THE OIL THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

In this article, you'll get to know the importance of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life and how to engage Him in your life's affairs for your benefit.

THE OIL THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE To the ancient Israelites, the oil or fat was quite symbolic. It was used as an emollient, a fuel for lighting lamps, for nutrition, and for many other purposes. For example, the scented olive oil was chosen to be a holy anointing oil for the Israelites. Till today, many Christians have continued the practice of using holy anointing oil as a devotional practice, as well as in various dignified ceremonies. However, the oil does not have any power of its own; its only a symbol of what God is doing. Reference: Psalm 23:5 New International Version (NIV) 'You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.' Most of us wouldn't ask to have oil poured over our heads probably because oil is greasy, slippery, and messy to wash off. But people who knew about raising sheep in ancient Israel- and still in some places today- would fully understand the blessing of anointing. David, the writer of this psalm, knew a lot about herding sheep. As a caring shepherd, he would have applied olive or grain oil to a sheep's nose and ears. Sheep are often troubled by insects that buzzed about their heads and tried to lay eggs on the moist membranes of the animal's nose and ears. The sheep can become distracted and obsessed with keeping those bugs away. So shepherds in those times applied oil as a soothing remedy that kept the pests away. Relief was immediate with the oil. It eliminated the aggravation, the frenzy, the irritability, and the restlessness. It brought about an incredible transformation and this represents a beautiful picture of the manifestation of anointing. Describing himself as a sheep, the psalmist says that the Lord, his shepherd, anoints his head with oil. The calming influence of oil on a sheep's head is meant for us as well. The irritants, difficulties and pressures of life can be terminated by the influence of the oil. Are you aware that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is a gift from God and its available for every Christian? (see 1 John 2:27 NKJV). The anointing is the Holy Spirit, and once you receive the Holy Spirit, all you need is to spend time with Him, and the anointing will be stirred up in you, empowering you to handle the challenges of each day victoriously. Allow the Holy Spirit to anoint you with God's grace, mercy, and love every day. Spend time with Him. He will cause you to experience the richness of divine abundance, health, prosperity and wholeness. No devil and wicked men can stand you or disorganise your comfort, once you receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It makes you more than a man, makes any situation pleasant, and empowers you to serve God gracefully. The anointing of God's Spirit enriches the joy of your salvation and fills your cup to the brim till it overflows. Scripture Reading - Isaiah 11:2; John 7:37-39; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20. Guided Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for anointing me with the Holy Spirit. His anointing is the river of life that flows in me and through me, enabling me to possess my inheritance in Christ, increase in wisdom and fortune and influence my world positively. As I spend time with Holy Spirit daily, I'm energised with oil of gladness and I prevail and succeed in my world with ease, in Jesus' Name, Amen. Pastor EJC SENSE OF GRACE