Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit

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    What is something that Ruth, Esther, King David, Joseph and Mary, and the twelve disciples all have in common -- other than their faith in God?  They were all ordinary people used by God in extraordinary ways! Each of these came from humble beginnings, yet were instrumental in God's plan of redemption and the gospel message. God Himself enabled them with the power to accomplish daunting tasks or deliver messages from Him in the face of opposition, ridicule and/or potential loss of everything that they had. The Bible is full of examples just like this, people that have no credentials or influence, yet were used to accomplish mighty tasks for God. They were chosen and enabled for the ministry to which they were called. 

    In the Old Testament, when a person was chosen for a special task they were often anointed with oil as a mark of God's power coming on them.  Aaron was anointed as the first High Priest of Israel in Exodus 29.  Later we read about young David being anointed by Samuel in I Samuel 16.  Here the Scriptures say that the Spirit of the Lord came upon David mightily from that day on.  Psalm 92:10 gives praise to God because "I have been anointed with fresh oil."  The oil symbolizes the Spirit of God who worked through the human vessel to accomplish God's plan. 

    2 Corinthians 1: 21-22 helps us to understand that this power is given to us today in the form of the Holy Spirit.  

     Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
 

    God has anointed each of us who have called on His name in faith with the power of His Spirit! What a precious gift! I John 2:27 says that "the anointing which you received from Him abides in you,..."  He is with us and in us! 

    So often, the  drudgery of daily life pulls us down and we feel weak and defeated.  The weight of this world is heavy and Satan uses this to weaken us and cause us to lose sight of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that we already have.  With this anointing, God enables us to accomplish our calling through the power of the Holy Spirit.  All of us are called to live out the gospel message, even if we are equipped to do it in different ways.  We can rest assured that God enables and empowers those He calls.  We have those promises.  This is not just reserved for those Christians that God has placed in leadership, although it is absolutely given to them also!  This Spirit of God is given to all believers.  What a beautiful, wonderful gift.  

    If you are discouraged or weighed down with exhaustion and weariness, call out today for "fresh oil" as the Psalmist called it.  Tap into the source of power that is offered for all who call on the name of the Lord -- His Spirit.  Tap into the source of strength and joy that is offered freely.  He will lift you up and enable you to accomplish His work.  He will bring hyouealing and comfort to your heart.  He will strenthen you for the calling that is placed in front of .  

I pray today that we will live in the power of the Holy Spirit and experience "fresh oil" today. 

💓 Heather Sparks💓

    

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