I was young when my mother taught me that if I wanted favor I had to look like I was worth investing into. I was still yet young but now in my early teens when my spiritual mother had me in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had taken me and some others to the mall and bought me several hundred dollars of new suits. I was so beside myself I was speechless. What was I to say. Everything looked so...so...perfect. It was that day that I woke up to the fact excellence in ministry means that your appearance causes you to look different from the world. I realized that Jesus looked different from the world and had a seamless robe that was so attractive that secular men gambled over it. What a robe.
I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.
Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.
I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.
Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.
I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.
In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.
I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.
I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Anger
Emotional people don't prosper but Anger can sometimes be a clue and a hint towards what we are called too. Anger is a clue to the anointing upon your life. But too often Anger proves lack of control. When we cannot control certain issues or people, we sometimes demonstrate anger.
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Friday, February 27, 2009
Working of Miracles
In 1988, Princeton Religion Research Center's PRRC Emerging Trends reported that 82% of adults either mostly or completely agreed with the following statement: "Even today, miracles are performed by the power of God"
Now to many, the works of Jesus were truly miracles but to Jesus he was clearly doing the heavenly Father's will in the lives of people. Most people think a miracle is a miracle. Although in it's simplistic form of the word, that may be true, according to scriptures there are four types of Miracles described within the New Testament. The list I am about to give here could be used as a manual or checklist for the miracles that happen within our lives or within our churches.
There are nine gifts of the spirit and one of the nine is "the working of miracles." A miracle must be worked. It takes the recipient of the miracle work his or her faith. Not all miracles are healings and not all healings are miracles but a healing can be a miracle at times.
Miracle type 1- Notable Miracle. A notable miracle is spoken of in Acts 4:16. These are miracles that happen OUTSIDE the local church. It gets the attention of the media. These miracles make the evening news. Remember the healing of the lame man? Acts 3:6-10 attracted huge interest within the community. So much that it became like a real media event and a social conversation piece to say the least. Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4 both document the Notable miracle in detail.
Miracle type 2- Great Miracles. Acts 6:8 In Acts 8:13 Luke uses the greek words mega dunamis or could we say, "great miracles." This does not mean it is a once happening type of miracle, but rather a steady stream of signs, wonders and miracles. God knows how to give quantity as well as quality. I remember there have been many seasons in 28 years of ministry where there were heavy streams of astonishing miracles that were great. People walking from wheel chairs. Deaf ears opening and many more great things come in waves which is Great Miracles.
Miracle type 3- Special Miracles. Acts 19:11 What is typically highlighted regarding this type of miracle is the geographical location. The disciples were right in the heart of the wicked Greek goddess Diana town of Ephesus. The worship of this idol lead so many people to failure in so many places within people's lives. It took this type of miracle to set many people free. I have found in many places where there is idolatry like Hawaii or deception like Utah you will find Special Miracles. It is sometimes the only thing that will break the hard hearts of the people within a geographical area.
Miracle type 4- Diverse Miracles. Hebrews 2:4 This we could say VARIOUS miracles. Various miracles for various needs. Various miracles for various places. Various miracles for various people. A church may need a miracle. A family may need a marriage miracle. A sick body may need a miracle.
The good news is that we can claim and lay hold of all the different types of miracles for our own life.
Now to many, the works of Jesus were truly miracles but to Jesus he was clearly doing the heavenly Father's will in the lives of people. Most people think a miracle is a miracle. Although in it's simplistic form of the word, that may be true, according to scriptures there are four types of Miracles described within the New Testament. The list I am about to give here could be used as a manual or checklist for the miracles that happen within our lives or within our churches.
There are nine gifts of the spirit and one of the nine is "the working of miracles." A miracle must be worked. It takes the recipient of the miracle work his or her faith. Not all miracles are healings and not all healings are miracles but a healing can be a miracle at times.
Miracle type 1- Notable Miracle. A notable miracle is spoken of in Acts 4:16. These are miracles that happen OUTSIDE the local church. It gets the attention of the media. These miracles make the evening news. Remember the healing of the lame man? Acts 3:6-10 attracted huge interest within the community. So much that it became like a real media event and a social conversation piece to say the least. Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4 both document the Notable miracle in detail.
Miracle type 2- Great Miracles. Acts 6:8 In Acts 8:13 Luke uses the greek words mega dunamis or could we say, "great miracles." This does not mean it is a once happening type of miracle, but rather a steady stream of signs, wonders and miracles. God knows how to give quantity as well as quality. I remember there have been many seasons in 28 years of ministry where there were heavy streams of astonishing miracles that were great. People walking from wheel chairs. Deaf ears opening and many more great things come in waves which is Great Miracles.
Miracle type 3- Special Miracles. Acts 19:11 What is typically highlighted regarding this type of miracle is the geographical location. The disciples were right in the heart of the wicked Greek goddess Diana town of Ephesus. The worship of this idol lead so many people to failure in so many places within people's lives. It took this type of miracle to set many people free. I have found in many places where there is idolatry like Hawaii or deception like Utah you will find Special Miracles. It is sometimes the only thing that will break the hard hearts of the people within a geographical area.
Miracle type 4- Diverse Miracles. Hebrews 2:4 This we could say VARIOUS miracles. Various miracles for various needs. Various miracles for various places. Various miracles for various people. A church may need a miracle. A family may need a marriage miracle. A sick body may need a miracle.
The good news is that we can claim and lay hold of all the different types of miracles for our own life.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What do you love?
Recently my wife and family and I were all placed at a Casino Hotel which was the only hotel accommodations closely situated to the place of our ministry time and was usually complimentary from the Native Americans. We have been so thankful for their hospitality. Recently I got on the elevator to go to my room after an anointed service and overheard an older woman say to an older gentleman, "All my money went to slots tonight." Real depressed they exited the lift. Inside, I was content and joy filled my heart knowing for sure that I was NOT in love with the world.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... I John 2:15
It reminds me of the three Bible Characters all with names which start with D.
DEMAS, DIOTREPHES, and DEMETRIUS. Each of them had a love, but each one's love was for something different.
Demas: "...Demas has forsaken me [Paul], and has departed for Thessalonica [his home town]..." II Timothy 4:9,10 NKV Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was too dangerous to be connected with the Apostle whose fate and doom was in the hands of Nero, Demos forsook Paul. Why? His love for money and desire for self preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: "He chose to live in luxury at home." Why? DEMAS LOVED THE WORLD. I have driven through so many cities and have seen the love of the world upon people's faces. Even within churches and many times sadly upon ministers faces. Thankfully, the world has no mare attraction to me. What once used to pull like a magnet now repels me. Thank God for deliverance from a worldly attraction.
Diotrephes: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKV). Demas is gone. Now Diotrephes assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethern, but his own ego-drive. I can't begin to tell you the people who I associated with as a young adult. Those especially who were used by God in television. It saddened my heart many times how they were (not always) many times ego driven. Some had proved over time to be legends in their own minds. They thought of themselves more highly then they ought. So many pastors who I have written to had turned me down not because I wouldn't be effective in their church, but the Lord assured me on many occasions, it was their love for preeminence. Thank God for my freedom from preeminence. The need to be celebrated by someone is out of my life. I cannot deliver anyone, unless I am first delivered from everyone; including myself.
Demetrius: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself...(3 John 12 NKJ) Some Bible professors and scholars believed that Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility; 1) with the Christian Community, 2) from the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.
Three loves of three types of ministers. The World, the preeminence, and the truth. What do you love?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... I John 2:15
It reminds me of the three Bible Characters all with names which start with D.
DEMAS, DIOTREPHES, and DEMETRIUS. Each of them had a love, but each one's love was for something different.
Demas: "...Demas has forsaken me [Paul], and has departed for Thessalonica [his home town]..." II Timothy 4:9,10 NKV Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was too dangerous to be connected with the Apostle whose fate and doom was in the hands of Nero, Demos forsook Paul. Why? His love for money and desire for self preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: "He chose to live in luxury at home." Why? DEMAS LOVED THE WORLD. I have driven through so many cities and have seen the love of the world upon people's faces. Even within churches and many times sadly upon ministers faces. Thankfully, the world has no mare attraction to me. What once used to pull like a magnet now repels me. Thank God for deliverance from a worldly attraction.
Diotrephes: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKV). Demas is gone. Now Diotrephes assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethern, but his own ego-drive. I can't begin to tell you the people who I associated with as a young adult. Those especially who were used by God in television. It saddened my heart many times how they were (not always) many times ego driven. Some had proved over time to be legends in their own minds. They thought of themselves more highly then they ought. So many pastors who I have written to had turned me down not because I wouldn't be effective in their church, but the Lord assured me on many occasions, it was their love for preeminence. Thank God for my freedom from preeminence. The need to be celebrated by someone is out of my life. I cannot deliver anyone, unless I am first delivered from everyone; including myself.
Demetrius: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself...(3 John 12 NKJ) Some Bible professors and scholars believed that Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility; 1) with the Christian Community, 2) from the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.
Three loves of three types of ministers. The World, the preeminence, and the truth. What do you love?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Angels
Angels throughout the Bible bring birth announcments and warnings from the Lord. They also are very present in the lives of believers today. Demon spirits pose as angels of light to unbelievers and will sometimes cause the unbeliever to take special notice of their light.
The scriptures warn us that the devil can appear as an angel of light deceiving many. Just because someone says that an angel appeared to them with such warmth, love and light does not make it an angel from heaven working for the Lord Jesus. There are many angels who's entire assignment is to deceive many and to get a person's attention and focus from off God.
God sent the Angel of the Lord to shut the mouths of the Lions for Daniel while he was thrown in the lion's den. Daniel 6:21,22
Angels could possibly appear in human form and you could be entertaining an angel thinking they were a human stranger. The scriptures tell us to beware of this. "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews1 13:2
I remember a meeting back in the summer of 1992. I was asked to preach at a church in Goodyear, Arizona. I don't remember the pastor but I do remember that the church had a long dusty driveway that was impossible to come down without being noticed for several minutes after. I needed a miracle from the Lord financially. I prayed before service and knowing that the pastor would give our ministry a check after the revival I was in need of $100. cash for gas and other incedentals. I told not one person my need but I told my heavenly father which is in heaven. After everyone had left the service and the Pastor was busy locking the back doors a distinguished gentelman came in who was not in any of the services. He was dressed in a blue pin strip three piece suit with his hair groom emaculantly. He stood rather tall and came directly up to me. He stuffed money into my shirt pocket and said, "the Lord has sent me to you to bless you for all your efforts." I said, "thank you...I want you to meet the pastor here." As I went to get the pastor, the man had left out the front door. Running with the pastor thinking we could catch the first time, belated visitor, he was gone. The pastor even questioned if I really even saw anyone as there was no dust floating around from the long dusty church driveway. All I know is that God supplied the need and I never saw his agent again.
Who knows who you entertained last week or last year. It might have been an angel on a God assignment just for you to get the job done.
I often remind myself everytime I am tempted to tell people my need. God is our source of supply and telling HIM about our need pleases HIM.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about him them that fear Him and deliverth them." Psalms 34:7
Tell me about a time when you had an angelic encounter.
The scriptures warn us that the devil can appear as an angel of light deceiving many. Just because someone says that an angel appeared to them with such warmth, love and light does not make it an angel from heaven working for the Lord Jesus. There are many angels who's entire assignment is to deceive many and to get a person's attention and focus from off God.
God sent the Angel of the Lord to shut the mouths of the Lions for Daniel while he was thrown in the lion's den. Daniel 6:21,22
Angels could possibly appear in human form and you could be entertaining an angel thinking they were a human stranger. The scriptures tell us to beware of this. "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews1 13:2
I remember a meeting back in the summer of 1992. I was asked to preach at a church in Goodyear, Arizona. I don't remember the pastor but I do remember that the church had a long dusty driveway that was impossible to come down without being noticed for several minutes after. I needed a miracle from the Lord financially. I prayed before service and knowing that the pastor would give our ministry a check after the revival I was in need of $100. cash for gas and other incedentals. I told not one person my need but I told my heavenly father which is in heaven. After everyone had left the service and the Pastor was busy locking the back doors a distinguished gentelman came in who was not in any of the services. He was dressed in a blue pin strip three piece suit with his hair groom emaculantly. He stood rather tall and came directly up to me. He stuffed money into my shirt pocket and said, "the Lord has sent me to you to bless you for all your efforts." I said, "thank you...I want you to meet the pastor here." As I went to get the pastor, the man had left out the front door. Running with the pastor thinking we could catch the first time, belated visitor, he was gone. The pastor even questioned if I really even saw anyone as there was no dust floating around from the long dusty church driveway. All I know is that God supplied the need and I never saw his agent again.
Who knows who you entertained last week or last year. It might have been an angel on a God assignment just for you to get the job done.
I often remind myself everytime I am tempted to tell people my need. God is our source of supply and telling HIM about our need pleases HIM.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about him them that fear Him and deliverth them." Psalms 34:7
Tell me about a time when you had an angelic encounter.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Anointing
What you respect you will attract. When you respect the Anointing you will attract the anointing.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).
The basic meaning of the Bible word "anoint" is "to pour on, smear all over or rub into." In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6).
To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed."
Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward in time by the Spirit of God, saw One through Whom "the yoke [of Satan's oppression] shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). The word destroyed means absolutely corrupted beyond use, destroyed, no good for (the devil's) use.
Jesus, reading from another Messianic prophecy in Isaiah, said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...." What had the Spirit anointed Him to do? "To preach the gospel to the poor...heal the brokenhearted...preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...set at liberty them that are bruised..." (see Luke 4:18-19). Jesus had the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of Almighty God all over Him.
News of the Anointed and His Anointing was the "good news" or "gospel" the early Church ministered. When Peter was asked to preach the basic, gospel message to the gentiles for the very first time, the first thing he told them was "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (see Acts 10:38-39). When Philip preached Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) in Samaria, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (see Acts 8:6-8). They received and heard the good news that the Anointed One and His Anointing had come to destroy the yokes from their backs. From the moment they received it, God confirmed it, just as He did in Jesus' ministry.
The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1 John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service in this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!
The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus, but a reference to the Anointed and the Anointing that was on Him and in Him. In the same way, the word "Christians" means more than just followers of Jesus. It means "the anointeds." The same yoke-destroying Anointing that was on Jesus is available to you.
Look again at 1 John 2: "the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (verse 27). Those last two words could also be translated "in it." In other words, the phrase could either be exhorting believers to abide in the Anointed One, Jesus, or to abide in the anointing itself. Both interpretations are correct because you can't separate the Anointed and the anointing. If you're in the Anointed One, then you're in the anointing.
I encourage you, find every reference that uses the word Christ in the New Testament. Each time Christ is used translate it into "the Anointed and His Anointing." Then meditate on the new revelation of this meaning in each scripture. Start with the verses that say "in Christ" or "through Christ" and translate them "in (through) the Anointed and (through) His Anointing." It will change your life.
If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.)
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).
The basic meaning of the Bible word "anoint" is "to pour on, smear all over or rub into." In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6).
To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed."
Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward in time by the Spirit of God, saw One through Whom "the yoke [of Satan's oppression] shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). The word destroyed means absolutely corrupted beyond use, destroyed, no good for (the devil's) use.
Jesus, reading from another Messianic prophecy in Isaiah, said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...." What had the Spirit anointed Him to do? "To preach the gospel to the poor...heal the brokenhearted...preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...set at liberty them that are bruised..." (see Luke 4:18-19). Jesus had the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of Almighty God all over Him.
News of the Anointed and His Anointing was the "good news" or "gospel" the early Church ministered. When Peter was asked to preach the basic, gospel message to the gentiles for the very first time, the first thing he told them was "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (see Acts 10:38-39). When Philip preached Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) in Samaria, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (see Acts 8:6-8). They received and heard the good news that the Anointed One and His Anointing had come to destroy the yokes from their backs. From the moment they received it, God confirmed it, just as He did in Jesus' ministry.
The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1 John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service in this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!
The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus, but a reference to the Anointed and the Anointing that was on Him and in Him. In the same way, the word "Christians" means more than just followers of Jesus. It means "the anointeds." The same yoke-destroying Anointing that was on Jesus is available to you.
Look again at 1 John 2: "the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (verse 27). Those last two words could also be translated "in it." In other words, the phrase could either be exhorting believers to abide in the Anointed One, Jesus, or to abide in the anointing itself. Both interpretations are correct because you can't separate the Anointed and the anointing. If you're in the Anointed One, then you're in the anointing.
I encourage you, find every reference that uses the word Christ in the New Testament. Each time Christ is used translate it into "the Anointed and His Anointing." Then meditate on the new revelation of this meaning in each scripture. Start with the verses that say "in Christ" or "through Christ" and translate them "in (through) the Anointed and (through) His Anointing." It will change your life.
If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Alcoholism
What you permit is what you become. When you permit yourself to indulge in any amount of alcohol you will eventually become hooked on it.
There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.
There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.
But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.
When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.
Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18
There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20
There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.
There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.
But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.
When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.
Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18
There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20
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