2 KINGS
MOMENT – (21APR19) Elijah was about to be caught up to Heaven, but he asked his
mentee, Elisha, what he could do for him prior to his departure. Elisha wanted
a double-portion of Elijah’s anointing. Elijah let him know that what he was
asking was a difficult thing, but if God allowed him to see his departure, then
the Lord would have granted his request. Elisha was indeed able to see Elijah’s
departure as a chariot of fire and horses came and took him away. Elijah had
left behind his cloak and Elisha picked it up which was symbolic of the transference
of the anointing that he received.
Many people
desire to have certain titles in the body of Christ, but they would be wise to
ask themselves, “Do I have what it takes to carry such a mantle?” Elisha did
not settle on just wanting Elijah’s anointing, but he wanted a “double-portion”
of it. Elijah told him that it was a difficult thing. It was not that God could
not do what Elisha was asking, but with a double-anointing also comes the possibility
of double trouble such as what Elijah had encountered with Ahab and Jezebel.
Yet, Elisha desired to have it and God granted His request. People who are true followers of Christ know
that it comes with a cost. Jesus said that we must count the cost to be a
disciple of His (Luke 14:28-33). Many who were followers of Christ died as a
result of their faith in the early church. The prophets of the Old Testament
were often ridiculed, mocked, imprisoned, and even killed because of their message.
Jesus was crucified because of who He was and His teachings. The apostles were
killed, with the exception of John, because of preaching the gospel. Yes, there
is a mantle that must be carried for the sake of Christ, but we must all evaluate
ourselves to see if we are just wearing the title of Christian, or are we truly
wearing the mantle that comes with being a follower of Christ. Something to
ponder…
QUESTION OF
THE DAY – (21APR19) Elisha was a bald-headed man. As he was walking from Bethel,
he encountered a group of boys who were disrespectful and made fun of him being
bald. Elisha, having no tolerance for such mannerism, pronounced a curse on
them. After which, two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the
boys.
The Bible
tells us to train up children in the way that they should go and when they are
older, they will not depart. In today’s time, we do not see much “training”
going on even amongst Christians. Children are allowed to be led solely by
their emotions instead of the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord. This is why we
have a “snowflake” generation who thinks that they can just throw a hissy fit
and have their way. A few days ago, police were called in Chicago to where
young people were congregated to handle their disruptive ways in the city, but
the news article said that some of them had to be arrested because they had no
regard for authority. What have we become as a society where young people do
not feel the need to obey their elders or those in authority?
We have a
generation where it is okay to wear your pants down to your knees, call women
b**** and h**** in music and videos, not give up a seat to allow a senior
citizen or lady to sit, needs a “safe space” in a public institution of
learning, paraded on media platforms in a state of confusion regarding their gender,
and have low tolerance for opposing opinions. Where are the parents who can and
will speak life into these young people by training them in the ways of the
Lord? Unfortunately, many are being raised by King Ahabs and Queen Jezebels who
are more concerned about their own pleasures of idolatry than God.
Nevertheless, for those parents who truly have a heart for Christ, even if your
child should stray away from God, do NOT give up praying for them. God answers
the prayers of the righteous and they do avail much. Your prayers can make all
the difference in the world. Speak those things as though they were and believe
God. He is in the saving business and His arms are not too short to save your
child. Something to ponder…
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