SWEET ANOINTING

SWEET ANOINTING

By Tommy Franks, Ph.D.

Copyright @ 2007 Tommy Franks
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.

Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the Author.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Due to the Author's prerogative, some words are in small letters and some are capitalized for clarity and emphasis and not necessarily in accordance with standard grammatical practice.

Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, it applies to both men and women.

Second Edition 2007.

All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.
Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the Author.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book Sweet Anointing to our Father Jehovah‑Jireh, Jesus Christ our Messiah, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter, and to my lovely wife, Karen, who knows me and still loves me. Thank God for the Sweet Anointing that is upon your life today!

FIRST WORDS

When I was 14 years old, I attended a tent revival in Arcadia, Florida. The speaker was the Reverend T.L. Lowery. That night I went forward for prayer. As Dr. T.L. Lowery prayed and laid his hands upon me, he said, "God has His hands upon you."

I have never forgotten those words spoken over 45 years ago now. Something significant happened that night. An anointing and “Presence” of God descended upon me and changed my life forever.

Eleven years later…in the summer of 1971, satan tried to snuff out my life. As I lay dying in one of the largest hospitals in St. Petersburg, Florida, I cried out in desperation, “God, either take me on to Heaven right now or heal me now. I am ready to go! I will not remain in this pain another day!”

As I was dying, I suddenly realized that unless Jesus healed me, I was checking out of this life and into the next life forevermore! I had some great doctors and nurses. They had done everything that they could possibly do, but I was still dying and in great pain. The doctors had previously diagnosed me with encephalitis… inflammation of the brain…usually caused by a viral infection. My whole body ached. I was only conscious for a few minutes at a time. My room was isolated. In order to come in, you had to wear a mask and gown and then only close family members were allowed to visit.

That morning as I began to cry out to God in that isolated room, something miraculous happened. I had a Visitor. My eyes were shut. He didn’t say a word; however, I could feel His Presence and Anointing. He walked over and touched me and healed me with His Healing Power. I don’t know why. I don’t know how. All I know is…His Anointing…His power…went through my body and burned out the disease which has never returned and never will.

Now, this was not a very intelligent prayer. God could have called me on up to Heaven. Thank God, He did not! What happened in during those few minutes changed my entire Christian life and my way of living. Suddenly, I felt the Presence of another Person in my room, but I did not see Him...at least with my natural eyes, but I knew Someone other than I was there. He walked over to my bed and touched me. I have never been the same since. I was instantly healed. The doctors did not want to let me go. They wanted to run more tests on me. I told them that I was well...that nothing was wrong with me. They were amazed and eventually let me go home. I have been “good to go” ever since. That has been over 35 years ago. Thank God for the Sweet Anointing of Jesus Christ!

In this book, we will look at the Anointing upon various people in the Bible and we will look at the Anointing upon you and me as Believers in Christ. May the Anointing of Jesus Christ grow stronger and stronger in your life!

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ today is living in a period of time it has never traveled before in history. It is being confronted with all sorts of problems, both from within and without, that it has never faced before. The methods the Church has used to combat these problems in the past may have been good for the past, but we are living in a new day. Yesterday's methods are obsolete. No matter how good yesterday's methods were, they will not work for us in the present. The only way the Church is going to be successful in combating the problems it faces today is through the ANOINTING of God's Spirit operating in her midst.

The Prophet Isaiah once stated that it is the Anointing of God's Spirit working in us which will destroy the yoke of bondage, sin, satan, and the diabolical problems which the enemy or the world may place upon us as individuals (Is.10:27). It is imperative for us (God's Church), to understand this fact. Without the Anointing of God's Spirit upon our lives, we will never go forth and accomplish the work in which God has commissioned us to do. God has imparted to every one of us (His children)…the same Anointing that He imparted to His Son, Jesus Christ. Because God has deposited within us the same Anointing He deposited within Christ, we as Christians can be “overcomers”!

In this book, my desire is to wet your appetite and perhaps give you some additional insight on the topic…“SWEET ANOINTING”…and the reality of the Anointing that God has placed upon you! Hopefully, you will be challenged and blessed. I now present to you an exciting experience... “Sweet Anointing”!

BOTTOMLINE

Basically, we as children of God want the fullness of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit upon our lives…and this Anointing is for us today. However, the “Anointing” will cost us something. This anointing that I am talking about takes away any mediocrity, faint‑heartedness, fearfulness, lukewarm-ness, slothfulness, or lethargy. Jesus Christ has called us into warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness and wicked principalities. Every Christian has been given a Divine assignment or mission within the Kingdom of God. Hence, we need the Anointing!

The Executive Officer, Jesus, the Righteous One, has given us our Combat Operational Orders based on His Word. He knows that we are able to fulfill the assignments that He gives us because His Word says that we are able ministers (2 Cor.3:6).

Many years ago, Jesus died on an old rugged cross. The ignorant devils thought that they had won. Some say that they celebrated and chanted His death and proclaimed victory. Regardless, their so‑called victory was short lived because Jesus was resurrected from hell. God allowed this to happen to satisfy the “claims of justice” of the universe. Even when Jesus prophesied about His death, especially concerning the three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Mt.12:40), most people still did not know what Jesus was talking about.

Finally, after the claims of justice were satisfied, I believe that Jesus walked up to satan and said these words, "Give Me the keys of death and hell. You have held Me here illegally. Everyone that was brought here before Me was brought here legally because of sin, but I have never sinned. You had no right to bring Me here; therefore, I am walking out of hell a free Man...And I am stripping you of ALL your power over mankind. I am leaving you completely paralyzed and defeated. And by the way, all the Old Testament Saints that are now in Paradise, a compartment of hell, I am taking with Me. Paradise will be forever empty. Get out of My way, you fallen WIMP" (Author's version).

They could not...they could not keep Him there. Jesus walked out of hell that day. Jesus made a public show openly out of the enemy (satan).

Some people have said that every man is a free moral agent. This is not true. Only Christians are free moral agents. A sinner is not free. Most of the time, he is not moral. However, the sinner is an agent, but not an agent of God…and is certainly not free! To be a free moral agent, we must be Christ like. Jesus is the only person Who can set us free and make us free moral agents. He has indeed made us free!

Now, when Jesus the Messiah sets us free, He gives us something that will be with us forever and ever...the Sweet Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was anointed (Acts 10:38). Enoch was anointed. Aaron was anointed. Elisha was anointed. Saul was anointed. David was anointed. Paul was anointed. You are anointed!

The word "anoint" means: to smear on oil or ointment, consecrate, make sacred, unction, fervent in speaking or behaving, to soothe or comfort. In general terms, God has anointed you just as Jesus is anointed “because as He is, so are we in this world” (1 Jn.4:17). The anointing abides and lives within you (1 Jn.2:20, 27).

As I said earlier, this Anointing will cost you. Initially, it is a free gift. However, once you receive the Anointing, in order for you to be constantly filled and refilled to overflowing with the power of God, His unction, and the fervor of the Lord, the Sweet Anointing of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will cost you EVERYTHING. There are no free rides. There are no free lunches. The bottom‑line is simply this: The Sweet Anointing will cost you everything that you have or own or ever will own…and you cannot buy it with money. It is priceless and not for sale.

The Bible says, "The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER (1 Cor.4:20). The Anointing and Power are almost synonymous when it comes to the rights and privileges of the Believer. What good does it do for us to teach or minister without the power of the Living God inside us? The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings the POWER. If the vessel is holy, the anointing will flow with power. The Bible says that we are kings and priests (Rev.1:6). "Where the word of a king is, there is power..." (Ecc.8:4).

"...God anointed Jesus...with the Holy Ghost and with POWER" (Acts 10:38). "And Jesus returned in the POWER of the Spirit..." (Lk.4:14).

I must tell you, there was a time in my life in which it seemed like I could not pray a gnat out of my face. If power could be equated to gasoline, I did not have enough for a red ant's motorcycle to drive around a BB. I was a hopeless, powerless, and a miserable Christian. I could not pay my bills. Everything went wrong. I was bankrupt in every area of my life (spiritually, physically, and mentally). But when the Heavenly Visitor Jesus touched my life in 1971, I began to look at the Bible differently! It took on new meaning, purpose, and significance. I believe the “Anointing” makes the difference!

As a Christian, do you want more POWER in your life? Do you want His Anointing to flow freely through you to others? Do you want to be a channel for God's blessings in the Kingdom of God? Do you want to operate on a daily basis with this Anointing? Do you want to be an energetic soldier in the Lord's Army? Do you want to invade the enemy’s territory and possess it for God? Are you really ready for God to use you in His Kingdom? Do you want to be currently involved? Then get ready! Buckle your seat belt because away we go! "...It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" (Lk.12:32).

YOU and I were born for such a time as this. This is our destiny! In the past, many have laughed at the Church. They have mocked the Church. Infidels and atheists have ridiculed the Church! Ignorant and sometimes…stupid men have persecuted the Church. But this is very rapidly coming to an abrupt halt! The time is at hand. The Church is becoming the MOST POWERFUL FORCE on the earth today. This force is greater than Russia. It is greater than China. It is greater than the United States. This powerful Force is the CHURCH! God has anointed His people with a Sweet Anointing that gives Him great pleasure and a sweet smelling savor to His nostrils. He loves the Church (that would be us) so much. There is absolutely nothing that He will not do for us.

God is resurrecting and restoring the Church to its rightful position as a MIGHTY ARMY across the land. God's people are beginning to walk in the realm of knowledge, healing, and miracles! The Church is beginning to live in her FINEST HOUR...invading the impossible...doing things that most people only dream about doing. The Kingdom of God is now! The Kingdom of God is here! We are destined for greatness. In God's anointed Kingdom, there are no losers, only WINNERS...and YOU are a WINNER with the Sweet Anointing upon your life.

A long time ago, while the baby was still in his mother's womb, his mother prayed to God and promised Him that her next child would be dedicated to serve Him in some capacity. Right from the outset, satan tried to kill him, but satan failed miserably. When he was just a small baby, he fell into the fireplace and burned both hands and arms until they were black as smut. For one solid year, his sweet mother prayed to God for his healing. His right hand looked like a small rubber ball. His fingers were drawn up and looked like a nub. He cried almost contin­ually for twelve months, but his mother never wavered from her faith in Jesus. During the 13th month, a miracle happened. He began to use his hands again. Jesus completely healed him. His mother was faithful. He honestly believed that his mother prayed down God's Anointing upon his life even as a small child. He has always felt a closeness to the Lord, even when he was a rank sinner on his way to a burning hell. He thought it was a paradox because even when he tried to live like the world and commit gross sins, he always felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit close by.

Throughout the years prior to July 1972, the enemy tried to kill him several dozen times, but the enemy’s tricks were curtailed by his guardian angels. When he was five years old, he stuck a knife in his left eye. By all medical knowledge, he should have been blind in that eye; however, his mother prayed and today he has good eyesight in both of his eyes. He was almost shot when he was approximately six years old. He had appendicitis when he was eight. His anointed mother prayed. He was healed. Another time, he was rescued from carbon monoxide poisoning while riding in the back seat of his father's car. The emergency room personnel at the hospital said that it was a miracle that he did not die! That young man has a name. That would be me…Tommy Franks.

I remember one hot summer near Savannah, Tennessee, when a terrible motor vehicle accident occurred. My father was at the wheel. He had been drinking. He had the radio full blast and the accelerator to the floor. My brother Dennis was in the back seat. I was in the front seat praying as fast and as hard as I could. Suddenly, at 85 miles per hour we departed the highway. Brakes squealed...a cloud of dust surrounded us...the crunching sound of metal could be heard for eternity it seemed like. Finally, the old car came to a halt on its side. We looked at each other with fear in our eyes. To our amazement, no one had a scratch. Again, the angels had been at work watching over us. Shortly afterwards, my father gave his life to Jesus Christ!

In June 1972, I had my tenth vehicle accident. As I stood there in Ocala, Florida, after totaling out my Cadillac convertible, the Lord spoke to me and said, "Son, either you are going to serve Me or I am going to allow your life to be taken from you."

That is all He said, but it was distinct and concise. You see, even though I had an Anointing upon my life, I had always been a yoyo Christian. I was up one day and down the next. I based everything on my feelings and experiences and very little on the Word of God. You could put in a thimble everything I knew about believing God and living a faithful life.

A few days later I found myself in my childhood church in Zolfo Springs, Florida. I decided to come clean with God. Right then and there, I made a covenant (agreement) with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I said, "Lord, I am sick and tired of being a weak Christian. I am tired of being powerless and faithless. Lord, I want to remind You of Jacob. Do You remember when he wrestled with an angel (perhaps Jesus Himself) in the Book of Genesis? Jacob would not let the man go until He blessed him. Today, I am not leaving this church building until You bless me and assure me that I can live a holy and dedicated life as a Christian. I am tired of being a powerless, half hearted, miserable Christian!” Something got a hold of me that day and has never let me go. HOW SWEET IT IS!

The BOTTOMLINE is simply this: The Sweet Anointing comes on individuals who have sold out to Jesus. They do not necessarily care what man thinks. They care what God thinks. They become as bold as lions. They become combat Christian soldiers who are in God’s Army. They wear their armor and are dressed for war. They give up no ground. Defeat and compromise are not part of their vocabulary. The Kingdom of God lives within them and they are fearless!

The Sweet Anointed ones will look at the situation boldly…right in the face eyeball to eyeball and say, "In the Name of Jesus, I am anointed. I am His. Get thee behind me, satan. I will not be defeated! Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have the victory! I will spend all eternity in Heaven with Him and those I admire. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Today, I celebrate in comfort and joy with my Sweet Jesus! And, oh by the way, the SWEET ANOINTING is upon my life forever." Thanks be to God! Get ready to feast upon the next chapter , "How the Anointing Works".

HOW THE ANOINTING WORKS

From the outset, let me say this. I do not have all the answers in reference to the “Anointing” of the Holy Spirit. This topic has been discussed for centuries from the most learned men and women of Christendom. I certainly do not claim to be an expert on this topic; however, I do want to awaken your appetite with some of my thoughts on this subject.

The Anointing of God brings Divine favor (approval, support, esteem, preference, special benefits) from the Lord. The Anointing will make an individual more sensitive and keen to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we may not understand it. Sometimes, it brings an incredible feeling of joy or sense of well being. Other times, you may want to get alone with God and seek His face. The Anointing will also give you a greater desire to study the Word more often. Regardless, you will realize that something special is going on.

How does the “Anointing” work? Some Christians will go to their graves wondering what the Anointing was all about. Most people do not have a clue. In the four Gospels, a lot of the people did not believe our Lord Jesus Christ. They did not recognize the Sweet Anointing that was upon Him! They kept talking about Him and scrutinizing Him until He was nailed to the cross. Even today, people are still wondering about Jesus and His Anointing. Will He come again as He said? Was He the true Messiah? Was He really the Son of God? Did He really heal those people?

After reading through the Bible many times in the past 50 years and reading many beautiful anointed books by holy men and women of this century…and through experiential learning (sometimes by trial and error), I have discovered some facts about "How the Anointing Works."
Read on…

First: We must be holy because God is holy. There are no shortcuts in the area of holiness. Millions of Christians want this powerful Sweet Anointing that I am writing about, but little foxes are nibbling at their branches. We can be the most talented and gifted Christians in the world, but if we are not holy, this anointing will not freely flow through us. God is looking for clean and holy vessels to pour out His anointing upon. We must be holy! No, we are not perfect. Neither was David, Samson, Abraham, Jacob, Peter, Paul, James, or John. However, we are forgiven. You become a holy vessel when you repent and accept Jesus Christ.

The Bible says to humble yourself. Some people want God to humble them. God says for us to humble ourselves. How do we do this? We do it through prayer. A person who prays will always “stand out” in the crowd. Things will happen around them…good things…unique things…anointed things. I do not care who you are, prayer brings on a greater anointing upon our lives. The anointing grows just like faith grows. Prayer and fasting will keep us humble before the Lord and the anointing will grow, flow, and go from you to those around you.

We can also abuse and lose the anointing. Saul was a goodly young man. He had the Sweet Anointing upon his life until jealousy, rebellion, and stubbornness crept into his life and ruined it. He had everything going his way. He was talented, humble, and well‑liked among the people. He became the first king of Israel. He even prophesied with the school of the prophets. He was “head and shoulders” above those around him. All he had to do was obey God, but he failed miserably! "The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul" (1 Sam.16:14) and eventually the kingdom was turned over to David, the very person that Saul was trying to kill. What a tragedy!

Therefore, we must keep a pure heart, tender conscious, right spirit, clean life, and simply live holy before God and man in order for this Sweet Anointing to flourish and blossom forth as a garden of flowers in the fertile soil of God's harvest.

Second: We must be a lover in the Kingdom of God. Faith and love go hand in hand. "Love never fails" (1 Cor.13:8). The anointing will not work without love! Period! Love will cover a multitude of mistakes. People know if we truly love them. Some people and even some so‑called Christians will sometimes dislike us for the Gospel's sake. If you disagree with some, they will even pronounce judgment against you. Others will simply tolerate you and attempt to ignore you. But you must keep a pure heart and love them. Fight the good fight of faith through love. The Scribes and Pharisees (the so-called “holy” ones) killed Christ. They did not understand the anointing that was upon Him!

I will tell you something right now. If bitterness, resent­ment, or ill feelings creep into our lives, we will lose the anointing faster than grease lightning. We must pray for our enemies and love those that may be indifferent to us. Remember, we are not fighting flesh and blood. Our enemy (the CHIEF LOSER) is satan.

The anointing normally encourages us to do one of two things…Confront or Conform. By this, I do not mean that we are to run around being a nuisance or troublemaker…or some Holy Joe. However, sometimes, there is no way around “confronting” someone concerning a gross sin or unpleasant situation. If God anoints you to speak, then you are to speak. If you say nothing, then the person in error will think that you condone and accept their wrongdoing or sin. But do it with caution, care, concern, wisdom, and Christian love! This may shake the person up a little bit, but if he listens, you will have saved the individual a lot of sorrow and grief later.

In the Godhead, God is the great Designer…Jesus Christ is the Executor of the Will of God…The Holy Spirit is the Revealer of the Will of God. The Holy Spirit (Third Person of the Trinity) draws us nigh to God. The glorious Church (God’s great Army) has been anointed to teach, preach, and minister the Word (God’s Will) to the entire world. You and I are part of this great Church!

In times past, especially during the dark ages, the Church may have acted like a bunch of grasshoppers, but now…in these incredible days, she has become a Giant. The Church is producing powerful men and women of faith…individuals who actually study the Word of God. The Church is at war with the enemy…using the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) on a daily basis as never before. Praise be to the Name of Jesus!

We are now the VICTORS. We are the conquerors. We are not conquered. We are not the down and outers. We are the ones blessed…riding the high places. We fly like the eagles. We are not chickens. Chickens eat chicken feed in the stinking barnyard. We eat the fat of the land in the aroma of SWEET success. Why? Because we are the “Anointed Ones”.

Third: We must be faithful in what God has called us to do. If we are in God's will, we can be sure He will foot the bill. When He calls you to do something, He will also equip you and furnish you with everything you need to put you over. You must be faithful where you are planted. Get in a good “Bible” believing church where they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His Name…Where they believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Many Christian men and women have run around like a bunch of butterflies from one church to another looking for that perfect church or perfect "Study" group or “Worship” group. They run here. They run there. It is no wonder that the Sweet Anointing is not in their lives. God wants faithful men and women. Some people know a lot about faith, but very little about faithfulness. To be honest with you, if I ever did find a “perfect” church…and started attending there, it would no longer be perfect because I am NOT perfect. Therefore, if you want to be as graceful as a butterfly and sting like a bee, get involved in a good local body of Believers and stay there for awhile. Get rooted and grounded where you are.

Some individuals will say, "I feel the call of God on me to go to Africa. I think I am going." My question then is, "Are you involved where you are? What are you currently doing for the Lord?"

"Well, no, I am not doing anything right now. You see, people around here just do not understand me. They do not recognize my calling and my talents. You see, I talk to God and God talks directly to me. I am...I want to do...I will be…blah, blah, blab, blab, etc."

And the beat goes on...and on. This type of person is full of yesterday's pizza and has very little of the Word inside. This weak Christian thinks he has a calling for Africa, but will not even sweep the floor of his own church and refuses to raise a hand in his local body. This is sheer poppycock. Every man or woman that Jesus calls is a busy man or woman. God calls faithful Christians who are involved where they are. If you can not minister and be a blessing where the rubber meets the road in your local church, you will never be effective anywhere on this earth. Period! I am talking about “faithfulness”. Now, understand me correctly. I am sure there are some exceptions out there somewhere, but it is not the norm. Normally, Christians who are not faithful to their local assembly…will not be faithful to other ministries.

All of us are human beings…forgiven human beings. We sin. We get forgiveness. We sin again. We get forgiveness again. But when our Father God sees us, He sees us through the Blood of Jesus which makes us perfect! When He sees Tommy Franks, He sees me as the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Without Him, I am a powerless and lowly sinner! But God sees me through the holiness of His Dear Son! Isn’t God good? Without God, we cannot…Without us, He will not. He needs us (the Church) to continue to be faithful to His will on Planet Earth.

Remember, this Sweet Anointing will not just fall on us like a bowl of cherries. We must seek God's Word, humble ourselves, be holy, allow the sweet honeycomb of love to saturate our spirit and soul...and we must be faithful.

Fourth: We must get involved in the Spirit realm. "...The violent (energetic ones) take it by force" (Mt.11:12). Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem like a flint. He knew He had to die in Jerusalem for our sins. He knew He had to go to hell and get violent with the devil. Because He was violent (filled with energy and enthusiasm), He took the keys of death and hell from the enemy. What do you think would have happened if Jesus had gone in there like a little small intimidated pussy cat and said, "Mr. devil, now I do not want to upset you, but will you please give me those keys? I beg of you, let me have those keys. All I want to do is just get those keys and leave peacefully. I do not want any trouble with you, now, you hear? Is that all right, Mr. devil?"

Are you kidding me? Jesus knew Who He was...the LION of Judah. He got violent. The war of the universe was fought right in the devil's living room and satan lost the war…and he continues to lose…as he has for over 2000 years. Some people are naturally winners, but the enemy, the dastardly crook…is an unnatural loser filled with disgust and wickedness. Think about it, he will be cast into hell…and later into the lake of fire forever…while we (the Church) will be with the Father and Jesus Christ for all eternity. That makes me happy…very happy indeed! Thanks be to God!

Elisha wanted a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah. He got violent. He would not be denied. No sir, he meant business. The other fifty prophets were non‑violent; therefore, they did not receive the special double portion of the Spirit. They served the same God as Elisha, but they did not want the Sweet Blessing bad enough to fight for it...to go for it. Consequently, Elisha walked off with the great double Anointing while the other fifty prophets just stood there looking on the scene. Some people watch things happen. Others make things happen. And some never know what's happening!

Immediately, the School of the Prophets recognized the same Spirit of the Living God on Elisha that had been on Elijah (and still is). Elijah never died a natural death. These prophets not only saw this in the physical and Spirit realm, but they also reverenced and honored Elisha. People may not always agree with you, your methods, or mannerisms, but they will recognize the “Anointing” on your life. Even rank sinners will respect the Anointing and they will not even know why. Isn’t God wonderful!

The violent (enthusiastic) ones take it by force. Enthusiasm in the original New Testament language simply means "in God violently involved." We possess the Kingdom of God with violence. We obtain and maintain the Sweet Anointing the same way. It will cost you everything. Nonetheless, let me tell you something. There is nothing in this world like the Anoint­ing...NOTHING. Without the Sweet Anointing, I would never attempt to teach, give my testimony, witness, pray for the sick, or do any type of ministry. Yet all across this globe, thousands of Christians are attempting to “do ministry” without having the “anointing” upon their lives.
This type of thing reminds me of Samson. “He told her (Delilah) all his heart, and said unto her, There has not come a razor upon my head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man…Then she cried out, "Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!" When he woke up, he thought, "I will do as before and shake myself free." But he didn't realize the LORD had left him” (Judg.16:17-20).

Samson did not know that the anointing had departed from him. He lost his eyes, his dignity, his influence, and eventually his life. Without the “anointing” of God, we are powerless and very weak Christians.

For some people, the Anointing left them years ago. For others, some sweet secretary or handsome man (third party) has robbed them of it. Yet for many…alcohol, drugs, greed, and even food have sapped them of this Sweet Anointing. Now, some of you will perhaps get your spiritual toes stepped on in this next statement, but it is nevertheless true. Gluttony and surfeiting (over eating and drinking) are gross sins that will sap the anointing from your life. Nothing looks more ridiculous than a five foot, 400 pound man behind the pulpit on a Sunday morning talking about self-discipline! Get real! Don’t shut me down for speaking the truth now!

I have been in some churches in America that have substituted just about everything…from Church singings to Church Plays to Church productions to Church Videos to Chicken dinners…for the precious Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, it has looked more like a circus than a church service. It is time for us to get back to the basics. Again, there are no shortcuts for the anointing of God.

Let me re-emphasize: Our character must be holy, filled with love and faithful­ness, and we must be violent (enthusiastic) for the things of God.

Fifth: If we truly desire the Anointing upon us and upon those around us, we need to be obedient to God and to His Will and Purpose for our lives. When we first accept Christ (get saved or born again), we have a certain amount of the Anointing. We are on our way to heaven. We will live forever with Jesus. But as time goes on, we sometimes get lackadaisical, apathetic, and lethargic. We sometimes lose our zeal and energy for God. This is why it is so important to continue to study God’s Word, get involved in a local church, read good inspirational books, and continue to get excited about the things of God. The Sweet Anointing comes through OBEDIENCE. If it is one thing that I have learned over the years, it is God's requirement for us to be obedient. Saul found this out too late and then refused to do anything about it which eventually led to rebellion...which led to witchcraft...which led to his death and the death of his three sons. This was a tragic price to pay for disobedience and rebellion. Saul lost the Anointing. He lost his peace. He lost his kingdom. He lost his life. The Word says, "...To obey (God) is better than sacrifice" (1 Sam.15:22).

All over America and all over the world, Christians are being called by the Holy Spirit to get in line with God’s calling and the Word of God. Be OBEDIENT. Some are responding and are being rejuvenated by the power of God and His Anointing. Many are experiencing an even greater Anointing than before. God is blessing His people today. God is still healing today. God is still speaking today. God is pouring out His Anointing upon this generation. He is a good God and we have not seen anything yet. The best is yet to come. The best is on its way and is arriving daily upon the Church. God loads us down daily with His benefits. Therefore, if we continue to walk in obedience, we will see the salvation of the Lord. He will not deny Himself. Neither will He deny His Anointing if we submit ourselves to Him. The Anointing comes through obedience.

Sixth: We should associate with others who have the Anointing and who are obedient to the Lord in ministry. If we are around individuals that talk doubt, unbelief, and rebellion, it will wear off on us. Doubt breeds doubt. Faith breeds faith. Birds of a feather usually flock together. Five minutes of doubt and unbelief will take hours to erase and replace with positive words. Negative talk will eventually kill your anointing. Get with people "that do KNOW their God... and do exploits" (Dan.11:32). Get to know Christians who are doing something in the Kingdom of God! Get to know our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Get to know His attributes, His Word, and the Power of His Might. To know Him is to love Him. The more we know our Father, the stronger the Anointing will be upon our lives. How do we get to know our Father? There is only one way. It is through Jesus Christ His Son. If we truly know Jesus, then we know the Father. They are One, even as you and I are one through Jesus. As we approach the Father on a daily basis in His throne room through our Intercessor Jesus Christ, we get to know Him in a bold way. We get to know His Name...Jehovah‑Yahweh. Of course, He has lots of names. Research His names and see what they mean. The Bible says, "Because we have known His Name, He will set us on high" (Ps.91:14).

Thus far, we have only talked about the Sweet Anointing. In the next chapter, I will talk to you about what the Sweet Anointing will do and accomplish in your life.

THE ANOINTING DESTROYS THE YOKE

If you will notice, I did not say, "The Anointing breaks the Yoke." Why? Because I am a stickler for the Word. The Bible says, "...The yoke shall be DESTROYED (crushed or shattered) because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). If you break something, sometimes you can glue it back to­gether again. On the other hand, if it is totally destroyed and annihilated, it is gone with yesterday's dust. Humpty Dumpty does not apply in this case.

When I got saved, I was NOT patched up. I was born again…recreated as a brand new creation. My sins were destroyed and the old man, Tommy Franks, died. I now have the same resurrection power living within me that Jesus has. Praise be to Jesus! Hence, the Anointing destroys the yoke. The Sweet Holy Spirit and power of God that brings on the unction (anointing) of the Holy One of Israel, infiltrates every fiber of our body, soul, and spirit for service in the Kingdom of God. We have more power in our little finger than all of hell combined. As I have previously stated, the enemy has NO power over us at all. He was stripped of all his power and authority by Jesus. The ONLY power he has over you or me is the power that we give to him...Let us choose to give him NONE.

What is the yoke? What is sin? What is bondage? What hinders us from God's best? What is disease? What is poverty? What is the curse? What is fear? What is a heavy burden? All of these things will keep us under a heavy load that will eventually break our back spiritually unless the yoke is destroyed. The Sweet Anointing of the Holy Spirit will absolute­ly destroy any hindrances that we may have in this life.

Anything that enslaves us, keeps us in bondage, or prevents us from having God's best in our lives is a yoke. For some Christians, it is alcohol. For others it is pornography. For some it is a love triangle. And yet for others, it may be some diabolical disease. The Good News is…We CAN BE FREE …TODAY.

The following prayer is what I have prayed many times in my own life: "Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I really want to be free. This yoke has had me in bondage far too long. It is keeping me from God's BEST. ‘Yoke, I speak to you now. You will have to go in Jesus’ Name. I release you from your assignment. I cast you out of my life forever.’ From this moment on, I am FREE because the Sweet Anointing of the Holy Spirit has destroyed the yoke. I am FREE. The Anointing has destroyed the yoke. It is as far removed as the East is from the West. I AM FREE IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN!"

We have been set free from the ox‑bow (yoke). The yoke is no longer our master, but we are now its master through Jesus Christ. The yoke no longer tells us what to do, but we tell it where to go. Slavery to bondage does not belong to us as Christians.

When the Anointing floods our spirit, we notice something very special happening to our inner man. Light and illumination begin to transform our minds. The Sweet Anointing takes Biblical information and transforms it into revelation knowledge. At this point, we truly become aware of the importance of the Anointing of God. Without the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, we will never understand Scripture. This is why satan tries to fight us so hard concerning the Anointing and studying the Word. Without Him we are nothing, but through Him we can do ALL things because He strengthens us (Jn.15:5, Phil.4:13). The Anointing WORKS.

Once you get a taste of this Anointing that I am talking about, you will never be the same. You will never go back to the chicken feed in the barnyard. However, you will go from one victory to another. The Sweet Anointing will accomplish miracles in your life! Therefore, if you are willing to pay the price, the rewards will be out of this world!

The Anointing destroys hell's gates all around us and rescues the captives. We have the power and authority to kick down those gates (Lk.10:19). The gates of hell will not prevail against you and me (Mt.16:18). We are planted upon the solid Rock, Christ Jesus.

We can not go under for going over. We are who Jesus says we are...the sons and daughters of God Almighty. He is Who He says He is...ELOHIM, the strong, mighty, powerful, creator of the universe Who gave Himself for us. He bought us back from the powers of darkness. We are now absolute WINNERS. There is nothing too good for us. The Blood of Jesus has liberated us indeed.

As the Anointing destroys the yoke of bondage, doubt, hate, envy, malice, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, ignorance, and greed in our lives, we suddenly find that life is not a drag anymore. We truly begin to live again. The whole world looks different for some reason. A smile returns. Joy swells up in our hearts. We fall in love all over again with our mates and with Jesus. Life now has new meaning. Hopelessness changes to the brightness of the noonday. Doubt changes to faith. Life replaces death. Poverty changes to prosperity. A sour disposition changes to sweetness and honey.

Let me say this about who you are. You are the same person you were ten years ago with the exception of two things: (1) The people you have met and (2) The books you have read. Hopefully, One of the people was Jesus Christ and one of the books was the Word of God. There are no exceptions.

And ten years from now, you will be the same person you are now…except the people you meet and the books you read. Surround yourself with good Anointed people and good Anointed books. In summation, so far, we have looked at the Bottomline, How the Anointing Works, and The Anointing Destroys the Yoke. Next, we will cover Chapter 4, You Have the Anointing! Sit back, relax, and enjoy what the Word says about you. You are a powerful extraordinary creation of God. You are not some powerless wimp. You are a Christian soldier trained to be an enemy giant killer. You can easily chase a 1000. Two of us can chase 10,000. Is not this the life that Jesus promised us?

YOU HAVE THE ANOINTING!

Even as I write this chapter, I can feel the Sweetness of the Holy Spirit. His Anointing is reaching out to you right now. When you begin to live under the influence of the Sweet Anointing of the Godhead, you begin to live (present tense) as a king and priest in the Kingdom of God.

Whether or not you realize it, as a Christian, you have the Anointing resting upon you (1 Jn.2:20, 27). Unless you become an apostate, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit will never leave you nor forsake you. He can not deny Himself. No man can snatch you or me out of His Hands! Without the Anointing, we are nothing. We can do nothing…without the anointing! Period! There are no exceptions. But glory to God, with the Sweet Holy Anointing we can do all things. We can walk daily in the Kingdom of God where there is no lack...only abundance. We can live with complete victory in every area of our lives. We have the same authority that Jesus has right now because He and His Church are inseparable.

“He (God) anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor.1:21-22, NIV). “You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Ps.23:5, NIV).

The Anointing is the wonderful power of God. The anointing (power) sets us free. The power of God heals our bodies. His power saves all who are bound and headed for destruction. Every believer in Jesus Christ is Anointed! God has given this anointing to all believers. We are anointed for the purpose of serving God and given His power to live a righteous life. Without the Anointing it would be virtually impossible to serve God. The Anointing of God keeps us safe in His presence, power and love. His Anointing upon our lives is awesome and Holy. This unction (anointing) holds the key to all the gifts of God. “But you have an anointing (unction) from the Holy One” (1 Jn.2:20). All Holy things and gifts flow from the Anointing of God. We have an abundant life through that Anointing.

The Bible says, "Where the word of a king is, there is power..." (Eccl.8:4).

You are that king. You need to act like a king. You need to talk like a king. You need to think like a king. You need to walk like a king. You need to see yourself as a king. How does a king talk, walk, or think? Does he talk little? Does he think little? How did Jesus talk? How did Jesus act? All you have to do is talk and act like Jesus. He was and is our most prized Example. He talked BIG. He thought BIG. He did things in a Big way...like feeding the 5000 men (not counting the women and children)...walking on the Sea of Galilee...raising people from the dead.

We are destined for GREATNESS. We were born for such a time as this. Jesus, the Anointed One, is the Commander‑in‑Chief of the Universe and the King of Kings. He has given us all the authority and dominion that we will ever need to put us over. Jesus wants to do BIG things in our lives! As the Sweet Anointing of Jesus grows in our lives and the Word dwells mightily in us, signs, wonders, and miracles will become a frequent experience with us. Man can not stop us or pluck us out of His Hand. Satan certainly has no power over us and can not stop us. The only person that can stop us is who? It is us! It is me. It is you.

Did you know that the Kingdom of God was prepared for you from the foundation of the world? It certainly was (Mt.25:34). Just think about it. Jesus designed this whole universe with you and me in mind from the beginning. We are the "apple" of His eye (Deut.32:10, Ps.17:8). There is something else that you should know. God is an extravagant God, but HE IS NOT WASTEFUL. Look around this beautiful green earth at the priceless landscapes, the snow capped mountains, the river streams, the colorful valleys, and the beautiful green forests. He then filled the earth with precious stones, gems, oil, minerals, and wealth. Why? Do you think He needed it for Himself? He did it all for us (His man or woman).

You were created in His image to dominate and have dominion over everything that creeps, crawls, walks, flies, or swims (Gen.1:26‑28). The Sweet Anointing gives you the power to have dominion. What exactly is "dominion"? "Dominion" is the right and power to govern and control. You have the authority to control the circumstances around you in this life. To do this though, you must speak right and live right. You must talk victory, healing, health, prosperity, love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and abundant living. You must speak the very oracles of God (His Word).

Equally important, you must follow through with action in the POWER and Anointing of God. Some people talk a good show, but often it is just that...a show of words and no action. The Bible says, "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER" (1 Cor.4:20). I have met a lot of people over the past 58 years. Some talked. Some waffled. Others demonstrated action!

You have all the power you will ever need in this life and the life to come. You have God the Father living on the inside of you. You have Jesus the Son living within. And you have the Holy Spirit living within your inner man. Therefore, you have all the power of the Godhead already. You have the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the grave. That power permeates every fiber of your body, soul, and spirit. Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto YOU power...over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt YOU" (Lk.10:19).

Therefore, because you have the Anointing, you must move forward in His power and might to accomplish the Divine assignment that He has given to you. Jesus has told you and me to go forth and minister the Gospel to every creation, to cast out devils, and lay hands on the sick (Mk.16:15‑18, Acts 1:5, 8).

Now then, some will undoubtedly say, "Well, I just do not FEEL like I am ABLE. I just do not believe that I am ABLE to be used of God in any significant way. I am not qualified. I do not have the knowledge. I FEEL so unworthy. I know that I am anointed all right, but I am not skilled in talking to others..."

POPPYCOCK! The Word says that YOU are ABLE. "...Our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us ABLE ministers of the New Testament (Good News)" (2 Cor.3:5‑6). At one time or another, we may think that we have legitimate excuses for NOT doing something for God. Even our opinions are not worth a dime…Unless they line up with Scripture. The Word says, you have been made an able (gifted, competent, skilled, talented) minister of the Gospel!

"Able" means: To have sufficient power, skill, and resources to accomplish an objective; marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence; capable, qualified, worthy, strong; possessed of needed powers or resources to accomplish a task; having freedom to act; well‑to‑do, rich in resources.

The word "Ministers" means individuals who: Act under the authority and orders of another, Attend to the wants and comforts of others, Give aid to or serve others, Act as God's agents or ambassadors.

After reading the two definitions above, do you think that you are able to minister under the Anointing that God has placed upon your life? You definitely have the power to do so. You are skilled. You have the resources. You are intelligent, knowledgeable, and competent. You are capable. You are qualified. Jesus has made you worthy. You are strong. You are rich in resources. You may not feel strong. You may not look strong. Nevertheless, the Word says that you are. What do you believe? ...The Word of God, tradition, yourself, or what someone else says? I kindly suggest that you believe the Ultimate Source, the Word of God. It has been around a lot longer than we have. NOT ONE WORD of it has ever failed. Not one Word of it is without power! The Word of God is forever settled in heaven (Ps.119:89).

You may want to read this chapter several times. You will find that you are marked for success...that you are destined to rule and reign forever in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior…Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You now have an unction to function! You will leave your mark on society in a positive way! As people come to you for advice, guidance, counsel, friendship, healing, and teaching, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit will give you what you need to minister for Christ and His Kingdom.

I believe that God is still speaking to us today. I believe that He is saying to us, "My Sweet Anointing is upon you (my child) to help others. And when YOU do, My Power and Anointing will multiply itself many times over in your life. Use My POWER. Go ahead and see what happens. My Power and Anointing will never be diminished, but it will permeate you, surround YOU, and overshadow you with good things, marvelous things, and wonderful things. The world needs My POWER and ANOINTING like never before! I want to use YOU to propagate My Gospel and heal the sick. Some may seem hopeless and incurable, but what is that to Me? I will use you as My Hands and Feet to heal the sick, cast out demons, give to the poor and homeless, and provide counsel to the oppressed. And the more YOU minister for My Kingdom, the more YOU will be refreshed in MY SWEET ANOINTING.”

"YOU will feel and look like a well watered garden. Your youth will be renewed like the eagle's. You will be seen with a Shield and Sword in your hands. People will begin to see the Anointing upon your life. You will not be put to shame. You will assist in My great harvest...millions of souls coming into My Kingdom in this generation. Use My POWER and SWEET ANOINTING that is upon your life. Be fearless. Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous. Nothing shall by any means hurt YOU."

As we minister the Word in the Anointing, signs and miracles will confirm the Word. Signs and miracles followed the disciples. Miracles followed the Seventy as they were sent out. Signs and wonders followed the apostles after the Day of Pentecost. Signs and miracles followed Paul, Barnabus, Stephen, and Philip. Signs and miracles followed Jesus. SIGNS and MIRACLES will follow the Church. The Bible says, "Your tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Ps.45:1). You have the tongue of the learned (Isa.50:4). You are complete in Him (Col.2:10).

The world wants to see miracles and they shall. They want to see the POWER of God demonstrated in our lives. They need to know that we as God’s children are the Anointed of God. We need to let people know who we are...that we have the Power and Anointing of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to heal the sick and perform miracles. We are imitators of Christ.

The Power and Anointing of God will bring the world to the Church. The "Gospel Sing" and “Chicken Dinners” will not do it. Eloquent speakers will not necessarily do it. Bingo will not do it. The world is looking for something genuine, authentic, real...and for something that works…something that will change their lives forever!

The world wants to be "entertained." So, let's entertain them. Do you know what the correct Biblical definition is of the word "entertain"? The Bible says, "Be not forgetful to entertain..." (Heb.13:2). The word "entertain" is a God given word that the devil has perverted and counterfeited. There is a need in every single human being to entertain and be entertained. It is a wholesome word, but the enemy has perverted it for centuries. Let us now examine the word in context with the Bible. "Entertain" means:

1. Hospitality (Acts 28:7, 1 Pet.4:9)
2. Love or show love to strangers
3. Keep pleasantly interested
4. To please or delight
5. To consider someone
6. To hold together
7. Give pleasure to
8. To have as a guest
9. Friendly

Is this not what we are supposed to do in our world today? We are to love people, to be pleasant and not boring to them, to please and delight them by showing them that we care for them, and that Jesus cares for them. We are to treat that person with warmness and dignity because he could be an angel.

We are anointed to entertain and show consideration to others. The Kingdom of God is now within us. The Supernatural One lives on the inside of us. Is He anointed? Yes! We are one with Jesus. We move and walk together in unity. We are holy and righteous through Jesus (1 Jn.3:7). The fresh Anointing is upon us (Ps.92:10). God has always had a people that were anointed. Today, He has YOU and me. You are anointed. “You will subdue kingdoms, quench violence, be made strong, fight valiantly, and turn the armies of the enemy into mush” (author's version of Heb.11:33‑34).

I believe that revival is in the land. I believe that exciting things are happening daily. As Christians, I believe that we need to start preparing, building, and getting ready for the influx of souls that will be in this final harvest. I believe that people will be getting saved everywhere...in the supermarkets, shopping malls, trains, planes, retail stores, businesses, homes, schools, and yes…even churches! I believe that our responsibility as Believers is to get the Sweet Anointing of God that’s in us…onto the people. In other words, we need to be a channel of His Power and Holy Spirit. We should be overflowing with His Power and Anointing to such a degree that it just touches and overwhelms those around us...until no disease, sickness, sin, poverty, or devil can stand in our presence. Yes indeed, you and I have the Anointing. I thank God for you. You are special. God is on your side. He is for you...not against you. You have His favor!

The next chapter deals with the reality of the Anointing. Some have wondered if the Sweet Anointing is really REAL. Read on. If there is a false, there must be a true. If there is a counterfeit, there must be a genuine. If there is the synthetic and artificial, there must be the REAL.

IS THE ANOINTING REAL?

Are you real? Is Jesus Real? Is the devil real? Is Heaven real? Are your children real? Is your spouse real? The answer to all of these questions is an emphatic “YES”. We live in a real world. We see and associate with real people. The birds and bees and butterflies are real. THE ANOINTING IS REAL!

In the early 1960's, my mother and I were traveling from Wauchula, Florida, to Zolfo Springs, Florida. I was driving my brother's 1957 Chevrolet and Mama was sitting in the front seat just enjoying the ride. Suddenly, a special Anointing came upon my mother and she looked over at me and said, "Son, slow down. I do not believe the tires on this car are very good. I believe you had better slow down now.”

I took my foot off the accelerator and began to slow down. BANG! The right tire blew out. I was approaching a bridge on Highway 17. I could hardly hold the car on the road. I wrestled and wrestled with the steering wheel. Thoughts of having a terrible accident entered my mind. In what seemed like an eternity, I finally managed to stop the car in a safe place. No one was hurt. The car was not damaged...only the tire.

Now, what came over my mother at that precise time when I was driving down the two-lane highway at 65 miles per hour? If she had been one moment later in warning me about the tires, I personally believe that we would have hit the bridge and gone on home to meet our Maker. The Sweet Anointing is REAL, my good friend.

My mother and father had eight children. One died in infancy, but Mama prayed for us daily. I can remember going by her bedroom door and seeing her down on her knees crying and weeping before God. She loved God, her husband, her children, and her local church. She believed in the Sweet Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Today, ALL of her children are saved and believe in the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. She is in heaven with Jesus having the time of her life.

Another time, I was jumping out of planes at Fort Benning, Georgia. To be qualified as a paratrooper, you are required to make several jumps. The plane had flown over the drop zone once already and was circling around again. I prayed my usual prayer for protection and felt an anointing upon me. Even though I was confident about my next jump, the usual funny feeling in my stomach also returned.

The funny feeling helps to keep you honest with yourself. One mistake up there is unforgivable. If your parachute does not open or if it gets tangled‑up with another parachute, it is a one‑way ticket home (heaven or hell). Second chances are almost non‑existent.

"Stand in the door," shouted the Jumpmaster.

I was next. I stood in the door of the aircraft. The wind was hitting me in the face. My adrenaline was flowing rapidly. I tried to live up to the saying "Be proud. Be all you can be. Join the Army." Suddenly, I was on my way...down...way down. I looked above me and saw the chute open. I said, "Thank You, Jesus."

However, somehow or another I had not anticipated the speed and wind direction for this jump. I began to try to compensate for it, but during the excitement, I over compensated. The next thing I knew, the ground was staring me in the face. I hit that hard ground and thought I had broken both legs and both arms. After the initial shock, I checked myself out and found no broken bones. Nonetheless, I did see double vision for about three weeks.

Again, the Anointing and Power of God was upon my life that day. I could have broken several bones. Is the Anointing REAL? You bet your jump boots, it is real.

Although you can not see the wind, you know it is real because you see the effects of the wind. You do not see the air around you, but if it was absent, you would be dead in a matter of minutes. Without air, our automobile tires would not go very far. Therefore, we see and know the effects of air.

You and I do not see the Anointing, but we see the effects of the Anointing. We see people get saved, healed, and set free from bondage. We see them get delivered from drugs and alcohol. We see the poor delivered from poverty through the effects of the Anointing.

When a woman gets pregnant and has life on the inside of her, she does not see the physical child immediately, but she knows there is another life on the inside of her body. If you ask her if her child is real, she would respond, "Are you nuts? What kind of dummy are you. Of course, my baby is real. One day he might be the President of the United States."

Some Christians do not understand the Anointing. Some are afraid of the Anointing. Others simply resist it. Still others choose to ignore the Anointing. Yet, the Anointing is REAL regardless of how people may respond to it. I may not completely understand how the central heat and air conditioning works in my home, but it still keeps me cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The more we study the “Anointing”, the more we will learn how it works. To know the Father is to know His Son. To know His Son is to know the Holy Spirit. To know the Holy Spirit is to know the power of the Living God. To know the power is to know the Anointing. To know the anointing is to know that the anointing is REAL.

Spiritual things are known only through the Spirit. As a sinner, you can not truly KNOW God. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (Jn.4:24).

The Easter Bunny is not too real to me. Santa Claus is not exactly a reality to me. As a Christian, I even have some concerns about Halloween. But I do know my God. He is REAL and His Anointing is REAL and I can feel Him in my soul and spirit.

In January 1985, my family and I were returning to the great state of Maryland after spending Christmas in Florida. We had just left the Jacksonville area. We were traveling north on Interstate 95 in southern Georgia. It was a typical cool January morning with frost on both sides of the road. At that time, the new Mercedes station wagon was traveling very quietly down the highway. My child­ren were nice and cozy, sleeping in the back of the wagon. I was navigating in the front passenger's seat, but I was not doing a very good job because I kept dozing off. It was so nice and comfortable and the temperature in the car was just right. The sun had just come up over the horizon when...

Suddenly, I heard this awful sound of gravel against metal, tires squealing, and a frantic, frightening voice. Smoke was surrounding us. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and was fighting to get the car back under control. All of a sudden, I heard the words, "Jesus, Jesus."

As we ran down the right shoulder of the highway, then across the highway, then a complete 180 degree turn, I was speaking in a very soft tone, "Let off the brakes...let off the brakes."

Finally, the car stopped abruptly, facing the oncoming traffic. I got out of the car and went around to the driver’s side and opened the door. The driver looked like a zombie frozen to the steering wheel. I can still see that fearful expression as if it were yesterday.

I then took over as the driver. The tires were still smoking. The engine had died. I started the car and turned it around in the right direction. I stopped the car again, got out, and examined it. Not one scratch was made on the car. Not one person was hurt even though, by now, every one was wide awake.

I drove to the nearest fast food restaurant (Mickey Ds) and stopped. I walked around that car seven times thinking about Joshua and the Israelites marching around Jericho prior to their victory. I praised the Lord! I knew God had once again saved our lives via our angels who are assigned to us for protection.

Since that awakening experience, I have reminisced the events many times. In my studies and meditation on the Word, I really do believe that it was the Sweet Anointing that came upon that scene in a very special way that special day. I believe that when the words, "Jesus, Jesus” were shouted, a special Anointing (Sweeter than honey) just took over and assisted us in guiding that automobile to a safe stop. DO I BELIEVE IN THE ANOINTING? Does God make little green apples? Are we His Children forever? Is the ANOINTING REAL? Yes, indeed.

I am so glad that that the Anointing is REAL and that we worship a very REAL God. The Bible plainly states that God has Anointed us in Christ (2 Cor.1:21). Anything that God does is REAL. Anything that lucifer the LOSER does is false and deceptive. The enemy can only counterfeit. What a dope head satan is!

Another time in the autumn of 1978, as a Second Lieutenant dispatched from Washington D.C. on a live mission that involved three countries (Iran, Germany, and the USA), I learned about the reality of the Sweet Anointing. We were flying at about 32,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. We had been up for hours making sure our equipment had been loaded safely and quickly aboard the C‑141 Aircraft; therefore, I decided to get some sleep and rest before we landed and continued our mission.

While sleeping, I had a dream. In the dream the Anointing came upon me and revealed to me a problem with the equipment. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Your vehicles and generators have too much fuel in them. Some fuel needs to be drained out immediately; otherwise, because of the aircraft cabin pressure, the fuel will overflow into the aircraft and become a potential fire hazard to you, your men, and the crew. The pilot will want to make an emergency landing in the Azores, a group of Portuguese islands off the coast of Portugal."

While still dreaming, I began to pray. I prayed for a good while until I felt relief about the problem. After a while, I woke up. As I went to get a cup of coffee, one of my men stopped me and asked, "Sir, did you hear what happened?"

I asked, "What happened?"

He replied, "A while back, we had a REAL problem. The vehicles and generators began to leak fuel. We immediately realized what must be done. We drained fuel from each problem area. The pilot wanted to make an emergency landing in the Azores...but we solved the problem...we will land at our destination as planned."

In brief, the Sweet Anointing of the Holy Spirit had won again. For a REAL problem, He brought the REAL Anointing. He is never too late if we are sensitive to Him. Time after time, situations of this magnitude have happened to me and those around me, but the ANOINTING has come on the scene and destroyed every yoke of bondage, fear, and danger.

Is the Anointing Real? In your heart you know it is. I have staked my life upon it for over 50 years. When the Anointing is upon your life, the little UGLY devils of hell can not stop you from God’s best. So far, up to this point, we have covered the "Bottomline", "How the Anointing Works", "The Anointing Destroys the Yoke", "You Have the Anointing!", and "Is the Anointing Real”?

LAST WORDS

Are you excited as I am? We have something to be excited about. We belong to God. We belong to His Eternal Family. We are saved...healed...and filled with His Spirit. There is nothing that our Father will withhold from us. Even though we are ruling and reigning in the spiritual Kingdom of God NOW, some day soon we will rule and reign in the physical (material) Kingdom with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will have our own crown, throne, and castle (mansion). Not only will we rule and reign a thousand years, but also throughout all eternity. Does this excite you? I think so. ‘Sweet Anointing, Part 2” will follow.