The Holy Spirit is always close to us, but sometimes we feel his presence stronger than at other times. Some experience him physically, some more as a peace and joy that is not dependent on circumstances. We can experience His presence, especially when we praise and worship.
We can create an atmosphere of peace and joy ourselves, by worshipping God. But the more powerful presence is only dependent on the Holy Spirit.
Very often we open up for a more powerful presence when we exhort Jesus. Some people experience the presence of the Holy Spirit physically. I have experienced that.
To experience the Holy Spirit so strongly that it's impossible to stand on your feet is actually very Biblical.
One time when Saul tried to kill David, the presence over David and the prophets was so strong that Saul felt it kilometers away.
1Sam 19:20-24
20So he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing they’re as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied. 21Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" "Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said.
23So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
Luke 4:18-19
18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
19 To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Jesus says this about himself, but when he went to his Father He gave this anointing further to the believers.
- It is in the anointing that the gifts of the spirit can function.
- Anointing helps you do things you normally could not do.
- The anointing gives you the power to do something for God, and later it creates changes in people’s lives.
- The anointing makes words you are speaking flow easier.
I have noticed this many times when I have taken on a challenge where I needed God’s supernatural power.
At times, before I have a sermon or a testimony, I feel powerless and my thoughts are in a mess. But at the moment I enter the pulpit, I get a power and boldness I didn't have before. This is the anointing. Without the anointing, I can't do anything. I can’t preach or do anything for God in my own strength, but when the Holy Spirit is over me, I’m able to do it. I am actually dependent on the anointing in everything I do for God. Furthermore, I am confident that greater things will happen.
Anointing makes changes
A person may have a great skill to preach, but without the anointing, it can't create changes in the lives of people.
1Cor 2:4-5
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Believe in the anointing.
It took time before I started to believe in the anointing God had given me, even though I had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. That’s why the speeches I gave in the beginning were not very good. I still wrote down everything I should say and I usually quoted what someone had said, because I did not believe I could say it in that way, until one day. After a meeting one of my friends came to me and said: “Why are you saying that someone else can say things in a better way? When God has given you the anointing to speak, why don’t you trust him to give you the right words?” He was right! So, after that I didn’t quote as much what other people had said, but I trusted in the anointing God had given me. When I started to do this, I also experienced God giving me words and a boldness to say things in front of other people in I clear and good way.
The grade of anointing could vary
The anointing is often stronger over people who have consecrated themselves. People that have been praying and fasting will often experience a higher level of anointing. Other times, we can experience a higher level of anointing when we have times of persecutions and trials. In times of trouble I have experienced a greater anointing and a greater presence of the Holy Spirit.
- You cannot always notice the anointing physically, but you will know it when you have it.
Some biblical examples of anointing
The anointing when Jesus healed a woman with bleeding for twelve years. (Mark 5:30)
When the shadow of Peter fell on the sick, they were healed because of the anointing over Peter. (Acts 5:15)
I know my experiences of the anointing in my life are fairly small compared to the two examples above, but I long to get there some day. And I know it’s possible!
