THE MANTLE OF LOVE MANTLE A robe that

THE MANTLE OF LOVE

MANTLE: A robe that depicts family DNA (Heritage).

“When they arrived on the other side of the Jordan River, Elijah the prophet said to Elisha, ‘What wish shall I grant you before I am taken away from you into Heaven? ’ Then Elisha replied, ‘Give me a double portion of your spirit. ’ Elijah answered, ‘You have asked a very difficult thing. But if you are with me and see me when I am taken away from you up to Heaven, I will give you a double portion. Otherwise, then you will not receive it. ’

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them. God Jehovah took Elijah up in a whirlwind into Heaven. When Elisha saw it, he cried out, ‘My father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel have come!’ When Elisha saw Elijah no more, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart. Then Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah as he went up to Heaven. Elisha took the mantle and struck the water of the Jordan River with it.

‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah? ’ he cried out. And the waters of the Jordan parted and Elisha went across on dry ground. And when the company of young prophets saw what had happened, they exclaimed, ‘The spirit of Elijah now rests upon Elisha!’ And they went out to meet Elisha and bowed to the ground to honor him. ” 2 Kings 2: 9 -15

What’s the “MANTLE” in your life?

What’s your CORE VALUE?

What DEFINES you?

In the Old Testament, a person’s MANTLE was woven to symbolize their FAMILY DNA & HERITAGE.

“Then Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah as he went up to Heaven. ” 2 Kings 2: 13

Human nature tends to want SOMEONE ELSE’S mantle… rather than PAYING the PRICE TAGS to make one of their OWN.

“Then Elisha replied, ‘Give me a double portion of your spirit. ’” 2 Kings 2: 9 b

Far too often, our FUTURE sadly becomes the time in life when we will WISH we had DONE what we are NOT doing TODAY.

So what are you doing TODAY to create a Christ-honoring mantle for yourself TOMORROW?

“But when Jesus saw the people, He was MOVED WITH COMPASSION because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. ” Matthew 9: 36

“COMPASSION” = “COME” (to Jesus first and drink in of His love) then. . .

“COMPASSION” = “COME” (to Jesus first and drink in of His love) then. . . “PASS IT ON. ” (Pass HIS love on. )

THREE PRACTICAL KEYS FOR BECOMING A PERSON OF LOVE:

1. Remember that you will always RECEIVE the positive character traits you REPEATEDLY PRAY FOR.

So ask yourself an honest question: How often each week do you SPECIFICALLY PRAY about becoming a person of LOVE?

“ASK and you will be given what you ask for. SEEK, and you will find what you are seeking for. KNOCK, and the door you are knocking on will be opened…” Matthew 7: 7

As you pray, remember that love is one of the FRUITS of the Spirit…not one of the GIFTS of the Spirit.

You GROW fruit. It isn’t just GIVEN to you.

And growing fruit often takes two primary things: TIME and MANURE.

2. Remember that ACTIONS of love will eventually create FEELINGS of love.

Love really is a VERB. . . DO SOMETHING. “Faith without WORKS is dead. ” James 2: 20

“LOVE MUST BE LEARNED. ”

ACTIONS CAN BE LEARNED… BUT NOT FEELINGS.

ACTIONS CAN BE LEARNED… BUT NOT FEELINGS. Feelings are a result of your MIND and THOUGHTS.

People remember how the Jesus inside of you make them feel. . . not your words.

ACTIONS OF LOVE

Remember that SMALL kindnesses reap big dividends…even if the other person doesn’t act like it.

CAUTION: When you carry out those small acts of kindness, DO IT WITHOUT ANY STRINGS ATTACHED.

When you give and expect a RETURN… that’s an INVESTMENT.

But when you give and don’t EXPECT ANYTHING… that’s real LOVE.

I often remind myself that EXPECTATIONS are only RESENTMENTS waiting to happen.

CARE about what matters to THE OTHER PERSON.

Prepare personally to often be TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

“Cash in” on moments of PAIN.

“God whispers in the good times but shouts in pain. ” — C. S. Lewis

Have the guts to intentionally cut out the SARCASM and authentically VERBALIZE YOUR HONEST affection for other people.

Sarcasm: to use irony to mock or convey contempt.

Sarcasm: to use irony to mock or convey contempt. Sarcasm (Greek): to tear flesh.

TALK less and LISTEN more.

“The road to the heart is most often through the ears. ” — Voltaire

The only way to be deeply HEARD in another person’s life is to first, deeply LISTEN.

Have the guts to create some “GOD MOMENTS” occasionally in your daily, non-spiritual CONVERSATIONS.

Remind yourself often of the FATHER HEART of God in your own personal life.

“A Father to the fatherless…is God in His holy dwelling. ” Psalm 68: 5

“I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children in the faith. Even though you have ten thousand INSTRUCTORS in Christ, you do not have many FATHERS in the faith. For in Christ Jesus, I became your FATHER through the Gospel. Therefore, I urge you to IMITATE me. ” 1 Corinthians 4: 14 -16

“Lord, You give power to me when I’m tired and worn out…and You give strength to me when I’m weak. Even people who are young will become exhausted and young men will simply tire out and give up. But Lord, as I wait on You, You are renewing my strength. I am mounting up with wings like eagles. I am running and not becoming weary. I am walking…and by Your grace, Lord, I am not fainting. ” Isaiah 40: 29 -31

“That is why I NEVER WILL GIVE UP. For though my outward body may be dying, my INWARD STRENGTH in the Lord is being renewed every day. The troubles and suffering that are mine are really very small in the light of eternity…and in comparison to all eternity, my earthly troubles don’t last very long. ” “Yet, this short time of difficulty is resulting in God’s rich blessings on me forever and ever.

That’s why I don’t focus on the troubles and problems that are all around me. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE JOY OF Heaven WHICH I HAVE NOT YET SEEN. These troubles I am experiencing will soon be over…BUT THE JOY TO COME WILL LAST FOREVER!” 2 Corinthians 4: 16 -18