The Coming of the God of Elijah 11-12-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me throughout my day, live in me throughout my life. ... "He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, 'Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?' When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, 'The spirit of Elijah rests upon Elisha' " (2 Kings 2:13-15). Tonight, we'll begin another one of our four day Schools of Spiritual Ministry. Those You are sending are hungry to know and to grow in the gifts and graces You have given them -- to understand their identity, to walk in their calling, and fulfill their destiny. We will learn from You and from one another. We will seek and receive impartation of Your spiritual gifts and Your spiritual wisdom in Your timing and in Your way (Romans 1:11; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). You are the God of Elijah. You are the God of the ones You send to prepare the way of the Lord. "See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all the evil doers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.... Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:1-6). The angel spoke to Zechariah of the father's blessing he would release and impart to his son, John, "With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before Him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). In the spirit of Elijah, John was preparing the way in the hearts of Your people for Your first coming. You confirmed the mantle that rested upon him, saying, " 'Elijah indeed is coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come' .... Then the disciples knew He was speaking to them about John the Baptist" (Matthew 17:11-13). Today, in our generation, You are pouring out the spirit of Elijah again -- the Holy Spirit of the Living God "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Lord, put Your axe to the root of every tree that bears bad fruit in our lives, prune every branch that does not bear good fruit for the glory of Your name and Your kingdom (Matthew 3:10). John the Baptist declared in the spirit of Elijah, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but One who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). Dig up the roots and prune back the branches through repentance of the sin and shame of our past, through healing, freedom, and restoration of our spirit, soul, and body that we may be baptized in Your Holy Spirit and Your holy fire. As You sent Your Word and Your Spirit to prepare the way of the Lord for Your first coming, so You are again for Your second coming. Prepare the way in our hearts so You can use us to prepare the way in the earth. Let Your mantle fall upon our generation, as we cry out in passion and prayer for the coming of "the God of Elijah." In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please keep us in prayer for The Fountain School of Spiritual Ministry this week. (Our Next one will be near the end of January). And I pray that the Lord continues to "rekindle the gift of God that is within you" (2 Timothy 1:6) and continues to equip you and empower to fulfill your destiny in Him wherever He has strategically positioned you now and in the seasons ahead. God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey! Come to The Fountain! on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Come to the Mountain! every Monday night at 7 pm to pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem led by Doris and Bob McCray of our ministry. Meeting at Southland Evangelical Methodist Church 2601 Clays Mill Rd (corner of Clays Mill and Hill n' Dale). All are welcome! Subscribe free by email to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order my book and our resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org