Romans 8:37 says that "we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him Who loved us" (AMP). This means that believers in Jesus are empowered by God to have victory over sin and the things in this world that try to keep us from living a godly life.
The question is: What's the key to living in God's power and actually becoming more than a conqueror? The anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing is God's ability in you to enable you to do something with ease that you could never do in your own effort or without a struggle. Much like a car's engine that eventually won't run very well without motor oil, trying to do life without the anointing will make us powerless to do everything God created us to do.
Every one of us has a calling on our life, a plan designed by God specifically for us. But not everyone fulfills their God-given purpose and plan. Many times, people get distracted by other pursuits, or they get overwhelmed by a task that feels too big to handle, or they may even get caught up trying to do what someone else is called to do. This is a problem because if we're not living in God's will for our lives, we'll end up being anxious, sad and miserable.
Whatever the reason is for getting off track, lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is most likely at the root of it. You see, the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He is the One who leads each person to the work they are called to do. And He also supplies the anointing, or power, to do it.
John 14:26 (AMP) says that the Holy Spirit is "the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor - Counselor, Strengthener, Standby)" and "He will teach you all things." And John 16:7 (AMP) says He is sent "to be in close fellowship" with us.
So it's in our best interest to cultivate a personal, intimate relationship with God first and foremost. Because it's through a personal relationship with Him that He will, by His Holy Spirit, guide each of us according to His purpose and plan for our lives. And He will anoint, or enable us, to do what He has called each of us to do.
Make Yourself Available
The secret is taking time to get satisfied with God Himself. God's presence - His love and grace - is what we really need to be fulfilled and have His power in our lives. Andwhile we take the time to cultivate our relationship with God...simply loving Him and being loved by Him...we become consecrated to Him.
To be consecrated means to be set apart, or separated, for a purpose. It is a time when we receive discipline, guidance, wisdom and direction from the Lord. It's a personal time - between you and God - for you to learn His true character and how to trust His ways and wait on His timing. You will also learn how to make yourself available as He is ready to use you.
The Holy Spirit decides when and how to use His vessels. Our part is simple - to be available. It works like this: If I want a drink of water, I go to my cupboard for a clean, empty glass to use. The glass doesn't ask me what I'm going to put in it; it's just there, ready and available for me to use when I need it. But what if all the glasses are dirty or filled with something I don't want? Then I won't be able to use any of them as I planned.
So, be like a clean, empty, available drinking glass. Your time "on the shelf," is simply time to prepare yourself, by building your relationship with God. Then you will be ready for the Holy Spirit to use you however and wherever He chooses.
Have Confidence in God's Power in You
Your part also includes realizing and understanding that you are anointed. Everyone is anointed for something...called to do something. 1 John 2:20 (AMP) says, "You have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit]..." Believe that! Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I am anointed!"
It's very important to remember that we are anointed by the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior and become a new creation in Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). Don't let yourself fall into the trap of trying to get something you already have. You are anointed!
The way to release and let that anointing flow in your life is simple: obedience to the Holy Spirit right now! Cultivate sensitivity to Him and learn to follow His leading every moment of your life. And whatever you're doing - whether you are working on a detailed report for your boss, preparing a Sunday sermon for church, or making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for your kids - remember that you are anointed for this moment. Because the Holy Spirit is in you right now!
For more on this topic, order Joyce's four-teaching CD series How to Succeed at Being Yourself.You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.
Ladies, join Joyce Meyer for the 35th Annual Love Life Women's Conference September 21-23 in Saint Louis, MO. For more information, go to www.joycemeyer.org/lovelife.
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and 20 Ways to Make Every Day Better (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
