Tag:

Elisha

Prodigal Son’s Story: Man Asked For His Father’s Help After Being Homeless

by Le-Jovale Vallejo September 21, 2023

written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

Elisha’s testimony is similar to the prodigal son’s story. After rebelling and doing things on his own, he begged for his father’s help when he was left with nothing.

Prodigal Son’s Story

At the age of 13, Elisha was already addicted to drugs. He was very young when he started selling drugs and stealing.

It was his rebellion against his father that led him to his lifestyle.

“My dad was a pastor, and that’s why I tried to do the opposite. If he wants this for me, then I’m going to do the opposite. So, at the age of 13 and prior to that, I was just a mess. I was trying to make trouble wherever I went,” he said.

When he was 14 years old, he got involved with a mob in Jaffa, “an Arab kind of city.” And when he was 15 years old, he became a male prostitute.

Prodigal Son’s Story: “I Was Broken”

Because of Elisha’s choices in life, his dad couldn’t allow him to live at home anymore. So he lived on the streets.

“And it’s difficult. I’m drugged up; I’m doing things that I know are like the worst for me. And I had no hope,” he said.

When he couldn’t live that way anymore, he went home and begged his dad to help.

READ: TOP 10 MOST SEARCHED BIBLE VERSES ACCORDING TO WORLD VISION

“I remember getting on my knees. I knocked on my dad’s door, and I told him that I couldn’t do this anymore. And I was broken. I’m like, “Dad, I need you,”” Elisha recalled.

His dad responded, “You need Jesus.”

That’s when his heart opened up to receive Jesus. He realized he couldn’t do it on his own.

Prodigal Son’s Story: “God Filled Me”

Since then, Elisha accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. And his dad baptized him the next day.

“I felt this presence of God, and I felt like there was nothing that I couldn’t do. And I felt like a new creation. I felt like there was no shame in my past. Now, I am sharing Jesus with every person I meet. I love Jesus, and I love what He does to people because I have that experience. And I know that He can change people’s lives. So everywhere I go and everyone I meet, Jesus is something I want them to know about,” he said.

Life-Changing Encounter with JESUS | Elisha's Testimony

Watch this video on YouTube

Reference | SO BE IT!

Header image: Elisha [SO BE IT!]. YouTube, 15 November 2022, https://youtu.be/J6-0u3Y_w6Q

September 21, 2023 0 comments

Articles Revival

The Elijah And Elisha Shift, A Powerful Movement

by Margaret Green September 17, 2020

written by Margaret Green

We have prophetically entered into an Elijah and Elisha shift. God is ascending (elevating some) and sending others. The mantle has been passed from one prophetic generation to the next, and now the Lord is sending them out into the land to Prophesy life in death places, and fruit in barren places.

As it came time for Elijah to be taken up, they traveled to Jerico. A city that was known as the city of Palm trees. It was very pleasing to the eyes, a very beautiful city in which a company of prophets dwelt there. Although the city looked incredible yet the water was bad, and the ground was barren. What God created to preserve Life, was causing death, and the ground that was made for yielding fruit refused to produce.

Elijah And Elisha: God’s Perfect Timing

The times we seem to be living in, we see a lot of death, whether it’s physical or spiritual. People have lost hope and faith because of the confines of their situation. Many are mentally distraught and question the promises of God. Fear has been released in the land which has caused spiritual miscarriages to happen.

After God’s chariot of fire had taken Elijah up, Elisha’s dispensation started. Some would say it started when Elijah threw the mantle on him, but Elisha simply served until God’s perfect timing. The prophetic generation we see emerging today are those whose voices were hidden because they were serving not because they weren’t called. God didn’t silence, them, he just hadn’t released them yet.

Elisha and the Prophets

The Elijah’s in this current prophetic shift represents an old move while the Elisha’s in this shift represents a new move or the current move of God. Although Elisha had this great mantle, a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and this amazing prophetic call, he was not yet received. The company of Prophets wanted to search for Elijah, even though they knew in their heart of hearts, Elijah was gone.

We often neglect what God is trying to say, what He is doing, and who He is using because we focus on what was. The only guarantee of what was, what is, and what’s to come is GOD himself. (See Revelation 1:8) Everything else moves according to dispensations, times, and seasons.

Elijah And Elisha: Unafraid

They searched for a prophetic move that they were used to seeing and following but no longer existed, while God orchestrated a new powerful movement. One that would not only be pure but stand firm on the word of God without fear even in the sight of the enemy. Eventually, the prophets would recognize and receive the move they rejected. (See 2 Kings 2:17-18)

The last prophetic move was powerful at calling fire from heaven and moving in the supernatural, it retreated in the face of death, buckled at the threats of Jezebel, hid in caves when adversity rose, felt as it was the only and final prophetic move. (See 1 Kings19:14, 18) But God is raising an Elisha generation unafraid, that will walk in power, holiness, word, and demonstration. (See 1 Kings 19:17)

No more barrenness or death

The prophetic people arising that will salt the Earth, they will prophesy the dead back to life, they will prophesy to the resources of the land, prophecy to nations, and the fire of the Holy Spirit shall rest upon them in great revival across the globe!

In this “Elijah and Elisha shift,” God causing editable fruit to spring up. No longer will we have to adapt to what looks good or sounds good. But we will be able to receive what’s good. The prophetic will no longer look pleasing to the eye. However, the mission and assignment were called out by God to do. And will go in full force, with power, and authority.

Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

The Bible says we are the salt of the Earth and light of the world (See Matthew 5:13-16). Before, the very thing they needed to sustain their life could not ingest because it would kill them. God told Elisha to add salt to the water. Not just anywhere, but at the source of the water, where it flowed from. And then the Lord spoke that the waters would be healed from that day forward (See 2 Kings 2:20-22).

September 17, 2020 0 comments

Faith

When Fear Stares You in the Face, Stare Back in FAITH

by Elizabeth Pitman June 1, 2019

written by Elizabeth Pitman

“The secret (of the sweet, satisfying companionship) of the LORD have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its (deep, inner) meaning.” (Psalm 25:14)

Sweaty palms, shortness of breath, the weight of panic closing in—Have you ever felt surrounded by fear? Fear can be relentless, tormenting, and intimidating when you look at it from a human perspective. To combat fear, there have been times that I have held my Bible at night while sleeping to remind myself to hold on to God’s promises and to remember that He is there.

Although fear may be raging out of control, God holds us steady and protects us from danger and the onslaught of unanswered questions, uncertainty, and unknowns.

If you are struggling with fear in whatever capacity it may present itself in your life, take refuge in the ONE who can fight for you. A well-known picture comes to mind when I think of God as our refuge and fortress. The image shows a man standing in the doorway of a lighthouse as tall waves are swirling all around him, yet he remains unharmed. This is a powerful reminder that although fear may be raging out of control, God holds us steady and protects us from danger and the onslaught of unanswered questions, uncertainty, and unknowns (all of which can fuel fear in our lives). We can walk away from fear and into the fortress of FAITH.

When we look at events through spiritual eyes, the intimidation and the gigantic obstacles diminish.

When we look at events through spiritual eyes, the intimidation and the gigantic obstacles diminish. This is exactly what happened to Elisha, the prophet of God, and his servant. II Kings 6 discusses the threats that Israel was facing from the king of Syria as the two countries were at war. However, Elisha, a man of God, was able to forewarn the king of Israel of the upcoming plots, because God revealed it to him. The king of Syria thought that one of his men was betraying him until he realized that it was Elisha.

“…But Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.” (II Kings 6:12). Wow! Elisha was NOT sitting next to the room with his ear up to the doorway writing down everything that was being said and reporting it back to the king of Israel. Instead, he was SPIRITUALLY so in tune with God, that God revealed every secret that was being planned in the king’s bedroom. Elisha knew the power of God, but more importantly, he communicated with the One who is in control, and this relationship allowed him to look past circumstances with his natural eyes and see into the spiritual realm.

With spiritual vision, they could see that the supernatural forces surrounding them were greater than those trying to come against them.

Once the king of Syria was aware that Elisha was the one revealing his secrets, the king decided to go after Elisha. Did Elisha run away in fear as he was being threatened by this ruler? No. He stayed steady because he knew WHO was fighting for him. “So (the Syrian king) sent their horses, chariots and a great army. They came by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha’s servant said, “‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’” (2 Kings 6:14-15).

Sounds like a statement that many people would obviously make! It is so easy to see the human perspective of a situation and feel intimidated and panicked. What Elisha said next speaks volumes: “‘Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them.’ Then, Elisha prayed, ‘Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.’” (2 Kings 6:16-17). Double WOW!!!

The prophet prayed for his friend to have a revelation of the truth: God was protecting them, and they need not fear. With spiritual vision, they could see that the supernatural forces surrounding them were greater than those trying to come against them. I am sure that the servant of Elisha breathed a huge sigh of relief when he visualized the horses and chariots of fire positioned for the purpose of their safety! When you continue reading this chapter, you see God’s ultimate deliverance and how fear is turned into faith.

If you are currently facing a situation where you are tempted to panic, learn from Elisha’s example. He had a close relationship with the Lord, and his perspective was on the strength of God, not the strength of the negative circumstances coming against him. What encouragement to draw strength from when facing fearful situations! If you too need your “eyes to be opened” spiritually and your faith to be ignited, there are several key principles to remember.

Pray to the Lord and draw strength from Him.

Ask Him to reveal His secrets to you and to give you “spiritual lenses” so that your perspective is focused on His ability to help you in your situation.

Draw strength from God’s Word.

The Bible has many verses to combat fear, and it helps to write these verses down and put them in places where you can focus on the power of God.

Trust that the Lord is fighting for you and that He has your best interests at heart.

When we truly know that God loves us and cares about us, we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we can run to Him as our refuge and as our strength. Remember that He is in control of everything.

Move forward in faith

When we lay down our fears before the throne of God in prayer, we can move forward in FAITH knowing that He is moving on our behalf. As we trust that God is fighting for us, our earthly fears and “enemies” become minuscule knowing that God is working supernaturally. Let’s encourage one another to let fear dwindle and FAITH rise.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

Jeremiah 29:11-13: “’For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) , and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’”

June 1, 2019 0 comments

Faith

Here’s How You Can Win the Battle Over Worry

by Palitha Jayasooriya April 11, 2017

written by Palitha Jayasooriya

Win the Battle Over Worry

(Matthew 6:25-34)

A man was constantly worrying that somebody was under his bed. He went to a counselor who was willing to help him, but at a high fee; over many months. A few weeks later the counselor met the man on the street and asked him why he had not returned. The man replied, “I met a friend who gave me some great advice for free. It worked perfectly.’ The counselor asked what advice had been given him and the man replied, ‘He asked me to cut the legs of the bed down to ground level!”

Unhealthy worrying can cripple us to the point of making us ineffective and unable to cope with life’s challenges.

How much do we worry and how many of our worries are unfounded? Unhealthy worrying can cripple us to the point of making us ineffective and unable to cope with life’s challenges. It can also lead to depression. We worry over sickness, viruses, finances, family, children, salt, sugar, unforeseen dangers and many other things.The Longman Dictionary describes worry as ‘an uncomfortable feeling in the mind, caused by a mixture of fear and uncertainty.’

Sadly, according to experts, worry can also take a heavy toll on our physical and mental health. Dr Charles Mayo once said, ‘Worry affects the circulation and the whole nervous system. I’ve never known a man who died from overwork, but I’ve known many who have died from doubt’.

So, what are you worrying about today?

In Matthew 6: 25-34, Jesus spoke about the futility of worry and offered us some insights to help us win the battle over worry. They are,

1) Understand that worry won’t change anything

Not only does worry not change anything, it also adds unnecessary stress to our day. As Bobby McFerrin famously sang in Don’t Worry, Be Happy:

In every life we have some trouble,
But when you worry, you make it double.

Jesus used two easy to understand examples to show that worrying is futile. He mentioned that we cannot either add one cubit to our height or one hour to our life by worrying. He also said in a parallel passage in Luke 12:26, “Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Sure enough, worrying will not change anything, so ask God to change your thinking and to replace your worry with faith.

2) Learn to live ‘One Day at a Time’

Jesus mentions that there is enough trouble for each day and we should therefore focus on living each day as it comes, without worrying about tomorrow. This does not mean that we shouldn’t plan for the future, but it certainly means that we shouldn’t worry over it. A quote I read says ‘Planning for tomorrow is time well spent. Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.’ Sadly, most people either live with regret over the past or worry over the future. Can we learn to trust God a day at a time? The scripture says that He is a God who ‘DAILY’ bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19).

3) Believe that God will take care of our needs

Referring to food, drink and clothing (symbolic of all our needs), Jesus said, “…your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He also used the following two simple but powerful illustrations to show the Father’s caring heart.

a) Birds – “They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them”

b) Lilies – “They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes grass of the field …will He not much more clothe you…”

God not only knows our needs, He is more than able to take care of them! We are much more valuable to Him than birds or flowers!

In 2 Kings 8: 1-6, a Shunammite lady, who on Elisha’s instructions had left her home and gone to Philistine territory to avoid a famine, returns 7 years later to find, to her dismay, that the house and land no longer belonged to her. In her desperation, this lady (with her son), went to see the King, hoping for a suitable answer; for maybe small mercies.

It so happened that when she entered and cried unto the King, he was having a ‘spiritual chat’ with Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, about the great things Elisha had done. Amazingly, at that very moment, Gehazi was telling the King about how God, through Elisha, had raised this very same lady’s son from the dead! The shocked King may well have been speechless for a while!

In his surprise, the King then asked the lady whether this was true and she affirmed it (2 Kings 8:6). After all, there’s nothing better than a first-hand account! The end result was that she not only got her house and land back, but also the income from the land for the past 7 years! I wonder whether any bank has that kind of payback scheme!

Truly, God knows how to take care of His children!

4) Seek God first

Jesus encourages us to “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (verse 33), with the assurance that when we do so, all that we need will be given to us. This attitude helps us place our hearts on loving God more than having our material needs met. It also assures us that all the things we worry about will be taken care of by Him. It is a very good policy to follow.

By following the advice of Jesus, we can win the battle over worry. Faith in Him will sustain us in every challenge we face.

I was born to a non-believing family and suffered with chronic asthma from the age of 6 months. I suffered immensely through childhood and had very little expectations for my future. When I heard about the love Jesus had for me and about His sacrifice for me, I gave my heart to Him completely. I was totally focused on Jesus alone and nothing else; not even my healing. As I began to seek Him more and more, I was completely healed of my asthma as well!

Closing Thought – ‘Don’t let the worries of tomorrow hinder your expectancy in God today!’

April 11, 2017 0 comments