KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 2:10. “And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so”.

 The anointing is a supernatural power by which the Spirit of God works through His servants to do various works. Elisha did not only ask for the anointing, but to be the one who will succeed him, this he said was a difficult thing. Please note that in 1st Kings 19:16, the Lord asked him to anoint Elisha to take up that office, yet he wanted him to prove he was prepared to take up that role.

Elisha knew the Lord would be taking Elijah to heaven. He decided to pursue him till he caught the anointing. God gives nothing precious on a silver platter. The anointing is so precious that it must be received by people who mean business with God. Elisha left with Elijah from Gilgal for Bethel, and to Jericho and finally to Jordan. Elijah was doing all this to know whether Elisha was really determined to have that anointing. Gilgal means to roll, and Bethel is the house of God. Jericho means the moon, and Jordan means to descend. Figuratively, they rolled from Gilgal, to the house of God in Bethel and then, moved up to the ‘moon’ in Jericho, before descending to Jericho. Anyone who is not determined to go through all these would just give up.

Dear child of God, without the anointing you are an ordinary man. You need to pursue it with every bit of life in you. I read about A. A. Allen who decided to have an encounter with the Holy Spirit. He locked himself in a room to seek the face of the Lord till he had an encounter with Him. He could not do it for a number of times. As he stayed in the room, he would feel hungry and come out and find something to eat. At one time he was so resolute and asked the wife to lock the door, and that he would come out after an encounter. After some days of fasting, he saw a bright light enter the room. This was the Lord who came to him and that was the beginning of a life of amazing miracles.

CONFESSION

THANK you, Lord Jesus, for the grace of walking under the anointing. I pursue the anointing with all my life. The Lord also honors me with the anointing by which I do exploits to His glory

FURTHER STUDIES

Deuteronomy 4:29″- But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Luke 9:29” -And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Kings 22:10 KJV “And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them”

King Jehoshaphat, a man who feared God decided to go into a league with king Ahab of Israel who did not give that much honor to God. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join him fight the people of Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab had had encounters with God, that should have caused him to humble himself, yet his attitude towards God was the same. God was therefore not with him. It was rather ironical for king Jehoshaphat to be such a close friend to him. When king Ahab did not agree with Prophet Micaiah’s prophecies, he decided to imprison him till he had returned from the battle. This was done right in the presence of king Jehoshaphat. Why should you have a friend whose actions implicate you before God? The input of others in our life can always be necessary for one’s advancement, yet you have to be very circumspect in selecting the kind of friend you keep. A bad associate would make or break you up.

King Jehoshaphat was nearly killed in the war he went with king Ahab, because they took him for king Ahab during the war. What brought his life into such a danger? Because of his association with an ungodly man Ahab. Dear servants of God, who is your friend.? There are certain men of God who have joined certain occultic sects because of the close friends they had.  Some have become womanizers, because they associated with other ministers who had that tendencies. 1Co 15:33 KJV” Be not deceived: good communications corrupt good manners.” Evil relationship would definitely corrupt you.

Some have lost their vision for their lives because of the kind of company they took.

Why do certain servants of God maintain some type of friends although these people have characters or persuasions that would not help them become who they should be? Some keep such friends because of their childhood relationship. Others are also very easy going and relate very cordially with all those who come close to them. Dear child of God, you must choose your friends, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you. Note, a bad friend can lead you to hell.

PRAYER

Father, help me by your Spirit to know the truth about all my close associates as well as new ones who may be coming close to me.

 FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 8:14 KJV, “”For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Exodus 23:33 KJV” They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: the for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ki 21:7 KJV” And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite”

(Read 1 kings 21)

King Ahab saw a vineyard owned by a man called Naboth.  He asked Naboth to sell his vineyard to him, but Naboth refused. Ahab came home very sad. Jezebel his wife after hearing about her husband’s problem told him she would get Naboth’s vineyard for him. 1Kings 21:7 KJV” And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” Jezebel managed to set Naboth up to be killed by stoning. Jezebel then delivered the vineyard to her husband.

Dear Minister, a wife is a help mate for you, and not to take control or manipulate affairs. There are certain wives who do not have any calling on their lives for ministry work. You must be very careful how you allow your wife to manipulate others in the church.  There are some very helpful wives, yet there are those who are so self-seeking. Some of such women, just want church offerings to come to them. This same Jezebel declared she would cut off Elijah’s head. This woman had the spirit of witchcraft. The spirit of witchcraft imposes one’s will on others.  Women who manipulate men by imposing their will on them normally come under the spirit of witchcraft.

The wrath of God was kindled against Ahab and his family because he allowed his wife to kill Naboth and took Naboth’s vineyard. The Lord sent Elijah to tell Ahab about God’s fury and judgment against Ahab. Why should Ahab insist on taking Naboth’s vineyard, when he refused?  As the king he felt he had the right to get what he wanted in the kingdom. Dear man of God, you do not have the right to possess that which belongs to another by force. Some ministers take the cars of members and would not return it. When these members request for their cars, these ministers get offended. This is not right. Be content with such things as you have and know also that, you do not owe anything of another brother or sister. You are not a boss over them but their servant.

CONFESSION

I am content with such things as I have. I do not crave for anything owed by any other person. My God supplies all my needs.

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 13:5 KJV” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Proverbs 28:16 KJV” The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.”

KEY SCRIPTURE :1 Kings 19:4 KJV “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers”.

(Read 1 kings 19)

Elijah had been used so mightily by the Lord God to do so much. He could call down fire to consume a number of people. On the flip side Jezebel, the queen announced she was going to take off the head of Elijah, and then the man of God became so terrified. He even asked the Lord to take his life. Couldn’t Elijah had called down fire to consume her?

The above response would have been the choice to act by faith, yet he chose to respond in the flesh. Dear man of God, no matter the great feats you have achieved for God, if you let down your guard, you would be like an ordinary man, but you can operate as a superman, when you maintain your faith in God.

Why did Elijah react the way he did? He did so because, he gave attention to the words of Jezebel. Mark 4:24 KJV “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear… “it is extremely dangerous to give attention to words coming from the enemy. The power of God in any believer is far greater than whatever the devil can put up. No matter how mighty a man may be used of God, he needs to remain prepared for an evil day or an unexpected attack from the enemy. He must keep his faith ready to stop any fiery dart of the wicked. (Eph 6:16). In the heat of his fears, he asked that God take his life (1 kings 19:4). Dear servant of God be very careful about what you say.

 Elijah called for his death and so the Lord led him to instruct certain individuals to do certain tasks ‘after he had left’. I believe the Lord instructed him to do all those things because God was going to answer that request of taking his life. In 2 Kings 2:1, the Lord took him to heaven. The Lord will do what you speak into His ears. Num 14:28 KJV ” Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:” God will always respond to every word spoken from our hearts.   Never call for what you do not expect. Always say what you want. Despite his momentary shortcoming He maintained a right conscience towards the Lord, God was so pleased with him that, He took him to heaven without dying.

 PRAYER

I pray that in the name of Jesus I would always be alert in the Spirit to respond rightly to any attack of the enemy.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Acts 24:16 KJV “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

KEY SCRIPTURE :1Kings 18:42 KJV “So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,”

After the prophets of Baal had been slaughtered. the rains must be allowed to come. Elijah prayed to stop it and had to pray to let it fall. Our key scripture reveals that king Ahab went to eat but Elijah, went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, when it calls for changing situations by prayer, then it is not time for eating and pleasure, as King Ahab did. It is a time for prayer.

HOW did he pray?

1 He prayed with faith. 1Ki 18:41 KJV “And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain”

.2 He prayed passionately. James 5:17. The scripture said he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and he likewise prayed earnestly again, that it might rain. Prayer is an expression of desire and so the desire must be intense.

3 He prayed expectantly 1Ki 18:43 KJV “And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. He kept sending his assistant to go and look whether the clouds were gathering

4 . He prayed persistently .. 1 KINGS 18:44a ” And it came to pass at the seventh time…. “His assistant had to go up to the seventh time. Seven in this context means complete. Have the attitude to go on in prayer till the answer is manifested.

The following is how the amplified Bible said it . James 5:16 b

“……….. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” When he prayed this way, heaven responded and the answer was released. You would not be denied as you go through these proven steps in prayer to get answers and difficult situations changing.

 PRAYER

Thank you, heavenly Father, for the privilege of prayer. Thank you, Lord, for your ears that are always ready to hear and answer us. Thank you, Lord, for the power of God released as we pray. Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 7:7 & 8 KJV” Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Exodus 17:11 KJV” And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed”.

KEY SCRIPTURE :1Kings 18:21 KJV” And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word”.

During the reign of king Ahab, Israel went into serious apostasy. Baal worship became the order of the day. Elijah could not take that, He decided to stand for God against the multitudes of Baal prophets. God is not limited to save by many or by few. There is no situation on this earth that can be described as impossible. On this earth all that God needs is a man to believe Him and anything can be possible to him. Elijah had earlier caused the rains to stop falling for a period of three years and six months. (1 kings 17:1) This, the prophets of Baal could do nothing about. This should have thought the whole of Israel a lesson that those prophets were only charlatans or empty talkers

 Ministry is all about standing for the interest of God on the earth. It is trusting God to reveal his glory on the earth. God created all things and put everything in the hands of men (Gen 1:26). When one is given dominion over a thing, the giver of the authority cannot interfere with the thing, unless that individual permits Him. God almighty on this ground, has subjected Himself not to interfere with affairs on this earth until a man take a stand for Him. Things can go so wrong or bad, yet, He cannot come by Himself.

A minister is one who sees to it that, God’s interests are fully established on the earth. One of the means to do this is to believe and act on his word. The next is to obey or do whatever he tells you. The minister must also depart from sin of any kind (Proverbs 28:13). Finally, the minister must announce to men what God wants them to know and do. Any minister who does these four things would have fulfilled his role as God’s servant.

Elijah called for a contest between him and the prophets of Baal. The prophets of Baal failed to call down fire from heaven. Elijah set up his altar, put the bullock on it and called down fire from above. God vindicated him and brought down fire from heaven.

CONFESSION

Thank you, dear heavenly father for appointing me as your servant. With faith in you, no situation or enemy is unsurmountable. I am always a victor in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joshua 1:9 KJV “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

March 9:23 KJV “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” .

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Kings 17:1 KJV “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word”.

(PLEASE READ 1 KINGS 17& 18)

The scripture talks about the prophet Elijah without any reference to any background. What could have instantly brought him to such a limelight? We have no idea how many years he had related to the Lord. The truth is that he had sincerely followed the Lord when he was not known.  Dear child of God or man of God, like Elijah, build your relationship to the Lord in prayer, studying the word and be diligent in obeying God. Do not be concerned about popularity When you have passed God’s preparation in the private life, He (God) may honor you in the eyes of all. Don’t even concern yourself with public praise. It means nothing before God. Pleasing God in all that you do is that which matters.

 Elijah was God’s man and not man’s man. He stood for God against the tyranny of Queen Jezebel and her husband king Ahab. Oh! servant of God whose man are you.  Who is your source? Man, or God. Some servants of God have lost their confidence in God and will compromise their faith for some money or political favors. What could make him challenge the whole regime? He knew God, and had a strong faith in him. All these came as a result of his devotion to Him. Just consider what he said in 1 kings 18:15   ” And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.” To stand before the Lord, means to be related to Him in fellowship through prayer.

Dear child of God, how deep is your fellowship with the Lord. Your ability to be very successful is directly hooked up to your fellowship to him. The Lord Jesus said in John 15:5 KJV” I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”. Stay continuously in His presence and you would be able to stand before any man or anything and would never be defeated.

CONFESSION

Abiding in Christ is the key to fruitfulness in ministry. I therefore maintain my close fellowship with the Lord. I bear much fruit to His glory and praise.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 15:6 KJV” If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

James 5:16 KJV” Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months”.

KEY SCRIPTURE :2Ch 16:9 KJV “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore, from henceforth thou shalt have wars. “

(PLEASE READ 2 Chronicles 16)

God our Father is never partial. He is looking for the man with a perfect heart so that He may reveal His might and faithfulness to that individual. One of the things to look out for, when things are not going well with your work is the state of your heart. King Asa in the previous chapters had been enjoying a very good time with the Lord because he had a perfect heart towards the Lord. In chapter 16 he had war with Israel. He forgot about his dependence on God and went to the Syrian King for help. He took of the gold and silver from God’s temple to give king Benhadad to go and fight King Baasha the Israeli king. Despising God to trust in the arm of the flesh ultimately ends in failure

King Asa at this moment compromised God’s word. All the ornaments in the temple were holy utensils which should never be given to any man.  Compromise in any form is a betrayal of your trust in the Lord. The Lord sent a prophet to expose his error but, he got mad with the man of God. (2 Chronicles 16:10). He put the man of God in prison instead. What could have turned a man God described as having a perfect heart to an outright arrogant individual? He allowed his success to take over his heart. When a man loses his grip on God as his strength, support and everything he can easily fall into pride. Dear servant of God, don’t allow success to breed pride in you.

The man of God told him he would not cease to have wars. He could have humbled himself before God and cried for mercy. The wars did not even start but was attacked by a disease in his feet. He perpetuated his error by refusing to seek the Lord and rather went after the physicians. Pride will cheaply put you out of God’s influence. He was the king, yet, he had backsliding from following the Lord. Dear child of God may you never be in church yet very far from the Lord. Demons had the cheap grounds to attack him since he had lost the covering of the Lord. You would never suffer such a thing, because you would be obedient to the Lord in Jesus name.

CONFESSION

God has blessed me. His blessings make me humbler for I always acknowledge that I am nothing without Him. I experience an over flow of His grace.

FURTHER STUDIES

James 4:6 KJV “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18 KJV “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Chronicles 15:2 KJV” And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”

(Read 2Chronicles 14 &15)

Success in ministry is God’s desire for every servant of His. The prophet told king Asa that the Lord would be with him so long as he kept faith with Him. Success in ministry is mainly man’s major factor or role for God has fulfilled His portion already. In chapter 14 the Bible said Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. He took away all the strange gods and the altars at the high places. As a result of this the kingdom was quiet before him. Asa was so diligent that he removed his mother from being queen, because she made an idol. Asa cut down the idol and ultimately destroyed it by burning.

King Asa had a great time of peace. Before you accuse the devil for the trouble in your life, check your relationship to God’s word. God always want servants who will give a total commitment to him. The Lord expresses the requirement for such followers in the preceding verse. Luke 14:26 KJV “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”  The Lord said that His mother and brethren are those who hear God’s word and do it. (Mark 3:34) The minister must make sure he does not show partiality to any.

Asa showed total dependance and faith in God, when the Ethiopians came against him. He expressed his faith by the way he prayed. He prayed this way, Lord it is nothing with thee to save by many or by few. 2 chronicles 14:11a. Faith in God in critical moments is very vital for success in ministry. He exalted God far higher than the challenge. His army was just about a third of the army he faced. You can overcome every difficulty no matter, how big it is by faith. Success in ministry is always by keeping faith in God.

 PRAYER

Father, I pray for all ministers that they would be focused in serving you. Help them by your spirit to be sincere in all they do.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 10:34 & 35 KJV Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

1 Samuel 2:30 KJV ” Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Kings 11:38 KJV “And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee”.

When we read about the stories of the kings of Israel, we see a cycle of error that keeps repeating itself over and over again. What we find is that a king will assume the reign of affairs over the kingdom, and he will turn to idol worshipping. (Please Read 1 kings 11-14) In the case of Jeroboam, the prophet Ahijah explained to him the error of Solomon and the fact that, the Lord has taken ten tribes of the kingdom, and given to him. In spite of all these, Jeroboam became king and started committing the very sin that Solomon committed, that made him loose his throne

Why this constant cycles of error? They fail to honour God’s very first and principal commandment. Mark 12:30 KJV “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment”. King David was so successful because he was an ardent lover of God. Dear servant of God, the only way to escape this cycle of error is to love the Lord our God with all your soul, all your heart and all your mind. Idol worshipping is the sickness of not loving God. Please note this, if your love for God is not total then you are definitely suffering from idol worshipping.

 A heart filled with love for God never considers his personal interests first, but God’s. Such a one is always ready to obey the voice of the spirit. John 14:21 KJV” He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  The presence of God with any man attracts favor to him. Loving the Lord makes one a high flyer. Now the question is why are people and even certain ministers not loving the Lord as required? The answers vary. Some don’t know the Lord that they are following. Others are not ready to forsake their personal longings. Dear servant of God, there is no reward or blessing that surpasses a heart totally yielded to God.

 CONFESSION

I love God with all my heart. I have no idols in my life. My God manifests Himself to me in every area of my life. My life is a great delight and have an abundance of favor.

 PRAYER

 Make the following prayer: Father I break myself free from anything that holds my heart from you, in Jesus name I pray.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 13:22 KJV” And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

Deuteronomy 11:13 14 KJV. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.