Bible Study Event Evangelism Holidays Missions Prayer Community Outreach Family Ministry Leadership Development Organizational Helps Publicity Devotionals Finances Local Ministry Personal Development Spiritual Development

Reader Poll

What resources do you need most as you lead Women’s Ministries Unlimited! in your church? Leadership training Bible studies Ideas for meetings Outreach ideas Ideas for ministering to a diversity of women View Results

 

Leadership Development

WOW! What an Anointing

More than a label, it's a lifestyle

Early morning commutes can be a wonderful time for worship and prayer, and as a working woman my drive to the city is often spent that way. I've often wondered what other drivers must be thinking as they observe my lips moving in animated conversation, my head bobbing from side to side and one hand waving back and forth at no one in particular!

Recently during one of these mobile worship sessions, I was listening to a new CD when I became overwhelmed by the anointing on the music. My hair stood on end and I exclaimed, "Wow! What an anointing!" Immediately, the Lord spoke back and asked, "And what does it mean to be anointed?" I struggled with an answer. Powerful? Gifted? Unique? Above the norm spiritually? To be honest, I didn't know.

But I wanted to know, and He showed me.

"Take some… of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated" (Exodus 29:21).

"He has been dedicated [set apart] by the anointing oil of his God. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 21:21).

"Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; [and by so doing] consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy [sanctified]" (Exodus 40:9).

The definition of anoint is "to smear, daub, rub." On the other hand, the definition of consecrated is "sanctified, blessed, set apart, made holy."

Anointing is the action. Consecrated is the result.

Sometimes we have a tendency to say, "This music is anointed." or "That music isn't anointed." But the meditation of your heart—your desire to worship the Lord in any situation—is what "smears the anointing" on any song. It becomes consecrated unto the Lord the moment you use it to bring honor to Him.

Consider these often used phrases: "Isn't so-and-so anointed?" Or "There's such a powerful anointing on that ministry." Or "Oh! How I wish I had so-and-so's anointing!" If we were speaking accurately, however, we really should be saying, "Isn't so-and-so consecrated?" "Isn't such-and-such sanctified?" "That ministry is so consecrated." Or "Oh! I wish I were set apart like he is!"

The fact of the matter is, as followers of Christ, we are all set apart unto the Lord.

"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart . . . to be my own" (Leviticus 20:26).

"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them [set them apart] by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:16-18).

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leperosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). Notice the Lord doesn't limit this command to an elite few.

Powerfully consecrated, powerfully sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ. Holy because He is holy. These gifts are not something you should envy or covet from someone else. We are all equally endowed, equally empowered, equally anointed and equally consecrated.

"So then, no more boasting about men [or ministries, pastors, musicians, bands, songs, or sermons]! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas [Peter] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God" (1Corinthians 3:21-23).

CHERI HENDERSON has been published in Decision as well as other Christian magazines. She resides in Waynesville, Ohio and is a member of Christian Assembly of God in Middletown, Ohio.