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

The Princely Anointing - Morris Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

THE PRINCELY ANOINTING

(c) Morris E. Ruddick


"Yet I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosoms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses and you will know that I am the Lord." Is 49:22

Kingdom leadership is not about being in charge. It's a much higher standard than the world's leadership. It begins in the heart. It pivots on serving. It is an anointing.

It is a regal anointing acknowledged even by the world. Abraham was referred to by a Hittite leader as being "a mighty prince among us" (Gen 23:6). The NASU version translates God's instruction to Samuel to anoint David as a "prince over His people" (1 Sam 9:16).

The anointing for leadership established by God's standard resets the course of things spiritually. It cannot be assumed. It accompanies a calling aligned with God's heart. It encompasses a mantle, a stewardship and an impact on destiny that can only be described as princely.

Throughout the history of God's people are stories of ones who occupied positions of leadership, yet who fell short. Then, there are those we typically refer to as the heroes of faith, who often, without position, demonstrated remarkable leadership. The authority they wielded carried a standard recognized as being regal.

The difference starts with the poise of the soul to serve in undefiled oneness with God's Spirit. Those who failed generally had preoccupations with their souls or were short-sighted in their focus or both. They lacked the discipline and spiritual vision needed to stand and operate against the challenges confronting them as people of the Spirit. Saul, who had everything going for him, in the final analysis yielded to his myopic, overriding need for the approval of men. He had position and power. Yet, his attempts to do things spiritually fell flat due to the stumbling shaped by the narrow-minded priorities of heart.

"Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up: Under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied with food, under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she replaces her mistress." Prov 30:21-23

True leadership understands and operates uniquely within its own sphere (2 Cor 10:13). Wielding authority coincides with a discipline that recognizes and is under authority. Leadership can never be an issue of popularity. That was Saul's blind spot. Those in leadership positions who yearn to be liked will only find themselves deceived and surrounded by yes-people whose mode blocks the wisdom they need to fulfill their mission and their destinies. Likewise, leadership cannot be driven by self-righteousness. The Pharisees in Jesus' day knew the Scriptures, but failed in the humility and priorities required by those serving with a princely anointing.

"There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation - whose eyes are raised in arrogance. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose jaw teeth are like knives, to devour the afflicted from the earth, and the needy from among men." Prov 30:11-14

True leaders operate devoid of ego. They're neither touchy nor easily offended. They've paid the cost needed to rule their own spirits (Prov 16:32). It incorporates a level of knowing God that results in it no longer being their own lives being lived, but them flowing as Daniel did in a strength with results described as being exploits (Dan 11:32). Leadership with a princely anointing foundation is always "other" directed. There are no personal agendas, nor a need to be in charge.

The Princely Anointing

The princely anointing defines the standard. Regardless of the context, it maps out, it builds up and it brings increase. It enables others and nurtures community. The princely anointing is always God-centered, raising the bar, establishing righteous influence in the culture around it. It was the anointing that established Daniel's influence in the King's court despite the prevailing culture of sorcery. Likewise, despite his lowly position, Joseph's regal anointing gained the recognition and trust of those in authority over him: from Potiphar to the jailer to Pharaoh.

Psalm 15 highlights the criteria for the operation of the princely anointing: walks with integrity, works righteousness, speaks truth in his own heart, does not slander, does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against a friend, despises reprobates, but honors those who fear the Lord, abides by commitments and does not take advantage of others. The princely anointing attracts and engenders trust.

The princely anointing exudes an authority, a humble authority that very naturally bestows God's blessings and wisdom. It is a regal leadership conveying a confidence that evokes trust for stewarding responsibility.

Princely Anointing Factors

Service. Those with a princely mantle have nothing to prove. Yet, their modus operandi is a unique authoritative humility, as they lead by serving. They bring change without being contentious. They are "other" directed and flow from one level to another in the manner in which the excellence of their capabilities sets the standard in the way they bless those around them. Their manner of service results in a confidence that attracts focus. They are neither overly ambitious nor looking for credit. Their zeal is fueled by the satisfaction of seeing God's purposes advanced.

Sacrifice. The princely anointing demands discipline. It is a discipline that sacrifices. It incorporates a standard of stewardship that sets things in order; God's order. It corrects by building up and nurturing, by bestowing the benefit of the doubt. It is an anointing that embraces its mantle to the point of biblical "suffering." Biblical suffering is not the result of the messes we get ourselves into but rather the pressures and backlash that result from paving new ground spiritually for God's purposes. It is a mantle only for the mature who genuinely rule their own spirits.

Honor. A princely anointing embraces a cause, a high cause conforming to God's priorities, usually for a generation, sometimes beyond that. Many within the Body operate with a lot of vision, zeal and ambition, but it is the few who have embraced a cause. People will live for a vision, but will die for a cause. Honor embraces the cost of the cause. Integrity faces the realities to see it through. Holding the focus of a calling bearing a princely anointing will pivot on whether the goal is through human effort, or by yielding to that divine energy that works so mightily. Honor is the glue that fulfills commitments and stays the course regardless the cost. Honor is the regal dynamic that differentiates the many called and few who are chosen.

The Standard. With the bar being raised in tz'dakah righteousness, the princely anointing is big-picture. It is always God-focused. It employs a high-level of stewardship that is strategic and carries a long-term impact. It is always prophetic with its influence crossing the boundaries of cultures and generations. It operates in mercy, but with a mantle that triggers judgment when God's initiatives are intentionally and sometimes blindly, but stubbornly impeded. Remember Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).

Elijah's remarkable encounter with the prophets of Baal and Asherah illustrates the dynamics of the princely anointing in action. The outcome broke the spiritual stronghold over those held in its grip. It changed the spiritual climate and released God's people. Yet, it required Elijah to lay everything on the line. This confrontation had no middle ground or way out for Elijah. He took the risk and he paid the cost. The exploits for his regal faceoff will be remembered throughout eternity.

I have people I have worked with in the nations who have been imprisoned for their faith. One has faced the ultimate test. When his physical condition declined to the state that he was dying, his jailers told him that he only had to recant his faith and he would be freed. His response was that he would rather die. Two weeks later, God sovereignly intervened to bring about his release. This man now serves as a true prince of the Kingdom.

"Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns aside from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; and shall not see when prosperity comes. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves stay green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.'" Jer 17:5-8

Mercy and Gentleness. King David recognized that at the core of genuine godly power is the operation of mercy and gentleness. It is the subtle foundation of righteous power that enables evil to be overcome with good. It is the basis of bestowing blessing in the face of adversity. It is the anointing by which ones natural weakness is transformed into strength.

"Your gentleness has made me great." 2 Sam 22:36 and Ps 18:35

Paul's famous love chapter in his letter to the Corinthians describes this dynamic. It is foundational to the princely anointing. It is patient and kind. It is not puffed up nor does it parade itself. It does not behave rudely nor seek its own benefit. It is not provoked. It does not take into account wrongs suffered nor does it entertain evil of any level. It rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes in the good-in God's outcome, is constant in all things and endures all things. The princely anointing releases a wisdom that is beyond human capacities. It resets the spiritual climate at a cultural level.

Jesus came in humility and without any natural trappings of power, He wielded all authority. He admonished the self-righteous Pharisees that God prefers mercy to sacrifice. The ripples of His influence have reshaped cultures and civilizations to this day.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion .... to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."
Is 61:1-3

Maturity for the Times
Jesus raised the bar. He admonished His followers to understand the times and the seasons. With that big-picture context, He established the standard for leadership and the use of power at the level characterizing those outlined in the Hebrew's "hall of fame of faith." These are the ones who by reaching beyond themselves, tapped into a regal anointing by which in their vulnerabilities and weaknesses they were made strong and accomplished exploits (Hebrews 11:34).

Daniel 2 reveals that it is the Lord who changes the times and seasons. He removes and He raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. We are in the midst of a change of seasons. For those in leadership, maturity and humility are the bywords. Those prepared as enablers, whose hearts are neither pharisaical nor short-sighted will be thrust into positions of authority and influence. Those seduced by idols in their minds will fall short.

For those prepared for the challenges, what they face will be at the level and in keeping with those regarded as the heroes of faith. The demonic nature of the intent of darkness evidenced a generation ago is simply manifesting in another form today. This reality was unveiled by a courageous historian in his 1974 study of the occult and the Third Reich.

"Those who induced Germany to embrace the swastika are not dead. They are still among us, just as they have been in every era, and doubtless will continue to be until the Apocalypse. National Socialism was for them but a means, and Hitler was but an instrument. The undertaking failed. What they are now trying to do is to revive the myth using other means.

The purpose of this book is to raise the veil of history and to reveal some of the great currents running through it--secret, underground currents, to be sure, but very real and exceedingly powerful, particularly when they are manipulated by men imbued with a fanatical belief in their mission. The occult forces confront one another in the shadows, while on stage, impassive performers quietly act out an immutable drama under the very eyes of an unseeing public."

Angebert, The Occult and the Third Reich, 1974, MacMillan Publishing, New York

The masking of underlying occult quests for power marks the critical nature of those called and anointed for destiny-defining leadership. Inbred, religious social and "bless-me" clubs are not enough. The seriousness of the realities is calling for those whose mantle has been tested by fire and whose regal anointing is in keeping with the seats of power in which they are called.

We're entering a threshold of time in which freedom as we know it is at risk. Yet, God has always had those He's prepared. Those who know their God will be strong and will do exploits. They will have the spiritual vision that discerns the key issues and gives focus to majoring in matters that make a difference. It's not about pharisaical hair-splitting in the land of milk and money. The issue involves the cost of the mantle.

The distinctive defining those assuming these strategic mantles, who are equipped for these perilous times, will be the princely anointing.

"If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? If in the land of peace in which you trusted, they wearied you then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?" Jer 12:5
___________________________________________________

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 least of these our brethren. 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.

2013 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 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

- Steve Martin. Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone