From the Desk of Steve Shultz:
This is really good and will speak to all of us in the Body of Christ.
As we are called to "GO and make disciples of all nations"...we each have a ministry in what Jesus instructed us to do in the great commission.
In times like this, it's good to look inward, spending time with the Lord, asking, "Lord, what can I do right now, what can I change to please You and prepare my heart before You?"
As you spend time with the Lord, let Him anoint and equip you for every good work ahead! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
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Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
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If you have felt hindered or slowed down in your ministry, a "relief package" from Heaven is on the way!
"GOD answer you on the day you crash, the name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm's reach, send reinforcements from Holy Hill, dispatch from Zion fresh supplies, exclaim over your offerings, celebrate your sacrifices, give you what your heart desires, accomplish your plans." (Psalm 20:1-4 MSG)
Are Some Parts of Our Ministry "More Anointed" Than Others?
It was early one morning, and I was out walking before the heat of our Australian summer's day set in. I had a lot of administrative tasks ahead of me—and to be honest, I was not looking forward to doing them!
As I walked, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me. "Why do you see the creative work you do as being anointed, but not the administrative work?"
I realized the Lord was prompting me to check my perspective. And the truth was, I did have a "hierarchical" viewpoint of anointing—I saw some things that I did as being more anointed than others!
By "anointed," I mean empowered by the Holy Spirit's ability, and infused with His presence.
6 Keys to Being Anointed
Sometimes, when it comes to serving God in our ministries, aspects of it are hard work. We are being stretched. If you can relate to this, here are 6 insights to help you encounter God's anointing in every part of your ministry:
1. Receive God's Anointing for Areas You Are Weak In
In any job or ministry, there will always be parts we excel in and tasks that we find difficult.
But if we view some aspects of a role, ministry, or responsibility as being frustrating or worthless, we will never bring those tasks into God's presence! (Photo via Flickr)
And we will never receive the empowerment He wants to give to us.
Sometimes, we think that anointing is only associated with excellence. But anointing is also associated with weakness.
• He anoints your excellence when your gifts are surrendered to Him.
• He anoints you in your weakness, as you lean upon Him.
Both are a witness to others, and both give glory to God.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
2. Recognize That the Anointing Is a Person Who Is Present With You
The Holy Spirit's anointing is not only for those parts of ministry we enjoy doing, or that involve the direct use of a spiritual gift!
Yes, there is a distinctive anointing that resides upon spiritual gifts and ministry offices (Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12), but we can also be anointed in every moment—because anointing flows from a relationship.
Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 NKJV).
When the Holy Spirit came upon God's people on the Day of Pentecost, He came to remain always; not to come and go! The anointing is a Person.
The Holy Spirit's continuous presence within you makes it possible for you to do everything—including tasks you don't want to do—to the glory of God.
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV)
3. Let God Reveal and Heal What's in Your Heart
Irritation and resentment can be like a stumbling stone that stops the wellspring of joy from flowing in our lives.
Even though I had embraced the start of a brand-new ministry—one that was undoubtedly God's plan for me—for a time, I wrestled over the load of responsibility that came with it.
Sometimes, the most powerful action we can take is to express gratitude for a role we have no choice in doing—when it is part of our (current) God-given assignment.
A couple of weeks later... (continue reading)
