The Spirit Of prophecy

The Spirit Of Prophecy: Divinely Forwarned!

2 Kings 6:32-33 NIV

[32] Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Don’t you see how this murderer is sending someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” [33] While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”

The Spirit of Prophecy is a book written by Ellen G. White of Seven Days Adventist Church. Its content is slightly different from our vignette this morning. Our usage aligns more with Michael Reinemann's who describes the phrase as is used in Rev.19:10, it being the testimony of Jesus Christ. We  will use the phrase as God's spiritual pattern to forewarn His people by prophetic insights and revelations. Its intention is  to honour Jesus Christ. 

   Elisha as God's prophet had revelations of the intentions of King Jehoram to kill him. That is the spirit of prophecy st work. He was with others, and he told them about the arrival of the murderous messenger. He added that the Master, King Jehoram, was going to join shortly. Thus, he was forwarned of the satanic agenda.

   Someone explains that, " The apostle Paul also employs such language, using the phrases "testimony of Christ," "testimony of God," and "testimony of our Lord" (1 Cor 1:6; 2:1; 2 Tim 1:8). Similarly, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah uses the expression "the law and the testimony" (Isa 8:19-20) to refer to the messages given by God's true prophets in earlier times". God uses prophetic insights to punch holes in satanic agenda concerning the church. It must be frustrating to the devil. Wherever the spirit of prophecy is, the church benefits, and the devil is exposed.

   The spirit of prophecy maximizes on the gift of prophecy. However, the New Testament church has been asked to judge any prophetic claims or proclamations by the word. That revelation saved Elisha from a violent death that day. May God's prophetic insights save you from any satanic agendas today and forever more, in Jesus Name. Amen. Good morning.

Someone To Blame

Someone To Blame 

II Kings 6:30-31 NKJV

[30] Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body. [31] Then he said, “God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today!”

It is very difficult to understand the King's anger towards Elisha. That's what blame does. This issue bothered Adam Clark. Here's his submission: " Either he attributed these calamities to the prophet, or else he thought he could remove them, and yet would not. The miserable king was driven to desperation". Indeed we shift blame on others as a mark of desperation. Its no spiirituality at all. 

   An AI report explains on blame shifting: " Blaming others for problems or mistakes is a defense mechanism that can prevent people from taking responsibility and learning from their mistakes. It can also create tension and damage relationships". Caterina Kostoula calls blameshifting the hidden barrier of potential. She says that, " It will keep you small and inconsequential without any of the guilt. It's someone else’s fault in the end...You feel ethically superior to the other party. Blaming others is often a defence mechanism to protect one's self-esteem". She insists that in blaming others, " You avoid responsibility. Facing our shortcomings can be painful, and blame is the go-to way to prevent this pain. With blame, you do not have to face your mistakes or the opportunity for learning and growth". We could go on in learning what that King did. 

    Joseph Benson is very scathing in his remarks, " This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, among the rest, his obstinate adherence to the worship of the calves, and his conniving at the idolatries and witchcrafts of his mother Jezebel, (2Ki 9:22,) and the wickedness of the people, which were the true and proper causes of this and all their calamities; and he lays the blame of all upon Elisha..."  We could keep on talking. For many, blame shifting is their popular game. Truly, accepting our flaws can bring us mercies from the throne of grace. Confessing them will bring us deliverance. Good morning.

When Economic Conditions Become Critical

When Economic Conditions Became Critical 

II Kings 6:24-25 NKJV

[24] And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. [25] And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver.

There came a time when the King of Syria returned to fight Israel. This is the strategy of the devil. Even during the temptation of Jesus, the report is that the devil departed for a season. Please keep that in mind and dont plan to be careless. When you put the enemy under pressure, it will depart. It may even promise everything to be free from your bindings. But, the devil is a liar. It will return. 

   Whenever the enemy returns, it will attempt to amaze you with its power. Mat.12:43-45. So the Syrians returned. They put up such battle that Israel was hemmed into their battlements. This went on for a long time and the daily economy was affected. Our read is the report. People ate their children as if it was chicken, just to survive.

    You see, economic conditions describe the state of variables in any economy. It may include " gross domestic product (GDP) growth potential, the unemployment rate, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy orientations". Israel experienced all. The economic outlook for Israel was bad. You couldn't forecast any hope. When things got that tough, the King blamed the Prophet Elisha. Immature people look for who to blame at crisis. What do you do at crises? Behind the people we blame is the devil. The real enemy is the devil. Change your focus. Bind the enemy. You sre empowered  to win. Do it now. Good morning.

Understanding Power And Authority

Understanding Power And Authority In Christ 

II Kings 6:19-20 NKJV

[19] Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. [20] So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!

When we understand the place of power and authority we have as Christians, we will not be terrified by the enemy. Prophet Elisha in the Old Testament understood this. Authority may be described as the delegation to influence or command thought, opinion, or behaviour( Webster ). Power on the other hand is the ability to act or produce an effect. It is the ability or potential for an individual to influence others and control their behaviour. What Elisha did demonstrated both. It is what we are opportuned to have as New Creations in Christ.

   At Newbirth, we are introduced to this power in Christ. Luke 10:19,  John 20:21. Christianity Today reports that, " In the Gospels, Jesus models for his church what he wants us to do and be, including living in God's power". We can therefore demonstrate this level of power in our times. 

   Imagine the entire troop alive and in the center of Samaria before their eyes of understanding is opened. The king wanted to kill them. That would have exacerbated the problem. Elisha said they should feed them and let them go, instead. Mercy prevailed, and the King of Syria stopped his antics. Read the details. They came  no more. When the enemy experiences power, they will think twice before returning. You're anointed to do that. Receive grace to capture troops and bring them to subjection in Jesus Name. Good morning.

Divine Insights And Restraints Through Prayers

Divine Insights And Restraints Through Prayers 

II Kings 6:17-18 NKJV

[17] And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. [18] So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Prayers is a very powerful force on earth to either open someone's eyes or close it. People behave in alignment with the insights they have of who you are. Dr Uma Ukpai tokd a story of how he was given a first class seat in an aeroplane with a third class ticket. Its perception, a divine insight to who he really is. When people have an insight into your true value, they treat you differently. That usually happens when  people's understanding are opened.

   In the same way, people's understanding of who you are may be restrained. When that happens, people treat you in accordance to that restrained perception. In today's read, Elisha prayed for the servants eyes to open and prayed for the soldiers eyes to be closed. He changed their perceptions by prayers. 

   You're full of power to change the way people see things around you. A minister told a story of a family who lived opposite the church for many years. One day, the preacher prayed that their eyes of Understanding be opened. Surprisingly, they came to the Pastor and confessed that they never understood that they were a living church. They became nembers from that point on.

   Prayers can open or restraint people's perception, but the prayers must be prayed. Most people only wish things will happen or stop happening when they are meant to pray. If you pray, and it doesn't change, leave it in the hands of God as Jesus did. Just don't keep quiet and be swallowed up by things. You can change how you're received or rejected. Its in your hands. Good morning.

The Consciousness Of Spiritual Things

The Consciousness Of Spiritual Things

II Kings 6:13-16 NKJV

[13] So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” [14] Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. [15] And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” [16] So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 

The consciousness of spiritual things owes it to one's spiritual intelligence. Wikipedia describes Spiritual Intelligence as, " ...a term used by some philosophers, psychologists, and developmental theorists to indicate spiritual parallels with intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EI)". Irini Fambro says that Spiritual Intelligence is the gift of seeing the unseen. " The Bible speaks clearly of an unseen world that is parallel to ours, but many of us live unaware of it. Spiritual intelligence is how we describe the God-given wisdom of being aware of the spiritual dimension of reality". 

   The servant of Elisha saw a city surrounded by soldiers, but the Master saw more with Spiritual Intelligence. He saw the soldiers sorrounded by  a higher and more sophisticated heaven's army. Our emotional response owe it to the level of Spiritual intelligence we have. Read the lines again. Feel the servant's fear and the Master's faith. The enemy wants you to operate in fear, but your Spiritual intelligence will link you to faith. 

   Kris Vallotton in his book of a similar title "...suggests that believers are ignoring a deeper dimension of our makeup–our SQ, or spiritual intelligence. Because we have the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit, we are capable of divine brilliance–a heightened understanding that aligns our perspective with His and reveals stunning solutions. God not only invites us to operate in this gifting, but He designed us for it!" Read the lines again. To make it easy, Valloton identifies five dimensions of this gifting: " The Gift of Discernment, The Gift of Knowledge, The Gift of Wisdom, The Gift of Prophecy, and The Mind of Christ". Today, be more conscious of spiritual things. They rule the physical. By the end of the day, Elisha captured a whole battalion of soldiers by Spiritual Intelligence. You too can ask God for it. Good morning.

God Will Expose Your Enemies

God Will Expose Your Enemies 

II Kings 6:8-9, 11 NKJV

[8] Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” [9] And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 

[11] Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

Josh Meyer and  Tom Vanden Brook published in USA Today about the Pentagon documents leak on April,2023. Some persons had published in the dark web about the status of the war in Ukraine. The Department of Defense in USA went into " ...full damage-control mode in an urgent effort to identify what’s in the documents and whether any more might become public soon". Later in the week, it was reported that Jack Telxeira, a twenty one year old soldier was arrested in connection with the crime. So even today, what happened in Syria is a serious crime. The only problem in Syria was that the exposure was not internally ochestrated. There was a Prophet of God far away , who told even the conversations that the king of Syria had in his bedroom. Let that sink. God can tell things to His beloved.

   In 1 Cor.2:9-10 we are told of the kind of revelations that God has prepaered for those who love him. The revelation is by God's Spirit which can search all things, and even the deep things of God. Things may be hidden to human eyes, but exposed to God. That's why your enemies are vulnerable in Gods hands. God  has a covenant promise to expose your enemies. " The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" Deut.29:29. " Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" Amos 3:7. " And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. We can go on. Be confident of this fact, God will expose your enemies so that they can ve defeated. It is emotionally draining for the enemy to know, you know that they are planning, and you know how to offset the enemy. God will do it, if we listen. Good morning.