“LORD, Will You Order My Steps?”
Have you ever been driving then suddenly realized you were going down the wrong way of a one-way street? If you’ve been driving long enough I bet it has happened to you at least once or twice. It’s a terrible feeling isn’t it? If you could push a button causing your car to suddenly reverse directions and simultaneously get a pair of eyes in the back of your head you would. When you aren’t paying a lot of attention to where you are going; when you don’t slow down long enough to read the road signs it’s almost easy to go in a wrong direction. Interestingly enough, the same thing can happen to you as you travel down the road of life. As I was attempting to organize lessons for an upcoming discipleship semester at church I was at a standstill on how to put them in order. I had no leading at all. I’ve learned after many years of messing up that when this happens it’s better to stop everything you are doing and just be still. I can’t say that I was consciously praying but I do remember lying down on the sofa and just being still-doing nothing. Within minutes as clear as anything across my mind came the following phrase in this exact order: “Slow ‘em down, clean ‘em up, fill ‘em up, and send ‘em out.” There was no effort on my part to receive this except that I got still and then wrote it down. As I looked at what I had written I realized just how crucial order and direction is to our every move. To do what He has called each of us to do requires all four steps in the exact order. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has hauled off driving down a road I thought I was being called to when suddenly I hear Him say “Reverse, reverse, reverse!” Let’s put some meat (scripture) on the four steps He calls each of us to follow.
1) Slow us down=Be still=Prayer
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
2) Clean us up=Confession/Repentance/Deliverance from evil
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
3) Fill us up= Holy Spirit’s power
Acts 1:8 “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.”
4) Send us out=Service=Great Commission (Inside and outside our homes)
Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Can you see clearly that #4 can’t be #1? The Father is saying “Reverse, reverse, reverse!” but oh so many of His children are just continuing to drive down a street the wrong way. This NEVER happens when you slow down and get still long enough to hear His voice. You must hear YOUR marching orders. If you don’t hear anything YOU STAY PUT. You learn to wait. Yes He has probably placed His vision in your heart but you must learn to wait on His timing before you start driving. What about the perfect formula for burn-out? That would be 1,2,4. That’s doing it in your own strength (flesh) not the power of the Holy Spirit. Zechariah summarizes #3 perfectly, “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.” You must acknowledge that “Apart from Him you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
It would be easier if we could go through these 4 steps just one time and then that was it for the rest of our lives but it doesn’t work that way. His manna is only for today. Our marching orders are often moment by moment vs. day to day. And then there’s the staying clean part to be able to hear. Because we get dirty so quickly we have to have that spiritual bath daily (or maybe hourly on many of my days!) Because of His great mercy and forgiveness we can fall back into His loving arms and start over again and again. Begin to think about the direction you are currently going, the steps you are taking moment by moment. Are they ordered by the LORD or are they “planned” by you? Psalm 119:133 tells us the perfect way to walk, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” The LORD is in the foot business. He knows where to place them. He knows how to keep them moving forward. He knows how to stop them and yes, even reverse them. Psalm 37:23-24 says “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” I’ll close with George Mueller’s summary (and addition) to these verses, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…and the stops also!” Won’t you ask Him to order your steps today? You’re in for the time of your life.
Ann Allen Salter
July 18, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
"Balancing Your Life" Class Lesson #1
“Very Busy Barbie, Chatty Cathy and Thumbelina…Are You a Doll or a Disciple?”
Did you grow you playing with a lot of different dolls? I wasn’t much of a “doll girl” as I preferred rougher outdoor activities but there are a few dolls I can still vividly remember. As I look back on these various dolls a flood of memories come back-some very pleasant but some painful. The good memories include the anticipation of the giant Barbie Doll house on Christmas Eve at my Mama’s house. Painful memories include the realization in Jr. High that your body resembles Ken more than Barbie!
As a middle-aged woman of two sons I am decades removed from playing with dolls but I can’t help but notice the “doll-like” tendencies that I and many women can fall prey to. My personal favorite is “Very Busy Barbie” who I introduced to our Wednesday night Bible study class a few months ago. I was in a local flea market when I ran across a ‘Little Golden Book’ entitled “Very Busy Barbie”. It made for a great lesson on the spiritually lethal effects of busyness. When our Father repeatedly in His Word warns us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10) you can bet that the enemy of our soul will repeatedly in his world urge us to “be busy.” Busyness kills a life of faith and it sucks the majority of well-meaning Christian women right in. It’s like a slow steady undertow and one is sucked out into the world before she ever notices it. The only remedy is the Word of truth but she’s too busy to get in it or too busy to really stay in it. Oh yes, it may be a legalistic 5-15 minute devotional to appease her conscience but it’s far from intimacy with the Almighty. Busyness is a drug, a charm, it demands more and more. She has even begun to brag about it to all her friends. She mistakenly thinks it makes her a better mom but nothing could be further from the truth. Very Busy Barbie is raising very busy children in a very busy family in a very busy world. Jesus stands ready to rescue those willing to get off the treadmill of busyness. “Come unto me, all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 26:28-30)
The next doll I remember from childhood belonged to Kittie, my older and only sister. “Chatty Cathy” was the coolest doll a girl could get for Christmas that year. She had a flesh-colored plastic ring coming out of the back of her neck. When you pulled it a 12-inch string extended and when released slowly recoiled back into Cathy’s neck causing her to of course chat one of several preprogrammed sentences. Yes, she was a chatty Cathy and that is just all that she could do to entertain. Her clothes weren’t changeable. Her limbs didn’t change positions. She didn’t have anything else going for her except that mouth. She was fun enough initially but by New Years Eve I’d heard about as much of her predictable chatting that I could stand. My weapon of choice was the sharpest kitchen knife and yes she never spoke in the New Year. I’m not sure that my sister and I have ever recovered. Spiritually “Chatty Cathy” is sister to “Very Busy Barbie.” You see they have the same demonic Daddy. Cathy might not be physically very busy but the effects are the same because she is always busy in her mind-busy talking out loud or busy talking to herself. Cathy’s mind is not “still”. Since her mind is not still there is no way she can “fix her thoughts on Jesus”(Hebrews 3:1). She doesn’t have a clue what her heavenly Father’s voice sounds like. She goes through life hanging out with Barbies or other Cathys and although she wouldn’t admit it because she’s not programmed for honesty and transparency, she actually is constantly comparing herself to the Barbies and other Cathys. Sadly she compares her spouse and children as well but moves right along chatting appropriate preprogrammed messages. Chatty Cathy looks and talks like a sweet Christian doll but her heart is not full of the only thing that will ever completely satisfy her-that still Spirit in perfect union with The Father. Her Father just wants her mind and mouth to be still so he can tell her how much He loves her. He sent His Son to die for her and to leave His parting gift, the person of the Holy Spirit to live in and through her (John 14:16). He wants to use her mind and her mouth for His glory alone but she won’t be still long enough to be in filled with His Spirit and presence. What He wants of Cathy is the same that He wants of Barbie-a totally surrendered heart. The perfect heart is a heart that is surrendered to His will not a heart with perfect actions. When Cathy gives Him her heart completely He will change her chatty behavior. Only He can open her up and totally transform her into His image. That’s His job. She just trusts Him and stays still before Him.
The last doll I ever remember having was actually my doll. This was the first and the last baby doll I ever received. Her name was Baby Thumbelina. She was a plump infant in appearance and you could take her thumb and stick it into the small hole in her mouth. She had a wind up knob on her back and when turned and then released her little head would move. She did nothing else. She didn’t cry. She didn’t talk. She was limp except for the head movement when wound up. She looked better with her thumb stuck in her mouth so the hole wouldn’t show. You couldn’t change her clothes either. She stayed the same. I would take the “magic milk bottle” and replace it for her thumb. I know you remember the “magic milk bottle”-turned upside down it would appear that the baby was really drinking the milk. I loved those bottles; the orange juice was my personal favorite. Baby Thumbelina arrived on Christmas morning one year and I was completely bored with her by the 28th. As you could predict I headed for the kitchen to retrieve the sharpest knife to start the exploratory surgery on Thumbelina’s back. She never moved again. The spiritual analogy with this baby must be apparent and understood as one of the greatest dangers facing many believers. Baby Christians must grow up and change. Milk is for a season only and then they must feed themselves meat to survive (Hebrews 5:13-14). When the baby was not drinking milk she was sucking her thumb. This represents us literally sucking, being preoccupied and pacified with self. A true believer and follower of Christ Jesus must drink in the milk of His forgiveness, love, and eternal life but then must eat the meat of the crucified life-the “John 3:30 life” – “He must increase; but I must decrease.” The thumb must be replaced with the meat of the Word and fullness of the Holy Spirit to empower one to live the sold out life, not a life consumed with pacifying self. We must be about the business of making disciples inside and outside of our homes not the busyness of a self-serving life.
The remembrance and analogies represented by these three dolls are a wakeup call for me. How quickly I can turn into one of them. If I miss eating my meat for even a day I’m at risk to become Very Busy Barbie or Chatty Cathy. If I miss eating the meat for days in a row I revert back to a Baby Thumbelina-wanting someone else to feed me my bottle or just content to suck on my thumb. Father God loves us and has called us all to be His disciples not His dolls. Are we willing to give up our childish doll ways and follow Him with our whole hearts? Ask Him to do an exploratory surgery on your heart. I promise that you won’t miss those dolls for a second. You’re in for the time of your life.
Ann Allen Salter
May 4, 2008
Did you grow you playing with a lot of different dolls? I wasn’t much of a “doll girl” as I preferred rougher outdoor activities but there are a few dolls I can still vividly remember. As I look back on these various dolls a flood of memories come back-some very pleasant but some painful. The good memories include the anticipation of the giant Barbie Doll house on Christmas Eve at my Mama’s house. Painful memories include the realization in Jr. High that your body resembles Ken more than Barbie!
As a middle-aged woman of two sons I am decades removed from playing with dolls but I can’t help but notice the “doll-like” tendencies that I and many women can fall prey to. My personal favorite is “Very Busy Barbie” who I introduced to our Wednesday night Bible study class a few months ago. I was in a local flea market when I ran across a ‘Little Golden Book’ entitled “Very Busy Barbie”. It made for a great lesson on the spiritually lethal effects of busyness. When our Father repeatedly in His Word warns us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10) you can bet that the enemy of our soul will repeatedly in his world urge us to “be busy.” Busyness kills a life of faith and it sucks the majority of well-meaning Christian women right in. It’s like a slow steady undertow and one is sucked out into the world before she ever notices it. The only remedy is the Word of truth but she’s too busy to get in it or too busy to really stay in it. Oh yes, it may be a legalistic 5-15 minute devotional to appease her conscience but it’s far from intimacy with the Almighty. Busyness is a drug, a charm, it demands more and more. She has even begun to brag about it to all her friends. She mistakenly thinks it makes her a better mom but nothing could be further from the truth. Very Busy Barbie is raising very busy children in a very busy family in a very busy world. Jesus stands ready to rescue those willing to get off the treadmill of busyness. “Come unto me, all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 26:28-30)
The next doll I remember from childhood belonged to Kittie, my older and only sister. “Chatty Cathy” was the coolest doll a girl could get for Christmas that year. She had a flesh-colored plastic ring coming out of the back of her neck. When you pulled it a 12-inch string extended and when released slowly recoiled back into Cathy’s neck causing her to of course chat one of several preprogrammed sentences. Yes, she was a chatty Cathy and that is just all that she could do to entertain. Her clothes weren’t changeable. Her limbs didn’t change positions. She didn’t have anything else going for her except that mouth. She was fun enough initially but by New Years Eve I’d heard about as much of her predictable chatting that I could stand. My weapon of choice was the sharpest kitchen knife and yes she never spoke in the New Year. I’m not sure that my sister and I have ever recovered. Spiritually “Chatty Cathy” is sister to “Very Busy Barbie.” You see they have the same demonic Daddy. Cathy might not be physically very busy but the effects are the same because she is always busy in her mind-busy talking out loud or busy talking to herself. Cathy’s mind is not “still”. Since her mind is not still there is no way she can “fix her thoughts on Jesus”(Hebrews 3:1). She doesn’t have a clue what her heavenly Father’s voice sounds like. She goes through life hanging out with Barbies or other Cathys and although she wouldn’t admit it because she’s not programmed for honesty and transparency, she actually is constantly comparing herself to the Barbies and other Cathys. Sadly she compares her spouse and children as well but moves right along chatting appropriate preprogrammed messages. Chatty Cathy looks and talks like a sweet Christian doll but her heart is not full of the only thing that will ever completely satisfy her-that still Spirit in perfect union with The Father. Her Father just wants her mind and mouth to be still so he can tell her how much He loves her. He sent His Son to die for her and to leave His parting gift, the person of the Holy Spirit to live in and through her (John 14:16). He wants to use her mind and her mouth for His glory alone but she won’t be still long enough to be in filled with His Spirit and presence. What He wants of Cathy is the same that He wants of Barbie-a totally surrendered heart. The perfect heart is a heart that is surrendered to His will not a heart with perfect actions. When Cathy gives Him her heart completely He will change her chatty behavior. Only He can open her up and totally transform her into His image. That’s His job. She just trusts Him and stays still before Him.
The last doll I ever remember having was actually my doll. This was the first and the last baby doll I ever received. Her name was Baby Thumbelina. She was a plump infant in appearance and you could take her thumb and stick it into the small hole in her mouth. She had a wind up knob on her back and when turned and then released her little head would move. She did nothing else. She didn’t cry. She didn’t talk. She was limp except for the head movement when wound up. She looked better with her thumb stuck in her mouth so the hole wouldn’t show. You couldn’t change her clothes either. She stayed the same. I would take the “magic milk bottle” and replace it for her thumb. I know you remember the “magic milk bottle”-turned upside down it would appear that the baby was really drinking the milk. I loved those bottles; the orange juice was my personal favorite. Baby Thumbelina arrived on Christmas morning one year and I was completely bored with her by the 28th. As you could predict I headed for the kitchen to retrieve the sharpest knife to start the exploratory surgery on Thumbelina’s back. She never moved again. The spiritual analogy with this baby must be apparent and understood as one of the greatest dangers facing many believers. Baby Christians must grow up and change. Milk is for a season only and then they must feed themselves meat to survive (Hebrews 5:13-14). When the baby was not drinking milk she was sucking her thumb. This represents us literally sucking, being preoccupied and pacified with self. A true believer and follower of Christ Jesus must drink in the milk of His forgiveness, love, and eternal life but then must eat the meat of the crucified life-the “John 3:30 life” – “He must increase; but I must decrease.” The thumb must be replaced with the meat of the Word and fullness of the Holy Spirit to empower one to live the sold out life, not a life consumed with pacifying self. We must be about the business of making disciples inside and outside of our homes not the busyness of a self-serving life.
The remembrance and analogies represented by these three dolls are a wakeup call for me. How quickly I can turn into one of them. If I miss eating my meat for even a day I’m at risk to become Very Busy Barbie or Chatty Cathy. If I miss eating the meat for days in a row I revert back to a Baby Thumbelina-wanting someone else to feed me my bottle or just content to suck on my thumb. Father God loves us and has called us all to be His disciples not His dolls. Are we willing to give up our childish doll ways and follow Him with our whole hearts? Ask Him to do an exploratory surgery on your heart. I promise that you won’t miss those dolls for a second. You’re in for the time of your life.
Ann Allen Salter
May 4, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Beth Moore Simulcast Challenge
Ladies,
I am so encouraged by Joannie's desire to post her notes from the simulcast! I have to admit this might be the first time I've ever reviewed my own notes from a conference! I loved and tried to soak up every statement, scripture reference and personal input that Beth provided! I thought it was life-changing and want to keep the WORDS that I felt I received protected in my heart and I want for each of you to do the same! So here is what I'm challenging you to do......... leave a "comment" after this blog entry and let us know what was your favorite part of Beth's message from the simulcast. I had so many, but what keeps jumping out at me was Beth's comment during her "expect the test" point was that we should let God turn the "dirt" that the Enemy has on us into "soil"! That just spoke volumes to me because it just reminds me that at any time, God can use even my bad choices to bring about a harvest in my life. I always recall a bible study I've done (something Beth Moore) where she talked about how we have not fully allowed God to do use our circumstances in life for His purposes until we are using that situation to further HIS kindgom and against the Enemy!! (i.e. Beth using her childhood abuse to help others open up about and overcome it!) Does that make sense?
That's just one of the many things I loved that she said. Also, this week, I've tried to look at the scripture I read in the morning in a different way because as she pointed out using Isaiah 55:11, EVERY time I expose myself to God's word, He has a purpose for that specific scripture in my life at that time!!
I could go on for days............but I won't. I've got hungry children (there are 6 of them with us at the beach this week!!) who need to eat!!
So, my friends..................leave us a comment so we can learn more about your simulcast experience! I appreciated Brother Lawrence's challenge (thank you, Jonathan and the tech team for getting our services on the web so fast!!) for the women to not "blow it"! Let's not, girls!! Let "do the thing!" like Beth always says - well, actually she says it more like "thaang", which we can all relate to!
I'm typing fast, so forgive any typos! :)
Love,
M
I am so encouraged by Joannie's desire to post her notes from the simulcast! I have to admit this might be the first time I've ever reviewed my own notes from a conference! I loved and tried to soak up every statement, scripture reference and personal input that Beth provided! I thought it was life-changing and want to keep the WORDS that I felt I received protected in my heart and I want for each of you to do the same! So here is what I'm challenging you to do......... leave a "comment" after this blog entry and let us know what was your favorite part of Beth's message from the simulcast. I had so many, but what keeps jumping out at me was Beth's comment during her "expect the test" point was that we should let God turn the "dirt" that the Enemy has on us into "soil"! That just spoke volumes to me because it just reminds me that at any time, God can use even my bad choices to bring about a harvest in my life. I always recall a bible study I've done (something Beth Moore) where she talked about how we have not fully allowed God to do use our circumstances in life for His purposes until we are using that situation to further HIS kindgom and against the Enemy!! (i.e. Beth using her childhood abuse to help others open up about and overcome it!) Does that make sense?
That's just one of the many things I loved that she said. Also, this week, I've tried to look at the scripture I read in the morning in a different way because as she pointed out using Isaiah 55:11, EVERY time I expose myself to God's word, He has a purpose for that specific scripture in my life at that time!!
I could go on for days............but I won't. I've got hungry children (there are 6 of them with us at the beach this week!!) who need to eat!!
So, my friends..................leave us a comment so we can learn more about your simulcast experience! I appreciated Brother Lawrence's challenge (thank you, Jonathan and the tech team for getting our services on the web so fast!!) for the women to not "blow it"! Let's not, girls!! Let "do the thing!" like Beth always says - well, actually she says it more like "thaang", which we can all relate to!
I'm typing fast, so forgive any typos! :)
Love,
M
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Beth Moore simulcast notes
Beth Moore Simulcast Notes- Aug. 1-2
Travis Cottrell started the conference with saying new beginnings.
We get one shot at this life so LIVE IT but not for self but to God.
Walk and surrender
God can set any captive FREE!!!
He can restore us, repair us, and build us up again.
Beth spoke from Luke 8:1-15 ( I challenge you to read it!)
Think about WHAT God has sown into you.
We are a woman of means, substance, and resources.
We are not superficial!
Verse 3: women who provided for Him (JESUS) from their substance.
Our life was meant to be lived out in a relationship with God.
We increase our competence and confidence in the WORD of God.
Verse 8:8 one hundred-fold harvest
She said we should have MAXIMUM IMPACT in our lives with God’s word. Learn how to let the Word crop a 100fold
Genesis 26:12 “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed Him.”
So, check this verse out in Gal. 3:29
“And you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
WE ladies are a seed of Abraham!!!! Praise God
She said that anything we lose for God’s sake He will return 100 fold!
Surrender our life to MAXIMUM IMPACT.
Did you know that Jesus disciplied twelve young men. He was sowing a seed in their lives so then they could sow into other lives including their families.
DO NOT lose God’s hope in hearing HIS voice, his promises, and HIS miracles.
DO NOT allow the enemy to tell you lies
When God speaks to you don’t allow the enemy to make you doubt it.
DO NOT let the enemy tell you that you didn’t hear God’s voice because of the sin in your life and your past. I realize that sin is different for all of us.
NEWS FLASH….when we confess our sin God forgives us…my words
Hos. 10:12 Now is the time to seek the Lord and plow up the hard ground of your heart.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
Ok, she gave us 7 Truths
1. Treasure the wonder- the BIBLE
2 Tim. 3:16
Gen 2:7
God will thoroughly equip us!
She said as woman we are competently competent!!!
2. Protect your heart- hide God’s word in your heart
Luke 8:12 Ladies this verse is so good. How many have you gotten excited about God’s word then WHAT happened? Did you memorize it, retain it, study it…was it deep rooted in your heart or did you allow the enemy to snatch it. Did you allow the enemy to steal your seed because you didn’t spend time watering it?
Do you realize what Satan’s agenda really is? His entire agenda is to make sure YOU do not become healed, restored, repaired, liberated in Christ. To make sure we don’t live out our purpose and fulfill our destiny. Is that something to get mad about??? Nothing is more important to satan than to steal God’s word from you and make sure we are ill equipped to do WHAT God called us to do. He cannot steal our salvation so he will try to steal everything else good in our lives.
John 10:10 more abundant life
Psalm 119:10-11
I loved this…when God gives you a word then we must put our hand over our heart to protect it. So, stop what you are doing and think God for a word He has given you and gently place your hand over your heart and tell the enemy this WORD is not for you but for ME. You cannot steal God’s Word from me. I love doing this; it just gives me much comfort. J
FAITH and FREEDOM- inseparable
Because of our faith we have freedom.
We can be delivered from addictions and the sin in our life.
Ask yourself this question? WHAT DO I BELIEVE GOD IS CAPABLE OF DOING IN MY LIFE...not anothers but your life
I can be a WOMAN of spiritual means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was all on Friday night and it was good and encouraging.
I know this is a lot of notes especially on God’s Word but you know what without God’s Word what do we have. When I left there Friday night I just felt so encouraged and free as a WOMAN. We should hold our head up high because Christ dwells in you and me. If you don’t know Jesus then you won’t have this freedom. It takes a relationship with Jesus Christ and accepting him as your savior and Lord. It takes confessing your sin and admitting that we are sinners and we can’t do this life thing on our own.
God has forgiven us of our sins so WHY haven’t we. We all have our dark past and dark secrets but there is NOTHING that will separate you from the love of Jesus. I want to share a beautiful verse with you that gives me HOPE. Romans 8:37-39 I actually painted this on a canvas and have it hanging in my home because I need that reminder that NOTHING can take God’s love away from me. Ladies that is comforting and powerful. I have no idea who will be reading this so I have to share my heart with you. I can’t imagine living in this life with out GOD. I have asked God to give me the exact things to share with you. I know I told some of you that I would type notes for you and some of you are probably a little overwhelmed. That is ok, just print the notes and take it at your own speed. I just could not keep all this to myself. If you find these notes and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus then I beg you to call a friend, family member, anyone to help you or call me Joannie 356-9164. Your life will never ever be the same!!!
Ok, so let’s press on with day 2. God will restore in your life what the enemy has stolen! Take a step of victory. Let me just share with you that victory was a word God gave me several months. You better believe I put my hand over my heart and I said VICTORY is mine in CHRIST.
So, I remember the verse God gave me. “Victory comes from you, O Lord, may your blessings rest on your people.” Psalm 3:8
When I am having hard times and I am being persecuted and my family is going through trials then guess WHAT I have a word…my WORD. Victory is MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I wrote that verse on an index card and I meditated on it all day so it would be deep rooted in my heart. That is just an example for you. I hope that helps you.
She said that Life is tough but we will rejoice!
She read Luke 8:8-15 from The Message
The time to move on a Word is NOW!
When we sow God’s word in our heart then our life begins to change.
Isaiah. 55 10-12
When the season of testing exceeds the season of believing, we are headed towards a season of falling. I had to read this over and over to get it. We have to have our faith and believe especially during hard times.
3. Expect the test.
Testing – peirasmos (greek word)
Trials- God - to make stand Temptations- satan- to make fall
The Word of God is meant to be applied in our toughest times.
1 Cor. 10:13 God is faithful and will make a way of escape
Psalm 126:5-6
She said we can’t bull God! He knows our heart so tell him your issues!
Psalm 105:17-22
Until God’s word comes to pass it is refining us, pruning us, proving us true
God will burn out the fake in us. When we pretend then God will humble us. I am sure we can all think of a time when this happened. It isn’t always fun either so just be transparent with God, yourself, and others. I have been on this journey and it is freeing. Be what you seem.
4. Dig the roots- God’s love, he has not forgotten you
Eph 3:17 being rooted and grounded in love
Do you remember the song, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so”? Parents start teaching this to your children. This will carry you through a death, lost job, illness, critical spouse etc….
2 King 19:29-30
5. Stop the choke- Anxiety chokes God’s Word out of us
Luke 8:14-15
Whatever we are worrying about chokes the word right out of you.
Phil 4:6 the root of worry is losing control
Ladies, we all deal with worry. I want to share with you what I have been doing first thing in the morning that helps so much. I simply ask God to order my day, order my work, my relationships, my phone calls, my time whatever it is you may stress about.
Oh, I loved this too. We are called to be WARRIORS not worriers!!!
Anxiety shows that we aren’t trusting God.
Life is hard and we aren’t going to feel good all the time. Our temptation is to make our self-feel good with pleasures. This was very freeing for my personal life. Have you just felt down and felt bad about being down or in a funk and you couldn’t figure out what was going on with you?
God will birth passion from our pain and that is WHY Beth is so passionate about God’s word because she will tell you God brought her from the pit!
1 Cor. 1: 5-7 we are enriched in everything
Everyone of our lives has purpose! We need to e competently competent in Christ, we will have a 100fold harvest.
Salvation has nothing to do with our denomination but with a relationship with Christ. Have you spent time with God today?
Romans 10:9 confess with your mouth
My faithfulness….your faithfulness can affect 1000 generations to come!!!! Did you get that, one thousand.
Beth shared that she came from a background of sexual abuse at the age of 3-4 yrs olds. She doesn’t remember the first time but she remembers at this age having shame and as a teenager not knowing the word NO. She didn’t say who caused the abuse but she said it was an authority in her life whom she should have trusted. Ladies, I am so sorry if you too went through abuse. I know I did and it does something to your self image and your self confidence. You don’t feel worthy of anyone’s love. There is HOPE ladies in God’s love and His grace. So, we come from a background of victimilization and then we victimize ourselves. God is a God of healing.
Psalm 107:20 God healed them with his word
God will put His word in your life to heal you and set you free!
She talked about her daughter’s strong will. She cried when she was young many times. I can relate to that with my Josie Hope. J Now, her daughter is married to a minister and pouring into the lives of broken people. So, we have to get out of God’s way and let him work in our children’s lives.
Luke 8:15 noble and good
Noble- beautiful (greek word kalos) good- benefical (greek word agathos)
A beautiful and benefical heart
WE are left here on Earth to be a benefit (help) to others.
Phil 2:17 help others
God allowed what happened to us to minister, heal, and help others.
What God brought us through is about others and helping them.
Beth said that a lot of people come up to her and say why did God allow all of that to happen to you…she says to birth my passion to set others free.
So, ask yourself what has God brought you from, healed you from.
Oh, I totally loved this…Let’s make the enemy sorry that he messed with you and your life!!! Our only defense and weapon is the WORD…God’s word. Satan can not make us lose our salvation. He wants us to lose our effectiveness because he is mad.
Ecc. 11:6 sow our seed first thing in the morning because we need out seed all day
Isaiah 50:4 God will give us knowledge in the morning
We should all have our PHD - Pure hearted disciple
Isaiah 50:10 walking in light
God CAN change our life not just our day.
PMS- please more spirit (she is silly too)
6. Retain the Word
Greek word retain is kateche- to hold in an a vice grip, to posses, to own
Meditate on your word all day. God will give you a daily word and a life word like my word VICTORY…that is my life word. So, listen to God speak to you. Oh, listening to God simply means opening your Bible and reading his word. God is reading to you and you are listening. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed and I don’t feel like doing my quiet time with God so I just get my Bible and start reading. My attitude usually changes and I get some truth. Some days are awesome and others and good but the bottom line is I am obeying God and staying committed to giving him my first.
7. Press forth to your 100 fold- persevere
Just like I am doing with these notes, I am finishing them for you guys.
Sometimes we will start something and then we don’t finish. She said that anytime we get in the middle of doing something for God- we want to quit!
This is when we have to press on…press forth
I am tired of typing but it isn’t about me or my comfort.
A harvest doesn’t come quickly, it takes time….if we quit then we won’t see the 100 fold, our harvest won’t come.
Believe God for the finished work!!!!!!!!!
Revelation 10:7 the mystery of God would be finished
All questions will be answered
WE ARE WOMAN OF SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE AND MEANS WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE!!!
Hey Ladies,
I hope you got something ONE THING from all of the notes. I know I just couldn’t allow all the TRUTH that Beth sowed in my heart be snatched and forgotten. I hope this blesses you and encourages you to STAND UP for Jesus and live for HIM and HIM alone. He will teach us how to love others; our spouse, friends, parents, children EVERYONE.
Blessings to all of you and share this with others.
If you have any questions or comments please email me or call me.
If you need prayer and encouragement then I am here for you.
Sweet blessings,
Joannie
God gave me this verse on Aug. 4th
“Then he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50
You know what, I have been praying for peace in my life for years.
God was refining me as I waited, he didn’t forget my prayer.
God loves you
Travis Cottrell started the conference with saying new beginnings.
We get one shot at this life so LIVE IT but not for self but to God.
Walk and surrender
God can set any captive FREE!!!
He can restore us, repair us, and build us up again.
Beth spoke from Luke 8:1-15 ( I challenge you to read it!)
Think about WHAT God has sown into you.
We are a woman of means, substance, and resources.
We are not superficial!
Verse 3: women who provided for Him (JESUS) from their substance.
Our life was meant to be lived out in a relationship with God.
We increase our competence and confidence in the WORD of God.
Verse 8:8 one hundred-fold harvest
She said we should have MAXIMUM IMPACT in our lives with God’s word. Learn how to let the Word crop a 100fold
Genesis 26:12 “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed Him.”
So, check this verse out in Gal. 3:29
“And you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
WE ladies are a seed of Abraham!!!! Praise God
She said that anything we lose for God’s sake He will return 100 fold!
Surrender our life to MAXIMUM IMPACT.
Did you know that Jesus disciplied twelve young men. He was sowing a seed in their lives so then they could sow into other lives including their families.
DO NOT lose God’s hope in hearing HIS voice, his promises, and HIS miracles.
DO NOT allow the enemy to tell you lies
When God speaks to you don’t allow the enemy to make you doubt it.
DO NOT let the enemy tell you that you didn’t hear God’s voice because of the sin in your life and your past. I realize that sin is different for all of us.
NEWS FLASH….when we confess our sin God forgives us…my words
Hos. 10:12 Now is the time to seek the Lord and plow up the hard ground of your heart.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
Ok, she gave us 7 Truths
1. Treasure the wonder- the BIBLE
2 Tim. 3:16
Gen 2:7
God will thoroughly equip us!
She said as woman we are competently competent!!!
2. Protect your heart- hide God’s word in your heart
Luke 8:12 Ladies this verse is so good. How many have you gotten excited about God’s word then WHAT happened? Did you memorize it, retain it, study it…was it deep rooted in your heart or did you allow the enemy to snatch it. Did you allow the enemy to steal your seed because you didn’t spend time watering it?
Do you realize what Satan’s agenda really is? His entire agenda is to make sure YOU do not become healed, restored, repaired, liberated in Christ. To make sure we don’t live out our purpose and fulfill our destiny. Is that something to get mad about??? Nothing is more important to satan than to steal God’s word from you and make sure we are ill equipped to do WHAT God called us to do. He cannot steal our salvation so he will try to steal everything else good in our lives.
John 10:10 more abundant life
Psalm 119:10-11
I loved this…when God gives you a word then we must put our hand over our heart to protect it. So, stop what you are doing and think God for a word He has given you and gently place your hand over your heart and tell the enemy this WORD is not for you but for ME. You cannot steal God’s Word from me. I love doing this; it just gives me much comfort. J
FAITH and FREEDOM- inseparable
Because of our faith we have freedom.
We can be delivered from addictions and the sin in our life.
Ask yourself this question? WHAT DO I BELIEVE GOD IS CAPABLE OF DOING IN MY LIFE...not anothers but your life
I can be a WOMAN of spiritual means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was all on Friday night and it was good and encouraging.
I know this is a lot of notes especially on God’s Word but you know what without God’s Word what do we have. When I left there Friday night I just felt so encouraged and free as a WOMAN. We should hold our head up high because Christ dwells in you and me. If you don’t know Jesus then you won’t have this freedom. It takes a relationship with Jesus Christ and accepting him as your savior and Lord. It takes confessing your sin and admitting that we are sinners and we can’t do this life thing on our own.
God has forgiven us of our sins so WHY haven’t we. We all have our dark past and dark secrets but there is NOTHING that will separate you from the love of Jesus. I want to share a beautiful verse with you that gives me HOPE. Romans 8:37-39 I actually painted this on a canvas and have it hanging in my home because I need that reminder that NOTHING can take God’s love away from me. Ladies that is comforting and powerful. I have no idea who will be reading this so I have to share my heart with you. I can’t imagine living in this life with out GOD. I have asked God to give me the exact things to share with you. I know I told some of you that I would type notes for you and some of you are probably a little overwhelmed. That is ok, just print the notes and take it at your own speed. I just could not keep all this to myself. If you find these notes and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus then I beg you to call a friend, family member, anyone to help you or call me Joannie 356-9164. Your life will never ever be the same!!!
Ok, so let’s press on with day 2. God will restore in your life what the enemy has stolen! Take a step of victory. Let me just share with you that victory was a word God gave me several months. You better believe I put my hand over my heart and I said VICTORY is mine in CHRIST.
So, I remember the verse God gave me. “Victory comes from you, O Lord, may your blessings rest on your people.” Psalm 3:8
When I am having hard times and I am being persecuted and my family is going through trials then guess WHAT I have a word…my WORD. Victory is MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I wrote that verse on an index card and I meditated on it all day so it would be deep rooted in my heart. That is just an example for you. I hope that helps you.
She said that Life is tough but we will rejoice!
She read Luke 8:8-15 from The Message
The time to move on a Word is NOW!
When we sow God’s word in our heart then our life begins to change.
Isaiah. 55 10-12
When the season of testing exceeds the season of believing, we are headed towards a season of falling. I had to read this over and over to get it. We have to have our faith and believe especially during hard times.
3. Expect the test.
Testing – peirasmos (greek word)
Trials- God - to make stand Temptations- satan- to make fall
The Word of God is meant to be applied in our toughest times.
1 Cor. 10:13 God is faithful and will make a way of escape
Psalm 126:5-6
She said we can’t bull God! He knows our heart so tell him your issues!
Psalm 105:17-22
Until God’s word comes to pass it is refining us, pruning us, proving us true
God will burn out the fake in us. When we pretend then God will humble us. I am sure we can all think of a time when this happened. It isn’t always fun either so just be transparent with God, yourself, and others. I have been on this journey and it is freeing. Be what you seem.
4. Dig the roots- God’s love, he has not forgotten you
Eph 3:17 being rooted and grounded in love
Do you remember the song, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so”? Parents start teaching this to your children. This will carry you through a death, lost job, illness, critical spouse etc….
2 King 19:29-30
5. Stop the choke- Anxiety chokes God’s Word out of us
Luke 8:14-15
Whatever we are worrying about chokes the word right out of you.
Phil 4:6 the root of worry is losing control
Ladies, we all deal with worry. I want to share with you what I have been doing first thing in the morning that helps so much. I simply ask God to order my day, order my work, my relationships, my phone calls, my time whatever it is you may stress about.
Oh, I loved this too. We are called to be WARRIORS not worriers!!!
Anxiety shows that we aren’t trusting God.
Life is hard and we aren’t going to feel good all the time. Our temptation is to make our self-feel good with pleasures. This was very freeing for my personal life. Have you just felt down and felt bad about being down or in a funk and you couldn’t figure out what was going on with you?
God will birth passion from our pain and that is WHY Beth is so passionate about God’s word because she will tell you God brought her from the pit!
1 Cor. 1: 5-7 we are enriched in everything
Everyone of our lives has purpose! We need to e competently competent in Christ, we will have a 100fold harvest.
Salvation has nothing to do with our denomination but with a relationship with Christ. Have you spent time with God today?
Romans 10:9 confess with your mouth
My faithfulness….your faithfulness can affect 1000 generations to come!!!! Did you get that, one thousand.
Beth shared that she came from a background of sexual abuse at the age of 3-4 yrs olds. She doesn’t remember the first time but she remembers at this age having shame and as a teenager not knowing the word NO. She didn’t say who caused the abuse but she said it was an authority in her life whom she should have trusted. Ladies, I am so sorry if you too went through abuse. I know I did and it does something to your self image and your self confidence. You don’t feel worthy of anyone’s love. There is HOPE ladies in God’s love and His grace. So, we come from a background of victimilization and then we victimize ourselves. God is a God of healing.
Psalm 107:20 God healed them with his word
God will put His word in your life to heal you and set you free!
She talked about her daughter’s strong will. She cried when she was young many times. I can relate to that with my Josie Hope. J Now, her daughter is married to a minister and pouring into the lives of broken people. So, we have to get out of God’s way and let him work in our children’s lives.
Luke 8:15 noble and good
Noble- beautiful (greek word kalos) good- benefical (greek word agathos)
A beautiful and benefical heart
WE are left here on Earth to be a benefit (help) to others.
Phil 2:17 help others
God allowed what happened to us to minister, heal, and help others.
What God brought us through is about others and helping them.
Beth said that a lot of people come up to her and say why did God allow all of that to happen to you…she says to birth my passion to set others free.
So, ask yourself what has God brought you from, healed you from.
Oh, I totally loved this…Let’s make the enemy sorry that he messed with you and your life!!! Our only defense and weapon is the WORD…God’s word. Satan can not make us lose our salvation. He wants us to lose our effectiveness because he is mad.
Ecc. 11:6 sow our seed first thing in the morning because we need out seed all day
Isaiah 50:4 God will give us knowledge in the morning
We should all have our PHD - Pure hearted disciple
Isaiah 50:10 walking in light
God CAN change our life not just our day.
PMS- please more spirit (she is silly too)
6. Retain the Word
Greek word retain is kateche- to hold in an a vice grip, to posses, to own
Meditate on your word all day. God will give you a daily word and a life word like my word VICTORY…that is my life word. So, listen to God speak to you. Oh, listening to God simply means opening your Bible and reading his word. God is reading to you and you are listening. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed and I don’t feel like doing my quiet time with God so I just get my Bible and start reading. My attitude usually changes and I get some truth. Some days are awesome and others and good but the bottom line is I am obeying God and staying committed to giving him my first.
7. Press forth to your 100 fold- persevere
Just like I am doing with these notes, I am finishing them for you guys.
Sometimes we will start something and then we don’t finish. She said that anytime we get in the middle of doing something for God- we want to quit!
This is when we have to press on…press forth
I am tired of typing but it isn’t about me or my comfort.
A harvest doesn’t come quickly, it takes time….if we quit then we won’t see the 100 fold, our harvest won’t come.
Believe God for the finished work!!!!!!!!!
Revelation 10:7 the mystery of God would be finished
All questions will be answered
WE ARE WOMAN OF SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE AND MEANS WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE!!!
Hey Ladies,
I hope you got something ONE THING from all of the notes. I know I just couldn’t allow all the TRUTH that Beth sowed in my heart be snatched and forgotten. I hope this blesses you and encourages you to STAND UP for Jesus and live for HIM and HIM alone. He will teach us how to love others; our spouse, friends, parents, children EVERYONE.
Blessings to all of you and share this with others.
If you have any questions or comments please email me or call me.
If you need prayer and encouragement then I am here for you.
Sweet blessings,
Joannie
God gave me this verse on Aug. 4th
“Then he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50
You know what, I have been praying for peace in my life for years.
God was refining me as I waited, he didn’t forget my prayer.
God loves you
Sunday, August 3, 2008
30 Day Challenge
Who is up for a challenge??? me me me
OK, I listened to 89.1 on Friday and Nancy Lee DeMoss was talking about marriages. She gave all the listeners a challenge and I want to share it with you. Have you ever imagined looking at your relationship with your husband like your relationship with Christ? I can say I have not so I got a nice reality check. How could I not share this with all of you. I just really feel like I don't always stop and think about what I say to Tim. I know he loves me and I think I get comfortable with that love and I don't always show the respect to him as I would to Jesus. So, imagine with me for a moment the impact we women could make if we would encourage the important men in our lives. Here is the challenge. Don't say one negative thing about your husband to him or about him to anyone else. Then make a special effort to say ONE positive thing to him every day for 30 days. I know this isn't going to be easy but I know you can do it. I need accountability as much as you do so please feel free to call me or email me. I would love to hear how things are going with you. :)
Col. 3:18
Blessings to you all,
Oh, feel free to share this with others.
Love,
Joannie
OK, I listened to 89.1 on Friday and Nancy Lee DeMoss was talking about marriages. She gave all the listeners a challenge and I want to share it with you. Have you ever imagined looking at your relationship with your husband like your relationship with Christ? I can say I have not so I got a nice reality check. How could I not share this with all of you. I just really feel like I don't always stop and think about what I say to Tim. I know he loves me and I think I get comfortable with that love and I don't always show the respect to him as I would to Jesus. So, imagine with me for a moment the impact we women could make if we would encourage the important men in our lives. Here is the challenge. Don't say one negative thing about your husband to him or about him to anyone else. Then make a special effort to say ONE positive thing to him every day for 30 days. I know this isn't going to be easy but I know you can do it. I need accountability as much as you do so please feel free to call me or email me. I would love to hear how things are going with you. :)
Col. 3:18
Blessings to you all,
Oh, feel free to share this with others.
Love,
Joannie
Greetings from the Beach!
Hey Ladies,
For those of you who may be keeping up with this blog -
This is an email that I received today from a guest of the Beth Moore Simulcast this weekend and since it applies to all of you, I thought I would pass it along.
"Please tell everyone at your church a big THANK YOU for hosting the Beth Moore simulcast. It was a wonderful experience. I really needed Beth's message this weekend in many ways. Thank you to all the ladies who covered us in prayers before the simulcast even began. Y'all have surely ministered 100 fold."
Y'all are awesome! Thanks to all who helped make the Simulcast such a special event for all involved! I am truly humbled to be a part of something that special!!
And aren't we all excited to see Ann Allen blogging???
Love,
Melissa
For those of you who may be keeping up with this blog -
This is an email that I received today from a guest of the Beth Moore Simulcast this weekend and since it applies to all of you, I thought I would pass it along.
"Please tell everyone at your church a big THANK YOU for hosting the Beth Moore simulcast. It was a wonderful experience. I really needed Beth's message this weekend in many ways. Thank you to all the ladies who covered us in prayers before the simulcast even began. Y'all have surely ministered 100 fold."
Y'all are awesome! Thanks to all who helped make the Simulcast such a special event for all involved! I am truly humbled to be a part of something that special!!
And aren't we all excited to see Ann Allen blogging???
Love,
Melissa
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Thanks for the Simulcast
Thanks to all who worked to make the Simulcast at VF possible. What a blessing. Let's not stop praying as we have a tendency to do after a "big event." Ours prayers must be even more intentional for the Word to take root before the enemy snatches it as Beth so passionately taught. Lets pray for those who were on the frontlines in planning this thing to be refreshed and just enjoy their families as so many begin to think about the dreaded S word (school). I am so excited about our Women's Ministry at VF. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (Isa.64:4) (thanks again Melissa)
Feeding the good dog,
Ann Allen
Feeding the good dog,
Ann Allen
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