Rhema Ehiemere - The Blessings of Undisclosed Locations

Have you ever been in a place where it feels like God is hiding you? Do you feel like you are in a season where you are out of sight and in the back side of the desert? Yes, you are gifted, called, anointed but sometimes God has to hide you for a season and a reason. In 1 Kings 17, God hides Elijah by the brook of Cherith not because he was not valuable but because God didn’t want people to misuse and abuse the gift Elijah had. In a place of isolation, God supplies and provides for Elijah and lets him know that there are blessings and lessons locked up in hidden seasons.

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You may be seated as kings and queens, enjoying the blessing of undisclosed locations. I love watching the game of tennis; I love tennis! I don’t know how many of you share this passion, but I adore it. I don’t know how to play that much, but my admiration for tennis is undeniable. Novak Djokovic is one of my favorite tennis players of all time. Of course, I love Nadal and Federer as well, but for some reason, I feel a special connection with Novak Djokovic. I simply love his personality and who he is. Just a couple of days ago, Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam at the U.S. Open and took home the prize money of 3 million U.S. dollars. The interesting thing is that before he even played, he already knew he would be receiving that 3 million dollars.

Now, take the story I just shared and put it aside. I have a three-year-old daughter named Abigail. Every day, especially when I leave for travel, she reminds me not to forget to bring her surprise. It’s like we have an agreement that I will give her a surprise, and although she doesn’t know what it is, she is certainly expecting it. So, Novak Djokovic has a prize waiting for him, while my daughter has a surprise waiting for her.

There is a difference between a prize and a surprise. You see, a prize depends on what you expect based on your performance, while a surprise is based on what you don’t expect, influenced by the performance of another person. When you look at the Bible, you will find many prizes and surprises, but I want to focus on the surprises. The Bible is full of surprises, and just in case you were wondering what I’m talking about, let me use some Sunday morning church language: miracles. A miracle is sometimes a surprise; when you are not expecting something to happen, suddenly it occurs. My brothers and sisters, how can you explain Peter walking on water? Peter did not wake up that morning and say, «I’m going to walk on water today.» No, he did not expect Jesus to invite him to come. He did not expect to walk on water; it was a surprise, a miracle!

Jesus didn’t think, well, he didn’t know, but those at the wedding didn’t know that Jesus would turn water into wine. Suddenly, when they ran out of wine, Jesus transformed that water into wine—a miracle, a surprise. Here’s one more example: how can you explain the fact that three million Jews walked through the middle of the Red Sea? It is a miracle; it is a surprise. One more example: how can you account for Lazarus being dead for four days, and then suddenly Jesus shows up and calls out, «Lazarus, come forth»? That was a surprise!

How can you explain the fact that manna dropped from heaven to feed the three million children of Israel? Through the Scriptures, we see countless surprises, miracles, signs, and wonders. You might say, «Pastor Emma, that was during biblical times.» Well, I have good news for you! If you reflect on your life, we had seven people testify today; seven is the number of perfection! I don’t know about you, but you are about to walk into your season of testimonies! You are about to walk into a new season!

I don’t hear an «Amen» in this place! You are transitioning from a season of prizes to a season of surprises. God is about to shock you; He is about to blow your mind! God is about to turn your life upside down. If you believe this, say, «I hear you!» God is moving you from working for things to a season where things have already been worked for. He is taking you from a season of performance to a season of preference. God is shifting you from a season of labor to a season of favor.

I came to tell someone this morning that God is moving you from a season of law to a season of grace! I have good news for you, my brother: I came all the way from Houston, Texas, to inform you that God is about to shock you, surprise you, and shift you. The next level is accessible! Someone shout «Yes!» Oh, my Bible says, «Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly.» The God I serve is a very big God; He doesn’t do small things; He does big things.

Who am I here to speak to this Sunday morning? The Bible says, «Thou anointest my head; my cup runs over.» How many people are ready for a cup-running-over miracle? Where goodness and mercy follow me, God has blessed me to be a blessing. Good measure pressed down, shaken together. Look at your neighbor and tell them, «I’m ready for a surprise! I’m ready for a breakthrough! I’m ready for healing! I’m ready for open doors!» I feel the power of the Holy Ghost; I feel the presence of the Holy Ghost! Look at somebody and tell them…