Releasing The Intangibles

Releasing The Intangibles 

II Kings 4:14-17 NKJV

[14] So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” [15] So he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. [16] Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!” [17] But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.

One's intangible assets may be described as an abstract quality or attribute. It can range from Leadership grace to kindness , or Spiritual insights. It is what spiritual leaders are endowed with so they can be a blessing in return. So when Gehazi told Elisha about the woman's condition, the anointing took over. Hear me, no one has everything. There's a story that one day a King needed a needle to fix a button on his beautiful Jacket. There was non in the entire King's household. So the King opened his window and asked an old school friend who lived by his wall. That's an intangible thing that helped the king to wear his beautiful coat. There's something you have that can bless others with. It may be an intangible from God.

   So Elisha released the intangibles from a prophetic storage. "About this time next year you shall embrace a son". Words released, the rest is Gods affairs. God honoured the word. Be abundant in releasing God's intangibles to your people.

    Delman Coates agrees with these observations. " The world tends to equate blessings with physical things, material items that can be measured, touched by the hands, and seen by the eyes. But the best blessings are not always based upon material, tangible realities we can see. The best blessings are spiritual; intangible things we cannot see. You can live in a big house and drive a nice car and be nervous because you can’t afford to play the note. You can have a big bed and be unable to sleep at night". Its time we get abundant in releasing intangible blessings upon our people and see the great turn around. Welcome to November, its going to be the month of going beyond the boundaries, and meeting long held expectations. The intangibles are speaking on your behalf. Good morning, and happy new month.

Releasing Kindness In Return

Releasing Kindness In Return 

II Kings 4:11-13 NKJV

[11] And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. [12] Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. [13] And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ ” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

Here is an attempt to answer a question on Quora about someone's kindness to another family. " Kindness isn’t about giving a certain thing to “pay” back for a certain thing. Its about helping out and getting involved and appreciating each other. So perhaps you can help them in a way that doesn’t involve money". The writer continues that some people may not " want anything in return". They  just want the people  they are helping to " be safe, have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Its a case of looking after people". These kind of gestures are being done by many non-governmental institutions today. The Shunamite was not involved in an NGO activity.  She was used as God's compensation for Elisha. So naturally, Elisha felt a compassion for her. These kind of gestures should generate kindness within us.

   Many "Ministers" unfortunately may arrogate a right to their callings. Elisha did not. His questionings revealed the woman had no child. There are things Ministers can do for others too. You cant always be at the receiving end and act as a leech. The Shunamite 's reply showed she had a good heart. Its Gehazi's reply that brought Elisha to prophesy about her having a baby within a year. This is called kindness. They may not be tangibles, but they are God's blessings as well. Stephen Witmer says, "  True kindness is Spirit-produced (Galatians 5:22). It’s a supernaturally generous orientation of our hearts toward other people, even when they don’t deserve it and don’t love us in return. God himself is kind in this way". That is powerful. Invoke heaven to visit those who bless you physically. Don't just say: thank you. Good morning.

The Notable Woman of Shunem

The Notable Woman Of Shunem

II Kings 4:8 NKJV

[8] Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 

Through the years as young persons, we heard this story of the great woman of Shunem. We used to think Elisha was a very lucky person. It never occurred to us that God has things arranged for our destiny and help. In an exposition on this, Simeon Afolabi, my Pastor , gives attention to the woman's warmth as a character. " One of the many good things about this woman was her warmth. Though she was wealthy, she was not mean towards life and people. Proverbs 23:18 says the poor use a lot of entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The Shunammite was an exception to this saying. It can be said that her riches did not get into her head; she was a receptive individual". Now the picture is clearer. When God combines a hard working Prophet and a receptive woman, the result is a recipe for a miracle.

    She did all she could for Elisha with the husband's permission. This brought her attention to the anointing. Every good gesture is worthy of a blessing. She could have kept her wealth and remain as she was, but she had a better idea, to be good to a man of God. The anointing you celebrate will be a blessing to you and your generations 

   She wasn't thinking about her lack, but she wanted an opportunity to serve. By service, she tapped into the open flow of the miraculous. Jael Naomie, in December, 2023 tells the story of how Jade met Eli while trying to serve people displaced by Hurricane Sandy in 2011. They ended up married while going to serve. She wasn't sitting down scanning faces of all brothers. She served. Rebecca had a husband while serving water to donkies. Your miracle may be awaiting your service . Good morning.

Borrowing By Faith

Borrowing By Faith 

II Kings 4:3-5 NKJV

[3] Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. [4] And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” [5] So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 

Its very significant that the Prophet Elisha had asked her what she has in the house. On this earth, you have to have something that the Lord can touch to multiply. Check the pattern in Mat.14:13-21 where five thousand were fed. So this woman was instructed go out and borrow vessels that the Lord could use to bless her. Imagine the irony. She doesn't have, and you tell her to go and borrow more. " Excuse me God, Im already in debt". " Yeah, borrow more , after all thats what your family knows how to do". 

   Sam Oluwatoki in 2013 shared an inspiring word on this. " These vessels were instruments the Lord used to bring joy into the life of this widow. Not only that they were instruments the Lord used to cause a turnaround in the situation of the widow. The Lord used these vessels to inject life into the dead situation of this widow. Without those vessels, her oil would have remained in the small jar and she would have ended up losing her two sons. One important thing I want to point out is that after these vessels were used to work a mighty breakthrough in the life of this widow, they were dumped and we never heard of them again. These vessels were only relevant when oil was in them; immediately the oil was sold and the debts were paid, they were discarded to the background. Many today are like these borrowed vessels". May you constantly contain oil. May you never be discarded. If the oil in you is used, get filled again. That's how you remain useful.

   What Elisha said to the woman has overtones to our present day.  Someone explains it this way: " If you will help yourself, I will help you. This is the best way to help the poor or anyone who needs help. The welfare system today shows the failure of doing for others that which they can do for themselves. It often contributes to their delinquency (2 Thessalonians 3:10). What he told her to do was not as easy as it seemed at first! Imagine the neighbors’ criticisms and laughter as they speculated on what she would do with empty vessels!" If you're ever going to do something in this life, you will have to do it by faith. That's what she did. She borrowed by faith. Good morning.

How Moab Saw the Battle

How Moab Saw The Battle 

II Kings 3:24-25 NKJV

[24] So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites. [25] Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir Haraseth intact. However the slingers surrounded and attacked it.

A Military strategy is an important determinant of military success.    Jeffrey Meiser and colleagues  in A Scandinavian Journal of Military studies explain what a good military strategy does. " Military strategy is likely to affect both skill and will factors. If strategy can place a military force in an advantageous position, it should act as a force multiplier enabling the successful employment of the modern system of tactics and operations, at the same time boosting the confidence of the troops". We are not sure of Moab's strategy. It does appear as if their perception of blood on the field overwhelmed their strategy. So everyone rushed out to the camp of Israel. It was a bad mistake. Your strategy is necessary to win.

   All over the Bible God gave different strategies to the people of Israel to win their battles. In Exo.23:27-28, God tells Israel of His strategy. " I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way". God has not lost that power today. All you need is to ask God for a strategy to win every battle you encounter. Moab saw blood. Israel saw a people without organization. They whipped their enemy to shame. May all your enemies submit to the strategy of the Name and the blood of Jesus. May the enemy see the blood. May they be defeated as Moab was. Good morning.

    

The Divine Set-up

The Divine Set Up

II Kings 3:20, 22-23 NKJV

[20] Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.

...[22] Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood. [23] And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”

Prophecies announce God's intentions, but God arranges the set-up for the fulfillment of the prophecies. The irony is that the set-up may not look like what was prophesied. Here is God arranging for the defeat of Moab through  perception.The same object meant to quench the thirst of the Kings is perceived as blood by the Moabites. It's the same object but different perceptions.

   Wikipedia describes  perception as "... the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment". It explains that " perception is not only the passive receipt of these signals, but it is also shaped by the recipient's learning, memory, expectation, and attention". It explains that sensory input is a process that transforms the low-level information to higher-level information (e.g., extracts shapes for object recognition). It submits that the " process connects a person's concepts and expectations (or knowledge) with restorative and selective mechanisms, such as attention, that influence perception". All that English is to explain the details God took to accomplish defeat for Moab. If God can change perceptions for two groups, He can change how you are perceived in your work, home or society. God has the power.

   R. K. Suri says that " Perception serves as a powerful lens through which we view the world, influencing not only how we interpret information but also our attitudes and beliefs which in turn drive our behavior towards others". So God changed their interpretation and brought victory to that battle . It's the same perception  that gave us Col. 2:15. They thought they were killing a prophet. They didn't know they killed the son who never dies. May your enemies misinterprete their strategy concerning you. May their labour fail in Jesus Name. Good morning.

The Nameless Musician

The Nameless Musician 

II Kings 3:15-18 NKJV

[15] But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. [16] And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ [17] For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ [18] And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 

We have had messages preached on these verses with the focus on Elisha.  We've been taught on Elisha's fearlessness and similarity to Elijah. Somehow we have missed the Character who appears to initiate the actions: the musician. Someone defines music as, "...sound organized within time by fallen humans". John Koessler says, " Music helps us to both know the truth and feel its importance. Music moves us to thankfulness and enables us to respond with our heart as well as our mind". 

   Brian Lee is a professor of Music at Moody Bible Institute. He says, " Perhaps it allowed the prophet time to inquire of the Lord. Scripture tells us he was a man of prayer (2 Kings 4:33). But perhaps it was because Elisha knew that music, when directed to the Lord and used for His purposes, could help prepare his mind and heart to hear from God. As the harpist played, the Lord’s hand came upon Elisha, and God spoke to him with a message of hope and salvation for His people".

   That musician did not play casual or social songs. He must have played deep spiritual songs that could stir the soul. Today some Christian musicians want what will stir the flesh. They pick models from the world. If your song doesn't move the spirit, you're in a social business or theatre entertainment. No spirit will move

    In June 2016, I wrote a vignette with these words: " When a music minister looses sight of spiritual things and slide into entertainment ,it's a tragedy of catastrophic proportions . Stephen Millers book is titled: Worship Leaders: We are not rock Stars. We have to strike a balance between what is spiritual and what is of the flesh. This does not imply a banal formalized worship. Don't forget this is for Him, not us. We are NOT entertainers". Someday, We will meet that nameless musician and I will tell him: " Thank you for bringing heaven to earth and causing Elisha to prophecy". I hope your music minister does the same. Good morning.

The Word Of the Lord is with Him

The Word Of The Lord Is With Him 

II Kings 3:12-14 NKJV

[12] And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. [13] Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” [14] And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. 

What seperates one prophet from another is in the words they deliver. Some deliver their words, some deliver the words of the enemy, and some deliver the word of the Lord. The word of the Lord may also be called the word of God. In a compilation of BibleStudy Tools, the authors say that both the written Word and Jesus Christ are considered as the word of the Lord. " The Bible is called the Word of God, meaning it can be considered a direct line of communication from the Lord, divinely inspired by the authors of the respective books.

Jesus Christ Himself is also called the Word of God. This concept is based on the belief that Jesus embodies God's message to humanity". 

   John1:1 settles the implication of the word for us in both the Old and the New Testament. It might have been spoken or written in the Old Testament, but it became the person of Jesus in the New Testament. To have Jesus is to have the Word.

   So the Kings went to consult the mind of God concerning their mission. You too need a word for your mission. Micah Stampley has written a song on this subject. "Oh Lord speak into my life. I am a living sacrifice

Your word says live and not die

Oh Lord speak into my life". I wish I could tell you the backstory. Stampley says he lives daily by the word. "One word I'm living this moment on a word

Not just any word but a word from you

A word that says I'm healed delivered and set free. There are no more chains holding me". You can sing with me. "One word is all I need!"

    Thank God for Jehoshaphat. They went to that war on a word. That's how to fight.. on a word. Read the book. What do you use to war? Is it the word of the Lord? Good morning.

Consistent Partnership with Unbelivers

Consistent Partnership With Unbelivers 

II Kings 3:4-5, 7 NKJV

[4] Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams. [5] But it happened, when Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel....[7] Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” And he said, “I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 

God is very consistent in His dislike of alliances and partnerships between a believer and a non believer. From an old testament concept of two unequal animals tied together for ploughing, God insists that there must be "separation", between a Christian believer and a non believer. Here's how passionate Derby Gibson is on this matter. " The New Testament concept of an unequal yoke (2 Cor 6.14-18) found its origins in the Mosaic ban on ploughing "with an ox [clean animal] and an ass [unclean beast] together" (Deut 22.10). Because believers and unbelievers are also of completely different natures it is vitally important for Christians to avoid close associations with the ungodly. In practical terms, this principle applies to three main areas: business, marriage, and religion". 

    Jehoshaphat had alliances with Ahab, even though he was a godly king. William Higgins explains the different accomplishments of Jehoshaphat. " Jehoshaphat the faithful. He walked in God’s ways – “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. . . . (He) sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments. . . His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord” – 2 Chronicles 17:3-6.

   Not only was he faithful – he was a reformer. He led the people to be faithful as well (like his father Asa).

v. 6 – he took away the high places and Asherim, vs. 7-9 – he began a program that taught the people the Law of God. Next we see portrayed . . .

2) Jehoshaphat the blessed.

17:5 – He had great wealth". 

   The tragedy were all in his association with Ahab's family. He made a marriage alliance with Ahab He gave his son in marriage to Ahab’s daughter. Then he went to fight at Ramoth-gilead with Ahab, and nearly lost his life. In today's read, the son has invited him to come and help fight the king of Moab. 

   We don't have all the space in this vignette. Be sure that God does not support close alliance with unbelivers. Note how Jehoshaphat always wants to consult God? Yet he may not do the will of God. What about you? How often do you respond to God's directions? Good morning.

The Kingdom Standard

The Kingdom Standard 

II Kings 3:1-3 NKJV

[1] Now Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. [2] And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made. [3] Nevertheless he persisted in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.

When we were very young, we went to watch a cinema. At that time , television had not come into our country. We enjoyed the screening of emulsion films. The gate fee was set for three pence. I had two pence. Two of my friends had a penny each. We begged the gate men to allow us go in to watch the movie with the entire four pence, and they refused. They said our money was not up to standard of what they could collect. We sat by the sand outside and missed the entire movie. Even a movie had standards.

   God has standards of behaviour and acceptance of people into the Kingdom. Here's one from Mat.5:20. " For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". Jehoram, the son of Ahab tried to be different from the father. He even put away the worship of Baal, but he still did evil which made the nation to sin.

   God isnt looking for people to patronize Him on Sundays. God is interested in disciples and stewards. Someone in a blog post writes that, " Good stewards tend to be grateful people. We lead well from a position of eagerness and desire, not duty or compulsion. We want to return to Him what which He deserves, not pursue our own selfish interests. See 1 Peter 5:2-3." Jehoram failed in God's standards. 

    Someone makes an attempt to summarize what may be required in God's standards. " God wants our MOUTH and our HEART to both be dedicated to worshiping and loving Him. When your MOUTH honors God but your HEART dishonors God, this is hypocrisy. Jesus knows those that are HIS, and Jesus knows them that are HYPOCRITES." Would your God's Standard beat the ones who go to church every week without Christ? You have to think well before you answer. Good morning.

You Don't Mock Elders

You Don't Mock Elders

II Kings 2:23-25 NKJV

[23] Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” [24] So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. [25] Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Some days ago, Dr Eneche of Dunamis International Center raised a media storm when a socialite decided to comment on a trending issue in Nigerian church development. Dr Enemche was visibly angry on several grounds but more on the fact that African culture has no room for disrespect to a senior. 

   In March,6,2014, Atane Ofiaja comment about ignorant elders who display ignorance or cruelty.  He says, "...we shouldn’t feel obligated to respect, revere or defer to them simply for being old".  Fidelia Okosodo thinks differently. " Every society is built on certain values. In Africa, respect for elders is among the core cultural values. This respect is expected to flow from the younger person to the elderly, whether they have family ties or not. In many instances, it does not attract reciprocity". The debate could go on. 

   The Bible recommends our respecting elders, beginning with our parents. Ex.20:12, Prov. 23:22. Prov. 20:20 and 30:17 recommends that disrespectful children are worthy of death. So when those children mocked  Elisha, they contravened that law.

   The New Testament recommends for children to honour elders beginning with their parents. 1Tim.5:8. Those children crossed the line, and they experienced God's anger. We may have our opinions, but God wants us to have a deep respect for our elders. Good morning.

Reverse the Curse

Reversing The Curse

II Kings 2:19, 21-22 NKJV

[19] Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.”

...[21] Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” [22] So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

This is the beginnings of Elisha's ministry. Albert Barnes says that the translation should have read  “...and the land apt to miscarry.” Then he explains  that " The stream was thought to be the cause of untimely births, abortions, and the like, among the cattle, perhaps also among the people, that drank of it". In one of our vignettes, we observed that the land of Jericho had remained under a curse as well. Joshua 6:26. Jericho was the first city to fall inro conquest, so , Israel dedicated the city to the Lord. In 1 Kings 16:34, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. " He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord ". 

    Today we hear that the city is not only occupied, but everything about it is barren. Joshua never said that the city will never be rebuilt. His curse just came through in the life of Hiel. 

   It took one man to pronounce the curse, it takes another to reverse it. So Elisha went to the source of water and spoke a reversal. He poured in the salt and made the water sweet. Your family curse can not be forever. Someone spoke it into being. May you speak life back in its place. And you're authorized to do so as a New Creation. Reverse the curse.

   Today I speak a reversal of whatever the enemy had intended against you. I speak the divine ability of God to show up for you beyond the curse. No power can stand against the blood of Jesus. I speak a sprinkling of the blood over your condition. I declare you free. Thank you Jesus. Jericho became a prosperous city after that. I feel a lifting. Good morning.

The Test For Divine Direction

The Test For Divine Direction 

II Kings 2:16-18 NKJV

[16] Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” [17] But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. [18] And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” 

This encounter was the first test of leadership for Elisha. He had just graduated magna cum laude from Elijah. The sons of the prophet observed that the spirit of Elijah now dwells on Elisha. But they needed to be sure he will have the keen insight to lead them and the nation. They confronted him to go and search for Elijah. If they found Elijah's corpse, then the masquerade would have been undressed in the public. Their feelings would have moved from awe to suspicion, and perhaps indignation. They are wondering: did this guy hear directly from God like Elijah? 

   Here is Adam Clarke. " Though they saw him taken up towards heaven, yet they thought it possible that the Spirit of the Lord might have descended with him, and left him on some remote mountain or valley". It was a futile mission. By the time they returned, their respect of Elisha deepened. 

    A similar thing happens in leadership when people are interested in knowing who or what is leading you the  leader. Here is a contemporary answer to this problem by Leadership Dynamics." The authority of a leader is diluted if the followers work out that the leader they are following is not being led. Nobody has all the wisdom and all the answers and a secure leader will always ask for guidance.  It is not what you say, but what you do as a leader that truly counts. It’s what the team observes and the quality of your leadership will be determined by your ability to allow yourself to be led". That's not a Bible study commentary. Its a leadership postulation of the 21st century. People want to know: is God leading you? Elisha waited in Jericho unti he passed the exams. Now his leadership grace is established. 

  It may take a little time for people to trust you. Keep waiting. They will. They finally believed fully on the ministry of Elisha. They will believe in yours. Good morning.

The Spirit Of Elijah On Elisha

The Spirit Of Elijah On Elisha 

II Kings 2:14-15 NKJV

[14] Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. [15] Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. 

When there's a transference of mantle(s) to someone, there's an automatic recognition by others apart from the carrier of the mantle. The reason is simple. The new carrier is noticed to begin to act and respond in the same manner as the previous carrier without a conscious training. Receving a mantle means " being wrapped in God's authority, or even being graced with the presence of the Holy Spirit" as a previous person in the same calling.

  So Elisha returned to Jordan at the departure of Elijah. What was Elijah's last encounter became Elisha's first problem. " Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The sea fled. The sons of the prophet recognized that it was not just Elisha who returned. They bowed to the ground. The mantle had returned.

   This transference is replete all over scripture. Here's an observation from a scholar. " We see examples of mantles in the Bible. Jesus had a mantle and took the seat of authority when He sat down after speaking to the people in the synagogue after reading from Luke 4. Elisha received Elijah's mantle (2 Kings 2:8–14). Paul had a mantle that accompanied his assignment (Acts 26:12-20)". We could go on. Every mantle carries a spirit of service from one generation to the next. Now, the ministry of Elisha begins. You too can get this mantle and impact your generation. Serve well. Good morning.

And Elisha Saw It.

And Elisha Saw it

II Kings 2:11-13 NKJV

[11] Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. [12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. [13] He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 

What you see is important in the spirit realm. It is a cognitive process that gives you a direction of where to go or what to do. Perception is what separates people of impact from others. When others cant see well ,they hold onto what they already know, even if things have changed. God cornered Jeremiah  on this. Jer.1:11-12. Jeremiah saw the rod of an almond tree. An almond is awake in early January, when other trees are still locked in their winter sleep. Adam Clarke says, "... it bears fruit in March, just at the commencement of spring, when other trees only begin to bud. It was here the symbol of that promptitude with which God was about to fulfill his promises and threatening". Thats what Jeremiah saw. Seeing differs. So Elijah told Elisha, " if you see me". 

   Let me warn you that keeping concentration for what youre expecting is not a very easy thing. The devi will want to distract you in every way. Just imagine it. Its beyond the Jordan. Its quiet and surreal. The insects chirping in the undergrowth are the only creatures disturbing the serenity of the moment. Then, there's a whirlwind. Some people probably would have been startled enough to call for their momma. Today the distraction is deeper with the outburst of the internet and the development of artificial intelligence. Elisha held on and saw Elijah taken up by the chariots and the horses. He screamed what he perhaps had rehearsed for a long time, " My father, my father, the Chariots of Israel and its horseman". He passed the test.He had the mantle.

   You too will see. You'll perceive what God is going to do today. You will be ready. And you'll enter today with your mantle. Even Jordan will obey you. I can't wait to hear your testimonies. Good morning.

   

The Request For A Double Portion

The Request For A Double Portion 

II Kings 2:9-10 NKJV

[9] And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” [10] So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 

The concept of a Double Portion of blessing in the old testament is derived from the inheritance of the first born. In Deut. 21:17, it says, “He shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.” The request was to do better in his time than Elijah did. " That request was to be considered the successor of Elijah and to be “doubly blessed” with power in the prophetic office and acceptance. 

   Someone says, " The request by Elisha for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit in 2 Kings 2 referred likewise to being doubly blessed in his life and ministry. Interestingly, Scripture records exactly twice as many miracles through Elisha (28 miracles) as took place through Elijah (14 miracles)." That's why Elijah said he asked for a hard thing.

  The focus is not just in the asking. It is in the concentration for the timing of departure. Elisha watched. Every mantle is generational. It comes to those who watch for it. Every mantle produces better in a subsequent generation. It manifested the same way in the life of Elisha. Mantles go to those who serve well, they are not inherited by birth. There's a mantle for a double portion where you're serving now. Are you watching for your timing?  Theres a double portion around you.

   Pastor Benny Hin in his classic message on this spotlights the keys to double-portion anointing:

You must be called,

You must be a warrior,

You must come under the mantle of another ministry or man of God.

You will be tested.

You must be a worker.

You're already on the path to a double portion. Keep at it. Good morning.

According to the Word Of the Lord

According To The Word Of The Lord 

II Kings 1:16-17 NKJV

[16] Then he said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” [17] So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. Because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.

It may take a few days, but God's Word always accomplishes its purpose. A prophetic word from God will stand the test of time. Here is Isaiah on the sustainability of God's Word, " …so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.( Isaiah 55:11). God had reached an end with Ahaziah .

    Don't be so stubborn with God that you reach an end like this. God who knows the end from the beginning did not allow this dynasty to continue. God is concerned who you go to when you're in trouble

   Sometimes we look at the outward signs sorroinding an unbeliever, and we assumme that if we do what they do, we vould look as good or better than they look. That assumption has killed many Christians in life. You can't do what every other nation is doing. You're God's heritage. God will act according to His word. When it's tough, hang onto Jesus. You'll come through with an answer of peace. Good morning.

Your Respect Can Save You.

Your Respect Can Save You

II Kings 1:13-15 NKJV

[13] Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. [14] Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight.” [15] And the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. 

  Respect is described as " due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others". It is a consideration of someone worrhy of high regard. The first two captains and their fifty soldiers perished because of their casual attitude to the prophet. They had no due regard. All they carried were the King's command. And they died for it.

   The third captain was a wise man. This is how Guzik describes the mans approach. " The third captain approached his mission in a completely different manner. He came to Elijah humbly, recognizing that he really was a Man of God. Perhaps the third captain looked at the two blackened spots of scorched earth nearby before he spoke to Elijah". Joseph Benson says " Expressing both reverence for his person, and a dread of God’s judgments, being struck with the fate of the two other captains and their fifties. There is nothing to be got by contending with God: if we would prevail with him, it must be by supplication. And those are wise that learn submission from the fatal consequences of obstinacy in others". 

    Contemporary society has lost one of the corner stones of of our forebears. Its respect. Someone explains that respect, "... is the cornerstone of human interactions that transcends cultural, religious, and philosophical boundaries. It’s a universal principle that fosters empathy, cooperation, and understanding. In a world often divided by differences and different beliefs, respect serves as a unifying force, allowing us to recognise the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It’s not merely a courtesy or politeness but a genuine acknowledgement of human nature and the humanity in each of us". That is not from a Sunday School Manual. 1 Peter 2:17 “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.”. Very importantly, respect your ministers. It can hurt you if you disrespect them. Those two dead captains are the examples. Good morning.