ABIDING ANOINTING FOR BIBLE-BELIEVING MINISTER

Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 59:21; 1 John 2:27-28.

Anointing is like the fuel you put in a car. When a car’s manufacturer’s maintenance and recommended fuelling instructions are followed, the vehicle will run as advertised. However, if the instructions are disregarded and you don’t put the right fuel in the car, causing it to underperform, it would not be the manufacturer’s fault. In Christian terminology, the right fuel for the ministry is the anointing. When God puts the anointing on you, you will run and not faint, you will walk and not be weary, and the anointing will go with you everywhere you go. The anointing from Christ comes upon those who believe, accept, live by, and pray by the Bible. Any anointing outside the Bible is a wrong anointing. If you are doing the work of God, He has given us the Bible and commanded us to read and obey it; as you do, the anointing will confirm His word in our ministries. To minister means to give out what the people need as heaven has provided. As a minister, you must know the people you are ministering to, understand their needs, and link them to the provision for their needs. “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” (Proverbs 1:23).

The Spirit and the Scriptures go together. The Holy Ghost will not work without the Word, and the Word will not bear fruit without the Holy Spirit. The anointing comes upon the word, and it is that word that has the anointing and comes like an arrow into the people’s hearts to effect change. “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isaiah 59:21). We see another emphasis on the Word and the Spirit. The Spirit works with the Scriptures, and the Scripture is affirmed and confirmed by the Spirit. “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:27-28). The only true anointing is the anointing that comes from the Lord. We cannot isolate the anointing from righteous living because anointing without transformation of life and a purged heart will not get us anywhere.

Anyone who leaves this earth without this basic instruction about the new birth, a new life, eternal life, and how to live for the glory of God is headed for damnation.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). We search the Scriptures so that they can bring us eternal life. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:22-31). The Bible tells us of different people’s fate in the afterlife. The Bible instructs us on what we must do to secure a peaceful afterlife.

The knowledge of all the books in this world will terminate in this world, but the knowledge from the Bible will continue in eternity; therefore, we must devote more time to reading the Bible than all the other books. The rich man’s brothers had the Old Testament that they could have read to know how to avoid hell, but they did not. We need to read the Bible for our salvation and read the same scriptures to others to be saved.

(i) Blessed Illumination Breaking Lifelong Evil – Matthew 6:13; John 17:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24; 2 Timothy 4:18. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13). The Bible is given to us to know the basic things to pray for, such as the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). The Bible illuminates our hearts and personalities to discern what is evil and how to abstain from it.

(ii) Believed Information Bringing Life Eternal – John 3:16; 16:27; Romans 6:22- 23; 1 John 4:9-10. If you receive information but don’t believe it, it will not be helpful to you. It is not what we read in the Bible but what we believe that gets us out of danger of eternal torment. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). When we believe in the love of God, we will have everlasting life.

(iii) Believers’ Inheritance Beyond Life’s Essentials – Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:5- 6; Colossians 1:12-14; Revelation 21:6-8. Some people limit life’s essentials to material wealth and earthly riches, but the Bible shows us a greater inheritance beyond life’s essentials that awaits believers. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18). The Bible opens our eyes to our inheritance in Christ that supersedes the life’s essentials that most people run after.

2. BIBLE: BLESSED INSPIRED BOOK LIFTING EVERYONE. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 34:16.

The Bible lifts a sinner to become a saint, lifts the weak to become strong, and lifts us from where we are to where we ought to be. The Bible is an inspired book, greater and higher than all other books worldwide. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Reading the Bible right shows us our unrighteousness and leads us to the righteous One—the Redeemer— who operates in our lives and brings righteousness into our lives. “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” (Isaiah 34:16). The proclamations, prophecies, and the power of the Bible will not fail. God will order them all together to fulfil His purpose in our lives. Some of the writers of the books of the Bible lived at different times and in different dispensations. Yet, God gathered them and their writings together so that there is no contradiction among them, and we have the unity of the Bible.

(i) Begetting Incorruptible Book Liberating Eternally – 1 Peter 1:23, 25; James 1:18; Ephesians 5:26-27. When we read the Bible, there is enough power and grace in it to liberate us now and eternally. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23). Whatever our age, the Bible can make us born again. The Bible is always fresh because it is the revelation of God that lives and abides forever. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26-27). The Bible is the Word of God that cleanses, washes, purges, purifies, and sanctifies us from every unclean and unrighteous thing.

(ii) Broad Incomparable Book Lightening Effectively – Isaiah 55:8-11; Psalm 119:96, 105, 130; 2 Samuel 22:29-33. The Bible is broad: it has a message for children, adults, and the aged; it speaks to men and women; it speaks to the black and the white and every tribe on earth. The Bible is incomparable to any book on earth. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:8-11). All the books we read are the products of the thoughts of men, and they cannot be compared to the thoughts of God revealed to us in the Bible. Everyone who handles the Bible ought to be very careful because it is the word of God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalms 119:105, 130).

(iii) Bold Inclusive Book Leading, Empowering – Joshua 1:7-9; Hebrews 10:7, 16; Romans 15:4-6. The Bible includes everything: rebuke, correction, chastisement for doing evil, judgment on people who think they are untouchable, repentance from sin, regeneration after repentance, righteousness, and life after death. “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:7-8). Humans are naturally weak against sin, just as Adam and Eve were, but God’s word strengthens and empowers us. The Bible is God’s bold and inclusive book that leads us to the power of God to become successful. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4).

Bible before breakfast, and Scriptures before supper and sleep. When you read the Bible, it brings hope and takes away depression, anxiety, and all that oppresses you. I have hope.

3. BIBLE: BOUNDLESS INSTRUCTOR BESTOWING LIMITLESS EXPERIENCES. Romans 5:4-5; 2 Peter 1:3-4.

When you immerse yourself in the Bible and its promises, precepts, and prophecies, you are bestowed with limitless experiences such as salvation, sanctification, and Spirit baptism. Because God is unlimited, the experiences we can have from the Lord are also unlimited, and we get them from the Bible. “And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:4-5).

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Whenever we feel empty and don’t have enough, it is a sign that we don’t know what is provided for us in the Bible. When we read the Bible, we have a revelation that God has given us the divine nature. To have the divine nature that God has given us, we must get rid of the human, angry, covetous, tribal, worrying, and violent nature.

(i) Believing Instructive Beatitudes Lived Everywhere – Matthew 5:3-5; Isaiah 57:15; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Matthew 11:29. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3-5). The poor in spirit are humble to receive the word of God. Those who mourn here do not make a mockery of sin (Satan In Nature), while the meek here are humble and gentle; these are the people who the Lord blesses. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29). When we take the yoke of Christ upon ourselves, we recognise His controlling factor upon us and submit our thoughts and actions to His approval.

(ii) Bearing Imperishable Beatitudes Loyally Everyday – Matthew 5:6-9; Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 24:3 4; Hebrews 12:14. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:6-9). The average person hungers after materialism, but those who are blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. God is full of mercy; after we get the mercy of the Lord, we must show mercy to others in our language and actions. Show mercy in how you relate with your spouse, children, and neighbours, in everything you do, and everywhere you go. When you are merciful, it means you will stop being aggressive in your interactions with others. Those who are pure in heart do not entertain pornography, dirty stories, and things that do not edify. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14). We must live in peace with all men, remembering that we are only here in the world for a while and being conscious not to allow our actions here to rob us of eternity in heaven. No one will see the Lord without holiness in the heart, home, private, and public. You will see the Lord on the final day in Jesus’ Name.

(iii) Building Increasing Beatitudes Lovingly Everytime – Matthew 5:10-16; 1 Peter 4: 12-16; Colossians 4:6; Matthew 5:16. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:10-16). Some people will persecute you because of your stand for righteousness, but you will be blessed when you don’t allow the persecution to take the righteousness from you. Those who remain righteous despite the persecution, pressure, and misrepresentation they face will be blessed.

As lights in the world, we must have enough oil of grace to keep us shining until the coming of the Lord. If you are born again, the closest person to you, your co-workers, and fellow believers should be able to see that you are a changed person and that your light is shining before them. Our labour is in vain if our works do not glorify the Father in heaven.