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Showing posts with the label Anointing

What's your enemy doing for you?

There is a long story in the Bible about the plight of David, chosen by God to be the next king of Israel, being ruthlessly pursued by the King Israel had hand-selected for the job, Saul.  If you have ever read the accounts, you know the history reflects Israel seeing all the surrounding nations with kings ruling over their countries.  They want to have the same - so they insist to God his rule is not enough - they want a man to stand as king.  Although God discourages them from doing this, he allows it.  They appoint Saul - a good man at first, but he was out of his mind at times - a character trait no one wants in their king.  God works behind the scenes to raise up the one he will anoint to replace Saul - David.  Until such time as Saul is ready to step-down from his throne, David must serve Saul.  His service starts in the courts of his throne-room, playing his harp to soothe the king.  It is this very service which has him right in the place ...

Bullies Beware!

  3  Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night— You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.  4-5  I'm not trying to get my way  in the world's way.  I'm trying to get your way,  your Word's way.  I'm staying on your trail;  I'm putting one foot i n front of the other.  I'm not giving up.  (Psalm 17:3-5) There is a national summit coming up about the effects of "bullying" in our schools today.  The issue has risen to the level that our government is actually stepping in to created "anti-bullying" laws and to present information that will help both parents and educators identify the "signs" that kids are being "bullied".  Isn't that a sad state of affairs for a nation to find itself in?  The need for a summit to address the effects of bullying!  David is facing some "bullies" in his life when he pens these words.  In fact, verse 7 says, ...

Ears, Hands & Feet

Moses then presented the second ram, the ram for the Ordination-Offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head. Moses slaughtered it and smeared some of its blood on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Then Aaron's sons were brought forward and Moses smeared some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.  (Leviticus 8:22-24) This ordination-offering and the anointing of Aaron and his sons seems a little extreme in light of our present day worship experiences.  We don't bring live animals to church with us to present on the altar, nor do we anoint individuals called into service as ministers with blood from a slain animal.  So, what does this passage have to do with us today?  I think we can take a lesson from the anointing that might help us in our own undivided worship of the King of Kings - Jesus. We d...

Agents of change

Before you know it, the Spirit of  God  will come on you and you'll be prophesying right along with them. And you'll be transformed. You'll be a new person!  "When these confirming signs are accomplished, you'll know that you're ready: Whatever job you're given to do, do it. God is with you!" (I Samuel 10:6-7) This passage is taken from the story of the anointing of Saul, the first King of Israel.  Samuel is the prophet in the land at the time.  He had been sent by God to anoint Saul.  In turn, Samuel is telling Saul that he will receive some "confirmation" that God has anointed him.  Those "signs" will be: 1) He will encounter two men at the tomb of Rachel who will share news that his father is worried about his whereabouts and he should return to home; 2) He will come across three men on their way to worship - each carrying a different thing (goats, bread and wine); and 3) He will meet a group of prophets coming out of Gibeah (...