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Most of us are familiar with the story about the prophets Elijah and Elisha. In 1 Kings Chapter 19, the Lord told Elijah that he was going to meet a man named Elisha, who would be his successor. When they met, he threw his mantle upon Elisha which was symbolic for the calling, spiritual authority of a prophet, and passing the anointing to him. The word mantle in this passage is 'adereṯ which means a prophets mantle, but also a covering of glory.
Elisha then took his yolk of oxen, killed and boiled their flesh on the plowing equipment to feed the people. This was symbolic for leaving everything behind including his family and employment to serve the Lord. Elisha didn’t just have a desire to be a prophet, but the Lord had a specific calling on his life to take up Elijah’s mantle. Elisha was a servant to Elijah up until the day a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
As we are coming into the New Year, the Lord is asking: Who are you following? Who is your mentor? When you are under a particular ministry, their mantle will come upon you. It may not necessarily be a prophet’s mantle, but whatever they are teaching will become ingrained in you. You will begin to emulate their ways. It’s imperative to follow ministers who have a firm foundation in the word of God, and allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to flow freely.
Never follow or fellowship with those who mock or judge other people or other ministries. This grieves the Holy Spirit. Follow men and women of integrity who believe and practice what they preach. I went to a church for many years that trained us how to walk by faith. We were taught about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, speaking the Word of God, praying the Word of God and living the Word of God.
Most of us may not have a calling to the prophetic office, or to serve in the fivefold ministry, but every one of us is called to serve in some capacity. In the days ahead, many of you will receive a new mantle. It may be a mantle to serve, a mantle of an evangelist, or a mantle of an intercessor. Some of you will wear "many hats" as Jesus is trusting you with a greater authority. Just as Jabez cried out to the Lord to enlarge his territory, according to your dedication to Him, the Lord is also going to give you what you requested.
The Lord is saying, for the coming year, Make wise decisions in all you do. Make connections with people who are spiritually stronger than yourself, those who could mentor you, encourage you and advise you. Never allow those who are living in compromise pull you down to their level. Others may not understand the place that He is taking you to, neither could they relate to that spiritual level.
We are entering into days of “shock and awe”, and as the Holy Spirit begins to move, we need to be in right standing with Him. Allow Jesus to release you from everything that is hindering you from advancing. Don’t be moved by those who mock and try to silence the voice of God, but rather expose them. Allow the Holy Spirit to enter into every area of your life in this New Year to bring wholeness, and restoration. The Lord calling you to a higher standard in the days ahead. Are you willing to abandon it all for the sake of the call?
1 Kings 19:19
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.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (AMPC)
But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or 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.
Elaine
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