I'm not sure any of us can even define the anointing. I think it's unexplainable, undefinable, and uncontrollable. But I want it. I need it. And I can't do anything without it. I'm not trying to get hyper-spiritual here. But you know when you have it and you know when you don't. On one level, it's not something you can man-u-facture. But I do think purity and humility are the keys to unlocking the anointing.
I was so grateful for God's anointing last night. More powerful than jet lag. I felt like it gave me the energy and clarity I needed to speak.
The longer I preach the more cognizant I am of this fact: my words don't mean anything without the quickening of the Holy Spirit. I'd rather have people hear one word from the Lord than a thousand of my sermons!
My prayer coming into 2009 was simply this: a greater anointing. Honestly, I don't even know what that means or how it happens. Just keeping it real. But I know I want it and need it. And I feel it. I preach with more conviction now than I did six months ago.
By the way, I am so challenged by something RT Kendall said: "If I do not experience a fresh anointing every day, it is only a matter of time before I will become yesterday’s man." The good news is that you don't have to become yesterday's man! Seek a fresh anointing. Be filled with His Spirit. Be filled with His Word. And watch Him do things in your life that are way beyond your human ability!
I was so grateful for God's anointing last night. More powerful than jet lag. I felt like it gave me the energy and clarity I needed to speak.
The longer I preach the more cognizant I am of this fact: my words don't mean anything without the quickening of the Holy Spirit. I'd rather have people hear one word from the Lord than a thousand of my sermons!
My prayer coming into 2009 was simply this: a greater anointing. Honestly, I don't even know what that means or how it happens. Just keeping it real. But I know I want it and need it. And I feel it. I preach with more conviction now than I did six months ago.
By the way, I am so challenged by something RT Kendall said: "If I do not experience a fresh anointing every day, it is only a matter of time before I will become yesterday’s man." The good news is that you don't have to become yesterday's man! Seek a fresh anointing. Be filled with His Spirit. Be filled with His Word. And watch Him do things in your life that are way beyond your human ability!
4 Comments:
Thanks, Mark. I needed to hear that.
Your words last night were anointed last night.
It was great meeting you last night at the book table after service. My wife Monika enjoyed helping take care of you and mentioned how much she appreciated how down to earth you are.
Thanks for coming to WA, your words were stirring.
Thanks,Pastor Mark--really needed that post today!
Michael
Thanks, Mark. Enjoyed your workshop at Catalyst last week, but wished I'd had a chance to greet you! That place was packed. I was standing up at the door.
I think no one explained anointing better than Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “To me there is nothing more terrible for a preacher, than to be in the pulpit alone, without the conscious smile of God.”
One of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ favourite stories “was of an old Welsh preacher who was late coming to the church. Thinking he had forgotten the appointment, one of the congregation was delegated to fetch him. He could be heard behind the door of his house speaking to someone, ‘I will not go and preach to those people unless you come with me.’ ”
— Tony Sargent, The Sacred Anointing: The Preaching of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, p. 38
Post a Comment
<< Home