Archive for January, 2010

More Soaking in the Anointing

January 31st, 2010

There is more to soaking in the anointing. My dad for many years worked in a lumber yard. It was hard work and many nights when he came home he would take a bath. This was a time for him to soak in warm water. This soaking was for cleansing and for removing the pain of sore muscles. After he had soaked for a few minutes he was ready for the night. He was ready for play, concerts, sports, adventure; what ever the night had in store. This soak restored; he was clean and refreshed.

We need this type of soaking as well. Prayer is a powerful ministry; it also requires regular cleansing and refreshing. If you are carrying a burden in prayer, the identification with the needs of the people and the battle against the enemy is just that, a battle. It can be long hard work and we need to have time with God to soak in His anointing; to be cleansed and refreshed.

To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

Isaiah 28:12 (NKJV)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19 (NKJV)

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The Anointing

January 29th, 2010

Jesus’ Disciples grew and matured in their faith by spending time with Him. He would often take them aside to a quiet place where they could spend time together out of the crush of people. This time was used for teaching, training, rest, fellowship, questions and answers, and much more. It also was time for the Disciples to soak in the anointing of Jesus Christ. As they soaked they were changed. They were changed from looking like the world to looking more like Jesus. They began to change in their habits and desires from the way they had grownup into the new men they were to become. These fishermen and men of many walks of life were changed into Disciples.

We need this same type of treatment; we need to soak in Jesus and His anointing. We can learn a great deal about prayer. We can change our habits and practices; we can learn to pray. However, to be truly effective in prayer, we must pray with the anointing of God. This comes only by spending time soaking in His anointing; it is caught, not taught. The anointing is an agent of power; it breaks yokes and destroys burdens. Prayer is a force of change, reaching out to God and receiving answers from God. The power for these changes, the power to receive answers is by the anointing. We need His power and anointing in our prayers.

It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

Isaiah 10:27 (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:7-8 (NKJV)

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Prayer Fills Needs!

January 25th, 2010

There is much for us to do, for family, jobs, church, missions, and nation there are great needs. To be successful in the things we do we need prayer.

Prayer Gives Laborers

The number and efficiency of laborers depends on prayer, it depends on our prayers. In every measure of labor, prayer makes the difference.

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV)

Prayer Gives Potency

The might and strength of labor, the opportunity for labor increases by prayer.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (NKJV)

Prayer Opens Doors

Prayer opens wide their doors of opportunity for laborers. It provides for access, placing the laborer in position and opening hearts to the message. It gives a holy boldness, determination, resolve, and steadfastness.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NKJV)

Prayer Gives Fruitfulness

Prayer makes productive the things we do, giving us fruit for our labor.

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:9-10 (NKJV)

Prayer Fills Needs

Praying men and women are needed in all fields of spiritual and secular. There is no position in the Church which should be filled, but by much prayer. There is no position that should be maintained, but by prayer. Praying men and women are needed for every business, as well as every church, to order and direct business and activity, not according to the maxims of this world, but according to Bible precepts.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:9 (NKJV)

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12 (NKJV)

The success of an enterprise and its efficiency are determined by prayer.

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Are You Looking for a Route to Success? Then Pray!

January 22nd, 2010

Prayer succeeds when everything else fails. Often, far too often, people try everything first before prayer. People try help from other people, help by using money, help from the government, and other sources. They are willing to look for help anywhere, even if there is no assurance of success. However, there is a source that is available and far too often left untapped. What is that source? God answers prayer. He is willing and able to help us in our time of trouble and need.

 

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15 (NKJV) 
 

 
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15 (NKJV)

Prayer succeeds when everything else fails. Prayer is the source of great victories and triumphs. Even in times when things looked as though there was no hope; when things looked the bleakest, and seemed to be impossible. Pray has brought answers from God. It has seen a turn around and the seemingly impossible made possible.

How about for you today? You are facing difficulties, trials, and problems. Some of these seem as though there is no possible solution. The situation seems to be impossible. Now is the time for prayer, now if the time to seek God and His amazing answers!

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Change the World – Pray!

January 16th, 2010

We face many difficult situations; all around us there are problems, disasters, heartaches, and struggles. Science and technology have made inroads to some situations, but often have brought other problems. Governments have made laws and rules to govern the life of people and sought to control problems. The results have been poor at best and often lead to dictatorial solutions that leave men worse that before. Education claims to be the source of answers, but once again the results have not lived up to the claims. People have more education, but they are not smarter and the problems continue to rule the life of most people. There is a source of power, a source of answers, that far exceeds any of the methods tried by man and its answers come with blessing.

This course of power is prayer. Prayer is amazing; God does powerful things when we pray. He unleashes power that overwhelms needs, hindrances, and problems. He is the most powerful force of the universe. He has designed prayer to be a means of focusing His power. When His power is focused, there is nothing that can stand in His way. Like focusing the light of the sun with a magnifying glass, prayer focuses God’s power.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 (KJV) “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (NKJV) “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (NLV)
 

The prayer of a righteous person has power and results. This person is empowered to pray. The empowerment is from God, He makes His child righteous.
 

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) 
 

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;   Philippians 3:9 (NKJV)
 

If you are in Christ, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and His righteousness empowers you to pray. He has chosen to give the trigger to His power to men and women who will pray. However, this is not enough; God also provides the strength to pray. God makes you able. God enables us to pray. He has placed with each of His children the empowerment to pray. This power is not ours alone, but is ours with and in Him. As we walk with Him, we can pray and see His power and results. With this power available to you, would it not be wise to learn all you can about prayer? Would it not be wise to seek God and His requirements for effective prayer? Would this world be different if you would become the man or woman of prayer that God planned for you to be?

Once place you can go to learn more is Voice of Thanksgiving. Come subscribe to the Voice of Thanksgiving newsletter and each week you will receive a teaching on effective prayer. I promise you, you will never be the same! Make a real difference learn to pray!

 

 www.voiceofthanksgiving.com

 

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Plan for Succcess

January 13th, 2010

Looking for success? Then prayer is what you are looking for. Prayer succeeds when everything else fails. Often, far too often people try everything first. People try help from other people, help by using money, help from the government, and other sources. They are willing to look for help anywhere, even if there is no assurance of success. However, there is a source that is available and too often untapped. God answers prayer and is willing to help us in our time of trouble and need.

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15 (NKJV) 
 
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15 (NKJV) 

Prayer succeeds when everything else fails. Prayer is the source of great victories and triumphs. Even in times when it looked as though there was no hope. When things looked the bleakest, pray has seen a turn around, prayer has seen answers.

Great Success Comes to Those Who Seek God and Pray!

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Checking for Hindrances

January 9th, 2010

Effective prayer makes many demands on those who long to be successful. Having faith and a close relationship with God and dealing with fear, doubt, and unbelief are just a few of the steps to become a champion of prayer. There are many things that work to keep us from prayer and especially from effective prayer. All of these hindrances must be dealt with so it is a good time to clean out the things that would hinder our Christian life and our prayer life. Please carefully read through theses verses. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you need to make changes and corrections. And lean on Him to help you make corrections.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.     2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)

 

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.     2 Timothy 2:20-22 (NKJV)

 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.     James 4:7-10 (NKJV)

 

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)

Champions of prayer regularly check to be sure they are prepared. They deal with everything that would hinder effective prayer. How is your preparation for effective prayer? Are you ready for a season of use as a vessel fit for the Master?

Champions of Prayer Make Corrections!

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God’s Revealed and Empowered Plan

January 5th, 2010

People are interesting they have plans and goals, but often are unable to follow through. The example people use is resolutions to workout. The gyms around town are filled with people. The joke is that you do not make friends with anyone until February. The rub here is that most of the people will be gone by then, their resolution will have faded and their workout plans will have to wait for next year. This happens in a wide array of situations, we do okay with starting things, but finishing is another story. The problem is more than just lack of resolve; we get caught up in the world around us. Much of the problem centers on our attempt to be accepted. This forces us into doing things we do not want to do; we get caught-up in being modern, relevant, or valuable. The harder we try the more unreal we become. It becomes a vicious circle. If we are not careful we become someone we don’t know and do not want to be.

This same problem is often found in Christians. Most of Christianity is caught-up in being modern, relevant, valuable, and helpful. And because of this to often we have lost our way. We no longer have a message coupled with power. Too often we have abdicated our leadership position by looking and acting like the world. We have lost our voice by making our message sound appealing. In many places it is difficult to tell the difference between the church and a social club.

This is true in every aspect of Christian life, especially prayer. In an effort to be loved by the world and a rush to be like the world, many people have thrown out prayer. It is not surprising that few people pray. People think that if there is no power in prayer, why spend the time. So while people are busier that ever, with feverish activity abounding, most have forgotten the call to prayer. This is sad because prayer is still of great value and power. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth; it also is a force of change. The Father is looking for men and women of prayer; especially men and women willing to learn to pray fervent, effective prayers that avail much.

 

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

As we begin 2K10 who are you going to be? Are you going to chase after the world and its ways? Are you going to be someone you are not? Or are you ready to be the person God made you to be? God has a great plan for your life and He reveals and empowers His plans by prayer.

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2K10 The Year of Prayer

January 3rd, 2010

It is nearly impossible to fathom the significance of prayer. There is nothing in all the arsenals of man as powerful as prayer and nothing as all encompassing as prayer. We have practiced prayer for centuries and volumes have been written about it and still we have yet to measure its depth and breadth. Throughout history there have been remarkable men and women of prayer; they are examples for us all. Yet, even with these examples, and perhaps due to the awe-inspiring nature of these examples, we struggle to relate to them and their life of prayer; we are overwhelmed by the power of their prayers. For example, Elijah prayed and there was no rain for three years. That is power in prayer.

 

We are tempted to place Elijah and others like him, those incredibly powerful in prayer, in a special category of mankind, people with special powers, people who have a special relationship with God. While these people do have a special relationship with God, it is the same type of relationship that could be ours. However, instead of developing this relationship, we try to make a case for these people and claim that God listens in some special way to the prayers of these people. This thinking is contrary to the Bible; God is not a respecter of persons. He does not single out people for special benefits and limit others. Power in prayer is available to all, but not all have made themselves available for this power. While some people in the Bible are kings and queens, privileged in position and power, most are common people with no special qualification, other than their uncommon relationship with God. Great men and women of prayer have been, and are today, common men and women with an uncommon relationship with God. You can be one of these and be a man or woman of power in prayer. 

For 2K10 Be Effective in Prayer

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