RELEASE THE ANOINTING

1 John 2:20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁰ But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things.

This scripture tells us that we are anointed of the Lord. What this means is that we have a special and powerful unction from the Lord. This is not the same type of anointing that is done for healing but is instead is believed by most Biblical scholars to be the anointing of the believer in the Holy Spirit by Jesus. We literally receive the same anointing that our Lord has. What He possesses becomes ours by a supernatural transfer of anointing. When the Holy Spirit comes in and indwells us, what God has given Christ comes into us and gives us access to an understanding of God's will and purpose. Most of all, as we consider this verse in context, this anointing and presence of god in us gives us understanding of who the TRUTH is....JESUS.

This is the key to all ministry and power to accomplish what God has called us to do. To KNOW Jesus and have assurance of WHO He really is....this is one of the most important revelations that the believer can have. Without that revelation, all our service, all our devotion, will yield little results. This is the foundation of effective service and ministry. As we grow in relationship with God we see that anointing increase because the more intimate we are with Christ because of that relationship. True knowledge of the nature and character of someone creates a larger degree of confidence and TRUST....FAITH INCREASES. 


The important thing for us to learn is how to release the anointing of God that is within us. The way that we release the anointing is through faith and faith expresses itself through action. In order to see God work in through us we have to "do" something....pray....speak....give....touch....the true expression of God is that our anointing interacts with those who need it...people. We are surrounded everyday by people who need a touch from God. The very best things in life happen when we allow God's power to flow through us in the little things of life...those God appointed times when we have the opportunity to reach out and touch someone with the love of God. Don't wait, let the anointing in you come forth as you release the Holy Spirit in you on others...healing, deliverance, salvation, and provision are right there inside of you...Christ in you the hope of glory...that's what I have been thinking...

IS AMERICA SINKING IN A SELF-MADE PIT?

Proverbs 14:34

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³⁴ Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

I have been considering the admonition of someone to keep my "religion" and politics separate. This I can not and will not do. As I myself consider that I an not a "religious" person, but am, instead, a man who is in deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When I met Christ as Savior, He radically changed my heart and over the years I have been renewing my mind through the word of God. I will be growing in grace and mercy until the day I breathe my last breath. This kind of relationship changes everything, and that includes your worldview. I can't separate who I am in Christ, from politics, work, family life, hobbies, or any other area of my life. 

This nation was founded by men who for the most part - 51 of the 55 who signed the Declaration of Independence - were men who were strongly professed Christians. If the lives of these men are studied it is obvious that there political views were shaped and formed by their relationship with Jesus Christ. As they expressed themselves in their writings they often referred to this country as the great experience founded on the principles of freedom and Christian morality. John Adams wrote: 

"And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle"

His supposition was that there is no way to separate the good of the republic and the morality that flows from its people's relationship to the Lord Who gave us the heart for freedom. If we are to ignore the standards and convictions that we have and abandon our the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the things that shape the future of our nation, those who have no moral compass will certainly vote their views. It is the duty of every person who calls themselves by the name of Christ, to express the revelation of God through His word and do our best to return the land to right standing in the sight of God. I am reminded of the scripture that says it well. The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made; in the net which they hid is their own foot caught. I believe that our nation is sinking in the pit that we have made ourselves and needs to repent and turn back to the ways of God.


My prayer is that every deed done in darkness will be brought to the light and that the Body of Christ will stand up and do the right thing...not the democratic platform...not the Republican platform, but those who best express the convictions and nature of the Lord God Almighty. I know when I vote...I will pray and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I encourage other Christians to do the same. That's what I have been thinking...

LEAD US NOT TO TEMPTATION

Matthew 6:9-13

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

I have been thinking about the next statement in this model prayer, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." What does this exactly mean to us and why did Jesus instruct us to pray this way? 

The Christian is always in the process of being "led" by God in everything we do. Especially in the Old Testament the people of God were constantly aware of God's leading them. Consider the pillar of fire by night and the cloud of smoke by day. The Children of God were making every move according to the leading of their awesome God and this thought carried over and continues today. 


We know according to the New Testament that God doesn't tempt us so what are we to make of this part of the prayer? Well, as I reflect on this I see how faithful our God is that He should lead us into the path of righteousness and right relationship to Himself.  The Psalms especially speak of God leading us in His own ways. Along with leading us in the paths of righteousness it is also implied that He would lead us "away" from unrighteousness. Therefore, the plea to our Lord to lead us away from temptation is shows the desire of the believer to avoid the presence of sin completely. Our prayers to the Lord express confidence in the fact that our God and King has power even over the evil one. 


This can also be interpreted to mean that we are asking God to deliver us from the trials that we face. As we consider this, we know that sometimes we face trials that are ordained by God. This plea could be our hearts cry for only the will of God to be done in us and to us. The Lord has promised us not to put more on us than we can handle, but I believe in this sense the prayer is asking for God to grant us the wisdom not to enter into trials of our own making. Knowing that we are where God wants us, doing what God wants us to do, when God wants us to do it gives us confidence that we can trust Him in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. 


I pray that I can have that confidence and know that where God leads is peace, love, and light. Then I can say, "Yet though He slay me, still will I praise Him." That is what I have been thinking..."

LORD'S PRAYER: FORGIVE TO GET FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."


And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. This is what I've been thinking about. 


We are always very interested in getting forgiveness for the things we have done. This part of the model prayer reminds us that our forgiveness is conditional. On what? - How we forgive others. This scripture brings us to the story that Jesus told about the man who owed LOTS of money to his lord. He begged for forgiveness of that debt and it was granted to him by the lord. He immediately went out from that place of forgiveness and encountered someone who owed him a much lesser sum. The undeserved gift of forgiveness he received from his lord was quickly forgotten and he insisted on being paid the debt. This was observed by some who knew the situation and it was reported back to the lord who promptly had him seized and taken to the torturers. This is a brutal reminder that what we receive we must also give.


When we wrong someone, we have all our excuses lined up in a row to justify our actions and demand forgiveness. We take forgiveness from God for granted because he is a forgiving Lord who is full of grace and mercy...we forget that He is also a God of JUSTICE! If we fail to be forgiving of others the word of God tells us that it blocks the flow of God's forgiveness to us. Remember that the scripture says that God is not mocked and whatever we sow we WILL REAP. If we walk without mercy toward those who might wrong us, we will reap unforgiveness from God as well. As we walk through this world people will offend us. It can't be avoided because people will be....well, human. they will sin and offend. We must be ready to forgive them. The best way to do that is to live with the attitude that we have already forgive them before they commit the trespass. In the old testament one of my favorite verses declares that "great peace have they that love God's law and nothing shall offend them." Loving God with all our heart means loving others the same way.


Think about how you have sinned against God and His loving nature. As you consider that, also consider that if you want forgiveness to continue to come your way, you must also let that forgiveness flow through you to others...how have I been doing at this?..that's what I've been thinking about...