Author Archives: prayerdepot

NEW TIMES!! NEW HOURS!!

The Prayer Depot has new times effective Feb 1st 2013….the prayer lines will open at 12pm noon M-W-F and 10pm Friday nights…so 4 times a week we are open….of course do not forget to keep sending in your prayer requests, praise reports and testimonies to theprayerdepot@gmail.com

 

I am excited about this great shift and pray you come on board!! Spread the word

Hindrances In Prayer

Hindrances to Prayer – The Problem
The Bible is clear that there are hindrances to prayer. Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting the ceiling and going no further? Let’s study what the Bible says about effective prayer.

Hindrances to Prayer – The Reasons
The Bible lists several hindrances to prayer. Here are a few of them:

  • Unconfessed Sin – When there is sin in the life of a believer, it creates a barrier in fellowship between you and God. Isaiah 59:2says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
  • Living in “the flesh” – When you begin a relationship with Christ, you receive a new nature. Even so, that nature resides in the old flesh. Sometimes you give control over to your old nature (“the flesh”), which is sinful. Believers are reminded: “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Living in the flesh is another hindrance to prayer.
  • Failure to spend time in God’s Word – “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable” (Proverbs 28:9).
  • Incorrect Motives – Motivation in prayer is very important. When your prayers are selfishly motivated, that hinders your prayers.James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Your prayers should not be focused on fulfilling your own selfish desires.
  • Misunderstanding of prayer – The Bible explains that prayer isn’t about getting God to bends His will to your will. Instead, prayer is about cooperating with God and abandoning your desires and submitting to God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
  • Indifference to the needs of others – Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” When you are indifferent to the needs of others, you can expect your prayers to be hindered.
  • Doubt and Unbelief – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Your confidence should be in God’s ability to answer your prayers in accordance with His will.
  • Family Problems – 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
  • Vain repetition – “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).

 

Hindrances to Prayer – The Remedy
All hindrances to prayer can be remedied by confession and repentance. God doesn’t want your prayers to be hindered. He desires intimate fellowship with His children and for the lines of communication to remain open. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

As your fellowship with God is strengthened, you’ll be more in tune with God’s will and will pray accordingly. “Prayer is cooperation with God, a consent that opens the way for grace to work…

Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer – What is it?
Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another’s case. One study Bible defines intercession as “holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God’s intervention.”

Intercessory Prayer – The Biblical Foundation
The Biblical basis for the New Testament believer’s ministry of intercessory prayer is our calling as priests unto God. The Word of God declares that we are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:4), a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:5).

The background for understanding this calling to priestly intercession is found in the Old Testament example of the Levitical priesthood. The priest’s responsibility was to stand before and between. He stood before God to minister to Him with sacrifices and offerings. The priests also stood between a righteous God and sinful man bringing them together at the place of the blood sacrifice.

Hebrews 7:11-19 explains the difference between the Old and New Testament ministries of the priest. The Old Testament Levitical priesthood was passed on from generation to generation through the descendants of the tribe of Levi. “The Melchizedek priesthood” spoken of in this passage, is the “new order” of spiritual priests of whom the Lord Jesus is the High Priest. It is passed on to us through His blood and our spiritual birth as new creatures in Christ.

Intercessory Prayer – Our Model Intercessor
Jesus Christ is our model for intercessory prayer. Jesus stands before God and between Him and sinful man, just as the Old Testament priests did: For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus brings sinful man and a righteous God together at the place of the blood sacrifice for sin. No longer is the blood of animals necessary as it was in the Old Testament. We can now approach God on the basis of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can approach God boldly without timidity (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jesus was an intercessor while He was here on earth. He prayed for those who were sick and possessed by demons. He prayed for His disciples. He even prayed for you and me when He interceded for all those who would believe on Him. Jesus continued His ministry of intercession after His death and resurrection when He returned to Heaven. He now serves as our intercessor in Heaven.

Intercessory Prayer – Effective Intercession
In intercessory prayer, we follow the Old Testament priestly function and the New Testament pattern of Jesus – standing before God and between a righteous God and sinful man. In order to be effective standing “between” we must first stand “before” God to develop the intimacy necessary to fulfill this role. Numbers 14 is one of the greatest accounts of intercessory prayer recorded in the Bible. Moses was able to stand between God and sinful man because he had stood “before” Him and had developed intimacy of communication. Numbers 12:8 records that God spoke with Moses as friend to friend and not through visions and dreams as He did with other prophets.

As New Testament believers, we no longer sacrifice animals as in Old Testament times. We stand before the Lord to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15) and the sacrifice of our own lives (Romans 12:1). It is on the basis of this intimate relationship with God that we can then stand “between” Him and others, serving as an advocate and intercessor in their behalf.

Peter uses two words to describe this priestly ministry: “Holy” and “royal.” Holiness is required to stand before the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We are able to do this only on the basis of the righteousness of Christ, not our own righteousness. Royalty is descriptive of the kingly authority that is delegated to us as members of the “royal family,” so to speak, with legitimate access to the throne room of God.

Ways To Pray

Ways to Pray – Only One Way
There are endless resources offering techniques, rituals, and even objects illustrating the ways to pray. Judging from the extensive array of books, radio programs, and websites that address praying, one desire continues to endure through the centuries, “Lord, teach us to pray . . .” (Luke 11:1). In our relationship with the Creator, we long to keep our communication with the Lord personal and true. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) provides Jesus’ response as the way to achieve that communication with the Father. Since individuals are most familiar with the King James Version, or its musical counterpart, let’s consider each verse of Jesus’ prayer:

“Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.” When adoration is expressed, a prayer of worship is offered. God receives our highest esteem (1 Chronicles 16:29; Isaiah 6:3). As an adoring child, we center our attention on our Father’s holiness and magnificence.

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven.” As we familiarize ourselves once again with WHO we are speaking to, we acknowledge God’s authority in a prayer of submission. This way of praying is crucial if we desire answered prayer (1 John 5:14). Submission to God’s authority requires that we humble ourselves, knowing that His will may differ from our personal desires (2 Chronicles 7:14-15). Yet we choose to be obedient to His will (Luke 22:41-42). The greatest prayer of submission was modeled through Jesus Christ.

Ways to Pray – What to Say
“Give us this day, our daily bread.” Of all the ways of praying, the prayer of supplication (earnest request), is the most utilized. Critical illness, financial distress, or any dire circumstance requires assurance that God is able to rescue us (1 John 3:21-22). The prayer of supplication may be agonizing as we attempt to convey our suffering (Luke 22:44). There will also be times when we desire God’s protection, wisdom, and peace, assured that we rest securely in His care (1 Peter 5:7).

“And forgive us our sins, as we forgive our debtors.” There are two universal needs characteristic to man — to be forgiven and to improve oneself, becoming a better person in the process. In response to our awareness of our sinful nature, we offer a prayer of repentance to our Heavenly Father (Romans 3:23-26). As we receive God’s acceptance through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, we recognize the necessity of forgiveness and repentance (Matthew 18:21-35).

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” God never tempts us, nor does He isolate us from facing decisions (1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:12-15). A prayer of deliverance not only requires attitude, but demands action. Jesus faced temptation on several occasions (Matthew 4:1-11, 16:23, 27:38-44), and with a submissive attitude, acted in obedience to God. In a prayer of deliverance, we are affirming that God truly is our Deliverer from all forms of evil (Romans 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:18).

Ways to Pray – Child’s Play
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”For those who know that they are children of God, the anticipation of spending eternity with Him is glorious (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

As we pray with adoration, recognizing the authority of our Heavenly Father, we rest in the assurance that His children are His highest priority. God’s unconditional grace and mercy guarantee our acceptance through Jesus Christ. The prayer of faith acknowledges all that the Everlasting Father was, is, and will be as promised in His Word. And with our “amen,” we affirm that Our Father is trustworthy.

Child-like faith is all that God desires in the way we pray. Don’t worry about how you phrase your prayer. It’s your voice that God longs to hear.

What Is Prayer?

What is Prayer? – Talking With God
What is prayer? Prayer is our direct line with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God! He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call. Cell phones and other devices have become a necessity to some people in today’s society. We have bluetooth devices, blackberries, and talking computers! These are means of communication that allow two or more people to interact, discuss, and respond to one another.

To many people, prayer seems complicated, but it is simply talking to God. Here are some points about what prayer is:

What is Prayer? – The Logistics
Many people question what is prayer because they desire to pray, but don’t know how. Consider these tips:

  • What Do I Say? Praying is like talking to your best friend! It’s easy to talk to someone when you know they love you unconditionally!
    1. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and make you new in Him! “Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins” (Acts 3:19).
    2. Tell Him your needs! “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you” (1 Peter 5:7).
    3. Thank Him, for He died on the cross at Calvary for us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
  • How Do I Say It? Here’s how I have learned to approach the Savior of my life.
    1. With confidence and belief that He will deliver: “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome” (Ephesians 3:12). “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16).
    2. With joy that He can deliver. “You have shown me the way of life, and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28).
    3. With expectation that He is going to deliver. “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3). “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray” (Psalm 17:6).

What is Prayer? – What Does the Bible Say?
Pray for each other. Jesus set an example for us on what to pray. He prayed for His disciples and for every generation to come that would follow Him. His prayer was that God protect and strengthen them as long as they were in this world. Jesus also prayed for those who would come to believe in Him through the Gospel message (John 17).

Pray with faith. “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Pray with worship and reverence. “Exalt the LORD our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!” (Psalm 99:5). “‘Yes, Lord,’ the man said, ‘I believe!’ And he worshiped Jesus” (John 9:38).

You will know with confidence that God can hear you when you pray, so open that line of communication! Pray, knowing that no matter how far you roam, your connection with Him can never be lost!

“I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding” (Philippians 1:9).

The Unanswered Prayer

Unanswered Prayer – Unheard Answers
Are you experiencing unanswered prayer? Does God turn a deaf ear to some of your desperate pleas for healing, finances, or protection? We all experience irritation when our best efforts to communicate result in an unsatisfactory response — or worse, no response at all. We wonder, “Did you ever receive my message?” When we pray, we often equate the lack of immediate tangible results with God rejecting our prayers. In James 5:13-16 we are urged to pray earnestly with the promise of “powerful and wonderful results.” Why would God emphasize the importance of prayer and then choose not to respond with a joyful answer?

When answering prayer, God responds first to our attitude, much as a parent responds to a precious child (Psalm 103:13-14). Our childish actions and attitudes frequently affect a prayer’s desired results. Unforgiveness (Mark 11:24-25), selfishness (Proverbs 21:13), doubt (Matthew 21:21-22), greed (James 4:2-3), pride (2 Chronicles 7:14-15), and stubbornness (Zechariah 7:11-13) hinder God’s desire to answer prayer.

Unanswered Prayer – Unexpected Answers
Prayer is not a casual one-sided conversation. It is not “back-up insurance” guaranteeing a life free from pain and struggles. Prayer is actively acknowledging God as the source of all power and trusting that His answers, whether expected or unexpected, will accomplish greater things (Isaiah 46:9-10; 64:4).

Unanswered Prayer – Understanding Answers
Sometimes, God will answer, “No” to our desperate prayers. Any delay or unexpected outcome must not dishearten us. What is God’s true purpose in answering our prayers (John 14:13)? What does God want to complete in us through prayer (John 16:23–24)? God wants us to bring our every need to Him as He answers (yes or no) according to His character and will. God will never grant requests contrary to His will. While receiving a “Yes” usually makes us happy, God never promised us happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances. God wants us to have everlasting joy — especially when He responds, “No, it will be done in My time, not yours. No, I will reveal My glory.”

In Luke 22:41-44, Jesus agonized over the events leading up to His death. In fervent prayer, His greatest desire was to give preeminence to God’s will, not His suffering and pain (Hebrews 12:2). When we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), God always responds, and every answer brings joy.

Forgiveness Scriptures

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Romans 12:20 ESV To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Luke 17:3-4 ESV Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (4) and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Matthew 18:21-22 ESV Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (22) Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

Luke 6:36-37 ESV Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (37) “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

Matthew 5:44 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

The Anointing: What Is It?

  • The anointing of the Holy Spirit is a gift from God

(John 4:10 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

(John 4:13-14 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, {14} “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

(John 7:37-39 NKJV) 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. {38} “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” {39} 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.

(2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NKJV) For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. {21} Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, {22} who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

  • The anointing gives wisdom

(1 John 2:20 NKJV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

(1 John 2:27 NKJV) 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.

(Isaiah 11:2 NKJV) The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

(Daniel 12:3 NKJV) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

(Proverbs 11:30 NKJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

(Psalms 90:12 NKJV) So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

  • The anointing is the river of life that flows from the throne through your heart and penetrates other people’s hearts

(Psalms 36:7-9 NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. {8} They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. {9} For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

(Psalms 46:4 NKJV) There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

(Revelation 21:6 NKJV) And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

(Revelation 22:1-2 NKJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. {2} In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

(Revelation 22:17 NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

  • As we continue in the river of God’s anointing it intensifies until we are carried by it.

(Ezekiel 47:1-10 NKJV) Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. {2} He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. {3} And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. {4} Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. {5} Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. {6} He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. {7} When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. {8} Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. {9} “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. {10} “It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.

Wherever the river goes it brings life. The fish in the above passage represent lost souls; the sea represents the sea of humanity, peoples and nations that need the Gospel message to come through God’s anointed people.

  • The anointing is given to intercede for people

(Isaiah 59:16-21 NKJV) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. {17} For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak. {18} According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. {19} So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. {20} “The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the LORD. {21} “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.” (Isaiah 60:1-2 NKJV) Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. {2} For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

  • The free flowing anointing of God’s love brings joy to God and that joy is felt by the person He flows through. Love is the joy we get from God when we put His benefit and the benefit of another person before our own.

(Psalms 45:3-7 NKJV) Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty. {4} And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. {5} Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies; The peoples fall under You. {6} Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. {7} You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.

(Isaiah 58:6-12 NKJV) “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? {7} Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? {8} Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. {9} Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, {10} If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. {11} The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. {12} Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

  • Although there is great pleasure and joy in the anointing, because it is the presence of God, we are not to seek the joy, we are to seek God, and the benefit of others, the joy is a natural result of these things. The anointing is not given for the vessel it flows through; it is given for the one it flows to.

(Psalms 16:11 NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(James 4:3 NKJV) You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

  • Everyone in the body of Christ is anointed with the Holy Spirit, and we all need to give from God’s anointing to each other, and we all need to be able to receive the anointing that comes through other Christians.

(1 Corinthians 12:4-12 NKJV) There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. {7} But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: {8} for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, {9} to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, {10} to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. {11} But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. {12} For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

(Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

  • The anointing is sacred, the anointing is the Holy Spirit, and all believers in Christ have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We must be careful what we say about our brothers and sisters in Christ.

(Matthew 12:31 NKJV) “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

(1 Chronicles 16:22-24 NKJV) Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” {23} Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. {24} Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.