“Then Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to sanctify them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to sanctify him.” Lev. 8:10-12. Everything that was used for ministering in the tabernacle was dedicated and anointed. Aaron himself was anointed at his dedication, so that the oil ran down on the edge of his garments. Ps. 133:2. Anything that was dedicated and anointed was never again to be taken out of the sanctuary and used in a common way. A curse came over Belshazzar when he used the vessels of gold and silver that had been taken from the temple. Jesus came into the world as a servant. He dedicated Himself for the ministry by saying to His heavenly Father, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” Heb. 10:9. Everything He said and did was a most holy worship, and He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions. It is the Lord who anoints, and it is useless to pray for the oil of gladness without a proper and wholehearted dedication. Paul was in tribulations, but he always rejoiced. Peter rejoiced with an unspeakable joy that was full of glory, and James rejoiced in various trials, etc. The apostles usually began their epistles by stating that they were servants of Christ. They were, just as their Master was, dedicated to their Lord and Master for the ministry once and for all, and for them this was a precious and anointed ministry. There are many people in the world who possess a certain kind of joy, but it is not an anointed joy. They can also be patient to a certain degree, but it is not an anointed patience. They can have a keen eye for this and that, but they do not see with anointed eyes nor hear with anointed ears; instead they misunderstand things and are offended. Only as dedicated and anointed people can we receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that we can truly rejoice in hope of receiving our inheritance; then we can serve Him with joy in all kinds of situations. There are many people who wonder how they can serve God in some way, but if we have entered God’s sanctuary, our entire life will be a most holy worship service. There will be a blessed rest and glory over our life when we know that we, once and for all, have entered into God’s service with everything we think, say, and do, all according to His working and leading in us. Then, when a mother looks after her children, washes the floor or diapers, for her this is a most holy ministry for God, and the result will be thankfulness, songs of praise, and joy from morning till evening. Every day will be rich in glory. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24. “Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” Eph. 6:6-8. “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry . . . .” 1 Tim. 1:12. It is exceedingly great to be put into the ministry for the Lord, and just as holy vessels of gold and silver were not to be taken out of the sanctuary for common use, so we also shall not depart from the sanctuary. Our tongue has once and for all been put into the ministry for God and shall never again be taken out of the sanctuary to be used in an ordinary way. We have a dedicated and anointed tongue, and the Lord has use for it. There are not too many of them in this world. By His servant’s mind Jesus has shown us the way to true greatness. He said that we should be everyone’s servant and slave. He bent down humbly and washed His disciples’ feet when they returned home from a journey. He served in every possible way. Let us follow Him as humble and faithful servants. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26. Paul did not lose courage, for he had a share in the ministry of glory. Through his ministry people were transformed from being carnal to being spiritual, from being earthly to being heavenly. Yes, this is a ministry that produces an exceeding abundance of glory, and blessed are those few on earth in these days who exercise this ministry faithfully and diligently under a cover of reproach.Aksel J. Smith

Do not act as if you are what you are not, because that is hypocrisy. Do not act as if you agree to something when you do not, for that is hypocrisy. Do not endeavor to look happy. It is only hypocrisy. Do not show a lively interest in how your conduct impresses people, because then you will end up playing the hypocrite. Forget yourself when you proclaim God’s Word; otherwise your self-consciousness will be an eternal loss for you and your listeners. Do not put too much emphasis on outward appearance so that you do not end up playing the hypocrite. Those who are truthful are only interested in that which is genuine and true. On the other hand, all hypocrites are keenly interested in how everything and everyone appears. Why does one go with hymn book and/or Bible in hand to church or to a meeting? It is because one is not saved from hypocrisy. The majority of so-called pastors have extensive training in and are more or less masters of hypocrisy. In other words, they are more or less astute actors. A few of the most common roles they play is being unusually sweet and happy, also being shepherds who show much upright care for souls. The truth is completely different. 1) They are definitely not that happy. On the contrary! 2) They seek their own. As firefighters put out the natural fires, so pastors will show themselves capable of quenching and suffocating every spiritual flame that might arise in their church—if that should happen. Just as you call a certain telephone number when there is a fire, so you can just call a pastor if you should notice any intimation of spirit and life in truth. He will know how to eradicate it. What is the truth? On average the truth is what pastors are very often careful to keep away from their assemblies, because the truth could disrupt sleep and income.Elias Aslaksen