Finally Receiving Your Prayer Language

There’s a single, often overlooked reason why many believers struggle to release the gift of tongues—their personal prayer language. And it all boils down to one uncomfortable word: Ego.

Now, I’m not just talking about pride—though that can be part of it. I’m talking about self—the ways we get in our own way. The internal blocks that keep us from flowing freely in the Spirit. Let me break down the top three ego-driven obstacles and how to overcome them.

1. Fear: “What Will They Think?”

We fear looking foolish. We worry about how the world—or even religious people—might see us. But here’s the truth: you will look strange… and that’s okay.

“If we are out of our mind, as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” - 2 Corinthians 5:13 (NIV)

We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re not meant to blend in—we’re called to stand out. Some even fear they’ll anger God or—more absurdly—invite a demon by asking for a gift. But let’s be clear: you cannot receive a demon when you ask the Holy Spirit for a gift in the name of Jesus.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” - Luke 11:11–13 (NIV)

So breathe. Let go of the fear. You are safe in Him.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

2. Doubt: “Is This Just Me?”

Many people pause mid-prayer, questioning whether what they’re doing is “real.” They whisper things like: “Maybe this is just me,” or “What if I’m making it up?” That internal dialogue has to go. Doubt stifles the flow—faith sets it free. Speak with confidence. Lean into the presence of God and trust that He’s meeting you in that moment.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
- James 1:6 (NIV)

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

3. Overthinking: “What If I’m Doing It Wrong?”

I’ve prayed with hundreds who want to speak in tongues, and I often see the same thing: tension. Instead of stepping into the gift, they get stuck repeating “Amen,” “Jesus,” or “Hallelujah” over and over—trying to fill the silence. They’re overthinking it. They’re trying to “get it right.” But here’s the truth: faith looks like relaxing. Yes, relaxing. That’s when your mind steps aside, and your spirit connects freely with God.

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” - Hebrews 4:10 (NIV)

So release the syllables and sounds—and trust the Holy Spirit to fill them.

Final Thoughts: Faith Over Fear

If you’re struggling to release your prayer language, consider this a loving challenge:

Let go of the fear of looking strange.
Let go of the fear that God will be mad at you.
Let go of the fear that you’ll “get it wrong” or “get a demon.”
Let go of the doubts whispering, “This isn’t real.”
Let go of the mental gymnastics that block the flow.

Instead, come to a place of perfect faith—not performance, not striving—just simple, surrendered belief.

“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 (NIV)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” - Romans 8:26 (NIV)

You were never meant to manufacture the gift—only to receive it.
Yield to what God has deposited in you.

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” - 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “Give Me 20 Minutes and You’ll Start Praying in Tongues,” on YouTube by clicking here.

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The Next-Level Christian

Salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you everything. When you get saved, you lose your unsaved friends. When you become anointed, you lose your lukewarm friends. There is a price to pay for the anointing. All of us have the anointing within us, but not all of us walk in the anointing.

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” - 1 John 2:27 (KJV)

The anointing is God’s power. We all carry God’s power, but not all of us live in such a way that His power can flow through us to help those around us. 

If you desire God’s power to move through you, then you must count the cost.

The anointing oil, which was symbolic of God’s empowering presence, was created from olive oil. The olives used for the oil had to be shaken from their trees and then crushed. So two things had to happen before the oil was produced: a shaking and a crushing.

If you want God to use you, you’ll have to be okay with Him shaking you from the familiar. God loves you too much to leave you in mediocrity. So He’ll shake the systems upon which you rely, He’ll shake the relationships that hold you back, He’ll shake the circumstances that limit your potential in Him. 

Don’t expect that your life will go just as you want it to go. Expect that your plans will be disrupted. Expect that you’ll find yourself in situations that require much faith. After all, if where you are doesn’t require faith, you’re not in the will of God.

And after you are shaken from the familiar, you will be crushed, put under pressure to be processed. Here’s the thing: pressure can only reveal what’s already within you; it can’t produce what’s lacking. Only the Spirit-filled produce power under pressure. 

So if you want God to use you, if you truly want to walk in the anointing, you must die to self. God must process you before He can use you. Now, sadly, because we live in the day of social media, anyone can create an online platform. And because anyone can create an online platform, anyone can skip the process.

But ministry is more than influence; it’s service. We’re ministers, not public figures; servants, not celebrities. We’re called to preach God’s Word, not our political preferences or personal opinions. Ministry is not a promotion; it’s a death to self. Put your desires on the cross and leave them there.

But the reward is beyond worth it. Our reward is that we will please the Lord. Our reward is knowing that Jesus will reap the reward of His suffering - lost souls.

So if you want the anointing, die to self. The Holy Spirit can’t fill you if you’re full of yourself. Your prayer should be, “Lord, spend my life for your glory.” Count the cost. Lay it down. Let God’s power flow through you.

And remember that the anointing doesn’t come through striving; it comes through surrender.

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A Fresh Anointing

Apathy, familiarity, monotony – these are far more detrimental to your spiritual well being than even some demonic assaults. Human nature can be so easily sidetracked. We have the tendency to veer off track. This is why it is so important to approach our walk with the Lord on a moment-by-moment basis. Whether yesterday ended in victory or defeat, we must focus on today.

We must learn to walk in a fresh anointing, a fresh touch of God’s power.

 “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” – Psalm 92:10 (KJV)

(“Unicorn” in the original language simply means “beast with a single horn”. Some scholars speculate that David is referring to a rhinoceros in Psalm 92:10)

It is important to maintain the flow of God’s power upon our lives. Surely, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit are always within us. His presence is an internal and eternal reality. Though we do not need to acquire power within, we must live a life that maintains power upon. What good does it do to have God’s power within us if we live in a way that stifles the flow of God’s power upon us and through us?

Yesterday’s anointing cannot break today’s yokes. We need fresh oil!

It is so important to keep the oil fresh. This is accomplished through daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. Don’t get comfortable in spiritual success. Don’t get lazy with spiritual disciplines.

When we lack fresh oil, there is a dryness to our walk with the Lord. There is a struggle in the flow of God’s power. The miracle anointing loses its potency as it ages. We mustn’t operate from a reservoir of the anointing. We must receive it fresh daily.

Pastors and ministers, without the anointing, the ministry can feel like a career. Without a fresh anointing, we struggle to put together sermons and offer prayer. However, when we operate in a fresh anointing, we receive a stronger witness and joy.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 (NLT)

“…the lampstand also for the light and its utensils and its lamps and the oil for the light;” – Exodus 35:14

The power of the Holy Spirit has been given to us to win souls. The oil is what keeps the light of the gospel burning in your life.

Fresh oil will also bring joy.

“You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” – Psalm 45:7 (NLT)

So I want to give you this simple encouragement: get back to or remain connected to the source. Get back to or stay in the place of daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. Whether good or bad, let the past be the past – receive fresh oil today.

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Is Being Slain in the Spirit Biblical?

by David Diga Hernandez

Yes, it is, and I’ll tell you why it is.

But before I can present the “why”, I must define the “what”.

There are many different terms coined for the manifestation of which I write: Slain in the Spirit, Falling Under the Power, overwhelmed in God’s presence, etc.

Many believe that the phenomenon is either purely psychological or, on the more extreme view, demonic in nature. Now I want to make it completely clear that I do not make this a priority in my ministry. The “Slain in the Spirit” manifestation is not essential to my core beliefs about Christ. My faith is founded on the life, death, resurrection and identity of Christ. So rather than teaching that “Falling Under the Power” is primary, I teach that it is only incidental.

I do not seek the manifestation. Rather, I seek God. And, in doing so, the manifestation is sometimes experienced. Someone being “Slain in the Spirit” can occur during a spiritual encounter with God, but if someone is not “Slain in the Spirit”, that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have an encounter with God.

Because many often ask about it, I have been inspired to write a Biblical explanation and defense of the “Slain in the Spirit” phenomenon.

The Definitions

I want to define what I mean by “Slain in the Spirit”.

Here is my definition: A temporary, physical response to a spiritual encounter with God that involves some or much difficulty with standing.

Now, it’s important to realize that there are people who fake these encounters, and, at the same time, there are people who simply allow themselves to fall in an almost ritualistic fashion. There’s the genuine, there’s the real and there’s the ritualistic. Don’t confuse the three. The one of which I write is the genuine – I mean the one that holds truest to the definition I presented. It is, by definition, genuine. But I will lend you its scriptural support in later sentences.

The Ritualistic

Some people voluntarily fall out of reverence, because they sense God’s presence. In some cases, it’s not that they are trying to fake an experience but rather that they are, in their known traditional way, responding with respect to the presence of God. You can tell the difference between when someone voluntarily falls out of reverence and when someone falls as a result of being touched by the power of God. So someone could be experiencing the presence of God, and, even though they’re perfectly able to stand, fall out of reverence. It’s almost a tradition in some Pentecostal circles. For some people who grow up in a church culture that is accepting of the manifestation, falling over when a preacher lays hands on them becomes just as much a part of their tradition as bowing their heads when they pray. In many cases, it’s not that an experience is being faked, but, rather, a tradition is being upheld.

I must go as far as saying that these people are not deceitful or evil. Is bowing out of reverence evil? Is closing your eyes when you pray evil? Do those who practice this do so with the motive to fake an experience? Not the ones in this context.

For them, it is not that they are trying to fake an experience. They are simply being ritualistic, as their tradition has taught them to be. This “Ritualistic Slain in the Spirit” is not evil or deceptive, but I do not necessarily support it.

The Fake

Then, of course, as with anything good, you have those who intentionally fake the experience. Some people, when they feel absolutely nothing, act as though they are experiencing the manifestation when, in fact, they are not. These people, too, can be easily identified.

These are the ones who are being emotional or deceitful (sometimes a little of both). Sometimes, they are not trying to deceive others per se, but they are emotionally deceiving themselves. Other times, they may be so desperate for a “Slain in the Spirit” experience that they work themselves up and into a frenzy. Perhaps wanting to be regarded as “Spiritual” or perhaps being starved of attention, some people deceitfully fake a holy and pure spiritual experience. I definitely do not support such behavior.

The Genuine

What I am specifically writing of is the genuine encounter with God that causes your physical body to react. I am writing of the effect God’s presence has on an earthly vessel.

The Negative Arguments

So what are some of the arguments against the “Slain in the Spirit” manifestation? What issues do people take against it? And why do some vehemently deny that it is Biblical? Categorically, though specificity might seem to reveal more, there are four basic arguments that opponents of the manifestation will use. They are as follows:

#1 – Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Not Biblical

#2 – Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Present in Other Religious Faiths or It Can Be Counterfeited

#3 – It’s Purely Emotional or Lacking in Purpose

#4 – It Brings Glory to Man, Not to God

So, now, I will address the arguments:

Argument #1
Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Not Biblical

Now, as far as this specific argument goes, there are really two main positions. Firstly, there are those who believe that the manifestation is “anti-Biblical”. Secondly, there are those who believe that the manifestation is “extra-Biblical”.

However, there is nothing in scripture that specifically condemns the manifestation itself. The manifestation cannot be considered “Anti-Biblical”, as there is nothing in the Scripture that labels it as demonic or of the flesh. In fact, the opponents will say, “It’s not even found in scripture.” If that were true, what grounds would they have of labeling it as “anti-Biblical” in the first place? At that point, it would simply be “extra-Biblical”.

So those who say it is “anti-Biblical”, say so without any justification whatsoever.

Now what about those who say it is “extra-Biblical?”

I find it quite humorous that opponents of the manifestation will pick at the supporting scriptures with statements like, “Well, they fell but they didn’t fall backwards. They fell, but nobody laid hands on them.” They demand very specific mentions, yet the criticisms that they raise are themselves not found in Biblical specifics. Rather, they base their criticisms on Biblical principles. It’s insincere to then say that the manifestation cannot, therefore, be supported using the same approach.

If one is to believe, based upon the Scripture’s supposed silence, that the manifestation is something to be avoided, the same must commit to a very subtle form of hypocrisy, particularly if he denies that the silence can also be an endorsement.

After all, if the Scripture doesn’t address it, should not they be silent to condemn it, especially if they are so concerned about adding to the Scripture? Most who reject the manifestation do so because it is “extra-Biblical”. Yet their condemnation of the manifestation is itself “extra-Biblical”. We don’t see the apostles or Christ specifically condemning the “Slain in the Spirit” phenomenon. So if anything, the Bible’s silence on the issue should lead them to be silent on the issue; that is, again, if they are really that concerned with adding to the Bible.

But, in fact, that’s not their position. They base their opposition upon Biblical principles. If then the opposition is based upon principles like “defending the faith”, should we not then first look to see if the manifestation can be supported by Biblical principles?

In fact, it is supported by Biblical principles. My response to critics can be summarized in four premises that lead to one conclusion. Each premise is based upon a Biblical principle, and the principles together make a solid, undeniable conclusion, that the manifestation can be supported with scripture. My argument is as follows:

Premise A: God manifests His Presence.
Premise B: God’s Manifested Presence can cause a physical reaction.
Premise C: The Spirit dwells in us.
Premise D: The Spirit and His power can be transferred through touch.
Conclusion: Therefore, being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical.

So we take Biblical principles and apply them to being “Slain in the Spirit”. You won’t see that term in the Bible, but neither will you see “rapture” or “Bible” in the Bible. Just because something is not specifically mentioned – chapter and verse – does not mean that the foundational principles for it are not. The question we must ask then is not, “Is it in the Bible?” The question we must ask is, “Is it in God’s Nature?” And, if someone were to disagree, they would have to deny one or all of the premises above.

Premise A is so Biblically solid that I don’t feel I even need to show scriptural support for it. For we know that, in fact, God manifested Himself to people, time and time again. The same goes for premise C.

What about premise B? Does the manifested presence of God sometimes cause people to physically react? Indeed, it does.

“They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” - John 18:5-6

“At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” - Acts 26:13-14

In the instances above, those who fell at God’s glory did not do so voluntarily and did not do so out of reverence. They did not faint, and they did not collapse in fear. And they did not fall back out of surprise (yes, that’s an actual argument someone tried). They were simply unable to stand in the presence of God.

In each of the instances above, they fell because that is what the Glory and presence of God caused to happen.  It is very clear, from the Scriptures above, that God’s manifested presence can cause the physical human body to react.

Again, we are not looking for this specific instance: a preacher lays hands on someone and that person falls backwards. Rather, we are searching to see if the principle, that God’s manifested presence sometimes causes a physical reaction, is well founded.

Some would argue, “But in the Bible, they fell forward, not backwards like at revivals”. And they would be correct in speaking of other references besides the ones above. In the Scriptures above, they fell backwards and were also unable to stand. It is obvious that the manifested presence of God causes physical and emotional reactions. In the case with the priests, they were unable to stand.

But I don’t even think that’s the main issue for opponents. The effects of God’s presence on a human are both plainly and often seen all throughout the Old and New Testaments.

The challenger might here interject, “Yes, but nobody laid hands on them!” That leads us to premise D.

So how about it? Can the power of God be transferred through touch?

“When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled." - Acts 19:12

“Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my robe?’" - Mark 5:30

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." - 2 Timothy 1:6

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." - Acts 8:17

So we see, from scripture, that spiritual things can be transferred and given through the laying on of hands. The Spirit and His power can be transferred through human touch.

And what happens when the Holy Spirit and His power are present? In some cases, people are unable to stand or otherwise react physically. We see the reactions to the Glory of God all throughout scripture.

So to say that the manifestation is unbiblical, one must deny one or all of these premises. Otherwise, he cannot reject the conclusion.

Premise A: God manifests His Presence.
Premise B: God’s Manifested Presence can cause physical reaction.
Premise C: The Spirit dwells in us.
Premise D: The Spirit and His power can be transferred through touch.
Conclusion: Therefore, being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical.

Argument #2
Being “Slain in the Spirit” is Present in Other Religious Faiths or It Can Be Counterfeited

This next argument is a rather weak one that seems to be based more so on fear than on scripture. The argument is that, because it can be faked or duplicated, it must, therefore, be rejected. Opponents often reference Kundalini.

But think of the concept of the anti-Christ. If Christ’s identity can be faked then is Christ Himself therefore to be rejected? Of course not!

My point is that the existence of the fake does not prove the absence of the real. In fact, the enemy duplicates all sorts of God’s manifestations:

1. Moses vs. Egyptian Sorcerers
2. Prophets vs. Psychics
3. Word of Knowledge vs. Divination
4. Tongues vs. Satanic Tongues
5. Christ vs. Anti-Christ
6. Gospel vs. False Gospel
7. Church vs. Cult
8. Prayer vs. Incantation

You can counterfeit even the purest of things. This is why we are to judge with righteous judgment, according to the Holy Spirit.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." - John 7:24

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:" - 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

The Church has been given the gift of discernment. We are to judge between the real and the fake. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in these matters. He reveals, and He reminds. He guides us in the new and happening. At the same time, He grounds us in the foundational truths. He is our guide in all these things. So don’t let the fake discourage you from experiencing the real. If we reject the manifestation because of the existence of counterfeits, we must do the same with all else.

#3 It’s Purely an Emotional Experience and Yields No True Results

Now this argument is more of an opinion than a matter that can be refuted with scripture. I have already shown that being “Slain in the Spirit” is Biblical, but, for this argument, I will use the principles already established to form my point.

It’s not “Being Slain in the Spirit” that changes an individual, just as it’s not the anesthetics that heal a person who undergoes surgery. The surgery is what causes real change, while the anesthetics come with the surgery. God’s presence causes change, while being “Slain in the Spirit” is simply a side effect. We do not seek to encounter God in order to be “Slain in the Spirit” no more than one goes into surgery just to receive the anesthesia. Rather, we seek God’s presence, and the manifestation of His presence will sometimes cause you to be “Slain in the Spirit”.

Besides, what exactly is wrong with having your emotions touched by God? Isn’t He the One who created them? Just as He has given you sight to see, He has given you emotions to feel. Every aspect of our being responds to the touch of God – intellect, physical body, spirit and even emotions. People ask me, “Should we have an emotional experience or a true encounter with God?” But I believe that an encounter with God is, indeed, an emotional experience. Please, notice that I am not saying, “An emotional experience is an encounter with God.”

I’ll admit that emotion can sometimes cause a pure, holy and reverent encounter to be turned into a foolish display. But I argue that, even in the midst of great emotion, God can be doing a great work. Just think back on all of the ways God’s people responded to His presence: washing feet with tears, dancing almost naked in front of the ark, appearing drunk, etc. It seems to me that the critics focus more on the emotional aspects of it than do those experiencing it.

So, yes, emotion is involved. But that’s just a side effect to what’s really happening. And who are we to say it didn’t cause change in someone’s life? What if that experience simply encouraged the person? What if God did a subtle work? What if God did something deep in the individual’s heart that won’t manifest until later? If it were purely emotional, I would agree with the critics. But, again, realize that I’m writing about the genuine manifestation. It’s true that some people only experience emotional hype, but that’s not what I’m defending here.

#4 It Brings Glory to Man, Not to God

All throughout scripture, a consistent theme is found. God uses men. He uses former murderers, liars, fornicators, prostitutes, deceivers, thieves and rebellious men of all sorts. God uses people. Among believers, there is no debate about that. Whenever men are being used of God, there will always be those who wrongfully glorify them.

Here are some other things for which man wrongfully receives glory:
1. Preaching the Gospel

2. Praying for the Sick

3. Taking Care of Orphans

4. Teaching God’s Word

5. Missionary Work

6. Taking Care of Widows

7. Tithing and Giving

8. Having Faith

9. Comforting Others

Man can get glory for just about anything godly.

So just because “The Focus” can fall on a man, that does not mean that the action of that man is wrong in and of itself. If that’s the case, you might as well just throw out all of the spiritual gifts. The problem doesn’t rest with the act but with the people who give glory to men for the act. Should we do away with all things for which people glorify man? Or should we just teach the people to instead glorify God?

Conclusion

So, even if you put all of the weak opposing arguments together, they just make one big weak argument. There is nothing in the Bible against the manifestation, but the Scripture (God’s nature, Biblical principles and simple study) shows us that it’s not unlike God to use such a manifestation. It’s more of a stretch to reject it than it is to defend it.

The Bible teaches us of the nature of God (e.g. speaking through visions, causing deep sleeps, causing trembling). It is perfectly reasonable to believe that God is involved enough to manifest His tangible presence to us. And it is no great leap to say that those manifestations sometimes cause physical reactions.

Some Questions for the Critic

Now, I have some questions for those who oppose the phenomenon: Is God’s presence not strong enough to produce this effect? Cannot God move in this way? Is it unlike God to move in this way? Can you prove, Biblically, that being “Slain in the Spirit” is not of God? How do you know it’s not truly the Holy Spirit? Do you reject it because of true discernment or personal discomfort? Does believing in or experiencing the manifestation void someone’s salvation? Can someone know Jesus and believe in the manifestation? Would you reject Christian unity because of your disbelief in the manifestation? Is rejecting the manifestation central to your fundamental Christian beliefs or the essence of the gospel?

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How to Preach with Power: One Simple Key

Do you want to preach with power? Remember this: God does not anoint our opinions; He anoints His Word. He doesn’t back our ideas; His backs truth. If you want there to be power behind what you preach, then you need to preach God’s Word.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20, KJV)

God has bound Himself to His message. Wherever His message goes, His miracle-working power goes. Think about this: the Word of God carries such power that it produces results even when a hypocrite preaches it. Consider those in Matthew 7:

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

If we want to see real results, we need to stay faithful to preaching what the Bible teaches. We mustn’t try to force our ideas upon the Scripture. We must humble ourselves before the Word. When we honor the Word, God will honor our preaching with His power.

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What's the Difference Between the Presence of the Holy Spirit & His Power?

The power of the Holy Spirit is what He does. The presence of the Holy Spirit is Himself. God’s message is endorsed by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s people are endorsed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit can change your circumstance, but the presence of the Holy Spirit can change your heart. The power of the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The presence of the Holy Spirit dwells within you. The power is for service. The presence is for salvation. The power helps you to do. The presence helps you to become. 

Here is the presence within you.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Here is the power upon you.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8, NLT)

The power stirs you. The presence stills you. The power activates the gifts. The presence is the glory. The power inspires praise. The presence inspires worship. The key to the power of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Tell me in the comments: Did I miss anything? How would you describe the power of the Holy Spirit? What would you say about the presence of the Holy Spirit?

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Are There Different Kinds of Anointing?

Just like most vehicles are powered by one kind of fuel - gasoline - so all ministries, gifts, and spiritual expressions are powered by one source: the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing, simply put, is the power of God. It’s God’s ability at work in us. 

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38, NLT)

Though the anointing can accomplish different purposes, there is only one anointing. If you have the Holy Spirit within you, not only does the anointing work within you; the anointing also works through you to reach those around you.

18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.f” (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)

The anointing brings the power to proclaim the gospel, the power to bring healing, the power to bring deliverance, and more. The power of the Holy Spirit does it all.

Now, some believers wonder how they can acquire the "healing anointing”, the “deliverance anointing”, or the "prophetic anointing.” Some imagine that there are different kinds of anointing that require different protocols and procedures in order to collect. They may think that there’s something special one must do for the healing anointing, perhaps a special prayer to get the deliverance anointing, and so forth. But it’s actually quite simple.

The key to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is surrender to the Holy Spirit.

When you live a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit, you make yourself available for God to use you in whatever way He wishes. So there are no secret keys. Live holy. Have a strong prayer life. Stay in the Word. And follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just love Jesus. 

When you surrender to the Holy Spirit, you get the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Holy Spirit: Again and Again

When you were born again, you received the Holy Spirit. And He isn’t going to abandon you. Jesus said so Himself.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (John 14:16, NLT)

The Holy Spirit does not abandon the true believer. But even after you receive the Holy Spirit, you can receive fresh infillings of His power, again and again. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is both a well and a river - a constant state of being and a continual flow.

Now, many are under the impression that the Holy Spirit didn’t show up until Acts chapter two. In fact, the Holy Spirit was at work since the beginning.

And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2b, NLT)

Now I want to show you a Biblical example of a group of people receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, again and again, in new, fresh ways. 

Take a look at the 72 disciples of Jesus. They were given power to cast out demons and preach the gospel.

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (Luke 10:1 & 17, NLT)

What power was it that enabled these 72 disciples to cast out demons? It was the power of the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus expelled demons by means of the power of the Holy Spirit.

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (Matthew 12:28, NLT)

If Jesus needed the power of the Holy Spirit to cast out demons, then the 72 definitely needed the same. Yet these same people - the 72 - were some of those among the crowd that received the Holy Spirit by the breath of Christ.

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NLT)

So the 72 received the power of the Holy Spirit when they were released to preach and drive out demons. Then some of them were present when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. Yet again, this same group had another experience. For in Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit graced the Church in a new way.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4, NLT)

It didn’t end there. For this same group, Peter and John among them, was filled with the Holy Spirit again. Take a look at Acts 4.

23On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.  (Acts 4:23-24)

Now, listen to what they prayed!

29And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, 30as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30, NLT)

They prayed for boldness. Didn’t they already receive that when they were filled? They prayed for miracles. Hadn’t they already been seeing miracles? You see, they were praying for a fresh touch of power. But then take a look at this. Those believers, some of the 72 among them, those who had already been filled for ministry, those who had already been breathed upon by Jesus, those who had already received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost - experienced yet another infilling and preached with even greater boldness. 

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31, NLT)

They didn’t necessarily receive more of the Holy Spirit; rather, they surrendered more of themselves and experienced greater measures, newer touches of the Holy Spirit’s power. May you receive His touch, everyday, again and again.

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The Holy Spirit is God

People often ask me questions like, “Can I pray to the Holy Spirit? Can I worship the Holy Spirit? 

And, while I understand the Biblical truths concerning prayer and worship, while I understand that we are taught to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, I want to address this idea that the Holy Spirit is somehow less divine than the Father and the Son.

No believer doubts the deity of the Father. No true believer doubts the deity of the Son - otherwise, they would not be a genuine believer. If there is any doubt raised concerning divinity, that doubt seems to most often be aimed at the Holy Spirit. 

So I want to show you, as simply and concisely as possible, that the Bible most certainly reveals the Holy Spirit as God.

Firstly, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. 

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (Psalm 139:7, NLT)

Secondly, we see that the Holy Spirit is omnipotent. In Luke’s gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit is the very same as the power of the most high.

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35, NLT)

Thirdly, we see that the Holy Spirit is omniscient. He searches the mind of God and knows the mind of God. Therefore, He knows everything God knows. Thus, He is all knowing.

10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)

Finally, the Holy Spirit is eternal.

Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 9:14, NLT)

Who else but God is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal? Clearly, the Holy Spirit is God.

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Welcome the Holy Spirit

If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, how much more do we? If Jesus relied upon the Holy Spirit, how much more should we?

…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out His ministry. We too must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, churches are just clubs, preachers are just motivational speakers, ministry is just charity, and our faith is just a culture. Methods cannot replace miracles. Programs cannot replace power. Systems cannot replace the Spirit.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit. We must welcome Him in our lives and in our ministries. We’re helpless without Him. The Holy Spirit can accomplish more in a single moment than you or I could ever accomplish in a hundred years of striving. 

Sadly, the Holy Spirit is rejected in many places around the world - and even in churches.

Believer, it’s time to surrender all, to embrace the fullness of what is available to you by the Holy Spirit. We must move beyond just tolerating Him and learn to rely on Him completely. We mustn’t treat Him like an obligation, for He was there at the birth of the Church - the wind and the fire that empowered the early believers to carry the gospel around the world. 

In a Church culture consumed by “growth strategies” and “marketing ventures”, it’s all too easy to forget about the breath of the Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit breathes upon a life or a ministry, there is growth and power without measure. There’s no Church growth strategy, no clever means of maneuvering, that can replace the Holy Spirit. He is the ultimate Church growth expert, a leader of leaders, the author of the bestselling book of all time, and the One Who knows best how to grow the Church in this hour. 

Don’t strive; surrender to the Holy Spirit.

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Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is Jesus without boundaries or limitations. Using technology as an analogy, one could say that the Holy Spirit is Jesus on the cloud. The Holy Spirit is the One who gives us boldness to evangelize. Think about what He did with Peter in Acts chapter two. The same man who once denied Jesus became one who boldly proclaimed the gospel. And for every time he denied Jesus, a thousand people came to the Lord. The Holy Spirit changed him from a man who denied Jesus three times to a man who won 3,000 people to the way of salvation.

The Holy Spirit stirs faith within the soul, causing us to believe God for the miraculous in ways we would not have otherwise believed. The Holy Spirit is the One Who helps us to pray - because no man or woman, no matter how anointed they are, knows the way into the presence of God. Only the Holy Spirit knows the way into the presence. 

In prayer, He guides us. In worship, He reveals Jesus and makes Him real, causing our hearts to be stirred and to burn with Holy fire to where we cannot contain that passion. That passion then overflows from us as adoration toward Jesus. 

The Holy Spirit is the One Who helps us to walk in holiness. So to those who are bound and weighed down by the shame and the sickness that is sin, He offers freedom. He is the holiness Spirit, the one Who breaks the power and the chains of even those habits that have kept us bound for years. He breaks those addictions. He shatters those bondages. The Holy Spirit is the One Who delivers the captives from demonic oppression. 

He gives us revelation of the Word. When we desire to see Jesus in the Word, the Holy Spirit causes the information from the Word to become revelation. And that revelation brings transformation. The Holy Spirit is the One Who goes with us everywhere, giving us the Words to speak when we don’t know what we should say. In those moment when we say, “Holy Spirit, help me. I don’t know how win this one to the Lord. I don’t know how to speak.” The Holy Spirit will then stir within you words that come straight from your Heavenly Father. 

The Holy Spirit is the One Who opens the heart of the sinner. He causes them to go from being stubborn, stone-hearted individuals to being people who bow before Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit is the one who anoints us for ministry and appoints us into the call of God. He takes ordinary lives and makes them lives that transform the world. A single moment spent in the presence of the Holy Spirit can transform your life, but a life spent in the presence of the Holy Spirit can transform the nations. 

The Holy Spirit is that something more, that deep stirring. What was it do you think that caused the martyrs to lay down their lives and say, “Take my blood; I want to preach the gospel - Jesus is Lord!” That’s the Holy Spirit Who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the One Who gives to us all of the promises of the Father, Who causes us to walk in the perfect will of God, not just day by day, but moment by moment.

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The Fire of Evangelism

In the Old Testament, the enslavement of the Israelites is a prophetic picture of humanity in sin. The human race wallows under the oppressive darkness of sin. Sin strips all of its prisoners of dignity, divinity, and destiny. Deep within, the soul of every person cries out for freedom, for deliverance. And we serve a God who can hear those cries. 

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law when he came to encounter the Holy Spirit. One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father— the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3:1-6, NLT)

Here we see the fire, the Holy Spirit’s presence, appear before Moses. A voice speaks from the fire. Then, God declares His ability to see and hear the suffering of His people: 

Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering” (Exodus 3:7, NLT)

Moses then discovers that God had chosen him to be used as the instrument of deliverance. 

The fire of Heaven, the Holy Spirit, burns for the salvation of the oppressed. He can hear their cries. 

There is no one on earth more passionate about the winning of the lost than the Holy Spirit. He desires to break the chains of sin from every soul. He is the Spirit of Evangelism. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me every- where—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NLT)

What happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon you? The same thing that happened to Moses when he encountered the fire of God. The same thing that happened to the early Church that spread from Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. They became witnesses. They became vessels of deliverance. 

A sign that you have experienced a true encounter with the Holy Spirit is a passion to win souls. After coming into contact with the fire of God, Moses was determined to see God’s people go free. Up until that time, he had spent decades in the mundane. 

All it takes is one touch from the Lord, a single moment with the Holy Spirit, to set your heart ablaze for the lost. When you spend time with the Holy Spirit, His heart becomes your heart, His desires become your desires. You begin to see what He sees. You begin to hear what He hears. 

Can you hear the cry of the lost? Can you hear the cry of the drug-addicted, longing to be free from self-hatred and bondage? Can you hear the cry of the broken families, searching for a reason to hope again? Can you hear the cry of the suicidal, the self-righteous, the fearful, the perverted, and the prideful? Can you hear the cry of a sin-bound people? 

The Holy Spirit can. And when you come near to Him, your being also will be set aflame with a passionate love for the lost soul. You will burn with a holy dedication. You will become burdened with divine compassion. Your heart will ache with spiritual anguish. Everything in you will live to see just one more soul set free. 

Like Moses, you’ve been appointed as a deliverer. You’ve been sent to a people. You’ve had contact with a fire. The Holy Spirit is the Fire of Evangelism. 

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YOUR MIRACLE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Kathryn Kuhlman used to say, “I believe in miracles, because I believe in God.” The Bible says this: 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20, NLT)

Whatever you can pray, God can perform - according to His will and Word. Nothing is impossible with God. You might be suffering with sickness, but nothing is impossible with God. You might be facing a financial hardship, but nothing is impossible with God. You might be believing for the salvation of your loved one, fighting to overcome a habitual sin, or contending for a miracle of some sort. Believer, I assure you of this: God is able. 

Your impossible situation, your difficult circumstance, might intensify your anxiety and fear. Perhaps you struggle to find peace. Maybe you are discouraged by the weight of your burden. Whatever you face, just know this: you can trust the Lord. You can rest in Him, knowing that no matter the condition of your today, God has already prepared for you a better tomorrow. For the believer, no matter what it is, it ends in victory.

So let the storm stir. Let the chaos do what it will. For the God of miracles is your refuge. He is your hiding place. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He opens springs of water in the desert, causes the Sun to stand still, sends fire from Heavenly places, and commands power over the grave. He’s the One Who spoke and brought galaxies into existence. His breath caused the waters of the Red Sea to stand like walls and the walls of Jericho to fall like water. 

I know it looks impossible now. I know that sometimes it’s easier to just quit. I also know that the enemy lies to you. The enemy uses your circumstances to tell you, “If it was going to happen, it would’ve happened by now.” The enemy uses your emotions to tell you, “You are being overlooked by God.” The enemy uses religious people to tell you, “God isn’t concerned with your health, wealth, or happiness. It’s a shame to even ask.” 

Exchange the lies of the enemy for the faith-producing truth of the Word. Don’t quit. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Go after the promises of God, and trust Him with the results. You don’t know what the next 24 hours hold. At any moment, a miracle can happen, and then, suddenly, everything is different. God can make a way where there seems to be no way. Something good is going to happen to you.

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Don't Quench the Holy Spirit

I was ministering at a church in Southern California, and the service was prophetically anointed. I mean the prophetic was activated with such intensity that I was shocked at some of the things that were coming out of my own mouth! People’s very thoughts were being revealed, and I could see and hear into the spirit with an unusual clarity.

I continued to prophesy over people, and each person receiving a word would either break down into tears or gasp at the detailed words of knowledge. I said something like, “I’m in a whole different place in the spirit now! I can see so clearly.” The people were captivated by the Spirit, and the room was silent with anticipation.

As I scanned the crowd with my eyes, I noticed a woman walking in from the very back of the church. She walked all the way from the back, moved down the aisle, and sat directly in the front row, right in front of me. The way she entered was so distracting that I watched her take her seat. Then, as if my eyes were released from a locked position, I readjusted my vision. Right at that moment, I felt normal again. The weight of power lifted from my shoulders, and I could no longer see with that astonishing clarity. The flow was broken. Immediately, I said, “Well, that’s it. I’m done.” Then I handed the microphone back to the pastor and left.

That woman disrupted the move of the Holy Spirit. She came in and distracted me—as well as the people.

I learned a long time ago that nothing breaks the flow of the anointing like distraction. It’s possible to disrupt a move of the Spirit.

Quench not the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV).

The Holy Spirit is a fire, and He can be quenched. Remember, in us, He only goes as far as we allow Him to go.

I’m not suggesting that the Holy Spirit is a weak and easily frightened Person. We are the ones who can be easily distracted. Distraction doesn’t stop the Holy Spirit from moving; distraction stops us from recognizing and receiving that move.

We can stifle Him with distraction, rejection, and foolishness. Be careful to reverence and embrace the Holy Spirit. Don’t disrupt His moving. Don’t despise His ways.

Don’t quench the Holy Spirit.

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The Touch of Healing

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. (Mark 6:56)

I love that portion of scripture - as many as touched Him were made whole! When it comes to miraculous healing, there really is nothing more to it. It really is simply the touch of God.

There's no natural way to manufacture such power. There's no set of rules to follow, no system to apply. It's just the healing power of God. With just one touch, in a single moment of time, Jesus can make you whole. All you need is one touch.

How does one touch Jesus? It's by faith. You reach out and touch the hem of His garment by faith. You receive of His healing virtue by faith. Be confident in His promises, and be calm in your approach.

They begged for a touch, but you don't have to. You don't need to beg or plead. You just need to receive. Faith is confidence in what God has promised, and confidence is calm. It's difficult to receive from the Lord when we're all worked up with emotion, pleading, and doubtful desperation.

Whenever I minister to the sick, I try to bring people to the posture of faith. Rarely have I ever seen someone, who was so worked up with the fear of not receiving, actually receive. Many times, people are too panicked to receive.

The key to calm and confident faith is focusing on Jesus. His gentle and loving countenance will bring peace to your troubled mind and emotions. The sense of His power brings reassurance. Kathryn Kuhlman put it this way: "When Jesus becomes more real to you than your sickness, you'll be healed."

Trust the Lord. Trust His willingness. Trust His ability. Trust His timing. And know that it takes just one touch to change everything, to make you whole.

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The Power of Pentecost

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8, NLT)

The power that has been given to us from on high is for the purpose of worldwide evangelism. Jesus promised that we would be witnesses. Whatever we lack in witness is made up for by the power of the Spirit. To the timid, He gives boldness. To the weak, He gives power. To the overlooked, He gives authority. The power that comes upon us makes us persuasive and magnetic proclaimers of the gospel.

No believer can say, “I don’t have what it takes to win the lost.” Every believer has been empowered to share the gospel with effectiveness.

While the Spirit’s power within us enables many spiritual manifestations and acts, the Spirit’s power upon us has been given primarily for the winning of the lost.

Allow Him to work through you. Look for an opportunity today to be a witness.

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The Anointing

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)

It is the anointing that makes the difference. Without the anointing, preaching is just motivation, churches are just gatherings, ministry is just charity, and people are powerless. If you truly want to walk in power, you need the anointing.

It was the anointing upon Jesus that empowered Him to preach the good news, proclaim freedom to the captives, and heal the sick. When it comes to operating at that level of ministry, there are no gimmicks or techniques that can be applied, no methods to manufacture results. It really is just the anointing. There are no substitutes or counterfeits for the anointing; either you walk in it or you don’t.

We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Methods cannot replace miracles. The systematic cannot replace the spiritual. Programs cannot replace power. Don’t try to do it in your own strength. Cry out for a fresh anointing. Abandon the cares of this world and enter into the deepest places of prayer. There, in the presence of God, you will find the power of the Spirit - the anointing.

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Holy Spirit: The Breath of Breakthrough

Wind and breath can be symbols of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, the coming of the Spirit was accompanied by the sound of a mighty rushing wind. In the book of John, Jesus breathed upon His disciples and instructed, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

It was the wind of Heaven that opened an impossible path for the Israelites to move through the red sea.

At the blast of your breath, the waters piled up! The surging waters stood straight like a wall; in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.
(Exodus 15:8, NLT)

It was the breath of God that was released through the shouts of the Israelites - causing the walls of Jericho to fall.

When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.
(Joshua 6:20, NLT)

Rest assured, it was not the shouts of the Israelites that caused the walls to crumble. The mere breath of men cannot accomplish such a thing. Nor was it the wishful thinking of Moses that caused the Red Sea to open. It was the breath of God, the wind of Heaven - it was the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit caused the water to rise like walls and the walls to fall like water.

When the Holy Spirit begins to breathe upon your life and ministry, everything changes. What seemed before impossible, what seemed before too difficult, becomes easy. He makes a way where there seems to be no way.

Just when you think it’s over, just when you feel like quitting - that’s when the Holy Spirit’s power is best displayed.

He works beyond your ability; He even works beyond your timeline. He accelerates the timeline! The Holy Spirit can accomplish more in a single moment than can your best efforts in 100 years. The miracle that seems so distant, so far away, is closer to you than you think.

The wind of the Spirit is blowing afresh upon you. Your breakthrough is just an act of faith away. Lift your hands and say, “Breathe upon me, breath of God.”

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Symbols of the Holy Spirit: Oil

What does it mean to be anointed?

In the Old Testament, when an individual was being anointed, oil was poured upon them (usually upon the head). This ceremonious applying of oil was known as “being anointed.” When someone was anointed, they were understood to be positioned, placed in authority, and ultimately set apart for a specific purpose.

The oil was a mark of power, of God’s call.

Kings were anointed.

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be My king.” …So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah (1 Samuel 16:1,13).

Prophets were anointed.

Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as My prophet (1 Kings 19:16).

Priests were anointed.

Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they can serve as My priests (Exodus 28:41).

Special holy items and places, such as altars, were anointed.

Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the Lord. Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it; make it holy by anointing it with oil (Exodus 29:36).

In the New Testament, God marked and anointed Jesus, not just with oil, but with the Holy Spirit.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).

The anointing oil was a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Just as oil was poured from above and onto the head of those appointed, so the Holy Spirit is poured out from above onto the head of the Church—Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free (Luke 4:18).

You and I today are not anointed with oil but with power and the Holy Spirit. He sets us apart and empowers us for God’s use.

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Symbols of the Holy Spirit: Fire

The Holy Spirit is symbolized by fire all throughout the scripture. One of the most interesting fire references to me can be found in the book of Ezekiel.

It came about in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, as I was sitting in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell on me there. Then I looked, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of a man; from His loins and downward there was the appearance of fire, and from His loins and upward the appearance of brightness, like the appearance of glowing metal. He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance which I saw in the plain (Ezekiel 8:1-4 NASB).

I’m very intrigued by the heavenly visions of Ezekiel the prophet, but the vision that he had of the fiery being really has my attention. The fiery being had the likeness of a man, consisted of what appeared to be fire, and glowed like hot metal. Notice also that Ezekiel says the fiery being grabbed him with the “form of a hand” (Ezek. 8:3). It wasn’t an actual hand of flesh. Picture that—a flame of fire taking on the shape of a hand. Ezekiel’s descriptions don’t seem to be describing an angel or even the Lord Jesus.

What does Ezekiel call this fiery being who grabbed him by the lock of his head?

“He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven...” (Ezek. 8:3).

He called this being the “Spirit.” Ezekiel’s vision may very well have been of the Holy Spirit Himself.

Fire represents the Holy Spirit’s righteous nature. It speaks to His purity, judgment, and His refining presence. Thus, fire can be symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

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