The Anointing

What is the anointing and how can we receive it? Why should we receive it?

There are so many times when 2 different bands play the same worship song and in pretty much the same way yet one gets a much better response. Why is that? I believe it is because of anointing. Yes, there is talent involved but anointing overrides talent every single time. If we are a leader we can choke out the anointing. If we want our people working for us to have an anointing we have to pursue the same anointing. The anointing is simply where God is.

Exodus 30:25-29 says, "25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy."


The purpose of the anointing oil in the old testament was to purify or anoint where God was or what was most holy. Now, because Jesus died and the holy of holies no longer exists like it did then it now exists in us as believers. The word "Christ" literally translated means "Anointed". According to scripture in Romans 8:11 we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead. In John 14:12 Jesus talks about how because he is going to the father we will do even greater things than him.

All of this study and more would lead you to believe and I believe that we all have the same anointing. But we are still stuck with the question of why does it seem that the Spirit's anointing is more on one person or ministry than another. I believe it is because one has learned to walk and live in that anointing and one has not. 1 John 2:20 says, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One." John is speaking to the church here and reminding them that they know the truth because of their anointing. He is encouraging them to walk in that anointing and put off the anti-christ. The language he uses seems to be that he is reminding them of what they have which you could say that they weren't walking in it at that time.

What would our church or ministry look like if the leaders walked in the anointing of God everyday? What would our church look like if we all, as believers, walked in the anointing of God everyday?


I think that if we all did this the presence of God would be so powerful when we got together as believers that the fire would come. The fire of God. The passion of God. The revolution of God would come to our city and it would never ever be the same.


Father, may I walk in your anointing today. May you guide my steps. May your Spirit's presence be upon me. Use me father to start a revolution.

Amen!

Inauguration

What an exciting day! Barack Obama will be installed as the next president of the United States today and that is very exciting. It is for many reasons that it is exciting. Obama represents the hope that Americans have for a better America, he represents unity that we so desperately crave, he represents the african american community that has been discriminated against and there are people who thought they would never see a black president. No matter where you stand on the political side of things you have to be excited about today's historic events. In my opinion no matter where you are at on this issues today is a day to put those aside and celebrate this historic event.

Immerse Update

Immerse is going strong. I am really excited about what God is doing in Immerse and I can't wait to see what he does in the future. We have been steadily growing as a ministry and we are looking to expand even more. This past week we had 140 people in attendance, we built an interactive Jewish home to signify where Jesus was born and the sacrifice that it represented, the Holy Spirit really showed up in Worship, and we had some awesome videos. God really moved in a powerful way. Praise Him!

Last night we had another Community Outreach event and we reached out to some folks that aren't in our target group but are definitely on our hearts, the elderly. We Caroled in an elderly community and touched many different people thru carols. It was awesome.

We have over 60 people in 8 community groups that consider themselves Immerse. We are anticipating multiplying at least two of those groups over the next year. God is definitely moving.

Socially we are playing some football tomorrow morning in North Brunswick if you would like to join us. We are planning a dinner in February and something fun in January. People are getting connected and it is neat to see.


God is moving in people. The ministry is all about reaching and connecting people to Christ. Pray for us. Encourage us. Support us in any way you can.


Merry Christmas!

Gifts

I just wanted to let you know that this Christmas our Community group is Conspiring against our culture. We want to build a well in Africa for those that need fresh water. I personally am doing this by taking my Christmas gift budget, cutting it in half, and giving that half to this organization that builds wells. I was inspired by this video called Advent conspiracy.

Or click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

The goal is to raise 5,000 dollars which will provide a well for a whole village. We figured this was an attainable goal if our friends and family joined us in the effort. We also thought it was cool that when we meet our goal and the well is built, we would be given the exact GPS coordinates and an actual photograph of the well. Rob Larsen our Immerse Community Group Coach is running point on this. He set up a page on charity water's website: http://www.charitywater.org/pages/roblarsen/


This is the season for giving so why don't we all conspire to give a gift that we all take for granted to a group of people who's lives will be changed forever.


Please join us in this effort!

Goals

Today Josh asked each of the strategy team members to report the goals we accomplished over the last year and what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. It is tough to find a good measurement of success in ministry. Ultimately growing numbers of people coming to your ministry and coming to Christ show success but it may take years before you see any fruit of your labor. I feel like at Princeton Alliance we have developed some good barometers to measure if you are doing your job. It isn't perfect but a good test.

Here is what I reported for the Immerse Ministry. Praise God for all that he accomplished this year in our ministry. I have to ask myself am I setting goals that stretch me and that are beyond my limits. To me if I am reaching my goals, coming close, or going beyond my goals then maybe my goals aren't big enough. I want 2009 to be a year of goals that only can be reached if God is involved. Stretch us!

In 2008 we started the ministry known as Immerse. This Sunday will be our 12th month and God has brought us so far!

Here is what I wrote in my report:

1. Monthly worship service 

                GOAL: Average 100 

               Reality: Averaging 118 this fall

2. Community Groups 

                   GOAL: 8 Viable Groups 

                   Reality: 7 and 1/2 Viable groups (we sent 4-5 people to a non-Immerse group)

3. Community Service/Outreach 

                   GOAL: Monthly Outreach Project 

                   Reality: 1-2 Outreach projects per month

4. Campus Partnerships 

                   GOAL: 5 partnerships at 2 of the 4 major campus' 

                  Reality: 8 Partnerships at 3 of the 4 major campus'

5. Internships 

                   GOAL: 5 Interns 

                  Reality: 9 Interns

Praise God!

Missions

Should ours lives as Christians be dedicated to Missions? If we are committed to Completing Christ's Mission he left us in Matthew 28 then we should be. God is teaching me that completing the mission is holistic. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Notice it doesn't say: some of you will go to Jerusalem some of you to Judea and some of you to Samaria. I do think as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12 some of us are called to different things specifically. This can be translated in our context as specific calls to different areas but we are all called to Acts 1:8.

Do we make excuses for not going to the ends of the earth because our specific call is to Jerusalem?


God disturb us, break us, shatter us, destroy us, mess up our current thinking to complete your mission.

Tis' the Season

This Holiday season is filled with lots of activities. There are many things to keep us busy like decorating, Christmas films, baking, football, basketball, concerts, church, serving, etc. This past week has been filled with all of the above. I had fun: seeing Rutgers dominate Louisville and Dominating Manhattan Madness. I did some good: Our Immerse ministry went to The Rescue Mission in Trenton and sorted clothes, blankets, and coats to be handed out to the homeless. I heard Trace Bundy place some amazing music and bought some of his CDs for a Christmas gifts. All in all a great week. But you know what, my wife and I missed on quality time. A lot of us this time of year commit to DOing. We have long lists of to dos and miss out on just being. Just be with your family and most of all this holiday season be with God.

In all of your to do lists this holiday season ask yourself Is what I am about to do taking away from being with immediate Family and God? If so, then don't do it.

Have a great christmas season!