Have you ever noticed that almost everywhere in the Bible where it speaks about wisdom, it also speaks of knowledge. The phrase "wisdom and knowledge" appears in the Bible over 29 times. This is great trivia, huh?
I've been on a quest for wisdom and knowledge as I have been super intrigued by the fact that the two words are paired together. I've been at Blue Letter Bible, which is an amazing resource for great study of the Word. I'm currently exploring every verse that has "wisdom and knowledge" within the verse. I've stopped at Solomon as he explains in Ecclesiastes 1 that it has almost become a curse to him.
I've never even thought that wisdom and knowledge could be so heavy. I've come to find that "the more we know, the more we see what there is to be known." Matthew Henry's Commentary also linked at Blue Letter Bible makes it so easy to view the commentary and Hebrew meanings of words. He also states that "the more we know, the more we see of our own ignorance." Solomon had found that although he was able to see through the surrounding problems, he could do NOTHING to change the sinful nature of men. He found that no amount of wisdom and knowledge could change the temperament or turmoil of men unless they too found the heart of God through relationship. Solomon communicates that as we perceive with greater clearness that our work does not end.
"Those that increase knowledge have so much the more quick and sensible perception of the calamities of this world, and for one discovery they make that is pleasing, perhaps, they make ten that are displeasing, and so they increase sorrow. Let us not therefore be driven off from the pursuit of any useful knowledge, but put on patience to break through the sorrow of it; but let us despair of finding true happiness in this knowledge, and expect it only in the knowledge of God and the careful discharge of our duty to him. He that increases in heavenly wisdom, and in an experimental acquaintance with the principles, powers, and pleasures of the spiritual and divine life, increases joy, such as will shortly be consummated in everlasting joy." There was no paraphrasing this! I thought it was soo good.
So that's what I've been finding in the Word. Life has been such an adventure, that I could not even begin to tell it on my blog. I'm just embracing the challenges and blessings that lie ahead of me.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
A Heavenly Inheritance
I've not only been inspired to study sonship vs. slavery, but I know that The Holy Spirit has moved me to learn about it. I first heard of the specific topic from Bethany Nicole, an amazing woman who incedentally does great photography. Since my conversation with Bethany, I have heard or seen this topic at least half a dozen times. I went to Starbucks and a man studying the word shared with me what God was doing in him, sonship versus slavery. He recommended a book called Birthright by John Sheasby. I'm unsure of the credibility of the author, but it is at least worth mentioning as the little I have read about it seems right on target.
Just below is the scripture that contains all of what God has shown me so far in my study. I know reading scripture isn't people's favorite thing to do, but it is in a nutshell, what makes this subject alive.
Galations 4:1-7 says, "Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out 'Abba, Father!' Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, bu tthe Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Here, I have all I need to know that I am called to act and resemble God as His child and to claim all of what is rightfully mine. I know that if my earthly father said there was $100 on the ground in the backyard, I would run to grab it. Therefore, I just can not see myself declining my spiritual inheritance from my Father, God.
Through these verses, I have the opportunity to receive a divine dispensation of grace, light, and liberty according to Matthew Henry's Commentary.
I have also learned that God's love is what makes sence of the law. If you read the scriptures surrounding the ones listed above, you will see how Paul was making the church of the Old Testament, the church under the wrath of God and penalty of law, realize that their destiny was now under a new gospel. I know that God came to give me life and life more abundantly, but when I put this in context, I can't help but see it like this....He has come to give me life (Old Testament style) and life more abundantly (freedom under the gospel). Until Jesus was resurrected from the earth, we were all under the law, but with redemption, we are able to experience a greater freedom.
In Galations 4:6-7, it shows me how to activate myself into sonship. I know I have asked myself several times how I could even go about applying this to everyday life. Well, in these verses, it says that our sonship or inheritance is activated through prayer. Verse 6 says clearly that because we are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into my heart that WILL CRY OUT, Abba Father!
I've also come to the realization, thanks to Mr. Henry again, that God's true children will resemble Him. Therefore, I have drawn my own conclusion that the law should be a description of our life instead of the scripture being the governor of my life. When I take Beth's advice and look to the relationship from the Perfect Son to the Perfect Father, I see that Jesus was always united with His father and the Word was literally a bi-product of His life.
Conclusion : The Spirit of Adoption = A Spirit of Prayer
Those who have the nature of sons will have an inheritance of sons.
God is never silent about His sons! How loving of my Father to include the manuel on how to live as an heir.
The Word of God is a faithful witness!
I searched this out not as a hand-out from God, but out of a hunger to respond to God calling me in to be His son/daughter (however you want to see it). I want to posses all of what was intended for me to posses from the Cross.
Goal: Do not leave any of my Father's estate in the backyard where it is of no use! My Father paid a price, and I will be a good return on His investment.
~Whitney, if you read this, I know that God is drawing you in as well. I'm believing with you for an inheritance incorruptable. When this comes, I know everything else will follow.
Just below is the scripture that contains all of what God has shown me so far in my study. I know reading scripture isn't people's favorite thing to do, but it is in a nutshell, what makes this subject alive.
Galations 4:1-7 says, "Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out 'Abba, Father!' Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, bu tthe Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Here, I have all I need to know that I am called to act and resemble God as His child and to claim all of what is rightfully mine. I know that if my earthly father said there was $100 on the ground in the backyard, I would run to grab it. Therefore, I just can not see myself declining my spiritual inheritance from my Father, God.
Through these verses, I have the opportunity to receive a divine dispensation of grace, light, and liberty according to Matthew Henry's Commentary.
I have also learned that God's love is what makes sence of the law. If you read the scriptures surrounding the ones listed above, you will see how Paul was making the church of the Old Testament, the church under the wrath of God and penalty of law, realize that their destiny was now under a new gospel. I know that God came to give me life and life more abundantly, but when I put this in context, I can't help but see it like this....He has come to give me life (Old Testament style) and life more abundantly (freedom under the gospel). Until Jesus was resurrected from the earth, we were all under the law, but with redemption, we are able to experience a greater freedom.
In Galations 4:6-7, it shows me how to activate myself into sonship. I know I have asked myself several times how I could even go about applying this to everyday life. Well, in these verses, it says that our sonship or inheritance is activated through prayer. Verse 6 says clearly that because we are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into my heart that WILL CRY OUT, Abba Father!
I've also come to the realization, thanks to Mr. Henry again, that God's true children will resemble Him. Therefore, I have drawn my own conclusion that the law should be a description of our life instead of the scripture being the governor of my life. When I take Beth's advice and look to the relationship from the Perfect Son to the Perfect Father, I see that Jesus was always united with His father and the Word was literally a bi-product of His life.
Conclusion : The Spirit of Adoption = A Spirit of Prayer
Those who have the nature of sons will have an inheritance of sons.
God is never silent about His sons! How loving of my Father to include the manuel on how to live as an heir.
The Word of God is a faithful witness!
I searched this out not as a hand-out from God, but out of a hunger to respond to God calling me in to be His son/daughter (however you want to see it). I want to posses all of what was intended for me to posses from the Cross.
Goal: Do not leave any of my Father's estate in the backyard where it is of no use! My Father paid a price, and I will be a good return on His investment.
~Whitney, if you read this, I know that God is drawing you in as well. I'm believing with you for an inheritance incorruptable. When this comes, I know everything else will follow.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Commit & Trust ... He Shall Bring it to Pass!
My heart today is in meditation of how dreams shall come to pass. God has spoken in ways lately that I can hardly believe. As I'm sitting here, I am relistening to the teaching of Rebecca Greenwood. I have enrolled, as directed by God, in her class on spiritual warfare. I had no idea what I was getting myself into! For real. If God didn't tell me to enroll, I would have hit the ground running after the first meeting!
To say the least, it has changed my life. If this topic interests you, check out her book, Authority to Tread.
It is an intercessors guide. What she is teaching in the class is based on this book but also on other topics! I know people that require their teams to read and study this book before going out into Satan's territory.
This past friday, I spoke on Beauty at the Titus 2 class through One Voice at our church. I enjoyed it immensely and know the Lord showed up. I attached my notes below if you would like to see them. :)
The message was better formatted, and isn't formatted as I would have liked.
Beauty
PRAY
Webster says that beauty pleasurably exalts the mind and spirit. If we come back to the meaning of beauty, we will notice that beauty affects inward senses…not outward. So today, I want to redirect my efforts into pursuit of a beauty that exalts the minds and spirit.
I was in Dillard’s with Melissa Perkins. We happened to come upon a manikin …or so I thought a manikin. You see, I assumed it was a manikin because it was standing where all of the manikins have stood in the past. This object was still and posed as though it were a real manikin. However, I couldn’t help but notice that this manikin looked a little different. I walked a little closer….closer…closer. I begin to become enthralled with figuring this out. I literally put my face two inches from the leg. I called out, “Boy Melissa, this manikin has a lot of meat on her!” I, for a brief second, consider looking up the dress of this object. Thank goodness, my attention was pulled elsewhere. Melissa and I begin to walk away browsing at clothes that we would never pay that much money for! Out of the corner of our eyes, we see it start to move and talk to people. Needless to say, I darted behind the nearest rack of clothing and began to laugh hysterically! I then realized all the crazy stuff I had done to this live person! Oh my.
Well, the point of this story is that so often we want to step up and into a silhouette of what we would all love to believe is beauty. Wouldn’t it be so easy for beauty to be captured by makeup, hair, and clothing? That woman had stepped out of her own authenticity and stepped into a shallow object that displayed things of this world that so many have begun to believe is beauty. This sweet lady had begun to hide behind a display of clothes, jewelry, and makeup. I don’t know about you, but I can think of many times where I attempted the same to escape insecurities that my own appearance had shown.
I have had a revelation from God that it is time for us to define beauty in the world. I can almost see God looking down on so many of you passionate women that are still in waiting for a husband. I can see how lovely you are and how blessed a man of God will be to have you. But you know, the inward pull and search for beauty doesn’t end when that one special man finds you. If beauty isn’t an understood reality with your individual relationship with the Lord, then how could we expect a man to make us feel what we have not yet even found in God? As a married woman, I have recently learned the danger of expecting your husband to fulfill what should ultimately be a God-role.
So, let me share with you what the Lord has shown me about encompassing and exhibiting real beauty.
As I begun to ask the Lord to reveal to me what He would have me to say, He clearly brought me to the story of David in 2 Samuel 1. In 2 Samuel 1, we see the story of how David deals with the death of his enemy, Saul. We also see the picture of how he copes with the death of his best friend and the son of Saul, Jonathan.
An Amalekite messenger comes to David at his camp to inform David that Saul and Jonathon have been killed. Let’s remember that David is Saul’s successor and Saul had, at one point, had even hired 3,000 men to kill David. David’s response was that he would not kill Saul, but he would let the Lord decide. So the messenger began to inform David of Saul and Jonathan’s death. Saul had been in battle and was speared by his own sword along with his son. However, his life was hanging in the balance. Biblical theologians believe that in the “inconvenience of his clothes; that his coat of mail which he had for defence, or his embroidered coat which he had for ornament, hindered him, that he could not get the spear far enough into his body, or so straitened him, now that his body swelled with anguish, that he could not expire. Let no man’s clothes be his pride, for it may so happen that they may be his burden and snare.”
So the messenger was at the scene in close proximity to Saul. Saul then pleads with the Amalekite to finish killing him as his life was hanging in the balance. The Amalekite then finishes the death of Saul and esteemed himself in being the messenger to David. He then takes the crown and bracelet from Saul as proof to David. “The Amalekite produced that which was proof sufficient of the death of Saul, the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm. It should seem Saul was so foolishly fond of these as to wear them in the field of battle, which made him a fair mark for the archers, by distinguishing him from those about him; but as pride (we say) feels no cold, so it fears no danger, from that which gratifies it. These fell into the hands of this Amalekite. Saul spared the best of their spoil, and now the best of his came to one of that devoted nation”
David then mourns and demands everyone around him to pay respect in mourning for the lives of Saul and Jonathan. “David showed ultimate beauty in honoring Saul’s death with lament and fasting. He also proved that his own life was in pursuit of hiding the fault’s at who once was his very enemy, Saul. David takes Saul’s death personal and bears no bitterness. David celebrated that which was praiseworthy of Saul and as Saul’s body became one with the earth again, so did his reflections upon the personal injuries Saul had inflicted upon him.
David realized that Saul’s life was victorious in the protection of Israel and understood that Saul’s fall was not to degrade the successes of his life.”
Jonathan was very dear to David’s heart, although his enemy was Jonathan’s father. 1 Samuel 18:1 says, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” David, in the process of mourning, wrote a song about what had taken place, ordering all of the people to know it and have their children know it. Here is where beauty arrives on the scene. “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
o The word beauty in the Hebrew means glory or honor. What a statement to bestow the entire nation of Israel’s honor and glory to befall on Saul and Jonathon, although Matthew Henry’s commentary states that David is specifically talking about Jonathon through the statement. I can’t help but notice that the beauty David is describing is of how his relationship and association with Jonathon was one that elevated the mind and spirit.
As God has revealed this story of beauty to me, He has also directed me to Matthew 6:25-33.
V. 29 - What God is saying is that there is nothing that anyone can do to clothe themselves in what compares to what the Lord will add unto us when we simply exist and live as ourselves, who He created us to be. Notice that when David wrote the song about Jonathon, calling him the beauty of Israel, the true meaning from the word beauty was glory or honor. Therefore, even Soloman in all his beauty was not arrayed like one of the flowers of the fields.
V. 32 – All these things meaning all of the attributes just describe as what you will be clothed with…beauty.
Beauty for Ashes – “Let us now, like Cinderella, sit down among the cinders(of our old perception of beauty) for awhile in order that we may come forth from the ashes with something better than glass slippers, adorned with a beauty which shall befit the king’s courts! The fairy fable which has often made our childhood smile shall now be actually realized in our own souls—yes, we shall see how far the Truth of God outshines romance! How much grander are the facts of God than the fictions of men!” -Spurgeon
To say the least, it has changed my life. If this topic interests you, check out her book, Authority to Tread.
This past friday, I spoke on Beauty at the Titus 2 class through One Voice at our church. I enjoyed it immensely and know the Lord showed up. I attached my notes below if you would like to see them. :)
The message was better formatted, and isn't formatted as I would have liked.
Beauty
PRAY
Webster says that beauty pleasurably exalts the mind and spirit. If we come back to the meaning of beauty, we will notice that beauty affects inward senses…not outward. So today, I want to redirect my efforts into pursuit of a beauty that exalts the minds and spirit.
I was in Dillard’s with Melissa Perkins. We happened to come upon a manikin …or so I thought a manikin. You see, I assumed it was a manikin because it was standing where all of the manikins have stood in the past. This object was still and posed as though it were a real manikin. However, I couldn’t help but notice that this manikin looked a little different. I walked a little closer….closer…closer. I begin to become enthralled with figuring this out. I literally put my face two inches from the leg. I called out, “Boy Melissa, this manikin has a lot of meat on her!” I, for a brief second, consider looking up the dress of this object. Thank goodness, my attention was pulled elsewhere. Melissa and I begin to walk away browsing at clothes that we would never pay that much money for! Out of the corner of our eyes, we see it start to move and talk to people. Needless to say, I darted behind the nearest rack of clothing and began to laugh hysterically! I then realized all the crazy stuff I had done to this live person! Oh my.
Well, the point of this story is that so often we want to step up and into a silhouette of what we would all love to believe is beauty. Wouldn’t it be so easy for beauty to be captured by makeup, hair, and clothing? That woman had stepped out of her own authenticity and stepped into a shallow object that displayed things of this world that so many have begun to believe is beauty. This sweet lady had begun to hide behind a display of clothes, jewelry, and makeup. I don’t know about you, but I can think of many times where I attempted the same to escape insecurities that my own appearance had shown.
I have had a revelation from God that it is time for us to define beauty in the world. I can almost see God looking down on so many of you passionate women that are still in waiting for a husband. I can see how lovely you are and how blessed a man of God will be to have you. But you know, the inward pull and search for beauty doesn’t end when that one special man finds you. If beauty isn’t an understood reality with your individual relationship with the Lord, then how could we expect a man to make us feel what we have not yet even found in God? As a married woman, I have recently learned the danger of expecting your husband to fulfill what should ultimately be a God-role.
So, let me share with you what the Lord has shown me about encompassing and exhibiting real beauty.
As I begun to ask the Lord to reveal to me what He would have me to say, He clearly brought me to the story of David in 2 Samuel 1. In 2 Samuel 1, we see the story of how David deals with the death of his enemy, Saul. We also see the picture of how he copes with the death of his best friend and the son of Saul, Jonathan.
An Amalekite messenger comes to David at his camp to inform David that Saul and Jonathon have been killed. Let’s remember that David is Saul’s successor and Saul had, at one point, had even hired 3,000 men to kill David. David’s response was that he would not kill Saul, but he would let the Lord decide. So the messenger began to inform David of Saul and Jonathan’s death. Saul had been in battle and was speared by his own sword along with his son. However, his life was hanging in the balance. Biblical theologians believe that in the “inconvenience of his clothes; that his coat of mail which he had for defence, or his embroidered coat which he had for ornament, hindered him, that he could not get the spear far enough into his body, or so straitened him, now that his body swelled with anguish, that he could not expire. Let no man’s clothes be his pride, for it may so happen that they may be his burden and snare.”
So the messenger was at the scene in close proximity to Saul. Saul then pleads with the Amalekite to finish killing him as his life was hanging in the balance. The Amalekite then finishes the death of Saul and esteemed himself in being the messenger to David. He then takes the crown and bracelet from Saul as proof to David. “The Amalekite produced that which was proof sufficient of the death of Saul, the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm. It should seem Saul was so foolishly fond of these as to wear them in the field of battle, which made him a fair mark for the archers, by distinguishing him from those about him; but as pride (we say) feels no cold, so it fears no danger, from that which gratifies it. These fell into the hands of this Amalekite. Saul spared the best of their spoil, and now the best of his came to one of that devoted nation”
David then mourns and demands everyone around him to pay respect in mourning for the lives of Saul and Jonathan. “David showed ultimate beauty in honoring Saul’s death with lament and fasting. He also proved that his own life was in pursuit of hiding the fault’s at who once was his very enemy, Saul. David takes Saul’s death personal and bears no bitterness. David celebrated that which was praiseworthy of Saul and as Saul’s body became one with the earth again, so did his reflections upon the personal injuries Saul had inflicted upon him.
David realized that Saul’s life was victorious in the protection of Israel and understood that Saul’s fall was not to degrade the successes of his life.”
Jonathan was very dear to David’s heart, although his enemy was Jonathan’s father. 1 Samuel 18:1 says, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” David, in the process of mourning, wrote a song about what had taken place, ordering all of the people to know it and have their children know it. Here is where beauty arrives on the scene. “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
o The word beauty in the Hebrew means glory or honor. What a statement to bestow the entire nation of Israel’s honor and glory to befall on Saul and Jonathon, although Matthew Henry’s commentary states that David is specifically talking about Jonathon through the statement. I can’t help but notice that the beauty David is describing is of how his relationship and association with Jonathon was one that elevated the mind and spirit.
As God has revealed this story of beauty to me, He has also directed me to Matthew 6:25-33.
V. 29 - What God is saying is that there is nothing that anyone can do to clothe themselves in what compares to what the Lord will add unto us when we simply exist and live as ourselves, who He created us to be. Notice that when David wrote the song about Jonathon, calling him the beauty of Israel, the true meaning from the word beauty was glory or honor. Therefore, even Soloman in all his beauty was not arrayed like one of the flowers of the fields.
V. 32 – All these things meaning all of the attributes just describe as what you will be clothed with…beauty.
Beauty for Ashes – “Let us now, like Cinderella, sit down among the cinders(of our old perception of beauty) for awhile in order that we may come forth from the ashes with something better than glass slippers, adorned with a beauty which shall befit the king’s courts! The fairy fable which has often made our childhood smile shall now be actually realized in our own souls—yes, we shall see how far the Truth of God outshines romance! How much grander are the facts of God than the fictions of men!” -Spurgeon
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Something is Better than Nothing
I was just telling someone the other day how theraputic it is for me to blog. It helps me put chase down so many conflicting thoughts and organize them into the proper categories such as: important thoughts, unimportant thoughts, prayer issues, personal issues, and so on... Since the last time I blogged, I think I really have become a different person. I'd like to give credit to myself in being moldable; however, today's trials and blessings will either mold me or break me. I also told someone the other day that was struggling that the only thing that will remain the same in this world is the fact that things will always change.
Since my last blog, I have become more submissive to my husband and a better listener. I had earnestly prayed and prayed to become a woman of grace and meekness. I want to be a soft place for hurt people to land and to re-equip themselves. I'm definately not "arrived" in this category, but I am glad that God is molding me in this area.
I've had prophesy after prophesy about my future. It is an eary feeling to have a call of ministry on your life when it seems somewhat seperate from your husband's calling. I know that at some point in my life, I see a platform. Apparently, God sees it ,too. I know that I did not have this dream on my own. A long time ago, before I knew prophesy was supposed to exist in the church, I heard God tell me as I was praying for the "our" ministry (me as the wife on the pew and Dustin as the preacher). Anywhoo, I heard God ask me, "Jenna, what if I give you the microphone?" I quickly put that thought to the side convincing myself that God was just trying to convince me not to limit my own abilities in God, so I tucked it nice and neat in a corner of my heart. Well, God has DEFINATELY brought it back up through my own connection with Him as well as through prophesy and open opportunities.
Let me get something straight, though. Dustin's ministry is FIRST. I would never do anything to jeopardize his ministry or to limit my ability to be there for him. It would devestate me to be a hindrance to him. When I said my vows, I knew that wherever Dustin would lead is where I would go. If Dustin told me to pack up and move away from a ministry that I was involved in, I would go. However, I have such a strong confidence that my husband's connection to the Lord is real and authentic. He has NEVER made a decision that was not from God directly. I am so proud that he has never depended on a man's input into where he leads his family. He has a direct connection, and I am so thankful. It is also wonderful that God has added a mentor into his life. I'm so grateful in every way that it is the right person at the right time and in the right order.
*Wow, this blog is getting long, and I feel like I have just begun to share what is going on in my life.*
There has been unexpected fear as I have felt a push of promotion from God. I guess when my flesh senses God's movement, I begin to subconciously ask God if He is sure He knows what He is doing. What a silly question, right? I just have to trust that He will always make up the difference! As Kari Jobe says, "I know that You are for Me, I know that You are for me....I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness."
Last week (or so), Dustin and I helped with Collision, a youth camp that our fantastic youth pastors host annually. God moved so strong that my body could not contain it. My good friend described it best as "an open heaven". That's another thing that has happened recently, I have met one of the people that I will probably love till I die. I say that because my heart has connected itself to her...and God telling me I should open up to her is a pretty good indication. ha You know it is true friendship or sisterhood when you really just love that person unconditionally. I also have another relationship like that, but I'll stay more surface.
Yah, back to Collision. I was on the prayer team and God used me! What an honor. It was none of me and ALL of Him. I say that with complete sincerity. I saw two girls seeking the Lord get slammed with the power of God as I released a word over them. I so learned the power of surrender! Now, I must learn how to do what our evangelist knows how to do soooooo well.....WALK in surrender everywhere I go. He is the master at it!
Well, I need to type out the word God has given me for a group of girls, including myself, for Friday night. Hopefully, my friend Melissa will drop by soon.
Thanks for sharing this with me...really.
Since my last blog, I have become more submissive to my husband and a better listener. I had earnestly prayed and prayed to become a woman of grace and meekness. I want to be a soft place for hurt people to land and to re-equip themselves. I'm definately not "arrived" in this category, but I am glad that God is molding me in this area.
I've had prophesy after prophesy about my future. It is an eary feeling to have a call of ministry on your life when it seems somewhat seperate from your husband's calling. I know that at some point in my life, I see a platform. Apparently, God sees it ,too. I know that I did not have this dream on my own. A long time ago, before I knew prophesy was supposed to exist in the church, I heard God tell me as I was praying for the "our" ministry (me as the wife on the pew and Dustin as the preacher). Anywhoo, I heard God ask me, "Jenna, what if I give you the microphone?" I quickly put that thought to the side convincing myself that God was just trying to convince me not to limit my own abilities in God, so I tucked it nice and neat in a corner of my heart. Well, God has DEFINATELY brought it back up through my own connection with Him as well as through prophesy and open opportunities.
Let me get something straight, though. Dustin's ministry is FIRST. I would never do anything to jeopardize his ministry or to limit my ability to be there for him. It would devestate me to be a hindrance to him. When I said my vows, I knew that wherever Dustin would lead is where I would go. If Dustin told me to pack up and move away from a ministry that I was involved in, I would go. However, I have such a strong confidence that my husband's connection to the Lord is real and authentic. He has NEVER made a decision that was not from God directly. I am so proud that he has never depended on a man's input into where he leads his family. He has a direct connection, and I am so thankful. It is also wonderful that God has added a mentor into his life. I'm so grateful in every way that it is the right person at the right time and in the right order.
*Wow, this blog is getting long, and I feel like I have just begun to share what is going on in my life.*
There has been unexpected fear as I have felt a push of promotion from God. I guess when my flesh senses God's movement, I begin to subconciously ask God if He is sure He knows what He is doing. What a silly question, right? I just have to trust that He will always make up the difference! As Kari Jobe says, "I know that You are for Me, I know that You are for me....I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness."
Last week (or so), Dustin and I helped with Collision, a youth camp that our fantastic youth pastors host annually. God moved so strong that my body could not contain it. My good friend described it best as "an open heaven". That's another thing that has happened recently, I have met one of the people that I will probably love till I die. I say that because my heart has connected itself to her...and God telling me I should open up to her is a pretty good indication. ha You know it is true friendship or sisterhood when you really just love that person unconditionally. I also have another relationship like that, but I'll stay more surface.
Yah, back to Collision. I was on the prayer team and God used me! What an honor. It was none of me and ALL of Him. I say that with complete sincerity. I saw two girls seeking the Lord get slammed with the power of God as I released a word over them. I so learned the power of surrender! Now, I must learn how to do what our evangelist knows how to do soooooo well.....WALK in surrender everywhere I go. He is the master at it!
Well, I need to type out the word God has given me for a group of girls, including myself, for Friday night. Hopefully, my friend Melissa will drop by soon.
Thanks for sharing this with me...really.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Undeveloiped Photos
Over the past weekend, Sam Hinn has ministered to our church for two services. He said something that will forever be engrained in my mind. Sewn seeds are like undeveloped photos of our future. I thought that was soo good. He ministered in so many different ways, that I'm sure I'll continue to reap from those services.
I also felt a connection with a woman in the church that I greatly admire. Regardless of what comes of it, I'm grateful that it has happened. There is nothing like the feeling of your promised future becoming a reality....nothing.
As I type, my husband is on his way home from Louisiana. He went there because he scheduled an evangelistic outreach at a local youth group. I am so proud of him! I haven't seen him since Tuesday, so I'm super ready for him to come home.
Over the past month or so, God has brought me out of a season of isolation. I now have people around me that I know God wants me to let into my heart. It was scary and difficult to say the least, and I still haven't completely conquered the ability to not guard myself in an unhealthy way. I'm working on it, though. I was told through prophesy that I have to stop letting people love me through a straw. That straw represents the only way I will accept love. I have to abandon that way of thinking and allow people to love me just how they love me instead of me only seeing myself loved if they do it my way on my terms. I have been finding so much fulfillment from this.
A bible verse that has encouraged me greatly recently says that, "Blessed are the righteous that are persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I looked up persecuted in the Hebrew and it says that persecution means to be put away or mistreated. How much more does this verse cover in our lives when we discover that meaning. God is my vindicator, and I am finally finding the strength to let go of situations.
I hope this blog doesn't sound negative, but I've been in a pruning stage...not because I serve a God that is harsh and requires sacrifice, but because I have seen my Father high and lifted up. I have fell in love with Him and there are things I GET to change to become more of His image. It is so wonderful that love inspires change. I serve a king!
I also felt a connection with a woman in the church that I greatly admire. Regardless of what comes of it, I'm grateful that it has happened. There is nothing like the feeling of your promised future becoming a reality....nothing.
As I type, my husband is on his way home from Louisiana. He went there because he scheduled an evangelistic outreach at a local youth group. I am so proud of him! I haven't seen him since Tuesday, so I'm super ready for him to come home.
Over the past month or so, God has brought me out of a season of isolation. I now have people around me that I know God wants me to let into my heart. It was scary and difficult to say the least, and I still haven't completely conquered the ability to not guard myself in an unhealthy way. I'm working on it, though. I was told through prophesy that I have to stop letting people love me through a straw. That straw represents the only way I will accept love. I have to abandon that way of thinking and allow people to love me just how they love me instead of me only seeing myself loved if they do it my way on my terms. I have been finding so much fulfillment from this.
A bible verse that has encouraged me greatly recently says that, "Blessed are the righteous that are persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I looked up persecuted in the Hebrew and it says that persecution means to be put away or mistreated. How much more does this verse cover in our lives when we discover that meaning. God is my vindicator, and I am finally finding the strength to let go of situations.
I hope this blog doesn't sound negative, but I've been in a pruning stage...not because I serve a God that is harsh and requires sacrifice, but because I have seen my Father high and lifted up. I have fell in love with Him and there are things I GET to change to become more of His image. It is so wonderful that love inspires change. I serve a king!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Jesus' Crayons
I was thinking today about how I demand that my students make good use of the crayons that I have for them. It always seems, without fail, that one student out of my current sight will let one roll off their desk. Of course, someone's foot then manages to smash it and break it into uselessness. My student asked me right before school let out for summer if she could use a fresh box. I told her that she must take care of them and make sure nothing happens to them. She assured me that they would be in great condition upon their return.
The first similarity where I could relate to stewardship is that I only let her use the fresh crayons when I knew that it was an important project she was working on. Consequently, I would have also let her use them if it was just important to her...not just relatively important. The second similarity is that those crayons represented my resource as the teacher. However close I manged them may seem silly; however, I do understand that countless other students benefit or suffer from one student's use. I love how this reminded me that when God blesses me financially, that I need to make sure that it (for the most part) is used to benefit others. Lastly, I have tucked away the bigger box of crayons in my desk drawer. Do you think I would ever let one of my wild and crazy coloring kids have them?...No sir! I would love to bless a student with many more colors and choices if I know they will be used as intended.
I learned from these simple crayolas that stewardship is about alot more than meets the eye, especially when it comes to finances. Some may say I analyze and take things just too far....I prefer to find meaning wherever and whenever I can. On a lighter note, I have been learning to completely let go of my thoughts. I have never known such freedom as I have known it lately.
I've been working 9-2 and it has been heaven! We are moving at the end of the month, so my drive to work will be MUCH less. I plan on decorating it more than I have the one we are in currently. My ten dollar couch has truely inspired me.
My friend Melissa has just recently launched her photography website. It is truely magnificent. She has natural talent.. She especially loves taking pictures of infants. She is an annointed mother although she has no kids of her own just yet. I could go on and on about how my heart leaps at the upcoming success for her, but I'll just give you the site. If your one of my Texas friends or a friend from home (LA), you are definately within her range.
http://www.melissaperkinsphotography.com/
The first similarity where I could relate to stewardship is that I only let her use the fresh crayons when I knew that it was an important project she was working on. Consequently, I would have also let her use them if it was just important to her...not just relatively important. The second similarity is that those crayons represented my resource as the teacher. However close I manged them may seem silly; however, I do understand that countless other students benefit or suffer from one student's use. I love how this reminded me that when God blesses me financially, that I need to make sure that it (for the most part) is used to benefit others. Lastly, I have tucked away the bigger box of crayons in my desk drawer. Do you think I would ever let one of my wild and crazy coloring kids have them?...No sir! I would love to bless a student with many more colors and choices if I know they will be used as intended.
I learned from these simple crayolas that stewardship is about alot more than meets the eye, especially when it comes to finances. Some may say I analyze and take things just too far....I prefer to find meaning wherever and whenever I can. On a lighter note, I have been learning to completely let go of my thoughts. I have never known such freedom as I have known it lately.
I've been working 9-2 and it has been heaven! We are moving at the end of the month, so my drive to work will be MUCH less. I plan on decorating it more than I have the one we are in currently. My ten dollar couch has truely inspired me.
My friend Melissa has just recently launched her photography website. It is truely magnificent. She has natural talent.. She especially loves taking pictures of infants. She is an annointed mother although she has no kids of her own just yet. I could go on and on about how my heart leaps at the upcoming success for her, but I'll just give you the site. If your one of my Texas friends or a friend from home (LA), you are definately within her range.
http://www.melissaperkinsphotography.com/
Monday, May 31, 2010
My Heart, Your Home
I've been experiencing such a hunger for the Word that I have never experienced in my spiritual walk. Reading and studying my Word has often seemed more like a chore than anything else. I honestly think the prayers from my "mentor" have really made the difference. There is no other way that I can explain it. Regardless of what it is, I'm so grateful because I am learning so much.
Anywho, there is a song/artist that I love! Watermark is what they are called. They are a husband/wife team; however, they haven't put out any new music in years. I still download their music. I have never been a big music person, but I adore piano type worship that it deeply heartfelt and thoughtful. This one song in particular has captured my attention! "My Heart, Your Home" has become my mantra.
My Heart, Your Home
Come and make my heart Your home
Come and be everything I am and all I know
Search me through and through
‘Till my heart becomes a home for You
CHORUS
A home for You, Lord
A home for You, Lord
Let everything I do open up
A door for You to come through
And that my heart would be a place
Where You want to be…
CHORUS
You are my portion, filling up everything
You are the fortune, that’s causing my heart to sing
That it’s amazing…
That You could make Yourself at home with me
I started thinking about what it means to have a home. Afterall, if I want God to be at home in my heart...I think I should think about what a home is to the one living inside of it.....So I made a list.
Home:
-Something you must have a key to get into
-I trust my belongings there
-There is a place of relationships, entertainment, nourishment.
-It must be cleaned up, prepared, and updated
-Nothing should be scattered...everything should have its own place
-I have free reign of my home
I really do want my heart to be His home. I give Him access, room for His belongings, a neat space just for Him, and I give Him free reign.
Anywho, there is a song/artist that I love! Watermark is what they are called. They are a husband/wife team; however, they haven't put out any new music in years. I still download their music. I have never been a big music person, but I adore piano type worship that it deeply heartfelt and thoughtful. This one song in particular has captured my attention! "My Heart, Your Home" has become my mantra.
My Heart, Your Home
Come and make my heart Your home
Come and be everything I am and all I know
Search me through and through
‘Till my heart becomes a home for You
CHORUS
A home for You, Lord
A home for You, Lord
Let everything I do open up
A door for You to come through
And that my heart would be a place
Where You want to be…
CHORUS
You are my portion, filling up everything
You are the fortune, that’s causing my heart to sing
That it’s amazing…
That You could make Yourself at home with me
I started thinking about what it means to have a home. Afterall, if I want God to be at home in my heart...I think I should think about what a home is to the one living inside of it.....So I made a list.
Home:
-Something you must have a key to get into
-I trust my belongings there
-There is a place of relationships, entertainment, nourishment.
-It must be cleaned up, prepared, and updated
-Nothing should be scattered...everything should have its own place
-I have free reign of my home
I really do want my heart to be His home. I give Him access, room for His belongings, a neat space just for Him, and I give Him free reign.
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