Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session Two ~ The Anointing: Directed and Guaranteed

I'm a little late in updating notes from Week Two of Priscilla Shirer's teaching. It was so rich with God's Truth that I almost don't know where to begin.

Priscilla opened this session with a cute story about working out with her girlfriend. She talked about how her friend's face while doing numerous sit-ups turned from one of contortion to sheer joy when the friend noticed the trainer standing over her watching. Priscilla asked her audience how our attitude would change if we were aware of our Trainer's presence? Good food for thought, don't you think? For her friend (as well as for us) everything changed when the trainer came near.

Priscilla pointed out to us that God isn't looking for perfect women. He's looking for passionate women. He honors our heart, not our actions. Isn't that great news that He doesn't expect us to be perfect? Phew! What He does desire though is for us to have a heart centered on a life focused on Him.

The Lord sees our passion and even after faulty attempts He still says "That's my girl". We have a Father whose heart for us is LOVE.

Priscilla next challenged us by asking, "What will having a God-awareness cost you or change about you? What a challenging thought. She assured us that having that God awareness will cost us something and cause us to make decisions we would not normally make. She reminded us that we have an enemy that is just waiting to kill, steal and destroy. He wants to kill our hopes and dreams, steal our families and joy, destroy our self-esteem and heart for ministry. During our week of homework though we were reminded that our enemies' bark is worse than his bite. He's on a leash and he can't really get to us... he just makes us cower in fear.

What we need to remember though is although the anointing not only guarantees opposition, it also guarantees access to God. God knows ALL of us and He STILL wants to be our friend. Isn't that cool?! Prayer is our most potent method available to fight the enemy.

David was a great example of someone who listened to God. His example shows us that the most important think that we can have is a fresh, ongoing, intimate relationship with God and we saw that in 1 Chronicles 14. As David asked God for wisdom, the Lord gave him detailed instruction. Our God is able and He is a God of breakthroughs.

Priscilla reminded us that one way we can know we've probably heard from God is when we "hear" the most non-normal thought that can only be God. This thought led to Priscilla's next point which was that the anointing also guarantees us specific, divine direction from God.

Priscilla shared with us that the more we know God, the more clearly we are able to hear Him. Prayer is one of the ways we develop our relationship with God. She shared wise wisdom she gained from Henry Blackaby: "The more you know God, the easier to hear Him and understand when it's His voice speaking to you." We get to know His personality, His character, His speaking history by spending time in His Word. How much time are we spending getting to know God?

Priscilla's last point was that not only are the anointed guaranteed opposition, access to God, and specific, divine direction from God, but also we are guaranteed supernatural results when we obey God. When we walk in obedience to God, we can ask Him for the miraculous without fear.

Our last session with Priscilla ended with a two question challenge:
1. Does the anointing live in you?
2. If you know it lives in you, why aren't you accessing it more?

Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session One ~ The Anointing: Established and Empowered

What a fantastic first week we had at both the Thursday Abide and Abide PM Tuesday night, as we gathered around to watch, for most of us, our introduction to the wonderful speaker Priscilla Shirer as she shared with us important principles on knowing Whose we are and who we are.

At the pinacle of David's success in 1 Chronicles 14:2, David understood that all he was and had was because God placed him in the position of King over Israel.  That same power that God used to establish the earth is the same power that God used to establish David in his role as King and us in the places and position God planned for us.  No one can take away what God has established.

One of the amazing things Priscilla shared with us was a long monologue of sorts, I like to call "Who's Your Daddy".  If you're interested in a copy of this unbelievable list of God's attributes and accomplishments to and for us, email me at clarksonabide@gmail.com and I'll send you the word document listing these character traits of our Almighty God and "Daddy".

David was anointed for his role as King at the young age of 15.  According to 1 Samuel 16:13, God wasn't concerned with his outward appearance.  It was his heart that interested God!  The same goes for us.  God doesn't care how tall we are, if we've gained a few extra pounds, if our hair is gray or our face is wrinkled.  He doesn't care if we're married, or have children.  He cares about how we love Him and others.  He cares about how committed we are to Him and the things He loves.

One of the awesome things about anointing is that it happens for us today, the moment we accept Christ into our hearts as our Saviour.  The Holy Spirit comes in and takes up residence in us and at that moment we have ALL of the Holy Spirit and all His power, strength, glory and greatness of God within us.  Doesn't that blow your mind?  He is our anointing and the power within us that gets the job done for God!

Oh, there will be opposition, just like David encountered once his full anointing came into play when he became King over all of Israel.  Those Philistines were ready at the bit to defeat this man because David knew that His power came from God.  He made his first mission as King to bring back the Ark of God which represented God's presence.  The Philistines wanted none of that.  Just as God empowered David (and David sought God's presence and guidance  in every aspect of this battle), He will also empower us to fight our enemy.  No matter what season of life you find yourself in, God has equipped you for this time.  You aren't there by chance, even though it may feel differently.  God longs for us to make Him the central focal point of our lives, whether that's caring for little ones, working for a difficult boss, watching over aged parents, or just driving down life's highway with the convertible top down and the sunshine pouring over you.  God longs for us to have a perpetual "God-consciousness" or "God-awareness" that will make us unstoppable against the forces of evil.

What represents God's presence to you today?  What opposition are you facing as you try to keep a God-consciousness through  your day?  Like David, seek God's face in each aspect of your daily battle and watch Him defeat your enemies!  We serve a Mighty and Awesome God!

Be blessed today my friends.  Oh... and if you want to join in the fun we had at Abide this week, remembering that our appearance doesn't matter to God, take a look at this Anita Renfroe video:

Abide PM KickOff

Last night was an answered prayer realized.  Not only by myself and our Abide Team, but also by our wonderful hostess, Ellen.  Abide PM was "in the house"... or rather Ellen's house and it kicked off wonderfully!

There were 9 of us sitting around Ellen's spacious family room:  some old friends, some new friends.  We ranged in our ages and life situations but none of that mattered, especially as we got to know one another during our "Smarties" ice breaker game.  (It was informative and a delicious chocolate treat!)

At the end of the evening we reviewed what the next 10 weeks entailed, and then spent time praying with and for one another.

This is going to be a great group of ladies and if you're able to join us, or need more information on joining us, contact me or one of our Abide Team at our email address ~ chartwellabide@gmail.com.  We'd love to answer your questions and have you abide with us Tuesday evenings at Abide PM.

Abide Launch Photos

One of our ladies was thinking last Thursday!  Koreen brought along her camera to catch on film... or rather digital card... our launch of our Fall Abide program.  Here's some photos from our first Thursday morning together:

What would Ladies' group be without delicious snacks?

Gotta get a Study book to follow along

Always good to catch up with friends!

Welcome to Abide! 

Filling everyone in on the study 

Thanks again Koreen for these digital memories of our first day back to class!

Ready, Set... Abide!

This morning was our exciting kick off to the 2010-2011 Abide season.  We started with a table full of delicious goodies, tea and coffee before getting into our morning program.

We had about 30 women come out for the new Fall session.  As facilitator, I was trying to find a fun way to rally the troops so what could be a better September song than Welcome Back Kotter from the 70's t.v. series that kick-started John Travolta's career as Vinnie Barbarino?  If nothing else, it helped relax me... if only a little!

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

This morning was a general introduction morning:  introduction of our new Abide Team for the year ~ Laura, Linda, Melissa and myself, Sue; introduction of our new study; and introduction for some to women they might not otherwise know via our ice-breaker game.

In order for the women to get acquainted with someone they might not know very well, Melissa led the women in a game of "similarities".  Each woman was to find someone to share 5 things they share in common.  For some the similarities were driving the same make of car, wearing glasses, and same number of children.  Some found their similarities were actually their differences.  It was fun to hear a few groups of women share their answers!  

After announcements, Anne came to lead us in a wonderful time of worship.  It was a special time of focusing on God's love.

We ended our morning by introducing our small group leaders, Melissa/Laura, Nirvana and myself and then the women broke off into their groups for a "summer highlight" time and prayer.   It was a fabulous morning of fellowship!  Next Thursday morning we begin our first DVD, led by Priscilla Shirer entitled "The Anointing: Established and Empowered".  Hope to see you there!

Devotional Thought for Today

In my morning quiet time, today's devotional thought from Sarah Young's book "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" reads:

TRUST ME in the midst of a messy day.  Your inner calm -- your Peace in My Presence -- need not be shaken by what is going on around you.  Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity.  When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you.  Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.

Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective.  Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.  The Peace I give is sufficient for you.

John 16:33; Psalm 105:4; John 14:27

I needed this Word from God today.  How 'about you?

 

 

Gearing Up to be Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed

Come one, come all... Ladies of Clarkson... to join us in our new Fall 2010 session of Abide and  Abide PM.  This September we're going to be starting a DVD series by 3 phenomenal teachers:  Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur, studying the life of David in their Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed study.  Here's a little video clip for you to get a taste of what we'll be enjoying.

Come learn with us on either Thursday mornings at the church at 9:15 a.m. or Tuesday evenings at a home (to be announced) at 7:15 pm, beginning Sept 16, 2010/Sept 21, 2010.  


If you need more information or are feeling called to participate in this ministry, please don't hesitate to email our Abide Team at clarksonabide@gmail.com.  There are still a few places where we could use your gifts and talents.    We'd love you to find your place among us!  See you in September!