2023 Prophetic Perspective: Engr. Sam Ezeokoli

 Welcome to AD 2023: The Year of Total Victory

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

(I John 5:4-5)

Victory as it is defined by Vine’s Expository Dictionary means to conquer, overcome, and prevail, and that is exactly what God wants in His children. From Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 15:2 God has promised that the Saints will prevail. Satan is destined for the Bottomless Pit and desires to take as many souls with him as is possible. We are in a battle for our very souls and the thing to be feared the most is not merely the death of our physical bodies, but the eternal damnation of our souls.

FOUR BASIC TRUTHS TO NOTE

1. Life is not a play ground but a battle field

2. Life is not a funfair, it is a warfare

3. Whether you are interested in fighting the battle or not, the battle is interested in you

4. It is a known fact that the Spiritual rules the Physical

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Let me share with you another mighty Scripture: "Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). Think upon this verse for a moment - GOD ALWAYS CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST! Not sometimes, but always! God has a complete and continual victory for us in Christ! Praise His name.

God has provided us with mighty spiritual weapons which, when used, will "pull down strongholds, imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (God's revealed will for us), and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). If we do not use these weapons that the Lord has given us, then WE will be brought into captivity. 

In Romans 8, Paul again reveals the complete victory which is ours through Jesus Christ. We can name anything we like; but he was persuaded that IN ALL THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST THAT LOVED US - MORE THAN CONQUERORS! The strongest onslaught the enemy can bring against us, we are able to effectively conquer, with plenty in reserve! We are more than conquerors through Jesus Who loves us! This is the kind of victory that God has for those who love Him and who believe the promises of His Word. We cannot go under for going over!

In Romans 8, Paul again reveals the complete victory which is ours through Jesus Christ. We can name anything we like; but he was persuaded that IN ALL THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST THAT LOVED US - MORE THAN CONQUERORS! The strongest onslaught the enemy can bring against us, we are able to effectively conquer, with plenty in reserve! We are more than conquerors through Jesus Who loves us! This is the kind of victory that God has for those who love Him and who believe the promises of His Word. We cannot go under for going over!

Irrespective of your situation, there is surely hope for you if you accept the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Appropriating the Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ reverses all negative situations (Revelation 12:11, Isaiah 53:4-5).

Why would you remain in that situation when the Blood of Jesus Christ is readily available for you to appropriate? There is no situation in life beyond redemption by the Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. All you need to do is call on Jesus Christ right away in faith, accept Him into your life and begin to appropriate His Blood for your total victory.

Say this prayer genuinely from your heart… “Lord Jesus, I call on You today for help, I accept You into my heart as my Lord and Saviour, please forgive my sins, wash me in your Blood, break every yoke of the devil off my life by the Power in your Blood, and give me total victory in life in Jesus Name, Amen”.

Remember that in Egypt, the children of Israel were saved from death by the blood of goats and rams which was placed at the doorpost of their houses and when the destroyer came, he passed over their houses. All that the people needed to do to be free from death was to stay in the house. Jesus is that house and all you need to do today to be saved is to stay in Christ. 

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11 KJV

 Your salvation has the provisions of heaven for your victory over the adversary. God did not bring you out for you to fail, but to live a victorious life. It is easy to understand that we have been redeemed with the blood of the lamb. You must also have an understanding of the reality of the blood that makes you acceptable in the presence of the Lord.  Ephesians 1:7 declares: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (KJV).

 The blood of Jesus gave us redemption. We were bought back from the adversary; so, Satan has no right to accuse us of anything. The price has been paid in full with the blood. As a result of the victory which we have in Christ Jesus, we are supposed to live a life of ease. You must understand that the blood of Jesus has given you complete and total victory over every opposition that comes against you.

 Welcome to an Era of Possibilities and Total Victory! Please attend any Bible-believing and Holy Spirit-filled church near you to be deeply rooted in the Word of God to sustain your victories. Feel free to connect with us

APOSTOLIC CONGRESS

LAGOS DOMINION NIGHTS- EVERY LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Acts 10:38-How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Its a Season of Great Manifestation of His Power, Great Deliverance, Divers Healing of All Manners of Sicknesses by his Manifest Presence.

Venue: Emmanuel Anglican Church Railway Compound Ebute Metta Lagos.

   

                                      The Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland.

EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

“Must you go to China? How much nicer it would be to stay here and serve the Lord at home!” She made it plain at last that she would not go to China.” -J. Hudson Taylor’s new ex-girlfriend

“You can do something other than working with God in His purpose, but it will always be something lesser, and you couldn’t come up with something better.” -Steve Hawthorne

“I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages - villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world.” -Robert Moffat

“The command has been to “go,” but we have stayed - in body, gifts, prayer and influence. He has asked us to be witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth… but 99% of Christians have kept puttering around in the homeland.” -Robert Savage

“While vast continents are shrouded in darkness… the burden of proof lies upon you to show that the circumstances in which God has placed you were meant by God to keep you out of the foreign mission field.” -Ion Keith-Falconer

“I wasn’t God’s first choice for what I’ve done for China… I don’t know who it was… It must have been a man… a well-educated man. I don’t know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn’t willing… and God looked down… and saw Gladys Aylward… And God said - “Well, she’s willing.” -Gladys Aylward

“Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees.” -J. Hudson Taylor

“The man… looking at him with a smile that only half concealed his contempt, inquired, “Now Mr. Morrison do you really expect that you will make an impression on the idolatry of the Chinese Empire?” “No sir,” said Morrison, “but I expect that God will.” -Robert Morrison

“Here am I. Send me.” -Isaiah

“And people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives… and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.” -Nate Saint

“Jehovah Witnesses don’t believe in hell and neither do most Christians” -Leonard Ravenhill

“Had I cared for the comments of people, I should never have been a missionary.” -C.T. Studd

“Young man, sit down: when God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine.” -said to a young William Carey

“Oh, that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals.” -Robert Moffat

“We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.” -John Stott

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot

“A tiny group of believers who have the gospel keep mumbling it over and over to themselves. Meanwhile, millions who have never heard it once fall into the flames of eternal hell without ever hearing the salvation story.” -K.P. Yohannan

“I have but one passion - it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.” -Count Zinzindorf

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” -J. Hudson Taylor

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” -John the Baptist

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” -C.T. Studd

“The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It needs no furlough and is never considered a foreigner.” -William Cameron Townsend

“Prepare for the worst, expect the best, and take what comes.” -Robert E. Speer

“The saddest thing one meets is a nominal Christian. I had not seen it in Japan where missions is younger. The church here is a “field full of wheat and tares.” -Amy Carmichael

“I used to think that prayer should have the first place and teaching the second. I now feel it would be truer to give prayer the first, second and third places and teaching the fourth.” -James O. Fraser

“It is just as proper, maybe even more so, to say Christ’s global cause has a Church as to say Christ’s Church has a global cause.” -David Bryant

“If you are sick, fast and pray; if the language is hard to learn, fast and pray; if the people will not hear you, fast and pray, if you have nothing to eat, fast and pray.” -Frederick Franson

“What are we here for, to have a good time with Christians or to save sinners?” -Malla Moe

“I tell you, brethren, if mercies and if judgments do not convert you, God has no other arrows in His quiver.” -Robert Murray Mc’Cheyne

“It’s amazing what can be accomplished if you don’t worry about who gets the credit.” -Clarence W. Jones

“Two distinguishing marks of the early church were: 1) Poverty 2) Power.” -T.J. Bach

“Do not think me mad. It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. The noblest thing a man can do is, just humbly to receive, and then go amongst others and give.” -David Livingstone

“From my many years’ experience I can unhesitatingly say that the cross bears those who bear the cross.” -Sadhu Sundar Singh

“I pray that no missionary will ever be as lonely as I have been.” -Lottie Moon

“All my friends are but one, but He is all sufficient.” -William Carey

“How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so bound him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves.” -C.T. Studd

“I have always believed that the Good Samaritan went across the road to the wounded man just because he wanted to.” -Wilfred Thomason Grenfell

“The more obstacles you have, the more opportunities there are for God to do something.” -Clarence W. Jones

“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” -William Carey

“God’s part is to put forth power; our part is to put forth faith.” -Andrew A. Bonar

“All the resources of the Godhead are at our disposal!” -Jonathan Goforth

“I feel now, that Arabia could easily be evangelized within the next thirty years if it were not for the wicked selfishness of Christians.” -Samuel Zwemer

“The Indian is making an amazing discovery, namely that Christianity and Jesus are not the same - that they may have Jesus without the system that has been built up around Him in the West.” -E. Stanley Jones

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” -Jesus

“All roads lead to the judgment seat of Christ.” -Keith Green

“Obedience to the call of Christ nearly always costs everything to two people- the one who is called, and the one who loves that one.” -Oswald Chambers

“Christians don’t tell lies they just go to church and sing them” -A.W. Tozer

“I have said that there is nothing in the world or the Church, except it’s disobedience, to render the evangelization of the world in this generation an impossibility.” -Robert Speer

“I will lay my bones by the Ganges that India might know there is one who cares.” -Alexander Duff

“Today Christians spend more money on dog food then missions” -Leonard Ravenhill

“It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China. With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home.” -J. Hudson Taylor

“We talk of the second coming, half the world has never heard of the first.” -Oswald J. Smith

“God cannot lead you on the basis of facts that you do not know.” -David Bryant

“And thus I aspire to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named so that I would not build on another man’s foundation.” -Paul

“Why do we insist on building the largest and most impressive structures in our city when people on the other side of town are hungry, jobless and worshipping in storefronts?” -K.P. Yohannan

“If every Christian is already considered a missionary, then all can stay put where they are, and nobody needs to get up and go anywhere to preach the gospel. But if our only concern is to witness where we are, how will people in unevangelized areas ever hear the gospel? The present uneven distribution of Christians and opportunities to hear the gospel of Christ will continue on unchanged.” -C. Gordon Olson

“I spent twenty years of my life trying to recruit people out of local churches and into missions structures so that they could be involved in fulfilling God’s global mission. Now I have another idea. Let’s take God’s global mission and put it right in the middle of the local church!” -George Miley

“God provides the men and women needed for each generation.” -Mildred Cable

“Oh dear, I couldn’t say that my church is alive and I wouldn’t want to call it dead. I guess it’s just walking in its sleep!” -Church member

“When he landed in 1848 there were no Christians here; when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.” -said of John Geddie

“I am ready to burn out for God. I am ready to endure any hardship, if by any means I might save some. The longing of my heart is to make known my glorious Redeemer to those who have never heard.” -William Burns

“At the moment I put the bread and wine into those dark hands, once stained with the blood of cannibalism, now stretched out to receive and partake the emblems and seals of the Redeemer’s love, I had a foretaste of the joy of glory that well nigh broke my heart to pieces. I shall never taste a deeper bliss, till I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus himself.” -John G. Paton

“Save others, snatching them out of the fire.” -Jude

“The evangelization of the world in this generation.” -Student Volunteer Movement Motto

“Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring.” -Jesus

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” -John Piper

“His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And His presence with us leaves us no other choice.” -John Stott

“Today five out of six non-Christians in our world have no hope unless missionaries come to them and plant the church among them.” -David Bryant

“Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ.” -Francis Xavier

“Christ for the students of the world, and the students of the world for Christ.” -Luther Wishard

“We who have Christ’s eternal life need to throw away our own lives.” -George Verwer

“Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell.” -C.T. Studd

“When I get to China, I will have no claim on any one for anything. My claim will be alone in God and I must learn before I leave England to move men through God by prayer alone.” -J. Hudson Taylor

Fresh Unction for Territorial Impact

There are two Scriptures which refer to the Holy Spirit as the Unction or Anointing: 2 Corinthians 1:21shows that it is God who has anointed Christians in connection with their new position in Christ, and1 John 2:18-27 indicates that the youngest Christians have all the advantages which the anointing confers.

The Holy Spirit came to the company of the redeemed on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, and attached Himself to each of them individually, filling them by His power, and qualifying every one of them to be here intelligently and zealously in the testimony for Christ. To that company so wonderfully started in Divine power has God been adding by the work of His grace from that day to this, saving men through faith in the risen Christ, and giving to those saved ones the Holy Spirit to indwell them and to empower them to be here for Christ. The outward failure of the Christian community to walk in the truth as we see it today, does not alter the grace of God to the saved individual; the believer is as truly a child of God, and is as truly indwelt and anointed by the Holy Spirit, as in the days when all was outwardly so bright. But this produces at once the great privilege, and with it the grave responsibility, of being here in spite of the general failure, maintaining the whole truth of Christ.

Seeing now that even the youngest Christians have this unction or anointing from the Holy One, we may read two or three Old Testament passages which afford help as to what is meant by the "anointing".

1. Leviticus 8:1-12 gives us the anointing of Aaron as priest.

2. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 gives us the anointing of David as King.

3. 1 Kings 14:13-16 gives us the anointing of Elisha a Prophet.

1. No one can read Exodus 18:1 in conjunction with Leviticus 8:1-12, without seeing that God by the anointing of Aaron sanctified him or set him apart for the office and service of priest. The whole congregation of Israel was summoned, and in a most conspicuous way Aaron was designated for the exercise of the priestly functions.

2. This is equally the case in Samuel 16:1-13, where David superseded Saul, by the choice of the Lord, as King. The failure of the people's choice and his rejection by Jehovah cleared the way for the introduction of God's man. So Adam set in authority at first has broken down and failed, and God has introduced the second Man, Christ, who must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. But in David's anointing and designation as King, there follows in verse 13 the remarkable addition that "the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward". How could he who had been hitherto a simple shepherd comport himself and be in behaviour as was suitable to a king? The anointing not only marked him out for the position, but conferred upon him the necessary power and fitness to be and to walk in every way worthy of the position for which he was designated.

3. In confirmation of what has been said as to the marking out for position by the anointing, we have1 Kings 13:13-16. Elijah was to anoint Hazael for the kingdom of Syria, Jehu for Israel, and Elisha as prophet as a successor to himself. But the words "in thy room" at the end of verse 16 are very suggestive. Elijah had seemingly laboured in vain and spent his strength for nought and in vain, as was said later of the Messiah in Isaiah 49. But God had appreciated his faithful service, and would shortly bestow upon him the unique and splendid honour of taking him up into heaven. Yet in grace He purposed that Elijah's faithful testimony should be continued in Elisha. We have then Elijah taken to heaven, and Elisha left on earth in the same position to represent him, "in his room", as it says. For this the anointing was to qualify and equip him; that he might be the representative of the man who was taken into heaven.

Now Christ is the One who fulfils all these types, whether of Priest, King, or Prophet. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. We may not pretend to bottom the deep glory of His Person, but while He is in His eternal and essential glory the Son, He has become in being and nature Man; as such has died and risen again, and is officially designated as Christ, i.e. the Anointed One, Priest, King and Prophet. Moreover, in the perfection of His Manhood — though ever Son — He will fulfil all the duties and responsibilities of His glorious offices by the power of the Holy Ghost. Without controversy, great is the mystery.

In 2 Corinthians 1:21, the new position in which every believer is established, and for which he is designated is "in Christ". Once we have believed the gospel truly and have received the Holy Spirit, it is God's delight to indicate to us our new position, and to establish us in it: to settle our souls into the happy realisation by the Spirit's power of what that new position involves. But He has anointed us also. By the gift of the Spirit He has definitely set us apart and designated us for the position; by the same anointing

He has given us power to be in every respect consistent with the whole of that position and all that it involves, and in result, and in so far as we use the power given to us, we should become descriptive here on earth of the Man that has gone into heaven.

Global Soul winning

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UNUSUAL MIRACLES

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:11-12)

I love the expression ”unusual miracles”. I’ve personally seen firsthand the extraordinary impact signs and wonders make as they accompany the preaching of the Word of God. Do we truly understand what Kingdom Advancement implies? The Apostle Paul did… and if we are to become ministry leaders who do the unusual in the eyes of the world, we will need to put on a lot more courage and tenacity.

In the city of Ephesus, a shift in the Spiritual Realm was occurring. The Kingdom of God; which is the government of heaven, was gaining influence over all areas of life from the religious practices to the daily routine. Beliefs were changing and faith was being engaged in unusual ways as people stepped into the supernatural, as if unleashed from natural law. Jesus said when you abide in My Word, you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (Jn. 8:31-32). The Apostle Paul; like Jesus, was pulling them into revelation rather than letting them stay bound to natural limits.

Whom the Son sets free is free indeed (Jn. 8:36). Freedom implies the ability to move, without hindrance or limitation and it brings fresh perspective on the future. Unusual miracles change the way you think about your reality, limitations and possibilities.

Conflict with Darkness:

The immediate result of the Apostle Paul’s experience however, was that evil spirits were driven out into the open. Conflict is first and foremost a spiritual battle that makes every leader do an inventory of their gifts and training. Are they equipped to handle the battle? Their experience and character set the standard for how they will address visible opposition in the spiritual realm. Perhaps most important is a person’s awareness of spiritual authority. Some do well, some flounder, but every leader must get their skills sharpened by their identity in Christ and their experiences in the field.

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, over powered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:13-16)

This account is like a backhanded compliment. In effect Satan’s agents were saying, ‘This preacher is achieving something’. Yet, the victories of our advancement must be maintained and enforced by radical followers who know who they are and what they carry. These sons of Sceva were trying to be helpful without the tools or experience.

Paul’s preaching was breaking through and crushing the occult practices in the city of Ephesus. What also seemed to be happening was that many people became very nervous about the incredible beating those without spiritual authority had just experienced. Believe me when I say the word gets out. But God will get the last word, if we are truly doing unusual miracles by His hand.

“This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.” (Acts 19:17-19)

Even in the church world today, we see a lot of folks having one foot in the Kingdom of God and the other in the enemy’s camp. These folks need to see the reality of these kingdoms in conflict. When the Apostle Paul preached, the believers brought the books and tools of their witchcraft and burned them publicly. What an impact that would make on a region. The value of the books was fifty thousand pieces of silver. Each silver coin was a day’s wage… this is estimated at $2,500,000 in today’s market.

Unusual Miracles are only unusual in the sense that they reveal an extraordinary shift from the natural limitations we consider normal. When we begin to see through the eyes of faith, what seems common will change and the impossible will become ordinary.

INTO THE HOLY OF THE HOLIES BY PASTOR BENNY HINN

Heb. 4:16-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Go with me to a place where few enter, where you are saturated with the presence of God, where the glory is, where you are literally baptized in His awesome power.

As long as you are in this place, you no longer feel guilty or sinful. That was taken care of in the Outer Court. You pass through the Holy Place, where your soul begins to surrender to the will of the Father.

Then, something miraculous happens. You go beyond the veil, deeper with the Father than ever before. The flesh cannot enter. The soul can no longer talk or participate. Communion begins within your spirit. God speaks to you, deep inside. His presence is so abundant that you can only listen. You no longer talk. You must be quiet. In the presence of God, words are inadequate. You have entered into a higher revelation.

Quietness is all around you, but not as a sign of lack. It is a sign of abundance. Christ Jesus is no longer the Person about whom you’ve read. He becomes real, altogether lovely, the expressed image of God’s glory. This is where He reveals Himself.

The wealth of His presence is beyond the veil. Your spirit becomes more alive than you dreamed possible, for it responds to the Creator. The depths and heights are unsearchable.

Your life is changed forever, yet it is just beginning to change. You’ve begun to understand, in a small way, what David the Psalmist was acknowledging when he wrote, “You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man…” (Psalm 31:20). It means total protection. Sickness is not allowed there. Enemies of God cannot enter.

When it’s time to leave, you cannot wait to return—for you’ve just begun to experience a taste of what it’s like to be in heaven’s throne room.

The Cost of Moving into the Holy of Holies

Few humans enter the Holy of Holies, spiritually speaking. Why? The price is simply more than most people are willing to pay.

The price begins with a growing desire—an overwhelming hunger and thirst—for an intimate relationship with the Lord. Psalm 42:7 speaks of the Psalmist David’s own desire: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

I’ve been told that a deer likes to stay close to the water. If it is in danger of being attacked by any predator, it can run into the water where the scent will be lost. But when the deer is away from water and is being chased by an animal, the hart will literally begin panting for the water.

The word “pant” in the Hebrew means “an audible longing for thirst.” For the deer, it’s a sound of impending agony. It knows if it can get to water, the chances of survival will increase substantially.

The psalmist understood this agony, for as he wrote this passage, He was the “deer” in a dead-or-alive manhunt endorsed by a blindly jealous King Saul. David knew that without Jehovah’s protection, he would fall prey to Saul’s well-trained warriors.

Oh, that we could see how we are being pursued by the enemy of our souls: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

It’s a matter of priorities. Those who put everything else in front of spending time alone with the Father cannot experience His best. There must be a thirsting in your soul before you can know God’s fullest presence.

Too often, as the old saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” We intend to spend time with God. We sincerely want to pray. We mean to give more and more of our hearts to Him. We want to intercede for others. We aim for time in His Word.

Yet we stray from godliness, not only through adultery, hatred, idolatry, or lying, but too often by simply forgetting or avoiding the things that please the Lord. We neglect to pay the price for the presence of God, and wind up wandering around in a wilderness being pursued by the evil one.

There is a much better way!

Paying the Price

How we need to “pant” for His protection. Whether we are aware of being attacked or not, the presence of God will satisfy every need, every longing, every hurt, every hunger.

How? Let’s return to the anointed words penned by the psalmist:

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. (Psalm 63:1-3)

David knew, as we must learn, that the initial move toward true intimacy with God was moving from the “flesh” to the “soul.” The flesh is likened to the sacrifice for sins in the Outer Court of the Old Testament Tabernacle, which every studious Hebrew knew.

Inside the sacred tent, curtained away from the Outer Court, was the Inner Court, or the Holy Place, the place of the soul or inner desire. The Holy Place was 20 cubits long and 10 wide. It contained the table of shewbread, the golden candlestick, and the altar of incense—each with specific significance.

Inside the Holy Place, 10 cubits square, was the Holy of Holies, which contained the ark of the covenant, a sacred chest—the symbol of God’s divine presence. A veil of very costly material divided the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. No one except the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and he was only permitted to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But everything changed for you and me at Calvary:

Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51.

Christ’s death signaled the opening of a new and living way to God. Before, the veil kept people from coming into the most holy place where the Shechinah was.

The price of His presence was paid in full, yet so few believers are willing to do what is required to enter in to the Holy of Holies.

It begins with thirst and hunger for an intimate walk with Him: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16

Everything begins with a desire for closeness with Him, no matter the cost, and it is accessible to every Christian who is willing to pay the price.

That is my prayer for you!

A Mighty Outpouring

Before I close, let me mention that a mighty outpouring is shaking the nations, as prophesied in Scripture: “I will shake all nations…and fill this temple with glory” (Haggai 2:7).

Unprecedented doors of opportunity for the Gospel are opening in nations around the world with the potential to reach millions for Christ, just as Jesus promised when He said, “Vast fields of human souls are ripening all around us, and are ready now for reaping” (John 4:35, LIV).

There is so much more to be done. More than ever, God desires to shake the nations!

Today, the world’s population is nearly 7.4 billion souls, and each one will spend eternity somewhere. Less than a third consider themselves to be Christians, even by the broadest of definitions. Some estimates point to a few as 10 percent are born-again believers!

In other words, somewhere between 4.9 and 6.6 billion people living today have not received Jesus Christ as Savior!

That number should shake us to the core. The shaking of the nations prophesied in Haggai 2:7 should begin with each of us!

Even More, Not Less

We cannot look to the past and be satisfied. There is an aching need for more evangelism, not less.

That’s what God is telling me. We need even more, not less!

Just as He desires to draw us into His presence in the Holy of Holies, He is always drawing us to the fact that He desires to shake the nations—even more, not less!

I truly believe that all we have seen in past months and years is but a foretaste of what is to come. God has even more in store for us, not less!

his is the season of supernatural harvest, a mighty outpouring that is shaking the nations, and I believe we will see a glorious harvest of souls!

The nations are calling, and we must respond now before it’s too late. We must do even more, not less!

As God orchestrates our steps with divine perfection and opens the way, we will march forward together like a mighty army, obeying the Lord’s command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

I believe, more than ever, that God is asking you and me to go to the nations of the world and tell them about His precious Son, Jesus Christ.

Doors are opening all over the globe as never before, and the Gospel message is being welcomed in nations where borders were once closed. I’m willing to go. I’m willing to spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel.

The Glory Realm

                        

   The Anointing

The Holy Spirit has greatly pressed upon my spirit-man the importance of the "Anointing" in our daily walk and warfare as children of God and soldiers of the cross.

In John 16:7 Jesus tells us that it is to our advantage that He goes away to be in glory because He will send the Helper or Comforter to us. It is the Holy Spirit who anoints us to walk in the miraculous and to do even greater things than Jesus did (John 14:12)! There are many avenues to explore the vast doctrine of the "ANOINTING" but I would like to touch on a few things in order to encourage and inspire you to receive and walk in the fullness of the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit".

First we need to look at these foundational scriptures pertaining to the teaching of the anointing. Understanding these scriptures and gaining revelation through these passages will give you great insight into the anointing. These are the scriptures: John 14:12, John 14:16-18, John 14:26, John 16:7, John 16:13, Romans 8:14, 2 Corinthians 1:21 and 1 John 2:20,27

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God"

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things."

"But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

Jesus promises to baptize us in the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus also promised that once He ascended into Heaven He would send us the Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. It's to our advantage that Jesus returns to the Father. Once you have received the Holy Spirit through regeneration (not to be confused with the baptism of the Holy Spirit) He will never leave you nor forsake you, He will guide you into all truth, He'll bring to your remembrance all the words of Jesus that are found in Scripture at your time of need, He will teach you all things concerning your walk with the Lord and purpose on the earth. Through the anointing it is possible to know all things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Let's consider what Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 3:16:

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

The anointing is the unusual presence of the Holy Spirit in a person or place at a particular time, for the express purpose of the manifestation of God's will and power. In the Old Testament, we see the Holy Spirit anointing coming on people to accomplish a specific task or purpose. In the New Testament era, the Holy Spirit anointing has come to stay with the believer permanently.

There were many Priests, Prophets and Kings who were anointed for various and specific functions in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, believers need to function in the fullness of the 5 types of anointing which sum up the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit".

1) King David was anointed to rule, you have been anointed and chosen to rule as kings and priests. We are to be on earth just as our Father is in Heaven. Turn to Revelation 5:10, 1 Peter 2:9 and 1 John 4:17 to see what Scripture has to say about being anointed to rule.

"And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."

2) Samson was anointed to destroy the enemy - you have been anointed in the Holy Spirit to destroy the works of darkness. This is what Judges 15:14-16 and Matthew 10:7-8 teaches: 

"When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. Then Samson said: "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!"

"And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

3) Gideon was anointed to destroy poverty. The Holy Spirit has anointed you to annihilate the spirit of poverty. In the time of Gideon, Israel was held in extreme poverty by sin and satan through the Midianites and Amalekites, but through the anointing the shackles of poverty were broken off Israel. Nothing has changed, the Amalekites and Midianites, although disguised differently, still need to be defeated today. You have been anointed to be a blessing in all the earth, whether in spirit or flesh. Let's have a look at Judges 6:3-4 & 34, John 10:10 and 3 John 2:

"So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey."

"But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him."

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

4) Elisha was anointed to perform signs, miracles and wonders, so you too have been called and anointed to walk in the miraculous. Any believer who chooses to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit will preach the gospel accompanied with these attesting signs. Let's examine 2 Kings 2:19-25 and Acts 19:11.

"Then the men of the city said to Elisha, 'Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.' And he said, 'Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.' So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, 'Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’” So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, 'Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!' So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths."

"Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul"

5) Elijah was anointed to witness unto the greatness of God, you too have been called to witness unto the resurrection and second coming of Jesus. Let's examine 1 Kings 18:21 and Acts 1:8:

"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word."

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The anointing is available to anybody who is willing to receive it from the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.Take a look at what Matthew 7:7-8 and John 7:37-39 says:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

It is high time that you receive the fullness of the Promise and the Anointing found in Acts 2:39 and 2 Corinthians 1:21 which tells you and I emphatically:

"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

"Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God!"