Although we are in critical days of tumultuous change, God is still moving powerfully through those who will position themselves to be used. We cannot afford to miss the divine appointments and the anointing Jesus wants to make available to each one of us. Especially in these days, our families, our Churches, our communities, and our nations all need us to arise filled with God’s power.
In Elijah’s day, many watched and missed out when Elijah passed his anointed mantle to Elisha. This is the story paraphrased from 2 Kings 6:1-3 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And Elisha said, “Go.” One said, “Please come with your servants?” Elisha went with them.
Today this is speaking to growing and developing Churches and ministries…
The Company of Prophets had reached a point where there was no capacity to grow and continue developing. So, they moved together in unity, and started at the Jordan because it was always the place for powerful shifts!
When they came to the Jordan, seasons of wandering in the wilderness came to an end, transition happened, miracles and healings happened. It was a place where the oppressed found freedom, deliverance, and breakthrough! Remember:
· Joshua and the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground as they looked to enter the Promised Land. Joshua 3:14-17
· John the Baptist baptised repentant new believers and Jesus himself was baptised and launched into his ministry. Matthew 3
The Company of Prophets were determined they were not going anywhere without Elisha. They clearly remembered the miraculous things they witnessed from afar, when Elijah was taken into heaven, after crossing the Jordan.
You can read the story for yourself in 2 Kings 2:1-12 I am paraphrasing it - Before Elijah was taken to heaven they travelled 7 miles to Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “STAY HERE; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So, they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “SO BE QUIET.”
4 Then Elijah said to him, “STAY HERE, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” Again, Elisha refused to leave him. You can imagine him saying, "I’m not staying here!!!"
The Company of the Prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “SO BE QUIET!” Elisha was focussed on life and what was going to be released, so he silenced the prophetic voice that was speaking death, and distraction. What are you speaking? What are you listening to?
6 Then Elijah said to him, “STAY HERE; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” Again, Elisha refused to stay. On the journey Elijah was testing Elisha’s commitment! They travelled through many rough and hilly miles between Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan! Often, we get tired and frustrated, but God knows where he is leading us and the lessons, we need to learn on the journey. KEEP GOING!
Fifty prophets stood at a distance, watching Elijah strike the Jordan with his cloak. They witnessed the water dividing before Elijah and Elisha and them crossing over on dry ground. But they chose to be by-standers! Only Elisha chose to GO …
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken?”
God is asking us the same question today as individuals and as his Church… what can I do for you? Elisha knew what he wanted; do you know what you want God to do for you?
Elisha replied, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit”.
Elijah said, “If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours.”
Elisha chose to keep his eyes fixed on Elijah because he was hungry to inherit the double portion. He was determined he was not going to miss this opportunity.
Where would you be? What would you be focussed on?
11 As they were walking and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared, separating them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
This was a powerful demonstration of God’s awesome power, building Elisha’s faith to be a vessel for the double outpouring of miracles he had asked for.
Immediately Elisha took hold of his old garment and tore it in two. Elisha was not going back the way he came! You cannot walk in the double portion when you are still clinging on to the old mantles and mindsets! Elisha had asked for the double portion, and he was going to make sure he began to walk in it.
Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, the same cloak in 1 Kings 19:19, that Elijah had thrown over Elisha when he recruited him. The power of God in that cloak had convinced Elisha to abandon everything to follow Elijah, and now it was his. He took the cloak and struck the water which immediately divided, and he crossed over. THE MIRACLES STARTED IMMEDIATELY!
The Company of Prophets were by-standers and missed out on receiving the gift of performing miracles and so much more. When we are by-standers, what are we missing out on?
They said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.” TODAY PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND LOOKING FOR GOOD GODLY LEADERSHIP IN THESE DAYS. BE THOSE PEOPLE!
1. For those who have stopped, it’s time to start moving again! God does not want anyone of us to be by-standers He wants us all to enjoy the adventure.
2. Be clear about what you want God to do for you, your family, and your Church. Start to pray that in!
3. Are there old dead mindsets that need to change so that you can bring life?
Here is a declaration you may like to make:
Lord, I declare I will no longer be stuck in the wilderness or watch from a distance as a by-stander. I silence every voice that is contrary to God’s voice and choose to obey my heavenly Father’s voice. I declare I am going to be part of a powerful shift, from oppressed to free, so I can bring freedom and breakthrough to many!
Lord, help me to understand the mantle and anointing you are giving me to carry. Like Elisha I choose to release the old mantles and mindsets that are not fit for this era.
I ask you to empower me to arise, with eyes to see the incredible opportunities for the sake of my family, Church, community, and nation.
Lord, I choose to GO to the Jordan and to cross over! I choose to conjoin my heart with your heart so that I may move together with you, making room for growth and development.
Today, Lord, I choose to position myself before you and to receive every spiritual gift that you have for me. Like Elisha I am not going back the way I came.
I pray that out of God’s glorious riches he will strengthen me with power through his Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that I will be rooted and established in love, that I may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me, to him be glory.
Today I rededicate my life to Jesus and ask Holy Spirit to come and fill me with your love and power. Amen
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