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WELCOME TO GOD FOCUS THIS MORNING

THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE:  THE MANTLE

In the story of Elijah and Elisha a mantle was a piece of clothing. It was a cloak or cape, a wrap or shawl. It was symbolic of how our calling in God wraps around us. A mantle in the calling sense means we have a role, duty, responsibility or position given to us of God. It is often passed from one person to another as God calls them home. A person’s mantle will fall to the next generation.

We may carry a mantle for different things. Learning to operate in our calling under that mantle is where many stay. They never step fully into their position. They never use their faith in combination with their mantle. To find the boldness to actually use the gifts that God has given. Too often we allow fear to get in our way. We need the boldness of Elisha to receive and walk into our calling.

Let’s look at the story of how Elisha received his mantle to be a prophet. He had traveled with Elijah for a while and had watched him operate in his faith. Elijah was about to leave he told Elisha he had to go to Bethel and that Elisha could stay behind. He pressed him to go along with him. Then again Elijah said he had to go to Jericho and told Elisha to stay. But he pressed again to go along. Then Elijah had to go on to Jordan. Again, the same thing happened. Each time Elisha pressed him to go along. Each stop along the way, prophets would tell Elisha that the Lord was removing Elijah that day. He kept telling them he knew.

I am sure he had many questions like we all do. But he decided that he wanted to walk in Elijah’s footsteps and be a prophet of God. He had witnessed the boldness of Elijah and knew God honored boldness. The scripture I will share picks up right before God takes Elijah. To get the full effect I suggest you read the whole second chapter of 2 Kings.

2 KGS 2:8-15

8 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. 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 be upon me. 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. 11 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. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.  13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

In order to operate in the mantle of a prophet, Elisha had to have faith. He had seen a lot while he was with Elijah. He didn’t pick the mantle up and wonder, will this work for me. No, he believed because he knew what Elijah had said to him.

2 Kgs 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.

Elisha saw him be taken up and the mantle fell to the earth. He trusted that God would give him the anointing in abundant measure. He exercised his boldness to even ask for a double portion of anointing. He was bold to refuse to stay behind, but to follow Elijah.

Why would he not boldly pick up the mantle and use it. He asked where God was, when the waters parted, he knew God was with him. If he had been like some of us, that may have not happened because of doubt. He didn’t pick it up and say, “I wonder if it will work for me?”  “Will God really give me a double portion of his anointing?”  But he didn’t doubt he proceeded boldly to cross.

This was the beginning of him walking in the authority and anointing without a mentor. He had to rely on God for himself. We have all had that special person that was our compass. Someone who kept us pointed the right direction and in God’s will. Mine was my very wise grandfather.  He served God will all of his heart and strength. When we lost him, the whole family not only lost a father and grandfather but we lost our mentor.

Suddenly we were all left to find our own way to hear from God. It has been a long journey, but I know that God is getting ready to do amazing things in the earth. We as his children are privileged to be alive in this day and age. We will see God move in miraculous ways, but we have to be bold enough to pick up whatever mantle he has given us and strike the water.

If you don’t know what your calling is, it is ok. God will show you if you ask him. He is waiting for your surrender, he will shine down on you and lead you to where you need to be, because he has plenty for us all to do. The harvest is ready and the time is short. This is why God is going to empower our generation, like no generation before us. If we are bold enough and obedient enough to pick up the mantle.

Until next time,

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

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