Covenant Anointing – 5

Discovering the specific anointing you have received is a multi-faceted journey..

Uke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Consider the following examples of discovery of anointing.

• God spoke directly to Noah.  It took him 120 years to finish what he was anointed to do.
• Joshua followed Moses as primary leader of Israel, a position into which Joshua grew during 40 years of faithfully following Moses.
• Elisha was given an anointing by being smote with Elijah’s mantle, but it took him seven years to arrive at the point where he could freely walk in it.
• Jesus was anointed from Mary’s womb, hence being called the “Christ (anointed) child.”  Yet He was 30-years old before doing His first miracle.  There was a time of learning and growth, even for the only begotten Son of God
• Jesus chose twelve disciples; that was their anointing.  They walked with Him for two to two and one half years, growing through graduated teaching and modeled service, finally being fully sent on the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus.
• Paul was wondrously converted on the road to Damascus.  Yet it was about 17 years before he entered fully into the ministry Jesus intended for him, that of the apostle.

Do you see it?  None of these examples, not even Jesus, stepped fully into their intended ministry immediately upon receiving the anointing for that ministry.  And in every case, the one who was anointed required time to grow in wisdom, understanding, insights, and capacity for the work to which they were called.  Likewise, in every case, the one who was anointed was connected to one or more people who knowingly or unknowingly invested into their lives preparing them for the work at hand.  And in each case, the time lapse from the point of anointing to the point of full release in ministry depended upon the relationship they had with those who taught, influenced, and modeled that which they were to do, along with their own yieldedness to the anointing that was in them, teaching them what man could not. 

Elisha had a great model in Elijah, and it was about seven years before he was released fully into his ministry.  Joshua had 40 years with Moses, but he was being groomed for a position only one man had ever held to that point in time – to be the deliverer of Israel.  And what of Jesus?  Why would it take 30 years to be released to His Messianic work?  Well, think of this.  Had there ever before been a Messiah?  Had there ever been anyone who walked in the levels of power, might, authority, and revelation in which Jesus walked?  Also, once Jesus was released, He accomplished in just three and one half years all He was to do in His earthly ministry.  And one more thing.  Who was available to teach Jesus how to be Messiah, Savior, and Lord?  For that level of ministry, ONLY the ANOINTING could teach Him.

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:20-27; Psalm 23; Isaiah 10:27; Exodus 30:22-38

Covenant Anointing – 4

Discovering the specific anointing you have received.

Uke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Every cell of your body carries the same DNA as every other cell.  In the same manner, every member of the body of Christ carries the spiritual DNA of the Lord Jesus Christ and Father God.  in the simplest possible terms, that means that there are certain things that every member of the body of Christ shares in common.  Every member of the body of Christ is anointed to pray, for we are all to pray without ceasing.  Yet with that anointing in every member of the body of Christ, why is it that prayer meetings are one of the least attended meetings in the church today?  Every member of the body of Christ is anointed to offer thanksgiving, praise, and worship to the Lord.  So, why then do we see so few Christians lifting both hands and voices in high praise to the Lord, even in our church services?  The anointing is certainly there.

But not every member of the body of Christ is anointed to lead praise and worship.  Not every member of the body of Christ is anointed to serve in an office of the five-fold ministry.  Those offices are filled by divine appointment by the Lord Jesus.  Not every member of the body of Christ is anointed to teach a Sunday school class, or work in the nursery, or serve in children’s church.  And what of the usher, the greeter, the hospitality ministry, the bus ministry, the telephone counselor ministry, and so many others?  Just as some anointings are universally shared within the body of Christ, some are distinctive and uniquely given by the Lord to a chosen vessel. 

The question I ask you to consider today is that of what anointing(s) has (have) the Lord placed in your life that He desires you, specifically you, to use for His kingdom.  It may be a musical talent, or a ministry gift of the five-fold ministry; there are numerous possibilities.  And then consider that while a great many men are called to the pastoral ministry, none of them are alike.  Each on is his own unique self.  All God desires is that each one be yielded fully to Him.  But my question for you today is this.  Do you know, truly know in your heart and soul what it is that the Lord has placed in you to do?  And if you do, are you working to develop it to the highest and best possible level of functionality?  We’ll speak of more in the days to come.

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:20-27; Psalm 23; Isaiah 10:27; Exodus 30:22-38

Covenant Anointing – 3

Learn to recognize the presence of the anointing.

Uke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Repeatedly in my teaching, particularly in recent years, I find myself focusing on helping people recognize the presence of the anointing on their life.  Take a moment and deeply consider what I am about to write to you.  If you are breathing, there is an anointing in your life, even if you’re not born again.  I know many won’t understand that statement, and may even totally disagree.  Let me use this example to explain my statement.  Climb a power pole in your community, and without being grounded, and without having proper insulation equipment to handle the power lines, take hold of one.  That will likely be the last thing you ever do in this life.  Why?  Not because electricity was involved, but because you handled it, or came into contact with it without the proper tools. 

Now think of this.  What happened when Uzzah touched the ark of the covenant as it was being brought into Jerusalem?  He died.  He did not die because he did not love God, or King David, or the things of God.  He died because, unlike the priests whose job it was to carry the ark, he was not anointed to do so.  And consider the two sons of the high priest, Eli.  They offered “strange fire” in service during their priestly duties, and it cost them their lives.  Why?  Because, though they were anointed as priests, they were not anointed to offer strange fire before the Lord.  When one steps into an arena for which they are not anointed, it is a dangerous place to be.  If the Lord releases His power in such a place, death can result. 

Keep in mind that the same power used to cook your food, warm your house, and light your house in a safe fashion can kill you if it is handled inappropriately.  Consider this.  No one of Israel could even touch the mountain of the Lord except Moses, for he was the only one anointed to touch it at that time.  You see, the anointing is like an insulator on a high-voltage electrical line.  It allows the power to flow through the line without being grounded out or destroying the tower on which it is hung.  It is that anointing in your life that allows you to be in contact with the power of God and not be destroyed by it as was Uzzah.  Now you know you have an anointing, so, the next step is to learn what that anointing is.

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:20-27; Psalm 23; Isaiah 10:27; Exodus 30:22-38

Covenant Anointing – 2

True anointing CANNOT be separated from our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Luke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Take a moment as you begin to read today’s Second Miler and open your Bible to Exodus 30, and there read verses 22-38.  That passage describes the anointing oil that was to be used in the holy services of the Tabernacle.  The special anointing oil of the Tabernacle was made from pure beaten olive oil and certain spices.  It was comprised in the following measures.

• Pure beaten olive oil – an hin (about six quarts, or one and one-half gallons in volume) – 12 pounds
• Myrrh – 500 shekels – 12.56 pounds  (represents Father God)
• Cinnamon –250 shekels – 6.28 pounds (represents Jesus, the Son of God)
• Calamus – 250 shekels – 6.28 pounds (represents Jesus, the Son of God)
• Cassia – 500 shekels – 12.56 pounds (represents Holy Ghost)

That is a total of 49.68 pounds.  (Could you call that a “heavy anointing?”  Just a thought). 

When you look closely at the weight of the various spices, you will see that the combined weight of the cinnamon and calamus is 500 shekels.  With that calculation, you see the full, and equal, representation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in the anointing oil.  With the oil and its ability to permeate the skin and its pores, and the combined aromas of the four spices, finely crushed and a filling the oil, imagine the aroma that would be on the person upon that anointing oil was poured.  And it would likely be there for days, having been absorbed into the pores of that person’s skin. 

This would be the oil of anointing for Israel’s kings, priests, and prophets.  This aroma of anointing would be clearly noticeable upon anyone having been anointed by it, and it was likewise completely unique.  Nothing else like it existed.  It was to be used ONLY as the Lord directed.  What I am emphasizing in sharing this with you is that while different anointings may fall to the particular administration of one member of the God-head (Father God and the motive gifts of Romans 12; the Lord Jesus and the five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4; Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12), the fullness of any anointing carries with it the full weight and authority of the full God-head; Father, Son, Holy Ghost, for They are ALWAYS in COMPLETE agreement.  And when you combine the potential impact of anointing with the fixed standing of an unchangeable covenant, the outcome can only be called supernatural.  Selah

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:20-27; Psalm 23; Isaiah 10:27; Exodus 30:22-38

Covenant Anointing – 1

Oh, the power of connecting covenant with anointing!

Luke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

I have written to you in the recent past concerning covenant.  It is not just a contract.  It is much more, and much more powerful.  And covenant with God is also eternal.  This is not a contract that needs to be renewed, and in which changes can be made to satisfy a future participant.  Covenant with God, once ratified, is forever, and it is unchangeable.  And concerning our Text for Today, I have likewise written many times previous to this writing.  There is a number of things that need to be recognized in our Text for Today that set God’s standard of what is to be expected in covenant anointing.  I reiterate some of the key elements here.

• Anointing always precedes the manifest presence of Holy Ghost.  While Holy Ghost is omnipresent, every-where present at all times, He is NOT omnipresently manifest.  The anointing must be present to serve as a conductor, or mechanism upon which Holy Spirit can manifest Himself and not consume what He touches.  Remember, Holy Ghost is a consuming fire, and for that fire to be on something/someone, there must be an anointing present to prevent turning that which is touched by Holy Ghost into ashes.
• The anointing from Father, Son, or Holy Spirit is a teacher to the recipient, instructing the recipient how to best function (in speech or operation) to enable the fullness of God’s power to be manifest.
• The anointing for a specific work, ministry, or function, though possibly coming from either Father, Son, or Holy Spirit will ALWAYS come with the complete unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  For example, the five-fold ministry, while they are gifts of the Lord Jesus Christ to the body of Christ, each member of the triune Godhead is fully engaged and functioning in the anointings for any particular function in ministry.
• The (An) anointing is given from the Godhead for particular service or function.  That is the presence of the teaching element.  One is sent to move toward that service or function.  As one walks in that sending, the anointing teaches the one sent how best to serve in that role or work of ministry.  When the call, or the purpose to which one is sent, is sufficiently established in the life of the anointed (sent) one, Holy Ghost will manifest Himself in and through that person for the fulfillment of the anointing placed in them.  This is always God’s pattern.

While this is certainly not an unabridged listing, it will set for you a foundation upon which you can safely build your walk in following that which you are anointed to do for the Lord.

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:20-27; Psalm 23; Isaiah 10:27; Exodus 30:22-38

Covenant – Seed of Abraham – Part 10

Let’s talk about you.

Luke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.I believe with all my heart that God’s highest and best is always His heart for His people.  I’ve read the Bible, and I believe it.  3 John 2 is clear.  God wishes above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.  That is the Word of God, and if God said it, that settles it.  I also know that Jesus said that He has sent us as the Father had sent Him.  And we have seen in our study thus far,  God anointed Jesus and sent Jesus to do specific works, and when Jesus was prepared, Holy Ghost came upon Jesus in power and demonstration of God in His fullness.

With the preceding paragraph in mind, Jesus has sent you just as Father sent Him.  You ARE anointed for specific purpose and function in the body of Christ.  You ARE sent to accomplish that purpose and function at the highest level.  And Holy Ghost is ready to come upon you in the same manner in which He came upon Jesus for that function and purpose.  The question is, are you ready.  Many people think that these things will happen in what they call God’s timing.  I realize that there are certain things that may come into that category, but I am absolutely positive that in most cases, it is NOT a matter of God’s timing, but our preparedness. 

I recently heard one of the best guitarists in the world speak of someone he met who has a tremendous banjo collection.  Many are classic, vintage instruments owned and played by some of world best-known banjo players.  The guitarist said the collector told him, “I don’t play banjo.  I just collect them.”  He added that he would like to learn to play.  The guitarist I’m speaking of is a strong Christian, and ministers in many churches.  He said he knows many Christians like the banjo collector.  He has many of the finest instruments in the world, but cannot play.  He has all the equipment, but is himself not equipped to use it.  Sadly, that is the case with many believers.  We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, we have been anointed, and we have been sent.  But Holy Ghost will not manifest Himself in His full power in our lives because we are not equipped to use our equipment.  God has equipped you fully for His service.  Have you fully prepared yourself, been taught, and learned how to use His supernatural equipment?  It’s your choice, and the sooner you prepare, the more quickly Father will use you in power and demonstration of Holy Ghost.

Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Galatians 3:13-29; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; 3 John 2; 1 John 2:20-27

Covenant – Seed of Abraham – Part 9

Walking in your anointing and enjoying your walk in covenant with God is, in effect, one-and-the-same.

Luke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

I’ve a question for you today as we begin.  Do you know what you are anointed to do?  if you know, and you are assured of your knowing by deep conviction of Holy Ghost AND the power and demonstration of Holy Ghost, then do what you are anointed to do.  Do it faithfully, do it joyfully, and do it with all your might as unto the Lord.  If you are in some way unsure, please allow me to offer you some sound counsel.  What I am about to share with you is a Biblically tried and tested precedent for victory in your life.

Do you suppose Noah knew his future when he was a mere 300 years old?  Do you believe Joshua knew his future role as he was departing Egypt under the leadership of Moses?  It is likely Elisha knew what was before him when Elijah smote him with his mantle as he plowed?  Don’t you believe it improbable that Apostle Paul knew the great work that was before him at his conversion?  How likely is it that any great man or woman of God knew at any true level the conclusion of the work the Lord had anointed them to do?  I believe the answer to all these questions is “NO.” 

What I DO know of each of these scenarios, while amazingly simple, is profound in its outcome.  Noah, Joshua, Elisha, Apostle Paul, and any other great man or woman of God who has ever graced the body of Christ with their highest in obedient service, did so by growing in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord in their calling as they yielded themselves to leaders going before them, waiting on the anointing God had placed upon them to teach them, and faithfully obedient service to the vision of those they served, and ultimately to the vision God gave them.  Even Jesus Himself “grew in wisdom and stature, and if favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).  He did not start out at the top of His game.

Neither shall any other man or woman of God.  If you are not concretely assured of the anointing in which God will use you, begin where you are in serving someone who is, working in a church whose vision is from the Throne, or aiding a ministry that is timely, effective, and fruitful.  This is a wonderful application of the laws of reciprocity, that being, give, and it shall be given unto you.  In your faithfulness is a wonderful place of revelation from Father’s heart to you, the seed of Abraham..  Selah

Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Galatians 3:13-29; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; 3 John 2; 1 John 2:20-27

Covenant – Seed of Abraham – Part 7

There is an uncompromising need of the anointing in our lives.

Luke 4:18-19 – 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 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

If you are being true to the Word of God, you cannot do a study of what it means to be the seed of Abraham and not enter into a deep study of the anointing, what it is, how it works, and how we are to flow with it.  While I’ve already talked about it to some degree, today I want us to enter into it much more deeply.  To accomplish that, let’s begin by examining our Text for Today.  This is likely one of the best known passages of Scripture speaking directly to the power, work, and method of the anointing in the life of a son of God.  It is of course, speaking primarily about Jesus, but it is yet deeper. 

First of all, pay close attention to the tenses of the first two verbs used in this passage.  “The Spirit of the Lord IS upon Me, because He HATH ANOINTED Me to preach the Gospel.” 

• IS – passive verb indicating a state of being; present tense
• HATH ANOINTED – active verb indicating action; past perfect tense

Understanding this is very important to establish the position of anointing in the work of Holy Spirit in the believer.  The simple truth is this.  For the anointing to be upon someone in an active sense, that person must be anointed.  In other words, the anointing ALWAYS precedes the manifestation of Holy Spirit.  Jesus declares in these two verses that He was anointed before the manifestation of Holy Ghost came upon Him and His ministry.  He was anointed to do all the things He did before Holy Ghost empowered Him to do them.  He was called the “Christ child.”  That means the anointing to do the works He did starting at age thirty had been on Him for thirty years.  .

Then when we read 1 John 2:20-27, a clear image of the divine connection between the anointing and the manifestation of Holy Ghost begins to be seen.  The anointing teaches us how we are to walk in the power of the Spirit.  I am convinced that the Father used the first thirty years of Jesus’s life to teach him how to walk in the power of the Spirit.  It was not something that just happened.  There was a divine preparation.  If it was needed for Jesus, the seed of Abraham, shall it not likewise be required of you and me, the seed of Abraham belonging to Christ?  Do you desire to walk in the power of Holy Ghost as the seed of Abraham should?  Then expect to be trained, to be taught, to learn, and to grow before that happens.  Selah!

Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Galatians 3:13-29; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; 3 John 2

Covenant – Seed of Abraham – Part 6

Our connection with “the Anointed One” is much more important than any of us realized.

Galatians 3:29 – And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Once again I remind you of the need to accurately read our Text for Today.  Stated in a more modern manner of the English language, it says, “If you belong to the Anointed One, then you are the seed of Abraham, and an heir of every promise God made in His covenant with Abraham, and His seed.”  We need to recognize that the Scriptures declare in Isaiah 10:27, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”  We must also recognize the truth of John 10:10 concerning the work of the enemy in our lives.  He has come to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  Add to that God’s declaration that His people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and things begin to fall into place.  As long as Satan can keep our minds in the least bit muddied concerning the work and power of the anointing, and our connection through covenant in the Anointed One, he can steal from us, kill us, and destroy our work and influence.  My dear brother and sister, we MUST awaken!

The yoke that traps us and keeps us from the full enjoyment, power, and authority of our place in Christ as the seed of Abraham MUST be broken, especially at this point in the kingdom of God.  Father God made His covenant with Abraham and his seed, and He made that covenant FOREVER.  As we have read in our Text for Today, if you belong to the Anointed One, you ARE Abraham’s seed.  That means that the fullness of the covenant God made with Abraham belong to you, in full.  Nothing Father promised to Abraham is left out, and even better than that, for you and me, it is no longer a promise, but a settled truth.  Father has “given us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) through the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, or through the knowledge of the Anointed One.  It is through that knowledge of and cooperative function in the Anointed One that we gain full access to, function in, and joy of Father’s covenant with Abraham and our position in that relationship.  I urge you with every fiber of my being, go to the Word of God.  Engage it.  Study the covenant Father made with Abraham.  Begin to see more fully through that study all that has been provided for and to you in that covenant.  Open your heart, and come to a growing understanding of how you are connected through the Anointed One, and the depth of that connection.  Enjoy it.  Selah!

Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Galatians 3:13-29; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; 3 John 2

Covenant – Seed of Abraham – Part 5

It requires more than casual observation to understand the term, “seed of Abraham.”

Galatians 3:29 – And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Before you go any further, take the time to read our Text for Today a few more times.  Make sure you see what it really says before jumping any conclusion  Today, I seek to shake up your thinking so you will see this verse with the mind of Christ, and not the mind of religious tradition.  Please, do not be offended if I momentarily disturb the way you have seen things in the past.  Rather, read what I say in the light of the Word of God, exercising the forethought to use properly defined terms, and then allow the Word to speak to you what it wants you to see, and to break away from viewing your position in Christ from our traditional viewpoint.  So, here goes!

I have been a Christian now for more than 62 years, and am coming to the conclusion of 51 years in the five-fold ministry.  God has always been, is now, and forever will be faithful, and in all those years, I have constantly learned and grown in my faith and God’s Word.  I am so thankful that that growth.  One of the things I have noticed from the beginning of those years until now is that most Christians seem to use the Name of Jesus and the title of Christ synonymously, that is, they take them to be the same thing.  “BUT, my friend, that is not the accurate way to view them. 

JESUS is the earthly name given to that human being who was born as the Word of God made flesh.  CHRIST is the word used to describe Jesus as “the Anointed One.”  For instance, consider Acts 13:6.  There we read, “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus.”  Look closely at the last name written in that verse; “Barjesus.”  The letters “Bar” is a Hebrew precedent for the name “Jesus,” and when joined to it mean, “son of Jesus.”  In other words, this man was the son of a man named Jesus.  The name Jesus would have been known to the Hebrew people as Yeshua, or Joshua.  That was not an uncommon name.  What held the great difference was the title our Jesus held.  He was “the Christ,” “the Anointed One.”  With that in mind, look again at our Text for Today.  It does NOT say, “if ye be Jesus’s,”  but “if ye be Christ’s.”  So, we should receive this verse, understanding that, if you belong to “The Anointed One.”  It is so easy for us to forget that our Jesus IS the Anointed One, and that our connection to Abraham in Him seals us to the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant.  Every blessing God promised Abraham is no longer a promise to us, but is a settled fact.  It is ours NOW!  Enjoy it!  Selah!

Manna for Today – Genesis 17; Galatians 3:13-29; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; 3 John 2