Day 14a

Topic: Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Title: Lubricated for service

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Truth Verses: 1 Jn2:27 & Acts 10:38 As for you, the anointing you received from him

remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches

you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you,

remain in him…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and

how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil,

because God was with him.

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Truth Story: As a car needs a lubricant to protect the engine, our truth verses encourage us to seek the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit, if our Christian service is to truly be effective. The scriptures affirm that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us; empowering us to be God’s witnesses.

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In the story of the Good Samaritan, it is oil and wine, that has healing and mollifying properties, to help restore the life that is lying by the side of the road, hurting and broken.

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Truth Unpacked: In the New Testament the anointing oil is associated with Jesus and his disciples in miraculous healing. The disciples cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”  James, Jesus’ brother, encourages us that when people are sick, to call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

 ‘The Anointing’ was a compound oil mixture, prepared by Old Testament priests, used to consecrate and sanctify the tabernacle, its vessels and its priests. The Anointing oil was often applied as a symbolic act. In Bible times the practice of anointing with oil was frequently representative of God’s approval. We see this when both Saul and David are commissioned and inaugurated as King.

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Prayer: Lord, make my life like [the wise virgins in the parable] those who woke up and trimmed their lamps. Lord let me go to the one who sells oil and to buy some for myself. Come, Holy Spirit; without your holy oil nothing can bear your light, nothing is free from sin. Wash all that is filthy, water all that is parched, heal what is hurt within. Bend all that is rigid, warm all that has frozen hard, lead back the lost. Christ – the anointed one, who has the oil of joy - dispense your anointing afresh.  Amen.