Introduction

ThesubjectandpersonoftheHolySpiritisoneofthemostmisunderstoodandmisinterpretedintheChristianfaith.TheEvangelicalsseeHimasthedormant,unannouncedguestofthe“inside.”

ThePentecostalsseeHimastheforcebehindspeakingintonguesandthemotivatorofspiritualzeal.Often,Hispresenceisheraldedwithgreatemotionaldisplay.

ThencametheCharismatics,presentingtheHolySpirittotheworldastheoperatorofsignsandwonders,anddiversemanifestations,like“fallingunderthepower.”

WhoIsTheHolySpirit?

Heisnotafeelingorafalling,norisHeacryingorawailing.Heisnoemotion,Heisaperson.

HeisapersonalityintheorderoftheGodhead!HeisthethirdpersonoftheTrinity.

HeisinchargeoftheaffairsofthekingdomofGodonearthtoday.

HeistheChiefExecutiveofthedivineprogrammeonearth.

Heisthemotivator,energizerandoperatorofeveryrevealedplan(vision)fromGod.

Heistherevealerofthehiddentreasuresofthekingdomandholdsthekeytotheinheritanceofthesaints.

TheHolySpiritisthemostvaluableassettoChristianliving.Heisthecentralfigureinanybreakthroughinlife.

“Butwhyallthecounterfeits?”,youmayask.Thesimpleansweristhis:thepresenceofthecounterfeitisasureproofoftheexistenceofthegenuine.NootherpersonalityoftheGodheadismoreimpersonatedthantheHolySpirit.ThisisbecauseHeistherealityofthehour.

ByvirtueofmysalvationbackgroundwiththeEvangelicals,IwasbiasedagainsttheHolySpirit.Infact,forthefirstsixyearsofmysalvation,IdidnotevenwanttohearthesubjectofthepersonoftheHolySpiritpreached.TheEvangelicalsbelievethatallsavedpeoplearefilledwiththeHolySpirit.

IbegantofindfaultswiththosewhoclaimtobebaptizedwiththeHolySpirit.LittledidIknowthattheenemywasouttostealmydestiny.Today,thatsameHolySpiritismysweetestcompanionandgreatestasset.

ComewithmeonanexcitingadventureintothepersonandmissionoftheHolySpirit.

Chapter1:TheHolySpirit:HisPersonality

TheBiblemakesonethingclear:everyonelivestofulfilhisname.WhenJesuscalledtheHolySpirittheComforter,HeautomaticallyrevealedHismission–tomakemencomfortable.TheHolySpiritwassentprimarilytoestablishcomfortforGod’speople.Jesushadsomelevelofcomfort,butHepromisedthatwiththecomingoftheComforter,thecomforttheypreviouslyenjoyedwouldfadeintomereinsignificance.

LetusbrieflyexaminesomenamesintheBibleandtheirrelationshipwiththebearers.

WhentheangelappeareduntoJosephandsaid,“...ThoushaltcallhisnameJesus…”,herevealedsomethingaboutthepersonofJesus.ThenameJesusmeansSaviour.Hismission:to“...savehispeoplefromtheirsins…”(Matthew1:21).

Bearingthename“Simon”,whichmeans“thereed”(onewhoiseasilyshaken),affectedSimon;soJesuschangedhisnamefromSimon,toPeter,“therock”(stable,immovable).

UponthisrockwillIbuildmychurchandthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit.Matthew16:18

ThenagaintherewasamancalledNabal,ofwhomthesewordswerespoken:

…Ashisnameis,soishe;Nabalishisname,andfollyiswithhim…1Samuel25:25

AnothermanwascalledIchabod–“thegloryisdeparted”(1Samuel.4:21).

AndsoitwasthatwhentheBiblereferredtotheHolySpiritastheComforter,itmeantthattheprimarymissionoftheHolySpiritwillbetomakemancomfortable.

WhenJesuswastobetakenaway,HegaveHisdisciplesafarewellmessage,saying:

…NowIgomywaytohimthatsentme;andnoneofyouaskethme,Whithergoestthou?ButbecauseIhavesaidthesethingsuntoyou,sorrowhathfilledyourheart.NeverthelessItellyouthetruth;ItisexpedientforyouthatIgoaway:forifIgonotaway,theComforterwillnotcomeuntoyou;butifIdepart,Iwillsendhimuntoyou.John16:5–7

Theword“expedient”means“profitable.”Hisgoinghadalottoofferthem,itwouldmaketheComfortercome,tomakelifemorecomfortableforthem.Therefore,itistruethatthedisciplesmournedafterHeleft,butitwasonlyforashorttime,forafterHimcametheOnethattookthebatonfromtheBridegroom–theComforter!

YoumustrememberthatwhileJesuswaswiththem,theyenjoyedagoodmeasureofcomfort.Jesusaskedthem,“Whatwentyeoutintothewildernesstosee?”Inessence,otherministriesofHisdaywerelikeawildernesscomparedtoHisownministry.OneofJohn’sdisciplesjoinedHimafterseeingwhereHeslept.

ThesameJesuspromisedHisdisciplestosendtheComfortertotakeHisplace,makingthemmorecomfortablethantheyhadbeenwithHim.JesussaidtoHisdisciples:

…TheworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo;becauseIgountomyFather.John14:12

HisApproachToHisMission

ThefirstthingtheHolySpiritdidwhenHecamewastobringthedisciplesoutoftheirhidingplaceintheupperroom.Theythatwereoncefugitivesbecamerulersintheland.HeannouncedHisarrival,brokethewallsthatenclosedthemanddignifiedHispeople.PeterwhodeniedhisMaster(evenbeforealittlegirl),nowproclaimedboldly,“JesusChristwhomyourfatherskilled.”

TheHolyGhostcametorevealthem,tobringthemoutofdarknessandcausetheirlighttoshinefromobscurity.Innotimeatall,thedisciplesbecameaconcerntotheentireprovincewheretheywereliving.Authoritiesinpowerheldmeetingsbecauseofthem.Theybecametheunbeatablewinners,speakingandhavingwhattheyspoke.

Theytookoverthesynagoguesasthoughtherewerenohighprieststherepreviously.AccordingtotheBible,“agreatcompanyofthepriestsbecameobedienttothefaith”(Acts6:7).

TheHolyGhostcametorevealthesonshipofthesonsofGod.Heisthepersonalitytoleanontoday,ifwewanttobeaccomplished.HeistheonlyOne,tothishour,thatmakesthedifference.HisnameiscalledtheComforter.

HisAttributes

TheOilofJoy

TheHolySpiritisreferredtoastheoilofjoy.

ToappointuntothemthatmourninZion,togiveuntothembeautyforashes,theoilofjoyformourning,thegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness;thattheymightbecalledtreesofrighteousness,theplantingoftheLord,thathemightbeglorified.Isaiah61:3

InPsalm45:7,HeisreferredtoastheOilofGladness:

Thoulovestrighteousness,andhatestwickedness:thereforeGod,thyGod,hathanointedtheewiththeoilofgladnessabovethyfellows.

WhatthismeansisthatHeistheanointingforjoyandgladness.Likeaninjection,Heinjectsjoyandgladnessintothebeneficiary.

Whatisthesignificanceofjoyandgladness?TheBiblesaysthat“amerryheartdoethgoodlikemedicine”(Proverbs.17:22).Joyisaninstrumentthatmakesforahealthybody.Abrokenspirit,however,issaidtodrythebones.

Anydoctorcantellyouthattherearesomediseasesthatcannotbetraced,yettheyexist.Mosthealthproblemscomefromabrokenheartandnotnecessarilyanytraceabledisease,andarechieflyresponsiblefor“drybones.”Theoilofjoyguaranteesahealthylifestyle;itislikemedicinetothebody.

Donotconfusejoywithhappiness.Happinessisconnectedwithwhatyouhave,whatyoucanseeandtouch;itistemporary.Joy,however,hasitsfountaininGod.Itisreferredtoas“joyunspeakable,”undefinable.Youcan’tdefinethereasonforit,butitisthere.ThisisoneofthecardinalmissionsoftheSpiritofGod.

Thespiritofamanwillsustainhisinfirmity;butawoundedspiritwhocanbear?Proverbs18:14

Awoundedspiritinflictsunbearableafflictions,butwhentheHolySpirit

hasHisway,Heloosestheoilofgladnessthatputsanundeniable,unspeakable,perpetualsmileonyourface.Thejoyissuchthatyoucan’texplainorexpresswhyyouaresoexcitedontheinside.Itwardsoffyourinfirmitiesandsustainsyou.ThisisinlinewithNehemiah8:10:

…ThejoyoftheLordisyourstrength.ThejoyoftheLordtakesoveryourentiresystemandkeepsithealthy,

activeandwell.Showmeamanwhohasescapedtherealmofworriesandanxiety,andIwillshowyouamanwhohasthestrongestimmunityagainstalldiseasesandplagues.Joyeasilywardsthemoff.Whenyouhavethisjoyinyou,peoplecan’tunderstandwhatitisthatgetsyousoexcited.Itismorecomfortabletobehealthythantobesick!

TheLoveofGod

Andhopemakethnotashamed;becausetheloveofGodisshedabroadinourheartsbytheHolyGhostwhichisgivenuntous.Romans5:5

TheHolySpiritinjectstheloveofGodintomen’shearts.Loveiswhatdeterminesyouraccesstorevelation,aswellasthelevelyouenjoy;becausetheBiblesaysinMatthew22:37–40:

…ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind.Thisisthefirstandgreatcommandment.Andthesecondislikeuntoit,Thoushaltlovethyneighbourasthyself.Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets.

Exceptbyanenablingforce,itishumanlyimpossibletosolove.ThelovebeingspokenaboutintheaboveScriptureistheproofthatyouloveGod“Thoushaltlovethyneighbourasthyself.”Loveistheplatformonwhichthelawsandcommandmentsfunction.Whenitisoutofplace,don’texpectScripturesyouhaveaccumulatedtoproduce.

ThismeansthattheloveofGodcannotbeacquiredthroughhumanmeans.ItistheministryoftheHolyGhosttoinjectloveintotheheartsofmen;otherwise,itwillbemechanical,outofduress,byforceandoutofnecessity,notwillingly.BythisactoftheHolyGhost,youcomeintothecovenantfulfilmentofMatthew6:33:

ButseekyefirstthekingdomofGod,andhisrighteousness;andallthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou.

WhatcanbemorecomfortablethantohaveallthethingsthatmenarestrugglingforaddedtoyoujustbecausetheloveofGodissupremeinyourheart?Itisthiskindoflove–agiftfromtheHolyGhost,thatpromptedPaultoask,“WhatshallseparateusfromtheloveofGod?”ThereisawayyouloveGodthatblindsyoutotallytoyourneedsandcircumstances.

ImetoneofourdaughtersinCanadasometimeago,andshetriedtocastmymindbacktoourearlydaysinministry.Shesaid,“Iknowhowmuchyou

sufferedwhenthischurchwasstarting.”Itsoundedlikenewstome,becauseIdidnotknowthatIsufferedatall.Mesuffer?Icouldn’tseewhatIwentthroughassuffering.

Thewholechurchwasusingmytoilet.Ihadtohavemybathat5a.m.andmakesuremywifehadhersat5:30,otherwise,thechurchcleanerwouldsoonarriveandheadstraightforthetoilet.Thebedroomshadtobelocked,otherwisetheywouldbemistakenfortheoffice(theofficewasdirectlyoppositethebedroomandthepassageservedasthesittingroom).Therewasnogateman,becausetherewasonlyonegateandtherewasnomoneytopaythegateman.SoIhadtobethegateman,ensuringthatthegatewasalwayslockedaftereverybodyelsehadleft.However,Icouldn’tseethosecontrarycircumstances,becausetherewassomethingdrivingmeonontheinside.IwouldsooftenkneeldownandthankGodforgivingmetheprivilegeofservingasaworkerinHisvineyard.Untilthisdaughterofminementionedit,Ididn’tknowthatIwentthroughsuch“hardness”.TheLordtoldmethatitwasbecauseoftheloveIhaveforHim.

TheloveofGodintheheartisabedrock;anditisagiftfromtheHolyGhost.TheBibletalksabout“faithwhichworkethbylove”(Galatians.5:6).Thismeansthatwhateveryouspeak,believeoract,withoutloveitisfutile;andwhenfaithfailstowork,itresultsinfrustration.

…Hethatlovethnothisbrotherabidethindeath.1John3:14

LookingdiligentlylestanymanfailofthegraceofGod;lestanyrootofbitternessspringinguptroubleyou,andtherebymanybedefiled;Hebrews12:15

Bitternessbringstrouble,hatredisdeath;buttheloveofGodistheanswertoall.ThisisprovidedbytheHolySpirit,Whoensuresyourcomfort.

EverythingyousaywouldonlyworkwhentheloveofGod,whichistheplatformonwhichGodoperates,isaboundinginyourheart.OnceinjectedwiththeloveofGodbytheHolyGhost,yougetexcitedandyouarerelaxedaboutdoingHiswill.

TheHighPraisesofGod

WhenyouareanointedwiththeHolyGhost,yourpraiselifechanges.Heenablesyouhaveahigherdimensionofpraiseintheheart.

Heshallglorifyme:forheshallreceiveofmine,andshallshowituntoyou.John16:14

AtPentecost,theBiblesaysthattheapostleswerespeakingintonguesandglorifyingGod.ThisisoneoftheComforter’smissions–togiveyouasupernaturalenablingtopraiseGodqualitatively;andwhenthishappens,God’spresenceisinvoked.

WhenJehoshaphatandthepeopleofJudahappointedsingerstosingthepraisesofGod,theBiblesaysthatGodsetambushmentsagainsttheirenemies(2Chronicles.20:22).God’spresenceconvertsthebattlesoflifetoawalkoverforyou.ThesamethinghappenedforPaulandSilas.Theybegantoprayandsingaloud,andtherewasanearthquake;theprisondoorsflungopenandtheirchainsfelloff.ItmeansthatGodarrivedonthescene.PraisesbringdownGod’sglory.

TheSpiritofGodthusmakesyouhavesweatlesstriumphoverthebattlesoflife,becauseyouarenowonahigherpraisefrequencywithGod,whichbringsdownHispresencethatalwaysresultsinvictory.

LetthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouth,andatwoedgedswordintheirhand;Psalm149:6

HighpraisesareonlypossiblewiththeHolyGhost.Whenweweresaved,weweretoldthattherewasnoHolyGhostanywhere.So,webegantosingourownsongsatourownlevel–singingandbreakinginbetweenthesongstosharesnippetsandchipoutinformationasthoughwewerenotinGod’spresence!

ThereisnopossibilityofhighpraiseswithouttheanointingoftheHolySpirit.WhenyouenterintotheHolyGhostdimensionofpraise,tearssometimesrolldownyourcheeksasyousingoftheexcellencyofGod’sname.“TheHolyGhostshallglorifyme.”WhenJesusisglorifiedthrough

you,youendupbeingglorifiedwithHim.Wehavesomeonetoleanon–theComforter,whoisthepresentCommanderofthehostofheaven.

TheanointingoftheHolyGhostisnotinfallingorfeeling;itisanexperiencethatrevealsitselfinthehumanlifestyle.Youcanalwayswinwithoutsweatandthatcanonlybeachievedthroughtheinstrumentofpraise.PraiseisafundamentalrequirementformakingGodtakeoveryourbattlewhileyoubecomeaspectator.WhentheHolyGhostisgivenaccess,Heturnsyouontothehighpraisesrealm,andwhenthathappens,youbegintoexecutethejudgmentthatiswritten.Whateverisnotsupposedtobeonyoucan’tbethere.ThatishowHemakesyoucomfortable.

…Touchnotmineanointed,anddomyprophetsnoharm.Psalm105:15

AsyoubegintopraisethenameoftheLordinthehighpraisesdimension,theheavenscometoseewhoishurtingyouandrendertherightjudgmentuponyourenemies.SuchwasthecasewithDavidandhiswife,Michal,Saul’sdaughter.DavidhadjustdancedbeforetheLordwithallhismightandshecondemnedhimfordisgracinghimself.ShedespisedhiminherheartandGod’sjudgmentfelluponher.Shebecamebarren–theonlywomanwhouponher.Shebecamebarren–theonlywomanwho23).

ThehighpraisesofGodgetyouoffthebattlefieldandinstead,youbecomeareporterofyourownbattle;whileHebecomestheCombatant,dealingwithyourenemy.Hedoesn’tneedHisfisttogiveyouyourvictory;thebreathofHisnostrilsismorethanenoughtotakecareofanyandeveryenemy!

Youareherebyintroducedtothepersonalityofallpersonalities,theOnethatmakeslivingfulfillingandprofitable–theHolySpirit.WhenJesustoldHisdisciplesthatitwasexpedientforthemthatHewentaway,HewasactuallytellingthemthattheComforterwasgoingtomakelifesomuchmoreexcitingandfulfilling;indeed,HewouldevencausethemtodogreaterworksthanHedid(John14:12).

Recently,IwasinacityinNigeriaforameetingandaspeciallymadechairwaspresentedtomebyaman,whosebusinesshadjusttakenanewturn

throughanencounterhehadwithourministry.ThismanhadsomehowgotacopyofourWeeklyFaithDigest,readitandseenmypictureonit.Beforethen,hisbusinesshadbeenonalongleaveandeverythingseemedtohavecometoastandstill;allhehadwashiscomplimentarycard!Thatnight,hedreamtandsawmegivehimaletter.Thefollowingday,acontractopenedupforhimandbeforeyoucouldsay“Hallelujah”,somanyothersfollowed!

Whenthismanmetmeinperson,hecouldnotevenstandtotalktome;hewasonhisknees.Fromrunninganepilepticandsabbaticalbusiness,anewdayhaddawnedinhisbusiness.

Iwantyoutoknowthatsomethingishappening.TheHolySpiritismovinginanewwaytoday,toopenmenuptoanewfacetofChristianliving.Youarenottobesympathizedwith.Youarecreatedanddestinedtobecomfortableandbecomeachannelthroughwhichcomfortisdistributedtoothers.

Favour

Theanointingprocuresfavour.

Becauseofthesavourofthygoodointmentsthynameisasointmentpouredforth,thereforedothevirginslovethee.SongsofSolomon1:3

Theword“virgins”isreferringtothebridesofChrist.Everyoneonthisearthisacandidateforsalvation,becauseGoddoesnotwishforanyonetoperish.Thus,potentially,everyoneisabride;exceptthateveryonehastherightofchoicewhethertoaccepttheBridegroomortorejectHim.

Thynameisasointmentpouredforth.WhenyoucarrytheanointingoftheHolySpirit,evenyournameissweetandcreatesanexpectation.Yousmellgoodandenjoylovefromothers.Thiswholeverseistalkingaboutfavour.Lovefromasecondpartyisfavour.Thefavouryoucommanddependsontheleveloftheanointingthatoperatesonyourlife.Thatyouarelovedisnotbecauseofyourlooks,status,oreducationalbackground.Theanointinguponyouissimplywhatcompelspeopletoloveyouinspiteofthemselves.

WhenSaulwasanointedkingbySamuel,oneofthethingstheanointingdidforhimwastoprocurefavourforhim.

Andtheywillsalutethee,andgivetheetwoloavesofbread;whichthoushaltreceiveoftheirhands.1Samuel10:4

Thethreemenhewasgoingtomeetweregoingtosalutehim(feelkindlydisposedtowardshim)andgivehimgifts.Thatissupernaturalfavour.Notbecausehetalkedtothemoraskedforanythingfromthem,butbecausehewascloudedwithfavourbyreasonoftheanointing.

Whenyoucarrytheanointing,everywhereyouturn,youarewelcome.Whentheydon’tseeyou,theylookforyou.PeoplewerealwayslookingforJesus,HewasthemostsignificantpersonalityinHisdays.Itisnotsonshiptobeturnedawayfromeveryofficeyougotoinsearchofajoborcontract.Registeredsonshipisallabouthonour.

Anointingisnotinfeelingand“tonguing.”ItisoperatingintherealmoftheHolyGhostwithevidence.Withoutit,youcanbeaChristianforthirtyyearsandnothaveanythingtoshowforit.

Nothingpullsamandownmorethanemptyactivities.Thelampthathasnooil,hasnouse.Whatisitsuseindarkness?Similarly,thebulbthathasnocurrentpassingthroughitisequallyuseless.Shininglightattractsattention,particularlyindarkness.Lightdoesnotseektobeknownandrecognized,becauseinadarkworld,lightisanasset.Thatiswhyyouhavefavourwhenyourlightisshining.

Successisafunctionoffavour.FavourfromtheLordguaranteessuccess.Ifinyourplaceofworkyouarenotwellfavoured,itcouldaffectyourpromotionprospectsnegatively.Yourfilecouldbehiddenorlost,makingitimpossiblefortheauthoritytoassessyourperformances.Butwhenyourointmentbeginstosmellgood,everyonewillberunningoverthemselvestopleaseyouandtodoyougood.

Ionceattendedaninterview,andrightthereinmypresence,theofficialswereaskingmetochoosebetweentwooptions.Thegapbetweenthetwowassomuch,itwaslikethedistancebetweenthenoseandthemouth.Ofcourse,Ichosethebetterofthetwo!

Checkyourselfcarefully.Ifnobodyseemstowanttoseeyou,itiseitherbecauseyoudon’tcarrytheoilorbecausetheoneyouarecarryingisstale.IttakesonlyfreshoiltoreleaseunprecedentedfavourwithGodandmen.Freshenupandletthefreshoilflow.

Inconclusion,bearingthefouroutstandingfunctionsoftheComforterinmind,IwantyoutoprayandaskyourheavenlyFathertohelpyouexperiencethecomfortingministryoftheHolyGhost–spirit,soulandbody.

TheBiblesaysthattheSpiritquickensourmortalbody.So,ifthereisanythingupsidedowninyourlife,thesameSpirithaspowertoturnitaroundandmakeitworkforyourcomfortableexistence.

Pray,Iurgeyou,andexperienceanewreleasefromheaven.SomepeoplestillwishthatJesuswerearoundphysically,butJesusHimselfsaidthatthelevelofcomfortenjoyedbyHisdisciplesthenwouldfadeintomereinsignificance,comparedtothecomforttheywillenjoyfromtheComforter.TheHolySpirithassomuchmoretooffer.

AmanofGodoncesaidthatinhistwentyyearsinministry,hehasnotbeendownonce.Thisissomeonewhohasbeenchasedoutfromaboutfivedifferentplacesataboutthesameperiod;yethehasneverbeendownonce!Hehasalwaysbeenfullofjoyandpraises,nowonderhestilllookslikeayoungboy.

Joyislikeamedicinetothebody.Abrokenheartweakensthesystem,butthejoyoftheLordstrengthensit.Itquickensthemortalbodyandrefreshesthesoul.

Youhavespokenintongues,nowexperienceHisperson.PeoplewhoknowmeknowthatIdon’tcarryprayerrequestsabout.IhavesomuchoftheloveofGodandthefullnessofHisjoy.IamfullofHispraisesandwalkinsuchmeasureoffavour,bothwithHimandwithmen,thatIdon’thavetoomanyprayerrequests.

Beloved,youhavesweatedenough,nowberefreshed.TheComforterinsideyouisnotonlyatonguetalker,butHisministryisalsotomakeyoucomfortablebymakingyouexperiencejoy,love,praiseandfavour.KeepHimfreshinyourlifeandyouwillliveapracticallytranslatedlife.AppreciateHisministryandreleaseyourselfforHisfourfoldmission.

Youarenotdesignedtoexperienceheartachesinlife.Breaklooseandbreakforth.TheComforterishere.ItistimetobecomfortableinthehandsofGod.Loosethatflowofjoy,love,thehighpraisesofGodandprocurefavourfromheaven.Thisfour–foldcharismaoftheHolyGhosthasbeenlongingforexpressioninyou,giveHimtheopportunitytorevealHisministryofcomfortinyourlife.

Chapter2:TheHolySpirit:

HisSignificance&Ministry

TheHolySpiritisaPersonthatnoChristiancandowithout,Onethatnootherexperiencecansubstitute.Heistheever–abidingpowerofGodavailabletothesaint.Today,somanybelieversareoutoftune,becauseeventhoughtheyarebornagain,baptizedintheHolyGhostandspeakintongues,theydonotreallyknowHisperson.

WhenabelieverknowstheHolyGhost,itbecomeseasywalkingwithGod,obeyingHiscommandments,understandingHisplansandprogrammesandlivingvictoriously.

TheHolySpiritisGod’sseedofpowerinabeliever.Thisseedisplantedatbaptism(oftheHolySpirit,notwaterbaptism);andjustlikeanyseed,itgrowsandbringsforthfruitsofpower.

Butyeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.Acts1:8

ThepowerthatyoureceivewillmakeitpossibleforyoutobecomeanevidenceoftheWord.IwanttoemphasizeherethattheHolySpiritisnotjusttalkingtootherpeopleaboutJesus.ThatisnotHisonlymission.AnybodycantalkaboutJesus,butwhatestablishesyouasanevidenceoftheWordistheHolySpirit.YoucanonlybecomeanepistlebythetransformingpoweroftheHolySpirit.HeempowersthebelievertolivetheWord,andstandforJesus.HeestablishesafoundationforHim.

“Yeshallreceivepowerafter…”ThisisaclearproofthatnoChristianhasarighttopowerbeforehehastheHolySpirit.Beforehereceivedthat

power,PeterhaddeniedJesusthreetimes,evenbeforeaninsignificantmaid!Hewaspowerless.Thrice,heconsciouslysworeanddeniedeverknowinghisbelovedMaster.Butafterreceivingpower,hewasatransformedPeter.ThatwaswhenthepropheticchangeofhisnamebyJesusbecameareality.HewasnomoreSimon(thereed,easilyshakenbythewind),buthewastransformedintoPeter(therock,immovable).Hearwhathetoldhisaccuserswhentheywereapprehended(himselfandJohn):

Beitknownuntoyouall,andtoallthepeopleofIsrael,thatbythenameofJesusChristofNazareth,whomyecrucified,whomGodraisedfromthedead,evenbyhimdoththismanstandherebeforeyouwhole.Acts4:10

Andwhentheywerefinallyreleasedandchargednottopreachinthatname(Jesus)anymore,heresponded:

…WhetheritberightinthesightofGodtohearkenuntoyoumorethanuntoGod,judgeye.Acts4:19

ThereisnothingyoucansayabouttheHolySpiritoutside“power.”AsmanyashavebeenbaptizedintotheHolySpirithaveapowerseedplantedinthem.Itistheirdutytoletitgrow;otherwise,withoutthispower,Christianitybecomesjustanordinaryreligion,oneotherprincipleforsurvival.

ItistheHolySpiritthatmakesastoneoutofabeliever;whosoevercomesagainstitisbrokenintopiecesanduponwhomitfalls,itgrindsintopowder.Manypeople,however,don’tknowwhattheyhavereceived,sotheyallowthedeviltotoyaroundwiththem.NotsowithPaul.HestoppedElymas’disturbancewhenhewaspreaching,bycursinghimwithblindnessforaseason.

SomepeoplerightlyrefertotheHolySpiritas“fire.”TheBiblesaysthatJesuswillbaptizeusbothwiththe“HolyGhostandwithfire.”Itisnoordinaryfire,itistheconsumingfireofGod,whichgiveswaytonothing.Itrathersubdueseverythingthatcomesagainstit.Itisthepresenceofthisfireonyourinsidethatdistinguishesyoufromthosewhoarewithoutit.

TheHolySpiritisNOToptional,ifyoudesireafruitfulChristianity.He

suppliesthestamina–theenduringabilitytoruntheraceandobtaintheprize.

Ezekiel’sexperienceatthevalleyofdrybonesinchapter37:1–10givesagoodunderstandingofthevitalroleoftheHolySpiritinabeliever’slife.

Againhesaiduntome,Prophesyuponthesebones,andsayuntothem,Oyedrybones,hearthewordoftheLord.ThussaiththeLordGoduntothesebones;Behold,Iwillcausebreathtoenterintoyou,andyeshalllive:AndIwilllaysinewsuponyou,andwillbringupfleshuponyou,andcoveryouwithskin,andputbreathinyou,andyeshalllive;andyeshallknowthatIamtheLord.

SoIprophesiedasIwascommanded:andasIprophesied,therewasanoise,andbeholdashaking,andthebonescametogether,bonetohisbone.AndwhenIbeheld,lo,thesinewsandthefleshcameupuponthem,andtheskincoveredthemabove:buttherewasnobreathinthem.

Thensaidheuntome,Prophesyuntothewind,prophesy,sonofman,andsaytothewind,ThussaiththeLordGod;Comefromthefourwinds,Obreath,andbreatheupontheseslain,thattheymaylive.SoIprophesiedashecommandedme,andthebreathcameintothem,andtheylived,andstoodupupontheirfeet,anexceedinggreatarmy.Ezekiel37:4–10

Letusexamineeachstageofthisnarrativebitbybit.

BoneAndSinew

The“bonereturningtohisbone”stageisthestageofrepentance,whenthesinnerrealizeshissinfulstateandreturnstohisMaker,tomakepeacewithHim.Thatiswhathappenedtotheprodigalsonwhenherepented;hecametohimself.

Thefleshandsinewscominguponthebonesstagestandsforthebodybeinggivenafairformtolookupon–aformisgiventowhatwasoriginallyscattered,sothatitnowhasashape,thoughitstilllacksthepowertomove.Suchisthestateofsomeofthepeopleinchurchtoday–theyhaveaformofgodlinesswhichiscompletelyvoidofthepowerthatdistinguishesthesheepfromthegoats.

ItwassoeasyforJesus’disciplestoforgeteverythingtheirMasterhadtoldthem.WhenhewasdenyinghisMaster,Petercouldn’trememberwhathisMasterhadtoldhimuntilitwasfulfilled.ThesamePeterrantothetombtofindoutwhetherwhathehadbeentoldwasthetruth.ThatishowChristendomissufferingtoday—toomanyprofessingChristianswithaformofreligionbutcompletelyvoidofthepowerthattransformsmerereligionintoarelationship,alifestylereflectingthelifeoftheMaster.

AMightyRushingWind

Thewindblowingonthelifelessbodies’stageisthestagewhentheHolyGhostcameuponthedisciplesintheupperroomonthedayofPentecost.Youwillnoticethatwhentheprophecycameforth,“thebreathcameintothem,andtheylived,andstoodupupontheirfeet,anexceedinggreatarmy.”ThatwaswhathappenedonthedayofPentecost.Herewereonehundredandtwentyfearfuldisciples,huddledtogetherforfearoftheauthorities;andsuddenly,agreat,mightyrushingwindblewuponthemandthenroseupanexceedinggreatarmy!

Onlyoneofthemspokeandthreethousandsoulswerewonintothekingdominoneday!Andthefollowingday,fivethousandmorewereadded,andsotheywaxedstrongereachday,untiltheybecameaconcerntothegovernmentmenwhowereturningtheworldupsidedown!

Benotdeceivedaboutthisthingatall;ittakesthebreathofGodtobringlifeintoamortalbeing.TheHolySpiritinyouandHisanointinguponyoutakesyoufromthelevelofthenaturaltothelevelofthesupernatural.Jesus’accuserswereenragedatHisaudaciousclaimtoforgivesins.“Whoisthismanthatforgivethsins?”theyraged.HeisthemanthathasbeenempoweredandenthronedbyGodtostandinGod’sposition!

Whatdoesthatmean?ItmeansthattheHolyGhostenthronesthebelieverinGod’sposition.Ilikethat!ItisnowondertodaythatreligiousChristiansstillgetenragedattheboldnessandaudacityofthegreatarmyofGodthathasbeenbreatheduponbytheHolySpirit.ThegreatarmyofGodwasaccusedofsomanythingsatthetimeoftheapostles.ItisstillsoinourdaysandwillcontinuetobeuntilJesuscomes.

Nothinggetsdonebyyourpowerormight,butbytheSpiritofGod.ThekingdomofGodisnotinenticingwordsofman’swisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower(1Corinthians.2:4).Jesus,theSonofGod,couldnotmanifestwithoutpower.AfterHereturnedfromtheJordan,theBiblesaysHewentintothewildernessandreturnedinthepoweroftheHolySpirit.

AndJesusreturnedinthepoweroftheSpiritintoGalilee…Luke4:14

HeenteredintothesynagogueandtheyhandedthebooksovertoHim;andasHeread,everybody’seyeswerefixedonHim.Hisministryhadbegun.IfJesuscouldnotperformwithouttheHolySpirit,neithercanyou.Hemayhavereadthatsamepassagebefore,butitonlycamealiveafterthepowerofbaptism.Therewasafireburningthatsetthewordsaglow,untiltheypenetratedthespiritsofmen.Somepeopledon’tevenknowwhattheHolySpiritisupto.Theyaresolimitedintheirunderstanding,thatalltheyknowaboutHimisspeakingintongues,feelinggoodandbeingapartofthemovementcalledthe“PentecostalMovement.”Farfromit.Theissueistheenduementofpower,withthewindofGodblowinguponmortalmen“andmakingthempartakersofHisdivinenature.”

TheHolySpiritisGod’spowerplantedintomankindtomakemenoperateinGod’scapacity.WhenHeisnotthere,therecan’tbethemanifestationofpower,justasthegloryofaplantedseedisonlyseenwhenitsflowerblossoms.

ItisthewindofGod’sChurch.Itiswhatmakesamortalbeingoperatedivineabilities.Don’tgetcarriedawaywiththetongues,layholdonthepower.TheHolyGhosthascometomakeyoualivingtestimonyoftheWordofGod.ThatiswhatitmeanstobeHiswitness.HemakesChristianitymeaningful.WithoutHim,itwouldappearasifGod’sWordhasnorelevancetoourworld.

Afteryouarebornagain,youareentitledtothebaptismoftheHolyGhost,whichyoureceivefreelywiththeevidenceofspeakinginothertongues.Thatsamemoment,thepowerofGodbecomesresidentwithinyou.WhenHecomesin,Hemakesitpossibleforyoutobepure,holyandperfect.ThosewhogotfilledwiththeHolyGhostasPeterwasstillpreachinginCornelius’housecouldnothavebeenpure,holyorperfect,buttheyallreceivedthegiftoftheHolyGhost.

HindrancesToHisFreeFlow

Thereasonwhyitlooksasifyoudon’thavetheHolySpiritisthatyoumighthavequenchedorgrievedHim(1Thessalonians.5:19).

AndgrievenottheHolySpiritofGod…Ephesians4:30ToomanybelieversgrievetheHolySpiritthroughsinfulhabitsandbad

company.TheymakefriendswithpeoplewhoscorntheHolyGhost;thus,whentheyopentheBibletoread,nothinghappens.Theykneeldowntoprayandnothinghappens.Ifyouwanttoberight,disassociateyourselffromwrongcompany.TheBiblesays:

Hethatwalkethwithwisemenshallbewise:butacompanionoffoolsshallbedestroyed.Proverbs13:20

Benotdeceived:evilcommunicationscorruptgoodmanners.1Corinthians15:33

TheBiblealsosays:

…FriendshipoftheworldisenmitywithGod…James4:4Thus,youcannotbeafriendoftheworldandstillexpecttohaveasweet

communionwiththeHolySpirit.ItisdangeroustogrievetheHolySpirit,foryoumayeventuallyquenchHim,andHewillleaveyourlife.WhenHeleaves,youareintrouble,because“bystrengthshallnomanprevail”(1Samuel.2:9).

Toquenchmeansto“putoff.”SoyoucanbesurethatwhenHeleavesyouandthewindofevilcomes,youhavenoresistanceagainstit.TheHolySpiritisthestrengthofthisage.GrieveHimnot,oryouwillbeleftunprotected,uncovered,andyournakednessexposed.GrieveHimnot,oryoumightnothavethehopeofstandinginthedayofredemption.

HisMinistry

LetusconsiderjustafewoftheHolySpirit’snumerousministries,inordertohelpusappreciateHisperson.ItismyprayerthatafterreadingthisbookyouwillimmediatelyseekHim,ifyouhavenothadanencounterwiththisdynamicpersonalitybefore.Itisthebestthingthatcouldeverhappentoyou.

QuickenstheMortalBody

TheBiblesaysthattheSpiritthatlivesinyouisthesameSpiritthatquickenedthebodyofJesusChristinthegraveandraisedHimfromthedead(Romans.8:11).Thus,theSpiritofGodinyoucausesyourmortalbodytobecomesupernaturallyalive.Thatmeansthatitisillegalforanyformofsicknesstobeinyourbody–youdon’tneedtokeepit,youcanrejectitrightawayifyousodesire.IfyouarebornagainandfilledwiththeHolySpirit,thenyoushouldbeapartakerofGod’sdivinenatureineveryway:spirit,soulandbody.

RememberwearetoldthatJesusbaptizeswiththeHolyGhostandfire:

…HeshallbaptizeyouwiththeHolyGhost,andwithfire:Whosefanisinhishand,andhewillthoroughlypurgehisfloor…buthewillburnupthechaffwithunquenchablefire.Matthew3:11–12

TheHolyGhostwilltherefore,sweepcleanthefloorofyourbeingwiththefanandwhateverdoesn’tglorifyGod(likesicknessandothersin–relatedproblems)inyourbody,Hewillburnwithunquenchablefire.

TheBiblealsosaysthatyouarethetempleoftheHolyGhost.Thus,whenHecomesintoyou,Hecarriesoutasanitationoperation,sweepsyoucleanandburnsoffthechaff.WhereHedwells,nocancershouldbeabletosurvive;noulceroranyformofwantandlackshoulddwellthereeither.AfteryouarefilledwiththeHolyGhost,youbecomeacontainerofGod’sfireandthatfireisnotjusttokeepyouwarm,italsoburnsoffandconsumeseverychaff.TheHolyGhostguaranteesyourhealthbyquickeningyourbodyandmakingitimmunetohealthhazards.

GuidesIntoAllTruth

TheHolySpiritrevealsthetruthcontainedintheWordofGodtothebeliever.Heenlightensthebeliever’sunderstandingofthetruth.WithoutHiminyourlife,Godcannoteffectivelycommunicatewithyou.JesustoldHisdisciples:

Ihaveyetmanythingstosayuntoyou,butyecannotbearthemnow.Howbeitwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth,iscome,hewillguideyouintoalltruth:forheshallnotspeakofhimself;butwhatsoeverheshallhear,thatshallhespeak:andhewillshowyouthingstocome.John16:12–13

“Allthings”isnotlimitedtospiritualmattersonly,butcoversallspheresoflife.Ihaveenjoyedthatseveraltimesinmylife.TheHolySpiritteachesmewhattodowhenIgettoacrossroadanddon’tknowwhattodotogoover.Hejustcomesinlikeaflashandthrowslightonmywayandthus,savesmefromstumbling.

TheBiblesaysthatGod’speoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge,thatis,ignorance(Hosea.4:6).TheHolySpiritisyouronlyinsuranceagainstthedeadlyandenslavinggripofignorance.WithoutHim,allyourfastingandprayerwillamounttonothingbutfrustration;yourinterpretationofScriptureswillbedistortedandmisguided.

Thisexplainswhysomanytheologiansandpreacherspreachheresies.YouneedtolistentosomefellowspreachbeforetheyarebaptizedintheHolySpirit;theyjustpickoneScriptureandpreachofftrackmessages,confusingeverybodyincludingthemselves!

Butbyreasonofthisdivineenablingpersonalitydwellinginyou,youalwayshaveasolutiontoeveryproblem.Heguidesyouintoalltruth.

HeShowsThingsToCome

Herevealssecretsaheadoftime,showingyouthingstocome.Toomanypeopletodayaredoubtfulabouttomorrow.IfyouwillengagethehelpoftheHolySpiritandsubmityourselfunderHismightyhand,Hewillshowyouthingstocome.

HeRemindsOfThingsTaught

ThereissomuchintheWordofGod,makingitdifficultforthehumanbraintoadequatelystoreupeverythinglikeacomputer.Butateverypointofneed,theHolySpiritwillbringbacktoyourremembrance,whattheWordofGodhasspokenconcerningwhateversituationyouarein(John14:26).

ThisiswhyitisofutmostimportancethatyoubefriendtheWordofGodandevengetaddictedtoit.ItisfromthemuchyouhavestoredthattheHolySpiritwillbringupawordforyouintimeofneed.IfJesushadnotknowntheScriptures,thedevilwouldhavegotHimcheaply;but,theHolySpiritwasabletodrawoutofthewealthoftheWordstoredupinHim,toraiseastandardagainstthedevicesoftheenemy.

TheHolySpiritmeansmorethanjustthevisiblepresenceofJesuswithinabeliever.JesusHimselftestifiedtothis:

NeverthelessItellyouthetruth;ItisexpedientforyouthatIgoaway:forifIgonotaway,theComforterwillnotcomeuntoyou;butifIdepart,Iwillsendhimuntoyou.John16:7

BlessGodtheComforterhascome,andHeisrightnowwithusandinus!

HeReprovesTheWorldOfSin

Doyousometimeswonderwhyyouwitnesstosomebodyusingeverytechniqueyoucanthinkof,yetnothinghappens?Or,youpreachandeverybodyseemcarriedaway,butnobodyrespondstoyouraltarcall?

Theanswerissimple.Itisnotbypower,mightoreffortthatpeoplegetsaved.ItisbythepoweroftheHolySpiritinyou,quickeningtheWordyouspeakandgivingitlife,therebyconvictingmenoftheirlowestateandpointingouttheirneedofaSaviour.

Youmaypreachhell,brimstoneandfire,nobodywillgetsavedexceptbytheHolySpiritconvictingthem;otherwise,Jesuswillbecomealiar,becauseHesaid,“WhenHeiscome,Hewillreprovetheworldofsin.”Thus,theHolySpirithastheministryofworldevangelismthroughhumanvessels.

HeReprovestheWorldOfRighteousness

Byempoweringmentowalkinrighteousness,Hemakesthemloseinterestinunhealthythings.

HeReprovesOfJudgment

TheHolySpiritestablishesthejudgmentoftheworldthroughthebeliever.

HeTestifiesOfTheTruth

HebearstestimonytoJesus.Hetestifiesofthetruthandestablishesit.ThatiswhyyoudecreeathinginthenameofJesusaccordingtotheWordofGodanditisestablished.ThisisbecauseHeistestifyingthatwhatyouhavespokenisthetruth.Thatiswhynosinnercandecreeathinganditbeestablished.Inthefirstplace,whatishedecreeingwithoutJesus?TheHolySpiritwillonlybackupwhatthecarrierofJesussays.

ButwhentheComforteriscome,whomIwillsenduntoyoufromtheFather,eventheSpiritoftruth,whichproceedethfromtheFather,heshalltestifyofme:John15:26

BytestifyingofJesus,yourwordswillnolongerbeallowedtofalltotheground,buttheywillperformthepurposewhereuntotheyaresent.Don’tmissthis,becauseitissocrucial:youcandonothingwithouttheHolySpirit!

HeIntercedesForTheSaint

TherecanbenoeffectualintercessionwithoutthehelpoftheHolySpirit.

LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatweshouldprayforasweought:buttheSpirititselfmakethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.AndhethatsearcheththeheartsknowethwhatisthemindoftheSpirit,becausehemakethintercessionforthesaintsaccordingtothewillofGod.Romans8:26–27

EvidenceOfBaptismInTheHolyGhost

ThebiblicalevidenceofbaptismintheHolySpiritisspeakinginothertongues.WhentheHolyGhostfirstcame,theBiblesaysthatthediscipleswerealltogetherinoneplaceandinoneaccord,whensuddenly,withthecomingofthemightyrushingwind,theyallgotfilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegantospeakwithnewtonguesastheSpiritgavethemutterance(Acts2:1–4).ThisisrecurrentintheBookofActs.

WhilePeteryetspakethesewords,theHolyGhostfellonallthemwhichheardtheword.Fortheyheardthemspeakwithtongues,andmagnifyGod…Acts10:44,46

ThisisthesecondevidenceofthemassiveoutpouringoftheHolySpirit.TheBiblesaysthatJesusisthe“chiefcornerstone”andtheapostlesarethefoundation.Leteveryonetherefore,becarefulhowhebuildsonit.

Jesusisourcardinalreference,whiletheapostlesareourhumanreferences.WhateveryoudomustbebasedontheexamplesleftforusbyJesusandtheapostles,otherwise,youwillhavealotofexplanationstodo.

InActs19:2–7,wefindPaulaskingthebelieverswhethertheyhadreceivedtheHolyGhostsincetheybelieved,towhichtheyrepliedthattheyhadneverevenheardaboutHim.Thereafter,helaidhandsonthemandtheybegantospeakintonguesandtoprophesy.

ThosewhocriticizespeakingintonguesliketorefertoPaul,whotheyclaimsaidtonguetalkingisaprerogativeofafew–agiftandnotageneralcommodity.ButtheaboveScriptureclearlyprovesthatsuchargumentshavenobasis.TheBibleisouronlyreferenceandwelivebytheWordofGodcontainedinit.

ThatPaulaskedthemwhethertheyhadreceivedthebaptismintheHolySpiritisaclearindicationofitsimportancetoallbelievers.SomebodymightsaythatPauldidn’tspeakintonguesathisconversion.Paulspeaksforhimselfin1Corinthians14:18:

IthankmyGod,Ispeakwithtonguesmorethanyeall:Thisstatementshowsthatspeakingintonguesmusthavebeenamajor

partofhisspirituallife.WhathewasactuallytryingtoguardthebelieveragainstwasthemisuseoftheirGod–givenprivilege,notthathewasagainsttheirinheritance.ForyoutoresistthegiftofbaptismintheHolySpiritistoforfeitavitalaspectofyourinheritance.Nowonderthedevilishavingafielddaywithagreatnumberofpeople,whoclaimtheyarebelieversandyethavenothingtoshowforit!

Nowthen,whatamIsaying?TheActsoftheApostles,whichissupposedtobeourfoundation,hasshownusinstanceswherethebelieversgotbaptizedintheHolySpiritandineachinstance,itwasevidencedbytheirspeakingintongues.NoonecanclaimtobefilledwiththeHolyGhostifhedoesn’thavetheevidenceofspeakingintongues.

Evenintheworld,nocaseincourtiswonwithoutevidence;so,ifyouhavereceivedthebaptism,proveit!Weareintheactsofthelatterdaysandwearemeanttobuildonthefoundationlaid;wemustnotdestroyitbyourunbelief.

SincerelyasktheHolySpiritHimself,inmeekness,torevealthetruthtoyouandIassureyouthatHewould.

TheBaptismInTheHolySpirit

AnumberofpeoplehavebecomeconfusedonthesubjectofthebaptismintheHolySpirit.Theymighthaveevenconcludedthatperhapsthisbaptismisnotforthem.Often,itisnottheirfault,butratheraresultoftheunscripturalteachingstheareexposedto.

First,itshouldbenotedthatGoddesirestheHolyGhostbaptismforallwhoaresaved.Itisnotaspecialgiftforaprivilegedfew.Itiswhatshouldautomaticallyaccompanysalvation.ThisisperhapswhatmotivatedthemeninJerusalemtoask,“…Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?”(Acts2:37.)TowhichPeterreplied:

…Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChristfortheremissionofsins,andyeshallreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost.Acts2:38

ThegiftoftheHolySpiritisareadycompanionofsalvation.Jesussaid,“Ifyethen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftsuntoyourchildren:howmuchmoreshallyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothemthataskhim?”(Luke.11:13)ThegiftisreadilyavailableandtheGiverisequallyreadytoimparttheHolySpirittoallwhoask.ThismakesitextraordinarilyeasyfortherecipienttoreceivetheHolyGhost.

TheHolySpiritbaptismisaninitiationintopower.Jesus,whilespeakingtoHisdisciplesinLuke24:49said:And,behold,IsendthepromiseofmyFatheruponyou:buttarryyeinthecityofJerusalem,untilyebeenduedwithpowerfromonhigh.

ThedisciplesobeyedHimandinActs2:4,therecameafulfilmentofthatpromise:

AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andbegantospeakwithothertongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance.

WhentheapostlesreceivedthebaptismoftheHolySpirit,theyallspokewithnewtongues.Butnoteherethattheywerenotclothedwithtongues,butwithpower.ThisisanothererrorintheteachingofthebaptismintheHoly

Spirit.JesusnevertoldHisdisciplestowaitfortongues,Hetoldthemtotarryforanenduementwithpower.Theeffectoftheenduementwithpowerwasevident:theshakyreed,Simon,suddenlybecamePeter,therock!

AsPeteraddressedtheJerusalemaudience,whohadjustrecentlycrucifiedtheLord,hespokeasathunderbolt,challengingtheveryfundamentalsoftheJewishreligion.Thismusthavebeensupernatural,becauseasroughlyasPeterspoke,noonecouldlayhandsonhim.Instead,3,000angryJewssurrenderedtotheLordshipofJesusandgotsaved.Ofatruth,thepowerhadcome!

Unfortunately,thepowerdimensionofbaptismintheHolySpirithasbeenplayeddownovertheyearsbyChristians,whohavevirtuallyreplacedpowerwithtongues.Seekersofthebaptismarewaiting,notforthepower,butforthetongues.Thisisdefinitelyalopsidedtheology.

ImaginePeterafterthedeathofJesusChristandbeforethedayofPentecost,whenhesuddenlybecamethecelebrityoftheday.HehadtakentheseatoftheHighPriest.IncasetheRomanCatholicsareright,PetersuddenlybecamethePope!Thenew–tongueChurchhadtakenovertheCathedral;thepulpithadjoinedthepews.WearetoldthatmanyofthepriestsinJerusalembecameobedienttothefaithandassuchlosttheirpulpitstotheapostles.

ThepowerdimensionofthebaptismoftheHolySpiritshouldbethecoreexpectation,notthetongues.AlthoughspeakingintonguesisthebiblicalevidenceofthebaptismintheHolyGhost,thetonguesshouldnotbemistakenforpower.Youmuststophidingbehindcloseddoorswithheadsboweddowninshameandentangledwithfearandfailure;youmustbebaptizedintheHolySpirit.Thisisthegiantstepintotheschoolofpower.

TheBaptizer

Thenextmisconceptionisthesourceofthebaptism.Awomanvisitedmyofficein1983andtoldmehowshehadgonetomanyreputableandrenownedministerstobebaptizedintheHolySpirit,butreturnedwithoutreceivingthegift.Shehadcometome,inessence,tomakemyowncontribution.

WhenItoldherthatshehadvisitedthewrongpeople,shewasshocked,becauseshethoughtIdidn’tbelieveintheministriesofthosegreatmenofGod.SoItoldher:“TheHolyGhosthasonlyonesource.EverygreatservantofGodhasjustenough(oftheHolyGhost)forhimself;sonoonehasextratooffer.”However,JohntheBaptistpointsustotheBaptizer.InMatthew3:11,Johnsays:

Iindeedbaptizeyouwithwateruntorepentance:buthethatcomethaftermeismightierthanI,whoseshoesIamnotworthytobear:heshallbaptizeyouwiththeHolyGhost,andwithfire:

JesusistheBaptizer.ThatiswhyMatthew11:28says:Comeuntome,allyethatlabourandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.

“Comeuntome…”Notuntoeitheroneoftheapostles,butuntoJesusalone.

Hethatbelievethonme,astheScripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.John7:38

Thekeywordis“Me”–Jesus;notbelievinginanyman,exceptJesus.

YourememberinActs10,wherePeterwasspeakinginthehouseofCornelius;thepeoplebelieved,andtheBaptizerwasathandtogetHisjobdone.WearetoldthattheywereallfilledwiththeHolySpiritandtheyspokewithnewtongues.So,Peterwasnotthecommanderofthatevent,butJesustheBaptizer.

Aftertheaboveissueswereclarified,thewoman’scountenancechanged.Thisencouragedmetosayconfidently:“Rightnowasyouarelookingatme,youwillbefilledwiththeHolySpirit.”Andsheimmediatelyburstedintotongues;andIthoughttomyself,“Yes,theWordworks!”

Ialsohadanotherexciting,yet,humblingexperiencewhenIgotaletterfromayoungman,whoisnowapastor.ContainedinhismissivewasatestimonyonhowhegotbornagainandfilledwiththeHolyGhostfromreadingoneofourearlybooks:TheMiracleSeed.TheamazingthingisthatnooneadministeredthebaptismoftheHolyGhosttohim.Jesus,theBaptizer,wasjustbyhimanddidHisjob.

HowToReceiveTheBaptismOfTheHolyGhost

IncaseyouarenotyetbaptizedintheHolySpiritandwouldwanttoreceiveHim,thefollowingstepswillguideyou:

•Bebornagain.

•Begenuinelydesirousofthebaptism,thirstforit.

•Believethatthebaptismisforallbelievers,includingyourself.Thebaptismisforsons,notforbastards.

•IdentifytherightsourceofthebaptismoftheHolyGhost—Jesus.Itisnotthepastor,butJesusthatbaptizes.

•TrustHimtokeepHisword.Jesussaid,“Hethatbelievethonme,asthescripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.”

•AskHimforthebaptism.Ifyouwillaskrightnow,asaseeker,youwillbefilledwiththeHolySpirit.

ThatiswhyJesussaid:

Ifyethen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftsuntoyourchildren:howmuchmoreshallyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothemthataskhim?Luke11:13

Inconclusion,letmeemphasizethattheHolySpiritisnotforthestrong,buttomaketheweakstrong.Heisnotforthehighlyplacedbelievers;HeistheinstrumentthatmakesthelowlyChristianridehigh.Heisnotforthe“perfect”Christian;butHeisGod’streatmentforimperfection.Therefore,aslongasyouarebornagain,youareaworthycandidateforthebaptismoftheHolySpirit.

Rightnow,Icommandthatflowtocomeuponyou.ReceivetheHolyGhostandbeenduedwithpowerfromonhigh,withtheevidenceofspeakingintongues,inJesus’name!

Chapter3:UnderstandingTheAnointing

Anointingisadivineenabling.ItisanoutflowoftheHolySpiritthroughahumanvessel.

ThereisadifferencebetweenthebaptismoftheHolySpiritandtheanointing.Thebaptismisjustthebeginningoftherace,itislikeaninitiationintospiritualdepth.Itisdifferentfrombeinganointed.Initiationbringsaboutidentification.Itisinthecourseofidentificationthatyoureceiveanoutflow–ahigherdimensionoftheHolySpirit.

HereisanillustrationtohelpyouunderstandthedifferentlevelsoftheHolySpirit.

AWell

InJohn4,JesusmetaSamaritanwomanatthewellandaskedhertogiveHimwatertodrink.Thewomanwasastonished,becausetheJewswerenotsupposedtohaveanythingtodowiththeSamaritans.Asaresult,JesustriedtoshowherthatHewasmorethanjustaJew;Hehadsomethingmoretoofferherthatsheknewnotof–awelloflivingwaterflowingfrominsideher.

ThisillustrationistalkingaboutyourencounterwiththeHolySpiritatnewbirth,fornoonecansay“JesusisLord”exceptbytheHolySpirit.Thisexperienceiscomparedtoawellofwater.TheleveloftheHolySpiritinyouatconversionislikenedtoawellofwater.

ARiver

John7:37–39saysthatJesusliftedupHisvoiceonthegreatdayofthefeastandsaid:

…Ifanymanthirst,lethimcomeuntome,anddrink.Hethatbelievethonme,astheScripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.(ButthisspakeheoftheSpirit,whichtheythatbelieveonhimshouldreceive:fortheHolyGhostwasnotyetgiven;becausethatJesuswasnotyetglorified.)

ThisisthebaptismoftheHolySpirit,whichisreceivedbythosewhoalreadybelieve.Thisexperienceislikenedtoariverofwater.

AtconversionyouhaveawelloftheSpirit,whereasatbaptism,youhaveriversoftheSpirit.Wellsaresubjecttoclimaticconditions.Inthedryseason,mostwellsdryupcompletely.Peopleatthislevelaretossedaboutbytheprevailingspiritualclimaticconditions.Whentheclimateisspirituallyhot,theyarehot,andwhenitiscold,theyalsobecomecold.

ThosebaptizedintheHolySpirithaveriversoftheSpiritflowinginthem.Ariverisalsodependentontheclimate.Inthedryseasonyouseechildrenandanimalswalkingaboutontheriverbed.Iftheclimateisharsh,ariverreducesinvolume,andtheusetowhichyouputitatthisstageislimited.Boatscannolongersailonit,largerboatsarestrandedandfishingactivitiesarepracticallybroughttoastandstill.ThisshowsthattheriverleveloftheSpiritdoesnotguaranteesecurity.

ThisiswherepeoplewhothinkthatthebaptismoftheHolyGhostistheendoftheroadmissit.Theclimatethatwillreducethevolumeofarivermustnecessarilycausethewelltobecompletelyoutofuse!Thisiswhyoncesaveddoesnotmeanalwayssaved,andoncebaptizedintheSpiritdoesnotmeanalwaysbeingbaptized.Bothofthemaresubjecttotheweather.

ThereisanotherleveloftheHolySpirit,whichsupersedesthesefirsttwo.Thisistheanointinglevel.

TheRain

Theanointingislikenedtorain.Rainisthelivewireofthewellandriver.Itdeterminestheirwelfareandistheonlywaybywhichtheyarefilledup.Awellmayalwaysbefilledwithwater,andattimes,tothebrim.Butthefunctiontowhichitcanbeputisdifferentfromthattowhichyoucanputariver.Youcannotfishinawell,neithercanyougoboatinginit,nomatterhowfullitis.

Withariver,youcangeneratehydro–electricityandcarryoutlargescalefishing.Thefunctiontowhichariverisputisdeterminedbythelevelofwaterithasandthislevelofwaterisdependentonrain.

AskyeoftheLordraininthetimeofthelatterrain;sotheLordshallmakebrightclouds,andgivethemshowersofrain…Zechariah10:1

…Forhehathgivenyoutheformerrainmoderately,andhewillcausetocomedownforyoutherain,theformerrain,andthelatterraininthefirstmonth.Joel2:23

TheseScripturesclearlyrefertotheanointing.ThisistherainofGod’spower;thereleaseofpowerfromabove,toincreasethewaterlevel.

Theanointingstandsfortheincreaseinthevolumeofwaterinyourriver.Evenasthevolumeofwaterinariverdeterminesthefunctionstowhichitcanbeput,soalsodoesthelevelofanointinginamandeterminethenumberofpeoplehecancarryalong.ThelevelofanointingdeterminestheproductivityofamanofGod.

Theanointingisthein–fillingoftheHolySpirit.Theonlywayyoucanfillupariveriswhenitrains.Therain,theanointing,begantofallwhenthedisciplesprayedinActs4,fortheinfillingoftheSpirit,sotheycouldpreachtheWordofGodwithboldness.

TheyhadalreadyreceivedtheHolySpiritbaptismatPentecost,buttheyprayedforaninfilling,andtheBiblerecordsthat“theywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andtheyspakethewordofGodwithboldness.”

Theanointingissubsequenttobaptism.Itisafterbaptismthatyoureceivethattouch.ThiswasclearlyillustratedintheministryofJesus.WhenHewasbaptizedattheRiverJordan,theBiblesaysthattheHolyGhostcameuponHimintheformofadove.Thereafter,HewasledoftheSpiritintothewilderness,fromwhenceHereturnedinthepoweroftheSpirit.HecameunderastrongandpowerfulanointingandHisfamespreadabroad.HereadfromtheScriptures:

TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehathanointedme…Luke4:18

ThiswaswhyHecouldgoaboutdoinggoodandhealingallthosethatwereoppressedofthedevil,becauseGodwaswithHim.Thisistheanointing.ItmakesitpossibleforthesonsofGodtomanifesttheirsonship.ItisthereleaseofGod’spowerthatmakesperformancepossible.Theanointingisnotadormantissue,itiswhatactivatesyourChristianstand.ItenablesyoutostandonGod’sWordandtogetresults.

NokingreignedinIsraelwithouttheanointing.Similarly,noprophetstoodinhisofficewithoutit.YounevergettooccupyyourthronewithouttheanointingoftheHolySpirit.Itistheanointingthatmarksoutabeliever.ItenthronesthesaintsofGod.Itdistinguishesbetweenpeople.Thisiswhytwopeoplemaypreachthesamemessage,buthavedifferentresults.Nomatteryourcallingorareaofservice,theanointingoftheHolyGhostuponyourlifeisthemasterkeytofulfilmentandaccomplishment.Yourenthronementisnotbypowerorbymight,butbytheSpiritoftheLord.

Theanointingisveryimportantinabeliever’slife.Everybelieverrequiresitforsustenance,performance,success,breakthroughandfulfilment.Nothinggetsaccomplishedwithoutit.ItisanabsolutenecessityforafruitfulChristianliving.

Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thathisburdenshallbetakenawayfromoffthyshoulder,andhisyokefromoffthyneck,andtheyokeshallbedestroyedbecauseoftheanointing.Isaiah10:27

Theobstaclesareclearedoff,themountainsarebroughtlow,theRedSeapavesway,allbecauseoftheanointing.Onlytheanointingcandestroythe

yoke,nomatterwhattheyokeis.

HowmuchbreakthroughsyouexperienceinlifeisdeterminedbytheleveloftheanointingoftheHolySpirituponyourlife.Jesuschargedthedisciplesnottogowitnessinguntiltheywereenduedwithpowerfromonhigh.ThekingdomofGodisnotinwords,butinthedemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower.Withouttheanointing,thediscipleswereincompetenttooperateintheiroffices,likewisethekingsandprophetsofold.

Anointingisforperformance.Noanointedmancanretaintheanointingwithoutputtingittowork.Lackofuseresultsindecay,whileactiveuseresultsinmaturity.TheanointingofGoduponyourlifewillonlyincreaseasaresultofuse.

Butstrongmeatbelongethtothem…whobyreasonofusehavetheirsensesexercised…Hebrews5:14

IfyougotosleepwiththeanointingoftheHolySpirit,itwillalsogotosleepinyou.Theanointingisgivenforapurpose.Jesussaid:Hehasanointedmeto…

Hehadatasktoaccomplishwithit.Hewasanointedforamission.

FundamentalIssuesRelatedToTheAnointing

TheActOfRighteousness

Thythrone,OGod,isforeverandever:thesceptreofthykingdomisarightsceptre.Thoulovestrighteousness,andhatestwickedness:thereforeGod,thyGod,hathanointedtheewiththeoilofgladnessabovethyfellows.Psalm45:6–7

Jesuslovedrighteousnessandhatedwickedness;thatwaswhyHeneverranoutoftheanointing.HewasanointedwiththeoilofgladnessaboveHisfellows.Itfollowsthereforethatanyonewhowillreceivetheanointingmustloverighteousnessandhateiniquity.Theleveltowhichyouloverighteousnessandhateiniquitydeterminesthelevelofyouranointing.ThelevelofanointingofJesuswashigherthanthatofHisfellows.

HesaidofHimself,“Theprinceofthisworldcometh,andhathnothinginme.”(John14:30.)TheApostlePaul,talkingaboutHimsaidHeknewnosin(2Corinthians.5:21).So,becauseHeknewnosin,Hisanointingknewnolimits.

Sinplacesalimitontheanointing.Itdamstheriver.Therainmightfall,butalargepartoftheriverwillreceivenowater,becauseofthedam,whichcreatesanobstaclethatblockstheflow.

Ifyouhaterighteousnessandloveiniquity,thentherainiswithheldfromfallingonyou,andasaresult,youhavetodowithouttheanointing.Theanointingthatknowsnolimitisaresultofrighteousnessthatknowsnobounds.

PaulwasmightilyanointedofGod.Afterheappearedonthescene,hemadeitlookasiftheotherapostleswerenonexistent.HewrotehalfoftheNewTestament.Healsohadthistestimony:

Yearewitnesses,andGodalso,howholilyandjustlyandunblameablywebehavedourselvesamongyouthatbelieve:1Thessalonians2:10

Paulhadatestimonyofholiness.Thewayupinthejourneyoftheanointingisyourloveforrighteousness.Thatishowyoucanbeopeneduptoreceivingtheanointing.Inhisletter,ApostleJohnsaid:

…Letnomandeceiveyou:hethatdoethrighteousnessisrighteous…1John3:7

Theemphasishereisontheword“doeth.”Thereisa“doing”involvedinrighteousness.Potentially,wearetherighteousnessofGodinChristJesus,butthatpotentialonlybecomesdynamicwhenyouengageintheactsofrighteousness.ThisdoesnothavesomuchtodowitheffortasithastodowiththeWord.Youhavealreadyovercomespiritually,soyouaretocarryoutyourvictoryinthephysical.

SamuelwasahighlyanointedmanofGod.TheScripturestellus:

AndSamuelgrew,andtheLordwaswithhim,anddidletnoneofhiswordsfalltotheground.1Samuel3:19

Whateverhesaidtookplace.Thismustbebyreasonoftheanointing,thepowerofGodatworkinhim.Asaresult,Samuelcouldaskthewholecongregation:

Behold,hereIam:witnessagainstmebeforetheLord,andbeforehisanointed:whoseoxhaveItaken?orwhoseasshaveItaken?orwhomhaveIdefrauded?whomhaveIoppressed?orofwhosehandhaveIreceivedanybribetoblindmineeyestherewith?andIwillrestoreityou.1Samuel12:3

Thisisthesecret.Tobefullofrighteousness,istobefullofpower.ThethriceholyGodistheomnipotentGod.Samuelcouldstandboldly,likePaultheApostle,togivethetestimonyofhiswalkinintegritywithGod.Thisiswhatbringsabouttheanointing.

Anointingisnotinthefervencyofpreaching,norisittheenergyexpendedingesticulations;itisthepowercontent.EverytestimonyofexploitsintheBibleisbaseduponthis.Whenyouareoffthetrackofrighteousness,thenyouareoffthetrackofpower.

Ifyouhavefoundyourselfbeingovercomeagainandagainbysin,knowthatthereisawayout.Oneofthethingsyoudotoweakentheforcesofsinis

totakeadecisionagainstitlikeDanieldid.Hepurposedinhisheartnottodefilehisbody,andintheageofsin,Daniellivedasinlesslife.IfDanielcouldtakeadecisionandupholdit,socanyoualso,becauseyouoperateabettercovenant.

Righteousnesshasitsprice.GodhaspaidHisownpricebysendingHisdearSontodieonthecrossofCalvary.Youneedtoplayyourownparttoo,bysubmittingfullytoHiswill.Thiswillcostyousomething.Itmaycostyoupleasure,relationshipwithothers,denialoffood,andothersuchformsofdiscomfort.However,thepriceyoupaycannotbecomparedtotheweightofglorythatawaitsyouattheend.

JesusemphasizedthatabelievercanbelikeGod.IfhecanlivelikeGodincharacter,soalsocanhebelikeHiminthedemonstrationofpower.TuneupyourlifestyletoGod’scharacter,sothatHislifecanfindexpressionthroughyou.

Manybelievers,asaresultofcarelessnessinthethingsoftheSpirit,havebeendethronedevenbeforetheycouldrealizeit.Thelostthronecanbesecuredback.OurGodisamercifulGod.ThedethronementofanyChristianmaybecausedbymanyfactors,rangingfromthelureofmoney,women,drink,selfishventures,etc.Youneedtofighttofreeyourself,tosecureyourthroneandmaintainit.Getridofthelittlelittlefoxesthatspoilthevine,andhaveapleasantflowintotherealmoftheSpirit.

Thedevilcannotstandyourascendingthethrone,soheisbusylookingforwaystotrapyou.Hecancomethroughhumanagentsoranysituation.Spiritualdethronementishisministry–tosteal,killanddestroy.

Donotwatchyourthronebeingstolenfromyou.ItistimetofightthegoodfightoffaithandpossessyourinheritanceinGod.Davidhadtospendsometimeinthebushafterbeingdethroned.ThedevildethronedhimafterluringhimintoanadulterousrelationshipwithBathsheba.Histhronewastakenfromhimthroughlust,butheregaineditthroughthemercyofGod.Thereisathroneforyou.Don’tdieinyourvillageasahousefellowshipleader.

Thelatterrainanswerstosanityandpurity.Ifyouaretakingatripfortheanointing–thelatterrain,youhavetofirsthaveyourbathandwashyourclothes.CleanyourenvironmentforGodtohaveHisway.TheanointingisavisitationofthepresenceofGodinmanifestation.IfGodmustcometoyou,youhavetogetreadyforHim.Newwinecanonlybestoredinnewwineskins.Thenewanointing,thelatterrain,isforrenewedmen.

WalkingInLove

Allissuesoflifeemanatefromlove;theyallhavetheiranchoronit.Thisalsogoeswiththeanointing.Anointingisbasicallyforservice.“HehasanointedMeto[do]…”Jesussaid.Youwillagreewithmethatwhenyouareprayingforsomeoneyoureallylove,thereisastrangekindofunctiononyou.

Ontheotherhand,whenprayingforsomeonewhoisalittlemoredistant,thefervencyofyourprayerisreduced.Theloverelationshipbetweenyouandtheoneyouareprayingfordeterminesthedegreeofanointingyouexperienceinthecourseofprayerandministration.

AmanthatwillflowintheanointinganddemonstratethepoweroftheSpirit,mustbeamanoflove.Foryourministrytohaveapositiveeffectonothers,youmusthaveloveforthem.Justlikeyoucannotbemoreanointedthanthelevelofyourrighteousness,soalsoyoucannotbemoreanointedthanhowlovingyouare.Hatred,whichisjustasbadasunrighteousness,placesalimitonyouranointing.

EverytimeJesuswasmovedwithcompassion,therewasareleaseofanointingwhichgavebirthtosignsandwonders.AtthegraveofLazarus,therewasacryoflovefromHisheart.TheBibletellsusHewept.LoveflowedfromHisheart,andtheflowoftheanointingwasreleasedandLazarusroseupfromthedead.

Lovegivesthevictory;itknowsnodefeat.ItisthecarrierofGod’spower,evenastheWordofGodisthecarrieroffaith.Everytimeyouaremovedwithcompassion,yousetthepowerofGodinyouinmotion.Amanwhohasnocompassionforthesickisnotqualifiedforthehealinganointing.

IntheSongsofSolomon,wearetoldthatloveisstrongerthandeath.Love,emanatingfromtheheart,setsintomotionapower,ananointingthatknowsnoobstacles.

LivingThePraiseLife

Nothingkeepsanointingdownmorethanalifevoidofpraiseandworship.Murmuringandcomplainingkeepanointingfarawayfromyourterritory.Themoreyoupraise,themoretheunction;themoretheworshipthemoretheanointing.Godisfearfulinpraises(Exodus.15:11).HemanifestsHimselfinanatmosphereofthanksgiving.

Jesusnevercomplained,Henevermurmured.HewasneveroffendedinGod.ItisnowonderthatHeneverlackedtheanointing.InHisgreatesthourofneed(whenmentendtoquestionGod),Healwayssaid:“Father,IthankYou.”

Praisekeepstheanointingflowing,whichinturndestroystheyoke.Detailsonthiswillbediscussedinchapter11.

Chapter4:TheJourneyIntoTheAnointing

Wearelivingintheageofpower,andonewaybywhichGodwillproveHimselfinourmidstisbythedemonstrationofHispowerfor:

ThekingdomofGodisnotinword,butinpower.1Corinthians4:20

ThekingdomofGodisnotinchurchattendance,prayer,fasting,tithingorcellmembership.Ifallthesethingsdon’tculminateinpower,thentheydon’tmeananythingatall.Godoffersnoguaranteeoveranybody’slifeoutsidethemanifestationofHispower.

Behold,Igiveuntoyoupowertotreadonserpentsandscorpions…andnothingshallbyanymeanshurtyou.Luke10:19

Thisispossiblebypoweronly.Ithasnothingtodowithhowreligiousyouareorhowniceyoulook.Thispowerisnotreservedforafewindividualsonly;itisforall.

…Asmanyasreceivedhim,tothemgavehepowertobecomethesonsofGod…John1:12

Poweristhetrueidentityofthesaint.Thispoweris,however,notlimitedtoademonstrationofhealingsandothermiraclesonly;itisdemonstratedineverysphereoflife.

Thepresidentofanationispresidentwhereverhegoesandwhateverhedoes.Heisnolessthepresident,nomatterwherehegoes.Eveninhissleep,heispresident!Thatisexactlyhowthatpowerisoperational,itcouldbeeffectualeverywherewithinyourjurisdiction.InPsalm110:1–3,weread:

TheLordsaiduntomyLord,Sitthouatmyrighthand,untilImakethineenemiesthyfootstool.TheLordshallsendtherodofthystrengthoutofZion:rulethouinthemidstofthineenemies.

Thypeopleshallbewillinginthedayofthypower,inthebeautiesofholinessfromthewombofthemorning:thouhastthedewofthyyouth.

HewillsituntilallHisenemieshavebeenmadeHisfootstool.ThedayofGod’spowerwillprecedeHiscomingandthiswillbemadeknownthroughtheChurch.

TheChurchisalwaysreferredtoasZion.ThisScriptureisthussayingthatGod’smightwillfindexpressionoutofZion,whichwillmakehertoruleinthemidstofherenemies.Shewillrulephysically,mentallyandotherwise.Thatisyou!

Godhasadayinmindandthatdayisreferredtoas“thedayofhispower.”

GatewayToPower

Thegatewaytopoweristhirst.Therehastobeathirst,acraving,alonging.Youdon’tbuypowerwithmoneyoranythingelse.Therehastobealonging,aftertheorderofDavid:

Asthehartpantethafterthewaterbrooks,sopantethmysoulafterthee,OGod.Psalm42:1

ThereisnodoubtthatDavidsawandexperiencedthepowerofGodformanydays.Howdidhegetit?Hewasconstantlypantingafterit.

Thepriceofthereleaseofpowerisalonginginyourheart,thatwhereyouarenowisonlygoodenoughfornow,butitwillbetoobadifyouremaintherepermanently.AccordingtoJesus,theday’stroubleisenoughfortheday.Davidknewthatsecretquiteearly,sohebegantopantafterGod’spower.

Somanypeoplegetsosatisfiedwiththeverylittleanointingtheyhave.Theyfeelfulfilledandaccomplishedafterthefirstmiracleandthinktheyhavearrived.InIsaiah55:1,theBiblesays:

Ho,everyonethatthirsteth,comeyetothewaters,andhethathathnomoney;comeye,buy,andeat;yea,come,buywineandmilkwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice.

ThisversesimplyrevealsthesecrettoGod’sreleaseofHispower.Whenyouaskforpower,Hefirstofallcheckstheconditionofyourheart,toseewhetherthereisathirstorifyouaremerelyaskingoutofareligioussense,becauseeveryoneelseisasking.

“Buymilkandwinewithoutmoney.”Moneyisnotthecurrencyforthemilkandwine;thirstis.“Ho,everyonethatthirsteth.”Thirstistheacceptabletenderforthereleaseofpower.ThisthirstisthekindthatwasintheheartofMoseswhomGodmadeagoduntoPharaoh.ThismanhadsomanyencounterswithGodandevenspokefacetofacewithHim;yet,hestillcriedouttoGodtoshowhimHisway,thathemayknowHim(Exodus.33:12–13).

TheproblemwithmanyofusisthatwegetsatisfiedsosoonandallowtheenemytorobusofGod’sbestbyacceptingtheordinaryastheultimate.Thus,thispowerwearetalkingaboutisavailableonlytothosewhorecognizethattheyneedHimeveryday.

Paul,amaninhisownclass,ofwhomeventhedevilborethiswitness:“PaulIknow,”hadawealthofrevelations(livingintwoworldsatthesametime)byreasonofhisencountersandrelationshipwithJesus,yethewasnotsatisfied.Heyearnedformore:

ThatImayknowhimandthepowerofhisresurrection…Philippians3:10

Thatiswhyin1Corinthians8:2,headmonishedus:Andifanymanthinkthatheknowethanything,heknowethnothingyetasheoughttoknow.

OnlyathirstforGod’spowerwillbringdowntheanointing.Adailyrecognitionofthefactthatwhatyouhaveisnotallthatyoucanhave;thatwhatyouknowisnotallthatyoucanknow.Donotacceptlocalchampionship,refuseitvehemently.Thejourneyistoolong.Don’tsettledownyet,lestwhenyougettoheavenyouregretseriouslywhenyouseetheaccumulationofallthatbelongedtoyou,butwhichyoumissedthroughsatisfactionwiththestatusquo.

Thereissomuchinreserveforyou.RememberthatJesuspromisedweweregoingtodoHisworks,andevendogreateronesthanHedid.Itsimplymeansthatyouwillbeable,notonlytooperateHistypeofpower,butevenaccomplishmorethanHedid!Noworkisdonewithoutpower.Howmuchisdoneisequivalenttohowmuchpowerhasgonein.AllyouneedtodonowistoexamineyourselfandseehowfaryouhavegoneinfulfillingthosepreciouswordsoftheMaster,thatis,accomplishingmorethanHedid.

AcknowledgeYourEmptiness

ThekeysecrettoreceivingGod’spoweristoconstantlyseeyouremptiness;seehowmuchyouneedHimforreplenishment.

ManybelieversseetheHolyGhostbaptismastheultimateintheirChristianexperience.Noway!Itisonlythetakeoffpointintheschoolofpower,markingthedayyouwereregisteredintokingdomservice.Registrationdoesnotmeangraduation;andmatriculationinthepowerschoolisdifferentfromconvocation!Therefore,whenyoutakeregistrationtomeangraduation,youaresayingwelcometomediocrity.

AfterJesuswasbaptized,bothbyimmersionandwiththeHolyGhost,theBiblesaysHewasledbytheSpiritintothewilderness,whereHeemptiedselfandsoughtaftertheFather.HethereafterreturnedinthepoweroftheHolySpirit.Aftertheanointing,Hestillwentfortheinfilling.WhenHereturnedtothesynagogueandwasgivenabooktoread,Heread:“TheSpiritoftheLordisuponmeto…”(Luke.4:14–21).

HisSonshipwasconfirmedattheinitialbaptism.Butyoucannotmanifestsonshipwithouttheanointing;thatwaswhyJesuswentafterit–theHolyGhostledHimtothewildernessforfortydays.

NowthatyouhavereceivedthebaptismoftheHolySpiritanddospeakintongues,haveyougoneoutfortherainthatcomesfromheaven,andwhichalonemakesthedifference?AfterPaul’sconversion,forthreeyearshewasinthecoastofArabiaandwhenhecameouthewasintheclassoftheprophets.

Everyonehastoseek;foritishethatseeksthatfinds.TheanointingoftheHolyGhostistheoilfromheaventhatkeepsthefireburning.Ifitisnotthere,theglowofthefirewillwane.

Thiswasthepitiablestateofthefivefoolishvirgins,whoseoilgotfinishedbeforethebridegroomarrived.Bythetimetheyreturnedfrombuyingmore,theywerelockedoutofthatwhichtheyhadbeenwaitingfor.Thatiswhyyouhavetomakesurethatyourcupisfilledeveryday.Don’tbe

lostinactivities,butseekapersonal,spiritualrenewalforyourself.BelostinChrist,sothatyoumaybefoundofHim.

Thepathofthejustshinesmoreandmoreuntotheperfectday.Ifthisisnottrueforyou,andallyoucanboastofiswhatyouaccomplishedyearsback,thenyouhavetodosomething.Whatyoustarteddoinglongagoshouldbeontheincrease.

Everythingwillcometoastandstillwhenyoustopseekinglikeyouusedtodointhepast.Menthatgoupintheschoolofpowerarementhatconstantlyrecognizetheiremptiness,sothattheycanhaveHissufficiencypouredoutuponthem.Jesuswillonlycomeforthebridethatisarmedwithpower.

ThereisgoingtobeanoutwardrestorationofallthingsbeforeJesuswillcomedown,andthatmeanspower.Therewillbeapowerexplosionontheearth,thatwillcommandandcompeleverythingtofallinlinewithGod’sWordbeforeJesuswillcome.

…Howterribleartthouinthyworks!throughthegreatnessofthypowershallthineenemiessubmitthemselvesuntothee.Psalm66:3

IftheChurchwillruleinthemidstofherenemiesbeforeJesuscomes,itmeansthattherewillbesuchaterrificreleaseofpower;for,itisonlythroughtheuseofpowerthattheenemysubmits.ThatmeansthatJesusiswaitingfortheunleashingofthispowerbeforeHecomes.OutofZion(theChurch)thereshallbesuchareleaseofpowerandglory,thattheenemywon’tbeabletoresist.Youwillspeakawordanditwillstand,becauseitisbackedwithpower.

InsincerityandwithapuremotivetoserveGod,begintolongfortheinfillingwiththispower.Everyoneneedsthispower,notjustpreachers.EveryoneneedstheinfluenceoftheanointingtoattaintheplanofGodfortheirlives.Youcannotdoanythingeffectivelywithouttheanointing.

Byityouwieldpowertoaffecteverysphereoflife,becausetheBiblesaysthattheyokeshallbedestroyedbytheanointing.Thatmeans,wherever

ayokecanbefound,theanointingisneeded.Thereareyokesagainsteverysphereoflifetoday–business,Family,etc.

Youevenneedtheanointingtodrive,otherwiseyouwillberunintoorbejammedeveryday.Therearecertaintrapslaidbytheenemyforyouinonewayortheother,buttheanointingonyouwilldestroyeveryyoke.

Thereisaplaceforeverything–prayer,fasting,giving,etc;butwhenitcomestobreakingofyokes,theanointingiswhatdestroysthem.Allotherwayscouldhelpbuilditup,butuntiltheyresultintheanointing,noyokewillbedestroyed.

TheTransformingEffect

YouwilldiscoverthatasyouadvanceintheSpirit,mostproblemsaroundyouwillbegintogivewayontheirownaccordandyouwillbegintowonderatthegloriouschange,asyouhaveturnedintoanotherperson.Theanointingchangesyouregularlyandfromtimetotimeintoanotherman.WhentheanointingcameuponSaul,thesonofKish,hebecameanotherman.

Iurgeyou,don’tfallintothegroupofunfortunatepeople,whogetsatisfiedtoosoon,whothinktheyhavemadeit,whentheyhaveonlyjustbegun.Theythinktheyknowitall,buttheyknowsolittle.Rather,seekforgreaterdepthsinChristeverydayofyourlife.Themomentyounoticeaparticularburdencomingdown,reacttoitbysettingyourselfapartanddoingsomespecialoperationonyourself.Inprayerandfasting,setyourselftoseektheLord,andasyoudothat,youwillfindthepowerofGodcomingdownonyouafresh.

Imusttellyouthistruth:GodisinterestedingettingyouintothefullnessofHisstature.Hewantstomakeanewpersonoutofyou,untilevenyoubecomesurprisedatyourself.Getthirstyforthepower.NeverforgettogiveHimthanksforeverybreakthroughandcontinueintherace.ThetimetobegintoseeGod’spowerafreshishere,sothateveryonecanconstantlyjustifyhispresenceinthebody.IfJesusneededtheanointing,muchmoredoyouneeditnow.

Don’tgetsatisfiedwithwhereyouarenow,aspireforgreaterheights.Weareinarace,andtheraceisnotoveryet;so,tosettledownwhereyouarenowmightbeverydangerous.Ifyouwanttostiryourselfup,readofhowmuchpowerdemonstrationwasinJesus’ministry,andyouwillseehowfarbehindyouare.Thiswillsetyouinmotion,causingyoutoreachoutforgreaterthings.

Religionisvain.YourencounterwithChrististheonlythingthatlasts.So,Iadmonishyoutoputoffthecloakofreligionandputonthecloakofpower;thatiswhatmarksyououtasasonordaughterofGod.

Fasting

Fastingisinstitutedforpowergeneration.Itisnotameansofobtainingquickanswersassomethink,neitherisitcomplementarytoprayer.

Itcausesyourlighttoshineforthoutofdarkness.Isaiah58:6–12tellsuswhatitisinstitutedtoachieve.Thesummaryofitispower.Youarenottofastwhenyouaresick.Whenyoufast,youarecreatinganatmosphereforyourspirit–mantogrow.Ifyouthereforemuststayinpower,fastingmustbeapartofyourlife.

Infact,Idon’tseehowyoucansurviveforweekswithoutafasttoascertainthepresenceofGod’shanduponyourlife.Tofastadayinaweekwon’tkillyou.AfriendandIonceengagedinfastingforsomedays,andafterfourdaysIhadtogoandpreachsomewhere.Ifeltsolight,thewayIhadneverfeltbeforeinmybody.Icouldn’ttellwhetherIwaswalkingorfloating;itwassoglorious.

Fastingalsohelpsyourspirittogainspeed.Fastingisawayofsubduingthebody,toexaltthespirit.Itenablesyourspirittocontrolyourbody,grantingitascendancyoverthebody.Jesus’commentinMatthew17:21emphasizestheneedforfasting:“Thiskindgoethnotoutbutbyfastingandprayer.”

Iamnottalkingaboutfastingforbreadandbutter,butfastingtogetpower.Youcanhardlyfindamanwhodoesnotfastandyetremainaspiritualgiant.Paulsaid,“Infastingsoften”(2Corinthians.11:27).Moseswasafastingmachine.

WhatreallymakesforafastislargelydeterminedbyhowmuchencounteryouhavewithGod.ThiskindoffasttakesyououtofthebodyandputsyourightinGod’spresence.AfastthatdoesnotgowithreadingtheWordofGodandprayerisnothingbutahungerstrike!

Finally,beassuredofthis:noonemanhasmoreaccessthananothertopowerintheChurchofGod.Thepowerthatbacksupwhatyouareinvolved

incompelsittosucceed.TheanointingcausesyoutosmellgoodandcommandsfavourforyoufromGod.Everyothercontrarypowermustalsorespectyouforit.

Ileaveyouwiththisresponsibility–gofurtherinyoursearchformoreofGod’spower.Keepusingitinordertomatureinit,becausematuritycomesbyreasonofuse.Godseesyouascapableofrunningyourlife,thatiswhyHetellsyouto“givenoplacetothedevil.”Youareinchargeofyourownlife.Heistheownerofthebuilding(yourbody)andseesyouasthecaretaker,wellcapableofkeepingtheenemyoffyourterritory.

Chapter5:WhoQualifiesForTheAnointing?

Outoferror,agreatnumberoffolksthinkthattheanointingisaspecialcommoditykeptasidebyGodforaprivilegedsetofpeople.ButtheScripturestellsusclearlythatGodisnorespecterofpersons(Acts10:34).Heisnotpartial.

Likesalvation,theanointingisforanybodywhocaresforit,aslongastheconditionsaremet.Forinstance,whatearnsamansalvationisarepentantheart,coupledwithfaithinGodthroughtheacceptanceofJesusChrist,Hislovegift.Salvationisfree,butnoteverybodyissaved.Thesameistrueoftheanointing.Itisforeverybody,butnoteveryonecanbecalledanointed.

WhatmatterstoGodfirstandforemostisthestateoftheheart.Hiswaysarenotourways,andthisiswhereourproblemslie,judgingGod’swaysbyourownstandards.Often,youhearpeoplesay,“Naturally,Iamthis,Iamthat.”Theythususenaturalthingstodrawaconclusiononthespiritual.TheBiblesaysthatwhenamanisinChrist,allthings(old,naturaltendencies)arepassedaway.

WhenSamuelwenttoJesse’shometoanointasecondkingforIsrael,hewascarriedawaybynaturallooksandabilities,butGodwarnedhimagainstit.“Looknotonhiscountenance,”HetoldSamuel.Whilemantriestoassessandjudgethingsbywhathesees,Godlooksontheheart.IsyourheartreadyforGod’sappraisal?WhothenisqualifiedforGod’sanointing?

TheUnworthy

Anditcametopass,whenallthatknewhimbeforetimesawthat,behold,heprophesiedamongtheprophets,thenthepeoplesaidonetoanother,WhatisthisthatiscomeuntothesonofKish?IsSaulalsoamongtheprophets?Andoneofthesameplaceansweredandsaid,Butwhoistheirfather?Thereforeitbecameaproverb,IsSaulalsoamongtheprophets?1Samuel10:11–12

SaulhadjustbeenanointedkingbyprophetSamuel,andoneofhisanointingpackagesturnedhimintoanewmanandenabledhimtoprophesywiththeotherprophets.Itisveryclearfromthisaccount,thatSaulwasnotexpected(bymeritandeveryotherstandard)orconsideredworthytobeaprophet,buttheanointingdiditforhim.

Godanointsthosewhodonotseemtomerititinthesightofthepeopleoftheworld.WhentheyarecountingthosethatcanbeusedofGod,thesetypeofpeoplearenotmentioned.SuchwasSaul.Thus,whenhebegantoprophesy,itbecameaproverb.ThisagreeswithwhatPaulsaidin1Corinthians1:26–28:

Foryeseeyourcalling,brethren,howthatnotmanywisemenaftertheflesh,notmanymighty,notmanynoble,arecalled:ButGodhathchosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise;andGodhathchosentheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty;Andbasethingsoftheworld,andthingswhicharedespised,hathGodchosen,yea,andthingswhicharenot,tobringtonoughtthingsthatare:

Thewisearealwayswiseintheirowneyes;andassuch,thewisertheythinktheyare,themorefoolishtheybecomebeforeGod.Consequently,theytendtolosealltheheavenlybenefitsthataccruetothem.Intheir“wise”reasonings,itisfoolishnesstobecomebornagain.Thus,thelittleunderstandingtheypossessisworkingagainstthemandcausingthemtomissGod’seternalvalues.

Godhaschosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise,theweakthingstoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty,andthethingswhicharedespisedandthoughtofasnothing,Hehaschosentoconfoundthethingsthatare.ThechosenofGodaretheordainedofHim.Theyareanointedby

Him;andwhentheystandout,theyconfoundthethingsthatarewise.

IoncemetaNigerianJudgeinAmericaandlateronhadanotheropportunitytobewithhiminameeting,wherewewerebothseatedonthehightable.Aftermyaddress,heasked,“Wheredidyougetthatelectricbrainfrom?”“Fromheaven!”Ireplied.Headmittedhowhehadtriedunsuccessfullytoimitateme.Hehadseenmepreachabriefmessageoflessthantwentyminutes,attheendofwhich120peoplegotsaved,andthathadbaffledhim.

Thatiswhattheanointingdoes–throughanunworthyvessel,itconfoundsthewisdomofthewiseandturnsitintofoolishness.Godwillanointthefoolish,theweak,thepeoplethatarenopeople.

Ihappenedtobesuchaperson,untilJesusanointedme.Theredidn’tseemtobeanyhopeformeatall;Iwasalmostarecluse.EverybodywassosurethatIwouldsoonlearnalessonandturnback.ButglorybetoGod,todaytheyhavealllearnttheirlessons,becausetheanointinghasplacedmeaboveeveryoneofthembyeverystandard.GlorytoGod!

Whoarethefoolish?TheyarethosewhoarenotwiseintheirowneyesandknowthatwhatevertheydonowisfoolishnesscomparedtothewisdomthatGodhasinstockforthem.Theybanishtheordinaryandsensualwisdom,soastosecuretheheavenlywisdom.

Godwillanointtheweakonewhoknowsthathecandonothingbyhisownpowerormight,exceptbythepowerandmightoftheHolySpirit.

JustAsYouAre

Yes!GodwantsyoutocometoHimjustasyouare,withoutallthetrappings.Heisnotlookingforthetalented.Iusedtobeslowofspeech,buttoday,byreasonoftheanointing,Iamoneofthefastesttalkers.

Therearemanyministerstodaywhowereoncestammerers,buttheanointingloosenedtheirtonguestopreachthegospel.ConsiderMoses.ThereweremanywhowerehissuperiorsinthelandofEgypt,yetGodfishedhimout–afugitiveandastammerer!

Godwillonlyanointtheonewho,havingbeenanointed,willrevealtheOnewhoanointedhim.Someonewhowillnotputhimselfintheforefront.GodislookingforonethroughwhomHewillradiateHisglory,notonewhowillstealHisgloryortrytoshareitwithHim.SuchapersonwillconstantlyrefertoHimastheOnewhomadehimwhatheis,withoutmakingreferencetowhatpersonaleffortshehasinvested.

Idon’tcarehowdespisedyouhavebeeninlife,youarejusttherightpersonGodislookingfor.Perhapspeoplehavelookedatyouandseenonlythemiserablelifeyouareliving,thatisthemorereasonwhyHehasyouinmindfortheanointing!Heisnotlookingforawisemanforthethrone,Heislookingforafoolishmantoenthrone;sothatwhenonthethrone,therewillbenodoubtwhoputhimthere.

Toomanypeoplethereare,thataretoowise,toostrong,toonobleandtoowellestablishedforGodtouse.Heislookingforthehumbletoliftup.Youmaybewonderingwhattheplaceofthemightyinalltheseis.Simple.LetthemightysubmithismightunderthemightyhandofGod,thenGodshallexalthim.Letthewisealsohumblehimself,andindueseasonhewillbeexalted.

WhowillGodanoint?You!Jesussaid,“AstheFatherhathsentMe,sosendIyou.”AndjustastheFathercouldnotbeconfidentinthatcommissionuntilHehadanointedHim,soalsoHecannotbeconfidentinthecommissionHeisplacinginyourhandwithoutanointingyou.

Youmighthavebeentellingyourselfasyoureadthis,thatyouarenotpresentableenough.Paulwastheworstmantolookupon,hisappearancewasweakandcontemptible.Helackedcharisma.EvenwhenGodsavedhim,hewasnoteasilyacceptedbythebrethren,becauseofhisterriblereputationofthepast.Byallstandards,hewastheleastcandidateforapproval.

Godwillonlyusethosepeopleleastexpecttobeused.Whataboutthesetofcrude,rawandunlearnedteamofPeter,JamesandJohn?Withtheanointinguponthem,theyshooktheveryfoundationsofthecityofJerusalemandthepeoplemarvelledattheirboldness.Theycouldnotresistthewisdomwithwhichtheypreached.Unlearnedmen,yettheywereturningtheirworld“upsidedown.”

Yourstaturedoesnothaveanythingtodowiththisanointingatall,neitherdoesyoureducationalbackground.SmithWigglesworth,theacclaimedApostleoffaith,wasaplumber.D.L.Moodywasashoemaker.Whatyouarenowisnotadisqualifier.Theonlythingthatstandsbetweenyouandtheanointingnowisyourself.

Doyouthinkofyourselfasfoolish,anobody,worthless?GideonthoughtsoofhimselftoowhentheangeloftheLordvisitedhimwithhiscommission.HetriedusinghisinadequaciestoprovetoGodthathewasnotasuitablecandidateforthegreatchallenge,butthesepointsdidnotstopGodfromusinghim.ThisiswhatGodissayingtoyoutoday.YouarejustthepersonHeislookingfortoanoint.

Areyouwonderinghowthiscouldbe?Godsays:“Iknewyoubeforeyouwereborn,Icalledyoubynamewhileyouwerestillinyourmother’swomb”(Jeremiah.1:5).So,GodknowswhatHeissaying.YouaretheoneHeislookingfor.YouonlyneedtosubmittoHim,sothatthroughyouHewillbeglorified.NobodythoughtofDavidtheshepherdboy,outthereinthefieldwiththesheep,asasuitablecandidateforthethrone.Buthewastheonethatwaschosenandanointedking.Youdon’thavetolookit.Manypeopleinittodayneverlookeditbeforetheygotit.

Ashumanbeings,wegetsowiseinourownsight,thatwemissthehiddentreasureofGod’swisdom.Nomatterwhatyouhaveandwhatyouare,

JesussaidthatyoucannotdoanythingwithoutHim(John15:5).Ifyouarenotbornagain,youarenotamemberoftheFamilyofGod,soyouarenotqualifiedforit.GiveyourlifetoChrist,becomeamemberofHisFamilyandgetreadytoenjoytheheritageoftheheirsofGod!

Chapter6:AnointingForBattle

Manypeoplehatetoheartheword“battle”mentionedforanyreason.Whetheryoulikeitornot,whetheryouareconsciousofitornot,battlesareapartofourexistence.Weareallinvolvedinwarfare,wearebornintoit.

Thebeliever,however,doesnothaveanycausetoworry.Ourvictoryisassured.Battlesarereal,friend,butmuchmorerealisourvictoryandtriumphinthefaith.

NowthanksbeuntoGod,whichalwayscausethustotriumphinChrist,andmakethmanifestthesavourofhisknowledgebyusineveryplace.2Corinthians2:14

“Always”meansallways.Thatmeansthatourvictoryineverybattleisguaranteedinallwaysandineveryplace.Interestingly,wearenottheforcebehindthisvictory;Godis.Hecausesthetriumph.So,weareonlyinstrumentsinHishands,thatHeusestofightagainstHisarch–enemy.

Wearecalledintowarfare,andthankGod,weareatthesametime,calledintotriumph.Battlesarerealtolife,salvationnotwithstanding.ThatyouhavebattlesdoesnotmeanthatyouhavemissedGod,itonlymeansyouareonthepathofdestiny.

Theheaventhatwearegoingtoisthehomeofovercomers,soiftherearenobattleswecannotbesurethatwehaveaplacethere.Theidentityofeveryonethatwillmakeheavenis,“Hethatovercometh.”Jesusfoughteveryinchoftheway.Hestartedfightingfrombirth,whenHerodwantedtokillHimandHisparentshadtofleewithHimtoEgypt.WasthatasignthatJesusmissedGod?No!HenevermissedHimonce,butHefoughteveryinchoftheway.ThankGod,Healsowoneveryinchoftheway!

Battlesareanecessaryrungontheladderleadingtowhereyouaregoing.

TheBiblesaysthat,“WhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld.”Iftherearenobarriers,whatisheovercoming?

Theword“overcome”showsthatthereareobstacleshehastocrossover.Uncomfortable,yes,butunavoidable,justasinthehurdlesrace.Eachhurdletherunnerjumpsovertakeshimclosertothemark,buthemustcrossallinordertobedeclaredawinner.

Battlesarerealtolife,buttriumphsareevenmorerealtothebeliever.Whatisontheinsidedeterminesthedegreeoftriumph.

Liftupyourheads,Oyegates;andbeyeliftup,yeeverlastingdoors;andtheKingofgloryshallcomein.WhoisthisKingofglory?TheLordstrongandmighty,theLordmightyinbattle.Psalm24:7–8

ItisthatmightthatIwanttointroduceyoutohere.Everyonefacesbattles,butnoteveryonehastobangonthedoortohavethegatesoftheenemyopenforthem.Thereisamightneededinbattle,andwhenthatmightcomesinameasure,youdon’thavetostruggle;thebarrierssenseyourapproachandoftheirownaccord,theygiveway.Itisthatmight(theanointing)forbattlethatmakesthemgiveway.

Withthatanointing,youwillnotneedtostruggleandfightanybattletogainentranceintoyourpossession;theoilinyouwillcompeleveryclosedgatetoopen.TheLordisstrongandmightyinbattleandwhenHecomesinHismight,theearthtrembles.Hemakeseveryoppositionbecometoocheaptocauseanyconcern.

Thereisaswitchthatturnsthismighton.Wewanttofindoutwhatthatswitchisandhowtooperateit,sothatwecanalwayshaveall–roundtriumph.

Thisisthedaythatwillmarkaturningpointinyourspirituallifeandputyouinchargeofyourlife,becauseHisWordissettledinheavenandHeistheOnewhocausesustotriumphinallways.Youmustgetitdeepintoyourconsciousnessthatall–roundtriumphisavailableandobtainabletowhosoeverbelieves.Withthisunderstanding,youwillceasetostruggle

againstthoseobstaclesthatliftuptheirheadsagainstyou.

HowToTurnMightLoose

LetusexamineafewissuesthatturnGod’sstrengthforbattleloose.

TheKnowledgeOfTheWordOfGod:

Thisistheprincipalsourceofstrength.PeoplehavethoughtthattheHolySpiritonHisownfightsthebattle,butitisnotso.TheHolySpiritrestingupontheWordofGodthatisoperationalinsideyouiswhatbringsyourenemyunderyourfeet.

…ButthepeoplethatdoknowtheirGodshallbestrong,anddoexploits.Daniel11:32

Theword“exploits”meansthattheyshallperformfeats,theyshallaccomplishthehumanlyunaccomplishableandobtainthenaturallyunobtainable.Theywilltriumphwhenthemightyandstrongcollapse.TheHolySpiritcametorevealGod.

…FortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.1Corinthians2:10

TheHolySpiritrevealsGod,andtherevelationofGodiswhatinducesstrength,whichguaranteestriumphinbattle.TherearemanySpirit–filled,tongue–speakingbelieverswhoneverwinanybattle,becausetheylacktheWord.

TheHolySpiritcanonlyactontheWordyouhaveinyoutoeffectthemightandstrengthforvictory,notoutsideofit.Haveyounotheard?

Andyeshallknowthetruth,andthetruthshallmakeyoufree.John8:32

TheHolySpiritisthere,butthereisnoevidenceofHispresence,becausetheyareeithernotwinningortheyhavepartialfreedom;forwhosoevertheknowledgeofthetruthshallmakefree,shallbefreeindeed.TheWordsays:

Howshallweescape,ifweneglectsogreatsalvation;whichatthefirstbegantobespokenbytheLord,andwasconfirmeduntousbythemthatheardhim;Hebrews2:3

Whatthismeansis:Howshallweescape,triumphorovercome,ifweneglectwhattheLordhasspoken?Thisthenestablishesthefactthatour

principalwayofescapehasitsrootinwhattheLordhasspoken.ItistheWordofGodthatrevealstoyouthatthereissomeonedwellinginyou.

…Greaterishethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld.1John4:4

TheOnethatisinsideyouisstrongandmighty.HeistheLord,mightyinbattle,againstwhomnogateofhellcanprevail.Thisshouldgiveyouconfidenceonyourinsidewhenyouareconfrontedinyourexclusiveprivacy,whentheenemyissayingthatthereisnowayoutforyou.Thatknowledgecausesconfidencetoriseandasitrises,yougetontheoffensiveandconfronttheenemy.

TheWordsays:

…Lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld.Matthew28:20

Itistimetostophavingfunandstartdoingtherealthing.TheWordistherealthingthatcauseseveryenemytobowandgivesyouthetriumphyoudesire.

Awisemanisstrong;yea,amanofknowledgeincreasethstrength.Proverbs24:5

Weincreasestrengthbyknowledge,andthis,bytheHolySpirit,whomakestheknowledgeavailable.ItisyourjobtoallowtheHolySpirittakeyouthroughtheschooloftheBible,whereyoucanknowmore.

Hasyourbusinesscometoastandstillandeverybodytoldyouitisfinished?Perhapsyouhaveevendreamtdreamsofdoom,depictingyourmisfortune.Yes,maybeprofessionalprophetshaveprophesieddeepintoyourpocket.

AllyouneeddoistoasktheHolySpirittoteachyouthemindofGodregardingtheworksofHishands.LetHimshowyouwhatbelongstoyouasaheritageinthecovenant.YoumustbereadytoobeyeveryinstructionHegivesfromtheWordandthiswillensureyourvictory.UntiltheknowledgeofGodpenetrates,freedomisnotinview.Ihaveseenthisfactrevealedoverand

overagain.

TherewasabadcaseofsicklecellanaemiathatIwasconfrontedwith.AfterfindingouttherelevantfactsasrevealedbytheHolySpirit,Iwenttoseethecaseinquestion.Theboywaslyingdownandboththefatherandmotherwereworried.AstheWordbegantocome,theboy’sfacebegantochange.It’sbeenovernineyearsnow,andtheboyisstilltotallydelivered.Sicklecellhasbecomenormalcell!

AllIamtryingtorevealtoyouisthattheanointingforbattlehasitsrootintherevelationofGodinHisWord.GettherevelationintheWordfirst,andthenspeakintonguestotransmityourmessagetoheaven,sothattheenemywillnotunderstandwhatyouaresaying.

Ihavesuffereddiverseattacks,whichcompelledmetostudyhowtolaunchcounterattacks.Evenwhenyouwakemeupinthenight,Iamanattacker.Ihavediscoveredaftermuchstudies,thatitisnotwisetoremainadefender,youmustalsoengageinattackingtheenemy.

AllcaseswillanswertothosewhodoknowtheirGod.ThatishowDavidovercameGoliath,thethreeHebrewboysdefiedNebuchadnezzarandDanielsurvivedthelions’den.ThebasisoftheircouragelayintheirknowledgeoftheirGod.Knowledgeinducesstrengthandstrengthguaranteestriumph,whichmakesyoudotheunusual.Itmakesyoureignwhenothersfail.

Bytheknowledgeofthetruth,theanointingraisesastandardagainsttheenemy.ItwasknowledgethatmadePaulandSilastosinginthefaceoftrial.Beatenandjailed,knowledgemadethemcrazyenoughtorejoiceintheAlmighty,theLordmightyinbattle;andwhenHearrived,theearthtrembledandshookandtheprisongateswereflungopened!TheirnotrunningawayimmediatelyproveshowmuchoftheirGodtheyknew.Theyknewthatthosegateswouldopenforthemoverandoveragain,sotheydidnothavetorushoutandputthejailerintrouble.

Ittakesanunusualfanaticismtostartsingingwhenfacedwithobviousdeath.Buttheydid,inresponsetotherevelationofGodtheyhadandthestrengthofheavencametothem.Hallelujah!Thebattlesoflifehavea

standard,onlythestrongercanbindtheopposition.

Whenastrongmanarmedkeepethhispalace,hisgoodsareinpeace:Butwhenastrongerthanheshallcomeuponhim,andovercomehim,hetakethfromhimallhisarmourwhereinhetrusted,anddividethhisspoils.Luke11:21–22

Ittakesthestrongertoovercome.Nonaturalmancanbestrongerthanthedevil;andamanwithoutChristissubjecttothedevil,thepowerthatrulesthechildrenofdisobedience.Thedevilistherulerandthesubjectcannotbestrongerthantheruler.But,whenyouareinChrist,youhaveaccesstostrengththatmakesyoustronger.Youcannotdealwithaforcethatishigherthanyou,youcanonlydealwithaforcethatyouarehigherthan.

Bedeterminedthisdaytogetbackwhateverthingthatbelongstoyouthattheenemyhaskeptinhispalace.YourstrengthisintheWordofGod.Youknow,“wisdomisbetterthanstrength.”God’sWordinduceswisdom.Wisdomisbetterthanweaponsofwar,itmakesyourenemyacheapcaptiveinbattle.GetthroughtheWordandseewhichbattlewillresistyourauthority.WhenthatWordcomesandyoubelieveit,youbecomearegisteredovercomer.

Forbyittheeldersobtainedagoodreport.Hebrews11:2Theyescapedtheedgeofthesword,theyturnedthefieryfurnaceintoa

coolroom.Byfaiththeyacquiredthatknowledgeandbelievedit,andthatknowledgedictatedtheiractions.AllthemenmentionedinHebrews11becameheroesoffaithinbattlebytheWordofGod.

Confidence

Whattheenemyattacksinhisoppositionistheindividual’sconfidence.Ifhecangetyoutobowdownandsag,thenhehasovercomeyou.Thatiswhythereisalwaysanexaggerationofstrengthinbattles,toweakentheenemy.Ifyouhavewatchedawrestlingmatchbefore,thenyouknowwhatImean.Thewrestlersdoallmannerofthingsandspeakgreatboastings,allwithoneobjective–toweakentheopposition.Ifyoucanweakenthemoraleofyouropponent,thenheisfinished.

LackofconfidencehasmadevictimsofmanyChristians.Hegathersinformationagainsthimselffromallovertheplace,andthedevilusesthistoattackhimandtocausedefeat.Whenaskedabouthisbusiness,hesaysadry,“PraisetheLord.”Hehassagged!Itisbetterhewithdraws,becausehewillfall.TheBiblesays:

TheythattrustintheLordshallbeasmountZion,whichcannotberemoved,butabidethforever.Psalm125:1

Thus,confidenceestablishesyourthroneinvictory,thatcannotberemovedforever.Mannaturallybecomesavictimofwhathefears.Anythingyoufearholdsyoucaptive.Thefearofmanbringsintoasnare,andconfidenceistheonlyremedy.

ForthethingwhichIgreatlyfearediscomeuponme,andthatwhichIwasafraidofiscomeuntome.Job3:25

Everyonethatfearsfailurewillendupafailure.Everyonethatfearsdeathendsupinitsbondage.

…Throughfearofdeathwerealltheirlifetimesubjecttobondage.Hebrews2:15

Whateveryoufearbecomesyourmaster;because,aservantfearethhismaster,andaservantisnotgreaterthanhismaster.Confidenceistheonlytreatmentagainstfear.Findoutyourrootinconfidence.Showmeaman(inChrist)whoisgenuinelypositiveaboutlife,triumphsandvictory,andIwillshowyouamanwhowillnotbeavictiminbattle.Hehasovercomefailureanddefeat.

Confidencetriggerstheanointinginbattle,whereasfearmakesacaptiveofadestinedwinner.Don’tcastawayyourconfidence.

Castnotawaythereforeyourconfidence,whichhathgreatrecompenseofreward.Hebrews10:35

Confidencedoesnotmakemenlose;rather,itmakesthemwin.Itdoesnotbringdefeat,itbringsvictory.Theenemyspeaksgreatwordstowearyouout.Themomentyoulistentohim,youarefinished.Heshowsyoux–raystoshakeyourfaith.Youmayhavebeentoldthatthereisnohopeforyou.Nomatterwhatx–raysheshowsyou,don’tgetscared.Don’tallowanybodyturnyouaround.Iftheenemycanscareyou,thenhehasmadeawaywithyourvictory.LikePaul,youmustbeabletosay:

Butnoneofthesethingsmoveme…Acts20:24

Andinnothingterrifiedbyyouradversaries…Philippians1:28Ifyourefusetobeterrified,yourenemiesareboundtobedestroyed,their

sizeandintensitynotwithstanding.Whenyourefusetobeterrifiedormoved,yourimmovabilitybecomestheirdestruction.Whenyourefusetobemoved,heavenscomedowntoyourdefence,andtherewillbeanevidenceofescapeforyouanddestructionforthem.DavidrefusedtobemovedbyGoliath’soutburstsandthatwastheendofhisharassmentofGod’sarmy.

Whenyourefusetobemoved,theobstacleswillmove;youcannotburnwhenyourefusetoturnback.ConfidenceislackingtodayintheChurchbecausewehavenotbeenabletotracetherootofourconfidenceinGod.

Ourconfidencehasitsrootin:

(a)Righteousness

Themomentyouareindoubtofyourrighteousness,yourconfidenceisoutofplace.Proverbs28:1says:

Thewickedfleewhennomanpursueth:buttherighteousareboldasalion….ThatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim.2Corinthians5:21

OurconfidenceinChristhasitsrootinourrighteousness.ThemomentyouallowtheenemytoknowthatyouaresufferingbecauseGodispunishingyou,hewillsitonyourneckandbreakit.Thisisthereasonwhytheperfectionisttheoryendsupinsuffering,humiliationandvictimization.Theyarealwayslookingforasin–causetoeveryproblem.Thisiswhyitspreachersandtheircongregationareperpetualfailures,becausetheconfidencerequiredfortheanointingforbattleisnotthere.LetthisScripturehumbleyourperfectionistattitude.

Ifthou,Lord,shouldestmarkiniquities,OLord,whoshallstand?Psalm130:3

YourpastisnotrelevanttoGod.Whenitcomestodeliverance,Godoverlooksyourerror,tofirstofallsetyoufree.Manyofthoseintheperfectionistcirclesneverattractfavourorfortune.Theyalwayslookmiserable,downtroddenandbattered.Eventheirownpeopledon’tliketoassociatewiththem,becausetheenemyhasheldthemcaptivethroughasin–consciousnessthatbreaksthebackboneofconfidence.Onlyrighteousness–consciouspeoplecanoperateintherealmofconfidenceinbattle.

Therebethreethingswhichgowell,yea,fourarecomelyingoing:Alionwhichisstrongestamongbeasts,andturnethnotawayforany;Proverbs30:29–30

Everybattleappearsverycheapforthelion,andtheBiblesaysonlytherighteousareasboldasthelion.

Righteousness–consciousnessinducespracticalrighteousness.Whenyouallowthewords,“IamtherighteousnessofGodinChristJesus”sinkintoyourspiritman,andyoumeanitandbelieveit,itwillbegintodealwitheveryworkofdarknessaroundyou.Thisisbecauseyounowknowthatitisnotyouthatwillmakeit,butHethathasmadeyou.Withthat,younowreleaseyourselftotheMakerofmentomakethatmancomeoutofyou.

Today,peopletrytofindexplanationsforvirtuallyeverythingthathappenstoabeliever,andsuchexplanationsareinvariablyfalse.Everytime

theyareafflicted,theafflicterofmensitsontheirnecksandgivesittothem.Righteousness–consciousnessinducesthestrengthofalionthatmakesyougowell.Theliondoesnotturnawayforany.Don’tturnawayforanysituation,faceitanditwillbow.

WhenassassinsattackedmeinatownIwentforacrusade,Ihadthatboldnessofalion,soIwasunmoved.Withmyhandsakimbo,Ilookedatthemrightinthefaceandcriedout,“InthenameofJesus!”andtheanointingfromheavencameandsentthemfallingbackward,asthoughawindpushedthemdown.Theybegantoscream,“Hehasagun!”astheytooktotheirheels.

Understandalsothatyourconfidenceisthedevil’stargetinbattle.Hewillsayallmannerofthingstoyou.ThisiswhatRabshakeh,thekingofAssyria’srepresentativetriedtodotoIsraelunderHezekiah.HespokegreatwordstoinstillfearintothemanddestroytheirfaithintheirkingandGod:

Thussaiththeking,LetnotHezekiahdeceiveyou:forheshallnotbeabletodeliveryou.Isaiah36:14

Donotletanymanturnyouaround.WhateverJesuscannotdo,nooneelsecan!Don’tallowanyfakeprophetprophesyyououtofyourdestiny.Don’tletthemarauders,inthenameofministry,makeyouacaptive.Don’tallowanynegativedreamturnyouaround(forinstance,youdreamthatyouhavefailedandwhenyouwakeup,youstartpreparingforfailure).Don’tallowanythingturnyouaround.UsethenameofJesusandcompeleverykneeoftheenemytobow.

(b)Ever–abidingPresenceOfGod

TheFather’spresenceofferscoveringforthechild,thatiswhyhecanaffordtoberudetoanotherchildwhenhisfatherisaround.Heknowsquitewellthattheotherwillnotbeabletodoanythingaboutit.Allthattheotherchildcandoiswishforanopportunetimetocatchhimaloneandtakehisrevenge.WealsohavethewonderfulassuranceofourFather’sever–abidingpresence,sowecanspitethedevil.

…Lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld.Matthew28:20

YoucanattackSatananyhow,knowingthatinyourFather’spresence,heishandicappedandthus,powerlessandineffective.

(c)TheNameOfJesusThenameofJesusmeansSaviour.Notjustfromsinalone,butalsofrom

everyharassmentoflife.Thereisananointingthatisinthename.Whenitisinvokedinfaith,authorityisestablishedandtheenemyistakenransom.

ThenameofJesusisaboveeveryname.Atthementionofit,everykneebowsandeverytongueconfessesthatHeisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather.Thisshowsthateverytroublehasanameandthereisanamethatbringsthemunder–JESUS!TheBiblesaysthatHisnameisasointmentpouredforth.

Becauseofthesavourofthygoodointmentsthynameisasointmentpouredforth…SongsOfSolomon1:3

Aheftymanwasinvolvedintheworstaviationaccidentinhumanhistory.Whenthefirestarted,heinvokedthatname:“InthenameofJESUS!”andwasliftedupandthrownoutthroughatinyhole,tosafety.Thatwashowheescapeddeath.ThenameofJesusisaboveaccidents!

IfyouwanttoknowjusthowmuchthenameofJesusisaboveeveryothername,recalltherodofMosesandthatoftheEgyptianmagicians.Moses’rodturnedintoaserpentandswallowedupalltheotherserpentsoftheEgyptians!ThenameofJesusisastrongtower,therighteousrunintoitandaresaved(Proverbs.18:10).

Ifyouwanttoseetheanointingforbattleinaction,acknowledgetheplace

ofthenameinbattle.WhenyouprayandcallonthenameofJesus,youareestablishingastrongtower,youarehidinginthehollowofHishand.Thatway,youhaveinyourhandtherodthatswallowsallotherrods.Itistheall–purposenameinbattle,performingwhateverisneeded.

YoucanturntheanointingforbattleonbyinvokingthenameofJesusinfaithandtheimpossibletaskswillbeaccomplished;thefearfulbattleswillbewon.

ThenameofJesushasproveditselfagainandagainasstrongandmightyinbattle.Thereissomethinginthatname.Amanhadstrokeandwhenwegotthere,theLordtoldmetojustsingthepraiseofHisname.Aswebegantosingthatwonderfulname,thegloryofGodcamedownandhewasdelivered!

Godisstillheretodaytobringthepowerinthatnameintofulleffectinyourpersonallife.Itanswersineverybattleandineveryplace.IwantyoutoreasonwiththeHolySpirit;whenHerevealsGod,thatrevelationinducesexploitswhichmakesyouaccomplishthenaturallyunaccomplishable,attainthehumanlyunattainableandreceivetheunusual.

(d)TheVoiceofGod

TheLordledtheIsraelitesbythewayofthewildernessthroughtheRedSea,andbecauseHeledthem,theunctionfortriumphwasalloverthem.Theseasawthemandfled!WhenGodleads,theanointingtoaccomplishthegoalisreleased,theobstaclesnotwithstanding.ThatiswhyPsalm29:5says:

ThevoiceoftheLordbreakeththecedars;yea,theLordbreakeththecedarsofLebanon.

ThehardestoftreesarebrokenbythevoiceoftheLordwhenheededbyman.Thus,whatevertheLordtellsyoutodo,doitinspiteoftheopposition;becausetheanointingforbattleisalreadyonyou.TheBiblesaysthatthesheepknowthevoiceoftheshepherdandwillnotfollowthevoiceofthestranger.Theword“voice”isalwaysconnectedwithdirection.

EveryimpossibletaskgetsdoneattheinstanceofGod’sleading,likeitwasforthechildrenofIsraelwhenmountainsskippedandtheseafled(Psalm.114).Ifyoudesiretheanointingforbattle,thenitisabsolutelynecessaryforyoutoheedthevoiceoftheLord.

WhenLazarusdied,JesusdidnotgotoseeMaryandMarthaimmediately.HeactedonlybytheleadingoftheFather.So,whenHefinallyarrivedatthetomb,thevoiceoftheLordbrokethecedarsandhethatwasdeadandwasfourdaysinthegravewasraisedbacktolife!

BedeterminedtoheedthevoiceoftheLord.Nomatterhowgreattheobstacleorthestrengthoftheenemy,dowhatHeasksyoutodo.Eveniftheinstructionseemsfoolish,simplyobeyandyouwillseetheresult.TheanointingforbattleisinheedingthevoiceoftheLord.Remember,“WhatsaiththeLord?”waswhatIsraelusedtowinallherbattles.TheyalwaysenquiredoftheLordbeforeundertakinganybattle.

Inconclusion,letusdoarecapitulationofallwehavebeendiscussing.YouhavetheknowledgeofGod(whichinducesstrength)andconfidence(thatmakesstrengthtowork).Youhavethename(amulti–purposenamethatmakestheenemytobow).YoualsohavethevoiceoftheLord,thatbreaksthecedars.

ThesefourwaysofturningloosethemightofGodstirsupandsparksofftheanointingforbattle,whichmakesfortriumphs.MayyourearsbeopenedtohearthevoiceoftheLord,andyourheartbewillingtoobey.

Chapter7:AnointingForConquest

Conquestistheactofconquering.Thewordinvokesapictureofbattle.Thatoneisinvolvedinabattledoesnotmakehimaconqueror.Thatheisawinnerdoesnotmakehimaconqueroreither.Theconquerorisonewhoconsistentlywinsinbattles.Aconquerorishewhoispermanentlyregisteredonthewinningside.

ConsistentconquesthasitsrootsinGod.ThisiswhytheBiblecategoricallystatesthatHehasmadeusmorethanconquerors.

Nay,inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimthatlovedus.Romans8:37

ConquerorsaremadebyGod.TheyaremenwhoconsistentlywininbattlesthroughthebackingofGod.Theyaremenwhoknownodefeat.TheyarementhatcanonlybedefeatedwhenitbecomespossibletodefeatGod.TheyaremenwiththehandoftheLorduponthem.ThisisthepowerbackupofGod.ThisistheSpiritoftheLord.Thisistheanointing.AslongasthehandoftheLordisuponyou,yourconqueringisestablished.

EverytimeSamsonconquered,itwasalwaysprecededbythephrase,“AndtheSpiritoftheLordcameuponhim.”(Judges.14:19.)Aslongastheanointingwasuponhim,heprevailed.Thereisananointingthatmakesbattlescheap.Thereisapowerthatmakesconquerorsoutofordinarymen.

TherearetwopeopleintheBiblethatlivedaconqueringlifestyle.TheyareDavid,themanafterGod’sheart,andJesus,theFirstbegottenoftheFather.

David–TheManAfterGod’sHeart

IliketorefertoDavidastheFieldMarshaloftheBible.Youwillrecallthatheneverlostanybattle.Ifevertherewasamanconstantlyatwaragainsttheenemy,itwasDavid.ThereisnootherkinginIsraelwhoengagedinbattlesashedid;yet,heneverlostany,neitherdidhesustainanyinjury.Hewasatruemanofwar.

HewasfirstheardofwhenSamuelwenttoanointhimkinginBethlehem.Hewastheleastamonghisbrethren.Hewasthedespisedone,yettheSpiritoftheLordsingledhimout.Theanointingforconquestdoesnotfallonthestrong.Yourself–acclaimedstrengthisthereasonforyourdefeat.GodhaschosentousetheweakthingsofthisworldtomanifestHisstrength.HehaschosenthefoolishthingstospreadabroadHiswisdom.Theanointingforconquestisfortheweak,notthelazy.DavidwasanointedandtheSpiritoftheLordcameuponhimfromthatday:

ThenSamueltookthehornofoil,andanointedhiminthemidstofhisbrethren:andthespiritoftheLordcameuponDavidfromthatdayforward…1Samuel16:13

ThehistorickingofIsraelwasanointed.ThemanafterGod’sheartwasanointedandaconquerorwasborn.Hisstaturedidnotchange.Hewasstillayouthofseventeen.Hewasyettosteponhisfirstbattleground,buthewasalreadyamanofwar,anointedtodeliverthepeopleofGodfromtheirenemiesandtoestablishtheboundariesofthenationofIsrael.

ManifestingTheAnointing

Theanointingisneverrecognizedwithoutprovenresults.TherewasaneedfortheanointinguponthelifeofeverykinginIsraeltobemademanifesttohissubjects.Thenatatime,therewaswaragainstthePhilistinesandGoliathdefiedGodandthearmiesofIsrael.TheanointinguponDavidwentintoactionandhesteppedout.Heconqueredthegiantandthatwasthebeginningofalifeofconquest.Everywhereheturned,heconquered.Withsixhundredmen(hisfollowersduringhisflightfromSaul),heransackedthecitiesofthePhilistines.Kingspaidhimtribute.Nationsbecamehisservants.David,themightyconquerorofthetribeofJudah,prevailedovertheenemiesoftheLordinhislifetime.Hewasanestablishedconqueror,fearedalloverthelandofCanaanandabroad.

Jesus–TheFirstBegottenOfTheFather

DavidconqueredforIsrael,butJesusChristconqueredforthewholeworld.HismissionwastodestroytheworksofSatan.

…ForthispurposetheSonofGodwasmanifested,thathemightdestroytheworksofthedevil.1John3:8

Jesus,theSonofGod,cametotheworld,nottoshowthatHeisGod,nottoearnrespectforHimselfandtheFather;butHecametofightabattle.Hecameforconquest.Hecametoputanendtothereignofthekingdomofdarknessonearth.Thebattlewasfierce,butHefaceditwithaconqueror’sstance.

EverywhereHeturned,theoutcomewasthesame–Heconquered.AtHisappearance,thehostsofhellwouldflee,screaming:

…Whathavewetodowiththee,thouJesusofNazareth?artthoucometodestroyus?…Mark1:24

Noformofoppressionwastooserioustodealwith.ThiswasthereasonwhyHecame.ThiswasthereasonforwhichHewasanointed.HewasanointedtoconquerSatan.Hewasanointedtodestroytheworksoftheenemy.ThestormwasnobarriertoHim;acommandfromHimwasallitneededtobestill.Atouch,aword,anditwasenough;demonsobeyed,blindnessdisappeared,paralysiswasputtoshame.OfHimitwassaid:

…Whatmannerofmanisthis,thateventhewindsandtheseaobeyhim!Matthew8:27

Evendeath,thegreatestenemyofmankindandwhichhaskeptmaninbondage,wasaplaythingtoHim.DeathrecognizedHissuperiorityandgaveway.Tothewidow’sdeadsonbeingtakenawayforburial,Hesaid,“…Youngman,Isayuntothee,Arise”(Luke.7:14).ToLazaruswhohadbeenburiedfourdays,Hesaid,“…Lazarus,comeforth”(John.11:43).

HereisanencounterbetweenJesusandHisassailants:JudashadledagroupofarmedmentoarrestJesus.Thenaturalreactionofanynaturalmanfacingapossibleattackistosearchoutanescaperoute.Jesus,however,

maintainedHissuperiorityeveninthefaceofattack.HewentforthtomeetHisassailantsandaskedthem,“Whomseekye?”

Apparently,theywerenotsureoftheidentityofthemantheywantedandneededareliableconfirmation.Attheirreply,Jesussaid:“Iamhe.”Thiswasenoughtosendallofthemontheirbacks(John.18:3–6).

Whatanamazingmanifestationofpower!Aconquerorindeed!HeisthemightyOnefromtherootofJesse!HeiscalledtheSonofDavidfromBethlehem,atribeinJudah.

TheConqueror’sRootInJudah

Whoaretheconquerors?Wheredotheyhavetheirroot?Ourcovenantfather,Jacob,wasabouttobe“gatheredtohispeople.”Hecalledallhissons,totellthemtheirfuture.

AndJacobcalleduntohissons,andsaid,Gatheryourselvestogether,thatImaytellyouthatwhichshallbefallyouinthelastdays.Genesis49:1

Fromhimweweretoldwhatwastohappentoeachofthetribesthousandsofyearstocome.TheprophecyaboutthetribeofJudahisworthyofnote.

Judah,thouarthewhomthybrethrenshallpraise:thyhandshallbeintheneckofthineenemies;thyfather’schildrenshallbowdownbeforethee.Judahisalion’swhelp:fromtheprey,myson,thouartgoneup:hestoopeddown,hecouchedasalion,andasanoldlion;whoshallrousehimup?

ThesceptreshallnotdepartfromJudah,noralawgiverfrombetweenhisfeet,untilShilohcome;anduntohimshallthegatheringofthepeoplebe.Bindinghisfoaluntothevine,andhisass’scoltuntothechoicevine;hewashedhisgarmentsinwine,andhisclothesinthebloodofgrapes:Hiseyesshallberedwithwine,andhisteethwhitewithmilk.Genesis49:8–12

Judahistheconquerors’tribe.Itisthetribeofthekings.Itisthetribethathasdominionoveralltheothertribes.Thisisthetribefromwhichkingsaredestinedtoarise.Thesekingsweretobemightyconquerors.Theirhandswouldalwaysbeonthenecksoftheirenemies.Thissignifiestheconqueror’svictoryoverhisenemies.

Judahisalionwhoknowsnodefeat.Healwaysgoesstraightbeforehim,nomatterthefoeconfrontinghim.Heturnsasidefornoone.Hiseyesshallberedwithwine.Winesignifiestheanointing.TheanointingforconquestrestsonthetribeofJudah.

Anointingneverflowsupwards.Itflowsdownwards,fromtheheaddown

tothefeet.Soalsoanointingflowsfromtheking’stribetotheothertribes.Judahistheconquerors’tribe.NowonderwhentheIsraelitesaskedtheLordaboutthetribethatshouldgofirstintobattleagainsttheCanaanites,theLordnamedJudah.

NowafterthedeathofJoshuaitcametopass,thatthechildrenofIsraelaskedtheLord,saying,WhoshallgoupforusagainsttheCanaanitesfirst,tofightagainstthem?AndtheLordsaid,Judahshallgoup:behold,Ihavedeliveredthelandintohishand.Judges1:1–2

TheprophecyofJacobconcerningJudahwasfulfilledattheascentofDavidtothethroneofIsrael.Davidmanifestedhisconqueror’sanointingthroughouthislifetime.Hiseyeswereredwithwine.Theanointingforconquestwasuponhimandhegaveitfullexpression.Nowonderthenitwassungofhimwhilestillinhisyouth,“Davidhathslainhistenthousand.”

TheLordJesusChristiscalledtheSonofDavid.HeistheBranchthatgrewfromthetribeofJudah.HeistheKingofkings,Conquerorofconquerors.TheBiblecallsHimtheLionofthetribeofJudah.

EverybornagainbelieverbelongstoJesus.Theybelongtotheconquerors’tribe.JesusistheheadandtheanointingmustflowdowntoeveryonewhoisamemberofHisbody.Youhavethepotentialsofaconquerorinyou.ThisiswhyapostlePaulcautionsusinEphesians5:18:

Andbenotdrunkwithwine,whereinisexcess;butbefilledwiththeSpirit;

JesusChrist,theLionofthetribeofJudah,Whohasprevailedonourbehalf,hasbroughtustogetherintotheconquerors’tribeandmadeusonewithHim.HeistheOnewhogivesusthetriumphalways,notsometimesonly.

NowthanksbeuntoGod,whichalwayscausethustotriumphinChrist…2Corinthians2:14

Christinyoumakesyouaconqueror.YouarepartofthebodyoftheLionofthetribeofJudah.YouhaveyourrootinHim,evenasHehasHisrootin

David.

TwoWeaponsForConquering

Conquerorsaremenwiththeheartofalion.Theyturnasidefromnofoe.Theirattitudetowardseveryobstacleinlifeispositive.Tothem,thereisonlyoneendtoeverychallenge–triumphandconquest.They,however,donotrelyonthemselves,butondivineforcesforwinning.Theyhavetheirbackbone,whichwhenremoved,theycrumblelikeeveryothernaturalman.Whatistheconqueror’sbackbone?Theconquerorhastwomajorweaponsforconquering:

Fearlessness

Weliveinaworldwherethefearlessreignandthefearfulliveasslaves.Fearisathiefandarobber.Itrobsgreatmenoftheirgreatdestinies.Itbringsagloriousfuturetonought.Itholdskingscaptives.Themanwhowillconqueristheonewhowillnotbeafraid.Themanwhowillwalkonthewaterandnotsinkistheonewhowillgivenoplacetofear.Themanwhowillnotbeburntbythefireishewhoknowsnofear.

Ifyouwillnotfear,youwillnotsink.Ifyouwillnotfear,youwillnotburn.Ifyouwillnotfear,youwillconquer.Fearlessnessistheconqueror’sbackboneforexploitsandachievements.

ElijahwasagreatmanofGod.Hewasknownforhisfearlessness.Hestoodbeforethekingandsaid,“Therewillbenorainforthreeyears,exceptbymyword.”HeconfrontedthekingandthenationofIsraelwiththeiridolatrouspractices.Heknewnofear.Hesingle–handedlyslewfourhundredprophetsofBaal.

ButthenJezebelaroseagainsthimandthedevilcameandinstilledfearinhim.Unfortunately,heacceptedthedevil’sliesandministration,heforgotwhohewasandtheGodheserved.HisconfidencewasbrokenandthegreatmanofGodsoughtfordeath.

Fearleadstodestruction.Ittakesonetothedepthsofhardshipandfrustration.AfearfulbelieverispowerlessagainstSatan.KingDavidwasafearlesswarrior.Heknewnofearandheconquered.GoliathandthehostofthePhilistinesfellintohishandsbecauseofhisfearlessstanceagainstthem.

JesusChristknewnodefeat.Hewasfearlessinthefaceofeverysituation.Hewastold,“Thechildisdead,donotbothertocome.”ButHereplied,“Fearnot,onlybelieve.”

HewastoldthatLazarushadbeenburiedfourdays,andagain,Hesaid,“Fearnot,ifyouwillbelieve,youwillseethegloryoftheLord”(John.11:40).OnlythefearlessareabletobringdownthegloryofGod.

Fearisaspirit.Resistitandyouwillprevailineverycircumstanceoflife.“Fearnot”,“Benotafraid”and“Thoushaltnotfear”areparamountorderstowarriors.Heedthem.Whenfearcomesknockingatyourdoor,senditfleeinginthenameofJesus.

CureForFear

Itisnotenoughtoresistfear.Resistingfearwithoutknowingthebasisforyourresistanceisanexerciseinfutility.Allmattershavetobeattackedfromtheroot,toensurepermanentdeliverance.Whatthenisourbasisforfearlessness?Whatistherootoffearandwhatisthecureforit?

ThePresenceOfGod

Haveyounoticedthatwheneveryouareafraid,itisbecauseyouarenotreallysureofthepresenceofGod?Ithappensmostlywhenyouhavefallenintoanunconfessedsin.Youmightevenhaveconfessedit,butsin–consciousmakesyoudoubtthatGodcouldbewithyou.

RememberAdaminthegardenofEden.Heknewnofearuntilhefellintosin.Sincameandwithitfear.HehidfromGodinfear.Hehidfromtheanimalsinfear.FearcomeswhenoneisnotsureofthepresenceofGod.ItthereforefollowsthatthepresenceofGoddrivesawayfear.ButyouareassuredofthepresenceofGod!Hehassaid:

…Iwillneverleavethee,norforsakethee.Hebrews13:5Jesusre–emphasizedthisbysaying:

…lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld.Matthew28:20

TheLordiswithyouandreadytoactonyourbehalfwhenyoucallonHim.WhenJesuswassendingforthHisdisciplesafterHisresurrection,thefirstthingHetoldthemwas:

…Allpowerisgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth.Goyetherefore……Lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld.Matthew28:18–20

ThereasonthedisciplesthenandwenowcangoforthandconquerisbecauseHeiswithus.AndthereasonwerelyonHispresenceisbecauseallpowerisinHishands.JustlikeJohnputsit:

…Greaterishethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld.1John4:4

OnlythosewhoareconsciousofGod’spresencewiththemandthepowerHewieldswillconquer.Theyarethestrongoneswhowilldoexploits.DavidknewHisGodandwasconstantlyconsciousofHispresencewithhim.Thiseliminatedfearfromhim.Hespokeoutboldly:

Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil:forthouartwithme…Psalm23:4

Thevalleyoftheshadowofdeathisoneplacegreatlyfearedbymen.Thefearofdeathsendsmanytotheirgraveslongbeforetheirtime.ButhearthismanofGod.Hedoesnotfeardeath;notbecauseheismorepowerfulthanothers,butbecauseGodiswithhim!NowonderGoliathwasbroughtdown.AmanwhodoesnotfeardeathwillnotfeartheGoliathsofthisworld;allbecauseGodiswithhim.Ittakesalion’shearttobeaconqueror.“Ishallfearnoevil,forGodiswithme.”Thisistheconqueror’sslogan.Godwithyouisthebasisoffearlessness.ApostlePaulinemphasizingthispointasks:

…IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?Romans8:31WiththeLordonyourside,victoryissure;sostandfirmandstandstrong!

Jesusstoodstrong.Hewasfearlessineverysituation.Why?GodwaswithHim.Hesaid:

Andhethatsentmeiswithme:theFatherhathnotleftmealone…John8:29

TheFatherwasalwayswithHim,soHeknewnofear.ThisHeconstantlytoldanyonewithinearshot.Hewouldalwayssay,“WhosoeverhasseenmehasseentheFather”,“TheFatherisinmeandIamintheFather”,“IandtheFatherareone.”JesusknewHisFatherwaswithHim.HewasinconstantfellowshipwithHim,sofearwasforeigntoHim.HeknewthatwithGod,Hewasonthewinningside.

JustlikeDr.T.L.Osbornrightlysaid,“YouandGodmakeanunbeatableteam!”Friend,youcarryanunbeatablelifeforceonyourinside.GodisinyouandGodiswithyou!

EnsuringGod’sPresence

OnewaytoensureGod’spresencewithyoualwaysistolivealifeofpraise.Davidwasapraisingking.HisdelightwasingoingtothetempleofGod.Hesaid:

Foradayinthycourtsisbetterthanathousand.IhadratherbeadoorkeeperinthehouseofmyGod,thantodwellinthetentsofwickedness.Psalm84:10

AlsoinPsalm122:1hesaid:

Iwasgladwhentheysaiduntome,LetusgointothehouseoftheLord.

DavidpracticallylivedinthetempleofGod,becausetheBibletellsushegoestheretopraythreetimesadayandtopraiseseventimesaday.Hepraisedmorethanheprayed.

SeventimesadaydoIpraisethee…Psalm119:164Hewasgiventopraises,anactthatdrawsGod’sattention….

OthouthatinhabitestthepraisesofIsrael.Psalm22:3

PraiseushersthepresenceofGodintoasituation.DaviddoubtlesslycarriedGod’spresencewithHim.IfyoulikewisedesirethepresenceofGod,thenyoumustdesirepraises.PraiseHimandHewillcomedown!ThepresenceofGodwithyouisacureforfear.

DivineInstructions

Divineinstructionsareveryvitalintheaccomplishmentofanytask.ThemanthatwillconquerishewhoasksforandreceivesinstructionsfromGod.ListeningtothevoiceofGodleadstoenthronement.

OneofthegreatestsecretsforDavid’soutstandingsuccesswashisrelianceondivineinstruction.EverystephetookwasbasedoninstructionshereceivedfromGod.Hewasamasteratmakingenquiries.Hetooknothingforgranted.

Allthroughthebooksof1stand2ndSamuel,weoftenread:“AndDavidenquiredoftheLord.”HenevertookanystepoutsideGod’sinstructions.Nowonderheexcelled.

InHisministryalso,JesusalwayslistenedtoandobeyedthevoiceoftheFather.HeneverdidanythingbyHimself.AtCanainGalilee,whenHewastoldtodosomethingaboutthefinishedwine,Hereplied,“...Minehourisnotyetcome.”(John.2:4.)

Heoperatedondivinesignals.HeknewthepowerofGodisonlymanifestedwhenonefollowsGod’ssignals.ThiswaswhyHedidnotrushtoBethanytohealLazaruswhenHewastoldhewassick.HewaitedforGod’sinstructionsandthepowerofGodwasmademanifest.Hesaid:

…Idonothingofmyself;butasmyFatherhathtaughtme,Ispeakthesethings.John8:28

HeactedonGod’sinstructions,nowonderHewastheConquerorofconquerors.TheanointingofGodfollowsHisinstructions.SpeakingtoGideon,Godsaid:

Gointhisthymight…havenotIsentthee?Judges6:14Thereisastrengththatgoeswithheedingdivineinstructionsingetting

tasksaccomplished.ThisistheanointingoftheHolyGhost.Thisistheanointingthatmakesconquerorsoutofordinarymen.Itisavailabletoyouas

amemberofthebodyofChrist.Youcanregisteryourselfwiththeconquerorstoday!

Chapter8:AnointingForWealth

Everymanwasbornnaked.NotevenfromtherichestFamilywasanychildbornwithdressesandtrinketson.No,everychildwassimplybornnaked!Man’spossessionsareacquiredhere.Hebroughtnothingintothisworldandsurely,hewilltakenothingout.Itmeansthatpossessionsareessentiallyforuseonearth.

However,thereisnogenuinecomfortwithoutpossession.Ifsomeoneiscoldandhasnomoneytobuyasweateroracardiganhewillnotbecomfortable.Ifyouarehungryandhavenofoodtoeat,youcannotbecomfortable.Itismorehavenofoodtoeat,youcannotbecomfortable.Itismorekilometredistance.Aridedefinitelywillcostmoney.Thinkofit:acomfortablehousewilldefinitelycostmorethanjustanyordinarybuilding.

Itisclearthatthemoremeansmanhas,themorecomfortablehebecomes.Comfortisnotrelevantinheaven,itistheeternalhomeofcomfort.TheHolySpirit,therefore,hasagreatmissiontotheinhabitantsoftheearth,becausethisiswherecomfortisreallyneeded.

Godalsoagreesthatthegoodthingsoflifeareneededbybelievers.Jesussaid:

…ForafterallthesethingsdotheGentilesseek:)foryourheavenlyFatherknoweththatyehaveneedofallthesethings.Matthew6:32

WhatdotheGentilesseekaftertoday?Morecomfort,morefulfilment,moremeans.Foodanddrinkareessentialtoexistence,whileclothingisessentialtolivingandcomfort.JesussaidourheavenlyFatherdoesn’tonlywantustoexist,buttobecomfortableaswell.Itistruethatlifedoesnotconsistintheabundanceofthethingswhichamanpossesses,butinapersonnotinthings.

HethatbelievethontheSonhatheverlastinglife:andhethatbelievethnottheSonshallnotseelife;butthewrathofGodabidethonhim.John3:36

LifeconsistsoftheindwellingChrist,whereaslivingconsistsofthespiritual,mental,materialandphysicalinfluencesofChristinthebeliever.

Today,theministryofChristonearthhasbeendulyandcompletelyhandedovertothepersonoftheHolySpirit.GoingbyHisname,asdiscussedinchapter1,theHolySpirithasajobofmakingHisbeneficiariescomfortable.TheanointingoftheHolySpirithasoutstandingeffectsonthespiritual,mental,physicalandmaterialwell–beingofGod’speople.

Wealthisacquired,notreceived.Wealthnothonestlyacquiredguaranteesnofutureforitsholder,because:

Wealthgottenbyvanityshallbediminished:buthethatgatherethbylabourshallincrease.Proverbs13:11

AcquisitionOfWealth

Everymaterialmiracledrawsfromavailablematerialsathand:

•Changeofwatertowine–potsandwater.

•Feedingof5,000–fiveloavesofbreadandtwofishes

•Unceasingflowofoil–acruseofoil.

Thinkofit:thereisnomaterialmiraclewithoutmaterialinvolvementandinvestment.It’sacaseofusingwhatyouhavetogetwhatyouneed!Smartinvestmentofavailableresourcestosecureanticipatedincrease.

TheReleaseOfPowerForWealth

Inthenatural,noobjectchangespositionwithouttheengagementofcertainforces.So,forapoormantodaytobecomeawealthymantomorrow,someforcehastobeinoperation–mental,financial,physical,etc.Soalsointhecovenant,supernaturalforceshavetogointooperationforwealthtobereleasedoracquired.Asitiswritten:

ButthoushaltremembertheLordthyGod:foritishethatgiveththeepowertogetwealth,thathemayestablishhiscovenantwhichheswareuntothyfathers,asitisthisday.Deuteronomy8:18

Itisabundantlyclearthat“thyFathers”talkedaboutabovereferstoAbraham,IsaacandJacob.Thatversealsoexplainstheforcebehindtheirwealth,thatitisnotjustaproductoftheirnaturalabilities,butacombinationofnaturalandspiritualresources.

ThecovenantpowerforwealthisavailabletoallwhobelongtothestockofAbraham,thatis,theIsraelites.ButthankGod,thatthroughthecross,thewholehumanFamilycannowpartakeinthispowerfulgraceofelectionandsupernaturalaccesstowealth.Galatians3:13–14says:

Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus:foritiswritten,Cursediseveryonethathangethonatree:ThattheblessingofAbrahammightcomeontheGentilesthroughJesusChrist;thatwemightreceivethepromiseoftheSpiritthroughfaith.

Hegavethemnotthelandbytheirownstrengthorpower.Goldenaccomplishmentforcovenantpeopleisnotpossiblebypowerorbymight,butbytheSpiritofGod(Zechariah.4:6).

ItisalsoclearfromtheBiblethatthepowerofGodisfullyrepresentedintheHolySpirit.Heisthecarrier,theconveyorandthechannelthroughwhichthepowerofGodisreleasedtoman.HeistheembodimentofthepoweroftheAlmightyGod.

ThefollowingScripturesclearlydefinethepower–natureoftheHoly

Spirit:InActs2:4,theBiblesays:

AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost…

ThisisinfulfilmentofActs1:8:

Butyeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.

PoweristheessenceoftheHolyGhostuponabeliever,nottongues,eventhoughtonguesistheessentialevidenceofHolyGhostbaptism.

Therefore,Deuteronomy8:18canbesafelyreframedthus:

“ButthoushallrememberthatitisGodthatgiveththeetheHolySpirit(power)togetwealth”,orinotherwords,“ItisGodthatgiveththeetheanointingtogetwealth.”

TheanointingistheraindimensionoftheHolySpirit.ThewholehumanracecantapintothisgreatcovenantthroughJesusChrist.

ToBeAWitness

ThereisaveryfamiliarScripturethatIbelievehasbeengivenaverynarrowdefinitionandinterpretationthanitactuallymeans.ItisActs1:8:

Butyeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.

Theword“witness”doesnotonlymeanspeakingfor,butalsomeansstandinginfor–tospeakandstandinforapersonoracause.Italsomeanstorepresentthepersonandinterestorventureofsuchaperson.

TheHolyGhostisnotgiventomakemanonlyspeakforGod,butalsotomakemanstandinforHim.Thatmeanswearenotexpectedtobemerespeakingwitnesses,butalsostandinginwitnesses,Hisrepresentatives.ThisisthecruxofPaul’smessagein2Corinthians5:20:

NowthenweareambassadorsforChrist…

TheHolyGhostempowersthebelievertorepresentChristintotality,justlikeHetotallyrepresentedtheFather.JesusassertedinJohn14:9–10:

…HethathathseenmehathseentheFather(personalitysemblance)……ThewordsthatIspeakuntoyouIspeaknotofmyself:buttheFatherthatdwellethinme,hedoeththeworks(Speechsemblance).

HewasatruewitnessoftheFather.ThedisciplesalsofullyrepresentedHimintheirearthlywalk.Peter,inhiswitnesstothepeopleatPentecostsaid:

ButyedeniedtheHolyOne…AndkilledthePrinceoflife,whomGodhathraisedfromthedead;whereofwearewitnesses.Acts3:14–15

NowwhentheysawtheboldnessofPeterandJohn,andperceivedthattheywereunlearnedandignorantmen,theymarvelled;andtheytookknowledgeofthem,thattheyhadbeenwithJesus.Acts

4:13

The“Poor”Jesus

Somanypeoplemakeexcusesfortheirpovertytoday,holdingontotheerrorthatJesuswas“poor”whileonearth.Howerroneous!

The“poor”Jesushadatreasurer,hadabedinHisshiporatleastenjoyedafirstclasscabin,whereHehadapillowonwhichtorestHishead.HehiredtheupperroominJerusalemwhenHewentthereforafeast.HehadacoatthattheRomanArmyOfficersfoughtamongthemselvestopossess.YettheBiblesaysofHim:

ForyeknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,that,thoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakeshebecamepoor,thatyethroughhispovertymightberich.2Corinthians8:9

Thequestionnowis:HowdowerepresentthewealthofthecovenantHecutforusatthecross,whenweareyettomatchHispoverty!

HowTheAnointingPavesTheWayToWealth

BreaksTheYokeOfSelfishness

Theanointingbreakstheyokeofselfishnessinthebeliever.Themostimmediateeffectofthefallisselfishness.WhenGodcalledouttoAdaminthegardenofEdenafterthatbitterbiteofthefruitofdisobedience,Adamhad“divorced”hiswife,eachonetohistent,theyhadparted.Itbecameabattleofself–defence.

AndtheLordGodcalleduntoAdam,andsaiduntohim,Whereartthou?Andhesaid,Iheardthyvoiceinthegarden,andIwasafraid,becauseIwasnaked;andIhidmyself.Andhesaid,Whotoldtheethatthouwastnaked?Hastthoueatenofthetree,whereofIcommandedtheethatthoushouldestnoteat?

Andthemansaid,Thewomanwhomthougavesttobewithme,shegavemeofthetree,andIdideat.AndtheLordGodsaiduntothewoman,Whatisthisthatthouhastdone?Andthewomansaid,Theserpentbeguiledme,andIdideat.Genesis3:9–13

Youwillnoticethateveryaccusedpersonengagedaself-defensestrategy,notmindingwhathappenedtotheotherparty.Thisisselfishness.Itisholdingontoyourownalone.

Fromthefallonward,manhasoccupiedthefirstplaceinhisthoughtsandactions.“Ialoneandnooneelse.Ifirstandnobodyelse,IandI.”Therichfooldidnotforoncementionhiswifeorhischildreninhisentiredialogue–“IandI,andnooneelse,butI.”

WhenJesustoldamanintheBibletogoselloffallhisgoodsandgivetothepoor,sohecouldgainthekingdomofGod,theBiblesays,“Andhewassadatthatsaying,andwentawaygrieved:forhehadgreatpossessions.”(Mark.10:17–23.)Man’sselfishnessisofsuchmagnitudethathewillprefertomissheaventhantolosinghispossessions.Thatishowselfishandself–centeredtheunregeneratesoulis.

Abundancewillalwaysrespondtoscattering,whichisonlypossibleaftertheoldnatureissubduedandovercome.

Thereisthatscattereth,andyetincreaseth;andthereisthatwithholdethmorethanismeet,butittendethtopoverty.Proverbs11:24

Jesussaid:

…Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive.Acts20:35

Withoutlove,givingwillbedoneunderduress:

ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon…John3:16

Theoldnatureisloadedwithself,whilethenewnatureislove.Becauseselfishnessbreedspoverty,itisayokeofbondagethatmustbebroken.Untiltheyokeofselfishnessisbroken,free–willgivingisimpossible.

ForifIdothisthingwillingly,Ihaveareward:butifagainstmywill,adispensationofthegospeliscommitteduntome.1Corinthians9:17

Givingmustbeaccompaniedwithjoyinorderforittoproduceresults.

BecausethouservedstnottheLordthyGodwithjoyfulness,andwithgladnessofheart,fortheabundanceofallthings;ThereforeshaltthouservethineenemieswhichtheLordshallsendagainstthee,inhunger,andinthirst,andinnakedness,andinwantofallthings:andheshallputayokeofironuponthyneck,untilhehavedestroyedthee.Deuteronomy28:47–48

Forgivingtobedonewithjoy,theyokeofselfishnessmustbebroken.

TheGraceOfGiving

TheMacedonianChurchhadaspecialgraceforgiving.PaulinwritingtotheCorinthians,usedtheMacedoniansinchargingthemtogive.

Moreover,brethren,wedoyoutowitofthegraceofGodbestowedonthechurchesofMacedonia;Howthatinagreattrialofafflictiontheabundanceoftheirjoyandtheirdeeppovertyaboundeduntotherichesoftheirliberality.Fortotheirpower,Ibearrecord,yea,andbeyondtheirpowertheywerewillingofthemselves;

Prayinguswithmuchentreatythatwewouldreceivethegift,andtakeuponusthefellowshipoftheministeringtothesaints.Andthistheydid,notaswehoped,butfirstgavetheirownselvestotheLord,anduntousbythewillofGod.InsomuchthatwedesiredTitus,thatashehadbegun,sohewouldalsofinishinyouthesamegracealso.

Therefore,asyeaboundineverything,infaith,andutterance,andknowledge,andinalldiligence,andinyourlovetous,seethatyeaboundinthisgracealso.2Corinthians8:1–7

Ittakesgracetogive.Buttogivebeyondyourpowermustrequiregreatergrace.Togive“yourownselvestotheLord,anduntousbythewillofGod”mustbeaworkofgrace.TheabovestatementimpliesputtingGodandthecourseofthegospelfirst.

Inverseseven,Paulsaid,“Seethatyeaboundinthisgracealso.”Thegraceistoabound,increaseandmultiply,forgreatereaseingivingtobeachieved.

Whiletheearthremaineth,seedtimeandharvest,andcoldandheat,andsummerandwinter,anddayandnightshallnotcease.Genesis8:22

Abundancewillrespondtobiblicalgiving.Givingisthegatewaytowealth.

Faith

ThegraceofGodisavailabletoall,butnotallenjoyit.Speakingonthegreatsubjectofsalvation,Paulsaid:

Forbygraceareyesavedthroughfaith…Ephesians2:8

Thegraceforsalvationisreleasedinresponsetothefaithoftherecipient.Graceanswerstofaith.BelieveGod,toreceivethegraceforgivingandyouwillreceiveit.Afterall,weareadmonishedtocovetearnestlythebestgifts(1Corinthians.12:31).

Seethegiving–graceflowingthroughfatherAbraham.Seehimrunningafterstrangerstorefreshthem,seehimgiveallthetithetoMelchizedek(Genesis.14:20),seehimtieandbindhisonlyson,Isaac,foraburntofferingtoGod(Genesis.22:9–10).Thismustbegrace.

SeeSolomongiveathousandburntofferings,justtoworshipGod(1Kings.3:3–4).SeeDavidsettobuildthehouseofGod“withallhismight.”Hesaid,“IhavesetmyaffectiontothehouseofmyGod”(1Chronicles.29:2–5).

Prayer

Letusthereforecomeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace,thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.Hebrews4:16

Youcanpraytobuildupthegivinggraceinyou.

KnowledgeOfTheWord

Petersaid:

GraceandpeacebemultiplieduntoyouthroughtheknowledgeofGod,andofJesusourLord.2Peter1:2

YoucancausethegraceofGodtoabound,increaseandmultiplythroughtheknowledgeofthetruth.

Receivethatgracenow,inJesus’name!

Chapter9:HowToReleaseTheAnointingForWealth

ByFaith

YoureleasetheanointingforwealthbyfirstbelievingthatwealthispartofyourheritageinGod.Jesusbecamepoortomakeyourich.Hecamedowntotakeyouup.Abraham’spossessionhaditsrootinfaith.IfyouareAbraham’schildren,thenyouwilldotheworksofAbraham.Ifhebelievedtopossess,youalsohavetobelievetopossess.

Thejourneytoabundancebeginswithfaith.Whatistoomuchforyourfaithistoomuchforyourreach,foritistoyouaccordingtoyourfaith.Ifyoucannotseeabundance,thenyoucannotpossessit.IntheAbrahamiccovenant,itisonlywhatyoucanseethatshallbegivenuntoyou.Thisistheunderlyingrule,andisafundamentallawofpossession.

TheanointinghelpsyoutounderstandGod.Itiswritten:

…Butasthesameanointingteachethyouofallthings,andistruth,andisnolie…1John2:27

WhentheHolyGhosttaughttheEthiopianEunuchthroughPhilip,understandingcametohimandhewasconverted.WhentheHolyGhostteachesaman,lightcomes,whichbegetsfaith.Jesussaid:

ButtheComforter,whichistheHolyGhost,whomtheFatherwillsendinmyname,heshallteachyouallthings,andbringallthingstoyourremembrance,whatsoeverIhavesaiduntoyou.John14:26

TheHolySpiritistheilluminatorofthetruth.Withfaithconcerningabundanceinyourheart,youhaveopenedupfortheanointingtoflowinthatdirection,andperformanceissuretofollow.

Giving

AndtheLordGodplantedagardeneastwardinEden…Genesis2:8

Goddidnotwishagarden,Hedidnotspeakagardenintoexistence;rather,Heplantedit.And,inGenesis8:22,theScripturesays:

Whiletheearthremaineth,seedtimeandharvest…shallnotcease.

Whenyougiveanacceptableoffering,heavenopenstopourdownrain(Malachi.3:10–12).

Moneydoesnotpouroutfromheaven.Itisrain.

InGenesis8,whenheaven’swindowsopenedforthefirsttime,itwasrainthatpouredout.Youwillneverseematerialslikeautomobiles,electronicgadgets,clothing,food,furniture,etc.pouringoutfromheaven.Rainiswhatpoursout;andthisrainstandsfortheanointingoftheHolySpirit,whichenablesbelieverstoenterintotherealmofabundance.Itisthepowertogetwealth.ThereisanoutstandingrelationshipbetweenrainandabundanceinJoel2:23–24:

Begladthen,yechildrenofZion,andrejoiceintheLordyourGod:forhehathgivenyoutheformerrainmoderately,andhewillcausetocomedownforyoutherain,theformerrain,andthelatterraininthefirstmonth.Andthefloorsshallbefullofwheat,andthevatsshalloverflowwithwineandoil.

Abundanceissequeltorain.Thisistheordereveninthenatural.Givingisthekeythatopensupthewindowsofheavenforrain.Justasabundanceissequeltorain,soisgivingaprerequisiteforraintofall.

Thesystemisastraightlineequation:Giving=Rain=Abundance.

GodgaveHisonlybegottenSonandafterHewasglorified,therainfell

onthedayofPentecost;andnowHehasmanysons!HegaveHimawayonthecross,wheretheSoncried,“MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsakenme?”Yes,away,HegaveHim,evenuntodeath.

Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,Exceptacornofwheatfallintothegroundanddie,itabidethalone:butifitdie,itbringethforthmuchfruit.John12:24

Foranyseedtomultiplyorincrease,itmustfirstbegivenawaytodie.Lettheseeddie,stopmourningit.Theseedmustdiebeforethefruitcancomealive.ThankGod,Jesuswasnotgivenawaytowaste.Indueseason,therainfellandthefruitcameout!Thatistheorder.Aftertheseedplantingcomestherainandthereafter,theharvest.

Giving,therefore,opensyouupfortherain,whichbringsintheabundantharvest.AfterAbrahamappearedonMountMoriahtosacrificehisonlyson,Isaac,hehadabundanceofrain!AndGodsaid:

…BymyselfhaveIsworn,saiththeLord,forbecausethouhastdonethisthing,andhastnotwithheldthyson,thineonlyson:ThatinblessingIwillblessthee,andinmultiplyingIwillmultiplythyseedasthestarsoftheheaven,andasthesandwhichisupontheseashore;andthyseedshallpossessthegateofhisenemies;Andinthyseedshallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed…Genesis22:16–18

TherainrespondedtoAbraham’ssacrifice.ThemanJob,agrandsonofAbraham,alsoenjoyedtherainofabundancethroughgiving.

Anditwasso,whenthedaysoftheirfeastingweregoneabout,thatJobsentandsanctifiedthem,androseupearlyinthemorning,andofferedburntofferingsaccordingtothenumberofthemall…ThusdidJobcontinually.Job1:5

Onethingstandsoutveryclearlyhere:Jobofferedburntofferingscontinuallyandthatwashowhecamebytherainofabundance“…Sothatthismanwasthegreatestofallthemenoftheeast.”(Job1:3.)

HowdidKingDavidcomeabouthisabundance?Wearetoldin1Chronicles29:2–3:

NowIhavepreparedwithallmymightforthehouseofmyGodthegoldforthingstobemadeofgold,andthesilverforthingsofsilver,andthebrassforthingsofbrass…andallmannerofpreciousstones,andmarblestonesinabundance.Moreover,becauseIhavesetmyaffectiontothehouseofmyGod,Ihaveofmineownpropergood,ofgoldandsilver,whichIhavegiventothehouseofmyGod,overandaboveallthatIhavepreparedfortheholyhouse,

ThisistheprivatepictureofthemanDavid.AllhismightwasinvestedinthehouseandthingsofGod.Hislifewasmoreorlessaseedandsotherainfellforhim.WhatDavidgavewasenoughproofofhiswealth.TheLivingBibleputshispersonalcontribution(seed)towardsthebuildingofthetempletobeover100milliondollars!Hedidnotgetatwealthbyaccident.Ifyouwanttherain,planttheseedfirst.RememberkingDavidsaid:

…NeitherwillIofferburntofferingsuntotheLordmyGodofthatwhichdothcostmenothing…2Samuel24:24

KingSolomonmustalsonecessarilybementionedwheneverGod–givenwealthisbeingdiscussed.HisjourneytowealthbeganonMountGibeon,whereheofferedathousandburntofferingstotheLord.Therainfell,theheavensopenedup,andreleaseduponhimthepowertogetwealth!

AndthekingwenttoGibeontosacrificethere;forthatwasthegreathighplace:athousandburntofferingsdidSolomonofferuponthataltar.InGibeontheLordappearedtoSolomoninadreambynight:andGodsaid,AskwhatIshallgivethee.AndIhavealsogiventheethatwhichthouhastnotasked,bothriches,andhonour:sothatthereshallnotbeanyamongthekingslikeuntotheeallthydays.1Kings3:4–5,13

Thisishowhegottherain,thefoundationforhiswealth,thesecretofhisabundance.RememberwhattheBiblesaysinRomans15:4:“Forwhatsoeverthingswerewrittenaforetimewerewrittenforourlearning.”

Letuslearn,sowecanalsoobtain.Godisnorespecterofpersons.

Diligence

TheBibleisveryclearontheissueofpersonalinputinordertotastethegrapesofcomfort.

Andthatyestudytobequiet,andtodoyourownbusiness,andtoworkwithyourownhands,aswecommandedyou;Thatyemaywalkhonestlytowardthemthatarewithout,andthatyemayhavelackofnothing.1Thessalonians4:11–12

IntheScriptures,lackisusuallyassociatedwithidlenessandfoldingofhands.

Thesoulofthesluggarddesireth,andhathnothing:butthesoulofthediligentshallbemadefat.Proverbs13:4

Thehandofthediligentshallbearrule:buttheslothfulshallbeundertribute.Proverbs12:24

Muchfoodisinthetillageofthepoor:butthereisthatisdestroyedforwantofjudgment.Proverbs13:23

TheseScripturesestablishthefactthateveryone’sgroundhaswhatittakestogethimaccomplished,fulfilledandsuccessfulinlife,ifonlyhewill“till”it.ThistruthisestablishedinyetanotherScripture:

Hethattillethhislandshallbesatisfiedwithbread:buthethatfollowethvainpersonsisvoidofunderstanding.Proverbs12:11

Jesusalsosaid:

Imustworktheworksofhimthatsentme,whileitisday:thenightcometh,whennomancanwork.John9:4

Again,Hesaid,“MyFatherworkethhitherto,andIwork.”SincetheservantisnotgreaterthanhisMaster,ifJesusisworking,wecannotaffordtofoldourhands.Increasesrespondtoourpersonalinputsascovenantpeople.ApostlePaulsaid:

Ihaveplanted,Apolloswatered;butGodgavetheincrease.1

Corinthians3:6

Itcouldbeillustratedthisway:theseedsowncanbeinterpretedasthewatering,afterwhichGodgivestheincrease.Theprosperityofthegiverisvia“whatsoeverhedoeth”(Psalm.1:3).Havingbelievedandgivenpreciousseedsseverally,thereturnspromisedarechannelledthroughtheworksofourhands.

BeginningwithAbraham,alltheblessedpatriarchswerehardworkingpeople.Atage75,Abrahamwasacattlerearer.

AndAbramwasveryrichincattle,insilver,andingold.Genesis13:2Isaacwasanestablishedfarmer.“AndIsaacsowedinthatland.”He

wasatillerofground!Thecovenantpatternsonhadtotillthegroundtoobtaintheblessingsofthecovenant.Noidlemanhasapartinthiscovenant.

ThenIsaacsowedinthatland,andreceivedinthesameyearanhundredfold:andtheLordblessedhim.Andthemanwaxedgreat,andwentforward,andgrewuntilhebecameverygreat:Forhehadpossessionofflocks,andpossessionofherds,andgreatstoreofservants:andthePhilistinesenviedhim.Genesis26:12–14

Jacobwasablessedman,butnotwithoutstrongpersonalinputs.Aspecialistfarmerhewas.Hehadthistestimonyattheend:

Andthemanincreasedexceedingly,andhadmuchcattle,andmaidservants,andmenservants,andcamels,andasses.Genesis30:43

TheGodofAbraham,IsaacandJacobisstillacovenantkeepingGod,whorespondswithblessingstothediligentinputsofHispeople.Abrahamwasstillaworkerwhenhewaspasttheageof75.JacoblabouredinthehouseofLabanasaslaveandIsaaccultivatedinthedaysofdrought.Ifthesepatriarchscouldwork,noonehasanexcusetobeidle.

Hethatobserveththewindshallnotsow;andhethatregardeththecloudsshallnotreap.Ecclesiastes11:4

Seestthouamandiligentinhisbusiness?heshallstandbeforekings;heshallnotstandbeforemeanmen.Proverbs22:29

Thesluggardwillnotplowbyreasonofthecold;thereforeshallhebeginharvest,andhavenothing.Proverbs20:4

Wemustworktoprosperbecause:

Inalllabourthereisprofit:butthetalkofthelipstendethonlytopenury.Proverbs14:23

Wehavetowork,notjusttoprosper,butalsotomaintaintheprosperity.

Wealthgottenbyvanityshallbediminished:buthethatgatherethbylabourshallincrease.Proverbs13:11

ItisobviousfromtheLord’sparableinMatthew20:1–18thatthoughHehadenoughtodistribute,Herefusedtogivethemanythingtheyhadnotlabouredfor.“Whystandyehereallthedayidle?”Heasked.Thesefellowswerecompletewithtwohands,twolegs,twoeyesandeachwithonegreathead.Hesaid,“Goandwork.”Idlenessneverearnsamanaliving.Inverse8,Hesaid:

…Callthelabourers,andgivethemtheirhire,beginningfromthelastuntothefirst.

Jesusisstillchallengingidlenesstoday.Goandwork,ifyouwanttoincreaseandmultiply.

Withthesethreebuttonsinoperationinyourlife–faith,givinganddiligence,theanointingforwealthwillkeepflowing.

Chapter10:AnointingForEnthronement

ThepicturepaintedintheBookofEcclesiastes10:5–7isreallyaneyesore.

ThereisanevilwhichIhaveseenunderthesun,asanerrorwhichproceedethfromtheruler:Follyissetingreatdignity,andtherichsitinlowplace.Ihaveseenservantsuponhorses,andprinceswalkingasservantsupontheearth.

Unfortunately,thatisthestateofthingsinChristendomtoday.Godcallsthatstateanevil.Eveninthenaturalworld,peopledon’tappreciatethingsthatarebelowstandard.MuchmoresointhekingdomofGod,wherebyreasonoftheworkofredemption,wearesoloadedwithredemptivepackages.Ourfailuretomanifestourredemptionconstitutesan“evil”.

TheBiblesaysJesus,byHisfinishedwork:

…HastmadeusuntoourGodkingsandpriests:andweshallreignontheearth.Revelation5:10

Untilthereisanawarenessandaconsciousnessofourbirthright,theevilwillnotcease.TheenemywillcontinuetotakeadvantageoftheignoranceofGod’speopletotheirbirthright.

Onemajorfunctionoftheanointingistodistinguishthebeneficiary;toenablehimstandintheofficeofhiscalling.ThecallingofGoduponourlivesisthatwehavebeenredeemeduntoGodandcalledoutaspriestsandkings,toreignontheearth.

Wehavebeenredeemed,notgivenanewtitle.Wewererescuedfromthe

backgroundofdeathandbroughtoutintopriesthoodandroyaltyatthesametime.WerepresentmenbeforeGodaspriestsandreignaskingsontheearth.

TheanointingforenthronementreferstotheHolySpiritenablingforthesaintsofGodtoenjoytheirroyalty.Royaltyinitsfullestisimpossiblewithouttheoutpouringofoil,becauseinIsrael,nokingreignedwithoutbeingconsecratedbythepouringofoiluponhishead.Whatestablishesroyaltyisthepouringofoilontheonebeingenthroned.YoucantracethatinScriptures.

WhenSamuelanointedSaulthesonofKishwiththeanointingoilforhisenthronementaskingandcaptainoverGod’speople,hesaid:

…IsitnotbecausetheLordhathanointedtheetobecaptainoverhisinheritance?1Samuel10:1

AfterSaulfailedasking,itwasnecessaryforanothervesseltobeanointedinhisplace.SoGodspoketoSamuel:

…HowlongwiltthoumournforSaul,seeingIhaverejectedhimfromreigningoverIsrael?fillthinehornwithoil,andgo,IwillsendtheetoJessetheBethlehemite:forIhaveprovidedmeakingamonghissons.

ThenSamueltookthehornofoil,andanointedhiminthemidstofhisbrethren:andthespiritoftheLordcameuponDavidfromthatdayforward…1Samuel16:1,13

TheprophetElijahalsohadthespecialassignmentofanointingthreemenwithoil,toestablishtheirenthronement:

AndtheLordsaiduntohim,Go,returnonthywaytothewildernessofDamascus:andwhenthoucomest,anointHazaeltobekingoverSyria:AndJehuthesonofNimshishaltthouanointtobekingoverIsrael:andElishathesonofShaphatofAbelmeholahshaltthouanointtobeprophetinthyroom.1Kings19:15–16

Thentaketheboxofoil,andpouritonhishead,andsay,Thus

saiththeLord,IhaveanointedtheekingoverIsrael.Thenopenthedoor,andflee,andtarrynot.Andhearose,andwentintothehouse;andhepouredtheoilonhishead,andsaiduntohim,ThussaiththeLordGodofIsrael,IhaveanointedtheekingoverthepeopleoftheLord,evenoverIsrael.

Andtheysaid,Itisfalse;tellusnow.Andhesaid,Thusandthusspakehetome,saying,ThussaiththeLord,IhaveanointedtheekingoverIsrael.2Kings9:3,6,12

Andhebroughtforththeking’sson,andputthecrownuponhim,andgavehimthetestimony;andtheymadehimking,andanointedhim;andtheyclappedtheirhands,andsaid,Godsavetheking.2Kings11:12

InalltheseScriptures,weseethatGodistheOnewhodoestheanointing.WearealsotoldofhowourLordJesusChristHimselfanointedthesickwithoil.

Andtheycastoutmanydevils,andanointedwithoilmanythatweresick,andhealedthem.Mark6:13

IfGodanointedmenforthethroneintimespast,Hehasnotchanged.HeisstillverymuchinthebusinessofanointingHissaintsfortheirenthronementtoday.Nothinggetsdonebypowerormight,butbytheSpiritoftheLord.

WhoIsEligible?

Wearealleligibleforthethrone,butonlytheanointedoneswillreign.Weareallpotentialkings,butittakestheanointingforenthronementtomanifest.Notethatnotallprincesinthenaturaleversitonthethrone;theonesthatdogettherebyappointment.ButinthekingdomofGod,itisbyanointing.Theanointingoilisthesealofthatenthronement.

Ordination,however,isnotintitlecarrying.Whatreallymattersisthatyoumanifestyoursonshipofthekingdom.Forinstance,youaremeanttobetheheadandnotthetailinwhicheverareaoflifeGodhasplacedyou.Asarighteousbusinessman,youshouldprevailineveryventureyouundertake.YourbrainismeanttoworkastheCreator’sbraindoes,asapartakerofHisdivinenature.Atnopointatallshouldyoubeconfusedandnotknowwhattodoinanygivensituation.

Whentheanointingcomesuponyou,thewisdomofGodspokenofinProverbs8:15isinstantlyinfused.

Bymekingsreign,andprincesdecreejustice.Thiswillcauseyourbraintostartworkingatsuchcreativedimensionsof

reasoning,thatwillsurpriseevenyou.TheWordsays:

Wherethewordofakingis,thereispower…Ecclesiastes8:4

Itistheoilthatupgradestheauthorityofyourtongueandmakesyourwordseffectivewhenyouspeak,causingthethingsyoudeclaretocometopass.IthankGodforshowingmetheoilministry.Ithasblessedthousandsofpeoplearoundtheworldtoday,becauseitissealedbytheHolySpirit.

Thepurposeofoilistokeepthefireburning.Itmakesaworldofdifferencewhenyouknowthereasonfordoingwhatyouaredoing.Whateverisnotdoneinfaithisasin.Thus,nomatterwhattheoilcontains,onlyyourfaithestablishesitsoperation.Itwillbetoyouonlyaccordingtoyourfaith.

DoyouknowthereasonwhymanysocalledbelieverstaketheHolyCommunionandstillremainsicklyandsomeevendie?Itissimplybecausetheydon’ttakeitinfaith.Fortoomany,theHolyCommunionispurelyareligiousritewhichmustbecarriedout.Similarly,ifnotappliedinfaith,theanointingoilcanbetakenjustasordinaryoliveoilboughtfromthemarketandnottheoiloftheHolySpirit,whichismeanttokeepthefireburning.

Mywifeisawitnesstothefactthatyoucan’tkeepmequietathome,abroadoranywhere.Iwantedtotravelsomewhereandwastoldthattherewasnoseatformeintheplane,asmynamewasnotonthecomputer.ItoldthemantheretomakesureIgotaseat,asIneededtomakethatjourney.Hestartedshaking.Heeventoldmethattheplanewasgoingtoleaveataparticulartime,butItoldhimthatitwasgoingtowaitforme.ThatwashowIgotintotheplaneandmademyjourney.

Whatwasthesourceofmystance?TheanointingoftheHolySpirit!Royaltydestroysinferioritycomplex.Nokingisinferiorinhisdomain.Somefolksbecomeasjitteryasjellyinabowlatthesightofchallengesandtheystartrunningaround.

BeggingmustceaseintheareawhereGodhascalledyou.Itistimetomanifesttheroyalbloodflowingthroughyourveins.Thepriests,havingbeenordained,areseparatedandconsecratedtostandinthepriest’soffice.Theoilenabledthemtogettheirjobdone.Itisamazinghowtherearemanytitle–carrierstodaywithouttheprerequisiteimpact.

Getthisright:wearenottalkingabouttitles,butaboutimpactandmanifestation.IfacedmultitudesofchallengesandovercameallbeforeIwasordainedasaBishop.Youdon’tusetitlestofight,itisimpactthatspeaksforitself.Royaltyisnotinatitle,itisinthemanifestationofredemptionprivileges.

TheinterestingthingaboutthisroyalFamilyisthatallthekingsreignatthesametime;thatiswhyJesusiscalledKingofkingsandLordoflords.Wearenotprinces,wearekings.HeistheonlyPrincewhobecomeKingofkings,becauseHedidnotgivebirthtoprinces.Hecameheretobecomethe

Kingofkingsandnotkingofprinces.

Manyofthosesongsweusedtosingthatalwayspromisecalm,restandabundanceonlyinthehereaftermerelyportrayignorance,becausewearemeanttostartreigninghereonearth.ThetimesinwhichwelivearetimestodemonstratethevalueandworthofHisdeathandresurrection,nottoleaveittilltomorroworwhenHecomes.

Bytheoil,youreceiveanewname.JesusneverreactedagainstbeingcalledtheSonofDavid,Heidentifiedwiththeroyaladdress.YoualsoknowthatDavid’sroyaltywasasaresultofhisbeinganointedwithoil.AndJesussaid,“AsmyFatherhathsentme,sosendIyou.”Theoilhasaplaceofenthroningthesaints,andbythepresenceoftheHolyGhost,theirslaveryisbroken,theyokeofpovertyisdestroyed.

Thepurposeoftheanointingistoclearallbarriersalonglife’sway.Ifyouhavefaith,asyoureadthisbook,theanointingwillbreakeverybondagethathasbeenholdingyoucaptivesinceyoucametoJesus.Theslaverytofoolishnessandstupiditythatmakesevensinnersseeyouasstupidwillgooff,byreasonoftheanointing.

Haveyoueverheardofwhenakingfoughtwithhiswifeandthenwenttohissubjectsforsettlement?Wheredoyoutakeakingto?Subjectsarebroughtbeforethekingforjudgmentandnottheotherwayround.WhenIreceivedthelightinRevelation5:10,IpromisedmyselfthattillIdie,mywifeandIwillneverhaveanyargument,becausekingsdon’tcondescendsolow;rather,theyhelpotherstosortoutissues.

Wehavebeenmarriedforovertenyearsnowandhavenothadevenoneoccasiontoargue.Whethersheisadummyornot,youonlyneedtotakealookathertoknowthatsheisn’t.Lifeisjustrosy.Ihavenotyetfoundacudgelwithwhichtomakemychildrenobeymyvoice!Theydon’tfightovertrivialmattersinaroyalFamily.Instead,youareremindedthatbecauseyouareofroyalblood,suchbehaviourisnotexpectedofyou.

YourbehaviourfromthismomentwillcarryroyaltyalongwithitinJesus’name.Youwillkeepremindingyourselfthatakingdoesn’tbehavecarelessly.

Whenyourealizethatyouareroyal,youwon’tfeelfreeanymoretomisbehaveorloseyourtemperandspeakallmannerofwrongthings.Fromthisdayon,thenoiseoffightingandmisbehaviourwillnotbeheardinyourhousehold,notforanyreasonunderthesun.

Whenyoucarrythatroyaltyconsciousness,itmoderatesyourbehaviourandevenaffectsyourdressing.Youdon’twalkoutwithbathroomslippersandputonafunnylookinghat,likeaguyfromsomeoddplace!Evenkingsinthevillagewon’tdothat.Wearetalkingaboutroyalty,thatis,belongingtotheheavenlyroyalFamily.Theoilcomingonyouistheend–timeroyalenthronement,whenthekingsoftheearthwillemergeandadministerthepeaceoftheworld.ItwillmakethingshappenasthoughGodwerehereonearthinperson.Jesuscouldnotbeintimidated.Theoilofanointingisanunctionthatissteadfast,basedontruth,notsubjecttointimidationofanykind.Jesussaid:

Behold,Igiveuntoyoupowertotreadonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy…Luke10:19

Youcannotintimidateakinginhisdomain(andourdomainistheearth),fortheScripturesays,“…Youshallreignontheearth”,notinavillage.Thereareforcesofroyaltyinyou(throughJesusChrist),thatwillnotallowyoutobetroddenuponortreatedcarelessly.Yourroyaltyhasnoboundary,becauseyouaremeanttoreignontheearth.Iamconsciousofthis,soIamcomfortableanywhereIam,whetherathomeorabroad.

Authorityisnotinatitle,itisinsideaperson.Godisnotagentlemanthatisjustwalkingabout.No!OnethatsitsuponthecirclesoftheearthdoingwhatHepleasescannotbeaweakling.Fromtoday,whenthedevilseesyourimage,hewillrunbecausewhereverthewordofakingis,thereispower.Akingwithaclosedmouthisaweakling!Itishiswordthatreleaseshispower.Ifhehasnothingtosay,hehasnoonetosurrendertohim.Allheneedstodoistosayhewantssomebodyandtheywillgorighttohisfather’shousetogethim,andthat,withouttheleastdelay.

ReleasingYourRoyalAuthority

Refusetomessupyourroyalty,don’tfrustratethegraceofGod.Releaseyourroyaltybyspeaking,forthereispowerinthewordsofaking,whichyouareinChrist.AfterDavidgothisanointing,everywordhespoketoGoliathwasconfirmed,causinghimtoprevail.

Iwanttodrawalineforyou.Thereareprophets,andamongtheprophets,thereareprophets.Therearekings,andamongthekings,therearekings.ThatiswhyeveryoneborntoaroyalFamilyhaspotentialsforthethrone,nomatterhisage.Aone–dayoldinfantisjustasmuchaprinceasafifty–eightyearoldmaninthesameFamily.Josephknewhewasakingandhiseyeswereperpetuallyonthethrone,buthedidnotgetthereovernight.

Hiskingshipwassure,itwasthereandhewaslivingasone,thoughhehadnotliterallyascendedthethrone.HisroyaltymanifestedinprisonandinthehouseofPotiphar.Everythinginthehousewashandedovertohimexcepthismaster’swife.Hewasthecommanderofthehousewherehewasaslave.Eventhesonofthehousemusthaveneededhispermissiontotakethecarkeys!

JustmakesureitisGodliftingyoufromonephaseofglorytotheother,otherwiseyoucanbreakyourselfbystrugglingtorise.Iamgladtoletyouknowthatthesealofyourroyaltycomesuponyouasyoureadthisbook.Whatishappeningisthatyourwordshavebecomethewordsofakingandyourheart,aking’sheart.Yourbrainisnowthatofakingandyourbehaviour,aking’sbehaviour,inthemightynameofJesus.

Kingsthatareworththeirthronesdon’tgossip,theydon’tbackbite;neitheraretheyfoundinwrongplaces.Thelocationofakingisalwaysknown.Royaltyforbidsthatthekingbelookedforandnotbefound.Hisitineraryalwaysshowswhereheisatanygiventime.

Whenyoudon’twantyourwifetoknowwhereyouarecomingfromisirresponsibility!Itisunkingly!Royaltystandsfordominion,havingthefinalsayinallaffairsinyourdomain.Youareevenabletocontrolsickness,turntroublesawayanddecidewhatshouldhangaroundyouandwhatshouldnot.

Afterreadingthisbook,youwillbeasurprisetoevenyourself.YouwillnolongerstaggeratsomeScriptures.Thethingsyouneverunderstoodwillbecomeveryplain.Whateveritisthathascausedablockinthebrainandwhichhasaffectedthemindwillgiveway.Themindistheeyeofthespiritanditisthetargetofthedevil.Hehasblindedthemindsofthemthatbelievenot,lesttheyshouldseethegloriousgospelandbesaved.

Itispossibletohearsomethingandnotseeit.Forinstance,youcanhearseveralmessagesonprosperityandabundance,butaslongasthemindisblocked,youwillstillwallowinabjectpoverty.Theanointingforroyaltywilllooseyourmindfrommentaldecadence.

Lifecannotremainthesamewithyoubecausethethingsyoucan’tseearethereasonwhyyouarebeingpunished.Somepeopleprayandfastformoneyandyetdon’texperienceanyfinancialbreakthrough.Thisisbecausetheydon’thavethekey.Theyprayandfastforitsecretly,butcondemnitintheopen.Godsays,asyouhavespokeninMyears,soshallitbeuntoyou,youwon’tentertheCanaanofprosperity.

ThedevilismadaboutyourmindandthatiswhyPaultellsyoutohavethemindofChrist.Youhavethepotentialinyoutosee.ItiswhatJesussawthatmadeHimnottogiveup:

…Whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.Hebrews12:2

ThemindisthepassagerouteofGod’sblessingsintothespiritman.Itisneededtomakefaithwork.Whatthemindcannotcatch,faithcannotbring.Oneofthecriteriaforputtingamanonthethroneiswealth.Wealthissynonymouswithenthronement.Povertyandthethronedon’tdwelltogether.Theyarenotcompatiblebyanystandard.Themindmustbemadetoopenuptoreceivewhatittakestohaveabreakthrough.

LooseyourmindandreceivetheWordandmoveforward.Weneedanew

beginning.Thisiswhattheworldiswaitingfor.Wewillbegintoadministerpeaceandjusticeandshallreignintheearth.So,fromnowon,whateveryoudo,doitasaroyaltyandnotasacommoner.Byreasonoftheanointing,youwillknowwhattodoateverycrossroad.Youhavetheanswer!

Finally,rememberthatJesuscompletedtheworkforourliftingtwothousandyearsago.Wecan’taffordtodieinslavery.Icommandeverythingaboutyoutomoveuptotheroyalrealm.Takechargeandreign!

Chapter11:StirringUpTheAnointing

Everybornagainandspirit–filledbelieverhasgotsomeoil,butnoteveryonehasfreshoil.Itisawellknownfactthattheengineoilinacardoesn’tlastforalifetime.Itrequiresachangeeverynowandagain,otherwise,itwillweakentheengine(andrenderitineffective),orwhentooshort,causetheengineto“knock.”Thus,asensiblepersoncheckstheengineoilgaugeeverymorning,toensureitisnottooblackortheleveltooshort.Amendsaremadeimmediately,dependingonthestateoftheoil.

ImaginewhatwouldhappenifyoupridedyourselfonyourPh.D.inMechanicalEngineeringandrefusedtochangetheoilwhenitwasdue.Youwouldsoon,mostcertainly,findyourselfdrivingyourcertificateinplaceofyourcar!Whentheoilisnew,theengineisempoweredandmovessmoothly.Thesameistrueofthefreshoilinthebeliever.Itmakesforgreatspeedandbringshimvictory.

HowToStirUpTheAnointing

HowthendoIgettheoilfresh?youwonder.Psalm92:1,10–15shedssomelightonit.

ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntotheLord,andtosingpraisesuntothyname,OmostHigh:Butmyhornshaltthouexaltlikethehornofanunicorn:Ishallbeanointedwithfreshoil.Mineeyealsoshallseemydesireonmineenemies,andmineearsshallhearmydesireofthewickedthatriseupagainstme.Therighteousshallflourishlikethepalmtree:heshallgrowlikeacedarinLebanon.ThosethatbeplantedinthehouseoftheLordshallflourishinthecourtsofourGod.Theyshallstillbringforthfruitinoldage;theyshallbefatandflourishing;ToshowthattheLordisupright:heismyrock,andthereisnounrighteousnessinhim.

Ifyouwanttoseeyourdesireonyourenemies,thenfreshoilistheanswer.Itisthekey;itwillmakeyouhearyourdesireonyourenemiesthatriseupagainstyou.

GiveThanksAndSingPraises

Psalm92:1tellsusthatitisagoodthingtogivethanksandtopraisethenameoftheMostHigh.ThanksgivingisanattitudeofappreciationandgratitudeforsomethingreceivedfromGodorwhatHehasdone.

Praise,ontheotherhand,hastodowithpraisingHimforHisperson.YourhighratingofHimcausespraisetooozeforthfromyou.YoujustappreciateHispersonandadoreHimforwhoHeis.ItisgoodtogivethanksuntotheLord,becausethegivingofthanksbringsyouintotheanointing.

Insomeotherplace,theBibletalksabout“givingthanksinALLthings,forthisisthewillofGodinChristJesusconcerningyou.”AccordingtotheBible,youareboundtoobtainthepromiseafterhavingdonethewillofGod(Hebrews.10:36).GivingthanksuntotheLordbringsyouintoanewrealmwithHim.AsyougiveHimthanks,showerpraisesalsoonHim.

PraiseisthenaturalhabitatofGod.Justlikefishcan’tsurviveoutsidewater,soalsoispraisevitaltoGod.Hecannotsurviveapraiselessenvironment,becauseitiscontrarytothelawofHisnaturalhabitat.

Butthouartholy,OthouthatinhabitestthepraisesofIsrael.Psalm22:3

LetthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouth,andatwoedgedswordintheirhand;Toexecutevengeanceupontheheathen,andpunishmentsuponthepeople;Tobindtheirkingswithchains,andtheirnobleswithfettersofiron;Toexecuteuponthemthejudgmentwritten:thishonourhaveallhissaints.PraiseyetheLord.Psalm149:6–9

Ifhighpraiseswillmakeyoubindthekingsoftheearthwithiron,itmeansthathighpraisesgrantyouanentranceintoafreshanointing.Ifyouseeabelieverwhoisalwaysfresh,thenyouhaveseenabelieverwhoisaddictedtopraisesandthanksgiving,hiscircumstancesnotwithstanding.Butahighlytensedperson,withalonganddrawnface,lookingfearfulandembarrassingeverybody(includinghimself)issuretobedefeatedbytheenemy.

Youhearsomepeople,includingbelieverssay,“Naturally,Idon’tsmile.”Spiritually,ifyoudon’tsmile,youaredefeated,becausethesecretofstrengthisinyourrejoicing–“thejoyoftheLordisyourstrength”(Nehemiah.8:10).

Thus,ifyouaredesirousofstrength,theprovisionforitisinbeingjoyful.Youneedstrengthtobeanovercomer.Ifyoumusthavestrength,youmustbejoyful.Paulrevealedoneofhissecretstous“Rejoice,andagainIsay,rejoice.”Hemeanstosayyoushould“rejoiceevermore.”

Inourperfectexample,JesusChrist,wefindaneternalattitudeofthanksgiving,eveninthefaceofchallengesoflife.YoualwayshearHimsay,“Father,IthankYou,”andalways,thefreshoilcomesuponHimandproducestherequiredmiracle.Howweneedthattoday!

ThanksgivingwilltakeovertheplaceofyourprayerrequestsandGodwilltakeoveryourresponsibilities.AtthegravesideofLazarus,Jesuswouldn’thaveneededtosayanything,butinordernottobethoughtofasamagician,Hegavethanks:

…Father,Ithanktheethatthouhastheardme.John11:41

Hedidnothavetoprayalongreligiousprayer;themomentHegavethanks,thatanointingcameuponHimandtheimpossiblebecameacheappossibility.

Ifyouwanttoexperiencealifestylethatiscloudedwiththefreshoil(anointing),thenbeaddictedtothanksgivingandpraises.GivethankstoGodateverypointofyourlife,evenwhereitdoesnotapply(whencircumstancesruncontrarytoyourexpectation);beabletosay,“Father,Ithankyou.”Sayit,andmeanitfromrightinsideyou.

ReasonsForThanksgiving

God’sAbidingPresence

EachtimeyoupraiseGodandgiveHimthanks,Hispresencecomesdowntobackuptheanointing.Godwillnotbewherethereisnopraiseandthanksgiving.WhatHispresencedoesistoeffectthevictory.Hispresenceisyourlicensefortriumph.SeewhattheBiblesaysinPsalm114:2–7:

Judahwashissanctuary,andIsraelhisdominion.Theseasawit,andfled:Jordanwasdrivenback.Themountainsskippedlikerams,andthelittlehillslikelambs.Whatailedthee,Othousea,thatthoufleddest?thouJordan,thatthouwastdrivenback?Yemountains,thatyeskippedlikerams;andyelittlehills,likelambs?Tremble,thouearth,atthepresenceoftheLord,atthepresenceoftheGodofJacob;

Markyou,Idon’tmeanpraisingGodinchurchasamerechurchprogramme.ImeanpraisingGodasalifestyle.ItinvokesthepresenceofJehovahGodandestablishesHiseverabidingpresencewithyou.

TheBiblesaysthatIsraeldidnotgetthelandbytheirownstrength;theydidnotworkforit.Theirenemieshadlabouredforalltheirarmsandammunition,butallthatIsraeldidwastogatherthespoil!ThepresenceofGodcausesyourenemiestobowbeforeyou.

RememberwhathappenedwhenPaulandSilasbegantosingpraisesintheprison.TheAlmightycameandtherewasanearthquake.YoucanbringGod’spresencedowninthemidstofyourcrossroads.WithGodinyourcompany,yourenemiesarecompelledtobow,establishingyourfreedom.

…IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?Romans8:31WhenJehoshaphatandthearmyofJudahsangthepraisesoftheMost

High,Hesteppedinandtookoverthebattle(2Chronicles.20).Astheybegantosingandtopraise,Godsetanambushmentagainsttheirenemiesandthatwashowtheyspoilttheirenemiesthatday.PraisesandthanksgivingalwaysbringdownGod’spresence.

Youhaveprayedhardenough,nowbegintosingandpraiseJehovah.His

earsarenotdeafnorareHishandsshort.SingandpraiseHimintoactingonyourbehalf.Whenpraisebecomesyourlifestyle,beforeyoureachthebattlefront,itwouldhavebeenwon.YieldyourselftoGod,soyoucanenjoyHisever–abidingpresence.Yourdestinyisnotinanyman’shand,itisinyourownhands.Whatpeoplesayfor,oragainstyoudoesnotdeterminewhetheryouwinorlose.SettledownandbegintoappreciatethewaysofGod.

TheAnointingOfTheHolySpirit

Praisereleasesthefreshoil,whichmakesforthenewanointing.Jesustookchargeineverysituation.Hehaddominion,exercisedauthorityandhadHisway,byreasonofthepresenceofGodandthefreshoilHecarried.

…Ishallbeanointedwithfreshoil.Psalm92:10Andimmediatelyafterthatverse,weread:

Mineeyealsoshallseemydesireonmineenemies,andmineearsshallhearmydesireofthewickedthatriseupagainstme.

Whenyousingpraisesandgivethanksfromyourheartanddon’tjustpaylip–service,youcommandtheflowofthefreshoil.Thereisnomanthatwillkeeptheflowofoilfreshinhislifewithoutasolidconnectionwiththanksgivingandpraise.Praiseretainsthefreshnessoftheoil.Withoutit,theoilbecomesstale,happeningsbecomestaleandthetestimoniesturntotestings.

Revelations

WhenyousingandpraiseGod,thefreshoilcomestobringyourevelationsfromthedeep.Thefreshoilcomestoilluminateyourspirit–mantothemysteriesofthekingdomofGod.FirstJohn2:27states:

Buttheanointingwhichyehavereceivedofhimabidethinyou,andyeneednotthatanymanteachyou:butasthesameanointingteachethyouofallthings,andistruth,andisnolie,andevenasithathtaughtyou,yeshallabideinhim.

Also,1Corinthians2:11,10says:

Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisinhim?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.

Whentheanointingcomes,ittakesyouonanadventureintothedeep;andwhenyougetthereyoursweatingceases.IfyourlifewilleverreflectGod’seternalpurpose,thedeep(revelation)holdsyourdestiny;andyouonlygainentrancetherebytheSpiritofGod.Whatareyoudoingintheshallowwaters?Therearebarriersstandingonyourway,buttheSpiritofGodwilltakeyouintothedeepforoutstandingsolutions.

Praisebegetsrevelationsandrevelationsbegetrevolutions;revolutionsareforcefulturn–arounds,theyhavenoregardfornaturallaws,theyjustcausetohappen.

OnedaytheLordtookKennethHagintoMark11:23,andfromthatday,statementsthatseemordinarybecamelifeandfiretohim.Hisworthlessandwitheredbodycamealiveandparalysispartedfromhim55yearsago!Whatmedicalsciencecouldnotdo,revelationbroughtittopass.

Whenyoustopwakingupintoanxietiesandburdens,butratherstartwakingupintopraiseandadoration,youwillopenthewindowsofrevelations;andbecauserevelationsbringaboutrevolutions,youwillgofrom

glorytoglory.Whentheminstrelsbegantosing,thecloudoverElijah’sheadliftedandhiseyessawthethingsthatweredifficulttoutter:

…Yeshallnotseewind,neithershallyeseerain…2King3:17

Thebarrier–cloudstoyourrevelationsareliftedwhenyousingpraises.Itispraisethatreleasestheanointing,whichreleasestherevelations,whichinturnproducerevolution.Revelationsdon’tcomefromBibleconcordancesorcrossreferences;theycomeonlyasgivenbytheSpiritofGodandcanonlybeinvokedthroughpraiseandthanksgiving.

YouFlourish

Theanointingisalsotheoilofgladness.Itisfortheglad,notforthemournful,accusers,sorrowfulortheoffended.

Thedictionarydefinitionof“flourish”is“growthinahealthymanner;bewellandactive;prosper.”Anyonewhoenjoysthefreshoilisboundtoflourish.

Therighteousshallflourishlikethepalmtree:heshallgrowlikeacedarinLebanon.ThosethatbeplantedinthehouseoftheLordshallflourishinthecourtsofourGod.Psalm92:12–13

Thisissobecausetheanointingbreaksyokes.Itsuppressestheoppositionoftheenemy.Weareagentsofsuccess,thatiswhyJesuscame.Hecametoraiseusupuntoglory.Butwegetladenwithsomuchbytheenemy,whoisbentonplantinginourliveswhattheLordhasnotplanted.PraiseGod,whentheanointingcomesonyou,itmakestheenemysurrenderandbowoutofyoursituation.

Theanointingshallmakeyouseeyourdesireuponyourenemies.WhateveroperatesaroundyouthatGodhasnotputthereisanenemy.Yourdesireoveryourenemiesisalwaysthattheygivewaytoyou,andthatiswhattheanointingdoes.Youfindyourselffloatingindivinefavourwithmen.Wherehithertonobodyhadwantedtoseeyou,yousuddenlybecomedesirable.

Thecedaristhetallestofalltrees,thus,withtheanointingyoucanattainuntosupernaturalheights.Itisalsothehardesttobreak,thustheanointingbreaksthehardestofyokes,therebyestablishingyourliberty.

Intheearlydaysofthisministry,becauseofthejoyoftheLordthatpossessedus,coupledwiththepositivereportsofthefaithfulnessofGodalwaysoozingoutofourlips,oneofourfriendsinministrythoughtwewere“makingit”andtherefore,musthavemuchcash.Onedayheaskedforaloanofanamount,aquarterofwhichIhadneverseenputtogetherbefore!Our

joywassomuchthathecouldnotseeourlack.Thereisapositionyouoccupyinlifethattheworldisunabletodetermineyourtruestate.Youalwayscarryaradiance,thatopensyouupfortheHolySpirittopromoteyou.

Inconclusion,IwanttosuggesttoyoutobethankfultoGodandblessHiminspiteofyourcircumstances.Forinstance,areyoulookingforajob?ThankHimthatyouarealive;for,whatwouldhavehappenedifyouweredeadorifyoudidnothaveacertificateatall?Whatwouldyouhavedoneifyouhadnofeet?Yousee,themomentyoubegintothankGodforthecertificateHehasgivenyou,Hewilladdajobtoit,sothatyoucanhavesomethingmoretothankHimfor.

Therearepeoplethathavejobsnow,butwhodon’tvaluethemenoughtothankGodforthem,untiltheylosetheirplace.TheIsraeliteswerealwaysgrumblingandcomplainingabouteverything.Asaresult,theycouldonlyenjoyGod’sactsandnotHisways.IfyoumustenjoytheprivilegeofGodshowingyouHisways,youmustbeathankfulperson,alwayssingingHishighpraisesandtestifyingofHisfaithfulness.

IcommendyoutoGodforalifestyleofpraise,thatwillmakethechallengesofthislifebecomeliketoysandmakeallyourmountainsplains.EnterintotherestofGod,enjoyingasweatlessandeffortlesstriumphinlifeoverallthePhilistines,Egyptians,GoliathsandwallsofJericho.

TestifyToGod’sFaithfulness

AndtheyovercamehimbythebloodoftheLamb,andbythewordoftheirtestimony…Revelation12:11

Toshowforththylovingkindnessinthemorning,andthyfaithfulnesseverynight,Psalm92:2

To“showforth”meanstotestify.Ifyouwanttomaintainacontinuousflowoftheanointing,thenyoumustbeatestifier–testifyingofthegoodnessoftheLordinyourlife.TelleveryonehowmuchGodlovesyou.Thatismylifestyle.

EverywhereIgoorcomebackfrom,youcannothearanyreportfrommymouthexceptthatwhichglorifiesGod.WhatthisdoesformeisthateachtimeItestifyofHisfaithfulness,Heincreasesmemoreandmore,causingmetoimproveonmyformerstate.ThisissobecauseasIsingHispraise,thefreshoiltogetbetterresultsisreleased.

AfterJoshuaandCalebgavetheirreport,theyweregoingtobestoned,buttheanointingcameuponthemlikeacloudandthepeoplecouldnotdothemharm.Goodreportscommandtheflowoftheoilandkeepstheoilfresh.Whenyouroilisfresh,youreyeswillbegintoseewhathasbecomeofyourenemiesandyourearswillhearwhathasbecomeofthewickedthatriseupagainstyou.

WhenHesaysthatyoureyeswillSEE,itmeansthatyouwillenjoytheprivilegeofwatchingtheeffectoftheoilonyourenemies.Everyunwantedissueinyourlifeisanenemy–sickness,sorrow,shame,failure,barrenness,depression,everystateoflack,etc.Thefreshoilwilldealwithallofthemonyourbehalfandthenyouwillbegintoflourish.

HowTheOilWorks

…Whentheenemyshallcomeinlikeaflood,theSpiritoftheLordshallliftupastandardagainsthim.Isaiah59:19

TheanointingoftheHolyGhost,thefreshnessoftheoilcompelstheenemytosurrender.Winningwithoutsweatisanimpossibilitywithouttheoil,foritisneveraccomplishedbymight;itisonlypossiblebytheSpiritofGod.

IfJesustheSonofGodneededtheanointing,thereisnoonethatcanaccomplishanyfeatagainsttheenemywithouttheanointing.IfHeneededtheoil,howmuchmoredoweneedittoday.

Forthirtyyearswithouttheoil,Hewaspracticallyinactive,unknownandunrecognized.AllHisspiritualcredentialsamountedtozerointheabsenceoftheoil.Butwhentheoilcame,whathadnoshapeorformforthirtyyearswasaccomplishedinthreeandahalfshortyears!Thefreshoilsealsyourtriumphinlife’sbattles.

NotethisScriptureinIsaiah8:20:

Tothelawandtothetestimony:iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereisnolightinthem.

IfyouwanttoretainthelightofGod,thenyoumustbeatestifierofHisgoodness.Foreveryonenegativereportthatisbroughttoyou,supplythereporterwithtwentyothergoodreports,tocountertheevilone.Thiswillkeepyouon.

Therearesomanypeopletodaywhonaturallyjustdon’ttalktoanybody.Itellyouthetruth,itisnotsafeforyoutobelikethat.Idonotmeanthatyouarenotsaved,butitisnotsafeforyoutobethatway.YoucannotbelikethatandbegladintheLordandifyouarenotglad,youcannotsing.“Isanymanmerry?Lethimsing.”Itisalmostimpossibletosingwithoutamerryheart.

WhenyousingandtestifyoftheLord’sgoodness,yourenemieswillnolongercount,becauseGodHimselfwillexaltyourhornlikethatofanunicorn.ThismeansthatyourstrengthwillberejuvenatedandyouwillbestrengthenedbytheSpiritofGodinyourinnerman.Whenthishappens,youaresetforexploits.

HowGodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower…Acts10:38

ThisshowsthatitisGodthatanointspeople.So,ifyouwanttoapproachHimfortheanointing,youhavetodosowiththanksgiving.WhatthepsalmistissayingisthatifyoucangainaccessintoHispresence,youareentitledtostrength.Hesuppliesthatstrengthbypouringfreshoilonyourhead.

IfyouaredesiroustocomeintoHispresencefortheanointing,thenyoumustcomewithpraiseandthanksgiving;that’stheonlywaytogainaccess.Asyouarrive,letHimalsohearthesoundofyourtestimonyandHewillacknowledgeyouasaregisteredovercomerandreleasethefreshoilforyournextbattle.

ManyhavebeenbaptizedintheHolySpiritforseveralyearsnowbuthavenothingtoshowforit;itsfreshnesshasdisappeared,eventhetonguestheyspeakhavebecomedry,thesyllableshavevanishedandtherefreshinginthespiritisgone.Thisissobecausetheoilisnolongerfreshandtheengineisaboutto“knock”!

Youmustletgooftheoldoilandopenupforthefresh.Itisthebestwaytolive.IknowadearmanofGodwhoisoneofthemanysaintsenjoyingthisfreshanointinginourdays.Thisdoesnotmeanthathehasnotbeenfacedwithadversities,hehas.

Onetime,thedevilattackedhiswifewithcancer,butitdidn’tkeephimdown.Youcouldnevertellfromhisfacewhathewasgoingthrough.Heknewthesecretofthefreshoil;andglorytoGod,today,sheiswellanduponherfeet,strengthenedbytheSpiritofGodintheinnerman!

Ontheotherhand,therearesomepeoplewholooktwentyyearsolderthantheirrealage.Forordinarilymissingataxitheyhopedtocatch,theygetsoworkedupandcan’tgetoveritforhours.Somepeopleloseallthejoyofheavenforamereflattire!Toomanypeoplegetupsetbyeveryminorthingthatordinarilyshouldnotmatter,andthisaccountsfortheabsenceoffreshoilintheirlives.Paulsaid“noneofthesethingsmovedme.”Peoplewhogeteasilymovedneveremergeasovercomers.

Youneedtorealizethattheonlythingthedevilrecognizesandalwaysbowstointhelifeofthebelieveristhefreshoil.Itistheanswer.Youneedfreshoilforeachnewday.BegladattheworkofGod’shand,getexcitedabouteverything.ThereisalwayssomethingtothankGodfor.ThankHimforyoursalvationandthejoyinyourheartsinceyoumettheSaviour.

SomebodyoncecametomeandcomplainedthatGodhadnotbeenfaithfultohim,andhereallymeantitfromhisheart.Ipitiedhim,becauseJesushadalreadyspokenaboutsuch“BlessedisthemanwhosoeverisnotoffendedinMe.”

SomepeopletestGodandturnbacktoaccuseHimofunfaithfulness.ButtheBiblewarns,“TemptnottheLordyourGod.”Ifyouwillonlylookaround,thereareathousandandonethingstotestifyofGod’sgoodness.So,stopaccusingHim,becauseaccusersofGodhavenofuture.Rather,startpraisingHimandtestifyingofHisfaithfulness;andyouwillbegintoexperiencethefreshoilthatmakesforanewbeginning.

IwasonceaskedwhetherIeverhaveproblems.ThefactisthatIhavebeensobusythankingGodforeverything,thatIhavenotbeenabletoseetheproblems.IlikeeverythingIhave–myface,myheight,myoffice,mywifeandchildren–thereforeIamnotabletocovetanotherman’s.Therearepeoplewhoneverlikewhattheyhave;rather,theyprefereverythingothershave.Eveninchurch,theyarebusycomparingthemselveswithothersinthecongregationandseeingmorereasonswhyGodhasnotbeenfaithfultothem.

Ilikegivinggoodreports,evenincontrarysituations.Itdoesmegood.In1984,intheearlydaysoftheministry,mywifecametovisitme.Attheendofthefirstservicesheattended,shecouldnotbelieveservicehadstarted

whenitended!Thiswasbecauseofthetotalnumberofpeopleinattendancethatday.Itdidn’tquitematchwiththekindofreportsshehadbeenhearingfromme.

ThoseweredayswheneachpersonhadawholepewtohimselfandtheoneinfrontforhisBible!Exceptthebabiesinthewomb,everyotherpersonwasaccountedforintheattendanceregister.WhywasIdoingthis?Because,thereisnothingthatbrightensatomorrowmorethanthegoodreportoftoday.

Fasting

Fastinghasavitalroletoplayinsustainingtheanointing.ItisoneofthevitalspiritualexercisesdesignedaspartofourChristianexperience.Itisdesignedforthereleaseoftheanointing.God’sordainedfasthelpstoloosenthechainsofwickedness.Italsohelpstoundotheheavyburden.Ithelpstosetfreetheoppressedandtobreakeveryyoke.FastingisessentiallyordainedbyGod,forpowerbuildingandtocausetheraintofall.

AllgreatmeninGod’skingdommadeitbecausethisvitalkeyoffastingwasinoperation.JesusChrist,theSaviouroftheworld,alsoengagedinit.ItisonrecordthatJesusreturnedfromHis40dayfastinthepoweroftheSpirit.

Whenallotherfactorsareinplace,andyouengageinafast,youareboundtoreturninthepoweroftheSpirit.ForGodtoincrease,youhavetodecrease.FastingisgivingGodtheplacethatfoodhadoccupied,aseparationfromfooduntoGod.

FastingwithoutthestudyoftheBibleandcommunicationwithGodthroughprayers,however,isanexerciseinfutility.Itisnolongerafast,butahungerstrike!Fastingisingoodshapewhennaturalpleasuresgivewaytospiritualvalues.InIsaiah58:6–7,weseethekindoffastthatGodappreciates.

FastingdoneinlovebringsanunusualflowofGod’sanointing.Youmovefromtherealmoftheordinarytotheextraordinary.WhenyourmotivesareinlinewithGod’sWord,youwillbelifted,yourunderstandingwillbesharpenedandyourinsidewillbebrightened,asGod’sgloryreflectsonyourlife.Yourlightwillbreakforth,asrevealedinIsaiah58:8–9.

IhaveexperiencedanoutburstofGod’spowerthroughfasting.IthasbroughtaboutglorioustransformationsinthelivesofpeopleIcameincontactwith.Youtoocanwitnesstheflowoftheanointinginyourlife!AllthatGodwantsfromyouispurityandsincerityineverythingyoudo.

Someyearsago,Ihadjustengagedinauniquefellowshipwithheaven,

afterwhichIvisitedsomepeopleandwasaskedtoblessthefood.AsIprayed,thegloryofGodwassovisiblethatnoonecouldeat.God’spresencewasfeltinsuchagloriouswaythattheordinarymancouldnotexplain.

Fortwenty–sixmonths,menprayedandfastedfortheoutburstofGod’spowerandareleaseofanunusualanointingbeforeourministrystarted.Thishasbroughtabouttremendousbreakthroughsineverysphereandphaseoftheministry.

Learntosay“no”tofoodwhenyousensetheleadingoftheSpirittoengageinafast.Don’tsellyourbirthrightforamorselofmeat,likeEsaudid.ThereismoretoChristianitythanmeetstheordinaryeye,soengageyourselfinthisvitalforceoffasting.ItisaregularmeansbywhichGodrenewsthestrengthofHispeople.Itisforconsistentpowerbuildingandreleaseofpower.ItbringsyouintoabrighterrevelationofGod.Itisaprincipalwayofspiritualupliftment.

ThePlaceOfTheWord

AnothervitalforcethatyouneedtokeeptheflowofGod’sanointinginyourlifeistheWord.YouneedtotapintoGod’spowerthroughHisWord.God’sWordisrelevanttothebuildingupofthesaints.ItisthecarrierofGod’spower.

Thenheansweredandspakeuntome,saying,ThisisthewordoftheLorduntoZerubbabel,saying,Notbymight,norbypower,butbymyspirit,saiththeLordofhosts.Zechariah4:6

TheSpiritstandsfortheanointingoftheHolyGhost.TheWordthatbringsaboutlightistheANOINTING.God’sWordhasanin–builtanointinginit.Itistheonlysourceofincorruptiblepower.Ifyourfastingisvoidoflight,darknesscanmanifestitselfthere.TheWordofGodisthelightthatwardsoffdarkness.AnencounterwithGod’sWordbringsaboutthereleaseofGod’spower.

TherevelationofGod’sWordshootsyouupfromonelevelofglorytoanother.TheWordofGoddelivers,heals,andprospers.Itsetseverybelieverfreefromthebondageofdeath.TheWordbringsaboutthebreakingofeveryyoke.AllowtheHolySpirittogiveyoutremendousinsightintotheWordofGod;itwillnodoubtresultinatestimony,acompletetransformationineveryareaofyourlife.

ReadtheWordofGodwithgreatexpectations.TheWordistheprincipalsourceforpowerbuilding.Itisthecarrieroftheyoke–breakinganointing.ApplytheWordineveryareaofyourlife–business,health,finance,spirituallife,etc,andwatchtheanointingthereindestroyeveryyoke.

Chapter12:AnointingForRestoration

IsIsraelaservant?isheahomebornslave?whyishespoiled?Theyounglionsroareduponhim,andyelled,andtheymadehislandwaste:hiscitiesareburnedwithoutinhabitant.AlsothechildrenofNophandTahapaneshavebrokenthecrownofthyhead.Hastthounotprocuredthisuntothyself,inthatthouhastforsakentheLordthyGod,whenheledtheebytheway?Jeremiah2:14–17

AboveisapowerfulpropheticpictureoftheChurchtoday.Truly,theChurchhasbeengrosslyspoilt,herlandmadewastes,hercitiesburnedandthecrownofherheadbroken.Thecitysetuponthemountaincannolongerbeseen,shehasgonedownthevalley.Theheadhasbecomethetail.Yes,thisisapeoplerobbedandspoiled.

Butthisisapeoplerobbedandspoiled;theyareallofthemsnaredinholes,andtheyarehidinprisonhouses:theyareforaprey,andnonedelivereth;foraspoil,andnonesaith,Restore.Isaiah42:22

Despitethis,God’sintentionandprogrammeforrestorationisveryplain:

Begladthen,yechildrenofZion,andrejoiceintheLordyourGod:forhehathgivenyoutheformerrainmoderately,andhewillcausetocomedownforyoutherain,theformerrain,andthelatterraininthefirstmonth.

Andthefloorsshallbefullofwheat,andthefatsshalloverflowwithwineandoil.AndIwillrestoretoyoutheyearsthatthelocusthatheaten,thecankerworm,andthecaterpillar,andthepalmerworm,mygreatarmywhichIsentamongyou.Andyeshalleatinplenty,andbesatisfied,andpraisethenameoftheLordyourGod,thathathdealtwondrouslywithyou:andmypeopleshallneverbeashamed.Joel2:23–26

God’sintentionisveryclear:torestoretoyouallthathasbeenstolen.Hisprogrammeisalsoclear:tocausetheraintocomedown.Thatis,therainwilleffecttherestoration!Toenjoythewondersofrestoration,wemusthavethe

showersofrain.

HowTheAnointingEffectsRestoration

Asmentionedinearlierchapters,therainrepresentstheanointingoftheHolyGhost.Buthowdoestheanointingenhancerestoration?

DiscoverTheThief

Mendonotdespiseathief,ifhestealtosatisfyhissoulwhenheishungry;Butifhebefound,heshallrestoresevenfold;heshallgiveallthesubstanceofhishouse.Proverbs6:30–31

Thefirststeptorestorationistodiscoverthethief,therobber.Untilthethiefiscaught,thestolengoodscannotberecovered.Whoisthisthief?Andwhatishismission?ThethiefisSatan,thedevil.HeisthatsameoldserpentinthegardenofEden.Heisstillthesubtleserpent,hehasnotrepented.

TheApostlePaulexperiencedagreatdealofhistricks,whichhedocumentedintheepistles,inspiredbytheHolyGhost.In2Corinthians11:3,hesaid:

ButIfear,lestbyanymeans,astheserpentbeguiledEvethroughhissubtilty,soyourmindsshouldbecorruptedfromthesimplicitythatisinChrist.

Thedevil’sstrategyistoplaydownonthevirilityandrelevanceofthegospelasitaffectstheverycomplexproblemsoflife.ItwasthesametrickheusedinthegardenofEden.HeplayeddownonGod’sinstructiontomanandmanbecameavictimofhiswickedness.

AssimpleasGod’sWordis,itisdependableandoperational.ThissimplegospelisstillthecarrierofGod’spoweruntosalvation.Thissame“simplegospel”holdstheentirecreationinplace.Allthingsvisibleandinvisible,physicalandspiritualarecontrolledbytheWord.

…Andupholdingallthingsbythewordofhispower…Hebrews1:3

Asimplegospel,yetitholdsthedestinyofmanintrust!Thedevilknowsthat“whenyourobedience(tothesimplegospel)isfulfilled,youwillavengealldisobedience”(2Corinthians.10:6).Hedreadsyourtotalobediencetothegospel,thatiswhyhedeliberatelyandcalculatedlywatersdownandpresentsitasirrelevanttothecomplexproblemsoftoday.Beware,donotbeavictim.Canaanisyoursbythesimplewordofpromise–thegospel.

OpensUnderstanding

Inwhomthegodofthisworldhathblindedthemindsofthemwhichbelievenot,lestthelightofthegloriousgospelofChrist,whoistheimageofGod,shouldshineuntothem.2Corinthians4:4

Thethiefisafterthemindsofpeople.Hewantstoblockthemfromthelight.Heisafraidoftheweaponoffaith.Hewouldratherblindthemindthanthephysicaleyes!Thedevilcanstandyoursight,buthecannotstandyourfaith!Manysufferfromthisyokeofmentalblindness.IttakestheanointingoftheHolyGhosttohavethatyokedestroyed.RemembertheWordsays:

Aboveall,takingtheshieldoffaith,wherewithyeshallbeabletoquenchallthefierydartsofthewicked.Ephesians6:16

Withfaithinplace,allthefierydartsofthedevilwillbeturnedintotoydarts.Thisiswhythedevilisallouttogetmanandpuncturehisfaith!Heisabsolutelyhelplesswhenfaithisinoperation.Herealizesthattostopfaith,hemustblockitssource—theWord;because,“faithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod”(Romans.10:17).

ButthankGodthattheanointingprovidesaneternalaccesstotheWord.Itmakesmenofquickunderstanding.QuiteanumberofpeoplereadtheWord,butitneverregisters.RemembertheEthiopianEunuchinActs8.Perhaps,hehadbeenreadingthatparticularpassageforovertenyears.ButitmadenomeaningtohimuntiltheHolyGhost,throughPhilip,openedhisunderstanding.Herewasacelebrity,welleducated,butunabletodecipherthethingsofGod,because:

…ThethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.1Corinthians2:11

TheanointingteachesandprovidesanautomaticaccessintotheWord,whichproducesfaith.

Oneoftheprincipalweaponsthethiefoftenusesisdoubt.Ifhecansucceedinpuncturingyourfaith,thenyouarealreadyavictim.Untilyoulose

faith,youremainawinner.Unbeliefisaworkofevilaimedatrobbingthebelieverofhisinheritance.

InHebrews3:12,wearewarnedtotakeheedlesttherebeinanyofusan“evilheartofunbelief.”Unbeliefisevil,itistheworkofthedeviltokeephiscaptivesfasteneddowninchains.TheWordsays:

Butlethimaskinfaith,nothingwavering…Adoublemindedmanisunstableinallhisways.James1:6,8

Yousee,wearedefenselesswithoutfaith,weareexposedtoallmannerofevilandwickedness.WehavenoaccesstoGodinprayerthatmovesmountains.Wearecutofffromtheblessingsofourheritage.Littlewonderthenthatthedevildevoteshistime,energyandresourcesinstoppingfaithfromcoming!Hewantsyoutokeepyourmountains,hewantstomakeyourbarriersstandpermanently.Jesussaid:

ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Mark11:23

ThisiswhyhehatestheWordoffaith.Hewillkeepattackingituntoeternity.Faithistheworstenemyofthedevil.Thesmelloffaithispoisonoustohim,andtheoperationoffaithisverydevastatingtohiskingdom.ThankGod,theanointingishererightnow,toguaranteeautomaticbreakthroughintotheWordfromwherefaithcomes.Receivethatanointingnow.

DestroysFear

Also,thedevilintroducestheweaponoffearagainsthistargetvictim;butthankGod,wehavethevictory.TheBiblesays:

ForGodhathnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,andoflove,andofasoundmind.2Timothy1:7

Fearisnotjustastateofmind,itisaspirit.Thereisaninvisibleforceresponsibleforit.Job’sexperienceisamostrelevantillustrationoftheseriouseffectoffear.

Anditwasso,whenthedaysoftheirfeastingweregoneabout,thatJobsentandsanctifiedthem,androseupearlyinthemorning,andofferedburntofferingsaccordingtothenumberofthemall:forJobsaid,Itmaybethatmysonshavesinned,andcursedGodintheirhearts.ThusdidJobcontinually.Job1:5

Ifyoucannotstopyourfears,yourfearswillstopyou.Thespiritoffearbreedsbondage,itimprisons,itmakesavictimofsaints.LookatwhathappenedtoJob:

ForthethingwhichIgreatlyfearediscomeuponme,andthatwhichIwasafraidofiscomeuntome.Job3:25

ButIhavegoodnewsforyou!Theanointingdestroysfear!

Foryehavenotreceivedthespiritofbondageagaintofear;butyehavereceivedtheSpiritofadoption,wherebywecry,Abba,Father.Romans8:15

Fromthetworeferencesabove,itbecomesabundantlyclearthatfearbegetsbondage.TheapostleshadtheWord,butfearkeptthembound.PeterhadtheWord,butfearmadehimavictimofdenial.Theapostleshadwhattheworldneeded,buttheycouldnotreachtheirworlduntiltheyokeandbondageoffearwasbrokenbytheanointingonthedayofPentecost.Boldnessbecame

theirgirdleaftertheHolyGhostcame.

NowwhentheysawtheboldnessofPeterandJohn,andperceivedthattheywereunlearnedandignorantmen,theymarvelled…Acts4:13

Thechainsoffearhadbeenbroken!ThesamePeterwhosworeanddeniedanyknowledgeofhismasterwasturnedintoarock,whobeganspeakingboldly.Theanointingistheremedyforfear.

Chapter13:TheAnointingOil

Wheredoestheanointingoilcomein,inthesedaysofthegreatanointingsoftheHolySpirit?Doesitstillholdanyrelevancetoday?Wasit,perhaps,doneawaywithintheOldTestament?WhatistheplaceoftheanointingoilinthemanifestationofthepowerofGodintheseend–times?

Thoughthesubjectoftheanointingoilisseeminglyunpopular,itisapowerfulinstrumentandisveryrelevantinourdays.InthebookofExodus,Godtooktimetodescribethecomponentsthatshouldbeputtogetherfortheanointingoil.Hetookjustasmuchtimetodescribeindetailwhatthetabernaclewastolooklike.Hewasparticularanddetailed.GodsaidtoMoses:

Takethoualsountotheeprincipalspices,ofpuremyrrhfivehundredshekels,andofsweetcinnamonhalfsomuch,eventwohundredandfiftyshekels,andofsweetcalamustwohundredandfiftyshekels,Andofcassiafivehundredshekels,aftertheshekelofthesanctuary,andofoiloliveanhin:Andthoushaltmakeitanoilofholyointment,anointmentcompoundaftertheartoftheapothecary:itshallbeanholyanointingoil.AndthoushaltanointAaronandhissons,andconsecratethem,thattheymayministeruntomeinthepriest’soffice.AndthoushaltspeakuntothechildrenofIsrael,saying,Thisshallbeanholyanointingoiluntomethroughoutyourgenerations.Exodus30:23–25,30–31

ThisdetaileddescriptionshowsthatGodmusthavehadaspectacularreasonforintroducingtheministryoftheanointingoil.

Thephrase,“throughoutyourgenerations”isworthnoting.Thisiswherewecomein,seeingthatwebelongtothegenerationofIsraelthroughthedeathofJesusChrist(Galatians.3:14).Theoilisasrelevantinourdaysasitwasthen.

ThattheblessingofAbrahammightcomeontheGentilesthroughJesusChrist;thatwemightreceivethepromiseoftheSpiritthroughfaith.Galatians3:14

Bythisarrangement,wecomeintothegenerationofIsrael,wheretheministryoftheanointingoilhasbeenordainedforthereleaseofpower.Theoilhasdivineabilitiesandpower.Theoilisadivineenabler,thatassistsmantoperformsupernaturalfeats.Itisthecarrierofpower.Forinstance,sogreatwasthepowerthatwasflowinginsideAaronaftertheanointingthatthestaffhewascarryingbudded.

ReleaseThroughPraise

HowdoyoureleasethepresenceofthemostHighGod?Simple–throughpraise.EverytimeGod’speoplegetintoanointedpraiseandworship,God’spresenceisinvoked.

God’sWordsaysthatHeinhabitsthepraisesofHispeople.Likewise,eachtimetheanointingoilisappliedinfaith,itreleasesthepresenceandpersonoftheHolyGhost.TheHolyGhostisthepowerarmoftheAlmightyGod.TheoilisNOTtheHolySpirit,neitherisitasymbol.ItisamediumthroughwhichtheHolySpiritisreleasedintooperation.Whenapplied,theHolySpiritgoesintomanifestation.

BothintheOldTestamentandtheNewTestament,theoilisknownasaninstrumentofextraordinaryanddivineperformance.LetusseewhetherJesus,ourchiefexample,hadanythingtodowiththeanointingoilintheNewTestamentornot.

WhenHewassendingHisdisciplestogoandpreach,Hetoldthemwhattopreach,wheretogoandwhattodo.Thisincludehealingthesick.TheBiblereportsthatassignmentthus:

Andtheycastoutmanydevils,andanointedwithoilmanythatweresick,andhealedthem.Mark6:13

AccordingtotheBible,thehealingministryispartofthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.Whathappenedwasthatastheoilwasbeingappliedtothesick,theHolySpiritwasworkingthroughittohealthem.

Theanointingoilisnotasymbol.Itisnotareligiousriteordoctrine.Throughthemediumoftheanointingoil,thebeneficiarycanenjoythesupernaturalministryoftheHolySpirit.

DiverseWonders

Asisterinthechurchanointedherrunawaybrotherinlaw’sshoes,andthemanreturnedhomethefollowingday!Hehaddesertedhersister.

Ignoranceofthesignificanceoftheoilanditsoverwhelmingeffectcancausepeopletotakeitforgranted,takingitasanordinaryointmentthatmakesthefacetoshine.Thereisboundtobegreattimesofexcitementandamazementforthosewhoappropriateitssignificanceanduses,astheywatchthefingerofGodmovesupernaturallyintheiraffairsandthatofothers.

Abrothertookhisanointingoilhomeandanointedaletterhehadreceivedfromhisoffice,decreeingforhimselfapromotionandincreaseinallowances.Thiswasnotanaturalthingtodo,inviewofthefactthathehadonlybeenpromotedsixmonthsearlier.Butchildrenofthekingdomarenotordinarymenandcannotbesubjectedtonaturallaws.Thisbrotherhadthatrevelationestablishedinhisheartasheanointedtheletter.Thefollowingday,hewascalledbyhissuperiorandinformedofhispromotionandincreaseinsalary.

InGhana,apastorcaughttherevelationoftheoil,andonarrivinghome,anointedhisTVsetthathadstoppedworking.TotheastonishmentofmembersofhisFamily,heturnedontheswitchandaprogrammecameonthescreen!TheTVbeganfunctioningperfectly!

TheanointingoilisachannelthroughwhichthefingerofGodisbroughttobearonourhumanlimitations.AmanwhohadbeenafflictedforquitesometimewasbroughttothechurchinSokoto,wherehewasprayedforandanointedwithoil.Assoonastheoiltouchedhishead,astrangeobjectcameoutofhisshoulder.

AnotherbrotherinKadunauponarrivinghome,anointedallhisclothesandothermajoritemsinhisroom,whilehisfriendsmockedandjeeredathim.Shortlyafterwards,thievescametotheirquartersandraidedtheentirearea,butnotevenaneedlewastakenfromthisbrother’sroom.Thefollowingmorning,hebecamethebiblical“lender,andnotborrower”,ashisfriendscametoborrowhisclothestoweartotheiroffices!Thatiswhattheoildoes;

itdistinguishesthesaintsfromthecrowd.

Thingsandsituationswhichotherwisewouldhaveposedaproblemarecheaplyaccomplished,astheoilpavesawayforthemanifestationofthefingerofGod.

Somebrethrenweretravellinginacarbackhomeafterattendingourministers’congressin1991.Thecarsuddenlydevelopedafault,thegearsystemwasfaulty.Oneofthemhadtogoforamechanicinanearbyvillage.However,whilehewasgone,theyrememberedtheanointingoilwhichhadbeenblessedduringtheanointingnight,theybroughtitoutandanointedthecar;andthatwasit!Thecarwasbackontheroad!Thegearsystembegantoworkperfectlyandtheywentontheirway,pickingupthemanwhohadgoneforthemechanicontheway!

Thereasonwhymanyareskepticalabouttheanointingoilisnotfar–fetched,theenemyhasblockedtheirmindsandblindedthem,lesttheydiscoverthetruththatwillsetthemfreeandmakethembecomeathreattohim(2Corinthians.4:4).ThegloriousgospelofourLordJesusisasimpleone.Itissosimplethatitseemsimpossibleformanytobelieve.Thedevilisfightingtoothandnail,toensurethatthemindsofthesimplearecorruptedagainstitssimplicity.

Therearesome,ontheotherhand,whoaretoonaturaltoenjoysupernaturalblessings.Duetomentalinaction,theyareunabletorousethemselvesfromthenaturalleveltoascendtheheightsofthesupernatural.YoumustnotallowyourmindtobeblockedtoBiblicaltruths.Ifyoudesirethesupernaturalinyourlife,youmustceasefromlimitingyourselftonaturalsituations.YouonlyneedtobelieveGodthattheoilhasabsolutepotentialstomakelivingworthwhileandmeaningful.

Knowthisverywell:thepresenceoftheHolySpiritofGoddoesalotofgoodfortherecipient.SinceIdiscoveredthepowerintheanointingoil,ithasdonemeaworldofgood.Evenchildrentodayknowtheblessingoftheanointingoil.Theyapplyitforvariousissuesanditislivinguptotheirexpectations.

Thereisnosituationthatisabovetheoil,otherwiseitwouldbeabovetheHolySpirit;andthat,weknow,canneverbe.Whenconfusionsetsin,puttheoilonyourheadandclaimlightanddirection.TheBibleisveryclearabouttheministryoftheHolySpirit–Hewillguideintoalltruthandbringtoremembrancewhatsoeverhasbeentaught.

ApastorinMagongo,KogiState,gotsavedandbaptizedintheHolyGhostwhilereadingourbookTheMiracleSeed.Thissamepastorattendedoneofourministers’conferencesandwentbackwithabottleofoil.BeingledbytheHolySpirit,heanointedhispulpitatnightandthefollowingday,theHolySpirit’spurposeformakinghimanointthepulpitwasrevealed.Thepastorcalledoneverysickpersontotouchthepulpitandvariousoutstandingtestimoniesofdivineinterventionwererecorded.

Oneday,asister’shusbandsuddenlydecidedthatthesisterwastoooldforhim,anddecidedtolookforayoungerwoman.Allatonce,shefoundherselfleavingherroomfortheyoungerwife,whileshemovedtotheboys’quarters.BlessedbeGodforthedaysheattendedtheanointingservice.

Armedwiththelethalweaponagainstthekingdomofdarkness(theanointingoil),thehourofopportunitycamewhentheadulterouscouplewentouttohavefun.Thesistertiptoedtotheirbedroom,foundthedoorunlocked,sosheenteredandanointedthebed.Thatwastheendoftheiradulterousunion!Whentheygotbackthatnight,aseriousquarrelensuedandtheintruderleftandthelegalwifewasreinstatedinherrightfulplace!

TheHolySpiritistheorganizerofmen’slives.Hewantstohelpyouhaveabreakthroughineveryendeavouryouundertakeinlife.Oneofthemajorfunctionsoftheoilisforenthronement.Justasinthenaturalworld,onlyanappointedprinceendsupbecomingaking;soalsointhekingdom,onlyananointedsaintendsupbecomingakingwehavebeenmadeuntoourGodpriestsandkingstoreignontheearth(Revelation.5:10).

TheAnointingIsForYou

InIsrael,nokingreignednorprieststoodinthepriestlyofficewithoutbeinganointedwithoilbyGod’schosenvessels.WearestillthegenerationofIsraeltoday,sowhatappliedtothemstillappliestous.Nosaintisestablishedtoreignaskingorserveaspriestwithoutfirstbeinganointedwithoil.

IntheaccountofDavid’sanointing,wearetoldthatthemomenthewasanointed,theSpiritoftheLordcameuponhim.Whoisaking?Akingisonewhoisinapositionofauthorityinhisdomain.Thus,whentheoilcomesuponaperson,itbringsdowntheunctionwhichputshiminauthorityanddisallowsthedevilfrommisbehavingintheenvironment.

EverythingaboutyouismadetoexperiencethemajesticpresenceoftheLord.TheanointingoftheHolySpirit,whentransmittedthroughtheoil,makesanewbeginningfortherecipient.Onlythepreviousevening,Davidwasaruggedshepherdboy;butthefollowingday,hewasananointedking.Theanointingcatapultedhimfromthesheepcotetothethrone!

WhymanyaresufferinginChristendomtodaycanbetracedtotheirfailure,alackofenthronementbytheapplicationoftheoil.ItistheoilthatenablesthepriesttostandinhisofficetoministerbeforeGodandman.ItenablesthekingtobeenthronedandestablishestheenthronementofthesaintsofGodabovedepressionandoppression.

Ifyouwillhaveaproperunderstandingoftheplaceoftheanointingoilandreleaseyourfaithintoit,youwillsoonrealizethatyouwerenotbornagaintobecomeaprayerproject,witheverybodyprayingforyouforonethingortheother!Priestsarenotprayedfor,theystandintheirofficeandprayforothers.Priestsarenotmeanttobecomeprayerconcerns,theylookoutfortheconcernsofothers.

Ifatthistimeyouarestillaprayerproject,whenareyougoingtostartactinginyourpriestlyoffice?Makingyourselfaprayerproject,therefore,isanabuseofredemption.Redemptionisforshowingforth,notforshameandreproach.

Inconclusion,usetheoiltobreaktheyokeofslaveryandgetestablishedonyourthrone.Theoilhasthepowertogetyoutothetopandguaranteeyourfreedom.Havefaithinit.IfJesusrecommendedtheuseoftheoilforthehealingofthesick,thenitmustbegenuine.

Jamesalsomentioneditinchapter5:14.HeunderstoodwhatJesustaughtthemwhenHewaswiththem,andhetaughtthesametotheChurchaswell.IfyouwanttoseetheHolySpiritinterveneintherealmofdeliverance,anointthesickwiththeoil,inthenameoftheLordandtheywillberaisedup.UsetheoiltoreceivethestrengthtostandinyourofficeandbewhatGodwantsyoutobe.

Itisneitherasymbolnoramerereligiousdoctrine;itisGod’splanandordinationtobringyouandIintotherealityofpowerinthedaysinwhichwelivein.

WhentheHolySpiritisinvoked,HegoesallouttoprovethatHe’sthefingerofGod.Itisabsolutelynecessarythatyouhavefaith,otherwisenothingwillworkforyou.Believethatyoubelongtotheorderofstrangehappenings.Goodthingsarehappening,releaseyourselftobebroughtintotherealmoffulfilment.

JustasthetabernacleaccommodatesthepresenceofGod,soyouarethetempleofthepersonoftheHolySpirit,whoisthepowerofGod.ItisthispowerofGodthatmakesthedifferenceinthelivesofpeople.

Chapter14:TransferenceOfAnointing

Theanointingistransferable.Itcanbereceivedthroughanotheranointedvessel.Itis,however,unfortunatethatthereissomuchunexploitedanointingfloatingintheearthtoday.OnethingthatsoeasilydeprivesGod’speopleoftherichbenefitsoftheanointingispride.

Thereisagroupofpeoplewho,byreasonoftheirwalkwithGod,havebeenliftedveryhighandoperateunderenviableanointingoftheHolySpirit.Themeekatheartrecognizesuchvesselsandaspiretogetclosetothem,sotheycantapfromtheirrichresources.Theproudandhaughty,ontheotherhand,donotconsiderthatthereisanybodyfitorworthytobeemulated.ThesearetheywhichmissoutonGod’sbestforthem.

…Iwilltakeofthespiritwhichisuponthee,andwillputituponthem…Numbers11:17

God,theOneWhotransferstheanointing,saysHewilltransfertheanointingfromMosestotheotherseventymen.ThisprovesthelieofthosewhoclaimthattheycannotseeGod’shandupontheearthtoday.Suchpeoplemustbeblindofcourse,otherwise,therearegreatservantsofGodwhomHehasliftedalloverthenations.TheiractsaretheactsofGodandmustbeappreciatedassuch.

Oncethisisdone,thenextthingisthentodesireandcovettheirgifts.Itisnotasintocovetspiritualgifts.Itis,however,wrongandsinfultocovetmaterialthings,becausetheydonotleadtoedifying,buttoenvyandstrife.

IntheincidenceofElijahandElisha,Elishaaskedforadoubleportionofhismaster’spower,andwhenhefulfilledtheconditions,hegotit.

Anditcametopass,whentheyweregoneover,thatElijahsaid

untoElisha,AskwhatIshalldoforthee,beforeIbetakenawayfromthee.AndElishasaid,Ipraythee,letadoubleportionofthyspiritbeuponme.2Kings2:9

Elisha’sdesirewassteadfast.Nothingcoulddistracthim,noteventhefireandchariotsfromheaven.JesusalsotransferredHispowertoHisdisciplesandwiththat,HisdisciplestookuponthemHisnatureandimage.Likewise,PaulalsotransferredhisanointingtoTimothy.

Neglectnotthegiftthatisinthee,whichwasgiventheebyprophecy,withthelayingonofthehandsofthepresbytery.1Timothy4:14

Inallcasescited,theanointingisusuallytransferredfromthemastertotheservant,andmastertodisciple.Thebasicrequirementforthetransferenceofanointingisthatyourecognizeyoursuperiorsinministry.Untilyoudothat,youcannotreceivefromthem.

YoualsoneedtohavefaithintheprophetofGod.Ithastobeathisinstance.YoumustbelieveinthehandofGoduponhislife.Ifyoudon’tbelievehisintegrity,don’tmakeanyattempttoreceivehisanointing,becauseitcouldhurtyou.

…BelieveintheLordyourGod,soshallyebeestablished;believehisprophets,soshallyeprosper.2Chronicles20:20

Don’tcurseGod’sanointed.Youhavetofollowthemtotheend,withoutanyreservations.

WaysOfTransference

PersonalContact

Thisisthemostmagneticformofimpartation.ItiswhenoneisprivilegedtostaywithanyofGod’sanointedservants,withthesolepurposeofreceivingthesameanointingheisoperatingin.Thisisinteractionwithpurpose.RemembertheBiblesaysthattheexpectationoftherighteousshallnotbecutoff.ThepurposeforwhichyouseekanassociationwithanointedservantsofGodwilldeterminethedegreetowhichtheirgiftisimparteduponyou.

Ononeoccasion,IhadtheprivilegeofsleepingonabedwhichIwastold,agreatmanofGodhadonceslepton.Inthenight,Isawavisionofadecayinghand,asthoughitwasbeingeatenupbyworms.AndGodtoldmeIwasenteringanewrealmofanointing,oneinwhichIwouldbeusedinrestoringlifetodeadanddecayingissues.Itwasalsoonthatdaythattheanointingforfinancialbreakthroughcameuponme.IenteredintothisgreatmanofGod’sspectacularanointing,becauseIbelievedinhimandstilldo.

Audio–Visuals

HearingGod’sWordviaHisanointedservantcancausetheanointinguponhimtobetransferredtoyou.IlearntofamanofGod,whoattheageoffourteen,gothiscallfromGodbywatchingOralRobertontelevision.

Onenight,Isettleddowntowatchavideofilmofananointedminister.AsIwatched,Ibrokedownandstartedcrying.Couldamanreachthismagnitudeofpeople?Iwondered.Withthisthoughtonmymind,Isleptoff.Ifeltastirringinmyspiritat4.30a.m.,soIgotoutofbed,walkedintothesittingroomandsatdown.AsIsatdown,Iheardthegentlefootfallsofamanintheroom,andhetookaseat.ThoughIcouldnotseeHim,Hespokesuchterrificthingstome.

Thatday,Helavishedonmeafreshanointingforhealing.Asaresult,thereweresomanyinstantaneoushealingsattheSundayworshipservicethefollowingmorning.Itwassoglorious,asGod’sglorycamedownandtherewasabreakingforthofGod’sanointing.

Master–servantRelationship

AclearbiblicalexampleisthatofElijahandElisha.ThewholelandknewthatElishawasElijah’sservant.ElishaneverclaimedtobeElijah’scolleague.Hewasneverashamedtobecalledaservant.Hefullyidentifiedwithbothhismaster’spopularityandhisdefamation.

Colleaguescanneverreceiveimpartationortransferenceofanointingfromoneanother.Itmustalwaystakealowerpersontobendthekneestoreceivefromthesuperior.Colleaguesareevertoofamiliartoappreciateoneanother’sgifts,talklessofcovetingsuchgifts.Ifyoumustreceivetransferenceofanointing,youmustnecessarilybelieveinthepersonyouarereceivingitfromasbeingaboveyou.

ThesonsoftheprophetswhojeeredatElishawhenhismasterwastobetakenupcouldneverbeliketheirmasters,becausetheyhadahaughtydispositionandsawtheirmastersascolleagues.

LayingonofHands

Joshuaisagoodexample.TheBiblesaysthespiritofwisdomresteduponhimbecauseMoseshadlaidhandsuponhim.ThatistosayMosestransferredtohimtheSpiritthatwasoperatinginhisownlife.

AndJoshuathesonofNunwasfullofthespiritofwisdom;forMoseshadlaidhishandsuponhim:andthechildrenofIsraelhearkeneduntohim,anddidastheLordcommandedMoses.Deuteronomy34:9

AnointingWithOil

Examplesofthishavebeencitedearlieron,particularlyinthelifeofDavidaskingoverIsrael.Thereleaseoftheoiluponamansignifiesthereleaseoftheanointing.Theoilisnotjustameresymbol,itisamediumoftransference.

AndthoushaltanointAaronandhissons,andconsecratethem,thattheymayministeruntomeinthepriest’soffice.Exodus30:30

ProphecyOfTheOneTransferringTheAnointing

Neglectnotthegiftthatisinthee,whichwasgiventheebyprophecy,withthelayingonofthehandsofthepresbytery.1Timothy4:14

AnointedwordsspokenbyservantsofGodcarryenoughunctiontoimparttheanointing.LikeJesussaid:

…ThewordsthatIspeakuntoyou,theyarespirit,andtheyarelife.John6:63

AnointedMaterials

Thiscanbethroughdresses,handkerchiefsandothersuchthings.

Amemberofourchurchtookhisanointedhandkerchiefforevangelismandmetamanthatwasmentallyderanged.Hebroughtouthishandkerchiefandwaveditinfrontofthepossessedmanandthatwastheendofthatmadness,themadmanregainedhissanity!

AndGodwroughtspecialmiraclesbythehandsofPaul:Sothatfromhisbodywerebroughtuntothesickhandkerchiefsoraprons,andthediseasesdepartedfromthem,andtheevilspiritswentoutofthem.Acts19:11–12

Chapter15:EncountersWithTheAnointing

WhenamantestifiesofthedoingoftheLordinhislife,anumberofthingshappen.OneofsuchthingsisthatthosewhohearthetestimonyareencouragedandtheirfaithisprovokedtoholduntoGodwhenfacedwithsimilarcircumstances.Manytimes,suchtestimoniesofferinstructionsandgivelighttosomewhoarelikewiseheldcaptive.

Forthetestifier,thetestimonyputsasealonthedeeddoneandensuresthatnothingtamperswiththemiraclereceived.Also,itopensthedoorformoretriumphsandvictories;andaboveall,Godthedoerisglorified.

Sincetheanointingoilwasdiscovered,testimoniesofitseffectivenessabound.Itisworkinglikewildfire.Ineveryassemblywherethismysteryhasbeenrevealed,theanointingoilhasbecomeanessentialcommoditytoitssaints.Everythingandeveryoneittouchesreceivesasupernaturaltouch.It’slikemagic,butsomuchmorebetterandtheresultsaremorerealandtangible;because,althoughinvisible,theproofofGod’srealityissorealandsweet.

InSeptember1991,amother’sheartnearlybrokewiththeshockingdiscoverythathertwo–yearolddaughterhadsicklecellanaemia.Inshockanddisbelief,shewenttootherhospitalsforasecondopinion.Theresultwasthesame–sicklecellanaemia.

Whathopewasthereforherchild?Theanswercameforherduringouranointingservice,whereIsharedmypersonaltestimonyofhowIgotcuredoftuberculosis.Yes,toherjoy,shelearntthatthereishopebecausethereisGod.

Thus,inthecourseoftheanointingservice,anointedhandkerchiefswerepassedroundforeveryonetoplaceontheirhead.Whenitgottoherturn,she

placeditonherforeheadlikeeveryotherperson.Assoonasshearrivedhome,sheplacedherhandonherdaughter’sforeheadandprayedforher,andthatwasit!Sincethatday,theyhavecarriedouttestsinfourreputablediagnosticcentresandtheresultshavebeenthesame–nosicklecellanaemia!

Inanotherinstance,agraduateofourWordofFaithBibleInstituteonenightstartedhavingacutestomachpains.Hewasrushedtothehospitalwhenthepainbecameunbearable.Testsweredoneandthefinalresultprovedthatheneededanappendectomy.

Thenextdayhemetoneofhisdoctorfriendsandtheyprayedtogether.ThefollowingdayIhadtheAnointingClassattheInstitute,wheretheywereallanointedwiththeoil,asistheusualpractice.Thatmarkedtheendofthatappendicitis,becauseitdisappeared.Tilldate,therehasnotbeenanynegativereportsfromhim.

Amazingasitmayseem,theanointinghasplacedababyinthewombofonethatwascalledbarren.Thiswomanworksinthesameofficewithasisterinourcongregation.Sheexplainedherplighttothesister,mentioninghowthathercasewassoseverethatshehadbeenadvisedtogotoherbalists,whowereadvocatedtobethebestsolutiontoherproblem.This,however,didnotappealtoher.TheHolySpirittookcontrolwhenthesister,whoalwayscarriedabottleoftheanointingoilwithher,broughtitforthandanointedher.Thatmonthmarkedtheendofhermisery,asshebecamepregnant!

Eventerriblediseaseslikechickenpoxhavehadtobowtotheeffectoftheanointingoil.Nomatteratwhatageitiscontacted,chickenpoxcausesalotofdiscomfortandtakesitstollonitsvictims.Suchwastheplightoftheyoungniecetooneofthesistersinchurch.Oncesherealizedwhatwashappening,shequicklybroughtoutthebottleshenormallykeptinthecarandanointedtheyounggirl.Bythefollowingmorning,itwasanexcitedniecethatwokeherauntupfromsleep.Shewasreadyforschool,healed,haleandhearty!

Amemberbroughthermothertooneofouranointingservicesandshewasdeliveredthatnight.Agrowthinhermother’seyedisappearedaftershe

wasanointedwithoil.Theirjoyknewnoend,astheyweresparedtheoptician’sexorbitantchargeforanoperationwhosesuccesscouldnotbeguaranteed.

Testimoniesofhealingsreceivedthroughtheapplicationoftheanointingoilhavebecomecommonplacenow.It’ssovitalandreal.Evilbowstoitlikefirebowstowater.

ItistruethateverykneemustbowatthementionofthenameofJesus.Itdoesnotmatterwhatitis,whetherlivingornon–living,itbows.Situationsandcircumstancesbow.How?BecauseHis“nameisasointmentpouredforth”(SongsofSolomon1:3).Thissignifiestheanointing.ThatistosaythatthenameofJesuscarrieswithittheanointingthatbreakseveryyoke.Therefore,itisnotstrangethatwehavehaddiversetestimoniesfromitsapplication.

AFamilygotthefirsttasteoftheeffectivenessoftheanointingoil,whenatoneofourVictoryCelebrations,underthepowerfulunctionoftheHolySpirit,Ianointedtheagbada(abigflowinggown)Ihadon,whichwasapresentfrommywife.Thegownwaspassedaround,withtheinstructionthateveryonethatdesireda“bigbang”miracleshouldtouchtheirforeheadswithit.

Acouplenotonlytouchedtheirforeheadswithit,theyalsotouchedtheiryoungboy’shead.Bornprematurely,andalmostayearlater,hehadnotmadeanyattempttostand.TothegloryofGod,whentheyarrivedtheirhomeaftertheservice,theirlittleboynotonlystood,butalsotooksteps,andtotheirastonishment,hestartedrunning!

Inanotherinstance,abrotherwhoisachemicalengineerhadtriedunsuccessfullytogetapaperconvertercompanytoaccepthisgluesampleforsupplies.Hewasworriedaboutthisoutrightrejectionoftheproduct,whichhebelievedwasofagoodquality.HeresortedtowaitingontheLordinafastandtwoweekslater,hiswifesuggestedthathestirredsomeanointingoilintotheglue.Accordingtohim,“Itworkedlikefire!Iamcurrentlyexecutingthefirstorder,andunbelievably,theglueisstillaseffectiveasever.IknowGod’shandisdefinitelyuponthisbusiness.”

Willtheoilworkforanythingatall?Withoutadoubt,yes!AsisterwasabouttogooutinherFamilycar,butitwouldn’tstart.Indesperation,shegotherbottleofoilandinholyanger,anointedtheengineandcommandedthecartostart,inJesus’name.Thecarrespondedimmediately!

AteveryMinisters’Conferencewehold,anightisalwayssetasidefortheanointing.Testimoniesaboundatsuchtimes,asmanypeoplehavevariousencounterswiththeLord.Asisterwenthomewithheranointingoilafteronesuchserviceandanointedhersix–yearoldsonandten–yearolddaughter,whobothbed–wets.Accordingtoher,eversincethen,theybothceasedtobed–wetandnowsheiseternallygratefultoGod.

Oneofmycousinsattendedoneofouranointingservices,andbytheunctionoftheHolySpirit,upongettinghomesheanointedapictureofoneofhersistersinafarawayplace,whohadbeenfoundwithalumpinherbreastandwasexpectedtoundergoanoperation.Thenexttimethatauntwenttothehospital,everytestandX–rayshowedthattherewasnothingwrongwithher.Theverynightherpicturewasanointed,thelumpdisappeared.No,thereisnorestrictingorlimitingtheHolySpirit!

Whataboutthealarmclockthatstoppedworking?Itonlyneededatouchoftheoil,andtheHolySpirittookover.Itbegantoworkperfectly!

Asetofdoctorsinoneofthehospitalsinthecityexperiencedsomethingwhichhithertohaddefiedmedicalscience.Alldoctorsknowthatarupturedappendixisalostcase.Trueinthenatural,butnotwheretheAlmighty’spresenceis,byHisHolySpirit.OneofourmemberswasusedbyGodtoprovethattheknowledgeofthecreaturemustalwaysbenecessarilylimitedtothatofthecreator,whichislimitless.Shewasrushedtohospitalwitharupturedappendix.Thedoctorsoutrightlyrefusedtoadmither.Whatwasthepointadmittingsomeonethatwasexpectedtodiethatveryday?

So,shewasleftunattendedtoforthreedays,buttheoilhadalreadybeenapplied,tobreaktheyokeofdeaththenightshewasbroughtintothehospital.Inresignation,shewasoperatedupononthethirdday.Hearwhatoneofthedoctorstoldherwhenshetriedtofindoutwhathappened:“YourGodistruly

living.”

Wearenotwithoutourownshareofpersecutions,andassuch,quiteanumberofpeoplewhowouldhavebeenblessedofGodthroughushavemissedoutonsuchprivileges.Oneyoungman,however,preferredtocontinuewiththeso–called“worldlychurch”thantoremaininreligion.Atananointingservice,Itoldthecongregationtoanointtheirentrancesandpropertieswhentheygothome.

Whenthisbrotherstartedanointinghisproperty,heseemedlikeanabsolutejokertohisfriendswhowereallwonderingathis“madness.”Afewdayslater,thievesbrokeintotheircompoundandmadeawaywitheverythingbelongingtotheotherfourboyslivingwithhim,butofhisownthings,notevenaneedlewastouched.Ibelievethattheangelsmusthavebeentheretowarnthethieves,“Touchnotmineanointed(norhisproperty)anddomyprophetnoharm.”Thenextday,allhismateshadtoborrowhisclothestoweartotheoffice!

Whendeathcametothreatenoneofourpastors,itwasvanquishedbythisweapon–theoil.Afewdaysearlier,bytheleadingoftheHolySpirit,Ihadorderedeveryonethathadavehicletobringthemtothechurchforanointing.Perhapsthedevildidn’tknowaboutitwhenhedecidedtostrike.Hehadjustdroppedhischildrenoffatschoolandwasonhiswaytohisoffice,whensuddenly,outofnowhere,anothercaremergedandthereon,itwaslikeafilmshow.

Therewasnothingthedevilcoulddo,astheHolySpiritgottheangelsofGodtobearhimandthecarupintheirarms.Whenthecar,whichhadlostcontrol,finallystopped,therewasnotascratch,eitheronhisbodyoronthecar,totheamazementofonlookers!ThesaintofGoddrovehiscartotheoffice,whereheresumedworkunruffled.

Thereisnoendtothetestimoniesthatkeeppouringinfrompeoplewhohavehadencounterswiththeanointingoil.LetitsufficetosaythatifyouwillhavefaithinGodandinHiswonderfulanddiverseprovisionstomeetHispeople’sneeds,youwillmostcertainlyjointhegroupofovercomers.Theoilisnotmagicoratalisman;itisamediumthroughwhichthepresenceofthe

HolySpiritisinvokedtotakecontrolofeverysituationinabeliever’slife.