Being in the Spirit Week #2 “Increasing in the Holy Spirit Anointing”
Posted: Mar 31, 2010 at 10:22 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
Increasing in the Holy Spirit Anointing
Pastor Grant Williams, March 31, 2010 Being in the spirit – week #2
Acts 10:38 (King James Version)
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.
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Isaiah 10:27 (King James Version)
27And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing
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By the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus healed the sick.
By the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus overcame the power of the devil.
By the anointing he did his first miracle….
John 2:11 KJV
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
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John 1:32 (King James Version)
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
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2 Corinthians 1:20-22 KJV
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Jesus needed the anointing – the power of the Holy Spirit.
So do we!
Luke 4:18-19 KJV
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Luke 4:18-19 AMP
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.
Luke 4:19 NASB
19 “To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
Focus your ministry efforts where you are anointed.
You will find success and will bear fruit where God has called you and for that purpose has anointed you.
2 Kings 3:15-16
15 But now bring me a minstrel (harpest). And while the minstrel played, the hand and power of the Lord came upon [Elisha].
16 And he said, Thus says the Lord:
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1 Peter 4:10 (King James Version)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God
1 Peter 4:10 (Amplified Bible)
10 As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].
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Acts 3:2 KJV
2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
Acts 3:6 KJV
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
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Romans 12:6a AMP
6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:…
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We can never earn spiritual gifts, never deserve them, never “make them happen,” and we certainly should never boast about them.
And “we have different gifts…” — and even different administrations of the same gift — so that:
[1] Always remember that we need each other. My gifts are different from yours … different from his … different from hers…
[2] In the “corporate” body only is there completeness, is there fullness of ministry.
Romans 11:29 AMP
29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
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If God has used you in spiritual gifts or ministries in the past, they are still there, still valid in your life.
“[God] does not change His mind about those…to whom He sends His call.”
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1 Corinthians 12:31 AMP
31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love]
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1 Corinthians 14:1 AMP
1 EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).
Matthew 20:28 KJV
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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1 Corinthians 14:12, 26 KJV
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
26…when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
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1 Timothy 4:14 KJV
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
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2 Timothy 1:6 KJV
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:6 AMP
6That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands
How in increase in the anointing – your spirit man
2 Kings 2:9 KJV
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.
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John 1:33-34 KJV
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
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John 3:34 KJV
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him
John 3:34 AMP
34 For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!
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John 7:37-39 AMP
37…If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!
38He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
39 But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him…
Being in the Spirit Week #1 “Praying in the Spirit”
Posted: Mar 31, 2010 at 2:14 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
Praying In the Spirit
Pastor Grant Williams, March 24, 2010 – Being in the spirit week #1
Ephesians 6:18-19 KJV
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. [19] Pray also for me, that…words may be given me….
Ephesians 6:18-19 AMP
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
19 And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),
o So praying “in the Spirit” is not only praying in tongues, although, as we will shortly see, praying in tongues is one definite, specific aspect of it.
o Praying “in the Spirit” can also simply be praying in a state of mind where you have shut out the cares and thoughts of the world and the flesh and have truly focused your soul and spirit on the Lord.
o We can be fully under the Holy Spirit’s anointing and still be consciously praying:
• with all kinds of prayers and requests (18)
• praying for all the saints (18)
• praying for specific persons (19)
• praying for specific needs [“words...given”] (19)
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Romans 8:26-27 AMP
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. …the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
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1 Corinthians 14:2, KJV
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:2 AMP
2For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
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1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:14 AMP
14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].
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Romans 8:27 (King James Version)
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:16, KJV
The [Holy] Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit…
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1 Corinthians 14:15 KJV
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
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1 Corinthians 14:16-17, KJV
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? [17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
1 Corinthians 14:16-17 AMP
16 Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit [thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit], how can anyone in the position of an outsider or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
17To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly), but the bystander is not edified [it does him no good].
Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
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Revelation 4:2 KJV
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
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Revelation 17:3 KJV
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast…
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Revelation 21:10 KJV
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Weekly Devotional – 04/05/10
Posted: Mar 31, 2010 at 2:14 PM in Weekly Devotional
The last couple of weeks we have been learning about the mind, more specifically the “analytical” mind. If we don’t keep it renewed, it will start to reason away the promises in the Word. The old flesh, the natural man, starts to worry and think on those things that God’s Word says not to think on or worry about. It will begin to consume our thought life and even rob us of our sleep – no peace. Listen to what Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusts in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3
When I served in the Air Force, I spent 2 of those years in the country of Panama at Howard Air Force Base. There were several other bases represented by other branches of the military including the Army’s Fort Kobbe and Rodman Naval Station. One of my friends, John Drummond and I were shopping at the PX one day and we struck up a conversation with a submarine captain. There had been a brutal storm the night before and the submarine had just pulled into port so we asked him how the storm affected him that night. He looked at us in surprise and said, “Storm? I didn’t even know there was one!” He told us that there is an area beneath the surface of the ocean known to sailors as the “cushion of the sea”. In this place, although the ocean may be raging terribly above, the waters here are never stirred.
As a child of God, there is a place, a place of peace and calm that we can go to find refuge during the frightening storms raging above us. A place where we don’t feel a thing, no fear, no worry for tomorrow. That place is the Word of God – in His Words you will find peace, you will find comfort and the answers to what you are going through. Just like the captain of the submarine – we need to direct our vessel where the waters are never stirred! Have a great week!
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant
Weekly Devotional – 03/31/10
Posted: Mar 30, 2010 at 3:03 AM in Weekly Devotional
Good morning,
The last couple of weeks we have been learning about the mind, more specifically the analytical mind. If we don’t keep it renewed, it will start to reason away the Promises in the Word.
The old flesh, the natural man, starts to worry and think on those things that God’s Word says don’t think on or worry about. It will begin to consume our thought life and even rob us of our sleep – no peace.
Listen to what Isaiah said…
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
When I served in the Air Force, I spent 2 of those years in the country of Panama at Howard Air Force Base. There were several other bases represented by other branches of the military as well including the Army’s Fort Kobbe and Rodman Naval Station.
One of my friends, John Drummond and I were shopping at the PX one day at Rodman and we struck up a conversation with a captain of a submarine. There had been a brutal storm the night before and the submarine had just pulled into port so we asked the captain “How did the storm last night affect you?” He looked at us in surprise and said, “Storm? I didn’t even know there was one!”
He told us that there is an area beneath the surface of the ocean known to sailors as the “cushion of the sea”. In this place, although the ocean may be raging terribly above, the waters here are never stirred.
As a child of God, there is a place, a place of peace that we can go to find refuge during the frightening storms raging above us. A place where we don’t feel a thing, no fear, no worry for tomorrow.
That place is the Word of God – in His Words you will find peace, you will find comfort and the answers to what you are going through. Just like the captain of the submarine – we need to direct our vessel where the waters are never stirred!
Have a great week!
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant
Weekly Devotional – 03/24/10
Posted: Mar 24, 2010 at 10:10 AM in Weekly Devotional
1 Cor 15:58 KJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
As many of you know, in just the past few months we’ve initiated several new phases of ministry at Living Word. With prayer as the foundation of this church beginning at 9:30 Sunday morning from the start. We have added mens bible study/prayer groups, breakthrough prayer for mothers and grandmothers, “Exodus 17” Prayer – the church body praying for Kellie and I.
In addition to that, we have taken on our first overseas missionary, we have several people in the church involved in “walk for life” along with several other community outreaches beginning shortly.
On the church website there is a “current event” banner that will soon present articles and report news which is often neglected by mainstream media outlets in order that as christians, we are equipped with accurate and important information for effective prayer concerning world affairs.
Several of these ministries God had given me the vision for many years ago, before I was a senior pastor and it is now, “for such a time as this” that they are now being manifested. I had the vision, I just didn’t know when or how but those questions are now being answered. God has given me even more vision of what is to come and what is to be done and all I need to do is walk towards it and don’t grow weary.
The Word say in…
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
Where there is no vision the people perish”
You and I will become weary when there is no vision! So…What is the vision for your life? What has God given you as an assignment to go do?
Now is the time to lay hold of that vision and continue to fulfill your calling. It may not happen as you planned or expected (I can tell you that from first hand experience)…but be confident of this fact…that your work in the Lord is not in vain!
Don’t settle for what the Lord has already accomplished through you. Well Pastor Grant, ‘we need to thank God for what He has done’ – true! it’s always good to be reminded of how God has already used you – but, never lose sight of what He still wants to do with you in the future, and how He may want to build upon what He has already done in the past. So renew your vision of His will for your life, for your future, – and walk in it!
Have a great week and don’t forget that we are switching our midweek service to Wednesday night at our new facility starting tomorrow night March 24th.
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant