DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES

5th JULY 2020

“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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” – Luke 4:18-19

I have always asked; which comes first, anointing by the Holy Spirit or Faith to do all things?  While it may not be easy to answer directly, the fact remains that anointing brings power and clarity. The power of anointing breaks all barriers or yokes and brings forth understanding and discernment of the truth about God, His ways, His acts, and His presence. We are anointed for many purposes, including: to have the power to be effective witnesses for Christ throughout the world; to proclaim freedom for the prisoners; to bring recovery of sight for the blind (physical and spiritual sights); to release the oppressed; to proclaim the Lord’s favor and grace; to be benefactors, doing good to the needy; to break the devil’s yoke in the lives of bound-up people; to teach us and help us know God’s truth versus error. The anointing is not all about deliverance, preaching, and laying hands on the sick. It has a great deal to with uplifting the lives of the weak and the vulnerable through humanitarian works. Jesus did all of that.  Do we need anointing in our lives? We do need anointing, and in fact, we are called to fellowship with the Holy Spirit and to receive His anointing and power through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Anointing gives the power to exercise faith and to believe rightly. The anointing brings victory in all situations; anointing places us on the path of spiritual awakening or discernment. The fact that you are anointed does not mean that everybody would benefit from your anointing or that you would do everything possible for yourself. You are anointed to serve others and not yourself. This is because you don’t control anointing. The Holy Spirit does! The Holy Spirit would decide what to do through you for others. As a messenger of God, you are obviously teleguided by the Holy Spirit and you must be ready to undertake a mission outside your home and away from your people (Ref: Luke 4:13-30) Thank goodness for the internet! Missionary work is simplified! Your reward is the grace of God that comes from your strict obedience to the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Grace of God is always sufficient for us.

To receive anointing, we have to:

1.      Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and this comes when we are ready to crucify SELF, thereby allowing our spirit to truly resurrect with Christ. What this practically translates to is that we forego our canal and personal satisfaction, and, FIRST employ the best and greatest part of us in service to God and humanity.

2.      Be expectant and open your heart to receive the Holy Spirit who bears the power to anoint you.

3.       Believe in God, believe also in Christ, and pray fervently as you study the scriptures.

Starting from today put God first in all things. Let God be the main hub of all your activities. Love your neighbors and do to them what you would want them to do to you. Thereafter, think of yourself last. Your satisfaction should be last. The anointing you possess is to serve others only. This daily exercise brings you closer to the divine – the Holy Spirit, and with time, His anointing will begin to flow into your life.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for the revelation concerning your anointing. Lord, I submit to your commandments. Empower me with the Grace to do that which is right in your sight, and to truly put you first in all that I do. Father, imbue me with power and anointing; make a way for me through the thick and thin of life that I may truly behold your living presence at all times. AMEN.

 FURTHER READING:  Acts 1:5, 8