Category: Inspiration

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Inspiration

Christianity of Head and Heart

The Difference between “Christianity of the Head” and “Christianity of the Heart”

In 1 Samuel 13:8, we see the first reason why Saul lost his kingdom. Samuel had told Saul to wait for him and he would offer a sacrifice to the Lord, before Saul went into battle. Saul waited for 7 days and Samuel didn’t come. So Saul decided to offer the sacrifice himself (13:9). He knew that he was not a priest, and that it was against God’s laws for him to offer the sacrifice to God. But because he had been so blessed in his ministry as a king, he felt he could go outside the boundary that God had drawn around him and enter into another ministry. Many preachers have made this mistake. We must recognise the ministry God has given us and stay within the boundaries that God has drawn around us. Just because God has blessed us in one ministry, we cannot move into another ministry that God has not called us to. Many years ago, I recognised that God had not called me to be an evangelist. I realised that He had called me to teach believers. And so, I have stayed within my boundaries, despite all the pressure that others have put on me to go outside my boundaries. I don’t want to repeat Saul’s mistake. Other people have the ministry of an evangelist and I value them and respect them and work with them – and submit to them in the sphere of their ministry. Uzziah was another king who tried to be a priest. God struck him down with leprosy. Here we see that God took away Saul’s kingdom from him, when he tried to be priest. Recognise your ministry and stay within your boundaries; and allow other people to fulfil their ministries. This is the simple law of the body of Christ.

We also see Saul’s impatience here. A few minutes after he had offered the sacrifice, Samuel came as he had promised. What a different story it would have been if only Saul had waited just a few minutes longer! Because of his pride and impatience, he lost everything. But he still sat on the throne of Israel for another 30 years. There are many who are sitting on their thrones in Christendom today, like Saul – who have lost the anointing of God long ago.  But because they have got money and human authority, they sit on their thrones directing their organisations. Saul degenerated from a wonderful young man, who started out in great humility, to become one who was useless to God!

Samuel then told Saul, “Your kingdom shall not endure now. You have acted foolishly. The Lord now seeks for somebody who is a man after His own heart” (13:13,14).

See the emphasis here on the heart. When Saul was anointed as king, the Bible says that his head stood out among the people, for he was taller than everybody else (1Sam.10:23). He was distinguished by his head – his brains. But God was now looking for someone who was distinguished by his heart. David was different from others, not because of his head, but because of his heart! He was a man after God’s own heart (1Sam.13:14).

There is a vast difference between a “Christianity of the head” and a “Christianity of the heart”. Saul represents the first and David represents the second. This is the essential difference between religious people and spiritual people. The Lord sought out for Himself a man after His own heart and He found David. Our head represents our brains, our intelligence and our cleverness. Our heart represents our devotion to the Lord and our worship of Him. The Father seeks for worshippers, not for scholars (John 4:23). If you are not a worshipper, if you are not devoted to Jesus Christ, no matter how clever you may be, you can end up like Saul. David finished his course triumphantly even though he made mistakes, because his heart was right.

Chapter 14:35. Here we read of the very first altar that Saul ever built. And there we see the reason for his failure: He was not a worshipper first of all. Saul’s ancestor, Abraham, had been a worshipper. Wherever Abraham went, he built an altar to worship the Lord. But Saul was just a smart, clever man and not a worshipper. Jesus said in Matthew 4:10, that we had to worship the Lord before we could serve Him. Beware of a Christianity that only resides in your head, and that does not lead you to a devotion to Jesus Christ and to a worship of God the Father.

Source: Newsletter from Pastor Zac Poonen

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Inspiration Meditation

Are your muscles sore?


Just recently, I did heavy weight lifting (about 25kgs) to build up my biceps. I lifted these weights after a long time break from weight lifting and I did around 25 repeats. I wanted to continue on and so I did another 20 repeats after a short 5 minute gap. I will tell you what made me do it. In my mind, I imagined myself where I would and how I would feel with great looking biceps.

I was tired in no time and I knew I shouldn’t have lifted so much weight at once. The next morning I could feel that my biceps were very sore. I couldn’t stretch out my arms fully and even moving my arms around made me feel an acute, sudden, sharp pain. This made me realize why it was such a big mistake lifting 15kg weights at once.

While applying a curing ointment to my biceps, I realized this is much like our faith in the Christian walk and how certain things I did could be used as an analogy to explain things mentioned in the bible. But before I talk about faith, I want to explain a bit about what causes Muscle Soreness. This is purely Wikipedia knowledge and I will try and make it as non-technical as possible.

Muscle soreness is a result of microscopic tearing of muscle fibre. The amount depends on how hard, how long, and what type of exercise we do. This tearing of muscle fibre causes sharp pain with swelling/bruising over the affected area. As it slowly cures over the days, the rebuilding process begins which makes muscle grow bigger and stronger than before.

But when does this process begin, you may ask? It begins when we are at rest. You see if you continue exercising as you normally would, your muscle fibre is torn over and over until you break down completely. You muscle grow smaller as there was no time for them to recover. This is much like our faith. Let me show you some verse from the bible and how they co-relate to our analogy of exercise and faith…

Romans 10:17 – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. Muscles grow when we excercise regularly just as faith grows through the hearing of the word of God.

James 1:3 – “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”. Lifting 15kg weights is testing your muscles capabilities…its stretching out the maximum potential your muscles have to lift them up and put them back down. It develops perseverance (endurance). Well…what do we need endurance for?

Romans 5:2-5 – “…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”.

So what is that kept me going when I was tired? In other words, what motivated me to exercise more and more? It’s that image of myself feeling confident and having bigger biceps. Similarly, in our Christian walk, we also have an image that we can set before us. Its the image of finishing this race.

What race you may ask? It’s the race mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. It sums up all the verses we have talked about earlier about perseverance, character, and race.

Dear brothers and sisters, this world is like passing through a large shopping mall that is about to close down. The time is ticking (Jesus is coming soon), the things all around you are very tempting and great to look at (temptations). If you stop and look at things, you are wasting time. You have to reach the exit before the mall closes down. In this shopping mall, once the gates are shut, it won’t be opened again. It’s open now…so make your way through the narrow path, squeezing through the thousands around you who are still shopping, tell them to get out as much as you can. Those that listen, will walk to the exit with you but those who don’t will face the consequences.

It’s their choice and it’s your choice. Make it out quick and you will see a world that you’ve never seen before. It won’t be the same as the entrance world. It will be a place so beautiful that your mind cannot comprehend. You will see His face, so beautiful that you wouldn’t want to ever turn away. You will see our wonderful Savior and our Lord saying to you “…Well done, good and faithful servant!…” (Matthew 25:23)

God bless you and I hope this has been an encouragement to you!

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22/07/2012 – After attending the Church today, I just felt that I should mention this. I was thinking a bit more about the shopping mall analogy. Have you ever felt lost in a shopping mall…not knowing where the exit is. Have you ever referred to these little maps that are available that show you the exit points. There are many exit points but there is only one which you need to exit through which will reach you to the place you parked your car. Consider this little map as the Bible, which is guiding you on what to do, what is good for you, what is not good for you and how you should make it down to the final exit before the time runs out.

Have you ever been so lost that a guide in a mall will literally take you to the exit? Well consider this guide, Holy Spirit promised to us by God (Luke 24:49). He can be as real as a person next to you can be. He only becomes that real to us when we spend time with Him, talking to Him and listening to His advice. And when you are following the map (bible) or the guide (Holy Spirit), you trust them that they will take you or guide you through to the right exit that you are wanting to get to. God is willing to guide you given that you ask him for his guidance (Isaiah 58:11).

Please consider this as just an analogy which fits quite well with many aspects of things related to God. It doesn’t accommodate all that is taught to us in scripture and therefore one must meditate what’s in the scripture and try to relate them to what’s happening in their own life.

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Inspiration

Get Somewhere


Are you groping for a blessing,
Never getting there?
Listen to a word in season,
Get somewhere.

Are you struggling for salvation,
By your anxious prayer?
Stop your struggling, simply trust and –
Get somewhere.

Does the answer seem to linger,
To your earnest prayer?
Turn your praying into praise, and –
Get somewhere

You will never know His fulness,
Till you boldly dare
To commit your all to Him, and –
Get somewhere.

Ref: Streams in the Desert book

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Inspiration Message

Ask it in Jesus Name

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:14)

Dearly beloved,

God will fulfill the desires of your heart for His glory. God said to Abraham, “…Do not be afraid Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). God had given such a wonderful promise to Abraham. It is so easy to receive God’s promises. But when we go through trials and tribulations, it is very difficult to cling on to them.

The Bible relates, “And Abraham said, ‘You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.’ Then the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir…Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:3-6).

Our God is such a loving God. As promised, He blessed Abraham with Isaac when he was hundred years old. There is nothing impossible for God (Luke 1:37). He calls those things which do not exist as if they do exist (Romans 4:17). He fulfilled His promise in the life of Abraham. Probably, you are living in tears without a child. But the Lord is able to bless you also in the same manner. Cry out to God saying, “Lord, please grant me Your blessings.” It is God’s desire that you should lead a prosperous life in this world.

I present below the testimony of Sis. Swetha Manuri of Kolkata who received such a blessing from God: “I have had abortions twice. Hence, I was going through much agony. I participated in the Jesus Calls Prayer Festival held in Kolkata in 1991.

“During the prayer time Sis. Evangeline Paul Dhinakaran sincerely prayed, ‘Lord, grant the gift of a child to those who do not have children. Remove all problems from their uterus. Let all cysts disappear. Place a child in their womb right now.’ The Lord heard her prayer and blessed me with two lovely children. I have enrolled both of them in the Jesus Calls Children Blessing Ministry. I give all glory to God.”

Our God is such a loving God. He will bless us in an abundant measure. Sis. Swetha had problems in her uterus. She might have thought that she would never get a child. But God proved that there is nothing impossible for Him. Whatever we ask in His name, He will give it to us (John 14:13,14). The Bible says, “What the righteous desire will be granted” (Proverbs 10:24).

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I praise your wonderful name. You are glorious and worthy to be praised. I bring my requests before You. I ask You to shower your blessings upon me. I believe in You and cling on to your promises. Accept my prayer and bless me according to your promises. Fulfill the desires of my heart. Let the miracles bring glory to your name.

In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.

In Jesus Name by Sis.Evangeline Paul Dhinakaran (Jesus Calls Ministry)

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Inspiration

Lesson from Ants

In his book Adventures Among Ants: A Global Safari with a Cast of Trillions, Mark Moffett reflects on his early childhood fascination with ants—an interest that didn’t die as he grew older. Moffett’s preoccupation led to his earning a doctorate at Harvard and then embarking on worldwide travel as an expert on the subject. His study has given him marvelous insights about these industrious creatures.

Long before Moffett discovered some of the wonders of the ant world, the Scriptures remarked on the ingenuity and work ethic of these tiny insects. Ants are held up by wise King Solomon as an example of industry for those who tend to be lazy: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain . . . provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest” (Prov. 6:6-8).

The marvels of God’s creation are beautifully illustrated as God uses His creatures to instruct us. For instance, from the ant we can see the importance of planning ahead and laying away provisions for the future (30:25). God built spiritual lessons into nature itself, and we can learn from creatures even as tiny as an ant.

In the open book of nature faith remains unmoved—
Patterns of the Master-Builder by each fact are proved;
So with reverent hearts we ponder all the grand design
Of the universe around us, wrought by hands divine. —Peterson

In God’s pattern book of nature we can trace many valuable lessons.

Ants Safari from Our Daily Bread by Dennis Fisher

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Devotion Inspiration Meditation

Grace and Salvation Misconception

In today’s Christianity, Grace is one of the most talked about subject. Pastors and preachers from around the world explain of the richness and importance it brings to our daily lives. I am sure many of the people who have been raised up in a Christian family have heard this term ‘grace’ being used in almost everything from getting up each day alive & well to achieving successful outcomes in various tasks.

This wonderful term ‘grace’ as one brother has put it is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense”. It has been given to us as a free gift just as our Salvation. It was not because we deserved it or because of our works in this world (Ephesians 2:8-10). It was purely God’s unmerited favor to mankind. In our quest to understand this term ‘grace’, it is important to realize that God’s grace is available to all men just as it says in Titus 2:11. Despite this, not all men have been saved. You see God gave people a choice to make for themselves.

He is not a God who forces people to do what his will is. Although, he knows very well that being submissive to Him will leads you to a life full of Joy and Peace. He took so much effort into making each one of us unique so much so that not one single finger print is same as another person who lived thousands of years ago. He did this to not make us robots controlled by what he likes and dislikes but that we would have a choice to come as we are and accept him to be our Lord and Saviour.

Grace on its own doesn’t redeem us of our sin, it is Jesus Christ who redeems us of our sin. It’s not there to forgive our sins since its Jesus Christ who forgives our sins and makes us new creatures in Him. The biggest misconception comes when ‘new-age’ preachers tell their congregation that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. That sinning against God is ok as long as you ask for forgiveness.

Forgiveness comes only after true repentance from your sinful life. “True repentance is not only sorrow for sins and humble penitence and contrition before God, but it involves the necessity of turning away from them, a discontinuance of all evil practices and deeds, a thorough reformation of life, a vital change from evil to good, from vice to virtue, from darkness to light. Not only so, but to make restitution so far as is possible for all the wrongs that we have done, to pay our debts and restore to God and man their rights, that which is due them from us. This is true repentance and the exercise of the will and all the powers of body and mind is demanded to complete this glorious work of repentance” – President Joseph F. Smith.

Doesn’t sound like what your pastor has told you or your counselor? It may not be but it’s what God has said in the Bible according to Titus 2:11-12. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”.

How does Salvation fit into all this? Salvation is given to man as a gift from God by His grace. People are here to share the good news of Salvation and new life in Him but has no part in God’s salvation to people. You see that in Philippians 2:12 where Paul says, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. He did not say to work out God’s salvation but your own. No man or No minister can forgive your sins or give you salvation. It is Jesus Christ alone who can give you salvation. He is the only one who died on the cross and rose again to forgive our sins. Salvation is received not achieved.

Another biggest misconception is when preachers tell you that once you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, ask him to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins, and pray a simple prayer, you are saved. Not so, as this forgiveness of your sins depend on the topic we just explored. The topic of True repentance.”True repentance is not only sorrow for sins and humble penitence and contrition before God, but it involves the necessity of turning away from them, a discontinuance of all evil practices and deeds, a thorough reformation of life, a vital change from evil to good, from vice to virtue, from darkness to light. Not only so, but to make restitution so far as is possible for all the wrongs that we have done, to pay our debts and restore to God and man their rights, that which is due them from us…”

Are you ready to truly repent of your sins and ask God to come into your life. Do you want to be submissive to His will and plan for your life? Do you want to be assured that when you die, you will go to heaven? Do you want to have peace and rest in the midst of trouble and restless world? Do you want to have freedom and liberty from the bondages of this world? Do you want to live a life pleasing God’s sight and live to be all that God wants you to be? Do you want to have joy and peace that surpasses all understanding in your life?

If your answer is YES to all those questions above, pray this simple prayer and believe in God. You will surely experience a life of abundance, joy, peace and tranquility.

“Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever.

Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, please let us know so we can rejoice with you. Click here to view the contact page!

Reference:

God’s Saving Grace

Have eternal life

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Inspiration

The Viral Gospel


The term “viral video” refers to a short clip posted on the Internet that spreads rapidly as the link is sent from one person to another. The video may be funny, inspiring, or thought provoking, and it can quickly spread around the world and be seen by millions of people. It’s an advertiser’s dream, but few marketing experts are able to exploit it. Lacy Kemp wrote: “How do you make something spread like wildfire? The answer is that you can’t. It’s not something to plan for or else everyone would be doing it. It has to be awesome enough on its own to get there.”

The gospel of Jesus Christ is “viral” in the way it spreads from one person to another. After Stephen, a leader in the early church, was stoned for his faith, the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem were persecuted and forced to leave their homes (Acts 8:1-3). Instead of fearfully holding back, these Christians told people about Him wherever they went. “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word” (v.4).

When we truly know Christ we cannot keep the good news about Him to ourselves. Even in the most challenging circumstances, we want to keep on telling others about our Savior and Lord.

Lord, You have been so gracious to save us
and give us eternal life. We love You and want
to tell everyone we can
about Your amazing grace. Lead us, we pray.
Spread the gospel; it’s contagious!

Devotion from Our Daily Bread by David C. McCasland

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Audio Inspiration Multimedia

I can sing of your love forever

Over the mountains and the sea,
Your river runs with love for me,
and I will open up my heart
and let the Healer set me free.
I’m happy to be in the truth,
and I will daily lift my hands:
for I will always sing of when
Your love came down. [Yeah!]

I could sing of Your love forever,
I could sing of Your love forever,
I could sing of Your love forever,
I could sing of Your love forever. [Repeat]

Oh, I feel like dancing –
it’s foolishness I know;
but, when the world has seen the light,
they will dance with joy,
like we’re dancing now.

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Inspiration Meditation Message

Treasures of Darkness

God was speaking to king Cyrus the king of Persia Ezra 1:1-3. Thus saith the Lord to his anointed….I will go before you and make the crooked places straight “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, …that you may know that I the Lord,….Am the God of Israel. (Isa 45:1-5). Darkness resembles putting things away which God didn’t like in us. God visits each of us in very special way. Darkness is not always the consequences of sin, but if it is due to sin, you find, there is a treasure of forgiveness in it. If we are faithful and repent of our sins, God is just and faithful and he is willing to forgive. Even in darkness there is a treasure of forgiveness, but always remember one thing, when we are sinning we are dining with the  devils.

Apostle Paul said, all things are good but all things are not profitable. So try to renounce those things. In Rom 13:11-14 he emphasized that this is the time, Awake from sleep. Now is our salvation. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Try not to make any provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light. Christian life is not easy life but it is a wonderful life. Hidden darkness treasures make our life worthy to live as Christian life in God. Take sincere step in your life and God will surely bless you.

When we are going through dark times, we need to seek the Lord. Darkness sometimes means sorrow, problems, weaknesses of human nature, loneliness, loss of the loved ones, and so on. Our Lord allows such things from time to time. Each of us experiences these dark moments in life (problems) but it is only God who makes a way out. God teaches us new ways of life in these dark times like repentance, not to repeat the sins and to learn new spiritual lessons. Every day we encounter the spiritual warfare. We are not always on the mountain tops or in some deep valleys. In either situation, we need to look to our Lord from the depth of our soul and we need to wait patiently in the secret place, until we receive answer from God. It’s no use trying to find a way out to escape out of these troublesome, painful, heart-breaking situations.

Whatever darkness you’re facing today, You can be assured that God is holding your hand. God’s always at work in your weak areas. Everything works for the good of those who believe in Him (Romans 8:28). The only thing we can do is, ask god’s grace in these dark times. He is moulding us and making us to match his own image. The image of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God (Isa 50:10)

Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourself with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—This you shall have from My hand: you shall lie down in torment. (Isa 50:11)

Bro. Jonah Ravinder briefly illustrated these above verses. You must fear the Lord and obey our Master (Jesus) and trust in his name and stay with God in our darkest of times. The bible says, He that believeth on Him shall not be disappointed.

Verse Eleven is where the hardest situation is. If some problem comes upon your life don’t try to find a solution yourself. Don’t try to light your own World. If we try to go in our own ways, we will face the consequences. So therefore, wait patiently upon the Lord till he brings you out of that darkness. As the psalmist said, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; …..(Psalm: 62:1& 2) Encourage yourself to do like this.

In 5th verse King David has no choice but to wait patiently and silently longing for the Lord. Christian life is always ‘look forward’ life, meaning that we need to ask God to strengthen our souls and pray. We need to rely more upon Holy Spirit than ourselves.

Dear children of God, trust Him all the time, even when we don’t feel Him, or see Him. When you are going through some dark times, pour out your heart like Hannah (Prophet Samuel’s mother) and there’s nothing more enjoyable (in spiritual sense) than a sorrowful spirit in God’s presence.

God spoke to Moses through the dark clouds (Exo: 20.21). When he was out of Egypt, I am sure he went through his own dark times. Even while he was on that mountain, he had to wait upon God in those dark clouds. It was only then that his face was supernaturally radiant (Exodus 34:29-35).

Whatever darkness you are going through in your life, don’t worry, God is with you. In Psalm 18:11, God makes darkness His hiding place. Jesus said “my soul poured out before the Lord”. We got salvation through the cross. Jesus went through the darkest hours while he was in pain and agony on that cross. (Ninth hour at about 3 o’ clock) At this very moment, redemption was paid and the treasure of our salvation came out of that darkness.

For this reason Jesus said in verse 45 My God My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matt 27:45 & 46). Here, Jesus clearly illustrated on how one would feel when he is walking through darkness. I am sure even we felt like that sometimes but look at our redeemer now who sits at the right hand of our almighty God.

We need total dependence on God and obedience to his teaching in those dark times. So, wait patiently upon God until he redeems you and brings your out of your darkness. 

GOD BLESS YOU

– Bro. Jonah Ravinder

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Devotion Inspiration Meditation Message

Which stage have you stopped at?

God anointed Elisha with a double portion of the anointing that Elijah had. This was God’s seal of approval on Elisha’s life. But before God anointed him thus, he had been tested.

As in the case of all true servants of God, Elisha too was called to the ministry while he was faithfully doing his secular duties.

“Elijah found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.”(1 Kings 19:19).

Thereafter, Elisha spent many years doing menial jobs for the prophet Elijah. He was known as the one “who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”(2 Kings 3:11b).

He did not seek great things for himself, but God had great plans for that young man.

Before Elijah went up to heaven, Elisha had to be tested. And so Elijah told Elisha to stay on in Gilgal, while he himself went on to Bethel. Elisha refused to stay back and was determined to go with Elijah. At Bethel, Elijah again tried to shake off Elisha by saying that he had to go to Jericho; but Elisha stuck on like a leech. Finally, at Jericho, Elisha was tested once more in a similar way. Again, Elisha passed the test of persistence and accompanied Elijah to Jordan. It was thus that he got the double portion of the anointing – God’s best for his life (2 Ki.2:1-14).

What is the message here for us? There are various stages in our spiritual development at which God tests us to see whether we are satisfied with what we have already received or whether we will press on to God’s highest.

Gilgal stands for the place where our sins are forgiven.

“The Lord said to Joshua, `Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.”(Josh. 5:8-9).

Many Christians get thus far and stop there.

Some press on till Bethel (meaning ‘the house of God’) – which stands for fellowship with believers in the family of God.

“And Jacob called the name of that place Bethel. Then Jacob said, `This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house.'” (Gen. 28:19,22).

Some stop here.

But a few go still further to Jericho – which stands for the manifestation of the supernatural power of God.

“The people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat…..and they took the city (of Jericho).”(Josh. 6:20).

This is as far as most Christians ever go.

Very, very few go all the way to Jordan – which stands for identification with Christ in His death, as symbolised in baptism.

“Then Jesus arrived at the Jordan, coming to John, to be baptized by him.”(Mt. 3:13).

Very, very few are willing to walk the way of the cross – “the new and living way that Jesus has inaugurated for us through His flesh.” (Heb. 10:20).

But it is these few, who are wholehearted enough to press on to total death to self, who receive the double portion – God’s best.

The Test of Perseverance by Zac Poonen