the discipline of the anointing

JOSEPH KING

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE

ANOINTING

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ANOINTING

HOW TO GET STARED & KEEP GOING IN THE GLORY OF GOD

Bible version, is the KJV King James Version of 1611, with only some minor word changes in the case of clearly archaic words.

Copyright 2011 by Joseph King Revelation CHRIST Ministries Inc. P.O Box 12142 Kampala, UGANDA All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and /or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express consent of the Publisher.

DEDICATION:

I dedicate this book to every believer that desires to do a lot more for GOD than they are able to ask, think, or even imagine. It is a book for those hungry to function in the supernatural now and always.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I honor the mighty HOLY SPIRIT who has broken me, melted me, molded me, and filled me; HIS disciplinary work on me has seen me walk from glory to glory. Without HIM, I could never have the anointing nor could I walk continually in ever increasing glory. Well, this book is the result of HIS working in me mightily and I highly commend the words therein and HIS disciplinary duty to you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE DOUBLE COMBINATION ........................................................................................................... 9

GETTING STARTED & GOING ON ................................................................................................... 16

GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................................... 17

GOING ON .................................................................................................................................. 23

THE ANOINTING AND DISCIPLINE .............................................................................................. 29

RECOGNISING THE ANOINTING ..................................................................................................... 38

WHAT IS THE ANOINTING? ........................................................................................................ 39

CONFUSION ABOUT THE ANOINTING ....................................................................................... 45

WILL YOU RECOGNISE THE ANOINTING? .................................................................................. 50

TESTING THE ANOINTING .............................................................................................................. 53

THE TESTIMONY OF A TRUE ANOINTING .................................................................................. 55

THE TESTIMONY OF A FALSE ANOINTING ................................................................................. 61

THE TRUTH ON TRIAL ................................................................................................................ 65

TESTED BY THE ANOINTING ........................................................................................................... 69

TESTED BY FRUITS ...................................................................................................................... 71

TESTED BY FIRE .......................................................................................................................... 75

GRADUATING IN THE SPIRIT ...................................................................................................... 79

RECEIVING THE ANOINTING .......................................................................................................... 82

HAVE YOU RECEIVED SINCE YOU BELIEVED? ............................................................................. 85

WAITING UPON THE LORD ........................................................................................................ 89

EXAMINE YOUR HEART .............................................................................................................. 92

WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT ............................................................................................................. 95

THE IMPACT OF THE ANOINTING .................................................................................................. 98

TOUCHED BY THE ANOINTING ................................................................................................ 100

CHANGED BY THE ANOINTING ................................................................................................ 106

ACTS OF THE LAST DAYS .......................................................................................................... 111

OPERATING THE ANOINTING ...................................................................................................... 116

ATTITUDE vs. ALTITUDE ........................................................................................................... 120

FAITH AND ACTION .................................................................................................................. 124

DIVINE WISDOM ...................................................................................................................... 129

USEFUL AND FRUITFUL ............................................................................................................ 136

ENJOYING THE DOUBLE COMBINATION ...................................................................................... 141

GOODNESS IS COMING ............................................................................................................ 145

THE BONUS OF JOY .................................................................................................................. 150

THE MARVEL OF HIS PRESENCE ............................................................................................... 154

BEYOND BELIEF ........................................................................................................................ 158

INCREASING THE ANOINTING ...................................................................................................... 162

HUNGER FOR IT ....................................................................................................................... 164

FASTING AND PRAYER ............................................................................................................. 170

FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER ANOINTED PEOPLE ....................................................................... 177

THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD ....................................................................................... 183

THE CUP CAN OVERFLOW ....................................................................................................... 189

VALUING THE ANOINTING ........................................................................................................... 193

SUBMITTING TO GOD .............................................................................................................. 196

PURIFY YOUR HEART ............................................................................................................... 202

SACRIFICIAL ATTITUDE ............................................................................................................. 206

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND HIS WAYS ..................................................................................... 212

SELECTIVE FELLOWSHIP ........................................................................................................... 225

RAISING THE STANDARD ......................................................................................................... 236

PASSING THE ANOINTING ........................................................................................................... 240

THE PRICE OF FAITHFULNESS .................................................................................................. 247

THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE ....................................................................................................... 252

THE PRICE OF PERSISTENCE ..................................................................................................... 257

TAKE AND GIVE ........................................................................................................................ 262

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ANOINTING ........................................................................................... 267

ELIJAH HAS RETURNED! ........................................................................................................... 274

A GREAT FUTURE AWAITS US .................................................................................................. 280

PART ONE

THE INTRODUCTION

THE DOUBLE COMBINATION

Quite a lot has been written, taught and ministered concerning the subject of the anointing, to the glory of God. As a result, I am convinced that we are actually witnessing before our very eyes the greatest move of God on the earth. Never has there been a time like this. Because of the anointing, it is increasingly becoming frequent to see the gospel preached to the poor, the blind eyes opened, the captives set free and the acceptable year of the Lord declared! (Luke 4:18‐19) Think about it, every nation on the face of the earth has a citizen or more demonstrating God’s glory. This is certainly a far stretch from the days of the patriarchs like Noah and Abraham or even the days of the prophets like Elijah and Moses when God anointed only one man on the whole earth. Almost anywhere in the world today you will find a conference, seminar or meeting where an entire congregation is hungry for the anointing. We even have the anointing passed on mass media. With the assistance of satellite links, an increasing cast of God’s servants are passing on the anointing through television and radio, not to mention product items that record the anointing and release it to precious saints as they play DVD’s, CD’s, or audio and video tapes in the privacy of their living rooms or, in their cars or even, as they walk listening to a portable device. If we compare this to the experience of the early church when men like Paul transferred the anointing through such mediums like handkerchiefs and aprons, we can conclude that the

ministry of the anointing has experienced a revolution of grand proportions. The mighty demonstrations of the Holy Ghost as experienced by the anointing are causing a stir. It seems like everyone wants to get involved. This generation is hungry for more of God. Fortunately heaven is not short of supply. Even though it is known that some are not happy with this trend, I would love to reveal that it is God’s good pleasure. He has even prepared more in store for whoever is in need of the anointing. Matter of fact, what is going on is a fulfillment of His own word as He spoke through the prophet Joel saying:

In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will

pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2: 28).

And these are the days. These are our days in the Spirit of our God. All of the prophets testified concerning us. They saw our days and rejoiced. Today, they witness from the clouds of glory what we are doing with this amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:1). Unfortunately, our testimony is not all that good. To the detriment of their ministry and at the cost of eternity with the

Lord, a number of God’s wonderful people do not realize that carrying the anointing is indeed a very high responsibility. In the rush for more of the anointing many have overlooked the need to live a life that is commensurate to the grace that is available. As a result, we have grieved the Holy Spirit. The extent to which this has been done is only known to the Lord. However, the point is that we need to be good stewards of the opportunity God has given us as the most blessed generation to have lived on the earth. This is why the Holy Spirit has moved me to write this book. For while it is true that many, more than in any other time, are receiving the anointing, it is equally true that the numbers ‘loosing’ the anointing is equally amazing. I have seen folk go to incredible meetings where the Holy Spirit was ministered in a powerful way and they received the anointing. I have seen the same people walk out of these meetings only to reach their homes and realize that they are devoid of the anointing they had just received. In fact, it is becoming common parlance to hear such things as “I used to be anointed” or “she/he used to be anointed” or even “that church once had the anointing”. What goes wrong in these cases? Why do people loose the anointing? Could it be that they had not really received the anointing as some critics of this end time move are quick to suggest?

To be sure, there is a universal, out of the world, mighty move of God. People from all walks of life, regardless of nationality, region, color, trade or status are being called and anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purposes. That should not be doubted, questioned or resisted. To do so, is to contend with God. Any such person is a looser and if one is not so careful as to blaspheme the Holy Spirit or even His work, he/she risks loosing terminally. Such a sin cannot be forgiven (Mark 3:29). However, it is the rescuable looser, that concerns me‐ the one that receives the anointing and then looses it. Many are earnest in their desire of the anointing and are even disturbed when they loose it. They wonder why they had a level of grace to manifest God’s promises and yet currently be so “dry”. Part of the reason stems from the fact that in the search or craving of the anointing many overlook to know more about walking with the Holy Spirit. They are in a sense keener to receive Him than they are to be managed by Him. In the end, they ask of His anointing, even more of it, and loose all they have because of failing to submit to the Holy Spirit. Consequently, it can be observed that many that are benefactors of this marvelous grace refuse to choose a life guided by a strict code of discipline. Preoccupied with how they can receive a double portion of the anointing they neglect

the vital need for the double combination of the anointing and discipline. What many do not realize is that while the anointing will get one started in the glory of God, it is actually discipline that will keep one going in that glory. In fact, discipline is the key to increasing the anointing in ones life and therefore taking you from glory to glory. A careful study of the life of Elisha reveals that before he asked for a double portion of the anointing upon Elijah he had actually walked a life guided by a strict code of discipline (2 Kings 2:1‐14). Serving Elijah and resisting the temptation to resign were very necessary preconditions for him to receive even the opportunity to be asked what he needed. Later on in his effective ministry we are shown several references to his disciplinarian tendencies. One key reference is the stern rebuke and punishment he reserved for his servant Gehazi who lied to the Syrian commander in order to gain silver and clothing (2 Kings 5:20‐27). Brethren, it is vital in this end‐time move of God to endure to the end (Matthew 24:13). The severe rebuke – “Go away, I did not know you, you workers of iniquity”‐ the Master reserves for men who will come to Him on the day of judgment claiming to have worked wonders under the anointing reveals a lot concerning what the Spirit has asked me to write (Matthew 7: 21‐23).

God is not only the author of our faith; He is also the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). While the anointing is significant for authoring the work, discipline is necessary for the finishing of the work. And just for your information, God is not really as impressed by how you start as He is with how you finish. This was the invaluable lesson we derive from His parables concerning the Kingdom. One of them, the parable of the three servants and the talents, provides useful reference (Matthew 25:14‐30). The master in the story is obviously our Lord while we are the servants and the talents may represent the anointing. Notice that while it is the Lord that gave the talents, it is the two faithful servants that increased the talents (not the Lord). Notice also that the master did not commend them for the talents he gave them, rather he took note of the talent they had put to work. On the other hand, was the “careful” servant that buried the talent. He was severely rebuked and actually referred to as wicked and lazy. Clearly from the mocking tone of his excuses we can see his indiscipline. Consequently, although all had a fair start, just as all do receive an anointing when we come to Christ, the Lord was more concerned with how they finished. It should be emphasized that more crucial than the talent was the conduct of the recipients.

I should also say this at this point: There is no such thing as receiving a double portion without any exercise of discipline. Any such exercise is mere empty religion, a form of godliness with empty results. Like Elisha, the double portion comes at the background of a careful code of conduct and is increased the same way. That is why it is very important to also notice the fact that none of the two obedient servants got anything more from the Lord before their good reports. It was after the master had verified how they had been faithful with what they had that he added to them even greater responsibilities. That is how it is with the anointing. You can only get more after a good report. The discipline of the anointing is the key to a double portion!

GETTING STARTED & GOING ON The lessons I seek to provide here are critical and certainly exceed the subject of spiritual mentoring and fathering. However, the testimonies of Elisha and the reference to our Lord as author and finisher of our faith are carefully selected to elaborate a significant point: The discipline of the anointing is a fathering experience. For everyone that has an anointing has been mentored by another person or/and God Himself as Father (Matthew 3:17) and everyone that walks in discipline has similarly been mentored by someone else or/and God as

Father (Hebrews 12:5‐11). Ultimately, of course, God is the Father that gives us the anointing and disciplines us to ensure that the good work He has begun with us is completed. Both are equally significant. This has been my personal experience: God in His infinite wisdom has used spiritual fathers in my life and ministry to both anoint me and instill the right exercise of discipline that not only got me started in God’s glory but has kept me going since. Times in my past when I rejected the quest for discipline saw me paying dearly with a loss of the anointing. On the other hand, when I responded positively to it I have benefited immensely with more of the anointing in my life and ministry. It is for this reason that I am convinced that while the anointing is critical to get one started in the glory, discipline is essential for one to keep going in the glory. It is also for this reason that we should pay significant attention to the fact that while the Church of Jesus Christ was started in power (Acts 2), He is really returning to find a Church “without spot or wrinkle”, a disciplined church (Ephesians 5: 27). Let me elaborate on the critical role the anointing plays in getting one started in God’s glory.

GETTING STARTED

The anointing is the means by which any walk in God’s glory is begun. Without the anointing, you just cannot get started in the purposes of God. It does not matter what other exceptional gifts one may possess or whatever advantages you may have, without the anointing there cannot be a beginning in the long destiny of God’s glory. Throughout the bible, this is the consistent stand of Almighty God. Whoever He summoned to fulfill His omnipotent purposes had to start with the anointing. When He created man in His own image, to rule the earth, He breathed in him the breath of life, He anointed him. Before placing man in the Garden of Eden, God had anointed him with His divine breath that gives understanding (Genesis 2: 7; Job 33:4). It is this anointing that got man started. Similarly, before Jesus launched into His incredible ministry He went to the Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist. In that experience, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove and anointed Him. From thence, the Holy Spirit took Him to the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. After 40 days, Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus returned with great power. His ministry was launched by the power of the anointing (Luke 4: 14‐21). Other scriptural characters that were launched in their ministry by the anointing include Elisha who I have alluded to earlier, Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1: 9‐10), David (1 Samuel 16), Moses (Exodus 3), Saul (1 Samuel 10), Samuel (1 Samuel 3: 19‐

21), and Jacob (Genesis 32: 22‐30). In all cases, the role of the anointing in getting them started in their divine walk in God’s glory was critical. It was not for nothing that Jesus asked His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received power from on high (Luke 24:49). After 40 days of waiting upon the Lord, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the room in which they were and anointed each of them with tongues of fire and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1‐4). The amazing transformation of these men and women as a result of that encounter is one of the most amazing accounts in the word of God. Consequently, the Church of Christ was born with great power as the apostles went about, first in Jerusalem and later to the Gentiles, proclaiming the glorious gospel and manifesting diverse wonders and miracles as the Holy Spirit led them. Whatever God asks you to do; He will anoint you to do it. Before He does, do not attempt to do it! Any such endeavor is futile and can end in disaster. I am reminded of Moses’ experience. Here was a young Hebrew man in his forties that had been born with the purpose of delivering God’s people. In a clever twist of events he had grown up in the house of Pharaoh although for the early part of his youth he had been nurtured by his own mother and sister (Exodus 2:7‐10). Now at forty he feels the conviction to deliver God’s people and may

have assumed his experience in Pharaoh’s household or his sophisticated Egyptian education were sufficient for the purpose (Exodus 2:11‐14). Any such presumption on his part set him up for failure and disaster: He must have been shocked to find out that they were quite inadequate for the task. In fact, his militant bid backfires on him and instead of delivering God’s people he runs for his life (Exodus 2:15). Out of Egypt, in the far country of Midian, God tutors him through the humbling job of shepherd to the sheep of his father‐in‐law. And, it is after another forty years, when this former prince is entirely expired of his ambitions and confidence that God beckons him (Exodus 3). Only this time, God has him anointed (empowered) before sending him to deliver the Hebrew. The rest is, as we all know, history. In this case, the anointing was not only critical to getting Moses started but later on we see that it was until Israel was anointed that they too left Egypt (Exodus 12). My friend, do not get started without the anointing. Have no confidence in anything, be it career, education background, family background, wealth, whatsoever. I have had some people come to church and want to get involved in the ministry and are confident they can do so because they are educated or wealthy. That is a lie from the enemy! Only the

anointing is vital for getting started in the glorious walk of God’s purposes. On the other hand, are those who are anxious or frustrated for lack of “everything”. They cry wondering how to start. They spend long days (even years) in prayer, hoping everything will be lined up right. In their wrong perception, they are convinced that they cannot start the ministry God has called them into until they have a car, house, money (lots of it), friends, education, whatever. The devil is a liar! Some are even anointed! Some have received the anointing several times. You find them moving from conference to conference receiving the anointing and cannot start! I don’t know who I am speaking to but all anyone needs to get started in the glory of God is the anointing. Once you are anointed, you can start. The anointing is better than gold, than money, than friends, than cars or houses or offices or any such thing. Once you have gotten the anointing move under the instruction of the Holy Spirit. You will find a way where there seems to be no way! HALLELUJAH! It doesn’t matter who you are, how you are, where you are, as long as you can receive the anointing you can get started. I remember one time I had this prayer buddy with whom we had great dreams to serve God. Then God commissioned me and I used to ask him for transport money/bus fare to be able to move because I was financially inadequate. One day I asked

him to join me so that we could serve God together and he refused. His reason was that he would not like to start like I did begging for transport money. In his dreams (and that is all it is sometimes) he told me he would start when he has millions of shillings with an executive office at the top of one of our cities towering buildings. Sadly, he has never begun. He is still dreaming. Many are caught in this trap; they forsake their glory for lying vanities (Jonah 2:8). Every time I meet someone that would really love to serve the Lord, I tell them to “seek first the Kingdom of God and all of its righteousness and all the rest shall fall in line” (Matthew 6:33). What many do not realize is that the anointing will attract all those other things that are necessary for the ministry. So, seek the anointing first then all other things – money, friends, offices, houses and staff, even family – will fall in line. This is what caused Gehazi to miss the opportunity for a trip into more of God’s glory. He run after goods at the cost of the anointing in the end he suffered from leprosy and never begun his ministry (2 Kings 5:19‐27). It does not matter where you are. Whether in the dungeon, deep in a pit or, stuck in the mire, it does not matter. Once the anointing falls on you it will propel you to greatness. It has more than sufficient resource for the task at hand. Jesus had so much confidence in the anointing that when people came into his ministry He actually asked them to give

up all they had (Mark 10:21). He knew they did not need it. He also knew that the anointing would give them exceedingly, far more than they ever had (Mark 10:27‐30). Are you waiting for a friend to encourage you before you can begin? Or, you are persuaded that once that money arrives you will be able to begin? My friend, quit the foolishness and seek God for His anointing. And once you get the anointing, GET STARTED!

GOING ON

Like I have mentioned, there is truly a great move of God across the earth. No doubt, the move is more evident in some countries than others, in some cities than others, even in some churches than others. Some individuals are more endowed than others as the Spirit of God moves in a final bid to wrap up history as we know it. Soon and very soon we are going to see the Great I Am standing on the clouds of glory then the Holy Spirit will complete His move on the earth as angels lift us up to meet our marvelous Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16‐17). When that happens, each of us must prepare to give an account of what we have done; not how we started, or how anointed we were, but what we have done. In other words, discipline is really crucial if we are going to stand before the Lord on the Day of Judgment.

It is not the most anointed that will receive the highest honor, it is the most disciplined. Discipline, my friend, is the key to the highest glory of God Almighty. Many do not realize that whereas the anointing is what God gives you, discipline is what you give Him. And God is not really interested in what He gave you as much as He is really keen on what you have given Him. Beloved, when God is bragging about His saints or ministers He is not saying, “Oh! See how much I have anointed them.” No, He is keener about discipline. He boasted to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no‐one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8) On the contrary, it is Satan who is concerned about the things God has given man. It is him who complained to God concerning all that he had given Job (Job 1:10). As a result, Job was greatly tested as all he had was stripped off him (Job 1:13‐19). And yet, in all his mess Job did not sin (Job 2:10). Important to note, is the fact that it was not so much the anointing on his life that gave him double for all he lost but the combination of both the anointing and discipline. In the end, the double combination gave him double for all his troubles! So how does it work? Beloved, I have just explained the role the anointing plays in getting you started. Well, as we all know, it is not sufficient to stop where you started. One must go on. No father is so glad of the birth of his child that he would not love to see him grow up. That is where many believers today

have a problem. They are content on remaining on the started level. They prefer to remain children. They are not keen on growing, going on to greater glories. The problem with that is that for the most part what we are celebrating as God’s move on earth is in the hands of men and women at the started level. Many of them are childish, spiritually immature. That is why there is so much strife, gossip, hatred, and arrogance among church leaders today. It also explains the mediocre condition of a people that are supposed to be reigning in life. When we see servants of God fighting over who is more anointed than the other, or who has a bigger bank account/influence/church building/program than the other or worse still, fighting for the approval of politicians, entertainers, and so‐called rich folk, I long for a revelation of the sons of God. When I observe the wrangles, divisions, strife, fear, complaints and murmurs among the saints, I am disheartened at the status of the Church. Although they have the anointing they lack discipline. As a result, they cannot partake of greater glories. You see, getting the anointing is the first glory. Growing in discipline is the latter glory and the latter is always greater than the former. The reason is simple: God changes us from glory to glory, from one level to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). My friend, without discipline there is no spiritual promotion!

The scriptures are loaded with accounts to demonstrate this principle. One of the most obvious is the story of Samson: Here was a man that was really anointed from birth (Judges 13:5). As a result of his anointing he had supernatural strength which he used against the enemy of God’s people, the Philistines. Several times the anointing upon his life enabled him to overcome seemingly impossible opposition. Be it a wild lion or a thousand men of war, Samson was not afraid. He wrought them all (Judges 14:6, 15: 14‐17). And yet for all his super strength, Samson was weak with women. He lacked discipline in that regard. That weakness caused him to spend time with unbelievers to the extent that his morals were corrupted (Judges 16:1). It also made him vulnerable to seductive moves that saw him reveal the source of his strength (Judges 16:4‐21). In the end, Samson’s ministry was short‐lived as he lost his life at the hands of his enemies although he also killed several of them (Judges 16:30). You see, a disciplined Samson could have gone so far as to be a judge in Israel in the order of previous ones like Gideon or later ones like Samuel. Instead, his ministry had minimal effect as a result of his indiscipline in spite of the great anointing upon his life. The other account useful for our understanding is the famous failure of King Saul: Here was a man that God had picked from obscurity to be the first reigning king of Israel much to his astonishment and that of several people in Israel (1 Samuel

10:21‐23, 27). He was anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1). As a result, God promoted him to the point when all of Israel recognized him as king (1 Samuel 11:15). The anointing upon his life was present in battle to give Israel great victories against all their enemies, including the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:47‐ 48). And yet, when God tested his heart by giving him instruction he disobeyed (1 Samuel 15:21‐24). Instead of being remorse when his evil was exposed, he sought to cover it up with important appearances before the elders of Israel (1 Samuel 15:30). The rebuke from Samuel – “obedience is better than sacrifice” ‐ and the severity of the punishment God gave him (he lost his throne as a result) emphasized the prominence God attaches to discipline. The consequence of indiscipline on Saul’s part caused God to regret having anointed Saul in the first place (1 Samuel 15:35). That is what happens with indiscipline. God regrets anointing a vessel if it walks in indiscipline. And it can get worse: God could actually remove the anointing and replace it with an evil spirit! It has to be one of the saddest verses in the scriptures:

Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him (1 Samuel 16:14).

In the New Testament, we note the concern the apostle Paul had for the church in Corinth. Although it was a greatly anointed church as a result of hosting the ministries of great apostles like Peter, Apollos and Paul himself, this spiritual advantage was threatened by a lack of discipline (1 Corinthians 3:1‐41). Consequently, Paul sternly rebukes them and counsels on the need to emphasize discipline in the church. He was wise enough to clarify that the mere activity of the Holy Spirit in the absence of order was in fact detrimental to the church as a whole (1 Corinthians 14:33). It is instructive that he warns that the anointing minus discipline is tantamount to confusion. And this is the case with so many churches and individuals that have received the anointing and care less for discipline. They do not realize that the God of power is also the God of order! A careful study of all the epistles of the various apostles reveals that for the most part they were concerned with discipline in the church and the life of the believer. It would seem that after the powerful demonstration of the anointing that started the church recorded in the dynamic book of Acts, the remainder of the New Testament emphasizes the necessary disciplines that would guarantee the church continual growth into the mighty force that would take over the kingdoms of this world.

In summary, the new dispensation of grace given to the church in the covenant of Christ can only be maximized by the double combination of the anointing and discipline.

THE ANOINTING AND DISCIPLINE

There is hope: God’s word assures us that He will accomplish whatsoever He has begun (Philippians 1:6). I am duly convinced that God is not coming for a half baked Church. He has declared that He will return for a Church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). And since the chances are extremely high that we are the end time generation, then we must be that Church, that Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). I believe this may be the reason God has given me the grace to pen down a book like this. The Discipline of the Anointing: How to get started and keep going in God’s glory is an end time tool for the preparation of God’s bride. There is no greater example of this testimony than God Himself. Our God is not only a God of power but a God of impeccable character. If anyone says they are like Him then they too must display the same qualities. To be sure, it is impossible to walk with Him and fail to aspire to the same standard. Everyone that walked with God learnt to walk in power and obedience. From the patriarchs, prophets and priests in the Old Testament to the disciples, apostles and

evangelists of the New Testament, ordinary men and women were converted to extraordinary vessels of honor by virtue of the double combination. If the glory of the latter rain is really going to be greater than the one of the former, then we too must walk in the anointing and discipline‐ and that, in even greater measures. Moreover, it is important to realize that the two are mutual and should not be seen as separate entities. It is futile to operate in the anointing without discipline as much as it is to operate in discipline without the anointing. The two go hand‐in‐hand, you cannot be sincere to desire one and not the other. Someone must clarify on a vital subject regarding the anointing: The subject of the double portion. From the time I begun hearing about the anointing and seeking even more of it, I have often heard several ministers discuss and even claim to minister to others a double portion of the anointing. Often times the scriptural reference justifying this exercise is Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. The impression given often belies a misunderstanding of what is meant by a double portion of the anointing. Most people mistakenly assume that Elisha was in fact asking for twice as much anointing as was evident in the life and ministry of Elijah. It is often cited that after all, Elisha did twice the number of miracles performed by Elijah.

And yet a careful study of this subject reveals that this popular understanding is in fact in err of what is meant by the double portion. The first time the concept of a double portion is mentioned in the scriptures can be found in the laws of Moses where it is clearly talked of as a portion given to the first born of a family. It is important to note that the specific portion was actually double the portion all the other children of a father received from him as an inheritance and certainly not double what the father had. Observe the law:

If a man has two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first born son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that

which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved first born before the son of the hated, which is indeed the

first born: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the

first born, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: For he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first

born is his (Deuteronomy 21:15‐17).

Logic begs a case here as it is obvious that the father would not be expected to give more than he actually had. For instance, if the father had two children and he had three sheep, he would be expected to give an inheritance to both his children. Common sense informs us that we cannot expect the father to give six sheep to the first born when he only has three. A

rational application of the law of the double portion would require the first born to get two sheep while the latter gets one. A clear example in the scriptures where this was demonstrated is the case of King Jeroboam:

And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in

Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jeroboam; because he was the first born (2 Chronicles 21:3).

In this case, we see that Jeroboam by virtue of being the first born inherited a more serious portion from his father than his siblings. Note that the father did not and could not give double what he had to Jeroboam but instead gave double to Jeroboam what he had given his siblings. So when Elisha was asking for a double portion of the anointing, being conversant with the laws of Moses and therefore the principle of the double portion, he was not asking for more than Elijah had. Neither did Elijah’s reply when he mentioned the difficulty of such a request being fulfilled suggest that he was pondering how he would in fact give twice what he had. He too was familiar with this principle. Both knew that Elisha was asking for the inheritance of the first born which insofar as the anointing is concerned was tantamount to

a request to be the rightful spiritual first born of the prophet and therefore his most obvious successor. The reason it is important to understand this, is the role discipline played to guarantee Elisha this claim. You see, in actual experience Elisha was not the spiritual first born of Elijah. The veteran prophet had had other sons in the spirit before he called Elisha: There was the servant that had walked with him at the time he earnestly prayed for the rain to fall (1 Kings 18:43). There were the many prophets in Jericho and Bethel who obviously were significantly influenced by the prophet before Elisha left his fathers flock and field to follow him. However, ever since Elisha caught the vision of Elijah’s ministry he was the most disciplined. Hitherto, Elijah had never had a more faithful disciple. Everywhere the great prophet went, Elisha resolutely followed. The reason Elijah said Elisha had asked for a difficult but possible inheritance is because both were familiar with the supreme law of the double portion. Both knew that to alter something of that regard required more than the decision of Elijah but the approval of God. Nonetheless, Elijah knew it was possible because God Himself had in times past overlooked this very principle in favor of the younger child as the case of Jacob and Esau showed. In that case, God who has the benefit of foreknowledge had known

that Jacob would be the more disciplined of the two and had chosen him, although younger, to inherit the double portion. That is why God is known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the Messiah was indeed traced through Jacob’s line as against Esau’s. Consequently, Elisha received the portion of a first born, the double portion, not because he was Elijah’s first born naturally but because he was Elijah’s most disciplined son in the spirit and therefore the first born spiritually. This also explains why God preferred David to be king of Israel over Eliab despite the latter being the first born in the house of Jesse while he was the last (1 Samuel 16: 7). It also explains why Joseph was blessed to have two tribes (from his sons Ephraim and Manasseh) in the House of Israel as against his elder brothers who got a tribe each (Genesis 48:22). Both David and Joseph were the most disciplined sons of their fathers Jesse and Jacob respectively even though they were not necessarily the first born. Discipline is fundamental in this regard of spiritual inheritance. It is still the most vital requirement for more of the anointing. I am perturbed by the fact that whereas many are keen to teach that there is a greater outpouring of the anointing than there has ever been before, hardly anyone seems to be convinced that there is an equally higher degree of discipline required today than ever before. We forget Jesus’ command

that our righteousness should exceed that of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). We also forget His admonition that “to whom much is given more is required” (Luke 12:48). If we say that this is the most anointed generation ever, we must also be ready to be the most disciplined generation ever. This feat is possible because of the grace that is available to us. In fact, I would say that with certainty that if there ever was a generation that ought to be disciplined, it is this one. As we await the imminent and most certain return of the King of glory we ought to be at the highest alert or we will miss Him. I couldn’t agree more with Isaiah when he warns:

Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire?

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gains of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest

they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil, he will dwell on the heights...his bread will be given him, his water will be sure.

Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will behold a land (the Kingdom of God) that stretches afar (Isaiah 33:14‐17).

Consequently, as we witness God’s greatest move of the Spirit, we are also going to see a correspondingly equal measure of discipline among the bride of Christ to the glory of God. It is this disciplined bride that shall behold the Lord in glory and rule with Him for a thousand years on earth. This book is in your hands to guide you as you walk in glory. As you start it, don’t stop till you finish. Remember, the latter

glory is always better than the former. Get started and keep going in the glory. God bless!

PART TWO

GETTING STARTED IN THE GLORY OF GOD

RECOGNISING THE ANOINTING

A lot of saints and even ministers of the Lord miss it right here. Many have a problem with this subject – recognizing the anointing. Part of the problem stems from a complete misunderstanding of what the anointing is. And so, it is quite amazing to witness people hungry for what they do not understand. Even more amazing are those who are dishing what they do not understand. The consequence of this has been a lot of abuse of the anointing in so many ways. Some like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus have blasphemed the Holy Spirit for failure to recognize the anointing. Others have simply missed their visitation while others have suffered for lack of knowledge.

To be sure, the story has not been entirely hopeless. There are those who by the grace of God have recognized the anointing to their benefit. At any opportunity of access to the anointing they have recognized it and as a result they have received it, operated in it, enjoyed it, increased it, passed its tests, valued it and passed it on. Their lives, ministries, families, plans, and dreams have taken a higher dimension by reason of recognizing the anointing. If you can recognize the anointing, you can never be left the same. It is vital that you do. I believe that every being has a divine purpose under heaven and that purpose is the will of God. Like I have said before, that purpose cannot be performed without the anointing. Consequently, recognizing the anointing is crucial to obeying God and doing His will on earth as it is done in heaven. Without the anointing, one will not even be able to understand what that will is in the first place. The anointing gives knowledge and unction to the steps of the righteous so that they can fulfill their divine, God‐given assignment.

WHAT IS THE ANOINTING?

A good place to start in recognizing the anointing is to define what it is. Many miss the anointing because of wrong perceptions of what it is. Part of this wrong understanding is the result of inadequate studies of the bible or wrong teachings of the word of God. Recently while sharing on this subject with some pastors I asked them what the anointing

was. The answers revealed to me a lot concerning why many of God’s children miss their visitation. One man of God with a long experience in the ministry said that the anointing is oil. Another said it was power. Yet another understood is as the person of the Holy Spirit. All of them were wrong and only God can imagine what had been going on with their congregations. A lot of God’s children simply do not know what the anointing is and can not differentiate the anointing from the symbols used in the word of God to describe what it can do or from the person of the Holy Spirit who actually gives us the anointing. A clear understanding of what the anointing is will certainly open more opportunities for one to recognize the anointing. The anointing is really the office of the Holy Spirit. It is the function of the person of the Holy Spirit and it is not limited to human vessels. That function can take place on any object as long as the Holy Spirit so desires to use it. That is why in the scriptures we read of how the handkerchief and aprons from Paul’s body were able to heal the sick and cast out devils (Acts 19:12). It also explains how the hem of Jesus’ garment contained power in it sufficient to heal many that were sick or how the shadow of Peter could heal the sick (Matthew 14:35‐ 36; Acts 5:15). In fact the scriptures are loaded with how inanimate objects contained this office of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament we see how the staffs of Moses and Aaron were able to work wonders (Exodus 4:2‐4, 7:8‐12, 19‐22, 8:5‐6). We also witness how the cloak of Elijah was able to

separate the river Jordan (2 Kings 2:14). I am sure when the scriptures mention how Samson killed a thousand Philistine men of war with a jaw bone of an ass, that jaw bone contained in it the very power of God (Judges 15:16). Similarly, did the small stone David used to fell down Goliath (1 Samuel 17:49). There are so many other references in the word of God that reveal the wonderful function of the Holy Spirit in inanimate objects. The most favorite objects the Holy Sprit used are wind, fire, oil, blood and water. I call them favorite because they were actually employed to actually describe the function of the anointing. One such reference commonly used today by saints around the world is found in the 133rd Psalm when David celebrates the unity of the brethren and likens it to the anointing oil that flows on the beard of Aaron. However often the anointing can be seen in inanimate objects, it is important to realize that ultimately the anointing is meant for God’s people. The anointing is not meant for staffs, cloaks, fire, oil, wind, or handkerchiefs, as much as it is meant for people, God’s people. There is no other place the Holy Spirit would love to work than in the lives of God’s people. In fact, that is His critical mission on earth today. It is important to realize that the Holy Spirit is here on behalf of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It is Him who sent the Holy Spirit to the church affirming:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The anointing is this power from above, the office of the Mighty Spirit of Jehovah God. To receive the anointing one must of necessity receive the Holy Spirit. The result is the conversion of a “jar of clay” to a dynamic field of extraordinary virtue (2 Corinthians 4:7). The anointing changes everything in its domain. The host of the anointing becomes supernatural. He/she/it ceases to be ordinary. It is to this special category of people that Jesus referred to when He foretold: And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands; and when they drink any deadly

poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well (Mark 16:17).

Important to note is the fact that insofar as people are concerned, the anointing in discussion only comes to those who believe in Jesus. Every saint, every believer has an anointing in their life. The problem has always been that most believers do not recognize the presence of the anointing. So they face challenges like ordinary men and women and suffer in life. They suffer for lack of knowledge.

It is vital that saints of the Lord realize that the moment they accept Jesus into their life as Lord He in turn imparts the anointing of the Holy Spirit in their lives. So they become an office of the Holy Spirit, able to do all that God can do. If this development can be recognized, signs and wonders will follow such a person. Put it this way, if you walk into an office where they process passports but you are not aware of what they do there, you certainly cannot be helped to get one. This will remain the case even though you desperately need a passport. However, if you recognize where you are then proceed to request for assistance, even if you never needed one desperately, the chances of you getting one are significantly increased. You may even assist others that do not know the office and acquisition procedure to get one. If you turn out to be good at it, you may even make a career out of assisting others. That is what happens with the anointing. Many in the body of Christ do not realize that they are right in the office of the Holy Spirit so to say. They do not recognize where they are. They still think they are the same person before they committed their life to Jesus. And so, they derive no assistance from the anointing, from the office of the Holy Spirit. Others on the other hand, have found out that the moment they received the Lord as Master of their life, they instantly received the Holy Spirit and conversely became His office. Not only have they assumed full advantage of this supernatural status for their

benefit, they have also assisted others with need for what the anointing is able to do. Some like me have in fact taken it up as a life long career. If only precious saints learn to recognize the office of the Holy Spirit, the world would be a stage of miracles, signs and wonders! Fortunately, that is where we are headed. As we progress closer to the last day, God is anointing end time messengers like me to educate His bride so that the anointing can be maximally utilized. The prophet Daniel saw these days and prophesied thus:

….the people who know their God will do exploits (Daniel 11:32).

Many have wrongly taught concerning the last days. Most times the days are talked of in extremely negative connotations. They talk of massive backslidings and false prophets working wonders. They never look to the bright side of the last days. Rather than inspire faith they are crusaders of fear. I would love to say that there is need for balance when we are looking at these days. True, there will be negative dynamics but these will not overwhelm every body. On the contrary, there will always be a “different people”, “a peculiar nation” that will operate the anointing to work exploits in the last days. In fact, those days are not to be unilaterally assumed to be days of evil as some prophecy experts tell us. Daniel again tells us what will happen when he says:

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand,

but those who are wise will understand (Daniel 12:10). Frankly speaking, I am convinced deep down that we are in the midst of those days. We are probably the last generation before this whole thing is wrapped up. It is very critical that we recognize the anointing because it is the Holy Spirit that will help us through in those days. Jesus foretold this when He talked about the last days. He mentioned how we should not be afraid of what to say when we are taken before kings. He said the Holy Spirit will give us what to say (Mark 13:11). Later on, He tells us that “he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Beloved, without the blessing of the anointing one cannot know what to say or for that matter, stand firm to the end.

CONFUSION ABOUT THE ANOINTING

In spite of the massive out pouring of the Holy Spirit there remains a lot to be known about the anointing. Many are confused about the anointing and in their perplexity fail to recognize the anointing. As I have explained, much of this has to do with a failure in understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For many, their wrong perceptions reinforce wrong expectations. In the end, they loose out on their visitation.

This is not only a contemporary problem. This generation is not the first to do it. Over the years several people have failed to recognize the anointing. In fact, this is the reason that many of the Old Testament prophets were persecuted, and in some instances killed. When a generation fails to recognize an anointing they miss out on God’s visitation and purposes. The costs to that generation can be so enormous as Israel’s fate showed every time they did not esteem a servant of God. In the days of Elijah the cost was three days of famine and drought. In the times of Noah, the whole world perished under a flood. In the times of Jeremiah, the entire nation was exiled. In the time of Moses, Pharaoh’s Egypt was grossly tormented with the worst super natural disasters ranging from hail stones, locusts, and boils to death of all the first born animals and children. Throughout the Old Testament the pattern is consistent as those who did not recognize the anointing suffered immeasurable loses. One of the most costly, if in fact not the most costly result of failing to recognize the anointing is the case of Adam and Eve. They had been anointed by God so that they were like God so to say. They could do on earth all that God could do in heaven. As God ruled in heaven they ruled on earth. For all intents and purposes, man was like God by virtue of the anointing on his life. And yet, Satan used ignorance to deceive the woman that they were not really like God. In a tragic episode of evil

deception, he lies to the woman that if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would be like God. Eve should have recognized the anointing upon her life that had actually made her like God and told him to back off. Instead, she took a look at the fruit and priced it above her entity (Genesis 3:6). The rest is our tragic story. This failure cost them and their descendants all that God had given them. This sin is indeed the root sin that has caused generation after generation to fail in recognizing the anointing. Later on in the Psalms, we witness God lamenting the gross failure of those who believe in Him to recognize the anointing that is functioning in their lives as a result of the relation they have with Him, “You are god’s, sons of the Most High but you are dying like mere men; falling like any other ruler” (Psalm 82:6). When we fail to recognize the anointing we die and fall when we face challenges. Ultimately, we loose all that God has given us. In the days of our Lord on earth, He did experience the same problem. His case was even more significant since He was the long awaited Messiah, the Anointed One. He was God’s only begotten Son and was filled with the Holy Spirit beyond measure. Failing to recognize Him was the greatest oversight of Israel. And yet they did. He came to His own and they did not receive Him (John 1:11). Many times He was even accused of being possessed of the devil (Luke 11:15). Jesus, on the other hand, was amazed at their unbelief and failure to recognize Him, let alone the anointing upon His life (Matthew

13:55‐58). In several instances He sought to prove Himself and yet their unbelief was total. At some point He requested them to at least recognize the anointing by virtue of the things He did (John 10:38). Instead, they were adamant in their confusion, some suggesting that the powers He possessed were demonic while others inadequately perceiving Him to be one of the prophets (Mark 8:28). As a result, He foretold the disaster that would face them for this failure. In His own words:

Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

…. but he who rejects me rejects him who

sent me” (Luke 10:13‐16)

And yet not everyone failed in recognizing the anointing. Those who did benefited amazingly as they were catered for by the anointing. In the Old Testament references I gave, there were those in the times of the different patriarchs and prophets that recognized the anointing. The family of Noah was spared the oncoming wrath because they heed to the anointing upon their father; the widow at Zarephath was able to receive Elijah’s anointing and was spared the disastrous effects of the

famine; the Hebrew were delivered because they recognized the anointing of God upon Moses; and so on. In the time of our Lord they were those who believed on the anointing upon His life and followed Him. They were His disciples and apostles. Others believed and were healed of their infirmities. One story always amazes me that I often use to compare those who recognize an anointing from those who fail to do so. It is found in the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Matthew’s gospel respectively. In the thirteenth chapter we are given the disappointing account of how Jesus returns to his home town of Capernaum (Matthew 13:55‐58). There, He goes to the synagogue and teaches the word. The residents of the town are utterly amazed by the wisdom he exhibits of God’s word. However, they seek to relate it to the Jesus they had witnessed growing up. In the end, they are offended and fail to recognize the anointing upon His life. Jesus, on His part, is amazed at this and works few miracles as a result. The story in the subsequent chapter is diametrically opposed to this (Matthew 14:34‐36). Here the Master arrives with His disciples on an island called Genessaret. The local residents respond in a most amazing fashion: They all recognize Him and proceed to spread the news of His visit across the island. They also go and gather all their sick friends and relatives that need healing. Having done so, they beg Jesus that they may as much as touch the hem of His garment. As many as did, were instantly and completely healed.

The difference in the response of the two towns offers an appropriate comparison of those who recognize an anointing from those who do not. In Capernaum, the anointing had limited opportunity for maneuver as the residents did not recognize it even if Jesus actually had ministered to them in wise teachings. In Genessaret the people recognize the anointing and are rewarded handsomely. Recognizing the anointing is vital if we are going to gain from it. The reverse is also true, if we fail to recognize the anointing in our day we shall miss out on what God has packaged for us. Brethren, do not be stiff necked. By experience I know that many today are like the residents from Capernaum. They ponder whether their siblings, spouses, children, friends, even enemies can really be carrying the anointing. Unfortunately, they use the flesh to perceive spiritual issues. In the end, because of their familiarity with persons who carry the anointing they miss out on the benefits of the anointing. I urge you to be like the Gennesaret crowd who in spite of not growing with Jesus recognized that he was anointed and proceeded to benefit from the anointing. I believe if we do so, we shall behold an ever increasing dimension of God’s glory such as has never been witnessed since the fall of man.

WILL YOU RECOGNISE THE ANOINTING?

The onus is personal: Will you recognize the anointing? A decision has to be made whether you will seek to recognize the anointing or not. It is vital that you do. God wants you to. Reason being that recognizing the anointing is in fact the first step to a fantastic journey with the anointing. Failure to recognize the anointing only limits one’s experience with it. It often amuses me how people with no experience with the anointing are yet quick to criticize those who choose to recognize the anointing. Some of them are religious leaders who, if the truth is told, would have their own ministries improved if only they recognized the anointing. Instead, like the Pharisees they stand at the door and will not let anyone to get in (Luke 11:52). These people are one of the biggest problems in the church. They succeed in their evil campaigns by projecting fear among the saints. Rather than seek to understand why the anointing will function through a particular person or in a particular manner they quickly discount any ministry with an anointing as false prophets. And many in the church are then afraid of certain ministers that are deemed to be false. One of the erroneous means of concluding a ministry or anointing is false is to judge it by its works. They will for instance point to a particular minister who “fells” people or one who pours water as a means of transmitting the functions of the Spirit or other means as false. That, in God’s opinion is not a sufficient means of evaluating or even recognizing the authenticity of an

anointing. The scripture does not tell us that we shall know them by their works but by their fruits. Jesus knew that the anointing is not limited in its operation. It can manifest in many paradigms for where the Spirit is there is liberty. However, the ultimate standard of what is genuine and what is not genuine anointing should be determined by other matters like the fruits (conduct) and doctrine of the specific minister in question. That is why when Jesus Himself questioned the anointing in which the religious leaders of His day operated in, He was more concerned about their character and teachings both of which reflected a dubious form of godliness (Matthew 12:34‐37). As you begin to exercise a sense of recognizing the anointing you should brace for change. Merely recognizing the anointing is not sufficient in itself. It is the beginning to a long and exciting journey of wonders.

TESTING THE ANOINTING

Surely, God has loved man beyond the measure of angels. It is simply mind‐boggling to meditate on the affection God has for us. Many, however, are ignorant of the amazing position God has given man in the order of creation. In fact, I used to be ignorant as well until by divine providence God spoke to me about His original, only and final plan for man. The details of those revelations are in a book I wrote called – Holiness is Dominion. Man is awesome, a creature fearfully and wonderfully woven together in the image of God. In essence, man is a god in himself and it is this preeminence God affords man with that explains His bid to fellowship with man. Consequently, the anointing is a divine effort by which God communicates to men to realize this privilege and by which

men can also adequately commune with God. The ministry of the prophets, the role of the patriarchs, the coming of the Messiah and the supernatural dynamics of the early church are ultimately intended to enable as many men as possible realize this. An awesome God has found common ground with man! Satan, God’s arch‐nemesis knows this. Together with his evil cohort of demons and fallen angels he works all through seeking to frustrate this revelation from as many as possible. Part of the means he uses to do this is through temptations and trials. Ultimately his most common tool is deception. A liar from the very beginning he seeks to set before men a lesser standard than that which God has purposed from the foundations of the world. Unfortunately, he was successful with the first man and still scores today. The author of Ecclesiastes summarizes the consequence of this development citing, “God made man upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Through the times, Satan has consistently presented counterfeits that have deceived many. It is in this context of many presentations that John the apostle warns the early church, thus:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge

Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti‐Christ, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (1 John 4:1‐

3) At this point, John brings us to the reality of what is going on in our environ. Like his co‐generation apostle, Paul, he would not have us ignorant of the devils wiles. But does he also mean that we are helpless to this development? No! And this is why, rather than propagate a climate of tension and fear, I personally urge the saints of the Lord that we shall definitely overcome the enemy’s team of false prophets. The problem always stems from a limited understanding of who we really are in Christ. John knew: He had this revelation of God’s plan for mankind. And so, rather than seek to evoke fear he straightens his counsel further by stating:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the

spirit of falsehood (1 John 4:4‐6)

THE TESTIMONY OF A TRUE ANOINTING

Of course, God has not been ignorant of the devils evil plots meted out against His plan for man. He is aware and more so, He is determined that the truth prevails against the poisonous lies of the enemy. To ensure that the truth of His plan for man is actually realized He has relied on messengers that carry His anointing. Consequently, we observe that over time to date God’s Spirit has enabled diverse men and women to share and establish this truth. The Spirit has done this in a number of ways. So we observe how through different strokes the same theme of man’s divinity is consistently communicated throughout human history as we know it. From Noah to Abraham and through the prophets to the Christ Himself, the early church and even to this day, God and His Spirit are relentless in anointing genuine vessels to deliver the truth. The question of distinguishing between a true from a false anointing is just as old as man. In the beginning this truth was given to man from the unquestionable authenticity of God Himself. God’s word spoke to man and everything that He said was experienced by man. As God had said, man lived in dominion, pleasure, and peace. The true test of God’s anointing was the effective integrity of His word as demonstrated in mans preeminence on earth. Man, so to say, tasted and saw that the Lord is good (Psalm 34: 8). He had reasonable experience to confirm that there is no lie in the Lord (Titus 1:2). And yet, it is interesting that God still allows man the benefit to have a free will which means that man

could choose either to rely on God’s testimony or prefer another. It is this freedom that provides us with the first insight on the privilege man is afforded to even test the Spirit of God, and therefore the anointing. And if so, any other spirit or anointing must be subject to test by man. It is utterly amazing that from the very beginning God desired to prove Himself to man. In spite of the fact that man is indeed His creature and by that fact should be entirely reliant and dependent on God, He still offers the opportunity to man to examine for Himself what God already knows is genuine, impeccable, divine and altogether solid. So, my dear friend one should not be shy to put any anointing to the test even that of God Himself. This explains why when Thomas the apostle doubted Mary’s incredible report that Jesus had risen from the dead Jesus nonetheless felt obliged to prove to him that Mary’s testimony was indeed true. Similarly, when the disciples were ashore and the Master approached them walking on water Jesus was not offended by Peter’s concern as to whether He really was the Master. Peter tested him thus, “If it is really you, call me to come to you” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus’ response was immediate as He proved Himself to Peter and the fearful apostles. He bid him to come (Matthew 14:28). On that occasion, although God passed the test, it was Peter who failed when he lost faith and begun to drown (Matthew 14:30). The point in that regard is very interesting for it demonstrates the foolishness of an imperfect man testing a perfect God.

Throughout the scriptures we witness God permitting fallible beings, men and women, to test His infallible state. One of the most amazing tests in the scriptures of God’s anointing is witnessed when Jacob makes covenant with God promising that if God would look after him where he was going then he would submit to Him (Genesis 28:20‐22). As ridiculous as it may sound to one whose faith is particularly strong yet God did honor Jacob and caused him to prevail in Laban’s house where he went (Genesis 31:1‐2, 21). There is another amazing story from the Old Testament where Gideon tested God’s word by putting fleeces. It is one of those puzzling accounts as we see God proving himself to a coward (Judges 6:36‐ 40). The point is if God does not mind man examine Him directly why should we be shy to examine vessels he anoints to perform His purpose. There is sufficient evidence in the word of God that He does not mind us testing the anointing of his servants. One of the first illustrations of this can be found in the classic story of Moses’ burning bush encounter. Here was God recruiting an old man to deliver his people who had been suffering in bondage by the Egyptians. An overwhelmed Moses asks God how he will prove to the people that it is indeed God who has sent him. First, Moses asks the Lord for His name in the face of the need for him to prove to the Hebrews that it is indeed God who sent him. God reveals His identity in detail and even

promises Moses that the elders will believe him. But Moses is still not outdone. He asks what he will do if the Hebrews still do not believe. To which God moves the proof from speech to action. He tells Moses to demonstrate to the Hebrews three signs using his staff, his hand and water (Exodus 4:2‐9). God expected that the Hebrews would indeed test his emissary and He was not offended by that because He was more than able to prove the anointing He would bestow Moses with. Beloved, any minister of the Lord must be able to prove the anointing on their life both in speech and in action. That is the standard. Our God is not a God that is untested or unable to prove His authenticity. In fact, that is where the real distinction between Him and other god’s is. At Mount Carmel, he was present to defend the anointing upon Elijah in the face of the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36‐39). He is the God that answers by fire! Rather than argue and be embittered when people question your anointing ask God to prove your ministry in word and deed. The scriptures regularly tell of how Jesus proved by the scriptures that He was the Messiah who was to come and also by deeds, that we call miracles. The order was consistent in His ministry so much that when they did not believe His word He urged them to at least believe because of the miracles He performed (John 10:38). There were those who even went so far as to ponder if Jesus were not the Messiah whether indeed the Messiah would perform more signs than Jesus did (John 7:31). He proved His ministry.

Beloved, if Jesus proved His ministry what about us. I can tell all those big critics out there who waste a lot of time and resources attacking the miraculous that as long as the word is preached miracles will continue. Jesus foretold that as the gospel of the kingdom is preached these signs will follow those who believe (Mark 16:17‐18). I love the way that Paul the apostle was audacious enough to defend the anointing of his ministry. Telling it in bare knuckles to the church in Corinth he asserts:

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your

faith may not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Again, when certain apostles questioned the authenticity of his apostolic anointing stating that he was only impressive in letters he defended himself. The manner in which he did so provides the ground for us to be ready for proof producing ministry. He asserts thus: Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present (2 Corinthians

10:11) It should be clear by now that if the ministries of Moses, Jesus and Paul were tested ours will be no exception. I believe that

the reason why religion, atheism and new ageism are having a field day in our generation is simply because few ministers are bold enough to subject their anointing to the test. As you read this, I call on you by the grace of Almighty God to rise up to the occasion. Do not be afraid, the Master guaranteed that signs will back up the testimony of our anointing. If He called you, you can prove it!

THE TESTIMONY OF A FALSE ANOINTING

Sheer logic is applicable in this context: If the truth can be questioned in spite of its merit it follows that a lie must be questioned as well. If anything, it should be rigorously tried. And yet it is amazing that the reverse is the case in the world. Most people have mastered the courage to question the truth but most never examine a lie. It is so remarkable to observe how gullible people have been over the times to lies. From the Garden of Eden when Eve entirely took Satan at his word to date, people wholesomely take to deception. Have you noticed how you may ask someone from any of the major religions of the world why they indeed submit to it and they will simply say because they were “born” into it. They never question the validity of their religion. No wonder so much is a mess. This is the dilemma every true anointed servant of God faces. Jesus was so incensed by it that He lamented how the Jews rejected His ministry and yet they would believe the testimony of a fraud that would sway their hearts (John 5:43). Similarly, we

have observed how Paul was bothered by the same tendency among churches he had planted. His concern for the church in Corinth tells a lot about what I am dealing with here:

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up

with it easily enough (2 Corinthians 11: 3‐4). Must this status quo be maintained? Is this what the Master meant when He asked us to be meek? Should believers in Christ or anyone for that matter let deception go unquestioned? The correct answer is a big NO! It is not the way of God. I have just proven from His word that He does not mind anyone questioning His word in sincerity. And if His word can be put to task we should expect that He has no qualms about questioning the lies of the enemy. In fact, throughout the scriptures He urges us to test and prove false the integrity of false anointings. This is the wisdom we get from the proverb, “The first to present a case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him” (Proverbs 18:17). Just because a lie has been presented earlier than the truth does not justify it. God expects that we contend with it, and the victory of the truth is guaranteed in John’s assertion that “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Consequently,

God expects that we actively contend and prove the fallacy of false anointings that may have preceded the gospel. This matter is of particular interest to many evangelists and apostles who are tasked with preaching the gospel in some areas where the gospel may never have been preached. We should not be shy or apologetic for the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Whichever faith we find wherever we minister the truth that is contrary to the gospel must be tested and proved wanting. Paul was an expert at it. Several times he confronted cities where religions that had been practiced thence were contrary to the gospel. He wasted no time to test and preach their inadequacies while proving the authenticity of the gospel he preached. He did it in Athens where the people worshipped a variety of idols including an unknown God. There he commended them not to think that: Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the

divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by man’s design and skill.

And just to set the record straight, he warns how:

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he

commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man

he has appointed.

As disturbing as the following claim was he confidently rounded up his sermon thus:

He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:29‐31).

Although the response was mixed, there were some who were won to the Lord on the basis of hard core truth. This was the consistent standard of the early church. They were unwavering in their faith and claims. In their passions for souls and zeal for the truth they did not hesitate to test and expose false anointings. They did this in writ, in person, in synagogues, in open forums, wherever the opportunity presented itself. This was also the testimony of the prophets in the Old Testament. After all, God had given the green light then for every false teacher or prophet to be examined. Speaking to Moses God goes so far as to give a conclusive measure when testing a false anointing, thus:

If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord

has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:22)

This theme is reiterated consistently throughout the Old and New Testament. Every false anointing was consistently challenged. And yet, many ministers of the gospel and believers of our Lord are not keen to contend with these false anointings. They don’t want to be confrontational and some are even wary of being disliked. What a shame. The requirements of the truth demand that of necessity we test and expose the emptiness of false anointings even as we present with wisdom and tangible proof in true anointing, the gospel of the kingdom.

THE TRUTH ON TRIAL

It is interesting to note that for all the good intentions of the gospel yet the truth is still on trial. Hardly anyone seeks that the various religions of our day prove that their faith is true. Their adherents merely follow traditions that previous generations upheld. In fact, if the truth were told, the major religions of the world are in all intents and purposes not religions but traditions. And as is common with traditional tendencies, the truth is not really as important as the custom. In most of the world’s religions it does not matter whether what worked for people 1,000 years ago is relevant today. Their adherents gloss over the inadequacies of archaic and obsolete teachings and instead demand that we prove the validity of the gospel. It is not for nothing that the most persecuted faith turns out to be those that believe in Jesus

Christ as Lord. Similarly, the true anointed priests have therefore been doubted in favor of priests of faiths that generally uphold nothing more than mere customs of men. This is not only limited between the true faith and the worlds religions. The dilemma is also found in the Church. Indeed, it is true that there are wolves in sheep skin and that the wheat is growing with the weed, and so this matter is of critical interest to the Church. It has been my observation that while those who masquerade around the body of Christ with false anointings have been emboldened and are in active attack of those who carry the true anointing, the latter have been decisively quiet choosing not to respond or contend with the former. The consequence to the kingdom of God has been enormous and only God knows how much has truly been lost as a result of the complacency of those who know the truth. The truth, so to say, has been on a two‐fold trial: Both from within and without. Both belligerents have used the spirit of fear to evoke cowardice in the ranks of those who carry the true anointing. It has been the same old bane as in the days of the scriptures when the prophets and the apostles were persecuted even unto death. So, how does one prove the true anointing from the false in this maze? First of all, let me set it straight that the circumstances are not as desperate as those who hate true anointing would have us feel. Oh, no. Far from it. The truth is still winning, and

so is the anointing that carries it. One means through which this is seen is the multiplied numbers added on an hourly basis to the truth. Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul, John the Apostle and all other scriptural characters must be amazed at the grace available to those who carry a true anointing today. Ministers like Benny Hinn, Chris Oyakhilome, Reinhard Bournke, Kenneth Copeland, T.D Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Paul and Jane Crouch, and several others that are continuously attacked have nevertheless seen multiple numbers in their millions join the kingdom and believe in the Lord they so wonderfully serve. I believe this has been the case because of three principle reasons, namely: Firstly, the sheep know the Masters voice and follow it (John 10:3‐5). Consequently, as these servants of God (and there are indeed many others) have ministered, those that belong to the Lord have been drawn as down deep their conscience lays the spirit of man which the breath of God gives understanding (Job 32:8). Secondly, these ministries have had amazing grace to articulate and prove by both the word and action the gospel of the Kingdom. As a result, lives have been transformed. The word of their testimonies has overcome the evil one (Revelation 12:11). People that have been healed in their meetings or who have been edified by the unction of the word they minister have testified to multiple others in a world so tired of impotent traditionalism. And lastly, the Master is coming soon. I believe we are seeing the

most massive sweep of evangelism occur before our very eyes in a final bid by God’s Spirit and army to finish the good work. What this means is that we are winning. No other force can contend with us. For those who genuinely seek to know a true anointing from a false one the proof is in – the unequivocal devotion to Jesus as Christ, the edifying quality of the word, the evident testimony of positive change and the integrity of the minister. Against these standards there is no judgment. And ministers upholding them are not in short supply or hidden in a wilderness far out of town. They are more available than ever before. What is more, I believe that once you complete studying this book you too will join in this noble effort. I can tell you, nothing compares to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, when you finish with this, you too will have a true anointing. HALELUJAH!

TESTED BY THE ANOINTING

The reverse is obviously required and acceptable: Every candidate of the anointing will be tested by the anointing. It is God’s prerogative and He does it for our good. Remember, earlier in this work I defined the anointing as the office of the Holy Spirit and if He is going to work with you He will test you. A lot of people miss out on this. They want to assume the office without being examined or evaluated. They want the power without the price. Beloved, there is no such thing. If you are going to be impacted by the anointing you should be willing to pass the tests of the Holy Spirit. These tests are not intended to fail us from walking with God. Instead, they strengthen our confidence in the performance of God’s Spirit. More importantly, they mould us into compliant and submitted vessels that will be more susceptible to every function God wants to work in us and for us by the power of the anointing. So it is profitable to be tested by the anointing.

The Master Himself provides the example par excellence. The gospels record how He was led to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast for 40 days and be tempted of the devil soon after He’d been baptized at the Jordan and the Spirit came upon Him. That was His first examination. It wasn’t an easy one but He passed the test. The result was that He descended from the wilderness filled with power (Luke 4:14). Important to note is the fact that this incredible result was the trademark of Jesus’ ministry. Everywhere He went He was renowned for the authority and power of His ministry. Subjecting Himself to the tests of the Holy Spirit and passing them is one of the reasons He was filled with the Spirit beyond measure. Many who desire a great anointing today would do well to learn from the Master. You see, long ago I came across a powerful scripture that taught this invaluable virtue. In the book of Proverbs, the philosopher counsels all who care to walk with God that “Gold is tested by fire, silver by crucible but the heart of man is tested by God” (Proverbs 17:3). If we will not let God test us, we should not expect Him to use us. But if we do, and pass His tests, although we are earthen vessels we shall demonstrate the excellence of God (2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV). I find Kathryn Kuhlmann’s advice to all who want to be used of God very useful at this point when she says, “God is not

looking for gold vessels. He is not looking for silver vessels. No, He is looking for yielded vessels.” Are you yielded to the tests of the anointing? If you are, God is looking for you.

TESTED BY FRUITS

The most common tests of the anointing will involve either pleasure or pain. This is what I refer to when I say tested by fruits or fire. Of course, the reference to fruits is derived from the test of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17). The test that confronted them was a test of pleasure. They were asked to avoid eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Although the fruit was beautiful to behold God demanded that man should not partake of it. What is important to note is that God was not against man having any pleasure. Similarly, when the anointing tests us in this area it is not that the Holy Spirit is against us enjoying in life. Later on in this book I will dwell in depth on how in fact you can enjoy the anointing. He has more pleasure than the world can ever offer you. If anything, the Garden of Eden was a place of great pleasures. There were so many varieties of pleasures that were available to Adam and Eve. In my opinion this was supposed to be an easy test. Man could simply have enjoyed all that was available in complete fulfillment without paying

any attention to the forbidden fruit. Unfortunately, this was not the case as man succumbed to the temptations of the serpent. It is sad to observe that Eve who was a beneficiary to all God had given man in the Garden still took note of the pleasure of the fruit at the expense of the pain it would cause. The rest is history as the short lived pleasure has caused a long series of pain from Adam and Eve to this day. And yet, in spite of this example so many fail right here. The test of pleasure has reduced the impact the anointing would realize in so many ministries and in some cases many have in fact been dismissed from serving God as a result. This was the experience of Samson that I mentioned earlier in this work. The pleasure of fornication and adultery cost Samson not only his ministry but his life as well. The case of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who I have also mentioned earlier, was tragic in that he was dismissed from the ministry with a curse to top it all. His master Elisha was appalled at Gehazi’s weakness for pleasure when tested with the Syrian commander’s offer. The dishonorable manner in which Elisha discharged him still offers a relevant warning to many today. In the prophet’s words:

Is this the time to take money, or accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants

forever. 2 Kings 5:26‐27.

Beloved, no pleasure is worth the anointing, none whatsoever. Any such offer should be rejected with contempt. I am always inspired by the value the early church had for the anointing. One amazing account is given of the Apostle Peter’s ministry in Samaria. Following the dynamic evangelical efforts of Phillip, the church in Jerusalem had sent Peter and John to the region. There was a witch that had converted to the Lord called Simeon. This gentleman had believed the gospel and followed Philip as he observed in astonishment the miracles wrought in the Name of Jesus. When Peter and John arrive and baptized the believers in the Lord with the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands Simeon was even more impressed. He sought the gift by offering money to the apostles. Peter’s response tells a lot concerning this test of pleasure and how we should respond to it. He rebuked Simeon, thus:

May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Acts 8:20‐23

And that is it. Many desiring the anointing do not realize that they will be tested with pleasure. I have had some ministers actually say that the anointing attracts good things. Some of

which, we must realize, is not necessarily good for the vessels God is willing to use. Sometimes it is the timing. There is a lot one will benefit from the anointing but not everything will occur at once. There are seasoned benefits, and understanding the timing of what God has in store is a critical test in pleasure. I will never forget how early in the ministry I was offered the opportunity to be given a ticket to the United States by a wealthy divorcee. She even suggested that it was God who had told her to do so in addition to asking her to put at the disposal of my ministry her entire wealth. That offer came in those early difficult days. I must confess that the offer was incredibly tempting. Fortunately, I sought God’s counsel and He asked me a most profound question that changed my life and impacted me for God’s immeasurable glory. He asked me to choose between going to the United States and having it brought to me. The Holy Spirit advised me to choose the latter. Two years later, and married, the Lord revealed to me in a vision that if I had gone with the lady I would have ended up nothing more than a house husband! And, today? Well, I can seriously say that The United States has indeed come to me by the grace of Almighty God.

TESTED BY FIRE

That is pleasure, and to be sure it can be a difficult test. However, there is the test of the pain that the anointing will subject one to. That can be equally difficult if not, as in some cases, even more challenging. I use fire in a metaphoric sense although the test of pain is not limited to the threat of fire. It comes in several ways. However, I find that the use of fire captures the conduct of the test in such an exact sense. The scriptures also are laden with the use of this reference. It is in this sense that we should understand that the Lord our God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:24). Several times the Holy Spirit is actually portrayed as a fire (Acts 2:3‐4). The revelation that the Lord is indeed a refiners fire is an explicit reference to this testing by fire (Malachi 3:2). The use of fire is often employed in the scriptures to relate to God removing impurities in the vessels He uses (Malachi 3:3‐4). Consequently, any one hungry for the anointing must realize that with the office comes this test of pain to purge one of all impurities. I have a message I have taught sometime that exhaustively covers this issue called – The Pains of the Call. I might consider, the Lord permitting, turning it into a book because many believers and servants of the Lord do not realize that in the service of the Lord He will test us with fire and it often is a

painful experience. In ignorance, many quit, others get miserable and complain, still others become bitter and pass on the pain. They miss the point: The object of the test is always to improve on the quality of the vessel. In fact Jesus said we rejoice in these circumstances. For after the pain will come promotion if we endure and become better rather than bitter. Important to note, is that once we are yielded to the Holy Spirit His anointing will not rest till we have become the perfect vessels of honor. One of the most dramatic tests of fire in the scriptures is the account given in the book of Daniel about the three Hebrew boys – Hananaiah, Mishael and Azariah. In fact the book of Daniel is a classic text on the relation of tests and promotions. In this particular instance, the three boys had been part of a group of young men exiled in Babylon that included Daniel, who had gained favor in the king’s court because of their wisdom. Of course the wisdom they exhibited was by virtue of the anointing operating in their lives. At some point in their service of King Nebuchadnezzar a very interesting complication arose when he demanded by decree that everyone in Babylon bows before a statue (Daniel 3). The young Hebrew boys find themselves in that common dilemma anointed people find themselves in, where they have to displease their seniors for the sake of their faith. They refuse to bow to the statue and are subjected to a fiery

furnace whose heat has been tuned seven times over. Fearlessly and resigned to whatever consequence this threatening development poses they are thrown into the fire. To the consternation of everybody including Nebuchadnezzar they do not burn. They are seen moving freely within the fire. And moreover, in their company is a supernatural being that the king likened to “a Son of man.” The king is amazed beyond his wits and orders for them to be removed from the fire. He even goes so far as to promote them and confess that their God is the only God who could save in such a manner (Daniel 3: 29‐30). The fire was their passage to prominence. And if anyone has walked with God for sometime they will tell you that there is no promotion without a test of pain. This is the point that is so often missed by those who love David’s 23rd Psalm: They love the Lord who takes them besides still waters and green pastures. They love Him when He restores their soul. What they do not realize is that the same Lord will test them in the valley of the shadow of death before He actually takes them to a prepared table before their enemies. This has been my experience and I am forever grateful to the Lord for every blessing He has given me, and this includes the tests that I have had to incur along the way. It is in this context that I understand my identity, purpose and life. When the Lord revealed to me that I was Joseph (I give

graphic details of this experience in my book – The Value of a Name) I could relate my ups and downs to that of Joseph. Before Joseph was elevated to the pinnacle of Egypt, he had to endure the pit, being a slave, and the dungeon. In another book – Winner, Don’t Quit: The Truth about Struggle, I reiterate more elaborately on this theme. Using struggle to relate to the prospect of overcoming pains, I employ the testimony of the rich life of Jacob to offer invaluable hope to every believer and minister confused by these seemingly negative circumstances. Right from the womb of his mother, Jacob was conceived in struggle. His mother was barren and she struggled with the Lord for the fruit of her womb. It seems to me that God answered her by providing Jacob and a problem called Esau. God set the stage for Jacob’s first test right in the womb of his mother. Before his climatic wrestle with God in Genesis 32 Jacob struggled with his brother right in the womb of their mother. From birth to death Jacob struggled for his life. Even though he was somewhat unaccomplished in the evening of his life with only one son that had really made it, out of a large bunch of twelve children, Jacob was not outdone. He made the best out of a bad situation: He blessed all his sons. He saw a powerful nation emerge from a dysfunctional family that had brought him pain from their deceit, violence, betrayal, and loss. Rather than be afraid for their future he chose to

believe the best for them. There is no record that he left them any tangible inheritance. Perhaps we may presume that following the famine in Canaan and world over he had little of substance to bequeath his fairly large family. Nonetheless, he left them something more important, an inheritance whose legacy has survived to this day. He left them WORDS. Words of hope. Words of courage. Words to carry on the struggle. Words to help them overcome. Words that carried what we call blessings. One by one, from Reuben and Judah the eldest, to Joseph, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh, a determined veteran of struggle spoke victory to another generation (Genesis 49). Beholding the great nation of Israel today we must realize that at its very foundation was the testimony of one man overcoming the test of pain.

GRADUATING IN THE SPIRIT

One of the most inspiring biblical characters is the Apostle Paul. This man saw it all. His calling tells so much about what I have just discussed. All those who never expect to be tested by the anointing may do well to study the ministry of Paul. He was a veteran in every sense of the word, a genuine graduate of the school of the Spirit. The Masters instruction to Ananias in reference to Paul reveals a lot that many would do well to

understand, when He says, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name”(Acts 9:16). And suffer he did. He shares graphic details with the church in Corinth yet boasting in them: Several times he was flogged, abused, threatened with death, shipwrecked and imprisoned yet in all circumstances he glorified God (2 Corinthians 11:16‐33). In the dynamic book of Acts, he is shown praising God with Silas from the confines of a prison cell (Acts 16:23‐25). And yet, Paul was not unaccustomed to pleasure. In fact he was tested with the unthinkable pleasure of visiting the third heaven where he was shown things that were too wonderful for human consumption (2 Corinthians 12:1‐4). At another instance, his remarkable miracle performing ministry was put to the common test of pride and fame in the city of Lystra. The people were willing to worship him as a god. He frantically withstood their efforts revealing to them that he too was merely a man like them (Acts 14:8‐15). Later on, he confesses to being able to be fulfilled whether with empty or full stomach (Philippians 4:1‐ 3). Paul was a true graduate of the Spirit. If we are going to see maximum results from the incredible grace given to our generation in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we too need to endure and pass the tests of the anointing. We have got to graduate in the Spirit. Be it the test of pleasure or pain, we must realize that all things are working

together for our good (Romans 8:28). Whatever the test, we must realize that God is not trying His best to fail us. Rather, in His omniscient wisdom He is actually working both to will and to do according to His good pleasure to perfect us till we are entirely like Him (Philippians 2:13). I am so persuaded with this experience that I have often said that if people do not want to be tested by the anointing they have no business receiving it in the first place.

RECEIVING THE ANOINTING Do you realize that even as you are reading this book you are actually receiving an anointing? The word of God carries an incredible anointing that sheds light and wisdom while dispelling devils of deception and darkness. I have already mentioned that the anointing is really the function of the Holy Spirit. Well, as you read, you may or may not be aware depending on how sensitive you are, but there is an anointing

at work in you. John mentions in his profound gospel that, as Jesus taught, His word cleansed the people (John 15:3). Similarly, as you read this book there is a cleansing function of the Holy Spirit at work in you preparing you to receive even more anointing as you continue in your walk with God. Paul also talks of renewing ones mind with the word of God (Romans 12:2). There is also a renewing function in your mind as you continue to read through this book. Beloved, the Lord has purposed to add more anointing in your life however it is vital that your mind is cleansed and renewed for “no one puts new wine in an old wine skin.”(Matthew 9:17). Get ready for a new and fresh anointing that will yield a whole new dimension of power and success in your life. It is vital that everyone realize that God desires for everyone to receive and operate in the anointing of His Spirit. It is tragic to witness believers in our Lord convinced that they are not anointed. Many do not realize that God has indeed anointed them and even desires to anoint them more and use them for great glory. Many actually think that the anointing is only for religious leaders and so they are left traveling around looking for someone anointed to pray for them. Unfortunately, some leaders have taken advantage of this ignorance and created impressions that distinguish them as specially anointed while portraying their congregations or anybody who is unlucky to succumb to their manipulative tendencies to be utterly devoid of any anointing. My friend, the devil is a liar. If anyone has

received the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, such a person has indeed received the Spirit of God and therefore the anointing. God has not specially designed for some distinguished persons to have the anointing. Do not let anyone make you feel that way. More so in the last days when He has poured out His Spirit on all flesh. (Joel 2:28). God is more than willing to anoint you my brother and will do so even now if you can receive it. This was the elaborate point Jesus made to religious leaders when He castigated them for considering that they were in any sense better than God in blessing their children. In His words:

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for fish, you will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father

in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:9‐11) In that rebuke, Jesus actually reveals a good reason why many do not receive the Holy Spirit and therefore His anointing: Many simply do not ask. As a pastor and a servant of the Lord, I have been amazed after ministering to someone in the Holy Spirit to hear them pray that the Lord increase my anointing. True to their earnest desire, the Lord does increase my anointing but why not pray that He increases the anointing in you as well. You find beloved saints of the Lord praying that the Lord increases the anointing on the lives of His great vessels like Benny Hinn or T.L Osborn and yet they scarcely ever pray that the Lord anoints them. That is a terrible error.

Anyone that so desires can ask and it will be given (Matthew 7:7). There are some, however, who will genuinely say they have asked and asked and asked in vain. They wonder how one can get the anointing. Some have tried everything they knew how only to find themselves where they started. It is also to this category that I write this chapter. There are a number of things many faithful servants of the Lord overlook that are critical to receiving the anointing and I wish to address them here. Hopefully, with the Lord’s grace this will be the day many in His body will actually receive an increase of the anointing, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the living God (Zechariah 4:6).

HAVE YOU RECEIVED SINCE YOU BELIEVED?

There is an interesting account shared by Dr. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles that explains the reason why many in the body of Christ have not received an increase of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In it, we see Paul’s ministry going to the city of Ephesus. There he finds about twelve disciples of the Prophet John and he poses them a profound question that many religious people ought to ask themselves, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Their response was negative as they had never even been told about Him. Similarly, many in our world today are in some kind of religion, some kind of faith, some even believing in the Lord Jesus but are totally oblivious of the person of the Holy Spirit. They can say, “Oh, I

have gone to a class and received a certain passage or rite” but as to whether they are conscious of this third person of the trinity in their life or/and priesthood is an entirely different thing. Paul further probes on what they believed in before sharing with them about the baptism of fire. And that is what I am endeavoring to do so right here. Hopefully, we will have the same results. For having taught them, they were then willing to receive the Holy Spirit. He simply laid his hands on them and they were instantly filled with power from above (Acts 19:1‐7). That situation does have exponential representation today. So many have believed the Lord Jesus and have received only a partial revelation of that faith. Years of tradition in some religious bodies that teach the Lord Jesus have maintained an exclusion of a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. In some cases, that has not always been the case. Some religious bodies, Christian ones, have actually declined from the revivalist tendencies of their founders and today are a pillar of cold customs and traditions. The only experience of the Holy Spirit left to them is the stories in the word of God and the historical accounts of their founders. Their congregations and even ministers are “starved” and “dry” devoid of any effectual demonstration of the God they teach or listen about every Sunday. Sometimes their leaders have tended to be critical of those who are experiencing God’s anointing on their lives. They have called it names and even suggested, in a rare sense

of prophetic assessment, that those so called Holy Spirit people are the false prophets talked about in the gospels that would show up to mislead many in the last days. Fortunately, though, there is a spirit in man and the breath of God does give it understanding (Job 33:4). Not all their adherents have been cowed from joining in this end time revival. Many have recommitted their lives to the Lord and even received the Holy Spirit. I am one of them. Additionally, some of their leaders, tired of a form of godliness have started attending meetings of anointed servants genuinely desiring the anointing. I hope this book is in the hands of several of them. The result, as we have observed, is that many of these sects are actually experiencing revival as the charismatic effects of the anointing is illustrated by reformed ministers. The move is unquenchable! It is also from this standpoint that I understand why so many, although believers in our Lord, still have not received the Holy Spirit and therefore His anointing. Many are the victim of a half gospel, not a full gospel. They have a partial truth that winds up as a form of godliness that denies the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). Like the religious leaders in Jesus’ days, they actually do not know either the word of God or the power of God. What they know is a set of traditions and customs. Most of which is irrelevant to the lives of the people they lead. That is why they are suffering a total hemorrhage as their adherents switch to the truth. I can guarantee you that the ones that do not seriously take on the full gospel will wither in this end time

move of God. Short of which, they will have to make alliances with Satan to fight against God and His anointed ones. How does one get to receive once they have believed? The account of Paul and the disciples gives a strong hint: Rather than critic Paul in defense of their partial revelation they sought to learn. They wanted to know about what they did not know. In the gospels, Jesus mentioned that “blessed are the hungry, they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Elsewhere, the Apostle James wisely advices those who lack wisdom to ask God (James 1:5). That is what this book is seeking to do. It is giving you insight, wisdom, concerning how to get started and keep going in the glory of God. If we are humble to know more than we do, we shall receive what we do not have. These disciples of John the Baptist listened through Paul’s teaching bearing witness that what Paul was saying was actually mentioned by John who baptized with water and preached repentance, but had prophesied that Jesus who came ahead of him would in fact baptize them with the Spirit. Similarly, rather than argue with those who teach on the Holy Spirit, many from all these sects that are critical should take note that the scriptures they read every Sunday bear witness to what we say. Throughout this book, I have endeavored to employ the scriptures to back up the revelations on the anointing. There are over 1,000 references to the scriptures just for clarity. So, rather than resist the truth embrace it. Let it work in your life.

The Master declared, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). That is at least the first step.

WAITING UPON THE LORD

To be sure, receiving the anointing is not always as easy as it is often portrayed. Soon many realize that it is not all the time that we ask that we receive. Sometimes, we have to seek, seek, and seek till we find. I call this the test of time by the anointing of God. Again, and this must be clarified early, it is not that God does not want you to get the anointing. He always desires that we receive the anointing. However, when He orchestrates for us to wait, and many times He does, there is a fundamental reason why. Often times, the end justifies the means. I love the way this is summed up in the scriptures:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be; weary, they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40: 32 KJV

Waiting for the anointing pays handsomely. Let the devil never fool you by causing you to imagine that God will not show up. Our God is more than faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Through the Prophet Isaiah, He declares:

I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, “Seek me in vain.” I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare

what is right. Isaiah 45:19

When Jesus was about to ascend to heaven He left a solemn instruction to His disciples to wait in Jerusalem till they receive the Holy Spirit. He told them to wait. They did so, for forty days and on that fortieth day the Holy Spirit came upon all that were present. I especially love the fact that He came like a rushing wind (Acts 2:1‐4). I suppose He was only too anxious to anoint them to do the Lord’s work. And that is the way it is. God so desires to put His Spirit upon us though He asks us to wait on Him. It is vital we learn this principle of waiting upon the Lord. A closer study of all the servants of God that have carried with them a mighty anointing reveals that they practiced waiting upon the Lord habitually. During the time we wait, it would help if we spent time fasting, praying, studying and meditating on the word of God. The duration of the wait depends entirely on the Lord. It may be days as it was with the disciples or even years as it was with Elisha. Ultimately though, the point is, however long we wait, God is going to show up. Sooner or later, one day and in a single moment, the One we wait for shows up and we realize that it was worth its while.

Unfortunately, quite a number quit on the Lord. Many cannot wait for the anointing. They get impatient and divert to something else. It is instructive to note that although the Master spoke to a group of 500 disciples there were only 120 on the day the Holy Spirit came upon them. What happened to the 380? I assume they may have gotten impatient. Some might have thought the Lord was lying to them. Yet others must have been diverted by the great feast of Pentecost that was taking place in Jerusalem. Whatever it was, they missed it. You would be amazed how many times we miss the anointing just because we are busy with many things or simply because we think God is a liar. Why does God call us to wait? The reasons are several, most of them personal to whoever God has asked to tarry. Generally, though, it has to do with His timing. Remember, His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). It would also help us to realize that in His time, He makes all things beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11). After all, the anointing is His and the mission that we shall accomplish by virtue of it, is His plan and purpose. Paul’s assertion to the church in Ephesus when he states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10) reveals a lot in this regard. All that the anointing has been given to us to do was actually planned for before the foundation of the world. That is why those who contend against it waste a lot of calories. They fight

divinity within a history realm: The former realm is superior to the latter. This is partly what can be understood from Paul’s assertion “that what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3). Those things which God has commanded are the things that are and will be. Beyond this, there is a significant reason why many still fail to receive the anointing yet others keep on getting even more of it. It is to this factor that I turn.

EXAMINE YOUR HEART

The tests of the anointing that I have mentioned in the previous chapter are really an examination of the character of the vessel that the anointing intends or is actually employing. Whatever God uses He will test. The specific area for this exercise is often, if not entirely, the heart. The reason can be found in Jesus’ teaching that the heart contains in it the very issues of life (Matthew 15:16‐20). So we witness throughout the scriptures God testing the hearts of men even as His word declares that “Silver is tested by crucible, gold by fire but the heart of a man is tested by God” (Proverbs 17: 3). Consequently, one should not be surprised at the role the condition of ones heart plays in determining whether one will receive the anointing or an increase of it. It does, and most significantly, as we have discussed. When one considers the incredible value of the anointing and its associated impact it

becomes obvious why the heart plays this crucial determinant role. As it may be clear by now, the anointing does not come to merely accomplish our fleshly desires. It has omnipotent assignments as it enables mortal men do the very will of Almighty God. Men cannot do this will without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The references for this are replete throughout the scriptures: Moses could not in his strength have ever delivered the children of Israel; neither could Samuel in his wisdom have ruled the children of Israel, or Solomon for that matter; neither could David have won battles for Israel in his might; and when a perturbed Zechariah pondered on the impossibilities of rebuilding the temple, God reminded him that “it was not by might, nor by power but by the Spirit of the living God” (Zechariah 4:6). All through the word of God, the anointing is indispensable in performing the will of God. It is the primary requisite for such a function. And this grace is essentially for the will of God and not for our inadequate preferences. Seen in this context one understands that although the anointing is indeed free for all who desire, it is nevertheless not always available to all who desire. That is why Peter severely rebuked Simeon the converted witch who sought to buy the anointing. The means he sought the anointing revealed the extent to which he desired it for personal and not divine reasons (Acts 8: 9‐24). And Peter should have known better for he had been trained that way. Several times the

Lord rebuked him and his colleagues to realize that the anointing is exclusively intended for the purpose of fulfilling God’s desires and not personal whims. Once when the city of Samaria had closed their gates to the Lord and his entourage and James and John had suggested that they call fire from heaven He rebuked them (Luke 9:51‐56). And when Peter himself unwittingly sought to discourage the Master from contemplating a death for which the Father had sent Him to the earth on the pretext that He was the Messiah, the anointed One, Jesus sternly rebuked him. The reason being that Peter’s concerns were of the flesh and they revealed how much he had not understood that in fact the anointing the Master operated in was ultimately for the purpose of enabling Him lay down His life as atonement for the sins of all men (Matthew 16:23). Receiving the anointing is in a sense a heart matter. The Apostle James must have had this in mind when he cautions how many never receive from the Lord because of their evil intentions (James 4:3). Desiring the anointing so that you fulfill the desires of the flesh is a sure means of failing to obtain what you desire. So many do not realize this and falsely assume that they can obtain the anointing regardless of the conditions of their heart. They ask for the anointing for such silly reasons like they would love to be on T.V, or prove their enemies wrong, or even destroy their enemies altogether. The devil is a liar. If you desire the anointing you have good reason to examine your

heart and make sure that you earnestly are keen to fulfill the will of God. And I always say this to all people hungry to be used of God, study the word of God, lay it in your heart and surrender to the will of God. If you do, you will receive even more anointing than you can possibly fathom to the glory of God!

WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT

One of the most amazingly used vessels of God today is the wonderful ministry of the renowned Evangelist, Bible Teacher, worshipper, and author Dr. Benny Hinn. That incredibly used vessel of Almighty God has been an inspiration to countless millions including my self. I am forever grateful to the mighty ministry of the Holy Spirit for anointing this man who has taught us so much on the anointing. Benny Hinn ministries is on the cutting edge and is probably the most vital work of the Holy Spirit going on today to the glory of God. What is so predominant in this ministry is the preeminent role given to the anointing and the Holy Spirit. Benny Hinn has literally devoted his entire life time to ensuring that we understand this role of the Holy Spirit and the anointing He gives those who will surrender to the will of God. Not surprisingly, therefore, the Holy Spirit has responded with dramatic recognition of this earnest devotion with remarkable results in Benny Hinn ministries. Every meeting hosted by this

man has seen him fulfill the calling God placed on him to win souls. They come by the thousands, sometimes they are in the tens, or hundreds of thousands, or even in their millions in his monthly and international crusades. Additionally, this is accompanied with special manifestations of the Holy Spirit evident in the healing of the sick, miracles, signs and wonders. The wonderful thing about it all is the humility Benny Hinn exhibits in spite of the world wide fame his amazing ministry has. Often he corrects those who seek to thank him for the miracles they have achieved during his meetings that he had little to do with what they have received. He always attributes it to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and gives Jesus Christ the glory. Because there has been a of lot misunderstanding about his ministry he has gone so far as to publish a collection of books to set the record straight. One of the books is – Welcome Holy Spirit. In this book he gives a biographical account of how he was called into the ministry, thereby explaining his resolve to be surrendered to the will of God. He also clearly explains his own inadequacies for the task and therefore his total dependence on the Holy Spirit for the anointing. From here we are made to understand why Benny seeks to invite the Holy Spirit for everything he is set to do. He has come to that wise conclusion that without the anointing he is as good as nothing as far as fulfilling the commission of God in his life.

It would be an understatement to say that many today desire God to use them as effectively as He uses Benny Hinn. Many have a similar call as he does to win lost souls. The difference, however, can be found in the extent to which one is surrendered to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and His anointing. If we would love to do great works for God, the example of Benny Hinn offers a suitable reference. We ought to receive the anointing and totally be submissive to it. For this to happen, we must be relentless in our invitation to the Holy Spirit. Once He comes, the impact will be obvious and the difference critical. And it is to this subject that we must now turn.

THE IMPACT OF THE ANOINTING

Once the anointing comes upon a vessel there will be impact. My friend, the anointing makes the difference. It does not matter the vessel. Once that vessel receives the anointing of the Lord there will be a corresponding effect. That is why I have often said that if these are days of the anointing then they certainly are days of action. The anointing can never be inert. Its effects will be seen because the spirit of Christ is the spirit of the demonstration of God’s power. I do not believe

that one can be anointed and they are void of this experience. In fact, the ministry of the anointing is a result oriented one. It is proof‐producing, to use brother Morris Cerullo’s phrase. Everyone that God anointed in his word was a person that actually moved from passivity to action. It did not matter what there condition was, or failure had been, once the anointing came upon their life they were translated into moving results of the kingdom of God. This is a crucial concern today because more than any other generation there is a claim to the anointing like has never been witnessed before. Like I mentioned earlier, this is probably the most anointed generation the earth has ever witnessed. As a result, this is also the generation that has most witnessed the results of God’s power. Ministries that minister in the power of the anointing have demonstrated in many diverse ways, signs and wonders that testify of the dynamic ministry of the Holy Spirit. Nearly, if not every country, has been a witness to this ministry. Due to the benefit of modern technology, this generation is privileged to witness works of the Holy Spirit that may not even be taking place in their vicinity. Through television, the internet, and such products like audio tapes, VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs we are able to observe from the comforts of our living rooms or the privacy of our study rooms the action of the Holy Spirit in places across the world, far away from where we

are. Before our eyes, we are witnesses to the impact of the anointing on the lives of ordinary men and women. The message from God is clear: We too can be impacted by the anointing and therefore converted from passive spectators to active participants. And in a sense, I hope this piece of literature will stir a desire for the impact of the anointing on your life.

TOUCHED BY THE ANOINTING

Before the more incredible results of the anointing, the most immediate impact is the touch of the anointing. In itself, a touch of the anointing is an incredible experience that everyone ought to have. It is unlike any other touch. It is a touch with a difference that will result in power transmissions and supernatural manifestations. Even as I write I sense the need for more touching by the anointing. It is the kind of touch that effects positive change. In some cases, it revitalizes ones soul. In other cases, its impact is such that ones eyes are opened to God’s will and purposes. And yet, in others the immediate result is a physical one resulting in healing, a heightened sense of elation, drunkenness, a surge of power, pleasure, burning, pleasant coolness, peace, and others. To be sure, there is quite a diversity of experiences people have when they are touched by the anointing. In all cases, the touch is always potent. Sometimes it may even

result in either resurrection of the dead or death of the living as I will teach. One of the most amazing accounts of the touch of the anointing given in the word of God can be found in the calling of Elisha to be a servant to Elijah (1 Kings 19:19‐21). At the time Elisha was a farmer working hard under the sun, tilling behind oxen. Elijah comes down Mount Horeb where the Lord has instructed him to anoint Elisha to be a prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:16‐17). As he approaches the young man, he removes his mantle and puts it across the young man’s back before proceeding on his journey as if he was unaware of what he had just done. The young man, on the other hand, drops everything he is doing and runs after the prophet. Once he catches up with him he begs to follow the prophet wherever he goes. Elijah responds in a manner that reveals a lot about the effect of the touch of the anointing. He asks, “What have I done to you?” Of course the prophet knew what he had done. What he was doing, however, in asking the young man this question was rather very profound and would define Elisha’s life and legacy from then on. The question sought to bring his attention to the power of the anointing. That brief episode as he put his mantle across Elisha’s bare back in the field was a touch of the anointing. That touch was indeed the one that had pulled the young man from his vocation to seek to go with Elijah. Elijah sought the

young man to understand that he (Elijah) was not the issue as much as the anointing that had just touched him. Consequently, we are shown the effects of this touch in a most amazing fashion as Elisha destroys his farm tools and slains his oxen before bidding his parents goodbye and following the prophet. Later on, we realize how profound the experience was when we observe how serious and unrelenting Elisha’s commitment to Elijah was. Several times he is tested by Elijah who asks him to quit only to be overwhelmed by the unflagging zeal of the young man. Finally, when the prophet is sure about his imminent departure to heaven he asks the young man what he wants. It is here that we realize most clearly that all the while Elisha was not merely following the man but the anointing he had. For here was an opportunity for him to ask whatever he wanted. He could have chosen to go on with him to heaven but he did not. His request reveals the incredible and lasting effect the first touch of the anointing had had on him for he asked for a double portion of the anointing (2 Kings 2:9). My friend, there is nothing like the anointing. Nothing on earth. Just one touch is able to convert and revolutionize you to levels of life you have never even dreamt about. In the case that I have just discussed we witness how the touch of the anointing was able to provoke Elisha from the rituals of a menial livelihood. Later on, as we observe his ministry we

appreciate more the effects of the anointing because his ministry went on to operate from levels where he was elevated above kings and commanders of armies. This experience is available for all who are hungry for a touch and move of God. It amazes me how sensitive biblical characters were to the anointing relative to people today. Was it because of the scarcity of anointed vessels compared to today? Is it the case that because of the proliferation of several vessels carrying the anointing many have lost this sensitivity today? It is just so difficult to get the kind of response Elisha demonstrated today. I have seen people come to a meeting where a mantle was thrown at them and they were slain on the ground but whether they got up to bear the effects of that experience is another thing. What is common today are short‐lasting effects of the touch of the anointing. I pray that as we get deeper in our walk with God, possibly even as you read this book, you will stop taking lightly this touch of the anointing. It is just astonishing how biblical characters respected the touch of the anointing. One other remarkable account is given of a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and she heard that Jesus was passing by (Luke 8:40‐48). It is so moving to consider how she was convinced that if she just as much as touched the hem of his garment she would be made totally whole. And true to her convictions, the moment she

touched she was made perfectly whole. Jesus later on reveals what transpired when she touched him. He confesses that power went out of Him. Notice, it is not Jesus who told this woman to touch His garment so that she can get healed. This woman knew by revelation that the Masters garment was anointed and that if she came in contact with it the anointing had the power to heal her of her infirmity. Wow! A similar account is given in the gospel of Mathew when Jesus goes to an island called Genessaret. When the inhabitants recognized him (a feat that has always perturbed me since at the time they did not have the benefit of photography) they went about the whole island and brought all the sick to him then begged that they may as much as only touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 14:34‐36). And the results were remarkable for as many as did so, were totally restored. These people knew the profound effect a single touch of the anointing can cause. Even people that had their limbs maimed had these body parts restored by the power of a single touch of the anointing. The sensitivity of biblical characters to the touch of the anointing is a critical lesson for many today. We need to realize that a single touch of the anointing can have incredible results. Dr. Luke tells of a dramatic episode when Jesus and his disciples came across a band of mourners that included a widow that had just lost her son. Jesus was moved with

compassion for the woman and touched the coffin. As soon as he did so, her dead son woke up to life (Luke 7:11‐15). That touch had resurrection power in it. The testimony is similar to the strange account of how a dead man was thrown in the grave of Elisha and as soon as his dead body touched the bones of the late prophet he came to life. The anointing was still present in the bones of the prophet (2 Kings 13:20‐21). Amazing! I pray you get so hungry for the anointing that a single touch of it transforms you from carnality and death to spirituality and life. The touch of the anointing may also have devastating results as we may observe in the case of Uzzah (2 Kings 6:3‐7). As the Ark of the Covenant was being brought by King David to Jerusalem one of the Kings officers, Uzzah, sought to stabilize it when the oxen that was carrying it stumbled. The moment he touched the ark he was struck dead. The account is a very confusing one as it appears that Uzzah was well‐intended when he sought to stabilize the Ark of the Covenant. However, God wanted to demonstrate that He is All‐Sufficient and therefore able to handle Himself. It is also possible that He was not pleased with the low‐key manner King David was returning the Ark. In both accounts what is clear is that any vessel that carries the anointing of the Lord must be handled with caution. For here was the practical warning not to touch the anointed of the Lord (1 Samuel 24:6).

Whether in life or death, the point is simply that the touch of the anointing does have immense potential. It is in fact on this basis that the Master instructed that we lay hands on the sick and they will recover (Mark 16:18). When hands are laid, when we touch the sick, they get well by reason of the touch of the anointing. It also explains why handkerchiefs and aprons could be taken from the body of Paul and when they were placed upon the sick they instantly recovered (Acts 19:11‐12). Similarly, the healing of the sick on the streets by the shadow of Peter was a manifestation of the incredible results of the touch of the anointing (Acts 5:15‐16). I am glad many ministers today are increasingly aware of this ability and are exercising it. Believers in the Lord need to take advantage and realize that much of what they assume is difficult can be entirely resolved by just one touch of the anointing. Remember, that it was one touch of the anointing that split the Red Sea and the River Jordan in two so that the children of Israel were able to go across. It was only necessary for one touch of the anointing on the rock for the children of Israel to be able to get water from it. On touch of the anointing turned the waters of the River Nile into blood. My friend, one touch of the anointing will turn your misery into a miracle.

CHANGED BY THE ANOINTING

After the touch of the anointing anything goes. The anointing brings change. Wherever the anointing is experienced there will be profound and incredible change. I must clarify at this point the extent of change to be expected by reason of the anointing. The anointing is not an agent of change. It is a master of it. Once the anointing begins to take effect in ones life, the change is going to be more than modest. It will be rather deep; some might even describe it as revolutionary. My own life is a testimony to the ability of the anointing to master change and to conduct it in such a durable sense. For the most part of my life before I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and therefore His Spirit and its anointing, I was a rather dull child. I cannot remember impressing anyone, not even in my immediate family. In school, my grades were constantly low, mediocre at best. This was in spite of the fact that my parents took me to the best schools. They made sure I had all that I needed as a child. And yet, when it came to academics I constantly flopped. Other aspects of my life were equally mediocre. I was never the highlight in sports or even in social activities. Although I had a few friends, I really was not much of an issue to talk about or follow. In general, my life was below average. This had a very negative effect on my esteem. I had a low‐level of self confidence. I hardly believed in myself. Instead, I believed in what others were able to do. I believed in mum, dad, even siblings, and friends but not me. As far as I was concerned, I was not much to believe in.

Then, God changed all that. When I met Jesus in 1986, I became something else. It was nothing short of a revolution. The anointing to minister God’s word and power soon activated my intellect and speaking prowess and before I knew it, I was an attraction. Guys in school wanted to know me. In the neighborhood, my change was debated and observed. My grades begun to go up and so did my social life as I became a leader and had even more friends. The anointing enabled me to make friends with older people that shared my faith and convictions. Consequently, my world outlook was increasingly more mature than that of my peers. Today, what a marvelous result the anointing has engendered in me. I can say this for certain that had it not been for the anointing operating in my life I would never, never, never have turned up one‐tenth of what I am today. Because of the anointing I am a musician, an author, a pastor, a husband, a motivation consultant, a good friend, a father, a leader, some might even say I am a statesman. Who would have thought that a depressed, afraid, and dull guy would turn out to be the luminary I am now, an inspiration across the world. Every time I read mail from people that have been touched by my sermons or were healed when I ministered in their country, or church, or of someone that loved and was transformed when they read my books or listened to my music, I am soooooooo humbled. I always give God the glory because I am constantly aware that it is not by

might, not by power but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). My friend, the anointing wants to do a lasting work in your life. It does not matter who you are or what you have become, whatever the case may be the anointing can cause complete and total change. This is evident all through the scriptures. That is why I share that the anointing can get anyone started irrespective of the odds against them. We see the anointing change Moses from a recluse that had given up in life to becoming a national hero and leader that would deliver a people that had suffered 430 years of bondage. We also see other recluses like Gideon, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon and Jeremiah being transformed into prominent national leaders. In the New Testament we behold a weak and erratic Peter become a strong and stable leader of the church in Jerusalem even as we are shown how a raging fanatic, Saul, become a focused and composed leader of the church among the Gentiles. Everybody God called and anointed, he changed by reason of the anointing. As discipline becomes crucial for the days we are living in I am confident that the anointing is able to cause God’s people to walk in a more stringent route of discipline than that exhibited by the Pharisees. Part of the problem with indiscipline in the Church is not because we have not been talking about it. The problem has been that we have been discussing and teaching

it without emphasizing the role played by the anointing. Now we know that without the anointing discipline is a futile exercise. I particularly love the promise God makes through the Prophet Ezekiel when he says:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:26‐27)

God makes it rather clear where we are to derive the ability to walk in discipline. By virtue of the Spirit in us, He would enable us to be obedient to God so that we walked according to His will. When I combine this prophecy with that of Prophet Joel who talks of God pouring His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days, I am convinced that we are going to see change and discipline being manifested in the most unprecedented level in the church today. I believe that all this hungering for the anointing going on is going to culminate in a move of discipline as we have never witnessed before. Entire cities and villages will change as people abandon casual lifestyles in preference for a more disciplined walk with God. If this were not the case, the scriptures would not say that He is coming for a church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). Well, most people are aware that the anointing does not only change people. It is able to change anything. The anointing changed Moses’ rod to a snake. It changed the River Nile to

blood, the water at the wedding at Cana to wine. The anointing can change a desert land to an amazing ground for harvest. In the scriptures, we see the anointing changing 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to an abundant supply of food that fed 5,000 people without counting the women and children. We also see the anointing change the fortunes of people. When Peter had caught nothing all night, we see the anointing enabling him to catch more that his net could carry. At some points in the scriptures we see the anointing changing weather. When Elijah prayed, the weather was changed by the anointing so that there was famine for 3 years. Again he prayed, and again by reason of the anointing there was an abundance of rain. When the disciples of Jesus were appalled and afraid of drowning because of the storm we see Jesus command both the sea and the wind by reason of the anointing. There is nothing on earth that the anointing cannot do. I am convinced that the believer is greatly advantaged by virtue of the fact that he/she has the anointing in his/her life. I believe it was with this in mind that the Apostle Paul exclaims that he can do all things through Christ which strengthens him (Philippians 4:13). It is also with this in mind that God asks Jeremiah whether anything is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:26‐ 27).

ACTS OF THE LAST DAYS

All around us we are surrounded with impact. This is a generation of impact where results matter. Knowledge has increased as the Prophet Daniel prophesied and with it development. The impact of scientific advancement in itself is universal and too incredible to discuss in any single discourse. Commercial advancement, religious advancement, political advancement, cultural advancement, and several others make this the most impacted generation to have lived on the earth. Without causing impact one should never expect to catch the attention of this generation. And that is why I am excited about the anointing in these last days. I believe the Church of Jesus Christ is living in its generation. We are a people of impact and God is steadily moving His bride from the background of life to the forefront of the world. In these days, the people who know their God shall do exploits (Daniel 11:32). We are going to impact this generation more than any other development because we have the greatest force in the entire universe – the anointing. When speaking on the last days the Master asked whether when He returns He would find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8). My friends, as you read this book I urge you to join this end time move of the Spirit and become a proof‐producer. The anointing on you is not intended to be idle. You have to bear fruit and testimony of what God is able to do. I strongly believe that the reason the early Church were so

demonstrative of the anointing can be traced to their faith in these matters. They knew who they had believed and who they had received. They believed in Jesus and were confident they had received the Holy Spirit. The result was an explosion of activity that Dr. Luke euphemistically dubs the Acts of the Apostles. Today, even more believe on the Lord Jesus, much more than in bible days. And even more, have indeed received His Holy Spirit. However, part of the reason why quite a number do not move in the same demonstration as in the book of Acts is simply because many are not aware of how to operate the anointing. It’s not that they do not have the Holy Spirit or believe on the Lord Jesus. They do but are ignorant on how to put the anointing to work. It is to this subject that I must now turn for when believers are equipped with this knowledge, the gun will be loaded and the game done! Brace yourself for action like never before. The world’s stage has had all kinds of casts but there is a new dominance of the Church as we come to the closure of the play of life in this world as more in the body of Christ are aware of what to do with the anointing. I can confidently predict that it will be an impact production. And it is my hope that as you read this book you are conscripted to be a part of the cast.

PART THREE

GOING ON TO GREATER GLORY

OPERATING THE ANOINTING

No doubt a very important and vast subject: Operating the anointing or sometimes called operating in the anointing or proof‐producing is a vital experience that all in the body of Christ should master. Once the believer assumes this role, things change ‐ the devil is shifted from the fore to under the believer’s foot. And the believer in turn is promoted to the heavenly realms where he/she reigns in life with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Operating in the anointing is the key to victorious Christian living. The fact that many in the body of Christ currently wallow in defeat is testimony of the ignorance many suffer from concerning how to operate the anointing. They believe in the Lord Jesus, they have the Holy Spirit but are unaware of how to operate the anointing. Sadly, this has been an ongoing concern among God’s people. In the Old Testament, God laments how His people perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I love the way Pastor Chris

Oyakhilome compared the believer that is ignorant of how to operate the anointing to people that have a generator during a power cut but are unaware of how to use the device. So they are left with the darkness and the generator. Well, its time we learnt how to put the power to work and kick the devil out! In this chapter I seek to provide an in‐depth discussion on how to operate the anointing. Hopefully many who study it will learn a lot. The proof of this knowledge will be an exercise in the resurrecting power of God. I look forward to receiving mail on account of this chapter in itself. It is important that we realize that this experience was never intended to be shared among a discreet section in the body of Christ as many think. It’s amazing how many believers think that operating the anointing is a privilege for a chosen few. Most think the prerogative has been given to leaders in the body of Christ (usually they disqualify themselves from this responsibility). Consequently, we witness today many in the body of Christ not waiting upon the Lord as such but waiting on the pastor, prophet, apostle or teacher before they can see God do something for them. And if they are in Africa they will despise their pastor and even wait for someone to come from across the world to operate the anointing on their behalf. As far as they are concerned, operating the anointing is only for those who have been “specially” called to do the Father’s will.

Unfortunately, many leaders have encouraged this tendency by impressing a sense of cultish devotion and dubious dependency upon the saints. I know of some servants of God who have so mastered this art of manipulation to the extent that those who are caught in this evil web of deception are entirely dependent on them for everything. It is sad that even as the bride of Christ must indeed be preparing to receive her groom one can still find idolatry in her quarters. You find believers who depend on everything from their marriage, family, children, business to their plans for vacation, vocation, interpretation of dreams and even, personal effects like dressings and hairstyles on a mere man, or woman, for that matter. These congregations are really in bondage and have not been set free. The scriptures declare that where the Spirit of the Lord is there will be liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). I am sure these kind of leaders would hate to think of a book like this that seeks to explain in detail how one can receive and operate the anointing, getting into the hands of what they mistake to be “ordinary” believers. Never mind my friend, it is the Father’s good pleasure that you know these things so that you may be his workmanship, doing those things He set in advance for you to do before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10). And just for your information, there are no ordinary believers. As long as one is in Christ they are a new creation, a supernatural, extraordinary being (2 Corinthians 5:17). They are born of God, sons of the Most High (John 1:12).

The whole of creation waits in eager expectation that they are revealed (Romans 8:19). The critical reason why they are concealed is the failure to operate the anointing. On the other hand is a different category of believers who are yearning to know how to demonstrate the power of God. If you have read this work to this point you must be one of them. I am reminded of the question that the crowds asked our Master, “What might we do that we may do the works of God?”(John 6:28). It is important that we realize that Jesus did not rebuke them for this desire. He went so far as to furnish them with an answer. In his own words, “Believe on the Father and also on His Son (John 6:29). Jesus so wanted them to know how to operate the anointing that He actually taught all His disciples how to do so. At some point in His ministry He actually sent them out to do what He had taught them. They returned with great joy celebrating the works of the Holy Spirit as they operated the anointing (Luke 10:1‐17). And when one of the disciples in turn reported with concern similar developments by a gentleman that was “not one of them” seeking even to hinder him from operating the anointing, Jesus rebuked them. As far as He was concerned anyone operating the anointing should not be hindered (Mark 9:38‐40). Jesus was keen that as many as desired operated the anointing. This was also the case of Moses the great Prophet who lamented how he wished that all of Israel were prophets

and that the Lord’s Spirit rested on them (Numbers 11:29). Paul was another one who was so keen to see that all he taught were able to operate in the anointing. Writing to the church in Corinth he cautions them not to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1‐11). And when he advised his young friend Timothy on vital aspects concerning the church he cautioned him to stir (read, operate) the gift in him that he received with the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14). James another Apostle was emphatic when he wrote to all believers that their faith be followed with action (James 2:14‐19). His short but very authoritative letter is a step‐by‐step instruction on how to operate the anointing and we shall employ its significant points to guide this very important discussion.

ATTITUDE vs. ALTITUDE

James begins by urging the believers on keeping their joy when they suffer all kinds of temptations, tests and trials, a most useful advice for anyone seeking to operate the anointing (James 1:2). Quite a number of believers in the Lord falsely assume that when they get the anointing they will be devoid of any challenges. In fact, many seek the anointing in order to avoid challenges and yet the reverse is often the case. The anointing, as I have discussed in the third chapter, will subject one to tests. More significantly though, is the fact that tests provide a field for the operation of the anointing.

Many do not realize that the anointing does not seek to be an inert force sitting in the inside of a person. He is active and always ready for action. Consequently, challenges are a welcome development for the operation of the anointing. James knew this. He understood that the power of God triumphs over all kinds of challenges be they temptations, tests or trials. No doubt he had experience in these matters. At the time he made that communication, his own life was in danger and so was that of most of the church. Many may have been discouraged having joined this new faith only to be besieged by all manners of challenges. In this apparently difficult context James brings them to the attention of a vital fact. He tells them to be joyous. Jesus had said something similar when He taught at Mount Olives. He had told His disciples to rejoice when they are persecuted for the sake of the kingdom (Matthew 5:11‐12). This kind of joy is not an ordinary joy such as the one that is witnessed by the sons of this world who rejoice over experiencing personal advantages. It is a special kind of joy that bears a radical perspective to the prevailing circumstances. This is the joy that the scriptures call “the joy of the Lord”. It is not a joy that excites the flesh; it is a deep kind of joy that is motivated by the Spirit of God. That is why the scriptures continues to compare it to the strength of the Lord when he says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah

8:10). That joy is an inner witness that in spite of the challenges we endure we will eventually turn out victorious. You see the Spirit who communicates this joy in the believer knows that when the devil comes like a flood, He will raise the standard (Isaiah 59:19). In other words, challenges do not come to put us down. Rather they are God’s means of promoting His saints and servants. No doubt James was motivated and inspired by the testimony of Jesus. He was a personal witness to the several persecutions Jesus had endured at the hands of unbelieving teachers of the law. But he had also seen how in spite of their frantic efforts to frustrate His ministry God had increased His favor and glory on Jesus so much that even his detractors marveled at what He did and how He taught (John 7:14‐15). No doubt in his mind James must have had the fact that it was indeed the crucifixion and death of Jesus that had led to His exaltation above all in heaven and earth. He also must have remembered the profound lesson on spiritual promotion the Lord meted to yet another James and his brother John when they requested to be at His right and left in His kingdom. The Master had subsequently asked if they could drink of the cup of his suffering. He continued to teach them how in His kingdom, the way up is indeed down (Mark 10:35‐45). Beloved, this is the way to operate the anointing in your life. When you witness challenges see them as stepping stones

rather than mountains that cannot be moved. Your attitude will always change your altitude. Your perspective in challenging times is a critical factor in operating the anointing. To be sure, the challenges one faces are really the initial raw materials for us to activate the immense strength at work in the inside of us. What many believers ought to know is that the anointing was never and is never ignorant concerning whatever challenge the believer faces. Long before these challenges show up on your door, the anointing was aware of it. It is also important that you understand that there is no challenge in the entire world that can surmount the anointing in your life. Nothing!!! I love it the way the Apostle John encourages us when he says, “Greater is He that is in you than the devil that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Paul compounds it by asserting that in all challenges “we are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). Consequently, believers need to take advantage of this knowledge and ride above the challenges in life which have only come to raise us higher. It is interesting to note that throughout the scriptures the most challenged persons were indeed the most uplifted persons. It seems to me that whenever God wanted to promote His people, He set a challenge before them. That was the case with the three Hebrew boys in the times of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel as well in the time of Darius, Moses as well before

Pharaoh, Joshua in the land of Canaan, Gideon against the Midianites, Samuel against the Philistines, David against the house of Saul and against the Philistines, and many others. As I mentioned above, Jesus who is indeed the author and finisher of our faith bears the greatest example in this regard, no one in scripture so mastered the art of operating the anointing than He did. The scriptures actually testify of how He was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure and how He went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). This same Jesus was often times rejected, persecuted, tried, until His adversaries actually killed Him. And yet, in spite of these adversities His ministry grew stronger and stronger as they only served to evoke a higher standard from the Holy Spirit. It is encouraging that He promised that we too will suffer even as He did. I believe that in such times, we ought to be like Jesus knowing that the Kingdom of God advances by force! (Matthew 11: 12).

FAITH AND ACTION

Something else James brings to our attention in relation to temptations has a lot of significance to operating the anointing. He mentions how it is impossible for a double minded person to receive anything from God (James 1:6‐ 8).

Here the Apostle is talking about faith when we pray. It is vital that we realize that the anointing that is in us is derived from the Spirit of Christ who is indeed the Spirit of faith. James is saying something so vital here if we will operate the anointing in our lives or not. In fact, many fail at this point. Many that have the anointing doubt the power available for their benefit. Many simply do not believe. Certainly these will obtain nothing from the anointing and will not even seek to operate what they do not believe. It is like someone who receives a car and doubts whether it is a car. One can be certain that for as long as such a person does not believe that they were given a car they will not get to use it. So they may have it in their garage but it remains unused even though it is in their possession. Similarly, those that have received the anointing and doubt its ability may have the anointing inhabiting but not functioning in their lives. So they are confronted with challenges and they face them as mere men and women. This seems to have been the problem of Israel in the wilderness who complained and murmured at every challenge they faced as though God and His presence was not with them. So often they tested God’s patience in the wilderness to the point that He actually judged them. My friend, unbelief is quite costly once the anointing is in your life. This is indeed the dilemma many believers in Christ face without knowledge. Most of what they suffer is not persecution but the consequence of having the anointing in

their lives but doubting its ability to deal with the issues of life. When we doubt the ability of the anointing we invite discipline from God. Remember, He prunes every branch that does not bear fruit (John 15:5‐6). But this is not all that James is saying. I know quite a number of believers who will say, “I believe but my faith is weak.” This is the kind of person that has faith mixed with unbelief. James calls such a person a double‐minded person who he asserts should expect NOTHING from God. Such a person, James reveals to us “is unstable in all he does.” I believe this is so vital for today’s believer. In a world where hearts have grown cold, where human secular knowledge has increased exponentially, where challenges are myriad, more complex and threatening than they have ever been before, it is seemingly difficult for many to have strong faith. However, although it may be more difficult than former times (this, though, is disputable by especially those who exercised faith in those times) it is not necessarily impossible. That is why to answer the Masters question regarding the times we are living as to whether when the Son of Man returns He shall find faith on the earth I often say “Yes, He will!” It is possible, so possible to have strong faith today. In fact, I believe that this generation is going to have more faith than any generation that has ever lived on the earth. These are the days of faith. These present dangers have only come to

separate the wicked form the righteous, those who live by sight form those who live by faith. So when you hear the media reports on the impending calamities like bird flu, earth quakes, floods, climatic change, wars and rumors of wars rejoice rather than despair because God is going to prove Himself to those who believe on His Name. The dangers are selection criteria for those who will overcome and endure to the end (Matthew 10:22). That is why the Prophet Daniel tells us that it is the people that know their God that will do exploits (Daniel 11:32). To maximally operate the anointing strong faith is required. Strong faith requires that one believes doubting nothing and acting on those convictions and is distinguished from great faith which is really the result of sufficient amounts of the word of God on an issue. Consequently, it is important that we realize that it is not sufficient to have enormous amounts of the word of God on an issue and yet not be able to act on what we know. For many, great faith has not been converted to strong faith. The scriptures declare that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, and although many have heard and acquired great faith they have not necessarily developed this great faith into something strong. Unfortunately, many simply have a religious experience of faith in Jesus and not a practical experience. That is why it is important today for us to understand the concept of strong faith. Apart from receiving the word of God, strong faith acts

on the word. It is important to note that one may actually not have great faith in the sense that I have explained but yet in turn have strong faith, even very strong faith for that matter. This may mark the difference between some African ministers and those from the western world. While the former may never have gone to theological school and correspondingly are limited in their knowledge of the word compared to the latter, they nevertheless get more opportunity to act on their faith than their colleagues in the western world. So we have men and women in Africa who just the other day were witches but they turn to the Lord and must then contend with principalities that seek to kill them. Such a convert is so quickly placed in the position to put the little they know in action if they must live. The result is that in a short while this new convert is running a deliverance ministry casting out devils that his western counterpart is studying about in the theological college. He has the experience, his friend bears the knowledge. If you ask me, both the knowledge and experience are most vital. However, when it comes to operating the anointing action is more necessary than knowledge. I believe that is why Jesus in the gospel several times spoke of faith the size of a mustard seed being able to yield a great result (Matthew 17:20). Again He compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew into a great tree (Matthew 13:31). My dear friend, combine your faith with action and the anointing will simply do the rest.

DIVINE WISDOM

James continues to tell us of one more vital requirement that is so vital in operating the anointing – divine wisdom. This is of course a different kind of wisdom from the one of this world. It is a wisdom that is from above, concerned about the things above more than things about us. James describes it when he explains that it comes from heaven and is:

first of all pure; then peace‐loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

This wisdom is divine. It is a gift from above and is manifested in a person as a result of submitting to the counsel of the Mighty Holy Spirit. Beloved, this was the promise God made in Christ when He said that He would send the Counselor. He is not merely another counselor, Jesus referred to Him as the Counselor. The believer in Christ has this incredible privilege to receive word of advice loaded with supernatural knowledge. I submit to you that the recipient of this counsel is above each and every circumstance in this world. The reason being that such a person is gaining understanding far superior than whatever challenge he/she may face. Following his own personal experience in this wisdom, King Solomon states with much authority in the Proverbs:

There is no wisdom, no insight, and no plan that can succeed against the Lord (Proverbs 21: 30).

Throughout the bible, God avails tested and proven evidence of this wisdom. In Joseph, we have an incredible encouragement account of how a vulnerable, betrayed, exiled, sold slave rose to amazing heights because of submitting to this wisdom. Joseph was a simple young man that overcame damning circumstances that would ordinarily sentence any man to a life long sentence of depravity and oblivion. When he’s brothers sold him as a slave to Egyptian traders this young man was abandoned to the cold wind of ill‐fate. He entered Egypt with nothing. He had no property, no capital to start business, no equipment to operate, no partnership with a local to guarantee patronage. He did not even have his favorite garment as it had been torn and soaked with blood to provide false evidence of his apparent death. Beloved, that may be your situation or you may be facing one or so similar challenges. It may be that you are ill‐equipped, or have been betrayed and abandoned by a loved one or partner and are at great loss as to how you can start out again. It may even be that you are in a foreign country with no sufficient knowledge of the culture norms of the nationals there but that is all surmountable if you submit to the wisdom of God. Joseph found himself promoted above Egyptian slaves in the house of his master Potiphar. As he paid heed to divine wisdom, he

manifested incredible skill and superior knowledge so much that the work of his master succeeded on account of him. My freind, success is possible for all who submit to the knowledge of God. The incredible power He has deposited in the inside of us will operate in ones life unleashing success at a level previously unknown in such a life or by those who knew such a person. Joseph’s brothers had never themselves known that their little brother was able to bring household success in the way Potiphar got to observe and acknowledge. Your family may not have been aware of your potential but once you listen to God’s counsel you certainly have gone to a different league from the one they have always known you. As you beseech God for this wisdom, get ready to surprise family members. And if your family has been one of those with a list of past failures, you will be the beginning of a new success story that will change that testimony. And just in case the devil wants to take the glory by considering that he is the source of your promotion, God will often raise the stakes to such a level that you and everyone observing will consider that all the glory is His. When the devil sought to cause Joseph succumb to him as though he owed him anything, Joseph used the same wisdom to resist him. He told the seductive adulteress wife of his master who wanted to sleep with him that he could not commit such a folly before the eyes of the Lord. He knew his source of prestige was not in

the hands of the devil but God. Although the woman sought to have him pay for his upright decision with a prison sentence, Joseph knew that this plan could not rob him of the blessing of divine wisdom he had. Moreover, you need to understand that the devil cannot take you away. They thought that by throwing Joseph in prison they were taking him away. Beloved, no one can take you away once the Lord’s wisdom is operating in your life. In fact, wherever they think they are sending you God will turn their counsel to your service. Soon the enemy will realize that rather than take you away he actually brought you closer to your destiny than he realized. As in the case of Joseph where God turned his prison sentence to a pathway to the palace where he was made the Prime Minister of Egypt, God will always reward those who depend on His wisdom with an incredible end to their trials. Divine wisdom will operate the grace of God in your life. Joseph experienced this grace in exile, as a slave, in prison, and before Pharaoh. He was able to solve Pharaoh’s intractable dream before a counsel of elders and wise men that had failed. God will always set a problem that only those who pay heed to His voice can solve. Did you know that there are problems that only God can solve? Listen to His voice and you will be one of those people the world will rely upon to resolve what are often intractable problems; problems that have failed everyone. At

these points, the reward of a life submitted to the counsel of God will compensate for all the trials you have gone to. Although initially, functioning in this wisdom will have testing circumstances do not give up. The time will come when God will promote you before everyone. What may have been scorned by many in the beginning will soon be esteemed before many. Pharaoh, observed at the dismay of all his counselors (including Potiphar) that there was no one in the whole of Egypt that had such wisdom as was manifest in Joseph. Beloved, God will reward you incredibly for listening to His voice and paying heed to His wisdom. It is amazing that the results of the life long experience of divine wisdom allowed Joseph to exercise the anointing in him in such varied levels of skill that involved political leadership, food security, migration, and minority support. God used Joseph to exercise governing skills that improved Egypt, provided for the world, including saving his own family. Others like Joseph in the Holy Scriptures include Jacob who saw the wisdom of God cause him to succeed against the exploitation of his uncle Laban; Isaac, Jacob’s father, who by the wisdom of God became so blessed as to become richer than the nation of Philistine where he was an economic refugee; Daniel whose testimony on account of ministering the wisdom of God made him a prophet to the nation of Israel in exile and a Prime Minister for three successive regimes in the foreign land of Babylon. However, it is the testimony of King

Solomon that tells a most moving account of the benefit of divine wisdom in the Old Testament. When Solomon asked for it, God was so moved that He gave Him all things (1 King 3:5‐13). Beloved, I am convinced that divine wisdom is a master key to operating the anointing. Although Solomon was appointed King of Israel, he was humble enough to acknowledge that operating a kingly anointing required a sufficient kind of knowledge. This knowledge is divine wisdom. However, the most amazing and telling account of the pivotal role divine wisdom has in operating the anointing, is the testimony of Jesus Christ. For one, He was the most anointed person to ever live. He was filled with the Holy Spirit beyond measure (John 3:34). Yet a careful study of his ministry and life bears the evidence of divine wisdom in several regards. As early as the age of twelve we are shown how He was already manifesting such knowledge as to mesmerize the teachers and scribes. In fact, I wish to submit the revelation that before beginning His wonderful ministry Jesus prayed and studied to gain divine wisdom. He knew how necessary it was to have it so as to be able to operate in the incredible anointing that he gained once the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The result was a mighty move of God such as had never been seen in Judea and Jerusalem. Even, His most vicious critics were able to admit that He was wise beyond explanation (John 7:14‐15) and were equally astonished at how He ministered the anointing in such ways as they had never witnessed before and

they wondered whether any one would ever do greater miracles than He did (John 7:31). The same pattern can be seen in His disciples. In fact before He sent them to minister, an opportunity that saw the operation of the anointing at levels that were as amazing as His, He had first imparted this divine wisdom in them. He had taught them, several times speaking to them plainly (Matthew 13:10‐23). He spent three years imparting this wisdom in them. This wisdom begins with the fear of God (Proverbs 9:10). He had taught them not to fear the one who can harm the body but the one who can get both body and soul and throw it in hell (Matthew 10:28). When you fear God above everything, you will be bold to work His works. That is why when Peter and John were prohibited to minister in the Name of Jesus they questioned the Sanhedrin whether it was wise to fear men and disobey God (Acts 4:7‐20). In all the years that I have ministered in the anointing in a ministry that has witnessed miracles, signs and wonders, I have been persecuted and scorned for doing the works of God. Sometimes by those outside the body of Christ but many times by believers who should know better but who, for lack of divine wisdom have failed to operate the anointing and would not have any do so. I have been doubted by Pastors, criticized by Bishops, ridiculed by graduates of Theology who have questioned the wisdom of God. Some, like the Pharisees, have

persecuted those who operate the anointing thinking that they are doing God a service. Should we relent to these skeptics? No! A thousand times no! We are duty bound according to the wisdom of God to perform His works. It is the fool who does not believe (Psalm 14:1) but the Master said if we believe we too shall do these works, even greater works than He did (John 14:12). The only reason why many do not is because they refuse to seek the Lord for His wisdom which should enable them to operate the anointing that may indeed be in their lives. Beloved, let Christ reign as wisdom to you and you will see the works of God on a regular basis.

USEFUL AND FRUITFUL

Whatever God gives you He expects that you should use it. He is not patient with waste, negligence or importunity. He will not have any of it and has in fact appointed a day when all have to account for the opportunities He gave each and every one of us. This is the Day of Judgment and just for your information, this judgment begins in the House of God. What

are you doing with the anointing that God has put in your life? Have you put it to use? Do you realize that God gave it to you in order to accomplish an assignment? One day, you will have to account for what you did with the anointing. Operating the anointing is a most vital necessity for both the world and the Church today. The world needs to witness the results of the anointing because for most of them believing on God without any evidence is impossible. Many will believe because of witnessing the results of the anointing. Operating the anointing offers many who do not believe an opportunity to witness the works of God. For many, it is a chance to be ministered to personally by a God hitherto estranged by years of false religion. Ministering in Africa where many people survive on minimal provisions unable to get professional medical service and seek witch craft not out of choice but necessity, I have seen the anointing heal people that were hopeless. I am glad for the benefit of operating the anointing. I am reminded of a woman who came to one of my meetings in Africa with a child with two sexes. She asked me to pray that one of the sexes would disappear. I told her to go check in the restroom and that the sex she did not like would have disappeared. This lady had no help. She was so poor and could not afford to take the child for an operation. And yet by reason of the anointing the other sex disappeared. The lady begun to scream right from the restroom because the female genitalia had disappeared!

My friend, there are many in this world, that in ignorance some have called God‐forsaken, but in truth the anointing in your life is all they need to make it. If you do not operate that anointing they die for nothing. Like Joseph, the time has come for you to come out of your prison cell of fear, doubt, anxiety and foolishness and save a world only we can save in the Mighty Name of Jesus by reason of the anointing. Someone in your family, in your neighborhood, in your office, in your school, wherever, whosoever, is awaiting you to operate the gift of the anointing in your life. It is for this reason that Jesus said we are the light of the world. Again He said that we are the salt of the world (Matthew 5:13‐16). Yet, we must not take it lightly that He warned us that if the salt looses its saltiness then it is better thrown out and trampled on. I wish to submit that the reason why the church is so often trampled on is simply because we have not allowed our salt to operate in the world. If the Church is going to move from being trampled to actually triumphing over the world then it should operate the anointing. The scriptures declare that your gift shall make room for you (Proverbs 18: 16). God has given this world to us. We shall dominate it by reason of the anointed One and His anointing. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift of all and operating the anointing offers the greatest opportunity of all. I believe the word when it declares that whatsoever is born of

God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). We are born of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and we overcome the world by operating the anointing he imparts in our lives. The Church needs to operate the anointing or risk being damned both in this world and in the world to come. The tree that does not bear fruit shall be thrown in the fire (John 15:6). As such, operating in the anointing is not only a prerequisite for action, promotion, prosperity, and protection but is also a means of making sure our salvation.

ENJOYING THE DOUBLE COMBINATION

Life is good and can always get better. The means by which this is possible is the double combination of the anointing and discipline. Contrary to those who presume that salvation is only a life of don’ts and prohibitions I for one believe that a life with the Lord is the most incredible life there is. It’s a life with opportunities, with dynamic events loaded with profit and pounds of immeasurable pleasure. It is a sweet life where one encounters the amazing love of God, which for your information David regarded better than life (Psalm 63: 3). And many would testify to this: Life in God, filled and anointed with His Spirit, and walking in His counsel, is the most fulfilling experience one can ever have. That is why I talk of enjoying the double combination. The anointing occasions good graces that convert a life from mediocrity and monotonous boredom to one that is constantly swirling in success, peace and momentous delight. Yes, the anointing will turn your ashes into beauty, your cries into songs, and your pains into pleasures. Discipline, on the other hand, will sustain it and promote it to amazing levels. Are you worn out with the dreary business of an unchanging life? Do you need more passion in a loveless marriage? Or, are you in torment and fright, in a dilemma as to how you will ever

come out of an addiction or a prison sentence? Whatever the circumstance of your life the anointing and discipline are more than suited to the occasion. It may be so bad that in your mind and experience you cannot see light at the end of the tunnel. My dear, do not sweat. The double combination is more than able to turn that situation around. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). Whatever the previous event or/and condition of your life, I have good news for you: God is going to stir a new wind of blessing, and am not talking about relief or just a modest adjustment as some have been “careful” to suggest. No! You do not serve a cheap, second‐rate, trying‐to‐get‐by God. When we talk of power from on‐high, we are talking extremes. I am talking about overflowing, mind blowing, and very exciting blessings. Not just for you but even for those dear to you. And if you are indeed faithful to operate the anointing, you will certainly administer this great life to the benefit of others, including masses of people spread around the world. I wish to clarify something at this point: While it is indeed true that the anointing will test you, that you will pay a dear price for walking in it, it is equally true that because of the anointing you will experience benefits that far out class whatever trouble

you will suffer. I have recently concluded a three message series that I am quickly converting to a book entitled ‐ Called of God: The Powers, Pains and Privileges of serving the Most High, in which I elaborate on what I call‐ The Privileges of the Call. These privileges are what I refer to when I talk about enjoying the double combination. The point is vital: Many quit the desire for the anointing because of the discipline commensurate with it. What they do not realize is that they forsake their glory for lying vanities (Jonah 2:8). On balance, it is far much better to be anointed and disciplined than not to be. To be sure, a lack of both is the principle reason why people are burdened with cares and yoked in bondages. There is so much suffering going on in the lives of many people because they are powerless and trapped in sin and rebellion. Consequently, the devil is given room in their lives to be able to cause them to be distressed, depressed, and oppressed. Without the anointing hearts faint and minds are paralyzed for lack of a solution. And in the absence of discipline, slaves of darkness find themselves hopelessly bound to a negative cycle of loss. On the other hand, the yoke of the enemy is broken by reason of the anointing, triggering the dawning of a new day‐ a day of liberty, of prosperity, of peace and healing. Jesus, speaking of the anointing said:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18‐19).

Discipline ensures that what breaks by reason of the anointing remains that way. It guarantees an irreversible process of increase and prosperity that will catapult its bearer to untold blessings forever. Although David was anointed and valued the anointing, he also knew so well the benefits of the Lord’s discipline to say:

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth forever. Unto

the righteous there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved forever: the

righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance (Psalm 112:1‐6). What this world that is clouded with problem‐laden and failure stricken people and communities needs is not more money or powerful individuals with the usual empty promises but the power of the Holy Ghost combined with the character of God.

Like I stated in the beginning, the anointing will get you started. For many whose life is stuck in the mire of decay and squalor, what is desperately needed is the anointing. The anointing will change each and every negative circumstance. It will propel a new dimension of real pleasure as against the artificial, synthetic and empty pleasure the merchants of this world are peddling before people. Discipline will keep it that way and for the most part ensure a continuous exercise of success and blessing. For that matter, the anointing and discipline are better than gold, better than money, better than friends, better than events. The double combination will do for you what beautiful women can never do, what a lot of wealth can never do, what a lot of entertainment can never do. I urge you my friend to gain these incredible virtues, they are an oil of gladness that will literally exchange your tears for joy, your ashes for beauty, and your pain for pleasure (Isaiah 61:3).

GOODNESS IS COMING

So get happy, get really happy my friend, the double combination will bring goodness along your way. The anointing is going to covert you into a recipient of goodness and mercies (Psalm 23:6). I can assure you: Wherever the anointing is, a preparation for liberty, prosperity, peace and abundance should follow. The anointing has a magnetic ability to attract beauty. No matter what has been pertaining before, the

anointing will institute a new order of privileges that will make life easier, classier, and better. And once you begin operating in it, you will be seen moving forward from glory to glory. The anointing can never leave you abandoned or isolated. Once you have it, it will attract the right resources and the right people to assist in realizing the purpose for it in your life. Notice that King David declared that goodness and mercies shall follow him after he had confessed, “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). A lot of people can testify to this experience. Lives have been multiplied, opportunities magnified as a result of the anointing. The scriptures several times testify of this supernatural productive ability of the anointing. The case of Isaac tells a lot about what I am talking about: Isaac, the son of Abraham had of course received the anointing from his father. At some point in his life, he found himself in exile as an economic refugee. The times were hard and it seemed as though he was getting worse than the other way round. It is instructive that the word for the anointing is interchangeably used with the blessing (as different from blessings which are the result of the blessing) in the earlier accounts of the scriptures. In Isaac’s case, the scripture reveals how God encourages him to sow seed in spite of the famine assuring him of a harvest of blessings. The result was that while everyone else was reeking from the difficulty of the time Isaac was distinguished for his

prosperity. In fact, God so increased his harvest in spite of the drought and hardened ground that he reaped a hundredfold (Genesis 26:12). His wealth so multiplied in these negative circumstances that he became richer than the nation he’d south refuge in (Genesis 26:13‐16). What made Isaac peculiar in those hard times was the anointing upon his life and the necessary discipline to obey God’s instruction. Operating the anointing gave him amazing advantages when everyone else was complaining of scarcity. The anointing will cause you to rise in each and every circumstance. You cannot get stuck. Once the anointing is operating in your life, you will move mountains. Impossibilities become possibilities and miracles become the order of the day. No matter the odds, goodness will prevail. It does not matter what the general or prevailing circumstances are. While others are crying the anointing will put a song in your mouth. He will fill your life with goodness. That is Isaac’s testimony. Not because of his skill or ability but by reason of the anointing in his life. When others are reaping nothing and complaining and murmuring, the combination of the anointing and discipline will give you a different record. You will excel and distinguish yourself among men. What is more, the ground and all the elements of creation cooperate with the anointing. Just as in Isaac’s case where the hardened ground and dry weather yet allowed him to have a

multifold harvest, so shall you see creation work for you. This is another way of understanding the fact that “all things work together for good for those who love Jesus and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whatever God created becomes a servant at your service to ensure your programmed success by reason of the anointing. Why? Well, simply because the anointing in your life comes with privileges, supernatural privileges, privileges that should ensure that you are peculiar. It is to this special category of eminent persons that the prophet Isaiah calls upon to arise and shine because the glory of God rises on them (Isaiah 60:1). When the glory combines with the anointing, a chain reaction of goodness results making life better and better all around. You literally become a venue for miracles and pleasure. The anointing will attract the best that life has to offer and you will be the better for it. What is more, kings and princes will celebrate with you because the anointing will promote you and cause them to be colleagues and friends. In their company, the anointing will cause them to share with you all good things. That is the reason why Daniel and Joseph were made Prime Ministers in foreign lands. It also explains why Esther was crowned queen in Persia in spite of the treacherous and cold‐blooded malice of Haman. In a sense, it explains why even at birth Jesus was able to receive three stately wise men bearing gifts. A careful study

of the life and ministry of Jesus will reveal that goodness was a constant theme of His business with men. I love it the way Dr. Luke spoke of Christ when He said:

How Jesus was filled with the Holy Ghost and power and went about doing good and healing all who were

sick and oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). Jesus was a most highly anointed man and as a result goodness followed Him everywhere He went. Reading accounts of the gospel reveals the extent of this goodness. In many accounts it manifested in the healing of those who appealed to him. Whatever the ailment, whoever the victim was, Jesus released His virtue. There were miracles that did not involve sickness such as enabling struggling fishermen catch fish, or supplying wine in a wedding ceremony when it had run out (Luke 5:1‐7; John 2:1‐11). His compassion for a hungry crowd and His consequent multiplication of bread and fish goes so far to demonstrate the extent of goodness that was familiar with His company (Luke 9:12‐17, Matthew 15:29‐38). He enjoyed so much that religious leaders in His time were critical of how much pleasure He had. They weren’t only offended by His determination to heal sick people on the Sabbath. They went further than that and were irked by His social life and called Him a drunkard and a glutton (Luke 7:34). To be sure, the

anointing in His life programmed a series of goodness and enjoyment unparalleled by anyone else in history. Jesus showed us that life must be lived over the brim. He demonstrated that this was possible if we operated the anointing. His testimony was the most assuring account of how much life can be enjoyed with the anointing.

THE BONUS OF JOY

This onslaught of goodness will evoke a great amount of joy in your life. Oh yes, the anointing will cause a lot of laughter and praise will fill your mouth. The goodness I have just dwelled on is going to be accompanied with a constant sense of delight. The scriptures declare correctly that the blessings of God add no sorrow (Proverbs 10: 22). By that, I do not mean that you will not be tested. You definitely will. The glad tidings of the Lord will nevertheless meet stiff opposition from the enemy. Remember, he hates you and the kingdom of God. At every opportunity he seeks to devour and destroy the people of God, especially those He is good to. When he observed the good life of Job, he was provoked to destroy all of it. Thanks be to God who protected Job’s life. As long as Job had breath and remained a vessel that could

contain the anointing of God, it was a matter of time before all he had lost was restored. In fact, the anointing took it to another level for Job’s blessings were multiplied. I believe this is what the scriptures means when it states:

Though the devil comes like a flood, the Spirit of God raises the standard (Isaiah 59: 19).

Are you anointed brother? Is the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead resident in you? Don’t cry. I love it the way James counseled the early church when he said:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2).

He knew from both the word and experience that the joy of the Lord is a great strength (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy of the Lord is not merely a surface delirious bout of empty excitement. We are not dealing with facades here. God is not fake, He is more than real. The joy am blowing about is a deep innermost unction given by the anointing of the Holy Ghost at work in a believer. It is unlike the joy of the world that is premised on the pleasures of this world or the desires of the flesh. It is a joy deeper and richer than any joy you can ever get. The joy I am sharing about is a cloud of blessed assurance that saturates a person by reason of the anointing. And when it does, your trial becomes a stepping stone. People with this joy

in their depth are constantly aware of promotion, of a solution. They know down deep that they are never alone. In whatever circumstance, no matter how low the enemy may seek to take them, they are coming out. This is why you find some folk dancing and shouting in church and yet when you take a critical assessment of their plight you think, “How can they do that?” Some of them have no job, or lack a friend, or a house, or even family but it does not matter. Some may have just been informed by the doctor of a deadly viral infection like HIV/AIDS, or have an impending problem looming over their heads threatening to strike at any moment. No matter the situation, even in prison, ostracized, bound and constrained, they know that God is in‐charge. The joy in them is a sign of God’s great power at work. And they know that as long as God is working they cannot be kept bound. As long as God is working my dear, His immeasurable strength will overcome whatever enemy is poised against you. This was the experience of the maverick Apostle Paul and his friend Silas. When they were thrown in prison and locked in shackles of iron, they sensed their relief. The sign was the welling up of joy that burst out in acclamation of praise. As they sung praises and hymns the scriptures tell of how there was an earthquake that shook the ground of the prison causing its very walls to collapse and the shackles to be loosed off the hands of the prisoners (Acts 16:23‐ 26).

My dear friend, let that joy out. Do not despise it. The joy of the Lord is an incredible strength far greater than your imagination. Do not let negative thoughts of fear, worry and anxiety rob you of this immeasurable strength. Once you begin to joy in the Holy Ghost, those walls of limitation, hatred, debt and sickness will tumble down. Yes, greater is He that is in you than the devil that is in the world (1 John 4:4). In you the Lord of hosts is releasing joy that confirms His work for you and your victory. Did you know that when you joy in the Lord, you are actually celebrating with the Spirit of God? When you sing praises and hymns to the Lord you are actually glorifying Christ with the Holy Spirit. The point is that He then is obliged to manifest the meaning of your excitement. When the Holy Spirit witnesses your joy, He moves in action to make it complete. That is why the scriptures declare that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Meaning, that apart from the inner strength of the anointing there will be an outward attendance of Almighty God. The joy of the Lord is an open invitation to Him. Think about it: Picture God hearing praise rising to His impeccable throne in the Highest of Heaven and descending down to its source only to find an entrapped but divine enthusiast. Do you think He is cruel to enjoy your praise and leave you caught in trouble unfazed?

That is not the God we serve. He is loving, kind and good to all. Praise Him and He will descend to your rescue. I am actually convinced that the fastest means to realize the salvation of God in any circumstance is to engage His joy in utmost and sincere praise. And the anointing is the only means of doing this. When you operate the anointing in your life, you are really a perennial host of God’s delivering hand and comforting presence. And the presence of the Lord is really another awesome level of enjoyment that the world can never give you. Thanks be to the grace of God’s anointing at work in the life of a believer that enables them to be a sanctuary of God’s presence.

THE MARVEL OF HIS PRESENCE

It is a matter of great regret that the presence of the Lord is a mystery to many in the world who are caught in the snare of sin and carnality. As a result, many are more exposed to satanic influences that are out rightly destructive. As a servant of God that travels to several nations, I am amazed to witness the consciousness most people have about what the devil can do rather than what God is doing. Even among believers and even servants of God, there is a large number that will tell you more about what the devil has done or is doing or is about to do than about the Lord. What they do not realize is that in sensing the devil they actually program him to actualize his evil schemes. What you sense is what you get. If you are constantly

aware of Satan, you will always see his work. That explains to a large extent why there is so much suffering in poor communities around the world. Most of them are constantly aware of satanic whims and influences. On the other hand, are those who allow the anointing of God to usher them to a life constantly aware of the presence of God. The means that this may be realized in the life of the believer is by combining the anointing with discipline. Remember, the anointing will not stay in a polluted vessel. God will not continue to fill a filthy vessel with His awesome power as this will be disastrous both to the vessel and others. Consequently, once we receive the anointing we can only keep and increase it by walking in discipline, walking in the ways of God. When we do so, we attract the presence of God. And once the presence of the Lord shows up, His goodness will follow suit for in His presence there are pleasures forever more. The double combination therefore is the necessary recipe for one to carry the presence of the Lord with them. And I can assure you, that the presence of the Lord in itself is a definite cause of even more joy and pleasure. It is one of the most vital requirements in life. In fact, the presence of God is better than life, it is better than angels, it is better than wealth, it is better than Heaven; it is a most vital requirement.

It is very crucial that we consider that Jesus related eternal life, not to being in Heaven, or singing with the angels, or even living forever, but to being with the Father, being in His presence (John 17:3). Again, am reminded of Moses’ encounter with the Lord when offended by the people of Israel for worshipping an idol. He urged the prophet to move on to the Promised Land without Him but with an angel (Exodus 33:1‐6). Notice the value Moses attached to the presence of the Lord:

If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the people on the face of the

earth? (Exodus 33:15‐16).

Beloved, the presence of the Lord will distinguish you with goodness and pleasure. You will stand out among peers, bearing the mark of success, victory and excellence. It is the presence of the Lord that makes us peculiar, royal and priestly: Meaning that if we walk with God (in both His power and character) we shall be elevated to a status privilege that is divinely above all and subject to none. People enjoying this privilege are masters of all situations and victims of none. The Lord’s presence becomes a shield, a refuge, a tower of strength that enables them to be above and above only. What is more is

that they bring with them deliverance and healing wherever they go. This is the same presence that was upon the Apostle Peter in Jerusalem causing even his shadow to be a source of God’s healing power (Acts 5: 15‐16). It is the presence of the Lord that David went with in battles against his enemies. No wonder he was confident that a thousand would fall on his right hand and ten thousand on his other hand but there would be no evil that would come near him (Psalm 91:7). I believe that if we learn to abide in the presence of the Lord, we would occasion such a surrounding wall around us that would just be impenetrable by the enemy. The presence of the Lord becomes a fortress, a shield from forces of despair, destruction and depression. Unfortunately, many believers do not realize this and seek from the Lord perishable and shallow things that would never sustain joy, peace and pleasure. They will cry to the Lord for a job, or a spouse, or property rather than seek Him for His presence. They will hardly do anything about gaining the anointing and discipline in their lives. Never be like them. This book is in your hands to make you know better. The presence of God is not only better than these things but in itself it has the capacity to attract them in your life in ever increasing abundance while enabling you to be fulfilled. As the double combination occasions the presence of the Lord in your life, you will discover that all other things

will follow to make your life a spectacle of virtue, value, and all the varied benefits of life. You will be rich, healthy, wise, and happy. Not only that. You will also cause others around you to share in this experience. When you carry the presence of the Lord, you are actually a carrier of blessings and peace.

BEYOND BELIEF

Nothing like the double combination of the anointing and discipline: The quality of life we are able to enjoy because of both of them is beyond belief. Their propensity for goodness and pleasure is unlike any you can derive from any other source. That is why I say that a life with the double combination is a series of magical encounters that so outwits the expectation of the vessel. Let no one lie to you when they say that you only get what you expect. Once you connect to the anointing and live a disciplined life that optimally operates it, you certainly gain far more than you were hoping for. Paul who had an experience in these matters, talked about God being able to do far more than we are able to ask, think or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). A careful study of Joseph, Moses, Daniel and other scriptural characters promoted by the Lord from great depths reveals that none of them really had a detailed expectation of the good fortunes their simple lives were turned into by reason of the anointing and discipline at work in their lives. They simply

found themselves in places and positions that were way out of their league, beyond belief by even those who knew them or loved them and certainly way beyond the expectations of those who were against them. In Joseph’s case, the very brothers that had sold him were not able to identify him almost a decade later and his father who dearly loved him and had concluded on his fate, having been deceived he’d been killed by a wild animal, was thoroughly amazed by the glory of his son. Joseph’s esteemed position in Egypt was not anything that their minds had attempted to project. My dear friend, the anointing and discipline will lift you up and turn you around till no one will be able to relate you with anything in your past. Get ready for a serious body and soul makeover. A total transfer from your familiar yesterday to a fantastic tomorrow that exceeds your most enthusiastic forecast is the reward of a life that is submitted to the anointing and the ways of God. Thus the double combination will turn you from a zero to a hero, from a shallow to a swallow, from the joke of fools to the talk of the wise. It will propel you to a wondrous life that will be perturbing to those who do not like you and amazing to those who thought they knew you. Not only will you be in the book of life but the double combination will give you a life worth a book. The details of your life will become a source of inspiration to many resulting in a biographical prospect that will help others find the good life.

The good news is that, enjoying the double combination need not be short‐lived. It can go on and on spanning throughout ones life time. And if the anointing is actually passed on, its benefits pass on as well. This is why the Lord promises blessings that will carry on through a thousand generations. Remember that it wasn’t material wealth that Jacob gained from his rich father Isaac as much as it was the anointing that prospered him in life. This is your privilege and for all who will submit to the incredible inner strength called the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the ways of the upright. Pursue both and you will enjoy life from this day on and forevermore.

INCREASING THE ANOINTING

Considering how useful the anointing is it is quite a relief to know that we can actually experience an increase of it in our lives, families, ministries and in all other aspects. As I have stated earlier, everyone that really believes the Lord does have an anointing. Perhaps the reason many do not realize it can be traced to the problem of neglecting the need to have more. The God we have is a good God willing to increase the measure of every good gift that is beneficial to us. The Holy Spirit and His anointing is one of them. If we request for more of His anointing we should be confident that He is faithful to do so. That is why David kept on referring in several instances of the Lord anointing his head. The first time he was anointed was when the Prophet Samuel visited his fathers house and anointed him with oil to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:13). Soon after, we witness the shepherd boy moving from the wilderness to the palace where he ministers in that anointing to none other than the king, Saul (1 Samuel 16:14‐23). Following the palace, he goes to the battle field where in the same anointing he victoriously leads the army of Israel against the Philistine (1 Samuel 17).

From then on, he is promoted to be the leader of the army and in fact becomes the most popular citizen of the nation. Under the same anointing, he becomes the son‐in‐law of the king and the best friend of the kings most favored son. And that was not all, eventually the Lord against many life threatening odds makes him king of Israel. Through it all, David was wise to acknowledge that there was an inner divine power the Lord had imparted in him that triggered his life from the mediocrity it was to the prominence he had attained. Consequently, he constantly referred to and sought more of the anointing. He was not content to operate on only the anointing he had received as a young shepherd but at many occasions he sought for more of the anointing in every way possible. As a result, David had a confluence of several anointings: Apart from the kingly anointing he had received as a young man, he also had an anointing for battle, worship, and prophecy. As a king, he ruled over Israel. As a worshipper, apart from casting devils out of Saul while worshipping, he is also credited with writing most of the praise and worship hymns that constitute the psalms. And as a prophet, you will discover that it is really because of his prophecy that the queen of Sheba and other kings brought silver and gold to his son king Solomon long after David had died (Psalm 72:10; 2Chronicles 9:9). More seriously, you will appreciate the various messianic prophecies he made

that were fulfilled several centuries later by Jesus Christ (Psalm 22). Because of his illustrious and inspiring account as a man that had a multifold manifestation of the anointing, I thought that this chapter should examine the ways David attained this testimony as a means of providing key lessons on how to increase the anointing in ones life.

HUNGER FOR IT

The anointing can be elusive in the sense that you will not get it if you do think that you need it. Many people wonder why when they go to a meeting where the anointing is being ministered in a marvelous way and they see some people receive it but they do not. Sometimes they dismiss the whole experience as fake not realizing that it is their self‐righteous and proud impressions that keep them from getting more of the anointing. What is more is the fact that you really ought to be hungry and thirsty to be filled because most often the anointing may come in a most unusual vessel. In David’s first instance, the anointing was brought to him by an old prophet, a has‐been. Samuel had long moved off the scene since anointing Saul to be King of Israel. God is interesting in the sense that he often uses a most offending vessel to package the anointing. For the people in Capernaum at the time of Jesus, it was the Master. While he taught them

they were moved by his wisdom but took offense at him because they were familiar with him. The result was that few received his anointing and hardly any miracles were performed. On the other hand, the reason we have a great move of God today can be traced to the fact that this is the hungriest generation the earth has ever seen. I think this hunger is in fact divinely orchestrated. I believe a lot of it has to do with the return of our Savior and Lord Christ Jesus. Because He is coming back and the time of the Gentile is really closing up, there is a heaven sent hunger in the hearts of men and women all around the world for more and more of the anointing. Prophet Joel peeked into this time and said:

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men

will dream dreams, your young men will see visions (Joel 2:28) This is the time everyone has been waiting for. Paul saying about this time made a most incredible announcement. He confessed:

All of creation waits for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19).

Who are the sons of God? You and I who are in Christ Jesus are the sons of God. And what shall reveal us? The anointing my friend, the anointing shall reveal us. The reason why many in

the Lord are concealed in their misery and problems is because they do not hunger for the anointing. Receive the anointing, let it operate in your life and I can guarantee that you will be a spectacle of wonders and miracles. Those who could not see you will behold you in glory. David knew this. That is why he was hungry for the anointing. He always wanted more of it that is why he talked a lot about it. He knew that the anointing promotes, prospers, and causes one to endure. Consider and meditate on this most accurate confession he made:

But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. Mine eyes shall see my desire on mine enemies, and

mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he

shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (Psalm 92:10‐12).

We can see therefore that David was not some religious fanatic desiring the anointing for no good reason. What he needed he knew. It was not money that had caused him to flourish. It was not the counsel of wise men that had made him king. He knew that is was not his great army or any of his skilled and ferocious fighting men that protected him. David knew and acknowledged that all his life, all his achievements,

all his success was the result of the anointing at work in him. That is why he took opportunity to ask for it. I am often inspired by his prayers for more of the anointing. Consider this request:

O God, you are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my soul is thirsty for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there

is no water (Psalm 63:1). He knew and treasured the anointing (I will be dealing with this issue in more detail in the tenth chapter – Valuing the Anointing). He reached the place in his life where he did not desire to live without the anointing. When he woke up, that is what he wanted. When he went to sleep, that is what he desired. When he did not, his soul was in torment. David knew that without the anointing everything went haywire. He did not want to live without it. So when he was careless as to allow such moments as those when he neglected the anointing in his life to occur, he regretted sincerely and sought for it earnestly. One such time can be witnessed when his own son Absalom betrays him and overthrows him from the throne of Israel. At that point, his soul was tortured by the absence of God from the entire situation. Without the anointing, he did not want to put a fight. He knew better. And so, with great passion and diligence he cries to the Lord for his anointing, for more. The opening of the prayer he makes is a detailed communication of

passion that has been another great inspiration and model of request for those who hunger for a move of God. He cries thus:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and

meet with God (Psalm 42:1‐ 2). In all these requests, David knew that there was need for more and more of the anointing. Yesterdays anointing was often not sufficient to meet the needs of the day. Many trials had brought him to the place where he had come to terms with the fact that for as long as he lived he would always need more and more of the anointing in his life. If the truth is told, David lived on the anointing. He depended on it. He’d come to accept by experience that the anointing was the essence of his life. And as a result he sought more and more of it. And God was always more than faithful to his requests. In his most famous psalm he shares about the overflowing measures of the anointing he received from God. In his own words:

You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).

That should be the desire of every believer. We need an overflowing measure of God’s power today that we may manifest the glory of God. With the devil pulling off all that he can, with all the challenges of the last days, we cannot manage with a little anointing; and am not talking about those who are

traditionally perceived as being used of God. I am for everyone going for all that heaven can offer. Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7: 7). Do it. The problem is that for the most part we do not ask. Over the years as I have ministered the word of the Lord, I have found many that actually love the works of the anointing and are not conscious of the anointing itself. They will cry about the loss of a job, a loved one, a piece of property but will never realize the absence of or need for more of the anointing. And so they do not ask for the anointing. Instead, they will ask God for their house, car, and spouse, whatsoever, and not care to ask for the anointing which incidentally is the power by which God will manifest all the others. James says they ask amiss with selfish motives (James 4:3). They speak a carnal language to a spiritual God. In the end they are miserable and left dry. My dear, yearn for the anointing more than anything else. The anointing has all that we need. As we witnessed in the previous chapter, the anointing will indeed give us the good life. You can enjoy the anointing and have every spiritual blessing pertaining to life. Rather than observe what you do not have materially, I urge you to consider more of the anointing. Open your heart to more and more of God’s wine. As Paul said, do not be drunk with wine but be drunk with the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 5:18). Allow the anointing to saturate

you till you are so mingled with it that every bit of you is anointed. Did you know that you can be so anointed till everything about you is anointed? That explains why the garment of Jesus could heal people, or the shadow of Peter, or Paul’s handkerchief. That is what we would like to see in these days. If we are indeed the most anointed generation, then let’s not hinder God. Let us go for the whole thing, seeking, hungering and thirsting after more and more of God’s incredible miracle working, proof‐producing power. It is available in abundance!

FASTING AND PRAYER

I have already hinted on this requirement if we need more of the anointing. Remember that we are talking about the power of God here. So, if we want it, we must want Him. We must be intimate with God who is the source and provider of the anointing. Is it possible for one to be anointed of God and yet have no particular relationship with God? Yes, but it is extremely foolish. It is possible in the sense that the anointing is for service. When God wants to get a job done He anoints a vessel. Often times the calling and gifting of God is without repentance (Romans 11: 29). A classic case is that of Saul who was anointed king of Israel but was not careful enough to ensure that he maintained a close relationship with the source

of that anointing. We witness his disobedience to God’s instructions as a result of this estrangement from God. Beloved, when you are not intimate with God chances are that you will disobey Him. You will have no motivation and power to obey His commandments. When Saul’s sin was exposed, rather than repent and regret his disobedience he besought the prophet from exposing him among the Jews (1 Samuel 15:30). Instead of being bothered about his relation with God, he was more bothered about people. God responded by removing the privilege of kingship from his family line but left him with the anointing to govern. Beloved, avoid having a Saulish mentality with the mighty privilege of the anointing. Neglecting the Lord will leave you with yesterdays anointing which is no march for tomorrow’s challenges. That explains why Saul was unable to confront Goliath. It also explains why David killed more in battle than Saul did and why in the end Saul lost his life to the Philistines together with all his family. The anointing is required constantly, and the fresher the better. We need a fresh anointing to deal with the various new challenges that confront us. To be able to receive a continuous supply of the anointing we need to open ourselves to both the anointing and the Anointed One. The latter is Christ or God for that matter. We need to seek His face so as to gain His hand. When we study David’s prayers, we will observe that he rarely specified that he desired the anointing per se. Often times we see him

asking for more of the Lord. And the vehicle for this is prayer and fasting. A lot of believers in the Lord operate in a stale anointing that is insufficient for the latest attack from hell. Most of their weapons of warfare are rather rusty and ill‐prepared for sudden action. Do you want to see speedy functions of the divine? Well, nurture a life of fasting and prayer. The more you do, the more intimate with God you will be, the more orientated you shall be to a quick and successful response to the enemies attack. Yes, prayer and fasting are the means to a quick response effort of the anointing. The reason being that they enable one to have more and more of the anointing to such an extent that there is incredible amounts of divine power generated to fix any situation that needs attention. A careful assessment of David’s life will reveal that he was a man of prayer and fasting. He spent time in his closet, intimating with the awesome God who in turn responded by imparting more and more of the anointing upon his life. Prayer and fasting are indeed the master keys to increased levels of the anointing. All ministers in the word of God that operated in incredible demonstrations of the anointing were men and women of prayer. Before Elijah ascended Mount Carmel causing fire to fall from heaven before the prophets of Baal and all of Israel, he had spent time in prayer and fasting. Elijah was so anointed to the extent that many traditions in

Israel in his days and even after he left (some have continued to this day) did not consider that he was a normal human. Significant amounts of the anointing translated the prophet to a legend. And yet, James clarified that the man was in fact a normal person only one committed to prayer. Writing to a distraught and troubled church that may have been afraid and feeling vulnerable as a result of the persecution they faced in Jerusalem he wrote:

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain on the land, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again

he prayed, and the earth produced its crops (James 5:17).

Elijah was no different from many today in terms of his human nature. I love it the way the King James Version actually tells the account I have just quoted. Instead of saying that the prophet was a man like us, it says he was a man of like passions with us. Meaning he was a man that had the same emotions and feelings. In the context of the time James was actually writing this letter, the chief emotion that bothered him was the fear the believers were having as a result of the persecution. And he was encouraging them on the virtue of prayer. Prayer is what made Elijah seem superhuman in his time. It is what caused the anointing to manifest to such extents that he

mastered the weather. Of course such a demonstration of glory is not the result of a vessel operating some little reserves of the anointing. Elijah had large deposits that were the result of a life of prayer and fasting. No wonder his cloak carried power as well. When Elisha hit the Jordan with it, the river split wide open (2 Kings 2:13‐14). As you spend time in the presence of God, praying and fasting, you shall increase the anointing to such levels that you will be so distinguished among believers and even servants of God. This was the secret of Jesus, who incidentally was filled with the Holy Spirit beyond measure. These incredible deposits were not merely the results of Him being the Son of the Father who is indeed the source of the Holy Spirit. A careful study of Jesus’ life reveals a deep commitment to prayer and fasting. Even after He received the Holy Spirit and the anointing during His baptism, He still spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying. The scripture tells us that the result was that He descended in great power and authority (Luke 4: 14). He had gained even more levels of the anointing. Several times in His ministry, the scriptures testify that He would send the people away to climb the mountain to pray and when He descended, He would have sufficient power to heal all that were brought to Him (Luke 6:12‐19). When his disciples were unable to cast out a devil that caused seizures on a young lad, He rebuked them for being perverse and faithless (Luke 17: 14‐17). Later on, he explained why they had miserably failed to cast out the

devil. He told them that the particular kind required fasting and prayer (Luke 17: 21). A life committed to fasting and prayer will increase the anointing in ones life to such an extent that one will be above demonic activity. You become a master over devils and scorpions. In fact, you cannot be poisoned or done away with. When a poisonous snake bit the Apostle Paul on the island of Malta, he simply shook it off. Those that observed this thought that he would die in a moment. Well, they saw and saw till they in the end they concluded that he must be a divine being (Acts 28:1‐6). How was it that the poison from the snake was inert in Paul’s body? By reason of the sufficient levels of the anointing in him: He was loaded to the brim so much that no harm by a natural thing could occur to him. And he got there by spending time in prayer and fasting. That explains why David confidently confessed:

a thousand will fall on my left hand and ten thousand on my right but there will be no evil that shall come

near me (Psalm 91:7).

He knew the privileges of spending time in God’s presence fasting and praying. Earlier in that psalm he had begun by stating:

He who dwells in the shadow of the Almighty will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust (Psalm 91:1‐ 2).

My friend, when the anointing increases in your life, it can get to such levels that you become supernatural. No harm, no weapon of the enemy is sufficient to cause your demise or failure (Isaiah 54:17). Pray and fast and all your enemy can do is look, look and look at you as you conquer and thrive. Whatever he sends, the Spirit will raise the standard (Isaiah 59:19). Meaning you will be above and above only. Unfortunately, many do not believe that such a life is possible. They assume that it is alright to live with all the calamity they are trapped in. They think that if everyone seems to be clouded in trouble, we may as well settle for some of it. That is a lie from the enemy. First, you are not everyone. Second, if you are in Christ that is not your portion. Thirdly, something can be done and ought to be done about your many problems. The third point is what I have dealt with here. You can pray and fast and intimate with the Anointed One. The more you do, the more anointing you will experience in your life. And in fact, when you gain the anointing to such incredible levels you will not only deliver yourself but even all those you witness around you bound in trouble and burdens.

Oh yes, you will set captives free and that is the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ. With an overflowing abundance of the anointing, you become a transmitter of victory, power, and prosperity all around you. Sufficient levels of the anointing will not only do good for you but through you families will be changed, the youth will be changed, widows will find solace and grace, cities will bask in richness and peace and nations transformed. One person with an overdose of the anointing can in fact impact an entire generation. Men and women like Charles Finney, D.L Moody, Maria Woodworth Etter and others that God so anointed that impacted their generation and whose legacies are still felt today were people of fasting and prayer.

FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER ANOINTED PEOPLE

Who do you spend time with? A most useful question: If you find yourself with anointed people most of the time or people that are hungry for more of the anointing in their life, it will affect you. It will cause you to seek the anointing too, it will inspire you. A significant reason why many righteous people loose out on the anointing they have, some even until they are totally backslidden is because of the company they have. The scriptures declare that, “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33): I do not care how anointed you may be, if you are always in the company of people that are hostile to the anointing or are not keen of it you will

conversely loose out on what deposit you have. I have seen people that were once used of God decline to a point where they just hate Him because they unwittingly spent their time with people that did not care so much for the faith they had or the unction of power in their life. The usual excuse is family members who do not share the same faith or desire for the supernatural. In a bid to secure their familial ties they find themselves loosing on their first love and eventually the very anointing they may have paid a dear price for. That is why the scriptures call for separation in several instances. Abram was called out of his fathers house (Genesis 12:1). Gideon was called to destroy his father’s idols and spent the rest of his life with people that shared his convictions (Judges 6:25‐32). And David was often seen alone with his God in the wilderness rather than in the comfort of his father’s house or in the company of brothers who by their testimony did not share with him a desire of the anointing. We know they did not by the fact that they were part of an even larger group of Jews who dared not confront the army of Philistine or the uncircumcised Philistine (1 Samuel 17). Paul could not go back and fraternize with the Sanhedrin but rather went to the Arabian Desert where he was taught on a first hand basis on more concerning the grace of God and where he also increased on the anointing he had (Galatians 1:15‐18). Jesus, on His part, often times departed from those

who did not spur Him on His quest for seeking to know the will of God. Requested to attend to his family, He stubbornly asserted that His family were not necessarily His flesh and blood but those who so valued what He did (Luke 8:21). Several times we see Him separating Himself from the crowds that sought to hear from Him or witness a miracle to the secret confines of prayer where He sought more of the anointing (Matthew 14:22‐23). Even among His close disciples He selected three with who He shared more intimately because more than the others, they were hungry for more (Matthew 17:1‐2). David offers invaluable lessons on this matter. He was a man that so valued fellowship with those who shared a similar passion he had for God. At one point when he returns with the Ark of the Covenant dancing and singing with the young girls of Israel and his own first wife rebuked him, he sided with those he’d been with. He even asserted that he would do so again several times over (2 Samuel 6:14‐22). He knew better that it was the anointing that had given him all the privilege he enjoyed and he also understood that fellowship with people that shared the same ideals was better than siding with members of his family who did not. Consequently, he advises us at one point on the benefit of such fellowship when he states:

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live

together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew

of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For their the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore (Psalm 133).

David knew well the benefits of fellowshipping with the anointed. When he says brothers, he is not talking of it in merely the biological sense. Though it may be the case that members of one household may indeed all share the same passion for the anointing and the Lord, and therefore it would be appropriate for such a house to fellowship together as often as possible, yet in this case David is really referring to the merits of spiritual connection more than anything else. Time spent with those who agree concerning the anointing is time well spent. That is why later Paul comes and urges the saints not to give up the habit of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Like David he knew that this was a significant means of increasing the anointing in ones life. The anointing that David is specifically referring to here is a corporate anointing that does have an overall positive impact on the individuals deposit of the anointing. Several times in his writings we see the premium David attached to this association of believers. They are very useful accounts that should inspire everyone who desires the anointing. In one instance he calls on God to bestow His power

which conversely is reference to the anointing on account of such fellowship. In his words:

Your procession has come into full view, O God, the procession of my God and King onto the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are maidens playing tambourines….. Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God as you have done

before (Psalm 68:24, 25, 27).

I feel led by the Spirit of the Lord to quote this passage for the benefit of many who do not realize the importance of fellowshipping with the saints. It is quite a blessing in regards to increasing the anointing in ones life. There are flows from His throne that are only going to be occasioned to vessels that have come together in His Name. While separation, fasting and prayer are very vital, equally significant is the anointing we gain by fellowshipping together. I believe that part of the mysterious benefit that results from the unity of the brethren is the concept of love. God is love and if we belong to Him as children we ought to have love for those who identify as His children. Jesus earnestly prayed to the Father that we are one (John 17:11). When we unite according to our faith, in love, God releases special anointing that has a specific benefit for each and every saint.

On the other hand, there is a specific disregard David had for fellowship with those who did not have the same kind of faith. In one instance, he draws a most interesting but profound comparison stating:

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the

wicked (Psalm 84:10). He knew better that the fellowship of the brethren drew the anointing into his life while the other fellowship actually drew the anointing out of his life. It is quite unfortunate that his son Solomon who begun his reign conscious of the benefit of the fellowship of the righteous yet allowed himself to be drawn into the wrong fellowship by many of his foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1‐6). Although Solomon was graced incredibly with the anointing as a result of his zeal for the Lord and His house yet when he begun to yoke with unbelievers he consequently declined till he did not have enough anointing in his life to keep the twelve tribes united. His son lost ten of them! (1 Kings 11:11‐13).

The lessons are profound and useful for those who desire more of the anointing. Evaluate your relationships. We ought to know how to relate and who to relate with and in what capacities if we desire to have more of the anointing. In this regard, I have dwelled on a subject that will assist you have

more of the anointing in a direct sense. Remember, deep calls to deep (Psalm 42:7). If you are constantly spending time with shallow people that are mostly carnally minded, it will not be long before you are drawn away from your spiritual pursuits to the shallow end, loosing the anointing along the way. Keep in the company of the prophets, the company of those who share with you a deep desire for the Lord and you will increase on your deposit. It may even be that the Lord has provided for you to have fellowship with people more anointed than you are. That is even better. Use the opportunity. You will discover like Joshua that what they have will smear on you. This is what happened to the apostles when they fellowshipped with Jesus. It was not long before they too were casting out devils and performing miracles. A lot of the anointing manifesting in my life today is the result of this fraternizing with other anointed vessels of God. I caught what they had and was impacted when the Lord bestowed a blessing in the Holy Assembly.

THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

There is much to say about this subject of increasing the anointing. It is vital for this end time move of God. I believe there is so much to be accomplished on the part of God’s saints and servants before the return of the Lord Christ Jesus. To do a good work we have to rely on even more deposits of

the anointing than ever before. We will not do much with just enough. We need to increase the level, swim in the river of the Holy Spirit in even greater portions of God’s anointing than those who served God before these days. What is encouraging is that the opportunity is available for us more than it was for any other generation before our time. The Spirit of God is moving in an unprecedented way offering previously unthinkable opportunities of God’s anointing. As a result, we can change cities and affect nations that were previously unreachable. As we continue to participate in this end time revival, we will have to give undivided and intense devotion to the word of God. It is a most vital requirement for those who seek to increase the anointing in their life. The word of God is indispensable where the quest for the anointing is concerned. If you need more of the anointing in your life you will find that the word of God is a most useful channel to realize your desire. David knew as much. Several times he testified on the immortal benefits the word of God gave him. He knew by experience the importance of the word in bestowing more of the Lord’s anointing on his life and confessed as much. The means by which he saw the work of the anointing in his life as a result of the word is given in his earnest regard for it as his sustenance. Observe this sincere consideration:

Your word, O Lord, is eternal, it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all

generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved

my life (Psalm 119:89‐93). David understood that the word of God had in it the power of life, victory and joy. He knew that a consistent and committed life to the word of God deposited a significant unction of the anointing of God. As a result, he spent a lot of time studying and meditating on the word of God. From the word of God he was able to reap the faithfulness of God as it caused a series of evident manifestations of divine ability. This was also the Lord’s understanding of the word of God. He was conscious of the mighty power inherent in the word of God so much that he guaranteed His disciples that if they abode by it they would be able to possess all they needed. John was more impressed by this quality of the word that he actually found in the word the very essence of God (John 1:1‐3). My friend, the word of God contains an amazing amount of divine unction. God Himself implied this when Joshua was at loss as to the future of Israel following the death of Moses. In that epic moment God assures him thus:

Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left , that you may be successful wherever you go.

Do not let this word depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to

do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:7‐9).

God has wrapped His power with His word. That is why there is life in the word. Whatever you need is in the word of God. The word was indeed the principle means through which Moses increased the anointing in his life. Moses spent most of his time in the presence of God receiving His word. When he did, he was able to function from a position of incredible ability. He was distinguished from all of Israel because God talked with him. So, when the time came for Joshua to walk in his steps, God emphasizes the word of God as the critical means of clothing His divine power. This is what He meant when He promised that as He was with Moses so shall He be with Joshua. In other words, as Moses received divine impartation from the word of God so shall the case be with Joshua. The experience is in no way limited to the logos (written word) as it were. It also applies to the spoken word. You can receive more of the Lord’s anointing by listening to an anointed servant of God minister the word. In fact the more you are attentive to the ministry of an anointed servant of God, the

more you will be susceptible to more of the anointing. This is what King Jehosaphat implied when he counseled Israel thus:

Believe the Lord and you shall be established. Believe his prophets and you shall prosper (2 Chronicles 20:20).

It was also the experience of the apostles. They experienced a certain divine vitality upon hearing the word from the Lord. Several times they were witnesses to the remarkable power that was inherent in His word so much that they were willing when he spoke. When they saw Him walk on water, Peter requested a spoken invitation for him to do the same. Once the Lord said, “Come” Peter experienced a divine empowerment that enabled him afloat on the sea walking to the Master (Matthew 14:28‐29). They were all witnesses to the amazing resurrection of Lazarus. At the shout of the dead man’s name by the Master, Lazarus came forth from the grave alive even though he’d been dead for 4 days (John 11:1‐44). The voice of the Lord transmitted a life‐giving anointing that awoke the man from mortal death. That is why Peter confessed that, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). He could not leave the Master on account of His words which he was able to recognize imparted in him a divine vitality that activated life and power in him. Later on, we note after the resurrection of the Lord and his ascendance that Peter was notable among the apostles for the power of God. I believe that this prominence directly relates to the fact that

Peter spent longer than most at the feet of the Master soaking on every word He spoke. I urge you to spend time in the word of God. Study it, meditate on it, memorize it, seek it, hunger for it, and if you really are serious about desiring more of the anointing, watch it. There is a power in it that contains a most unusual source of God’s incredible anointing. As you spend time in the word of God you will discover that it will perform in your life. The means by which it will realize this will involve a passion and confidence in it that will stir the impossible converting it into divine possibilities of God’s grace and privilege that will manifest an anointing previously unknown in your life. I do not say this only because I have studied it. I have seen the spiritual profit of the word of God in my life. Sitting under seasoned servants of God, studying the word of God, meditating on it has worked wonders for me. I have received anointing that without this means would just have been impossible to receive. From men and women of God ministering the word of God, I have partaken of an increase of the anointing from vessels like Bishop T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Robert Kayanja, Kenneth Copeland, Chris Oyahkilome, Prophet T.B Joshua, and several others. This diverse cast of seasoned servants has imparted a multilateral field of power in my life that is really a marvelous bonus. In fact, the word of God is really the chief medium that is credited with this utmost

manifestation of the anointing in this generation. These are the days of God’s word. But apart from receiving the word of God either as a written script or as a sent word, a most vital means of increasing the anointing is exercising the word of God. It is not enough to keep on studying the word of God or listen and cheer the word of God. One must move on to exercise the word of God in their life. A practical relation with the word of God is a demonstration of faith that produces works of God. Consequently, new deposits of the anointing will increase in response. I am in fact convinced that this is the most glaring gap today. Many may study, attend or listen to the word of God but few are actually putting it into practice. What they do not realize is that “God watches His word to perform it” (Isaiah 55:11): In other words, whenever God observes a person that is willing to implement His word, He releases divine unction of His glory to enable the word perform. This latter development is the dimension the Church must enter if we will increase the anointing to such levels as to enable us take over this generation. We must realize that obedience to the word of God makes us recipients to more of His power. When we say yes to His commands we are in essence saying yes to more of His anointing.

THE CUP CAN OVERFLOW

I believe we serve an El Shaddai God, a God of more than enough. He does not desire for us to operate in limitation that is why He sent us Jesus Christ so that we can have as much as we want, unlimited as it were by prejudice and self condemnation. In fact, in Christ we can approach God as often as we desire to get more than we ask, think or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Matter of fact, Jesus assures us that our Father will never decline from giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). In Him we can realize infinite amounts of His power, the anointing, according to His eternal commitment to give us all good things. Consequently, it is important for the believer to realize that there is a promise on this matter. Each and every believer can obtain an increase of the anointing in their life. What so often limits this increase is the vessel concerned. Without hungering for more, fasting and praying, fellowshipping with those who desire more, and without paying more attention to studying and practicing the word, we limit ourselves from receiving more of the anointing in our life. I am further reminded of the great revivalist, Charles Finney who asked the Lord to stop adding him with more anointing because he felt his body would burst from the refill. God’s response tells a lot about His desire for us to have more. God asked Finney why he did not prefer for Him to expand the

vessel so that the revivalist could indeed be able to contain more of the anointing in his life. Beloved, God wants to add more anointing in your life. He is not short of supply. His power is exceedingly great and beyond depletion. All we have to do is avail ourselves. He is looking for yielded vessels, men and women that will ask, seek and knock for more. David knew as much and gained incredibly. In his famous 23rd Psalm he acknowledges this overflowing provision of the anointing. His life was a testimony to the fact that he had an increase of the anointing. His multi‐talented devotion to God that witnessed him worship, fight, prophecy and lead was in fact the result of a hungry demand for the anointing. I believe that this is the great privilege for the end time Church. More and more saints ought to realize that we are living in the days of multi‐varied opportunity. The saints of today are more than capable to do more than one vocation. What is critical is the need for them to desire more anointing. Furthermore, an increase in the anointing is a most necessary requirement if we are going to do more for our God. Considering the enormous task of ministering in the most perverse generation ever, we most certainly require more than what previous generations of saints and ministers operated on. God understands the times and is willing to give to all who will place a demand. This book is a tool in your hands to provoke you to seek for more from God. Do not settle for less than

what God is willing to give. Follow the various requirements I have shared here and you will live a life more than you could have bargained for.

VALUING THE ANOINTING

All that trust in the Lord ought to be glad that His Spirit is moving in a most unusual manner in the world today. It is absolutely amazing to observe the countless ministries that are present today spread out around the world. If there ever was a sign that history is about to close, this is it. Never has there ever been a record of revival as we are witnessing today. Some would like to concentrate on the half‐empty glass. They point out that in reality most of the world is yet untouched by the message of the gospel and that quite a significant portion of the human race is in fact still dominated by idolatry and false religion. True, but that will not be for long. Sooner than many realize, the whole earth will be filled with the Lord’s glory. Certainly, we are witnessing the most spread out impact of God’s anointing. There are more missionaries of the gospel than ever before. There are more churches than ever before. There are more believers than ever more. God is raising a most

incredible army of ministers and believers of His Son and Kingdom that will outmatch the prince of this world and all his coteries. Witches, false prophets, evil priests, and sons of darkness are going to convert to the winning side of God’s glory. This is not the time for the Church to be skeptical or intimidated. There are more on our side than on the loosing side. It is most encouraging to note that the Master is not returning to collect a variety of beaten‐up, mediocre saints who are most anxious to depart from failure and defeat. Oh, NO! He is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle, a group of highly charged, victorious and overcoming kings and priests that are yearning to sing songs of victory for all eternity. To be sure, there remains a significant amount of work to be done. Religious principalities that have held fast to nations for millennia are the most critical. New nuisances disguising themselves as angels of light like new‐ageism and false teachings in the Church that compromise on fundamental doctrinal positions and definition of acceptable conduct such as those that promote vices like sodomy are another challenge. In spite of their apparent vitality, pomp and popularity, they will vanish in the face of this on‐growing move of God. Those who bear witness to the move of God need to realize that we are privileged to be a part of it. We ought to value the anointing that is making all this possible.

It is possible that a familiar spirit is creeping its way into the Church causing many to despise the manifestations of the anointing resulting in many saints and ministers of the Lord taking for granted this most enormous of privileges. If we do not value the anointing, we will miss the day of our visitation and respond irresponsibly to the great opportunity availed to us. Valuing the anointing, on the other hand, will motivate us to be useful in God’s Kingdom. Whatever you value, you will utilize. Consequently, if we value the anointing we will make great use of it in this end‐time move of God. I believe the concept of valuing the anointing is necessary for us to: • Serve God without reservations • Serve the servant of God with utmost commitment • Serve the children of God with love • Serve the Kingdom of God in power Ultimately, therefore, valuing the anointing will result in greater service. It will enable one to fulfill the will of God and accomplish His purposes. This is the reason for our living. We were created to glorify God in service. The key means of doing so is the anointing without which we will be completely unable to serve the Lord. As such, it is quite essential that we value it. We need to attach a considerable premium to this most vital spiritual benefit. The more value we attach to the anointing,

the more service we will render the Lord and His eternal purpose. The higher the premium we place on the anointing, the more available we will be for the service of God. There are five significant factors that I would love to discuss at this point that are necessary for one to value the anointing, namely – 1. Submitting to God 2. Purifying the heart 3. Sacrifice of everything 4. Knowledge of the ways of God 5. Selectivity in fellowship I am convinced a considerable observation of these principles are vital in guiding one to value the anointing resulting in utmost service to the Lord.

SUBMITTING TO GOD

A lot of people miss it right here: Many do not realize that the Lord seeks a humble and contrite heart (Isaiah 66:2). It is a most vital requirement if He is going to minister through any vessel. As I have quoted before, one of the most inspiring statements given in relation to the anointing can be found in the profound revelation made by the great 20th century

evangelist, Miss Kathryn Kuhlmann, when she aptly stated, “God is not looking for golden vessels. He is not looking for silver vessels. He is looking for yielded vessels.” In other words, when God is seeking to anoint a vessel for His service He is inclined towards those who are available to Him. Throughout the scriptures, one will observe that God always sought out persons that were willing in the day of His power. When He called, they were humble to obey. It is people with such an attitude that valued the anointing of God upon their lives. The case of Moses offers a vital example. The scriptures declare that Moses was indeed the meekest person in his day (Numbers 12:3). A careful study of his life reveals that, for the most part, he was submitted to God. He constantly consulted with Him, several times spending days on end at the top of Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 19:3). Moses never did as he pleased in relation to the people of Israel. Everything that he shared with them was the result of counsel he received from the Almighty God. The testimony of his life bore witness to this fact and as a result we observe that God used him enormously. Submitting to God caused Moses to value the anointing to such an extent that he rendered great service to both the Lord and His people. It is possible that this relationship was premised on the fact that God often asked Moses to do more than he was able to accomplish in his own strength.

As he submitted to God, and therefore qualified to be His emissary, he soon realized that he needed to esteem the ability of God. Every often Moses humbled himself before God to do His will, he found out that God required him to do more than he was prepared to do. He discovered that God had an assignment for him that was beyond his ability. This overwhelming sense necessitated a profound value for God’s ability that was inherent in the anointing. We can see this in his submission to God at the burning bush. There, God sent him to do what he’d failed to do when he was young. His own strength was proven inappropriate for the task of delivering the children of Israel when he was 40. Amazingly, when he is 80 (twice older), God calls on him to do what he’d failed to do before. Submitting to God was tantamount to confronting what he’d failed to do. Only this time round, God was going to use a vessel submitted to him. At 80, Moses was humble and available to confront his failure in the strength of Almighty God. This time round, he was going to rely on God and not his own strength or experience. And in order to do so, Moses valued the anointing of God. Without this submission to God, Moses had previously attached no value to the anointing as he thought he was able to deliver Israel by himself. Consequently, he was met with dismal failure even though he was born for such a role. It is vital that we realize the significant role submitting to God plays in enabling us value the anointing.

I believe that this was also the pattern in the ministry and life of Christ. He was totally submitted to His Father and as a result He so valued the anointing that God put upon His life. Several times He revealed how He sought to do the will of God as opposed to His own (John 15: 9‐10). A critical assessment of the life of Jesus right from his youth revealed this humility and subordination to God. This is the reason that when he was asked to perform a sign for the benefit of skeptical Pharisees he relented. He valued the anointing due to the fear He had for God and so could not peddle God’s ability as a mere show off (Matthew 16:1‐4). He knew that the anointing is meant for service and not for showmanship. This knowledge was the result of His submission to God. Similarly, his disciples submitted to Him as God and simultaneously grew in their value of the anointing. A clear demonstration of this is given in regards to His last instruction to them to wait in Jerusalem until He had sent them the Holy Spirit who would empower them for service (Acts 1:4‐8; 2:1‐4). They obeyed and waited for the fulfillment of His promise which came to pass on the day of Pentecost. Because they feared God and submitted to His Son, they similarly valued the anointing of His Spirit that would enable them to serve in the purpose of their Lord. Several times in the book of Acts we see this submission not only to God the Father and Son but also to the Holy Spirit. Several of the decisions they made were the result of their submission to the will of the

Holy Spirit. Their testimonies bore the mark of their fear for God and submission to His Spirit to the extent that they boldly stood against any kind of threat. Whether it was the raging anger of Jewish leaders or the dangers of rowdy cities, whatever the opposition, they were relentless in their obedience to the commission to preach the gospel. As a result, they relied entirely on the anointing of God to accomplish the will of God. The Apostle Peter for example, held such a premium on the anointing, valuing it more than silver or gold or money. At the gate of the temple he demonstrated the value he had for the anointing by ministering to a crippled beggar that sought to obtain money from him. His words bluntly place the anointing above silver or gold (Acts 3:1‐10). Later on in his dynamic ministry, we continue to observe the premium the apostle had for the anointing above life or money. Following the healing of the cripple, he was arrested together with the apostle John and forbade by the religious leaders of the time from ministering under the Name of Jesus. Their submission to God manifested their value for the anointing above their own life. They objected to this threat considering it was better to obey God than man (Acts 4:18‐20). And when in Samaria, a rich witch sought to buy the anointing, Peter rebuked him thus:

May your money perish with you, because you thought you would buy the gift of God with

money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought

in your heart (Acts 8:20‐22). Peter was clear about the value of the anointing. It is more than gold, silver or money. It has a great value that can only be revealed when we submit to God. His rebuke of the sorcerer sought to bring him to repentance and submission to God. If he had indeed received the anointing for the price of money, he would never have known its true value. Brethren, the anointing is far more valuable than money, than property, than life. It’s the reason why Elisha burnt his plough, gave up his family to serve the man of God. His submission to God led to the great request he made at the end of Elijah’s ministry. Notice, he did not ask for the property he’d given up or for money or anything perishable. Elisha had learnt and walked a life of submission to God through his prophet Elijah and therefore had grown to know the value of the anointing. At the Jordan, just before Elijah was taken, he asked for a double portion of the anointing. Many people do not realize why someone will submit to the voice of God or walk under a servant of God. They do not

realize that in submission to the Lord you will be revealed the true value of the anointing.

PURIFY YOUR HEART

A pure heart is another most vital necessity if one must indeed appreciate the true value of the anointing. Obviously this was lacking in the part of the sorcerer who sought to obtain the anointing for cash. His intentions were not good. He certainly was not seeking the anointing to fulfill the will of God. Peter perceived his heart was not right before God meaning it was impure. Do you remember the men that the Lord rebukes in the end of days who will come to Him and say, “we performed miracles in your Name” and yet He dismissed them as workers of iniquity? (Matthew 7:21‐23). The Lord knew the day would come when people would not appreciate the true value of the anointing and would in fact abuse it for their own ends rather than for service and glorifying the Lord. As servants of God we ought to be careful to keep ourselves pure so as to have a proper appreciation of the anointing. Part of the reason why God does not rush to anoint a person is the improper motives they may have in relation to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Remember that it is better that ones name is written in the lambs book of life than to be able to do all the marvels of God and after which loose your soul. This was Jesus’ concern when he sent the disciples to minister in two’s and they returned testifying of the wonders of God (Luke 10:1‐20). Lack of a pure heart will exalt the vessel that the Lord uses rather than the Lord of the vessel. Sadly this is the state of many servants of God today. Many are rather concerned about their status among men, bothering with who is more anointed than the other or more senior than the other, and not concerned about the Lord of the anointing. In a blind quest for self‐glory, many have valued themselves even more than the anointing and lost their souls. In some instances, the impure motives have degenerated to such an extent that there are those that are not ashamed to peddle the anointing for profit. The ministry of the anointing has in these cases been reduced to a business of money. Whatever the anointing can do has in these cases been priced at a financial sum. Typical of witches and psychic‐mediums some have sold the gift of God for a service. I know of servants of God around the world that will charge a fee for a healing or “special prayer”. Precious saints and ministers of the Lord ought to be aware that freely have we received and freely we give (Matthew 10:8). What the anointing is able to do is far exceedingly more than money can ever buy.

This was the same problem Judas had as the financial administrator of the Lord’s ministry. He stole from the money bag because he was a self‐seeker that did not have a pure heart unto God (John 12:6). It has to be one of the New Testament tragedies that he let his impurity grow to such a devastating point that he in fact sold the Anointed One and His anointing for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14‐16). Jesus called him a son of perdition. The problem with an impure heart is that it causes a person to be totally self‐conceited and often times one looses the ability to judge correctly. How else could one explain how Judas sold the Bread of life that fed and sustained him? Rather than look to Him who was the source of everything, he looked to the High Priest and the Lord’s enemies for “a little something.” He forsook his glory for lying vanities (Jonah 2:8). In the end, he lost everything including his soul. Judas offers an everlasting caution for all those who have access to the Lord and His power to be pure in heart so as to have a correct value of the anointing that will enable one to glorify the Lord. The other side to this involves those who for short of a pure heart mock the anointing. In a sense, this is where a significant section of our present generation is at. There are many today, even among the body of Christ, who mock and scorn at what the Lord is doing by means of the anointing. The impurity of their heart has made them skeptical and even abusive of the

anointing. At the time of Jesus, this was the prevalent circumstances that saw him persecuted and questioned for the works He did by reason of the anointing. Several times He was questioned by what authority He did the things He did (Luke 20:1‐2). The moderate critics mockingly asked for a sign (Luke 11:16). The radical ones conspired to kill him (Mark 12:12). Some even accused Him for using the power of Satan (Luke 11:14‐ 15). Their impure hearts had closed their eyes to the long‐awaited Messiah of Israel. They could not value the anointing that was upon Him. There were those who were accustomed to Him because he had grown among them and were even offended by the anointing on His life (Matthew 13:55). As a result He could do few miracles among them. I say this to say that many have not seen God because they are impure in their heart. They will never know the true value of the anointing because their impure hearts will cause them to doubt and harass the very move of God they may even have been waiting for. If we keep our hearts pure, then we will cause God to reveal to us the true value of the anointing. The testimony of Jesus is certainly critical in this regard. He was the most anointed vessel that ever walked the earth because He was also the most pure heart. He sought good and not evil. He lived for the glory of His Father and sought to do His will even to death. Consequently, God filled Him with the anointing beyond measure and He went about doing good and healing all who

were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). That is what we need today in this perverse generation. We need to seek God to keep our hearts pure and holy unto the Lord so that the true value of His anointing becomes known to us. When the three Hebrew boys refused to bow before the brazen image of King Nebuchadnezzar, they were revealed to the true value of the anointing as they did not burn in the fire (Daniel 3). Similarly, when Daniel was confronted with evil men that had maneuvered a decree seeking to prevent him from praying to God, he kept his heart pure in such dangerous circumstances that God revealed to him the value of the anointing in the lions den (Daniel 6:21, 22). In Joseph’s case, his refusal to sleep with the wife of his boss that ended with his imprisonment saw his commitment to purity rewarded with a revelation of the true value of the anointing in Pharaohs appointment of him as Prime Minister of Egypt (Genesis 41). A pure heart will necessitate God to reveal the true value of the anointing which is more precious than friends, silver, life or any pleasure.

SACRIFICIAL ATTITUDE

Sacrifice is another of God’s ways of revealing the true value of the anointing. Several times, the Lord will expect us to give up something for us to really receive something better. A minister of the Lord once ministered a message that he titled‐

If you can give it up, you can get it all. I totally agree with Him where the giving up for the sake of the anointing is concerned. This was the case with the Prophet Elisha when he gave up his commitment to his parents to follow Elijah; his sacrificial attitude caused God to reveal to him the true value of the anointing. There is something that happens when we are able to sacrifice to the Lord or because of the Lord that opens our eyes to the true value of His empowering virtue. If one carefully studies the disciples of Jesus, they too were revealed the true value of the anointing as a result of giving up all their belongings and occupations to follow the Master (Matthew 19:27). Peter, Andrew, John and James gave up their fishing business to become fishers of men (Luke 5:8‐ 11). Mathew did it in style: Not only did he shift from his profession as a tax collector (which incidentally was one of the most lucrative of careers at the time) to follow the Lord, He celebrated the sacrifice. The scriptures reveals that he threw a grand party in which Jesus was accused for hanging around tax collectors and drunkards (Matthew 9:9‐12). To this kind of people, the Lord revealed the true value of the anointing. They soon found out that the anointing was able to reinstate to even greater amounts what they had given up. He assured them thus:

And everyone who left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred

times as much and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)

My friend, do not be afraid of sacrificing for the kingdom. The anointing has greater value than whatsoever you can give up. In this regard, Jesus was explaining its ability to provide even more families and businesses than you may be able to give up. I suppose that this was the wisdom that guided Abraham’s faith when God asked him to sacrifice his child (Genesis 22:1‐2). He knew that the Lord had power (the anointing) that would give him another child. In any case, it had taken the anointing to give him the child. His sacrificial attitude motivated God to undertake an oath to give him more children than he would ever count (Genesis 22:16‐18). The true value of the anointing is still continuously made to him as all children of Israel together with all those who believe in the Lord Jesus are both reckoned descendants of Abraham (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:29). Coming back to the disciples, I am amazed by the level of true understanding the Lord enabled them to have pertaining to the anointing. They left all they had and joined him with nothing. And yet, there are several indications in the scripture that reveal they did not remain that way. Apart from the Lord’s guarantee, they actually gained much more with the Lord than

they previously had. One indication of their apparent wealth relates to the occasion the Master taught on how difficult it was for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven (Mark 10:17‐23). They were astonished and asked whether it was possible for anyone to enter the Kingdom. Their response demonstrated that they were wealthy people since they had taken it to be a challenging sermon to them personally. They asked, “Then who shall enter the Kingdom of heaven?” (Mark 10:26). If they had been poor people, this question would not have surfaced. Instead, as is typical with many religious poor people, they would have been contented that the rich are not getting into the Kingdom. The fact that the sermon provoked them demonstrates that they were indeed rich people with the concern of getting to the Kingdom of God. The Masters promise of a hundred fold multiplication of what they had given up had already begun to manifest in their lives. They knew that there was an incredible value to the anointing so much that when he asked them to leave at one point they objected. Although at the time they confessed to the vitality of the word, they also knew the value of the anointing (John 6: 67). This was also the case with Elisha who had given it all up to serve Elijah. When his master kept on sending him away, he firmly declined. He knew the value of the anointing upon Elijah

and was going to do whatever it took to get a hold of it even if it meant sacrificing more (2 Kings 2). In the end, he got a double portion of it and lived a more triumphant life than the one he would have lived had he remained the farmer he was. Unfortunately, this is not the case with most people. Many, even in the Church, are not aware of the true value of the anointing because they will not let go and let God. They refuse to sacrifice, holding to their abilities, possessions and relations. They call it “being responsible”. A lot of people like this are too careful about earthly issues that they are blinded to the value of the things above. The anointing is from above. It is the empowering virtue of the Mighty Holy Spirit that has been given by our heavenly Father. In order for us to be able to partake of the true value of the anointing we need to adjust our thinking from earthly issues to heavenly issues. Jesus, who probably knows the true value of the anointing more than every other soul offers us the best example. He was willing to sacrifice all things including His life because He kept His course in obedience to the will of His Father. Several times, He confessed that He had come to fulfill the will of His Father in Heaven (John 8: 16; 55). He taught us to pray that the “will of God is done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). And when he was tested with this will in the Garden of

Gethsemane, He cried, “Not my will but your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). As a result of His sacrificial attitude, He was filled with the Holy Spirit beyond measure and operated in a value of the anointing unmatched by anyone before Him. Even His most fierce critics wondered whether indeed when the “Messiah” came he would perform as many miracles as Jesus had done (John 7:31). They missed the point for lack of knowledge: They did not know that the scriptures revealed that the Messiah would be mighty only because He’d been lowly. That it was appointed for the Messiah to give up His life as a ransom for many. In laying down His life, He would then be exalted above all creation reconciling all things to Himself (Philippians 2:9). Paul who was an expert on these matters, having himself sacrificed his former impressive life for the sake of Christ, cautioned us to share in the same attitude with Christ who although equal to God was in fact humble to the extent of giving up all in heaven and on earth. He goes on to explain that it is this attitude that has caused God to exalt Him, giving Him a Name above every other name in heaven or on earth and that at the mention of that Name, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:9‐11). The true value of the anointing will be revealed to such a person. If you can give it up, you can know the value of the anointing.

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND HIS WAYS

A lot of people lack the knowledge of God and as a result they live a life limited by the circumstances of this world. They glorify every challenge they face. In fact, the problem is compounded, made worse, by the fact that a lot of believers tend not only to have a lack of divine or revelation knowledge of God but also demonstrate a great amount of knowledge of their difficulties. And while it is true as the scriptures admonish us to not be ignorant about the devils wiles (tricks), there has got to be a balance here. Some people just take the devil thing too far. Amazingly, there are even ministries that are based on what the devil can do or/and has done. It is so sad to find believers that are so inclined to what the devil is planning for their lives or what he has done in their lives. There is, in a sense, a kind of devil glorification among this kind of people. Consequently, I have observed that they often bear a life constantly trodden by the devil. More often than most, their lives are problem‐ridden in a cycle of one devil incidence after another. It is just tragic to witness sons of God who the Son set free, and are supposed to be free indeed, demon‐obsessed, possessed or/and oppressed. In circumstances like this, it becomes difficult for this kind of believer to have a true understanding of the value of the anointing. On the contrary,

they will be more aware of the power Satan and his demons wield than the awesome power of God. This was a significant problem with the children of Israel. Several times they knew more about ill‐fortune than they were conscious of what God can do. Often times they did this in spite of the very glory of God revealed among them (Numbers 14). It begun with Adam: In my other book – Holiness is Dominion – I refer to what really happened at the Garden of Eden when Adam lost it. Having been created by God, given by God all authority on earth, and planted in the Garden of Pleasure, yet Adam lost all he had been given by God. Many like to say he lost it because he disobeyed God. True but it is more serious than that. Adam and Eve lost everything because they stopped being convinced about what God was convinced about. When Satan showed up in that garden, he succeeded in changing man’s knowledge from what God had revealed. He caused man to doubt God and believe a lie. In the midst of God’s glory, yet because Adam believed a lie he lost consciousness of God’s power. Similarly, the children of Israel several times complained against God in spite of the fact that God was revealing his glory to them. In the wilderness, they were several times more aware of their plight than they were of the presence of God in their midst. It did not matter to them that God had just

performed a great deliverance for them from the house of Pharaoh, or that He was among them in a cloud by day and fire by night. They just were more aware of their bad circumstances. They would complain about food or water in spite of celebrating a God who had done wonders before them. Even though they had seen His awesome power displayed when He split the Red Sea and made a way for them, they still complained that they would never be able to take over the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1‐4). They never acknowledged the power of God. They walked with God’s servant Moses who God had anointed to deliver them and take them to the Promised Land and yet they grumbled and mumbled. Mark this, they knew about God but did not know Him. There is a big difference. In the end, they all perished in the wilderness. Not because there was no commitment on God’s part to deliver them safely and sound but more so because they refused to know Him and His power. They knew about Him but failed to know Him. In the end, they died for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I am convinced that this is a huge problem among many believers today. Many have nothing more than a form of godliness that denies the power thereof. Often times it presents itself in a set of religious rites and observations that amount to nothing more than some cultural expression with

no bearing to the revelation of God. A lot of it is the accumulation of studies made about God and bears an attempt to understand Him within the finite realm of human intellect. That is simply what religion is: Men trying to understand God in their terms. They think that God should be understood within their cultural or social circumstances. If they get better than that, and that is where a lot of modern Christianity finds itself, they add history to the Jewish people. And that’s it; most religions are just a collection of human studies about divine things (Please study my other book‐ FAKE or FAITH: Experiencing God Beyond Religion). It sad to observe that Christianity has become, for most saints and even ministers of the word, a dedication to historical and social aspects of the Jewish people as written in the bible. That is why it is so difficult to get people like this to believe in the supernatural. They are convinced that miracles and prosperity remain in the book and is therefore a thing of long time ago and not today. Many believers are caught in this web of deception and limitation and as a result are not aware of the true value of the anointing. As important as knowing about God is, it is not sufficient for the day. The Church needs to go beyond this to actually knowing Him. In fact, it is until we really know God that we can

even understand the scriptures. The religious people in the days our Lord Jesus ministered in Jerusalem misunderstood the scriptures because they did not really know God. In one instance, Jesus went so far as to rebuke them for not knowing both the scriptures and the power of God (Matthew 22:29). In yet another, he ridiculed them for making the word of God ineffective by their traditions (Mark 7:13). In this rebuke we are actually brought to a better understanding of the problem we have today among those who profess religion rather than God. For failure to seek and know God for who He really is, many have strayed in seeking to interpret the scriptures to suit their own ends wrapped as it were in traditions of men and as a result have also remained ignorant of the power of God. They say healing stopped with the apostles because they do not know the power of God. They ridicule what they call the prosperity gospel because they do not know the word of God. A lack of knowledge of the scriptures will result in a failure to understand the true value of the anointing. This is very vital for everyone because if the truth were told we have immense gain in getting to know the true value of the anointing. It is necessary for today when we are entrusted as it were with wrapping up God’s last move on earth. In order that we do this we need to get to be like Moses who knew the ways of God rather than just the miracles of God. We need to go

beyond knowing about God to actually having a first‐hand encounter with Him. We need to know God. We also need to move beyond knowing the hand of God and seek to know His heart. He is a good God, an ever present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). Moses knew this. So when the children of Israel were complaining and murmuring, Moses was beseeching God. While they accused God for bringing them to the wilderness, Moses was pursuing God in the mountain. While they reveled in wild orgies worshipping idols, Moses sought to know the glory of God. In the end, a compassionate God responded to Moses’ faith by healing and providing for Israel. They knew His miracles, while Moses grew more in the knowledge of God and His ways. The more of God Moses knew, the more he became aware of the true value of the anointing. We know that Moses knew the true value of the anointing because he obeyed the Lord. When you are aware of the true value of the anointing, you will obey the instructions of the Lord even when they seem totally out of touch. God had told him that he would deliver Israel with his shepherd rod and it had happened. He knew that God had put his anointing on that thing to deliver His people. We see several times how he had a true value of the anointing in the obedience he walked in. When the children of Israel needed healing from the snake bites, he knew that there was an anointing that would heal all of them in the bronze serpent the

Lord told him to make. And when, the children went in battle, he knew there was an anointing in the lifting up of his hands that was mightier than both armies that were in battle. He knew this value of the anointing because he knew the Lord of the anointing. We too need to know the Lord and therefore gain in having a true value of the anointing. The reason Jesus Christ moved in such a manifestation of power that so amazed many in His ministry on earth was more than anything else because He knew God. Jesus had a deep understanding of God premised from the fact that He was the Only Begotten of God. He said as much, several times referring to God as His Father (John 10:29‐30). At one instance, He even laid claim to knowing God more than anyone else when He said that no one had seen God but Him (John 6:46). The apostle Paul actually took it to another level when He said in Philippians that Jesus did not consider it robbery to be equal to God (Philippians 2:6). Jesus Himself had admonished Phillip saying, “Don’t you know that whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). He knew God more than anyone else and in fact had come to reveal God to mankind. Consequently, he had a complete knowledge of the power of God, a true value of the anointing. And here’s the catch: God will never entrust anyone with a blessing they do not understand. A blessing in the hand of a

fool is a curse. Well, because Jesus had a true value of the anointing, God gave Him the Spirit without measure. He had more anointing upon His life than the finite mind of any human would be able to comprehend. The reason the apostles operated in such great demonstrations of the anointing can be traced to the revelation of knowledge they had concerning the Lord. They did not just know about Him, they went further to actually knowing Him. Observe the authority of John’s introduction in his first letter when he claims:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked

at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1.

In conclusion to the same letter, he reiterates this when he says:

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true – even in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and

eternal life. 1 John 5:20. He had more than surface understanding concerning the Lord. To him, the revelation of God in Christ was more than an

account of how God anointed a man. While others at the time of the Lord’s ministry were content on materials aspects such as bread and fish or debated whether He was one of the prophets or even the long‐awaited Messiah, Christ was to Him the omnipotent One who had co‐existed with God from the beginning and was indeed God Himself (John 1:1). He had a deep revelation which He not only heard about but had actually experienced in person. He had testimony on it and could not keep quiet about it. John clearly implies in his gospel that the account of the Lord’s life he has compiled was not a mere brief on the Lord as it were, as much as it was a means to enable people to actually believe in Him. By writing what He knew about the Lord he nevertheless hoped that those who read would actually know the Lord and not just about Him (1 John 1:3). He was not content that people should just read about the Lord. Rather, he sought that they would get a revelation of the Lord. Unfortunately, that is all that religion does. A number of sects that profess the Lord have not more than knowledge about the Lord. Most of them remain on the surface of historical and philosophical understanding without any profound experience of the Lord. Consequently, they are robbed of the power that accompanies revelation knowledge. The Lord remains to most of them an abstract subject that bores them every Sunday

instead of being the Living Bread that satisfies all their daily needs. Without revelation they perish! That is why the Lord warned, “Not all who call me Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 7:21). In my other book‐ Fake or Faith, I actually make a serious discussion about the difference between believing in God and believing like God. Religion may make you believe in God even as the devil does but it will take revelation for you to believe like God. And there is a whole world of difference between the two. Paul, another of the apostles, however one that did not fraternize with the Lord during His ministry enough to know about Him, yet received the same revelation of the Lord that John had. The example of Paul is perhaps one that some outside the Christian faith would relate to: Here was a man that had no experience with the Lord before his conversion. Instead, having gathered some knowledge about the Lord, he was actually antagonist against those who had known the Lord. Knowing about the Lord can in fact be misleading as it depends from which source one is getting their education on who the Lord is presumed to be. Some religions in the world know something about the Lord, although what they know about Him is mostly misleading. Some of them have been blinded

from knowing the Lord by what they actually know about the Lord. Unfortunately, there are indeed some sects that as a result of the inadequate knowledge about the Lord they have, they are rather critical and in fact in some cases outrightly hostile against those who know the Lord. In Paul’s case, he went about persecuting those who knew the Lord till he had his own encounter with the Lord on his way to yet another city to persecute the Church. I say this to emphasize a most important issue: Everyone needs to have a personal encounter with the Lord. It does not matter what knowledge one may have about the Lord, whether it is from the right sources or from the wrong one, everyone needs to have a personal encounter with the Lord. Without it, one can never begin to know Him. Even as I write or as you read, I pray that you will begin to encounter the Lord. I pray that you are not only personal with His information but you will deepen further to get personal with His revelation. From the time Paul encountered the Lord, he was never the same again. It changed him for life. Knowing the Lord caused him to scrutinize and dismiss all the false knowledge he had about the Lord. That is what the world needs today. They do not need our preaching as much as they need a revelation of the Lord.

Mark this: I am not against ministering the word per say. Rather, I am for the ministry of prayer and the Might Holy Spirit causing a revelation of the Lord among those who receive the word of God. It is not enough for us to preach. Preaching alone or even books like this cannot save the world. What they need to back up the efforts of those like me who the Lord has called to minister His word is a revelation of what we are saying or writing. This is why Paul, writing to the Corinthians in his first letter assures them thus:

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not rest

on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4‐5).

That is what the world and even the Church of Jesus Christ needs. A living faith based on a true knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Without this knowledge, revelation insight, all we have is another religion and a faith contrary to that of the apostles. Without revelation, we cannot value the anointing. In fact, there are among several ministers that discount revelation knowledge, many that will not be bothered if there was no tangible presence of the Lord in their service. They will not be bothered if there was no manifestation of God’s power in their

meetings. As far as a good number of them are concerned, the anointing is both some ritual that is practiced and its results, something that is closed in the bible days of the apostles. They will not seek for a personal encounter or fresh revelation of the Lord and His power. In stead, they prefer to spend their days in religious ritualism and nasty criticism of those who will actually value the anointing. Revelation knowledge is of utmost importance if we are to be able to get a true value of the anointing. It is something worth sacrificing for. Although, the apostle Paul was a great preacher and teacher of the word, he also was a man that valued the anointing. He knew that more than words, what people really need is the Kingdom of God in all its power. And he knew that they could not realize this great promise of the Master here on earth without a revelation of God. This was his major concern when he wrote to the church in Ephesus stating:

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enligh‐ ‐tned in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inherit‐

‐ance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18‐19).

This was his earnest prayer then and it still remains a critical concern now. Without the enlightening of the eyes of our hearts, we cannot have a true value of the anointing.

Although Paul knew relatively little about the Lord, he is rightly commended for having understood Him more than those who knew about Him, including even those who had walked with Him. You do not need to have spent all your years in church to know a true value of the anointing. Many have done so and if the truth is told, they are actually lost in the church! What you and I need, is a personal encounter with the Lord and a growing knowledge of Him. When this occurs, we will have a true value of the anointing witnessing all that God can do. I pray that all the body of Christ gets to this place; where nothing else matters except that we know Him and the power of His resurrection! (Philippians 3:10).

SELECTIVE FELLOWSHIP

This is where many loose it. The old English adage is useful here which says, “Birds of the same feather flock together.” If we really would like to have a true value of the anointing, we ought to be careful of the company we keep. We cannot ever discover the true worth of His power in the company of those who do not esteem the things from above. A lot of people that are hostile to the anointing are that way more so because of the company they keep in than the convictions they have. They have a certain allegiance to the mob than they are actually convinced of their dispute to the things of God.

I say this because I know that there is a spirit in man and the breath of God gives him understanding (Job 32:8). If the truth were told, many people actually desire a deeper revelation of the unknown than they are actually willing to admit in public. They will gang around and critic those who have experienced God while deep in themselves they yearn for what they are persecuting. This may have been Saul’s problem, who persecuted the Church with so much zeal although deep in his soul lay the call to serve the God He fought against (Galatians 1:11‐16). His zeal was certainly the result of his allegiance to the Sanhedrin (Acts 9:1‐2). The same social trap bedeviled another Pharisee, Nicodemus, who slid away in the night from the radical sect of Pharisees he was in to attend to Jesus with some serious questions that his sect could not satisfactorily answer (John 3:1‐21). There were those yet who believed in the Lord but for fear of the mob remained distant form Him (John 7:12). They fell short of a deeper understanding of Him because of the company they preferred to have. It is amazing how Jesus who knew the hearts of people responded to this dynamic: When He spoke to the crowd (those who did not want to be closely identified with Him but wanted to benefit from Him in some way or the other), He spoke in parables. However, when He spoke to the apostles and disciples, He spoke plainly. The latter got a deeper

understanding because they were a different kind of fellowship. Which fellowship are you in? Are you with the crowd that just wants a miracle from the Master? Or, are you with the apostles and disciples that really need the Master of the miracles? The kind of fellowship you are in will determine the kind of knowledge you will have. Those who waited for the miracles got to know about Him and were satisfied with that, while those who waited upon Him got to know Him and they became miracle workers that satisfied others. We ought to be careful about the company we keep. It may even be the case that we have got to know the Lord and those who we ought to avoid used to know the Lord and once had a true understanding of the anointing. However, if we are not careful we can actually lose it all. Sometimes the Lord requires that we are strict about our fellowship. I am reminded about the young prophet that was sent to rebuke the king with clear instructions to avoid eating with anyone. Having accomplished his mission, the young man even refused the kings offer of a meal. However, he was tricked by an older prophet who lied to him that an angel from the Lord had said the Lord would love the young prophet to dine at the older ones home. In the end, a lion killed the young man on his journey back. He lost it all because he did not obey the Lord’s instruction to keep to himself (1 Kings 13).

This is of course, a radical requirement the Lord will mete out occasionally to His servants. The point however, is that in order to have a true value of the anointing, we ought to be obedient to the Lord in regards who we should or should not fellowship with. When the Lord sent his disciples on missions early in the ministry, He forbade them from greeting anyone along the way (Luke 10:4). He was critical about this same issue. He knew the consequence the wrong fellowship can have on the understanding of the anointing they would have or/and their commitment to accomplish the mission. Another example is the Shunamite woman: When she lost her child and run looking for the prophet to report the matter, she told everyone who greeted her that all was well. She was wise not to elaborate to any of them the details of her case. It is probable that had she told the husband, he would have caused her to panic. She knew only to well that none of the people along the way knew what she knew concerning the Lord of the prophet. And she was not even going to be swayed to fellowship with the prophets servant, who perhaps she may have observed while they stayed in her house, was not of considerable faith. A closer study of Gehazi shows that her impressions were correct for although he walked with Elisha, he failed to have the same faith with him. She was selective about her fellowship on that matter because she had a true value of the

anointing. In the end, this selectivity paid off. Only the prophet was able to resurrect her son back to life (2 Kings 4:8‐ 37). My dear friend, be careful who you share your troubles with. If they do not share your knowledge of the Lord, they will only cause you to devalue the anointing and risk you the failure or threat you dread. On the other hand, if they share the same or even more understanding of the Lord as you do, they will inspire a greater understanding of the value of the anointing resulting in great answers to challenges you face. This may explain why Elisha himself did not spend all his time in the company with the prophets in Bethel and Jericho. Although they knew about the God of Elijah enough to tell him, they did not know Him. They knew what He was about to do without necessarily knowing who He was. A lot of church folk are like that: They may know all that God has done, is doing, and about to do but they do not know the God they know about. One means of detecting this is how much value they attach to the anointing. In Elisha’s case, they held no particular significance to the anointing. They just speculated on the departure of the prophet unbothered about who would partake of his anointing. Elisha, on the other hand, knew better: He separated himself from this company of prophets and persistently hooked up with the right fellowship, Elijah.

That is why numbers never really bother me. I would rather walk with one man that has a true understanding of the anointing than stick it with a crowd of religious freaks that are up to no good. Elisha chose better than numbers, even when the one guy he was yoked to was leaving anytime. It must have taken quite a significant knowledge of God and His power that motivated him to endure this experience. Are you able to seek the anointing away from the usual? Will you separate yourself from everybody to find God with somebody that really means business? If you do, you will get to understand the true value of the anointing. In the end, Elisha was able to ask for a double portion of the anointing because he had come to an understanding of the true value of the anointing. In some cases, many who begin with the true understanding of the anointing and even the right fellowship lose all when they change fellowship. It is very important for us to realize that in the Kingdom of God, it is not so important how you start as it is how you finish. It may be the case that you begun with the right fellowship but what is the company you finish with like? In the case of Saul, he began his course in the right fellowship. When he was looking for his father’s horses, he had the good company of a servant who told him about the possibility of the anointing on the prophet Samuel enabling them to find the horses (1 Samuel 9). This young man knew the value of the anointing. Because of the young man’s advice, when Saul met

Samuel, he was anointed to be King of Israel and from then on kept a close fellowship with the prophet and the prophetic. Soon after, he met a company of prophets along the way and prophesied with them. When he did, he had great fellowship in the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 10:9‐12). For a time after that, Saul spent time in the company of those who feared the Lord and valued the anointing. However, after he became King and was surrounded by those who did not know the true value of the anointing, he begun to loose this understanding. This lose caused him not to obey the instructions of the Lord and to be presumptuous of what was necessary to please the Lord. That is what happens when we devalue the anointing. We take matters into our hands and assume that we know better than God what is needful. At the nadir of Saul’s downward spiral to decadence, we observe a man who was more perturbed by what the people would think of him than that he had actually lost the anointing to rule Israel (1 Samuel 15:30). Saul lost the kingdom because he valued the people more than he valued the anointing. The reason why he did so was simply because he chose to spend more time with people that did not value the anointing. That explains why he was so bothered that the people exclaimed the victories of David more than his own instead of

being affected by the anointing by which David achieved these victories. He was blinded to the anointing on David’s life because he had chosen to esteem people more than the anointing. Sadly, this was Solomon’s problem as well. He began well, often in the company of priests and prophets seeking to please the Lord. However, once he begun to marry women from foreign nations that did not share in his understanding of the anointing and God, he soon disgraced himself by worshipping their god’s and simultaneously undermining the anointing that had made him king (1 Kings 11:1‐4). A man who begun his reign chasing after the anointing completed it chasing after vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Like Saul before his father, the consequence of this evil fellowship was a clear loss of the anointing and therefore the right to rule God’s people (1 Kings 11:11). Brethren, the lessons are very profound and remain available for us to be careful who we set camp with. Later the scriptures perhaps aware of Solomon’s fate as a result of evil fellowship cautions thus:

Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33).

I have seen quite a number of folk that begun earnestly seeking the Lord and in fellowship with those who value the

anointing. I have seen the same people over time begin to fraternize with others who have lost a fear of the Lord and a sense of the true value of the anointing. Some have done it for fear of being left out or for the desire of being counted in. Whatever the reason, they have found that in the company of doubters, players, liars, and losers, they have overtime lost this value of the anointing resulting in the downward recession of their once amazing and useful ministry. If we want to keep glowing from glory to glory, we need to seek from the Lord, first, who we should fellowship with. Not every Tom, Dick and Harry is good for your company. Not every church for that matter is good for you. Neither is every conference or retreat or meeting or as the case may be, every Christian media program. On the other hand, are those who have been strategically orchestrated by the Lord to benefit our true understanding of the value of the anointing. Certainly in Elisha’s case, the company of Elijah proved to be a most vital ingredient in his life that brought him to such a correct estimation of the anointing as to keep him on God’s course of things. Without the elder prophet, it would have probably taken him longer to understand the value of the anointing. Similarly, Aaron needed Moses in the same regard. The apostles also gained more than they could write about in associating with Jesus. Every one needs someone that will spar

them in the right direction in as far as the anointing is concerned. One can clearly observe the positive influence the apostle Paul had on Timothy his spiritual son. In one of the letters he wrote to the young man, spiritual nurturing and mentorship is given appropriate light when he advices:

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body

of elders laid their hands on you (1 Timothy 4:14).

Praise God for fathers in the spirit who have kept a true value of the anointing over the course of their ministry and are committed to passing it on to another generation of ministers. Many young ministers in the Lord need to seek the Lord to enable them the privilege to associate with genuine fathers in the spirit who will uplift them in correct impressions of the anointing than in falsehoods. I for one, remain grateful to Pastor Robert Kayanja who has nurtured me to grow in great faith concerning the Lord and in true understanding of the value of the anointing. In this man, I have grown to know that the word of God is not another philosophy of man but a powerful deliberation that is accompanied with supernatural manifestations. My faith was grounded in this experience under his humble commitment to

esteem the gospel which is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe (Romans 1:16). It is the passion with which he so believed and esteemed the anointing that motivated me to other ministries like his such as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Benny Hinn, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. Although they were far away from me, I found fellowship with them through their materials. I would rather listen to Pastor Chris over and over than spend a single day in the company of a church that does not highly esteem the anointing of the Lord. True as it may be that they may know about the Lord but if they do not know the Lord they profess I am out of there. This is indeed one reason why I appreciate the Lord for the benefit of televangelism, product items like cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, and the media of the written word. Through them we can fellowship with genuine servants of God and receive the anointing or/and the understanding of the true value of the anointing. Hopefully, this book will do for you what I am mentioning here. In this regard, we also ought to be careful about the kind of literature or material we are exposed to. Not everything written or spoken in the Name of the Lord is good for you. You need to be discerning of the anointing that these materials are carrying in order to avoid having fellowship with someone that will cause you to have a poor understanding of the value of the anointing.

Who you associate with will more often than not tell how much value you will attach to the anointing of God. Notice the fact that four of the afore‐mentioned requirements for valuing the anointing, namely – submitting to God, purifying the heart, sacrificial attitude and knowledge of God – deal with you specifically as an individual. This means a lot of what you need to do to have a clear revelation of the value of the anointing requires your own work. However, you risk loosing all if after you have done what you are required to do, you associate with the wrong fellowship. If you keep the right company, you will have the right value of the anointing!

RAISING THE STANDARD

Talk is cheap. The world needs more than debates and arguments. The reason why we have been poor representatives of the Kingdom of God is because for the most part we have an undervalued impression of the anointing. There are far too few vessels that really esteem the power of God and what He is able to accomplish. As a result, our faith has been wrongly equaled with the religions of this world. Some have even gone so far as to join a world movement of religions that recognize those that do not esteem the Lordship of Christ. They claim that all religions are different expressions of the search of humanity for the unknown God.

It is a most profound shame that among those who claim they believe in Christ are found those who also believe religions that do not recognize His Lordship. To this kind, I ask the same critical question that Paul asked, “What has light got to do with darkness?”(2 Corinthians 6: 14). His particular warning against being equally yoked with unbelievers is especially useful to some of the leaders of the Christian faith. That is why I always say that there are in truth only two faiths, namely – those who believe in the Lord and those who believe in the devil in any varied guise he presents himself. Those who believe in the Lord are under no obligation to accept as equal those who believe otherwise. Let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4). Fortunately, the Lord is also irked with these developments. To dispute the claims of other religions we are entering a season of great glory for the Church when God is raising the standard. The light is going to outshine the dark. I often say I have no time to argue with those who doubt Jesus’ authenticity or even mine for that matter (because he called me). I do not have that time. Instead of wasting time with semantics and persuasions, I seek the Lord to raise the standard. That is what is going to happen. The Lord is gathering a great army of men and women who have refused to bow to deception and is strategically positioning them to raise the standard. These people know their God and are the people Daniel prophesied will do exploits (Daniel 11:32).

A significant qualification for this mighty army is the true value of the anointing they have. They know the extent of the ability the anointing is able to accomplish through a vessel that is wholly submitted, pure, sensitive and sacrificial to the Lord. They refuse to mingle with those who doubt, do not believe, or are busy wasting time in their own agenda. This army will raise such a standard in our day that will thoroughly overwhelm the enemy and his cohorts. Get ready to experience the God who answers by fire. In an evil world where the devil has come like a flood, the Spirit of God is raising a standard hitherto unknown among the men of the earth. Those who value the anointing must seek God more than ever before that they may truly be enlightened to the true value of these things. There is a shaking in the heavenlies and all professors of truth whatever their persuasion are being put in a balance. Those found empty will be put to flight from the scene no matter their historical depth or cultural relevance. Only those with a true understanding of the anointing will see the glory of God increase among their fold. I commit you to the Lord and to a deeper and more sincere understanding of the value of the anointing.

PASSING THE ANOINTING

Mantles are passing on today more than ever before. The anointing is urgently being passed on from vessel to vessel. Crucial in the exercise is the role‐played by mentors/fathers. The mentor’s mantle is really the anointing under which they have been operating. The act of impartation is in a sense an admission by a mentor that they have only accomplished what they did by the power of God and that that is what it takes to fulfill ones mission on earth. It is also vital we understand that passing on a mantle to another generation is always in obedience to God and is carefully guided and determined by God. One cannot always pass on the mantle according to their preference without consulting with God. Any such exercise will only be formal but devoid of any potency. This was the experience of Isaac, Eli and Saul. Although Isaac’s favorite son was Esau and not Israel, God did not permit him to impart the anointing on the former. At the critical time as he was about to die, Israel manipulated the ceremony of impartation and stole the blessing to Esau’s dismay (Genesis 27:1‐40). In the case of Eli the High Priest, God removed the privilege of spiritual authority from the house of Eli and bestowed the anointing on Samuel. The case of Saul is

even more revealing: Here is a king God had chosen by Himself to rule His people (1 Samuel 10:2). Unfortunately, because of his own disobedience God removed the privilege of leadership from his family to that of the house of Jesse (1 Samuel 15:23). This was in spite of the fact that Saul’s chosen heir, his first‐born Jonathan, was apparent. But even in the house of Jesse, God did not leave it to Jesse to choose his first‐born and favorite, Eliab. Rebuking Samuel who had gone to perform the impartation ceremony for the next king of Israel and for a moment was considering Jesse’s choice God reveals how He makes his choices. He said thus:

Do not consider his appearance or his height, For I have rejected him. The Lord does not

look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the

Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Passing on the mantle is never to be a casual exercise as some ministers today make it appear in revival conferences. It takes more than a laying on of hands for God to transfer an anointing from one person to another. Too many believers, and indeed, servants of the Lord seek to receive an impartation of anointing from one minister (usually one they highly regard) without regard to the cost of that anointing.

To be sure, God will test the heart to assume whether one can indeed qualify for the sought after impartation, and if He finds that ones heart is not ready yet He will just not transfer the anointing. That is why it is so crucial that when we attend pastoral, leadership or revival conferences we first examine the condition of our heart. The case of Elisha reveals just how serious the matter is: We do not know how long Elisha had been Elijah’s servant before he asked for the double portion of his masters anointing (2 Kings 2:9‐14). However, what is clear is that the young servant had evidently paid a dear price to reach that point in time. Previously a successful farmer, the young man had slain all his oxen, destroyed all his tools, and given up his trade and property to serve the Lord under Elijah (1 Kings 19:19‐21). His commitment in the ministry was certainly serious so much that even when the prophet himself and other prophets discouraged him he still persisted in his service to the end (2 Kings 2:1‐6). Even then, when he asked for the mantle of his master, Elijah still told him he had asked for a difficult thing (2 Kings 2:10). Elijah set a condition: If the young man witnessed his departure then he would indeed have the mantle (2 Kings 2:10). God must have considered the young man’s faithfulness and permitted him to pass the test. Later on, everyone that knew his masters ministry confessed that the anointing of Elijah had come upon him (2 Kings 2:15).

The accounts of David and Elisha demonstrate that four attributes are vital if anyone must qualify to receive a spiritual mantle, namely – humility, faithfulness, obedience, and persistence. Dressing similar attire with a servant of God can never give you their anointing as David demonstrated when Saul sought that he wears his armor in the fight against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:38‐40). Neither does merely associating with a servant of God guarantee impartation, as it was not so much Elisha’s association with Elijah as his faithfulness and persistence. Elijah had after all had another servant before Elisha who never received the mantle (1 Kings 18:43‐ 44). The other example of how Gehazi, Elisha’s assistant, missed the mantle in spite of his association and because of his greed is even more instructive. It is also instructive that David did not assume the throne of Israel because of any assistance of Saul. Instead, once it was obvious to Saul that David had the mantle to rule Israel (and not Jonathan) he hated him and chased him from the palace (1 Samuel 19). The point is that any virtuous person paying due diligence to the call of God and willing to suffer even to the point of death will certainly qualify for the anointing. The mantle is a privilege but it comes at a price.

THE PRICE OF HUMILTIY

I have written so much regarding being humble in this subject of the anointing. The reason is that it is so important that we realize the premium God attaches to it. The anointing is a most valuable mantle. It is something that once one gets a hold of they wield enormous power and will increase in every aspect of their life. Consequently, the anointing will certainly empower one to do things they previously were unable to do. The anointing will positively change so much in the life of its bearer in many instances causing them to be advantaged beyond their dreams. The anointing will therefore promote its host propelling them to heights previously unaccustomed to them. If the particular person with this advantage is not humble they will certainly not glorify the Lord which incidentally is the primary purpose of the anointing. The anointing is essentially God’s empowerment for the purpose of accomplishing His work and not for our own self‐glorification. It is very vital for those who are entrusted with the privilege of passing on the mantle to be so careful in assessing the vessel that is partaking the anointing therein. There is a serious need to be careful because if the anointing is not passed on to a humble vessel then the will of God will be frustrated. This was the serious problem that the son’s of Eli manifested in the temple. It was clear to God that although they were legally in position to qualify for the anointing to lead the children of Israel yet their pride was a stumbling block. The arrogance

with which they profaned the temple of the Lord and the place of sacrifice caused God to seek someone else. His choice was a rather unlikely candidate: To begin with, Samuel was young and entirely inexperienced regarding the ways of God. He was also not legally qualified in the sense that he was not from a priestly background. His background held the dubious setting of a polygamous and strife‐ridden home. And yet, God will overlook all former considerations if he finds a humble heart that will minister to Him all the glory. God knew that in this young man, He had the right heart and conduct to accomplish His will. Spiritual mentors and fathers ought to be careful when they are assigning opportunities and bestowing blessings that they will seek to favor the humble over the experienced or the privileged. Part of the reason why previously strong ministries or churches on fire have lost their former glory can be traced to wrong choices by the mentors in who to pass on the mantle to. The anointing should never be passed on the basis of carnal considerations like education, age, wealth, relation or appearance; all that is hogwash. Rather than getting the job done they will seek to gratify themselves while abandoning the mission of the Lord. The price of humility is crucial if the anointing must be passed on. Mentors owe it to God to test the vessels they are considering to bestow the anointing on. And this is not entirely meant to siphon out those who are educated, wealthy, of good

appearance or are relatives. It is possible to have a humble but good looking servant or humble and educated servant who would qualify to receive the mantle. In fact these other benefits are really bonuses to the anointing and can actually be positively integrated to further the mission of the Lord. A clear and current example is the classic case of Professor Adeboye. This humble and contrite gentleman is nothing short of a divine legend in our modern times. A well studied and accomplished college professor of mathematics, yet when his pastor sought from the Lord who should take his mantle as the Overseer of Redeemed Christ Church of God (RCCG), the Lord chose Adeboye. At the time there was concern because he had just converted to the Lord and was rather new to the ministry. Many in the ministry of RCCG did not take him as a serious choice. It did not matter. The Lord had seen his heart. He was humble. Even though he was questioned and criticized he did not defend himself neither did he hold any grudge against his detractors who of course did not know better. Instead he pursued the will of God in earnest. Several years later, Rev. Adeboye is still the same humble man that the Lord chose and little wonder he has been so greatly used of the Lord. By the hand of the Lord, RCCG has grown to be the fastest growing evangelical sect in the world with over 10,000 churches around the world. Humility is not easy. It is a price. One must allow to be broken by the Lord in order to be used of the Lord. Often times,

several persons quit when the Lord is still working on them. Many will cut short the training course that is working humility in them. They will refuse prematurely to be submitted under a servant of God. Often times, humility is an offense to many who feel that they are being “exploited” or “undermined” yet they are “somebody.” It is not an easy price to pay and yet it is a most crucial one if the anointing must be genuinely passed on. What many who seek to serve the Lord need to realize is that the ministry of our Lord is not only a privilege. More than that, it is actually a service and we are servants. Jesus Christ spent three years nurturing this virtue among those who He was going to pass on the baton. Several are the times when he rebuked them in this one issue. He made it clear what spiritual authority was all about. When the sons of Zebedee provoked all the others with their irascible request to be sitted on his right and left in His Kingdom, He was quick to educate the offended apostles concerning the true order in His Kingdom. He told them thus:

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all (Mark 10:43‐44).

It is to those who follow this order that the anointing must be passed on.

THE PRICE OF FAITHFULNESS

It’s amazing how people today assume that the ministry of the Lord is a junk yard of failures. It seems for a lot of folk that when they fail with whatever they were up to then the thing to do is ministry. What is even more disenchanting is that often times they were not faithful at what they were doing in the first place. You find someone that was a particularly lazy hand or even corrupt person being sacked and then they think that the ministry is the recourse for their failure. Ministry has become like a retreat career where all kinds of people are nursing their failure. My dear, full time ministry is not full time foolishness. This perhaps explains why there are all kinds of fake ministers today. It is just remarkable to observe how it is difficult to find genuinely faithful ministers today among those who are serving the Lord. Many ministers are really pretenders that have only transferred their failure or corruption from other vocations to the ministry. Their unfaithful conduct in previous vocations have manifested in the ministry. Ilk of this kind must not be given the mantle if God’s purposes are to be fulfilled. On the other hand are another crop of people that will be faithful with everything else but ministry. They will attend to their businesses, homes, and other concerns with utmost faithfulness but when they get to the ministry they will pay only limited attention. I have seen

people that will be diligent and efficient on matters pertaining to their careers but when they are involved in God’s work they are sloppy and outright disinterested. That is so sad considering that the Lord commanded that we love God with all our heart, all our soul, and with our entire mind (Matthew 22: 37). Allegiance to God is above every other commitment. I have never understood how people can rush for a job and they will regularly come late for a meeting of the Lord. Before passing the mantle, a particular measure of the faithfulness of ones commitment to God must be undertaken. The ministry of the Lord must be esteemed. It is the most useful, fulfilling and challenging career one can ever embark on. It bears the highest responsibility man can ever shoulder. We are dealing with eternal consequences here. The service of the Lord is never to be taken as a second rate concern. Its place among all who are called is nothing short of numero uno! Unless one has demonstrated that they are diligent and entirely committed to the service of the Lord they should not be given the mantle. It does not matter whatever other qualification they have. If they cannot be reverently dedicated to the will of God, send them home. Sometimes people will have an excuse. They will say they were not able to attend to the work of God for one reason or the other. To this kind, I refer the account of the master‐ the three servants and the talents (Matthew 25: 14). The servant that had excuses for his ineptitude and laziness was seriously reprimanded and

severely dealt with by the master. The Lord sought to demonstrate the extent of dedication He expects from those who serve Him. It does not matter the circumstance. We are not to hurry in passing the mantle to others. Several times I will read about how mighty servants of God like Lester Sumrall or George Jeffrey or Kathryn Kuhlmann seemingly passed on the anointing to a single vessel like Rod Parsley or Reinhardt Bournke or Benny Hinn respectively and wonder why it seems like they anointed one person in their entire life? Why is it that Samuel found only one David? Or, why did Elijah find only one Elisha? Or, why is it that Jesus found only 120 that caught it at Pentecost? The reason can be found on the fact that it was not as easy for them then as it is today to find faithful hands that the Lord could use. Passing mantles en masse may seem in vogue today but if the truth is told, not everyone in the venue is catching on the mantle. Most of the hype we see today is mostly drama that only the genuinely faithful take advantage of. We have to remember that the anointing really belongs to the Lord, He is Lord of the harvest. He knows more than all of us who is faithful and who is not. The amazing story of Benny Hinn catching on Kathryn Kuhlmann’s mantle offers a serious point for observation. Although Benny was never a close aide or never closely

associated with Miss Kuhlmann (the closest he came to her is minister in her choir) yet, his diligence to the Lord was not hidden from the Lord. Passing on a mantle need not involve the traditional ritual of laying on of hands as some have always assumed. In the case of Benny, he was able to catch the Kuhlmann anointing long‐distance. True as it were that they were indeed those who closely associated with Miss Kuhlmann and who in fact tapped the anointing upon her life, some of who she actually may have laid hands on, yet it is Benny Hinn who is most credited to have caught on her anointing than anybody else. The reason can certainly be traced on the fact that he was the most faithful the Lord saw among all that were available. Jesus, teaching on faithfulness, stressed a most significant point when he advises:

Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true

riches? (Luke 16:10‐12).

The anointing, as you may know by now, is true riches. It is not some little enterprise you pass on to your family favorites or share disproportionately with friends. It must be passed on to the faithful.

The price of faithfulness is yet a most taxing one. It is, that is why it is so difficult to find faithful hands. Many people can claim to be until you test them. Not many people are because few really ever have a genuine conviction to a given cause. The reason this is the case is really because it is not easy to have genuine conviction when most people are selling out, compromising and self‐seeking. Faithfulness in the ministry is even more difficult because one must be faithful to God above else and to His people before seeking anything for themselves. It involves a complex paradox of sacrifice and excellence, self‐denial and competence. To realize this level of virtue in someone will take nothing less than the Holy Spirit. Several tests and challenges have to be thoroughly serialized for one to be confirmed as faithful. Until the price of faithfulness has been convincingly demonstrated, the anointing should not be passed on.

THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE

Thirdly, the anointing should be reserved for the obedient. Only those who are going to be willing to do the Masters will should be favored to be given His anointing. It must be understood that the anointing is for service and only the willing and the obedient deserve to have it. Without this virtue, not only will the work of God be frustrated but rebellion is possible. Before the anointing is given, one must be sure that the recipient will be submissive to the demands of the Lord.

The purpose of the Lord is forever established and awaits those who the Lord has determined from the foundations of the world to perform. I love it the way Paul presented this revelation when we he says, “We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He set in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). The Lord is not expecting less than performance of His will when He anoints a vessel. It is important to realize that whoever God anoints has a divine assignment to be performed. Consequently, the anointing must never be passed on to someone that is not aware of what the Lord seeks to do or to one who is not moved by the needs of the Almighty God. When God speaks, the anointed should never doubt, hesitate or decline. They can and must only bid the Masters will. David put it this way, “Once the Lord has spoken, twice have I heard” (Psalm 62:11). This is also what the apostle meant when he referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord (Ephesians 3:1). As a servant of the Lord he was willing to undertake whatever the Masters will was. The anointing should therefore be given to those who either by perception or by demonstration have shown to be willing to do the will of God. You cannot and should never be anointed to fulfill your own will. When God seeks a vessel He is really seeking His will to be done. Consequently, until someone has demonstrated an ability and agility to perform the will of God

they do not qualify for the anointing. The reason why there is so much division, strife and rebellion among many ministers in the Church is because of the absence of the commitments of the virtue of obedience. There are far too many masters (than servants) in the service of the Lord. So many are preoccupied with their own desires and not the Lord’s will. Several considerations in this regard have to be asked before the anointing is passed onto a given vessel: Will the particular candidate for the anointing obey the Lord’s will? Are they submissive to authority? Can they sacrifice their own good for the sake of the will of God? Do they fear the Lord? This was why the Lord gave Peter the leadership of the Church. The apostle had demonstrated a degree of submission and readiness to observe the will of God. In fact, in the particular incidence the Lord appointed him to this position, he actually described what serving as a minister in His Kingdom is about. He told him:

When you were younger you dressed your self and went where you wanted; But when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead

you where you do not want to go. (John 21: 18) Serving the Lord is really often the case of doing what you do not like to do. When we commit ourselves to serve the Lord, we have actually surrendered our will to His. Consequently,

before passing the mantle it must be first proven either by the Lord or by experience that one is going to be obedient to do the will of God. The call of God is above preference, principles, or privileges one may feel entitled to. The mantle should not be given to people on any other basis. It is not for nothing that Jesus spent three years teaching His disciples obedience before He passed on the mantle. It should also be noted that the Father has given Him charge over all things only as a result of the obedience He demonstrated by descending from heaven and dying for the redemption of man (Philippians 2:6‐ 9). To be sure, obedience does not come easily for most folk today. Most people prefer to live their life pursuing goals they set for their own benefit. Few are willing to commit themselves to fulfill a goal that does not relate to their own ambition. That is why I call it a price. In fact, serving the Lord comes at a high price. God expects nothing less than complete surrender and the mantle should never be passed on to persons that are unable to do so. I am sure that among the many considerations God had regarding giving Elisha his request for a double portion was the sacrifice he’d undertaken to give up his families land and trade to follow the prophet. The young lad gave up everything to serve the prophet. It should be noted that before serving the Lord, Elisha served the Prophet of the Lord. It is important that

before we pass a mantle to anyone, there ought to be a heart of service discerned in the person partaking of the anointing. I am reminded about one of Africa’s fathers of the gospel, Bishop Arthur Kitonga who I met in the city of Nairobi. This amazingly humble man took note of the apostolic thrust of my ministry and sought to ordain me as an apostle. I would not let him do so, even though my ministry clearly functions as one until I had rendered him a service. I asked him to assign me some duties, some of which were not particularly apostolic. Even as an apostle, I still find myself seeking to serve under other servants of God. When we do evangelical meetings in cities or study seminars or music concerts, we often find ourselves having to work together, and many times under a covering of one ministry or another. I never reach a city, even when the Lord has clearly spoken to me about it, and then proceed to minister without first seeking to know who the elders there are. When I meet them, I then share with them the burden the Lord has given me concerning the area. Once we have agreement on this, I submit to the particular servant(s) as I do the Lord’s will. Often times, it is not easy as we may have contrary views on what the Lord would have done and it seems that we should just walk in and do our thing. And many are there like that that do not pay the price of obedience. However, I remember that God is organized and works in order. He respects hierarchy and

submission. It is not for nothing that the Lord has appointed elders in the Church and authorities in the spirit realm. Knowing that he lifts the humble provides the bonus I need and I follow suit with obedience.

THE PRICE OF PERSISTENCE

The most serious and costly price one will pay in ministry is persistence. Serving the Lord is not a short picnic as many find out after they respond positively to the call. The moment one accepts to serve the Lord, they have just been conscripted in the army of the Lord and must now engage in battle with the enemy. I have often said that if God has called you, you will cry to Him. Where there is a call, there will be a cry. Oh yes! The service of the Lord is often laden with challenges along the way. The devil and his entire force of demons will seek to stop you from serving the Lord. What should our response to this development be? Should we quit because we are challenged? Never! Jesus in fact set a most convicting standard in this regard: He warned that no one who accepts the course of ministry and quits is worth the Kingdom (Luke 9:62). In ministry, the prize of persistence will wear out the cost of resistance. I have spoken on the cost of ministry in the third chapter of this book entitled – TESTED BY THE ANOINTING. In that chapter I explain how the anointing will often allow tests to

come our way. Some of the tests are pleasant while others are painful. It is important for one to realize that once the Lord calls a vessel for His service He knows what they are coming against. This is serious business and should never be undertaken by those who assume otherwise. Recently, there has indeed been a revelation of God’s prosperity in a wider scale than ever before. As a result, servants of the Lord have experienced unprecedented levels of financial increase making ministry a most coveted career. Many young men and women have responded with such an interest convinced that when they serve the Lord they will be as prosperous as the various servants of God they know. Most of their references are the popular televangelists and major ministers that have built stadium sized sanctuaries of prayer. Most of them have and publicly bear their opulence and splendor. Some have spoken critically about this development, complaining that serving the Lord was never intended to be a prosperous career. They argue that the ministry is supposed to be lowly and humble. I, for one, disagree with this crop. Jesus Christ provides the standard par excellence for ministry and His was no poor fit. The fact that He had a finance manager meant that He operated in high finances. And when He sent His ministers to the mission field, he forbade them from carrying gold, silver and a money purse because they had them in the first place. In

my opinion, the gold and silver is the modern day equivalent for serious currencies like the dollar, pound sterling and the euro. Additionally, He Himself assured His disciples that whoever abandons their family and field to serve the Lord shall in return be blessed with 100 times more families and fields in this life time together with eternal life (Mark 10:29). Consequently, ministry is by truth a lucrative career. Why it wasn’t so in times past and among some today can be blamed on ignorance. To be sure, God shall bless anyone that is willing to serve Him. However, this should not be the principle motivation for serving the Lord. The primary motive should always be the bidding of the Lord and the burden for souls. If one does not sense an omnipotent call in their life or/and have a genuine concern for the souls of men, they should not venture in the service of the Lord. If they do, they will not have the grace to deal with the tests that come with it. In fact, those who seek privileges and possessions in the ministry fail one of the tests that come with ministry. Many have been known to abandon the mission the Lord has assigned them in pursuit of worldly fame and riches. In fact one of the earliest challenges Jesus faced in ministry was this one. When the Lord was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, he was offered all the wealth of the world (Matthew 4:8). If He had accepted the offer, He would not have accomplished the mission. Resolute persistence is

required today where wealth is a trap the evil one has placed on the course of ministry. The most profound example we have in our contemporary times is the tragic case of Pastor Jim Baker the former CEO and co‐founder of PTL in America. I believe he had a genuine call to serve the Lord. His beginning was right, called by the Most High with a burden to save souls and transform lives. However, as his ministry progressed and gained fame and success to such incredible levels Jim and his wife Tammy lost direction. The temptation of wealth cost them their entire ministry and marriage. Jim even spent time in jail serving sentence for fraud. His repentant book – I Was Wrong – is a modern day classic that all aspiring ministers ought to get a hold of. And yet, Jim is by no means alone in this failure. There are countless others that have lost their souls in the course of winning others. Rather than be persistent for the Lord, their pursuit is driven to the wealth and privileges the ministry loads on their personal estates. The more common detractor to ministry, however, is the daunting challenges that many suffer as they serve the Lord. Most of the casualties are found in the early part of ministry. Only God knows how many quit so soon. Quite a number assume the call to serve with a double mind and will pursue ministry with another career or vocation. The trouble occurs when the other pursuit requires more attention for one reason

or the other. In many cases, ministry has been known to suffer the consequence, especially when the other commitment is the income‐earner. Faced with the choice of either waiting and sailing the storm of ministry or settling for an income‐earning career, many prefer the latter. I believe that is why Jesus cautioned that it is impossible to serve two masters at the same time. He plainly warned that one cannot serve mammon and God (Matthew 6:24). A price of persistence has to be paid by many young ministers. Often times the Lord will require that we give up an income or in some married cases, both incomes, to serve Him. Precious and I have paid this price. One year after our marriage, we decided to go full time in the service of the Lord. It was not easy for us as a young couple. We had needs, bills, even a salary loan we were serving when we took this decision. To be sure, we paid a serious price of persistence for it. As if what we had given up was not enough, the Lord upped the stakes by commanding us to go to four countries to open up writing colleges. It was not easy maintaining our residence back home, providing for ministers in the church, while at the same time traveling and believing the Lord that He would see us through. There was a high price of persistence, which incidentally, God graced us with strength and faith every passing day. Whether it is wealth or poverty, pleasure or pain, the mountain or the valley, persistence is vital for the service of

the Lord. The anointing should not be placed on people that have no track record for persistence. I believe that one of the reasons that may have inspired Jesus when He picked Peter was his persistence to catch fish through the night. Even though he had caught nothing, he at least had demonstrated a stamina that the Master must have found useful for service. The price of persistence is vital because the enemy a minister confronts is a rather persistent one. Some of the breakthroughs that one may desire in ministry will take a long time coming. Not every devil will easily bow and cow at our appearance. Even in the ministry of our Lord, although there were devils that easily relented at His command, there were others that bedeviled Him till they saw His death. Consequently, ministers ought to be trained to be persistent in the endeavors of the Lord. They ought to know that, while some cases may be easy, a lot of issues will be hard and will take longer to deal with than others. It is to those that have demonstrated this virtue that the anointing must be passed onto.

TAKE AND GIVE

The Kingdom of God is not a selfish domain. It’s most esteemed law is love. The Lord commands that we love one another. In the context of the anointing, we need to remember that it is indeed a take and give business. You cannot be an

indefinite keeper of the anointing. When God anoints a vessel, He intends that the vessel will serve others. Consequently, when we receive the anointing we are actually expected to pass it on. What is more is the fact that unless we give we cannot receive more. I say this because a lot of people wonder why they loose the anointing they have or had. I have been asked how I keep the anointing in my life. Often times, I have astonished my inquirers by revealing that I never keep the anointing. The surest way to loose the anointing is to keep it. If we do not put the anointing in our lives to service, we will loose it. The reason the lazy servant lost his talent to the one who had profited 5 more talents was because he kept his talent. He was being too careful with what really did not belong to him. My friend, the anointing does not belong to you. I have heard of such a thing as “my anointing” or “her anointing”. There is no such thing. There is only an anointing upon someone or the other but there is no personal anointing. To say something like Elijah’s anointing or Isaac’s anointing or Peter’s anointing is completely out of touch with the ways of the Kingdom of God. The anointing is never and will never be personal. It belongs to the Kingdom and is essentially for service. The proper way of addressing it is to say “the anointing that was upon Elijah” or “the anointing that was upon Peter”.

To personalize the anointing is to suggest that one is a master of themselves and therefore has a choice whether to serve or not, or even to serve the way they prefer which is not the case. Jonah could not choose better than God whether to serve in Tachish or Nineveh. And Moses had to follow strict instructions on how to strike the rock (Numbers 20:2‐ 12). If the anointing was personal we would have a choice on these matters. Since the anointing is not personal and is for service, everyone with it must get busy giving while those who do not have it must get ready to receive. That is why I call the business of the anointing a take and give enterprise. I pray that this book will impart more than knowledge of the anointing upon your life. I pray that it will actually anoint you, imparting a divine unction that will revolutionize your life. I am sure that even as you read it you will begin to sense and experience the impact of the anointing. May diseases that have inflicted your body loose you in Jesus’ Name! May mentalities and devils that have cursed you be broken in Jesus’ Name! May the Lord make a way where there was no way, may He turn you around from a zero to a hero, from a squalor to a spender, from grass to grace in Jesus’ Mighty Name! You can shout a huge AMEN! to that! But after, don’t just revel in the Lord’s kindness. Go your way and do for others what the Lord has done for you. A miracle has the potential to reproduce itself. Whatever it is the Lord

has done for you, God is able to do it through you. Freely you have received, freely give! Don’t just keep your prosperity, pass it on. Don’t just keep your breakthrough, pass it on. Don’t just keep your healing, pass it on. God is still El Shaddai‐ More than enough. I agree with brother Keith Moore when he says, “God is a too much God!” Oh yes, He is more than able to do through you what He had done for you. That is why the word says we have defeated the enemy by the word of our testimony. When you have received the anointing, pass it on. Can God use you? You’ve got to know He can use others too. Can God heal you? Well, believe that He can heal others too. Can He provide for you? Take it for granted that He can give to others too. So, let’s not keep this thing. Let’s give and it shall come back to us, shaken together, pressed down, running over! The more we give, the more we shall take. Elijah passed it on. So did Isaac to Jacob, Naomi to Ruth, David to Solomon, and Jesus to us. That is the way of the Kingdom. It may be that you do not have the anointing upon your mantle as Elijah was graced to have. But you certainly have a testimony or gift the anointing has enabled you to exercise. Pass it on. Do not sit on it. That is what Paul meant by urging Timothy to stir the gift that he had received from the elders by laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14). Paul was telling him to pass it on.

I will even go further to suggest at this point for you to pass on this book to someone else that needs to know about the anointing. Don’t just sit on it or let it gather dust on your shelf, pass it on!

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ANOINTING

Although I am certain that the anointing in your life has been stirred to another degree, I sincerely hope a firm impression has taken over you as you have read/studied on the anointing.

I have labored in love to clarify that though the anointing is glorious it is not cheap. Some would object to this suggestion and cite the scripture that says, “Freely have you received” out of context (Matthew 10:8). However, just because we receive the anointing freely from God does not mean that it is cheap. A father may provide for his home freely as most good ones do but it don’t come cheap for many. In fact, if a proper assessment of most free staff were made we would find that they are not altogether cheap. Some of them are indeed the most expensive and can be costly to their recipients. Take for instance, the gift of life: When we are conceived there may not have been a price we pay but that does not mean that our existence and life is cheap. This is similar to the genuine affection we may usually get from loved ones. Most of them may freely love us and share their lives with us at no price offered on our part but that does not discount the benefits and costs of that friendship. In most cases, the benefits of such a relationship are gained if we are responsible enough to appreciate their premium, while the costs are sadly realized when we lose it. It is at this point that we realize how expensive the friendship that was freely given to us was. And that is how it is with the anointing. Although freely given to all who believe in Christ, its benefits are beyond measure

and the costs of its absence or abuse further than we can appreciate. Anything of such value then requires utmost discipline to ensure maximum utility at minimum loss. Because the anointing is being given to more vessels in this generation than in any other in human existence, it means that there is potential for both its benefits and costs to be experienced more today than in any other generation. Certainly the benefits are far more than many of our predecessors ever hoped to see. Although we have nothing so far to compare to Moses’ separation of the Red Sea and deliverance of the entire Jewish nation from the hands of Pharaoh or Solomon’s famous wisdom and extravagant riches or Elijah’s call for fire from heaven, yet we are at the brink of seeing more than they saw. Observe this prophesy: The time is going to come and has come when God will empower His servants with such an anointing that entire nations will witness fires fall from heaven, seas give way and whole nations delivered spiritually, financially and mentally. What we saw in the scriptures are often times shadows of the time to come (Colossians 2:17). God is going to replicate in a far more outlandish fashion the same miracles of the bible. Remember, Jesus said we would do greater works than He did (John 14:12): Get ready to see entire mass graves of people being filled with the breath of life. Not once but several times,

entire mission teams will walk on water in full view of the world. Whoever said miracles are a thing of the past is in for a big surprise. Miracles, signs and wonders are taking place today and will increase with intensity, variety, and regularity. I agree with Kathryn Kuhlmann and Benny Hinn who earnestly have believed that the time would come when everyone in the body of Christ will be healed and live in divine health. Those who suggest that any outlandish miracles are only to be demonstrated by the anti‐Christ or his false prophets are in for a rude shock. Jesus said miracles are the bread of the children, meaning that as long as there are children of God there will always be miracles (Matthew 15:26). These signs and wonders shall follow ALL WHO BELIEVE!!! Besides, the scriptures have prophesied that in the last days the people that know there God shall do exploits (Daniel 11:32). They will do miracles, signs and wonders that will far outweigh those wrought by false prophets and any anti‐Christ. How do I know this? Well, for one, the Spirit of the Almighty God has told me so. Secondly (just to back‐up the rhema with logos), what happened with Moses was a sign to us. When he performed wonders before Pharaoh so did Pharaohs magicians and sorcerers. They sought to do what Moses did meaning that

Moses was the pacesetter while they followed. And yet, Moses’ miracles so outclassed theirs that at some point they had to commend that God’s hand was with him (Exodus 8:19; 10:7). I tell you most assuredly that we shall outclass every religion, every witchcraft, or other power by reason of the anointing. Christian projects will soon outpace every other project in the world whether it is construction and building, entertainment, motivation, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing relief, even governance. The anointing is going to cause a level of excellence among saints beyond the ability of any human or angel. The benefits of the anointing are about to be released to the Church in a measure the world has never seen in times past to this day. This will be the case only because there is a release of grace from heaven for saints to pay the cost for this move. Oh yes, the cost of discipline will be more endured in this generation than has ever been before. It has been said that this is an instant generation in relation to its impatience. Others have suggested it to be generation x referring to its loss of identity. Yet others have dismissed it as a lost cause in reference to the gross indiscipline found among its youth. Well, that is what the devil would love us to see. He would like us to be preoccupied observing his works. However, there is

an emerging generation that the prince of this world is afraid of and hopes against all hope that you never see. I am talking of the end‐time Christ generation, a people that have been separated, saturated and seasoned by the anointing. They are not anything like what is going on around them. They do not mind being different. They do not only believe the bible, they live the bible. The word of God is their compass for living and the Spirit of God their Master. They do not only walk with the Spirit, they are walking in the Spirit. They bear a sense of urgency. They know that Jesus is soon coming and they have a major assignment to accomplish. This world means nothing to them except the lost souls that need to be won and the will of the Father which must be done. To this kind, anything goes‐ father, mother, brother, sister, friend, husband, wife, business, whatsoever comes secondary to the love they have for God and their purpose in Him. While everybody else is preoccupied with getting a better life for its sake, this crop of spiritual people is caught in the discipline of the anointing. They will not separate the anointing from discipline or benefits from costs. Each carries his cross even as they are clothed in His glory. They know what it is to be high and low, famous and unknown, alive and dead, full stomach and empty stomach. To them death is but being absent from the body and present with the Lord. Life, on the other hand, is to unreservedly serve the Lord and live for Him

only by winning souls and strengthening the body of believers. They have no cause in this world except the Lord. They have no cause in death except the Lord. They have no cause in the after life except the Lord. They live and die, eat and hunger, suffer and enjoy, test and are tested for His glory. They are denied by those who love this world and are accepted by those who love the Lord. They don’t send missionaries. They are missionaries living for Christ in a cold hearted world. This is the army of royal troops the prophet Joel saw marching in the end of time (Joel 2:2‐9). They are victorious and will not relent against the tide of evil. Their battles are not against any of the people in this world. No, they battle principalities and powers in high places (Ephesians 6:12). They love everyone and are obliged by virtue of their person and calling in Christ to love all‐mankind (1 John 4:7). Be that as it may, they are nevertheless enemies to the spirit of this world. In their course to destroy the evil machinations of darkness, they are hated by the world (John 15:18). Sometimes it is their immediate relations like their spouse, siblings, parents and acquaintances that will betray, ostracize or contend with them (Matthew 10:21). Some of these acquaintances will be fake apostles, prophets, pastors, turn‐coat believers planted by the devil to steal, kill and destroy their faith. Sometimes it is strangers or powerful people in the authorities of this world that will seek to incarcerate, persecute or execute them (Luke 21:12).

At all costs they march on bearing the truth of the gospel. Their lives are surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the dictates of God, the motives of the Most High. They will not relent till the Kingdom is firmly established in the earth. For them, no price is too lofty to pay. No cost is too high to endure. They bear their cross and carry the Lord’s message, power and authority to an ending world that is lost in covetousness and carnality. Their greatest reward is not yet. No one can pay them enough and neither does this world have whatsoever they need. Their curious appetites shall never be entirely satisfied until they behold the smile of their Master compliment them. Their aspirations will find full recompense at the Lord’s acclamation, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest” (Matthew 25:21). In this world, and in the one to come, they are by far the richest, the happiest and strongest of all.

ELIJAH HAS RETURNED!

If we say that Jesus Christ is soon coming to wrap up history as we know it, then it is vital that we realize that among the vital signs given in the word of God concerning this development is the return of Elijah. Elijah is supposed to once more return to prepare the way for the Messiah. The prophet Malachi put on the mouth of God and solemnly declared:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers,

lest I come and I smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:5, 6).

Of course, the Lord is not alluding to the Jewish expectation of the first return of Elijah which did indeed occur when the prophet’s mantle was upon John the Baptist. The first return of Elijah did not herald a great and terrible day as it were and neither was the primary function of Elijah at the time to reconcile the hearts of the children and fathers. It is in fact for this reason why even the teachers of the law and the priests of his time did not recognize that John was indeed Elijah. It is important that we appreciate the specificity of function here in relation to the anointing and discipline: Notice that Elijah does not function out of the expectation of God. He is an obedient vessel that will submit the anointing upon him to the discipline required of him by the Lord; meaning that he does not do as he pleases but as it pleases the Lord. Observe that in his first appearance, Elijah’s function was limited to revealing God’s power to pagan Israel and only once calling it to repentance. The second time we see Elijah (in John the Baptist) we see him preparing the way for the Messiah, calling Israel to repentance, and hardly manifesting any power from above except that the anointing of his ministry is strong enough to draw all of Israel to the Jordan. Consequently, one will observe that while the first appearance of Elijah emphasized the anointing, the second appearance

emphasized discipline. The first Elijah was a man of considerate power while the second one was a man of impeccable character. So, what is the third Elijah like? Is he a man of power or of character? Will he appear from the ancient town of Tishbe as in his first appearance or from the wilderness as in his second appearance? Beloved, the third Elijah is not at hand. He is already here. This time with a vengeance to do more than what he has ever done before. Important to realize is the fact that whenever the scriptures talk of the return of Elijah they are not talking about the return of his actual body but his spirit. That is why many in Israel, even those who were earnestly studying the details related to his return actually missed him because he did not come in the old form calling power from heaven but as John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness. In all of Israel, it was only Jesus that knew that Elijah had indeed returned, and he revealed the same to the disciples when they asked him about the return of Elijah. In His words:

To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is

going to suffer at their hands (Matthew 17:11‐12).

The scriptures then continue to affirm that the disciples understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist (Matthew 17:13). It is important that we realize that the same thing is happening today. Many with carnal minded religious observations are wearily waiting for Elijah when he is already here. They are waiting to see one greatly anointed vessel in Israel, probably dressed in carmel skin and eating locusts and wild honey before they really know that Elijah is back. Others have erroneously believed that they alone are the Elijah that was prophesied will return as was the case with William Branham who died in 1965. Others have yet mistakenly suggested the return of Elijah to a spirit of the prophet as witnessed in a movement of Christian and Judaism leaders involved in reconciling Judaism aspirations to Christian ones. They really believe that this is what the Lord meant by reconciling the fathers (the Judaists) with the sons (Christians). All are wrong all‐through. To the best of my knowledge, founded as it is on the inerrant word of God, the Judaists and believers are brothers and not father and son respectively. Together we constitute the seed of Abraham (Romans 4:11‐16; Galatians 3:7). To be sure, Elijah is among us in a far greater fashion than he has ever been before. And the scale of his ministry is this time

not going to decrease as the Lord returns but it shall increase more and more till it has sufficiently accomplished the Lord’s mission‐ which is restoring all things. So what do I mean by all this? The last return of Elijah is much more different than his first two appearances. Whereas, in the first two he appeared as a man and emphasized either the anointing or discipline, this time he is returning as an army of people that are yoked to both the anointing and discipline. As it was with John the Baptist, where we correctly observe that it really was not the person of Elijah so much as it was the spirit of Elijah, so it is today. However, this time round, the spirit of Elijah is not returning as a single individual or as a person. The spirit of Elijah has come back as a mighty people! Their sphere of operation is not limited to the banks of the Jordan or the summit of Mt. Carmel. They are all around the world. They are in churches around the world, in communities, cities, and nations that Herod and Jezebel never knew. And, they are not in hiding from Ahab. Oh yes, the Lord is so true when He says that unless a seed falls to the ground and abides alone and dies, it cannot grow and become a tree and bear much fruit (John 12:24). Elijah was bullied by Jezebel, threatened by Ahab, and killed by Herod, but he has now returned as a people that are well endowed with the power of God as well as the character of Christ. They are anointed and disciplined and have therefore

mastered the discipline of the anointing. The spirit of Jezebel and the influence of Herod are so limited for this come back of Elijah. What is more, he is not decreasing in intensity and number even as the day of the Lord approaches. Oh no. He did that before, now it has been given to him to increase from glory to glory. What does that mean for you? Well, that depends on whether you want to be among the numbers. Do you want to be among the people carrying this spirit of Elijah? It is all a matter of choice. All you have to do is hunger and thirst for righteousness and the anointing. Desire the Kingdom of God with all of its righteousness and you are in (Matthew 6:33). This is the only kind of people that will reconcile the hearts of the children with the fathers. Children will be drawn because of the power; the fathers will be drawn because of the discipline. Both will congregate before men and women and will manifest both. Get ready to see the greatest move of God ever seen in this world. No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. But (and here’s the catch), it has been revealed to the saints (1 Corinthians 2:9). Receive this omnipotent revelation and run with it!

My friend, this is no season not to be both anointed and disciplined. You just should not afford that. Any such foolishness is a ticket to disaster and failure. If you are void of the anointing seek it. And if you are indisciplined pursue righteousness. You cannot do enough with either of the two and you are damned if you have none of them. If you earnestly burn with the desire to see all this world change for Jesus, you should have both the anointing and discipline. If we really want to see the glory of God revealed beyond measure, beyond doubt, beyond our understanding, then we need both the anointing and discipline.

It is very important that we realize that as days pass by there is a particular destiny that the Church is intended to fulfill: A most incredible one. We are not here just to sing hymns, go to Sunday service, make prayers and read moral literature such as the one I and many others have written. Christianity, so to say, is not a religion. It is so much more than that. Understanding our faith will permit us to appreciate the fact that God has ordained the Church to establish the Kingdom of God, to occasion the will of the Father here on earth as it is done in heaven. This is the restoration of all things and both the anointing and discipline are vital for this purpose.

A GREAT FUTURE AWAITS US

I begun by saying that while the anointing will get you started; discipline will keep you going on in God’s glory. I would like to say that both are needed if you must accomplish the mission. The mission is no simple feat. It is a Herculean task, a grand assignment of monumental proportions that will move beyond reconciliation of fathers and children to the final restoration of all things. As messed up as things appear today around the world, the future will see the realignment of all creation back to God’s original plan. Oh yes, God is going to put things back where there were supposed to be before man fell from perfection to corruption. What do we mean by restoration of all things? It is so important that we clearly understand what God means by the restoration of all things. Important because as certain as you are reading this book the restoration of all things will take place. There has been so much that has manifested the corruption of all things since the fall of man. So much has indeed gone wrong. Any casual observation of life today and times gone reveals the trouble, distress, despair, destruction and death that all of creation has suffered and continues to suffer. Observed as it were by human wisdom it really seems that the challenges confronting mankind are insurmountable. To man’s

credit, though, there have been scores of attempts to resolve these challenges and this spirit does continue today. Yet, in spite of several successes the challenges of poverty, war, decay, disease, and death remain immensely significant. Does restoration of all things mean making all things better? Or, does it relate to ensuring that what went wrong is brought back to its original state? I believe that it goes beyond making things better. God’s plan is better than that. The best of men in their government policies, business endeavors, donor missions, religious devotions, and international efforts really only aspire to improve circumstances. God on the other hand is seeking to perfect whatever was corrupted. Restoration of all things is a comprehensive endeavor of the Almighty God to establish in our times that which was His sovereign intent from the very beginning. God intends to make all men and women to be what he intended them to be from the very beginning. He seeks to make them the kings and priests he ordained mankind to be, with dominion and power over the air, the land and the sea. None of them should be subject to the other or impoverished in anyway. None of them should be sick, distressed, or hopeless. All of them should have access to Him and to all He has made. Restoration of all things begins with the restoration of man and concludes with man being himself the salvation of all creation. Until we have restored man, any endeavor to

manage the environment, ensure world peace, preserve wild life or any other noble efforts of this current world will be fruitless. Conversely, when God is complete in His divine commitment to restore man, all things will then be reconciled in Him that He will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28). Beloved, believe it so that you may partake of it: The day is coming, and I am certain that we have arrived at that time, when all things will be made perfect. Every man will be made perfect. Very soon, there will be a conclusion to every struggle, every pain, and every loss. What no kingdom, empire, or government was able to do is going to be accomplished by reason of the anointing and discipline. What no religion, creed, ritual or code was able to perform the anointing and discipline will achieve. Of course, there are those who will assume that such a prospect is of utopian potent, an ideal that will remain a pipe dream. However, they think so because they live in a limited realm of human corruption. But if you are translated into the Kingdom of God and behold the purposes of God, you will be able to tap into this prospect. Remember, we are not talking of any other ability other than the ability of God‐ It is not by might, or by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. The zeal of the Lord shall accomplish this (Zechariah 4:6).

I say this for many that do not realize it yet to understand that the anointing we have received is not merely for us to cast out devils, speak in other tongues and receive a prosperous life at an individual or corporate level. There is a grander plan than that. You have to know that the anointing is the power of God. That power is unlimited power. The human mind has no ability whatsoever to comprehend the extent of that power. The carnal mind cannot even understand what I am dwelling on here. That power is far beyond measure, or scale. It is infinite in ability, glorious in its impact, exponential in its purpose (Ephesians 1:19). Whoever wields such power is more than in control. And we that believe in the Lord Jesus have indeed received that power (Matthew 28:1‐20). It is the power of heaven and earth. I wish to submit that it is the same power by which a new heaven and a new earth shall be created (Revelation 21:1). In fact, that is indeed the crowning function of that power. Together with God, we shall create the next dimension. Together with God, we shall command new lights to be, new waters to be, new cities to be, new beings to be. Together with God, we shall judge angels of all kinds. That anointing we have received will be made fully manifest and our understanding of it will be brought to a full sense so that the glorious purposes I have mentioned are performed.

But here is the catch: Only those who have demonstrated a significant measure of discipline with the anointing they have will be part of this restoration of all things. The anointing we have seen so far has been so minimal compared to the one that will be entrusted to those who will be disciplined enough to be rewarded with more. It is vital that we realize that the restoration of all things is not a myth from religion but a truth of God. The day shall come, and it is so soon, when a certain category of people will possess the original plan of God and walk in it. These will be men and women that have mastered the discipline of the anointing. Because they have been faithful with the little they will be given much (Matthew 25:21). They will be people that have gone beyond the started level of God’s glory and ventured into glories hitherto unknown by men. And I believe that if you have gone this far in this text, you are a candidate for this next glory of God‐ a glory of a perfect man, superior to all things. A man that has been made by reason of the anointing to be similar to God. It is this man that Paul spoke about that all of creation awaits to be revealed (Romans 8:19). This man is ruler over all of God’s creation. He reigns with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Nothing in this world is able to master him. In every circumstance he is more than a conqueror (Romans 8: 37).

Because they are born of the Spirit, are anointed beyond measure, they overcome the world and are masters of destiny (1 John 5:4). They are not in the League of Nations still trying to figure out what works. NO, a thousand times NO! THEY ARE WHAT WORKS! The scripture testifying of them reveals:

\ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us

to do (Ephesians 2:10).

What kind of people are we dealing with here? A people without defeat. A royal priesthood selected and predestined to be the revelation of God to His entire creation (1 Peter 2:9). It is they for whom the Christ came and for whom He will be revealed. Together with Him, because of righteousness (both in terms of correct state and correct living) they will inherit the earth and eat the fruit of the land (Isaiah 1:19). They will do what the United Nations failed to do with all of its politics and noble intentions. They will eradicate poverty, manage the environment, ensure world peace, and secure universal knowledge and health for all men. Make no mistakes about it, this is no fantasy. It shall stand the test of time and only those who endure the double combination of both the anointing and discipline will live to see the day of these things. For it will take both in increased measure to restore all things.

My dear brethren, the Spirit of the Lord has moved me to put this work together so that you do not settle for less when there is so much more. May God give you all grace in Christ to understand, desire and achieve this prospect to the glory of His Son Jesus Christ and the eternal benefit of mankind and all creation. AMEN! GLORY, HONOR, DOMINION AND POWER BELONG TO OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER WORLD WITHOUT END AMEN! To all who are hungry and thirsty after righteousness, the SPIRIT AND BRIDE say COME!

the discipline of the anointing

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