Lying Eyes

Do our eyes deceive us? The Pharisees and  Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. In John 11:48 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50 "nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.

The Lord tells us to have hearing ears and seeing eyes. But we must be the spiritual in God! These people saw the signs Jesus did, but with those eyes, they desired that nationalistic line. They desired Him to become King and run the Romans out of Jerusalem. This was Judas' thinking.  That vain imaginations is of the devil and the human thought of the “Me” syndrome! But God made us in His image to be of His likeness and to be morally right before Him. God desires us to see Him, be led by His Son the Good Shepherd and allow Holy Spirit space for today and the future! He has given us Holy Spirit with power, love and a sound mind!

He is expecting us to know we are those with intelligence, perception, and self-determination to far exceed any other living creature on the face of the earth!  We are spiritual who not only have a body, but soul and spirit. God desires us to come higher to His ways and thoughts of being.  And we are not to be animalistic in behavior seeking only fleshly gratification.

Where is the flow of the Spirit?....Human nature says: look at my body, I need food, feed me, my muscles feel weak ..The spiritual man speaks 1 Corinthians 2:13…NKJV…13 these things we speak not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches,  comparing spiritual things with spiritual.    We have people today who desire someone else to feed them and their children. They refuse to work.

 So when Jesus appeared, how many  appeared in the spiritual to recognize Him?

One who knew Him, came to Him at night:    John 3:1-8  NKJV  There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (2) This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (4) Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (5) Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

The teaching on the born-again doctrine—found primarily in John 3 but expanded by Paul, Peter, and John in later writings—has been prone to misunderstanding. Jesus Christ spoke to Nicodemus about it nearly two thousand years ago and in that meeting, it was Nicodemus who immediately misconstrued what Christ meant.  Nicodemus was on a purely physical level, as another literal birth. And he was not alone in this thinking! In that study of Jesus' discourses throughout the book of John shows that people frequently interpreted His entirely spiritual instruction in a physical manner, and thus failed to grasp the truth He taught. ( would consider they missed Jesus entirely in their reading and understanding) What is interesting is how people want to rely on their own thoughts and plans!

I will feed people but do not show up with nails all done up and tell me your child needs food. I know what those nails cost and the time to decorate them in that manner.

We really need Holy Spirit in our lives!                                                                                                       

Our prayer life is comprised of knowing His written word; to live by it …and speak it..……so that John 17:3 And this is eternal life:[ it means] to know ( to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the]Christ ( the anointed One, the Messiah, Whom You have sent … and .is revealed in and through our lives.

Is the spiritual, the eternal life recognized by us?

We are to be understanding of our Father. We are to exalt Him in His truth and faithfulness.  We are to   exalt Him in His greatness and authority.  And then in those quiet, secret place times with HIM,  we cast down those thoughts that are contrary to God's heart and Spirit.  Many people say they love God, but is it equally true that they hate evil? Truly loving God is demonstrated in and by our character when we will not tolerate evil in our own hearts. 

Honor the Lord: Highly esteem Him and make His Name distinct in Your speaking.  We stop speaking about us, and speak  about Him! WE Humble ourselves under His mighty Hand. As we are yielded to the Holy Spirit, planting His Word within us, we will have seeing eyes to recognize evil.

Many times it comes in a form that is pleasant or seems acceptable. ( like Halloween) Some evil is obvious, while other times it does take Holy Spirit discernment to see it. God will help you as you lean into Him. Let His praise continually be in your mouth and have a joyful, peaceful and glorious day with God! ( Do you know to whom you invite in your home in participating in the Halloween event?)

Matthew 10:32-34….Amplified Bible…32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven and confess [ that I am abiding in] Him. 33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown.

Jesus does not attack the family relationship. BUT He points to that earthly distraction one might take on where loyalty is for the thing called IDOL and not on Him who set us free in Him! Even today many shun Jesus, their focus is on sin. They have lying eyes. Still we are to confess Jesus before men. Some will like you and others will hate you. Just look at Charlie Kirk who was killed because of his faith in Jesus. But what about living for Christ when Halloween is upon you?  Halloween was taken as the radical of a group where darkness is worshiped. Did you know that witches today outnumber actual Christians? They have faith in something dark, yet we have the Light in Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Amplified Bible………12. Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to ] the world but the Holy Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. 14 But the natural, non-spiritual man does not welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly ( meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. 16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts ( feelings and purposes ) of His heart.  (Isaiah 40:11)

Spirit always answers to spirit. We are spirit beings, and we have a body and soul! So of the three spiritual categories you have what is the natural man, unregenerate and devoid of the spirit who has no appreciation for the Gospel. Another is the spiritual man, regenerated and possessing spiritual maturity and are seen as those free from sectarian strife!  Titus 3:4-11  Amplified Bible 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing bath of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And he did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [ that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought and action].

8 This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on,) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such  themselves are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves,] but [they] are good and profitable for the people.  9 But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissentions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. 10 [As for] a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions] , after admonishing him a first and second time, reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him],  11 Well aware that such a person has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted); he goes on sinning [though he] is convicted of guilt and self-condemned.

 

1.   From verses 8-11 Paul tells us to shun strife and factions.

2.    We are to have a transformed life that is that response to the grace of mercy revealed by God through His Son Jesus.  So in context, the meaning of verse 10 has to do with sectarian…he who causes divisions….

3.   Is one of having a spirit toward or a devotion to a particular religion or sect. it is toward having dogmatic limits of bigotry regarding something specific as to the outward appearance. REMEMBER :The Lord looks on the heart!

4.   Adhering to specific opinions in regard to intolerance with doctrine or belief as opinion and not authoritatively approved  is contrary to the Word of God. With God’s Word as the standard, anything outside of that is departing from truth.

 Being made new by the Holy Spirit we are activated in the Kingdom of heaven.. We are to seek unity within God’s church or body of believer’s. And it is by the Holy Spirit we can see deceptive doctrine displayed as well as seen in divisive behavior.

The last spiritual type category is the “carnal” man:  He is regenerate but living much like an unregenerate, is a believer but is childish in his ways, has the spirit of a jealousy and divisiveness ! This is one that will live more for human opinion than for Christ! They love the "me" concept! I am Me and you give Me more free stuff!

Taking the Stand over Vain Imaginings….The person who truly loves Christ is the one who’s going to stand up for Christ no matter if they lose friends, family, life, or if the world hates them. The person who truly loves Christ will expose the deeds of darkness!  Charlie Kirk did. And today many are giving a display of hate toward that man who died for Christ!                                                                                          

Ephesians 5:8-12   NKJV ……8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as His children of light. 9 ( for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the Light, for whatever makes manifest is Light.

The faithful believers do more than abstain from evil; they denounce the deeds of darkness as the unfruitful, shameful and not worthwhile. We prepare for our day or week by going to prayer and the word of God. We have conversation with Him and ask what to say to give His plan to others.  And in that prayer time we are not guessing about what is going on but we pray from the authority that has been given us through Jesus..And within God & His purpose, we  stay in His authority & speak & pray from that authority.

We will not adulterate our souls to live in confusion…we will live in clarity…We will not be tormented with impure, evil, negative or sinful thoughts but transformed by the renewing of our minds. We will see heaven, enjoy life with Jesus and find peace in that home He has prepared for us who believe!

    Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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Looks Like Praise, But This is NOT NORMAL

Isaiah 35:5-7
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
NIV

Thinking of the eyes of blind being opened and ears unstopped so that we might actual hear God's Word, wow, what a wonderful picture of one coming into that place of praise.
I may not venture too far from my bed, but I find praise there. A Dr.'s report may be all one may hear, but God has some things to say about it as well.
Allowing God access to speak at our situations, speak within our bedrooms and even in the garage, we find His Word alive in us doing life. We find ourselves on the most absolute beautiful adventure ever and God called it "Shelley's life". Of course, you have a different life..........at least it should be different than mine or we would be living the same life. And yet Jesus in us is the Hope we need and desire.
The report for the week or month may appear long, lonely and with out much hope, but keeping God within ear shot is evidence to me, that I know He hears, and He has never left me nor forsaken me. Yes, the moments can come when a strange report is spoken and may cause chains to drag against you and on you day after day, but God has not forgotten His promises to us. He has not forgotten the Son of His love. He will surely see you delivered from that which ails you. Understand that you are not your own, but bought with a price. 
He was walked through a city with a Cross on His shoulder, but he had to have had some help in the man who helped Him carry it to Gogatha. He was put in a tomb, but it came up empty. That which came to hold him down could not do it.
For what has haunted your life to this date is stopped now In the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. What has been caused by another of hurt and pain, abusive and battering words are stopped now in His Name. For truth is shining in the darkness and what was created by the enemy to keep you down and isolated is being removed. What has been a barrier of many walls like a maze around you is being dissolved instantly. For the first time in 40 years you will see and understand clearly that the Lord has been with you. All instances of generational curses is removed forever from you. You run with a focus of the fire of God that is in your bones. YOU will go in His power of the Holy Spirit and you will be forever marked the one who knew God and believed......with a trust that God is in the little things as well as the big things.
Your life could be titled: ONE BIG LIFE WITH GOD ALONE!

STANDING  as in sand, we see the wet sand that seems to expand as the water rushes, and reaches to touch all the dry places of the sand. Moving our toes within the sand, and make it move, the water takes over those low laying places in the sand. Then the water moves in. On those hot days, the cool sand is nice early on in the day, but as the heat bears down through the afternoon  hours, the sand takes on a heat to the feet that makes it unbearable. Adding cool water to the mix then one can see a mud form. But if the water is large enough and keeps adding the dry sand to the mix, wet is all one sees.
They say from the historical view of Elephants in Africa, that the mother elephant will heard her young through two nights of travel in the Hot African desert. She will move them to an area that is teeming with predators who will attack the young elephants and take them from the herd quite rapidly. But the mother urges them through. She nudges them, she speaks in low tones through her trunk and she takes them to water. Oh, it is not the water running stream, but some gently push of her hoof to sand, she arranges it deeper and deeper into the sand till water is running, yes bubbling up through the hot sand of the desert.
She has them nourished in the cool water. Shows them to wash with it. And then she leads them on to the feeding pastures. She heads for the coast.
God has the cool waters to reside in. God has the peace of His Word to surround us if we would only apply it to our lives. He has the comfort of bringing us to the place we would rest and be comforted. If you are not in that place, then run to the nearest place to find that place of comfort in God and reside in the place He will feed you His Word. Delight in Him and He will bring you the desires of your heart.
God is for you. He has never left you, and the place your reside looks like praise to me. Remember this is a journey, and we have eternity to learn it all with Him guiding us all the way home. Oh love to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Amen.

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POWERED BY FAITH and Governed by the Love of God

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Baptized with Fire

In Luke 3:16 we find this:  reading in Luke 3:14-20)
 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.   NKJV

With the Holy Spirit's help............that oil filling our spirit man every time we pray in Tongues, we then should reach for the Word of God.

Light came into the world. His name is Jesus.

John 1:1-5

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. NKJV

light: 5316 NT: to show one's thoughts

 Every time we pray and fill to the brim, we bring the Word of God, that which is Jesus Christ, the anointed one with fire to light the oil of the Holy Spirit residing in us.

We were not left orphans, we have the Comforter that resides and comforts us, guide us, and teaches us of the day of Jesus return for His body of Believer's.

There is a wonderful invitation: it is going out.........and is recognized by those who would like to appear at the wedding of the Lamb. Those who pray in Tongues will know His soon arrival. They will choose to make themselves ready in that of fine linen, bright and clean, and read to wear.

Revelation 19:6-8

"Hallelujah! 

For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

7 Let us rejoice and be glad 

and give him glory! 

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, 

and his bride has made herself ready. 

8 Fine linen, bright and clean, 

was given her to wear." 

NIV

Praying allows Him to have His way in our lives. Praying is staying close to the fire that brings light and influence of Him who went before us. He is the Way, Truth and the Life. No one gets to the Father except through Jesus. 

John 14:5-6

 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  NKJV

John 16:15

15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. NIV

That which is ours is our inheritance. It is made known to us by the Holy Spirit. Desire that earnest gift. Desire and covet that which the Father has given to us through His Son and the Holy Spirit oversees that plan. Our purpose is revealed every time we pray. Praying in Tongues bypasses our mind, will and emotions and creates this energy of fire to propel us into our future purposed by God Himself. The great exchange has occurred if you have Jesus as Lord.

Do not despise the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You are to steward that which He has placed in you. It is not a big "super secret". It is mysteries declared to us when we pray long lengths in Tongues. Pray to receive that if you do not operate in it. Desire God to pray through you and then see His best revealed before your very eyes.

To God be the glory. Amen.

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

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Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Holy Spirit's Coming Attraction: Sneak Previews

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How Truly Wonderful that Love Really Is!

What about that love we give to another? How do we express that God-kind of love to someone we do not know? People are always concerned about that first impression they make to others they are meeting for the first time. On the first meeting, many are at a loss of words to speak.
Was thinking about this over the weekend. We had some time with our grand-daughter one evening and wanted to encourage her that when God speaks through her to another, is to raise her chin high, look right into those people's eyes and keep a voice that is not child-like but one that is bold and confident in what they speak. And the last thing the Lord had me say was: " of all this, tell about how they are loved by God". "Tell them that God loves them!" Amen.

1 John 4:15-17
15 Anyone who believes and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is living with God.

16 We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. 17 And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.
TLB

Our living with Christ causes our love to grow more perfectly and complete. We are not to be the ashamed and embarrassed...........not today or at the day of judgment!

Reflecting on our grand-daughter and her response was at first almost like she was wanting to cry.....then it was apparent that she acted like she was being scolded, but in giving her truth about relaying God's Word and love to others, it is of importance of giving that timely word from God to others at the moment it is needed, and she certainly lightened, and gave a smile at :" tell them that God loves them!"

She sat up in her chair. Not slouching down, but became upright, turn to place her feet on the floor and the preaching began!

Why? because she knows the love she has for her parents and they for her. She knows what that daily walk is like with them. She is told daily how they love her and how God loves her, too!  She knows it is a give and take relationship, not just a taking relationship. She is reflecting what her life is composed of right now. She emanates love for others.

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 

29 Jesus replied, "The one that says, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.' 

31 "The second is: 'You must love others as much as yourself.' No other commandments are greater than these." 

32 The teacher of religion replied, "Sir, you have spoken a true word in saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is far more important to love him with all my heart and understanding and strength, and to love others as myself, than to offer all kinds of sacrifices on the altar of the Temple." 

34 Realizing this man's understanding, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared ask him any more questions. 

TLB

No, we are not far from the kingdom when one understands the love of God and to carry that same love to the world. Jesus did indeed carry it and so much of God, who can fathom it all?

Proverbs 21:21

21 He who pursues righteousness and love 

finds life, prosperity and honor. 

NIV

The man, woman or child who pursues God and His righteousness will find His love a part of the package. When we truly know that God loved us first and gave His best for us.........then we will start that walk into a love that never fails, is always kind, is always forgiving. Love will always rejoice in truth as our grand-daughter did that evening. That love will always protect her, always help her to trust in God alone, and will cause her to persevere into the thing God has planned for her.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

NIV

She might have thought she was being scolded, rebuked, or even criticized, but when she allowed herself to hear every word...........she bumped into God and His love that enveloped her for she recognized His safety and protection.

No, this would certainly be a better place to be in this day and time, if people knew that God loved them more than their own biological parents do or did. Truly if people could be introduced into God's love, they would never want to leave His presence ever. They would not be out trying to get that 15-minutes of fame, but actually be giving God's love to others each and every day.

Lamentations 3:22-24

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 

for his compassion 's never fail. 

23 They are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness. 

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; 

therefore I will wait for him." 

NIV

In closing:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

NIV

What if any us could speak with God's love, not as a clanging cymbal, but true love that emanates from the Father? Yes, that evening I saw our grand-daughter emanate His love in such a precise manner that only her face could have shone. It was one full of light, full of love and full of joy. Let us continue to join in that walk with God our Father. May His will be done in our lives as it is in heaven. And may we have the Manna from heaven that will come to expand our knowledge of how truly wonderful that love really is. Amen!

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Passing the Mantle!

1 Kings 19:13-21..................Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 15 Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." 

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.    NKJV

Passing the mantle.......Elijah was told what to do. The elderly prophet was told to go by way of the Wilderness of Damascus. He was told that when he arrived to anoint Hazael as king over Syria. He was to anoint Jehu as king over Israel. And he was to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah, as a prophet in Elijah's place. God was directing Elijah to those who had not worshiped the world. They had not kissed Baal.

When passing the mantle, like leaving one position to take another, you are always looking for one that is qualified. Praise the Lord for His goodness, and His Holy Spirit that can direct us to those whose hearts are for the Lord God and for His glory! Amen.

Elijah certainly was directed to seek out Elisha and see him anointed. It also states that Elisha followed Elijah. That means he did what Elijah did, and spoke as Elijah spoke. Elisha was going to live like Elijah lived in the wilderness and know those caves.

Many miracles were seen in the life of Elijah. He showed a character of godliness and a stand which was the example of being zealous for the Lord! 

Elijah's life exemplified a life led by the Spirit of God. Truly the Lord knows those who are His! 

2 Timothy 2:19....................19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."   NIV

In the listing of Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha, we know these three would be instrumental in seeing destruction of idolaters at this time in history. 

When Elijah finds Elisha, we see him ploughing a field in the Jordan valley.

Yes, certainly hidden from view of the world. It was so much like David in the field with the sheep. It was the coming of a leader that could be found, not in public view but in the solitary place.  In this, the prophet takes his mantel and throws it to Elisha as he passed by. This was indicating the call to the prophetic office.

Yes, Elisha was found, not in the public places, but in the remote, out of sight of the general public. He was found ploughing a field. What mercy, dignity or humility did he express to others? He had to have a love for people, and for his family to be helping out in the fields. 
I think on the farms back home, where the farmer always had his sons and daughters to help plow a field, bale hay, and clean up the fields for new plantings. A farmer will use all those related to him to get the job done.

We are told that Elisha took the oxen that were working the field, and sacrificed them. He boiled the flesh and gave a wave of good- to all that were in the area. This probably included family, acquaintances, and friends. He took his leave from a life he knew, to find a new life!

Change had come to Elisha!

Can you imagine any excitement and the questions? I can!

What  glorious power of God could Elisha have experienced that day?  Can you imagine that connection that probably moved between the two men that day! Think of Elijah, the Tishbite. He was a man with no family and he liked being in caves. Seriously! Elijah truly left all to follow God and now Elisha was doing it willingly and probably most cheerfully as he worked the sacrifice and waved good-bye to all. Yes, "look Pop, I am sacrificing your best oxen and I am going with the Tishbite"!
How many of us would have "questioned" the Tisbite? How many of us would have said, "ELIJAH, your timing is off!"

In the "moment" of a tossed mantle to a young man ploughing a field, a life was forever changed.
Was Elisha caught off guard? Was he aware this mantle was coming to him?

Even in the case of Joseph and the coat of many colors, do we remind ourselves that as it happened to Joseph, we too, can experience an anointing that would be seen by many. For I am certain, people took note that the prophet had gone out the way to the Wilderness of Damascus.  The Holy Spirit had touched the heart of Elisha. Submission came quickly to Elisha. ( Some commentaries mention that Elisha was probably raised in the school of the prophets.) One thing is certain, Elisha said yes and he followed Elijah.


Elisha was going to spend time with a true prophet. He was going to know all he needed to know. What great advantage to spend some time under the direction of someone who loves God and is led by God! What an awesome adventure to know in the matter of minutes, you could know and experience a relationship with a powerful God.

If anything a person could teach a youth or those under thirty years of age, it could and should be the wisdom of God.  What is the cost of serving? Ask someone who does it regularly and not just on weekends. What is the cost of receiving God's wisdom and finding life for a journey we did not plan for or expected. Was Elisha expecting this new "change", this new way of life?

When Elisha was passed the mantle, it was something seen. It was a mantle that was something that represented a passing from one generation to the next. It was a life of "miracles". Elisha was one chosen by God Himself and Elijah saw to it that the mantle had been passed.

Do we have a mantle to pass on to the next generation? Yes! 
We have those called to prayer, to worship, to giving the Word, to giving salvation messages in the work place, or down at the coffee shop. Even those who exhort others, have a mantle to pass on to another generation.  We each have something we can pass to another, especially one that which is passed from a grand-parent to a grand-child, from a Father to a daughter, from a great-grandmother to a great niece or nephew. Or like in the case of Lester Sumrall to Rod Parsley. As a young man, Rod Parsley followed the teachings given by Sumrall. Today, we see a lifetime of a man who followed closely and learned the wisdom of God. Lester Sumrall once said, "champions trust God while others ask for answers. They step forward while everyone else prays for volunteers." 



It is trusting God and moving forward when He says move.
Each of us are a prophet over our family and community. We can speak life to our family, over our family or we can speak death. Each of us must at some point think on our family lineage. We must take notice of the certain gifts and abilities others in our family may hold. In the life of Elijah, we saw a man willing to pray and to live alone. He gave his all to God! He spent hours in the presence of God. He was one who could lead, communicate and prepare the people. HOW could he do that? He spent time in prayer, that communication device by using our words or praying in Tongues.  When instructing the people of " a rain" coming, how many probably thought about how dry and how dead everything was in that region? Yet, the instruction came, " go up, eat and drink!

1 Kings 18:41-46.......................41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' " 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. NKJV

But let's take a quick look back at Elijah in the previous chapters and specifically 1 Kings 18. Elijah took on the whole government of Queen Jezebel. Ahab had heard from Elijah and had the prophets, all 450 false prophets assembled on Mount Carmel against Elijah.(ever wonder how many of them, were at one time, followers of God before becoming one who follows the world and self?)  It was to be a showdown, you might say.  Elijah even gave those 450 prophets the advantage of going first, to build an altar and worship Baal. Well, you know how that went, right? I kings 18: 25-29. "If the Lord is God follow Him, if Baal is God follow him! (verse 21)
No one responded when the false prophets cried out, and no one responded when they cut themselves with the blades. So Elijah builds his altar and prepares the meat, but he also has water put on the altar newly built AND PRAYS!( verses 36-37 of 1 Kings 18) Then fire falls from heaven. Yes, that sacrifice was received by God. Those false prophets were going to be executed. Elijah came against a government who seek to satisfy self. I am certain the word got out quickly by those looking on. 
GOD JUST NEEDED A MAN TO SAY YES AND DO IT!

Elijah gave instructions. King Ahab followed that instructions and Elijah continued to pray. Would you not have followed those instructions seeing fire fall from heaven? The mantle brought responsibility. It was for those close by and for those far away.
A shift is here. It is in motion right now! That major shift in anointings is in prayer, in healing, in salvation messages that will move to those of the youth. They will be seen in major ways that will speak volumes to the lost. Youth will speak with the boldness as of a lion.
I have already seen it in our grand-daughter. When the Holy Spirit moves on one, and the room seems so silent, and one, as a child starts to speak..........one who really knows the Lord's voice will be looking for the pen and paper. I have such a "WORD" given me in October of last year. I keep it on my laptop. When God speaks, we must heed and receive to be active in seeing His plan fulfilled in our lives. I may not look like what I am suppose to be doing. But like Elisha, I am ploughing that ground, and am keeping my self clean before God ! I am looking into His Word....I am..... looking into humility, being merciful to others, and one of dignity. It is a work in progress. 

Mark 7:14-17..........14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" 
Mark 7:20-23............ 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man." NKJV 
We are to be watchful....."yes. but I am pastoring a church," even more so......we must be watchful of that which can defile one. Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, adulteries, murders, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, thefts, foolishness,...etc...........!
1 John 2:15-17.............15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV

We each have a responsibility to leave a legacy to the youth who are our future. We are to be those who leave a legacy of prayer, a legacy of the Word of God, a legacy of following Jesus, and being positioned to hear Him. We should be those with the wisdom of God to speak and encourage our youth into becoming what God planned.
For the one who is positioned in God, who looks for truth and led by it, is the one who looks out for the good for others and does not think so highly of himself. God is Spirit and those who communicate with HIM will do it in spirit and truth. 

John 4:22-24.............. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."    NKJV

We are to be acquainted with the spiritual things of God.

In seeking to stay in the "spirit" we hear the Father's voice. We hear and obey instructions. Staying in His Word and praying, lights our way into the place we are to abide always. In hearing, we see with spiritual eyes those destined to lead the "next generation". We, as the older generation, should be those who give out the wisdom of God. We should be those who always lead anyone back to Jesus and the goodness of God. Our leading is to be that of a tree growing and producing fruit after it's kind. WE are Not be jealous or envious of the youth or those who get that mantle to move forward and claim more for the kingdom of God. Ours is to see that many come to Jesus through love and mercy. As we contact the Author and the Finisher of our faith, we are those who put that Word of God into motion. That Word will not return void. We find that even after Elisha was dead and buried, that very mantle of "miracles" was still occurring. Read below!

2 Kings 13:20-21...........20 Elisha died and was buried. 

Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. 21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.  NIV

Even when Elisha had passed. His bones still had the life of God in them to cause a man to live and stand on his feet! Even in death, he was still in motion for God!

Are we passing a mantle that others can experience in their own lives?

Are we giving others the wisdom we have acquired to teach the young how to move forward in God?

We cannot do this if we are stuck in stuff!

Yes, God knows those who are His! He knows those who thirst........

Psalm 63:1-4 says, "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory." 

In our spiritual growth, we are measured much like we read in Ezekiel 47. Can we leave the stagnant behind? Those spiritual waters are pretty deep!

In verse 3....to the ankles..........wow, that is a start. I think of it as the beginning of our walk with God the Holy Spirit.

In verse 4...from waist to the knees....another wow! There is movement. Yes, it is a moving water to my knees. Am I ready for this Lord? Looks like I am growing in the Word of God and in prayer.

In verse 5.........IT IS A RIVER! I CANNOT CROSS BY WALKING! Those waters are deep and powerful. Do we give over to that movement?

YES, IT is full time swimming now! Being I am not much over 5 feet tall, I am in the "faith" walk with God.

 Is the water dirty or is it clear? Is it moving quickly or ever so slightly? Where is the depth I desire to be with the Lord?  The water of the Word should be moving through our lives daily. Is the river flowing or is it dried up?

 I am joyous when I hear young ones in the Lord recognizing the river and how deep or shallow it is to them. Many for the first time are recognizing that river is their walk with the Lord. It is where they stand spiritually.

 It takes time to grow. YOU can see it in planting a garden or in the growth of a young child. YOU feed them the right nutrients and they will surely spout up!

Are we willing to commit to grow in the Lord. Where are we in that level of water.........?

Are we willing to be taught, be given wisdom for life, and the power to see the miraculous? I am!

God knows those who are truly His!

Father, we pray to be those who continually hold the thoughts and purposes of our God for we have the mind of Christ. May we be those who live with the leading of the Holy Spirit. We desire to mature and grow in You daily, submitting all our dreams and desires to YOU. We pray to be those who flourish and bear fruit in old age. Make YOUR name glorious through us Lord, and we will continue to have the walk of faith.

Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  According to Romans 15:13...we pray the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by power of the Holy Spirit. We pray to be those who are taught by the Spirit of the living God, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. We say that we are (2 Cor. 9:15) the spiritual man who makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment.
Help us Father to be resilient and ready to change ........our focus is to be kept on YOU! 
In Psalm 33:10, we are told.....10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. Father, train us in diligent listening, hearing YOUR plans and purposes and then helps us to walk in radical obedience and desperate dependence upon YOUR leading just like Elisha did! Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV