christmas Book by Chris Marchand

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrismarchand/book-celebrating-the-12-days-of-christmas

Spiritual Strength

Achieving spiritual strength and maturity is a process. Many want to know how to get closer to God and become strong Disciples of Christ. They want to know what to do after they get saved.

They want to know their purpose in life, how to deal with the spiritual opposition against them, and how to take control of their lives. In other words, they want to know how to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.

When asking how to become strong in the Lord many say that trust in God is key. Trust means to have confidence in God. Said another way, trust says that God is not a man that he should lie. If God made a promise, he will keep it. Trust is another word for faith. Surely trust in God is essential for developing a strong relationship, but you can trust God and still not spiritually mature. With that in mind, let’s explore some steps toward spiritual strength. Let’s start with the idea of process. I use the word process because it relates to actions along life’s journey that produces various outcomes.  

Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). Becoming strong in the Lord and the power of his might are great goals. To reach these goals, however, requires a right process. In our example, a right process means the application of Biblical principles in your life.   

SANCTIFICATION
As already mentioned, developing or growing in the Lord is what we call a process. The process is a mapped-out course of action needed to achieve the desired result. We could say then that process is the necessary path needed to reach our goal of spiritual strength and maturity. Now let’s include another word, sanctification.

Sanctification is a word you might not be familiar with. Sanctification comes from two Latin words, sanctus which means holy, and ficare which means make. In other words, sanctification is a work of God, a process toward holiness.

This brings us back to process. Sanctification is the process needed for getting closer to God. It is a work of the Holy Spirit.

Sanctification can also mean a setting apart for the work of God. All of us are called to advance the Gospel. Most importantly, sanctification deals with a change of mind and a change of heart. Knowing that sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit, let’s take take a look at the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is a great place to start your process toward spiritual strength and maturity. After the resurrection, Christ held a forty-day meeting with his Disciples teaching about the kingdom of God, the restoration of all things, what signs follow those that believe, and what happens to you after the Holy Spirit comes on you.

His disciples were full of zeal and ready to spread the Gospel. You can only imagine how it felt to be in this meeting talking to the resurrected King of kings. It should be pointed out, however, that Jesus didn't think these disciples were ready. They were missing something significant. They needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

ANOTHER EXPERIENCE
Some think they were baptized with the Holy Spirit when they were born again. (To be born again means to come out of spiritual death into spiritual life by the redemptive blood of Christ.) This might be true with some, but for most of us it wasn’t. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a different and unique experience for you after salvation. We can see that separate experience when Philip went down to Samaria after the great persecution of the early church.

Philip was having great success in ministry. He preached three things to the people of Samaria: Christ, the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus. One thing was missing in his ministry, however, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard of the great miracles in the Samaria meetings they sent Peter and John to see what was happening. When they arrived, they noticed none of the people were filled with the Holy Spirit. To the Apostles, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was critical for success in life, ministry, and the advancement of the kingdom of God.

Scripture says, “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:14-17).

The apostles understood that blessing, healing, deliverance, and miracles were good, but not enough. The people needed the Holy Spirit. These apostles were following Christ’s instructions, “And you shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” This takes us back to the process. To reach our goal of spiritual strength and maturity we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Notice the many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the following Scriptures.

CHRIST'S INSTRUCTIONS
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

UPPER ROOM
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) (The Day of Pentecost could not fully come until after the resurrection of Christ.)

APOSTLE PAUL IN EPHESUS
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  (3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:1-6)

PHILIP’S MINISTRY IN SAMARIA
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:14-17)

PETER AND THE GENTILES
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  (44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:43-48)

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an awesome experience. To summarize:

After the resurrection of Christ, He held a forty-day meeting with his Disciples teaching about the kingdom of God, the restoration of all things, what signs follow those that believe, and what happens to you after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a different and unique experience for you after salvation.

The apostles understood that blessing, healing, deliverance, and miracles were good, but not enough. The people needed the Holy Spirit.

Wake up the Remnants

Romans  11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.  11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Eight Earmarks of Remnant Believers

The Remnant are destined for dominion. Some are coming to the possibility that before the Second Coming of Christ this gospel of the Kingdom will be victorious throughout the entire world. We call these disciples the Remnant. The Remnant carries a subduing spirit as the scripture confirms. “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28). 1. The Remnant know they are destined for dominion. When building churches preachers come to a decision, they either draw the multitudes or the remnant. Today those that gather the multitudes water down their message refusing to address sin and idolatry. Many issues are not confronted such as homosexuality, pornography, adultery, and national influence of corrupted politicians, failure of the public school system, and worldly music that is impinging the Church. Regardless of the withdraw others stand boldly like John the Baptist as a voice of one crying in the wilderness make straight a highway for our God. These are the Remnant. The uncompromisable Gospel still convicts of sin and confronts the demonic powers of darkness. This Gospel of the Kingdom is a stumbling stone for some and the corner stone for others. In every generation, the Holy Spirit anoints remnant believers, for it is the remnant that goes first carrying the banner of Christ’s victory. After a grand house is carpeted there are a few pieces of carpet left. These left over pieces are known as the remnant. No one knows what to do with them because they don’t fit anywhere. Some are discarded and others placed at doorways. The remnant carpet sits at the doorway and used to clean the bottom of someone’s shoes before entering. Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit anywhere? The reason for that is because you really didn’t fit. You are probably part of the remnant. Remnant believers are different because they carry a different spirit. 2. The Remnant plays a major role in the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21). To them belong many “go first” apostolic opportunities because they carry a dominion spirit. A dominion spirit is one that is ready to take over for Christ. The Remnant rejects a fatalistic world view that Christ will rescue the Church right before the world is overrun by demon powers. They understand their apostolic call to build and restore. Scripture declares, “And they (the Remnant) shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” (Isaiah 61:4). 3. The Remnant believes the spiritual man is strong in the Lord and the power of His might. To be a spiritual man means to be led by the Holy Spirit for it is written, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). . The Remnant are doers of the Word, not just hearers. James makes it plain, “But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:22-24). 5. The Remnant stand in the gap and make up the hedge. As “repairers of the breach” the Remnant carry the culture of the Kingdom of God into a dark world separated from the love of God. Every kingdom has a culture, so too the Kingdom of God. The Remnant understands their duty to carry the light of Christ’s truth into the world. As already said the Remnant make a highway for Christ. Scripture says, “And they (the Remnant) that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12). 6, To the Remnant the devil is defeated. The Remnant believes the Word became flesh, was anointed by the Holy Ghost and was crucified for our sins, rose from the dead, defeated Satan and all his demon hoards. They see the devil subdued under their feet and sing, “O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us and the nations under our feet” (Psalms 47:1-3). 7. The Remnant believes they can overcome the world through faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith” (1 John 5:4). To overcome means to subdue. In the Genesis mandate is the blessing to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and take dominion.  These are five blessings, expectations, empowerments and responsibilities. The word subdue in Hebrew is kabash meaning to tread down, subjugate, subdue or bring into subjection. In the New Testament, the Greek word is nikao meaning to subdue. The Remnant believes they are born of God and through faith subdue the world for Christ. These scriptures confirm this belief. Let’s read these scriptures exchanging the word overcome with the word subdue. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh (subdues) the world: and this is the victory that overcometh (subdues) the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome (subdued) the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome (subdued) the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:13-17) These verses are clear, Christ gave His disciples the power to subdue the earth and bring it into subjection to Christ. As you can see the Remnant are destined for dominion. Other promises include: PEACE “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome (subdued) the world.” (John 16:33) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome (subdued) them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) TREE OF LIFE “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh (subdues) will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7) NO HARM IN THE SECOND DEATH “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh (subdues) shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Revelation 2:11) HIDDEN MANNA “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh (subdues) will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:17) POWER OVER NATIONS “And he that overcometh (subdues) and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26) CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT “He that overcometh (subdues), the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5) PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD “Him that overcometh (subdues) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:12) SIT WITH CHRIST ON HIS THRONE “To him that overcometh (subdues) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame (subdued), and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:21) DEFEATED SATAN “And they overcame (subdued) him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11) VICTORY “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory (subdued) over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” (Revelation 15:2) 8. The Remnant understand their call to invade, influence, and subdue the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. St. Athanasius saw the Remnant ability to carry the Word of God into society and bring glorious change. “When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by His teaching.” The Church can only lose the battle to Satan when it is overcome with doubt and unbelief. How you see yourself determines how the devil sees you. “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). The Remnant see themselves walking in victory. Like Caleb they see the enemy subdued and under their feet. “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).

Covenant of Protection

Hebrews 8:6
As Christians, we have a sure and better covenant established on better promises with God. The Blood Covenant is the strongest Covenant and the surest guarantee for victory and divine intervention. It is the highest form of intimacy we have with God. Our covenant relationship with God means that whatever belongs to God belongs to us.The Bible is divided into testaments; which means covenant, and these covenants have enormous promises hidden in them.

Exodus 12:35 describes how God blessed the Israelites with material wealth, which is the first promise of the covenant. Through the covenant we are guaranteed financial and material prosperity. God wants us to be rich, wealthy and well provided for. Although the Bible says in Leviticus that, ‘the poor shall not seize from the land,’ the Bible didn’t include anyone’s name to that truth. This shows that prosperity is a choice.TheBible also says in Psalm 24, ‘The earth is of the Lords and the fullness thereof’ and in Psalm 50:10, ‘For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle on cattle hill are mine.’ God is saying that all things are His and for Him to own all things He cannot be poor. For you to be poor, God must be impoverished. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, ‘God is able to make all grace abound towards you that you always have sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.’ To redeem us from the curse of poverty, Christ became poor so that by His poverty, we might be rich; 2 Corinthians 8:9. As Christians our provision is tied to God’s economy, not the world’s economy, therefore our story has to be different.

The covenant also guarantees sound health. In Exodus 15:26, God declares, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight and give ears to His commandmentsand keep to all His status, I will put none of the diseases on you which I put on the Egyptians. I am the Lord your God who heals you.” In this scripture God is assuring us that as long as we are in this covenant, He is our personal physician and healer. Exodus 23:25 also reiterates that if we serve God He will bless our bread and water and take away whatever sickness we suffer from. In Deuteronomy 7:12-15 God tells us that a man in Covenant with Him cannot be barren nor his sheep, cattle or flock. By Christ’s stripes we are healed; Isaiah 53:1-6. God’s promise to us is divine health (Psalm 103:1-3). Believe God’s report above every doctor’s report.

Another provision guaranteed by the Covenant is divine protection and preservation. Exodus 12:13, 29 says, ‘Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are, when I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike Egypt.’ God is communicating that when we come into the covenant there is a sign upon our lives and no evil shall befall us. By the shedding of Blood of Jesus, we have protection; Psalm 107:7-9, 13, and 37. One of the major reasons people join cults and practice witchcraft is for protection. They know that the shedding of blood is powerful but not as powerful as the Blood of Jesus. There are angels all around us protecting us. Divine preservation is a promise from God which is evident in scriptures like Hosea13:14, Psalm 91:7-16, and Numbers 23:16. We are covered within the confines of the Blood of the Lamb.

1. Your covenant with God guarantees you protection (Psalm 91:1-16).
   1. Protection is a shield or covering from danger or injury.
      1. It's part of your salvation.
   2. Where you abide determines your stability and level of protection.
      1. When you abide in the secret place, you'll remain stable and under God's protection.
   3. No enemy can touch you in the secret place.
      1. The secret place is a place of power-a place of protection.
         1. There's no fear there.
            
   
   
2. When you rebel against God and try to protect yourself, you'll endure shame and confusion (Isaiah 30:1-4).
   1. God is your covering.
      1. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10, 11).
      2. Material means cannot determine your safety.
         1. Don't trust in riches to be your covering.
   2. When you trust and take refuge in God, He will hide you (Psalm 31:15-20).
      1. When you trust God to be your covering, He will protect you from harm and defend you from danger (Daniel 3:15-27; 2 Kings 6:8-20).
         1. God is your protector and defender (Habakkuk 3:4).
   3. When you're under God's covering, you'll operate in supernatural ability (Acts 5:12-16).
      1. Because Peter had a revelation of Jesus, people were healed by his shadow.

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

The word Anointing is a Greek word called chrisma or khris’-mah. Figuratively, it is the special endowment of the Holy Spirit. It is also called unction. It is God with a man, empowering him/her to function in a specific office, gifts (Supenatural endowment) and assignment(s).

Acts 10:38 says,

“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”.

“And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room”. 1 Kings 19:16

ANOINTING IS MEASURABLE

One of the characteristics of the anointing is that it is measureable. When it comes to God giving His anointing to man, He gives it by measure. One and the only person God didn’t give anointing by measure was His son, Jesus Christ.

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit (Anointing) by measure unto him.” John 3:34.

The Bible made us to understand that God deals with each of us in different measures in everything He gives to us, whether it is faith Anointing, Grace, Wealth, Revelations, Strength, Gifts, etc. it is all comes to us by measure.

“…. God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”. Romans 12:3

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7

The scripture revealed in 2 Kings2:9, “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit (Anointing Upon Elijah) be upon me”.

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life” 2 Corinthians 1:8

“But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto”. 2 Corinthians 10:13

MAJOR FACT ABOUT DOUBLE PORTION OF THE ANOINTING

1. IT ENABLES THE RECIPIENT TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN THE PREDECESSOR:

Elisha did what double of the exploits his master Elijah did.

Jesus desired that His disciples achieve more than He did while on the earth. In John 14:12 Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

In John 5:20, He also said: For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

STEPS TO RECEIVING DOUBLE PORTION OF THE ANOINTING

In this subject, we are going to follow the steps of Elisha; because he was one and the only person that receive double portion of his masters anointing in the Bible.

1. ANSWER THE CALL TO FOLLOW:

“And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room”. 1 Kings 19:16

The above scripture was God’s instruction to prophet Elijah when he got discouraged in his ministry because of the threat from Queen Jezebel and he asked that God should take his life. Then, God asked him to anoint some persons which one of them was Elisha the son of Shaphat. God instructed Elijah to anoint him to be prophet in his room (stead).

It is crucial to understand that God’s purpose for anointing us is to be in an office. Anointing gives you not just an office but an identity. Anointing makes you TO BE….. It makes you to be an office.

Jehu was anointed to be king over his country Israel while Elisha was anointed to be prophet in the place of Elijah.

Again, God’s purpose for anointing is also to make replacement. When the scripture says that Elisha was anointed to be prophet in the place of Elijah, it means that he was anointed to replace Elijah.

After receiving that instruction, Elijah left and found Elisha plowing and he cast his prophetic mantle upon him which signifies that Elijah had fulfilled the instruction of God to him. Then, what was next? Followership!

Take note!

The anointing you don’t follow cannot follow you. That is to say, Elijah will never compel Elisha to follow the anointing that was cast on him but Elisha should willingly follow.

Here is what the scripture says:

“And Elias departing from thence, found Eliseus, the son of Saphat, ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and he was one of them that were ploughing with, twelve yoke of oxen: and when Elias came up to him, he cast his mantle upon him. And he forthwith left the oxen, and run after Elias, and said: Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said to him: Go, and return back: for that which was my part, I have done to thee. And returning back from him, he took a yoke of oxen, and killed them, and boiled the flesh with the plough of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate: and rising up, he went away, and followed Elias, and ministered to him”. 1 Kings 19:19-21 DRB

Until you learn to kiss some things good bye, you cannot become a good follower. Elisha had to kiss his parents good bye, kill his oxen and burn up the yokes to become a committed follower.

2. SERVE THE MASTER:

One thing is to follow the anointing but another is to serve the anointing while you are following it. The anointing you cannot serve, you cannot contact.

You cannot receive the double portion of the anointing when you follow and serve in disloyalty or for material things to get. Gehazi followed the anointing of Elisha; but he got double portion of leprosy (For him and his generations) all because; he served deceitfully and in disloyalty.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 

And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow”. 2 Kings 5:20-27 KJV

3. DON’T GIVE UP OR BE DESUADED TO GIVE UP:

One of the reasons why dissuaders don’t try out something is because; they sees impossibilities and waste of time to try it out and doesn’t want anyone who believes something is possible to attempt it. The sons of prophets in the time of Elisha are clear examples on this fact.

Elisha was a prophetic scholar that understood the moves of God. He knew too well that God was about taking his master away from him. Holding the memory of the prophetic encounter he had that converted him from being a farmer to being a prophet, not just being a prophet; but to be a prophet in place of Elijah his master. He understood that it requires Elijah’s anointing to be prophet in his stead and he had not gotten that yet.

In every city he went with his master, about five scores of the sons of prophets that were there would ask him according to the scriptures below:

“…. Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day?….” 2 Kings 2:5

And here was Elisha’s reply:

“…And he (Elisha) answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.”

What were the above scriptures saying?

Elisha was just saying, I knew what you were asking; so keep quiet. Get your mouths shut and don’t try to say anything more. In fact, I am not interested in that kind of doctrine, so hold on with your message. I have something important I am pursuing. So, don’t try to distract or dissuade me with those words, okay! Even my master wasn’t able to dissuade me from following him till the end, how much more you. The scripture revealed that he kept on following Elijah!

Here was what happened when Elisha got the double portion of the anointing:

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit (anointing) of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him”. 2 Kings 2:15

A man that got the anointing is a man men will come to and bow to. Elisha was that kind of man. You too can become such a man if you say no to distractions and dissuaders words; but become a focus minded and committed follower of the anointing you’re called to anointed with.

4. GO EXTRA MILE AND STICK WITH THE MASTER TILL THE END:

One of the demands of the anointing is sacrifice. Until you understand this fact, you will definitely fail the test of anointing, and when you fail its test, you can never receive it.

Gehazi failed the test of anointing through covetousness, impatience, dishonesty and disloyalty.

It is crucial to beware of the anointing you follow. This is because; the anointing you follows that you rubbish will eventually rubbish you. The anointing you follows that you fights will eventually fight and destroys you and even you generation and generation unborn. David understood this fact and he never laid his hands on anointed king Saul of Israel.

One sacrifice anointing will demand from you is your comfort or easy life. So, anointing will put up a test to see if you will truly win the test and receive the anointing or fail it and never receive it. Elisha understood this fact and never succumbs to easy-life or comfort in the name of obeying his master; but went extra-mile for the anointing.

5. ASK FOR THE ANOINTING:

Anointing you didn’t follow, sacrifice for, committed to and ask for you can never get.

Elisha followed Elijah’s anointing, served for it, sacrificed for it, was committed to it; but he couldn’t get it until he was instructed to ask for it.

The scripture says;

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion (measure) of thy spirit (anointing) be upon me”. 2 Kings 2:9

What does it mean to ask for the anointing?

To ask for the anointing is to pray for it. When we ask, we are qualified to get; but when we fail to ask, we are not qualified to get.

Jesus taught His disciples this principle A. S. K;

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”. Matthew 7:7

James told his audience that the reason why they don’t have is because they don’t ask:

“… yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”James 4:2

The anointing you don’t

A – Ask, and it shall be given you

S – seek, and ye shall find

K – knock, and it shall be opened unto you

you cannot get it.

There is no measure of the anointing you ask that cannot be giving to you by God. Elisha asked for double measure of Elijah’s anointing and he got it.

Those who ask for the mantle (anointing) of the anointed they follows and walk in their faithful and godly steps predecessors will certainly experience the same grace upon their lives and double of their grace.

STEWARDING THE MANTLE OF FIRE

STEADWARDING THE MANTLE OF FIRE

Acts.  3:21:- Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

The mantle of fire marks the anointing of those whose callings usher in agendas that fulfill key prophecies and the release of accompanying moves of His Spirit.

There are also situations in which the Lord made allowance by covering ones with the shadow of His hand. Scripture then unveils a time of salvation, when supernaturally, God Himself will intervene to present the prophets, the saints and all who fear His Name, as faultless before the presence of His glory. (Jude 1:24-25 and Rev 11:18)

When God is sovereignly moving, “more of the same harder” will run into the ditch. It is a time to hold steady and move with faithful caution. Being alert and prepared incorporates the need to understand what is to be expected.

This new thing God is doing and the authority for the mantle of fire are tied to His holiness and power. It will be marked by the restoration of many ancient mysteries.
“Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look. Then ask for the ancient paths where the good way lies. Then walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” Jer 6:16

Being alert to the new and restored dimensions of what God is doing may stretch us beyond our comfort zones and require a fresh alignment of our hearts with His. Such an alignment is predicated on seeking Him with a pure and unencumbered heart.

Maintaining the Momentum. Between the turmoil and what God is releasing will be events that transpire fast. The potential to be overwhelmed must be resisted by a fervent focus giving priority to time in seeking the Lord. A word for this hour is that whatever sphere of influence we walk into, that we should immediately begin looking beyond it, lest it overwhelm us.

God’s antidote is the mantle of fire which employs only a pure holy fire.
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” John 7:18.

The times demand not just the pure fire, but the restoration of the holy process without the polluted add-ons. Daniel noted that in the time of the end many would be purified and refined, but that wickedness would increase and abound. The times upon us are bordering between the times of sorrow spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24 and the times of the end described by Daniel. Wickedness is on the increase and gaining root.

The Unstoppable Dynamic
The early church was seen by the world as “those who are turning the world upside down.” Their faith-response involved sacrifice and, as a people, THEY became the catalysts to releasing the Glory and Power. There’s nothing to compare with that complete exchange of His life for ours, within community, to actuate the maturity spoken of by Paul to the Ephesians.

True spiritual maturity leads. It is evidenced by those who take responsibility beyond their selves, face the fire, and penetrate the veil to reverse the bondages. The full knowledge of the Lord (Eph 4) is not a head-thing or the resolution of all our soulish issues; but rather an operational application of the mantle of fire.

We are in a time in which the wisdom and power that flowed in the early church is not just being restored. It will become the launch-pad for even greater levels of the release of His power and glory.

Those wielding the mantle of pure fire will pierce the extremes of darkness with God’s glory and power. The pure fire has always been tied to God’s presence and the consumption of darkness in its wake. The word to the church for this day is to reach for the fire, the pure fire.

“I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Then the nations will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst.”  Ezek 37:26-28.

The Five- Fold Ministry

FIVEFOLD MINISTRY FUNCTIONS
All Ministry comes from Jesus… In his seminal letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul introduces us to
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
This is also known as “The Ascension Gift Ministries” because they were given when Christ Ascended into Heaven
Ephesians 4:7-16 (NKJV)
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ– 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Every person in the Body of Christ has received grace for some aspect of the 5 Ministry Giftings. We see this in the gift of prophecy and the Prophet. It also applies to the apostolic anointing and the Apostle, the pastoral anointing and the pastor, etc.
The key to understanding Fivefold Ministry is FUNCTION or PURPOSE and not title…
The title is there to describe the FUNCTION…

The Apostle Governs:
He is like the Heart revealing compassion & strategy for advancing the Kingdom
The Prophet Guides:
He is like the Mouth communicating guidance
The Teacher Grounds:
He has the Mind of Christ to bring wisdom and understanding
The Evangelist Gathers:
These are the Hands that are always reaching out to souls
The Pastor Guards:
These are the Feet leading the sheep to pasture and the paths of righteousness
Our hand serves as an example for the Fivefold Ministry too:
The Thumb represents the Apostle: This finger is the only one that touches all others and is the finger that enables us to grip.
The Forefinger represents the Prophet: It points…
The Middle finger represents the Evangelist: it is the furthest reaching
The Ring finger represents the Pastor: married to the sheep he is always with them
The Pinky represents the Teacher: this finger is the one that gives balance to the hand.
The 5 G’s of Ministry
Apostles and Prophets lay the foundation of the house. The Teacher builds on that foundation with the stones the Evangelist gathers and then, the Pastors cares for the house. Of course, the “house” means the people of God.
The Apostle “Governs” or oversees the House bringing vision, order and government. He/she develops leaders and raises up “sons in the Gospel”.
The Prophet “Guides” and administrates in the House. He/she declares and confirms vision for the house and facilities. They bring direction and counsel also.

The Teacher “Grounds” and equips the saints through their gifted teaching ability. They bring balance to the vision of the house.
The Evangelist “Gathers” by training workers/
witnesses in outreach into the community.
The Pastors “Guards” the House, caring for the people overseeing visitation, etc. They are concerned with the everyday aspects of the community of faith.
As such, we can see how the 5 Ascension Gift Ministries function together as a Team!
Here are some other functions of each Ministry:
The Apostle is to be “Godward” and minister to Him. As he/she does they receive vision and then they go and plow the ground.
The Prophet has what we would call a “watchman on the wall” or “crows nest” ministry.
The Teacher grounds as they reemphasize the vision of the House and balance it with the Word. They break up the fallow ground.
The Evangelist gathers and also sows seeds.
The Pastors guard by example leading the prayer and care ministries and harvests the crop.

Are all Ministries Equal?
Although each Ascension Gift Ministry is vital to the Church there is a “Governmental” aspect to ministry. We see this in the Fivefold Ministry in one of Pauls letters:
1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set in the Church, firstly Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that…”
The Apostle is primary, the Prophet secondary and the Teacher is third. All are equal in the fact that each one is a member in the Body of Christ but there is “order” and “government” in the ministries also. The Apostle is guarded by the other four because his anointing is the “primary” anointing.