Another definition of the anointing

Here is another definition of the anointing: http://propheticseasons.org/message81.htm.

The scriptural support here is less than adequate, but the most important good point that you can get from what he says is that the anointing is "the presence of God". The other good point you can get (after throwing what he is saying about "on" and "in" away) is the connection between the power of God and the ability to live a holy life. These are two often understated points that happen to be utterly biblical (even if not well supported by this author).

This should help us to avoid inadequate (and sometimes partially correct) views like the following:
1. "The anointing is to perform signs and wonders."
2. "I prefer the Word of God to the power of God." Or, another way of saying the same assumption: "You must have both the Word and the Spirit!"
3. "I can appreciate all this power thingy, but isn't living a holy life also important?"
4. "You can have the anointing, but the most important thing is to live in the glory zone."

Try to understand why these statements all have a semblance of truth while missing the point. Try also to understand what Exactly is that shred of truth: it often can be the most important thing that we all tend to miss.

Meditations about the Fall of a Minister (Part 2)

Hi Everyone,

Amen to everything that Huilian said...just one thing though: the "fire" of which Paul speaks does Not refer to trials we face in life, but rather to an experience of purification that we will undergo, according to Paul, on "the Day (that) will being (the work) to light", referring to the Jewish idea of the Future Day of Judgement. Just highlighting this because as a CE pastor, it is my job to try to let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than we end up making them say something they don't...

That said, still a hearty amen to everything mentioned...trials Do serve to highlight our hearts to ourselves. Since we are on the Corinthian letters, perhaps the first 5 chapters of 2 Corinthians serves as a model for how this happens. As Paul undergoes great trials, he points out that they are "pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned", because of "this ministry" of the Holy Spirit that they have, so much so that they bear in their bodies the death of Jesus that they might also experience the (resurrected) life of Jesus. In other words, when Paul was 'squeezed' like a sponge by his terrible trials, what came out of him was the rich experience of the Holy Spirit as resurrection life...very different from what comes out of us when we are squeezed!

So...all Pentecostals should have foreseen my conclusion to this already...when you are being squeezed by trials, and crappy stuff comes out instead of godly stuff, cry out for more of the Holy Spirit! Paul is obviously the super 'zai' example we should strive towards!

Chris

On Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 9:25 PM, Hui Lian Phan <huilian84@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,

In response to Daniel's email, just as when he was sending out this email, I was checking up on the lakeland revival and was also listening to what Bill Johnson had to say.

This verse was brought to my mind,

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (New International Version)

12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

the fire that will test the quality of each man's work is refering to the trials that we have to face in life. What God is looking for is that we that we remain anchored in Him, and in his character such that we will not be overcome by the world, but be able to overcome and withstand everything. Out of our hearts, our attitudes and reaction will determine whether we qualify for this reward as trials will expose any part of us which is not anchored in God.

So as an encouragement, let's shape up our lives and our character. I think this is important even before we start ministry work. :)

Our website

http://theoutreach.multiply.com/

Meditations about the Fall of a Minister

Hi friends,

I was thinking a lot recently about renewal and the price of rejection. When I read this article about the Lakeland revival, I was particularly blessed by Bill's views about it. There are three responses which he wrote at different times with regards to Todd Bentley's meltdown:
http://www.bjm.org/questions/11/update-what-do-you-think-about-todd-bentley-and-the-lakeland-revival.html?file=regarding-todd-bentley

I think this is a very real article that shows us a few principles:
1) In moving in the power of the Spirit, rejection can be expected. Particularly heated and unexpected rejection. And with regards to Todd Bentley's meltdown, what it shows is that rejection, at that kind of heat, is particularly stressful and makes current temptations that much stronger and harder to handle. And so rather than his fall supposedly showing that the power is not real/from God, what it really shows is how much toll a stressful schedule and unwarranted rejection from fellow Christians can do. Probably the best advice is for a minister who is moving in such power to make sure other stresses are minimised as much as possible. There's only so much a human can take.

2) The people moving in the power of the Spirit are moving according to a gifting and should be given maximum permission to move with their gifting, especially since their gifting is already by nature controversial. I didn't hold Bill Johnson in particularly high esteem, but what he said touched my heart. He asked rhetorically whether people like us have ever seen the man before, talked with him, experienced his ministry, and benefited from his gifting. And I think he made his point quite clearly: Todd is just a Christian like the rest of us, gifted to move in a certain area, and very susceptible to falls, just like the rest of us, but also like us, sincere in loving God. So the overall point is that Todd is not perfect, neither is the Lakeland revival, but nonetheless is carried out by God among imperfect people who sincerely seek God. And so it makes sense to put as little barriers as possible for the ministry of these people. Just wondering aloud: I wonder how many people are willing to give such concessions to Todd's ministry. If anything, this has firstly convinced me of Bill Johnson's maturity in this issue. It also convinced me that a critical spirit is the worst thing any ministry can have. Criticism, even if well-intentioned, never builds up the body of Christ. It only adds pressure to the minister to perform and to be proven 'correct'. This makes them insecure and more likely to fall into abuses and temptations that surround everyone, not just them. Patience, and good teaching, is what is required. Patience, because it takes a long long time to shape a person's character, and good teaching, so that at least the person can head to the correct destination. Right now, what pains my heart is that in this world of ours, there are so many without proper teaching, and even more who do not have the patience to see someone in the miraculous grow. It pains my heart everytime when thinking about it, and when thinking about the criticisms that people will level against the servants of God.

Right now, what it also makes me think is that kind of rejection if I and my fellow elders were to move in this kind of ministry. The pressures are greater now 'cos the criticism is faster. The information spreads faster, and the rejection thus accelerates faster. May God give us all the 'thick-skinness' to withstand. A verse came to mind, not very optimistic, but at least the Master said it: "Rejoice when men persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you, because of Me." I think this also applied when going through persecution for the sake of the Holy Spirit.

God bless you all. Sharing these thoughts with you just for your benefit. Not in any particular response to any issue.

Dan