Come into the secret place and find encouragement that waters your thirsty soul. God has words of life to share with you today and living-understanding to strengthen you. Run into the shelter of His presence and let His love wash over you in a fresh way. He doesn’t offer stale bread to His children who hunger for Him. Eat of His now word. Tune your ear to His voice.
Give Him the heavy weight of the burden of fear you are carrying. There may be uncertainty in your life, but He sees everything clearly. There are no mysteries to Him, and He won’t let the tides of confusion sweep you away. See how His hand holds you steady. You cannot escape the grip of my glorious grace, beloved. What wondrous plans He has for us, His children. What a future we have in Him.
”“You will find true success when you find me, for I have insight into wise plans that are designed just for you. I hold in my hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.“ Proverbs 8:14 TPT
Let Him guide you further into His goodness as you follow His leading. He promises never to let us go or get too far ahead of us that we despair. He gives us eyes to see from His perspective. Look to Him, and nothing will ever shatter your hope.
When your soul is thirsty, you will find divine encouragement in God’s presence. The word of God is spirit and it is life. It will give you a deeper understanding of whatever you might be facing and also the wisdom and strength to prevail through it.
God’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. You will find rest in Him if you lean on him in absolute faith and trust. Let the Lord be your rock and your salvation.
”I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection is only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me. He will never slumber nor sleep; he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel. Yahweh himself will watch over you; he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence. He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night. He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity as he continuously watches over you. You will be guarded by God himself. You will be safe when you leave your home, and safely you will return. He will protect you now, and he’ll protect you forevermore!“ Psalms 121:1-8 TPT
”Yahweh looks down in love, looking over all of Adam’s sons and daughters. He’s looking to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, any who are searching for God and wanting to please him.“ Psalms 14:2 TPT
The love of God for you goes for and stretches wide. The depth of it is incomprehensible and His mercy is always with you ushering you through the corridors of life with grace:
To become more like God:
Let His perspective shape your habits
Let this wisdom instruct your ways
Have a willing a heart
Have a humbte attitude
When you choose to trust God, even in the wilderness of confusion, you strengthen the cord of faith that will sustain you. Give God your full attention and it will be well with you.
Utterance: the action of saying or expressing something aloud.
Answer: say or write something as a reaction to someone or something.
Somewhere last year, I really desired something and I had been praying about it for a while. It seemed like the harder I prayed, the farther it went out of reach. Fast forward towards the end of the year, I had been consumed with thoughts of how to attain possession of what I desired so much that in random casual conversations I would blatantly state that I needed it. It begun to sound like a “not so funny joke” and as the year gradually drew to a close, I had resigned myself to believe that the prayer topic in question was one of those where God answered with a definite no. I stopped asking but never stopped casually stating that I needed it. My logical self chose to realign my focus to other things.
The new year quickly came along and I had a prompting to sow a seed and take a step of faith. The Holy Spirit was asking me to do something out of my comfort zone and it didn’t make sense at all. But I obeyed because when the Spirit leads, the worst that could happen is always better than your best. The end goal of the assignment was clear and time bound. One day to the deadline and I wasn’t seeing the expected result but I wasn’t worried.
Suddenly, I got a phone call from a strange number and the person on the other side was offering me what I needed. It was so unreal it almost sounded like a scam. So I whispered a little prayer and remained composed. The next day I confirmed the offer and took delivery of what I had been desiring for so long. The feeling was so surreal. And it all started with utterances.
”And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.“
Mark 11:12-14 KJV
The popular opinion on this scripture especially by some theologians and Bible critics is that Jesus was unfair in expectation of fruit from the fig tree because it was not its season. From afar he saw that the fig tree had leaves. He came closer and indeed it had only leaves because “the time of figs was not yet”. The fig tree must have said or done something to trigger Jesus’s reaction when he found no fruit on it. The verse after this fruitless discovery was an answer from Jesus to the fig tree. This implies that the fig tree must have “said” or “done” something to warrant the answer that Jesus gave.
”For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.“
Romans 8:24-27 KJV
And the next verse encourages us that all things work together for our good.. the only caveat is that you must love God and be called according to His purpose. When you’re not sure what to say, turn to the scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and intercede on your behalf. It won’t always make sense however His leading will never stray you off the path of righteousness.
God is calling us to plunge into His word and trust Him completely. May His sweet Holy Spirit always be on our side as we choose to fully surrender and live in obedience to His word. May we boldly utter the word of God at all times so we stir up only positive answers from our Lord that turn our desire into manifestation
I Peter 2:4-5 NKJV – Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.“
– one of the fundamental duties of a priest is to offer sacrifices on an altar
Romans 12 :1-2 NIV – ”Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“
– God does not demand your body as a living sacrifice
– Paul begs Christians by the mercies of God to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
– Your body as a living sacrifice should be holy.
– Your body as a living sacrifice must be acceptable to God. Genesis 4:3-4 ( Cain and Abel)
– Offering your self as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God is your reasonable service (true and proper worship)
Paul’s admonition to the believers in Rome was to sacrifice themselves to God, not as a sacrifice on the altar, as the Mosaic Law required the sacrifice of animals, but as a living sacrifice. The dictionary defines sacrifice as “anything consecrated and offered to God.” As believers, how do we consecrate and offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice?
How to offer an acceptable offering of a living sacrifice.
1. Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world. Romans 12:2
Conform:
comply with rules, standards, or laws.
– The world is defined in 1John 2:15-16
– We are a living sacrifice for God by not being conformed to this world.
– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. All that the world has to offer can be reduced to these three things.
– The lust of the flesh includes everything that appeals to our appetites and involves excessive desires for food, drink, sex, and anything else that satisfies physical needs.
– Lust of the eyes mostly involves materialism, coveting whatever we see that we don’t have and envying those who have what we want.
– The pride of life is defined by any ambition for that which puffs us up and puts us on the throne of our own lives.
2. Renew your mind for Godly transformation to happen in your life. Romans 12:2b
3. Prove what the will of God is for your life. Romans 12:2c
4. Be sober minded. Romans 12:3
5. Behave like a Christian. Roman 12:9-21,
6. “Enter through the narrow gate. Matthew 7:13-14
– essentially giving up food (or something else ie social media) for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God.
– While fasting, it is expected for you to read the Bible, pray, or worship
– The goal is to fast for a limited time while focusing your thoughts on God, the God of heaven.
– Fasting is not a gift but a discipline
– Fasting is a spiritual activity
Why do we fast ?
1. We fast to seek to seeks God’s direction –
– [ ] – Exodus 34:28 Moses fasted 40 days and forty nights in the presence of God for the 10 commandments. God sustained Moses during the fast and also gave him wisdom and direction.
– [ ] – Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast for 40 days and 40 nights
”Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.“ Matthew 4:1-11 KJV
2. We fast to humble ourselves before God
– [ ] Ezra 8:21-23 I proclaimed a fast so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for safe journey
Here fasting is a means to humility
”Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.“ Ezra 8:21-23 KJV
3. We fast for freedom
– [ ] Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and to untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
– [ ] Matthew 17:20-21 …However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
The purpose of fasting is more than just giving up food, the spiritual implications are great.
4. We fast to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit
– [ ] Acts 13:3 so after they fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
5. We fast to grow in spiritual strength
– [ ] Matthew 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry
Jesus fasted and God strengthened him by sending his angels to minister to him. To grow in authority in the spirit requires prayer and fasting. May our sovereign Lord grant us the grace to seek His face through the sacrifice of fasting in Jesus’ Name.
”Then his disciples approached Jesus and asked, “Why do you always speak to people in these hard-to-understand parables?” He explained, “You’ve been given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom, but they have not. For everyone who listens with an open heart will receive progressively more revelation until he has more than enough. But those who don’t listen with an open, teachable heart, even the understanding that they think they have will be taken from them.“ Matthew 13:10-12 TPT
Let the gratitude of your heart lead you into the pursuit of more wisdom and revelation. God has so much to share with you. As you become more acquainted with His ways, you will transform into the likeness of His love. There is no shortage of revelation. What astounded you yesterday may seem common-place today, but don’t forget that God is full of truth and wisdom. The light of His understanding will make even the most mundane realities seem impossibly good.
A thankful heart will stir you up to desire more of God’s wisdom. You will seek to discover revelation through His word. There is no shortage of revelation but you first need to desire it and then seek it. Never get to that point where you think you have received so much and there is nothing beyond what you’ve known. Continue to dig deeper and yearn for more. That’s the surest way to grow in Christ; by increasing your capacity for more of Him each step of the way.
Do not be tempted by the mentality that you have been blessed with enough and that you should feel content with what you have for fear that others will miss out. That’s the broad way that leads us to a mediocre Christian lifestyle. God’s kingdom works in a different way; there is more than enough for everyone. When you consume freely from His table of wisdom and revelation, there is more to offer others. There is no such thing as spiritual gluttony, although you can starve your spirit.
Keep feeding the hunger of your heart by partaking in what He offers us as His children. Your capacity for understanding will grow as you continually listen and look with an open heart to receive. Press in and seek God out. He promises that when we do this we will always find Him. Why? Because He is right there with open arms yearning to commune with us, always!
The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their trouble.
William Penn
As we read God’s Word, we can see the theme of being thankful. There are hundreds of verses telling us to give thanks or offer praise to God. People who are thankful are known to be less depressed, get better grades in school, sleep better, stay healthy, have deeper friendships, and have a brighter outlook on life. Basically, gratitude is good for you!
”In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.“ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
Relationships
”And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“ Galatians 6:9 KJV
Relating to people is the heartbeat of our lives. We’ll rarely go a day without having interactions with other people in our many roles. Are we thankful for the people God has put in our lives? Do we express our gratefulness to (and for) them? It’s been said that we are like the people we spend the most time with. Who we allow in our personal inner circles affects our gratitude quotient. Be mindful of who you spend time with.
Replace complaints with compliments.
Serve someone to lighten their burden
Write down something you’re grateful for about the people in your life.
Just say “thanks.”
Health
”What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.“ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
In this fallen world in which we live, there will be struggles each of us face. Sometimes a health challenge is thrust upon us, while other times, we bring things upon ourselves. Regardless of where we are in these areas of our health, when we wake up each day, we have reason to thank God for our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.
Honor your body as God’s temple (exercise and eat healthy food)
Strengthen your mind.
Grow spiritually by reading the Bible, attending church, and gathering with fellow followers of Jesus.
Career
”And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.“ Colossians 3:17 KJV
All of us work at something. Before we can earn a monetary wage, we may work at school or do chores at our house. No matter what each of our “careers” look like, we have the opportunity to live a life of gratitude for how God has brought us to where we are. Whether you’re struggling to locate work or content where you are, always keep in mind that you’re working for God first. Do every task, assignment, and duty in His name, and thank Him regularly for the ability to do so.
Even if you’re unhappy in your current job, be thankful for the ability to be employed
Be grateful for what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t.
List what you love (E.g. the health and retirement benefits or friends that you’ve made while working at your job) and focus on the good
Finances
”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 4:19 KJV
We often wish we had more. And we think that a possession or amount of money will bring lasting gratitude, when in reality, it’s just a temporary fix that will soon need to be satisfied once again. No matter how much money we make, it’s wise to see our income as a gift. Chances are, there are more people in the world who might think the lives we live are amazing. Keeping our lives free from the love of money will help us be more satisfied.
”Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“ Hebrews 13:5 KJV
”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.“ James 1:17 KJV
Thank God for the gift of a place to live regardless of size or style.
Thank God for the provision to have what you own.
Thank God for the gift of the conveniences of basic needs like food and water.
At the root of our desire to gain more money or possessions is a misunderstanding of what we truly need. God cares too much about us to give us everything we want, but loves us immensely and will meet our needs. We need to continually be thankful for the immeasurable love He bestows upon us through the various facets of our lives.
“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10:41)
As a way of recap, to walk in the anointing, we need to sustain the consciousness that we have the Holy Spirit, speak faith filled words only and not fear, yield to the Holy Spirit and finally honour those who carry the anointing. Trust me, walking in the anointing is the most beautiful thing to behold and appreciate. It makes you feel special indeed. In fact, it lets men know you have been set apart. In other words, you are not ordinary. When you start doing what ordinary men don’t do know that the oil is upon you irrespective of whether you physically feel it or not. We are simply different and therefore react to the anointing differently.
To honour someone means to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect.
In the Yoruba land, when men want to greet an elderly or revered person they prostrate before them and that’s a sign of honour for them. Some even sustain that position even before fetish priests or worshippers of the devil. We are not here to judge them but the question is why do we Christians complain when people honour men of God in the same fashion? I’m personally not for that kind of honour but if people do it because they are honoring the Lord through His vessel( the man of God) and not the man that’s fine. As soon as some of us see that, we start making comments like “is he God? Why should I kneel down before a man like me”. Such statements are products of lack of spiritual understanding and may attract the anger of the Lord. But like I said, if you kneel down on your own and honestly to honour the man of God, you can quickly receive a portion of his anointing. Let me strike a balance here, this does not mean we should go about telling people to kneel down before us. Children of God are not our slaves; they are precious in the sight of the Lord like we ourselves.
Psalms 5:7 “I will come into your house; I will prostrate myself toward your holy temple in your fear”. So you see? The honour is always unto God and not man in our kingdom. No man should be the focus of worship but men don’t see God that’s why when they kneel down they honour God through His servant that they see.
To honour someone too could mean to recognize the grace of God upon a life and treat the fellow as such.
The opening scripture says “ he that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet receives a prophet’s reward and he that receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous person’s reward”. When you see a prophet or a man of God, and you receive him as such you shall receive a reward that comes from the office of the prophet and same for a righteous person. It’s a spiritual principle. One of the rewards that comes from a prophet is the anointing. What a prophet got over years of commitment, consecration, fasting and prayers can be transferred to you in a second if you honour him. 2 Kings 4:8-18 CEV
Once, while Elisha was in the town of Shunem, he met a rich woman who invited him to her home for dinner. After that, whenever he was in Shunem, he would have a meal there with her and her husband. Some time later the woman said to her husband, “I’m sure the man who comes here so often is a prophet of God. Why don’t we build him a small room on the flat roof of our house? We can put a bed, a table and chair, and an oil lamp in it. Then whenever he comes, he can stay with us.” The next time Elisha was in Shunem, he stopped at their house and went up to his room to rest. He said to his servant Gehazi, “This woman has been very helpful. Have her come up here to the roof for a moment.” She came, and Elisha told Gehazi to say to her, “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for us, and we want to help you. Is there something we can request the king or army commander to do?” The woman answered, “With my relatives nearby, I have everything I need.” “Then what can we do for her?” Elisha asked Gehazi. Gehazi replied, “I do know that her husband is old, and that she doesn’t have a son.” “Ask her to come here again,” Elisha told his servant. He called for her, and she came and stood in the doorway of Elisha’s room. Elisha said to her, “Next year at this time, you’ll be holding your own baby son in your arms.” “You’re a man of God,” the woman replied. “Please don’t lie to me.” But a few months later, the woman got pregnant. She gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had promised.”
The woman did not only receive the anointing from Elisha but she walked in it. How? She miraculously received a child from the prophet and the child lived for sometime before he was attacked and was brought back to life by the same prophet. The woman obviously did something to walk in the anointing. She discerned Elisha was a servant of God and therefore got him a room with a bed. You may not provide a room but do something else in your capacity and when your miracle comes it will be permanent for Ecclesiastes 3:14-17 King James Version (KJV) says “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” And that’s walking in the anointing and it’s also honour!
In our dispensation, we hardly come to the aid of pastors because of the proliferation of the bad ones. But beloved, listen, there can’t be bad ones without genuine ones. We shouldn’t let the bad ones prevent us from walking in the anointing in these last days. As believers we are filled with God’s Spirit and can equally discern the good ones from the bad ones. What have you done to your own man of God this very year? What have you done to believers who carry a level of grace that is lacking in your life to walk in their grace? Your may not want a child but a husband or something else. Learn to honour those who deserve to be honored.
Unfortunately, young people of this century are full of disobedience and dishonor. We don’t realize there’s a difference between us and those who are really anointed to effect changes in life’s or fulfill God’s eternal purposes on earth. We feel we are the same and that’s why we fall and rise up under the anointing in churches only to realize that nothing has changed in our lives.
Apostle Johnson Suleman said “at salvation we are the same but in terms of relationships or grace we are not the same. We maybe classmates, roommates, course mates, or area mates but certainly not grace mates”. This is absolutely true! People who live in darkness, understand the principle of honor better than us. Even in the cooperate world, workers know there’s a hierarchy that must be respected at all times.
If you are fond of insulting men of God or gossiping about them, forget the anointing. You should not be the first to go on social media and abuse men of God! It’s bad! No matter what the man of God did. We didn’t call him. God did so let’s allow God to deal with him instead of raining insults on him publicly. Muslims never do that when their religious leaders go wrong. Does it mean their leaders don’t fall? They do but Muslims reverence their leaders with understanding and love and have a wise way of dealing with them if they go wrong. You never see them coming on social media to insult their leaders! No way! But as for us we do it and feel it’s right and allow other people to join us to disgrace our own.
Brethren, “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” – Galatians 6:1. What if you too fall, would you be happy if you are treated the way you treat others? Remember the anointing may still be on a man of God when he even falls and that man may go before God with a penitent heart and God will forgive him and you will still be there judging him without knowing God has forgiven him? And since you dishonor him, you did honour God and cannot receive anything from him let alone walk in the anointing. See, the anointing sees beyond the scope of the physical. When you insult someone , you use unkind words on him and those connected to him. Aaron and Miriam dishonored the anointing upon Moses by criticizing his choice of a life partner. Numbers 12: 1-2 says “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. Notice, the kind of woman Moses chose was not the required choice and the people were right by talking but was that their business? No! When a man of God makes a mistake in his life or ministry the best thing we can do for them is to pray for them or speak to them through their spiritual fathers if we lack the confidence or maturity to approach them directly and speak to them politely.
When they made that statement against Moses, God did not only afflict Miriam with leprosy but also took the anointing upon their lives and transferred it to Joshua and Caleb who were not supposed to carry it. God did that because Joshua and Caleb were good servants of the Lord, they honored Moses.
You could also honour a chosen vessel through service. And by so doing you would walk in the anointing that that person walks in. So, when I talk about service here it’s not limited to the church though the church maybe our focal point. Elisha served Elijah wholeheartedly and walked in Elijah’s anointing. Elisha even did more miracles than Elijah as a result that’s theologically speaking.
Service is the action of helping or doing work for someone. Remember, service is another shade of honour.
In some cases the one you maybe assisting maybe younger or less educated that you. But if you really came to serve, those differences wouldn’t matter to you. King Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He was king for 31 years in Jerusalem. He lived in a way that pleased the LORD, always doing what was right, as his ancestor David had done. An eight year old child? How would you feel to be his servant? What would happen to you if you did serve him? The grace upon him will come upon you and you would walk in the kingship anointing. Yeah, it’s true. You may have been a waiting mother for sometime. You may have prayed for sometime and fasted to no avail. The answer to your prayer could be in the service you render to that poor woman who has eight godly children that she raised alone. Why don’t you connect? Go to her, help her cook, wash her dishes constantly and let her pray for you for she has the anointing you have. You can also walk in it only if you serve her no matter your social status, age or educational background. Don’t be proud!
You don’t know how to cook? Go to those who are good at it and serve them and through that you will walk in their culinary anointing. It’s simple.
To get some answers from God, He himself says in Exodus 23:25 -26 “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you; and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. That’s the power of service! Serve God and if he touches you with healing he won’t only heal you but also make you an agent of healing for your generation. It’s a spiritual principle.
As you sustain the consciousness you have the Holy Spirit, speak faith-filled words, yield to the Holy Spirit, honour carriers of the anointing, I declare you too will walk in the anointing. It will be a daily experience for you and as a result you will not stop where your parents or relatives stopped in life and destiny. You will go beyond their limits in the name of Jesus.
Exodus 31:2-5, “Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
From the above scripture, we learn Bezalel was filled with the Spirit ( anointed ) of God to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of crafts. What do we learn here precious ones? The anointing is not only used in church. Each anointing is meant for a different assignment at a given time. For Bezalel, his was to be used to build the temple of God aesthetically. In fact, his anointing was so unique that it gave the temple a unique image or picture. That’s the anointing for you.
Once you see a unique fashion designer or interior decorator who’s always sought after know that their services are not only sought on the platform of their skills but also on the platform of the anointing that is not visible in their field of work like in church.
Mary conceived supernaturally via the power of the Spirit. You too will conceive supernaturally despite the doctor’s report in the name of Jesus!
When the anointing came upon the prophets of old they said “ …and the spirit came upon me”. May that anointing rest upon you and all yours now in the name of Jesus!
In our previous lesson ( part 1), we learnt that to manifest the anointing in all our endeavors we should sustain the consciousness that we have the Holy Spirit. This is done by asking the Spirit to come into our life and by speaking faith-filled words to our seemingly insurmountable situations believing He hears us and will act accordingly for when God said “let there be light”, that declaration was made in faith and the Spirit immediately caused light to appear.
To walk in the Spirit, we have to yield to the Spirit of the Living God. We do this by continually obeying Him. This is because the Spirit is neither an influence nor a power. He’s not also fire, water or a dove but can manifest Himself in those forms. He’s actually a personality with emotions for the Scripture says “ and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption ( Ephesians 4:30). Do we grieve a force or an influence? I guess you know the answer! We grieve only persons or personalities. If the Spirit for instance tells you to sell “ waakye” instead of going to work in a company even though you are a Master’s degree holder and you are like “ how can an educated person like me stoop so low and sell that food when I have a better option to work in a reputable company, you have grieved Him and He will leave you without you knowing he’s gone.
In the “waakye” business could be your fianancial freedom that would eventually make you the talk of town. Could this disobedience be the reason why some of us left Africa our place of destiny for Europe or America for greener pastures when God repeatedly told us we were not destined to be there or vice versa? It’s not everyone who is destined to be in Europe or America or Africa to succeed. With God, location doesn’t always determine your place of destiny. In fact if you obey the Spirit wherever you go you will be a blessing like Isaac when he was in the land of the Philistines. Success is not in a place but in a person who happens to be the Spirit. If He guides you and you obey you are good to go.
You could be praying and all of a sudden, the Spirit tells you to “ praise Him” and you open your mouth and you are like “ what difference does it make”? Brother, you would not be able to walk in the anointing that way. This is because you may have prayed for years one a situation and now the Spirit who knows everything is telling you to “sing” to bring an end to that long standing affliction and you disobey. Is praying good? Absolutely! But when He talks, obey! It was songs that were used to break the walls of Jericho. He gives different strategies to different people for different situations. Don’t be religious but spiritual because we walk by faith (spirit) and not by sight (customs, rituals, emotions etc..)
When he wakes you up at midnight no matter how tired you are begin worshiping Him and later zoom into tongues and change things in your life, destiny or family.
Under the leading of the Spirit, Apostle Smith Wigglesworth of blessed memory could punch cancer patients at the spot they were really hurting. And as they received the heavy and violent punch they felt the pain and the cancer leave them immediately. Critics criticized him and wondered why he sometimes operated that way instead of doing the usual which is laying hands on the sick to get them healed. But His master led him in different fashion. For some, we blow air on them, for some we lay hands, for some we ask them to honour some scripture led directives and they are free because we are spoken to by the Spirit and as we obey results follow.
Sharpen your spiritual antennas by speaking consistently in tongues, dwelling on the scriptures, and listening to spirit filled messages. You will eventually hear him if He speaks to you and you too will walk in the anointing even though you are not a pastor. Would you pay the price?
Luke 10:38, “ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
From the above scripture, we notice that the purpose of the anointing upon and in the life of Jesus Christ was to do good. By reason of the anointing of God, I declare and decree be losed from all forms of oppression, doors be open unto you, ancient altars catch fire. Be freed in the matchless name of Jesus.
Anything that comes from God to bless and turn lives around is termed as grace. In others words, favour, mercy, honour among others without forgetting the topic in question which is the anointing can also be called grace. The anointing can be termed as divine fragrance or person upon and in the life of an individual. When this grace is upon you, you get married without courting or dating for 6 months. You just attract people decently and not indecently. You may wear a casual dress and not look fashionable and a young man filled with the same spirit can just see you and say “ young woman, I want to marry you”. I know you don’t believe what I’m saying but it’s true. What do you think made the king fall in love with Esther upon seeing her? My dear friend, what attracted the king was beyond beauty. Esther was anointed with an extraordinary grace that made her find favour before the king. It’s called the anointing. You are not just anointed by you will learn through this platform how to walk in the anointing and accomplish great feats in life and destiny in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Benny Hinn calls the anointing a heavenly commodity. This is because, the source of this blessing is not earthly but heavenly. It’s not the prerogative of only the 5-fold ministry; it’s actually for all believers. These gifts are given by God Almighty to men to fulfill God’s mandate in the earth realm. The oil comes from heaven above and not from the hands of men (though it can be transferred from one person to another) because the source is Jehovah.
However, every believer is anointed when they get born again. God comes and makes His home on the inside of us. The scripture says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
(II Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJ)
You are set apart. The Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of you and the anointing of the Holy Ghost becomes available to you. You have the ministry of reconciliation – to tell others about Jesus.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (I John 2:20 & 27 NKJ)
Beloved, the anointing is in levels. The dose of the power differs from individual to individual because of either their calling, their service or their hunger for more. Yes, it’s true. Matthew 7:7-8 says “ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Unfortunately, most of us have never asked the Lord to increase the anointing in us because we are either ignorant of this reality or are satisfied with our current levels. Remember, God anoints us for different assignments. You may not be a pastor but for you to stand out among your peers you need the anointing. Hear God on this truth “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” – Hebrews 1:9. Doing that which is expected of you as a Christian can attract the anointing of distinction upon your life and that’s exactly what the scripture above communicated.
To be sought after by all men or look special in this world, brother you need to be assisted by a spirit and that Spirit for believers is the Holy Spirit; he’s the author of the anointing. You want to be a great musician, medical doctor, judge, fashion designer, mason etc? Aside your certificates, your intelligence, your contacts, you need this grace called anointing trust me. Without it, you may seek help outside Jesus to make it but hear me you will pay for that demonic help with your life and that of your generation. Receive help from God and be happy for there’s nothing good in the devil.
On the other hand, the anointing can also be utilized to destroy yokes, heal, deliver or do extraordinary on earth. Precious ones, receiving and walking in the anointing are two different things.
To walk in the anointing, you have to sustain the consciousness you have the Holy Spirit. In prayer, you may say something like “ I love you Holy Spirt, I’m sorry I neglected you for sometime, come and brood on my spirit, soul and body by your mercy, come into my life, let a fresh oil from you come upon me please. You don’t need to fall down or feel something to prove that He’s with you for we walk by faith and not by sight, the Bible says.
Declare daily” I have an excellent Spirit, the anointing of God is in and upon me, I’m heavily anointed, I’m the best and of God, nothing happens to me but I make things happen, my food, clothes or anything I touch is anointed, my presence anywhere in this world comes with the anointing. In addition to my job, training, there’s an anointing upon me. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and if He dwells in my body which is His, cancer, fibroid, growth, diabetes, organ infections you cannot kill me but rather you die in the name of Jesus.
What consciousness do you move with at your place of work, in your area or in your family. If you know the Holy Spirit is with you, you will not talk like people of the world. You got to speak faith – filled words. Job 22:29 “ when men are cast down, then thou shall say, there’s a lifting up; and he shall save the humble person “. You see, when men are cast down, YOU ( the believer) and not someone else shall say there’s a lifting up. “ Even though I’m unemployed now, I declare and declare I’m an employer of labour” that’s what you may be saying when people say negative things. Unbelievers may mock you when you speak like God even when you are confronted with seemingly insurmountable mountains, if you are consistent in what you say and believe it, very soon your declarations will put on flesh. These kinds of talk make the Spirit work on your behalf. Sometimes in meetings, we don’t hear directly or see from God but when we speak things happen because we know we are not alone and that God comfirms the words of His servant.
Unbelievers don’t know this reality unfortunately and that’s why they allow the devil to torment and attack them daily. Don’t live a defeated life for life and death are in the power of the tongue. A broke child of God just finished fasting and when he came out, they brought him a lady who could not even stand on her feet because of cancer. She was told by doctors in the UK to come home and die. As soon as the servant of God saw her he screamed “ cancer die in the name of Jesus”. Immediately the lady stood up and after one week hair that was disappearing from her head as a sign of the presence of cancer starting growing miraculously. Guess what happened to that dear man of God! New house in a prime area , latest car and of course cash were giving to him by the lady to thank him. How did the blessing come about, the pastor was conscious of the presence of Spirit that causes the anointing to work and he spoke in faith and the miracle took place. You can do the same thing if you don’t grieve the Spirit. Learn to please him at all times and his anointing in and upon your life will work.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Humility is a key:
1. Because it opens the door to salvation
”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”“ Romans 1:16-17 NKJV
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. Job 22:29
2. Because it opens the door to healing.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
In 2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman was sent to Elisha, a mighty prophet of God in Israel to be supernaturally healed. Instead of Elisha coming to the door to greet Naaman, he sent a messenger to him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you shall be clean.”
3. Because it opens the door to the riches and honour.
”By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.“ Proverbs 22:4 NKJV
4. Because it opens the door to the Grace of God
”For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.“ Romans 12:3 NKJV
”But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.“ James 4:6-7 NKJV
5. Because it opens the door to the anointing:
To humbly be a servant
To humbly receive someone as a father
To humbly learn from another
To humbly listen to a man of God
Four Enemies of Humility
1. Having a wrong mind
Types of Wrong Minds:
High-mindedness
A mind that you are being cheated
A mind that you are forgotten, and must be remembered
A mind that ‘I’m not noticed, I must be noticed’.
”Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
2. Holding on to your good reputation in any field
This makes you want to fight to keep a good reputation which you may have to lose for Christ’s sake.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7
3. Not accepting to be a servant
“You should think about things in the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ had the same nature as God. He was completely equal with God. But he did not try to keep hold of that. Instead, he chose to leave heaven. He took for himself the nature of a slave. He became like a human. Philippians 2:5-7 EASY
4. Not accepting that you are a mere human
“And when he lived as a man, he made himself even less important. He obeyed God completely, so that he died. He even died on a cross! Because of that, God then raised Jesus Christ to the most important place. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name.” Philippians 2:8-9 EASY
May we always remember that we are mere mortals whose main purpose is to accomplish the divine will of God. May we never be too proud to recognize God’s sovereignty and submit to Him at all times. The Lord bless us and keep us and make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us in Jesus’ precious Name.
““And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”
A door is an access point that leads somewhere.
There are certain works that open doors
The scriptures talk about two types of works.
A. Good works
B. Dead works/ works of the flesh (Gal 5:17)
Emphasis on good works. What does the Bible say about good works.
1. Our pattern for good works
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38-44 NKJV
2. A new identity that brings forth good works
Ephesians 2:10 reads “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3. Good works for kingdom for kingdom advancement.
And purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14.
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” Titus 2:6-8“
To obey, to be ready for every good work.” Titus 3:1.
That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8
Psalms 11:7 The Lord is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
B. Dead works of works of the flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery
fornication
uncleanness -(, to be defiled, polluted, unhealthy, or unfit, moral, sexual impurity)
lewdness, – (Lewd people have unbridled lusts and little sense of shame. They are outrageous in their shamelessness and give themselves to debauchery in a brazen way (Ephesians 4:19; 1 Peter 4:3). “Lewdness” is reckless sinning. It does not care what God or people think.)
idolatry – replacing God with other things -money, idols, people …
sorcery- the use of magic, especially black magic.
hatred
contentions – argumentative
jealousies
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions,
dissensions – disagreement that leads to discord
heresies – belief or opinion contrary to orthodox (especially Christian) doctrine
envy
murders
drunkenness
revelries – Revelry is a wild, fun time.
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Gates or doors and what they respond to:
1. Identity (who we are)
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” Psalms 24:7-8 NKJV
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV
All things respond to the Name of Jesus including gates and doors.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV
Because we are hidden in Christ Jesus, doors will be accessible to us.
2. Gates and doors respond to Praise of the saints (Paul and Silas)
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26 NKJV
3. Prayer (Peter and the angel)
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”” Acts 12:5-11 NKJV
As you tarry in prayer may the angel of God that was sent to Peter appear to loose every bonds of bondage and cause every prison do to open to set you free.
Righteousness is a gift of God at salvation. A gift is freely given. The delusion is that many have received this gift and yet walk by their own leadings and direction.
To walk in righteousness requires many virtues including
Faith
1. the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.
2. And Abraham had faith towards God and it was accounted to him for righteousness .
Humility, patience, love, kindness, joy…
A lack of humility results in pride in all cases.
1. Pride is a deadly evil that affects humans.
2. It is an invisible evil that has started more quarrels and more wars than you could ever imagine.
3. Pride is the reason for the conflicts and the confusion in our world. We are desperately in need of a formula for humility that will deliver us from “those who are proud.”
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10
Many problems in the world now are because of pride. Satan is the one who inspires pride, arrogance, and conflict .
All who walk by pride walk under the influence of satan. Job 41:34
… he (satan) is a king over all the children of pride.
In the church all the problems in the church are due to pride and high mindedness. Disloyalty is caused by pride.
Satan inspired 1/3 of the host of heaven to rebel against God. And he is still doing the same thing now on earth. He said i will arise and displace the one who sits on the throne, i will replace the almighty God, i will be like the most high.
Symptoms of pride
Full of self-importance
Self -conceit
Delusion of self worth ( it takes about 10 years to completely unravel and destroy those who believe in them)
Unthankful / ingratitude 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James4:10
Seven Reasons why you must be humble (James 4:6)
1. Humble yourself because God resists proud people.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, but giveth grace unto the humble. Pride is so contrary to God that He has declared war on all who are proud. When you become proud, God will become your enemy and oppose you in all that you do.
People who have become proud do not realize that God has begun to oppose them. Satan goes on holiday. Often they make the mistake of rebuking satan. By being proud you make God Almighty your enemy because He resists the proud. Do u want God to be your enemy? Then be humble.
2. Humble yourself because God gives grace to the humble. James 4;6
… God gives grace to the humble…
Amazingly, God gives underserving help to humble people
Grace is underserved help and favor
Think of all the undeserving help you can receive in your life if you walk the paths of humility. Then humble yourself.
Do u need undeserving help in your finances then humble yourself.
3. Humble yourself because through that you will be lifted up to the next level in life.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10
The next important reason for you to be humble is for promotion. If you want to be promoted then humble yourself. You will find yourself rising out of your current level into heights you never dreamed off. 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME. Exaltation is to be gloriously lifted up into beauty and shining excellence. Humility is the key.
4. Humble yourself so that you will be covered and protected. 1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””
Humility is not just an attitude
Humility is a spiritual covering
Humility is not just a poor and simple way of living
Humility is not being timid
It protects us from many unseen spiritual dangers.
5. Humble yourself because your pride is a signal for your soon to come destruction, your fall and your shame. Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 16:18-19 NKJV
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 11:12
“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
In conclusion, it is in our own interest as children to maintain an attitude of humility if we want to fulfill the will and purpose of our God. Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Virtuous Living 