#84 God's Anointing Confers Blessings

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Anointing is the
divine enabling for activity and ministry done in Christ's name and for Christ's 
glory. It rests upon the life and ministry and specially crowns and blesses Christian ministry.

   But it is not reserved exclusively for so-called "Spiritual" activities. It is God's extra touch upon your mind, skill, effort, memory, emotions, and strength. (Google image, Christian ministry)

#83 The Anointing is Knowable

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: A number of Bible terms and descriptive phrases point out God's special enabling through the Holy Spirit. 

   Among these are the following: "the Spirit of the Lord came upon," "the hand of the Lord came upon," "the power of the Lord came upon," and the "anointing of the Spirit.

Power of Prayer

		Lee Forbes
So many are the challenges that face us everyday And with each is a reason that we need to stop and pray For God to make us witnesses to all that He can do When we lay all before the cross where He makes sinners new For all of us are sinners all of us know not the way To really be effective in the way that we should pray Unless we spend that special time where God can help us be Reflective of His perfect will that lives in you and me When we are full abandoned to His will and way for men Who will not want not choose not to be slaves again to sin But want more than the air they breathe to live for Jesus Christ Who gave His all upon that cross to be our Sacrifice That we be more that people who have access to God's throne But be a pure reflection of what He has always shown To be His Law of Righteousness that lives and reigns in love That endlessly proceeds to us who seek His throne above Where is the power and Majesty that rules the hearts of men Who choose to follow in the path that He will lead us in The path where all who know Him not but see us everyday Begin to see His Light in us that leads them to the Way Where all who will give all to Him will more than know His will But will experience His grace that He's providing still To work the works of holiness wherein His love abides That heals the broken of their past and by His Spirit guides His people as His children who by faith want more to be The channels of His holiness more than iniquity That He through them might touch the world in ways it's never known That when He comes He'll reap the fruits of seed that they have sown The fruits of souls surrendered to the purpose of God's will Each morning in their prayer time as they felt His Spirit fill Their emptiness with purpose and the wisdom for the day To meet the many challenges they thought would come their way And more than meet to conquer by the power of Jesus name The power of the enemy who seeks to cast his blame Upon us but is vanquished by the power of God through prayer Because His Presence stays with those who take Him everywhere 2 Timothy 3:12-17; Mark 10:14-15; James 5:15; 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 Lee Forbes (Google image, Trust in God!) Unlocking the power of prayer    Father, help us see the reason we need to stop and pray to be witnesses to others of what You can do.    When we lay our needs before the cross, where You made us new, may we become effective in the process of showing others the way of salvation.    Our desire is that we will reflect Your perfect will that lives in us, to show the power and Majesty that rules in our hearts.    Help us choose to follow in the path that will lead us everyday to see Your Light, and can help us to lead others in the Way of peace.    May we learn to give all to Christ, that we may experience His grace that You are providing still.    The works of holiness wherein Your love abides, will heal the broken of our past by Your Spirit's guidance.    As we choose to be channels of Your holiness more than iniquity, may others be touched in ways they've never known, and reap the fruits of righteousness sown.   We ask for this in Jesus' name. Amen. Today's Bible verses-        Gal. 5:22, 23 (KJV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love,        joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,         (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."        Eph. 6:10, 13, 18, 19 (NIV) "Finally, be strong in the Lord         and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that         you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (13)         Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the         day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,         and after you have done everything, to stand. (18) Pray         in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and                         requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on         praying for all the saints. (19) Pray also for me, that         whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so         that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."      Today's quotes: ~ Jill Savage- " God often does His best work in the challenges of life . . . if we'll let Him. So the hard parts of life are really the heart parts of life. It's where we're molded and shaped to be more like Him. It's where our character is formed. It's where we get the opportunity to move out of the driver's seat of our life and let God do the driving. So what's normal in your life these days?" (Taken from her "Life on The Edge of Normal" posting.  Jill offers the following for those who have, or know of someone preparing for college:  FREE College Packing List. ~ Victoria Byson- "Satan has come to kill steal and destroy, but be of good cheer. Our LORD has OVERCOME THE WORLD! (Jn. 10:10; Jn. 16:33) Our heavenly Father has the right to govern mankind, because He first created us and then again sent His Son to save us (Jn. 3:16). He is our true Ruler and we will need to choose who we will serve: God or satan? (Joshua 24:20) Do you want to rebel against the Lordship of God and govern yourself or will you surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords? Because to the pure, He shows Himself pure, but to the wicked, He is hostile" (Ps. 18:26). (Taken from her post: Father God Says, "DO NOT FEAR,             I Am Exposing the Plans of the Enemy!" Today's guest post- Physical and Spiritual Rest: A Dynamic Combo Jane Ault- "I did not write a blog post last week. I felt too tired and stressed. I needed rest. God is patiently teaching me to take care of my body in a way that honors him. Physical rest goes hand-in-hand with spiritual rest." Today's question-      What does it mean to Grow in Grace?    Like Jill said above, "God often does His best work in the challenges of life . . . if we'll let Him. So the hard parts of life are really the heart parts of life. It's where we're molded and shaped to be more like Him. It's where our character is formed. It's where we get the opportunity to move out of the driver's seat of our life and let God do the driving."  This next notice is of a great series in video-teaching for folks who'd like to reexamine their faith, or even investigate Christianity, as compared to other religions! We're watching them weekly, so will view #8 next week! I highly recommend them! Startingpointsearies.com A great series of 8 videos by Andy Stanley, on starting over again in our faith, and learning to be more solid in the faith we've had since childhood. He compares religions, and shows us the true value of Christianity. It is great for doubters, non-believers as well as those who have faith to some degree. List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed! Upcoming posts-      #83 The Anointing is Knowable 28th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel      #84 God's Anointing Confers Blessings 30th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel           Where's God? 9/1- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout      Prayer, Trust, and Waiting on the Lord Remove Weariness. 4th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel Falling for Baby Jean's blog  (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Healing Thoughts and Prayers Jean's Craft Brochure Samples of Jean's crafts http://twitter.com/jeanoathout http://facebook.com/jean.oathout Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  Jean's published book Paper back $7.95 (Be sure to "look inside" to see contents through the 2nd devotion)

#82 The Anointing is for You

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: When the Holy Spirit gives you new birth, you receive His abiding presence. "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Rom. 8:9).

   The Spirit witnesses to your salvation (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 5:6, 10). But you also have the Spirit's ministry in many other ways. One of these ways is His anointing of your life and service. (Google image, Worshiping God, God's way).

#81 You Can be an Anointed Leader

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: In Old Testament days kings, prophets, and priests were anointed with oil to set them apart in a special sense for God and His service.

   The oil symbolized the Holy Spirit coming upon them both to set them apart and also to give them special divine enablement. (Google image, Anointing a priest). [This is a great post for further reading]

Practicing the Presence

   Max Lucado- How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect His unseen hand on my shoulder and His inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? (Google image, Prayer for beginners).

 Here are a few ideas: 

#80 God Desires that We Leaders Weep

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: God spoke through Joel at a time of His imminent judgment upon the nation because of its sins: "let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar.  Let them say, 'Spare your people, O LORD' " (Joel 2:17).

   The religious leaders of the nation were responsible to intercede with weeping for the nation. (Google image, Weeping Prophet Jeremiah)

#79 Men Who Served the Lord with Tears

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Paul testified to the Ephesian elders, as he looked back over his several years of ministry among them, and now bade them farewell.

   "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord . . . with tears" (Acts 20:18-19). (Google image, No more tears, this is a great post).

Have You Been to the Water?

   Jean Oathout: Have you been baptized? Do you even know the reason why Christians are to be baptized?

   Let's find out what the Bible says about this from the very first believers, what they did and said. (Google image, Baptism, Excellent message!) 

#78 Your Ministry of Tears

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Yearning intercession for your people often enables God to anoint your heart with tears. 

   Tears in your heart as you intercede alone, as you speak of Christ personally to the spiritually needy—inner tears as you minister publicly and as you look out upon your community and your world—these can add spiritual power to your leadership and ministry. 
(Google image, Jesus praying)

#77 Maintain a Special Prayer Burden for the Youth

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The Youth. Maintain a special prayer burden for the youth and your ministry to them even though you may have a youth pastor.

   Pray for (1) an adequately planned ministry to them; (2) the salvation of each; (3) an expanding ministry to youth outside the church; (4) God's call to Christian service for youth of His choosing; (5) training or employment for needy youth; (6) strength to withstand the special temptations of youth. 
(Google image, Youth Group).

#36 Intercession Improves Ministry

C. Peter Wagner, from his book, PRAYER SHIELD, tells us "It is not a simple matter to conduct the type of research that proves or disproves the power of prayer.

However, Nancy Pfaff, an intercessor, church growth consultant and founder of Nevada Church growth has attempted it. (Google image, Praying pastors). 

Made Up Minds

   Merlin Carothers- Have you ever awakened with the thought, "This going to be a difficult day?" If that happens to you again, could you change your mind?

   I awakened one morning and was reminded of several pains in my body. I thought, "This going to be a bad day." Then the words of a song came to me, "Whatever will be will be." What a sad thought. (Google image,Woman holding her head).

#76 Suggestions for Your Prayer Role

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Regardless of your leadership role—pastor, teacher, Sunday School leader, lay leader, youth leader, missionary—adapt this to your situation.

   1. Plan your intercession for your people. You will be sure to fail God and your people unless you have a regular prayer plan for your intercession times. If anything in life is worth planning, surely this is. (Google image, Man with uplifted hand).