ingredients of the anointing

GIBI Course- Essential Ingredients of the Anointing

Essential Ingredients of the AnointingThe Process of Becoming a

Sweet Smelling Fragrance unto the LordBy Pastor Brian Alton

Gateway International Bible Institute4444 W. Olive AvenueGlendale, AZ 85302

602-993-5353www.drcconline.org

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http://www.drcconline.org/


Lesson 1Essential Ingredients of the Anointing

Everything that God anoints for His service requires special divinely inspired and required ingredients. We so often expect God to bless our many plans and all of our ministry efforts without stopping to ask ourselves: Do we have the right essential ingredients added to the mix of our life to be properly anointed, appointed, and effectively used by Him? In the past before speaking at a public venue, I used to pray, “Oh God, just use me and anoint me! Oh Lord, I just want to be used and anointed by you! Yes, God! Oh, Holy Spirit, anoint me!” But no matter how much I prayed for God's wisdom and anointing, or how hard I worked at being anointed, something always seemed to be missing.

Finally I stumbled across Exodus 30:17-31, a very obscure passage in the Bible in which God begins to tell Moses exactly how to select, mix, and produce essential oils to be used to anoint and consecrate the tabernacle of His dwelling. To my surprise, right there in those verses, I found divinely prescribed essential oils and spices. These specific ingredients would be mixed together to be used for divine sealing, consecrations, and Holy anointing!

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle

of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, "for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. "When they go into the

tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. “So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute

forever to them-- to him and his descendants throughout their generations." Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Also take for yourself quality spices-five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling

cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, "five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of

the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. "And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It

shall be a holy anointing oil. "With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony; "the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its

utensils, and the altar of incense; "the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base. "You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy. "And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests. "And you

shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations.

Exodus 30:17-31

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Reading these verses literally changed my prayer life and my approach to God. I suddenly realized that no matter how much I cried and spoke in tongues, how much I yelled, shouted, shook and shuttered, no matter how much I preached, prayed, or prophesied, if the ingredients listed in these verses above were not a key essential ingredient in the anointing of my life, then I was probably acting out of emotionalism and not in the real anointing of God.

Aaron and his sons the Lavitical priests were to wash themselves (in particular their hands and their feet) before they came near the tabernacle or approached the altar. God told Moses to use this special oil with these specific ingredients to anoint the various parts of the tabernacle as well as the priests.

I want you to notice that these ingredients were very specific, exact in measure and weight, and the oil that was made by combining these ingredients could not be used for any other purpose.

This kind of anointing with holy oil is an illustration of the same kind of spiritual anointing that God still wants to pour out upon us and the Church to consecrate us and set us apart for His works and holy service today.

The Holy Anointing Oil Was Made from Five Essential ingredients: 1.) Myrrh 2.) Cinnamon3.) Cane4.) Cassia5.) Olive oil

By studying out all five unique key oils of the anointing, we can see how each ingredient prescribed by the Lord can represent specific areas of our lives. We need the very same ingredients added to us, developed in us, and properly processed in us, by the Lord so He can anoint us, equip us, consecrate us, and use us as holy anointed vessels fit and ready for His service. This process helps develop our character - our makeup – our spiritual DNA if you will.

*Myrrh Myrrh is a necessary ingredient in embalming fluid; it is also used as a purifier. In our walk with the Lord, we must be cleansed and purified from our sins. When God delivers us, we must become dead to those sins. We need to become as dead as a body that has been embalmed, no longer able to respond to sinful impulses.

“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the

dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

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Romans 6:11-13

*Cinnamon Cinnamon is a spice used to add a sweet smell to the anointing oil. God not only saves us and allows us to become dead to our old way of living; He also fills us to such a degree that our lives can exude the sweetness of our Savior. We can begin to take on His gentle, kind and loving fragrance.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:2

*Cane or Calamus Cane, or Calamus, is also used to sweeten the anointing oil. The quality of sweetness is so important to the Lord that He requires us to be doubly sweet, and to overflow with the kindness, gentleness and the love of Christ.

When we become believers, the enemy immediately aims darts at us more than he ever did before. Why? Because we are his worst enemies now!

If you want to be anointed of God the way you say you want to, then you are going to be tried beyond normal measure. Why? Because God wants us to have the character trait of ‘sweetness’ beyond normal measure. This is the essential ingredient of Cane or the Calamus working and operating in us. It takes the rough, hard, and bitter places of our lives and helps to make them sweeter.

This thought is particularly true in leadership roles. When I was a lot younger, I was functioning in the role of a worship leader at a new church. I went through a season when I felt certain that others were ‘slighting me’ and not giving me the proper respect shown to other older leaders in the church. Perhaps my worship ideas or music advice wasn't given the quick and proper attention that I felt it deserved. Because of this kind of ‘stinking thinking’, I would be totally ruined for the whole service if I perceived this. From behind my self-righteous wall, I would silently (and sometimes openly) start to criticize others who stood up to minister in worship, noting every flaw and deficiency in them or their team.

Finally, God called me on my bad attitude. Then I heard Him say clearly during an anointed service one Sunday. “Brian, I desire to do so many great things in your life. I want to lift you up and take you to the nations of the world. But if you can’t even deal with my people right here in this church on this soil, then how do you expect Me to take you to foreign soil?” I knew immediately that the enemy was trying to get me – my own self, of all people, to spoil the anointing that was beginning to develop in my life.

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Those pointed fiery darts that at times felt like scud missiles had been successfully stirring up feelings of pride, envy, and even anger toward others under me in ministry and it was like a ‘fly in ointment’ so to speak.

I began at that very moment to change my attitude and thank God for the people He was using to flush out the sin in my life. The enemy was tainting the essential ingredients that were working toward making me an anointed vessel of honor fit for the Masters use and service. As I began to praise and thank God for those people He was using to flush out that sin, then I began to experience Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Listen, that’s when the sweetness of the Holy Spirit overcomes the bitterness of Satan's darts.

*Cassia The branches of the cassia herb retain moisture and must be planted in a swampy area near the banks of a river in order to survive. The Lord showed me that we too, must be planted deep in the Living Water in order to experience the anointing of God. As Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

We must never allow ourselves to believe that the length of time we've been believers in Christ, our position in the church or our years of service mean we're automatically rooted in God. If we don’t allow God to plant us in the Holy Spirit, we will not overcome the temptations of Satan-no matter who we are or how long we've been Christians.

The Scriptures are clear that we must ‘walk in the Spirit’. We must mind, pay attention to, and act in accordance with the will of the Spirit of God. Then, and only then, will we begin to see the fruit of the Spirit come forth.

“…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Galatians 5:16, 22, 23

This kind of walk is anything but weak or wimpy. Paul described it this way in Colossians 1:10-11: “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”

Maybe the reason some of us are shaky and weak in our walk with the Lord is that we have not been planted in the Spirit! If we begin to live our lives in

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obedience to God's revealed will in the Word and we are sensitive to the leading of His Holy Spirit, our roots will be able to grow deep and take hold.

*Olive OilThe process required to get olive oil is painful and intense. First, the trunk of the olive tree must be shaken harshly, causing the olives to fall to the ground. Then the olives must be beaten and smashed until the liquid runs out. The oil is used both to dress wounds and, in the Jewish tradition, to anoint objects or vessels that are earmarked to be used for the glory of God.

The process by which we are anointed for God's service is not much different. If we seek the anointing, we must expect to be shaken and crushed for the cause of Christ.

…whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once

more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore,

since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear .

Hebrews 12:26-28

Testing, trials, and temptations will beat upon us as Jesus described in His parable of the house builder:

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently

against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a

foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Luke 6:47-49

If we persevere with an attitude of love, humility and thankfulness, the oil of the Holy Spirit will flow out of us onto others as a healing balm. This precious essential oil that was crushed out of us like those olives in the natural will help to heal others who have been wounded and then can become a healing to the nations of the world.

This process is not easy, but it's necessary. The next time you're listening to a preacher and you sense the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly that the hair is literally standing up on your arms and on the back of your neck, just remember that person is not just gifted or talented. They have most likely been shaken, beaten, broken and smashed. What you are seeing is the key essential holy oil of their lives becoming a sweet smelling anointing oil oozing out from within them.

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When these five key ingredients of the anointing are placed within our spirits, it may take us to a place of crushing and brokenness and you might even feel crushed or broken at this very moment in your life, but just remember that this kind of breaking doesn’t lead to defeat and failure. The power that is released from that brokenness becomes an essential ingredient.

First, the scent of myrrh is being added to us and being activated with the other key elements and oils that God has instilled into our core and nature, cleansing us from the power of sin. Second, it’s the cinnamon, the fire of God that is able to fill us with His power to get through this kind of season we face. Third, God adds the double-sweetness of cane, causing us to love even our enemies and rise above the fiery darts that would divide us. Fourth, this leads us to be steadfast like cassia, “rooted and grounded in love” so that we “may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17, 19). Fifth, when the circumstances of life seem to crush and break us, we are able to persevere with the right attitude and find ourselves being poured out, like olive oil, in service for God to others. Then-and only then-we will be truly anointed by Him and set apart for His holy work and service and become a sweet smelling savor unto God.

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Lesson 2Follow My Scent

"Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider

that this nation is Your people." And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. "For how then will it be known that Your people and

I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the

earth." So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." And he

said, "Please, show me Your glory."Exodus 33:13-18

The Lord spoke to me to encourage those of you who are taking this course: He said, “Be Alert to My Scent! The Spirit of the Lord would say; “Alert yourself to My presence, always be sensitive to My presence being with you. As long as you stay in My presence, you are safe and secure. Follow My scent”. The presence of the Lord always has a sweet scent of fresh anointing and life, like the scent of fresh anointing oil.

"So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of

recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord."

Acts 3:19 (Amp)

Religion and Legalism Have Three Distinct SmellsSome things smell good, ripe, and right – i.e. it has the sweet smelling fragrance of the Lord – the fragrance of who He is, and what He is doing (the good thing that He is doing in you, for you, through you, and around you). And other things well, they have the smell of… the nice Bible word for this word is “dung” which is the smell of the world, the flesh, decay and death.

What I mean by this is that the spirit of religion and legalism has a certain smell to God. According to the Bible, the first distinct smell is like dung! If you don’t believe me study Malachi Chapter 2 and Philippians Chapter 3. The writers of both books describe how God abhors the spirit of religion. Religion and legalism are heartless, lifeless, religious routines, works, and duties; they are like the smell of dung to God. Again, the spirit of religion and legalism according to the bible smells like what? Dung!

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The second smell that the spirit of religion and legalism gives off is like the smell of a cold freezer! This is because any person, leader, or church that operates in this spirit are frozen, and frost bitten! They are called the ‘frozen chosen’!

The third distinct smell is that of death; wherever there is a dominate controlling religious spirit in operation there is no life. When there is no life all there can be is decay and all decay brings forth is death. For those who have ever smelled the decay of rotting flesh knows that distinct smell of death.

You see, when something is dead or dying rigermortis begins to set in – or it has already taken its course, all it leaves behind is a cold and empty shell. When a body has no more life in it, it begins to rot, decay and stink! When that happens all that’s left to do is have a funeral! All you can do is bury it or burn it baby!!

In the natural realm when someone dies, their lifeless ‘body’ is sent to the morgue. This is exactly what Jesus said when He was addressing the cold and religious, stiff-necked Sadducees and Pharisees of His day. The difference between Jesus in His day and us in our day is that He had the boldness and fire to confront that spirit of death.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them

may be clean also. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are

full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Matthew 23:25-28 There are a lot of ‘frozen chosen’ and ‘chiller churches’ in America today (even in this city and state). This is because of a dominant controlling religious spirit that has caused a breakdown of the life flow of the senior Pastor of that church, of those members, of that denomination, or that movement. Rigermortis has taken its course and so those churches become more like mortuaries instead of life-giving sweet smelling organisms.

We Must Recognize the Unique Distinct Sweet Scent of the AnointingAll of these things I just described can happen as a result of a failure to recognize the sweet and distinct scent of God’s presence and anointing. This is why we must practice the presence of God often, so that when He is present and active and moving in our lives personally and corporately we can clearly recognize the sweetness of His aroma. This is the sweetness of His presence; we need this so that we can give off the essential aroma of Christ to others around us. We also need to be able to recognize the ‘opposite’ or ‘counterfeit’ of His

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presence. The ‘opposite’ doesn’t matter because according to the Word of God it’s all considered dung anyway! Amen.

Of course the ‘dung’ referrers to those things that are temporary or temporal in our lives. The ‘scent of God’ referrers to those things that are working for a lasting and eternal fragrance from heaven.

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are

perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who

is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and

with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.II Corinthians 2:15-17

This scripture really comes to light for me with Durin, the Fruit of Asia. It is considered a fruit filled delicacy to many – BUT IT SMELLS SO NASTY! Talk about dung! It has the outdoor outhouse potty sewer smell! Oh yeah, it’s a delicacy for many Asians, but the smell is SO BAD that many of the hotels in Asia have outlawed it from their premises because of the stench it can create.

When We Fail To Recognize the Scent of His PresenceThe times that we miss it – those times that we fail to truly recognize the scent of His fragrance (His presence) seems like such a moment of failure and defeat. But we cannot allow our past failures to become anything other than a learning process in our life. If we never failed or fell short, it would be very difficult for others in the world or even in the church to have full confidence in us. This is especially true when it comes to elders and leaders. Believe it or not, the most effective elders and leaders in the church or even those in the marketplace are those who can relate to the struggles, downfalls, and difficulties of others. They are the proven leaders giving off the sweet smell of anointing to others around them because they’re the ones that can relate since they too have “been there” before.

The Bible is full of great men that have failed but came back to shake the very gates of hell! Abraham failed. Moses failed. David failed several times. Peter failed a few times as well, and yet the Lord declared that He would establish and build His church upon Peter. However, all of these men’s failures did not stop them from achieving their God given destiny nor defeat them; and it certainly did not stop or hinder God’s plan in the earth.

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So what set these men apart from every other leader in their day? It was that they all made the necessary adjustments to their life and character and they continued on in the process of Godly development to get to their intended promise from God, in order to fulfill their life’s true purpose and destiny. Their lives became a holy, consecrated, sweet smelling fragrance coming up from the earth to the Lord.

We are all subject to failures; however it’s how we handle failure in our lives that counts the most in the kingdom of God. This is how we truly learn to recognize the scent of God’s presence. It is also one of the key essential ingredients of the Anointing that helps all of us in our day to become a sweet smelling incense before the Lord.

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Lesson 3Discerning the Scent of the Anointing

Just as there are five essential ingredients that make up the holy anointing oil, we as humans crafted by the hand of God also have five senses that make up our sensory perception in our bodies. God created us this way to discern one thing from another. We have these five senses in operation in our natural bodies:

1. Seeing2. Touching 3. Hearing 4. Tasting5. Smelling

In the very same respect we also have five senses that operate in our spiritual bodies. For example: Spiritual discernment is to your spirit what the nose is to the human body.

“…to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another

discerning of spirits…”I Corinthians 12:9

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the

Spirit of God…”I John 4:1, 2

Over the years the Lord has given me a heighten sense of discernment (my prophetic sense of smell – if you will) and it enables me to enter a place where I am called to minister to be able to, by the Spirit of God, smell what’s going on in that place. It helps me to know whether there is a sweet fruit filled aroma being offered up unto the Lord or does it reek of a nasty durin stench in that place?

Brokenness Releases the Sweetest Fragrance and Some of the Best Anointing OilWe will discuss the subject of brokenness briefly, as it relates to failure. This is one of the key essential oils that if not applied in the right measure can break down and overcome all the other compounds and essential ingredients of the oil which make up the holy anointing.

I believe that the olive in the olive press is the most precious and sweetest smelling of all oil. Just as the treading of grapes releases the new wine, so the crushing of the olives in the press releases some of the most pure olive oil.

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Brokenness is a prerequisite for experiencing the fullness of the Spirit's power. It’s not to be avoided or feared because its fruit is wholeness. When Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me," he declared the person he used to be is dead! In essence what Paul was declaring was that His dependence on his own strength and ingenuity had been crushed and broken, so the life and power flowing in him and through him was the life and power of Jesus Christ.

God is always in the process of breaking the patterns established by our flesh. He allows us to be confronted with the same weakness over and over again, so that we can see these incidents for what they really are. They are ‘crucifixion moments.’

At a crucifixion moment you are offered two choices: you can react in the same old patterns and ways of your human nature (your old fleshly reactions), or you can react in the new way of the Spirit. One releases the sweet fruitful fragrance and anointing of life and power, and the other releases the smell of decay and death.

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the

dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear

fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in

the oldness of the letter.Romans 7:4-6

When you choose to place blame on others or you feel martyred by your circumstances beyond your control, you resuscitate your old dead man. It’s like you’re performing CPR on your old self-life. You keep bringing it back to life! And trust me your decaying dead man STINKS!

On the other hand, when you choose to accept the crucifying work of the Holy Spirit, you begin to let the old nature die and the new nature emerge. Your new nature gives off the sweet essence of Christ-likeness.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we

are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of

life. And who is equal to such a task?II Corinthians 2:14-16

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Every time you are confronted with a crucifixion moment, choose to lay down your self-life. Choose to surrender your pride, expectations, rights and demands. Choose the way of the cross. Let someone else get the credit you deserve; forget the opportunity to have the last word; die to the demands of your flesh and the spiritual power that will surface will be Resurrection Power! When you surrender yourself to crucifixion, you can be assured that the potent fragrance of resurrection will follow. The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead will express that very power through you.

Resurrection life is a powerful fragrance of eternal life, a life from which limitations imposed by the world and the flesh have been left in the grave. The life that bears the mark of death but has the fragrance of life is a holy and sweet smelling fragrance unto the Lord.

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone

does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the

Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who

dwells in you.Romans 8:8-12

The process of being broken is the first and most difficult part of the Lord's essential ingredients that He must place in our lives, especially for those who are called to minister for Him. As much as we may hope that the ingredient of brokenness would only have to be added once or twice to the mixture of our character development, it most likely will happen on a continual basis. Brokenness an ever on-going aspect and preservative in our relationship and experience in God in order to become the very best and anointed witness and minister of the Gospel we can be. I believe that we can all agree that brokenness is a beautiful and essential ingredient to the anointing oil that He is making from your life.

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Lesson 4Being Made Holy for the Most Holy

Everything that God anoints for special service requires God-prescribed and appointed ingredients. Do you really have the right ingredients activated and operating together in your life to be truly anointed by Him to touch the nations of the world?

As briefly discussed earlier on in this teaching Aaron and his sons the Levitical priesthood were called, and given Heavens mandate for service and ministry in His tabernacle, the altar, and the Holy Place. As they served before the Lord and before men, they were told that everything they touched had to be made holy for the Most Holy.

"You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy. "And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests. "And you shall speak to the children of

Israel, saying: 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations.

Exodus 30:29-31

Listen child of God, if you want to be anointed the way you say you want to be, then just know that you are going to be tried beyond normal measure. Why? Because God wants you to have the character trait of sweetness beyond normal measure so that you can minister to this generation with a powerful yoke-breaking anointing beyond normal measure.

Think of the most effective and powerful Bible characters in the Word of God, think about the most effective and influential Revivalists both past and present; almost every one of them, without fail, were tried and tempted beyond normal measure. The influence of their ministries was able to affect their generation and future generations to come beyond normal measure.

We must never allow ourselves to believe that the length of time we've been a believer in Christ, our position in the church or our years of service in ministry mean we are automatically anointed and sweet smelling to God and to men. We could be thinking that we are a sweet smelling savor and really we are reeking of spiritual B.O. We have become a rancid “Body” Odor!

We Can Learn Much About The Anointing By Looking at the Different Essential Components to the Holy Anointing OilThe Holy Anointing Oil is symbolic throughout Scripture of Holy Ghost quickening power resting upon the person or object that is anointed or being anointed, so they might function in a particular sphere of influence and ministry. This is evidenced by the language of the Bible: HEBREW: “Mashiyach” = “Anointed” or “Messiah” GREEK: “Christos” = “The Anointed” or “Christ”

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Remember that some things only remove yokes temporarily, but the anointing can destroy them permanently!

Myrrh Oil - Is a key essential oil. It was used for embalming, it was very bitter. Jesus was given myrrh three specific (and prophetic) times during His life.

First, was at His birth = 3 kings, Wise Men, Magi came bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Second, was on the cross of Calvary = Jesus was offered wine & myrrh. Wine and myrrh were used as a pain killer or numbing medicine in Jesus’ time but the Bible says that He refused it because He had to bear every bit of our pain during His agonizing crucifixion.

He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our grief’s And carried our sorrows; Yet we

esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our

peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed!Isaiah 53:3-5

Third, was at His burial = Mary and the other Mary came to wrap and anoint Jesus’ body with myrrh for His burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb.

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already

dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of

Jesus observed where He was laid.Mark 15:42

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

Mark 16:1

Some examples of Myrrh being released as an essential ingredient and of their ministry being released into the saints of old:

- John the Baptist in prison (See Matthew 11:2-6).

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- The disciples toiled all night (rowing against the wind) while Jesus watched! He let them row about seven hours alone! Before He made is move towards helping them (See Mark 6:45-50).

- David, the fugitive ran for his life from Saul to the Cave of Adullam. This is where he writes the famous Psalm 34: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of them all...”

- Isaiah spoke to the fearful hearted, “He will save you & bring recompense into your situation”. Isaiah 35:4-6

- Isaiah 61:1-3 Jesus Himself says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me for He has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Cinnamon Oil - Is an essential oil, Hot in taste, warm to touch. It can get Fiery Hot! God wants a zealous people not a weak, bleak, and cold people.

Example of a weak and cold people: The Church of Laodicea.

I know your works your neither Hot or cold! So I will spew you out of my mouth!Revelation 3:15, 16

This reminds me of when a loved one is sick to their stomach and is vomiting in the bathroom – just hearing it and thinking about it can make YOU sick to your own stomach as well. You even say to the very ones you love the most; “I love you hunny, but I’ll come in and help you when you are all done throwing up!” It’s the same thing that the Lord says to His lukewarm church and to His people; “I love you My people but I’ll come to help you when you are done making me sick”!

God wants us either Hot or Cold because lukewarm Christians He will spew out of His mouth!

Zeal always causes a visible reaction in us. When we are on fire for the Lord, everyone knows it; you see it in everything they do! When we walk in the zeal of the Lord, we cannot hold back our excitement! Jeremiah gives us a good example of this zeal. His words are like a heart-burning fire!

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Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary

of holding it back, and I could not.Jeremiah 20:9

One of the definitions for zeal is the word arise. Whenever the Ark was moved, the word Arise was used. It gives the idea of heated passion like how lovers have heated passion for one another (See II Chronicles 6:41; Psalm 132:8-9)

Another example of heated passion in a spiritual sense is found in II Chronicles 7:1, 2 where Solomon had finished praying and fire came down and Glory from Heaven!

Calamus “Reed” Oil – Calamus is a reed with a weak stem; it is symbolic of weakness.- Paul’s thorn in the flesh (see II Corinthians 12:8-10). - God’s strength can be found in our greatest weaknesses.- David’s prayer of repentance - (see Psalm 51:17) - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit & broken and contrite heart.

The word broken here means: “crushed” or “brokenness.” Isn’t it interesting that all the ingredients for making holy anointing oil must be broken and crushed? Jesus knows just the right amount crushing and brokenness we need – He knows how to administer just the right chemistry.

Known strength can be a weakness; known weakness can be a strength! Example: My voice and guitar are known talents, strengths, and abilities but many times in my life these strengths have become my greatest weaknesses. I was scheduled to open for Willy Nelson and God showed me that He gave me these gifts for Him – not for the world!

My wife and I have been through some really tuff seasons of brokenness, and we know for certain, you can either fall on the rock “willingly” or the rock will fall on you!

“Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder!”Matthew 21:44

Cassia – is a low growing plant. This is symbolic of humility. Moses was described as the meekest man on earth and learned to walk in humility before God and before men.

Numbers 12:3, 8, 13 - Moses operated in humility when he begged God for Miriam’s healing even when he didn’t have to because he was justified.

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Learn from Miriam’s experience – DO NOT TOUCH THE ANOINTED OF GOD! Child of God, don’t touch the anointing!

Moses thought highly of others and wanted to share the anointing (see Numbers 11:29).

Olive Oil – Olive oil is still a leading article of commerce today. It is symbolic of Fruitfulness.

Olive oil is the major ingredient of anointing oil - anointing manifests itself in a fruitful life!

The realm of emotion can move us, but the realm of anointing will heal us! (see Jeremiah 8:11, 22).

Rewards for fruitfulness are not for our glory, but for our Redeemer – our glory in this life and our crowns in the next are all His. We will join all the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures around the throne and we will cast our crowns at His feet! Amen.

The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created

all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."Revelation 4:10, 11

The Bible is very clear in many translations that this prescription of holy oil was given to the “ministers” of the Lord who minister around the tent of meeting, in the tabernacle, at the altar, before the Lord and before the people, as well as what was used in those places or the items they personally used (the articles of worship) to minister before God. It was “set apart”, sanctified and taken out of the realm of ordinary or “common.” It was also to be treated with the upmost dignity, respect, and reverence, not as something ordinary, trivial, or as something that the children of Israel would commonly (or customarily) use, buy, or sell. We can clearly see that it was to be made for and only reserved for the work of the Lord in the ministry of anointing things for His works and service and nothing else. Although it was to be made after the “art of the apothecary” or like the “art of a perfumers blend” the Lord was making sure that they understood that it was not to be considered the same or like any other mixes, perfumes, medicines, or concoction that they were making, for their own “common” needs, use, or gain.

I see that the emphasis in these passages is not on “NOT making the holy oil” so much as it is on making sure that there was a full awareness of the fact that the Holy Anointing Oil is to be considered “sacred, set apart, and holy unto the Lord for His divine ministry and purposes” and not to be made common or ordinary.

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After much in-depth study I believe that what these verses are saying to us in the “context” of this chapter is this: Consecrate them and all these things so they'll be soaked in My holiness, so that anyone who so much as touches them will become holy themselves.

Then in verses 30-33 it is saying to anoint Aaron and his sons with this holy oil and “consecrate them” as priests unto Me – these are the guys who can touch it, handle it, and use it for His holy purposes (what it was intended for, made for and used for). Then it gives a great explanation that drives the message of the context of these passages home. Tell the Israelites, 'This will be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations (that’s us!) and Don't pour it on ordinary men. The words ‘ordinary men’ broken down in meaning here describes the words ‘heathen’ or ‘the unclean.’ It indicates that this anointing is for the righteous – for the house of God, the things of God, the Priests of God, and for people of God. This is why these passages are so clear when it comes to the “context” of this chapter. Don't copy this mixture to use for yourselves. It's holy; keep it holy. Whoever mixes up anything like it for any other “common” or “ordinary” thing or purpose will be in grave error. But the best news about all of this, is this: We are all now able to come boldly before the throne of grace! Those of us who are in Jesus are all considered Kings and Priests! Hallelujah! We are a chosen generation, we are a royal Priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people called to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness (out from being a heathen, from walking in that place of darkness, from being in that place of the unclean, ordinary, common, and unholy)! (See I Peter 2:9, 10) We were a people who had not obtained mercy but now praise God, in this new covenant we have obtained God’s great grace and mercy. We have access to the Holy Place and to the holy things of God through the Holy Spirit – His Holy Anointing!

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Lesson 5God’s Commands Concerning the Holy Anointing Oil Are Specific

1. It was not to be poured upon man’s flesh. Emotion is not anointing!For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to

be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So

then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not

the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Romans 8:5-9

2. It was not to be poured upon strangers. Real anointing comes only by regeneration!

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the

Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:18-22

3. It was not to be imitated by man. If there is a true anointing, there is a false anointing!

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

(In this passage Christ means – Anointed One)Matthew 24:23-24

4. It was to continue through all generations. We can’t live on the past generation’s anointing!

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works

which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers,

which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them,

and provoked the LORD to anger.Judges 2:10-12

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Anointing, Like Many Principles in Scripture, Is a Progressive Experience One good example of this truth is in the life of David, who had three separate anointings throughout his lifetime.

1. David was anointed in the midst of his brethren, when only God could see his potential.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

I Samuel 16:7

God pours out the anointing to any man “after his own heart.” "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

I Samuel 13:14

2. David was anointed King over Judah, after years of unjust suffering as a fugitive.

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, ‘That the men of Jabeshgilead were they

that buried Saul’.II Samuel 2:4

David learned (by Saul’s persecution) what NOT to do before he learned what TO do! I truly believe that the years of David’s life where he had to serve under King Saul was hiss season of God adding the essential ingredients of the anointing. It was his ministry training and development to be able to, one day reign as anointed King of Israel. God was preparing him to be able to live in and to walk out his childhood promise of being His anointed chosen King.

Don’t despise your season of preparation. It could be the very essential ingredients that the Lord is mixing into the anointing of your life that will prepare you to rule and reign in your divine purpose and promise.

3. David was anointed King over all Israel, after years of consistently growing strong in war. Your warfare is making you stronger in more ways than you realize. It builds a spirit of consistency and a heart that says ‘I’m not giving up.’

“Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and

weaker”.II Samuel 3:1

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So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over

Israel.II Samuel 5:3

Some of the most wonderful blessings and divine encounters of the Spirit come only through consistency, and NOT GIVING UP!

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Lesson 6Uncovering the Prophetic Insights of the Anointing Oil

Myrrh - was a pain killer; and a healing agent. The anointing has the ability to help get you through some pain in this life.

I wish I could tell you that if you come to Jesus you will never suffer again and that everything will be perfect, never a problem. The reality is that we do not live in the sweet bye and bye but sometimes we live in the nasty here and now. Friends, life can be hard but God is always good!

Everyone that is anointed will go through pain.The old saying goes No PAIN no GAIN. His pain was our gain and our pain in this life is our gain in the next!

The more we pray sometimes the more attack we are going to have. The more of the Word of God you know, the more demons will be

assigned to you. Start winning some souls and everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Get a powerful vision from God (a download from heaven) and people will

start thinking you’re crazy! People say “Pastor, I wish you would preach something more positive.”

OK I am positive that you will have pain in your life; this world is going to hate you; Jesus himself said that they would. Jesus also told us that in this life we would experience “tribulation”. If the Lord of heaven and Earth is using the word “tribulation” then friends, we had better believe him.

“Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the

Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have

overcome the world”.John 16:32, 33

We need to understand that there is a war going on and hell is desiring to sift you as wheat.

I’m so tired of folks that worship and then get a little pin prick from some demon… “I’m hurt” “I’m wounded”… get up move into the presence of God and allow Him to administer Myrrh anointing into your life.

Myrrh will kill the pain; it will heal you.- The church has adopted this wounded spirit victim mentality- The Holy Ghost can repair a marriage- The Holy Ghost can restore a broken family- The Holy Ghost can heal past hurts (Abuse; church problems)

You can spend the rest of your life thinking about how wounded you have been or you can get a picture of a wounded savior that became a saving Lord and He has a myrrh anointing for you.

No matter what you are going through there is an anointing of Myrrh that will save you from the pain.

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- God has not given us a spirit of fear!- It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit!- Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Cinnamon This was not cinnamon as we think of it, it was HOT! Hot will motivate and move you, just as the fire of the Holy Ghost will.

- There is nothing deader than a dead Pentecostal.- There is nothing colder than a cold Charismatic.

As New Testament Believers We were born in the flames. “I will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire.” We need the fire today. Fire is a Revival necessity!

- Rituals will not move us, and programs will not promote us into His presence.

We need to get a hold of the red hot flames of the anointing and experience a fresh fire from God.

The Fire speaks of authority that brings a response.- Eat a jalapeño pepper and it will produce a response.

The fire has an authority to bring a response. When Jesus spoke He spoke with authority.

- He spoke to the wind and to the waves and they obeyed- Demons recognized His authority- He healed the sick- He raised the dead- He performed many unexplainable miracles (water into wine etc.)

Jeremiah had Fire in his bones; Isaiah had a coal of fire on his lips; Elijah had fire that fell from heaven, yet we pretend to not need the fire of God! When your marriage is on the rocks you need the fire of God! When your business is falling you need the fire of God! When your health is going you need the fire of God!

- God give us fire in our praise and worship- Give us fire in our announcements- Give us fire in the offering - Give us fire in the pew- Give us fire in the pulpit

- Give us fire in the children’s departments- Give us fire in the Jr. High & youth departments- Give us fire in our nurseries- Give us fire in the foyer- Give us fire in the altars- Give us fire in our homes- Give us fire in the work place- Give us fire in the prayer closets- Give us fire at Wal-Mart

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- Give us fire that sets men free- Give us fire that saves souls- We need the FIRE of God in EVERYTHING we do!- GOD GIVE US THE CINNIMON FIRE, OH GOD WE PRAY!

God deliver us from services with no fire. It does not have to come in the shout; it can come in the still small voice. I desire a Holy Fire. Quit allowing the enemy to wreak havoc in your life. Bless God, wake up out of your slumber and ask God to mix in the essential oil of cinnamon in your life. Burn bright for Jesus!

You Must Know who you are in Him:• You are an heir of Christ• A joint heir with the Son of God• The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me• No weapon formed against me shall prosper• Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world• I am more than a conqueror through Christ. “Satan you don’t want to mess with me, but if you do here is the address”

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:19

If God put all of this in us then we need to use it!

Sweet Calamus – It stimulated the oil system, primarily the sense of smell and taste.

It was an appetizer that made you hungry. Scientists have even studied this ingredient and determined that rubbing it

on your skin would increase your appetite. - The anointing will give you an appetite for the things of God.- It will give you a passion for God.

We can watch the NFL for three hours; play a round of golf for four hours, the Diamondbacks game goes into extra innings and we are excited and stay another hour. We say “come to the anointing” on Sunday morning “a little dab will do ya.” But let the preacher go past 12 noon and people begin to get those “I gotta go twitches!”

We need more passion in our lives for the things of God not the things of this world! There are some people with more passion for baseball, fishing, cars, or shopping then they have for God.

The essential ingredient of Sweet Calamus added to your life will release a sweet new passion for:- Passion your spouse

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- Passion your kids- Passion for the things of God

- Passion for the people of God- Passion for the purposes of God- Passion for the work and service of God- Passion for financing the kingdom of God- Passion for the lost at any cost

Ask the Lord to fill you with the new passion! He will ignite a new fire in you, if you only ask Him.

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Lesson 7Set Apart

We must depend on God. Zechariah 4:6 – “It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” We must minister in the power of God - under this "anointing of the Holy Spirit.” But let me ask you once again, what is the anointing? We talk about it all the time. We desire it, we pray for it, but what is it exactly?

The simplest understanding of the anointing is to think of it as a "setting apart". When God anoints something He sets it apart – It becomes "holy" and separated for His use.

When a new King was anointed in Israel the prophet would take a horn full of oil and pour it over his head, and it would run down his clothes. They would do the same thing when there was a new High Priest. The symbolism was that this person was "set apart" - to be God’s man or God’s instrument.

When we say "that guy preached under a real anointing", or "that was an anointed song", or "an anointed moment" - it means it was set apart – a holy empowerment and experience. God had His hand on the preacher or the song or the place and He was moving in His presence and power.

As we discussed before in prior lessons the Old Testament Tabernacle, and all the furniture and utensils used for worship had to be anointed before they could be used. They didn’t anoint with just any old oil - they had special oil for this anointing, made from the exact recipe that God gave to them through Moses. In fact, at one time it was a capital offence in Israel to make this oil and use it for any other purpose - punishable by death!

There is a beautiful picture in Matthew 26 of the woman who brought an alabaster box of precious, expensive perfume and anointed the feet and head of Jesus. The fragrance filled the room. This was the kind of box you wouldn’t want to break – the very box itself seemed so precious. But it was the essential oils locked up on the inside of the box that was the real expensive treasure. Unless the outer box was broken, there could have been no sweet fragrance released. If she had kept those essential oils and that precious perfume locked up in a pretty box, then that sweet perfume would have never truly fulfilled its purpose.

Unless there is a breaking in our lives, the fragrance of Christ in us will never be smelled. Sometimes we hold things in our lives, as so precious to us. We treasure it more then anything. But those things need to be broken. We are not called to be Ming vases, but clay pots. I Corinthians says that we hold this treasure (the glory of Christ) is earthenware vessels – clay pots. All the glory is His and not ours.

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The School of Hard Knocks AnointingGod’s anointing is able to increase in your life the more you pass through the school of hard knocks, and God is able to fashion your character. Anyone been through some hard knocks in your life? Some are things harder than others aren’t they? But they are working on our character – as long as we respond to them as God wants us to. Our trials are fashioning us for our anointing.

This is where the fruit of the Spirit is helpful to us to help us maintain the quality of the anointing that rests upon our lives (see Galatians 5:22-25). God is more interested in anointing a man or woman with sweet smelling fruit and character in operation in their lives than someone with great abilities.

The Cassia spice grows only at elevations above 8000 feet. As I was studying this the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and said; “If you desire My anointing - you’ve got to reach up to the heights. Come to the mountain to get it!”

Let’s get on the mountain with God. There’s no shortcut to the anointing - we’ve got to come to the mountain and pray. We are called to live on the mountain and not live in the valley! Jesus lived in the anointing of the Spirit - and for that He maintained a close walk with the Father in prayer at all times. This is what Psalms 149:1-6 was trying to declare to us, that the high praises of God should be in our mouths.

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged

sword in their hand.Psalms 149:1-6

Because of the high praises from our mouths, God’s people make Him bigger and that transports us from this hum-drum everyday life into the realm of God’s Supernatural Mountaintop.

All the Essential Ingredients of the Anointing Were Mixed with Olive OilOlive Oil was what brought the other essential oils and mixture into the realm of "holy."

Over and over again in the Bible, oil symbolizes the Holy Ghost. In so many ways, in so many types and pictures, oil represents the Holy Spirit. Now look at the picture we have here. All these ingredients mingled together with a hin of oil

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produced the anointing compound that was called “holy.” The Lord will combine all the good and difficult things in your life with the oil of His Holy Spirit and a sweet anointing will form in you. He will be able to use you in incredible ways.

If you put the old man to death every day and live for Jesus, if you cultivate a sweet disposition (dealing with others in grace), if you allow life to make you “better and not bitter,” and if you daily seek God’s face in prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit – THEN, you won’t just have an occasional anointing – a hit and miss empowerment. God’s anointing will incubate in your life, and equip you for every good and perfect work. You’ll reside in that anointing, even as it resides in you. You’ll begin to minister out of the release of that anointing and not out of your emotion and religious experiences.

The Anointing of God Makes All the Difference in How We Serve HimWe need to have the anointing for:

1. Preaching2. Teaching3. Praying4. Prophesying5. Delivering6. Healing7. Leading others (i.e specific areas like Praise & Worship, children, youth,

adults, colleagues, etc.)8. Ministering / Speaking to groups of people9. Ministering to the community / Evangelism10.Business / Administration / The Marketplace

Another good definition of anointing is: Having divine miraculous power or authority in the Holy Ghost to do a special unique work for God.

The Anointing is something that can not be bought, taken, or appointed by men. Only God can give each of us His special and unique anointing. God does not look for our ability, but He looks for our availability; He looks at our heart.

The anointing is very costly and, a heavy price must be paid before it comes and flows in power. There are many people who sincerely desire to do great exploits and miracles in God, but they never seem to pass the tests they face over and over again. This explains why the fullness and power of the anointing never comes upon their lives. We like to call this “goin round the mountain again…” God will keep giving you the same test until you receive an “A”!

The Anointing Oil is Used For:1. Consecration2. Anointing prophets and Kings3. Praying for the sick

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It’s the Holy Spirit that gives, empowers, and enables the anointing in someone’s life.

Moses’ Excuses Vs. God’s Empowering Anointing:In these next few passages from the life of Moses the deliver we will see how the anointing can change our personality perspective.

Exodus 3:11 - Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh (Identity)Exodus 4:1 - They will not believe me nor hearken (Low Self Esteem)Exodus 4:10 - I am not eloquent, slow in speech (Lack of Skill or Ability)

We see that Moses was well acquainted with his inability and weaknesses but the anointing of God can change our personality perspectives as He did with Moses. Let’s take a look at how God’s empowering anointing changed his own personality perspective.

“And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”Exodus 4:17

And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden

his heart, so that he will not let the people go.Exodus 4:21

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 7:3

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16

Now the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him.

Exodus 10:1

But the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”

Exodus 11:9

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Lesson 8Maintaining a Fresh Anointing

If I had to choose one distinct element of our ministry, it would be that we have been channels of restoration and spiritual renewal for both individuals and ministries. Many people who have attended our meetings in one form or another have testified to a fresh anointing that brought lasting change to their lives, their communion with God and their Christian service. But wherever Phaedra and I go we hear the same question: "Pastor Brian, what do I do to keep the anointing flowing?"

All over the world, believers express similar concerns about keeping their anointing fresh. Some who are filled with oil and burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit are afraid of losing that wonderful communion with God. Others, whose jars have broken, have lost oil along the way. For them, the question becomes an urgent one.

I believe Elijah has something to teach us about keeping the anointing flowing. Consider his encounter with the widow at Zarephath. He comes upon her as she prepares a fire for the last meal she and her son expect to have. When Elijah asks for bread and water, she tells him they have run out of food; all they have left is a handful of flour and a little oil. When that is gone, she and her son will die. (see I Kings 17).

This situation illustrates the condition of many believers. They are God's children, and the oil of the Holy Spirit is in their lives, but their spiritual lives are as good as dead; they barely have any oil left in their jars. There is very little anointing left in their lives. They have a devotional life, but it is carried out with great effort, almost as a burden. They serve the Lord, but without any fruit. Jesus teaches us in the parable of the ten virgins, that we need to be prepared and always have our lamp filled with oil.

"Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our

lamps are going out.'Matthew 25:2-4; 8

Many Christians are aware that their situation is like that of the widow of Zarephath, they are preparing themselves for a spiritual death. They resign themselves to living Christian lives without joy, power or sparkle. They live their faith without expectation, just waiting to die. But Elijah gave the widow a list of instructions to prevent the oil from running out. Let's examine these instructions together.

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Examine Your Attitude The first order Elijah gave the widow had to do with maintaining a correct attitude. He said in I Kings 17:13: “Do not fear;” The widow at Zarephath had to stop believing that she and her son were going to die, She had to free her mind of negative thoughts and unbelief. Unfortunately, a spirit of fear holds many Christians in bondage and hinders them from maintaining their anointing. The moment some Christians have an incredible new experience with the Lord, they start listening to their ‘stinking thinking’ and wonder, “how long this will last?”

Maybe you have allowed the flame of God's fire to go out, and now you feel unqualified to start all over again. Or perhaps you’re afraid of losing the fresh anointing you have received. Listen, we cannot permit ourselves to become immersed in unbelief, doubt and fear. When God anointed you with His Holy Spirit, He didn't give you a spirit of timidity or fear. The oil that descended upon you is the Spirit of love, power and self-control.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”II Timothy 1:7

Don't believe the lie that your Christian life will die a slow death and that your sweet anointing and fellowship with God is fading. Don't accept as normal a substandard life when it comes to witnessing and service to God. Don't be paralyzed by fear so you end up losing everything God has given you. If you follow the instructions in the Word, the oil of the anointing of the Holy Spirit will not run dry in your life.

Establish Your Priorities Elijah's second recommendation addresses priorities. When the woman told him her problem, Elijah had an interesting response: "Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and

your son."I Kings 17:13

The word ‘first’ here is very significant. Elijah appears to be insensitive to her condition. Although he knew that this poor widow had little food, he asked her to provide food for him first. In doing so, Elijah was applying basic principles for receiving the blessings of God.

These principles apply to our finances, and they also apply to everything else in our lives. Do you want blessings in your family life, your studies, your vocation, your profession, your relationships and your ministry? Then apply these priority principles. Give first to God; then God, who doesn't owe anybody anything, will

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give you what you need. Consecrate your life to God; let Him be the most important thing in your life.

I have ministered to many people in my life, and I have never known of anyone who put Jesus first, who lost the intensity of their anointing.

Be Obedient To the Anointing The third precept is that of obedience. Try to place yourself in the widow's situation. You are in the midst of a catastrophic national crisis. Because of a drought, there is no food. All you have left is a handful of flour and a little oil in a jug. All you can do is eat and then die. But suddenly, someone appears and tells you, "Before you and your son eat, give me something first." What would you have done?

When the Potter places His hands on you and molds you as His jar, He fills you with His holy oil so you can be a blessing to others. Our disobedience can ruin the jar and cause the oil (your anointing) to spill out.

Many believers are anointed by God to minister. God commands them to pray for people in His name so He can touch them and heal them. But instead of following God's instructions, they become afraid; they lose their faith and end up disobeying what God asked them to do. They do this over and over again until God can’t trust them any longer. And so, very slowly, over time, the anointing decreases (or spills out).

God touches you, fills you with joy, and gives you external evidences so you learn to trust in Him then He fills you to overflowing with His love, but we continue with the sins in our lives. We want the anointing of power, but we are not willing to abandon those things that grieve Him who gives you the anointing. Anointing and sin can't walk together. Either the anointing gets rid of the sin or the sin gets rid of the anointing. Why? Because the scripture teaches us that darkness has no fellowship with light.

To Maintain Your Anointing You Must Spend Time with GodElijah told the widow to go home. God was going to do an amazing thing in her life, and she needed to be at home. We as believers have to understand the importance of time alone with God. We come to church services or prayer meetings filled with people who praise God together and want to be ministered to. This is wonderful, but we cannot neglect our own personal private time with the Lord. Listen child of God, anointing for public ministry corresponds directly to the time we spend alone with God. There is no secret formula in this. Anointed men and women who have been raised up by God in each generation have been those whose prayer lives were rich and consistent.

Prayer must be a daily practice for every believer. We must be alone with Him as much as possible - not only to seek more of Him but also to see our anointing

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increase. Jesus practiced this in His own life, pulling away to be alone with His Father. It was there, in that place, where He received more anointing.

Sharing the AnointingIn order for the anointing to not run dry, we have to share it like Elijah did. So many believers spend their time praying for more anointing, and more oil. But God is telling us today, "Don't ask for more oil; ask for more jars. If there are more jars, I will pour more oil, and the oil of My anointing will never cease." The oil of the anointing will cease when you stop finding jars of people with which to share your blessings. As long as there are new jars to hold the Holy Spirit's oil, the anointing will go on.

The people around you at home, at work, in the neighborhood, in your school, are all empty jars. They are needy, and lacking all those things that only Jesus Christ can produce in people's lives. When you bless them, two things happen: they are filled, and your oil continues to flow even more.

Remember that blessing those around you is only the beginning. God expects that, but He also wants your influence to reach to the ends of the earth. If you ask for jars and not just oil, God will send you people to minister to and bless. All of a sudden you will start seeing people in a new way; the Holy Spirit will show you needs that lie deep in their hearts. You will be able to minister to them in a specific way like Elijah did, and the anointing will go with you and increase in you. The only time the oil runs dry is when there are no more vessels to fill.

The Potter (Jesus) formed you and made you into a jar. When you are filled with the oil of the Spirit, you bless those around you. If you are feeling as hopeless as the widow of Zarephath, do not allow your spiritual life to die but be open to receive a new anointing this year. Ask for fresh oil, and receive God's anointing. Ask for jars, and share the oil (the anointing) with others.

God Protects His Anointing The Lord protects His anointing not for the great things we will do for the kingdom, but because of His great love for us. All the things we want to do to honor Him and to bring glory to His name are not as important to God as His desire, simply, for our presence with Him.

The course of history will be radically changed in the near future because of the anointing. The stage is set, the dye has been cast, and the necessary set of circumstances has evolved for the church to have a nation shaking revival because of the anointing. The stage is set globally because of the anointing. The world around us is searching and looking for answers, peace, solutions to their dilemmas, and confident leadership.

Unrest within, uncertainty without and the fear of the unknown have made the future dim. It is the hour that waits for the man of peace - and people will either

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turn to the false man of peace, the man of sin, the antichrist, or they will turn to the real man of peace, the true Messiah Jesus Christ the anointed one!

Because of the anointing we can help the world make the right choice. Never before since the birth of the New Testament church as recorded in Acts 2 has the hour held more excitement and promise than the present!

I am speaking to every saint of God right now who wants to make a difference in your world: it is impossible to have the kind of fruit and results that we all want without the genuine and rich anointing of the Spirit of God. The harvest is available indeed, but we must be anointed!

I want everyone taking this course to know that you can be anointed if you love Jesus Christ with all of your heart. The anointing is not something that is unattainable. God has made His anointing available to all who will consecrate themselves by setting themselves apart for God to use them in their generation.

Jesus Christ Came As the Anointed Messiah! Even Jesus depended on the anointing.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are

bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To

give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The

planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined

cities, The desolations of many generations.Isaiah 61:1-4

Jesus Christ did not hold the anointing selfishly all to himself! Jesus wants you to be anointed! Because of the anointing, we will march with confidence, knowing that the Lord will go before us. Because of the anointing, there is an open door for a fresh harvest.

Do you want to be extremely blessed in your life? It will happen as you respond to the anointing of God on your life and as you minister to your family and friends. Because of the anointing we can all make a huge difference in this hour in which we live! Any great thing we accomplish is going to be accomplished by the anointing of God. Anointing breaks the yoke and causes us to prevail!

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ingredients of the anointing

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