My Cup Runs Over...

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." Psalm 23:5

Psalm 23:5 describes the potential for developing a personal lifestyle. The Lord prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He has anointed me with oil: my cup runs over.  Anointed with oil means we are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit causes our cup to run over with supernatural peace, improved health, renewed youth and unconditional love for people. Psalm 23:5 is a life of adventure; a celebration to experience the Holy Spirit working through us, to experience love in each task we put our hand to. It is living every day with thanksgiving, peace and joy, regardless of what is going on in our lives or in the world. Psalm 23:5 was given to us as a natural way to live every day, not just occasionally. There is no escape from the scriptural fact that experiencing joy with a giving, thankful attitude should be a natural way of life.

Nehemiah was a high official and a cupbearer in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11). He was a channel for God’s awakening at the time of restoration. He saw the importance of a joyful lifestyle. Ezra was the priest who was asked to read God’s Word before the assembly of men and women. When Ezra opened God’s Word, all the people stood up. After Ezra blessed the Lord, all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!” while lifting their hands, bowing their heads and worshipping the Lord with their faces to the ground. The people began to weep because they had not paid attention to God and His Word, resulting in a life of bandage. Ezra saw the people weeping and looking down when hearing God’s Word and said, “Go your way, eat the fat (the best of the best)…for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, (lift up your heads and behold your God; let go of your past regrets and self-condemnation), for the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9.

Scriptural Life Potential

1. “…the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9. My cup runs over with joy.

2. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11. My cup runs over with joy.

3. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.” John 16:33. My cup runs over with peace.

4. “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13. My cup runs over with joy.

5. “...forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:13. My cup runs over with the ability to ‘let go’.

6. “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:14. My cup runs over with love.

7. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks…”. I Thessalonians 5:16-18. My cup runs over with thanksgiving.

The scriptures listed above for a victorious lifestyle are just a few. It is our responsibility to pay attention to God’s Word and obey His commandments. God designed us to obey Him. The Holy Spirit increases within according to our obedience to God Word and to our belief. “…as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” Matthew 8:11.  Living life without Jesus is overwhelming and destructive. Humanism is a short-term, powerful force that will eventually let us down, leaving a convenient excuse for old age. Emotional inspiration does not last; time is the best teacher. Speaking and acting on God’s Word in the ‘now’ is the road to our future. This is what I say everyday: Because of Jesus Christ, there is always plenty; my cup runs over. I accept God’s prepared table; it is mine to receive. I believe, I speak, I receive; never earned, never deserved. The ‘anointed with oil’ is that day I understood the riches of God in me is the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, You are my blessing of Abraham (Galatians 3:14). Thank you!

Pastor Jimm