Purpose of the Anointing- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 11-13
PURPOSE OF THE ANOINTING
MEMORIZE: “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” (Acts 10:38) READ: Isaiah 61:1-7 The anointing has potentials for growth. Like a new born babe, it can be developed to a point of maturity. When the anointing newly came on Peter, he had to grab the lame man and pull him up after decreeing his healing, before the miracle took place. But later, he did not need to support his decrees with hands anymore because his anointing grew to the level of healing the sick laid on the streets through his shadow. When I first began to pray for the sick, I used my children as experiment. When they complain of headaches on reaching home, I ensured there was aspirin at home. I would pray for five minutes, but if it persisted, I would give them aspirin. My faith was small but the anointing was fresh and God met me at my level of faith. God never put my little faith to shame. When I realized that it was working for the children, I began to extend it to my friends. By His grace, today, I can pray for the sick anywhere. It is sad however that many believers have been anointed but have failed to develop it. The anointing had remained dormant in their lives. God did not anoint you for decoration. He wants you to always put a demand on the anointing so that when spent, He will refill. The sick are around you not for you to tell them ‘Sorry’, but for you to bring down the power of God to release healing upon them. If you are scared or shy like me, you could start from your family. Extend it to your friends and church members. Before long, you would have seen God’s faithfulness in doing the miraculous. However, the anointing cannot operate on its own; it must be operated by faith. Without faith, the anointing remains dead or asleep but when faith comes, it will come alive and do exploits. Today’s reading clearly spells out what to do with the anointing: Preach the Gospel to unbelievers and sinners, heal broken hearts, liberate those in captivity, and open the prison gates for the prisoners. With it, you can bring down God’s vengeance, comfort mourners, reverse unpleasant situations, break yokes of sorrow, discouragement and depression and facilitate restoration etc. What have you accomplished with the anointing? Remember, one day, you shall stand before God to account for what you did with the anointing He deposited on you. On that day, what will you say? Rise into action today and Heaven will back you up. ACTION POINT: Search for those in need of God’s touch and make a demand on the anointing of God on you to meet their needs.