Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Pink Impact Workshop
The podcast of all the Pink Impact Workshop teachings (including mind) are now available. You can use this link http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gateway-church-pink-gateway/id391032261 or you can go to www.gatewaypeople.com under the adult tab, click on Pink and then choose the link on the right hand side titled Pink Podcasts!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Love & Appreciation
Several days ago I was returning a text and I went to type I love and appreciate you. I glanced at it and thought for an instant that sounds a little repetitive. As I got ready to erase some of it the Lord spoke to my spirit. He said love and appreciation are not the same thing.
As I began to think about it I saw how true it was. I can "love" a lot of people in my life (my husband, my boys, family, friends, etc) but am I appreciating them in my life. Do I tell them I appreciate the things they do for me? Do I show them I appreciate them by my words and actions?
The Lord had me take it a step further. He said you say you love me but do you appreciate me? It was a real eye opening thought for me. I do absolutely love the Lord but do I always appreciate him and do I show him I appreciate him?
One of the definitions of appreciation is an active thankfulness. Am I actively thankful to the Lord or I am constantly wanting/desire for more from him. When I spend time with the Lord is it mostly about what I want or need or desire for him to do in me or through me or do I appreciate (actively thank) him for what he has already done, is doing and will do in my life.
So I want to challenge you as I have been challenged to appreciate the Lord in your life. Show him your appreciation in your words, actions, the way you live your life. Show him active thankfulness in worship when you feel like it and even when you don't. Psalm 107 is a psalm completely focused on thankfulness. All 43 verses express appreciation to the Lord. It starts in verse 1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies." That psalm ends in vs 43 saying "If you are really wise, you'll think this over -it's time you appreciated God's deep love." MSG
No matter what our circumstances, feelings, or the world says God is a good God and so worthy of our love AND appreciation!
As I began to think about it I saw how true it was. I can "love" a lot of people in my life (my husband, my boys, family, friends, etc) but am I appreciating them in my life. Do I tell them I appreciate the things they do for me? Do I show them I appreciate them by my words and actions?
The Lord had me take it a step further. He said you say you love me but do you appreciate me? It was a real eye opening thought for me. I do absolutely love the Lord but do I always appreciate him and do I show him I appreciate him?
One of the definitions of appreciation is an active thankfulness. Am I actively thankful to the Lord or I am constantly wanting/desire for more from him. When I spend time with the Lord is it mostly about what I want or need or desire for him to do in me or through me or do I appreciate (actively thank) him for what he has already done, is doing and will do in my life.
So I want to challenge you as I have been challenged to appreciate the Lord in your life. Show him your appreciation in your words, actions, the way you live your life. Show him active thankfulness in worship when you feel like it and even when you don't. Psalm 107 is a psalm completely focused on thankfulness. All 43 verses express appreciation to the Lord. It starts in verse 1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies." That psalm ends in vs 43 saying "If you are really wise, you'll think this over -it's time you appreciated God's deep love." MSG
No matter what our circumstances, feelings, or the world says God is a good God and so worthy of our love AND appreciation!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Pink Impact 2011
For those of you who were able to join us for Pink Impact I hope God imparted great hope, encouragement, freedom and life to you. I know he did to me.
Since my workshop at Pink Impact, I have been asked by several people if I speak at other Women's events. Absolutely I do. If you are interested in having me speak for your women's event just email me at adanawilson@yahoo.com. Also the workshop podcasts should be up in a few days you can download them at www.pinkimpact.com.
Let me encourage you Ephesians 2:10 "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which you have planned in advance for us." You are created to do good works and God planned them in advance for you to do them!!
Adana
Since my workshop at Pink Impact, I have been asked by several people if I speak at other Women's events. Absolutely I do. If you are interested in having me speak for your women's event just email me at adanawilson@yahoo.com. Also the workshop podcasts should be up in a few days you can download them at www.pinkimpact.com.
Let me encourage you Ephesians 2:10 "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which you have planned in advance for us." You are created to do good works and God planned them in advance for you to do them!!
Adana
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Unmet Expectations
As I prepared to greet 2011, the Lord began speaking to me things he wanted me to focus on this year. At the top of the list was to focus on what I can control. As I narrowed down what I could control it really comes down to two things. I can control my attitude and my actions. That's pretty much it...I can't control what others do and say, what my kids do, what God does, etc. I can ONLY control my attitude of how I react and my actions after it. As with most things I really thought this "mandate" was pointed toward a specific situation I was dealing with at that time. So I started focusing on this situation and CHOOSING to control my attitude and my actions in regards to it.
Of course according to God's nature when he tells us to do something or change something in our life it usually doesn't just apply to one area!
I think one of the hardest area's we face in controlling our attitudes and actions is in dealing with unmet expectations. As women we usually have HIGH expectations...it can range from how good dinner was, what we got for Christmas, how our husbands/kids treat us, where we should be in our life at this point, weight loss, a date night...etc. To be honest I really don't know how to change that and I am not completely sure that God wants us to change. I think God created us that way. He like for us to have HIGH expectations, he likes for us to get excited about something, to reach higher!!
Recently my husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. After much discussion (finances, kids schedule, hubby work schedule, etc) we decided to invest in a night away at a local hotel. We had not gone to a hotel for a night away in over 3 years and I had HIGH EXPECTATIONS of the evening. Needless to say I was disappointed...mainly because at 2 am the pipes in our bathroom sounded like a jack hammer was rattling them. After several calls to the front desk, 1 visit from a maintenance man, and 2 hours later the hotel finally offered to move us to another room. We opted to leave...yes that's right we opted to leave the hotel at 4:30 am in the morning. Both my husband and I were done...tired, frustrated, realizing that once we packed up, moved rooms, unpacked and tried to get back to sleep it would be time to get up again for check-out. Talk about unmet expectations! The whole rest of the day I was edgy, frustrated, angry, because I wasn't supposed to be home dealing with laundry, refereeing 3 boys, cleaning up. I was supposed to be AWAY enjoying a relaxing day..unmet expectations!
Then several weeks later I had a busy week coming up. I was very excited about EVERYTHING I had planned for that week. I was going to start weekly becoming more involved with my church's women's ministry, I was scheduled to go back to Lakewood Church and teach for their women's meeting and I was scheduled to teach at a Vision class for my church. Yes, a lot and yes, all in one week but I was so excited. What I didn't count on was being iced/snowed in for 4 days with 3 boys who couldn't get outside and a husband working nights and trying to sleep during the day. EVERYTHING I had planned for that week was cancelled. My week was certainly not supposed to have included 4 days stuck in the house, never leaving, trying to entertain everyone and running very quickly out of food. I felt like my days revolved around the 4 o'clock news. At 4 they would start announcing school closings for the next day and by about 4:10 I would hear the news that school was cancelled AGAIN!! My attitude and actions were stinky! I realized the evening of day 4 that I was pretty much throwing a fit. Although not on the floor kicking and screaming but with every word, attitude and action. It actually made me chuckle a little bit as the Holy Spirit pointed this out to me in a non-condemning way (Romans 8:1). I thought Lord I am acting like a spoiled child...once again unmet expectations!
So what's a girl to do when all that we have planned, expected, hoped for doesn't happen when we want it to or the way we wanted it to? We have a couple of choices...we can become disappointed, frustrated and angry OR we can control our attitudes and actions. First, we can be honest with the Lord (Psalm 51:6)and share with him Lord I don't like how this has turned out. I really was expecting something different. We can even ask the "why" question - God why did this happen, why didn't you change the event, why didn't you step in? The book of Job is very clear that God is not offended by our questions. God wants us to be honest with him. The Psalms are FULL of honest emotions and questions from David, a man who God delcared was a man after His own heart-Acts 13:22. So share your frustration, your questions with the Lord.
Secondly, we must choose to trust the nature of who our God is. Do you trust God? Do you believe he is sovereign? Do you believe he loves you unconditionally, he wants the very best for us, that ALL THINGS do work together for your good? Do you believe that he isn't sitting up in heaven ready to take our fun away or even inflict harm and pain on us? You have to know who your God is and trust in his very nature. You have to declare to the Lord and to your own mind - God I know that you are good, while I don't like this I know you love me, you have good plans and a future in store for me, this didn't catch you off guard, you have a way for me, I TRUST YOU! You must continue to express your trust every time the enemy comes back against your mind with those disappointing and destructive thoughts.
Lastly, we move on in faith and peace. By declaring our trust in God our faith is built and increased. When we don't allow those missed opportunities, disappointing events, setback and even un-met expectations control our life we gain victory. As we choose to trust God and focus on him HIS peace fills us (Isaiah 26:3) and His understanding comes. And although things haven't worked out the way we wanted or thought they would our attitude and actions are Christ-like not flesh infilled!
So what un-met expectations are you dealing with today? Take it to the Lord and focus on what you can control...your attitude and your actions!
Of course according to God's nature when he tells us to do something or change something in our life it usually doesn't just apply to one area!
I think one of the hardest area's we face in controlling our attitudes and actions is in dealing with unmet expectations. As women we usually have HIGH expectations...it can range from how good dinner was, what we got for Christmas, how our husbands/kids treat us, where we should be in our life at this point, weight loss, a date night...etc. To be honest I really don't know how to change that and I am not completely sure that God wants us to change. I think God created us that way. He like for us to have HIGH expectations, he likes for us to get excited about something, to reach higher!!
Recently my husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. After much discussion (finances, kids schedule, hubby work schedule, etc) we decided to invest in a night away at a local hotel. We had not gone to a hotel for a night away in over 3 years and I had HIGH EXPECTATIONS of the evening. Needless to say I was disappointed...mainly because at 2 am the pipes in our bathroom sounded like a jack hammer was rattling them. After several calls to the front desk, 1 visit from a maintenance man, and 2 hours later the hotel finally offered to move us to another room. We opted to leave...yes that's right we opted to leave the hotel at 4:30 am in the morning. Both my husband and I were done...tired, frustrated, realizing that once we packed up, moved rooms, unpacked and tried to get back to sleep it would be time to get up again for check-out. Talk about unmet expectations! The whole rest of the day I was edgy, frustrated, angry, because I wasn't supposed to be home dealing with laundry, refereeing 3 boys, cleaning up. I was supposed to be AWAY enjoying a relaxing day..unmet expectations!
Then several weeks later I had a busy week coming up. I was very excited about EVERYTHING I had planned for that week. I was going to start weekly becoming more involved with my church's women's ministry, I was scheduled to go back to Lakewood Church and teach for their women's meeting and I was scheduled to teach at a Vision class for my church. Yes, a lot and yes, all in one week but I was so excited. What I didn't count on was being iced/snowed in for 4 days with 3 boys who couldn't get outside and a husband working nights and trying to sleep during the day. EVERYTHING I had planned for that week was cancelled. My week was certainly not supposed to have included 4 days stuck in the house, never leaving, trying to entertain everyone and running very quickly out of food. I felt like my days revolved around the 4 o'clock news. At 4 they would start announcing school closings for the next day and by about 4:10 I would hear the news that school was cancelled AGAIN!! My attitude and actions were stinky! I realized the evening of day 4 that I was pretty much throwing a fit. Although not on the floor kicking and screaming but with every word, attitude and action. It actually made me chuckle a little bit as the Holy Spirit pointed this out to me in a non-condemning way (Romans 8:1). I thought Lord I am acting like a spoiled child...once again unmet expectations!
So what's a girl to do when all that we have planned, expected, hoped for doesn't happen when we want it to or the way we wanted it to? We have a couple of choices...we can become disappointed, frustrated and angry OR we can control our attitudes and actions. First, we can be honest with the Lord (Psalm 51:6)and share with him Lord I don't like how this has turned out. I really was expecting something different. We can even ask the "why" question - God why did this happen, why didn't you change the event, why didn't you step in? The book of Job is very clear that God is not offended by our questions. God wants us to be honest with him. The Psalms are FULL of honest emotions and questions from David, a man who God delcared was a man after His own heart-Acts 13:22. So share your frustration, your questions with the Lord.
Secondly, we must choose to trust the nature of who our God is. Do you trust God? Do you believe he is sovereign? Do you believe he loves you unconditionally, he wants the very best for us, that ALL THINGS do work together for your good? Do you believe that he isn't sitting up in heaven ready to take our fun away or even inflict harm and pain on us? You have to know who your God is and trust in his very nature. You have to declare to the Lord and to your own mind - God I know that you are good, while I don't like this I know you love me, you have good plans and a future in store for me, this didn't catch you off guard, you have a way for me, I TRUST YOU! You must continue to express your trust every time the enemy comes back against your mind with those disappointing and destructive thoughts.
Lastly, we move on in faith and peace. By declaring our trust in God our faith is built and increased. When we don't allow those missed opportunities, disappointing events, setback and even un-met expectations control our life we gain victory. As we choose to trust God and focus on him HIS peace fills us (Isaiah 26:3) and His understanding comes. And although things haven't worked out the way we wanted or thought they would our attitude and actions are Christ-like not flesh infilled!
So what un-met expectations are you dealing with today? Take it to the Lord and focus on what you can control...your attitude and your actions!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Guilt Removed
Several years ago I read a survey that a popular Christian leader had issued. She asked almost 500 women what was the hardest thing about being a woman. The overwhelming response was GUILT! I was shocked. But truth be known guilt is an overwhelming part of most women's life. I am no different. So I started studying what the Bible says about guilt and I found this very interesting scripture passage.
"It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah 6:1-7 NLT
In this popular passage the prophet Isaiah has a vision of the Lord. As Isaiah is confronted with the holiness of God he "sees" how sinful he is (vs.5). When we truly see our sin in the light of a holy God we will have to confront it. Sometimes we compare our sin with the sin of others. We determine we aren't so bad...or there sin is worse than my sin. But sin is sin. There is no sin that can stand up against a holy God!!
The seraph moves and gets the coal and touches Isaiah's lips with it (vs.6-7). The seraph says "See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven." Did you notice what the seraph said first?? He didn't say your sins are forgiven first...he said your guilt is removed, then he said your sins are forgiven. The message Bible says "gone your guilt; your sins are wiped out."
I think a lot of time, especially for women, we understand God has forgiven us but we remain in the guilt and never truly walk in total forgiveness!! Guilt is an intense feeling. Guilt says I owe you. Most guilt is based on a feeling!
God does not make us or want us to feel guilty. Is there consequences to sin - absolutely. But if we truly have repented and asked forgiveness then we are forgiven and the guilt is removed! If you are still feeling guilty over a situation expose that lie to the truth. Have you repented and asked forgiveness? If you have then your guilt has been removed! Counter that lie with the truth! God's word says you are forgiven. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 NIV. “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:17 NLT. Let go of the guilt. When the enemy tries to make you feel guilty fire back with what God's word says..your guilt has been removed!
"It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah 6:1-7 NLT
In this popular passage the prophet Isaiah has a vision of the Lord. As Isaiah is confronted with the holiness of God he "sees" how sinful he is (vs.5). When we truly see our sin in the light of a holy God we will have to confront it. Sometimes we compare our sin with the sin of others. We determine we aren't so bad...or there sin is worse than my sin. But sin is sin. There is no sin that can stand up against a holy God!!
The seraph moves and gets the coal and touches Isaiah's lips with it (vs.6-7). The seraph says "See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven." Did you notice what the seraph said first?? He didn't say your sins are forgiven first...he said your guilt is removed, then he said your sins are forgiven. The message Bible says "gone your guilt; your sins are wiped out."
I think a lot of time, especially for women, we understand God has forgiven us but we remain in the guilt and never truly walk in total forgiveness!! Guilt is an intense feeling. Guilt says I owe you. Most guilt is based on a feeling!
God does not make us or want us to feel guilty. Is there consequences to sin - absolutely. But if we truly have repented and asked forgiveness then we are forgiven and the guilt is removed! If you are still feeling guilty over a situation expose that lie to the truth. Have you repented and asked forgiveness? If you have then your guilt has been removed! Counter that lie with the truth! God's word says you are forgiven. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 NIV. “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:17 NLT. Let go of the guilt. When the enemy tries to make you feel guilty fire back with what God's word says..your guilt has been removed!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Seasons in our Christian Walk
Romans 8:28 “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” AMP
Recently the Lord had me teach on seasons that we walk through in our Christian life. When the Lord began speaking this lesson to me I initially resisted teaching on it. Mainly because the season I had just came out of I didn't feel like I navigated very well. I defienently did not count it all joy. In fact the only positive thing I could say about the season was that I didn't give up. The Lord said that is exaclty why I want you to teach on this. Because you didn't give up I can now use it for your good.
First let’s talk about what a season is:
Season defined by Webster’s Dictionary – A time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature (a season of religious awakening).
Season are very much apart of our lives. As people we have season as an infant, the teenager season; the young adult season; the adult season. We are characterized by our marital status, what we do for a living, if we have kids or not. Our weather is divided into seasons – winter, spring, summer and fall. Our calendar is divided by seasons BC and AD. So why would it surprise us that there would be seasons in our spiritual life?
Being a Christian is a process. We don’t get saved and immediately have everything we need to live a victorious life. We grow and progress in our faith. Luke 2:52 “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and all the people.”
Many scriptures liken our Christian walk to a race. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should…”
If your running a race you don’t just go out and run a marathon. It is a process, you gradually build up, you discipline your body and you run with a purpose. It is the same with our spiritual life – our purpose is an eternal prize and to produce eternal fruit in our own lives and in the lives of others.
If we were perfect in our faith we would no longer be here. There would be no reason for you to not be in heaven. However, if you are still here on the earth it is because God is not done with you, he has a purpose for you and the only way you will achieve that purpose is to continue to grow in your faith and that comes through seasons!
During the process we will go through the season’s over and over. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Some translations say from glory to glory…it is a process a transformation which means it takes time and seasons.
We all go through seasons and each season has a purpose for us. God has a purpose or you wouldn’t be going through it. Life is a journey, it’s a process, and it has many season’s!
The Lord gave me 3 main seasons that we walk through in our Christian life:
The first season is the Harvest (Mountain top, Season of blessings)season. Harvest means – the time or fruit of reaping or gathering in a crop-physically or spiritually (a time of great favor and blessing).
Salvation is our first experience of the harvest season. When you first get saved there is a wonderful time of growing and changing inside of you. You are growing, prayers are being answered, you feel God’s presence for the first time in your life. You desire the things of God – can’t spend enough time at church or in God’s word and then something happens…the season changes. You are in this harvest season because someone sowed seeds for you!
Then as we go through our Christian walk and cycle we come back time and time again to a harvest because of what we have planted during the other seasons.
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
As we go through tonight I am going to parallel this to the journey the Children of Israel took. See they were mis-treated slaves when Jesus called Moses to set them free (just like we are slaves to sin before salvation). Moses swept in and through the power of God the Israelites were set free and not only set free they came out wealthy – Exodus 12:36 “The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth.” Miracle after miracle occurred as they fled Egypt on their way to the promise land.
During a harvest season you are blessed physically & spiritually. Just like the children of Israel. They experienced a great time of physical blessing (wealth) as well as a spiritual time of blessing or harvest.
There are purposes to every season in our Christian walk. Here are some of the purposes from the Harvest Season.
1. Greater understanding of the goodness and love of God. Romans 5:8 “Christ showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”• Romans 8:39 “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”• James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”
2. See the faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:22-24 “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
3. Filled to be emptied. We are blessed to be a blessing. Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.”
The second season is a Desert or Wilderness. What do you think of when you hear the word desert?? Dry, hot, lonely, desperation... When I refer to the desert season I mean a very dry season. You may feel all alone, forsaken, like you can not see, feel or hear God.
Desert means any desolate, barren, or unpopulated area usually with sparse vegetation. Are you in a desert season? Do you feel like you are not hearing God? That your prayers aren’t reaching above the ceiling. Do you not sense his presence in your life; don’t see him moving in any area? Do you have a lack of purpose or direction?
The desert season is not usually about outward circumstances. Most of the time the desert season is in your relationship with the Lord. Typically outwardly everything is going well but within your relationship with the Lord is where you feel alone.
Here are some purposes of the Desert Season:
1. Testing of our belief in God. We first start off and it isn’t too bad; we continue to stand and believe God but as time goes by and we feel more and more disconnected we allow the enemy to bring in doubt & discouragement…does God really have a future for my life; did God really speak those things to me. Hebrews 6:18 “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.”
2. Dying of self –our plans and desires. Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG version "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." God will lead us into the desert in order for us to completely surrender to his will and his ways. Not because he is mad at us or doesn't want to do good things for us but because he wants to do exceendingly, abundantly, above whatever we could ask or think, but in order for him to do that we must surrender our desires and will. If Jesus had to come to a place where he said, Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
3. Learn the power of obedience. John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Keep obeying what he has told us to do. 1 Samuel 15:22 “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
The children of Israel wondered in the desert for over 40 years – why because they were not obedient to God. Once they all died out and the next generation took over they entered into the next season of fire or trials.
A third season is a fire or trial season.
Fire means hot flame or burning light; symbolic of hell; severe trial or ordeal. Trial means a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation.
Are you in a fire or trial season? Do you feel like you face one trial after another? You just get your feet on the ground and you get hit again? Or maybe your trail is waiting (patience) – waiting for the next door to open; waiting for a situation to change. While the desert season seems more between you and God, the fire or trial season deals more with your outward circumstances.
Here are some purposes of the fire or trial season.
1. Fire brings up impurities in our lives (resentment, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, greed, jealousy, pride, etc.) and causes us to deal with them. Malachi 3:3 “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites refining them like gold and silver so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”
2. Produces a genuine faith. 1 Peter 1:7 “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” MSG. “I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” – It’s our faith that draws other to Jesus.
3. Develops us into the women God has called and created us to be. James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”
Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We can’t be conquerors or overcomers if we never go through something.
The children of Israel came out of the wilderness into a firey trial where there leader, mentor, representative to God was going to die before they could go into the promise land. Then although they went into the promised land there were giants in the land & battles to be fought.
How do we thrive in the season we are in?
The first way we can thrive and not just survive any season in our life is realizing there is a purpose. God would not have us going through it if there wasn't a good purpose for us!
The second way we can thrive is to simply draw close to God. James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” What does that word draw mean. The word draw means to come close to, to link arms with, to hold beside. We draw near to God by doing the basics – prayer, worship and the word.
Prayer – simply talking to God. Talk to God about what you are going through, how you are feeling, decisions that need to be made. He hears us when we pray and he will answer us. James 5:16 “..the earnest (heartfelt) prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Guess what if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life then you are righteous because of the blood of Jesus and your prayers are effective and God is hearing them!
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” God says we can come BODLDY to the throne of our gracious God. Not our mean God or a mad God but a gracious God and will give you the mercy and grace that you need.
Worship. Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Nothing can adjust your attitude like worshp can. In God's presence we find joy!
Stand on God’s Word. God’s word will do what it says. Isaiah 55:11 “It is the same with my word. I sent it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” God's word is a resource for us and like any other resource if it isn’t used it is useless. God’s word is the most powerful weapon you could have. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Romans 8:28 “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” AMP God is constructing something beyond our human rationale. He knows in advance every piece - past, present, &future - that will be required for the finished work. We see one little part and one little moment. He, the One who is, who was, and is to come, sees beyond the singular piece to every generation and condition He means to effect.
Meanwhile, He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The one thing may not be good at all by itself. But, when He weaves it with all that comes before it and all that will come around and behind it then something good, something beneficial, emerges.
Never let Romans 8:28 become so familiar that it loses its meaning. It is true God WILL work it out for your good. Even if you don’t understand. You may not understand why you are in a specific season, you may not even truly "see" the purpose or the good in it. John 13:7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." But I want you to KNOW that if it wasn’t for your good…God wouldn’t allow you to go through it.
*This is from a teaching I did for the Lakewood Church Women's Minsitry. You can comment or email me if you would like a copy of the audio CD.
Recently the Lord had me teach on seasons that we walk through in our Christian life. When the Lord began speaking this lesson to me I initially resisted teaching on it. Mainly because the season I had just came out of I didn't feel like I navigated very well. I defienently did not count it all joy. In fact the only positive thing I could say about the season was that I didn't give up. The Lord said that is exaclty why I want you to teach on this. Because you didn't give up I can now use it for your good.
First let’s talk about what a season is:
Season defined by Webster’s Dictionary – A time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature (a season of religious awakening).
Season are very much apart of our lives. As people we have season as an infant, the teenager season; the young adult season; the adult season. We are characterized by our marital status, what we do for a living, if we have kids or not. Our weather is divided into seasons – winter, spring, summer and fall. Our calendar is divided by seasons BC and AD. So why would it surprise us that there would be seasons in our spiritual life?
Being a Christian is a process. We don’t get saved and immediately have everything we need to live a victorious life. We grow and progress in our faith. Luke 2:52 “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and all the people.”
Many scriptures liken our Christian walk to a race. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should…”
If your running a race you don’t just go out and run a marathon. It is a process, you gradually build up, you discipline your body and you run with a purpose. It is the same with our spiritual life – our purpose is an eternal prize and to produce eternal fruit in our own lives and in the lives of others.
If we were perfect in our faith we would no longer be here. There would be no reason for you to not be in heaven. However, if you are still here on the earth it is because God is not done with you, he has a purpose for you and the only way you will achieve that purpose is to continue to grow in your faith and that comes through seasons!
During the process we will go through the season’s over and over. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Some translations say from glory to glory…it is a process a transformation which means it takes time and seasons.
We all go through seasons and each season has a purpose for us. God has a purpose or you wouldn’t be going through it. Life is a journey, it’s a process, and it has many season’s!
The Lord gave me 3 main seasons that we walk through in our Christian life:
The first season is the Harvest (Mountain top, Season of blessings)season. Harvest means – the time or fruit of reaping or gathering in a crop-physically or spiritually (a time of great favor and blessing).
Salvation is our first experience of the harvest season. When you first get saved there is a wonderful time of growing and changing inside of you. You are growing, prayers are being answered, you feel God’s presence for the first time in your life. You desire the things of God – can’t spend enough time at church or in God’s word and then something happens…the season changes. You are in this harvest season because someone sowed seeds for you!
Then as we go through our Christian walk and cycle we come back time and time again to a harvest because of what we have planted during the other seasons.
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
As we go through tonight I am going to parallel this to the journey the Children of Israel took. See they were mis-treated slaves when Jesus called Moses to set them free (just like we are slaves to sin before salvation). Moses swept in and through the power of God the Israelites were set free and not only set free they came out wealthy – Exodus 12:36 “The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth.” Miracle after miracle occurred as they fled Egypt on their way to the promise land.
During a harvest season you are blessed physically & spiritually. Just like the children of Israel. They experienced a great time of physical blessing (wealth) as well as a spiritual time of blessing or harvest.
There are purposes to every season in our Christian walk. Here are some of the purposes from the Harvest Season.
1. Greater understanding of the goodness and love of God. Romans 5:8 “Christ showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”• Romans 8:39 “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”• James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”
2. See the faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:22-24 “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
3. Filled to be emptied. We are blessed to be a blessing. Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.”
The second season is a Desert or Wilderness. What do you think of when you hear the word desert?? Dry, hot, lonely, desperation... When I refer to the desert season I mean a very dry season. You may feel all alone, forsaken, like you can not see, feel or hear God.
Desert means any desolate, barren, or unpopulated area usually with sparse vegetation. Are you in a desert season? Do you feel like you are not hearing God? That your prayers aren’t reaching above the ceiling. Do you not sense his presence in your life; don’t see him moving in any area? Do you have a lack of purpose or direction?
The desert season is not usually about outward circumstances. Most of the time the desert season is in your relationship with the Lord. Typically outwardly everything is going well but within your relationship with the Lord is where you feel alone.
Here are some purposes of the Desert Season:
1. Testing of our belief in God. We first start off and it isn’t too bad; we continue to stand and believe God but as time goes by and we feel more and more disconnected we allow the enemy to bring in doubt & discouragement…does God really have a future for my life; did God really speak those things to me. Hebrews 6:18 “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.”
2. Dying of self –our plans and desires. Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG version "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." God will lead us into the desert in order for us to completely surrender to his will and his ways. Not because he is mad at us or doesn't want to do good things for us but because he wants to do exceendingly, abundantly, above whatever we could ask or think, but in order for him to do that we must surrender our desires and will. If Jesus had to come to a place where he said, Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
3. Learn the power of obedience. John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Keep obeying what he has told us to do. 1 Samuel 15:22 “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
The children of Israel wondered in the desert for over 40 years – why because they were not obedient to God. Once they all died out and the next generation took over they entered into the next season of fire or trials.
A third season is a fire or trial season.
Fire means hot flame or burning light; symbolic of hell; severe trial or ordeal. Trial means a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation.
Are you in a fire or trial season? Do you feel like you face one trial after another? You just get your feet on the ground and you get hit again? Or maybe your trail is waiting (patience) – waiting for the next door to open; waiting for a situation to change. While the desert season seems more between you and God, the fire or trial season deals more with your outward circumstances.
Here are some purposes of the fire or trial season.
1. Fire brings up impurities in our lives (resentment, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, greed, jealousy, pride, etc.) and causes us to deal with them. Malachi 3:3 “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites refining them like gold and silver so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”
2. Produces a genuine faith. 1 Peter 1:7 “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” MSG. “I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” – It’s our faith that draws other to Jesus.
3. Develops us into the women God has called and created us to be. James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”
Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We can’t be conquerors or overcomers if we never go through something.
The children of Israel came out of the wilderness into a firey trial where there leader, mentor, representative to God was going to die before they could go into the promise land. Then although they went into the promised land there were giants in the land & battles to be fought.
How do we thrive in the season we are in?
The first way we can thrive and not just survive any season in our life is realizing there is a purpose. God would not have us going through it if there wasn't a good purpose for us!
The second way we can thrive is to simply draw close to God. James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” What does that word draw mean. The word draw means to come close to, to link arms with, to hold beside. We draw near to God by doing the basics – prayer, worship and the word.
Prayer – simply talking to God. Talk to God about what you are going through, how you are feeling, decisions that need to be made. He hears us when we pray and he will answer us. James 5:16 “..the earnest (heartfelt) prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Guess what if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life then you are righteous because of the blood of Jesus and your prayers are effective and God is hearing them!
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” God says we can come BODLDY to the throne of our gracious God. Not our mean God or a mad God but a gracious God and will give you the mercy and grace that you need.
Worship. Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Nothing can adjust your attitude like worshp can. In God's presence we find joy!
Stand on God’s Word. God’s word will do what it says. Isaiah 55:11 “It is the same with my word. I sent it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” God's word is a resource for us and like any other resource if it isn’t used it is useless. God’s word is the most powerful weapon you could have. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Romans 8:28 “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” AMP God is constructing something beyond our human rationale. He knows in advance every piece - past, present, &future - that will be required for the finished work. We see one little part and one little moment. He, the One who is, who was, and is to come, sees beyond the singular piece to every generation and condition He means to effect.
Meanwhile, He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The one thing may not be good at all by itself. But, when He weaves it with all that comes before it and all that will come around and behind it then something good, something beneficial, emerges.
Never let Romans 8:28 become so familiar that it loses its meaning. It is true God WILL work it out for your good. Even if you don’t understand. You may not understand why you are in a specific season, you may not even truly "see" the purpose or the good in it. John 13:7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." But I want you to KNOW that if it wasn’t for your good…God wouldn’t allow you to go through it.
*This is from a teaching I did for the Lakewood Church Women's Minsitry. You can comment or email me if you would like a copy of the audio CD.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Power of Encouragment
This season away from full time ministry has been hard in so many ways. I realized these last few weeks that one of the hardest things is not being with people daily who encourage you in your giftings. Let's face the fact, as a stay at home mom no one gives you daily encouragement. My kids don't say wow mom way to use your administrative giftings as you navigate the pick up line, do the grocery shopping, laundry, get everyone to all of their activities, etc. Plus my boys don't seem to be interested in what the Lord has shown me and how I feel it applies to women!!
As I started thinking back over my life, I have ALWAYS had people around me who constantly encouraged me. Bosses that I worked for or co-workers I worked alongside who would encourage me daily. My last boss at Lakewood was the ultimate encourager. Daily she somehow encouraged me in either my administrative gifts or my ministry gifts. Still to this day almost two years later she calls me to talk through issues and tells me what an asset I was to her and the women. So I went from that atmosphere of encouragement to little or none in my day to day life now.
This situation is causing me to have to step up and encourage myself in Gods' word - Romans 15:4 "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled." But it has also brought a new understanding of how powerful encouragement is to other people's lives.
Pastor Blaine taught today from the book of James. He reminded us how James 3:1-12 talks about the power of the tongue. How Proverbs 18:21 says "Life and death is in the power of the tongue."
As women we daily have the power to speak life (encouragement) into the people around us. Our husband, children, co-workers, crossing guard, checkout person at Wal-Mart, our friends, even strangers.
People need to be encouraged. Webster's defines encouragement as - to inspire with courage, spirit, hope, to attempt to persuade or spur on. We are called to be salt and light to the world and what better way to fulfill that then by speaking encouragement (life) to others. People need to know that there is someone (God) who loves them with an everlasting love, that if he is for them who dare be against them, that he has a good plan for their life, that all things work together for their good if they love the Lord, that goodness and mercy will follow them all the days of their life, that whatever struggle they are going through if God didn't have a blessing attached to it he wouldn't be allowing it. People need to be encouraged. It doesn't have to be something big just a kind word - a co-worker looks nice, an email to a teacher thanking her for teaching your child, a child who does well on a paper, a husband for just going to work, a boss who solved an issue, etc.
So, I will challenge you as I am challenging myself - be an encourager. Wherever you are be an encourager. Even if you aren't receiving any encouragement in your life - sow encouragement. You have the power to speak life to people today - make a conscious decision to JUST DO IT!
As I started thinking back over my life, I have ALWAYS had people around me who constantly encouraged me. Bosses that I worked for or co-workers I worked alongside who would encourage me daily. My last boss at Lakewood was the ultimate encourager. Daily she somehow encouraged me in either my administrative gifts or my ministry gifts. Still to this day almost two years later she calls me to talk through issues and tells me what an asset I was to her and the women. So I went from that atmosphere of encouragement to little or none in my day to day life now.
This situation is causing me to have to step up and encourage myself in Gods' word - Romans 15:4 "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled." But it has also brought a new understanding of how powerful encouragement is to other people's lives.
Pastor Blaine taught today from the book of James. He reminded us how James 3:1-12 talks about the power of the tongue. How Proverbs 18:21 says "Life and death is in the power of the tongue."
As women we daily have the power to speak life (encouragement) into the people around us. Our husband, children, co-workers, crossing guard, checkout person at Wal-Mart, our friends, even strangers.
People need to be encouraged. Webster's defines encouragement as - to inspire with courage, spirit, hope, to attempt to persuade or spur on. We are called to be salt and light to the world and what better way to fulfill that then by speaking encouragement (life) to others. People need to know that there is someone (God) who loves them with an everlasting love, that if he is for them who dare be against them, that he has a good plan for their life, that all things work together for their good if they love the Lord, that goodness and mercy will follow them all the days of their life, that whatever struggle they are going through if God didn't have a blessing attached to it he wouldn't be allowing it. People need to be encouraged. It doesn't have to be something big just a kind word - a co-worker looks nice, an email to a teacher thanking her for teaching your child, a child who does well on a paper, a husband for just going to work, a boss who solved an issue, etc.
So, I will challenge you as I am challenging myself - be an encourager. Wherever you are be an encourager. Even if you aren't receiving any encouragement in your life - sow encouragement. You have the power to speak life to people today - make a conscious decision to JUST DO IT!
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