...the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon [Jesus].    — Matt. 3:16b

Here we see Jesus being baptized by John in the river Jordan.  This is when Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the anointing came upon Him.  The anointing is the ability or the enablement to operate in the supernatural or in the Kingdom of God.  Up until this time Jesus had not healed, delivered, or cast out the devil in anyone’s life.  But once He was empowered, He immediately started to cooperate with the Spirit in His life.  He became a co-laborer with God in the advancement of the Kingdom of God.  He went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matt. 4:23).  Once He received God’s ability through the Holy Ghost, He put that power to work to set free the captives who had been bound for years.  Notice, it wasn’t until the Spirit came upon him and abode with Him that supernatural works began to be displayed.  The Church has had the enablement now for over 2,000 years.  We do not need more power or more Holy Ghost-–we need to learn how to cooperate with the power and Holy Ghost we already have.  Start to listen to His voice and follow His promptings, and you, too, will start to advance the Kingdom of God!

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned:  but what sayest thou?   -- John 8:4, 5

"She should be stoned!"  It takes more than one person to stone someone.  The scribes and Pharisees demanded the stoning of the woman.  Why so many in agreement?  Because the "stone-throwing spirit" had been transferred from one to another.  It is no fun to gossip, criticize, and grumble alone!  It must spread to others before you can enjoy and get satisfaction from it!  Many relationships, many workplaces, many churches have been destroyed because of the "stone-throwing spirit" spreading from one to another.  The Bible says a root of bitterness "defiles the many."  Do not jump on board with stone-throwing and accusation.  It will cripple your faith and short-circuit your anointing.  Be on guard against corrupt communication and become a pray-er rather than a wrong say-er.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned:  but what sayest thou?  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.  But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.”   -- John 8:5, 6

"As though He heard them not."  Jesus was good at tuning out what He did not need to hear.  He would shut down the lies, gossip, and criticalness of the people.  Jesus knew who He was and saw the potential in others, not their faults.  He did not focus on where they were at that moment, but where they could be in the future!  He did not see an adulterous woman, but a delivered, forgiven, changed person who would serve His Father in the Kingdom.  See the potential in all the people around you, especially in your spouse, your children, your family, your friends.  See them through God's eyes, not through the eyes of a stone-thrower.  Then help them reach their potential in God with faith and love.

...Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard
them not.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.   --John 8:6, 7

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."  I am sure that this is not the response they wanted or expected from Jesus.  If they knew He was going to turn it back around and focus on their walk with God, they would never have brought this woman to Him.  Many times putting others down is done just to bring you up.  This is because, really deep inside, you are ashamed of your performance in the things of God, but you feel better if someone else is doing worse than you.  Christianity is not a race or a competition.  It is your personal relationship with the Father by the Holy Spirit.  Focus on your relationship with God.  Allow Him to finish the work He began in you.  Out of that relationship you will be able to build others up rather than tear them down.  The closer you get to Him, the farther away from stone-throwing you will get.