Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this beautiful Friday eve. The week is quickly coming to a close, and I'm so grateful. Saturday is the last regular season football game for the Gonazaga Eagles. I missed the last two, so I'm looking forward to this one. It's another rivalry game against St. John's. Both teams hold the same record, so this will be the deciding factor for which will make the playoffs. They're not playing at either team's home filed, because of the large crowd, and so they could meet on neutral turf. This sounds serious, and I hope the best team (Gonzaga) wins. It's been a great season, and I'm grateful that the boys are still healthy, and there aren't any serious injuries. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Next up, Basketball season! I'm very excited about that, because it’s my game. I plan on starting a Non-profit organization in the future, which will offer after school programs for teens and young adults, and hopefully we'll be able to have a basketball team. Please pray for that project, I know it may be far off, but it’s been a passion of mine for years. Have a blessed and wonderful day, be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about God's anointment. I wanted to share two definitions of the word Anointed: a.) To choose by or as if by divine intervention. b.) To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to. God choose each of us from the creation of the world, and when we accept Jesus as our Savior we're anointed with the Holy Spirit. There are several stories in the bible of people being anointed with oil, and that was a done as a form of consecration, or sanctification. People had this oil that was prayed over and blessed by God, and when anointed with it, they’re “set apart as sacred”. In the Old Testament days, people had to be anointed with “Holy” oil, to have extra protection. In most cases God spoke to someone and told them who or what to anoint and when. For example, when Soldiers were going off to war, some would be anointed during or after prayer, for protection and strength. Now that we have the blood of Jesus, we're anointed with the Holy Spirit, and He protects, guides, and strengthens us every day. The Lord Jesus covers us, and our salvation is sealed, and could never be broken. It's written: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Do you know the power you hold, because of the anointment of the Spirit? We no longer have boundaries, but could do all things through Christ. We've been given awesome power to complete all tasks set before us, with confidence, joy, and peace. When we're under the protection of the Lord nothing could come near us without His say. Ignorance is very prevalent in the Christian community, because we barely understand our anointing. We're great men and woman of God, and He's given us authority to rise above anything or anyone that means us harm. In John 12 there's a story about when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with a jar of very costly oil. Judas was upset with her, because he thought that the oil could've been sold and the money used to feed the poor. Jesus says verses 7-8: “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." Mary knew the importance of anointing Jesus, and without her knowing she did a great thing, and it showed her appreciation and love for Him. To be chosen by God is a precious gift, and no matter what we've done in the past, if we understand that Jesus died for our sins but now lives, and we believe it with our whole heart, we're covered forever. God anointed us with a very costly sacrifice to prepare us for physical death, which will ensure that our Spirits rise, and live forever in Heaven. There is nothing more to worry about, if you're saved you've been. You 're ready to face the world with no fear, shame, or regrets, because you are saved and sanctified with the Holy Spirit. Get to know Jesus for yourself, but if you don't know Him pray right now. If you're afraid, pray. If you're scared and lonely pray. If you're heartbroken and hungry pray. In all things pray, through Him you have all authority. My favorite verses today are: He which ... hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455141&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5569835&ct=7613839

I love you!