The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

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< > Chapter Seven The reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit The ministry of the laying on of hands All through the ages, God has laid His hand upon men; for service and blessing, Exek.3v22. 8v1. Ps.139v5.; for deliverance, Is.41v11.; and even for judgement, 1Sam.5v6. To His faithful people “the hand of the Lord” has imparted every spiritual and natural blessing that was necessary to meet their needs. The power that came upon some of God's children was so great that they were quite overwhelmed by it. Neh.12v43. 8v6,12. Dan.8v18-26. 10v8,11,15,17. Job.8v21. Ps.126v2. Acts.2v13-16. Rev.1v7. 4v10. 19v6. The truth that God lays His hand upon us and imparts His blessing to us may seem very obvious; but we should also realise that God desires His dear children to be co-workers and co-partners with Him, and that as we lay hands upon people they should feel God’s power and love and be blest. 2Cor.6v1. Mt.5v43-48. 1Cor.3v3. 1Jn.3v1,2. Some Christians look upon the laying on of hands as merely, “An outward and appropriate symbol of the act of intercessory prayer.” However, it is so important, that it is included among the foundation truths of the Christian faith; repentance from dead works, saving faith, baptism in water, the baptism in the Spirit, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. Heb.6v1-3. The doctrine of the laying on of hands is a vital truth that we cannot afford to neglect, for failure to put this truth into practice results in a very real spiritual loss. The Scriptures show that God's power and blessing can be imparted by the laying on of hands. THERE CAN BE A DIVINE ORDINATION THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. Joshua. “Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him - and give him a charge in their sight.” Numb.27v18-23. This was no empty ordinance, a heavenly unction and a spirit of wisdom was imparted, for the Scripture says, “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him." Deut.34v9. Through Moses, God gave Joshua what he needed to lead His people. The reason why Moses could impart this blessing is shown in Deut.34v10., “There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Moses imparted the glory that he received through communion with God; the glory of God that made the face of Moses shine, was imparted to Joshua and it changed him. In Exod.33v9-22. we see the glorious friendship and fellowship with God that Moses experienced. “The Lord talked with Moses...The Lord spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. I know thee by name and thou hast found grace in my sight.” Moses knew God, and those who want real results in this ministry must rise to great heights of communion with God, and receive something from Him. Acts.3v6. The seven deacons of Acts.6v3-10. These were seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, they were brought before the apostles, and the apostles prayed for them and laid hands upon them. Something was definitely imparted by the laying on of the apostle’s hands, for within a short time Stephen and Philip were doing great miracles in Christ’s name. Acts.6v8. 8v6. It must have been a remarkable experience to have hands laid on you by apostles who had walked and talked with Christ for forty days after His resurrection, and were mightily filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts.1v1-5. 4v33. 5v12-16. Paul and Barnabus. Acts.13v1-5. They were prophets and teachers in the Church, but they still needed the ministry of the laying on of hands. The other leaders at Antioch earnestly sought God in worship, prayers and fasting before they laid hands on them, they had to receive something from God before they could give it. Paul and Barnabus certainly needed something from God for the task ahead of them, and they received a benediction from God through these prayerful leaders, that helped them to fulfil the will of God, and overcome all the great difficulties they were to meet. 2Cor.11v23-33. Timothy. In 1Tim.5v22., Paul said Timothy received something from God when Christian leaders laid hands on him, it was much more than a recognition of his ministry by these leaders. Ministries are given directly from the Father and Son, but this does not exclude the reception of spiritual blessings from God through mature Christian leaders. 1Cor.12v28. Eph.4v8-11. THERE CAN BE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. Healing in Christ's ministry. Outstanding miracles of healing occurred in both Elijah's and Elisha's ministries. 1Kings.17v17-24. 2Kings.4v32-35. 5v1-19. 13v20,21. However, it is only as we come to the ministry of Jesus that we see this ministry in full power. There are many references to the ministry of the laying on of hands in the ministry of Jesus. At Capernaum, “all they that had any sick with different diseases brought them unto Him and He laid His hands on everyone and healed them.” Lk.4v40. The blind man at Bethesda, Mk.8v22-26.; and the woman with the infirmity, Lk.13v10-13.; and even some of the people at Nazareth, Mk.6v5.; were healed through this ministry. The anointing on Jesus was so great that people were healed when He just said a word, or touched them with His hand. A leper, Mt.8v2-4.; Peter's mother in law, Mt.8v15.; the high priest's servant, Lk.22v50,51.; the deaf and dumb man, Mt.7v32-37.; the two blind men, Mt.20v30-34.; and many others, received Christ's healing touch. People knew that if Jesus laid His hands on them, or touched them, they would be healed, and so they asked Jesus to lay hands on them, or their sick friends or relatives. Mk.5v23,41. 7v32-37. 8v22-25. On many occasions the sick crowded round Jesus in order to touch Him, knowing that even touching His garments would cause them to receive power that would heal them; “the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for there went virtue out of Him and healed them ALL.” Lk.6v19. Mt.9v20,21. 14v35,36. Mk.3v10. 6v55,56. This was physically dangerous, and Jesus and His disciples were in real danger of being crushed by the crowds. Jesus ministered to people until He was totally exhausted, so much so that even a storm and the waves coming into the boat did not wake Him up. Such totally dedicated selfless care for others reveals His glory more than the stilling of the storm. Mt.8v23-25. The Greek word for “virtue” in the Authorised Version of Lk.6v19., is “dunamis,” which is elsewhere translated as “power.” Mk.5v30. with Lk.8v46. Acts.1v8. 4v33. 6v8. etc. Jesus not only felt the power in Him, He felt it leave Him, with the consequent drain upon His nervous and spiritual resources. Healings in the ministries of Christ's disciples. Without doubt, the apostles followed their Master's example and laid hands on the sick. Mk.16v18. Paul received his sight and the baptism in the Spirit when Ananias laid hands upon him. Acts.9v12,17,18. Publius was healed by the laying on of hands. Acts.28v8,9. In James.5v14-18., the healing of the sick is said to be part of the ministry of godly elders. CHILDREN AND ADULTS CAN BE BLESSED BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of a staff.” Heb.11v20,21. Jacob laid his right hand on the younger son of Joseph and his left hand on the older son of Joseph; Joseph protested, but Jacob said that Ephraim, the younger son, was to be the greater of the two brothers. There was a particular blessing for both of them, and when Jacob laid his hands upon them, something was very definitely imparted to them to aid them in their future lives. Gen.48v13-20. Christ laid His hands on the little children and blessed them, and Divine blessing operated upon their lives for good. Mk.10v13-16. An old Negro prayed for W.F.P. Burton, and asked God to send him to his people, this happened when he was but a child, many years later God did send Mr. Burton to do a work for Him in the Congo. THE BAPTISM AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT CAN BE IMPARTED BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. Out of the five cases in the Acts where we are told that Christians were baptised in the Holy Spirit, in three cases the baptism was received through the laying on of hands. Acts.8v17,18. 9v17. 19v6,7. In the other two cases, God ministered the baptism in the Spirit Himself, and it is easy to see why. In the initial outpouring on the day of Pentecost, it was such an overwhelming outpouring that no human ministry was needed, nor was there anyone who had received this blessing, and could minister it. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people gathered with Cornelius, was necessary to prove that the Gentiles were “granted repentance unto life,” and the prejudiced Jews would certainly not have laid hands on these Gentiles for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts.10v44-48. 11v11-18. Our Lord may still personally baptise Christians in the Spirit without the ministry of the laying on of hands, whenever He feels that it is necessary. The laying on of hands can also be the means of imparting spiritual gifts; the Ephesian Christians received the gift of prophecy when Paul laid his hands upon them. Acts.19v6. 2Tim.1v6. Paul tells us in Rom.1v10,11., that he desired to visit the Church at Rome in order to impart some spiritual gift to them, which he obviously could not do by teaching in a letter. This was quite likely, as at Ephesus, through the laying on of hands. Many people can testify today that they have received something from God when godly men and women have laid hands on them. This is one of the ways that God keeps us humble and makes us feel our need of each other. Let us now consider the spiritual qualifications that are necessary to have a fruitful and blessed ministry of the laying on of hands. We need to be full and keep full of the Holy Spirit. We can only impart what we have received from God. However, the faith of the person who is being prayed for can enable them to receive a blessing from God even though the person laying hands on them may have little or nothing to give. Jesus could feel this power of the Spirit in Him, and He felt it leave Him, He said, “Someone did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.” Lk.8v46. This should be the case with the Spirit-filled Christian, we will know, or should know, that we have received something from God for those we are praying for. Sometimes we may lay hands on people and feel a tremendous flow of spiritual power and yet nothing appears to happen. On such occasions we should prayerfully leave matters with God, it is quite likely that a real spiritual need has been met. It is a Christian leader's privilege to impart blessing and power to members of the Church who have battled with the world, flesh, and Devil, and feel battle-scarred and spiritually exhausted as a result. Through the laying on of hands, the defeated and discouraged can be lifted into a place of blessing. However, the person who practices the laying on of hands will have to “refill” again, by prayer and meditation, as even our dear Lord Jesus had to do; “and great multitudes crowded in to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases; but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the desert and there prayed.” Lk.5v15,16. Jesus did not withdraw into the desert to avoid the crowds; He went into the desert to seek His Fathers will, grace and power, so that He could meet the needs of the multitudes. In Mk.1v35. we read that Christ rose very early in the morning to pray, after healing the sick until the early hours of that morning; He had to seek His Father's plan and power for the new day. Jesus was the greatest prayer warrior there has ever been. We need to know God and God's will. God intends the ministry of the laying on of hands and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used by Christians who are living in close touch with Himself. We have to go to the fountainhead of blessing before we can bless others. A spiritual sweetness and graciousness can only come from communion with our lovely and gracious Lord. May the Lord deliver us from ministering His power in a hard or graceless way, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and make our service and characters attractive. Ps.27v4. Ps.90v17. Jn.15v13-15. It is only as we draw near to God that we find the strength and grace to discern and perform the will of God; otherwise, caution and spiritual opposition can overwhelm us. We need to empty ourselves of our ideas and find out what the Head of the Church has planned for us, a close communion with God will preserve us from the dangers of going our own way, and from fanaticism and folly. We will need faith and courage. Joshua.1v1-18. There can be no doubt that it takes real faith and courage to enter the heavenly Canaan and “destroy the works of the Devil.” 1Jn.3v9. It took real faith and courage for Jesus to fight Satan on his own ground. God loves courage, for it is the co-partner of faith; and without faith, it is impossible to please Him. Heb.11v6. True faith moves mountains and believes that God can do the impossible. Mt.17v20,21. 19v26. Lk.1v37. 18v27. Our faith and courage are based on the fact that, “the Lord our God is with us withersoever we go,” and that He promises, “I will never fail thee or forsake thee.” Joshua.1v5,9. Mt.28v20. Heb.13v5-8. Our Almighty God and His glory cloud towers over the giants in the land, and dwarfs them into insignificance, and with Caleb, we shout for joy, “They are bread for us.” Numb.14v7-12. This confidence in God does not do away with the battle that must take place if we are to possess our heavenly Canaan. The benefits for the Church and mankind are tremendous, but the conflict is great. The more powerful you get in God, the greater will be the upset and the opposition from the powers of darkness. God says, “I will kill the giants through you,” but this needs real courage and faith to believe and accomplish. Every gift that we receive has to be kept by prayer and faith. Once we have entered our spiritual Canaan we will have to be watchful, or we can lose what we have gained. Judges.2v10-19. In the spiritual Canaan that we enter, there are a multitude of wicked spirits that keep the souls of men in darkness. These evil powers will attack us in mind and spirit, and they will use worldly men, religious men, and numerous other means to try to keep us from entering and conquering their territory. See Hebrews 3 and 4. Matt.10v16-23. Eph.6v10-20. Let us follow the example of our Lord Jesus, and be a minister of God's power and love to this needy world. Let none of us “play for safety” like the Israelites of old in Numb.13v1 to 14v45., only failure and disgrace can be the result of this attitude of mind. We need to be good Christians, and not merely full of the Holy Ghost and faith. God never uses us according to what we deserve, otherwise He would never use anyone, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit are “charismata,” “grace-gifts,” and entirely due to grace. The reception of spiritual power from God also depends on faith; if you can believe, you can receive. Mk.11v20-25. However, persistent rebellion and sin, are sure to end in a shipwreck of faith. Tim.2v18-20. 2Pet.2v13-22. The time comes when people can no longer believe that God will bless them any more. Balaam prophesied tremendous truths and astounding predictive prophecies, but his rebellion against God cost him his life and soul. We can have “faith that moves mountains,” and yet be “nothing,” and what we do will “profit us nothing.” 1Cor.13v1-3. Love must be the driving force in our ministry to others; faith needs love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness and self-control to go with it. Gal.5v22,23. To some the heavenly anointing is all that matters, but the ground that drinks in blessing can bring forth thorns and briars and be “nigh unto cursing,” God expects us to manifest the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Heb.6v7,8. 12v11. These fruits will grow as we obey the Word of God and the Spirit of God. All will be well with us if we have the fruits of the Spirit as well as the gifts of the Spirit, “great power” demands “great grace.” Acts.4v33. We need a love-directed balanced Christianity, or we can put ourselves in great spiritual danger. < >
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Chapter Seven

The reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit

The ministry of the laying on of hands

All through the ages, God has laid His hand upon men; for service and blessing, Exek.3v22. 8v1. Ps.139v5.; for deliverance, Is.41v11.; and even for judgement, 1Sam.5v6. To His faithful people “the hand of the Lord” has imparted every spiritual and natural blessing that was necessary to meet their needs. The power that came upon some of God's children was so great that they were quite overwhelmed by it. Neh.12v43. 8v6,12. Dan.8v18-26. 10v8,11,15,17. Job.8v21. Ps.126v2. Acts.2v13-16. Rev.1v7. 4v10. 19v6. The truth that God lays His hand upon us and imparts His blessing to us may seem very obvious; but we should also realise that God desires His dear children to be co-workers and co-partners with Him, and that as we lay hands upon people they should feel God’s power and love and be blest. 2Cor.6v1. Mt.5v43-48. 1Cor.3v3. 1Jn.3v1,2.

Some Christians look upon the laying on of hands as merely, “An outward and appropriate symbol of the act of intercessory prayer.” However, it is so important, that it is included among the foundation truths of the Christian faith; repentance from dead works, saving faith, baptism in water, the baptism in the Spirit, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. Heb.6v1-3. The doctrine of the laying on of hands is a vital truth that we cannot afford to neglect, for failure to put this truth into practice results in a very real spiritual loss. The Scriptures show that God's power and blessing can be imparted by the laying on of hands.

THERE CAN BE A DIVINE ORDINATION THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
Joshua. “Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand upon him - and give him a charge in their sight.” Numb.27v18-23. This was no empty ordinance, a heavenly unction and a spirit of wisdom was imparted, for the Scripture says, “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him." Deut.34v9. Through Moses, God gave Joshua what he needed to lead His people. The reason why Moses could impart this blessing is shown in Deut.34v10., “There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Moses imparted the glory that he received through communion with God; the glory of God that made the face of Moses shine, was imparted to Joshua and it changed him. In Exod.33v9-22. we see the glorious friendship and fellowship with God that Moses experienced. “The Lord talked with Moses...The Lord spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. I know thee by name and thou hast found grace in my sight.” Moses knew God, and those who want real results in this ministry must rise to great heights of communion with God, and receive something from Him. Acts.3v6.

The seven deacons of Acts.6v3-10. These were seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, they were brought before the apostles, and the apostles prayed for them and laid hands upon them. Something was definitely imparted by the laying on of the apostle’s hands, for within a short time Stephen and Philip were doing great miracles in Christ’s name. Acts.6v8. 8v6. It must have been a remarkable experience to have hands laid on you by apostles who had walked and talked with Christ for forty days after His resurrection, and were mightily filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts.1v1-5. 4v33. 5v12-16.

Paul and Barnabus. Acts.13v1-5. They were prophets and teachers in the Church, but they still needed the ministry of the laying on of hands. The other leaders at Antioch earnestly sought God in worship, prayers and fasting before they laid hands on them, they had to receive something from God before they could give it. Paul and Barnabus certainly needed something from God for the task ahead of them, and they received a benediction from God through these prayerful leaders, that helped them to fulfil the will of God, and overcome all the great difficulties they were to meet. 2Cor.11v23-33.

Timothy. In 1Tim.5v22., Paul said Timothy received something from God when Christian leaders laid hands on him, it was much more than a recognition of his ministry by these leaders. Ministries are given directly from the Father and Son, but this does not exclude the reception of spiritual blessings from God through mature Christian leaders. 1Cor.12v28. Eph.4v8-11.

THERE CAN BE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
Healing in Christ's ministry.
Outstanding miracles of healing occurred in both Elijah's and Elisha's ministries. 1Kings.17v17-24. 2Kings.4v32-35. 5v1-19. 13v20,21. However, it is only as we come to the ministry of Jesus that we see this ministry in full power. There are many references to the ministry of the laying on of hands in the ministry of Jesus. At Capernaum, “all they that had any sick with different diseases brought them unto Him and He laid His hands on everyone and healed them.” Lk.4v40. The blind man at Bethesda, Mk.8v22-26.; and the woman with the infirmity, Lk.13v10-13.; and even some of the people at Nazareth, Mk.6v5.; were healed through this ministry. The anointing on Jesus was so great that people were healed when He just said a word, or touched them with His hand. A leper, Mt.8v2-4.; Peter's mother in law, Mt.8v15.; the high priest's servant, Lk.22v50,51.; the deaf and dumb man, Mt.7v32-37.; the two blind men, Mt.20v30-34.; and many others, received Christ's healing touch. People knew that if Jesus laid His hands on them, or touched them, they would be healed, and so they asked Jesus to lay hands on them, or their sick friends or relatives. Mk.5v23,41. 7v32-37. 8v22-25. On many occasions the sick crowded round Jesus in order to touch Him, knowing that even touching His garments would cause them to receive power that would heal them; “the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for there went virtue out of Him and healed them ALL.” Lk.6v19. Mt.9v20,21. 14v35,36. Mk.3v10. 6v55,56. This was physically dangerous, and Jesus and His disciples were in real danger of being crushed by the crowds. Jesus ministered to people until He was totally exhausted, so much so that even a storm and the waves coming into the boat did not wake Him up. Such totally dedicated selfless care for others reveals His glory more than the stilling of the storm. Mt.8v23-25. The Greek word for “virtue” in the Authorised Version of Lk.6v19., is “dunamis,” which is elsewhere translated as “power.” Mk.5v30. with Lk.8v46. Acts.1v8. 4v33. 6v8. etc. Jesus not only felt the power in Him, He felt it leave Him, with the consequent drain upon His nervous and spiritual resources.

Healings in the ministries of Christ's disciples.
Without doubt, the apostles followed their Master's example and laid hands on the sick. Mk.16v18. Paul received his sight and the baptism in the Spirit when Ananias laid hands upon him. Acts.9v12,17,18. Publius was healed by the laying on of hands. Acts.28v8,9. In James.5v14-18., the healing of the sick is said to be part of the ministry of godly elders.

CHILDREN AND ADULTS CAN BE BLESSED BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of a staff.” Heb.11v20,21. Jacob laid his right hand on the younger son of Joseph and his left hand on the older son of Joseph; Joseph protested, but Jacob said that Ephraim, the younger son, was to be the greater of the two brothers. There was a particular blessing for both of them, and when Jacob laid his hands upon them, something was very definitely imparted to them to aid them in their future lives. Gen.48v13-20. Christ laid His hands on the little children and blessed them, and Divine blessing operated upon their lives for good. Mk.10v13-16. An old Negro prayed for W.F.P. Burton, and asked God to send him to his people, this happened when he was but a child, many years later God did send Mr. Burton to do a work for Him in the Congo.

THE BAPTISM AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT CAN BE IMPARTED BY THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
Out of the five cases in the Acts where we are told that Christians were baptised in the Holy Spirit, in three cases the baptism was received through the laying on of hands. Acts.8v17,18. 9v17. 19v6,7. In the other two cases, God ministered the baptism in the Spirit Himself, and it is easy to see why. In the initial outpouring on the day of Pentecost, it was such an overwhelming outpouring that no human ministry was needed, nor was there anyone who had received this blessing, and could minister it. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people gathered with Cornelius, was necessary to prove that the Gentiles were “granted repentance unto life,” and the prejudiced Jews would certainly not have laid hands on these Gentiles for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts.10v44-48. 11v11-18. Our Lord may still personally baptise Christians in the Spirit without the ministry of the laying on of hands, whenever He feels that it is necessary.

The laying on of hands can also be the means of imparting spiritual gifts; the Ephesian Christians received the gift of prophecy when Paul laid his hands upon them. Acts.19v6. 2Tim.1v6. Paul tells us in Rom.1v10,11., that he desired to visit the Church at Rome in order to impart some spiritual gift to them, which he obviously could not do by teaching in a letter. This was quite likely, as at Ephesus, through the laying on of hands. Many people can testify today that they have received something from God when godly men and women have laid hands on them. This is one of the ways that God keeps us humble and makes us feel our need of each other. Let us now consider the spiritual qualifications that are necessary to have a fruitful and blessed ministry of the laying on of hands.

We need to be full and keep full of the Holy Spirit.
We can only impart what we have received from God. However, the faith of the person who is being prayed for can enable them to receive a blessing from God even though the person laying hands on them may have little or nothing to give. Jesus could feel this power of the Spirit in Him, and He felt it leave Him, He said, “Someone did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.” Lk.8v46. This should be the case with the Spirit-filled Christian, we will know, or should know, that we have received something from God for those we are praying for. Sometimes we may lay hands on people and feel a tremendous flow of spiritual power and yet nothing appears to happen. On such occasions we should prayerfully leave matters with God, it is quite likely that a real spiritual need has been met. It is a Christian leader's privilege to impart blessing and power to members of the Church who have battled with the world, flesh, and Devil, and feel battle-scarred and spiritually exhausted as a result. Through the laying on of hands, the defeated and discouraged can be lifted into a place of blessing. However, the person who practices the laying on of hands will have to “refill” again, by prayer and meditation, as even our dear Lord Jesus had to do; “and great multitudes crowded in to hear Him and to be cured of their diseases; but Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the desert and there prayed.” Lk.5v15,16. Jesus did not withdraw into the desert to avoid the crowds; He went into the desert to seek His Fathers will, grace and power, so that He could meet the needs of the multitudes. In Mk.1v35. we read that Christ rose very early in the morning to pray, after healing the sick until the early hours of that morning; He had to seek His Father's plan and power for the new day. Jesus was the greatest prayer warrior there has ever been.

We need to know God and God's will.
God intends the ministry of the laying on of hands and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used by Christians who are living in close touch with Himself. We have to go to the fountainhead of blessing before we can bless others. A spiritual sweetness and graciousness can only come from communion with our lovely and gracious Lord. May the Lord deliver us from ministering His power in a hard or graceless way, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and make our service and characters attractive. Ps.27v4. Ps.90v17. Jn.15v13-15. It is only as we draw near to God that we find the strength and grace to discern and perform the will of God; otherwise, caution and spiritual opposition can overwhelm us. We need to empty ourselves of our ideas and find out what the Head of the Church has planned for us, a close communion with God will preserve us from the dangers of going our own way, and from fanaticism and folly.

We will need faith and courage. Joshua.1v1-18.
There can be no doubt that it takes real faith and courage to enter the heavenly Canaan and “destroy the works of the Devil.” 1Jn.3v9. It took real faith and courage for Jesus to fight Satan on his own ground. God loves courage, for it is the co-partner of faith; and without faith, it is impossible to please Him. Heb.11v6. True faith moves mountains and believes that God can do the impossible. Mt.17v20,21. 19v26. Lk.1v37. 18v27. Our faith and courage are based on the fact that, “the Lord our God is with us withersoever we go,” and that He promises, “I will never fail thee or forsake thee.” Joshua.1v5,9. Mt.28v20. Heb.13v5-8. Our Almighty God and His glory cloud towers over the giants in the land, and dwarfs them into insignificance, and with Caleb, we shout for joy, “They are bread for us.” Numb.14v7-12.

This confidence in God does not do away with the battle that must take place if we are to possess our heavenly Canaan. The benefits for the Church and mankind are tremendous, but the conflict is great. The more powerful you get in God, the greater will be the upset and the opposition from the powers of darkness. God says, “I will kill the giants through you,” but this needs real courage and faith to believe and accomplish. Every gift that we receive has to be kept by prayer and faith. Once we have entered our spiritual Canaan we will have to be watchful, or we can lose what we have gained. Judges.2v10-19. In the spiritual Canaan that we enter, there are a multitude of wicked spirits that keep the souls of men in darkness. These evil powers will attack us in mind and spirit, and they will use worldly men, religious men, and numerous other means to try to keep us from entering and conquering their territory. See Hebrews 3 and 4. Matt.10v16-23. Eph.6v10-20. Let us follow the example of our Lord Jesus, and be a minister of God's power and love to this needy world. Let none of us “play for safety” like the Israelites of old in Numb.13v1 to 14v45., only failure and disgrace can be the result of this attitude of mind.

We need to be good Christians, and not merely full of the Holy Ghost and faith.
God never uses us according to what we deserve, otherwise He would never use anyone, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit are “charismata,” “grace-gifts,” and entirely due to grace. The reception of spiritual power from God also depends on faith; if you can believe, you can receive. Mk.11v20-25. However, persistent rebellion and sin, are sure to end in a shipwreck of faith. Tim.2v18-20. 2Pet.2v13-22. The time comes when people can no longer believe that God will bless them any more. Balaam prophesied tremendous truths and astounding predictive prophecies, but his rebellion against God cost him his life and soul.
We can have “faith that moves mountains,” and yet be “nothing,” and what we do will “profit us nothing.” 1Cor.13v1-3. Love must be the driving force in our ministry to others; faith needs love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness and self-control to go with it. Gal.5v22,23. To some the heavenly anointing is all that matters, but the ground that drinks in blessing can bring forth thorns and briars and be “nigh unto cursing,” God expects us to manifest the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Heb.6v7,8. 12v11. These fruits will grow as we obey the Word of God and the Spirit of God. All will be well with us if we have the fruits of the Spirit as well as the gifts of the Spirit, “great power” demands “great grace.” Acts.4v33. We need a love-directed balanced Christianity, or we can put ourselves in great spiritual danger.

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