God's Calling 05.02.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday May 2, 2008 and today we will begin our study on the book of II Kings. The book of II Kings was written by Jermiah and contains 25 chapters. It was written to Isreal and the purpose of the book was to continue the record of God's dealings with His people. The book teaches us to realize that kingdoms of this world are temporal, they rise and fall under God's control. To begin, please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%201-3&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the new King of Israel, Ahaziah, God's intervention for His anointed prophets, Elijah passing the mantle to Elisha, God rolls back the waters of the Jordan River a second time, and Moab rebels and Israel and Judah join forces. Today's message focuses on the importance of responding to the calling of God.

The ministry of the great prophet Elijah was finished, a ministry of faithfulness and unshakable loyalty to God. Ten years before Elijah's departure in a chariot of fire, the Lord said to him that Elisha will replace him as prophet. "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. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him." (I Kings 19:16-19).

At the time Elijah called Elisha to join him, it appears that Elisha was a prosperous young farmer. To accept Elijah's calling to be his servant would mean that Elisha would have to forsake his family and friends as well as financial securities. His friends probably thought that to be the servant of a prophet would be a lonely, menial occupation. But, Elisha knew that obeying God's Word provides the true values of life and leads us to spiritual trust and commitment to the Lord. "And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." (19:21). Elisha's actions demonstrate that the key to one's usefulness in the Kingdom of God is to immediately respond to every opportunity to serve the Lord, regardless of how great or how insignificant the task may appear.

It is always wise to consider the character of the servants whom God has used in the past; by so doing, we see the kind of persons whom God will choose and use in the present and future. Carefully consider the legacy left by these two men, Elijah and Elisha. All of us are leaving a legacy at the end of life; we are leaving a legacy of our moral and spiritual values. We can not detach ourselves from this involuntary and often unconscious influence upon others. What we can determine is the kind of legacy we will leave. Apart from any testimony we may contribute, let us live each day in the reality that our lives are influencing others to trust in Christ as His servant.

Just prior to Elijah's translation into heaven, Elisha again revealed his spiritual discernment and loyalty to God that qualified him to be Elijah's successor, "And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel." (II Kings 2:1-2). Elisha pledged his faithfulness with a vow and was determined to continue with Elijah on his journey from Gilgal to Bethel, on to Jericho, and then across the Jordan River, "And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 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 be upon me. 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. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (2:6-11).

As He did for Elisha, the Lord has used circumstances to place each of us where we are today in order to determine the sincerity of our commitment to Him, "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:56-58).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the Lord taking up Elijah in the whirlwind and the dropping of the mantle, a symbol of the presence and power of God that remains with His faithful servants (II Kings 2:8-15). This is a foreshadowing of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and His sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers in Him, giving us power to evangelize the world.

Today's Psalm:37:5
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You have called us, Your servants, to exercise our gifts of prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leading, and being vessels of Your mercy. Help us not to be fearful or timid in exercising our spiritual gift that flows from Your power within us, since it is not for our own glory but rather for the building up of the body of Christ. We are inadequate within ourselves, but fully sufficient according to the grace given us through Your Holy Spirit. We seek affirmation from You, the ministry opportunities You provide us, and other mature believers, to confirm our spiritual giftings. In Jesus' name, we pray.....Amen!

Have a Fantastic Friday and weekend! TGIF!
God Bless,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for no message yesterday I had computer problems.

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