know, fear will enter in

[00:23:05] And fear, okay

[00:23:07] Fear eradicates our faith

[00:23:09] Fear creeps into allowed doubt to enter in

[00:23:12] And we questioning whether God, did you tell me to go here

[00:23:15] Listen, he told you, know what he said

[00:23:19] Follow the divine instructions

[00:23:21] And also, you know, you can't let doubt and unbelief settle in

[00:23:25] I often say this

[00:23:27] Lord, help thou my unbelief

[00:23:30] Help thou my unbelief

[00:23:32] I know I heard you

[00:23:34] I want to walk in obedience

[00:23:36] I'm taking this journey

[00:23:38] I'm not sure what I got a face on this journey

[00:23:41] But I know one thing

[00:23:43] That if you gave me instructions

[00:23:45] You've already made provisions

[00:23:47] You've already provided a way of escape

[00:23:49] From that which will try to hinder, stop or block me

[00:23:52] But in that which I go through

[00:23:54] You are strengthening me

[00:23:56] You're giving me revelation of who you are

[00:23:59] And I thank you

[00:24:01] That as I go forward in obedience

[00:24:04] That I will receive the full blessings

[00:24:07] Of what you have for me

[00:24:09] Amen, amen

[00:24:10] You know, and I wanted to share this last point

[00:24:13] That I saw in my studies last week

[00:24:16] He said when you listen to the description

[00:24:20] Of what God promised in the Promised Land

[00:24:24] It was 300,000 square miles

[00:24:29] Even at the height of the Israel's power

[00:24:34] When David was king

[00:24:35] They never occupied more than 30,000 square miles

[00:24:40] So take that

[00:24:43] And think about that

[00:24:45] You know, we fall short sometimes

[00:24:48] Because we think, wow

[00:24:51] We have 30,000 square miles

[00:24:53] And God say, well, if that works for you

[00:24:56] I was going to give you 300,000

[00:25:00] So that obedience

[00:25:02] That willingness to turn

[00:25:04] And take that which he has told you to take

[00:25:07] Don't stop because you think, oh, well, this is enough

[00:25:10] I'm good right here

[00:25:12] I want everything God has for me

[00:25:14] I don't want to be walking with Peter

[00:25:16] And through that room with all of the boxes

[00:25:18] And they say, so what's with the boxes?

[00:25:20] And he says, oh, that's all the stuff God wanted to give to you

[00:25:23] I want my room to be empty

[00:25:25] Amen

[00:25:26] And so I'm ready to leave the mountain

[00:25:29] To turn and take the journey

[00:25:32] And understanding that that journey

[00:25:34] Nobody promised the road would be easy

[00:25:38] But I don't believe

[00:25:40] It bought me this far to leave me

[00:25:43] Amen, amen

[00:25:44] So brothers and sisters, thank you again

[00:25:46] For spending this time with us

[00:25:48] We've won a thing

[00:25:49] Dr. Rulak for spending and sharing words of wisdom with us

[00:25:53] I look forward to the rest of the conversations we'll have this week

[00:25:57] And until then, God bless

[00:25:59] God bless

[00:26:02] Away from God

[00:26:09] This program is cared for by listeners who care

[00:26:13] Your prayers and financial investment in this ministry

[00:26:16] Helps to keep the good news on the air

[00:26:18] We look forward to hearing from you

[00:26:20] And invite you to write us at

[00:26:23] Harvest International

[00:26:24] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida

[00:26:28] 34478

[00:26:30] Again, that's Harvest International

[00:26:32] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida

[00:26:36] 34478

[00:26:38] Coming home

[00:26:43] Coming home

[00:26:47] Never running