The Gift of Prophecy- Part 4

                              The Gift of Prophecy
                             Walking In His Service

Once we’ve gone thru the process of evaluating our calling, counting the cost, and made up our mind to obey God; there are things we can do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to help us do the best job possible as we serve the Master.

No matter what office or ministry we are called to; we can have something to do with determining the degree of our anointing. We can prepare ourselves for the anointing. If it doesn’t develop and increase, it’s because we haven’t prepared ourselves for it.
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The anointing can be increased, by studying the Word and being prayerful. It will decrease when we neglect to do so.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

A workman who doesn’t study is going to be ashamed, because people are going to find out about it. The anointing will either be lost, or will not be in manifestation. But, if you start out in faith, study, and pray, the anointing will come. The anointing increases also by reason of use; meaning, the more we operate under the anointing, the more we become accustomed to it, the more we learn how to function in it, and learn how to move with the Holy Spirit under the unction. We become skillful in our ministry, and discernment to hear the voice of the Spirit, know His leadings, and become more confident in our service.

In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit came upon three types of people_the prophet, the priest, and the king; to enable them to function in their respective offices. But the Holy Spirit was not in any of them during that dispensation as He is in ours today.

We can increase the anointing, by association, influence, and environment:

1. seeking to learn from someone who has the same calling

2. closely watching someone in the same kind of ministry; and if possible sit under them in discipleship

3. being careful to take advantage of every opportunity to be in the environment where the anointing is present; and manifestations of the Spirit are in operation.

We see the benefits of this in the story of Elijah, and Elisha. The principles will work the same way for the believer who earnestly seeks the anointing, and will learn from those who walk in it.

Ki 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 
1Ki 19:20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 
1Ki 19:21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. 
2Ki 2:1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 
2Ki 2:2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 
2Ki 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 
2Ki 2:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 
2Ki 2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 
2Ki 2:6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 
2Ki 2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 
2Ki 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 
2Ki 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 
2Ki 2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 
2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 
2Ki 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 
2Ki 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 
2Ki 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 
2Ki 2:15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him,they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 

However; be careful to remember these precautions with associations in ministry:

1. Make sure the minister you follow is walking with God.- If they get out of balance, or off in their ministry; be careful not to follow them too closely.

2. Make sure they are walking in the same call on their life; don’t try to become an expert in every ministry; or try to develop a ministry on your own. If you know your called in the prophetic, or in teaching, spend your time learning as much as you can in that field. Time is precious; don’t waste it trying to be something your not. If a consistent desire for a certain ministry is in your heart; it’s usually because God put it there.

People cannot anoint one another; anointing comes only from God. The anointing will increase, or lift according to His will, not our desires. 

3. Above all; follow the Lord Jesus. He is the Head of the Church. The closer you stay with Him, the keener your discernment will be, and He will guide you as you seek which ministries to glean knowledge and benefit from. He will also warn us and steer us away from the ones who could do us harm.

An important point to be aware of is: There are times when you will realize “you can follow the persons faith, but not their doctrine.”

A person can be right in their heart, but wrong in their understanding of scripture. This is another reason to be very careful who you follow, or what ministry. Close study of the Word of God will keep us on the right track.

                                                  God’s Perspective of the Anointing

Very quickly, wrong conceptions of the purposes of the anointing, their functions, and God’s purposes for them can develop. We can become confused, discouraged, and even angry at God when we find it does not guarantee us a life free of adversity, and trials.

The prophets in the Old Testament were anointed; most of them were killed. The disciples were anointed, they were persecuted, and killed. Jesus was anointed; he was hated and killed. There is a troubling development in ministries today that I’ve noticed; most of them have defined a successful ministry, and the degree of “anointing” they claim to have by how huge they can become (which many times proves to be manifestations of the flesh); and that these anointings equal prestige, and elevation of themselves. Ministry today sadly looks a great deal like the Hollywood entertainment industry; and performs much the same way.

A servant can develop the wrong idea that it is there for us to develop and use it for our own benefits. We can become “power hungry”, in a prideful sense, and begin to abuse the gifts given to us by putting them on “exhibition” to be seen of others. God will allow us to be humiliated in public if we get off this way.

We would do well to look at what Jesus had to say to us concerning the world, and our association with it:

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 
Joh 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 
Joh 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 
Joh 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 
Joh 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 

                                                     Yielding to The Holy Spirit

However; no matter how much we study, pray, receive discipleship, and prepare, the anointing within will bear no fruit, and be of no service to God; unless we begin to step out and yield to the Holy Spirit. Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety is Satan’s greatest weapons to keep the servant of God frozen in his tracks. 

There’s no easy answer; sometimes we just have to make up our minds to obey even if we are afraid. This is a time when our faith and trust is being tested. 

Making a mistake is not going to bring God’s anger down on us; but he does become weary of someone who allows his fears to keep him disobedient. If we take just one step in obedience, even if we are afraid; we will find God’s strength right there to help us finish the job, and get it done. Whether it be preaching, teaching, or prophesying.

                                                              No Imitations

A great deal can be learned, and we can benefit by paying close attention to other’s in ministry. But we can only go so far with it. God doesn’t want us imitating each other, trying to be like someone else.

Watch, observe and learn the way God uses people; but then let the Holy Spirit guide you and use you the way God made you.

When David decided to kill Goliath; Saul tried to put his armor on him to go out and do battle with him; but David couldn’t wear it. He knew it would never work.

He took it off, equipped himself with what he was accustomed to; and went in the power and anointing of God, and moved in his own unique way. The result was David was victorious, and Goliath was dead.
This is a lesson for us as well.

Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 
1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 
1Sa 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 
1Sa 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 
1Sa 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 
1Sa 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 
1Sa 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 
1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 
1Sa 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 
1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. 
1Sa 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 
1Sa 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 
1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 

So the important lesson here is; when you serve God, and wage war against the enemy, wear your armor, and make sure it's your own, not someone else's. Let God use you and anoint you in your own unique calling, not a clone of someone else.

In Jesus’ ministry; he ministered to people in various ways. He didn’t just lay hands on people and pray. There are many accounts of unusual ways He ministered.

Two examples: He spat on the ground, made clay from the spittle, rubbed it into the blind man’s eyes; and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:7)

With a deaf man, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears, spat, and touched his tongue. And straightway his ears were opened. (Mark 7:35)

When an anointing comes upon us; we may be asked to do unusual things, to the point that we may ask “Lord, is this really You?” If it is; He will confirm it, and if the anointing is there to do it; don’t be afraid; go with the anointing and get it done!

If we decide to disobey; or begin to argue with God even after He’s confirmed what He wants us to do, He will only go so far with us, then the anointing will lift off of us; and we may not get another opportunity. He will not strive with us over stubborn disobedience.

                                                          How the Anointing Works

There are three things concerning anointing we need to learn:

1 . We receive anointing and power from God, Not from people. The anointing will increase, or lift according to His will, not our desires.
 
2. The anointing is a heavenly materiality, and a tangible substance. It is perceptible to the touch.
This can be seen because Jesus knew the moment power flowed out of Him. He was aware of the outflow, as well as the woman with the issue of blood was aware of receiving the power. She didn’t touch His person, only His clothes. Mark 5:31

3. It is transferable or transmittable: It will flow from one person to another. The anointing can also be stored, and rest upon objects, such as the account of Paul with the handkerchiefs, and cloths in Acts 19:12.

The anointing; or power of God, flows like electricity or water. 

John tells us Jesus had the Spirit without measure:
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 

Yes, Jesus was human, but he was like Adam before he sinned. Before Adam sinned, his body was immortal. Before he sinned Adam was not subject to death. It is death that affects us humans. (Romans 5:12)

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This is the reason Jesus could not be killed until he was made sin for us. He said “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.”(John 10:18)

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

However; we in these human bodies cannot contain that measure of power. We would not be able to stand it. It is like taking hold of an electric wire; our bodies couldn’t contain that much power.

                                                               Faith and Anointing

Now, it is important to realize that no matter how much we may be anointed; if we don’t mix that anointing with faith, the power to minister in any calling will be diminished.

Faith comes by hearing; and hearing by the Word of God. Sitting under anointed preaching and teaching will strengthen faith; and the anointing will deepen. Faith and anointing together produces the power of the manifestations of prophecy, healing, and deliverance.

Pro 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 
Pro 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 
Pro 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 

As great a prophet as Elijah was; James had this to say concerning him:

Jas 5:17 Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
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Elijah was a man of like passions - Naturally as weak and sinful as we are. And he prayed - When idolatry covered the land. God heard; and heeded his prayer.

Let’s take this as encouragement, and walk in our service to God; and ask Him to increase our faith as we go.
Lorna Couillard
1998

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