DO YOU WANT SUCCESS OR THE ANOINTING?

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

I was talking with a young leader recently about following the call of God, and in the midst of our conversation I heard the Lord say, “DO YOU WANT SUCCESS, OR DO YOU WANT THE ANOINTING?” I had never considered this comparison before, but it went straight to the heart. 

Success by today’s standards – especially in the Church – seems to be measured by a prestigious title, a recognized name, or the size of one’s social media accounts. And yet, all of those are “rubbish” if they don’t carry the presence and aroma of The Anointed One. We’re being reminded of this higher call that doesn’t look anything like the world’s.

Success may bring you invitations, but it’s the anointing that will set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Success may bring you a large following, but the anointing can disciple entire nations (Matt 28:18-20). Success may bring your name before stars and celebrities, but the anointing brings a King’s reward (Psalms 45:7). Success may bring notoriety and monetary gain, but the anointing will secure a crown for all eternity (2 Tim 4:8). Someone successful can market their strategy, but the anointing cannot be bought, nor does it come cheaply.

[We are] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

This tangible force that can change an entire generation only comes through a life that has been humbled, broken, and willing to lose it all for the sake of One. It only comes when one is willing to bypass the good, and even the better, in order to obtain the best. And it usually takes longer. For those who choose the higher road, the process of waiting is what purifies the oil within and increases its value for its appointed time of release.

To those feeling overlooked or forgotten in fulfilling your destiny, know that you have not missed it. Your time of being hidden is not a sign of rejection or an indication of failure. Rather, it is an invitation to the anointing. Embrace the season of preparation and allow the oil of His presence to saturate your being. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke, and it is those who are willing to yield to its process that will be the carriers of that promise.

This generation does not need someone successful or well-known to set them free. They need someone who carries the oil of heaven. Those thought to be small in the world’s eyes are about to release heaven’s fragrance, and the aroma will bring all men to their knees.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda Alger

Wanda Alger

Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.

Comments

28 Responses

  1. Absolutely, rather be hidden in darkness than prancing around Centre stage covered in glitz .

    All that glistens is not gold ( or good )

  2. Thank you so much Wanda for these articles …. I have been listening to similar teachings like this one . I’m so encouraged and excited to see how God is going to use me to help bring in the harvest …. so many exciting things happening and I feel very excited to be living in this particular time ! The last three years have been such an amazing journey with the Lord and I have been changed in so many ways and have grown so much closer with the Lord just by reading His word and spending time with Him on a daily basis ! I listened to a similar teaching from David Hernandez and it was so amazing and touched me and encourages me to continue to pursue an intimate relationship with the Lord ! I hope He uses me in ways unexpected . I will do my best to accomplish His will on this earth !!!

  3. Thank you Wanda for this update about the anointing. I have been a Christian since 1997 and still feel as though I have not done much for the Kingdom even people say I have blessed them. I think sometimes we wait that big opportunity to feel significant. My prayer has always been for the Lord to use me.

    Gif bless you and the ministry He has given you!

  4. good word and on target – reminds me of a word Yeshua gave to a missionary who’d allowed 20 yr of hard soil toil only to see a new generation reap the harvest and get all the credit by “man” wherein He told him “do you want to be free of your bitterness, anger, resentment, envy etc? My Father and I have given the credit for our records to your and your wife”. That man had allowed what he saw in the world to influcnce him and Yeshua had to remind him that it’s only God’s credit that matters

  5. Agree completely. Thank you for your newsletter. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year 2023. Things need to get better with God in every area of our lives.

  6. Powerful teaching and how true! The timing of this message is important. The body of Christ needs to remember this right now. There is a lot of work to be done and we need to be prepared. I’ve been hearing that over and over to prepare.

  7. Outstanding post Wanda! This was very encouraging indeed. This message resonates strongly with me. I have been lamenting my lack of impact for the Kingdom for some time now, and feeling more and more urgent about making a change. I have been maturing as a Christian in many ways over the years, but I work a secular job and wish sometimes that I had transitioned to some kind of ministry years ago. I’m hoping and praying that God will use me powerfully some day, hopefully before too much longer. I’m reminded that I can prepare myself for that without a title or position or advanced degree. Your post encourages me that the many things that we consider important won’t result in a powerful ministry, but only the all-essential anointing of the Spirit.

  8. Thanks so much for your sharing this message. I have been in the ministry 40 plus years and struggle with the feeling ( real but not always true) of being overlooked or what you are doing is less than. This has been an encouragement to me.

  9. Thank you Wanda for sharing this message & for doing all that you do in your ministry to share our Lord with us and others. Praise the Lord!!
    Martha

  10. Wanda, these are some wise, anointed words. Thank you for your willingness to listen closely in the spirit and share the knowledge that is revealed to you. I send my love to you in Christ Jesus!

  11. My life verses are 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, I have found that it is “brokenness and repentance we find our salvation” and our life in Christ. Thank you for this word of encouragement and reminder to stay focused on losing ones life, that we may gain our life in Christ, that others will see the face of Jesus in those who have chosen the lower road. May the church be renewed in this call and vision, that the world will see the Glory of God in His people. God Bless the ministry

  12. Hello Wanda,
    Thankyou for this message…very timely, in this hour we need to remind ourselves .
    I’ve been following your messages the Father has been giving you for His body for some time now.
    I have to say, I really like what you share, both the difficult and the encouraging messages..
    The road has been very difficult having been striped 3 times ,(wealth, homes, cars, friends, positions of leadership,( not for disobedience, but because the Lord said remove yourself and sit with ME),…
    I am aware the way up is down,(humbling becoming un important),(that is Not a reflection of HIS view of us, just part of the process),…been over 25 years….
    I do hope Ihave a chance to meet you personally, on this side of Glory!! YOU ARE DEFFINETLY PART OF HIS REMNANT….
    And those who are attentive to the heart beat of the Father and are serious in placing Him first in this hour, willing to allow Him to display His splendor through His chosen remnant, without taking ownership of the Anointing or Glory,(His splendor) are going to walk with Him in this next coming move God ,(which I believe is NOT going to look like anything we have yet seen of experienced).
    Only Joshua and Calab came out of the wilderness into the promised land….a remnant …………….

  13. Thank you Wanda for reminding us we’re citizens of Heaven and not of this world. You said it plainly that no one can miss it

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