Showing posts with label Elijah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elijah. Show all posts

Monday, November 2, 2015

No Matter What You Are Going Through, God Is Your Help - LEONARD DAVIDSON, CHARISMA MAGAZINE

The Lord is your help in any time of need.
The Lord is your help in any time of need. (Flickr )

The Lord is your help in any time of need. (Flickr )

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When my grandson, Elijah, was 2, he loved Lego building blocks. I was constantly amazed at how he would spend hours building and creating with blocks that I could barely stack into a rickety tower.
Elijah assembled little vehicles, houses, small cities and yes, even towers like his pappy. Somewhere in the recesses of a mind unencumbered with the cares of the world, Elijah had a wonderful imagination and the ability to entertain himself as he engineered new designs and creations.
He did have one major challenge, however. The storage container that housed the Lego had a lid that snapped on. The lid was designed so that if the container tipped over it would not come off. Little Elijah's hands were simply too small, and not yet strong enough, to get the lid off. After struggling many times in the past to remove the lid himself, Elijah would invariably just drag the receptacle that was holding his Lego hostage over to me, so I could set them free. My hands are large enough and strong enough to reach down and simply snap the lid off with just a flick of my thumb.
One day Elijah moved the container in front of me for my help in getting him access to his world of Lego creations. I reached down and easily popped the lid off with one hand. A grateful grandson then moved over right in front of my face, looked up at me and said, "Pappy, you're the best helper ever." There was, I am sure, an involuntary swelling of my chest as I said, "Yes, yes I am."
Perhaps the Psalmist understood and appreciated this same principle when he said, "I lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Ps. 121:1).
Again in Psalm 124 David declares, "Our help is in the name of the Lord" (v. 8). He then shifts to a wonderful level of praise when he exclaims, "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob" (Ps. 146:5, NIV).
What's interesting is that I looked up the word help in Strong's Concordance to find out exactly what the word meant. It means, "help." Pretty simple. The connotation is that the help is not specified. It is overall help—help for whatever you need.
Are your emotions shattered? He is your help. Is your heart broken? He is your help. Have the wheels come off and life isn't the way it's supposed to be? He is your help. Maybe your spouse left, or your child is rebelling, or the job you depended on is no more. He is your help. Maybe the report from the doctor took your breath away and hope seems illusive. He is your help.
Write that eternal truth down. Put it on sticky notes, and stick them up so you read it everywhere you turn. He is your help. And Oh how blessed you will be when you realize that the One we call Lord—the mighty One over all the earth—is your help.
This week, maybe you need to stop trying to get the lid off of your Legos on your own. Maybe you just need to drag the container over to the Holy One of Israel. He will reach down, and with His strong right hand, pop the lid off. He will be your help.
Then don't forget to look up into His face and lovingly say, "Abba Father, you're the best helper ever." He loves that. Listen closely and you might hear Him reply, "Yes, yes I am."
When you need help, just ask Him. He will be there. He will be your help. I promise.

Prayer Power for the Week of November 2, 2015

This week incorporate lots of praise into your prayer time. Let Him know that He's the best helper ever and that you can depend on Him for anything and everything you need. Thank Him that He never leaves you nor forsakes you no matter how things look. Continue to pray for unity in the body of Christ so that we can come together in one accord for revival, a harvest of souls and the extension of God's kingdom. Pray for the upcoming elections and ask God to reveal what is true and what is not so you can make an intelligent decision. Pray for the protection of the candidates, their families and those working in the campaigns. Ask the Lord to guide you through the election process and continue to pray for the persecuted church, as well as the peace and protection of Jerusalem as admonished in the Word (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 124:8; Psalm 122:6).

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Saturday, October 3, 2015

"It's Time to Put Your Hand To The Plow and Not Look Back!" - Bonnie Jones (The Elijah List)


The Lord is speaking in a clear and intentional voice in this season. Recently I heard Him say, "Now is the time for Christians to gird up their loins and follow after Me. It's time for them to put their hand to the plow and not look back; fear follows those who do. Their past is already behind them."
But Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 AMP (Photo via Bonnie Jones)
"They cannot take illicit lovers into this next season. I'm looking for abandoned lovers, those who are abandoned unto Me."
You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God. James 4:4 AMP
I believe the question to the Body of Christ is, "How much of our self are we willing to surrender to God?" He can only occupy as much of our vessel to the extent that we make available to be filled. If we only surrender twenty percent, He can only occupy that amount in our heart. But an abandoned lover willingly surrenders their whole being unto Him so He can fill them to overflowing with the fullness of His Spirit.
The Whirlwind
After hearing His voice I was shown a great and awesome whirlwind coming to the Body of Christ. It's the move of the Holy Spirit we've long anticipated, and it's unlike anything we've experienced in the past. In this great movement, those who are being led by the Holy Spirit will remain hidden in the cleft of the Rock. They will follow the Master wherever He directs them and move in supernatural demonstration of God's unlimited power. (Photo by Kevin Moffatt "In Spirit and in Truth" via elijahshopper.com)
And while My glory is passing by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and protectively cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:22 AMP
I was also shown Christians who regularly attend church and continue reading their Bible. Although they truly love the Lord, they deny the power of His Holy Spirit. Once again they were offered His fellowship when this mighty whirlwind began. Yet, once again, they rejected the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]. 2 Timothy 3:5 AMP
After the whirlwind subsided, there was an immediate acceleration for those who were hidden in the Rock. They never looked back for those who rejected the Holy Spirit. Instead they kept a steady eye on Jesus and followed after Him. Their whole being was surrendered unto Him and they moved in demonstration of His resurrection power. They knew how to rest in God and allowed Him to manifest His presence through them.
ElijahList Prophetic Resources
Parables of Elijah and Elisha
In this experience I could easily see two parables with Elijah and Elisha. First, in 1 Kings 19:19-21, we see Elisha plowing the field when Elijah places his mantle upon him. Operating out of an old mindset, Elisha wanted to turn back and kiss his parents good-bye before following the man of God. Elisha already had his hand to the plow and but needed to gird up his loins and follow after Elijah. He had no time to turn around or look back to the way things were. This was a divine appointment that would change the rest of his life, and he had a choice to make. From that time forth, Elisha followed Elijah, never leaving his side.
So Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat, whose plowing was being done with twelve yoke of oxen, and he drove the twelfth. Elijah crossed over to him and cast his mantle upon him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you." 
And he [testing Elisha] said, "Go on back. What have I done to you? [Settle it for yourself.]" So Elisha went back from him. Then he took a yoke of oxen, slew them, boiled their flesh with the oxen's yoke [as fuel], and gave to the people, and they ate. Then he arose, followed Elijah, and served him. 1 Kings 19:19-21 AMP (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Second, because Elisha remained faithful to keep his eyes on Elijah (type of Holy Spirit), he received a double portion of Elijah's anointing when he was taken up in the whirlwind. In the same way, if we desire to be part of this supernatural movement, we cannot not turn back to the ways of the flesh. We MUST follow after the Holy Spirit of God with a whole heart. It may offend some, and others will misunderstand us, but no matter the cost we must remain faithful and obedient to God.
And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." He said, "You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you – but if not, it shall not be so." 
As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 2 Kings 2:9-12 AMP (Photo via Flickr)
I believe we're about to step into this supernatural movement of monumental acceleration in the Spirit. It will be far greater than anything the Body of Christ has experienced in past movements. Azusa Street was an incredible display of power through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but this was only a glimpse of that which is now on the horizon.
We can't afford to miss our opportunity for acceleration because His time is of the essence. Let's gird up our loins and put our hand to the plow. Let's become those abandoned lovers so God will fill us with the fullness of His presence as we go into the greatest whirlwind and spiritual awakening of all time!
Bonnie Jones
The Prophetic Ministry of Bob and Bonnie Jones

Email: click here
Website: bobjones.org
Bonnie Jones has a great love for the Lord, the Word, and the Cross of Jesus. She loves children and enjoys blessing them with a gift of joy, truth, love, and encouragement. Bonnie moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2001 to attend Morning Star School of Ministry; in 2005 she met Bob Jones and they were married the following year (Bob Jones went home to be with the Lord in 2014). Bonnie moves in a seer prophetic gifting as well as healing and miracles. Her passion is to see women set free from the fear of man and step into their gifts and calling.
To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Friday, August 28, 2015

"I Am Calling My Women Out of the Caves" - Paulette Reed

August 28, 2015
"I Am Calling My Women Out of the Caves"
Paulette Reed, Surprise, AZ
The Elijah List

Steve ShultzIntro From Julie A. Smith:

It has been prophesied by many voices that women are coming to the forefront and God is highlighting them in this hour. This word from Paulette Reed will speak to many, many women and will both touch and tug at your heart. At the beginning of this year, I spoke at a women's conference, and the Lord had me say several things to the women there. One being: "Your value is not based on any circumstance."

That truth is a hard one, I think, for men and women both. We base our value on our circumstances in the here and now, which could mean any brokenness we may be going through, lack of finances, failure, or rejection, etc. – we base our value on these types of "temporary" circumstances! Let me remind you that a circumstance is not the destination...it's just a quick stopping point on the journey. Being a runner I get this concept quickly.

While running a race, you may feel fatigued and sore, aches and pains...but you look forward to the aide stations along the way to get refueled, and then you just keep running! God too has aide stations for any temporary challenges we face on our journey so that we can get refueled, refreshed, and then you keep going...

Hear this now word from Paulette Reed: Recently, one morning, I heard Holy Spirit say to me, "I am calling My women out of the caves." As I prayed into this word from Heaven, the Lord showed me hundreds of women hiding in caves because of fear, failure, or fatigue. I then saw the women running from the caves with good news. It was clear that many had overextended their season in the caves and what was intended to be their secret place had become their hiding place. Today, God is calling you out of hiddenness and to the frontlines.

This immediately makes me think of the millions of women and children caught into slavery, poverty, and trafficking around the world...or those neglected right in our own communities. Who will reach out to them with courageous hearts of compassion and nurture them back to life? And who is God going to place on the frontlines, in positions of influence, to shift these types of challenges and many others the world is facing today?

Women are a gift from God and are simply wired with hearts of compassion and mothering, nurturing, and courageous spirits. Have you ever seen a mama bear protect her cubs in nature? Yikes, you don't want to mess with a mama bear!

As you read through this word by Paulette Reed...let me ask you – where is God calling you? Where does He need you to be?

The world needs you...come out of your cave!

Julie A. Smith, Managing Editor
The Elijah List 
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"I Am Calling My Women Out of the Caves"
Paulette Reed, Surprise, AZ

The Women

Recently, one morning, I heard Holy Spirit say to me, "I am calling My women out of the caves." As I prayed into this word from Heaven, the Lord showed me hundreds of women hiding in caves because of fear, failure, or fatigue. I then saw the women running from the caves with good news. It was clear that many had overextended their season in the caves and what was intended to be their secret place had become their hiding place. 

Today, God is calling you out of hiddenness and to the frontlines.

In the New Testament we find that Jesus had a group of female disciples who followed Him, whom Luke called "the women" (Luke 23:55; Acts 1:14). And since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then of course female disciples are still following their Savior wherever He leads. As God releases the great company of women commanded to share the good news in Psalm 68:11, we will see thousands more following Christ out of love, adoration, and devotion to Him. 

Women are being released to step into a new boldness in the Lord.

Run for Your Life

A couple memorable cave experiences can be found in the book of 1 Kings. Remember that the murderess Jezebel was going to have the prophet Elijah killed but God provided protection and provision, as He still does for His people today. 1 Kings 18:4 says, "For when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water."

Unfortunately, the spirit of Jezebel is still active in the earth today. The Body of Christ made great strides in overcoming this spirit several years ago; however, as we have relaxed following the victory, and as an Elijah company is arising, we are seeing this spirit frequently raise its ugly head once again. As we live out Acts 2:17, God pouring out His Spirit on all people, and as we prophesy, let's stay alert and remember that this spirit is out to kill the prophetic. We are never to tolerate it (Revelation 2:20).

Go!

One of the reasons that many women are in caves is because of hurts and rejections they have experienced throughout life. 

I can't even begin to count how many people have shared their stories of hurt and pain with me, and while they were wounded many inadvertently made ungodly covenants as they ran into caves. The confession usually goes something like this: "I'm so hurt. I'm just going to love the Lord and worship Him in my secret place because I sure struggle with His people right now."

I do understand that hiding in a cave can make a person feel safe, but in actuality it's a false security and it does not line up with the Word of God. In the Great Commission we are commanded to go into the whole world, and 1 John 4:20 says that we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ: "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."So, beloved, we must love our brothers and sisters as we go and serve Christ in them.

Let's rejoice in the fact that there is always a genuine safe place for all Believers—it's in the shadow of the Almighty's wings. This true security is a supernatural act of protection, not an excuse to hide. 

We must learn to love and serve the Bride of Christ even with all of her spots and wrinkles, for our gifts are not to be hidden for ourselves but they are to be given away to others. Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Developed in the Dark Room

It's wonderful to know that the character of Christ can be formed in us, even if we're in a cave season. We can learn a lot if we remain teachable and determined to become better and not bitter:
• We learn to stay in the safe place after slaying giants (1 Samuel 24:3).
• We learn to love (1 Samuel 24:10).
• We learn not to touch God's anointed (1 Samuel 24:10).
• We learn mercy and forgiveness (1 Samuel 24:10).
• We learn of the Lord's provision (1 Kings 18:4).
• We learn when to cry aloud to the Lord (Psalm 57:1).
• We learn that miracles can be birthed in caves (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:1–7).
• We learn humility (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:1–7).
• We learn to delight in hiddenness and live to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7).
• We learn to hear the Lord's still small voice (1 Kings 19:9–12).
• We learn there is a season to all things (1 Kings 19:13).
What Are You Doing Here?

As the Lord releases a great company of women throughout the earth, let's take a look at 1 Kings 19:13–16 (NLT) to see what happened to Elijah as he was hiding in the cave. God asked Elijah a question as he stood at the mouth of the cave:

And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied again, "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You, torn down Your altars, and killed every one of Your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." Then the Lord told him, "Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as My prophet."

ElijahList Prophetic Resources

In unpacking these Scriptures, it's great to see that God didn't lose track of His elusive servant, though Elijah had been hiding in a cave for quite some time. God had been watching over him and supernaturally ministering to his needs. But the cave season was coming to an end. Elijah had been resting, giving time to get his heart and soul right, so that he could continue on in his destiny and now God calls him back to the mountain to take a stand.

His heart must have been pierced by such a searching question from the Almighty: "What are you doing here?" I believe the Lord is asking many of us that same piercing question today:"What are you doing here?" Or perhaps we need to ask ourselves, "Am I in the right place?" Are you sensing a nudge from the Lord that's making you uncomfortable? If so, let's remember that the Lord often comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Our faith, spiritual gifts, and Christ-like character grow by being stretched, not by lying dormant in a cave.

And then, in the solitude of Mount Sinai, perhaps at the same "cleft of the rock" that Moses hid in thousands of years before as God's glory passed by (Exodus 33:22), God showed up to give direction to His prophetic servant. It is amazing that God told Elijah to go back on the same road and along the same path that led him to the cave. Oh, how different this trip would be! 

Elijah was no longer fatigued or frightened by Jezebel; rather, he left the cave anointed by God and ready to be a heavenly force to be reckoned with.
I hear the Lord saying, "Go! Get your eyes off of yourself. Here are your new marching orders: love, serve, anoint, appoint, and raise up successors."

Exchanging Grave Clothes for Bridal Armor

John 11:44–45 tells us of the raising of Lazarus from the dead: The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.' Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him."

This is a season where God is exchanging your grave clothes for the armor of God. I declare to you today: "Come forth now, with boldness, with purity of devotion and passion after God. Exchange the grave clothes that held you in bondage for pure, white linens, the righteous acts of God's holy people, and declare the Good News of the Kingdom of God so that many will believe in Him!"

Just think what would have happened if Jesus had stayed in the cave. Thank goodness He arose from the dead and walked out of the tomb in resurrection power. In Romans 8:11 the apostle Paul makes it clear that the Holy Spirit, the agent of Jesus's resurrection, lives within every Believer: "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

I speak life to dreams, marriages, businesses and families today. Come forth! You shall live and not die!

Psalm 57:1 is a beautiful tribute regarding David as he fled from Saul and hid in the cave, and it's valid for you and me today: "Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by."

Destruction has passed you by, beloved, and you are commanded to arise and shine. The Lord has softened your heart and given you a breastplate of righteousness. You're a radiant Bride, soft on the inside and tough as nails on the outside. 

A heavenly, royal wedding gown covers the armor as you march in the great army of women. God is calling His women out of the caves.

Paulette Reed
Prophetic Arrow Ministries

Paulette Reed is a powerful preacher, prophetic minister, encourager, and author. She is a full-time revivalist/evangelist. Her passion is to share the love of Christ and unite people to the inexplicable love of our Heavenly Father, exhorting them to arise and shine! She is an extremely accurate prophetess who has been raised up to bring hope and healing to the Body of Christ. Without a vision the people perish, so the Lord is using this handmaiden as His mouthpiece to speak forth individual and corporate vision, catapulting people into their destinies. Paulette loves to see God's people awakened and proclaim the active extension of the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. She ministers in the revival anointing accompanied by revelatory ministry, healing, miracles, signs and wonders.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Jonathan Cahn: Will America Avoid Calamity?

Jonathan Cahn: Will America Avoid Calamity?





"And in the midst of the greatest moral and spiritual decay in modern times, the pulpits have largely grown silent in answering it, more focused on how God can fulfill our will and desires than calling the church to fulfill the will and desires of God." (Dollar Photo Club/blvdone; Les Cunliffe)
I take no joy in being the bearer of bad news.
That might sound strange coming from the author of The Harbinger and The Mystery of the Shemitah. But that's the point. If I must be that bearer, then there has to be a very strong reason behind it. And so when I'm asked to write how America can avoid judgment or calamity, I find myself in a predicament. The reason is this: I don't believe it will be avoided. And if we don't look at the magnitude of the situation, we'll be of no effect, impact or good in the matter.
What we are now witnessing is unprecedented in the history of America and modern culture. In the 1970s Ruth Graham made the statement: "If God doesn't judge America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." Those words were spoken at a time when the Ten Commandments were still displayed in public schools and government buildings, when marriage was overwhelmingly upheld, when the idea that God and Jesus could be mocked on national television as the object of comedy would be unimaginable, when the idea that there would come a time when half or more of American children would be born out of wedlock and the president of the United States would be endorsing homosexuality would be unimaginable. And yet if Ruth Graham could speak of God's judgment on the America of that day, how much more true is it now, and how much farther is this nation down the road to judgment?
While individual believers, churches and ministries may see success in ministry and many brought to salvation, the state of the church as a whole with regard to the culture that surrounds it is another matter altogether. Despite what many preach, these are not the best of times and things are not getting better—but decidedly worse. There has been no great national revival on American shores in years. But there has been a great apostasy. And that apostasy has deepened in its intensity, widened in its scope and accelerated in its speed. And most of the church has been ineffective in slowing it down, much less stopping or reversing it.
We now find ourselves on the defense, having our jobs threatened for merely standing on the Word of God. And rather than causing us to grow stronger, too many believers and ministers have grown timid and weak, not wanting to pay a price for their faith. And in the midst of the greatest moral and spiritual decay in modern times, the pulpits have largely grown silent in answering it, more focused on how God can fulfill our will and desires than calling the church to fulfill the will and desires of God. And we wonder why the culture around us is going to hell. If the American church had been the salt and light it was called to be, there is no way that the culture could have grown so dark and rotting.
So do I believe that we can avoid God's judgment, the hand of His shaking? No—not any more than could ancient Israel. No nation, so blessed with God's blessings, can so blatantly war against the God of its blessings and expect those blessings to continue. I believe a great shaking is coming to this nation. Does that mean I have no hope? No, not at all. Rather I believe that America has grown so far from God that without a great shaking there would be no hope. I believe America has grown so deafened to God's voice, that it will not be in His whispers but in His crying out and shouting that it has any chance of now hearing. Most of us came to the Lord, or drew closer to the Lord because there was some kind of shaking in our lives. If that's true for individuals, why do we think it less true for nations?
In the days after 9/11, it looked as if there was going to be a national revival. And there was a window of time when it could have taken place. All across the nation, people flocked to churches and prayed for God's blessing. But there was no revival because there was no repentance. And without repentance, there can be no revival. And so it was not only that America failed to return to God, but in the years following 9/11, grew much farther away from God than it had ever been before. I believe it will take an event even greater than 9/11 for America to wake up and return. I don't believe that it's a choice between judgment or revival. At this point in America's descent from God, I believe it will only be through judgment, as in a great shaking, that revival would come—to those who will hear and turn.
Do we have a role to play in this? Yes. Do we have any biblical model to give us direction? We do. The prophet Elijah likewise lived in a time of national apostasy and judgment. And yet he was powerfully used to accomplish God's purposes. What does he reveal to us about our calling in this day?
A Time of National Apostasy
Even in the face of great evil and persecution, Elijah never succumbed to the temptation to live on the defensive. He lived decidedly on the offensive. He knew that no matter what it looked like, God was in control and so as long as he followed God, he would be living on the winning side. Elijah lived, not to be acted upon, but to act upon the world around him. In the same way we must resist the temptation, in a day of great evil, to become reactionary and to live on the defense. The Lord didn't give us that option. We are of the kingdom that only advances. We must therefore live proactively, resolving that we will not be affected by the world, but the world will be affected by us. We must set our hearts, make it our goal, to impact the darkness around us with the light.
Lights in the Darkness
Elijah was engaged with the nation and culture surrounding him. He was a light shining in its darkness. We must be the same. No matter what age we live in and no matter what the state of its culture, our calling to be the light of the world remains. The light doesn't ignore the darkness. The light doesn't pretend that the darkness isn't really that dark. It doesn't tone down its light to be politically correct or not to offend. It doesn't hide its radiance in fear of persecution. Nor is it content to live a self-absorbed existence focusing on itself and its own prosperity. If it does any of these things, then it ceases being the light. What does the light do? It shines. It lights up the darkness. It changes the world around it. If we want to see revival, we must do likewise.
Weaned and Plugged In
Elijah lived in the midst of famine, and yet was unaffected by it. He had weaned himself of dependence on his culture and world. At the same time he became more and more dependent on God. The two things go together. Likewise, in the days ahead, we must become more and more independent of the world and culture around us. We must wean ourselves, our spiritual life, our emotional life, our thought life, our identity from the world. How do we do that? By becoming more dependent on God. The more plugged into God we become, the more independent of the world we will be. We must root and ground our lives all the more deeply and strongly on God and His Word. That which can be shaken will be shaken. But that which is rooted and grounded in God's Word and truth will not be shaken.
Prayer, More Than Ever Before
In the same way, Elijah was a man of prayer. And the Bible records that his prayers were heard and effective. In the days ahead, we must become, even more so, people of prayer. In days of apostasy and chaos, it will be our sustenance and our strength, an anchor in the storm.
The Righteousness Key
Elijah was a man of righteousness. The Bible reveals that his righteousness was a key part of his ability to impact what happened to his nation. If we want to impact the future of our nation, we must likewise live lives of integrity and walk in righteousness. One of the most central Scriptures of revival, 2 Chronicles 7:14, involves as a key component that the people of God "turn from their evil ways." If we walk in darkness, how can we be a light to that darkness?
If we walk in the ways of the world, how can impact it? And if we're afraid of being different, how can we make a difference? It is crucial that we do whatever we have to do to live lives consistent with our faith, and walk in righteousness.
Living to Bless
Elijah knew nothing of a self-centered faith, focused on increasing his blessings and prosperity. Had he been focused on such things, he would have become of no effect. We must reverse the momentum. Instead of living to be blessed, we must live to be a blessing. That's how Paul lived. That's how Messiah lived. And that's the vessel that God will use to impact the world.
Unadulterated, Uncompromised
Elijah never softened the Word of God and never compromised. In the same way, we must reject a watered-down gospel. If we want to see the full power of God's Word, we must take that Word at full strength.
We can't compromise to win people. Rather it is when we don't compromise that we burn with the passion of God and shine with His glory—that's when revival comes.
Your Own Revival
Elijah didn't just preach the calling of God—He lived it. So we too must not only preach revival and pray for revival—we must start living in revival now. We can't force others to walk in revival, but we can choose it for ourselves. If there is anything in our lives which has no place in the life of a saint, and which is under judgment, the time is now, not later, not tomorrow, to get it out of our lives. And if God has been calling us to answer His call, and we have not yet done it, the time is now, not later, and not tomorrow to answer it. Revival begins with us—or it doesn't begin at all.
The Time for Greatness
We must not pray that God will spare America hard times, but rather that God will do whatever it takes to bring about repentance, salvation, and revival. The ministry of Elijah wasn't hindered by calamity or persecution—rather it thrived. So the days in which we enter will not hinder our calling. In fact, these are the days that cause those who hold true to God's Word to become great. When the dark grows darker, the lights grow brighter. Choose to do the right thing, even when it's hard, even when it costs. Choose to be great and you will be—in His power. The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the entire earth seeking the one whose heart is completely His. You be that person. And let us be that people. And God will greatly use us to accomplish His will on the earth for such a time as this.
Pockets of true revival are breaking out across America. Want to know more about the next great move of God? Click here to see Jennifer LeClaire's new book, featuring Dutch Sheets, Reinhard Bonnke, Jonathan Cahn, Billy Graham and others.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn is the New York Times best-selling author of The Harbingerand The Mystery of the Shemitah, president of Hope of the World ministries and senior pastor and Messianic rabbi of the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel in Wayne, New Jersey. His teachings are widely known for revealing the deep mysteries of God's Word.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn shows how America is fulfilling Isaiah 9:10 by refusing to repent in the face of calamity at jonathancahn.charismamag.com.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Word for 2015 - The Spirit of Elijah by Elaine Tavolacci

Word for 2015 - The Spirit of Elijah 

by Elaine Tavolacci

Identity Network
 
The Holy Spirit gave me a word for the coming year of 2015 as it relates to the Spirit of Elijah. There is a story in the Old Testament about the prophet Elijah and his successor the prophet Elisha. Elisha's ministry first began as a servant to Elijah in the book of 1 Kings 19:19 as he completed his earthly occupation of plowing twelve yolk of oxen. Elijah approached Elisha and threw his mantle upon him. This is symbolic for those who are clothed with the prophetic mantle which is the spirit of Elijah, as well as an allegory of the father's mantle being passed to the son. Each day Elisha followed Elijah closely and would not leave him for a moment. In the same way, we should have mentors who walk as Jesus walked and could disciple us in love as well as spiritual realities.
 
Elijah was a prophet with a ministry of miracles, signs and wonders. After a season in which Elisha had served Elijah, the Lord was coming to take Elijah. He obviously knew this because he asked Elisha; what may I do for you before I am taken away? Elisha responded; I want a double portion of your Spirit (anointing). This word for spirit in the original Hebrew context is ruwach which is breath, wind, spirit. It is referring to the living breath of God, a living mantle. Elijah replied, if you see me when I am taken from you it shall be so. Soon after, a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared, separated them and took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. His mantle fell upon Elisha and he received a double portion of Elijah's anointing. Elisha's ministry did not begin until Elijah's ministry ended. We are going to see the ministries of the prophetic sons and daughters succeed the ministries of their spiritual fathers in the coming year.
 
Prophetic Voices Being Raised
 
The Lord says; I am raising up prophetic voices to declare My glory to this generation. They will be those who will trumpet My words with clarity and precision as they minister in the Spirit and power of Elijah. They will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. They will prepare the people's hearts for the days ahead. They will be men and women who will walk in the anointing as in days of old. There will be miracles, signs and wonders performed through their hands as My anointing rests upon them and abides within them. They will show others how to be fed supernaturally in the times of famine. 

They shall decree a thing and it shall be established because I will confirm the words that I give them to speak. They are men and women of valor who follow in the steps of My prophets who went before them. They are those who have put their hand to the plow and have not looked back. They are those who have never deviated from My plan, but have followed Me through difficult times and persecution. They will bring reconciliation to My body and balance to the five fold ministry bringing every joint and ligament to function in unison. I am raising up men and women who know how to take back their land. They will take a stand against unrighteousness, sin and injustice, and they will be steadfast in their convictions says the Lord.
 
2 Kings 2:9-14 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." 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." 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. 

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. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 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
 
There Will Be Unbelievers
 
In the book of 2 Kings 2:13 after Elisha received the double portion of Elijah's anointing he went and stood on the bank of the Jordan River and struck the water and asked, Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The Lord responded by dividing the water and Elisha crossed over. This is the second time a mantle from Elijah was placed upon Elisha. The first mantle was in the book of 1 Kings 19:19 as Elisha began serving Elijah, and the second time was in the book of 2 Kings 2:13 as he began to serve the Lord. The sons of the prophets recognized that the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. 

Shortly after, in the book of 2 Kings 2:23 Elisha was now walking in a double portion anointing when some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you bald head."  They were not mocking his physical appearance, but they were mocking his anointing. They were insinuating that he "Go up" in the same way that Elijah went up in a horse and Chariot. 1 Chronicles 16:22 and 2 Chronicles 36:16 refers to those who mocked and rose up against the prophets of God in the Old Testament.
 
Psalm 105:15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
 
The Lord says; there will be unbelievers in the days ahead who will not understand the call on the lives of My prophets. They will be mocked and ridiculed as My servants but they will not retreat. Those who I have called, I will also equip with strength and endurance. I will give them divine wisdom with spiritual strategies. They will understand the times and the seasons, and walk accordingly. I will give them keen discernment concerning their ministry and the sword of My word will be in their mouths. They will bring truth to the body and bring unity in places of division. They will walk in righteousness but not submit to the religious traditions of man because they are led by My Spirit. Supernatural encounters and signs will follow those who believe as I am raising up mighty men and women in the spirit of Elijah says the Lord.
 
Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
 
Elaine Tavolacci


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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Prophecy: God Is Restoring the Signs and Wonders Movement

Heavenly breakthrough
(Flickr/Patrick Emerson)

Prophetic Insight, from Charisma Media
It seems like so many times recently during prayer I am reminded of the Prophet Elijah casting his mantle on Elisha. In that single moment a spiritual calling was released and an invitation to come up higher was given. This moment would not be recorded in Scripture if Elisha did not discern the weight of what was taking place. 
 
"So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him" (1 Kin. 19:19).
 
Elisha was being called by God to take the mantle of a prophetic father and advance! I so clearly hear the rumbling of revival in this hour. There is a transition that is taking place, and a generation of people are arising in the earth who long for the outpouring of the presence of God. 
 
We have read the books about the great healing ministers, powerful prophets and renowned revivalists who have gone on before us. When they died they left their mantles on earth waiting to be claimed and taken to the next level. It is time that this generation makes spiritual history! It is time that we have a fresh outpouring of power, miracles and awakening.
 
In a time of prayer recently a powerful word of the Lord came to me about the mantles being released:
 
I am calling this generation forth to move in the supernatural. Even as the church in the book of Acts went from place to place with power and demonstration, so am I calling this generation to move in power and demonstration. No longer shall the hand of man prevail; no longer shall the wisdom of man stand. 
 
I have invested the power and authority of My kingdom inside of My family, My sons and daughters. There is an awakening unto fullness, fullness of sonship, fullness of covenant, fullness of position and grace in Me, there is an awakening to the fullness of My power, My kingdom that I have called you to carry. There is a banner of fire being cast over this generation, and I am raising up voices who will release My wind and My breath upon the embers in order to fan the flame. 
 
This generation is called and marked to burn for Me. This generation is called unto the supernatural. I am raising up and establishing healing ministries in the earth as a sign and a wonder. I am sending forth prophetic ministries in the earth to awaken My people from their slumber and call them back to My heart. The spirit of slumber has blinded the eyes of many and they have been asleep at the wheel while destined journeys and planned exploits have crashed in the spirit and not been fulfilled because they were driving with their eyes closed! 
 
I am calling them to wake and move with Me. I am casting the mantle upon My people! I am casting the mantle of supernatural ministry upon My people. I am calling them to arise into the kingdom. The kingdom is supernatural. My sons and daughters are supernatural people called to signs and wonders. There is a generation that is arising in the earth that shall walk in uncommon faith and do uncommon exploits by my spirit.
 
Friend, I believe that this is the word of the Lord for you and me! God is calling His people to move in the supernatural. A new era of revival is beginning, and you have a part in it. Heaven has no small assignments! Let us be like Elisha and recognize the moment that we are living in. Jesus is inviting us to move deeper and allow Him to shine brighter through us. My prayer is that we receive the mantle of fire and go forth blazing with the fire of revival! "For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).
 
Ryan LeStrange has been preaching the gospel for more than half of his life. As a young man, God led him to leave his home and travel to Tennessee to study and train under Dr. Norvel Hayes, who later became his spiritual father. Pastor Ryan shares the apostolic call of Dr. Hayes to establish churches, ministries and bible colleges, and to train leaders in the body of Christ. Ryan hosts a weekly television show on God TV called Power4Today. Ryan is the Apostle and leader of Impact International Apostolic Fellowship, a network of churches and ministries around the world with a single vision to birth revival. He has founded two bible colleges, served as an associate pastor and traveled as an evangelist. Visit him online at ryanlestrange.com.

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