I once heard the story of a young man on campus who would not want to share his groceries with his hostel mates. He devised a strategy to help his stinginess. Whenever anyone asked him for stuff, he’d ask them to go read Mathew 25:9. This story made that verse of scriptures stuck with me. I need to pay prices to remain fresh.
Friend, you need to pay prices to remain fresh (Isaiah 55:1-3). Whereas some people have no oil, others are carrying insufficient oil. There are yet some whose oil is already stale. God wants us to go for fresh oil. God will anoint you with fresh oil (Psalms 92:10). But it is your job to keep the oil fresh. So, let me ask you today: Where are you in the anointing? Is it no oil, low oil, stale oil, or stained oil?
God wants your oil to be pure and fresh (Ecclesiastes 9:8, 10:1). This is the way to keep up with God’s purpose for your life. It is also the way to keep up with the demands of life and destiny. Fresh oil keeps you above the attacks and assaults of the devil. Fresh oil is not cheap. But it is also not scarce. A lot of people know where to get the oil but are not willing to pay the price (Matthew 25:9).
Spiritual fervency is not a mystery. It is also not difficult. We must just be willing to do the right things (Romans 12:11). We must be disciplined and dutiful to do the basic things. If you keep up with the basics of Christianity and remain consistent with them, you would remain fresh. Stop looking for big stuff. Just do the basics and stay consistent (Acts 6:4).
It has been said that the person who consistently prays 30 minutes to 1 hour daily would be better and stronger than the one who prays for 10 hours once a week or occasionally (Luke 18:1). When it comes to spiritual things, consistency is more important than the length of time. It is better to do the basics and grow gradually in them than trying to do big stuff occasionally (Philippians 3:10-14).
Fresh oil comes out of daily and constantly fellowship with God via prayer and the word, keeping the right relationships and getting involved with the right activities daily (Mark 1:35). Most times, we are looking for something new. But God is interested in something now. Something now may not be new, but it is what you need right now. Manna has to be fresh and daily (Exodus 16:15-31). You need fresh oil.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria