(Nov. 2017)
Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over. ~ Psalm 23:5
I was fifteen years old. There was a revivalist named Rodney Howard Browne who had come to Oakland and my Mom and I decided to check it out. As the meeting went on, people began manifesting under the power of God. Some were shaking, some fell on the floor, some laughing, some sobbing… and others were just looking around dumbfounded as if they had walked into a strange episode of the Twilight Zone. It was then that Rodney said, “You can stand around all day looking at people or you can jump into the river. Don’t worry about the person next to you. They are just getting an oil change.”
They say you can drive on bad oil, but it will eventually burn out your engine.
If you are finding yourself discouraged, irritable with others, without passion or vision, without hope, lukewarm and distant in your walk with God, uninterested in seeing the lost saved, or just plain weary… then it sounds like your check engine light is on. When was the last time you had an oil change?
Listen to what the Word of God has to say,
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because he has anointed me… to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning.” Isaiah 61
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:13
“And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken from thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” Isaiah 10:27
” ‘Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit.’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
“Do not be drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and went out and spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
There is an undeniable Biblical connection between the anointing with oil and the Holy Spirit. It has been the practice of the Church from the Old to the New Testaments to anoint people with oil and then the Holy Spirit would come upon them.
Instead of unnecessary heady theology about oil, how it’s made, or why it’s a symbol of the Spirit, I would simply like to encourage you to get an oil change.
David says in his famous psalm that the Lord anoints his head with oil … and his cup runneth over. This is speaking of an overflow of God’s grace, mercy, love, power, joy, and wisdom. There are no limits to the Limitless One.
What is someone like who has had an oil change?
Joyful…
Healed…
At Rest…
Radiant…
Smiling…
Loving…
Giving…
Concerned with the Welfare of Others, Unafraid, Patient, Tenderhearted, Bold but not Obnoxious.
There is a fragrance when someone had anointing oil in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we are now called to bring the fragrance of Christ into a dying world. When people get around you, do they notice something different? Is there the smell of Heaven on your life?
If you are living with anything less than the above, let me encourage you to do the following:
Ask for God’s Spirit to come upon you, and wait in His Presence. (Luke 11:13)
Get yourself lost in worship. When was the last time you just turned off your phone, locked yourself in a room and put on your favorite worship album for two hours? You will be amazed at what can happen. (Psalm 16, Psalm 23)
Get around Spirit filled people who can pray for you. This thing is also caught by osmosis. (James 5:14, Proverbs 13:20)
Go to a revival meeting.
Go on a retreat into nature for a day (or more). Jesus went onto the mountain.
Allow your heart to let go of all fear and be free in God’s Presence. Let the emotions flow… tears, laughter (2 Tim. 1:7)
Intentionally give out of your place of brokenness. Help someone else; Give thanks to the Lord; Give an offering. (Luke 6:38, 1 Kings 17:10-14)
Do an honest examination of your heart and sincerely confess and repent of any sin. This will block your joy if you do not do this. (Psalm 51)
Know that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you. He loved you before you ever knew him and there is nothing you can do or undo to change his love. (1 John 4:19)
Psalm 16 says that,
“In His Presence is fullness of Joy and eternal pleasures are at His right hand.”
Enjoy your oil change.
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