Association

After I was saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and healed, I joined a church that taught those things. The pastor was a woman and she was the first pastor I had that was saved. I was drawn to her because she flowed in the gifts of the Spirit. I spent as much time as I could with her inquiring about the gifts of the Spirit. I would help her get the church ready for the service and then I would sit and talk to her. After a time I began to flow in the gifts like she did, all as the Spirit willed.

2 Kings 2:9 Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for you before I be taken to Heaven. And Elisha said, let a double portion of your anointing be upon me.

Elisha served Elijah the prophet of God. His association with the man of God would “rub” off on him. If you study the life of Elisha you will see him doing twice as much as Elijah. If you are drawn to a certain man or woman of God, I believe God is leading you to a covenant relationship.

If you want to be successful then study after successful people.

Our associations can have a positive, profound affect on our lives. They can also keep us on the failure side of life. If you are drawn to a man or woman of God start praying for them. Listen to as many of their teachings that you can and support them as the Spirit leads. After I was saved, I bought all the Kenneth Copeland tapes I could afford. I was hungry for the Word of God and I was drawn to brother Copeland. The Lord instructed me to study after him and I’m glad I did.  As time went on, the Lord called me to the office of the teacher and later to the office of the pastor. My associations with brother Copeland, Jerry Savelle and Joe McCroskey would prove to be priceless.

Ephesians 4:11 Jesus gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. VS. 12 For the perfecting, maturing, equipping of the saints so they can do the work of the ministry.

I am a pastor. I cannot bring you to perfection (maturity). You need the rest of the gifts. We will put limits on ourselves if we listen to only one minister. It’s okay to have favorites as long as you don’t spurn the rest of those who God has called to impart to you. I’m going to Kenneth Copeland Ministers Conference next month. I have favorite speakers, but I will gleam from everyone of them.

1 Corinthians 4:15 For you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, but you have not many fathers.

A lot of good people can speak into your life but a Father is one we should emulate. Having fathers and knowing your fathers is a connection that God makes for us. Every believer needs a spiritual father that loves you enough and cares enough to always tell you the truth. When we love and respect these fathers then the anointing on them will come on us.
“We cannot have what we oppose.”

If God gives you a spiritual father, don’t start picking him apart. God wouldn’t give you a father that’s in error.