A Relationship Not a Formula

There are several things that we can use to enhance the anointing in our lives. Let me say, at the outset of this chapter, the anointing is not a formula; it is a relationship.

Many are trying to imitate other great men of God. They want to walk their walk and talk their talk, but not out of a relationship with Jesus. They try to use it as a means to have God’s anointing manifest in their lives. For example, some ministers hold a healing meeting so they can have a crowd, not so that they can get people healed.  That’s the wrong motive for wanting to see miracles take place.

I remember talking to individuals who wanted what Smith Wigglesworth had. They studied his life and found out that Smith Wigglesworth used to wake up at four o’clock in the morning and have communion. Then he would pray for three hours. So they began to do the same. But after a little while, they would wake up late in the morning, realizing that they had fallen asleep, instead of praying.

This action was based on a formula and not a relationship. It is important to realize that Smith

Wigglesworth did not do all of those things in order to have miracles in his life. He had a relationship with the Lord, and then out of his relationship, he ministered and the miracles were the result.

The Bible says, “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Can people tell that you have been with Jesus lately? What Peter and John had was not based on a formula, but rather a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Person, Not a Language

I think one of the biggest problems in many Pentecostal and charismatic circles is that people seek a language and not the Holy Spirit. First of all, the Holy Spirit is not a language; He’s a person.Jesus said to the disciples, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:59).  Some people think He said, “You will receive tongues.” What good is tongues without the power? We have many babbling believers today with very little power.

When He told them to tarry for the Holy Spirit, they didn’t know what they were waiting for. If there had come a knock on the door and someone walked in and said, “I am the Holy Spirit,” I am sure they would have welcomed that person and said, “Yes, Jesus said You were coming.

But on the day of Pentecost, there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind. There appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire and it sat upon each of them. They were all filled with the Spirit and began to speak with other tongues. (See Acts 2:1-4.)   I want you to notice they were filled, then they spoke. They were filled first. Power was evident in their lives. You see, the early church had the substance and unfortunately, the latter church has the formula. Let’s get back to the substance, the tangibility, the heavenly materiality of what the early church had.

Having an Encounter with God

I believe if we would be used of God, we need to have an encounter with Him. Paul talked about how he had seen the Lord in the way. Moses had a burning bush experience. To be honest with you, so did everyone who has ever been used of God.

Job had an encounter with God at the end of his ordeal. God revealed Himself to Job, asking Job where he was when God laid the foundation of the earth. “Do you have a voice that can thunder like me?” God asked Job (Job 40:9).

Job finally spoke to God. His words speak for many people, I think. He said, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5). It’s one thing to read the book; it’s another thing to meet the author of the book.

The Life of Prayer

First of all, what is prayer? Prayer is communication and it’s two ways. In many believers’ lives, prayer is a one-sided conversation. They pray, “Give me, give me.”  They are always asking.

Prayer for the believer should not be a religious ritual performed on a daily basis by a Christian who wants to attain a certain level of spirituality. It should be a daily fellowship with our heavenly Father out of love.

We have to realize that we are not under the Old Covenant, but under the New. Whatever is done under the New Covenant must be done out of faith and love. Otherwise, it is nothing more than dead works, something that needs to be repented of.