KEY SCRPTURE: 2Kings 2:25″. And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria”

Our key scripture states that Elisha went up to mount Carmel and later returned to Samaria. What did he go up doing on mount Carmel? Elijah his predecessor used to pray much on mount Carmel. I will assume in the light of the fact that he would want to follow the footsteps of Elijah, he also went there to pray. Elisha prior to this moment has not been such a praying man. After the encounter with the anointing, he had to preserve and increase the effect of the anointing in his life. 2Ti 1:6″ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands”. The gift or the anointing is primarily stirred by prayer.

Gifts can become dormant. Some people have been blessed with unique gifts of the Holy Spirit but through carnality, that is following the inclinations of the flesh have allowed the gift of God to go stale. No wonder Apostle Paul admonishes Pastor Timothy to stir up the gift. Besides praying one must do the following to keep the fire burning in him, so the gift of God imparted to him or her can be very effective.

1. Fasting. Fasting is a powerful Christian discipline that allows the Holy Spirit to have his way and work through a man. Pride places a child of God out of the reach of the Holy Spirit. True Fasting humbles the soul (Psalm 35;13)

2. Living in Holiness. God is Holy and will have nothing to do with unholy people. 2nd Timothy 2:21.

3. Obedience to the voice of the spirit

One other step to keep the gift of God functional in you is to put it into practice. Do not become lazy, make use of the gift. If it is prophesying keep prophesying. If it is teaching keep on teaching.  If you are an evangelist go out there find people and preach to them. Keep praying for the sick. Note the more you use your gift the more the gift becomes stronger and stronger. Make use of the anointing to bless lives.In Acts 10:38, the Lord Jesus after his anointing went about doing good. Go about and make use of the gift of God

CONFESSION

I am anointed by the Holy Spirit. The anointing is preserved and made stronger through a consistent prayer life, fasting and putting the gift into operation.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 10:38 KJV How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

2Timothy 1:6 KJV Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.