After being at a conference all weekend, it is nice to be home and to sleep in my bed. I had the privilege of hanging out all weekend with a group of women at varying stages of their journey with God. It was my joy to teach them from God’s Word. There were tears, laughter, hugs, hands raised to God, shouts of joy. God truly met with us.

Usually when I speak at conferences, the hosts are kind enough to put a gift basket in my room. Often it has snacks, stationery, lotions, beverages, and occasionally even a gift card. The basket is one of those bonuses that I am blessed to receive.

This past weekend, since I knew the person who invited me to speak, she and I talked about things to place in my room. I requested no food items, especially sweets, because I am really trying to eat healthier. I have a love affair with chocolate, and if there is a nice stash of that glorious treat, it WILL get eaten. Chocolate probably should have been on the list of gifts of the Spirit!

My basket this past weekend was quite amazing. Almost everything in there was made from essential oils. There were several different oils to use in my diffuser and fill the atmosphere of my home with a sweet fragrance. There was oil spray for the surfaces of my home to keep them from being overtaken by harmful things that I do not even see. There were shower steamers to place on the floor of the shower, and the instruction is to let them slowly melt as you shower and breathe in their wonderful, healthy aroma as it rises.

Oil, oil and more oil. The intention of the gift was that oil would touch every area of my life. Let it fill me and my home.

I could not help but think of the Holy Spirit being the oil for the believer. In the Bible, the oil of the Holy Spirit was poured over those set apart for the work of God. The Holy Spirit anoints us and empowers us to stand strong as we work for His Kingdom.

Oil feeds a lamp with fresh light every day. Holy Spirit will fill us with a fresh touch if we take time to sit with Him. Fresh light will come to the soul and fresh strength for the journey.

Oil was used for the healing of wounds that the body had received from life. There are so many wounds in the lives of people today. It brings comfort and healing to the wounds. We are in a dysfunctional world that readily wounds the heart and emotions. The Holy Spirit stands ready to bring comfort and healing to our wounds.

The Bible speaks of the oil of joy in Isaiah 61. There is a supernatural joy available to the believer.

These items in my basket were called essential oils. The word essential means absolutely necessary, highly important, or fundamental to the core nature of something. Allowing time each day for the Holy Spirit to touch our lives is essential oil. Breathe in His fragrance. Fill Your home with His fragrance.

The oil of the Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept, but an invitation to transformed living. This heavenly oil is available to saturate our lives and leave a residue wherever we go. The essential oil of the Holy Spirit makes us carriers of His presence.

Let it be as Isaiah said.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:1-3