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Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed - Week 1 Summary |
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Written by Monica Wamsley
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Monday, 08 March 2010 12:07 |
Viewer Guide Session 1. Speaker: Priscilla Shirer
The Anointing: Established and Empowered
I Chronicles 14:2 - And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
David knew that the LORD had established him as king. That word 'established' is the same word used in Psalm 119:90 which talks about the Lord establishing/founding the eard. The same God who set the world in motion, sat David on the throne. David knew this.
David was anointed by the prophet Samuel at age 15 but didn't actually take his place as king of Judah until age 30. Then, he had to wait another 7 years before he bacame king over all Israel at age 37. Just think, David had to wait 22 years for the fulfillment of the anointing to be king.
David's first desire as king was to bring back the ark of God into their presence. David desired God to be the central focal point of their lives. No one had inquired of the location of the ark during the reign of Saul. David wanted to correct this oversight.
As soon as they heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, the whole Philistine army came out against him. (I Chron. 14:8) Opposition will come against the LORD'S anointed - count on it.
Week 1, Day 1:
Handpicked By God
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. John 15:16
We are 'elected against all odds'. Priscilla tells us that "God chooses us, so our confidence rests not in our faithfulness but in His." Aren't you so relieved that we need to just trust him, as David did, and trust in our own strength or faithfulness to carry out His will for our lives?
Each of us is picked, by God, for a purpose. He wants men and women who, like David, reflect His passions. We choose our response to God's work in us. We should 'walk in a manner worthy of the calling' Eph 4:1.
Week 1 Day 2:
Centered on God
David had 22 years of waiting to see the fulfillment of his calling, his anointing. He used those years to learn in whatever place God placed him. The day after his anointing, he was back out in the fields tending the sheep - fighting off lions and bears. His next job was delivery boy to his brothers who were on the front lines with the army serving King Saul and cowering from a giant named Goliath. Then, (let this one blow your mind) his next job was serving the current king - the very position David himself had been anointed to take at some point in the future. But David did it, with his whole heart! Oh, that we would be as faithful in the places God would have us work and serve! So what if where you are isn't where you want to be? Is it where God wants you to be? That is what matters!
Priscilla talks about having a 'God Consciousness' or a God-awareness in our daily lives. That's what David was after by bringing the ark back into their city. The question to us is this: Do we live each day with Christ at the center of our lives? Is His presense in our daily living?
Lord, if your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from this place. Exodus 33:15.
Week 1, Day 3:
Sustained By God
Day 3 centers on the opposition of the Philistine army after they heard David - this little kid from long ago who had killed their hero, Goliath - had been crowned king over all Israel.
When David heard the army was coming out against him, he went down to meet them! He didn't cower in fear. But before he went down to meet them, he inquired of the Lord as to what his actions should be.
In our lives, we are going to face opposition. And more than once. We see by David's example in I Chronicles 14:10-16 that he sought the Lord's leading not just the first time the Philistine's attacked (which resulted in a great victory for David and his armies) but for an additional attack that came right on the heals of that first victory. Satan doesn't care if we are in a place of victory. He'll attack when he thinks he can gain ground. Once again, vs. 14, David inquires of the Lord and received very different instructions as to how to fight this time. Every spiritual battle is different and God may have a different battle plan. The thing you did, said, or prayed last time may not be the same thing that brings victory this time. Seek God for new instructions each day, each struggle, each battle. Trust that He is in control and that he is your source and sustainer. (Matt. 6:30-32.) "It's our responsibility to seek God. He is responsible for the outcome." (Priscilla's words.)
Be anxious for nothing, .....let you requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6
Week 1 Day 4:
Established By God
Our adequacy is from God. II Cor. 3:5 - NASB
The outcomes or successes of those things we feel God is calling us to, has anointed us for, is dependant on the 'centrality of God's authority' in our lives. (Priscilla) God calls us for His purposes. We are prepared. God sets things in order, just as he set the world in motion and established it's distance from the sun in order to sustain life on Earth. So He establishes our lives - with purpose. And He will equip us to fulfill those purposes. He's not going to leave us hanging. He wants us to rely on Him, because the things he calls us to accomplish are bigger than we can handle. Everything we are, everything we can be, is for the glory of God. We can not bring glory to Him on our own. We need Him. He establishes and equips us to bring Him Glory.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:16 - NASB
But by the grace of God, I am what I am. I Cor 15:10.
Week 1 Day 5:
Positioned For A Purpose
I Chronicles 14:2 - And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
David's specific anointed was not so that David could be honored. David was chosen to serve a specific generation at a specific time. He was called to serve his generation. So are we placed in our own generations for God's specific purposes. It's no accident that you are who you are. And it's not for our own sakes any more than David was called for his own sake. He was called for the people Israel. Priscilla puts it this way, "The assignment itself is never the bottom line of God's choosing you. His goal is that through your full obedience to His call specific people in your generations will be blessed and encourages to follow Him more fully."
It's about the people, not the programs. I love Priscilla's statement, "Mothering is not the ultimate goal of being a mom, revealing Christ to the children is." This is so true for every aspect of our lives. My job as an RN is not just to help meet people's physical needs, it's to minister to the whole person spiritually. Sometimes that can be done openly and sometimes it has to be done with silent prayers. An office job is not about quarterly reports or time cards and paychecks. It's about the poeple you work with. Who specifically is God calling you to minister to?
Remember, it's about people, not programs. You are called to your specific place at this specific time to minister to specific people that God has placed in your care. Don't be overwhelmed. He's offering all the guidance you need to accomplish the task at hand. It's your job to make Him the central focal point of everyday living. Then He will do the work through you. Your responsibility is to seek Him.
For David, after serving his own generation in God's plan, fell asleep, and was buried with his fathers. Acts 13:36 - HCSB
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