Ron Sawka Ministries
December 1, 2021; Kislev 27, 5782
www.rwsministries.com
“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” (Matt. 25:3–4, ESV).
“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Heb. 1:9, NKJV).
“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon” (John 10:22–23, ESV).
Editor’s Note
Now in Korean—This weekly update and all postings are now available in Korean, as well as in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian. Contact info@rwsministries for more information.
The Oil of Gladness Comes from Dedication!
As I write this, we are in the Feast of Hanukkah (Nov. 29–Dec. 6). In the Maccabean revolt in the second century BC, the Jewish people were able to drive out the Syrian-Greek invaders. They cleansed the desecrated temple and rededicated it to the Lord. This included lighting and keeping the lamp (menorah) burning. They found they only had enough oil for one day, but rather than wait the seven days necessary to make more pure oil, they lit what they had. Miraculously, it lasted eight days. Thus, Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, as referred to in John 10.
This is an amazing picture of what God wants to do for us individually, as well as for His ekklesia corporately. When we dedicate our lives to Him, He anoints us with the oil of gladness (see Hebrews 1:9).
I have always wondered about the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. What did the five wise ones do so they had extra oil, and the five foolish ones not do that resulted in shortage? I think the explanation is “dedication.” When the Maccabeans took back the temple, of course they rededicated it to the Lord. After all, it was “His” temple and for His purposes. In the same way, we Christians—both individually and as a body—are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We read, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19, emphasis added).
We are not our own! Therefore I must dedicate my entire life to Him! Jesus bought or redeemed us with His blood. He gave His life for us. This means I am to live my life for Him and not for myself. I am not to be self-absorbed, self-centered, or narcissistic. As Paul said, we are “bondservants” (Titus 1:1). Whining, complaining, and murmuring are not allowed. Always insisting on “my rights” is not allowed. Being peeved with people who cross me or insult me is not allowed. My life is for Him and I need to make that choice—daily, if necessary.
I believe this explains the difference between the five wise virgins (dedicated to the Lord) and the five foolish ones (living for themselves) in the parable of Matthew 25. The more I live my life centered on Jesus, and as I continually dedicate myself to Him (and not myself), I will find the Holy Spirit supplying me with an abundance of oil. And this oil is one of gladness. Hebrews 1:9 states, “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness because He loved what His Father loved, and hated self-centeredness or lawlessness. His life was totally dedicated to the Lord and thus it was so powerful. That is what He wants for each one of us. The key is to make sure your life is totally dedicated to Him.
May you be filled with the oil of gladness as you live your life dedicated to Him.
Thanks for praying,
Ron and Teddy
Join Pete Sawka for “30 Minutes of Worship, 10:00–10:30 p.m., Sundays–Thursdays
Praise also is a kind of dedication to the Lord. By definition, we don’t praise because of what we can get from it. Rather, we praise because it is honoring to the Lord. But whenever we put the Lord first, He pours back upon us His unstoppable blessings.
You can continue to connect with Pete Sawka for thirty minutes of praise in Japanese, five times a week, Sundays–Thursdays, 10:00–10:30 p.m.
Blessings for Hebrew Month of Tevet
The Tenth Hebrew Month of 5782, December 5, 2021–January 2, 2022
Click here to register.
Broadcast Schedule
Below is a list and times (Japan Standard Time) of public meetings you can connect with via Ron’s public Facebook page.
Oil of Gladness—Apostolic Center. Sunday, Dec. 5, 20:30–21:30, English/Chinese.
Releasing Elijah’s Mantle—Prophetic Activation. Dec. 6 & 13, 20:30–22:00, English/Chinese. Registration required
Apostolic Center Training—Tuesdays, 8:30–10:00 p.m., English/Chinese. Registration required. Contact chinese@rwsministries.com to register.
Apostolic for Russia—Fridays, 7:00–8:00 p.m., English/Russian.
Morning Prophetic Prayer (MPP)—Mon.–Fri., 6:00–6:45 a.m., English/Japanese.
For more information or to connect with our ministry team, please write us at info@rwsministries.com or info@mppjapan.com.
Giving to Ron Sawka Ministries
I am so thankful for the new fields and assignments the Lord is opening up even during this difficult year of the virus. Our webcasting is greatly expanding and your financial support plays such an important role. I remind you of what David instituted among his warriors - even those who stayed with the baggage were to receive the same reward as the others (1 Sam 30:24). Thank you and be blessed.
You may also feel led to become an Apostolic Fund Supporter (AFS)/Fire Stater by pledging to give $1200 (US) or its equivalent for the year. Please be sure to send us a photo of yourself to help us in our praying of you.
Apostolic Fund/Fire Stater Commitment for 2021
Name:
Number of pledges:
Family members you want prayer for:
Nation:
Email:
Also please be sure to attach a recent photo of you and your family (if applicable).
Please send us this information with the subject line of “2021 Apostolic Fund Supporter/Fire Stater.”
Bank Info and Online Giving
You can give online by credit card at give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries
In addition to online/cc giving which can be used from any nation, you may give via the following:
JAPAN
Japan Post Bank: 029 Branch
Account No: 0142537
Account Name: CTF Japan
Account Code Number: 00250-6-142537
USA
CTF World USA, 2304 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703
Phone: 919-848-3063
Email: finance.raleigh@catchthefire.com
Please make out the check to CTF World. Be sure to clearly designate “For Ron Sawka Ministries.”
Taiwan
Bank: China Trust
Account Name: SAWKA RONALD WADE
Account Number: 42854-041347-0
Korea
KEB Bank 172-18-47989-8 Ronald Wade Sawka
KEB HANA BANK 249-890619-84307 Ronald Wade Sawka
Japan and Direct Deposits from Overseas
Account name/number: Ronald W. Sawka 93642377
Bank name: SMBC Trust Bank
Address: Nishi Shimbashi Square 1-3-1 Nishi Shimbashi, Minato Ku, Tokyo Japan 105-0003
SWIFT code: SMTC JPJT
Intermediate bank name and SWIFT code: Sumitomo Mitsubishi Bank Corp. SMBC JPJT
Singapore
POSBank 149-42129-7 (account name Ronald W. Sawka)
Canada
Since we do not have a Canada office, we suggest you use the credit card option give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries. (Unfortunately, the receipt is not tax deductible for Canada.)
Thank you for your giving!