You Are Invited To Walk In the Double Portion of Your Fathers In the Spirit - Jeff Jensen

Jeff Jansen:

You Are Invited To Walk 

In the Double Portion of 

Your Fathers In the Spirit

The Elijah List

Great Fathers

We lost a great father on February 14, 2014, when Bob Jones was called home. Bob was a spiritual father to many. He was a spiritual father to Jan and me.

In 1975, Bob went to Heaven and God sent him back with a mandate to "learn to love" and to prepare the Church to see one billion souls come into the Kingdom. He has left many sons and many daughters behind. His words to us were that his ceiling would be our floor.

Bob died on Valentine's Day, 2-14 in 2014. Bob's life is a parable. It is Habakkuk 2:14 which says, "But [the time is coming] (and now is) that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord..."

It is also 2 Kings 2:14, which is the account of Elijah and Elisha. This is where I believe we, the Church, are at this time.

Many fathers are going home, but it's 2 Kings 2:14 for 2014. Those that were a part of revival in America in the '50s – Schambach, Oral Roberts, T. L. Osborn – they have all gone home. Paul Cain is the last of the '50's revivalists.

He told me recently that he knew the Lord was taking him home this year. Our fathers have left a great legacy of power and love.

Elisha Tested

In 2 Kings 2, Elisha leaves all and goes with Elijah the prophet. In verse 2, Elijah tries to get Elisha to stay in that place, but Elisha refuses to leave him. Elisha would not allow himself to get distracted, because he was after something and was determined not to miss it. Verse 4 and verse 6 says Elijah again tries twice more to get him to stay behind, but Elisha was firm in his pursuit.

The Word says in 2 Kings 2:8-10 that the two of them, Elijah and Elisha, stood by the Jordan. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the waters. The waters divided and they walked across on dry ground. After they crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha:

"'Ask what I shall do for you before I be taken away from you.' And Elisha said, 'I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.' And he said, 'You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so unto you...'"

Elijah had tested Elisha, tried to shake him, but Elisha kept his focus and would not be put off. Elisha wanted a double portion of what was on Elijah's life.

In verse 11, they went on talking and a chariot of fire parted the two of them and Elijah went up into Heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha watched Elijah go up into the heavens. He was in anguish because his father whom he loved was gone. He wasn't after the mantle. Elisha loved his father, Elijah. You cannot just take someone's mantle; it comes through relationship.

It says in verses 13-14, that Elisha took up the mantle of Elijah which had fallen to the ground and went to the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of his father, Elijah, and struck the water saying, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The water parted and he walked over on dry ground.

He could have just stood there holding that mantle saying, "Where is the God of my father?" and nothing would have happened. It wasn't until he did exactly what he saw his father do and struck the Jordan. As soon as he did, the double took place and the Jordan rolled up on either side. Elisha did exactly double the amount of miracles Elijah had done.

He received the double portion.

The Double Portion is Being Released

We are living in 2 Kings 2:14. We have had fathers. Many are now going home. As they are going home, there is an opportunity for the double. 

The double portion is being released. This is the year of the double doors, the year of the double portion. We must use what we have been entrusted with and we will see double the miracles.

The knowledge of the glory of God is coming in ways that take what the previous generations have done, and we will build on top of that. Their ceiling is our floor. What our fathers have done in the Spirit, we have the opportunity to take it to another level. It is the double portion. We all have the invitation to walk in the double portion of what the previous fathers have done in the Spirit.

Souls need to be won and transformed. Nations also need to be transformed. I want a double portion so I can do something with it. America needs to get saved. American needs reformation.

Paul Cain saw the stadiums being full in America, where the dead were being raised. He saw CNN broadcasting, "There is no news today but good news. There has been a resurrection in the stadium." He saw thousands coming to Christ in America.

I want to pray the double portion for you:

Lord, I pray the Father's blessing over everyone reading this. I pray for double portion, Lord. It is our turn now. Many fathers are going home and those mantles are falling upon another generation. God, we want to be the Elisha generation. It is going from Moses to Joshua, from Elijah to Elisha. Lord, we want to be Joshua that takes them into fulfill the promises, take them into the Promised Land. It is our turn now. Lord, I pray for the double portion.

Reach out and take the mantles that are falling and do something with them. Lay hands on the sick, give hope to the hopeless, love others well. God is looking for ways to change lives, and it will come through us. These are the days of the double portion.

Blessings,

Jeff Jansen

Senior Leader, Global Fire Church, Murfreesboro, TN
Founder, Global Fire Ministries International
Global Connect / Kingdom Life Institute

Email: info@globalfireministries.com
Website: globalfireministries.com

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March 20, 2014

Jeff Jansen:

You Are Invited To Walk In the Double Portion of Your Fathers In the Spirit

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

I lost my own spiritual father, Wade Taylor, just two years before a second "father in the spirit," Bob Jones, also went home to be with the Lord.
It's hard to say that the loss of these great men...for me and for others...is gain. Nevertheless, what this often means in God's economy is that when one father goes home, the spiritual sons inherit a double portion.

Read this awesome article about this very subject by Jeff Jansen
Enjoy!

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Glory Rising: Walking in the Realm of Creative Miracles, Signs, and Wonders by Jeff Jansen Book $16.99 $11.69

Destiny Doors Opening Into the Supernatural by Jeff Jansen SALE $14.77 $20.00 2-Set Teaching

SHARED ANOINTINGS (c) Morris E. Ruddick

SHARED ANOINTINGS (c) Morris E. Ruddick "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.'"  2 Kings 2:9 Elijah's God-encounter in the cave which followed his  exploits against the prophets of Baal and Asherah began  a transition for Elijah's ministry, as well as for Israel. After  challenging Elijah's hideaway with the words: "What are you  doing here;" the Lord then restored him to fulfill his next task.  Soon afterward, Elijah was connected with Elisha as his  protege and the process of Elisha's nurturing began.  (1 Kings 19:16). The authority of Elijah's anointing shut up the heavens and  brought judgment on a reprobate Israel. Then his daring  confrontation with evil changed Israel's spiritual climate. In  so doing, God's people began coming out of the closet. So when Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit,  it was no small thing. Elijah bore a disruptive anointing; an  anointing that short-circuited the inroads of evil. His authority  in the spirit stopped the sorcery in its tracks. It had no equal  in that day. The fulfillment of Elisha's request for a "double-portion" was  evidenced not only by the startling miracles of his ministry,  but by the angelic host unveiled around him in his encounter  with the army of Syria (2 Kings 6:17). 2 Kings 13:21 then tells  of a burial interrupted by a band of raiders. The dead man was  abandoned in the tomb of Elisha and scripture indicates that  when "he was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he  revived and stood on his feet." So Elisha's double-portion of  Elijah's anointing not only worked unusual miracles, it commanded  the authority of a host of angels and carried a presence that  even transcended his death. God's highest priorities are always about His people. For  both Elijah and Elisha, their greatest accomplishments  involved the impact on the spiritual climate to mobilize God's  people and impart the prophetic wisdom as advisers to  protect those known by His Name. These dynamics raise two very important issues. First is what  Elisha reached for: a dimension in God beyond the incredible  spiritual threshold that operated through Elijah. The second  is the issue of the anointing itself, and with the anointing the  authority, available for the challenges within the church of  this day. The release of the anointing comes at a cost. It involves a  stewardship. The stewardship is in the reach one makes for  God's presence; which in turn abides in the place of His glory.  The operation of the anointing requires a God-perspective,  which means adjusting our mind-sets, to thinking according  to God's order and standard. The release of the anointing  manifests when operating in the Spirit beyond ones human  capacities. Shared anointings come from mentoring and  cooperative assignments directed by the Spirit for the  purpose of the community at large. Operation of the Anointing Jesus taught his followers how to apply righteous power in  corrupt settings. This is the way of the Kingdom. It begins  with our thinking. "Let this mind be in you which also was  in Christ Jesus." Phil 2:5 The anointing flows when there is not one vestige of  variation between God's order and purposes; and our  actions or words. It is an emptying of ourselves in  humility to allow the unhindered flow of the Holy Spirit  through us. "Who emptied Himself, taking on the form of a  bondservant." Phil 2:7 Jesus taught His followers to abide. Jesus spent hours  at night in prayer with the Father. He imparted the  wisdom that He always did what He saw His father  doing. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who  abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for  apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5-6 Upon His resurrection, a new thing happened. Jesus made the Holy Spirit available to all believers (John 14:26-27). The ongoing release of the Spirit follows the pattern of Jesus in spending time with the Father and abiding. Many were those who followed after Elijah, but only Elisha stayed the course to embrace the "double-portion." The Release of the Anointing The anointing serves as a catalyst, an igniter of righteous power. Abiding in the place of His presence, the place of His glory penetrates the veil. It is the place where the supernatural power of God to trump evil is revealed. Yet the anointing is released when what we see in the Spirit-realm is put into action. From his place of abiding Elisha discerned the very words the King of Syria spoke in the privacy of his bedchamber. From that he advised the King of Israel. So in 2 Kings 6 when the armies of Syria came by night and surrounded Elisha's city, he knew exactly what was unfolding and he knew what he was to do. Joseph the Patriarch, a slave without position, brought blessing to the household of Potiphar. Genesis 39 indicates that everyone saw that the Lord was with Joseph and made all that he did to prosper. Joseph knew what it meant to abide in God's presence, but as a faithful steward Joseph put in action what God showed him. He carried the mantle of his great-grandfather Abraham, as a catalyst of blessing to those around him, indeed to the nations. Shared Anointings Individual anointings are multiplied exponentially when combined and released with the anointings of others. The scope of Elisha's mantle expanded as Elijah mentored, nurtured and prepared him. It is the reason why biblical community represents a safe-place to foster the diversity of gifts and anointings; where they are allowed to incubate and work together. However, since Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, shared anointings have taken on an even greater potential. The charismatic revival of the late sixties and early 70s began when believers hungry for more of God, began gathering to seek Him more diligently. What resulted was shared and passed on by the laying on of hands. Ripples went out that became a torrent of revival as the anointing was imparted and the presence of God manifested to satisfy the growing hunger of those not satisfied with the status quo. Over the years, within my calling in the marketplace, I have been given opportunity to apply my gift and impart my anointing as a consultant to a number of respected ministries, ranging from CBN to Oral Roberts, to Morris Cerullo to Marilyn Hickey. In each of these cases not only did result come from the application of my gift; but I emerged with a dimension of the anointing from these ministries I had served. When anointings merge to serve God's purposes, new dimensions are released on each side. Many years ago, I received a prophetic word from a minister I had never met before who had no awareness of my situation or background. His words to me simply were: "You sir, have a spirit of prosperity on you. Financially, you may be broke or you may be a millionaire. It doesn't matter. Prosperity is not about money; but comes from within to bring blessing and increase to others." That word came not long after I had lost my position with a firm I had been working for. My financial situation at the time was not good. Yet, the words of truth this man of God spoke penetrated the darkness trying to enshroud me at that time. It bore significantly on assignments I had had in the past bearing on opportunity and increase for my clients; as it has become foundational to the role I now serve with the persecuted church within God's purposes in making them the head and not the tail. Yet, what has resulted, as a consultant, a board-member and a teacher-mobilizer comes from shared anointings, which combine the dimensions of my own anointing being blended with the unique dimensions of those I have served and am serving. As a young Christian, I was greatly influenced and mentored by two incredible men of God. Both might be described as world-class prayer warriors; men of faith. Yet one also had a unique anointing for developing strategy; while the other's distinctive anointing was tied to being a catalyst for revival. Now over forty years later, prayer, developing strategy and revival are still by-words of the way my anointing operates. The more you impart to apply and give your anointing away, the more it grows. It is a dynamic of the Kingdom. The Cost and Application The issue comes down to two factors. The first is the cost of the anointing. The second is in applying the anointing. The anointing of an Elijah or Elisha does not come passively. It is developed and nurtured. It flows with ones gifts and calling. Every believer has a sphere (2 Cor 10:13), an area of influence of their anointing. Within the boundary of that area of influence is the authority to break asunder what Paul refers to as the bondage of corruption. Presumption in operating outside that sphere is asking for trouble. The bottom line ties to changing the spiritual climate. Daniel excelled professionally and spiritually in a culture of sorcery to the level that he was described as ten times better than ALL the sorcerers within the king's realm. From that juncture and standard, there came stages of challenge: the king's dream; walking in the fire; and the lion's den. Changing the spiritual climate will not generally go unchallenged. However, there comes a point in prevailing when one's spiritual authority becomes established. So it was, later in Daniel's tenure as advisor to the court. It was in that context that the handwriting on the wall manifested. It was a major shift from the lion's den and walking in the fire. The handwriting on the wall parallels Joseph's promotion alongside Pharaoh, when the anointing prevails and has established God's authority in a domain. When it does, everything changes. Yet, the mantle bearing the anointing will require a cost. Many years ago, a great man of God I studied under told the story of a young man who came to him and audaciously told him he "wanted" his anointing. Very few in that generation had an anointing to equal the authority this man of God wielded. His response to the young man very simply was: "Are you willing to pay the cost?" We impart and share the anointing generously. However, to fully embrace the anointing of others, a cost will be paid. Sometimes the cost already has been paid at the point of impartation and reflects a "next step" for what the Lord has planned. That very much has been the case with the persecuted segment of the church we have been honored to be working with. They have been through and have been purified by fire. Elisha had been prepared by the best and was ready for the double-portion. Yet for others, the impartation will result in having to face and then walk into the fire. It has never been about man's glory, but God's; and His alone. The Word of God tells us that God is a consuming fire. His presence does not "abide" with the soulish. It disrupts and then consumes it. God's anointing applied will bring change and the restoration of the order required to establish His purposes. The key for the Elijah-Elisha impact, the "double-portion" in today's time of turbulence, is to be found in exercising the anointing through community. We need the authority of Elijah's anointing to shut up the heavens and bring judgment. We need God's people to come out of the closet. We need those who are either aligned with or overwhelmed by the world to arise and take their place among the remnant of the faithful, who have been applying their anointings. It is time for the spiritual climate to be challenged with the explosive power of shared anointings from God's chosen. The release of the anointing  involves stewardship.  Shared anointings ignite one another and bring  enlargement. This type of prophetic stewardship  requires a consistent priority of spending time with  Him so that our perspective is a God-perspective. It  means defining our gifts and like Daniel, becoming  the best in the sphere we've been given. That means  operating in the Spirit beyond our human capacities. Entering this dimension requires focus given to mentoring and cooperative assignments directed by the Spirit that provide opportunity for shared anointings to manifest at the community level. This premise will evoke what will manifest as revival, as the fullness of His presence takes root. "I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing.  And I will cause showers to come down in their season;  they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field  will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and  they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that  I am the LORD." Ezek 34:26-27 ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for  the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As  founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of  the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program,  Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community  builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and  non-Western world.   He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy,  Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;"  and "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World," which address the  mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to  impact their communities with God's blessings. They are  available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com,  BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.   Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is  a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled  by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors  whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted  church to be the head and not the tail.  Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives  and mailed to  PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237  or email us at  sign@strategicintercession.org  for access information on  our secure web-site. Likewise, email us to schedule a briefing for your congregation  on the state of the persecuted church and how you can more  effectively pray for them.   2014 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a  SIGN adviser. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN)  has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting  strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous  posts or more information on SIGN,  check: http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org

Barbie Breathitt: Christlikeness From the Life of Elisha: Tests and Double Mantle (The Elijah List)

Barbie Breathitt:

Christlikeness From the 

Life of Elisha: 

Tests and Double Mantle

Tests and a Double Mantle

After Elijah trained his servant Elisha to look and see, listen and hear, and prophesy the word of the Lord, it was time for him to return to Heaven. The heavenly chariot of God carried Elijah away from Elisha into the spiritual expanse of Heaven's eternity outside of time. Elisha was told by Elijah, "If you see me when I am taken from you, [you will receive a double portion of my spirit]..."

Elisha had to pass many tests and persevere in order to walk in Elijah's double mantle (see 2 Kings 2:1-18). 

Elijah asked Elisha to stay in Gilgal, the place of cutting, circumcision, and the rolling away of reproach, but he refused. This is a picture for us that when God removes our past failures and reproach, we must walk through the gates of authority into the new place with God; and so Elijah then moved on to Bethel, the place or house of God, the gates of Heaven. Bethel was a place where people went to seek counsel from God. Elisha followed Elijah to Bethel to learn how to obtain God's counsel.

We must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to the next place of testing to progress spiritually. We cannot remain complacent or stagnant; the river of God always flows.

Next, the sons of the prophets came to Elisha in Bethel and said, "Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?'And Elisha said, "Yes I know; be still!" Elijah told Elisha to remain in Bethel while he went on to Jericho. But Elisha said, "I will not leave you" (2 Kings 2:3 NASB).

The sons of the prophets in Jericho, a place of fragrance and warfare, had also been shown that Elijah was going to be taken away from Elisha that day.

From Jericho, Elijah and Elisha traveled on to Jordan, a place of flowing down or descending, where fifty men of the sons of the prophets stood opposite them at the Jordan River. Elijah took his mantle, folded it together, and struck the waters of the Jordan, which divided, allowing both prophets to cross over on dry ground.

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." 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." 

As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to Heaven. Elisha saw it [the chariot] and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 2 Kings 2:9-12 NASB

However, Elijah did not hand his mantle onto Elisha; Elisha had to pick it up after Elijah was taken into Heaven.

What Was the Significance of Elijah's Mantle For Elisha?

The word mantle in Hebrew is addereth; its root word being adar, which is also the word for the last month on the Hebrew calendar. The month of Adar is the best time to remove any personal barriers to holiness, thus it is a time to create the potential for the greatest joy. Adar is the final month of the year, i.e. it completes the year, and hence it is a time of completion. 

The root meaning of adar is glorious, splendid, marvelous, and mighty. In a noun form it is rendered as a cloak or mantle.

He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over. 2 Kings 2:13-14 NASB

Jewish traditions indicate that the mantle that fell from Elijah was a tallith or prayer shawl. The tallith of a prophet or master teacher would have dark purple-blue threads in the corner tassel. People believed that the purple thread contained miracle power. 

This is why the woman with the issue of blood wanted to touch the hem of Jesus' tallith or garment. When she was healed, Jesus said, "Who touched Me?...I felt virtue leave Me." Then He told her, "Your faith has made you whole," not a purple thread (see Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:43-48).

Elijah's tallith, mantle, or "adar" symbolized that Elisha had removed any barriers to his relationship with God. He was no longer the servant but now stepped into the place of the prophet he had served. Elijah's mantle was a doorway to God's power. 

Elijah told Elisha that if he saw him taken, he would have his desire to carry on the prophetic ministry with a double portion of his spirit.

The mantle is a symbol of joy and completion. Elijah left his mantle as a sign that he had completed his assignment. Elisha picked up Elijah's mantle indicating the start of a new year; he was picking up where Elijah left off and beginning his own ministry as a prophet. 

Elijah's mantle was a symbol of an agreement of power and authority between Elijah and God. Elisha's picking up Elijah's mantle symbolized that he was entering into the same agreement with God. When Elisha used Elijah's mantle to part the Jordan River, God established His agreement or covenant with Elisha.

What The Double Portion Looks Like

Everyone is at a different level of hearing and seeing in their spiritual understanding. Elisha had walked and been personally trained by Elijah for years. He had been tested and tried in spiritual disciplines. The sons of the prophets had been through training as well, yet they did not possess the level of seeing that Elisha had developed. Elisha saw the chariot of fire and the horses come to separate him from Elijah. He cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" (2 Kings 2:12 NASB).

The sons of the prophets only saw the whirlwind the chariot created. The sons of the prophets were left wondering if Elijah had been translated to Heaven or if he had possibly been transported to another geographic location. They had to search for three days in the natural to come into peace. Elisha knew Elijah had been taken to Heaven because he saw beyond the natural into the invisible realm of the Spirit.

Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 

They said to him, "Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send." But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send." They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. 

They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" 2 Kings 2:15-18 NASB

The New Testament shares an example of the audible voice of God speaking from Heaven when Jesus foretold of His death. Some that stood by didn't hear anything. Others who were present in the crowd heard God's voice manifested in thunder, while still others thought it was an angel.

So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes." John 12:29-30 NASB

The names of both Elijah (meaning "the Lord is my God" or spiritual champion) and Elisha (meaning "God will save me" or protected) carries the record of what they represent, but not necessarily how they saw, if they are thought to be seers. Elijah's name means God is Jehovah or YHVH is my God. He functioned as the Father's recorder on earth.

In the case of God's servant Elijah, the chariot was a trans-dimensional carrier of God's servant. The chariot of God transported Elijah out of time into the eternal realm where Elijah had always existed in heavenly places. When the fullness of time came, God reached down to retrieve the recording of Himself He had placed within Elijah.

Elijah came to restore all things back to God. He was called to turn the hearts of the Fathers back to the sons, and to turn the sons' hearts back to the fathers', to make ready a people for God lest God curse the earth (see Malachi 4). Elijah's anointing was to restore righteousness and protect the earthly realm from being struck with a curse caused by sin.

Elisha's name means "GOD is salvation" or "My God is salvation." He functioned under a double portion of Elijah's spirit.

Walk Like the Prophet Elisha

Elisha's eyes saw beyond the veil of the natural into the supernatural realm where God's army of fiery angels and chariots reside. His eyes were not limited by situations or hard facts. He knew to look beyond the natural to see God's provision. He trusted more in the realm of faith than what seemed to appear in the natural.

When fear blinded Elisha's servant, the prophet's prayer was able to open the attendant's spiritually blind eyes to see the coexisting spiritual realms of angels. 

Knowing that there are more for us than against us brings a peace beyond our present understanding.

Prayer delivers us from fear. Prayer opens our eyes to see God's ever-present answer, while at the same time prophetic decree will blind our enemies and place them at our mercy. For God to trust us at this level, it requires us to develop greater levels of obedience of compassion. God wants to trust us with the lives of our enemies. 

God tests and tries us until He knows that we will not execute our own judgment or harm people in any way.

When God delivers our enemies into our hands, we must return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and lovingkindness for abuse. The Lord is the only one who should ever move in judgment. He said, "Vengeance is Mine." We have no right to be vengeful. 

It is God's place to vindicate us.

We are called to love our enemies, to be kind to those who persecute, use, and abuse our kindness. 

We should lead our enemies to salvation, and their eyes will be opened to God's saving word, loving spirit, and grace. It is time to love like God loves; see like God sees; obey what God's Word says, and then do what God does.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 NASB

When Elisha's enemies came down off the mountain to pursue him, Elisha prayed. We should follow his example. Elisha's prayers struck his enemies with blindness. This removed the enemy's power and control. They were forced into a vulnerable place, wandering in darkness and confusion. 

The army had come to do the prophet great harm, but God protected him. The prophet placed his trust in God. In this new state of total dependence and humiliation, the enemy had to trust and blindly follow Elisha to Samaria. Elisha said, "Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek" (2 Kings 6:19 NASB). (Photo courtesy: Global Recordings Network)

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Then 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." And he brought them to Samaria. 2 Kings 6:18-19 NASB

Elisha's enemies had to walk through the process of trusting the one they were sent to destroy. Once they arrived at the promised location, Elisha prayed that God would reopen their blind eyes. Their vision was restored. New vision was given in the midst of their enemies.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 2 Kings 6:20 NASB

Many of us have been wounded by an enemy or betrayed by a close friend, but we are to respond to them with God's lovingkindness and compassion.

Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow?... 2 Kings 6:21-22 NASB

Elisha told the King of Israel to respond according to the greatness of God's loving-kindness, to make his enemies the objects of compassion in the presence of all their captors. Elisha encouraged the king to feed the Arameans, to provide for and care for his enemies instead of killing them. The king prepared a feast for the enemy soldiers and they ate to their fill.

"...Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:22-23 NASB

Elisha's mercy triumphed over judgment. 

Great grace leads us to victory. The King of Israel's enemies were delivered into his hands. The King was eager to execute judgment and destroy his enemies, but the prophet carefully redirected his focus to blessing and not destruction.

Good will always triumph over evil. Love will also bring forth a better result than hate.

Never greet your enemy in the same malignant spirit. Never return evil for evil but learn to bless instead of curse. We are not of this world, so we cannot respond in the spirit of this world. God is love so we must respond in the power of His might.

Barbie L. Breathitt Ph.D.
Breath of the Spirit Ministries

Email: Barbie@BreathOfTheSpiritMinistries.com

Website: BreathOfTheSpiritMinistries.com

Barbie Breathitt is the author of Dream Encounters, Seeing Your Destiny From God's Perspective, and her new book Gateway to the Seer Realm: Look Again to See Beyond the Natural. She is an ordained minister, dedicated educator, and respected teacher of the supernatural manifestations of God. 

Barbie's dynamic teaching skills, intelligence, and quick wit keep her a favorite with audiences everywhere. Barbie has become a recognized leader in dream interpretation, traveling to more than forty nations. Her prophetic gifting and deep spiritual insight have helped thousands of people understand the supernatural ways God speaks to us today.

Mentors: The Good, The Bad, The Awful By Barbara Wentroble

Mentors: The Good, The Bad, The Awful By Barbara Wentroble

By Barbara Wentroble, Identity Network

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You think you've found a friend who will help you release your potential. But instead, you've attached yourself to someone who will stop at nothing to derail your hopes. Here's how to recognize the right and wrong kind of mentor.

Mary began baking cookies for her family and friends about 15 years ago and found great joy in it. Her cookies were so good that many people encouraged her to start her own cookie business. After just five years, her business is getting requests for shipments of cookies to areas all around the United States. Baking cookies for family and friends was easy, but cookies for people in distant places? "Could I do this? Is there anyone who can help?" she wondered. "How do I get my business to the next level? Is there someone to advise me?"

Lisa feels she has a call of God on her life. She remembers an encounter with the Lord when she was a teenager. Although that happened years ago, Lisa never forgot the commitment she made to God. She promised Him that she would preach His Word. Now, many years later, she senses it is time to act on her promise. How should I begin? she asks herself. I wish there was someone who could help me get started.

Mary and Lisa are like thousands of other women. They want to obey God and fulfill their God-given destinies, but they know they cannot do it alone. They need a mentor.

Many women find themselves in situations similar to what happened when I was just starting out in ministry. I needed help, but I didn't have anyone to turn to. Instead, I read every book I could find that I thought would help me. I attended any seminar or conference that seemed relevant. I devoured the Bible and any Bible study book I could find. I spent long periods of time in fasting and prayer.

There's a more effective way called "mentoring" or "coaching," which is the process of developing not only skills, but also character. A quality mentor is a respected and trusted counselor or guide. There's something in the mentor that the protégé wants for herself. The mentoree knows she is inexperienced and is confident that she will receive excellent benefits and empowerment from the mentoring relationship.

Throughout the Bible, we can find examples of mentoring relationships. Elisha was willing to forsake everything in order to follow Elijah, the powerful prophet of his time. Even when Elijah encouraged Elisha to remain behind while he was traveling to various cities, Elisha refused. He knew what he was after! He wanted God's resources found in Elijah.

As a result of Elisha's faithfulness to Elijah, Elisha received a double portion of the anointing. Elisha performed twice as many miracles in his life as Elijah did during his ministry.

The apostle Paul mentored young Timothy; the New Testament is full of the wisdom of Paul in his letters to Timothy. Where would we be in the church today without those writings? As a result of Paul mentoring Timothy, this rich inheritance has helped shape church history (see 1 Tim. and 2 Tim.).

Good mentors can affect future generations. Their lives are good role models for up-and-coming leaders.

Beware of Toxic Mentors

Finding the right mentor is not always easy. There are many instances where mentors have caused serious problems and brought pain to the ones they were mentoring. These mentors are what I call "toxic mentors" and can be like poison to the protégé. Following are some of the different types of toxic mentors.

The Busy Bee. This type of mentor reminds you that you are one in a multitude of people needing her help. She will fit you in only when it is convenient to her schedule. The mentoree fights feelings of "taking a number." Surely all the other people in the life of the Busy Bee are more important than she is!

Busy schedules are easy to understand. When possible, schedule phone calls and visits. This will help both parties.  However, emergencies do happen. What I have told the people I have mentored through the years is, "If you can't get help when you really need it, what good is the mentor?"

The Slave Master. The Bible speaks of leaders having the heart of a servant. The Slave Master interprets this as permission to use the mentoree as her personal slave. The mentoree ends up as a glorified "gopher" of sorts-running errands, babysitting, doing chores and other such tasks. Learning the Word of God and prayer can get lost in the many everyday jobs that the mentoree is expected to do. This dysfunction causes abusive "master/slave" relationships.

The Controller. The mentor wants to know about every decision and the location of the mentoree at all times. Permission must be granted for all decisions in life. Should the mentoree make a decision without permission, the mentor usually responds in a couple of different ways. Sometimes the mentor will lash out in anger. Anger is a powerful tool that keeps the protégé fearful and insecure. If anger doesn't work, the mentor will use guilt, condemnation and whatever else it takes to keep the mentoree under her control.

The Critic. This mentor finds fault with every leader and mentor she has known both past and present. All other mentors fall short of your mentor. Her gifts are the only perfect ones. Your gifts are very insignificant and could never measure up to hers. For your own protection, you need to stay under her mentoring and hope to someday arrive at the level where she is. Your calling and destiny in God's plan seem unobtainable.

Healthy Mentors

There are other types of toxic mentors, but the above list gives you an idea of what I am talking about. Not all mentors fall into those categories. Some mentors are exactly what each of us need in our lives. Following are some of the characteristics of good mentors.

Same Spiritual DNA. Medical experts have been using DNA testing for a number of years. They do this to determine who a person is and who their offspring are. Children have the same DNA as their parents and exhibit some of the same physical and emotional characteristics. A mentoree will usually have the same "spiritual DNA" as her mentor. They have the same vision, purpose in life, character and spiritual giftings.

Sees Your Potential. The mentor sees beyond where you are today. She sees things in you that you may not see in yourself. She sees things that your family, teachers and friends may not see.

The mentor does not limit you to your past. She sees not just where you have been, but where you are going. She is able to see the great potential in you and refuses to give up until that potential is released!

Jane came from a background of abuse, neglect and rejection. After giving her heart to Jesus, she sensed the Lord had a plan for her life, but the emotions and inner turmoil from the past haunted her. Jane loved to sing, but felt her voice was not as good as others. Besides that, she could never imagine herself being used by the Lord.

She attended many of the meetings where I was speaking and was so hungry for the Lord. I encouraged Jane simply to stand next to me while I ministered one-on-one at the end of my services.

Soon, she was ministering with me, giving individuals prophetic words. This began to build a confidence in Jane and after a period of time, I asked her to sing prophetically over the people I ministered to. How surprised she was when she discovered she could do that!

Today, Jane is used by the Lord to sing and prophesy. She releases a powerful, healing anointing as she ministers. Jane had a wonderful prophetic potential on the inside. She merely needed someone to pull on that potential until it was released!

Role Model. Do not look for perfection in a mentor; no one is perfect other than Jesus. However, there must be respect for the mentor. A mentor is a role model.

A mentoree should respect not only the gifts in the mentor, but also the character. How does the mentor handle times of difficulty, family life, finances? Answers to these questions will help you decide if a certain individual is the right mentor, the right role model for you.

Agreement. Both mentor and mentoree must agree on the mentoring process. Agree on the length of time for the mentoring. Agree that if the mentoring is not working for either party, freedom is to be released.

God has times and seasons on His calendar. We need to be willing to shift into a new season when the time for the last season has ended.

Many advantages are available in having a mentor. Usually the mentoree gets to do things faster than the mentor did. I want those I mentor to run faster in the Lord than I did and to accomplish more and do it with a higher level of excellence.

Finishing Strong

A good mentor will help you develop skills and character that will affect you for the rest of your life. A good mentor also will help you stay focused. It is so easy to want to do many things, but these distractions can keep us from fulfilling the plan of God for our lives.

Kim is a very creative person. She loves to spend time cooking, writing, composing music and decorating. The problem is that she often gets frustrated because she cannot get any one task completely done. Her mentor helped Kim learn how to prioritize and set goals.

With her goals identified and set in front of her, Kim learned how to prioritize her daily activities. Within just a few weeks, Kim ran into her mentor's office, ecstatic that she had accomplished more in the last month than she had in almost a year.

Oftentimes a mentor can help us see through the fog around us. They can see what we often cannot. Breaking some old lifestyles can propel us toward our destinies. It takes focus to stay on the path and to go where God is taking us.

Through the years, I have either heard about or witnessed many powerful ministry leaders who failed to finish their course well. The apostle Paul gave a strong admonition when he said,"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win" (1 Cor. 9:24, NLT). Mentors will help a person to complete the journey the Lord has prepared and to finish strong.

My prayer is that you and I will be remembered for finishing strong. May someone say of us at the end of life that we fulfilled the purposes of God in our generation! (See Acts 13:36.)

Pray and ask the Lord to lead you to the right mentor. Set your heart on desiring to be a vessel of honor for Him.

Ask God to free you from the effects of any toxic mentors you may have had and to give you greater discernment. Thank Him for sending into your life someone who can help you finish your course. With God's help and the right kind of mentoring, you will successfully finish your race and receive all that He has for your life.

Barbara Wentroble

www.internationalbreakthroughministries.org

 

 

 

 

Schizophrenic God

Finding Reality in Conflict, Confusion, and Contradiction

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