Preaching - The Oil of Joy

I thought giving sermons would be difficult, getting the timing and knowing how much to say and such. While preparing for the weekly sermons, I realized that first the message was for me. I take Wednesday night as my prep night and that gives me (and the Lord) a few days to let the message minister to me over and over. God would convict me of the lies I have believed and the truths that I was going to proclaim. I found out that deciding how much to talk about and how to teach the subject wasn't that hard after many years of lesson planning.

I have been reading both Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson and The Pleasures of a Loving God by Mike Bickle. I want to give my students who God says He is and who He says we are. Without teaching the truth, there will never be a change. We are studying the many characteristics of God - as a Bridegroom and as a Father. I preached on the God of gladness and studied on the oil of joy.

I had a dream last week about the oil of joy. I dreamed I was taking a spa vacation. I had a long soak in a bath tub and after that, the attendant said it was time for my oil of joy treatment. Oil was poured over me from the top of my head and it ran down my body to my feet. Following this, I stepped out of the shower into the room and praise music was coming from the tv. A voice asked me, "So what is the perfect response to the oil of joy?" I didn't even have to think to answer, "Dance!" I started dancing in that room.

Now, if I could really do this in a worship service at school, I would. Once a keyboard player is raised up, I would be able to. For now, I'll dance in my heart and spirit. I heard someone say this, your level of willingness to dance is a reflection of how free you realize you are. I'm free!