Hi all,
Last week I shared from Luke 5:17 while Jesus was teaching 'the power of the Lord was to heal'. I also
shared how the Father is the power while Jesus is the authority to release His power.
Anointed
The word used for non-sacred anointing is 'aleipho' as seen in Mark 16:1 when the ladies took spices to anoint (they thought) the dead body of Jesus. It is also used in Luke 7:38 to describe the woman washing Jesus' feet with her hair and perfume.
But the word 'Chrio' means 'sacred anointing' which is where we get the word 'Christ' and is used just for anointing that comes from God the Father. Jesus used it of Himself in Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord (Father) is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
Notice that - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach....
There is always purpose, always a 'because' attached to the anointing. At the Cornerstone is of course the Anointed One, Christ, who came with purpose to earth to die for our sins.
But in our daily devotions and walk with Him, His anointing which revels His purpose in our lives, even if just for that day, is what we seek. And in a meeting, whether home church or auditorium, our meetings should be marked by a desire to have His anointing, which reveals His purpose in that meeting.
My starting point in Luke 5:17 says while Jesus was teaching the power was to heal - purpose revealed, but it was in another direction than teaching. Jesus adjusted to go with the power present to heal.
Going in another direction
I had entered the Wednesday night service late so I sat in a side section. Almost immediately the Father opened my eyes to His realm. I saw a tall angel standing on the platform behind the worship leader, and the Father said He wanted to heal and deliver people, so I knew the angel had a role to play in that, but didn't know how or what.
I was fascinated because this angel had beautiful wings and he stood about 12' (3m) tall. His wings extended from his back upwards another 3' or so before the 'knuckle joint' of the wing turned the flow back and down. I was drawn by what we would call in a hawk or eagle, the 'flight feathers' - those longest of feathers at the tips of the wings. This angel's flight feathers were more than 3' long. What a beautiful sight!
The power of the Lord was to heal and deliver, but I wondered if the worship leader would perceive this. The angel stood still until a song or two later the worship leader interrupted the worship and said this: "The power of the Lord is here tonight to heal and deliver people, so if you need that let us worship with all our hearts..."
Oh those wings!
With those words the angel started to move those giant wings upward in what seemed slow motion, then downward with slow force, pushing if it had been in the natural, air forward and over the congregation. What I saw was the glory cloud of the Lord as I often seen it: Each particle is a different color, as if in a fog but each droplet is a different color of the rainbow and hundreds of hues in between, flowing over the crowd.
Then again, those massive wings were brought back, and then downward with greater force and speed this time, and the next even faster, and with each downward beat this multi-faceted cloud of glory washed over the congregation - this went on as long as the people were truly worshipping (more about that in a minute), and once done the angel's flapping slowed and stopped, and then he disappeared from sight altogether as we stood in holy silence, soaking in the Father's presence. Later the pastor had those who were healed that night testify, and there were about 20 or so who spoke.
The power to heal was in a totally different direction than the worship leader had planned - are we brave enough to step into the unknown and trust our ability to perceive His anointing (presence) and go in the direction of the power?
Ministering to the Lord
In Acts 13:1-2 we find 5 men getting together to seek the Lord:
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Separate Barnabus and Saul to me for the work to which I've called them'."
They were seeking the Lord's direction...but what does 'ministered to the Lord' mean? And can we put ourselves in such a position in our daily devotions?
Of your own expense
The word 'ministered' here is 'leitourgeo', where we get 'liturgy'. The meaning in the first century is the key to understanding it, as it is not even close to the repetitive thing called 'The Liturgy' in Roman Catholic and Anglican services of today.
In Paul's time it meant: "To supply public office at one's own expense; public service at one's own expense."
In ancient Greek the city office holders were not paid a salary, they paid their own salary for the privilege of serving the people. Therefore the use of this word as they 'ministered to the Lord' indicates these 5 men were focusing 100% on Him, giving of themselves in complete devotion (also noted by their fasting). THAT is why the presence of the Holy Spirit came upon them and gave them direction.
'Me' generation
They were worshipping the Father and Lord at their expense - meaning no prayers to 'open my eyes', no 'draw me close to you', no prayer requests for themselves or their family, nothing 'me' oriented at all - they were giving to Him of themselves at their expense and focused therefore 100% on Him and Him alone.
It is the same principle of David in II Samuel 24:24 when Araunah offered the king his land for free, but David responded: "I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing."
This principle governs our lives, or is to. For instance, tithes and offerings are supposed to cost you something. That is why the widow's 2 mites were greater giving than the rich who gave of their excess. It is why Jesus commented that if we merely love those who love us, it is nothing - but loving those who hate us or speak ill of us, that is like the Father and His love.
Our lives in the Lord are supposed to cost us. That is what renewing the mind and being a disciple is all about - the laying down of our lives, counting ourselves dead to our former sin, and giving all to be like Him.
But in this 'me' generation it is no wonder the songs we call 'worship' are mostly 'me' focused. These men were not 'me' focused - they ministered to the Lord - they gave of themselves to Him.
How to worship and know His presence, His anointing
How did they minister to the Lord? The Bible answers the Bible, so look at true worship seen around the throne in heaven. From Revelation 4:8, 11 before the Father's throne (the Father is seen in all of chapter 4):
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For you have created all things and for your pleasure they are now, and were then created."
Followed in 5:9-10 by the worship of the Lamb, Christ, who came to Him who sits on the throne to take the book from His right hand and opens the seals:
"You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for you were killed, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation; and have made us a kingdom of priests to our God and we will reign on the earth." and v 13: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever."
If you want an example of worship in modern music, listen to Michael W. Smith's 'Agnus Dei' off his 'Worship' album. Ignore the exhortation to the crowd at a couple points, and ignore the clapping at the end.(Clapping isn't worship, but an exclamation of joy in thanksgiving, but it isn't worship ie He isn't Elvis, He is God and should be worshipped, not applauded)
Amy Grant also has a nice version of 'Agnus Dei' off a Christmas album of hers. Also check out various versions of 'Revelation Song' - Kari Jobe, Maranatha Music, Phillips, Craig & Dean, or 'Women of Faith Worship Team'.
I don't care that I can run through a troop or leap over a wall, nor that I am blessed to be a blessing. I am so in love with the Father and the Lord that I don't care if my eyes are open or if He draws me near - my heart cries out 'Holy, holy, holy are you O Lord. Worthy, worthy, worthy are you O Lord'....and there is His presence, there is true worship, true manifest anointing...and in Him there is NO lack...so worship Him, enter His presence, and more next week.
Blessings,
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org
Last week I shared from Luke 5:17 while Jesus was teaching 'the power of the Lord was to heal'. I also
shared how the Father is the power while Jesus is the authority to release His power.
Anointed
The word used for non-sacred anointing is 'aleipho' as seen in Mark 16:1 when the ladies took spices to anoint (they thought) the dead body of Jesus. It is also used in Luke 7:38 to describe the woman washing Jesus' feet with her hair and perfume.
But the word 'Chrio' means 'sacred anointing' which is where we get the word 'Christ' and is used just for anointing that comes from God the Father. Jesus used it of Himself in Luke 4:18:
"The Spirit of the Lord (Father) is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
Notice that - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach....
There is always purpose, always a 'because' attached to the anointing. At the Cornerstone is of course the Anointed One, Christ, who came with purpose to earth to die for our sins.
But in our daily devotions and walk with Him, His anointing which revels His purpose in our lives, even if just for that day, is what we seek. And in a meeting, whether home church or auditorium, our meetings should be marked by a desire to have His anointing, which reveals His purpose in that meeting.
My starting point in Luke 5:17 says while Jesus was teaching the power was to heal - purpose revealed, but it was in another direction than teaching. Jesus adjusted to go with the power present to heal.
Going in another direction
I had entered the Wednesday night service late so I sat in a side section. Almost immediately the Father opened my eyes to His realm. I saw a tall angel standing on the platform behind the worship leader, and the Father said He wanted to heal and deliver people, so I knew the angel had a role to play in that, but didn't know how or what.
I was fascinated because this angel had beautiful wings and he stood about 12' (3m) tall. His wings extended from his back upwards another 3' or so before the 'knuckle joint' of the wing turned the flow back and down. I was drawn by what we would call in a hawk or eagle, the 'flight feathers' - those longest of feathers at the tips of the wings. This angel's flight feathers were more than 3' long. What a beautiful sight!
The power of the Lord was to heal and deliver, but I wondered if the worship leader would perceive this. The angel stood still until a song or two later the worship leader interrupted the worship and said this: "The power of the Lord is here tonight to heal and deliver people, so if you need that let us worship with all our hearts..."
Oh those wings!
With those words the angel started to move those giant wings upward in what seemed slow motion, then downward with slow force, pushing if it had been in the natural, air forward and over the congregation. What I saw was the glory cloud of the Lord as I often seen it: Each particle is a different color, as if in a fog but each droplet is a different color of the rainbow and hundreds of hues in between, flowing over the crowd.
Then again, those massive wings were brought back, and then downward with greater force and speed this time, and the next even faster, and with each downward beat this multi-faceted cloud of glory washed over the congregation - this went on as long as the people were truly worshipping (more about that in a minute), and once done the angel's flapping slowed and stopped, and then he disappeared from sight altogether as we stood in holy silence, soaking in the Father's presence. Later the pastor had those who were healed that night testify, and there were about 20 or so who spoke.
The power to heal was in a totally different direction than the worship leader had planned - are we brave enough to step into the unknown and trust our ability to perceive His anointing (presence) and go in the direction of the power?
Ministering to the Lord
In Acts 13:1-2 we find 5 men getting together to seek the Lord:
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Separate Barnabus and Saul to me for the work to which I've called them'."
They were seeking the Lord's direction...but what does 'ministered to the Lord' mean? And can we put ourselves in such a position in our daily devotions?
Of your own expense
The word 'ministered' here is 'leitourgeo', where we get 'liturgy'. The meaning in the first century is the key to understanding it, as it is not even close to the repetitive thing called 'The Liturgy' in Roman Catholic and Anglican services of today.
In Paul's time it meant: "To supply public office at one's own expense; public service at one's own expense."
In ancient Greek the city office holders were not paid a salary, they paid their own salary for the privilege of serving the people. Therefore the use of this word as they 'ministered to the Lord' indicates these 5 men were focusing 100% on Him, giving of themselves in complete devotion (also noted by their fasting). THAT is why the presence of the Holy Spirit came upon them and gave them direction.
'Me' generation
They were worshipping the Father and Lord at their expense - meaning no prayers to 'open my eyes', no 'draw me close to you', no prayer requests for themselves or their family, nothing 'me' oriented at all - they were giving to Him of themselves at their expense and focused therefore 100% on Him and Him alone.
It is the same principle of David in II Samuel 24:24 when Araunah offered the king his land for free, but David responded: "I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing."
This principle governs our lives, or is to. For instance, tithes and offerings are supposed to cost you something. That is why the widow's 2 mites were greater giving than the rich who gave of their excess. It is why Jesus commented that if we merely love those who love us, it is nothing - but loving those who hate us or speak ill of us, that is like the Father and His love.
Our lives in the Lord are supposed to cost us. That is what renewing the mind and being a disciple is all about - the laying down of our lives, counting ourselves dead to our former sin, and giving all to be like Him.
But in this 'me' generation it is no wonder the songs we call 'worship' are mostly 'me' focused. These men were not 'me' focused - they ministered to the Lord - they gave of themselves to Him.
How to worship and know His presence, His anointing
How did they minister to the Lord? The Bible answers the Bible, so look at true worship seen around the throne in heaven. From Revelation 4:8, 11 before the Father's throne (the Father is seen in all of chapter 4):
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For you have created all things and for your pleasure they are now, and were then created."
Followed in 5:9-10 by the worship of the Lamb, Christ, who came to Him who sits on the throne to take the book from His right hand and opens the seals:
"You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for you were killed, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation; and have made us a kingdom of priests to our God and we will reign on the earth." and v 13: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever."
If you want an example of worship in modern music, listen to Michael W. Smith's 'Agnus Dei' off his 'Worship' album. Ignore the exhortation to the crowd at a couple points, and ignore the clapping at the end.(Clapping isn't worship, but an exclamation of joy in thanksgiving, but it isn't worship ie He isn't Elvis, He is God and should be worshipped, not applauded)
Amy Grant also has a nice version of 'Agnus Dei' off a Christmas album of hers. Also check out various versions of 'Revelation Song' - Kari Jobe, Maranatha Music, Phillips, Craig & Dean, or 'Women of Faith Worship Team'.
I don't care that I can run through a troop or leap over a wall, nor that I am blessed to be a blessing. I am so in love with the Father and the Lord that I don't care if my eyes are open or if He draws me near - my heart cries out 'Holy, holy, holy are you O Lord. Worthy, worthy, worthy are you O Lord'....and there is His presence, there is true worship, true manifest anointing...and in Him there is NO lack...so worship Him, enter His presence, and more next week.
Blessings,
John Fenn
www.cwowi.org
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