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Elijah and the Kingdom Economy Message 3: Fire from Heaven and Prosperity on Earth
Episode 15411th January 2026 • The Message with NJ • Njabulo James
00:00:00 00:14:37

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The central theme of this message is that before God restores rain, He must first restore worship. This profound truth unfolds through the narrative of Elijah at Mount Carmel, where the confrontation with idolatry reveals the necessity of aligning our hearts with God. The episode emphasizes the imperative of repairing our broken altars—those areas in our lives where devotion to God has waned in favor of worldly idols. As we explore the significance of worship, it becomes evident that true prosperity is intrinsically linked to purity, power, and covenant alignment with the Almighty. Ultimately, we are reminded that the journey toward spiritual and material abundance begins with a heartfelt return to genuine worship and devotion. The discourse initiated by the distinguished speaker delves into the profound narrative of Elijah and the Kingdom Economy, emphasizing the pivotal connection between divine worship and true prosperity. The sermon begins with an exploration of the fundamental principle that provision is intricately tied to obedience, as illustrated by Elijah's reliance on God's sustenance amidst a drought. The speaker articulates a compelling thesis: before God restores material blessings, He first seeks the restoration of worship. This premise is vividly illustrated through the dramatic events on Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronts the idolatrous worship of Baal, an economic symbol in ancient Israel. The sermon serves as a clarion call for believers to examine their allegiances, urging them to relinquish divided loyalties and restore their spiritual altars. The speaker poignantly states that genuine prosperity flows from purity and covenant alignment, framing the pursuit of wealth without holiness as a perilous endeavor. As the narrative unfolds, the audience is encouraged to engage in reflective introspection regarding their own worship practices and the altars of their lives, leading to a powerful conclusion that underscores the necessity of prioritizing spiritual fidelity over material gain.

Takeaways:

  1. Elijah's message emphasizes that before God restores rain, He first restores worship, highlighting the importance of prioritizing spiritual devotion.
  2. The narrative illustrates that true prosperity is a result of purity, power, and alignment with God's covenant, rather than mere financial gain.
  3. The confrontation at Mount Carmel serves as a powerful reminder that idolatry not only compromises morality but also leads to spiritual drought and unfruitfulness.
  4. God's fire serves to expose the counterfeit systems of prosperity that demand personal sacrifice, urging believers to seek genuine faith over performance.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  1. BAAL
  2. Yahweh
  3. Ahab

Transcripts

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Foreign.

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Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice.

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And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and they said, the Lord he is God.

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The Lord he is God.

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Kings:

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Welcome back to the series Elijah and the Kingdom Economy.

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Message one taught us this provision follows obedience.

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Elijah was fed there.

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Not everywhere.

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Ravens proved God is the source, not the channel.

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Message two exposed the kingdom God first.

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The widow's little became enough, and enough became overflow.

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Because faith releases what fear was wood clutch.

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Now we arrive at the climax.

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Because Elijah's story is not merely about personal provision.

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It's about national restoration.

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It's about breaking an economic idol.

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It's about confronting a demonically backed system that promised prosperity while stealing worship from the living God.

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And let me say this plainly.

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Before God restores rain, he restores worship.

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Before God restores harvest, he repairs the altar.

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Before God changes the economy, he changes the heart.

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This is Mount Carmel.

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This is fire from heaven.

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And yes, this is the prosperity on earth, but prosperity that flows from purity, power and covenant alignment.

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Some of you are praying for rain, for better money, better contracts, better opportunities, better outcomes.

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While your altar is still broken, you want God to bless your hands.

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While your heart is divided, you want increase.

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While your worship is mixed, you want harvest without holiness.

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But God is not a slot machine.

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God is not a bailout plan for compromise.

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God is not a decoration for a life run by idols.

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And this is what Elijah steps into.

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A nation in drought.

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Not just of rain, a drought of truth.

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Because when you trade God for idols, you don't just lose morality, you lose faithfulness, you lose clarity, you lose covering.

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That's why Mount Carmel isn't just a miracle meeting, it's an intervention.

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It's God saying to Israel, pick a God, pick a system, pick a master.

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And the same question comes to the modern church.

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How long will you waver between two opinions?

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God on Sunday, mammon Monday, prayer in the morning, compromise at night.

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Scripture in your bio, greed in your decisions.

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Elijah is about to call down fire.

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Not for entertainment, but for exposure, for context.

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Brothers and sisters, BAAL was an economic idol.

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And before we continue, let me give you the title of the message today in the series Elijah and the Kingdom Economy.

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Our message today is fire from heaven and prosperity on earth.

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Now, since BAAL was an economic idol, BAAL worship was deeply connected to agriculture, rain, fertility and prosperity.

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In other words, BAAL was marketed as the provider.

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So when Elijah shut the heavens, God was confronting the lie at the root.

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Provision is not from baal.

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It's from Yahweh.

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Then Elijah says, go present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on earth.

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1 Kings 18:1 now watch this order.

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Confront idolatry.

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Restore worship.

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Fire falls, then rain returns.

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Many people want to jump straight to step four.

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But the kingdom economy does not skip steps.

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Our first point for today is, before God restores rain, he restores worship.

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Elijah gathers the nation and asks the question that slices through excuses.

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How long will you falter between two opinions?

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If the Lord is God, follow him.

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But of Baal, follow him.

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Kings:

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Stop speaking Jesus while living baal.

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Stop claiming covenant while practicing compromise.

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And then Elijah does something powerful.

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Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

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Kings:

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This is the forgotten key.

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If the altar is broken, the atmosphere is bankrupt.

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You want blessing in your home?

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Repair the altar.

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You want peace in your mind?

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Repair the altar.

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You want fruitfulness in your finances?

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Repair the altar.

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Because prosperity without worship becomes pride.

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Prosperity without worship becomes destruction.

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Prosperity without worship becomes idolatry.

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Romans 12:1 says, Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, which is your reasonable service.

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Now, God isn't after your money first, he's after your heart.

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If God doesn't have your worship, he won't trust you with his wealth.

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Here's an Repair the altar of prayer.

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Consistent, not occasional.

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Repair the altar of obedience.

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Don't negotiate Scripture.

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Repair the altar of integrity.

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Stop cheating, lying and manipulating.

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Repair the altar in your home.

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Lead spiritually, not just financially.

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The second point in the message today is God's fire exposes counterfeit prosperity.

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The prophets of BAAL go first.

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They shout, they dance, they perform.

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They cut themselves.

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And the Bible says, there was no voice.

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No one answered, no one paid attention.

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Kings:

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Noise without power.

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Elijah even mocks them because Elijah is not impressed by religious theatrics.

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Now listen carefully.

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Counterfeit prosperity always requires you to bleed.

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BAAL demands your blood, your peace, your family, your integrity and your conscience.

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Modern BAAL says, compromise your values to survive.

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Lie on the numbers.

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Sleep your way into doors.

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Exploit people for profit.

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Chase money at any cost.

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And people do it because they believe the lie that BAAL provides.

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But here is the kingdom truth.

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Mammon is a cruel master.

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Jesus said, you cannot serve both God and money.

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Mammon never says, well done.

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Mammon says, more.

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More hours, more stress, more compromise, more bondage.

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Then Elijah prays.

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A simple prayer, not performance.

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Not hype.

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Lo, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.

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Let it be known this day that you are God in Israel.

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Hear me, O Lord, hear me that this people may know.

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Kings:

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Kings:

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It consumed the sacrifice.

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It consumed the wood, the stones, the dust and it licked up the water.

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God didn't just answer.

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God over answered.

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God didn't give a maybe.

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God gave no doubt.

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When God is your provider, he doesn't need your performance, he needs your surrender.

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Stop bleeding for idols.

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Stop sacrificing your marriage for money.

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Stop sacrificing your integrity for ideals.

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Stop sacrificing your calling for comfort.

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God's fire exposes counterfeit systems so you can be free.

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Our third point is that covenant alignment releases rain spiritually and practically.

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After the fire, the people fall and confess the Lord.

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He is God.

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Then Elijah doesn't stop at the altar.

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He speaks to Ahab.

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Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of abundance and rain.

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Kings:

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There is no rain yet.

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But Elijah hears abundance before he sees it.

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That's a prophetic faith.

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It detects heaven's decision before earth manifests it.

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Then Elijah goes to pray.

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And watch this.

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He prays persistently seven times.

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And the first sign is small.

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A cloud as small as a man's hand.

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Small sign, big storm.

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That's how God works.

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A small opportunity, a small door, a small idea, a small connection, a hand sized beginning.

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But it carries the atmosphere of abundance.

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Jesus confirms this.

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Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain.

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And he prayed again and heaven gave rain.

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So yes, the kingdom economy includes supernatural provision, supernatural timing, supernatural breakthroughs.

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But it is released through repentance, restored worship, covenant alignment and persistent prayer.

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Deuteronomy.

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Deuteronomy verse 11 says that abundance, obedience is connected to rain, harvest and fruitfulness.

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Contextually for Israel's covenant life.

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The principle remains alignment attracts God's blessing.

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In Deuteronomy 11, 13, 15 we hear this.

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Then the text says, the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab.

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Kings:

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Not only provision, but but speed.

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Not only harvest, but momentum.

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When the fire falls on the altar, the rain falls on the land.

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Some of you need to stop praying for rain and start praying for fire, purification, devotion and clarity.

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Some of you need to repair the Altar in your finances.

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Honesty, discipline, generosity and excellence.

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Some of you need to persist.

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You need to pray again, apply again, pitch again and build again.

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Here are some applicable lessons for believers, Ministry, work and family.

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1.

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Prosperity without purity is a trap.

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If your money increases while your character decreases, you are not being blessed, you are being baited.

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2.

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God restores economies through restored altars.

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A church that truly worships without will not beg the world for identity.

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A believer who truly worships will not beg the world for provision.

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3.

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Expect hand sized beginnings.

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Don't despise the cloud.

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Don't despise the small contract.

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Don't despise the small client.

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Don't despise the small rays.

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Don't despise the small open door.

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Abundance often starts small.

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Rain is not freedom.

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Rain is cabineto.

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And that's our fourth point where God is honored.

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Fruitfulness follows.

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Now let me say this without apology.

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If you are mixing God with idols, you are inviting drought into your soul.

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Kings:

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And the people had no answer.

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That's a danger divider.

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Worship leaves you speechless because deep down you know you're not all in.

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So I'm calling you to a decision.

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If God is God, serve him fully.

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If money is your God, stop pretending because the living God will not share his throne.

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And when you repent and repair the altar and return to covenant, fire falls and rain follows.

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Here are some questions for reflection.

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1.

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Where have you been waiting wavering between God and Mammon?

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2.

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What altar in your life is broken?

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Prayer, integrity, obedience, family leadership and generosity.

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3.

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Are you bleeding?

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For an idol is a stress, compromise, secret sin while calling it hustle.

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4.

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Where cloud the size of man's hand have you despised?

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That may be your abundance beginning.

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And 5.

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If God gave you rain, would you return to Baal again or would you stay faithful?

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Mount Carmel is not a motivational story.

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It's a verdict.

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It is God forcing a choice.

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And hear me, the drought ends when the idol dies.

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When worship is restored, fruitfulness returns.

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So don't just ask God for money.

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Ask God for fire.

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Don't just ask God for increase.

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Ask God for purity.

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Don't just ask God for harvest.

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Repair the altar.

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Because kingdom prosperity is not about serving God to get rich.

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It's about serving God until your life becomes a channel of his goodness.

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And when that happens, rain won't just visit you, rain will follow you.

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Let us pray.

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Father, in the name of Jesus, I repent for every divided place in my heart.

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I repent for wavering, for mixing worship, for trusting money, for fearing loss More than I fear you today I repair the altar.

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I return to first love, I return to obedience.

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I return to integrity.

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Lord, let your fire fall on my life.

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Burn up idols, burn up compromise, burn up secret sin, burn up greed and burn up fear.

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Consume everything that competes with you and after the fire, send the rain.

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Open doors, opportunities, provision, fruitfulness and generational blessing that honors your name.

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Give me the faith to hear the sound of abundance before I see it.

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Give me persistence to pray again and again and give me strength like Elijah to run with divine momentum.

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The Lord, he is God.

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The Lord he is God.

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In Jesus, mighty name, Amen.

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