Women World Leaders' Podcast: Recent Episodes
Julie Jenkins
Experience God’s extravagant love and your exquisite purpose through a weekly trio of podcasts that focuses on teaching, inspiration, and encouragement. Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live out a courageous purpose driven life, fueled by the Word, led by the Spirit, and propelled forward into your God-given destiny through fearless faith! Join us as we gather around a trio of podcasts. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders!
What’s the sound of Living Out Loud for Jesus? What would life look like for you if you made the decision to allow your life to be a living horn for Jesus? As followers of Jesus, the sound we make as a proclamation of whose we are and who Jesus is, must be louder than the sound we made when we were lost. Let’s Live Out Loud for Jesus! He’s listening!
We've all had many hurtful things happen in our lives that have left deep wounds to the soul. Join Tewannah as she shares how God revealed the roots of her unforgiveness and took her on a journey that enabled her to forgive those who had caused pain in her life. Through that healing, she was able to learn to love unconditionally and have a heart like Jesus.
True holiness is a matter of the heart. Although we can fool ourselves and others by presenting a squeaky clean image, God calls us to concern ourselves with what’s going on inside, rather than what we look like on the outside. Enjoy this important teaching from Julie Harwick.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
They say you can’t judge a book by its’ cover. I always thought that it was a pretty valid statement, but the truth of that statement proved itself on a much deeper level when I observed the unmasking of someone I thought I knew very well.
My husband and I had recently re-connected with a friend we hadn’t seen since our wedding. He was about to get married himself, so we had the opportunity to get to know his new wife from the start of their marriage. She seemed incredibly sweet and appeared to worship the ground he walked on. She was open about the fact that her past had included drug addiction and a failed marriage to another addict, but she seemed as far removed from that life as anyone could be.
She brought three daughters to the marriage and though they were older than our kids, the youngest got along really well with our girls. We vacationed together. They stayed with our kids when we went on a cruise for our 20th anniversary. They joined our church, and she enthusiastically jumped in and began to develop a women’s ministry.
She had her first child at a very young age and was already a grandmother. I was so impressed to hear her talk about selecting the perfect bible study that she could do with her grandson when he was in her care. She seemed like a spiritual giant who was constantly pouring herself into her family, friends and anyone in need.
After many years of such stellar behavior, there were some surprising developments. She was abruptly asked to step down from her leadership role in women’s ministry. Initially, that action really disturbed me, but I was about to discover the reason why. Her husband began to confide in mine that she was not so sweet and supportive of him when no one else was around. Anytime they experienced conflict, she became verbally abusive and unreasonable.
She accused him of being a narcissist, so he volunteered to go to marriage counseling. The counselor sensed much deeper problems and advised them to both be evaluated for any mental illnesses. He was given a clean bill of health, while she was diagnosed with multiple illnesses and prescribed numerous medications . Things improved for a while, but she soon decided that she didn’t need the medications and tried again to convince him that he was the problem.
She had always been generous with family and friends, buying them gifts and helping out with expenses, but soon she began spending unbelievable amounts of money on a daily basis. She ran up large credit card balances and every time he tried to close one out, she simply opened another. She had no explanation for purchasing a hundred dollars’ worth of Starbucks gift cards day after day. He wanted to fight for their marriage, but she seemed set on destroying him financially and became more and more adversarial toward him with each passing day. They ended up in divorce court and she took as much as she possibly could from him, leaving him in deep debt. Although she left the marriage with a settlement that would’ve taken care of her for decades, the money was all gone within two years. Not long afterward, we discovered that she had been arrested for writing bad checks.
As the story unfolded, each revelation of who she really was came like a punch to the gut. I thought I knew this woman. I trusted her with my children. I looked up to her as someone I’d like to emulate. I thought she was far better to her husband than I was to mine, but the reality was just the opposite. I had never been so wrong in my evaluation of someone. She played the character she wished to portray better than any award-winning actress and I completely bought into the deception.
1 Samuel 16:7 says “The Lord doesn’t look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God was speaking to Samuel about who he was to anoint to replace King Saul. Once he arrived in Bethlehem and was directed to Jesse’s family, Samuel was introduced to all but one of Jesse’s sons. When he laid eyes on Eliab, who was tall, well-built and exuded confidence, he thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But God’s response was clear and direct. “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.” Jesse continued to bring his sons one by one before Samuel, but in each case, God rejected them. After the Lord rejected seven of Jesse’s impressive sons, Samuel asked if there were any more. As an afterthought, Jesse said there was one more, his youngest, who was tending to the sheep. Much to the surprise and dismay of his seven brothers, when David stood before Samuel, God pronounced, “Rise and anoint him. This is the one.” While David was not a perfect king, he ruled Israel well for decades. He had a close relationship with the Lord and earned the enviable title of “a man after God’s own heart.”
Although we don’t always have the ability to know someone’s heart, God certainly does and it is of tantamount importance to Him. His word is full of references to the heart; 725 to be exact. When Jesus was asked, what is the greatest commandment, He answered without hesitation with Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” When King Solomon, David’s son, prayed for his nation, he acknowledged that God alone knew every human heart and he prayed that his people’s hearts would be fully committed to the Lord.
God explains why the condition of the heart is so critical. He inspired Jeremiah to warn, “ the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” God revealed this much to Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, he wrote in Proverbs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
So many of the Old Testament prophets were instructed to warn the people, not just about their behavior, but about the condition of their hearts, which was the source of their sin. Joel cautioned, “Let your remorse tear at your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful.” Isaiah gave the Israelites an insightful, but convicting message from the Lord when he said, “ The Lord says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” Jesus quoted that very scripture to describe the condition of the Pharisees, who were considered among the holiest people of His day.
These respected men were experts when it came to interpreting and applying the Law. They were very careful to follow it to the letter, even going so far as to tithe the proper amounts of the herbs they grew in their gardens. They took great pride in their devotion to fulfilling even the smallest requirements of the Law. Jesus, however, was not impressed. He called them out for fussing over minor details while they created exceptions in the Law that would allow them to abandon responsibility for their own parents in their old age. He criticized them for turning His Father’s House, the temple, into a den of thieves and accused them of being like whitewashed tombs – clean looking on the outside, but filled with dead men’s bones and decaying flesh.
No one but Jesus would have ever dared to speak that way about the Pharisees. Aside from the High Priest, no one had more power or influence with Rome. The Pharisees, along with the Sadducees and chief priests, comprised the Sanhedrin which was the ruling, elite class of Jesus’ day. The wealth, power and respect that came with the title led the Pharisees to believe that they were, “just a little bit superior” to everyone else. Jesus pointed it out when He told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. The tax collector cried out for God’s mercy because he recognized that he was a sinful man, but the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like the tax collector beside him or other sinful people, because he fasted twice a week and tithed a tenth of everything he had. Jesus said only one of them went away forgiven, and it wasn’t the Pharisee.
That probably came as a surprise to His audience, because they were used to thinking of Pharisees as the holiest people around. From their outward appearance, they looked pretty righteous, but no one could miss the disdain they showed for everyone else. Jesus dared to point out their hypocrisy because He recognized exactly where their superiority complex came from – hearts that were far from God. They studied the prophets ad nauseam but failed to recognize that Ezekiel’s words in chapter 11 were meant for them when he said, “ I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” Jesus called them out again and again, in an effort to make them see their hearts’ true condition. In Matthew 13:15 He said, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”
Having an authentic relationship with Jesus is impossible without a heart that is wholly His. Just like the Pharisees and my deceptive friend, we can follow all the rules and present a very convincingly righteous outward appearance, but if our hearts are full of ourselves instead of Jesus, we are frauds. And though we may be able to fool the people around us and even ourselves, God knows exactly who and what we are. In Luke 16:15, Jesus said, “ You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God.” Ultimately, no one can fool the maker of the Universe and the only opinion that really matters is His. And yet, we often devote so much of our effort toward doing things that will make us look good on the outside while we neglect to open our hearts to the Lord and ask Him to make them more like His. Creating an impressive exterior only requires self-control and determination. Developing a heart for God requires humility, sacrifice, introspection and time. Is it any wonder that our natural inclination is to focus on the outward appearance? But what comes naturally is always inferior to what comes supernaturally. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a pretty good reason to pursue having a heart for Him. “Blessed are the pure in heart,” He said, “ for they shall see God.” The more we allow Him to purify our hearts, emptying them of ourselves and filling them with Himself, the more we will see, know and experience His glory.
I’d like to close with this benediction, from 1 Thessalonians 3:13. “May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Trusting God in the dark places can be extremely difficult to do. Our guest, Linda McGrane shares what life and death looked like to her as she walked through an extremely bleak place with an outcome that only God could make happen. Miracles can come in different ways and God moves as He wills. May you be inspired by hearing Linda's story and be moved to a stronger faith, knowing that with God, all things are possible.
Have you ever wondered where you really belong? Or doubted that how you show up is really what others want and believe you to be? Are you who think you are? Do you believe that God made us to be misfits? My sisters, you didn’t get the part you tried out for because You Are A Misfit! Join Dr. Jia Conway as she sheds light on the glory of being a misfit!
We have all struggled with some form of fear. But, is fear preventing you from taking a step of faith into ministry? Tewannah shares how her fear of public speaking revealed a lack of trust in the Lord. Join her as she talks about overcoming this struggle and allowing God to fulfill His calling on her life.
The amazing true story Who Is Able?: The Dana Louise Cryer Story is now available in paperback, hardback, and eBook!
Join us by listening to Part I of Dana's podcast. This incredible story of forgiveness is something only God could orchestrate. Kidnapped at 5 years old, Dana was brutally harmed for over a decade in a shack in the woods, but she survived and was rescued. Dana lives to share what only God can do with a life that was robbed of childhood and teenage years and left to figure out her life at a young age. Get a glimpse into this captivating account as Dana shares parts of her life with you in this podcast, preparing you for what you'll read in the full-length story, newly-released book, Who Is Able?: The Dana Louise Cryer Story. Get your copy today at World Publishing and Productions or Amazon
We can all use a tremendous example of faith when we need it most. Today's interview with Natalie Keith is about trusting God through our darkest times. Natalie shares of her past mistakes and how her shattered marriage took faith to resurrect when nothing else made sense! This is an incredible story of what God can do when we trust Him and walk forward in blind faith of what only He can do.
God is the master sower and HE uses our lives to plant for personal and kingdom growth. The question of the hour is are we planting where God can use and access our seeds not FOR HIM, but for US? Where is your seed falling? It’s planting time!!
Join Dr. Jia Conway Evangelist, Author, Empowerment Speaker, Christian Life Coach Founder of “Changed From the Inside Out Ministries, LLC & "Epitome of A Woman Coaching Success Academy" Redefining Women with Purpose
God doesn't need our help. It is difficult to be patient when it doesn’t seem like God is moving the way I expect Him to. Some part of me wants to step in and give Him a hand. Helping is a good thing, right? We can trust God as we deal with anxiety.
To have healthy relationships, we must draw boundary lines. In the past, we may not known how to do that. Perhaps we went through doors that should never have been opened, and we paid a heavy price. Learning to do relationships God’s way is the key. Listen as Tewannah Aman shares how to evaluate the spiritual strength of your friendships and relationships. The goal is to have people around you who will encourage you to become more like Christ.
After a spinal cord injury left young adult Natalie paralyzed, she testifies of the difficult journey God brought her on and the lessons He taught her on how to be an overcomer through Him. Today, Natalie Barnhard Castrogiavani encourages us all on what it takes to become "Fearless" through Christ and how she is now embracing being perfectly imperfect.
It’s hard to be patient when it doesn’t seem like God is moving in the way I expect Him to. Some part of me wants to step in and give Him a hand. Helping is a good thing, right? In today's podcast, Julie Harwick shares from the Bible and her personal life how God has shown us that He is in complete control.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
The steady cadence of marching feet dragged Peter from the depths of a heavy sleep. “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” There was an ominous tone in Jesus’ voice that Peter had never heard before. It immediately overcame his sleepiness and brought him to high alert. He sensed danger, even though he was still unsure of what Jesus meant. A sizeable number of Roman soldiers and temple guards approached, carrying torches and weapons as they followed a familiar figure. Judas Iscariot grasped Jesus by the shoulders and quickly kissed Him on both cheeks while carefully averting his eyes from the Teacher’s gaze. Peter’s mind was flooded with memories of the previous hours, “one of you will betray Me… My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death… you will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered… even if all fall away, I will not.” As the soldiers roughly grabbed Jesus’ arm, Peter’s heart pounded in his ears and adrenalin took over his body. Without even realizing what he was doing, he grabbed the sword from a temple guard’s scabbard and clumsily brought it down, slicing off the ear of the high priest’s servant. “Put your sword away,” Jesus commanded. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” He reached down and picked up the severed ear from the dusty ground returning it to its’ rightful place. If it weren’t for the blood dripping off the servant’s face onto his tunic, there would be no evidence that it had ever been sliced from his head. It was to be the Galilean teacher’s final act of healing. As the soldiers pushed Jesus ahead of them toward the city, Peter watched, powerless to move, struggling to make sense of what had just happened.
If you’re like me, it’s easy to judge Peter for the way he conducted himself on that final night with Jesus. Impulsive is the first descriptive word that comes to mind when I think of Peter. Slicing off an ear is certainly evidence of that trait. But would we be any different? I wanted to begin the podcast by trying to experience that night in the garden from Peter’s perspective. In trying to make sense of what was happening, I think his first thought was, “ This is not going well and Jesus isn’t taking action. I have to do something!” Unfortunately, his thought process is probably painfully familiar to many of us.
As I think about Peter’s situation, it brings back some memories I’d just as soon forget. One of the most pivotal times in my life was a summer missions trip I took with Teen Missions International when I was 16. It took my relationship with God much deeper and brought me tremendous growth in many different areas. I hoped that someday, my children might have a similar experience. Teen Missions kept me on their mailing list and in February of every year, I received a brochure detailing all the mission trips available the following summer. I always enjoyed looking through it to see where they were going and what they’d be doing. The year my twin daughters were about to turn 10, I noticed that the organization was now operating pre-teen teams open to kids from 10-13, so I mentioned it to them. That prompted a lot of questions about what it was like going on a missions trip. I was encouraged by their interest and described what my experience had been like. I wasn’t suggesting that they do it, but I probably painted a pretty attractive picture of what it could be like.
Could God be calling them to do this? I was excited at the prospect, but did my best to avoid steering them in any direction. I suggested that they pray about it long and hard if they thought it was something God might want them to do. My husband and I also prayed for God’s direction in the matter, and asked that if it was something He wanted for them, that they wouldn’t be able to let it go. If you’ve never had a 10-year-old, you should know that they are very impressionable, easily excited and in our particular case, very eager to please their parents. They hadn’t had much experience in praying for God’s direction, but they were pretty sure that He was telling them to do this.
We talked about some of the difficulties they were likely to face, but somehow, those didn’t seem as compelling as the excitement and fun that the experience promised . As we began to help them raise support, a number of our friends and family seemed surprised that we were letting them go on a six-week missions trip at the tender age of 10. The team they selected would be staying in Merrit Island, Florida, approximately an hour’s drive from our home, so we would have the opportunity to see them once a week. They had stayed away from home with grandparents and at sleepovers and they would have each other, so it didn’t really seem all that crazy to us.
Raising support was difficult. We reasoned that it was because it was for two instead of one and some people might question the validity of a missions trip for 10-year-olds. We wound up having to make up what they couldn’t raise in support ourselves and it was substantial. In retrospect, that probably should’ve caused us to question if God was really calling them to do this.
To make a six-week story short, it did not turn out at all as I’d hoped. There was no phenomenal spiritual growth. They cried many tears, counted the days until it was over and came home with one case of strep throat and two cases of head lice that persisted for weeks to come. They felt that their team’s assigned work was pointless and didn’t accomplish anything of real significance. Twenty years later, they still can’t find anything positive to say about the experience and we’ve all come to the conclusion that it was a colossal mistake.
At the time, I could come up with so many reasons to support the idea. They would be surrounded by other kids their age who were also eager to serve God. They’d learn bible verses and how to have a quiet time and that when things are hard, they can rely on God. I fully expected them to have an experience just like mine. But I was 16 and they were 10. I was independent and eager to try my wings. They were not very outgoing or confident around strangers. The timing was not right, but because of my desire for them to make huge spiritual strides at the ripe old age of 10, I got ahead of God and tried to make something happen that was not part of His plan. His plan was more long-range than mine, and I wasn’t seeing Him doing anything to move things along. Maybe a little like Peter. Maybe even more like Abraham.
Romans 4 tells us that “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” He is listed in Hebrews 11 as an example of faith that we should emulate. He certainly earned that recognition by uprooting himself from his homeland and obediently following God into a land completely foreign to him. God blessed him for this obedience with vast amounts of land and wealth. But sadly, Abraham had no children to receive the inheritance and he was already more than 75-years-old. God spoke to Abraham and promised that he would have a son and that his descendants would number more than the stars in the desert sky. Abraham believed God and eagerly waited to see the promise come to pass. But years passed and nothing happened except that Abraham and Sarah got even older.
Recognizing that she was already too old to conceive, Sarah reasoned that God must’ve intended to give her husband a child through some other means. The elderly couple had grown tired of waiting for God to act, so they agreed that Sarah should give Abraham her maid, Hagar, as a concubine so that she could give him a son in Sarah’s place. Thanks to Abraham and Sarah’s intervention, Abraham had a son, Ishmael, by the time he was 86. But God made it clear that Ishmael was not the child of His promise and predicted that strife and trouble would result from their presumption in solving the problem on their own. Another 15 years passed before Sarah became pregnant at the age of 90 and delivered God’s promised child, Issac. God had it under control from the moment He made the promise, but his timetable was quite different from their’s and Abraham and Sarah found it impossible to wait.
The two boys grew up as stepbrothers who didn’t really get along. They passed that rivalry on to successive generations and it continues to be a source of conflict. If you didn’t already know, Issac became the father of Jacob, also known as Israel, from whom all Jews descend. Ishmael became the father of the Arab nation which includes all the countries currently in conflict with Israel such as Gaza, Syria, parts of Lebanon and Iran. Abraham and Sarah believed they were doing their part to help God’s plan along by having Ishmael, but God had never intended it. The result was thousands of years of conflict with no end in sight.
I pray that my efforts at “helping God along with His plan,” will not produce the long-term, horrific ramifications that Abraham and Sarah created. Twenty years later, it appears that my girls escaped relatively unscathed. Their relationships with God don’t look just like mine, but that was never His intention for them anyway. They are both walking with Him as He leads them and I have learned that my job is simply to pray for them and leave the rest in His hands. It seems the God of the universe really doesn’t need my help.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Are you tired of feeling like you are in a constant state of having to hold your breath? Tired of feeling like the tides of life are drowning your faith, and if you don't hold your breath, you are going to drown, too? Guess what? God's faith is big enough to get us through the high tides and to part the sea for the pass through...we just have to trust Him. Join Dr. Jia Conway as she proclaims you are coming through the waters, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HOLD YOUR BREATH!
God wants to transform us from the inside out, creating a heart that reflects the Savior. But the old man is set in his ways. It can feel like being stuck in a cycle of sinful behavior. Join Tewannah Aman as she shares how God revealed those areas of change to create a new identity. And that set this captive free!
You’ve done everything right. You heard God’s command and followed it, but things haven’t turned out the way you expected them to. What’s going on? Join host Julie Harwick for an incredible biblical teaching on Dealing With Disappointment.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
Karen was about to make the biggest mistake of her life. We’d gotten close in our high school youth group and she was a somewhat new, but very passionate believer. We’d talked a lot within our group about seeking God and honoring Him in our romantic relationships. But now that we were in college, Karen was in love and none of the principles we had committed ourselves to seemed to matter anymore. We were all home on Christmas break and Karen had invited us to her wedding which was to take place the following weekend. She had met a Palestinian guy who was at the university on a student visa. He didn’t want to go to school anymore, but he wanted to stay in the U.S. so his best solution was to get married. At the ripe old age of 20, she was certain that God had brought this man into her life to be the husband that she had always dreamed of and that their only hope to be together was for her to marry him immediately. One friend, who was especially close to her, had tried to convince her that marrying him now was a bad idea, but Karen simply refuted every argument. A larger group of us got together to discuss the situation and seek God’s direction. Karen’s fiance’ was not a believer, and she was currently living with him, so those were two issues that we could confront with scripture.
Matthew 18:15 also told us 5 “Now if your brother sins[k], go and [l]show him his fault [m]in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the [n]testimony of two or three witnesses every [o]matter may be confirmed, “ We all felt strongly that if we truly cared about Karen, God would have us talk to her about the poor decisions she had already made and the even larger one she was about to make. We looked up and discussed all the relevant scriptures so we’d have a biblical basis for our arguments, and we spent time praying that God would prepare her to really hear us and recognize that what we were saying was coming from love for her and not judgement. We prayed that our own hearts would be right as we did it and that something good might even come of it.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. Her fiancé was there, which made it particularly awkward, and both of their defenses were up. We suggested that they at least wait to get married since they had known each other for such a short time, hadn’t met each other’s families and had so many cultural differences. We asked how they would support themselves since neither had a decent paying job and weren’t even close to earning a degree. They had answers, though not very good ones, for everything. We reminded her of what the bible said about living with someone you’re not married to and marrying an unbeliever. The whole conversation was civil, but tense. When we had covered every issue and it was clear that she was not receptive to anything we had to say, she thanked us for our concern, and we wished them the best and made our exit. We all shared a very deep sense of discouragement as we left. The last thing I heard about Karen was that she had moved to Gaza with him. I often wonder what her life has been like and what it might have been.
So why did it have to turn out that way? Were we not faithful to do everything God would have us do? Going into it, we were confident that if we handled the situation according to scripture, God would work a miracle. Couldn’t we look at it sort of like a formula? God’s power + our obedience= a good outcome. But in God’s economy, there are no formulas. Only faith.
The prophet Elijah is a perfect example. First Kings 17 and 18 contain an epic story of how God proved His superiority over any other god in an unmistakable way. If you’re familiar with any of the kings of Israel, one probably stands out because he’s part of the worst power couple the nation ever knew. Ahab and Jezebel were narcissistic, egotistical and just plain evil. Not only did they lead the people to worship other gods, but they saw the prophet Elijah as the bane of their existence. Ahab referred to him as, “the troubler of Israel” and Jezebel set out to kill all the true prophets in the country and nearly succeeded. First Kings 16:33 tells us that Ahab did more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings of Israel who came before him.
Elijah had the unenviable task of warning Ahab that the entire country would be punished with 3 ½ years of drought because of his sin. As the end of the drought approached God told Elijah to inform the king that he needed to assemble all of Israel on the top of Mt. Carmel, along with all 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Ashera. Ahab complied and Elijah set the stage for the greatest showdown in Israel’s history.
Verse 21 says, “Elijah challenged the people: How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow Him. If it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!” He then instructed the prophets of Baal to set up an altar and prepare an ox for a sacrifice. He would do the same, but neither he nor they could light a fire. They would each pray to their god and the one who ignited and consumed the sacrifice would prove to be the true god.
The prophets of Baal prayed all morning long, but nothing happened. By noon, Elijah began to mock them, suggesting that Baal didn’t answer because he was sleeping or too busy, possibly on vacation or maybe even occupied using the toilet. As more time passed, they became more desperate, finally resorting to cutting themselves as a sacrifice until they were covered with blood. But still, there was absolutely no response from Baal. At this point, Elijah declared that their time was up, and he would prepare his sacrifice. The crowd was mystified when he dug a large trench all around the altar and commanded that four buckets of water be poured over the sacrifice and the wood until both were drenched and the trench was filled with water. Rather than performing mystical rituals or cutting himself, Elijah simply prayed, “Oh God, God of Abraham, Issac and Israel, make it known right now that You are God in Israel, that I am Your servant and I’m doing what I’m doing under Your orders. Answer me God and reveal to this people that You are God, the true God and that You are giving these people another chance at repentance.” Verse 38 tells us that immediately the fire of God fell and completely consumed the offering – even licking up every drop of water in the trench! The people fell on their faces in worship and declared, “God is the true God!” He instructed the people to capture the prophets of Baal and execute them. He suggested that King Ahab eat and drink in celebration because the Lord was about to send rain. Everyone did exactly as they were instructed. Elijah climbed to the peak of the mountain and began to pray for rain. Seven times he sent his servant to look toward the sea for signs of rain. On the seventh try, the servant reported a very small cloud, no bigger than a human hand. Elijah sent him to warn Ahab that he’d better head home quickly before the coming rain stopped him. Immediately the sky grew dark, the winds picked up and 3 ½ years’ worth of rain began to fall. God supernaturally empowered Elijah to run like no one has ever run before or since. The chapter closes with Elijah overtaking and running ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the palace.
What a day for Elijah, right? His prophecies all came true. He was completely vindicated. God showed up in a way no one could deny. The people all acknowledged that He was the one true God and destroyed every false prophet with zeal. Desperately needed rain fell in abundance and Elijah outran a team of horses for miles and miles! God’s power + Elijah’s obedience had completely turned things around! Or had it?
Ahab lost no time in bringing Jezebel up to speed on all that had transpired. But her focus was not at all on the miraculous events that had just occurred, but on her beloved 450 prophets of Baal who had just been eliminated. She immediately sent a messenger to Elijah informing him that by the next day, he’d be as dead as any of those prophets.
Elijah had been on a spiritual high that we can only begin to imagine. After years of misery, he had finally come out on top and more importantly, God had used him to bring Israel to repentance! It was as if the day’s events had steadily inflated a giant balloon of hope for Elijah, but this message from Jezebel was a pin that unexpectedly popped and completely deflated that balloon. He and his servant immediately fled to neighboring Judah. He left his servant and went a day’s journey into the desert. Taking shelter under a bush, he collapsed and begged God to let him die. Physically and emotionally spent, he fell asleep. As Elijah slept, God sent an angel to provide food and water for him at regular intervals. The only instructions given to him were to eat, drink and sleep because he had a long journey ahead of him.
When he had regained his strength, he traveled 40 days and nights to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, where he took up residence in a cave. Hmmm. Mt. Horeb? Does that name ring a bell? Or maybe its alternate name of Mt. Sinai? If it doesn’t, I’ll give you a clue. It’s called the mountain of God because it’s where God met with Moses and gave him the ten commandments. And when I think of Moses, I begin to see some parallels with Elijah’s experience.
Moses was also used by God to do extraordinary things for the nation of Israel. He also prophesied to a king, pharaoh actually, who hated him. He called the people to follow God and worship Him only. After miracle upon miracle and seeing the burning mountain of God and experiencing His awe-inspiring presence from the foot of the mountain those people declared, “ All that the Lord has commanded, we will do.” But when Moses spent too much time on the mountain with God, they feared he wasn’t coming back and decided to forget the covenant they had made and create a golden calf to worship. Both Moses and Elijah thought that the miracles they had taken part in had truly changed the people, but their behavior quickly revealed that it had not. Neither man had asked God for the positions in which they found themselves. They were reluctant, yet obedient servants. I wonder if it seemed to them that God was simply toying with them for His own amusement.
But that wasn’t it at all. He was preparing them for an encounter with Himself that was unlike anything any other human ever experienced. When God asked Elijah what he was doing on the mountain, he replied, “I have worked very hard for the Lord God of the heavens, but the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You and torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets and only I am left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” God responded by telling Elijah to stand before Him on the mountain. “And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain; it was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face.” After this incredible encounter with the Almighty, God gave him further prophecies and the reassurance that there were actually more than 7000 people in Israel who served the true God. Elijah left the mountain renewed, encouraged and with a completely new understanding of Who God was.
Moses had a similar experience after he had dealt with the people’s sin of making a golden calf to worship. Angry and discouraged by their behavior and overwhelmed at the prospect of leading such people, Moses asked God for a sign that He would actually be present with them for every step of the journey ahead. God warned him not to look at His face. Moses was to step inside a cleft in the rock on the mountain facing away from God. God would pass by and Moses could gaze on His glory from behind. Not only did this experience give Moses the courage and determination to keep leading the people, but it transformed him physically. When he came down from the mountain, his face was radiant with God’s glory, so much so, that the people were afraid to look at him. It wore off eventually, but there could be no doubt that he had been in the presence of God.
I had been familiar with both of these stories for years, but somehow, I had missed the connection. And it goes even further. Do you remember who Peter, James and John saw talking with Jesus when He was transfigured? It was Moses and Elijah. Perhaps Jesus wanted his disciples to think about the special place those two men held in God’s heart. The disciples had equally hard times awaiting them. Was Jesus preparing them by reminding them of how His Father cared for and rewarded the faithful? The Apostle Paul undoubtedly heard the story from Peter and it wasn’t lost on him. It may have inspired him to write Romans 5: 1-5 and those words are the perfect way to close.
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character; hope, and hope does not disappoint.”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
THE LORD FIRST As Miss Tennessee Waltz, Greta Heisey speaks out and shares her story about being in the public eye, battling rejection, and keeping "The Lord First." Greta shares what it's like to battle a world full of selfishness, lies, and humanism and combat it with God's truth while standing in kindness and full of love in the leadership position that God has called her to be in.
The transgender phenomenon is a topic some would veer away from. Our guest today, Dee Miller, speaks out about her life living as a man, finding Jesus, and then her journey to transition back to the woman God created her to be, realizing through God's love that He never let her go. While the world judges the outside appearance, God looks at the heart. Please join us today as we hear Dee's story and discuss, "Are You Judging Me?"
The transgender phenomenon is a topic some would veer away from. Our guest today, Dee Miller, speaks out about her life living as a man, finding Jesus, and then her journey to transition back to the woman God created her to be, realizing through God's love that He never let her go. While the world judges the outside appearance, God looks at the heart. Please join us today as we hear Dee's story and discuss, "Are You Judging Me?"
We have had many experiences that have left us feeling insecure and unsure of ourselves. God’s Word sets the captives free. Listen in as Tewannah Aman shares how the Holy Spirit can transform the way we think and feel, through the power of His Word. Our identity is no longer defined by what has happened in the past but by understanding and embracing His unconditional love.
So many thoughts pass through our minds in a day, but for most of us, few of them have much to do with what God has suggested we think about. What might happen if we could change our perspective? May this podcast by host Julie Harwick bless you!
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
Sylvester Foster Porter was the pastor of the small Christian and Missionary Alliance church we attended during my junior high years. In his early 70’s, he and his wife, Helen, were recently retired from being missionaries to the Philippines. They were old school. She played the organ and I never saw her wear anything but a dress, pantyhose and low-heeled pumps – never! He preached through the bible, verse by verse, taking more than two years to get through Revelation. He had several mannerisms that always brought inappropriate giggling from my best friend and me. Mostly bald, he had only a ring of white hair on the sides and back of his head, but it was full and thick. He had a habit of saying, “Oh Beloved,” when he wanted to emphasize something while he clapped his hands to each side of his head, making the hair he had instantly disappear. Seeing him go completely bald just like that always got us going. Whenever he referred to his youth, he’d say, “when I was young and red-headed…” Although I knew he was referring to the color of his hair, I always got a mental image of a small boy with not only red hair, but an entirely red head from the neck up. We were probably 11 at the time, so we were very easily amused. Helen had a common phrase she was known for as well. I can still see her shaking her curly white head and saying to other women of the church, “he’s so heavenly minded, he’s no earthly good!” I didn’t really understand what that meant, but the other ladies would nod and laugh, so I filed it away as something I’d figure out when I was older.
As I’ve thought about her odd comment over the years, I think I know what she meant, but I don’t believe it’s actually possible. Pastor Porter clearly loved the Lord. He loved to study God’s Word, meditate on it and share it with others. I suspect that when it was time for household chores or to listen to her plans for the day, he was often distracted by the many spiritual questions he was pondering. I’m sure she often found that annoying, but on the other hand, I know many women who would give anything to see their husbands occupied with thoughts of God and His truths.
Is it possible to be so heavenly minded, that you’re no earthly good? Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.” That seems like a pretty clear directive and confirmation that Pastor Porter’s mind was exactly where it needed to be. Although Helen Porter was the only person I ever heard use the phrase, “so heavenly minded, he’s no earthly good,” it was a common notion – at least during the life of Christian author C. S. Lewis. In referencing this popular saying, he strongly disagreed. “On the contrary, most of us are so earthly minded that we are of no heavenly or earthly good. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.”
We are so easily distracted by things that seem to demand our immediate attention. We have jobs, household chores, families to manage, appointments to keep, friends who need us…the list goes on. And add to that Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, our favorite tv shows, movies and sports teams. With all of our obligations, we deserve a little me time, don’t we? There are so many demands on our time and energy, swirling around us like an ever-strengthening whirlpool, threatening to consume us. How could we possibly find time to focus on heaven and things we can barely begin to comprehend?
And yet, these are the very things that scripture commands us to think on. We’re given a list of them in Philippians 4:8. “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” There aren’t a lot of things on this earth that meet that criteria, so it sounds more like a description of someone who is heavenly minded.
Jesus Himself was certainly heavenly minded. He talked about it 70 times in the book of Matthew alone. 54 of the 66 books in the bible refer to heaven. It’s interesting to note that the bible begins and ends with references to heaven. Genesis 1:1 opens with, “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The final chapter of Revelation says, “He showed me the great city, descending out of heaven from God.” Heaven was one of the last things Jesus talked about with His disciples the night he was arrested. In John chapter 14 we read, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Those words were intended to bring comfort to the disciples who were about to face the most devastating 24 hours of their lives. They were also meant to bring comfort and curiosity to us.
As children, most of us did have quite a lot of curiosity about heaven. We asked a lot of questions and our parents did their best to answer. A very common question upon the death of a beloved pet is always, “do animals go to heaven?” As a child, I always thought of heaven as having everything I loved and nothing I didn’t, but as time went by, I thought of it less and less. I heard all the jokes about people who arrived at the pearly gates to be questioned by St. Peter and I saw movies like “What Dreams May Come,” that portrayed heaven as an unknowable, ethereal place as well as cartoons of people sitting on clouds, playing harps for all eternity. None of that made me eager to go there. I believe that one of Satan’s most brilliant moves was to convince our popular culture that heaven is incredibly boring, filled with a bunch of “goody two-shoes, sitting on clouds in white robes, looking like angels. Conversely, many people believe that hell is filled with people who liked to have fun on earth and are continuing the party in hell. It’s a little warm down there, but it doesn’t spoil the fun. Unfortunately, in the case of hell, nothing could be further from the truth. And fortunately, that’s also true of that diabolical view of heaven.
My impressions of heaven changed dramatically when I discovered author Randy Alcorn. He’s written numerous Christian fiction novels that have quite a bit of the story taking place in heaven. I was surprised and delighted at the way he portrayed it. The people who had acknowledged their sinful nature and received God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ did participate in awesome, extended worship services standing around the throne, but they did so many other things as well. They spent one on one time with Jesus, having their eyes opened to the way He was working in their lives when they couldn’t understand what was happening to them. They had work to do. Satisfying, fulfilling work that they enjoyed. They had their own private spaces, that God had designed specifically for them that included everything they had loved on earth as well as things they had never imagined. They were able to spend time with loved ones who had gone before them as well as ancestors they had never known and learn how they had been observed at times and prayed for through various trials. The author makes it clear that he is using his imagination in conjunction with what scripture does tell us about heaven and about God’s character. He doesn’t claim that his version of heaven is more accurate than anyone else’s, but he encourages readers to spend time thinking and imagining with him. He’s also written a non-fiction book called, “Heaven,” which I highly recommend. It’s presented in a question and answer format and he does his best to give the logic as well as the faith behind his answers. It’s not the sort of book you read straight through, because it’s deep and challenging, but it’s a great reference source for specific questions and will encourage you to spend more time thinking and imagining what heaven will be.
That’s exactly what I believe Paul intended when he wrote, “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.” The days we spend on this earth are a miniscule fraction on the eternal timeline. And yet, we often live as if this is all there is, consumed by the cares of this world and oblivious to the next, where we will spend eternity. And I know, even trying to comprehend the concept of eternity blows our minds. We are such time-oriented beings, the absence of it is really beyond our comprehension. But God created humans to consider things that are beyond their comprehension – that is how we learn and grow and advance. And no doubt, that is why He challenges us to meditate on things that are above and even beyond our comprehension. That will cause us to learn and grow in our knowledge and appreciation of Him and His creation. It will cause us to advance in our spiritual walk with Him and prepare us for an eternity in His presence.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Faith and Business. Today's guest, Tina Rains from Masterpiece Women, is a successful businesswoman who has combined her success as an entrepreneurial woman of faith with her business leadership skills and ministry in an Ephesians 2:10 way. Be encouraged today to share your faith within the business world. ** Kimberly Hobbs 0:06 Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. And I am so happy to introduce to you our guest today, who is Tina rains. And she also runs a ministry called masterpiece women. And today we get to talk about faith in business. Welcome, Tina. Tina Rains 0:30 Thank you, Kimberly, for having me. I'm so excited to be here with you.
Kimberly Hobbs 0:35 We are so excited to have you. And ladies, we're hoping today that it is our prayer to strengthen you, encourage you, and empower you to share stories with others about how God has moved within your life. And we're going to hear today from Tina a little bit about how God has empowered her to move forward into ministry but also incorporate business into that. So we're hoping that by her sharing her story, this will encourage you to share your sometime as you just see what Tina is doing within her business. Ephesians 210 says we are God's masterpiece, we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he has planned for us long ago. And as those of you that follow empowering lives with purpose podcast, know that I use that scripture. Often when I open up, and I just am giggling because that is actually Tina and masterpiece women's verse for the ministry. And I love that. So you're gonna hear more about that in just a little bit. And I want to introduce to you Tina, and read a little bit about who Tina is. Tina is an RN. She's the founder of masterpiece women driven to help women know that they are a masterpiece based on Ephesians 210. The verse that I just read. She has a driving passion to help women understand who they are in Christ, build authentic community and give them tools to succeed in business. And in ministry. Tina is married to Monty and together they have seven children. And she's now a meanie to seven grandbabies. And Tina and Monty serve as couple chose for bi annual J H Outback marriage retreats. And I've heard about those retreats and they're supposed to be phenomenal. Tina started her career as an entrepreneur at the age of 25 and started her first healthcare staffing office. And in 1995, she was operating out of her garage. Within a few short years, she had eight offices around the country and was making millions of dollars per year. Yet, she still had a void in her heart. So her done, identity was not completely in Christ. She didn't except when a masterpiece woman she was. And Tina came from a childhood of poverty and abuse. And so now we're going to talk about some of Tina's story which led her into our topic today, which is faith in business. So Tina from a childhood, you came from a childhood of sexual and physical abuse, but you had to get healthy again in many ways, and you were sharing that with me. God took you on a journey to complete surrender and prepares you for the area of ministry He's called you to which is faith in business with masterpiece women. So knowing the old way of living left you feeling solid and spiritually dial into that inside, you rebuilt the brokenness of your life by climbing a mountain ladies, this woman has climbed a mountain in India and not just any mountain. So I'm going to ask her to share about this. But as I read this verse, Hebrews 611, and then 12 promises us, then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. And God called you to go climb a mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro and India. How in the world did you get there?
Tina Rains 4:36 Oh, my goodness. Yes, it was quite the it was quite the climb, to say the least. But I do. I do correlate it many times to my spiritual climb because as a woman, young woman, I was still very broken. And I put a lot of energy and a lot of my passions into building business because that made me feel good put on quote about myself. And I realized that there was still something missing. And I knew that and I had made some choices because I was still broken in my younger days of relationships that weren't healthy for me things in my life that weren't healthy for me. And I realized, something has to change. And the patterns that I'm making in my personal life, are just not working from a spiritual perspective. And so I went on a journey of really seeking the Lord, I went through a divorce, and I was devastated and went through a very difficult time in my life. And so I just said, Okay, Lord, it's you and me the next couple of years, I'm just gonna dig in deep and I surrendered. I went through some, some programs, including, you know, inner healing and broke some strongholds, just really navigating with the Lord going, what do I need to do to be completely intimate with you and surrender to you? What what are those strongholds that are still holding me back. And I recognize that I still had many that I had to work through, even though I'd gone to, you know, counseling, etc. And I believe in counseling, but I believe that when you really surrender your life to the Lord, and you say, and here I am, us, me, he just transforms your life completely. And so, in that season, I did that. And I went on my first mission trip to India, where he spoke to me very clearly, I was to come back, and I was to do something, but I had no idea what that meant. And so I had transitioned that already sold a large portion of my business, I had a small portion left, I was on all kinds of Board of Directors for many people, you know, many great organizations, but he said, I want to use your gifts and talents for me. And I said, Okay, so I thought, Okay, I'll get on Christian boards, instead of, instead of, you know, business boards and other, you know, Board of Directors, I just get on some Christian boards. He's like, no, no, that's not what I mean. Well, fast forward, I was invited to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the largest freestanding mountain in Africa won the world, but, and so I'm, like, climb me, I've never climbed a day in my life. Like, literally, that was not my passion. And so I said, Yes, after asking him for days to show me for sure. Very similar to this mission trip to India, because I didn't really want to go on the mission trip to India. But I believed he told me to do it. So I did and all came together. And one thing led to another, I'd met this amazing woman there that I loved. And we ended up going as tentmakers to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together. And in that journey, he showed me that I was to come back and lead that movement. And so then I went on to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a second time base, camp, Everest, the Alps, all these climbs. And what I saw all over the world, as I spoke, though, is so many women were just like me, they were still held back by bondage, and brokenness, and there's so much abuse. And what's beautiful about that, though, Kimberly, is that even though the enemy meant it for our destruction, God then was able to use it, to bring glory to Him to help others. And so I could look back and reflect on all that pain and all that suffering. And know that as I was dealing with these women who to or dealing with these issues, gave me such a compassion for him. It gave me such a passion to help them. And so as we built that ministry wasn't just about climbing on behalf of the women, children, we were being voices for it was also very intentional to provide retreat type training at all of our climbs where they could just get real and raw with the Lord and break some of those strongholds themselves. And so it was both for the women coming, and the women that we were serving, and it was just such a powerful opportunity to watch God redeem what the enemy meant for destruction. So it was a very, I
Kimberly Hobbs 9:04 love that. I love that Tina, and you were sharing with me that just the impact that you were having, when you were able to get raw and transparent. Lady sometimes that's difficult for us to do as expose our own our own weaknesses in front of others. But sometimes when we do that, we can allow others inside and let them know that it's okay. You're a safe place because you've been through some things. And just because you're in leadership, it doesn't mean that you have to hide everything. I mean, women need to know they need to trust you, and before that they can learn from you. So talk about how, Tina how you climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but God took You on other climbs now. And you were getting raw and transparent with others? And can you talk about some of those moments of getting raw and transparent with some of the women?
Tina Rains 10:09 Absolutely. So one of the most powerful things for me in our community specifically was in when you climb these mountains, there was a fundraising aspect to it. So you're doing these events. And I shared my vulnerability and my childhood with hundreds of people that I had invited to a fundraiser. And it transformed not only my life, but the so many people's lives that were at that event, because they had this picture of this business woman who had it all together, I think some of them thought that I had been spoon fed. I don't know what they thought exactly. But they'd been in my home. And they had just, you know, they thought of me in one perspective. And when I was real and transparent with them, it's a no, look, this is what I suffered. And this is what I still have to do on a daily basis, oftentimes, when the enemy tries to use a trigger and deal with it. And that's what these victims of human trafficking and repression also experienced, and I correlated it, they were able to then be raw, authentic and transparent themselves. And I think as leaders on a daily basis, whether it's in business or ministry, as being real, with our weaknesses, gives permission to those around us to be real and raw and authentic. And that's one of our key pillars and masterpiece women, because I see such great value, and as being real and transparent, because it brings freedom, and then others are free to do it as well, because oftentimes, leaders are isolated, they feel like they can't be real and authentic and transparent, because it shows them as being weak. And I don't believe vulnerability and authenticity shows you to be weak. I think it actually shows you to be a great leader, when you're willing to do that.
Kimberly Hobbs 11:57 Amen. Amen. And I know one of the things we talked about was when you're in a key role like this, and you're an example in leadership, you give permission to the women to when you are vulnerable, right permission for them to open up and share. And Galatians 522 expresses how, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. And the absolute best type of leadership is a type where someone demonstrates these nine traits listed in the Scriptures. And I know you Tina, putting ministry and business together as God has called you to do you have to show your example in leadership and in share these nine traits. And how do you do that if you're not open and vulnerable with somebody if you're not allowing them to see into your own life, and those things that you have learned from? So being raw and exposing your past? Sometimes it's so helpful in leadership. And we're hoping that you understand that ladies, the Bible is a great business guide to us. So these fruits of the spirit that I read through God called you teen into the ministry, to be authentic with others, so that they can hear and have breakthrough also. So can you share how the power of the Holy Spirit worked in and through you to deliver some of these fruits of the Spirit to others.
Tina Rains 13:46 I love that. And it's so key when you talk about the Bible being it's like the best book for leadership you can ever find. If you don't know what to do go to Proverbs, like its leadership has written the wisdom in there, I always tell him, it's really your very best leadership book. You can spend all day long reading leadership books, but if you don't get in that word, and really delve into it, so he can lead you, you're kind of wasting your time. So I tell I really start there every morning. That's where your wisdom comes from. But, you know, I would say that joy, one of the greatest things was when I've been through the most difficult times, and this is something that you know, I've shared with many women in the past is how I led many people to Christ that were in my circle of influence. When I went through this difficult time wasn't on my successes. It was actually the fact that I was going through a divorce. And I was struggling in other areas of my life, even you know, there was the recession in 2008, with the economy and all that went with it. And I was having some of the most difficult times in my life personally, but yet I had more joy than I'd ever had because I had finally surrendered. In my life to Christ, and so being them, seeing that not me preaching at them, not me hitting them over the head with the Bible, or like some people like want to do, but just them seeing that. And seeing that I still had the joy, and was still able to serve others and love others, was actually how a few of my friends that I was had the privilege actually lead to Christ moving forward, that were business women in my community that I was very close to you, but they weren't Christians at the time. But they were a great human beings. And so it was a real privilege to watch that. And as I, you know, climb these mountains. And as we, we worked with the women all over the world, I would say, the love and in our ministry, I think that's really what it all amounts to is the love of Christ coming out and being exposed to the women that came to give you an example, my greatest memory, of climbing all these mountains was when I had the privilege of sharing Christ with one of the women that came, we knew she wasn't a Christian, she climbed on behalf of the women and children. And I said, How are you doing? Because I knew she wasn't a Christian. And here we are all these Christians around her were worshipping we're doing all these things, right? She was I've never felt I said, Are you feeling comfortable on she goes, I've never felt more comfortable than this ever. And I thought, that's the love. And so one thing, you know, so we had a conversation about what that meant. And we were able to actually, as a team of women on the side of a mountain leader to Christ, like, that's my favorite memory, not all the other things that we can sit, that's my, my top memory. And then we came off of Mount Kilimanjaro, we have the same experience with the guy that was our head guide, I was having a conversation with the mascot. And Murphy knew Jesus. And you know, we'd built a relationship during that week. And he didn't know who Jesus was. And so we as a team had the privilege of leading him to Christ on the way back from the mountain, like, those are my two favorite memories of the whole all those years. And it's because the people around him, showed him love. And in return, he wanted what they had. And that's really why we're here, right?
Kimberly Hobbs 17:16 That's exactly why we're here and our number one commandment to love one another. And you did you you showed that love, and you took that time for those that didn't know Jesus that saw that difference in your life, which is so beautiful. So So transitioning into now you are a boss in your business. And there are a lot of bad bosses in the world today. And no one ever wants to be one of those bad bosses, or the ones that are talked about, you know, on on the quiet amongst the employees. So how would you encourage the listener today to be a leader for Jesus in their work environment.
Tina Rains 18:05 I think most importantly, it goes back to abiding in him, you have to spend the time to buy it in him to really have that intimate relationship with him. So that every step of every day is really Holy Spirit lead the prayer time during the day even you know, as as we make decisions on an email, for instance, if we pray before an email that most of those emails won't even get sent. Right, think about it. Right?
Kimberly Hobbs 18:39 I, I agree. I pray before I send anything out. And there's so many times delete, delete, or rewrite, rewrite? Yes.
Tina Rains 18:47 It's you know, it's so important because as people work with us, and as they see how we behave, I remember you, I told so when I said, I'm like a bipolar person, if I don't have Jesus in the morning.
Kimberly Hobbs 19:03 Exactly. Right. Yeah. I know, ladies, we need to start our day early. Because when we do when we open our eyes, if that's the first thing that is on our heart is Jesus and you talking to him and you're giving him the whole day to take control? Right, take it out of our hands, but give it to him first thing in the morning. He's going to take us through those days. Do you agree? Absolutely.
Tina Rains 19:29 100%. I mean, the when you talk to most teams, and as I've done consulting for businesses, and even for ministries, and you go in you, you listen to the staff, if they're having difficulties with the team 90% of what I've experienced in the workplace has been I don't feel heard. I don't feel valued. And so as a leader is It's imperative that we listen that we'd be good listeners that we know who our employees are, what are they going through in their lives, and really show them compassion, because it's really difficult for an employee to see someone says, Oh, I'm a godly leader, and I'm donating to all these things. I'm doing all these good works. But yet, you don't even know who I am. And the fact that my husband is suffering from cancer, and my teenage son is run away, because you haven't taken the time to know me. And those are the kinds of things that matter to employees and to people that work for you, as a leader. They want to be known, they want to be heard. So I believe we can do our greatest value in the workplace in the marketplace, of just loving others well, and having compassion for them, and being generous, having spirits of generosity, and seeing how we can affect them.
Kimberly Hobbs 21:00 Wow. So true. Good advice. Good advice, being a good listener, right? That's what you're just talking about. Because, you know, if you just overlook, and you just are pushing your agenda constantly and telling people what to do, they're not gonna listen to you. They want to know that you're engaged. And you know, they're, they're on the same level with you. So, ladies, be a good listener, be a good listener, to be that good leader.
Tina Rains 21:30 And John Maxwell says, People don't care what you know, unless they know how much you care.
Kimberly Hobbs 21:36 Right. Amen. That is great. Yeah, that's a great word, John, thank you. Yeah, speaking Oh, I have another scripture. John 1715 says, My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. So ladies, we don't want to take you out of that work environment, we want to keep you in that work environment, so that you can be that light that's shining light, and God wants to protect you while you're doing that. Tina is going to close out and just share something from her heart, like a word of encouragement to the business woman out there, that has a heart for ministry, that sometimes keeps a mouth closed in the workplace. And it's sometimes it's so hard, because you might be one of those shy people or people that aren't easily ready to open your mouth and say something. But Tina, what's your word of encouragement to that person who keeps her mouth closed? In the workplace?
Tina Rains 22:43 You know what I would say, be bold, not necessarily bold with, you know, hitting people over the head with Jesus, because they don't really want that they want it and actions. But I would say if you, you just share little tidbits where there's something small of you know, what you learned at church or whatever, just just share the wisdom, if you're adding value to others, they see it, it reflects beautifully of who God is, because Christ is always adding value to us. And I would say just add value to others. And the more you do that, the more you love others, while the more you listen, you know, they're, they're gonna see Jesus in you, and they're gonna ask you questions, and that's when you have the opportunity to be more bold, and share who he is to you and what it means to you. And, you know, the best thing we can do is live our lives, emulating him.
Kimberly Hobbs 23:38 So I was just gonna say that. I mean, that's just what what Tina is saying, you know, living out like the fruits of the spirit that we talked about, right? And so ladies, if you don't open your mouth, necessarily, just remember, live it out, live out your life, having the fruits of the Spirit, which I can read them again, love. Do you display love, where you are working? Think about yourself in that work environment. Are you displaying love to those that you don't even like working with? It's difficult to do? Do you have joy about it? Do you have joy about you, ladies? Our prayer is that we all know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. And when we do we have something to be joyful about Apsos Do you agree to you know, like we don't want to walk into the workforce. We want to share our faith in business and we want to be joyful about our faith because we have a God that died for our sins and we don't have to stay bound to that that sin anymore that drag us down that goddess into trouble, right? We have
Tina Rains 24:50 a really, and we fall. Exactly. And you know what, there's nothing worse to us than to see a miserable Christian. Oh, well, if you're what a Christian is, and I'm really, I'm okay, because I'm happier than you are. And I do, I do encourage everyone as well is, if you have struggles, which we all do, right? Get to a place where you are free. And what does that mean? Just spend more time with Jesus praising him learning his word, letting him speak to you. Because when you're free, then you have those fruits of the Spirit bubbling out from you. And if you're not, and you find yourself grumpy ALL the time at work, and you're frustrated, you're this and you're that step back and take a little, you know, self evaluation, what in me, is still in bondage? And how do I need to allow the Lord to cleanse it to heal it and let go of the past and move forward? Because we can't be good replications of the Lord, if we have all this stuff going on, that is then spewing out to the people that we work with, because we're not doing the Lord. Any. We're not doing justice to you know who God called Mercy.
Kimberly Hobbs 26:12 Exact Exactly. That's right. Right. And we're called to serve wherever we are ladies. And that includes the workplace if you're you're working for the Lord, but you know, even if you don't have a full time job, or part time job, and you are in your home, or your environment in the neighborhood, or whatever you're doing, we have to remember to put this into our everyday life that we are in positions where people are looking at us because we do call ourselves Christians and and I just love just hearing some of the nuggets that you learned along the way, Tina, because you know, now you've incorporated ministry into the business world. That's what you do, and masterpiece women. And I just wanted to finish some of these, again, fruits of the Spirit, patience, kindness or again, remember, as you're in your day to day life, ladies, and this may seem Elementary, but it's not. It's again, this is what God's called us to do as believers to just carry this within our person. patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control, that is huge ladies, we constantly have to have ourselves in check of all of our emotions. If people frustrate us to no end, we need to have that self control. Right, Tina?
Tina Rains 27:34 Absolutely. That can be one of the toughest ones honestly, especially if you have a justice person you want to you want to see justice and someone's in the workplace not doing what you think is right. Having self control and reacting in love is so valuable.
Kimberly Hobbs 27:55 So valuable, so valuable. Tina has so many good nuggets and what she does is amazing and masterpiece women can you share with the women your website in case they want to look you up and look up the ministry and and I just know that in the future women were leaders and masterpiece women may be doing some things together which I'm really excited about because I love love what Tina is doing for the Lord. So please Tina, share your your website. Absolutely.
Tina Rains 28:28 It's masterpiece women dot O R G. And I am super excited Kimberly about this relationship because I know that God is doing something great. And we have monthly luncheons in South Florida and those are for all women. Because every woman is a leader you do not have to be in business to come to our luncheons. And then we have a program where we actually empower women who are interested in building business or online businesses. We have tools and a whole membership platform to help them actually do that as well. So check out our website. It's masterpiece women, dot o RG and you know we're here to serve you. So that's what the Lord has called us to do is help women everywhere know they're a masterpiece, and renewed him in him, and then help them with the plans that God has given them. So thanks for having us again. I love what you're doing your ministry.
Kimberly Hobbs 29:28 Thank you Well, and that's what's so beautiful is together. We are empowering women, ladies out there. We love you. And we have a passion because God has called us and this is what Tina and I do together and all of those that are in our ministry serving. We have passion to empower one another and point them to Jesus to be the best leader that you could be wherever you are. Tina happens to specialize in taking those business women and bringing them to another level and incorporating ministry. together with it. And I love that. And that's why I want to continue this relationship. And ladies and women, we're leaders, we have tools for you. And I just want to be certain to remind you, one of the most amazing tools that God has given us to share with the world is voice of truth. It is a publication that comes out every quarter now, and it is free, and it's beautiful. Inside the United States, you can get your color copy of voice of truth magazine, it's like table top quality magazine. And it's 100 pages, full color, all color, all beautiful, but filled with scripture, filled with encouraging you wherever you are in your walk. Whatever struggles you may encounter, it's inside of this. And we are just so happy. Oh, are you you're holding your background. Yeah. For those of you watching on YouTube, Tina is holding up a her color copy of voice of Truth magazine. And we are just so excited.
Unknown Speaker 31:08 I love it
Kimberly Hobbs 31:09 you with a yes, he's doing so much in and through this. Also, ladies, if you would like your to receive your free copy, if you're not getting it yet, and you are inside the United States, you can email us for your free copy at women world leaders.com. And there's a place in there where you can click on voice of truth and give us your name, address an email address that will not be shared ladies, it is just for women world leaders. And, and then again, we will send it to you and outside the US. You can look up on our website voice of truth and you can read it online as well. As well as all of the past copies of voice of truth. There is so much information in there to help you and encourage you on your daily walk with Jesus. And that's what we're all about ladies. So we'd like to thank you for your time today. I'd love to thank you again Tina Raines for being with us. God bless you in what you do at masterpiece women. God bless you the listener ladies and please join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our different podcasts that we have available through women world leaders, we're here to help you encourage you reach out to us at women world leaders.com And in ways that we might be able to help you further. God bless you all, just remember that it is from his heart to yours that we are here. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you and have a beautiful week. Thank you. Thank you, Tina.
Come on Down! Yes, You! God wants to use you, Daughters of Jerusalem. God uses the small, the outsider, those behind the scenes, the timid, and the outcast to do amazing things for His Kingdom. It's Your Time & Your Turn! COME ON DOWN!!
Life sure seems hard sometimes. Wouldn’t it be great if things came a little easier for us? They certainly did for Saul, Israel’s first king, but it didn’t work out as well as you might think. Join as host Julie Harwick takes you on a journey you won't want to miss!
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
My husband and I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit in the last year – much more than usual. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, but it has brought an unwanted side effect – quite a few extra pounds. As a petite woman of a certain age, I have to be pretty careful about how I eat if I don’t want to have to purchase a whole new wardrobe. But when I’m on vacation, I throw caution to the wind and take a vacation from my normal diet. It makes the vacations more fun, but reality hits quickly when I return to a much higher number on the scale and increasingly tight-fitting clothes. It’s always so much easier and enjoyable to put it on than it is to take it off. I was contemplating that reality recently and desperately wishing for a quick fix when I re-read the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. There’s a lot we can learn from him, but what stands out most is the dangers of leading a charmed life where everything just seems to fall into place.
Saul’s story begins in the book of 1st Samuel. For the first 400 years of Israel’s existence in the promised land, the people were governed by a series of judges. You can read about it in the book of Judges. During these four centuries Israel alternated between seeking to please God and walking away from Him depending on how things were going for them. Their enemies would oppress them and they would cry out to God for help. He’d send them a judge like Gideon or Deborah to lead them in victory over their enemies, and filled with gratitude, they would serve God… for a while. As they drifted away from Him yet again, God would allow another enemy to oppress them until they turned back to Him in repentance. The cycle repeated itself over and over with the recurring line repeated throughout the book, “in those days there was no king in Israel and every man did what was right in his own eyes.”
The people of Israel recognized that the situation wasn’t good and something needed to change. But instead of considering that the problem could be that everyone doing what was right in their own eyes, rather than what was right in God’s eyes, they decided that it was the lack of a king creating this annoying cycle. They noticed that all of the countries surrounding them were ruled by kings and like immature children, they went to their spiritual father, God’s anointed priest, Samuel, to demand a king. Samuel was not impressed with the “everybody else is doing it” argument and pointed out the negatives associated with having a king. He reminded them that a king would tax them heavily so that he could live in luxury. He would conscript their sons into his armies and their daughters to make perfumes, cook and serve at the palace in other ways. He would make unreasonable demands of them and they would have no choice but to comply. Like petulant children, they essentially responded with, “we don’t care – we want a king anyway.” God reassured Samuel that he should do as they asked. “They’re not rejecting your leadership, Samuel,” He explained. “They are rejecting Mine.”
Here's the first lesson we can learn from the story of King Saul. Be careful what you wish for - God may give you what you demand – even if it’s not what’s best for you. All of the warnings Samuel had given came to pass for the Israelites. Anytime we look to a king, or a president, or a governor or any dynamic leader to solve all our problems, instead of making God’s leadership supreme in our lives, we are at great risk. God never forces His way in our lives, that’s what free will is all about. If we ignore His warnings and insist on having our own way, He’ll allow it, but there may be a high price to pay for our stubbornness.
God orchestrated a chance encounter between Samuel and Saul and immediately told Samuel that the young, good-looking man, who stood head and shoulders above everyone else was to be Israel’s first king. In spite of his impressive appearance, Saul seemed to be quite humble at this point in his life. When Samuel hinted at what was about to happen, saying, “At this moment, Israel’s future is in your hands,” Saul replied, “I’m from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that. Why are you talking to me like this?” Initially, he seemed a very reluctant king. When he returned home to his uncle after Samuel had privately anointed him king, he never mentioned any of the incredible things he had just experienced. When Samuel officially introduced him as the newly appointed king, he was ultimately found hiding behind a pile of baggage. Saul’s story is another example of how power and fame can change a person.
When Samuel privately informed Saul that God had selected him to be king, he anointed him with oil and told him three very specific things that were about to happen to him as confirmation. Samuel predicted that the final sign would be that Saul would encounter a group of prophets playing musical instruments and prophesying. “What’s more, “ Samuel said, “is that the Spirit of God will come on you and you’ll prophesy too. In fact, you’ll be transformed into a completely new person!” When I read those words “transformed into a completely new person,” I immediately thought, “I want that!” I thought of all those extra pounds and inches just disappearing instantaneously, but that felt kind of frivolous. So, what if God took all of the things I struggle with spiritually, emotionally, relationally and just instantly fixed them and made me a whole new person? Wouldn’t that be the ultimate? It was exciting to think about, but as I did, God reminded me of what I knew of the rest of Saul’s story.
The new person he became after his episode of prophesying started out pretty well. Even after he was publicly named king, he returned to his uncle’s fields and started plowing. His humility caused some people question his credentials and refuse to acknowledge his status. But when his neighbors in Jabesh Gilead were threatened, the Spirit of God came upon him again and he took charge, leading Israel’s army to victory. Many of his new-found fans suggested that he round up those who had questioned his leadership and have them executed. But Saul had no interest in revenge, saying, “This is the day God saved Israel! No one will be executed today.”
But it’s funny how a little fame and power can change your perspective, especially when you’re under pressure. Saul’s reign had been going perfectly, but the Philistines started causing trouble again. King Saul summoned his army and they came, but quickly recognized that they were vastly outnumbered and in serious danger. It was unthinkable to venture into battle without the Lord’s blessing, which would come after Samuel arrived to offer the necessary ritual sacrifices. Samuel had communicated that he would arrive within seven days to perform his duties. Seven days passed, but no Samuel. And his troops were getting really antsy. They were already nervous about their odds and when there was no sign of Samuel, they began slipping away in large numbers. Fearing that he would have no army left, King Saul decided to take matters into his own hands and make the requisite offerings himself, even though it was in direct violation of the Law of Moses. While the animal sacrifices were still burning, Samuel arrived, demanding, “What in the world do you think you’re doing?” Saul responded with what he thought was some very solid reasoning. “ I saw that I was losing my army and that you hadn’t come when you said you would,” in other words, “your fault, not mine.” And then to seal his argument with an extra spiritual rationale, he added, “the Philistines are about to come on me and I haven’t yet come before God asking for His help. So I took things into my own hands and sacrificed the burnt offering.” Samuel was not impressed. “That was a foolish thing to do, “ Samuel replied. “If you had obeyed God by waiting for me to make the sacrifices, He would’ve set a firm and lasting foundation for your reign. But instead, He is already looking for your replacement.”
This was a pivotal moment in Saul’s life and from here, things went from bad to worse. Israel was constantly at war with the Philistines during his reign and in one battle, he superstitiously made a ridiculous vow that nearly cost his son, Jonathan, his life. When God told him to completely annihilate the Amalekites – all people and possessions, he allowed his men to keep the best of the Amalekites’ belongings and neglected to eliminate their king. When Samuel confronted him about his disobedience to God, he once again tried to rationalize it by saying that they had kept the best of the Amalekite’s livestock so they could sacrifice it to God. Samuel, once again, was not impressed and reminded Saul that God valued obedience far more than sacrifice.
Soon after this, God led Samuel to anoint an unimpressive young shepherd boy, named David, as the new king. Few people even knew about it, but after his victory over the giant, Goliath, the name of David was on everyone’s lips. When Saul heard his female subjects singing, “Saul kills by the thousand and David by the ten thousand,” jealousy overcame the once humble Saul. From that point on, the King was tormented by a spirit of fear, jealousy, rage and confusion. He alternated between loving David as a son and trying to kill him. He depended on David to lead his troops against the Philistines, calm his troubled soul with his skill on the harp and even made the younger man his son-in-law. But he threw a spear at him from his throne on two occasions and pursued him all over Israel and the surrounding nations in an effort to get rid of him once and for all. He would most likely be diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and paranoia if he lived today because of his rapidly changing moods and behavior toward David. In his final years, he never had a moment’s peace and no longer heard anything from God. He was killed in battle against the Philistines along with his son, Jonathon.
The man who had shown such promise and received incredible blessings from God did not finish well. In spite of God’s miraculous works in his life, transforming him into a completely different person, he began to transform himself from a humble, obedient servant into a proud, jealous ruler.
By contrast, the shepherd boy, David didn’t have such an easy path to the throne. As the youngest of many brothers, he was completely forgotten when Samuel asked to meet all of Jesse’s sons. His brothers mocked him when he expressed a desire to take on the challenge of defeating Goliath. He endured years of hiding in caves and mountains trying to escape from King Saul who wanted desperately to kill him, even though David gave him nothing but absolute allegiance. The difficult road from shepherd to king, built character in David and taught him to rely on God for deliverance and vindication. God actually transformed him into a completely different person through the hardships he endured… transformed him into a man after God’s own heart. When things come easily, we tend to not value them as much as we do the things we’ve had to struggle for. Although the idea of instant and painless transformation is appealing, it is not what’s best for us. The bible is full of characters who endured ridicule, hardships and persecution and in every case, it’s what drew them nearer to their maker and allowed them to accomplish His purposes. No doubt it’s what prompted James, believed to be the brother of Jesus, to begin his letter to the Church by challenging his readers to, “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
We all have experienced rejection that has caused deep wounds to the soul. Some have been paralyzed by the pain. Today's host, Tewannah Aman, understands. Her podcast will encourage you as she shares how God enabled her to break free of the bondage created by hurtful things that happened in her past. God wants to heal and restore your broken heart.
You no longer have to constantly be worried about what others think of you. We pray this message resonates and encourages you to meditate on His truths of who you are in Christ. Focus on His unconditional love for you and the promises of His Word. God is doing a new thing!! Breakthroughs are coming.
Trauma wounds from childhood through adulthood can be difficult to move beyond. But with God, all things are possible. Please join us as Jaime Cowhick, founder of YANA Recovery Services joins us and shares her personal story. Jaime was orphaned at birth by two addicts and thrown into human trafficking and addiction, culminating in multiple suicide attempts. She now encourages others to live a life serving Jesus.
In Julie Harwick's last podcast for Women World Leaders (Episode 551 - A Warning from the Ancients), she talked about the dangers of succumbing to false teaching because of the way culture so easily infiltrates the Church. Join her today as she looks more closely at how the modern Church came to be and begins to ask some hard questions, finding further confirmation that it’s very different from the Church described in the New Testament.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
In my very first podcast with Women World Leaders I shared how I came to faith. It’s not very glamorous or exciting, but it is kind of different and I’ll share some of it again because it’s relevant to our topic. I grew up in a very devout Catholic home. My dad had attended Catholic school and mass on every Sunday of his life. My mom converted in order to marry him and they made sure I was baptized in the Church before I was even a week old. He was so devout that even on vacation, we would seek out the nearest Catholic parish and make sure we went to mass either Saturday night or Sunday morning. And of course, that meant I had to go to catechism for five long years. But in spite of his unwavering commitment to the Catholic faith, my dad was a seeker. He read the bible and many other Christian books and listened voraciously to a variety of Christian radio programs. He encouraged me to go to an after-school bible club when I learned about it in the fall of first grade. At my very first visit to the Good News Club, I heard a clear presentation of the gospel and responded without hesitation.
For the next six years, it was the highlight of my school week and I threw myself wholeheartedly into everything it had to offer: bible stories, scripture memorization and songs. So on Monday afternoons I got filled up on the bible and on Saturday mornings, I got filled up on Catholic teaching. But the deeper I got into each one, the more discrepancies I discovered between them. Full disclosure here: I wanted to go to Good News Club where I was rewarded for my efforts with lots of candy, interesting bible stories and a fun time with my friends. I did not want to go to catechism which offered no candy and kept me from the finest tv viewing of the week – the one 4-hour block of programming designed just for me at a time when no one else in the household wanted to watch. So, I may have been approaching catechism with a negative predisposition, but there was no denying the questions that began to pop up in my elementary school brain. Why do I have to memorize and repeat prayers? I talk to God all the time about whatever pops into my head…in words that we both understand. What in the world does “blessed is the fruit of thy womb” mean anyway? When I summoned the courage to ask a nun why I should pray to Mary, her answer mystified me. “Mary will tell Jesus and Jesus will tell God,” she explained. It immediately brought to mind the game of telephone that we often played when the class had to stay inside for recess. Those messages always got completely messed up, so why wouldn’t I just tell God directly? When a nun asked me whether I believed that the fancy box with curtains all around it on the altar actually held the body of Jesus, I knew how I was supposed to answer, but I just couldn’t. First of all…gross. Second of all, I knew there were Catholic churches in every city everywhere in the world, so how could there be enough of Jesus’ body for all of them? In Good News Club I had learned the story of the Last Supper and even my 8-year-old mind could grasp that Jesus was saying that the bread was meant to represent His body.
I had many questions and I grew more and more skeptical of what I was learning on Saturday mornings. I must’ve shared my questions with my parents. I certainly let them know how much I hated going to catechism and frequently begged them to let me stop going. At the same time, God was busy at work in my dad’s life. He brought a priest to our local parish who fully understood and preached what it meant to be saved by grace. My father had heard that message for years from daily Christian radio broadcasts, but when he finally heard it confirmed by a Catholic priest, he was fully ready to receive it. We continued to attend mass for about another year, but my catechism days were over.
In retrospect, I’m kind of surprised at my younger self for not just taking everything I was told as gospel. I actually thought about everything I was taught and I believe that the Holy Spirit within me wouldn’t allow me to accept anything that conflicted with what I knew of God’s word. But somewhere along the way, I lost that questioning nature.
I was confronted with that realization as I was doing research for my last podcast. In trying to figure out how the church got so far away from its humble and simple beginnings, I read a book called “Pagan Christianity,” by Frank Viola and George Barna. My husband had read it years ago and shared much of what he learned. Although I was very intrigued by what he told me, I never bothered to read it for myself until now. A part of me wishes I hadn’t, because now I’m responsible for what I know and I’m really not sure what to do with my new-found knowledge.
The book examines everything the New Testament tells us about the Church and how it functioned. And that is very, very different from the Church we know today. More than half of the book is footnotes detailing where the authors sourced the changing history of the Church as well as comments from modern Church leaders. I was immediately convicted that even though I frequently criticize the Church of Jesus Christ which looks more and more like the world and less and less like Jesus, I have accepted the status quo for years with very little scrutinization.
Even though I’m well aware that the building I drive to on a Sunday morning is not the Church, I have fallen into the habit of thinking that what takes place there, is. The authors clearly point out that Church is not somewhere you go, it’s something you are. The first followers of Christ understood this and were much more focused on being in fellowship with one another than having an order of business for their gatherings. From what the New Testament tells us, they met together in individual homes where they could enjoy a meal together, learn from one another and encourage each other. That’s it. No church building, no professionally trained clergy, no piano, organ or band, no four-point sermon with an accompanying fill-in-the-blank program, no announcements about upcoming events…it was very simple and very personal.
So how did we get from A to B? The book lays out the origins of everything that’s been added and most of it is rooted in paganism. The culture of the first century was completely intertwined with paganism. Ruins that still remain from that time period are completely dominated by temples built for a large variety of gods and goddesses. These magnificent buildings were filled with priests who served there, night and day. They performed rituals, some seeming almost magical, while dressed in beautiful priestly robes. They received sacrifices and dispensed blessings, burned incense and led the people in chants or songs. First and second century people were very accustomed to these practices and as the years went by, they slowly began to creep into the Church.
No one had a greater impact on this shift than the Emperor Constantine in the 300’s. The first pagan emperor to embrace and even legalize Christianity felt that building large, ornate church buildings would be the best way to build acceptance among the population who had been used to all legitimate religions being propagated through temples. He also instituted the practice of having priests and bishops to lead and determine what activities should take place within the new church buildings. He encouraged them to develop special robes and garments that would set them apart from ordinary believers. He began to view Jesus strictly as a conquering hero who had conquered death and would now enable him to conquer all of the empire’s enemies. He then made the move from making Christianity legal to making it the official, required state religion. Those who would not comply were seen as enemies of the cross. Where following Christ had cost the early Christians everything, it was now, the path of least resistance.
It makes you wonder if Satan didn’t come to the realization that persecuting the Church only made it stronger and he would do much better to weaken it from within. Is it any wonder that the more mainstream and socially acceptable it became, the further it moved from Jesus’ teaching. Acts 3 describes the early Church this way. “The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and abundant grace was upon them all.” By the mid 300’s the Church was state-supported, used to control the masses and justify war against the empire’s enemies. We also saw this new blending of government and religion lead to the Crusades and later, the battle between Catholicism and the Reformation.
It's been a long time since Christianity has been weaponized in such a way, but there are other lasting ramifications. Have you ever asked yourself why churches need to own property and erect large buildings? Many of them are only used for a few hours on Sunday and only sporadically throughout the rest of the week. How many financial resources are required to maintain them, and how many congregations have been destroyed or seriously damaged through building campaigns? Do good things also happen there? Of course. But so many large churches provide the kind of anonymity that allows people to check a box each week- fulfilling an obligation without really having to interact with anyone or be accountable in any way for what’s been preached. The early Church pooled their financial resources and used them to meet their own needs, the needs of the apostles and those who were suffering from famine or poverty. By meeting in homes, they necessarily kept their numbers small enough to develop true intimacy and hold one another accountable for what they claimed to believe.
The other change that Constantine instituted and has now become a requirement in most churches is a division between clergy and non-clergy. In most modern churches that I know of, the pastor, or leadership team is made up of full-time, professionally-trained people who have been ordained to minister in the church as a profession. Most have some sort of degree from a seminary or bible college and it’s up to them to determine the church’s mission, practices, order of worship and overall direction. Elders may play a role in some of these areas, but on a typical Sunday morning service, the only people you’re likely to hear from are the preaching and worship pastors. It’s quite a different environment from the one described by Paul in 1 Corinthians. In Chapter 12, he lays out all of the spiritual gifts and the importance of each one being used appropriately to complete the Body of Christ. In Chapter 14 he specifically mentions that, “when you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue or an interpretation.” In Colossians 3:16 he encourages the Colossians to allow the word of Christ to dwell in them richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Clearly, the members of the early Church were active participants in their meetings, not just spectators as we often are today.
Here’s what most church services I’ve attended look like: the worship team gets things started with an upbeat song. The worship leader, who is likely to be a professional musician, welcomes everyone and may sporadically offer some bible verses, or commentary on what we’re about to sing or a prayer before concluding the praise and worship part of the service and handing it over to the pastor. Depending on the church’s size, resources and the preferences of its’ leaders, praise and worship can involve an organ and hymns or feel more like a rock concert with special lighting, professional sound technicians and even fog machines. The pastor is likely to speak from 20 to 50 minutes and in some cases, may invite a personal response with an invitation to come forward for prayer, or to raise a hand indicating a response or possibly to just silently repeat a prayer he leads. Ushers may pass a collection plate while more subtle churches may suggest that offerings be placed in an offering box on the way out. The worship team may return for a final song or the pastor may simply pronounce a benediction ending the approximately 1 hour and 15 minute service. If you so choose, it’s entirely possible to get through the whole service without uttering a word or interacting with anyone. Most modern church services encourage us to be consumers – seeking out the best music and technology and the most engaging preachers. As a result, most church attenders go home entertained, but unchanged.
Church attendance and involvement has been an extremely high priority in my life…always. The only times I haven’t been very involved in a church is when we’ve moved from one to another and those periods haven’t lasted long. I’ve been a choir director, worship leader, creative team member, small group leader, women’s bible study leader, drama ministry director, children’s church teacher and church spokesperson. I only mention all that to let you know how invested my life has been in the modern church. But for the first time, I’m asking myself why we do what we do. And if it’s all really what God wants us to do.
Honestly, I don’t know how to feel about it or what God would have me do about it. There’s no question that it has morphed into something very different from what He described for us in the New Testament. There is a whole home church movement led by those who seek to return to something as close as possible to the early church. Some function more like what many of us know as a small group, but others are successfully functioning just like the churches described by the Apostle Paul. Many of you may be fully engaged in a church where you’re growing and deepening your walk with Jesus and other members of your church. I hope so. I’ve come to realize from personal experience that the Church of Jesus Christ will never be perfect on this earth because it’s filled with imperfect people…people like me. But if we seek to make it better and more closely aligned with His purposes, should we just accept things as they are, or instead, boldly question everything? Change is difficult and frightening and uncomfortable. Just ask the Pharisees how they felt about Jesus’ teaching.
If you’d like to learn more about how the Church has changed over the past two millenia and what possible alternatives there might be, I can personally recommend two books: the one already mentioned, “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola and George Barna, and also “So You Don’t Want to go to Church Anymore,” by Dave Coleman and Wayne Jacobsen.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Doors are designed to keep some things in, some things out, or even just block things altogether in our lives. However, there are some doors we keep closed for far too long, missing out on an opportunity to experience the next phase of our lives. What might happen if you dare to open the door to the strange, the new, and the unexpected? What setup is lying behind The Open Door? Today's podcast host is Dr. Jia Conway.
Join host Tewannah Aman for her podcast, "In Christ, I Can!"
How many of us struggle with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy? Philippians 4:13 is a verse that many know well, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But how often do we freeze up? How many times have we not gone through a door? Or we haven’t taken advantage of an opportunity? Do I hear a resounding yes and amen? I can relate.
We have had many who have criticized and condemned us, and that has created a fear of rejection and a fear of failure deep within us. Those times when someone made us feel so insecure and inadequate, telling us things like: “You aren’t good enough. You are a failure. Why even try? You are hopeless and helpless.” And the list goes on.
When we accepted Jesus, we were adopted into His family. We are children of God and daughters of the King. But the tapes that have been playing in our heads don’t just disappear. Wouldn’t that be nice? We are now on a journey called the process of sanctification. That is when we seek God and His Word to renew our hearts and minds (Romans 12:1, 2). It is allowing His truths to transform us into the image of Christ.
Walk with me as I share how God has enabled me to work through and overcome those fearful times that still can come back to haunt me. And let’s look at Moses and how he struggled with deep feelings of fear and insecurity. When God called him, he practically refused. He tried to convince God He had chosen the wrong person. We are in good company.
God empowered Moses to deliver the Israelites. Even though he was scared, he went through the door anyway. He trusted the Lord. And the Holy Spirit kicked in, and that is what He wants to do in each of our lives. He wants to reveal His power in and through us.
He wants to heal, redeem, and restore the brokenness from our past. So that you can be used to achieve great and mighty things for His Kingdom. May You seek Him with your whole heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13). God has chosen you. He has a purpose and plan for your life. How exciting is that?!!
Now, go rock the world for Jesus.
There’s a reason the New Testament has so many warnings against false teaching. Join host Julie Harwick for a comparison between the church we see in Acts and the church we know today that shows how quickly we can get off base.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
I recently had the opportunity to visit three of my bucket list places and God used it to teach me some valuable spiritual lessons in a way I hadn’t anticipated. History has always fascinated me and especially as it pertains to the bible, so when I found a good deal on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise, I jumped at the chance to visit Athens, Rome and Ephesus. Israel is at the very top of my bucket list and I had hoped to go back in 2021, but thanks to Covid that never came to be. And since October 7th, the prospect of visiting any time soon doesn’t seem very good either. But there are plenty of important biblical events that took place in the three ancient cities our cruise visited.
I was especially eager to see Ephesus since I had heard that it held some of the best-preserved ancient ruins in the world. We were to see where the Apostle John was believed to be buried and where Mary, the mother of Jesus had lived under John’s care. We would see the temple of Artemis where the book Acts details a near riot that broke out because of Paul’s preaching in Ephesus. When John wrote the book of Revelation, he praised the church at Ephesus for standing firm in their faith despite false teachers and many hardships. But he also admonished them for forsaking the love for Christ that they had once had.
We walked for hours among the ruins of homes, government buildings, temples, baths, the second largest library of the ancient world and a massive amphitheater. I was awed to think that I was walking the very path that John and Mary had probably walked together a thousand times and I was seeing what they saw. But my spirit was uneasy when I entered the small stone house believed to be where Mary lived and I was encouraged to light a candle and pray to her. After walking through her home we came to a spigot of water coming out of a stone wall which was believed to have healing properties because of its location near her home. I have tremendous respect for the woman chosen by God to bear and raise His son. That honor sets her apart as an example for all women to emulate, but it doesn’t make her divine or worthy of our worship. When we reached the tomb where the disciple Jesus loved was thought to be buried, it was surrounded by the remains of what had once been an extremely ornate, costly shrine. Somehow, it didn’t seem like the appropriate resting place for the simple fisherman who had stood at the foot of the cross when all the other disciples were in hiding and had given the next 70 years of his life to spreading the gospel to anyone who would listen.
In Rome we visited the catacombs, a series of underground tombs where early Christians were buried and believed to have hidden during times of persecution. Our guide was well-educated but made it clear that he saw no difference between the faith of these early believers and the pagans that preceded them. To him, their beliefs seemed equally rooted in nothing but fantasy. He theorized that the early Christians who suffered persecution under tyrants like Nero were the first to be buried in these tombs. Because they were martyrs, they were considered to be particularly special to God and therefore would be among the first to be resurrected. Christians who came after them wanted to be buried near them to improve their chances of being among the first to be resurrected. I’m not sure if that’s actually true, but if it is, it smacks of pagan superstition, not solid biblical teaching. At the Vatican, we were told about the holy doors. Every 25 years, the Vatican declares a Jubilee in which 4 holy doors located in four different basilicas in Rome are opened to symbolize that God is calling people to repentance and to a new life of grace. They represent His mercy which is available to all. So far, I like this idea, but here’s where it goes off the rails. Pilgrims from all over the world come to walk through these doors because they will be granted a plenary indulgence – also known as a free pass to heaven. The Vatican still teaches that repentance and forgiveness will assure anyone a place in heaven, but walking through the holy doors will eliminate any time required in purgatory where the forgiven are theoretically still required to pay for their sins. Please don’t interpret this as an attack on the Catholic Church. I was born into a Catholic family, made my first communion and attended five years of catechism, but when I learned to read the bible for myself, I could find nothing in it supporting the ideas of purgatory or indulgences. The biblical account of the thief crucified next to Jesus who repented of his sins and acknowledged Jesus’ divinity from his place on the cross proves otherwise. Jesus responded to him saying, “today you will be with me in paradise.” The thief freely admitted that he had led a sinful life and yet Jesus assured him that only paradise at His side awaited him immediately after death.
So where did the Christian faith get some of these extrabiblical ideas? Our trip to Athens shed some light on it. The Acropolis is the number one site to visit in Athens and it is impressive. Set high on a hill, it contains the remains of multiple temples: the Parthenon, built to honor Athena, the city’s namesake, another for Nike, now known as the goddess of running shoes, the Erechtheion which celebrates Athena’s victory over Poseidon and the temple of Zeus. The Apostle Paul noticed the same thing when he visited the city noting that Athens was full of idols including an object of worship dedicated to the “unknown god.” He used this fact in his conversation with the local philosophers and great thinkers to introduce them to their “unknown god” who was actually the one true God. So much of the New Testament deals with issues surrounding idol worship and points out the foolishness of worshipping something that had to be fashioned by human hands. Because we don’t really see people worshipping idols of wood or stone, my attitude has always been, “well duh – that seems pretty obvious.” But when you consider how prevalent it was to worship multiple gods represented as marble, stone or wooden figures in Greek, Roman and other cultures of that time, you realize that they were as blind to it as we are to the worship of material possessions, personal luxuries, leisure time and status.
It seems that no matter where or when you live, Satan works hard to influence the culture to embrace idols and eagerly adopt false teaching.
The New Testament is full of examples showing how easily false teaching and pagan ideas could infiltrate the early church. When the Apostle John wrote 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, his purpose was to combat the false teaching of Greek philosophers that had made its way into the local church. Gnosticism was a widely practiced and accepted theology at the time. Its focus was on the root word, gnosis, or knowledge and the thinking was that knowledge was the key to everything. Certain people could attain “special knowledge,” that others didn’t have and attaining that knowledge was far more important than anything else. They believed that the body and the spirit were two separate things, so what you did with your body had no impact on your spirit or your relationship with God. Many in the church were buying into these ideas, embracing every kind of sin and seeking a mystical, emotional experience. John addressed the heresy directly in 1 John chapter 3 saying, “ Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil.” His closing words in chapter 5 reminded the church what kind of knowledge was really important, and how it would impact their actions. “We know that we are the children of God and the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him Who is true. And we are in Him Who is true by being in His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Warnings about false teaching was a pervasive theme in Peter’s second letter to the church. He reminded them that just as there were many false prophets among the prophets of the Old Testament, they could expect to experience the same thing, explaining, “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
Peter was in a unique position to understand the dangers of false teaching, having been accused of it himself. This is one of the things I love about the bible – it makes no effort to conceal or gloss over the failings or controversies of its’ subjects. I’m referring to a dispute between Peter and Paul. Paul’s ministry was focused toward the Gentiles, but Peter worked among Jews who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They never stopped being Jews, they just believed that Jesus was the final Passover lamb meant to not just cover, but actually remove the stain of mankind’s sin. As a Jew himself, Peter was accustomed to following the Law, but God gave him a vision showing him that he no longer needed to worry about keeping the Law in regard to what he ate or with whom he associated. God made it clear that all who received Christ’s payment for their sins were justified by that alone, not by keeping the Law. He immediately sent a Gentile, Cornelius, to invite Peter to his home to preach the gospel. Previously, Peter would not have been free to enter a Gentile’s home, but now that he was, he did it frequently, eating with Gentiles and teaching them. As time went by, many of the Jews who followed Jesus became uncomfortable with this new freedom and began adhering to traditional Jewish dietary restrictions and even preaching that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised. Peter didn’t speak against this teaching and began distancing himself from the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul called him out on it and relates the story in Galatians chapter 2. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public because he was clearly wrong. Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them. The other Jewish believers also started acting like cowards along with Peter. When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew and yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How then, can you force Gentiles to live like Jews? Indeed we are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners,’ as they are called. Yet we know that a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires.’” Ouch! That had to be hard for Peter to hear. Who could’ve imagined that Paul, the former persecutor of the church, would have to rebuke Peter, who had dropped his fishing nets, left his boat and followed Jesus without a moment’s hesitation. The one who’d had his name changed by Jesus to Peter, because his recognition of Who Jesus really was would serve as the foundation for the entire church. The only disciple brave enough to step out of the boat and actually walk on water with Jesus! If Peter could fall victim to false teaching how much more susceptible are we? It’s no wonder that the current Church of Jesus Christ bears so little resemblance to the Church described in the book of Acts. And even those early believers who may have even had the privilege of walking with Jesus Himself, had to be educated and corrected time and time again. The New Testament is full of such examples and no doubt God inspired the Apostles to address false teaching so much, knowing how important it would be for all believers, from the Church’s beginnings to the day of His return. So many New Testament authors caution us to “beware.” But Timothy, who trained under Paul, gave us some of the best advice in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God as an approved workman, who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately handling the Word of Truth.” We need to be in God’s Word daily, not just reading words, but studying them, analyzing them, asking the Holy Spirit to enable us to accurately interpret and apply them. In addition to the spiritual armor God gave us that’s described in Ephesians 6, He gave us a single offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We live in a spiritually dangerous world, so let’s make sure we’re always ready to use the only weapon we’ll ever need.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
When the worst tragedy of life hits, how does one cope? Our guest, Renee Scheidt, a biblical teacher and author who holds a master's degree in theology and music, shares her tragic story of pain and suffering. Despite two major trauma experiences in her life, she was able to move forward through each one. Listen to find out how God intervened and delivered hope and healing in her darkest hours of living.
In a world where we compete to "BE" for everything and "everyone," sometimes we need to be reminded as God's daughters, that we are HIS CHOICE! Join Dr. Jia Conway for this empowering and inspirational message.
Comparing is an exercise in futility and can actually be very harmful…and yet we all do it. Would we be so inclined to give in to this trap if we really understood God’s perspective? Join host Julie Harwick as she explores this topic.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
In the summer of 1981 I, along with nearly every other female on the planet, was captivated at the prospect of a royal wedding. Charles and Diana fever was spreading with every print publication in the checkout line and every television or radio news broadcast. The elusive prince had finally selected his princess from all the fairest maidens in the land. Lady Diana Spencer was part of the nobility, but she was a kindergarten teacher for heaven’s sake; what could make her more relatable than that? As we watched her walking through the Scottish Highlands with her prince, showing the world her royal engagement ring and answering some of the hundreds of questions being shouted to her by the press, we imagined what it might be like to be her.
Nearly every little girl dreams of being a princess: wearing beautiful gowns and tiaras, dancing the night away at elegant balls, living in incredible luxury, being adored and admired by the people and especially by a charming prince! Diana Spencer was about to have all those dreams come true. When she walked down that long aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral with angelic flower girls monitoring her enormously long train, we couldn’t help but envy her. Her face didn’t show the excitement we felt, but we wrote it off to nerves and shyness.
Years later, we discovered that her lack of enthusiasm on her wedding day was due to something much deeper than nerves or shyness. What had appeared to be a dream come true to her adoring public was becoming more and more of a nightmare to the young princess. We could see the distance that was growing between her and her prince, but we couldn’t see the depression and sense of betrayal that led to bulimia and five separate suicide attempts. We had never considered what it might be like to have to put on a happy face and make unrelenting royal appearances while being hounded by paparazzi and reporters in the midst of an emotional crisis. The life that had seemed so idyllic and desirable turned out to be anything but that.
How many times have we looked at someone else’s life with envy, thinking that, in comparison to the life we’re living, they seem to have it all. Our human tendency to compare what we have with others goes way back. In fact, 20% of the 10 commandments God gave to Moses have to do with comparison and envy. We are cautioned not to covet a neighbor’s spouse or possessions. If we already have a spouse or possessions, what would make us want someone else’s? The only possible answer is that we’ve compared the two and theirs looks better. The ancient Israelites struggled with it and so do we…especially with the advent of social media.
Author Srinivas Rao says, “ There’s always someone who has more…more fans, followers, traffic, likes, etc. Social media-fueled comparison is a game in which there is no endpoint. It causes us to lose sight of the fact that we are getting a deliberately, highly- filtered, one-dimensional view of someone’s life.” A study published by security and research firm Kapersky Labs surveyed over 16,000 people and concluded that sites like Facebook, X and Instagram can often leave people feeling upset or “bitter” rather than happy and content. Contentment is elusive - especially for those who spend a lot of time on social media. Google reports that in a study involving 1500 Facebook users, more than 60 percent felt inadequate or jealous after comparing themselves to others on Facebook.
Social media can be a great way to maintain long distance relationships, share important milestones and events with people who want to know and to bring attention to causes or organizations that we want to support. But like anything else, it can easily be misused and wind up hurting us or the people who view our posts. The U.K.’s “Nursing Times” reported that a mental health patient in an in-patient recovery group confessed, “I’ve just been admitted to this ward, and I feel awful. But I go online, and my friends are getting married, one’s had a baby, a couple are on holiday…They all look great, and they are all certainly having a better time than me.”
It’s pretty clear that social media is here to stay, so if it’s a problem for us, we either have to avoid it or develop a new perspective. Developing a new perspective doesn’t come easily because comparison is so deeply rooted in created beings. It goes all the way back to the first sin which was committed by a supernatural being.
In Isaiah 14 we are given the back story on Satan. He was known as the Morning Star, Son of the Dawn, the most beautiful creature in all of God’s creation, designed to lead others in the worship of God. But rather than recognizing the worthiness of God for such worship, he envied God’s higher position and desired it for himself, saying, “I will make myself like the Most High.” When God created humans, Satan took a similar approach to lead them into sin. He convinced Eve that the reason that God had instructed them not to eat from the tree in the center of the garden was because He knew if they did, they would be like Him, knowing good from evil. That was the reason, but it wasn’t because He wanted to hold onto His superiority over them, because He was God and nothing could change that. But Satan appealed to Eve’s desire to have everything God had.
If we really think about it, we’d recognize that the root of all sin, pride, is at the heart of our need to compare ourselves to others and ideally come out on top. Just like Eve, we bristle at the thought of someone having something we don’t have. A NerdWallet survey revealed that 3 in 5 Americans, 57%, have felt envious of someone else’s financial situation. We can’t help but notice people who are able to dress better, drive nicer vehicles and live in better homes. When I lived in a neighborhood and took the dog for a walk, I found myself noticing my neighbors’ beautiful landscaping and perfectly maintained homes. It started me thinking of my own yard that was in desperate need of edging and trimming, the shrubs that were overgrown and the pollen and mildew stains on the windowsills. Their homes looked much better than mine and what had previously brought me great joy and gratitude became a problem and a source of discontent. When we first moved into the house, I recall having the thought, “I can’t believe that this is our home! As a child, I never would have imagined that I could own something like this.” But when I started comparing what I had with what others had, the awe and thankfulness I had experienced then was replaced by a desire for something better.
Our tendencies to compare aren’t limited to material possessions either. As women, we notice the appearance of other women. Subconsciously we note if they have better figures, fewer wrinkles, nicer hairstyles. When we look in a mirror we think of those women and see only our flaws staring back at us. Sometimes it’s the gifts and talents of others that make us feel less than. We can’t sing or speak or make friends as well as the people around us, so there must be something lacking in us. We even compare our families, possibly having thoughts like, “ Look how her husband puts his arm around her and opens the car door for her! Sometimes I wonder if mine even realizes I’m here. And her children are so well behaved, and they excel at everything they do. My kids are constantly embarrassing me with their behavior and if there’s something they’re exceptional in, we haven’t found it yet.” If we’re honest, we’d all have to admit to having at least some thoughts like these.
Comparing ourselves to others nearly always leads to dissatisfaction and if, by chance, we come out ahead in our comparison, it leads to equally harmful pride. It’s a losing proposition either way, but we keep falling into it…at least I do.
Jesus was quick to shut down any comparisons between His disciples. After He asked Peter three times if he loved Him and instructed him to “feed my sheep,” he gave Peter a vision of his future which included being bound and taken places he didn’t want to go. That future didn’t sound very appealing to him and perhaps because misery loves company he wanted to know what would happen to John. In John 21:22 Jesus basically told Peter, “you do you,” saying “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” It was an important reminder that in order to follow Jesus, Peter needed to keep his eyes fixed on Jesus, not the people around him.
The Apostle Paul also had quite a bit to say about comparing. In Galatians 6:4 he writes, “ Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else. 5 Each of us must bear some faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect!” Apparently the church at Corinth had been doing a lot of comparing in the area of spiritual gifts which prompted Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 to devote an entire chapter to explaining how no one gift was more important than another. He compared spiritual gifts to the parts of a human body, noting that all perform different, but very necessary functions. He points out, “ if the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts of the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.”
“Just as He wanted them to be…” that’s a phrase that should stick in our minds when we are tempted to compare ourselves with others. Even as God gave us the spiritual gifts He desired us to have, has He not also given us our bodies, our minds, our families and everything we have, just as He desired? There is no doubt that God created us as unique and carefully planned individuals…just as He wanted us to be. In Psalm 139 He reminds us that He knew us even before we were born and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. “How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God,” the psalmist says, adding, “How vast is the sum of them!” His thoughts about us are precious and beyond imagination. He created each of us to be exactly who we are, like no one else. So comparing ourselves to others is not only pointless, but it reveals our lack of understanding that God, in His infinite wisdom, created us to be exactly who we are. And what He thinks of us, and remember, those thoughts are precious, matters far more than what we or anyone else thinks. If we truly intend to follow Jesus as He has commanded us to, we need to take our eyes off of the people around us that may seem to have something we lack, and fix them on the One Who has everything we need.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Please join us as today's guest, founder of Guard Your Heart Ministries, shares her transparent story of how she dealt with wounds from childhood which led her to accept toxic relationships. Tewannah Aman's personal Redemption Story provides an example of developing healthy, Christ-centered relationships for a future of freedom and love.
In today’s episode, Tawana Lowery shares about a God dream she had and what it taught her about how we should Vote for our Spirit instead of our Flesh. This is one vote that impacts our influence for eternity.
It’s easy to get discouraged by all the darkness we see closing in on us. There are so many things wrong in this world, but the darker the night, the brighter the light. Today, host Julie Harwick gives many examples of believers shining brightly in the midst of darkness and reminds us that we have been called to do the same.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the annual National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s been going on for 80 years, but this was my first experience attending. It was fascinating, exhausting, sometimes disheartening, but also inspiring and encouraging – kind of a microcosm of life on this planet.
I was there to represent Barnabas Aid, a ministry to the Suffering Church. Very, very few people approached our little booth to learn more about the Persecuted Church. Most who did approach, were eager to promote their own ministries which wasn’t a bad thing, because they were also willing to hear about mine. But in order to effectively represent Barnabas Aid, I had to try to make eye contact with someone passing slowly enough to ask, “How familiar are you with the Persecuted Church?” Some pretended not to hear me or mumbled, “I’m good.” But fortunately many were willing to listen and consider getting involved. There were people from all over the world there and it was interesting to note that nearly every foreigner I encountered was well-acquainted with the Persecuted Church. Americans were far more likely to know little to nothing, but that’s probably because suffering for your faith is not a normal part of being a believer in this country. I was most encouraged by meeting people from Morocco, India and Pakistan who had actually worked with our organization in those countries. Hearing their stories made the work of Barnabas Aid more real to me and allowed me to put faces with the people we serve.
The disheartening part came from some of the booths I encountered where televangelists were selling supplements guaranteed to give you energy and good health and others just seemed to be all about glitz and glamour. There may be nothing wrong with these ministries. It was just hard not to notice the contrast between them and less flashy ministries whose sole focus was bringing the gospel to people who hadn’t heard or fighting for the lives of unborn babies.
Overall, it was very encouraging to see the massive convention center filled with people who are devoting their lives to God-honoring businesses or ministries. Every form of media was represented: radio, television, film, podcasts, video games, books and social media. All appeared to be committed to using every method possible to grow the Kingdom of God.
I was especially encouraged to see that the booths next to me and across from me were both engaged with reaching Muslims for Christ and supporting Muslim Background Believers who live under restrictive and even dangerous conditions. Islam is the world’s second largest religion and it’s estimated that there are nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide. One organization, Cresent Project, has a vision to equip 100,000 believers, many of them from a Muslim background to reach 120 counties where Muslims have never heard the gospel. At Lighthouse Arab World, I talked with Johnny, a Lebanese man who was born into a Christian family but has a great love for Muslims all over the Arab world. He told me about the crushing inflation that his native country is suffering and how his ministry is helping to alleviate that suffering while pointing people to Jesus. He also told me a fascinating first-hand account he had heard about a Christian missionary who attempted to evangelize a remote tribe in Tunisia. These devoted Muslims were mostly hostile toward him and wanted nothing to do with the gospel he was so eager to share. One night the chief of the tribe had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him and told him to seek out the missionary who would tell him all he needed to know. When he awoke the next morning he still felt compelled to seek out the missionary, but his conviction grew when all the other members of his tribe reported having had the exact same dream! This experience couldn’t be explained away and couldn’t possibly be a coincidence, so the entire tribe gathered outside the missionary’s home as Jesus had instructed them to in their dreams. When the missionary looked out his window and saw the entire tribe assembled there, he was certain their animosity had grown to the point where they had determined to kill him. He summoned his courage and went outside to face whatever awaited him. His fear turned to incredible joy as they begged him to tell them about Jesus. I frequently hear stories like this about Muslims who have never heard the gospel having dreams where they see Christ and are told where they can go to learn about Him. It reminds me of the passage in John, chapter one where we are told that Jesus, also known as the Word, was the life and the life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. He is the true light, that gives light to everyone.
Light and darkness became a common theme while I was at the convention. So many people from countries around the world told me about the darkness and suffering that seems to reign in their home countries. But I was surrounded by so many, including many Americans, who were devoting their lives to bringing the light of Christ into that darkness. There was an awards dinner on the last night where many Christian broadcasters were honored for their work, some having served for 50 years or more. They had started radio stations or television shows in the early 1970’s that had reached people who might’ve never heard the gospel otherwise. They had faithfully sacrificed and served with vision and determination to use all kinds of media for God’s glory and to bring light into the darkness. It was inspiring to hear their stories and hard not to feel like I’ve accomplished very little in comparison to these spiritual giants.
The final speaker, Jack Graham, opened with words that tied it all together for me. “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.” It’s not a bible verse and he wasn’t sure who had originally coined the phrase, but he remembered his mother saying it and believed that it was loaded with Godly wisdom.
We all see so much darkness around us. Crime is growing at a rate we have never seen before, our country hasn’t been this divided since the Civil War, we have a fentanyl crisis, human trafficking, corruption, pandemics, poverty, broken homes and mental illness is rampant. Every news broadcast and article you read confirms that this world is in serious trouble because it’s under the dominion of the Price of Darkness himself. But as we read in John 1, the darkness could not overcome the light.
It’s interesting to note that when you try to darken a room because you want to sleep, even the faintest light coming through a crack under the door or through a window from the moon is enough to make the room seem not very dark at all. Once your eyes adjust to the light, you can see most everything. It’s another example of how much more powerful light is than darkness. Just as the Light of the World is far more powerful than the Prince of Darkness. In John 8:12, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Apostle Paul experienced this in an unbelievable way when he was struck with blindness on his way to persecute the followers of Christ. He was kept in total darkness until the man appointed by God to pray for him restored his sight. And it wasn’t just his ocular vision that was restored, the light that had blinded him had also opened his eyes to the truth that he had been unable to see previously. He finally understood that he had also been spiritually blind. And the Light of the World, that is, Jesus, was also the way, the truth and the life. In Acts 26:18 Paul recalled the commission that God gave to him. “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.”
Even though most of us have never had a “road to Damascus” experience like Paul, we have been given that same calling. In 1 Peter 2 :9 we’re told how God views us and exactly what He has created us to do. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
It is a wonderful, and as some translations call it, a marvelous light. If the Light of the World resides in us, the darkness cannot overcome us and instead we can shine the light into the darkest places. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He explained how He wanted us to live as bearers of the light that only He can give. The Message paraphrase puts it best and it’s a perfect way to close. Matthew 5: 14 & 15 says, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine!”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Today's powerful interview is with Sarah Frazer, author, teacher, and mother of five. Sarah lacked confidence in her marriage, future, and having children. Hear her gripping story of how a trip to China to adopt a child allowed God to intervene. You will be encouraged to hear how God provided courage for Sarah in all the areas she suffered, leading her to be the woman of God she is today.
The Spirit of fear can come upon us in an instant or at times through decades of past trauma. Today's guest, Author Wendy Arelis from British Columbia, shares her story and provides helpful advice of how God saw her need and led her to overcome the layers of built up fears that once gripped her life.
Honesty is a character quality we look for in others, but do we actually scrutinize ourselves for honesty in the same way? How honest are we with ourselves, when it comes to being honest? Join Julie Harwick as she dives into this subject.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
A mom questions her 3-year-old who’s mouth is ringed with blue dye. “You’re telling me you didn’t have any candy today?” “I haven’t,” he answers sweetly shaking his head. “You can have one more time to tell me the truth,” she warns. “Really, I haven’t,” he responds as if he can’t imagine why she would ask such a thing. “Then what is all over your face," she asks. With a growing realization he says, as he attempts to look truly puzzled, “Oh, blue?”…”Well…. I forgot that I ate that.”
It’s hard not to chuckle at this type of lying because it’s just further evidence that 3-year-olds are not as smart as they think they are. And they’re still in the process of learning that telling lies is not the way to get out of a sticky situation. But 3-year-olds grow up and unfortunately, lying often continues to be a part of their lives. We were all 3 once and our parents probably took lying very seriously and tried to teach us that it was wrong, but that doesn’t mean we never do it.
While we might not be guilty of telling such a blatant lie as the 3-year-old, we may very well be guilty of misrepresenting, misleading, saying what someone wants to hear whether we actually believe it or not or exaggerating. If you’re not guilty of any of those yourself, you probably know someone who is. It’s not “technically” a lie, but it’s likely to cause the hearer to arrive at a slightly different conclusion than what is the actual truth. And generally, the motive for doing it is to manipulate a desired outcome.
Sometimes, what is not said falls into this category. Many years ago, I had a co-worker who seemed to believe that she was in competition with me and needed to make our employer question my value. She was definitely within earshot when a supervisor asked me to leave the office to get some paperwork he needed. Later, when the owner asked her where I was, she answered, “She didn’t tell me where she was going.” That was a true statement. I hadn’t specifically told her where I was going, but there was no question that she knew. The way she answered made him believe that I had left without letting anyone know and that she didn’t know where I went. The information she gave him accomplished her intent of making me look irresponsible because he had a wrong impression of the situation.
Have you ever confronted an older child about some item around the house being broken and gotten a vague response like, ”I haven’t used it”? In the back of your mind you’re wondering if they’re saying under their breath, “today.” The response might be technically true, but they certainly have more information that is relevant to the question, but it’s not in their best interest to share that. As kids get older, they get a little craftier at getting out of things they don’t want to do without actually telling a lie. “I would do my chores now, but I have a test to study for.” They may very well have a test to study for, but they have no intention of spending all their remaining waking hours studying for it. I once knew a boy who didn’t like to take a shower. He would turn on the shower, retrieve a book he had stashed in the bathroom cabinet and read for 15 minutes. Then he’d wet the washcloth and wipe it across the top of his head so his hair was wet and use it to dampen a towel. If he was specifically questioned about taking a shower, he would say that he had, because days earlier, he actually had. There are all kinds of get-arounds that can enable us to have our own way without drawing attention to what we’re carefully hiding.
Unfortunately, our problems with absolute honesty don’t go away as we age. We just get better at hiding it from others…and even ourselves. Sometimes carelessness is involved but it doesn’t really excuse our behavior. How often have you ended a conversation with someone who’s just shared a burden or concern with you and you threw out an, “I’ll be praying for you.” But do you really mean that, or will you get distracted by a million other concerns and never once remember to pray as you said you would? We say it with good intentions – praying for someone is good, but if there’s no follow through, why say it at all? Do we say it because it’s uncomfortable not to, because it just seems like the right thing to say? Maybe we should take more care to never promise to pray for someone unless we are certain that we actually will. Saying things out of habit or just because we don’t know what else to say can lead to dishonesty too. Have you ever greeted the pastor on a Sunday morning after church with an “I really enjoyed your message,” when in fact, you can’t even recall what it was about? If you actually did enjoy or appreciate it, by all means, be sure to say so, but giving compliments by rote is meaningless and doesn’t create the desired outcome. This is a particular pet peeve of mine. I’ve known someone in leadership at church who is always brimming with superlatives, “That was the best worship ever! That was the best Christmas Eve production ever! You did such a great job with”…you get the picture. I know his intention is to be encouraging, but the lack of authenticity is actually demotivating to me. I can’t really take any praise from him as legitimate because he tosses it around so casually.
Another technique I’ve noticed and may have used a time or two myself is exaggeration. “I wish I could come to your baby shower, but unfortunately my son has lacrosse that day (nevermind that it will end hours before the shower) and I’m going out of town for a week and have so much to do to get ready for it. The more difficulties or concerns you can pile on the list, the better, or so it seems. The truth is that if you wanted to go, lacrosse and the trip wouldn’t stop you. But since you don’t want to go, making them seem like a much bigger obstacle than they actually are is a convenient workaround. While it would be unkind to simply respond with an, “I don’t want to because baby showers are boring.” I could be more honest, but not unkind, by saying, “I won’t be there, but I hope you have a really wonderful time!” Most people will accept that without requiring details, if you are pressed for a reason, you might say, “I have some other things that require my attention.”
I understand that we’re getting into some difficult territory here and I certainly have been guilty of exaggerating some facts to provide a way of escape from something I don’t want to do. So how do we walk the line between brutal, hurtful truths and respectful and kind honesty? Probably the first question we should ask ourselves is “what would Jesus do?”
One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of Jesus and the truth is that He is truth. “I am the way, the truth and the life,” He says in John 14:6. Earlier in John 8:32 He also emphasized the fact that He is truth when He said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Jesus and truth are inseparable, so if we want to know and serve Him, truth needs to be high on our list of priorities. Jesus made it pretty clear that He had real problems with deception. We see it particularly in the way He viewed the Pharisees. He referred to them as whitewashed sepulchers full of dead men’s bones, or in other words, they looked great on the outside, but their insides were detestable. He made a point of saying that we should be what we present to those around us with no attempt to deceive. He called out those same Pharisees for taking oaths and swearing by heaven or their own heads to convince others of their sincerity, when it was, in fact, lacking. In Matthew 5:37 He said, “Let your “no” be no and your “yes,” be yes. Anything beyond this is evil.” A modern paraphrase might be, “say what you mean and mean what you say.”
That’s a tall order in our culture. We have become masters at “spinning” situations to appear as something other than what they are. A common text abbreviation is TBH – to be honest. I see it on social media all the time. When I see it, it makes me question, ”does this mean that rather than your usual lies, you’ve opted to tell me the truth this time?”
As humans, we have a long history of lying…to God, ourselves and each other. It started with Satan, lying to Eve about God holding out on her. When Satan asked Eve, “did God really say not to eat from this tree?” she embellished the command and added her own, saying, “we can’t even touch it!” When God confronted Adam about eating from the tree, he tried to make it sound like Eve just gave it to him without telling him where she got it.
That’s probably why the bible has so much to say about honesty – because humans have a real problem with it. In Proverbs 6 God lists 7 things that are detestable to Him and 3 of the 7 are related to honesty. He hates a lying tongue, a heart that devises wicked schemes and a false witness who pours out lies. In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle Paul says, “We do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” The Apostle Peter echoes the sentiment in 1 Peter 3:10 saying, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
Truthfulness in God’s sight is a high bar and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always measure up. He knew we would struggle with this and addressed it in Ephesians 4. He describes how He equips His people for service, so that the Body of Christ can be built up. He points out that it’s all a part of growing into maturity and that as we do mature, we won’t be controlled by false teaching and the craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming, but instead, we will speak the truth in love as we become the mature Body of Christ. Speaking the truth in love is an important caveat when we’re talking about honesty. Truth and love also need to go hand in hand. We won’t hide the truth from those we truly love, but we also won’t wield it as a sword with no thought of the damage it can do. When a child presents you with a flower he’s picked for you from a nearby weed, you could say, “that’s just a weed.” That is the truth, but it wouldn’t show much love. Instead, you could say, “that’s beautiful, thank you.” It may only be a weed, but if you look at it through his eyes, it is beautiful.
Speak the truth in love. It sounds so simple, but we know it’s not. James said in chapter 3 of his letter that anyone who was never at fault in what they said, was perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. While we know we’ll never be perfect this side of heaven, with some extra attention on truthfulness and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can become more like Jesus in everything we say.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
God has a calling for you, and it is better than you can ask or imagine. Will you answer in joy, trusting His wisdom and provision? Join Julie Jenkins as we study together Jesus’ response to the rich, young man as told in Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30.
Thank you for joining for the Women World Leaders podcast! My name is Julie Jenkins, and I have the honor of walking through the Bible with you today as we study scripture and ask God to tell us what He wants us to know!
If you are new to Women World Leaders, we are so glad you have joined us! We are a group of women on mission to share the gospel as we empower each other to walk in our God-given purpose. If you are a Christ-follower, you are called to be a leader for Christ! God has gifted YOU with amazing talents and gifts, and we want to help you discover and use those gifts. So if you enjoy writing, music, art, teaching, encouraging others, or organizing databases, we have a place for you to grow, serve, and thrive. And if you aren’t sure HOW you want to serve, that’s okay – we are excited to meet you where you are! Each month, we host a Leadership Connect Zoom call that is open to the public. On the third Monday of each month at 7 pm et, we have a great time getting to know each other, finding out what is happening in the ministry, and learning different ways to serve others and grow in our leadership skills from a guest speaker. We would LOVE you to join us! To get the Zoom link, simply visit womenworldleaders.com and fill out our connect form so we can email you all the details! If you have any questions about the ministry, feel free to email us at info@womenworldleaders.com, and if you have a prayer request, email us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com.
The scripture we are going to dive into today is the story of Jesus talking to the rich young man. Three of the gospel writers give us their take on what happened that day, so we will be studying Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we are honored to come to you today and we ask you to guide us as we open your Word. Father, thank you for providing us with your written instructions and for sending your Holy Spirit to help us understand all you want us to know – may we never take you or your written Word for granted. Bless the listener as you speak directly to her heart, and bless my thoughts and words as I humbly present what it is you would have us know today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s begin in Mark, chapter 10, verse 17 from the New Living Translation…
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Let’s examine what we know about the man who came and knelt before Jesus. Mark tells us simply that he was a man who called Jesus a teacher. Luke tells us that he was a religious leader, which makes sense as he was obviously eager to do EVERYTHING right, which was the hallmark of the religious leaders of the day – they operated on the idea that they must follow every jot and tittle of God’s Word to get into heaven.
I can relate to this man, can’t you? He wanted to know what HE should do to secure his future. I have a difficult time with control…I always think that if I can just figure out the right combination of food to eat and exercises to do, I will have complete control over my weight and my health. And…by working REALLY hard and being wise with my money, I will be able to ensure a FABULOUS retirement for myself when the time comes.
This man – who we find out later is rich – was used to controlling his own destiny…or at least trying to. He followed all the rules, he did everything right, but he came to Jesus wanting just ONE MORE piece of insurance of his eternity – essentially asking…is there anything I am missing?
I imagine that anyone who was in listening distance would have been all ears. This man seemingly had it all together. If HE needed to do something else to ensure his ultimate destination, I’m betting everyone else wanted the SAME information.
Jesus’ response turns the tables a bit…verse 18
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.
In essence, Jesus was saying…hmmm…think about what you are saying…you know that ONLY God is good. So unless you believe that I AM God, you are quite openly doing something against the religion you claim as you flatter me, calling ME “good” – an adjective that can only be attributed to God Himself.
Jesus continues…
19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’[a]”
It’s interesting that Jesus first speaks of those commandments that are relational – those that have to do with people, not God.
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Isn’t that a telling statement? The man was going through life on a surface level with his eyes half open. If he had taken even a moment to think more deeply, he would surely have remembered at least ONE time when he went against those commandments. Surely he had bloopers in his life…we all do!
Can you imagine how quickly you and I would go down if someone were to play a video across the sky of our life’s bloopers? The first clip of my life would show me stealing lipstick from my mom’s purse – that was the first time I remember willfully doing something wrong. I believe that my mom and God both forgave me for that many years ago…but if we are following the “rules” of doing right versus doing wrong, we must be honest and recognize that we all have sin in our past. No one is blameless.
And yet, in our culture of canceling each other, we often judge the actions of others while we explain, at least in our own minds, our own actions away.
Thankfully, our God is forgiving and loving…I LOVE this next verse…
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.
Wow…Jesus LOVED this man who came to Him not knowing who He was and ONLY wanting to know the rules to secure eternal life.
Jesus loved the man and met him where He was. Jesus did indeed guide him, on a very personal and specific level that was meant to teach the man and help him grow…Jesus said…
“There is still one thing you haven’t done,” … “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Matthew records it this way
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Let’s break this down…Jesus said first…Go
Jesus calls us to action. How wonderful would it be to sit on the mountaintop with Jesus all day long? But we are here on earth for a reason…we each have a job to do…and Jesus tells us to Go!
Second…Jesus told the many to sell his possessions and give to the poor.
The belief at the time was that God blessed those He was pleased with by giving them earthly riches. God DID make a way for that man to have riches, but there was a reason behind those riches! Jesus gifted the young leader by telling him HOW to use what he had been blessed with. How amazing! How often have we gone to God and asked…what should I do? And then when we hear His reply…be still, trust me, or even, do the hard thing…we think…no, I’m going to take control of things and do what I think is best. All we have to do is obey and follow God’s lead…AND like the man…from our actions, we will gain treasure in heaven. What?? The man should have JUMPED at the opportunity to use all he had been given!
And then, Jesus offers the man the most amazing invitation of all…He says, after you have given all you own away…THEN…COME FOLLOW ME!
The man, having sold his possessions and used them for amazing good, would then be unencumbered and able to follow Jesus!
By all rights, the young leader should have walked away from his encounter with Jesus skipping joyfully. His question had been answered…Jesus had told EXACTLY what he needed to know to ensure eternity…he needed to follow Jesus.
But instead…that man went away sad…focused on all he would have to give up rather than on all Jesus was offering him.
I wonder what ever happened to him? Like the video of my lipstick-snatching days, all we see of this guy is his blunder as he sulked away. Reading this…we assume he was doomed…but remember…Jesus loved him. Surely his story was not over. Isn’t there a lesson in that?
God doesn’t give up on us and God doesn’t judge us by our past actions. The key to eternal glory for the man was never his works…it wasn’t that he would sell all his possessions and give to the poor. The key for the man, and for us, is putting God above everything else. On this side of heaven, we will never be perfect, but to GET to heaven, we must FOLLOW Jesus with our hearts…always returning to Him…even when we mess up in our deeds. And when we follow Him, He will continually show and empower us to put God above everything else.
Verse 23…
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[b] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
You and I don’t hold the key to heaven…and we can’t beat down the pearly gates with our good deeds. Without Jesus…it is IMPOSSIBLE to enter heaven. When we walk by his side, however, Jesus will walk us right into eternity…
As if to underscore this point, Peter IMMEDIATELY showcases the sin of pride…
Verse 28…
28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
But Jesus doesn’t focus on Peter’s sin of pride…instead Jesus assures Peter of the blessings that come from walking by God’s side…
29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.[c]”
Aren’t we so blessed to serve a God who loves us THAT much? Sometimes, in the flesh, what He asks us to do is difficult…but all that He asks us is for our own good.
Is God telling you to serve Him in some way? Does it seem too hard? I guarantee that if you listen and obey, YOU will be the one receiving the blessing!
Five years ago, we at Women World Leaders encouraged Christ-followers to write their stories. Any of our authors will tell you that when God called them to write their story, there were bumps and scary places along the way. But the growth they experienced through the process and the lives they impacted with their words are blessings they never would have imagined.
We publish Voice of Truth, a beautiful magazine full of God’s Word, four times a year. We do it because God told us to. You’d better believe the process is difficult! But God always sees us through, and the reward is amazing!
No matter what God is calling you to do…will you let go of the reins of control and allow Him to work in your life as you respond obediently? Skip with joy into your future as you follow Jesus and all that He has for you!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we say YES! Jesus….we know you are more than a good teacher, you are truly the Son of God. And we vow to follow you! Thank you for the gifts and the gifting you have given each one of us…tune our ears to your Words and give us strength and joy to honor you in all we do for your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray…Amen.
Please join us today as the founder of WWL's, Kimberly Hobbs is interviewed by Tawana Lowery, the founder of MISS OVERCOMER ministry about "Bold Forgiveness."
We live in a culture that is very protective of personal rights. But as believers, how can we find the balance between standing up for ourselves and following Jesus’ example of laying down His life? Join host Julie Harwick as she explores the topic Laying Down and Giving Up.
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” If you are an American, these words should be familiar to you as the second paragraph of our nation’s Declaration of Independence. No previous government had ever enumerated such rights and the fact that the United States of America did, set the stage for a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
I am thankful for the rights our Constitution guarantees, although many of them seem to be under attack lately. However, I think it has created in Americans in particular, a heightened focus on protecting our rights that doesn’t always conform to scripture. Our speech is peppered with phrases like, “I know my rights, what gives you the right? I have every right to…” People devote their lives to fighting for animal rights, women’s rights, gay rights…the list goes on. Our culture places a very high value on defending our rights.
From a purely secular perspective, that seems like a good thing. But recently, God has been challenging my perspective about my rights and the lengths to which I’ll go to defend them.
I had the privilege of teaching about the Persecuted Church at last month’s Leadership Connect and as I was researching, I watched a video produced on behalf of the underground church in Iran that really convicted me. A missionary who was part of the underground church in Iran was describing how he and the members of his church often discuss what they will do if or when the radical Islamists discover them and break into their hidden place of worship. A young woman who had been part of a radical Muslim faction herself, pointed out what she had already given up for her faith. “I have given up my rights. I have given up my position. I have given up everything for Jesus,” she said. These persecuted Christians are prepared to carry out the command of Romans 12:1 which says, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” In spite of beatings, prison, assault and murder, these people are willing to lay down their rights, rather than deny their Savior.
The Church in America has had it so good for so long, that it’s hard for us to identify with believers like this woman. We don’t like to think, much less talk, about suffering and being willing to lay down our rights. For many of us the concept of suffering equates to putting up with a miserable job situation, marital difficulties or experiencing financial problems. These are the very type of problems that many spiritual leaders have focused on as issues we can overcome, if only we learn the spiritual principles that lead to success and happiness. After all, we’re the King’s kids and He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, so why wouldn’t He want us to prosper, enjoy good health and the best of everything this world has to offer? That type of prosperity doctrine has encouraged adherents to focus on all the wrong things…in a nutshell, their own selfish, fleshly desires – a far cry from being a living sacrifice.
I heard a teaching on Romans 12:1 years ago that caused me to consider for the first time that the problem with being a living sacrifice is that you have the option of crawling off the altar at any time. Throughout the Old Testament, the animal sacrifices required by God were always slaughtered before they were placed on the altar. But there is one instance of a living sacrifice in the Old Testament. In the story of Abraham sacrificing his only son, Issac, we usually focus on the aspect of God testing Abraham’s faith. That’s the point, after all, even in the book of Hebrews, Abraham is listed as an example of faith we’re meant to emulate because he was willing to obey God even if it cost him the most precious thing God had ever given him. But have you ever thought about this story from Issac’s perspective? He was probably excited to get to go with his father on such an important mission at 13-years-old. But scripture tells us that he noticed the lack of an animal to sacrifice and even asked his father about it. Abraham simply explained that God Himself would provide the sacrifice and evidently that was good enough for Issac. The boy carried the wood for the sacrifice himself while Abraham handled the torch and a knife. At what point did Issac begin to grasp that he was to be the sacrifice? Genesis 22 tells us that Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he bound his son Issac and laid him on top of the wood. I’m guessing this is when Issac came face to face with what would seem to be a terrifying realization. But there is no mention of Issac struggling to break free or questioning Abraham. At 13, he may not have had the strength to resist a grown man, but it’s hard to imagine a 13-year-old boy being unable to outrun a 100-year-old man. From the biblical account though, it appears that Issac was fully compliant. How? How could anyone just lay there on an altar looking up at the knife that was about to end his life? There can be only one answer. He trusted his father. If you’re not familiar with this story, you’ll be relieved to know that God stopped Abraham before the knife came down and told him he had passed the test of obedience. Out of nowhere a ram was suddenly caught in a nearby thicket and God instructed Abraham to release Issac and sacrifice the ram He had provided.
In this instance, God only required Abraham and Issac’s willingness to provide a living sacrifice, but there are times when He doesn’t provide any alternatives. The New Testament is full of stories of the sacrifices made by the original followers of Jesus. Many were stoned, sawed in two and killed by the sword according to Hebrews 11.
Ironically, the man responsible for many of those deaths would be called to lay down his life and write the words of Romans 12:1 encouraging others to do the same. Originally known as Saul, this man had a life that would have seemed enviable by any standard of his day. As a Roman citizen and a respected Pharisee, he had wealth, status and a very bright future. He was known throughout the region for leading the most devout Jews to put an end to the heretical followers of Jesus. Scripture tells us that he held the cloaks of those who eagerly sought to please him by carrying out his orders to stone the Christ followers. No need for him to dirty his hands or exert himself – such activity was beneath him. But a very personal encounter with Jesus Himself on the road to Damascus set his life on an entirely different course. With a new God-given name and a new heart wholly dedicated to the One he had so vigorously persecuted, the Apostle Paul did more to advance the church of Jesus Christ than anyone else, but at great personal cost. In Philippians 3 he reminds his readers of his impressive pedigree as a Hebrew of Hebrews – one who faultlessly kept the law. In verse seven he says, “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of knowing Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul details some of the ways he was willing to offer himself as a living sacrifice, saying, “Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” This is quite a contrast with the life he had known as Saul and explains perfectly how he could say in Philippians 2 that his life was being poured out like a drink offering.
While the Apostle Paul is an incredible example of laying down rights and offering everything as a living sacrifice, there could be no greater example than Jesus Himself. It’s laid out for us in my favorite passage in all of scripture, Philippians Chapter 2, written by none other than the Apostle Paul. It’ says, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Think of that! He was God and yet He didn’t think equality with God was something to cling to. He willingly set aside His divine rights and privileges in exchange for the infinitely inferior mind and body of a human being. And it would’ve been more understandable if He had chosen to inhabit the body of a strong young man of wealth and power, but instead He came to this world as a helpless infant, born to the poorest of parents. I love this passage so much because it really encapsulates what He sacrificed for us. Not just in coming to earth and limiting Himself to a human form, but in taking upon Himself the sins of the world when He deserved no punishment at all!
When I consider what Jesus was willing to do for my sake and the examples set by Paul, other apostles and even modern- day members of the Body of Christ, I am so convicted of my unwillingness to freely lay down my rights. When I feel that they’re being violated, even in the smallest of ways, my defenses go up and I’m ready for a fight. There may be instances when that’s an appropriate response, but I think in many cases, God is bringing me to an Abraham and Issac moment. But rather than climbing up on that altar, I’m running from it as far and as fast as possible.
I suspect I’m not the only one who may struggle with laying down my rights. No doubt it’s one of the reasons Jesus warned that the gate He wants us to pass through is narrow and very few find it. But we do not struggle alone. 2 Corinthians 12 tells us that God’s power is perfected in our weakness. His grace is sufficient in any area of weakness. Undoubtedly that truth is what the young Iranian woman clings to when she imagines what the consequences of following Jesus may be. Like Issac, she knows her Father can be trusted, no matter what.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
Would you consider yourself uncommon? God created you - you are unique and wonderfully made. Today, Kimberly Hobbs interviews young and vibrant Coach Caitlyn Benedik who shares her story of how God created her to be different. She stepped out of the "box" into a fun career and shares her 4 uncommon reasons to live by as Christ has led her. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. It is our privilege to come to you today and ask you to join us as we welcome our guest today, which is Caitlyn Benedik. Welcome, Caitlin. Glad to have you.
Caitlyn Benedik I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for having me on.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes, and today we are talking to you ladies about uncommon and that's a word that is very special to Caitlyn. And as we talk a little bit about her story, you're gonna see why and hopefully that word will speak to you today. And it's our our hopes that in you listening today, ladies that this podcast will strengthen you and encourage you to walk in that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. We believe that all of us are created uniquely by our Creator, our Lord, our God. And every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as the faithful stewards of the many colored tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 4:10. So as we go into our podcast today, I always love to share a little bit about our guests. So today I want to share a little bit about Caitlyn and who she is and where she came from, before we get into her story, so Caitlyn is a graduate of Pensacola Christian cap College where she was part of the Lady Eagles basketball team during her tenure there. And during her time at Pensacola, she discovered her passion for coaching men's basketball, which led her to Maryland. And that's where she's now an assistant coach for the Salisbury men's basketball program. She's also pursuing her master's degree in Health and Human Performance. And when she is in coaching, she loves to read, spend time outside and serve in her church. So today, as we go into this interview about being uncommon, it's something that really resonates with Caitlyn. And I usually ask some of the women who I have the privilege of interviewing what's a word that would describe you in your life and in what you want to share with the world. And in Caitlyn chose the word uncommon. And I said, Okay, that's really interesting. We've never talked about that before. So she's going to explain more on this as we get into today's podcast. But I wanted to start off with a scripture about being unique. And I just always, if any of you are following us, women, world leaders on these podcasts, scripture, scripture, scripture, it's so important because there's power in the Word of God. And I chose Psalm 139 14, which says, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, my soul knows it very well. And I love that because each of us are unique. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. That's what the Bible says about us. Caitlin, god, did you with a distinct purpose and a beautiful heart to walk out that purpose? So let's start here by sharing your story because you were sharing with me. As we were discussing, prior to this podcast, some of the struggles you had growing up and wanting to be an athlete. So can you talk about your growing up years?
Caitlyn Benedik Yep. So when I was a young kid, I was a gymnast. And that sport is very demanding, you have to be in the gym 24 hours a week, you know, and it's a year round sport. So there's never really any time off. And it's it was a perfectionist environment. So you're judged on how perfect you can do a skill or a routine and growing up also, my family was and they had their own struggles and my parents got divorced and they're both remarried and through that, like the environments weren't very, very loving for a while and I just never felt like I was valued or, or I was good enough. And to add that home situation to my gymnastics mentality and perfectionism. I struggled a lot with my worth and knowing who I was and who's I was and My value and I desire to be a college athlete. I you know, I did gymnastics for 12 years, and my Oh, was, I'm gonna do this in college, I'm gonna get a scholarship doing this. And then about my freshman year in high school, I started getting this feeling like, I'm not really sure if I want to do this anymore. And I didn't really vocalize that for a while it was about a year that I felt that way. And then I started getting scared to do skills I've been doing for a long time. And for all that I've seen gymnastics on TV or participate in the sport, you can't have fear in that sport. Because you're flipping around a bar or you're tumbling over a four inch beam, you have to be fearless. If you're if you have any type of scared feeling in you, then it's very dangerous. And so about my sophomore year in high school, early fall, so late July, early August, I decided for good, it was time for me to be done. And that was very challenging for me, because my whole life, I'd been a gymnast, all my friends knew it. Everybody that known me growing up knew it. That's kind of what they labeled me as was you are a gymnast, and you're really good at it. And so when I told people I was done, and I was gonna walk away from the sport, they, they couldn't believe it, and they couldn't comprehend it. But I knew that's what God was, was calling for me to do. It was time for me to let it go a time for me to move forward and, and experience something new. So I had these friends that lived down the street from me, we used to shoot hoops on the outside goal or walk over to to the park and play some games. And they convinced me to try out for the basketball team. They said have you try out and make it we'll come to every game. Well, they never showed up to one game, but I did make the team ever since then I fall in love with the sport. And so I had this crazy idea. Well, I'm not gonna be a college in this I might as well be a college basketball player. And so I just let somebody in my corner know that that was my goal and my dream and he necessarily didn't believe was going to happen, but he was willing to help me get there. And at least open the gym, provide the opportunity open the weight room, helped train me and helped me actually have not accomplished but work towards that goal and the Lord blessing with two opportunities to college programs and I ended up choosing to go to Pensacola Christian College.
Kimberly Hobbs Yay. Which brings us into our our next little bit about learning about you. Because this is just this young woman of God has truly captured my heart and talking to her outside of this podcast. And so just getting to know her I want you all to know her too, as as I was getting to know her and she went to college at a Christian College, which was Pensacola Christian College. So Caitlin, can you talk to us a little bit about that it was a strict college, you were saying? And you were not used to strict nor were you used to being surrounded by people of faith, such as that. So can you talk about what that meant being around strong believers?
Caitlyn Benedik Yeah, so PCC is a they call it independent fundamental Baptists. That's the conference that they're a part of. And so they're very conservative, extremely conservative, like I had to wear a skirt to class every day. And that was tough for me, because I'm a tomboy. So I never, you know, wear skirts or dress up and be super girly. And though my parents had had standards and rules that we were required to follow. This environment was extremely different from what I was used to growing up in. Like I grew up with three brothers and a sister. So I was used to being in the crowd of all men and at PCC there is very strict rules on when and where and how you can hang out with guys. So I was surrounded by a bunch of girls and I didn't really know how to, to navigate that as that wasn't really something that I had always been a part of. But through my time there it was the first time I'd been, you know, I grew up in church and I that was a big part of my life. And I always made sure that I was a youth on Wednesdays and church on Sundays and being mentored by some of the older women in my church. If I ever needed anything. I went to counseling there and stuff like that, but I never been surrounded by all Christian environment academically. So to go to a university where like, I have to take Bible class we have chapel attend every day. We have church on Sunday, Sunday school on Sunday evening church on Wednesday and Sunday night so like I'm constantly surrounded by the word. And not only that, I'm a part of a basketball program where all my teammates are Christian. All my teammates study that word. All my teammates profess to live my life on track change. Seeing God and so that was pretty cool because even though I felt very uncomfortable in that environment, the Lord used it to teach me discipline teach me how to respect authority that I didn't necessarily agree with, teach me how to the importance of having a good female community around me, like now that I moved to Maryland, My Dang, I really need some strong Christian women in my life, whether they're my age, whether they're a little bit older than me, because it's important to be able to have those you can relate to that are going through the same circumstances as you to be able to draw wisdom from there and be able to be turned back to the Lord. So that is, that is why I ended up going there. I didn't know the Lord's purpose. At first I just said, Okay, I'm, I'm gonna go there. That's where I feel weird because I went on to campus visits. I said, I feel peace and PGC. I don't know why. But that's how I know God is telling me that's where he needs me to be. So I just followed the peace and follow where he was leading me. And I can see now why he might.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. And, boy, you know, some of the Navy, the moms listening in, that are at that have children that age, you know, trying to guide them into what colleges to look at. That was really, that was really inspiring to you, and a lot of fundamentals taught at that college for your faith life. So Christian colleges are very, very important. And we're just glad that that was a memorable time in your life. Caitlin, so you were on your way to focusing on playing basketball, but you had another struggle in your life. And this is where God had showed up in your life huge, because you had to have knee surgery. And unfortunately, for a whole year, you were kind of taken out. But while you were dealing with that, God called you to the inner city. And so if you can take this moment and describe to us that time, and how it actually, God had a plan and a purpose already set out and how that led you into what you are doing now as your profession, which is unbelievable. It's uncommon.
Caitlyn Benedik Yeah, so I had a feeling when I went to college that I was going to want to stay around athletics, and I thought I was going to be in a strength and conditioning standpoint, but then I fell in love with basketball. And so by my sophomore year in college, I had seen this AAU team play. And it was a traveling basketball team. And it was based out of Pensacola. And I'm like, Well, I'm going to school in Pensacola. So let me reach out and see if I can sit in some practices or, or learn from some people. And so I got connected with the community center in Pensacola, which is an inner city, and I volunteered my time for a year. And then by the time I had knee surgery, they offered me a job. So I was full time staff there. And because of my knee surgery, I was able to devote a lot of my time to the community center because I wasn't traveling for games. And then there are days like I wouldn't be able to practice so I could go to work instead. And so I really focus my time on that. And the inner city guy just cold call me there. Because like that's my heart is to help love people where they're broken. Because that's what God has done for me. Like no matter how broken I've always felt the Lord has always been right there to love me, right in my brokenness. And so that's kind of why I love the inner cities, I have ability to shine light in a dark place. And to the point of now I get to be transformational in lives of young men and women. And so I wanted to coach and because I grew up with three brothers, I was always around. I have one biological brother, and he's almost exactly your report. So I was grew up being in class with him. And I always watched him play football, he was a wrestler, he played baseball ran track. So I was always heavily involved in all of his sports. And because of that, you know, I was a part of the boys club. And that's kind of how I grew my passion for men's athletics, and then even more so working in the inner city. Those are very hard young men to reach. And a lot of people say there's not a good young man in the world anymore. Well, okay, if that's the problem, how can we present a solution and I want to be a solution. And he kind of gave me that heart for those that are tough to reach and even more so an ability to reach them. It's one thing like a passion but for God's we equip you with the tools you need. It was it's just been cool to see how it unfolded. And right in front of my eyes.
Kimberly Hobbs Absolutely honey, and here is where you're at uncommon part of why I've started I, it just seems like, you know what, what happened through that year of transition and your knee surgery and God giving you this heart and passion to do something out of the box that isn't the ordinary of what a young woman would be doing. And so he led you to your career right now, which is so beautiful. And the scripture says right here, but now Oh, Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our Potter. We are all the work of your hands. That's Isaiah 64, eight. And that's exactly what he was doing. He was molding you. And he was making you the way he had purposed and planned for your life. And it was something along the desires of your heart already, which is so beautiful, Caitlin, so you belong, you started becoming molded in an uncommon way as a woman at a young age. So can you talk about the boundaries, because now all of a sudden, you're working in a man's world? You are coaching men's basketball at a college? So how did God set you up in that place? Each day, you had four uncommon points, you said that you want to share with the listeners today that were special to you. So can you talk about those uncommon points.
Caitlyn Benedik So for me, the reason why I chose the word uncommon is, you know, the scripture of like, we're supposed to be salt for the world, we're supposed to be set apart from the world and different. And so for me, like that, is summed up in the word uncommon. And, like, that means to me, I want to be uncommon in four areas in my life, and especially in my job in coaching. And the first one is leading people to accountability and coaching all the time, we have to tell kids, hey, you're not doing this right, need to get better at this. How are we working to grow here, and it's hard for them a lot of times to accept it, like they're always in a defensive standpoint. But if I build a relationship, and get them to paint for me a picture what they want it to look like, now I can lead them to accountability lead them to what they said they want it to be. And so it goes from a conflict driven state to now like an ownership driven state. And they're able to accept Oh, coach is telling me this because I said I wanted to be, let's say, an All American, but I'm not working hard enough to get there. And now she's just leading me to that to what I said I want it to be. So that's one way for me to be uncommon. The other one is loving others Well, for me, like loving my guys know that when I say I love you, it's not this romantic, crazy, awkward thing. It's like when I say I love you, they know I'm committed to your well being. So I love you, and I'll see you be successful, no matter what that looks like. And when I say love you, they know that, like I'm committed to their well being. And being able to walk that out through my actions, allows my words to hold a lot of weight in their life. And then I want to serve them like a waiter. We see a restaurant and and we have a waiter, but they don't expect anything in return. They're just here to get us the drink, get us our food, take our order, whatever else we might need for that meal to go well, and for us to have a great experience there. And so that's what I want my life to be like, That's what Jesus was he got down, he washed our feet, you never expect anything in return. And so I just want to serve like a waiter without expecting anything in return. And the last thing is gonna be an elite question asker in coaching, especially in sports, like our guys have to be able to make decisions, and then even raising kids like we want our children to be able to make decisions when they leave our care. But if we're always giving them the right answers, how are they going to ever be able to make their own decision? So I want to ask the questions, I want them the questions I asked to foster a learning environment, and an autonomy of learning. So now they can figure it out. I'm just sparking, thought I'm just sparking the wheels turning so they can come to the conclusion that they need to be successful. And when they do that, it gives them ownership of their learning. Instead of giving them the right directions, I'm asking them the right questions. So that's what I'm common means to me, it's leading them to accountability, serving like a waiter, loving them, well, then asking them only questions.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, that is so beautiful, Coach Caitlin, that God has called you to be so unique in an environment that he set up just for you to serve in and it goes along with your personality. Its goes along with how God created you growing up all the experiences that you had experience. And again, all of us are uncommon in different ways, right? We're each created unique like the scripture I opened up, you know, we are fearfully and wonderfully made each and our own purpose. So the women that are listening in are thinking oh my goodness, you know, my daughter needs to listen to this and as we go into our are closing in this is where I kind of wanted to rest a little bit and you to take some time is that listener right now that is just kind of gleaning from what you've learned at a young age and how you've processed this. You value scripture, Caitlin and I asked you what is some of the scripture that God gave to you your favorite scriptures, and one you shared with me was proverbs three, five, and six, which a lot of us love and have claimed, which is trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. And then there was another scripture that is special to you. And that's in Jeremiah, where Jeremiah and the potter, there's a, there's a whole story there. So I just want you to take off and inspire these listeners about why this passage is an is so important and how it can help them in their life, too.
Caitlyn Benedik So one of the biggest struggles for me is just the value piece, like knowing my worth, and being confident in that I'm not looking for outside affirmation, finding it in the Lord. And so this summer, I really been kind of working on healing through that. And God gave me Jeremiah 18, which is, he has Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house, he said, I'll speak to you there. And so when Jeremiah got there, the Potter was working on a vessel. And when he was finished making it, the potter realized it was marred in his hand. So it wasn't made correctly. If he fired it, it probably would have broken so instead of throwing the clay away and getting new clay to make something different, he then crushed it down, remoulded it, reshaped it to where it was as good as him. And then God told Jeremiah like, this is what I can do for Israel, you know, and it really spoke to me because instead of tossing what he thought was broken, the what the potter thought was broken away, he then remoulded it, took it down, tore it down, built it back up, to make it something beautiful for him, and God does the same thing for us. He's really shown me through this scripture that our brokenness is not something to hide. The world wants us to put on this perfect mentality and like, we're fine. There's nothing wrong with us. Not to share our stories, because if we do and show where our imperfections lie, then we're not good enough. But that's not what this scripture is telling us. It's saying that even though we're broken, God will build us back up to where it is good in his eyes, you know, like were created beautifully and wonderfully in his eyes. And he also spoke to me and said, like, we're so busy comparing ourselves to others, that we're now going to be replicas of those people. Instead, why don't we allow the Lord to build us up to shape us to mold us and now we're going to be unique and marvelous, and a masterpiece for the Lord? Why would you want to be a replica when we can be a masterpiece, and we all need to be masterpieces. Because if I'm trying to be a rebel, I'm never going to be 100% When God needs me to be. And so this scripture is really been speaking to me and even more so to the fact that like, there's this ancient Japanese art, and they take broken pottery, and they piece it back together with gold, and it becomes more valuable, broken than it ever was whole. And that's kind of how we are, the more broken we are, the more the Lord can work in our lives, the more we can experience His grace and His strength. And it says in Scripture, where we are weak, then he is strong. So we have to find strength in our weakness, because even though we might be broken, even though we might feel down in the pit, like we have hope in the Lord, because he said that he's going to lift us up and bring us out of it. And even though we can't see the good right now, like eventually, we're going to understand that we needed to weather that storm. So now we can reach other people through that we have a newfound endurance in God.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow. Wow, I told you ladies like she is just what God has taught her at such a young age. And it's just valuable information and, and we are just so thankful, you know, that you would just come and share from your heart. And it just gives so many hope, you know, just hope of what God can do with a life When you surrender to Him. And you, coach Caitlin are uncommon for Jesus, and it's a beautiful thing. So the Bible tells us that as each of us have received a gift to us to serve one another, as stewards of God's varied grace. And again, that's first Peter 410 and a different version as I opened up with but ladies God has created you each unique and Different in Romans 12 Two says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. And as we learned, just hearing Katelyn share her story, she was tested. And she had to discern about what is the will of God for my life, she had it planned out, she had it mapped out of what she wanted to do. But God gently guided her to where he wanted and what he prepared, which was so unique to who she is and who he created her to be. It's the beauty of God, ladies, when we surrender our hearts and open it up to him and his will for our life. He's never gonna steer you wrong. And Caitlin, if I asked you right now, can I offer you $200,000 to come and dig dirt in my backyard? Because I really need somebody, would you leave what you're doing? No, I don't think so. Because God called you to this, because he knew that he created you with this amazing purpose to pour into these men that are at this college, you know, and that are learning from you. So we are grateful for what you do. And ladies, each of you can do anything that God is calling you to anything, you just need to trust Him and step out of the box and do those uncommon things. With his strength, not yours, just like Caitlin had to rely on God every step through this. And he was giving her all the signs and strengthening her to prepare her for what she's doing. And Philippians 413 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which is amazing, because all is all and that's all like we we can do anything and everything. That's powerful. So it was God who set you apart, Caitlin, before you were born to do this uncommon thing. And ladies, another scripture you can read on your own is Galatians 115. And again, nothing is impossible with God. So one more 32nd. Caitlin, what is that shot in the arm that you want to leave for the women listening in that will just empower her today to just walk out there and be uncommon for Jesus? What can you tell her?
Caitlyn Benedik My life motto is don't discount your value. So just like you buy a shirt, depending on what logo has on it depends its value, or your logo is the Lord and you your value is immense. He loves you so much. And never discount your value because you're the one who gets to set it and everybody else has to follow. So whatever you set it as that is what it is. So find it in the Lord and trust that He will be with you every step of the way.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. And you didn't even know I was gonna ask you that question. And that's just huge, just huge. So thank you. Thank you so much Dream Big ladies, because you are extraordinary. And we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. So in closing, I just want to say thank you coach, Caitlin, for being with us today and just you are a breath of air as a young woman out of college coaching men's basketball at another college like yay, go coach Caitlin, and go team Salisbury, Salisbury, what are they called? What are their What's your seagulls, the seagulls, Salisbury seagulls? So go team and ladies, we are just glad you have made your way to women, world leaders to listen to these podcasts. And as we close out today, we want to invite you to be part of this amazing, amazing global ministry for women of all ages. And we believe with all our hearts, there is a place for you here if you want to serve Jesus. Come serve Him with us. There is so many opportunities for you to be part of this ministry. Just as when Caitlin and I were introduced. We didn't know what God had planned for us to meet. But this whole podcast unfolded as we got to know each other and her willing yes to God to say, I'll serve you however you want. Let us to be on this podcast together. So ladies, the same for you. Whatever God is stirring in your heart to serve Him. We have opportunity to do that. Here. You can write your story. We have voice of truth magazine, which is a quarter The publication it's beautiful. There's so many gifts and talents inside of that magazine that are used for Jesus Christ, you can be a part of that we have books that go out into the world with, oh my goodness, such amazing God stories. Maybe God gave you an incredible story that needs to be shared to give others hope, and inspiration, whatever it may be, ladies, we have a place for you. Please reach out to us. You can reach out to me personally at Kimberly at women world leaders.com Send me an email about how I can get in touch with you to see what you can possibly be a part of here in this ministry. And like I said, so many things. So please pray about it. Please join us please just be part of this amazing, amazing mission for God. Thank you, Caitlin Benedick for being our guest today. Thank you ladies for being here and empowering lives with purpose and from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. Remember every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we bring to you these podcasts for your learning and inspiration and in growth in Jesus. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.
In today's podcast, host Tawana Lowery shares biblical insight about how to overcome being offended for the sake of the cross. She tells a personal story about how God delivered her from being offended so she could help others experience the love and saving grace of Jesus and shares why the ability to overcome being offended is crucial in preparing for the days ahead.
Hello… and Welcome to Women World Leaders Podcast
I’m your Host… Tawana Lowery
· Women’s Empowerment Coach
· And Executive Director of Miss Overcomer Global
And I’m VERY excited you joined today…
· As we explore what the Father wants us to know about himself and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors…
· So let’s get started…
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This is the time of year when many of us set goals or resolve to make improvements in our lives.
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Today I want to share a few thoughts about a resolution you may not have considered… and that is …
How to Overcome being offended.
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As we see tensions and conflict mounting on a High-Definition Global scale… each of us will be presented with an increased opportunity to be offended.
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In fact, Jesus instructed in Matthew 24:10 that opportunities to be offended would be on the rise in the last days.
a. That because of the increase of wickedness… many people’s hearts would grow cold.
b. But…. as his ambassadors… we are called to rise above it and live with a pure heart.
Let me share a story from my own experience…
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Several years ago, I walked continually offended by the Pornography industry…
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And… yes… what this industry produces is evil…
· Nevertheless… my response to it was NOT the love of God.
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Finally, I just asked God why I allowed anything Porn related to produce such a visceral response.
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He told me the issue was my own unbelief.
· I somehow believed the pornography industry was more powerful than the all-sufficient Love of God to save and deliver.
· Also, I had a teenage son at the time… and I was fearful of the effects it could have on him if he encountered it.
· Again…. I was putting all my faith in the power of sin rather than the power of God to save.
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And so… my first step was to pray about the unbelief and ask God’s forgiveness about the offense.
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Several weeks later…. I was praying about how to become more available to my community with prayer and counseling.
Share your personal story.
Conclusion
- We need to see the Provocations as an Invitation…
· For Transformation and Restoration….
- Had I not prayed about my offense towards those enslaved by pornography… I would have missed a great miracle.
Lessons Learned…
· When I’m offended, I am walking in disobedience because I am walking after the flesh.
· When I’m focused on the offense, I am allowing the enemy to distract my focus Away from the cross.
· When I turn my back on those who offend me, I am turning my back on the opportunity for transformation and restoration (for the other person and myself).
· 1 Corinthians 13 – LOVE is not easily Offended…
· We are Chosen to be offended for the sake of the Cross!
· We have the privilege of allowing the offense to drive us to the Cross so the resurrection power of Jesus might be made manifest.
During this new year, let’s be intentional to go on Offense about being Offended rather than being defensive distant.
Let’s purpose in our hearts to see the Provocations as an Invitation for Restoration, Transformation and Resurrection!
CLOSING REMARKS….
Well… It’s been a pleasure spending time with you today.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast!
· Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose.
· Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.
· From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders.
All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Join host Julie Harwick on today's episode of the Women World Leaders' Podcast. As humans, we have a tendency to view our identity through the lens of what we do. But God is far more concerned with who we are. Could it be that we’ve been focusing on what is entirely the wrong thing?
Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
The beginning of another year always forces us to do some serious thinking. We think about the year that has passed: what went wrong and what went well. We evaluate our own performance so we can decide what we want to stick with and what might need to change. For many, this comes in the form of New Years’ resolutions. A 2022 poll by Yougov revealed that 37% of Americans had a goal or resolution they intended to pursue in 2023. While everyone begins with the best of intentions, few follow through. A Forbes Health survey showed that the average resolution lasts just over three months. 65% of the respondents had abandoned their goals after four months and only 1% stuck with it through the entire year. Those statistics aren’t surprising and some sources even refer to January 17th as “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” and others have named the second Friday in January “Quitters Day.”
What these statistics really show is that many of us want to change…want to be better in some way, but we just can’t seem to do it. We talk a lot about willpower, determination and setting ourselves up for success and yet, we fail, again and again. I’ve never been a resolution-making person, but I do want very much to change and not stay the way I am. Of course I want to lose weight and be healthier and handle my money better, but what I really want is to be more like Jesus. And if I could do that, I think everything else would probably fall into place.
I know that’s what God wants for me as well. In Romans I read that He wants me to be “conformed to His image,” and the Apostle Paul instructed us to be imitators of him as he was of Christ. So if I want this and God wants this, why doesn’t it just happen? God has been revealing some answers as I’ve been thinking about this lately, and particularly through some books I’ve been reading. I’ve come to believe the problem has been that my focus is all wrong.
Have you ever noticed how much we focus on what we do in determining our identity? For instance, what do you talk about when you meet someone for the first time at a party, church or work? We give our names and somewhere in the first few exchanges, someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” When we sit down at the dinner table, whether it’s with the family, friends or a significant other, the conversation often begins with, “so what did you do today?” How many teachers have welcomed their class back after a weekend or a holiday or especially summer break with an invitation to share with the class, what they did over the time away from school? And don’t we feel maybe a little bit judged in answering these questions? As a stay-at-home mom for many years, I knew my work was very important, but a part of me would always wonder if the person I was talking with would see it that way. And many of us might feel the need to describe what we do for a living in a way that makes it seem better than it really is. I wasn’t particularly eager to describe my summer break when the only activity I could remember was helping to clean out the basement. It seems our actions rarely live up to expectations and yet, we’re fixated on them.
We’ve carried this kind of thinking into our spiritual lives as well. If we venture into a spiritual conversation with a co-worker, we are likely to begin with, “where do you go to church?” When we meet new people at church, we’re apt to tell them where or how we serve in the local body and may even invite them to attend our small group or bible study. All things we do. It doesn’t necessarily tell them anything about who we are, but we are eager for them to know what we do.
In his book, “Emotionally Healthy Discipleship,” author Peter Scazzero points out that God created us to be “human beings,” not “human doings.” “Being” is not something we give much thought to, but we do think often of “doing.” Doing is easily understood and quantifiable. It’s easy for me to recall and describe all the things I’ve done. But if you ask me to describe who I’ve been and who I am now…how do I answer that? In the last 30 or 40 years it’s almost become cliché for celebrities to travel to some remote location to “find themselves.” What does that even mean? It’s clear to me that we prefer to focus on doing rather than being because it keeps us safely in a world we understand, can easily articulate and doesn’t ask too much of us.
But will doing help us become more like Jesus? It could. Certainly Jesus did things. He traveled around, preaching and healing. He participated in worship at the synagogue, he visited friends, he ate and drank and attended a wedding. But how did He describe Himself? He never made reference to being a carpenter or a teacher. But He did say things like, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” and “I and the Father are One.” In the gospel of John, Jesus made six other “I am” statements. “I am the bread of life.” “I am the light of the world.” “I am the door.” “I am the good shepherd.” “I am the true vine,” and “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus continually showed that He knew exactly Who He was and His terminology points back to the Old Testament statement given to Moses at the burning bush when God said, “I am Who I am. Tell them the ‘I am’ sent you.” In all of these “I am” statements, Jesus was making it clear that He was God. And throughout the Old Testament God often describes Himself that way too, saying things like, “I am the Lord and there is no other.” The book of Revelation describes a future when all of heaven will offer praise to Him Who was and is and is to come.” All of these scriptures point to a God Who is worthy of our worship because of Who He is, not what He has done. Another book I recently read and recommend is “Audience of One,” by R.T. Kendall. I was convicted by what I read, that most of my worship of God is concentrated on what He has done for me, rather than Who He is. Being grateful and acknowledging His blessings is important and necessary, but if He never again lifted a finger on my behalf, He would still deserve my worship simply because He is God. That’s not the way I’ve typically approached worship, because again, it’s easier and more comfortable to just recount all that God has done for me. Taking the time and intellectual effort to really contemplate Who He is doesn’t come quite as naturally to me, but it’s an effort I know I need to make.
God keeps showing me that being vs. doing may go against my human nature, but it’s His preferred method for change and growth. If you ever feel the same kind of resistance to it that I do, consider Jesus’ conversation with Martha in Luke 10: 38-42. Three siblings, Martha, Mary and Lazarus had a special relationship with Jesus. John 11:12 tells us specifically that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister, Mary and Lazarus.” On one occasion, Martha had invited Jesus into their home to enjoy a meal and teach all who were gathered there. Throughout the gospels, we see many people following Jesus everywhere He went so they could listen to His teaching. We don’t know how many were present at Martha’s house, but even if it was just Jesus and His 12 disciples, that would be about 16 people. It wouldn’t be surprising if Martha and her siblings invited other family members or friends to hear the teacher that everyone was talking about. Imagine the biggest party you’ve ever hosted and you might have an idea of what Martha was dealing with. Personally, I love hosting a party, but it can also be very stressful. Though I’m hardly a perfectionist, when I’m hosting a gathering, I want my house to be spotless, with everything in its place. I want the food to be ready on time, looking and tasting delicious. No matter how early I begin preparations, it always comes down to the wire. I’m frantically rushing around trying to complete a million details no one else may ever care about or even notice, but they seem critical to me. That’s how I imagine it was for Martha. She couldn’t help but be thrilled to have someone like Jesus as her guest of honor and I’m sure she wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. Scripture says Martha was distracted with all her preparations and she was getting rather perturbed that her sister, Mary, oblivious to her concerns, offered no help at all. I can so relate. There’s nothing worse than rushing around in panic mode before a major event and seeing your loved ones who could be helping you doing something totally unnecessary or possibly nothing at all. From Martha’s perspective, that’s exactly what Mary was doing. When she reached her limit of tolerance for this situation, she didn’t call Mary over and tell her she needed help, instead, she decided to go straight to the top. She walked right up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” It almost seems like she might have been a little bit mad at Him too. She calls Him Lord, but there’s an awful lot of attitude to go with it. But Jesus doesn’t seem put off by her accusatory tone. I’m not sure if He’s chuckling at her ruffled feathers or if there’s a sad compassion in His response, but He says her name twice, maybe to make sure she really hears Him. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” It was a gentle rebuke, but obviously, it was not what Martha expected. We’re never told how she reacted in the moment, but I suspect His words replayed in her mind over and over. While it may have appeared that Martha was doing all the important work while Mary did nothing, Jesus saw the situation from a totally different perspective. Martha was consumed with doing. She was doing it for Jesus, as faithfully as she knew how, but it wasn’t really needed and it was causing her to miss what He really wanted for her. Mary wasn’t doing nothing. She was doing the only thing that mattered – sitting at Jesus’ feet, just being with Him, listening to His teaching and simply enjoying His presence. Martha was doing. Mary was being.
This had to be a major paradigm shift for Martha. The way she took charge of the preparations and challenged Mary’s inactivity indicates that her identity was probably all wrapped up in successfully completing tasks. She was focused on serving others, which was a great quality, but it also brought her bitterness and irritability and kept her from something so much better. No doubt Martha meditated on what Jesus had said to her because when we meet her again in John 11, she expresses a new maturity in her faith despite a devastating loss. She had sent word to Jesus that her brother, Lazarus, was deathly ill, but He had delayed in coming and her brother had died. When she hears that Jesus has finally arrived, she runs to meet Him while Mary continues weeping in the house. “Lord, if You had been here my brother would not have died,” she begins, sounding a little like the former, accusatory Martha. But she immediately adds, “ but even now I know God will do anything You ask.” Jesus answers, “Everyone who has faith in Me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in Me will never really die. Do you believe this?” Her answer to His question demonstrates that she’s no longer focused on just doing things for Jesus, she’s come to a new revelation of exactly Who He is. “Yes Lord! I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the One we hoped would come into the world.” Martha’s efforts to shift her focus from doing to being gave her a completely different perspective, grew her faith and led to the most incredible miracle she could’ve ever imagined. Jesus raised her brother from the dead!
What miracles might we experience? What growth and freedom and joy could we find if we could also shift our focus from doing to being? If Jesus says sitting at His feet and just being in His presence is the best thing we can do, then that’s what I want for 2024. It’s a new year and I want a new beginning with my heart set on worshipping Him for Who He is and by His grace, finding my identity in who He created me to be.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each week as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
The "grip of addiction" is a claw of the devil. Today's guest, singer and songwriter Brenda James, shares some of her personal story about battling addiction. Hear about the protection God provided to bring her out of the clenches of an ongoing battle, into the freedom of His amazing grace, now to a ministry in music and a mission to Pakistan. Below is link to Brenda leading an astounding worship at her church. A MUST HEAR! This POWERFUL song brings tears of freedom. "Thank You Jesus For The Blood." https://www.facebook.com/1459072252/posts/10219175797533315/?d=n
Do you want to experience heart healing in this new year? You can! Join host Michelle Redden as she offers practical tips for healing from heartbreak and expounds on the value and benefit of submitting to God's healing grace.
The Christian life is one of being ready – standing prepared to meet our Lord and Savior – and doing what we are called to do to help others prepare, too. This new year, join Julie Jenkins for the study of Luke 12:35-48 and Matthew 24:42-51.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, where we take a few minutes each week to study the Bible together systematically. We offer three very different podcasts each week – so I hope you have your phone set to download ALL of them regularly. We all lead very busy lives, and I LOVE having these podcasts ready to listen to when I have a few minutes alone driving the kids to school or even washing dishes. On Monday, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30 minute interview with a different woman of faith each week, meant to inspire you and empower you in your God-given walk. Sometimes Kimberly interviews someone you might recognize, and other weeks you will meet someone new, but you can be sure that EACH week she pulls a gem from the stream – someone who is walking through life’s challenges and relying on the strength of God. Then on Fridays we have the joy of Celebrating God’s Grace with one of our beautiful leaders. So download yourself a free gift of encouragement – and get in the habit of sitting in God’s lap as He grows you 3 times every week!
On Wednesdays, today, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically. If you are new to the podcast – don’t worry – you can jump in right where we are, which, today, is Luke 12:35-48 and Matthew 24:42-51.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – Thank you for who you are and for who you made us to be. God you formed each one listening in her mother’s womb, and you KNEW that she would be listening to this today. You are sovereign, always in control, and your plans are perfect. Father, we give you this time, and ask you to open our hearts to hear exactly what you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
The Christian life is one of being ready – standing prepared to meet our Lord and Savior – and doing what we are called to do to help others prepare. That is the topic of today’s teaching. Jesus has been busy speaking to the crowds. He taught His followers to be the light, to be on guard against false teachings, not to be slaves to money or possessions, and not to worry about their well-being, as God is in control. Now Jesus states quite clearly that being a Christ follower requires, well, following Christ – that is, obediently and intentionally being prepared for Christ’s return by doing all that God calls us to do.
Let’s begin reading in Luke 12, verse 35 from the New Living Translation…
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
We see several word-pictures here that all have the same meaning: be prepared.
First we read to “be dressed.” The literal interpretation of the original version means “let your waist be girded.” This referred to the long garments that were worn, which, you can imagine, could be cumbersome on a sudden journey. Imagine a line of runners waiting for the gun to go off, all dressed in long tunics. And then imagine the one runner who decides to hike his garment up around his waist and tuck it in so that his legs can move freely, unencumbered by the fabric. Not only would this runner win, but he would also be in the safest position to run without tripping over his own clothing. He would be READY!
Like a runner dressed in the appropriate clothing, ready to win the race, we are to be prepared for Jesus’ return.
The second picture is one of a burning lamp. Darkness can be REALLY dark when there is no electricity or, in this case, burning lamps. To be ready, we must hold a light against the darkness.
The third picture is of a servant waiting for his master to return from his wedding feast, which, in those days, lasted a week or more. It could be tempting, in that situation, to let your guard down, but the job of the servant was to welcome the master home in grand style.
Jesus continues…
37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[a] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
That is kind of a crazy thought…the servant must keep watch, prepared to honor the master when He arrives at any moment, only to have the master turn around and honor the servant.
Matthew 4:42 states clearly who the master is….42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
Jesus had not been shy about saying that He was going away, and here He tells them that He is coming back, they won’t know the day or the hour, so they must always be prepared. It is impossible for us to guess the day or the time of Jesus return…so we must be ready!
Luke 12:38 continues…
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
If you recall our recent teachings, sometimes Jesus spoke to the crowds, and sometimes he turned and addressed the disciples directly. He must not have been clear with His body language at this point, because Peter asks for clarification on WHO exactly should be prepared for the Lord’s arrival, saying…
“Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
Jesus didn’t answer the question directly, instead He said…
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. – Matthew reports Jesus’ words as… The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke continues…
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly.
Let’s see if we can discern the answer to Peter’s original question, which in essence was – Who must be prepared for the Lord to return?
The first thing I notice is that Jesus doesn’t say, only the leaders, only my followers, or even only my servants must be prepared. Instead, He answers by explaining what a faithful and sensible servant is – that is, a faithful servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants.
As a teacher of God’s Word, this phrase humbled me, and I hope it speaks to you regardless of your profession or calling. God has a calling for EACH and every one of us…and that calling is to reach someone else. No one in this world is on an island. No one was born into this world only to look out for him or herself. If you are walking and breathing, I can guarantee that God has a divine job for you – and though it may seem, at times, like no one is looking or noticing or even that no difference is being made through your efforts, I can guarantee that God did not give you busy-work. When you resolutely walk where God calls you and obediently do what He has called you to do, you can trust that He has a purpose in it.
We ALL have the potential and the invitation to be His servants…how it all turns out is up to us and our response.
In the parable, Jesus offers four different responses from those who are called to serve Him.
First… If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
What has God called you to do? Perhaps it is as straightforward as caring for your family or even a loved one with special or ongoing needs. Now THAT is a job where you MUST keep your lamp lit and never give up.
No matter what God has called you to, and that often shifts throughout our lives, we can trust that He will empower you to fill your role well, but it is up to US to walk faithfully in that role.
So the servant who is doing a good job will be rewarded, but what about the one who decides NOT to fulfill their God-given purpose?
Well this is difficult to hear, but it’s in the Bible, so we can’t shy away from it. The servant who knows what is expected of him or her but thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ so he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk, will, when the master returns unannounced be cut into pieces and banished to where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth – in other words, hell.
Throughout the Bible, we are clearly taught that to spend eternity with Christ in heaven, we must simply accept the free gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ and provided to all believers by His death. So…what does it mean that if I am not doing the will of God, I will be thrown into hell?
Let me see if I can explain this. When we become followers of Jesus, when we say yes to Him and give Him our life, we receive His gift of salvation. But He gives us more than salvation. We are also gifted with the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in our hearts, guiding us and teaching us and giving us a desire to understand and follow Christ. Do we do that perfectly this side of heaven – unfortunately, the answer to that is no. We are all, quite simply, messes whom God loves and cherishes. BUT, we have ingrained in us the Holy Spirit – and as such, we are gifted with the longing to do His will, even if we don’t do it perfectly.
The servant Jesus is talking about in this parable is really not God’s servant at all, but is someone who REFUSED to give his life to Christ. This is the person who, behind closed doors, has no personal relationship with Christ. As such, he has NOT be given the gift of the Holy Spirit, and has NO longing to follow Christ. And the hard truth is that anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Christ when the Lord returns, will go to hell for eternity.
So…we have the servant who is doing the will of God and will be rewarded, and the so-called servant who has turned away from God’s call and never was His servant at all, and will be banished to hell.
But Jesus also tells of two other degrees…saying…
The servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished….and the one who does not know and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly.
In those final days, we will either be God’s children, granted access to Him for eternity by the blood of Jesus Christ, or we will be turned away at the banquet as God says, “I don’t know you.”
At the final day, all those who are granted eternal life with Christ will be clothed with His righteousness. So punishment and discipline at that time will be no more.
So…I have to believe that the discipline that comes from not following God’s will for our lives is administered to us in this lifetime. When we don’t walk with God, when we screw up, and we ALL do, God nudges us back toward the path He has for our lives. He never gives up! So it follows that if we stray a far distance and belligerently refuse to return to His path, the discipline He uses to get us back on track is going to hurt more than when we just stray a little bit. That may sound daunting – but it is a GOOD thing. Your God loves you too much to let you move away from all the good that He has purposed for your life!
And as we follow Him, not only does He heap more blessings on us, but He also entrusts us with more to do.
Luke 12:48…
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
So who is Jesus talking to when He says to be dressed for the race, keep your lamp lit to keep out the dark, and be ready for your master to return from the wedding feast? He was speaking to EVERYONE – those who were following Him, and those who weren’t. Jesus is GOING to come back – you can COUNT on it. And His coming will affect every single one of us – whether we are dutifully following His will for our lives or have given our lives to Him but are a bit off track. And for those who have never become His true servant, His true child, when Jesus returns, it will be too late.
God doesn’t want any of us to be caught off guard. So He calls and calls, He nudges and pushes, and He sends His followers to shine His light so that ALL will be saved.
If you haven’t yet accepted Christ, please do so today! You can reach out to us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com and we will walk with you! And if you have accepted Christ – please don’t stop walking in your purpose – keep running the race and holding the lamp — SO MUCH depends on your obedience.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! We thank you for never giving up on us – for telling us like it is, for disciplining us when we are off course, and for giving us the opportunity to serve with and for you. Father, give us strength and wisdom today to persevere as we walk in this beautiful life you have crafted specifically for us. Help us be ready to run the race and shine the light – not for the glory or reward you promise, but so that we might lead many into your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Please join us as Alyson Croy, a strong young leader for Christ, motivates and encourages you to follow after God's heart. Aly is a youth director finishing her study in Theology who speaks around the world for Christ. May your heart grasp the love of Jesus God displays in this young woman's life as she serves and motivates others to follow after God's heart.
During this podcast, host Tawana Lowery shares three important strategies that will help us overcome disappointment (regardless of the circumstances) AND … Keep our Joy!!
And as the new year approaches, let these strategies arm you with a game plan to transcend the disappointment traps that might arise.
SCRIPT:
How to Overcome Disappointment and Keep Your Joy
By Tawana Lowery (excerpts taken from her upcoming book)
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The Holiday Seasons is typically a time for celebrating with friends and loved ones.
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But it can also present the greatest opportunity to experience the pain of Disappointment…
· Though we might not want to readily admit it…
· Disappointment is big part of life…
· Disappointment hurts and stings…
· Especially when it involves relationships.
· But most of all… disappointment steals our joy.
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During this Podcast, I want to review 3 Strategies that will help us Overcome Disappointment (regardless of the circumstances) AND … Keep our Joy!!
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And as the new year approaches, I believe these strategies will arm you with a game plan to Transcend the Disappointment Traps that might arise.
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Like you… I’ve had numerous disappointing experiences.
· But one that stands out happened when I was only 8 years old.
· And it happened during the holiday season.
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In those days we still called it a Christmas Party.
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Second only to the last day of school, it was the most anticipated day of the entire year.
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Each hallway and classroom was covered with beautiful decorations.
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And the tantalizing aroma of Christmas Cookies hung like a thick fog, consuming every corner of every room.
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Weeks of anticipation followed by hours of celebration concluded with the most exciting part of the day.
· The Student Gift Exchange!
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The ritual consisted of the teacher passing out each gift (in a very orderly fashion of course).
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After what seemed a lifetime, she found the present with my name on it.
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As she approached my desk, my exuberance quickly devolved into disappointment!
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Because my sweet teacher wasn’t holding a beautifully wrapped gift with a shiny bow…. It was nothing of the sort!
· Instead, she was carrying what appeared to be a ball of aluminum foil….
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With an awkward wince of embarrassment, she placed the horrifying blob on my desk.
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Well…. my initial reaction was total confusion. Surely my name was not on THAT.
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It wasn’t even a present…. Seriously… who in their right mind would give a ball of crumpled aluminum foil as a Christmas gift?
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Fighting back the crocodile tears, I quickly snatched it off my desk and placed it in my lap… trying to remain expressionless.
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As I clutched it tightly, in an effort to hide the evidence, I could feel that something was wrapped inside.
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I thought… “Should I open it now or wait until I get home?”
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The thoughts were racing back and forth.
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But soon my 8 year old curiosity took control.
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With eyes straight ahead and emotions at bay, I slowly pushed back the foil with my fingertips.
· That’s when embarrassment gave way to complete bewilderment.
- Inside the crumpled ball of foil was a small Plastic Donkey.
· It was the kind of humble little grey burrow you might see in a Nativity Scene.
· It had very sad eyes and a bowed head.
- A donkey! A plastic donkey! What on earth can you do with a plastic donkey?
· Just to add insult to injury, it wasn’t even new.
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As I gazed at this unimaginable nightmare… My mind quickly recalled my shopping trip from the previous week.
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I thought about the time I invested selecting the perfect gift for my classmate.
· It was wrapped with tender care, by yours truly.
· Then finished to perfection with a lovely bow!
· Yet despite my tireless efforts, this is what I get in return?
- You know… that event happened more than 40 years ago, and yet the disappointment I experienced is branded in my memory.
So… here’s the point of the story?
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Sometimes we give our very best to people and circumstances only to receive a Plastic Donkey in return.
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Sometimes situations over which we have no control cause embarrassment and heartache, leaving us with a stomach full of disappointment and let-down.
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But… What if we could overcome those deflated emotions and bounce back with a fervent determination to Keep our Joy?
· That’s what these 3 Principles will help you achieve.
The first Principle is…. “Keep it in Perspective.”
- A few days after the Christmas party, my mother learned the details behind the gift I had received.
· My classmate, Teresa and her family were struggling.
· Her father had lost his job, and her mom was fighting a serious illness.
· Teresa’s family had no money and no insurance for medical expenses.
· In fact, the community was providing money for food and other basic needs.
· No doubt, they were facing a very bleak holiday season.
- My mom also explained how that little plastic donkey was part of their family Nativity Scene.
· And it just so happened, the little sad burrow was Teresa’s favorite character piece.
· In actuality, Teresa gave me something very near and dear to her heart.
· She gave the best she had to offer. You might even say her gift was sacrificial… sort of like the offering of the Widows Mite in the Bible.
- Although my hurt from the disappointment was real, learning more about Teresa’s situation shed new light on the entire event.
· It helped me view it from a higher perspective.
· As a result, my disappointed heart was transformed into a heart of compassion.
· Keeping it in perspective gave me the emotional strength to keep my joy.
The second Principle for Keeping our Joy is…
“Keep Giving Your Best.”
- When we returned to school after the holidays… I decided to give Teresa what she had given me.
· She gave me her best. How could I do any less?
- For the remainder of the school year, I poured into her life as much as possible.
· I helped her with homework so she could make better grades.
· We sat together at lunch so she wouldn’t be alone.
· Because we were the same size, I gave her some of my clothes and shoes.
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Teresa and Tawana became best buds, and we both excelled because of it.
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She discovered there was a great student on the inside with the ability to learn and grow.
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I discovered leadership abilities that allowed me to inspire others to excel.
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Staying true to your core values in the midst of the pain, is vital for overcoming disappointment.
· That includes being intentional to give your best regardless of what other don’t give you.
- Think about it like this…
· If you want to keep your joy, then be sure to engage in activities that set you up to achieve it.
- After all, it’s very difficult to give your best while experiencing sadness at the same time.
Let’s wrap this up with the third Principle for Keeping our Joy which is to… “Keep Looking for the Good.”
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On one of the coldest days of the year, I got caught in a huge traffic jam on the way to have my car heater repaired.
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The temperature was 35 degrees outside and only slightly warmer inside.
· Not exactly the best day to be stuck in traffic with no heat.
- But while I was sitting in my very frigid car, staring at a endless line of traffic, it brought to light another important truth about overcoming disappointment…
· There’s a big difference between being cold and being left out in the cold.
· The first is simply an unpleasant circumstance of life. The second is a distressing place in life.
- In the same way, there’s a big difference in being disappointed with a temporary situation of life and being disappointed with life in general.
· Most disappointments we encounter are nothing more than temporary unpleasant interludes between other normal events.
· But problems arise when we allow the occasional let downs of life to create a fatalistic attitude towards life.
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I’ve discovered the most effective way to avoid this pitfall is to maintain a posture of gratitude while you’re in a disappointment.
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Shivering in the car that morning, my choices were very simple. Either complain and grumble or be thankful and humble.
· I chose to wrap my mind in a warm blanket of gratitude.
· I decided to focus on the long list of things I was thankful for.
- Of course, I didn’t relish sitting in a cold car during a two hour traffic jam.
· But, I couldn’t change it.
· And, honestly, the situation could have been much worse.
- So I began to recite (out loud) all I was grateful for.
· Things like warm clothes, warm socks and boots,
· a full tank of gas,
· a semi-hot cup of coffee,
· good health,
· money in the bank,
· friends and family who loved me,
· and so on and so on.
- As I focused more and more on the good, my stress began to dissipate.
· I became less focused on what was trying to steal my joy and more centered on what would revive it.
- I believe when we form the habit of looking for the good in the “not so good” we actually Teach our Minds to be Joyful.
Closing
- I’m not suggesting we should never admit or feel Disappointment.
- It’s part of life because ….
a. We live in a fallen world full of fallen people doing fallen things.
- But I am suggesting that we use the Plastic Donkey’s of life as a reminder…
To Keep it in Perspective,
To Keep Giving our Best and
To Keep Looking for the Good.
- When we do so… we Keep our hearts and minds positioned to KEEP our JOY (during the holidays and throughout the year).
All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent
This Christmas, run to Jesus! He has come amid the craziness of this world to bring you His peace and joy. He is calling you just like He called the shepherds on that night long ago. Peace be with you, and all glory to God in the highest. (Luke 2:8-20)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins. I hope you are enjoying our walk through the gospels as we focus on putting the four pictures from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John into one comprehensive view.
As I record this, it is Christmas week – the time when we celebrate Jesus’ birth on earth. Jesus, our Holy God, came to earth as a human so that He could die a sinner’s death and give all of humanity the opportunity to step into an eternity with Him. But our most powerful and majestic God also came to earth so that we could individually connect with Him and experience peace in our everyday lives.
Have you ever met someone you deem “important” or “famous”? I have – and no matter how prepared I am – when I meet someone “out of my league,” I often feel a bit tongue-tied, or intimidated. My head swims a bit. Do you know the feeling? Although God is, undoubtedly, in higher standing than anyone we will ever meet, He wants to relate to us on common ground. God never wants us to feel tongue-tied around Him. So Jesus came to earth as a man. He was born in a stable. And He lived a common life. He was the extraordinary amid the ordinary who went to extremes to be relatable. So on Christmas, not only do we celebrate the MAJESTY of God, but we also celebrate His HUMILITY as He descended to earth out of sheer love for us, ushering in peace and joy.
Let’s begin in prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father – today we praise and glorify your name! We know we should do that every day, but today we intentionally remember the birth of Jesus as a helpless baby, praising the fact that you saw fit to come to earth so that you could save us from our sins AND connect with us in such a loving fashion. As we study your Word, God, I ask you to teach us what you want us to know. Guide us in wisdom and joy as we open our hearts to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In today’s scripture, we are going to take a few moments to peer into the lives of the shepherds. These men were perhaps the lowliest of the low. And yet, they were seen by God, who counted them as so important that they were visited by the angels and were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. Let’s read Luke, chapter 2, verse 8-20 from the New Living Translation:
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
One of my favorite Christmas hymns, Silent Night, gives us an idyllic vision of what was happening the night of Jesus’ birth…but it seems from this text that there wasn’t much “silent” about that night.
Let’s start with the stable – the birthing room, as it was. I’ve had three children, and although each birth was beautiful, there simply wasn’t anything silent about the process. I think my husband remembers that more clearly than I do! And let’s not forget that the holy family was sharing their space with a stable full of animals. And I imagine the animals had their own chorus going on.
But maybe it was a silent night in the fields where the shepherds were?...Let’s imagine…
I envision a clear night, with the stars brighter than most of us are used to. After all, there was very little light pollution in those days. But scripture says the shepherds were guarding their flocks…and sheep are very loud animals who only sleep about 4 hours a night. Guarding sheep was a purposeful, 24-hour a day job – so much so that the shepherds had to take turns sleeping and standing guard against thieves and animals. I can picture the shepherds straining to be alert even in the darkness, listening for sounds of intrusion over and above the sound of the sheep.
The truth is that the job of the shepherds was far from glamorous – it was constant and messy, certainly not silent and peaceful. It makes me think of being a parent. I can remember sitting up those late hours with each of my newborns, just praying for a moment of PEACE. You probably know what I’m talking about. It can be hard to push through those nights, knowing in your heart that what you are doing is important, but at times, feeling alone in the struggle…like the whole rest of the world is silent, and somehow you alone are fighting to do your job in your loud and messy corner. Some theologians speculate that these shepherds were tending the sheep that were to be used as a sacrifice for the temple services – now that would have been a stressful job! The perfect lamb had to be carefully protected, raised without blemish. Then that perfect lamb would be sacrificed, allowing the high priest to enter the holy of holies to receive a word from God for the whole nation. No pressure.
And, to top it off, the shepherds themselves were not permitted to attend the temple because, due to their work, they were considered ceremonially unclean. These were honest men working hard in the trenches whose job was SO important, but they were considered lower class in every aspect. They were humble servants.
Sometimes the world seems upside down, doesn’t it? Those who give the most sometimes receive the least recognition. Teachers spend their days shaping the future, pouring into our children, our most precious commodity…and yet their pay is often low and the honor that should be given them is dismissed. Healthcare workers serve long hours, handling messes and dealing with the emotions of patients and their loved ones. The list goes on – social workers, foster parents, firefighters, and police officers—all are humble servants who often work amid chaos, caring for others and putting themselves on the back burner.
But in today’s scripture, we see an example of God’s love and acknowledgment for every person who puts themselves out there in service to another.
The humble servants in Jesus’ day — the shepherds — had no idea as they did their job, valiantly guarding their sheep, that they were about to receive a personal greeting that would blow their socks off. Across the noisy field, a baby was being born who would change the world. That baby, God made flesh, would open the door, tearing the curtain to the holy sanctuary, allowing God’s presence to fill the earth. The God of all majesty and honor had sent His only begotten son Jesus to earth as a helpless baby to be born in a messy, smelly stable. And the shepherds, hard at work in the fields, would be the first to know.
The angels were so excited to share this awesome news! In the book of Hebrews, the angels are called ministering spirits who are sent to care for God’s people. The angels had front row seats to not only the glory of God, which we in our humanity still can not quite comprehend, but also to the fact that God, the divine, the holy, was born among humans, as a human – this was quite the turn of events! This was quite the message – surely sharing this message was one of the angels most important missions ever! And the shepherds, the hardworking yet lowly servants, were the first to be invited to the party.
Imagine the shepherds on that dark, clear night. First, they saw one angel, and then a “vast host” of angels…some versions say a “multitude of angels” – the original word is plethos (PLAY – thahs) – sounds like the English word plethora. – meaning a large or excessive amount of. … all praising God…the angels NEEDED the shepherds to understand the magnitude of what was happening, this was urgent and exciting information. Entire armies of angels filled the sky.
That moment must have been thrilling beyond our imaginations. The glory of the Lord had returned to the earth, and the angels could not contain their joy. Verse 9 says that “the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.”
Of course, this site would have shocked the shepherds – it would shock you and me, that’s for sure!
The first angel said, “Don’t be afraid!” and he explained himself… “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And that wasn’t all…the angel clearly wanted the shepherds to go and see for themselves. He told them WHERE to go and how to find the newborn savior of the world.
And then the singing started! The armies of heaven started praising God. With something so miraculous happening, how could they NOT praise God? They simply weren’t about to miss the JOY and CELEBRATION of Christ’s birth.
The angels sang, GLORY TO GOD, and peace to those with whom God is pleased!
Jesus came to bring us that sometimes seemingly elusive peace! WE, like the shepherds, are meant to experience the peace of God in our daily lives! When we please God, He gives us His peace. So what is it that pleases God? Walking with God and trusting HIS care and protection, even as we care for and protect others, brings us peace beyond all understanding. As children of God, we do not need to fear – because our God is a god of love and protection and wisdom and PEACE. He is holding His umbrella out, waiting for you to take a step under it. Our God is a fierce protector, who, once you take a step toward Him in submission, will never let you go.
The shepherds were initially afraid on that crazy night, but they listened to the good news that the angels brought, and then they ran to Jesus themselves and experienced His peace. Do you remember when you first heard about Jesus and you ran to Him? If you have, you know the peace, the excitement, the joy, that the shepherds knew on that “not so silent” night. If you don’t know God’s peace, if you haven’t yet run to Him…consider this your message…and me your messenger! The Messiah has come! Your salvation is here! You never have to go it alone in this world again! God wants you to come to Him. Run to Him, just like the shepherds did.
Jesus did the hard part. He humbled Himself, stepping down from His throne to become human. In His humanity, not only did Jesus make a way for our salvation, but by becoming one of us, He also opened a path for us to communicate with Him. You never need to be intimidated to go to Jesus. You never need to become tongue-tied around Him. You never need to be afraid. This Christmas, I pray you will run to Jesus, welcome Him into your every day, and experience His peace.
Oh HOLY God! We praise you! Glory to YOU in the highest! We thank you for ushering in peace on earth! Father, I pray for each woman listening that she may experience your peace and joy today. I pray that she will RUN to your side, experience your forgiveness, rest under the umbrella of your love. Father, thank you for sending your son to us, to this very dirty, messy earthy…to save our very dirty, messy lives. We give our lives to you, O God, and ask you to lead us where you will…we will follow. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Mental Health and Wellness advocate, Author, and Speaker Elaine Septon shares her 2x suicide survival story with transparency in hopes of raising awareness and removing judgment of those who walk through rough moments in their life. God will work out His plans for your life, Psalm 138:8. We just need to TRUST and surrender control.
Sometimes God calls us to do difficult, even seemingly impossible things, but what could’ve been more overwhelming than an unmarried teenage girl being tasked with raising the Savior of the World? Just as God’s grace enabled her to receive, raise and release her first born son, His grace will carry us through life’s most formidable challenges.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
I love every aspect of Christmas. But what I love most is to contemplate the mysterious, wonderous way God chose to send His Son into the world and the woman He chose to be His mother. The Messiah that God’s people had been longing for over the centuries finally arrived in a way no one would have ever predicted. There were only two witnesses to the moment when God set aside His divinity to put on human flesh as a completely helpless newborn baby. A frightened, inexperienced girl with her equally frightened and inexperienced new husband were the only humans aware that God had come to earth to rectify everything that had gone wrong. What probably seemed to Mary and Joseph, the worst possible timing was in fact, carefully planned. Had they not had to go to Bethlehem at exactly this time, Jesus would’ve been born in the ordinary way…in a bed, in a house with midwives and mothers reassuring Mary and taking charge. There would have been no stable or manger, no shepherds hurrying to witness the miracle and no need for a star to light their way. It would’ve been just another birth in the city of Nazareth. In her moments of fear and pain, Mary probably longed to have her mother, or any kind-hearted woman there to tell her what to do, reminding her of the joy that would soon be hers. But God very deliberately only allowed her two sources of comfort and direction, the very ones she would continue to depend on in the years to come…God Himself and her husband, Joseph. Luke 2 :18 tells us that Mary, “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. I have to believe that some of what she was pondering was how God orchestrated the time and place of His birth.
Mary seemed to have a better than average understanding of how highly God values humility. When her cousin, Elizabeth, blessed her for believing in the promise she was given, she immediately turned the praise to God. In what is known as “Mary’s Song,” in Luke 1:47-52 she tells Elizabeth, “How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.” I wonder if those words came back to her as she surveyed her very humble surroundings while her labor pains intensified. No doubt she would have preferred a cleaner, less smelly, and more comfortable place to deliver the Son of God, but she seems like the sort of girl who would realize that the location was exactly what God intended.
Mary’s natural humility may have also caused her to ponder the question, “Why me?” While she was clearly honored to have been chosen and recognized the importance of the role she was about to play, she would never have sought it for herself. After all, it hadn’t been easy. Joseph had found it impossible to believe her story about her encounter with the angel Gabriel – until he experienced a similar visit himself. He had been prepared to divorce her quietly and send her away, believing that was the kindest and only option available to him. As a man of his day, he probably experienced the same snubs, whispers and social ostracization that Mary did. Both Mary and Joseph had already paid a costly price for their assignment when they prepared to deliver the King of Kings in a dusty, drafty stable.
Anyone who’s given birth to a child can tell you that the realization of the journey you’re about to begin is a cause for lots of pondering. What will this child be? Do you have what it takes to give him everything he needs to become a well-adjusted human being? Will she forgive the mistakes you make along the way? Would this child have been better off with someone stronger, smarter, more resourceful…better? Surely Mary had all of those thoughts as she held her newborn son, but there was a whole added dimension to consider. How could it be that this baby, created in her and carried by her for the last nine months, had existed since before time began and had witnessed and carefully planned not only her creation, but every moment of her life?
At the conclusion of the Christmas story in Luke 2, there’s an account of Joseph and Mary taking baby Jesus to the temple for His dedication as the law of Moses required. Here they encountered an old man named Simeon who had spent his lifetime watching for the coming Messiah. In a rare instance of the Holy Spirit speaking to men before Christ’s coming, he was assured that he would not see death before laying his eyes on the Promised One. When he encountered the new parents and their divine baby, he instantly knew that he had laid eyes on the Messiah and he began to prophesy. “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word,” he said. Luke 2 doesn’t say this, but I imagine after a lifetime of waiting, he had tears in his eyes and that his voice faltered as he said,” For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.” Verse 33 says that Joseph and Mary were amazed at the things being said about Jesus. Simeon blessed them and spoke directly to Mary, saying, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed. And a sword will pierce even your own soul.” How much more did Mary have to ponder after their encounter with Simeon? “A sign to be opposed?” What could that mean? It certainly didn’t sound good. “And a sword would pierce her soul?” Mary was told that her Son would save His people from their sins, but she wasn’t told how. Was her woman’s intuition filled with foreboding, knowing that somehow this child’s future would cause her soul to be pierced? She must have struggled with dark thoughts about this throughout His 33 years. When the angel Gabriel told her that she was to give birth to the Messiah, her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” To say that when faced with the prospect of such an overwhelming assignment reveals a heart that trusts God…no matter what. Undoubtedly, she had to remind herself that she could trust Him, again and again when the dark thoughts assaulted her.
The only story of Jesus as a child in the bible occurs when He was 12-years-old. Scripture tells us that the entire family made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Apparently they travelled as part of a large group, including other family members, friends and neighbors because Mary and Joseph had been on the road for a full day before they realized Jesus was nowhere to be found. They had assumed that He was walking with some of the other boys His age or a favorite relative or family friend. When they realized He was missing, they did the only thing they knew to do …return to where they had last seen Him… in Jerusalem. If you've never experienced the unmatched panic of temporarily losing a child, I can tell you from personal experience, it is terrifying. We once lost our 4-year-old son on the very crowded lido deck of a cruise ship for about 3 minutes. He was at the end of the line of our four children and then he was gone. I can’t even describe the relief I felt when the cruise director announced that a little boy was looking for his family within minutes of us realizing he had disappeared. Poor Mary and Joseph had to go for days, rather than minutes, not knowing if they would ever find their son. With each step, I wonder if Mary questioned if God could still think so highly of her now that she’d lost the long-awaited Messiah He had entrusted to her care? Her desperate panic gave way to incredible relief when she spotted Him in the temple, listening to the teachers, asking questions and discussing the scriptures. Like any mother, her first words to Him could be expressed in modern language as, “how could you do this to me?” She said, “Your father and I have been looking for You, and the literal translation is , “in pain.” His response gave her still more to ponder. “Why were you searching for me,” He asked in genuine curiosity. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” The next verse repeats the phrase we saw earlier in Luke 2. Once again, Mary ponders these things in her heart. Did she note that Jesus referred to his Father’s house as the temple in Jerusalem, not their simple home in Nazareth? Was this an indication that her son knew exactly Who He was and what He must prepare to do? Perhaps when they had resumed living in Nazareth she had chosen to set aside thoughts of the future and simply enjoy the gift of a beloved son. Did this newly evident maturity in her boy cause the dark thoughts to creep back into her mind?
What did she think the day her 30-year-old son gave her a farewell embrace and headed away from Nazareth to begin His ministry? Did she wonder if she would ever see Him again? Did it cross her mind that His leaving could mean that the moment that would pierce her soul might be coming soon? When she heard about His miracles and all the people who traveled so many miles to hear Him speak, she must’ve been filled with pride and wonder, but also questions of where it would lead. She had a front row seat, the day He read from the Torah in their own temple, telling His former neighbors that the scripture predicting the coming Messiah had been fulfilled in their midst. The idea that the young man they’d known since He was a child could be their long-awaited Messiah, was incomprehensible to them and provoked what they considered holy outrage. Terror must have gripped her as they gathered around Him with stones in their hands, ready to carry out the sentence for blasphemy. When He simply disappeared from view, no doubt she was simultaneously relieved and awe-struck.
We can’t begin to imagine what she felt three years later as she sat at the foot of the cross with the image of His bloodied, lifeless body blurred by more tears than she thought she could contain. At last, she knew the meaning of Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce her soul, even as it now pierced His side.
Mary was called to do the impossible. She had to bear the shame of being considered an immoral woman, when in fact, it was evidence that she was favored by God. She bore the responsibility of protecting and preparing a child Who came to do the most extraordinary, necessary thing in the history of the world. And most impossible of all, she had to let go of her preconceived ideas of what the Messiah would do and trust her heavenly Father, Who was also her earthly Son, to bring about His intended purposes in spite of the utterly hopeless situation she saw before her. When she thought back to the many things she had heard Him say, was one of them, “With man, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”
You may be facing your own impossible task right now. You, or a loved one may have just received a life-threatening diagnosis. You may be raising a child with special needs and you find that it takes far more energy than you have. Perhaps you’re facing financial or marital difficulties…or both. Maybe God has called you to start a business or ministry and you have no idea where or how to begin. You may have a wayward child that is lost with no desire to be found or your children may be thriving as they take their places in the world, but it’s left you feeling lost and without purpose. You may be questioning if you can survive this Christmas because it’s the first one you’ve had to endure without a loved one who was an integral part of every celebration. Whatever impossible situation you are facing, God’s grace will sustain you, lead you, comfort you and enable you. The most basic definition of grace is unmerited favor. There’s that word favor again, which takes us back to Mary. Why was she chosen? Because she found favor with God. Her trust in Him brought His favor, or better understood, His grace upon her enabling her to carry out the impossible tasks He set before her. As you think back on that first Christmas, let her story remind you of all God can accomplish through you by His grace.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Sometimes we must do simply what we are called to do. Mary understood this. Joseph understood this. And Jesus understood this. This Christmas, trust the God who is in control! (Matt 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-7)
Sharing a shameful past takes courage. Amber McDaniel testifies of her story and the results of experiencing freedom through a personal relationship with Christ. From dancing to cover pain to now dancing for Jesus, this precious woman shares her Relational Redemption Through Creativity.
As we celebrate Hanukkah this season, let's examine our hearts, in order to fully receive God's grace. Be blessed with the history of Hanukkah and its correlation with the book of Nehemiah.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Title: Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication.
1 “The words or story of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: Now in the month of Chislev in the twentieth year [of the Persian king], as I was in the castle of Shushan, 2 Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah, and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile, and about Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 1:1-2 AMPC’’
Hanukkah is known as “the Feast of Dedication.” It is a time in which the Jewish people celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple, cleansing it from the things of the pagan culture that had crept in with a part of the priesthood, given over to the Hellenistic ways.
Although, Nehemiah preceded those at the time of Hanukkah, there’s a correlation. God’s people were grieved at the worldly things that had happened against Jerusalem, infecting God’s Holy City. Hanukkah is on the 25th of the Jewish Month Chislev on the Hebrew Calendar, and commemorates the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd Century B.C. The Maccabees revolted against the suppression of the practice of their faith, with a Syrian-Greek king. This revolt went on for 30 plus years, with the main phase being over a seven-year period, from 167-160 B.C. During that phase, in 164/165 B.C., the Maccabees captured Jerusalem, then the subsequent cleansing of the temple came on the 25th day of Chislev, where they found a small amount of pure oil, that was a day’s worth of supply, to light the menorah. It would take at least another eight days to make the purified anointment to light the menorah again. The supernatural occurrence of the one-day supply of oil kept the lamp burning for eight days, which is where we get Hanukkah.
What does that mean for us? As we celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah, we look at it as a time for examining our hearts, to see if the things of the world, have gotten into our inner man, so that we can cleanse ourselves of it, by God’s grace. The Maccabean Revolt, not only dealt with the Jewish people being free to practice their faith, but it also dealt with cleansing God’s temple of the priests who were influenced with the practices of the pagan culture, mixing it into Judaism within the temple.
I love Nehemiah 1, and looking at the first two verses, when it comes to the time of Hanukkah. I’ve written extensively on Nehemiah 1, in my book God’s Fire Wall Healing of the Soul, Session 1 The Light, showing how the soul fragments, where there’s unclean things within our members, and it causes us in the smallest wat to disassociate. Having worked as an outpatient psychotherapist with adults, the elderly, and children in long term foster care, I’ve had patients who had Dissociative Identity Disorder, or those who disassociated on some level. I get into small disassociations in my book Mindfulness, the Mind of Christ, in what is labeled “a mood, temperament, and evolves into our personality.”
I experienced this after my ninth month marriage at 19 years old back in 1999, to a demonically oppressed man, who starved and beat me, kept me imprisoned, as well as constantly threatened me with guns pointed at me, or knives put to my throat. It was my first internship supervisor, who pointed out my abuse, which I had shut down and through disassociation, acted as though it had never happened. This is all in my book Session 1 The Light, showing how the fragmented soul is made whole.
You’ve might not have anything drastic like this, but on some level, the influence of the fallen world, might have taken a toll on your soul, bringing in a mixture, into your Christian life. The point of the kingdom of the world, is to get us confused about God’s grace.
I grew up loving the Lord, having had a supernatural encounter at the age of seven, and always attending church. It was in my last year of high school that I rebelled, because all the guys I ever dated, would break up with me, for keeping myself pure. I got angry with God, and rebelled, and then backslid. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus, God heals our backsliding. (Hosea 14:4)
Like the revolt of the Maccabees, the power of Holy Spirit upon my soul, revolted against the pollution of the world, that had worked its way in, where I tolerated the oppression of the enemy. Looking at Nehemiah 1, we’re given a glimpse into this revolt with God’s people, as Nehemiah is stirred with jealousy and grief, to see Jerusalem rebuilt, as he would look over the repair of the wall.
Maccabee means “hammer” in Aramaic and has the connotation “Who is like unto thee among the gods, Oh Lord!” God’s Word is a hammer within us, to show us HE IS GOD, HE IS GRACIOUS!
“Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?” Jeremiah 23:29 AMPC
God’s Word pounds away the stubborn places of the heart that have been influenced by the world. In those places of our soul, He brings the Light of Truth, where His Name dwells. (Nehemiah 1:9)
Nehemiah 1, verses 1 and 2, bring so much to illumination, as we see that Nehemiah has come to the Lord in the month of Chislev, which is the time of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, preceding the event for nearly two-hundred years. However, we can see the reflection of what happened in Nehemiah’s time, compared to what happened in the time of the Maccabean Revolt. God’s people were oppressed, and the city profaned by the pagan culture, having its toll on Jerusalem and the temple.
Nehemiah in Hebrew means “comforter,” indicating the foreshadowing of Holy Spirit. His father, Haciliah is mentioned in verse one, whose name means “Jah of Darkness,” where God will bring the Light to you, and enlighten you. Chislev means “thickening,” indicating the heavy rains. Moreover, the kinsmen mentioned in verse 2 is Hanani meaning, “gracious.”
Names aren’t happenstance in God’s Word, and the 24 workbooks I’ve written on the book of Nehemiah, which three have been edited and revised into books, unpack EVERY SINGLE NAME in the book of Nehemiah. There are a lot of names in that book, to where you almost feel as though you’re reading the Chronicles. When we look at the name meanings in verses one and two, it shows us that The Comforter, Holy Spirit, will come into our Darkness, bringing enlightenment to our soul of God’s thick and weighty presence, revealing His grace.
This is what happens to areas of our soul, in need of God’s grace. We have the beautiful presence of His love, mercy, and truth, that visits us in our darkness, to lift us into the place of wholeness. This reflects the occurrence of the Maccabean Revolt. The people hungered for the presence of God, and in the darkness of the influence of the world, God brought the Light, the supernatural supply of oil that lasted until they could get the pure oil made. This signifies being a Bond Servant of God!
Have you gotten busy with things in life, that you might have slipped and allowed the influence of the world? Is there an area of your soul that’s influencing you with negative thoughts, and bad behaviors. As you’re hearing this podcast on the last day of Hanukkah, December 15th, 2023, commit yourself afresh and anew to God. Breathe a deep breath and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
What does it take to experience complete acceptance and love in the family of Christ? Jesus teaches us in one simple sentence! Join Julie Jenkins as we study Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, and Luke 8:19-21 together.
Our past does not define us. Today's guest, Peggy Sperling - certified human behavioral consultant, teacher, and missionary to China 41 times - encourages us with her story. Please join us today as Peggy shares the importance to rise above past circumstances that may hold us back from fulfilling what God has for our future.
On today's episode of Celebrating God's Grace, host Rusanne Carole speaks about how we can love and serve God as we "do" for Him out of a deep "being' with Him. We often speak of "being a Martha or a Mary." Jesus told us that Mary chose the better thing to do. To sit at our Saviour's feet allows us to serve Him from an overflow and be obedient to what He wants us to do.
What are we to do while we are waiting for the full dawning of the kingdom of God—for Jesus’ return? We learn the answer to this question straight from the mouth of Jesus in Luke 18:1-17.
Welcome to Walking in the Word…the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us.
As we enter into December, if you are a regular donor to Women World Leaders, the newest edition of our Voice of Truth magazine should be arriving in your mailbox. If you are new to the ministry, Voice of Truth is our quarterly magazine presented by an amazing team of women from around the globe who are on mission to share the love and message of Jesus Christ. If you’ve not yet been introduced to the magazine, you can check it out at womenworldleaders.com, where we have this issue as well as all our back issues available for free digitally. We do print a few extra copies of each edition, so if you want a physical copy for yourself or to share with someone, simply make a donation to the ministry on our website, and we will send you one, as long as our supplies last.
Of course, Women World Leaders is a 501c3 non-profit, so all donations ARE tax deductible. What better way is there to get a year-end tax deduction than to allow your money to be used to spread the Word of God and empower women to walk in their God-given purpose? You can be part of this spectacular cause that we have embarked on at Women World Leaders, and we hope you will.
Let’s get into our study, shall we? Today, as we open scripture, asking God what He wants us to know, we will be studying Luke 18:1-17. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, We come to you in faith, trusting that you will teach us today what we need to know. Sometimes, when we look at your Word, God, we don’t know where to start. But we do. We begin in faith, by opening to a study that you have, in fact, ordained for us. We have been walking through your gospels, and it never ceases to amaze me that you teach each of us bit by bit, filling us with what we need to know when we need to know it…and we praise you in advance that today is no exception. Be with us. Guide us. Teach us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
As we studied last week, we learned about the Kingdom of God – that, with Jesus’ human birth, it had already arrived, but no one knows the date of its full completion. Yet Jesus assured the disciples, and us, that when it does arrive in full force, no one will miss it. Today as we study, Jesus launches into two parables that teach exactly what we are to do while we are waiting for His return. Allow me to begin reading in Luke 18, verse 1 from the New Living Translation…
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’
The two characters in this story are as opposite as you can imagine. The judge had all the power in the world. He not only rendered judgment, but he also chose WHOSE case he would hear, which was often based on a bribe presented to his assistant.
The widow, on the other hand, had been ill-treated and had NOTHING to offer the judge to hear her case. She had several things going against her. First of all, she was a woman. Secondly, she was widowed, so she had no male presence to represent her. And thirdly, she was poor. All the cards were stacked against her…all she had was her presence and her voice, which she used until she nearly drove the heartless judge crazy.
Verse 4 continues…
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!
The judge certainly did not offer justice quickly or even willingly, but under duress.
We are not to compare the judge to God, but rather see their differences…unlike the uncaring judge, our God loves us each so much, and He will always be there to answer our prayers.
And yet…sometimes it CAN feel like God is not there…like we are waiting for forever for an answer to prayer…or, for Him to return again, ushering in the completion of His Kingdom. So what are we to do while we wait? According to Jesus’ teachings, we are to tirelessly and persistently go to God in prayer.
The woman was outside the tent…she wasn’t even allowed in where the proceedings were happening. Waiting for Jesus to return can feel like that…we know God is there, we know He can hear us, but we just can’t see Him clearly yet. God wants us to keep close to Him, to keep close to the tent, to keep crying out. Unlike with the judge in the parable, we don’t need to “wear God down,” but when we stay close to Him in prayer, we will always win, because we will always be close to Him!
Still, many WILL get tired and wander away…that is why Jesus asks in the next sentence…
But when the Son of Man[a] returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Then Jesus shared another parable … again, about two people who were complete opposites…one man revered and praised God, the other man revered and praised himself – as a show to God. This parable was directly pointed at those listening who self-righteously putting themselves above others.
Verse 9…
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[b]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
Notice the I’s? This man walked into God’s house and proceeded to tell God how great he was, as if God should be privileged to be in this man’s presence.
Verse 13…
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
What a stark difference. The first man, the Pharisee, strutted into the Temple as if it were HIS home.
I’m guessing we all know people like that. Those who walk into the church, on holy ground, as if they are the star of the show.
The tricky thing about humility is that it is oh so easy to lose. The devil is sneaky. We can begin going to church for all the right reasons, but become so infatuated with what WE are doing that we allow our focus to shift from the humility of honoring God to pride regarding our accomplishments FOR God. And then, in our brazenness, we look down on others who seemingly aren’t offering as much as we are.
This is a slippery slope that none of us are immune to. Don’t you hate it when Jesus’ words sting? But when we allow Jesus’ words to infiltrate our spirit and make us uncomfortable, it is then that the Holy Spirit is giving us the power to grow.
Jesus lays it out in verse 14…
14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus has taught us, through these two parables, that we are to be persistent and humble in prayer as we wait for Him to return.
And then Luke’s placement of this next teaching reminds us that God wants us to make a path for others to come to Him. Verse 13…
15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
Wow…can you imagine ever scolding ANYONE for coming to Jesus?
It seems like that is a no-brainer of a question, yet, it would be wise to consider when and where we unknowingly put up stumbling blocks for others, keeping them from seeing Jesus.
If you and I carry Jesus within us and we are His representatives, perhaps we should think about when we shoo people away from us. Perhaps when they don’t look like us? Or maybe when they don’t act like us? How about when they knowingly go against what the Bible says, choosing to live a lifestyle against our beliefs, and so we, consciously or unconsciously, put ourselves above them, not caring to associate with them or listen to their story?
What if, as you and I were growing – as we each still are — what if people turned us away from Jesus because of the wrong choices we made? I can tell you, if that were the case, I would be heading down a lonely path in completely the wrong direction. I thank and praise God that all throughout my life there have been so many individuals who have put their own selves aside and encouraged me to step forward towards Jesus.
Jesus consistently calls us to Himself. He calls EVERYONE to come to Him. And we should do WHATEVER we can to welcome others to walk beside Jesus, too. Remember, the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Take the back seat, let others move ahead of you, offer love, not judgment.
Verse 16…
16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
The kingdom of God is here…in our hearts because we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. But we are still waiting for Jesus’ return and His full glory to be revealed. So what are we to do in the meantime? Persistently pray in humility, staying close to God and making a way for all others to get close to Him, too.
Mark also tells the story of Jesus welcoming the children, but he ends it a bit differently, with a verse I love and hold close to my heart on those days when I am tired of being patient and fighting the good fight. Mark 10:16 states…Then Jesus took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
May God take you in his arms, place his hands on your head, and bless you.
Let’s pray.
Dear Heavenly Father…we are so not perfect…but you already knew that. We tend to go from humility and giving you the praise and honor to wanting to climb up on the pedestal ourselves. I don’t know what it is that makes us think that it is okay to look down on others. Please forgive us. And thank you for reminding us that it is an honor to put others first. You are a big God, able to hold us all in your hands. And more than that, you are willing and yearning to hold us all. Thank you! We give you all the praise and honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Guest speaker Erin Jeffreys, marriage coach, fitness coach, and successful entrepreneur, shares her story of grace, restoration, and God's love. Erin boldly shares about her young marriage in Bible college with two babies, which ended in divorce because of sin. Through eight years of wandering, Erin found God's beautiful path leading her back to restoration to reunite with the husband of her youth who forgave her. They now have a powerful Christ-centered family and minister together. * Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. Ladies, we are so glad you are here today. I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And I am so happy to have our guests with us today. Erin Jefferys, Erin is from North Carolina. Welcome, Erin. Erin Jeffreys Hey, Kimberly, I'm so excited to be here and just share a little bit of my heart and my story. I'm so glad that God connected us just a few weeks ago, I think it's been recent and so honored to be here. Yeah, Kimberly Hobbs We're honored to have you and just the ladies her story. It's incredible what God has done in this woman's life. So we're talking about restoration today, and God's grace and His love. So we are super, super excited to share this with you today. Our hope ladies through these podcasts is that we are able to strengthen you and encourage you on your walk as you seek out Jesus every day of your life. And Ephesians 2:10 says that we are all a masterpiece we are God's masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus, to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe ladies that each and every one of you have a beautiful purpose. And it's our hope that through listening to these podcasts, that something inside of it is going to touch your heart deeply. And just allow you to act upon what you heard and find out that truth and purpose of what God has for your life. So I want to share a little bit about Erin before we get started. Erin is a world leader. And she helps others to pursue better health physically, spiritually, and relationally. Like she's very successful, and entrepreneurship and she holds certifications as a health coach, as a marriage coach and a former personal trainer. She's getting healthy in every area of her life. And she calls it her jam. Erin and her husband are the founders of family fit ministries, and they're highly requested speakers in the area of marriage, which you're going to hear about today a little about, she's going to bring you into her life a little bit. Aaron speaks boldly regarding the choices that she made to leave her marriage and the church in pursuit of the world. Can any of you relate to that? I know I can't in my life. Yeah, some of us make choices, not always the right choices. But eight years later, God would begin to write a different story in Aaron's life, one of forgiveness and restoration praise him for that. And Aaron is an inspiration to 1000s through her speaking and social media platforms. And we are so happy to have her here today to share what God has done in his grace, restoration in his love for Aaron. So many of us can relate to straying from that steadfast life of obedience, which we once lived. As I said, I, I can relate to that too. I was on the path and feeling like I was that great Christian person until I veered away. And when we talk about restoration, which we're going to talk about today, in God's word, it's synonymous with healing, and repairing or returning to a previous state of being. Psalm 5112 says, Restore to me the joy of my salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Aaron, you wandered far from God and your young life at Bible College and as a wife and mom of two sweet little girls who I know you love so much. So can you take us back to those college years when you were that young wife and young mom, what was going on?
Erin Jeffreys Yeah, so back it up even a little bit further. I was raised in a wonderful home Christian home. I had great values around me. And so I just expected that's how my life would be. I went to Bible college, I met my husband as a lot of my friends were doing and we got married in the midst of college. And a couple years after that, we started a family we started ministry that was our desire. That was our heartbeat. And so it wasn't like this was a surprise is something we had prayed for. We knew God wanted us in essence, we started ministry together. And then shortly after we had two little girls and everything great, wonderful. You know, I was not at the time was not serving as heavily in the ministry with him, I was more at home. And so it was during that season, that I began to feel a little bit alone. He was here ministering and and I was just at home, I did not see my children as my ministry at that time. And when you're alone, and you're not in the Word, and you're not in prayer, Satan begins to come in. And he began to come into my life and into my heart, and say things that weren't true about my husband, that he doesn't love you. He's not paying enough attention to you, you know, and I will look for nitpicky things around the home that all of us are not perfect in, but I would look for and those things will began to fester. And Satan will say, we'll see he's not doing this. And he's not doing these things. And so he really doesn't love you. And so this anger, and this bitterness began to fester in my heart before anything else ever started or became an issue. It started within my own heart. And I didn't, you know, I didn't communicate those things to my husband, like, we weren't communicating. And so it's, that's where the breakdown started to happen. So if you're listening, the and communication with you with your husband or your spouse. And so that's where it started. bitterness and anger. And within that time, Satan brought someone that looks so much better than my husband, because he had all these wonderful qualities. So I stepped out of my marriage, I had an affair. And when my husband found out, he found out without me telling him I did not leave for the other person, I we just decided to end it, I figured I was done. Again, Satan feeding you lies within your heart in your mind that there's got to be something better than what is here right now. And so I did, I, I left my marriage looking for that thing, that thing that would make me feel good inside that the the, the Christian world that I was in the Bible, I just felt like was not offering me. So I'd be seven years. I was apart from my husband. And during that first half of those seven to eight years, I was seeking whatever the world could give to me in all different avenues. And it was, you know, you hear those things. Well, why did you do that Satan presents it as a fun time. And it was I, you know, you look back at those things, and it appeared fun, and I was enjoying that moment. But then after you have that guilt, and that shame, especially me stepping into those things, being a believer, I knew that's not what God had for me. And so we did we separated, then we finally divorced. And I just decided that, okay, we're apart, we're divorced, this is my life now, and I've got to gotta figure it out. And that's kind of where I just, I didn't even during that time, I even questioned whether God was real. You know, I grew up believing that and knowing that, but in this season, I thought, Is God even real? How is he real? If all of this is happening to me? And all these bad things are going on now? Like, how is God even real? Why did he allow me to even get married? Or? And I just began to question so I, you know, just decided that maybe God wasn't real, and that I would just have to figure life out on my own. So I, that's where I started. I said, Well, I'm getting divorced, final, and I'm just going to move forward and figure it out. And that's kind of where, where I started after that. About three and a half years of just, you know, Satan really taking his toll on my life, my mind and my heart.
Kimberly Hobbs Right, and you open that door to the devil having that rain in your life. And you soured against things of the Lord, because of the lies that you believed. And so you started into that prison, the of just being trapped into where the enemy wanted you to be trapped. And that's a scary place to be ladies, I'm sure you can relate to it. When are you just you fall into temptation? You know, you shouldn't be going there. And then the next thing you do is you wake up and you're in this this misery you're in that pit that you seem like you can't get out of and that's where Aaron was, I mean, she just started she was just so wandered so far. But God, when you belong to him, he is not going to let you wander far from him. He'll he'll let you go to a certain point but he's going to bring you back and Aaron He brought you back through people that did not judge you. They loved you. They wrap their arms around you, they showed you God's love, without judgment. And think about this, ladies, if you're in that place where you know somebody that's wandered away from, you know where they're supposed to be, and you know that you can condemn them all day long. They know what they're doing God's convicting them, but it takes a special person that can show the love of God, and the forgiveness to bring them back. So God softens your heart to come back to even step foot in a church again, and I want to share this verse. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. That's Galatians six, one. Can you talk about how important that was to you, Erin, that people loved you back in?
Erin Jeffreys Yeah, that was really pivotal. And a key time in my life. I had really sworn off the church, like, I'm not going to church anymore. I felt like it. It felt like the church destroyed my life at that time. That was what I was blaming it on. And so I really wanted nothing to do with it. But God began to use people in my life. And they initially came to where I was, it wasn't like they were pulling me in their direction of where they were with God, they came and met me at my place. With love and without judgment. And just invited me would invite me to church not beating me over the head, or maybe just send me an encouraging word or a text or, Hey, look at this IRA. This is pretty cool. Or sometimes not even always about a Bible verse just loving me as a friend, because a lot of these people were my friends before. And so he continued to love me, in spite of what I knew was wrong, what they knew was wrong. And then God soften my heart enough. Someone asked me one day, just come, come and sit, come and sit with me. Come late, leave early. Just Just come with me. I want you to come in. And I mean, and so that's what I did. And God began, I just remember that service, God began to say, like, what are you doing? What are you doing with your life now? Didn't change in an instant. But that's where I remember God, just saying, like, what's going on? Who are you? At Did you for a purpose and a plan and you're not listening to me, and I'm not but why like what is going on. So God began to use that even in that moment, on that very first service that I stepped back, and it can happen outside of a service. So anybody listening, don't feel like you have to be in church to, to forgot to speak to you. But that's where...
Kimberly Hobbs And praise God for that friend that just loved you enough to love you to come back to church with her and offer that. And then God did the rest. Right? He did. And in just like urine said, ladies, he can reach us all in different ways. Whatever we're going through, it could be a person that reaches out to you, you might step foot in somewhere and see a sign. And that speaks to you. God's going to get your attention in ways that he will. And you're going to know it. You're going to if you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, he's not going to let you wander far. You're going to know it, and he's going to bring you back to the fold. And he did that with Aaron, praise God for that. And ladies, remember, again, you might be that person or that one that God's going to say he's going to use you in someone else's life to bring them back to him. We don't want to have judging spirits. We want to embrace them with love, just like our father does so beautifully for us. So Aaron, as you got stronger, things became very clear to you and God began and pressing things on your heart. I want to share another scripture because as we know there is power in the Word. And this Scripture has come. Let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us. He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. You learned a lot through those years. Aaron, when you were by yourself and you were in that prison. That's what was he a six one Aeron chair about David coming back into your thoughts how when you started to seek God out again, for your life. God started putting David back into your thoughts and your children. Were asking you pivotal questions at that time that got your attention. focus back on David. Can you bring nose up and share with us?
Erin Jeffreys Yeah. You know, initially, it wasn't David, when I began to really seek out God and get in alignment with his word. I said, I want to be married again, like, I want to have a husband, I want to have a good father for my I have to I had two young daughters at the time. And so that's what I began praying about. I began seeking that out praying for that. And during that time, towards the end of that season, as I was praying, I would receive text messages from David Orr. In reaching out, he was the one honestly in pursuit of me. And I remember oftentimes, like pushing that aside, and then saying, God, I'm praying for a husband like, why is he messaging me wise? I could feel him in pursuit of me. And then God said, it's David. And that's how Oh, no, it can't be like that's, that's over. That's done. There's too much past there's too much history that's not restorable. And at that point, and not bathe, and that could even be possible. But he, David stayed in constant pursuit. And he used him. And then he also use my children. We share this a lot that we don't know. I mean, God can do great things. But they were a pivotal piece and David and mines restoration, they would constantly ask questions like, What is it like to be in a house with with a mom and a dad because they were little like, my no one when we not even one when we separated. And so they didn't know that. And then you know, they would, later on, we would find out notes that they had written of where they had been praying for us to get back together this something that they gave us after things were restored. So God used them. And it also kept me in alignment with with him. He said, If you're going to be the mom that I want you to be, then you've got to do these things, Aaron, whether you're single, or whether you're restore your marriage. And so I didn't, when we began to pursue I still didn't know was God's going to restore. But that in the end, that necessarily didn't matter. It was about my relationship with God pursuing him being where I was the best at that moment. How was created in that moment in that season as a single mom, having the faith that he would restore, but But what if God chose something different? Would I be okay with that I'm really learning to understand, Okay, I'm going to be satisfied and pleased with what God what God's plan is for, for my life. So,
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, wow, wow, you had to really reunite with God again, you had to get that relationship with Him solidified. And then he can do the work and restore what the locusts have stolen. And oh, my goodness, you have this life together now with your husband, Aaron, after so many years, you were divorced for eight years. And God began showing you as a couple now many ways, which the enemy meant for harm, you guys were able to see that and see how God turned it around to restore to restore it. And now you're this power couple. And God restored. Also the shame and guilt because I know Aaron, you are here to sharing with me that you experience extreme shame and guilt when you were first re united with David, can you talk about that shame and guilt? Because I know others could probably really relate to this part.
Erin Jeffreys Yeah. Yeah. You know, you said, God can restore what the locust has eaten. And those were key verses that David and I claimed for our marriage when we got remarried on day one. And if you look at that, that those verses is actually Joel 225 through 32. And it talks about God restoring the years, which we had eight years of when it was taken away. But then it goes into if you read that whole passage, he talks about at the end, how you will be able to eat plenty you will be satisfied and about how your life can be abundant in Christ. And so that we claim those verses Amen. Me an easy road. And, you know, I was the one who stepped out. So for me, I was dealing with a lot more shame and guilt. And my husband was, he said, from day one, God is going to use this we have a ministry like, you know, we got back from our honeymoon. He's like, let's go. And I brought in a lot of shame and a lot of guilt. For so many years, I was able to almost set that aside because I wasn't with the person who I had offended. And so then when we were reunited it just came back full right in front of my face. Like I was with David. I woke up to him every day. And, you know, the devil would say, Look, you know, you did this to him. So, yeah, God restored our marriage. But then God said, Well, if I've restored our marriage, and she, this is reunited, I'm gonna work in the way that I can keep her defeated. And so it was with shame, and guilt. Wow. Yeah. And so it took me probably, I would say, about a year and a half to really, really let that go and let Christ take dominion over that in my life. It was through, you know, prayer scripture, I, I did counseling as well. I worked at it. It wasn't like it just automatically poof went away. God gave me the tools and I applied those tools to my life.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. I have to share this verse. Because this is like so cool. Ladies, if you're listening in and you are feeling that shame and guilt in a situation because of your past sin, Okay, God, God doesn't want you trapped there and that shame and guilt, and Aaron can identify with you because she was waking up to that man, and she felt horrible about what she was doing to him, you know, and also God, so shame and guilt is real. But the Bible says, instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion and instead of disgrace, you will receive your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land and everlasting joy will be yours, Isaiah 61. Seven, how beautiful is that scripture about restoration, God will take away that that shame and that guilt, he's going to give you a double portion for keep looking to him when you're feeling those pings of shame and guilt, because they still come over all of us, they still come over me like God, how did I hurt you so bad in my life? I mean, it makes me want to vomit. You know, when I think about what I did, to God and others, you know, that love to me, but it's like, Oh, my goodness, the through His scriptures, there's healing it, just like I know, you feel that healing to Aaron. So now God's placed both of you, in a way to minister to the world as a beautiful restored couple. The Scripture says, for everyone born of God overcomes the world, that sin that enticed you, you were able to overcome it, because you had the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, Aaron. And then he says, this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. First John five, four. So God gave both of you and David restoration and your faith was restored back in, in the Lord. So how did he bring you back into a new way as a married couple to serve him together again?
Erin Jeffreys Yeah, so like I said, David had a vision from the very beginning. He he knew he's, he is a visionary, I will just say that. And so he sees things. And I said, Well, you know, I was at that time, I was dealing with the shame and the guilt, and Satan was using that. But even during that time, David was praying because he knew God didn't create, bring us back together and go through all that just to, here we are, we're married again. He knew God had a purpose for us. And as a married woman, I thought, you know, the first time I was married, I thought I was just to be a wife. Not that that's a bad thing that has a purpose, we're called to. But we're also an individual, God created us, each woman for a purpose. And so when I let go of that shame and guilt, and knew that Christ accepted me as I was, in that moment, no matter what I had done in my past, I was able to really love David, the way a wife should. And then we began to unite, I was able to let that shame and guilt go and we began to share our story publicly. And God has began to use that so mightily, in ways that I just never even thought thought were possible.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, amen. And now, the two of you have come together as not only you know, physical coaches because you are coaching in in faith fit which Aaron's going to share with you her website, but spiritually as marriage coaches Now God has called you to this position in our world where you are able to help coach and direct other marriages that may be struggling. And God says He works things all together for Are his purpose to those who are called according to His purpose. And you both had a calling on your life, when you were in Bible college, God knew that. And you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Now look at what he's doing, you went through all of that learning, and you are able to pour into others about what you went through what to share, not to do, but what to share restored you and that's so beautiful. And that's God's grace, and his love for each and every one of us. He's gonna give us the tools. And Aaron and her husband are beautiful marriage coaches, and that's the beauty and women world leaders as God has given us. Such beautiful women that could coach and counsel and things that we need here. So we encourage you definitely to utilize some of these women that are powerful in the Word of God. And so Aaron, what advice can you leave with the listeners who may be in a broken relationship, or a broken marriage, or the hurting woman who might be divorced already and think there's no hope for her? What? What advice can you give, I want to share one more verse, Because the Scripture says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. And the old has gone and the new is here. That's Second Corinthians 517. So as this new creation, Erin, speak to the woman that's hurting right now.
Erin Jeffreys So first of all, do not listen to the world, that will be my first piece of advice. If you are hurting, you can get exactly what you need from your unsaved friends from the world from you can get the advice you need to make a decision that you can feel comfortable with in your own self. That's what I did. And that's why one of the reasons why I divorced David, because everyone said that I was listening to this is what people do. This is what the world does. So don't listen to the world get alone with God. What is he telling me to do? What is he telling you to pray for? That's first second, don't lose hope. First Peter, one, three and four says in his great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. So if you're a believer, you have that hope that he's given you. He's created you a new creature, you're going to be in Heaven with Him one day. But what about the hope for your marriage? Are you praying for that hope that restored marriage do you have hope that God can restore that, so pray for that. And then love, like God tells you to love and Colossians 312 And Ephesians 432 Love with a tender heart or forgiving spirit? That's hard to do if you've been hurt or offended. But that only comes from the Spirit of God. Through prayer, reading His word, I, when I was going through those periods of shame and guilt, I would say scripture out loud, letting my ears hear it, letting Satan hear it, claiming those over my life. That that is there's power there. And so many times As believers, we have that initial, you know, we become a believer, we're excited. And then we lose hope and faith in the things that we need for God to restore in our lives specifically, right now we're talking about marriage, but he can, he can do mighty things, and I've seen him do it in my life. So don't and don't listen to the world. Listen to what what what's God telling you to do?
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. And you know, on the other side of this, that was a good word, Aaron, hope and restoration and the power of the Word of God. The other side of it is you know, David, David forgave, he forgave you, you know, that's hard to do. Ladies, when you think about that, you know, she was she had an affair in her relationship. And those of you out there that are listening that can relate to being wounded. From something so devastating as an affair, David forgave and he continued to love her. For all those years that she was wandering in the wilderness, they were already divorced. But he remained faithful and true to the Lord. And he prayed and he just, he continued with what God was calling him to do. And wow, you know, think about that. I don't know what side of the fence you are on ladies that are listening. You could be the wounded one or you could be the one that offended but think about the forgiving heart that it takes to have the restoration. And because we have a forgiving God who forgives us, ladies, we have to forgive as well. It's all about forgiveness. If We can't forgive how do we expect God to forgive us when we mess up? So think about that. And thank God, thank God for this power couple that has been restored through the power of forgiveness. You know God's grace and love the love of others that didn't judge that welcomed Aaron back into the family of God and loved her back into the family of God there. There's so much in this whole podcast ladies of forgiveness, love restoration on all sides, all of us who are listening can learn from this. So thank you, Aaron, you are restored, you have been given grace by God and loved so much by him. And I am so grateful that you took the time to share with our listeners, can you tell them if they want to reach out to you as a marriage coach now with your husband? You're doing coaching all over the United States? Thank the Lord for zoom and, and also some other things with your fitness and how do they reach you?
Erin Jeffreys Yeah, so if you want to reach me, you can go to family fit ministries.com. Or you can find family fit ministries on Facebook, or you can search me out personally, Erin Jeffries on Facebook. So, yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Thank you. Thank you. And so again, we just love having guests on ladies. And we just pray that if you have been touched by this podcast that you will share it that you will tell others about it. Hey, listen in, it's not gonna hurt to listen in, right. So as we close, I just want you to know that these powerful podcasts are available to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We have teaching through the word of God on Wednesdays with one of our teaching leaders, Julie Jenkins. And we also have celebrating God's grace every Friday. And we have different women in the ministry that share their gifts and talents to encourage you into the weekend. And then of course, every Monday we have the interviews that we do with different women from around the world that that God brings in with their stories, and you might have a story. Reach out to us if you do, you can reach out to me personally at Kimberly at women world leaders.com If you feel God prompting you to share your story on these podcasts, because women can relate when they hear other women share about stories. And this is a safe place. And God has given us this ability to speak to the world through these podcasts. So please reach out to us if you feel God prompting you to share your story. We'd love to hear from you. And one other thing I want to share with you is our voice of Truth magazine. Ladies, you can reach this honor. And and through our website anywhere around the world, it's available digitally. And if you're in the United States, it's available free. We just need your name, address and email address and that you can sign up through our website at women world leaders.com. So we would love you to have this amazing tool of voice of Truth magazine. It's beautiful, filled with Scripture and inspiration. And we're sure that this will touch your hearts ladies to amazing heights because it contains the power of the Word of God and that scripture throughout the ladies as we close from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all. Thank you again Aaron Jeffries for joining us and hopefully ladies you'll join us on Wednesday for our teaching podcast have a beautiful and blessed day.
On today’s podcast, host Julie Harwick shares a Christmas allegory called Happy Jenna’s Birthday. As we celebrate this season, let us never overlook the focus of our celebration.
Jesus is always in our midst. If you feel as if you are waiting on Him, look around and realize that He is with you. Perhaps HE is waiting for YOU to recognize His presence. (Luke 17:20-37)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us as we spend some time in God’s Word together.
If you are new to the podcast, welcome! We have three weekly offerings for you. On Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a woman of faith whose story will encourage you to walk in your God-given purpose. On Fridays, we have a team of leaders who host Celebrating God’s Grace. I love our Friday eclectic offerings – as each host shares from her own experience and in her own voice. And today, Wednesdays, we open the Bible together and ask God to show us what He wants us each to learn. And do you know what – He never disappoints us!
We are currently walking through the gospels together, and our study today comes from the book of Luke, chapter 17, verses 20-37.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we offer you ourselves as we open your Word today. Our days are full as the world calls us in so many different directions, but we commit to pause for the next few minutes as we intentionally listen for your voice. Father, I ask you to keep out any distractions that may threaten our time with you. Please drown out the cares of the world with the magnificent sound of your voice. Immerse us in your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As Jesus continues to make his way to Jerusalem, He continues to teach and guide both those who are traveling with Him as well as those He encounters. I’m so glad so many of these teachings were written down for us to study, aren’t you?
There is no doubt that as Luke recalled and wrote these words, He was following the call of the Holy Spirit. One of my favorite verses…and maybe yours, too… is Romans 8:28…And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. That verse has a kaleidoscope of meaning that is so deep and expansive. Regarding THIS topic, I am just amazed that Jesus taught the words we are about to study, Luke wrote them down through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and then they were preserved and protected and translated through God’s power and provision until they ended up here, today, in our hands and in our minds to study in reference to SOMETHING that is happening in your life today…something I am NOT EVEN AWARE OF as I speak. God does indeed work ALL things together for the good of those who love Him. Is that not the most miraculous things ever??
God loves YOU THAT much!
Well…if He went to ALL that trouble, you’d better believe we ought to give Him our focus as we read His Word! Let’s begin in Luke 17:20 from the New Living Translation
20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?”
Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs.[a] 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.[b]”
Notice that this topic is initiated by a question from the Pharisees. The Jewish people had been priming themselves for a huge, dramatic event that would change the world. As a people, they had served God for a long time, and they had seen and heard stories of fire brought down from heaven, seas splitting, walls falling, and even a cloud and a pillar of fire that went ahead of the Israelites leading them through the desert to the Promised Land. And following suit, they expected the Kingdom of God to be ushered in a spectacular display, freeing them from the tyranny of earthly government and the shackles of humanity. Jesus had preached about the kingdom of God, so the Pharisees, unashamedly and perhaps even backhandedly, asked…Ok…when is this all going to go down?
And because they didn’t believe that Jesus was who He said He was…the Son of the Living God…they likely scoffed at Jesus’ answer…The Kingdom of God is already among you.
How often do we ask for a sign FROM God when what we really need to do is stand in God’s presence?
This is something I have grown in, but am still guilty of. And while it’s not wrong to ask God to reveal Himself to you… the fact of the matter is, God is all around you at all times. If you don’t see Him, in the words of my pastor, that’s a you-problem.
Jesus had been born into the world, ushering in a new era – offering the most astounding change the world had ever seen and WILL ever see until we all witness His second coming. Jesus brought God’s presence to earth to live continually. He was about to die for the sins of humanity, presenting a way for each of us to live with God for eternity. The Kingdom of God HAD arrived. And yet, because it didn’t look as the Pharisees expected, they strummed their fingers and looked at Jesus and said…We’re waiting…
How often do you and I call out to God in distress, wondering why He isn’t answering when, in fact, He IS answering, but His answer doesn’t look like WE want it to?
Faith is not just believing IN God, but it is believing God. It is believing that He is working for our good ALL – THE – TIME! It is responding to Him right where we are, doing exactly as the Holy Spirit instructs us, despite what we feel or the answers we think we want.
The Pharisees had the answer to their own question standing right in front of them, but they refused to see it—to see HIM. So Jesus answered them shortly and succinctly, and then He turned and spoke to those who DID see Him and appreciated Him for who He was – His disciples. Jesus explained to them on a deeper level, saying that although He was there in their presence at that moment, things were about to change. They, by faith, accepted the basic elementary truth of Jesus’ identity, and now, they were ready for the more profound teaching of what was to come.
Verse 22…
22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns,[c] but you won’t see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘Look, there is the Son of Man,’ or ‘Here he is,’ but don’t go out and follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day[d] when the Son of Man comes.
Jesus doesn’t ever hold back information that we NEED to know. If you are a Christ-follower, you can trust that when you listen to Him intently and follow His call, you WILL be prepared, with His strength, to face anything that comes at you.
Jesus told His disciples they WOULD be waiting for His return one day. And He also told them, and us, that when He does come, we won’t miss it. Nobody will miss it. You will NEVER have to take someone else’s word that Jesus has returned – you WILL know.
Jesus offers an interlude to prepare the disciples for the events in their near future…verse 25…
25 But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly[e] and be rejected by this generation.
And then He resumes His teaching about His return…
26 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Each time I read Scripture, I ask God to show me with new eyes what He wants me to know, and as I read this today, I saw a broken-hearted Jesus.
We hear the story of Noah and tend to think about those who were saved—Noah and his family and the animals – and that is glorious. But what about the thousands upon thousands who were destroyed by the deluge of rain that overtook their homes and their land? Water is so powerful and can be so scary – you know if you’ve ever spent time on or near the sea during a storm. I can’t imagine the cries and screams and devastation of those who were NOT on the boat with Noah. I think we protect our minds from those thoughts because they are so gruesome.
And think about the destruction of Sodom…with fire and sulphur flying out of the sky burning everything down to nothing. The stench must have been suffocating, the heat excruciating, the screams deafening, and the pain tortuous.
These are NOT fun scenes to think of, yet they pale in comparison to what will happen in the end days. Alongside the glory of Jesus’ return will be devastation, destruction, and death. These thoughts must have torn Jesus’ heart in two even as He said these words.
To bring urgency, Jesus stressed that at the moment of separation and destruction, it will be too late for anyone to turn to Him for mercy and salvation. It will be too late for anyone to recognize that He was in the midst all along. Jesus continues as recorded in Luke 17:31…
31 On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. 32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. 34 That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.[f]”
The disciples, listening, wanted to be further prepared, and asked…
37 “Where will this happen, Lord?”…
Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”
In other words, we won’t know until we know. But when it happens, we will undoubtedly know, just as we can be assured there is a dead carcass nearby when we see vultures circling.
How gracious God is NOT to give us a date for the end times. Can you even begin to imagine the stress if we knew it was tomorrow? We would all have heart attacks and be completely incapacitated.
We can ALWAYS trust that when we follow God, He will give us ALL the information we need, even as He protects us from what He knows would be too much for us.
Our job is recognize that Jesus IS in our midst, every moment of every day. And our job is to respond to Him in faith—because He IS in full control. We NEVER have to wait on God; in fact, He is waiting patiently for so many of US to acknowledge who He is and respond in obedience to Him. When we do, we can be assured that He will tell us what we need to know, show us where we need to go, and work all things together for our good.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we say yes to you. We acknowledge and appreciate your presence as we praise you. We trust everything you say. We wholeheartedly agree to act in response to your voice. Father, forgive us for the times we’ve looked for you and claimed we couldn’t find you. Thank you for your mercy when we don’t respond in obedience. Hold us accountable even as you hold us by your side. For all eternity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Special guest speaker Daniele Kathryn Hage, founder of "Dynamic Traits" Orange County, CA Summit, shares about the importance of our personality and character as a woman of God and relationships between men and women. Join us for this fun interview. Please "like" and share these podcasts from Women World Leaders!
What is the true spirit behind Thanksgiving? We see this clearly in Christ Jesus as the First Pioneer of the faith, to bring many sons and daughters to God.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title: Thanksgiving Eternal
In seeking God on what to share today, He continually put on my heart to read the blog He had me write Thanksgiving Day of 2010. I pray this blesses you with the true spirit behind Thanksgiving.
9 “But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person. 10For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering. 11For both He Who sanctifies [making men holy] and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren;” Hebrews 2:9-11 AMPC
I woke up this morning, late of course, because we drove around 13-14 hours to get to my in-laws for Thanksgiving in Virginia. Having stayed up late to fellowship and talk with my father and mother-in-law I went to bed exhausted and ready for a full rest. I woke up this morning recouping from the long drive yesterday and the long day and night. Grabbing a cup of coffee, greeting my husband and son with a Thanksgiving Day salutation, I then dove into The Word to eat my first Thanksgiving Meal!!! Jesus!!!!
Holy Spirit led me to Hebrews, and I simply started with Chapter 1 of the book of Hebrews and continued to devour and sink into the rest of the book, compelled to throw myself at the feet of My Lover, the One who is altogether beautiful and worthy of my devotion, Jesus!! As I read Hebrews beginning with the establishment of the person of Jesus, and the sacrifice He came to make for man in order to bring forth God’s new covenant of redemption and cleansing of sin once and for all I could not help but to consider Thanksgiving and what the meaning of this Holiday entails.
Thanksgiving has been a season for me to fellowship with people I love and enjoy a time of gathering from long distances in order to bring about a sweet fellowship where we share joys, trials, overcoming victories, hopes, dreams and God’s work in our lives. It is a time to commune with our family and friends to edify and encourage each other, all the while thinking that it would be so nice if we had these meetings more often. However, due to the great distance (13- 14 hours drive) between us, work, meetings, schedules and commitments coming together like that is not as frequent. This year we have been blessed to visit my husband’s family four times. In digesting all of these elements during the Thanksgiving Holiday and during my bible study this morning I felt as if I was sitting inside of the book of Hebrews, if that were possible.
While reading scripture after scripture and seeing the beautiful transition of God closing out the old covenant only to bring in His New and Better Covenant with man, all I could see was the first Pioneer, who went before us to a heavenly Kingdom, one that we reach as a result of Christ. And I could identify with the Thanksgiving we celebrate here in America and the one that we continually celebrate daily in our hearts and spirits for our heavenly home, our glorious home, where eternity has been placed in our heart.
While thinking upon this I realize that through Jesus’ sacrifice each and every person has the opportunity to follow Him into the New Land, the Heavenly Kingdom, where Jesus and God are the Light, they are the Temple! Seeing Jesus, being our High Priest, making intercession for us and entering the Most Holy place in heaven to offer His own blood as atonement for our sins I realize how that is truly Thanks Giving Eternal!!! Jesus only had to enter one time into the Most Holy place to atone for sins!!! Then He sat down at the right hand of the Father until His enemies are made His footstool. I stand amazed and overwhelmed at the simplicity of God’s Gospel, yet the depth to which it flows!!! It is Christ giving up everything!!! Giving up His throne even for a little while to be made even lower than the angels when He stepped upon this earth to carry out His duties, His oath to the Father!! It was God Himself, coming through Christ, to bring us forth into our land, our home, where we would be with God eternally!!! The simplicity of God’s Love that rings throughout the obedience of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice for mankind is easy to see. It is LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God’s love that could not be without us, unconnected to His glorious jewels, His treasures that bring Him such satisfaction and pleasure!
I’m reminded of the image the Holy Spirit gave me years ago regarding my own son, Matthew. I have two sons, Christopher and Matthew Kirby. During the time God gave me the image; Matthew was still young, only six years old. He still depended a lot on me to help him with daily activities, such as preparing his meals, putting bandages on injuries, supplying much love and support, etc. Then God asked me “how would you feel, if all of a sudden Matthew could not see you or hear you?” Moreover, I would have to watch Matthew go through the torture of looking for me only to never find me and not ever being able to hold him and assure him of my love, a mother’s love. I thought about the idea and pictured such an occurrence. It was frightful and disconcerting if not even tormenting to see the reality of such a thing. I responded to God, that I couldn’t live like that because it would be utterly too painful to go through and watch. God showed me how it was no different for Him. God completely loves us and desires to be there to provide for us every step of the way. He desires to wrap His loving arms around us and bring us to Himself! Moreover, He longs for us to live with Him eternally!
The image is such a picture of God’s love, His divine devotion and longing to have His children right there with Him! As I see this in the picture of Jesus, who shows us the Father’s face, I see how the utter abandonment of His place in glory to come into earth as an infant, so dependent on care, completely helpless at a young age, having to be fed and clothed by Mary was a demonstration of the complete trust God has in His love in us, too! The Father could not be without us; neither could Jesus or Holy Spirit because from the beginning, man was made in the Image of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)! He made us in His image and to be without us, He would be grieved, too. Jesus, coming forth, in complete obedience to complete His Father’s will brought us back into communion with the Father. The obedience of Christ unto salvation brought us into our land, into our position, into our home!! Jesus was the first Pioneer!!!!
JESUS WAS THE FIRST PIONEER!!! THE PIONEER OF OUR SALVATION!!!! BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY!!!!! FOR THAT I HAVE THANKSGIVING ETERNAL!!! GIVING THANKS CONTINUALLY TO CHRIST JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH!!!!!
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
This Thanksgiving, may we give God all the thanks and praise, even as we sit in His lap and let His goodness and mercy cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us for this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, when we take a few minutes to open the Bible together and ask God what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I’d encourage you to visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com, and check out our offerings. One thing I want to highlight for you today is the opportunity we offer to share your God-story with the world. Have you ever really looked at a diamond? I can get mesmerized by the cut of a diamond, examining the beauty from every angle. The vast intricacies of God go far beyond those of a well-cut diamond. The way He works in each of our lives is astounding and offers us countless views of His glory, grace, mercy, and love. THAT is what I love about the books published by Women World Leaders! When we hear how God has worked in another person’s life, we can see yet another view of our miraculously intricate Father. Likewise, when we each reflect on what God has done for us, we begin to understand Him with a deeper appreciation. THAT is what our books are about! But it isn’t just about reading other people’s stories—although that is a blessing and can I just say, our books make great Christmas gifts—but God has a miracle to show you as you share YOUR story. Because what He has done in YOUR life is miraculous, and it can help someone else. If God is nudging you to share your story, please get in touch with us! You will hear in today’s teaching that sometimes we have to respond in faith before we can even visualize the outcome. So take a chance, email us at info@womenworldleaders.com and we will share how we can help you write your story. No pressure, no strings, and no obligations.
Well, let’s get to the teaching, shall we? We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. If you’ve been listening regularly, you know that we just finished up our study of the Sermon on the Mount. Today, we are going to fast forward to Luke, chapter 17, verses 11-19, where we will continue learning directly from Jesus' teaching.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy and Precious God. We come to you today with our minds and hearts open, ready to hear your voice. We ask that you quiet us down. Release us from the cares of the day. Give us peace that the world can spin without us for a few moments while we sit and focus on you. God, hold our hands as we go through the section of scripture you have ordained for us to study today. We trust that you will show us what you want us to know. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
As we catch up with Jesus in Luke chapter 17, we find him walking along the border between Galilee and Samaria. Allow me to begin with verse 11 from the New Living Translation…
11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
We don’t know much about these ten men, except that they were together, and they were each infected with an illness – perhaps psoriasis, lupus, ringworm — we don’t know their exact ailments, but we do know they each had a skin disease that required them to be ostracized from society. They were banned from being with others. On first meeting, we don’t know even know where these ten men were banished from – whether Galilee or Samaria… remember, Jesus was on the border.
Allow me a sidebar…An amazing part of this story to me is that these men with, we find out, different backgrounds, had banded together. Although the Galileans and the Samaritans severely disliked each other, these men had formed a group. An alliance. Maybe even a friendship.
Isn’t it amazing how an open heart, in this case brought about by a horrible circumstance, can erase the differences between us?
It is so easy for us as humans to ostracize and even judge others who are not like us. The Galileans had nothing on us. How often have we gone out of our way to avoid certain areas of town? What about the judgments we hold because someone is not a native of our country?
World Publishing and Productions just published a beautiful book called Heartbeat of a Survivor by Nita Tin. When she and her husband fled her politically distraught country 50 years ago and ended up in the United States, despite the fact that her husband was a gifted doctor, he experienced severe discrimination within his own field simply because of his background. He had, after all, not grown up in nor been educated in the United States. Eventually, through his hard work, dedication, and the open heart of another professional, Dr. Pe Tin was accepted into the medical profession in the US and made amazing contributions.
There is no end to the work God can do when we open our hearts to others.
Okay…side bar over…
Apparently, the ten ill men had, together, somehow found faith that this man walking down the roadside could do something to help them, to heal them. Someone must have told them that if they would cry out to Jesus, He could help them. Now that’s a message I hope we are all comfortable sharing, for when we cry out to Jesus, He will never let us down…verse 14…
14 (Jesus) looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”[a] And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
I love the way this is written! Jesus told the men to go and show themselves to the priests, which they were only to do AFTER they were healed. I can’t imagine it was good to bother the priests without cause, so before these men even witnessed their own healing, it is clear that they BELIEVED they would actually BE healed. And the verse says…AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed.
How often do you and I hear a word from God and act in faith BEFORE we see the outcome? Where is God calling YOU to go, perhaps even before you feel equipped or ready? When God gives instructions, He honors our obedience to Him.
Verse 15 continues…
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Wow! Are you more astounded that the Samaritan, who was NOT one of God’s chosen ones, returned in praise and thanksgiving? Or that only ONE of the ten came back to say thank you?
What were the other nine thinking??
I guess I can imagine…they hadn’t seen or touched their loved ones in a long time, maybe they were rushing to see them. Maybe they had work they had neglected and wanted to see if they could salvage their earnings? Or maybe they were just celebrating with a good meal or looking forward to sleeping under a solid roof?
We don’t know. But I take this as a cautionary tale – how many times has God gifted me with the unimaginable and I’ve turned away from Him as I appreciated the gift instead of the Giver?
Jesus asked the Samaritan the same questions…
17 …“Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.[b]”
The Samaritan wanted to thank and know Jesus. He fell at Jesus’ feet, praising God. He wanted a personal relationship with the man who had given him his life back.
As I write this, it is Thanksgiving week here in the United States. And if I’m being honest, I started the week feeling a bit sorry for myself instead of focusing on giving thanks and praise to God for the many, many gifts and blessings He has given me. Sometimes, I tend to focus on what I have or don’t have and miss the fact that I have EVERYTHING because I have Jesus. My earthly life, and your earthly life, is a blip on the timeline of eternity. And yet, when we have faith and call out to Jesus, we are promised more than we can possibly imagine far beyond that blip – forever into eternity, in fact.
The ten men were healed. But, as healings go, I’m sure they each eventually encountered another sickness or problem or issue. What do you think happened to the nine who didn’t return to Jesus? Who did they turn to and trust? Jesus had healed them, confirming that He was God. Yet they dissed Jesus, going their merry way. And the result is that they had to deal with eternity alone.
But the one Samaritan who returned to Jesus? Who took his hardship and blessing and turned it into a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus? That man gained the Savior. He forever was guaranteed a true reason to praise and worship for eternity. I want to be like THAT man!
As we close today, I want to read Psalm 103 from the Passion Translation. As I read…will you praise God with me, giving Him just a bit of the praise He deserves?
With my whole heart, with my whole life,
and with my innermost being,
I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God!
Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration.
How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness
you’ve done for me?
You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done.
You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease.
You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life.
You’ve crowned me with love and mercy.
You satisfy my every desire with good things.
You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again
like a flying eagle in the sky!
You’re a God who makes things right,
giving justice to the defenseless.
You unveiled to Moses your plans
and showed Israel’s sons what you could do.
Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted
and so patient with people who fail you!
Your love is like a flooding river
overflowing its banks with kindness.
You don’t look at us only to find our faults,
just so that you can hold a grudge against us.
You may discipline us for our many sins,
but never as much as we really deserve.
Nor do you get even with us for what we’ve done.
Higher than the highest heavens—
that’s how high your tender mercy extends!
Greater than the grandeur of heaven above
is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all
who fear you and bow down before you!
Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset—
that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us.
The same way a loving father feels toward his children—
that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us,
your beloved children, who live in awe of you.
You know all about us, inside and out.
You are mindful that we’re made from dust.
Our days are so few, and our momentary beauty
so swiftly fades away!
Then all of a sudden we’re gone,
like grass clippings blown away in a gust of wind,
taken away to our appointment with death,
leaving nothing to show that we were here.
But Lord, your endless love stretches
from one eternity to the other,
unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you
and those who bow facedown in awe before you.
Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made
passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond.
You are faithful to all those who follow your ways
and keep your word.
Yahweh has established his throne in heaven;
his kingdom rules the entire universe.
So bless the Lord, all his messengers of power,
for you are his mighty heroes who listen intently
to the voice of his word to do it.
Bless and praise the Lord, you mighty warriors,
ministers who serve him well and fulfill his desires.
I will bless and praise the Lord with my whole heart!
Let all his works throughout the earth,
wherever his dominion stretches—
let everything bless the Lord!
Heavenly Father – we love you, and we thank you for the best gift ever—the gift af salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank you for healing us, now and for eternity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Human Trafficking is heartbreaking. God condemns it. Today's guest, Sandy Yozipovic, is on the front lines fighting this war. You are invited to listen and pray about what more could be done by being an active voice, helping in the rescue and recovery of millions of victims.
In this podcast, Tawana Lowery shares another empowering excerpt from her upcoming book and provides insightful teaching on “How to Get out of the No Way.”
She reveals what No Way thinking looks like and how to exchange it for a victorious Yes Way mind that God desires for his daughters.
Hello… and Welcome to Women World Leaders Podcast
I’m your Host… Tawana Lowery
· Women’s Empowerment Coach
· And Executive Director of Miss Overcomer Global
And I’m so excited you joined today…
· As we explore what the Father wants us to know about himself
· and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors…
Let’s get started. 😊
-
A few days ago, I was praying about a difficult situation and the complicated dynamics at play.
-
Although my conscious mind was asking God for wisdom and guidance…
· My subconscious mind was thinking, “there’s no way this is ever going to change!”
· I believe that’s called Double mindedness… 😊
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But… thankfully… God chose to reply to my subconscious mind (where my true feelings were hiding).
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And… because he loves me too much to let me remain stuck in double mindedness…
· He spoke to the secret place where doubt and unbelief were wrestling for control.
- From his Throne of Mercy… he basically checked me!
· He called me out (so to speak) by reminding me of the words from Psalm 14:1 that reads,
“The fool has said in (her) heart, there is no God.”
- But that is not what I heard God say….
· Rather he replied,
“The fool has said in (her) heart… there is No Way!”
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I thought… WHAT- On- Earth! Did God just bop me in the nose
-
Well obviously, he got my attention with that nose bob!!
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And as he continued speaking to my heart, I realized the BIG truth behind His Big message.
· You see…. each time I said in my heart “there is no way,”
· I was declaring, “there is no God.”
· I was saying, “There is No God big enough to change it or heal it or retore.
· I was saying, “There is No God big enough to provide for me.
· There is No God that’s gone ahead of me. No God that has my back.
· There’s No God intervening on my behalf!
- The truth be told… I was factoring the power and love of God completely out of the equation.
· My thoughts and expectations were misaligned with his Kingdom.
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Needless to say, repentance came quickly after that revelation.
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I asked God to forgive my “No Way” foolish thoughts and replace them with his “Yes Way.”
· Or the YEShua way!
- I asked for a greater ability to see the situation securely in his hands with the solution already complete… with an outcome greater than anything I could dream or imagine!
· Hello Ephesians, 3:20
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You know… I think we can observe this same “No Way” mindset throughout the Scriptures.
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One example that comes to mind is found in Mark 16…
· It’s the story of Mary of Magdala and the mother of Yeshua on their way to the tomb of Jesus.
· The Bibles says they were walking towards the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body.
· Verse 3 gives insight about their thinking with regards to the “presumed impossible” that awaited them.
· Verse 3 shares that, “they said among themselves, Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?
· In other words, their subconscious mind was the same as mine…
“there is NO WAY we can move this obstacle. It’s just too much for us to handle.
· Thankfully, Verse 4 provides a great lesson for us…
· It reads, “But when they Looked Up, they saw the stone had been rolled away.”
- I believe this passage is so insightful and provides a template we can follow.
· When we’re trapped in a “No Way” mindset…we are looking down.
· We’re focused on the Bigness of the obstacle rather than the Greatness of God.
· That’s exactly what these 2 women were doing.
· When they Looked Up… they saw the Yes Way!
· They saw the obstacle had already been taken care of.
o The Stone was already Rolled Away while they were On the Way… living in their No Way!
- Okay.. Let’s look at another example ins found in Matthew 14.
You know it well! 😊
· It’s the story of Jesus feeding the multitude.
· When he instructed the disciples to feed the crowd, they responded from the natural realm and said…
o There’s NO WAY we can make this happen.
· But when they look unto Jesus and he Looked Up to heaven… The Problem was already solved.
· They put their “No Way” into the Hands of the “Yes Way,”
· Into the hands of the “YESHUA Way!
- Okay… Let’s look at one final example found in 2 Kings, chapter 6.
· We’ll begin in Verse 11.
· In summary… the King of Aram was upset that he continued to be out witted by the King of Israel because of Elisha’s guidance.
· Out of his enraged wounded ego, he dispatched a mighty army to surround the city where Elisha and his servant were staying.
· When the servant awoke the next morning, he had a full-blown panic attack after seeing the mighty chariots that surrounded them.
· In his heart he was thinking… There’s NO WAY we can get out of this crisis!
· But Elisha responded, “Don’t be afraid.” Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
· Elisha already saw the “Yes Way” because he had a “Yes Way” mind.
· And prayed for the Lord to open the eyes of his servant so he could see it as well!
· Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked again and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around.
· In other words, the divine solution was firmly in place before the problem arose.
- There’s an important lesson in this story also…
· We need to have “Yes Way” people in our circle.
· I’m not referring to a robotic “Name it and Claim it” crowd. Much of that is born from fear and unbelief.
· I’m talking about people who have a firm history with the miracle working power of God and enjoy helping others stand strong in it!
· That’s who Elisha was to his servant.
· And that is the reason the servant was able to release his “No Way” thinking!
- So… I have a couple of questions for you:
· What “No Way” statements are you making concerning a particular challenge?
· Where have you subconsciously eliminated God’s power and love from the equation?
- There’s no judgment here at all! This is a common trick of the enemy.
· However…. It’s imperative that we confess our unbelief in God’s love and grace so that we can receive truth and revelation…
· AND… so that we have the courage to move forward in faith.
- Maybe your “No Way” statements are related to…
· Your Career or Education pursuits
· Maybe it’s regarding your Marriage
· Or a close relationship.
· Possibly you’re No Way thoughts are related to your finances
· Or a personal challenge.
· Maybe… God is calling you into a new opportunity that is outside your comfort zone or financial means!
- Whatever it’s called… we must see it from heavens perspective.
· We must cease from agreeing with the “No Way” subconscious thinking… Because we are saying what Psalm 14:1 says.
· And we Do Not want to engage in Foolish Thinking!
· Instead… we want to exchange it for the Mind of Christ…
· We want the Yes Way mind… The Yeshua Way mind.
- I believe there’s no better time than this present moment!
So let’s jump in with a few simple steps!
· First – Let’s confess our No Way thinking to God.
· And… BTW… there’s No Way it’s going to surprise him.
· Next… if you’re comfortable with it… Just repeat after me.
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for all the places where I am operating with a No Way attitude in my heart. Forgive me for my “No Way” subconscious thinking.
I now realize that I am basically proclaiming there is “No God.”
Lord, forgive me. I didn’t know what I was doing.
Thank you that you Never Condemn me. In fact… your love is always available to redeem and restore my heart and mind and thoughts!Lord, I cast this No Way thinking on the cross of Jesus to be crucified and made completely dead. And I bring to the cross any unbelief that was created by earthly experiences.
Resurrect me Lord, with a new heart and mind in this area…
Empower me by your Spirit to walk in the Yes Way…. In the Yeshua Way.
Show me what the Yes Way looks like to you.
Thank you for the assurance of your love and mercy to guide me each step of the way.
In the name above all names… Yeshua the King!
Amen.
All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders
and cannot be used without express written consent.
Jesus implores you to seek a relationship with Him. He is our strong foundation and offers the best ending to our story! Enjoy our study of Matthew 7:21-29 and Luke 6:46-49 and 13:23-30 as you come to know Him and His heart for you in a more profound way.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I'm honored to be your host. Our mission at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. We do that by encouraging and inspiring you with stories from women of faith who have triumphed through suffering and have courageously walked where God has called them by giving you an outlet to use your gifts from writing to fundraising and anywhere in between, all for God's glory alone. And, of course, by studying the Bible together, and receiving empowerment from the ultimate source of power, God Himself.
On this, our Wednesday podcast, we take a moment to sit back and hear from God and soak in all that He wants us to learn. We are currently studying the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—hanging on every word and action of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He walked on this earth.
Before we begin, let me pray for us.
Dear Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit and most precious Jesus, we come to you today in awe of who you are, and in thanksgiving, for all the teaching you continually share with us. We so want to know you, and we want to please you. Please guide this teaching may be pleasing to your ears, open our hearts that we may be willing to hear exactly what you want us to know. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
Well, today we are finishing up our study of the Sermon on the Mount. And while everything that Jesus says and does is important, today's teaching is the key to it all. It's all about knowing Jesus. Jesus wants to have a relationship with you.
Relationships are difficult. No matter how you slice them. We have to learn how to give, how to accept that which someone else gives us, we have to listen, and we have to talk. Depending on your personality, one of those might be more difficult than the other. We have to offer grace and forgiveness and care and wisdom.
But relationships can be fun, too. It's easy and tempting to put a guard around our hearts when we've been hurt to keep the pain out. But the problem is, when we work to keep the pain out. We often keep the joy out, too.
The Israelites depended on God, but at times, they turned away from God in pain caused by their own sin. To ease that pain, they tried to control their relationship with God, putting up walls and making extenuating rules by which to guard their hearts and still be honoring to God, at least in their own eyes. In today's wrap-up of the Sermon on the Mount, however, we hear Jesus asking us to take those walls of protection down and to seek to truly know Him. He has so much more for us than rules and guardrails. He has the blessings and joy of an intimate relationship with Him that He is longing to shower on us.
In his teaching so far, Jesus taught the Beatitudes that God blesses in a highly unexpected fashion, giving the most to those who hunger and thirst to know him. He taught that we as Christ followers are the light of the world and that He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. We've learned that, in God's eyes, the attitude of our hearts is just as important as our actions. And that God wants us to love our enemies and even pray for them. We've learned that we can be generous because God will will always provide for us. And we must not judge others. But instead, be discerning as we go to God in prayer seeking His wisdom.
And now Jesus underscores it all by teaching that a relationship with Him is the key, the foundation of all that we have been taught, and who God made us to be.
Today's scripture is from Matthew chapter seven, verses 21 through 29. And from Luke chapter six, verses 46 through 49, and chapter 13, verses 23 through 30. Let's read from the New Living Translation beginning in Matthew 21.
Not everyone who calls out to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On Judgment Day Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.
Jesus is prophesying here, telling his listeners what will be. Remember, God is sovereign and in control, so what he says will come to pass. Think of it as a movie trailer. We don't know or understand the whole story. But throughout the Bible, we get bits and pieces of that coming judgment day. The prophet Joel had already given some detail about what he calls the day of the Lord and Joel chapter two. Jesus listeners would have been very familiar with this picture that Joel painted of the earth and ruins as the Lord our God who is gracious and compassionate and abounding in love thunders at the head of his army. Despite the destruction, Joel wrote that on that day, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But if Joel's telling is like the short movie trailer that gets you hooked and leaves you with questions. Then Jesus' words add to the intrigue as he expands on Joel’s movie trailer with his own revelations, saying that not everyone who calls out Lord Lord will enter the kingdom instead, some will hear Jesus reply, I never knew you.
The plot thickens.
Jesus’ followers are learning for perhaps the first time that their eternal destination depends not on what they do, but on who they know. They must know Jesus, and Jesus must know them. They have to take those walls of protection that they have built up around their hearts and destroy them. Allowing Jesus in.
Luke presents his version of the movie trailer as he writes, beginning in Luke 13:23. Someone asked him Lord will only a few be saved. He replied, work hard to enter the narrow door to God's kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door. It will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading Lord opened the door for us. But he will reply, I don't know you are where you come from. Then you will say but we ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets. And he will reply, I tell you, I don't know you or where you come from? Get away from me, all you who do evil.
The people must have been sitting on the edge of their seats by now as they listened to Jesus' words. Could it be possible that even when we think we know Jesus, He doesn't know us? And if those who don't know him can't get in the door, where does that leave them?
Luke's movie trailer continues as the camera pans out backing away from the locked door, showing us what is on the outside.
Luke 13:28
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God. But you will be thrown out and people will come from all over the world from east and west and north and south to take their places in the kingdom of God. And note this, some who seemed the least important now will be the greatest then and some who are the greatest now will be the least important.
Imagine the chaos and confusion. Have you ever been left out of a gathering? It’s painful. But this pain? We can't even imagine what it will feel like to be left behind weeping and gnashing our teeth. Knowing that we are too late
And the scene cuts. The dark screen becomes filled with light as the beautiful music swells and the viewer's body relaxes.
Luke transitions and chapter six verse 37. As Jesus says, I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
Picking back up in Matthew 7:24. Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters raised and the wind beats against that house. It won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Luke says it stands firm because it is well built.
Despite the light and the beautiful black background music and the firm foundation for those who know Jesus, there will be wind and rain and floodwaters. But with Jesus as our bedrock, we will be able to withstand any storm that comes our way. Even the storms of destruction that may take away the people or the things we love. Even those deep floodwaters and the strong winds that come in those last days will not touch the children of God.
But Matthew records, Anyone who hears my teaching, and doesn't obey it is foolish. Like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rain and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.
Luke says into a heap of ruins.
Have you ever read one of those choose-your-own-ending books. Those were my favorite. When I was a kid, you get to the end of a page and be given a choice did she go through the red door or the blue door. If you choose the red door, you'd be instructed to turn to a certain page and if you choose the blue door, you'd be instructed to read a different page and the story would continue.
Well, in the film of your life, you get to choose the ending. But there are only two options. You can choose to keep those walls up and go it alone. Or you can choose to have a relationship with Jesus.
Choosing to keep those walls up around our heart, keeping Jesus out going it alone, and trying to earn our own salvation means that the path will get more and more difficult. Darkness and sin will envelop you until there is no light remaining. Fear and worry and pain will take over as the door is locked behind you, indicating the opportunity to turn back is no longer available.
Or we can choose to follow Jesus to intentionally dismantle our walls and let Him into our hearts. Asking His forgiveness and doing our best to follow him in obedience with each and every step we take.
This decision involves choosing a relationship with Jesus. And like any relationship on our end anyway, it will probably be messy. We will not be perfect. We will sin, and we will stray, we will hurt, and we will cause pain. But God is perfect. And he will always walk with us and guide us. Once we make that decision to go to Him and we have our full hearts open to him and to knowing Him, that same door will be shut behind us, and there will be no going back to where there is gnashing of teeth.
The path will continue to get more and more beautiful as we walk away from sin until on that final day, there will be no more sun. God will bottle our tears, whisking them away from us. The music will swell, and joy will fill every cell of our bodies.
Matthew finishes. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, for he taught with real authority, quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
Jesus is unlike any teachers of religious law because Well, Jesus is unlike anything, or anyone else we've ever known or ever will know.
There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to describe the wonder of Jesus. He's sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He's perfect love, joy and peace. And you can have all of that in your life or not. The movie is yours. You are the director.
Choose well.
Dear most holy God. If there's any person listening today who doesn't know you and wants to know you, I pray that you enter her heart today. At this moment, give her words to confess, confess her sin to you and give her guidance and an undeniable urge to walk in obedience to your call on her life. God, thank you for giving us the opportunity to share eternity with You. And to begin that eternity, that eternity now by having a relationship with you, that will never end as you lock the door behind us.
Thank you for sending your son to make a way for us and to guide us into your loving arms. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
If you have any questions, we want to be there for you. And if you have just given your life to Christ, we would love to celebrate with you and walk with you on your journey. So please reach out to us at info@womenworldleaders.com. God bless you. See you next week.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express writt
Life is certainly hectic these days, and busy times with "self-focused attitudes" are ever-encompassing in the lives of numerous people. Michelle Hiatt, known as the "Nourishing Mompreneuer" believes the most important work you'll ever do is within the walls of your home. Today, Michelle shares about the "Joy of Surrender" and how to bring joy into your life, your home, and your heart.
Who among us hasn’t dreamed of the perfect holiday with the perfect husband and perfect children? Sometimes, our unrealistic expectations can cause us to miss the joy we could have in experiences that are not perfect, but wonderful in spite of their imperfections.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
I recently finished watching all nine seasons of a sitcom called “The Middle.” Yes, I was late to the party. It ran from 2009 to 2018, but it ranks high on my list of favorite shows because I found myself identifying with the mom constantly. It tells the story of a very average, middle-class family of five living in the middle of the US in Indiana. There’s a mouthy, sarcastic teenage son, a hopelessly optimistic daughter two years younger and another son who’s brilliant but has a lot of social issues like repeating certain words or phrases in a stage whisper. Dad is the strong, silent type who loves his family, but is happiest sitting in front of the tv watching basketball. The mom, Frankie, desperately wants the best for her family, but she struggles with disorganization and a tendency to be a little lazy. She also finds herself constantly comparing her own family to the Donahues who live across the street and seem just about perfect. I see myself in her especially in the Christmas episodes. Once the oldest son, Axl, goes away to college, Frankie pins a lot of importance on what the family will do when he comes home for Christmas break. She envisions the whole family picking out the ideal Christmas tree, taking it home and decorating it together. They’ll bake cookies together and drink hot cocoa while they cuddle up on the couch to watch “White Christmas.” What actually happens is that Axl walks through the door, throws his dirty laundry on a chair and immediately heads out to hang out with friends. She winds up having to negotiate with him to get him to participate in at least a few of her plans. The Christmas tree they select makes the daughter, Sue, violently allergic and has to be taken to the curb and replaced by a tall houseplant with a string of lights on it. When Frankie finally manages to force her family to gather and watch her movie, they discover that the discount dvd she purchased has been dubbed in German. On another Christmas, she’s thrilled to have a solo in the choir’s Christmas Eve production, but the family falls asleep on the couch before the service and doesn’t make it to church until her final few notes. Even when she tries to be flexible, something always goes wrong. The year she tried to make sure the family got to church early enough to get good seats at the Christmas Eve service, she lost track of time and discovered it was two hours later than she thought. Rather than stress out over frantically trying to fight the crowds, she decides they can watch a service on TV. But during a commercial break, Sue downloads a photo to the family computer and discovers that somehow, every family photo taken in the last seven years has vanished. And it’s not just Christmases. Frankie has high hopes for Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day too, but she always ends up being disappointed whether it’s by a fire at the restaurant where they’re eating Thanksgiving dinner or by obviously last-minute Mother’s Day gifts that no one would want. But this is not a depressing show, because Frankie generally comes to the realization that the things she thought were important really weren’t and she finds herself appreciating what she does have.
This is a lesson God has been teaching me and not just through a tv show, but through my own experiences. Holidays have become even more important to me since our nest has emptied. Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays are the only times we get to have the whole family together. Since our son has been in the army, only Christmas has brought every one of them home. Of course, I start dreaming about the best Christmas ever, months ahead of time. It requires lots of colorful lights, a Christmas tree of some sort in every room, a wide variety of home-made cookies and other traditional foods, beautifully wrapped gifts artfully arranged under the trees, the scent of pine and the sounds of Christmas music. Everyone is thrilled to see one another and equally excited to see their mother perform at the Christmas Eve service. When we’re not eating or opening gifts, we’ll enjoy reminiscencing while we watch hours of home videos taken when they were all very young and cute. Here’s what actually happens: All decorating is done exclusively by me, so it’s limited to what I can produce with limited abilities and time. My daughter and I make too many cookies which are left here to tempt me well into January. My three cats pull the bows off those beautifully wrapped gifts and leave them all over the house. No one is particularly enthusiastic about the Christmas Eve service or my performance and they are even less interested, if that’s possible, in watching old videos. Our daughters who are married have to split their time between us and the in-laws, the one with a boyfriend also wants to spend time with him and his family and last year our son had a new girlfriend with whom he spent the bulk of his two-week leave. One year we even rented an 8-passenger van so that all of us could go places in a single vehicle, but that didn’t happen- not even once! Creating the perfect Christmas was stressful and time-consuming and it didn’t turn out at all the way I had expected. As I expressed my feelings to God, I heard Him saying, “why don’t you focus on what you do have, rather than what you think you’re missing.” As I began to change my focus, those negative feelings began to transform into appreciation and gratitude. The fact that we have four children who even want to come home and make it a priority is a blessing many families don’t have. They’re all healthy and thriving in solid relationships. After 37 years, we’re still happily married and don’t have to deal with the complications of stepchildren and ex’s. Both of my parents are able to be with us. They’re active and mentally sharp and rather than being critical of our parenting and the kids’ choices, as many grandparents are, they offer nothing but love and praise. It may not look or sound like or include all the elements I had envisioned, but all in all, we had a pretty great Christmas.
The holidays are ripe for the enemy to steal our joy through unrealistic expectations and comparing our experience to what we see on social media or the Hallmark channel. But those issues aren’t limited to the holiday season. I think we all enter into marriage with certain expectations. Most of them have to do with what we expect our spouse to do for us, not about what we should do for them. Of course when we marry, we realize the other person isn’t perfect, but when we envision our future together it’s more likely to include relaxing on a beach, cuddling in front of the tv or enjoying romantic dinners, not picking up dirty clothes lying on the floor, disciplining a whiny toddler or budgeting a limited household income. Having children is the same way. We anticipate sweet smelling, peacefully sleeping infants not a colicky baby with yet another loaded diaper and a piercing wail. We imagine being parents of the high school football captain or the valedictorian, not a socially awkward, pimple-faced teen who struggles to make friends. As humans, it seems we’re hard-wired to want to avoid difficulties and live a life that rewards us with validation and pleasure.
In His wisdom, God knows that such a life is not what’s best for us. In chapter one of James, we’re told that we should consider it a joy when we encounter various trials, because the testing of our faith produces endurance which will ultimately make us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James goes on to say that the brother or sister of humble circumstances should glory in his or her high position, reminding us that earthly riches will pass away as quickly as the grass under a scorching sun. Our expectations rarely involve what we would consider “humble circumstances,” but we’d be better off if they did. The reality is that we have very little control over how things turn out or what other people do. That’s why later in James, chapter four it says, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘if the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” I don’t believe it’s possible for us to eliminate expectations from our lives. But according to James, we need to evaluate them in light of God’s will. How different might our experiences be if we learned to hold our expectations with an open hand, trusting God to work out everything for our good as He promised to in Romans 8:28.
It's easy to forget these truths in the midst of our everyday, hectic lives. I find myself waking up in the morning with a full day open before me. I think of all the things I could accomplish and see myself with a clean house, a greatly reduced to-do list and no deadlines looming over me. Usually, I’m lucky to get one of the things on my list knocked off. Something unexpected invariably comes up and sometimes I even wind up adding to my list, rather than taking anything off of it. It’s the same with the condition of my house. It was built in the 80’s and we’ve been updating and improving it over the past 18 months that we’ve lived here. When we complete one project, I start imagining how quickly things could fall into place and my dream home seems almost within reach. But then other more pressing issues arise and we make zero progress, or even negative progress when you consider the new maintenance issues that now require our attention.
As long as I have expectations of myself, others and even God, I will continue to be disappointed. Experience has taught me that things rarely turn out as expected. Does that mean I should stop setting goals or dreaming of what could be? The answer goes back to what James said in Chapter 4. That passage indicates there’s nothing wrong with making plans for the things we’d like to see happen, as long as we hold those plans in an open hand allowing God to determine what is best.
The people of Israel had the opportunity to do that when Jesus walked the earth. They had all grown up hearing the prophecies about the coming messiah. His legendary figure loomed large in their minds. He would be mighty, incredibly impressive and would deliver them from all their oppression. Most of them expected a king, a man of great wealth, power and status. What God sent instead was a helpless baby, made known only to his unremarkable parents of low status and a few shepherds considered among the lowest of Hebrew society. When Jesus began His ministry, he associated with fishermen, tax collectors and former prostitutes. He had no social pedigree or religious standing, owned only the clothes on His back and refused to speak against Rome. He was nothing like the messiah His people were expecting and because of that, most of them completely missed out on the abundant life He came to give them. For those who were able to let go of their preconceived ideas of what a messiah should be and simply listened to Him and watched Him, He was all they ever needed in a deliverer. He did nothing to free them from Rome’s heavy hand, but He delivered them from the sin that brought death and separation from God and they recognized that nothing beyond that really mattered.
As we enter another holiday season, we have an opportunity to practice letting go of our unrealistic expectations and preconceived ideas about what is best. As God has been speaking to me about this, I’ve been trying, but I’ve got to warn you that it isn’t easy. It’s important that we make the most of these holidays and create special memories for our loved ones. But in doing that, we have to be ready to let go and rather than focusing on the things that don’t turn out as expected, learn to appreciate other blessings He sends our way that might’ve gone unnoticed. As He extends His grace and we practice this new approach during the holidays, maybe we can extend it to the rest of the year. So, when the turkey isn’t ready on time or buried family tensions suddenly surface at the dinner table, be ready to look for God’s hand in every unexpected development. Our plans may fail, but His never do.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
How do we know what steps to take? And who to trust? Join us for today’s podcast with Julie Jenkins as we study Jesus’ teachings on how to exercise discernment in our study of Matthew 7:7-20, Luke 6:43-45 and 11:9-13.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor and privilege to walk with you as we examine Scripture together weekly.
I hope you are enjoying some cooler weather as we move through November. Here at Women World Leaders, November means that we are gearing up to print our last edition Voice of Truth for 2023, and its not too late to get on our mailing list and receive your own physical copy of this beautiful magazine. To ensure you don’t miss out, visit our website – www.womenworldleaders.com, and become a monthly donor. And, in case you missed it, we have released three books this year: Joy Unspeakable, Miracle Mindset, and Navigating Your Storm. And they all went to Amazon #1 best-seller upon their release. As you begin to gear up for Christmas, I encourage you to check these out – they make great gifts.
If you're a regular listener to Walking in the Word, you know that we are currently walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we examine the footsteps and the words of Jesus and ask Him to reveal what He wants us to know today.
Today as we continue, we will be studying from Matthew chapter seven verses seven through 20. And Luke chapter six verses 43 through 45 and chapter 11, verses nine through 13.
Allow me to pray before we begin.
Dear loving and gracious Father, we come to you today expectant, expectant to learn from you, to hear your voice. God, I thank you for who you are and for meeting us where we are. Guide our hearts and our minds as we study these passages together, guide my words so that all I say will be what you intend. And open our spirits that we might truly experience your presence. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
Well, if you listened last week, hopefully you remember the lesson that Jesus taught us that God is the judge and our job is to love. But despite that teaching, I'm sure you recognize that part of walking through life is exercising discernment, that is, separating good and evil into their respective categories so that we don't step into a mess that the devil has served up for us.
In our lives, we constantly need to make decisions about what is good for us and what is bad for us, about who we should seek to learn from, and what instances we should turn away from.
In today's scripture, Jesus highlights for us how we can discern the path that God has for us at any given step. Let's begin in Matthew 7:7 from the New Living Translation.
Jesus instructs us … keep on asking and you will receive what you asked for. Keep on seeking and you will find keep on knocking and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives everyone who seeks finds and everyone who knocks the door will be opened.
This is Jesus answer to how do we discern
How do we discern where we should walk what we should do, who we should listen to.
I like the NLT, because it properly translates the verbs with keep on in front of them. Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. As Christians, we are called to be in constant pursuit of God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we're taught to never stop praying. God wants to hear from us every minute of every day. He wants us to not just have conversations with Him, but to abide in Him.
The more regularly we go to God, the more recognizable His voice will be to us, and the clearer we will hear what He has to say. It is possible to say constantly connected with God in prayer, because He is always with us. And if we keep going to Him, he will always guide us, showering us with His wisdom and discernment.
Well, next, Jesus gives an illustration about God's response to us that has stood the test of time. verse nine,
you parents, if your children asked for a loaf of bread? Do you give them a stone instead? Or if they asked for a fish? Do you give them a snake? Of course not.
Luke says an 1112. Or reports that Jesus says.
Or if they asked for an egg? Do you give them a scorpion?
Yikes, Luke. So Luke went for the spiders. Back to Matthew verse 11.
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?
And Luke records and verse 13, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
If you are a parent, you know that you would move heaven and earth for your children, if you could. Well, God's love is pure. So he loves us with even greater affection than we love our own children. And not only would God move heaven and earth for you, but he actually can move heaven and earth for you. We can certainly trust, therefore, that if we ask Him for wisdom and discernment, he will give it to us.
But even though God will give us his discernment, showing us where and how to walk, Jesus reminds us that we still aren't the judge. Remember, our job is to love. Matthew 7:12.
Do to others, whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the Law and the Prophets.
Most of us are familiar with this golden rule. But the origin of it is interesting. The rule was passed down through many religions and civilizations, but the Jewish people would have known it in its negative form. They had heard, What you hate, do not do to anyone, or what is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor.
Like most things, Jesus took this teaching up a notch, not only are we to not do what is hateful, but we are to actively love others.
God is love, and actively loving is what he does.
Yes, even though He is the judge is able to do both. Because we are made in God's image we are able to love with his strength and his power. Oh, how we mess this up. But thank goodness, we have a God who is merciful and sees our heart's strivings. And he allows us to take this teaching one step at a time, one moment at a time.
So I encourage you to ask yourself at this time, and many times throughout the day. What can I do right now to actively love the person I am with?
When we abide in Christ, He will teach us to love with a discerning love, which means our love will look different to different people and on different occasions. Sometimes, we are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable, empowering them to grow even closer to God, and to experience His loving correction, and to be the kind of example that God wants the world to see. Sometimes loving well won't include correction, but instead we may be asked to give comfort and understanding.
Only God knows the need of each individual at each moment. Which is why the golden rule must go hand in hand with prayer for discernment and submission to the Holy Spirit.
And here's the reason we must ask God to help us love well, because our mission is to bring others to God.
Matthew 7:13, you can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The Highway to Hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
I grew up the youngest of seven kids. And one of our sayings was when trying to decide something was the majority rules, which meant that if I wanted what most of my siblings wanted, life was good. But if I wanted something different, I was out of luck.
That is how the world often works. Fashion becomes fashionable when many people wear it. Programs become popular when many people watch them. Businesses become profitable when many people depend on their products. We tend to get swept up with the flow of the current.
But Jesus’ way, often goes against that current,
the gate to Heaven is narrow, and the gate to hell is wide. When it comes to the spiritual, the popular way is not necessarily the way you want to go.
It's more important that you discern the right way, God's way, and that you guide others in that same direction.
In John 10, seven through nine, Jesus described himself as the gate, only one gate leads to God, the devil in the world tried to deceive us, teaching us that good deeds lead to heaven that if we tip the scale of good versus bad, having more good than we will have made it.
Or some religions even teach that a suicide bombing is an ultimate sacrifice and it leads to eternal life.
The Bible, however, teaches against those popular beliefs, the only way to heaven is through a relationship with Jesus. This seems odd, because it seems way too simple. And we want to be in control, it can feel good to earn something. But that just isn't the way God works. Because quite simply, we don't have what it takes to pay the high price for our sins. The payment for sin is death. If we pay it, we'd be dead. And then where would we be?
But our sinless Jesus Christ paid that fee for us so that we don't have to experience spiritual death ever. All we have to do is enter into a relationship with Jesus and accept his payment for us. But the way is narrow and the road is difficult because our pride can be difficult to let go of.
But to go through that narrow gate, we must release that pride and humble ourselves to accept this amazing gift. When I was growing up, I had a friend whose parents were quite wealthy, and they delighted in giving me gifts. For my graduation, they got me an expensive gift that there was no way I would be able to repay. They were being kind and generous and I was pridefully embarrassed. I'm sad to say that I allowed my pride to interfere and ruin that friendship.
Friend, God will always outgive you. He is better, stronger and will love you more. Jesus gave His life that you might live that is a gift we can never repay. And He doesn't want us to. He only wants a relationship with you. He wants to be first in your life. He wants you to let go of the striving, the judging, and the condemnation of yourself and others. The Gateway is narrow and the road is difficult. But with God's discernment attained through prayer and humility, we will enter into his courts with praise.
Although the road is narrow, God does not want us to walk alone. He made us for community. We long for fellowship and to share our lives with others. So, who do we walk with? Again, that's where discernment comes in. Jesus teaches in verse 15 Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really vicious wolves. Beware and be aware of those who say they're following the ways of Christ but simply are not. This is one of the devil's biggest tricks. The world is full of those who claim to teach the truth and promise to lead others into the truth. So we must pray for discernment that we can see who is under the mask.
Remember those Scooby Doo episodes, when at the end, the villain is unmasked, and it is Dr. Jones, or another familiar and seemingly innocent character.
It can be tempting to follow someone familiar or good-looking or popular or someone whose message is comfortable.
But we must be discerning about who we are listening to, and learning from in order to hear the true message, the message of God Himself.
Finally, Jesus tells us to discern who those vicious wolves are by examining their lives. Matthew 7:16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, fruit and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
And then Luke 645 says… A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart. and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
You can identify the imposters. Are you seeking a teacher for yourself or a husband or a leader? As you do, ask God to reveal any behavior that is inconsistent with his teaching.
Is their teaching focused on God and His Word?
Does he treat others with the grace and love of Jesus? Does she, in humility, live as she teaches?
There is a plethora of imposters in the world. And I say this not to make you paranoid and distrustful of everyone you come into contact with. We all certainly mess up, and God wants us to show mercy and grace to others. But he also implores us to choose wisely when it comes to those with whom we will associate most closely. Be discerning how you spend your time and who you spend it with.
Keep asking God for His discernment. Keep seeking his directions.
Keep knocking on his door. You won't bother him. Your persistence will make him smile.
Dear God, thank you for always being there for us for always pointing us in the direction of your calling for us. Give us the strength to swim upstream against the devil's schemes and the courage to grab ahold of the one beside us and bring her upstream with us to the narrow gate, to you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Developing a closer walk with God is a daily intentional choice. Singer/Songwriter Sara Sahm openly shares her story. Sara authentically speaks about hearing God's voice through tragedy and how He guided her to a daily walk with Him and into living a surrendered life serving through music and song writing.
Are you troubled with the things of this world, being distracted from the purpose of God? Listen to hear the recipe Jesus gave to be set free from the things of this world.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-
Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title: God’s grace in setting us free from the kingdom of the world.
19 “Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!” Matthew 6:19-23 AMPC
Matthew 6 is a core chapter for the saint, a premise laid out by Christ Jesus in order for us to be cleansed of the things of this world, this is God’s grace.
Wherever our treasure is, there our heart will be, also. If our heart is full of the things of this world, through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, our conscience will be darkened. The parable of the eye being the lamp of the body, represents the conscience. Light in scripture is a metaphor for truth. This is seen in the core parable after the sower of seed, in Mark 4:21-25, where Jesus teaches that when you bring a candlelight into the room, you don’t hide it under a peck measure or bed, but you put it on the lampstand to be seen.
He then explains that things are hidden temporarily to be made known, and that whatever we give our attention to, will be added unto us. I get into detail at how our senses are the diet for the soul in my book Mindfulness, the Mind of Christ. It’s in this book that I explain the G Protein-Coupled Receptor, otherwise known as the GPCR, in which memories are stored throughout the body on all our cells. Moreover, scientists have proven that the GPCR is responsible for your perception and behavior, thereby revealing your conscience.
Imagine going into an ice cream store, where there are hundreds of flavors. That’s the best way to look at the GPCR; half the flavors discovered thus far of the GPCR are up to 1,000 different flavors, with still more yet to be discovered. Like ice cream, it has the same type of receptor, which is folded seven-times, external to the cell, creating a domino effect, once triggered, to intracellular activity. Up to 480 plus flavors, of the 1,000 discovered to date, are for senses. You heard that right. You have senses inside of your body, all throughout your cells, and these senses even help regulate your organs.
Even more incredible, the GPCR stores memories, and when a neuropeptide and/or frequency hits that receptor, memories start unpacking within our body, what you and I know of as emotion. I go into extensive detail in the book Mindfulness the Mind of Christ, how we are pruned as in John 15:2 at the receptor level of memories that are of the kingdom of the world. This is further evaluated and dissected in my upcoming book The Forbidden Fruit, the Spiritual Disease.
I’ve experienced massive supernatural deliverances beginning in 2002 to 2005, and God had put it in me, to desire a hunger and thirst of His Word, to comprehend what went on inside of my body, while the mind was freaked out, clueless as to what was occurring, as the power of Holy Spirit drove oppressive spirits out. As a result, the culmination of a decade’s worth of writing workbooks and books on scripture and the sciences, culminated into the knowledge from God, unfolding the LIGHT OF TRUTH in the Word.
“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:32 AMPC
The Greek word for truth is alḗtheia pronounced al-ay'-thi-a meaning, “truth, true, truly, and verity.” [i] This comes from the two Greek words alpha meaning “beginning,” and lanthánō pronounced lan-than'-o meaning, “to lie hid, be ignorant, and unawares.” The unique thing about this combination of alpha and lanthánō, is that alpha at the beginning, negates the meaning of the word that follows. Thus, what has been hidden is no longer hidden, but revealed. I love this because Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Beginning and the End. Jesus always brings us truth to what’s hidden in the heart.
Therefore, the parable of bringing a light into the room, is a metaphor for the Light of Truth piercing the darkness, which is the Life of Jesus in John 1:4-5. In Him was life and that life is the light of men, and the light pierces the darkness, and the darkness cannot overtake it, put it out, and is unreceptive to the light.
Therefore, JESUS the Light, is greater than the darkness of the world. When we come to Christ Jesus, we work out our salvation in fear and in trembling as in Philippians 2:12, being pruned of the influence of the kingdom of the world. This leads us back to the beginning of this podcast, to the scriptures from Matthew 6.
Jesus is addressing the issue of the body, whether it is consecrated, by exposing that whatever it is you treasure in this life, is where your heart is, either making the conscience pure to reveal the Kingdom of God or darkening it with the kingdom of the world.
This is where grace comes in. All the verses in Matthew 6:1-18, address Jesus’ instruction of how we can ensure that we’re free of this world. He starts out by telling us to give, where our left hand doesn’t know what our right hand is doing. In other words, it is the work of God in us, willing us to give to ministries and others.
Next, Jesus instructs us on praying, and that we’re not to pray to get attention, but instead we’re to be humble and pray simply, the Lord’s prayer. Finally, Jesus instructs us to fast, whereby it frees us from the fleshly appetites of the world.
I can tell you for certain with all my health and wellness clients that I coach, I can always tell who is fasting. Those that fast, have less problems, a deeper prayer life, understanding of the Word, and walk with the Lord.
I also pick up quickly, with the Lord’s prompting, as I listen to people and the problems they might be dealing with, as well as the areas in which their body needs to be pruned at the receptor level of the kingdom of the world, that the person is missing out on one of the three instructions set forth by Jesus. They might say I’m fasting and praying, and I then ask, “are you giving? Do you give tithes? Do you give offerings?” When asked, the reply is generally no. At this time, I then go back to Matthew 6, and remind them of what Jesus, the Son of God, instructed us to do, to be free of the world.
Understand, that before even getting to this point, I’ve addressed the issue of hormonal imbalance and physical health, to rule out any issue within their own body that might be hindering their ability to follow through. Even more, I know whether they’re doing the Bittersweet taste test as laid out in scripture that Jesus Christ and John the Baptist did, as well as God calling His people Israel to do, which I teach extensively in Chapters 6 and 9 of Mindfulness the Mind of Christ. It is that taste test that aids the body in being consecrated from the things of this world. God isn’t just a spiritual God, because He knows how fearful and wonderfully made, we are; He created us. In creating us, He also planned out a natural supplementation through His creation, to aid the body in the process of Romans 12:1-2, being consecrated so the mind can be transformed.
Many people try to get deliverance from the head down to the body, when scripture clearly reveals that the conscience is inside of the heart. The Bittersweet taste test that God reveals in scripture happens to hit the GPCR taste bud in the body. JUST WOW! Moreover, He shows that we have eyes in our heart through the opsin GPCR, which is what Ephesians 1:18 is referring to, that the eyes of our heart be flooded with Light! This is freedom, this is deliverance!
Where is it you need freedom? Are you struggling with the issue of judging others, addictions, or behaviors of the world, causing your conscience to be darkened? If so, read Matthew 6, and Jesus’ instructions on obtaining freedom, by giving, praying, and fasting.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written c
[i] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 225 “truth”
Where is the line between discernment and judgment? How do we determine our own response in distressing situations? And how important is it to God that we treat others well? Join us as we explore Matthew 7:1-6, Mark 4:24-25, and Luke 6:37-42, focusing on the truth that God’s job is to judge, and our job is to love.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I'm honored to be walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with you as we ask God to teach us what He wants us to know today.
Well, this has been a busy week at Women World Leaders. Before the pandemic hit, this ministry operated primarily in South Florida. We actually began meeting at our founder's home until we outgrew that, and then we met at a local church. When things changed across the world due to COVID, we sought God's heart for direction and, like many, moved to a more digital platform. What the devil meant for evil, God meant for good. Through the pandemic, God has put the world into Women World Leaders, we are now truly a global ministry reaching over 60 countries. When most of the world was slowing down, even taking a break, God had us moving at warp speed.
This week alone, I have been on Zoom calls with authors, writers, prayer warriors, artists, photographers, actresses, speakers, educators, musicians, and financial and business experts from Florida to California to Virginia, to Australia to India. And it's only Wednesday. Although we are distant from each other, Women World Leaders is a personal ministry, and we want to personally invite you to join us. If God is calling you to share your gifts with a hungry world. Reach out to us at info@womenworldleaders.com. The more workers that come, the greater the harvest will be.
Well let's jump into the Word of God, shall we?
Women World Leaders are founded on the Word and prayer. We don't take that lightly. And we're so glad you've joined us today for our deep dive into Matthew 7:1-6. Mark 4:24-25, And Luke 6:37-42, as we study the Principles for Judgment. Let me pray before we begin.
Dear Most Holy God. Thank you for giving us this time to come to you today. God, I don't know what each person listening is walking through today or what she needs to learn. But you do. Thank you for being with her and meeting her where she is. God, open our ears to hear your voice. Open our eyes to see your glory and open our hearts that we might be changed to look just a little more like you today. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Well, as I've studied this scripture, I had a difficult time titling it because the first verse we're looking at from Matthew seven says do not judge others. And yet that is not the end of the sentence nor the end of Jesus' teaching.
We know or should know that God is the ultimate judge. But boy, do we often have judgy feelings? Am I wrong?
I believe that being judgmental of others is probably one of my biggest sins. And one of my problems is that I often feel justified in being judgmental because the world is full of sin and I want to do my best to not step in that sin.
Bear with me here on this analogy. I have two dogs, and as you can imagine, they use our backyard as a bathroom. When I walk through the backyard, I have to judge where I walk. So I don't end up with something I don't want on my shoe, or worse yet on my bare foot. In life, it's important for us to judge where we walk, what teaching we listen to, who we allow to speak into our lives, what activities we participate in. This requires us to make judgments for our own good, and yet we are to not be judgy of others. This can be a difficult line to draw because it seems like judging where we walk can lead to judging others.
So as judgment and some form is necessary, I've titled this Principles for Judgment. And as we go through the text, we will see that Jesus teaches us three principles for judgment.
We are to be conscientious, discerning, and full of grace.
Walk with me as we begin reading from Matthew chapter seven, verse one in the New Living Translation,
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged, for you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Only God has a say in our final judgment.
So Jesus is talking about our daily sizing up of each other and he says, Don't do it. Essentially, don't check tear each other down. We must instead be conscientious of our own thoughts and actions. We need to examine ourselves and try to do what is right.
This is so difficult, it takes processing. Oh, we can be pretty darn good about processing someone else's actions. But how much time do we take to process our own thoughts and actions?
Let's pop over to Luke 6, verse 37, where it is recorded that Jesus takes this a step further.
Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.
We are not to judge others, and we are certainly not to condemn them. God's job is to judge. But this doesn't mean that we are to put our heads in the sand and naively trust everyone. We are not to judge or condemn others, but we are to be discerning.
God calls us to be aware and to use discernment as we partner with others in any relationship, from marriage to ministry or to simply who you spend your time with. But this scripture reminds us while we must be responsible with whom we trust and walk with, it is not our place to condemn anyone. That job is only the Lord's. Only the Lord knows each person's heart and motives.
So what if someone is letting you down repeatedly? Only God knows what she's going through. Our job is to discern what God wants our involvement to be. And to always show grace through love as God leads.
We get to love. God will judge.
Jesus takes us a step further, not only must we not condemn others, but we must forgive them. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. This can be difficult, and how to forgive is a teaching unto itself. But for now, we must recognize that although we discern sin in another, even if God asks us to call that sin out in love, we must offer grace through forgiveness.
We get to love. God will judge.
Jesus goes on to say that this grace-filled love means we also get to share what we have with others. Our wisdom, gift,s time, and yes, grace and love. Luke 6:38
Give and you will receive your gift will return to you in full pressed down shaken together to make room for more running over and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
This visual would have been powerful for Jesus’ listeners who were used to purchasing grain that was measured out. Imagine purchasing green By the cup. Picture the merchant using a cup to scoop up the grain and pour it into another container. Some may fall out in the process, but it's still a legal cup. The generous merchant, however, would scoop the grain, put his hand over the top, and press it down. Then shake it a bit. So every space was filled. And then he would top it off so that it is actually running over. Is that how you and I give? Do we give the minimum out of duty? Or are we intentionally generous? When someone harms you, are you intentionally generous with grace and forgiveness? When you see a need, how do you conscientiously choose to fill the cup, just enough to call it legal or generously, pressed down, shaken together, and running over? Something to think about?
Verse 39,
Then Jesus gave the following illustration, can one blind person lead another? Won't they both fall into a ditch? Students are not greater than their teacher, but the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
We are all becoming, and who we become is often a reflection of who we follow. We must carefully discern who God is asking us to follow and learn from and who we are to stay away from.
We get to love, God will judge; but God gives us wisdom to discern who we will personally follow.
Mark records that Jesus expands on this teaching and Mark 4 verses 24 and 25.
Then he added, pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given and you will receive more to those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given to those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
We must conscientiously choose to listen to God and follow His teaching. We are all growing, and we are all learning. I've heard it explained that the Christian life is like an onion, we learn one layer at a time. Each time we read scripture, do a Bible study, hear a devotion, go to church and listen to a message. God helps us go a little bit deeper into his teachings. He doesn't expect us to get it all right away, or even in this lifetime. But he does expect us to pay close attention. The closer we listen, the better we will understand. But if we choose to not listen, our understanding will regress. We must look inward and examine our growth conscientiously, giving ourselves love and grace along the way even as we mess up.
Next, Jesus gives a parable you no doubt heard from Matthew seven, verse three.
And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, when you can't see past the log in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye then you will see well enough to deal with this back in your friends eye.
this visual must have made the disciples giggle, picturing a man with a log in his eye. But here was Jesus' point. We must never be so worried about someone else's actions that we're not aware of our own. In other words, we must be conscientious not condemning. Our purpose on this earth is to help others back to the illustration. We cannot help others if we cannot see clearly. The eye is delicate. We would only trust a very careful surgeon to work on our eyes. I can remember getting LASIK surgery nearly 20 years ago. I can honestly say there aren't many times I've prayed as hard for someone as I prayed for that surgeon as I laid there awake with my eyes wide open as he was about to cut into my eye. I would not have begun to trust him if he had impaired vision himself, let alone a log in his eye.
Flight Attendants tell us to, in case of an emergency, put on your own oxygen mask first, so that you will be clear-headed and able to help others.
Likewise, we must conscientiously get the log out of our own eye before we, with grace, help someone else with a speck of dirt in theirs.
Our job is to love God will judge.
But we also must be discerning even as we help others. Verse six says
Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs. They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
We should witness to whoever God calls us to. But we must be discerning in how we spend our time. Our time is finite, we only have 24 hours in a day. And let's face it, there are people you can talk to until you are blue in the face and they still will not listen to what you have to say. Sometimes being discerning means we need to walk away from someone who has a hard heart. But we still love, which is our job. As we pray, and trust God, who knows far more than we do, how to handle the situation. He, after all, is the judge.
God is the judge we are not.
And as we go to him conscientiously seeking His wisdom for ourselves, he will give us discernment of where and how to walk. And just like he showers us with grace, He has given us permission to share grace as well. We don't have to judge. He's got it all under control.
Dear heavenly Father, how amazingly gracious you are to us that you take the burden of judgment. God, I pray, especially right now, for anyone listening who is walking through a minefield God give her a discerning heart, that she might know where to stop and where not to stop, who to walk towards, and who to walk away from. Awake us each that we might conscientiously choose to follow your leading in every circumstance, as we stand for truth, showing grace and love to others by your power. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Fear, trauma, and feelings of unworthiness are all ways the enemy tries to hold us back from our purpose. Ignite your purpose today as Stacy Jo Coffee-Thorne shares her story of overcoming adversity as she was growing up to now walking in a purpose designed by God. May God spark hope and energy into your ears as you listen to a passionate businesswoman called by God to empower women to serve God where they are.
The world is being shaken from every corner and in multiple ways. But it should not surprise the saints of God.
Nevertheless, the importance of Standing Firm while the temporal foundations of this earth are being shaken is more important than ever. That is why today’s podcast is so important. Tawana shares three important strategies that will help ensure our Ability to Stand, while at the same time helping others do the same.
What is your most valuable treasure? What do you long to own or experience? Sometimes it can feel as if our dreams or desires are beyond us financially. Join Julie Jenkins as she uncovers truth from the Word that when we serve God with our whole hearts, we will begin to experience treasure beyond our wildest imagination.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast.
It is October, 2023 as I record this, and we at Women World Leaders are as busy as ever as we follow the call God has put on our lives to empower YOU to walk in your God-given purpose. If you are new or newer to Women World Leaders, I don’t want you to miss out on Voice of Truth, our quarterly magazine full of inspiration, encouragement, and beautiful artwork. We began publishing Voice of Truth in January of 2021. During the height of the pandemic, God orchestrated an amazing team of women writers, editors, artists, and formatters from around the world who were all seeking to produce something that would make a difference in the world. Nearly three years and 13 editions later, by God’s grace, we are still going strong. The feedback we hear from our readers is beyond anything we could have ever hoped or imagined. I’d encourage you to check out our website, www.womenworldleaders.com, where you can view all our back issues digitally for free. And, as we are now preparing our last edition for 2023, which will go out in December, you can still get on the mailing list. Simply, become a monthly donor of any amount on our website, and we will, as a thank you, register you for a subscription to Voice of Truth. But let me encourage you to sign up today, as the subscription list will soon be in the hands of the printer. Women World Leaders is a 501c3 nonprofit, which means that all donations to the ministry are tax-deductible.
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we are currently walking through the Gospels, gaining wisdom and knowledge with each and every step. We're currently studying the Sermon on the Mount. Today's teaching comes from Matthew chapter 6:19-34. And Luke 11:34-36. Luke 12:22-34 and Luke 16:13.
Let's pray before we begin.
Dear Most Gracious Father, thank You for this message that you are about to unfold before us today. God we just cherish this time that we set aside to spend with you on a weekly basis. And we want to never take for granted the fact that you allow us to hear from you through Your Word as we gather via technology. So we give you this time, and we ask you to speak clearly. And open our eyes and our hearts to hear you well. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.
Well, as we walk through the Gospels and take hold of Jesus' teaching to us, today's message probably won't be one you haven't heard before. Simply put, Jesus teaches us to not live our lives in service to money, but to live in service to God, trusting that the money and provision will follow.
We know that we are to walk obediently to God and to trust Him for our provision. But let's be honest, that can be easier said than done.
I grew up trusting in God's provision for me. So, this teaching really didn't come to life for me until after I became a parent. My husband and I both had great jobs, but then I quit mine to be a stay-at-home mom, cutting our income in half.
We knew that we were doing what we were called to do, but financially, it just didn't look good on paper. I remember calling out to God, saying, "God, I am okay with eating cereal every night for dinner. But I want to provide well for my children."
Wherever you are on your walk, new to Christianity or seasoned in the Word, and no matter what part of life you are in, building a career or retired. God wants to remind you today that He Himself, not money, is our true treasure. And He gives us sound reasons why If we should put our trust completely in Him, rather than in our own financial prosperity.
Let's begin in Matthew chapter six verse 19. From the New Living Translation,
Don't store up treasures here on Earth where moths eat them and rust destroys them and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
The first reason we should not put our trust in money or in our own ability to earn money is because we just can't count on material things. They mold, they wear out, they get whisked away, and hurricanes and floods and fires. And they simply don't bring any lasting value to our lives.
On the contrary, when we set our focus on pleasing God and doing what He has asked us to do, we can be assured that He will take care of every need that we have.
I love how Luke states this in chapter 12, verse 33,
The purses of Heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe, no thief can steal it, and no moth can destroy it.
So, the first reason Jesus teaches us we should not put our trust in money is because we can't count on money's lasting value.
The second reason is that putting our trust in money makes us focus on things of the earth and takes our focus off God.
Matthew 6:21 says, Wherever your treasure is, there, the desires of your heart will also be.
We live on this earth we have to eat and send our kids to school, and it's fun to have extra money to go on vacation. God doesn't want to deprive us of those things. But He does want us to trust His provision for them.
When we work for the sole purpose of gaining the things of this earth, the things we gain will never be as valuable or enjoyable as when we work for God and trust His provision.
I'm guessing you've heard the phrase, Don't put a square peg in a round hole. God has created a specific role for each of us to play in this world. When we listen to that calling, though our work may be difficult, the fit we feel will bring us peace and joy that no amount of money made in a way that God did not intend will ever satisfy.
God made you on purpose for a purpose. The devil entices us to reach for the highest paycheck, which will never satisfy us. Let's face it, the more money we get, the more we want. Have you ever heard anyone say that they had enough money? Maybe you have, but that's a rare statement. God however, offers us the option to work where we are called to do what we are called to do. We are made to fit perfectly into our calling: a round peg in a round hole. And for our attention to His call, He promises treasures beyond what the world or the devil could ever supply.
Matthew continues.
Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is.
The third reason why we should not put our trust in money is because when we do, we no longer clearly see what God wants for us and we no longer shine for him.
Luke records it this way in chapter 11 verses 35 and 36. Make sure are that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant. As though a floodlight were filling you with light.
The devil wants us to believe the lie that money is our God. Money will take care of us, get us out of trouble, and bless us with fancy clothes, trips, cars, and even activities and education for our children. That doesn't sound so far-fetched, does it? Money does seem to provide all those things. And yet, we can be assured that this is an illusion. For it is God that truly provides those things.
Money is a tool in God's hands, nothing more. It's imperative that we strive to see this clearly. Meditate on it daily, if you must. God alone is our provider.
When we look to money as our provider, we will sink into a pit of darkness. When we look to God as our provider, we will be filled with light, and our life will be radiant, and we will shine for truth. We must not serve money over God because money does not last. It makes us focus on the things of this earth, and it can plunge us into darkness.
And Jesus continues. It is impossible to serve both money and God at the same time.
Matthew 6:24…
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other. You will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
We must choose who our God will be. Who will you serve? When we serve God over money, Jesus teaches, all our worries will be washed away.
Verse 25…
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life. Whether you have enough food or drink or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing. Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon, in all his glory, was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
Then Jesus gives us the bottom line. Verse 31.
So don't worry about these things saying What will we eat and what will we drink and what will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers. But your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Luke 12:32 records such a beautiful and simple verse, Jesus taught so don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom.
After I became a parent, I cried out to God, “God, I can eat cereal for dinner but I want to provide well for my children.”
God said to me, “Don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom.”
You see, God has so much more for us than money has to offer. That can be so hard to recognize and understand. Trust me, I know, my husband and I left lucrative jobs and the business world to follow God's call on our lives into ministry.
That was a very stark choice between God and money. Maybe your options don't seem so black and white. But don't be fooled. The devil often works in small ways to get us to turn away from the true blessings that God has to offer us.
Let me be clear that money is not a bad thing. And wealth is not frowned upon by God. But as we go through life, we are to be on guard to never put the love of money above our love for and service to God.
God is more worthy, and He will take care of us better than money ever could. Trust me. And if you don't trust me, trust God's Word. Money will not last, and it has the potential to take your mind off God and plunge you into a dark pit. On the contrary, we can trust that when we serve God as He calls each of us, He will provide for our needs and give us blessings in abundance that will last for eternity. And He will shine his light into our lives, allowing us to see him clearly.
Let's pray.
Dear God, I don't know what each listener is going through today. But simply due to the fact that money and its rewards are fleeting, it's easy to imagine that hardship and suffering is happening across the world on a physical level. Thank you for reminding us that your blessings are eternal. That we can trust you to always provide us with what we need and to care for us in an even more beautiful fashion than you care for the flowers of the field. How amazing it is to think that it brings you happiness to give us the kingdom. Father, forgive us for sometimes putting our faith in things other than you. And thank you for gently correcting us. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot a women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Battling trauma, mindsets, and addictions, God intervened in Kirstin Leigh's life. He brought her the ability to break free from addictions and walk into His purpose for her life. As she now helps others change their story, author, motivational speaker, and life coach encourager, Kirstin shares a faith-based, holistic approach to breaking free from what's breaking you. "With God all things are possible."
Today on Celebrating God's Grace, host Julie Harwick teaches of God's picture of the change and growth in our lives that He has ordained through the changing seasons of the year.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
Fall is finally here! It’s one of my favorite seasons of the year. Here in Florida, it means the temperatures drop down to the 80’s and sometimes even the 70’s! And believe it or not, we even have some leaves changing color and falling to the ground. It’s nothing like what I experienced as a child in Ohio, but there’s definitely a change in the air. I’ve put out decorative pumpkins of every size and color: also my fall scented candles and quite a few other pieces of autumn décor. There’s a sign on my kitchen counter that says, “Fall is a reminder that change can be beautiful.” That got me thinking. Of course, it’s the changing fall leaves that immediately come to mind, but there’s a much deeper message in that sentence.
The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, wrote about that very subject in Ecclesiastes chapter 3. It was so profound that the Beatles even recorded a song about it. “There is a time for everything, “ he says, in verse one, “ and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The next seven verses give examples such as “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to speak and a time to be silent.” In verse 11 he summarizes, “God has made everything beautiful in its’ time.” Maybe this scripture was the inspiration for my sign!
It seems remarkable to me that an eternal being who is not limited by the constraints of time, recognizes its’ importance in our lives. Even before the Creator breathed life in Adam and Eve, He created the sun, moon and stars – not just to give us light and warmth, but to set up the foundations of time: day and night, and in most parts of the world, four distinct seasons. It’s not hard to see the value of a period of darkness and a period of light. They coincide perfectly with our need for activity and rest. But the seasons…why did He feel the need for those? Could it be a reassuring pattern that also coincides with our lives?
Spring brings to mind new baby lambs and chicks, colorful flowers pushing their way through the dirt and trees that previously looked dead exploding with vibrant blossoms and green leaves. It’s a new beginning, a time of tremendous growth and promise. Not at all unlike the beginnings of human life. Like the newborn lambs, we have so much to learn and we’re dependent on others to provide for us, care for us and help us become mature. It happens a lot faster for lambs, but in the spring of our lives we are full of potential, energy and wonder.
As spring melds into summer, the seeds that were just beginning to emerge from the dirt grow tall and lush – this is a time for producing. Little seedlings have become what they were meant to be. It has become clearly visible that the seed is now a stalk of corn or wheat. The blossoms have turned into peaches or cherries that will continue to mature over the course of the summer. For us, adulthood is all about becoming what we were meant to be, finding our place and our purpose and beginning to produce – valuable work, greater skills, relationships and even children.
Fall has long been associated with the harvest. This is the time that the farmer reaps the rewards of the previous two seasons’ planting and nurturing. For us, that means being more sure of ourselves in our work and our personal lives, having a bit more time to savor our achievements and seeing all that we’ve invested in our children begin to show a return.
As winter approaches, farmers finish gathering the harvest and settle in for a slower pace – a well deserved rest. It’s calmer and quieter and there’s lots of time for reflection and preparing for the next phase. In the winter of our lives, we set aside our work and instead do the things we choose to do. We enjoy the benefits of the relationships and families we have built, share our wisdom and experience and find ourselves thinking more often about the future.
I see the seasons of life within my own family. My youngest child is about to cross from spring to summer. He’s all grown up and has been serving in the army for the last three years, but when he’s discharged next year, he’ll begin college and figure out what he wants to do with his life. My other three daughters are in their summer: building careers, marriages and establishing themselves in the world. My oldest has recently given us our first grandchild – a sweet little boy who is, like the baby lamb, full of wonder and potential. That puts me squarely in the midst of fall – harvesting the fruit of previous investments in all of their lives and focusing less on work and more on ministry. I am so fortunate to still have both of my parents. They are in their 80’s and 90’s, the winter of their lives, and while I do see them slowing down, they are active and engaged with the world around them, daily fighting spiritual battles on their knees. They take great pleasure in seeing our family come full circle – knowing that none of it would exist without their investment and they look forward to eternity with all of us together in God’s presence.
The various seasons of the year, and of our lives, can be beautiful. But they can also be difficult and sometimes seem as if they may last forever. I clearly remember our last winter in Ohio. It absolutely confirmed the wisdom of moving further south. Throughout March and into April, we had a major snowstorm every other Friday, like clockwork. We’d have a day or two when the sun would come out and temperatures might reach 70 degrees, making us think spring had arrived at last. But then our hopes were quickly dashed by yet another snowstorm. By May of that year, our daytime highs had barely broken into the 50’s. It was the winter that refused to end.
Seasons are all about change which can be beautiful, but it can also be extremely difficult. There are those who become easily bored and change their hairstyle with every appointment or rearrange the furniture every few months or move from city to city looking for the next big adventure. But I haven’t known too many people like that. I think most of us struggle with change – especially when it’s forced upon us.
The bible is full of examples. Abraham was called by God to leave his home and relocate to a land no one knew anything about. Esther was pulled out of obscurity to become queen of the land so that she could risk her own life to save the lives of her people. Peter, Andrew, James and John were called from the only way of life they knew as fishermen to follow Jesus and become fishers of men. But when it comes to changes that lead to a very long and trying season of life, there is no one like Joseph. As the first and long-awaited son of the only woman his father ever really loved, Joseph was the favorite of all favorites. He was so favored that while his brothers were out tending the sheep, he was home being measured for a custom coat of many colors. Dad wanted everyone to know that Joseph was something special. Young Joseph was well aware of it and the dreams and visions God gave him only confirmed it. As a teenager, he was eager to share his dreams of his entire family bowing down to him with everyone who would listen, convincing his ten older brothers that his ego needed to be deflated.
A very unwelcome change was about to come into Joseph’s life. Some of his brothers hated him so passionately, they plotted to kill him and hide his body in a cistern. Reuben, knowing what his death would do to their father, suggested they simply drop him into a cistern, knowing that he could return to rescue him later. When Reuben was away, a caravan of traders came upon them, and the brothers decided they could rid themselves of Joseph and earn a little extra cash. They sold him as a slave and tore and bloodied his beautiful robe, telling their father he had been eaten by a wild animal.
Joseph went from being the favored son in a wealthy household to being an entry level slave in Egypt. The bible doesn’t tell us how he felt about that, but it’s hard to imagine that he welcomed this change. We do know, however, that in some way, Joseph accepted the change and made the best of his situation. It wasn’t long before his master noticed his work ethic and put him in charge of the entire household. He was still a slave, but his position was now the best he could hope for. Unfortunately, his master wasn’t the only one who took notice of him. The lady of the house found him far more attractive than her husband and tried every method she knew to seduce him. Joseph spurned her advances pointing out that it would be a sin, not just against his master, but against God. Her desire for him soon turned to rage and like his brothers, she looked for a way to take him down. She made one last attempt to seduce him and when he refused, she tore his garment off of him and accused him of rape. As a wealthy Egyptian of high social status, her word was enough to send him to prison. Yet another change that was not to his benefit.
Once again, Joseph seemed to accept the change and make the best of his new position as a prisoner. And it wasn’t long before the prison warden recognized what a great guy he was and put him in charge of running the prison. While he was there, two of his fellow prisoners who had served Pharoah had unusual dreams on the same night. Joseph told them that God could show them what the dreams meant. They told him their dreams, he gave them the interpretation that God revealed to him and both were soon released just as Joseph predicted. Joseph had asked them to remember him and do what they could to get him released, but one was soon executed, as Joseph predicted, and the other simply forgot him. Do you see a pattern here? Something terrible happens to Joseph. He accepts it and makes lemonade from the lemons. Things start looking up for him and then something bad happens. And the cycle repeats. It seems like Joseph is trapped in a never-ending season of winter destined to repeat the same awful Ground Hog Day over and over.
But he doesn’t stay in that season forever. Eventually Pharoah has some disturbing dreams and he doesn’t trust anyone to interpret them who can’t tell him what the dreams were. When no one in Pharoah’s court can do it, the ex-prisoner finally remembers his promise to Joseph. Joseph is not only able to tell Pharoah what he dreamed and what it meant, but he knows exactly what to do to prepare for the coming famine. Like Joseph’s master and the prison warden, Pharoah recognizes Joseph’s incredible potential and sets him up as ruler of Egypt, subject only to Pharoah himself. Finally! A change for the better! Joseph’s seemingly never-ending winter had finally passed!
In his new season of life, Joseph’s story comes full circle. The famine he predicted is in full swing and his family back home is about to starve. Dad sends the brothers to Egypt to buy food. They don’t recognize Joseph because he now looks like an Egyptian and they last saw him when he was 17. He’s 30 now. This could’ve been the ultimate “I told you so,” for Joseph. The brothers are literally bowing down before him, just as they did in the dreams he had as a teenager. But instead of rubbing their faces in it, Joseph provides for them, invites the whole family to come live in Egypt with him and forgives them, telling them that what they had meant for evil, God had used for good.
How many times does God take us through difficult seasons and allow things in our lives that seem evil? But as He did with Joseph, could He be using them for our ultimate good? And maybe someone else’s too? Change is hard and most of us are hard-wired to resist it. But if we could accept it and make the best of it like Joseph, would we find the truth of what Solomon said? That He makes all things beautiful in His time. Let’s allow the changing seasons of the year to serve as a reminder of this. And as difficult as change can be, it’s reassuring to know that there is one thing that never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
What does it mean to be righteous in our giving, praying, and fasting? Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:1-18 and Luke 11:1-4. Join Julie Jenkins as we explore God’s Word together.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins.
If you are new to our podcast, we have three different offerings for you each week. On Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, a 30-minute interview with a different woman each week who is walking out her God-given calling. If you need inspiration for your walk, this is the place to go. You know the Bible is full of stories of people just like you and me who had encounters with God. But sometimes, we forget that our God today is the same miracle-working God of the Bible. Listening to the stories of God's faithfulness as we share them with others reminds us how powerfully God is working in today's world.
And on Friday’s we have a team of amazing women who host Celebrating God’s Grace, a short, inspirational podcast intended to launch you into your weekend.
And today, our Wednesday podcast, we take some time to Walk in the Word together as we open our Bibles and ask God what He wants us to know today. We are currently walking through the Gospels chronologically. And even more precisely, we are walking through the Sermon on the Mount, which is primarily recorded in the book of Matthew.
Today's teaching comes from Matthew chapter six verses one through 18. And from Luke chapter 11, verses one through four.
Let's pray before we begin,
Dear most holy and loving God, we thank you for who you are. And for meeting us today where we are. God when these words that we are studying today were penned so many years ago, you knew that we would be studying them today. That thought just blows my mind. Thank you for bringing us this passage today and for guiding us through it and for teaching us what it is that you want us to know. We give You all the praise and glory as we learn together from you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Today's passage is grouped into three parts which can all be centered on the theme, being righteous before God. Jesus teaches His disciples and us to be righteous and giving in prayer and in fasting.
Now the simple definition of righteousness is being right with God. This can be difficult to do when we want to look good to others. With the popularity of social media, this teaching may be even more relevant today than it was in Jesus’ day.
We are pretty good at judging the Pharisees. They were rigid law-followers who operated based on show rather than on seeking the heart of God. But don't we fall into that trap as well? It's oh so tempting to want to look right to wear the right clothes at all costs. And even to have children who accelerate in sports, advanced classes or are even known in the church. It's tempting to want to showcase our power by the cars we drive, the neighborhoods we live in and yes, the posts we put up on social media for all the world to see.
Jesus’ teaching today is meant to remind us to put our relationship with God above our status with others. Jesus wants us to live righteously, not to live as hypocrites. Today, we learn that he wants us to share what we have, not just broadcast how much we donate.
He wants us to spend time with Him, not just belong to the most prestigious church.
And He wants us to feel his presence, not put our own sacrifice on display for all to see.
Well, let's begin by reading Matthew chapter six verses one through four from the New Living Translation. This is Jesus talking, he says,
Watch out. Don't do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do, blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity, I tell you the truth they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father who sees everything will reward you.
Now, in this teaching, Jesus is not instructing us to give or not to give, He presupposes that the disciples understood that generosity is the key ingredient in the life of the Jew, and for us today, the Christian life.
Instead, this teaching is meant to remind us that as we do those things we are called to do, we must be certain to be God-centered, and not self-centered. One theologian says that we shouldn't follow Jesus’ teachings to make ourselves look good, but to make God look good.
Have you ever been the answer to someone's prayer? I hope that I have been the answer to someone's prayer. But I can more easily recall when others were the answer to my prayers.
Just recently, I was tired. We've been very busy here, Women World Leaders. And sometimes the week gets long and my energy gets drained. Although I don't question what I'm doing, because I know that God has called me I do get tired. And recently, I've had to rely on God a little more, to do all that He has called me to do.
But as I pray for his strength and wisdom and power he continually delivers. Recently, in response to that prayer for strength and wisdom and power, God delivered flowers right to my house, to encourage me to keep going. I love flowers. And I cannot tell you how much of a God-wink that bouquet was. It sat on my desk as I worked at my computer. And each time I looked at it, I was reminded that God was pleased with my sacrifice to Him.
Now, you and I both know that God did not call the florist and order those flowers. But He did ask someone else to, and she listened. And if we asked her, I bet she'd say that God provided her the funds. She was obedient. I got the blessing. And most importantly, God got the glory.
When we are called to give, to share, to donate or to bless someone, it really isn't about us. It's about God. God knows what each person needs, and He will always provide and He often provides through us. Wow, what a privilege we have to give him God's name and to point the glory to Him. Jesus is teaching us that it isn't about what you give, leave that up to God and just respond in obedience. It's all His anyway.
No, it isn't about what you give. It's about how you give. Be careful to never take God's glory.
Jesus moves on to his teaching about prayer in verse five.
When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth. That is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father who sees everything will reward you.
Prayer is about going to God and spending time with Him. Again, Jesus isn't teaching us to not pray in public, there are certainly times when that is warranted. But He is saying when you pray, your sole focus should be on God. Don't pray to teach someone, or to showcase that you are religious, or to make your problems known to the world. Don't pray as a form of gossip. Our sole purpose in prayer should be to connect with God.
Jesus gives some practical tips on prayer beginning in verse seven.
When you pray, Don't babble on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need, even before you ask him.
Wow, God doesn't care that we use specific words. He wants to hear our heart. I've heard it said that prayer changes the pray-er even more than the situation. Our prayers are about bringing us into God's presence and allowing him into our hearts to do what he will.
Well then Jesus shared what many of us know as the Lord's Prayer. Luke records that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John the Baptist taught his followers. That is a prayer in and of itself and one that I pray often, God I don't even know what to pray here, guide me. Do you know what? He always will?
Jesus taught beginning in Matthew six, nine,
Pray like this. Our Father in heaven, May your name be kept holy. May Your kingdom come soon, may or will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need and forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one.
Jesus teaches that our prayer should first and foremost be filled with praise to God. Our God is personal. But He's majestic. So the prayer starts out Our father, Abba translated best as Daddy, our Father in heaven, he's reigning in heaven, He's holy.
We should always put God first in our prayers praising him for who he is. Think of a love letter. You would never never start off saying, I need this from you, please now. No, you would tell your love what you appreciate about him, how he lights up the room when he walks in, and how much he has changed your life.
Our God loves each of us more than any person ever will. And if we really understood that, our prayers would be saturated with our thanks and praise for him.
Next, we meet God in agreement. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Above all, we want what you want, God. And yes, then we get to ask God for our personal needs as our provider, for his forgiveness as our Savior, and for his protection as our deliverer.
Jesus continues the thought that God wants our hearts saying, beginning in verse 14,
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, Your Father will not forgive your sins.
What He's saying is when we truly recognize the magnitude of forgiveness that God offers through his son Jesus, we will be empowered to grow in forgiveness toward others.
Next, Jesus turns to fasting. Fasting was required by the Jews one day a year on the Day of Atonement. But fasting became a more frequent thing as individuals strive to hold on to God in the midst of dire circumstances, when they were taken from their home to a godless culture during the Babylonian exile. But in Jesus’ day, the Pharisees had taken what was meant as a strong reminder of God's provision and protection and turned it into a show, hypocritically turning the spotlight on themselves and their own sacrifice, rather than on the goodness and provision of God, as they publicly fasted two days a week. Jesus points the disciples back to God's intended blessing of the fast-verse 16.
And when you fast, don't make it obvious as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled, so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast comb your hair and wash your face, that no one will notice you're fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything,
will reward you. Giving, praying and fasting are all blessings that God gives us for the purpose of bringing us closer to Him. God wants us to be so sold out to Him, that these three acts of Christianity are as essential to our souls as breathing is to our flesh.
When we humbly submit in obedience to follow his call, our reward is great. We get to hang out with God, and we get the greatest job ever—shining the spotlight on Him.
Let's pray.
Dear most Gracious Father, it is such an honor to serve you and to know you. God led everything we do today be simply to honor you and shine the light on who you are. We thank you for guiding us into sacrificial giving, one on one prayer and fasting meant to bring us into greater communion with you. We give you this day and ask that you keep reminding each one of us of this teaching as we walk through today, that we may accomplish your will. In Your name I pray, Amen.
"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid." (Psalm 23:4 NLT) Today's guest, Amanda Jackman, walked through one of the darkest valleys of a lifetime that anyone can face. God's presence as she walked in the moments of death, fear, and fighting for life is why Amanda is now able to testify of victory in such a way that encourages others. * Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are happy that you have joined with us today. And I would love to welcome our guests who is also joined with us. Amanda Jackman, from Michigan. Welcome, Amanda.
Amanda Jackman Hello, ladies. And Kimberly, thank you so much for having me.
Kimberly Hobbs I'm so happy that you decided to join with us today. And we're just excited with the content of today's podcast is going to be intense. But we pray that you feel God's presence in this podcast because that was one of the words that we prayed over today was presence, not not the presence that you're getting as a gift at Christmas, but the presence of our Lord. And Amanda's story is quite remarkable. And she has so willingly come on to share this miraculous story with you in hopes that it's going to help encourage you to add the words as they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony. That's revelation 1211. And home My goodness, by sharing the story in what God has done in Amanda's life through her story is a powerful God has worked exceedingly abundantly beyond I think what she has even ever imagined. So we are excited to share that with you ladies. And our hope and purpose is that through sharing these stories, that it helps you to overcome the enemy when you know other people are going through similar situations, trials, tragedies, that they need to overcome that you can relate that to your own life. And just understand that God never leaves us or forsakes us and He gives us each other so that we can encourage each other and empower each other to run after him during some of these times in our life that we just shouldn't be going through alone. So before I start into interviewing Amanda, I just want to tell you a little bit about this precious woman of God. She is a lifetime resident of a small town in MLA City, Michigan. Her and her husband have four children. And she is a proud mom of these four children. She is a paralegal and enjoys reading and writing.
And today we're going to talk about God's presence, God's presence that he gave to Amanda at a time when she needed him the most. One of Amanda's favorite scriptures is Psalm 23. And that is even though it's Psalm 23, four, even though I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid of evil. You are always with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me. The scriptures means so much to you, Amanda and it is a reminder of God's presence when you needed him most. So today, I'm just going to ask if you can begin by sharing the tragedy that came upon you, yourself and the darkest valley of your life.
Amanda Jackman Well, thank you again, so much for allowing me to share. It was Labor Day weekend, this past Labor Day. So September 5 2021. We were at a family get together at my father in law's there were 10 children, including my four. And there were 11 adults. So there was a ton of people there. We had people inside the house outside the house. We had gone swimming, and then we stopped swimming. We ate dinner and had dessert together. And it was a really special day with our family. And I was inside with my my youngest, my baby and I was talking with my two sister in laws. And God told me to find Walter, my son. He said, Where's Walter? And I stood up mid conversation. And I walked outside and I looked at my husband I said babe, where's Walter? He's like, he's not in there with you. And I said, No, where is he? My my My Sorry, there was a scream. And everybody knew what that scream meant. My father in law's house has a pool. And so my son was at the bottom of the pool. My husband immediately dove in, pulled him out. And he, he was not there, and I will spare details. But he wasn't, he was no longer living at that point. Um, so my husband passed him off to Cindy. And she played them on the deck, and my brother and sister in law started CPR. And I'm CPR certified. But that was my baby. And I just stood there screaming, my husband said, You need to leave, walk away, please, please walk away. Don't, don't watch, just go. So I went to the end of the driveway, and I cried out and I prayed, I said, God, you can't do this. That's my baby like you, you don't get to take him from me. And I pray to the boldest prayer that I've ever prayed. And I said, Lord, You are bringing him back to me, you are restoring him fully, he will have no brain damage. And you're going to perform this miracle for us. And I'm going to tell the world about it, I'm going to get people to pray for him that have never prayed in their life, I'm going to get people to pray for him down on their knees, who haven't prayed in months or years. And I'm going to do that because you're bringing him back. And so it was it was totally unlike anything. I'm, I've been a Christian for many years. But this was very outside of the box, and very bold. And so the officer arrived, the paramedics arrived, and we loaded them up. My brother and sister in law had him breathing before the ambulance arrived, which was huge in his recovery. But then we were in the ambulance. And the paramedic, I asked him if there was anything I could do. And he said, No, Your presence is enough for your son. And I told them, I need to petition prayer, I need to call upon the people in my life who are going to pray fervently for my baby. And so that's that's what I did. I took a moment and I started texting people. And I said, I need you. This is what happened. And I I let go of the shame of the accident. And I just begged for prayer from people I knew were incredible Christ followers.
Kimberly Hobbs AMEN At that moment, and you said that you'd let go of the shame at that moment, which I think if you can just share with the listeners right away, because, again, you think about it, think about it. She's the mom, of course. So people are going to be like, Why weren't you watching your chick, your child? Why weren't you this way? You know, and there is shame involved. People might say What do you mean shame? Why did you have to let go of shame start telling people but can you describe that a little bit?
Amanda Jackman Yeah, absolutely. The the enemy likes to work against you. And I think he works the hardest with shame and guilt. And in the moment, he could tell me that I was a bad mom. And he could tell me Oh, my husband or Oh my family. And the reality of the situation is it was a tragic accident. There were a ton of people there. And when everybody's watching the pool, nobody's watching the pool. And it was just it was a lot of commotion. My son is a curious was a curious two year old and he he snuck over that side, he snuck over the side into the pool. I mean, it was not like the gate was open, it was very end even if it were it was an accident, there was no intention and and everybody experiences different trials and struggles and that was that was hard to to be the parent of a tragic accident like this that you feel like could have been prevented. And we you know, we it's not like we were negligent in the situation. We were all there and we were all very present but we all have lapses where we can't fully commit 100% of our time. We all have lapses and some kids right on the wall and and mine snuck into the pool.
Kimberly Hobbs Right? And that battle started right away with you Amanda because the enemy is telling you bad mom bad mom and you're hearing that but you're like, I need help. I need prayer I need people to and so you pushed through those voices in your head when you just described that shame and guilt and praise God you did because there's power in prayer there is power when people come in numbers and pray together. So remember that do not isolate the enemy wants to keep us isolated and alone when tragedy hits. And so he can poison our minds with lies in their lives from the pit of hell. So all my good so you push through and that ambulance and thank God you did Amanda and also some other things happened in that ambulance and on the way to the hospital and things that started showing you that God was there. His presence was with you. And I know you shared with me that the paramedic you know, you had gone to school with her. And she was comforting to you. She was putting her arms around you at a time when there was nobody else there to comfort you. God was showing you comfort in that moment. And ladies listening, when things are happening around us, we have to look for God in every situation. So Amanda has comfort she had comfort in the ER when she got to the hospital and I know the first hospital you went to, they intubated Walter there. And then they couldn't help him any further and they had to move him to another hospital or another transport. And more people were showing up that God put in your path that knew you that were substantial people in your life that all of a sudden they're they're helping you. And when your husband was Iraq and he was falling apart, you had some confidence because God wish had shown up there. So let's talk about right now, how you had that confidence. But then all of a sudden, something switched. You told me about that. Can you talk about those two weeks in the hospital?
Amanda Jackman Yes. So when we when we arrived to the hospital, actually, it was COVID. So you're only allowed mom and dad. And they actually made an exception and allowed our children's pastor who met us at the hospital because of praying and seeking out that. And he was able to lay his hands on Walter and he was able to pray for him when he was first intubated there, which was huge and so special. And it was a struggle at first the first 24 hours and they husband, he was a mess until they did an EEG I want to say is an EEG, and they determined he did not have any rain damage. And so my husband, okay, and because he felt he felt this huge burden of guilt because he was the one outside with Walter. And that released the guilt from him. And, and so we, we knew we were going to be there for a little while that he was going to be intubated. So he's sedated, fully sedated, there was nurse 24 hours in the room with him. So if we left it was okay. So I actually stopped home, to grab some fresh clothes, because we knew it was going to be a while and to say hi to my other children to let them know things were okay. And I just grabbed my mail, and I grabbed clothes, and I stopped up at the hospital. And we already had blessings pouring on us like gift cards for food, all of that just so I just brought everything with me to the hospital. And I sat down in the room, and I had my voice of Truth magazine. And my dear friend Jessica, she writes a column. She's actually the reason why I have the magazine. And so every day, I honor her every time I get the magazine, I honor her by opening up, and I look in the table of contents. And I find where she's at. And I read her first, because she's the reason that I have this magazine. So I honor her in that way.
Kimberly Hobbs And her her column is titled A Beautiful Mess in Voice of Truth in case anybody is wondering. Yeah, go ahead.
Amanda Jackman So Jessica's columns, she was her article, she was on the right side of the page. And when you look, we've trained our brains to read left to right. So I looked over to the left page, and there was this incredible drawing of a mama bear with her two cubs on her back. And it was titled carried. And underneath there was the verse that I had been leaning into for four days at that point, Isaiah 43 Two, when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. And that's not your everyday Bible verse. It's a very specific verse. And I had been praying that when I was in the end of the driveway, I knew it and my heart was praying it like God, you are with him. He wasn't alone in the water. You were with him. And you're gonna be with us now you're going to be with us through this trial. And there was this picture it right there on the other side of justice column and it was like, Okay, God, I see you. I see you, I feel you're here. You're here with us. And it was cached. It was just such a special moment. And one other really, really powerful moment that we had we had gone outside for the first time. And it was beautiful. It was September it was beautiful day we stand on a picnic table. and all of our pastors were on a retreat together. And they all took turns praying over our son and an over us. And my dear friend, Pastor Steve, he is very into looking up the meaning of words. And Walter means commander of the army. And so he said, we're going to wave this as a banner over Walters life. And I believe that in that moment, I was so full of hope, and understanding that my little two year old boy, he was going to come in armies for Jesus through this. And that if if a baby can flood the gates of heaven, what a remarkable way to use this tragedy. And any dead we had people telling us that they hadn't prayed in months, they showed up and said, we've been on our knees praying and, and, and how special that this little boy in this tragic story could could touch somebody in that way.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, that's so beautiful. That's so beautiful. And the beauty too, is the confirmations that God was giving you in that hospital stay through different ways. And he again was showing his presence, Amanda to you. And, again, ladies, as you listen to what Amanda was just sharing in your may be going through something, it's again, look for God's presence and how he's showing up in your trial and tragedy. And he's always going to let you know in little whispers that he's the hair. And this gave, like Amanda said, the confidence to her heart, she knew there was no coincidence that that scripture and voice of truth was firmly planted there by the Lord Himself. For that moment that Amanda was going to pick it up from the mail, gather her mail, go to the hospital and sit down and read it. He already knew that he already had it planned. And he already has something planned for you, ladies, whatever you're going through that is going to be significant enough to get your attention and let you know that he is there, he will always let us know because he never leaves us or forsakes. Us. So Amanda, we know, you know that God works miracles, Walter is going to Command armies God has told you that he has shown you that. And he has a quip us to know the ways that he moves. And you as a mom are going to be watching this. I know for sure and encouraging him in that way. God works miracles, and we read about so many miracles throughout his word. But do you ladies do you really believe that God wants to work a miracle for you? I know, the Bible tells us God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And Amanda, God started showing you that He is God, and He is important in your life. So please take this time and just pour into how the different ways that he showed the importance of himself his presence in your life?
Amanda Jackman Yeah, I think that one of the most important things is that we restore our minds daily. Even if you don't memorize scripture, if you don't sit down and you go word by word, you still have it in your heart. And sitting in a hospital with my husband. And my two year old boy, I knew enough scripture in my heart to combat anything that the enemy came against me with. You know, that verse in Isaiah that I shared with you. The enemy tried to tell me that, that nobody was there with my son in the water, that he was all alone and that he was waiting for me and that is a lie. Because in Isaiah 43 To the Lord says, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. So my son had had Jesus's arms wrapped around him, and what better place for him to be? What better place for him to be right. And the Lord, he shows us in so many different scriptures, his presence, you know, Isaiah 53, by his stripes we are healed. That was one that I leaned into also that that the Lord has the capacity to heal us of anything that we just have to have the power to believe that he can you know cast your worries onto him first Peter five seven, Joshua one nine The Lord is with you wherever you go in that I think the first part of that versus the be strong courageous that everybody talks about. But the second part, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. If you're in the waters if you're in The valley if you're in the hospital, God didn't leave you. He's right there. The Lord is near to those who call on him Psalm 145 18, Psalm 3480, and the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, Psalm 23:4
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Keep going, girl, this is beautiful! All this scripture.
Amanda Jackman It's all throughout Scripture, I don't know if there's a book you could open in the Bible that doesn't have God is with you. And his presence, he is for you. He, he will use anything that you go through for good, what the enemy meant for evil, he'll use it for good. And, and I just am blown away with his presence through every area of, of the tragedy that we had occur. And even afterwards, the the remarkable things that he's done in our son's lives and in our lives. Gosh, he still answers prayer, we just have to be bold enough to ask him, we just have to be bold enough to petition the throne, and just say, God, this is, this is your will. And I'm going to believe that it's your will. And even if it's not, you're still good. You know, I I remember sitting in the hospital saying, Lord, even if he doesn't come back, you're still good. Lord, even if he comes back and he has brain damage, you are still good, because he'd still be here. Who cares, you know? And then even if he restored and fully, he's still great. It didn't matter, the way that he worked in the situation for us, because we knew ultimately that he would it would be used for good.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Yeah. Beautiful. Oh, my gosh. And I just have to ask you, Amanda, you probably weren't knowing I was gonna say this. But just this morning, Amanda was texting back and forth with me and we were praying for each other and it was just so exciting what God was just filling with her but she had a huge prayer, prayer, praise report to share with me that blew me out of the water and brought me to tears. And I sat there reading it like God, you are so good. Even now even as we're preparing this podcast, you are showing your presence there with Amanda and as she steps out and obedience God you did this Amanda shear please with the ladies what he did just today.
Amanda Jackman So Walter, my son has been speech delayed for probably eight months prior to the accident was when we first started getting him help. COVID everybody wearing masks, it was hard for him to read lips. It was just a lot. He really struggled with developing speech. And so we've been trying, I've been trying, I should say, I've been trying to get him to say I love you. And I have been trying for a year and a half, maybe a year and three quarters of a year. Pretty much since we started giving him help. I've been going I love you every day, trying to get him to say it and he will not say it and he'll say sing Baa Baa Black Sheep, but he won't say I love you. And then this morning, I got out of the shower. And he looked at me and he said I love you. I love you. And I just stared at him. Like, did you just say that? Oh, yeah. It was amazing.
Kimberly Hobbs When you cried happy tears that you had said, you know, you said, God, if he ever tells me I love you, it will be the happiest day of my life. And so ladies, we get to share in this with Amanda today because God again. She kept saying God, I'm gonna serve you God, I'm gonna trust you, God, I'm gonna push through. And sometimes we know ladies, it's hard to serve the Lord. And they're, you know, it takes time to and then Amanda when I asked her would you be willing to do a podcast interview because she right away? She said she would write and voice of truth and share her testimony. That was like, right away. Yes. But so how would you feel about sharing a podcast about this? And she said, Yes, right away. And so again, an act of obedience. Until there's no coincidence today is Amanda stepped out in faith to share on this podcast with you today. She's never done a podcast before and it's like wow, you know, like she said, Yes, God, I'll do whatever you call me to do. And I just think that God is showing he's working. Look at the power of God at work. How long have you waited for your child to say I love you those three words that would be so easy to me. Buddy else right? But God waited for just the right time. Just the right time. That's so beautiful. Are you okay, Hon?
Amanda Jackman Yeah, I didn't I didn't prepare for you to say. So you're right.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh no, I know. And then when we rejoice with you, we So rejoice with you and how precious is that. And again, ladies, God knows what you're going through, look to Him in every situation, he's going to walk you through it, he's going to be right there with you. And he's giving you blessings along the way, as you honor him, and you are obedient to Him through life's challenges, because they're not easy. They're not easy. So in close, Amanda, you shared with me, a favorite scripture that God gave you, which is James 112, that says, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. And wow, you persevered, honey, even when people were saying you were doing this wrong, or doing that wrong through walking through it, you persevered, and you looked to God for your guidance in what he told you to do. And so now God is using you, Amanda, to speak life and love into others. His presence is ever encompassing us constantly surrounding us, he surrounded you and your family. So please, right now, there's the woman listening, that is struggling, oh, my goodness. And she is going through trial and tragedy right now. And it may be somebody listening to this podcast knows of somebody struggling and in need to just know God's presence is with them. And we pray that you'll share these podcasts ladies, Amanda, can you speak a word of hope to that person?
Amanda Jackman I, I fully felt even on my heart this morning, that God allows suffering, to radically change our lives for him. That to realize that the comfortable Christianity, that we can't do it without him, we get comfortable, and we, you know, we make moves for our lives, but we really can't do it without him. I think we get comfortable and complacent in that. And, and wow, the valley is the place for you to reach up. And to allow for the most intimate moments for you to petition our Lord, for blessing for requests. In these moments, where you're in the valley, the world slows. And sometimes it stops for us. We were in a hospital for two weeks away from our other three wild children. And it stopped for us so we could just be in prayer with the Lord and petition him and feel the closeness in the presence of him. And I just hope to encourage you that if you just pause in the valley, and in your struggle to just reach up and to just pray and to just pray, the Lord's will be done in your life and and the valley is there for a reason. Even though we don't see it. We know he's working. Even though sometimes we don't feel it. We know that he's working and he's working on things for His glory and for His goodness.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, that is such a good word, sweetheart, such a good word. And I have another scripture and I I just love sharing Scripture. God says ladies call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you. And you will give me glory. Psalm 50 Verse five, and wow, Amanda, God rescued you when you were in trouble. And he let you know his presence was ever surrounding you. And you are now giving him glory. And Walter's giving him glory, through his life through how you're raising your children, you and your husband. There's been so much learning through this time. And ladies, our prayers that you will just turn to God's word. It's filled filled with promises for you. There's over 3000 promises in His Word, His Word is truth and you can count on His Word and if he led you to a scripture in His Word, you better be sure that his promises are true. And that you can hold on to that. Okay, so we just encourage you go back to his word and we are just so grateful that you tuned in today and Amanda, I just want to thank you for sharing and encouraging Seeing the listener and thank you for just again, the story that you have been so willing to process and put together. And now I know that God is putting other things on your heart to do, such as writing, and, oh, we're just gonna keep praying that through that God continues to use your life, your testimony of him in your life, to help pour into others. And ladies, we pray that for you to God is working in you, giving you the desire. Do you understand that? That's a scripture verse, ladies, he's working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. So ladies, that's exactly what we do here. We want to encourage you, that we will come alongside of you, to help you to help you help others in the name of Jesus. And that's what we are called to do. All right, we need to show love, we need to show encouragement to one another. We need to come together as women running after Jesus's heart. So if you feel glad we asked you and invite you into women or leaders into this ministry, to be a deeper part of it, and use your gifting where God has placed you. God's using Amanda right where she is in Michigan. He is using other of our leaders in different parts of the world in different countries. But we're all coming together in the name of Jesus in a ministry that we're able to help others. So ladies, one of the ways we do that, and as Amanda and this is how I met her was because she opened the page as a voice of truth. And there is a beautiful, beautiful amount of encouragement for you in this magazine that contains scriptures that contains so much in the way that you can get this you can read it if you're outside of the United States, you can read it digitally for free. And you can go to www dot women world leaders.com. And if you are inside the United States, you can get the beautiful printed version for free mailed to your home to sign up on our website for that. And ladies, we also have other tools of writing. We have books available. And one of the books I thought that might be helpful to you would that women are sharing their stories this one is courageous steps of faith with God, all things are possible. Ladies, take that step of faith read some of these other stories of women that stepped out of their uncomfortable zone. And they stepped into being bold and faithful. Just like Amanda's spoke and prayed those bold prayers. Ladies, we encourage you to do so too. And here's a tool, courageous steps of faith. It's available on Amazon but we would prefer you get it through our women world leaders website as well. So many tools available for you here. So in close again, thank you Amanda for being our guest today. Thank you ladies for joining us. You're welcome on and we hope you come back again. So remember to register Lord ladies up on women moral leaders for our events. So check our website out for daily devotions. And all content today is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. So we say goodbye to each of you. God bless you and have a wonderful week.
Bye everybody.
Things that happen in life can cause us to be overwhelmed in our race of faith. Obtain freedom from the issues of your heart, receiving God's power to strengthen you to run your race of faith with grace!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-
Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title: God’s Grace for the Race!
1 “Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 AMPC
While working out at the gym this morning, I noticed my husband’s company shirt, from the Breast Cancer Awareness walk we participated in spring of 2011. In front of the word “race,” was the breast cancer awareness pink ribbon, and I couldn’t help but see the word GRACE. The Lord spoke to my heart that when we have God, which is big “G,” in our race, we have GRACE!
Recently, the Holy Spirit has brought much to light during the Feast of Tabernacles, known as Sukkot, which ends October 6th. Presently, while writing my podcast it is October 3rd. On October 2nd, God went deep into my heart with His Word of Truth, operating on it as in Hebrews 4:12, dividing between soul and spirit, revealing my intentions and motives.
“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMPC
Sometimes, we don’t know what we don’t know. Things are hidden deep within the subconscious, which I’m familiar with, having been a psychotherapist with the seriously mentally ill, and now doing health and wellness coaching for many years, which includes the psyche. It wasn’t until the time of these fall feasts that things “came to a head,” where the Holy Spirit revealed things hidden in my heart.
I had gotten cluttered with thoughts of others and what they were saying about me, as well as the stress of my hormonal changes and getting balance with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and in addition, a close loved one, who received a serious debilitating diagnosis earlier this year, that we’ve kept quiet. We are believing for full healing and are certain we’ve been given wisdom from God, for the path of my loved one’s healing.
All these issues in life became the issues of my heart, crammed to the rim of my soul. However, this is the thing; I had no clue that anything had been within my heart, causing me to be stifled, so to speak. My husband says I’m the most forgiving person he knows, in our 22 years of marriage. He’s seen the personal hurts in my life, as well as known where I’ve been merciful and forgiving with him, especially in our early years of marriage. That’s why he’s so loyal to me.
I would consider myself a seasoned saint, having ministered under the unction of the Holy Spirit as in Galatians 1:1, where I’ve not been sent by a church or a man, like the apostle Paul states, but I’ve been sent by God. I never wanted to be a minister and always saw myself as a high-powered attorney, with my Ann Taylor suits and shoes, going into court arguing my client’s case. I have a bachelor’s and master’s in social work, and a Juris Doctorate. It was in the first year of law school on Resurrection Day 2002, where Holy Spirit delivered me from alcoholism, the residue of me medicating my soul, while being a single mother, that blended over into the first year of our marriage. Shortly after that, Holy Spirit delivered me from rage, which by the way, I never knew I had, but God did.
In the midst of the supernatural encounters with God in 2002, and Him bringing freedom and deliverance by the Spirit of the Lord, I was called to train and prepare for ministry. Initially, I wanted it, but then like Moses, I learned that it wasn’t till you didn’t want to do a thing, that you get to do it. God had to sift “Robin,” out of the way, so that all that could be seen was Christ. He then put me on the Isaiah 35:8 Highway of Holiness, redeemed the time in my life, and had me studying the word four hours a day, and praying an hour a day. I knew it to be Mach 1 into the call of God.
Now many years later, after being in full-time ministry since February 24, 2011, where God has superabundantly supplied for all of our needs, as I left an incredible job making double the amount of my husband at the time. Even now, God humbles me, revealing my weakness, allowing the sifting of the satan, who has been given permission as with the prophet Job, and Peter in Luke 22:31-33. The whole purpose of the sifting is to get us out of the way, where we’ve become accustomed to running our own race without God, unaware we’ve allowed little mole hill to build up into mountain and hinder us.
The way God has built me in my Christian faith, is to remain humble and transparent. Therefore, this week He had me publicly repenting to my Facebook and YouTube followers, of how unknowingly I’ve allowed things to become the issues of my heart, between other people’s discussions of me, my hormone imbalance, and my loved one’s illness. It was then, as in James 5:16, where I confessed my sins, that what had been hindering me from the issues of Robin trying to run her race, I was SET FREE! I was able with grace to turn to the people that I need to, and have conversations that were necessary, for me to become a better saint, being set apart for God, as well as bringing things to light, for peace to dwell in our midst. I had to take a hard look at my behaviors and heart, seeing the sifting within, to know that the purpose would not only be for making me better, but to strengthen the brethren.
God began to show me, areas in which I was seeing others through my own hurt and hadn’t let go. Thank God; as much as we forgive others, is the degree that we’re forgiven. (Matthew 6:14) This is the thing; I didn’t know I had issues in my heart. I was so distracted and overcome with all that was going on in my life, that I didn’t realize a little at a time over the span of 4 months, I had ended in a place where the intents and motives of my heart were areas of woundedness, that left me running my race of faith by myself.
Once I repented, and all was laid bare before God, He breathed into my weary soul, and lifted me up to His throne of Grace, to obtain mercy for my need! (Hebrews 4:16) The interesting thing is that yesterday when all of this happened, I had to go to a doctor appointment and get my estrogen bumped up, and on the way, I saw a personalized tag PRAY4US. God always talks to me through personalized car tags, and it is timely. Later, on my way back home from picking Rich up from work, I then saw the personalized tag ADVOCAT for advocate. I couldn’t help but think of How Jesus our Advocate and High Priest prays for us.
“My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father—[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action].” 1 John 2:1 AMPC
This blessed me so much, as the Father reminded me how Jesus has been praying for me and advocating for me, while I had been going through all the issues of life. He knew that I would be at this place in 2023, and His prayers effectively, got Robin out of her race and into God’s race, conforming me to God’s purpose in my thoughts and actions. He changed my stinking thinking and freed me of the issues of life that had weighed me down.
We’re never above the place of needing God’s chastisement, on His beautiful Hebrews 4:12 surgical table where He does heart surgery. Our vulnerability proclaiming our infirmities, is the place where God is strong. Paul knew this well, as he proclaimed, if he were to boast about anything regarding himself, it would be his weaknesses. In our weakness, God is strong! (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul knew that the secret to running the race of faith, was to cry out to God, where His grace would always be sufficient!
Most people, when they think about Paul, consider him a super saint. However, in 1 Timothy 1:15, he proclaims himself, chief sinner. I love his monologue in 2 Corinthians 11, right before he cries out to God to remove the thorn, which was a messenger of satan, sent to buffet his flesh. He’s telling the church of Corinth like it is, as they put up with all the super false apostles, whom they give offerings to willingly, while he must work in a trade, while he is preaching there and get support from Macedonia. Paul is real. He’s sharing the issues of his own heart and displaying them in a vulnerable state publicly in front of the church. How many of you right now, would stand before the church and humble yourselves, if need be and confess your sin of unforgiveness or pride. We never want to think that is us.
With the past revivals I have read about, one especially, the revival of Timor, in the book “Like a Mighty Wind,” by Mel Tari, people were real when the glory of God showed up. When the glory of God came upon the church in Timor like the book of Acts, they saw signs and wonders of the Kingdom of Heaven! Healings took place, souls were saved, and people were set free from all oppression, glory to God! And one of the leading trademarks, as with the revival in Shantung, China beginning in 1927, was that people confessed their sins publicly in church and got rid of all the issues of life that had hindered them.
Where is it that you’re running your own race, and you need to step back, confess what’s on your heart, and get in God’s race, where you experience His Holy Grace.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
God calls us to reflect His perfection. What does that mean and how can we possibly be perfect? Let’s learn together as we walk through Matthew 5:33-48 and Luke 6:27-36 on today’s episode of Walking in the Word.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leader’s podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. And I'm so glad you've joined us. We at Women World Leaders seek to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. We do this by listening to and obediently following God's call to action. We are thrilled that you're listening to our podcasts and pray that they are helping you grow in Christ.
If you are seeking more, I invite you to visit our website, womenworldleaders.com, and discover all the amazing things that God is doing. There you can access our quarterly magazine – Voice of Truth – which you can read digitally for free or receive your own physical copy by becoming a monthly donor to the ministry. We also offer opportunities to write your story in one of our books, to share the gospel to those around you by using our Love Cards, and gather with us for monthly Zoom leadership connects and prayer calls. You are also invited to join our Facebook group, where we post daily devotions and inspirational messages from women around the globe.
On this our Wednesday edition of the women world leaders podcast we have the opportunity to delve into God's Word. We are currently walking through the Gospels chronologically and trusting that God will illuminate his words for us as He guides us.
This week, we continue to enjoy Jesus' teaching to His disciples, known as the Sermon on the Mount, as primarily written about in the Gospel of Matthew. Our scripture, today is Matthew five, verses 33 through 48, and Luke chapter six, verses 27 through 36. And it includes Jesus teaching to us to reflect the perfection of God.
Allow me to pray before we begin…
Dear most holy God. Today, we are reminded of your perfection, which is so impossible for us to grasp with our feeble minds. And yet we read that you call us to be perfect. God, we confess to you that we don't even completely understand perfection. So we fall before you and ask you to teach us, guide us, and open our hearts to understand what you want us to know today. Thank you for meeting us where we are and loving us purely and completely. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Well, let's begin at the end of our Scripture teaching for today. Matthew five verse 48. From the New Living Translation, it quotes Jesus words,
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
I begin here because this is the subject sentence, the climax of Jesus teaching to his disciples and to us. Everything Jesus says before, leads up to this one sentence. God our Father is perfect. He is holy, sinless, He does no wrong. Everything he does is praiseworthy, and as his children made in His image, we are to emulate and reflect that quality of perfection. We are made to be perfect as our Father is perfect. And that can only be accomplished by our ongoing willingness to submit to His will and to allow his power to work within us.
To do this. We must put ourselves aside and trust God. And we must learn, continually learn, what it means to be perfect.
I'm assuming that you are listening today because you are seeking to follow God's will. If you are, here is his call to you. Be perfect. Simple, right? Simple, but not easy.
Let's back up to Matthew 5:33, to begin to see what God's perfection looks like.
Jesus teaches.
You have also heard that our ancestors were told you must not break your vows. You must carry the vows you make to the Lord.
This original law comes from Numbers 30 Verse 2 which says, A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it, he must do exactly what he said he would do.
The word translated as a vow here is nadair, meaning a promise to God. The Bible tells us that when we vow to God, when we promise or commit to him, perfection requires that we fulfill that vow.
But the Pharisees complicated this, they made loopholes in this biblical teaching. When making an oath that they were not serious about keeping, instead of sealing it with the Lord's name, they sealed it with something else, swearing by heaven, or Jerusalem, or even the Earth.
None of those things were binding by God's teaching. But they sounded pretty good. They in essence, were making people read the fine print of their vow.
I can remember as a kid on the playground learning that if I crossed my fingers behind my back, I could lie. And it wouldn't count as a lie. I have no idea where that came from. But I'm guessing the Pharisees might have approved of my playground law.
Jesus, however, is pretty straightforward, and He is not at all about loopholes. So He continues in verse 34. But I say, do not make any vows do not say by heaven, because heaven is God's throne. And do not say by the Earth, because the Earth is his footstool. And do not say by Jerusalem for Jerusalem is the city of the great king. Do not even say by my head for you can't turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple yes, I will. or No I won't. Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Perfection is holding to your word. Your simple Yes. And your simple No.
A deep study into God's Word reveals that God will always do what he says He will do. No ifs, ands, or buts. That is part of God's perfection. And as his followers, we are called to be perfect. We are called to keep our word.
The practical side of this is that keeping our word builds trust within relationships and makes commitment possible.
The reality is that keeping our word can be downright difficult. It can be tempting to go back on our commitments when the going gets tough to want to step away from the work of a situation and to not trust God's provision to help us finish well.
Well, next Jesus teaches about the imperfection of revenge. Verse 38, you have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
This teaching comes from several places in the Old Testament, including Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. Biblical scholars will tell you that this law was originally written in brutal times to protect the guilty. It kept people from forcing an offender to pay a price greater than the offense warranted from seeking Revenge.
This was our merciful, perfect God, protecting even offenders from undue harm. This law was meant to be used by civil authorities and civil courts as a means of maintaining public order. And it was never intended for the rationalization of privately enforced judgment.
Jesus speaks to the disciples in verse 39, He says, But I say do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
This statement was less about being physically injured by someone and more about being insulted as slapping someone in the face was considered an insult to one's honor. Jesus is saying, don't put yourself on so high of a pedestal that you turn and walk away when someone insults you. No. We are called to be the light of the world to show the love of Jesus. And we can't show someone anything. If we turn and walk away.
Verse 40, if you are sued in court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too.
Today, most of us have a closet of clothes. If someone takes my shirt, I might be mad. But truthfully, I can just go grab another one. That wasn't necessarily the case in Jesus day. In fact, if someone gave their coat to someone as a pledge, by law, it had to be returned by sunset, as a coat often doubled as a person's only blanket.
Jesus says if someone takes your shirt, likely your only shirt, give them your coat as well. likely your only coat. Okay, so now you are naked.
But as a Christian, that's okay. Because we can trust that God will provide and care for us. He is perfect. And we have His Word.
Verse 41. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
This was a normal occurrence. These people lived in the heart of oppression that many of us can't even begin to understand. We balk at being asked to wear a mask. They on a dime could be forced to carry a soldier's gear, deliver official correspondence, build a road or a public building, or like Simon of Cyrene carry across for a man sentenced to death who was too weak to carry it himself.
Jesus says to the oppressed, go the extra mile.
We've all heard of the phrase that actions speak louder than words or even kill them with kindness. I think Jesus would have liked these sayings.
This leads us to verse 42. Give to those who ask and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.
Perfection and generosity go hand in hand. That's a concept that doesn't need a lot of explanation.
Jesus continues in verse 43. You have heard the law that says Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Okay, I note here, love your neighbor is a central teaching of the Old Testament, but nowhere does it say to hate your enemy. In fact, it says the opposite and Exodus 23 verses four and five, we read. If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that is straight away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load. Do not walk by instead, stop and help.
Jesus here is giving us a perfect example of how man can warp God's teachings, reminding us that we must always go to Scripture ourselves to hear from God. The Bible is not a book intended only for preachers and teachers. It's intended for all of us.
Well, Jesus sets the record straight. You have heard the law that says love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
And Jesus reminds us that our perfect God does not play favorites and neither should we.
He says, For he gives sunlight to both the evil and the good. And he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much? If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that?
Luke records the same teachings in chapter six but writes it this way. Even sinners love those who love them. Even sinners do good to those who do good to them. And even sinners, lend to other centers for a full return.
Luke records a succinct directive beginning in Luke chapter six, verse 35. Love your enemies, do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid, then your reward from heaven will be very great and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
Ah Yes, I for 1am thankful that God is kind to those who are on thankful and wicked. Because otherwise, how would I have ever been drawn to him? How would any of us?
We are made in God's image and as his children, we are called to reflect His attributes.
Luke records You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate,
And Matthew records, But you are to be perfect. even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Perfection isn't easy. Holding to your word and your commitment isn't easy. Standing strong and showing the love of Christ as you are disrespected is not easy. Trusting God for complete provision when you are left naked, is not easy. Being kind and going the extra mile when you're oppressed is not easy. Being generous and praying for your enemies is not easy.
No one ever said being a Christian and swimming upstream against an evil world would be easy.
But as you strive to reflect the perfection of God, you can be assured that God Himself will empower you, protect you, and guide you, and that your reward in heaven will be very great.
Let's pray.
God we want to please you. We want to reflect your love, compassion and grace to a hurting world. God thank you for reminding us today that our reward is not here on this earth but is waiting for us in heaven and is far greater than we can ask or imagine. God I asked you right now that you infused each listener with a shot of holy adrenaline as only you can empowering her to walk powerfully in the path that you have put her on to walk in your perfection and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Special guest and national speaker, Jessica Prukner, who is also a sister writer in Women World Leader's Voice of Truth magazine, shares about being a super mom! As a homeschool boot camp leader, homeschooling mom, and successful business owner, Jessica talks about raising three "world changers" for Jesus and encourages moms and grandmoms to help find God's purpose for our young impressionable children through encouragement.❤
In today’s Podcast, Tawana shares another excerpt from her upcoming book and reveals three common Anxieties the enemy uses against us.
Tawana also gives us practical steps on how to identify the fears and overcome them so we can walk strong with Freedom in Jesus.
Content Taken from Tawana’s upcoming book.
Not authorized for reprint without consent from Tawana Lowery or Women World Leaders.
Hello… and Welcome to Women World Leaders Podcast
I’m your Host… Tawana Lowery
· Women’s Empowerment Coach
· And Global Ministry Leader
- And I’m VERY excited you joined today…
· Because we’re going to explore what the Father wants us to know about himself and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors of his Powerful Kingdom…
· So let’s get started…
- If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for more than 10 minutes…
then you’ve already discovered that the enemy does not want you to be an effective ambassador of the Fathers Kingdom!!
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That’s why he works triple overtime to stop us!!
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And his method of choice is FEAR…
a. Fear is his stomping ground.
b. And he’s always inviting us to join in the drama!!!
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But what really fuels his fire (no pun intended) is when we are Clueless about it!
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He loves to hide it in the form of something we might not recognize as Fear.
a. That is especially true with regards to Anxiety.
b. Many times, we don’t recognize the fear issues associated with our Anxiety because we’re so distracted by the Anxiety itself.
- Interestingly enough… the dictionary actually describes Anxiety as an abnormal or overwhelming sense of fear.
That can be triggered by a host of issues such as financial worry, relationship concerns, or just the perpetual uncertainty of life.
- But Rabbi Paul admonishes us in Philippians 4:6-7 to…
“NOT be anxious about anything! But instead, surrender the anxiety to the Father in prayer so we can receive his Shalom… His perfect peace!
- So… if you’ve been struggling lately with Anxiety in a particular area (or in a lot of areas) then get ready for breakthrough!
Because in this Podcast I’m going to Expose 2 Common Anxieties that many of us deal with.
Plus, I’ll also share the practical steps we can take to Overcome it and walk strong in Freedom.
So, the first is called “Abandonment Anxiety.”
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For those of us who’ve experienced the pain of being abandoned (whether by a spouse, a parent, or others), the mere thought of a repeat episode can trigger Severe Anxiety or even panic attacks.
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I can totally empathize with this…
a. I battled with overwhelming Abandonment Anxiety for several years because of my experiences from childhood into my 40s.
- But I am happy to report, I discovered the way of escape that set me totally free…
· I accomplished it by casting the imprint of my experiences onto the cross of Yeshua my Savior.
· Although what others did was hurtful and wrong, I had to own how those experiences were impacting me and the lies they tempted me to believe.
· I had to Confess how my abandonment encounters had prejudiced my heart towards the living God.
· In other words…. I was fearful that my heavenly Father would treat me in the same manner.
· Jesus died to destroy the manifest works of the Devil… And my past experiences with people were manifesting as debilitating fear… even towards God.
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After I crucified the fear and the experiences on the cross, it opened my heart to receive the free gift of Faith from the one who promised to Never Ever leave me or Abandon me.
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Maybe you’ve had a similar experience that’s created Abandonment Anxiety in your life.
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If so, you can experience the same freedom I did with these practical steps…
· First. ask God to expose the source of your Abandonment Anxiety. We serve the God who speaks and he will speak to you right now.
· Then ask him to reveal how those experiences may have prejudiced your heart towards his promises and blocked you from the ability to rest in his unfailing love.
· Next, forgive those who abandoned you.
· Crucify the experiences and the fear on the cross of Jesus.
· And ask the Father to resurrect you as with a new heart and mind to receive Faith and assurance in his unfailing Love.
Okay…
Let’s wrap up with another Common Anxiety. And this one is probably the least detected… but can have the greatest adverse impact on our faith walk and spiritual maturity…
It’s called… “Assimilation Anxiety”
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As we know… God is continually calling us into new things that feel very unfamiliar… just as he did the saints before us.
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In order to keep in step with what God is calling us into…
· We are frequently called to walk into the unknown and away from the familiar.
- As expected, it can produce a great deal of fear…
· Many of us are afraid of the unknown.
- But maybe it’s not Fear of the unknown that hinders our walk.
· Maybe it’s simply an idol for the familiar, for the comfortable and for the path of least resistance that creates the fear.
· Maybe we’re simply afraid to release the idol because we’ve believed it has the power of life and death.
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The dangerous component is that our idol for the familiar creates a a stronghold that makes us resistance to Assimilate into the new things Gods has in store.
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This is the reason we are admonished throughout the scriptures to forget what lies behind, and to be aware of the new things that are springing up.
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Although God never changes… he strongly desires to change us from glory to glory, from faith to faith… from abounding to more abounding.
· His desire is that we keep in step with the spirit…
· That we follow the Grace…
· And that we do what we see the Father do.
· This is the example Jesus gave us.
- And that means breaking free from Assimilation Anxiety.
· That means confessing our fear of not having control.
· That means allowing God to have control of our thoughts and imagination about the future.
- Often times when considering something new… our minds begin to rehearse all the things that could go wrong.
· We start imagining failure.
· Not realizing we’re aligning our imagination with the lies of the enemy!!
· Then our emotions and decisions simply follow suit.
· Next thing you know… we’re stuck… and can’t understand why.
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Sometimes it’s hard for us to imagine that God has something better than what we can produce for ourselves.
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But the truth is… God always has something better than what we are afraid to release.
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I was out walking one evening during a season of massive uncertainty. And while I was praying I heard the Lord say…
“Tawana… you’re Never going to have the life you dreamed of. But can you believe that I love you enough to give you something better?
- Wow… not exactly what you want to hear from God when you’re asking for assurance.
· But… he was assuring me of something…
· I just wasn’t something I had considered before.
- Although his statement was extremely unexpected…
· He was trying to help me understand the importance of letting go of my idol for the Small Familiar so I could receive the Big New Future he had planned from the foundation of the world.
· Truthfully…. I was unaware how the fear had developed into an idol until the spirit of truth spoke truth to my heart.
- Once the Fear was outta the bag… I had to repent of the idol for the familiar so I could receive the NEW THING that was about to spring up!
· I had to release the Assimilation Anxiety that was stopping me.
- When you think about it… the Scriptures are overflowing with promise about the goodness of God that is always waiting for us.
· Psalm 23
· Jeremiah 29:11
· And many, many more.
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However…. We can’t receive his restful assurance until we release the fear… and the idol for the familiar.
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Only then can our hearts and minds Assimilate into the good things… the new things… and the better things that await.
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Maybe you’re facing a call into the unknow and away from the familiar. Maybe your struggling with Assimilation Anxiety.
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If so… then we can use the same practical steps we reviewed with the other anxieties to break free and move forward.
· Step one… Confess or truth tell about the Idol and the fear.
· Admit that you have it.
· It’s not going to surprise God.
· In fact… he rejoices when we walk in truth. He LOVES it.
· Next, let’s ask the Lord to reveal how the idol was formed…
· AND the lies it has tempted you to believe…. about him, about yourself, and about your future.
· Now… we’ll ask forgiveness for believing the lies and for putting our trust in an idol for the familiar instead of faith in Jesus.
· Next, take the lies and the idol to the cross to be crucified.
· Lastly… we will ask to be resurrected in Christ Jesus so we can receive a new heart, a new mind and a brand-new life.
AMEN!!!
Well… It’s been an absolute pleasure spending time with you today.
And I hope this simple message has helped shed light on common fear and anxieties that try to stop us…AND… how to overcome them by the Blood of the Lamb and the Power of the Cross.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast!
· Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose.
· Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.
· From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders.
All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
As Jesus continues teaching the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21-32, He gives us instructions on handling anger and dealing with relationship issues, calling us to look beyond the surface of the law to the heart of the law.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. Thank you for joining us today as we walk through the Gospels together.
Whenever and wherever you are listening, if you turned on the news today, I’m sure you heard something that made you shake your head in disgust. And it wouldn’t surprise me if you are, on some level, currently battling anger or frustration personally – because we all do at times. Due to the complexity of the issues we face, it can seem nearly impossible to look through all the muck and see how God is calling us to react. But God doesn’t want us to look only at the surface of His direction for us, He wants us to walk with Him and understand His heart.
So whatever your frame of mind, I’m glad you’ve taken few minutes to pause and listen to this podcast – where we spend a few minutes together focusing on God’s Word and seeking to understand it fully.
No matter what mountain we are climbing or beautiful hillside we are meandering through, Jesus is our best walking partner. As we walk with Him, we can trust that God, through His Word and Holy Spirit, will guide and lead us to what really matters.
Before we open the Word together, let’s grab our climbing partner by the hand and ask Him to walk with us.
Dear most holy God, We come to you right now seeking your presence. Be with each listener where she is, and teach her today what you want her to know. God we know that nothing surprises you and with you all things are possible. We ask you to guide us as we open Your Word today and that we would hear the words of Jesus. Open our hearts and allow us to understand what it is you want us to know as we spend time with you. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
Today we will be studying Matthew chapter 5, verses 21 through 32 out of the New Living Translation. A couple of weeks ago, we began our walk through the Sermon on the Mount. And last week, the final verse we looked at was Matthew 5:20, which says,
But I warn you unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
This may have left the disciples and other listeners wondering, how can I possibly be more righteous than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who have dedicated their lives to knowing and following the law of Moses and the teaching of the scriptures?
But as Jesus teaches, it becomes clear that while the Pharisees may be all about the letter of the law, Jesus is all about the heart of the law.
Jesus begins by specifically referencing several of the teachings of the Pharisees, and as he does, he teaches a deeper truth to each, a truth that God intended us to know and learn from the beginning. Matthew 5:21 says,
You have heard that our ancestors were told you must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. But I say if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment. If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
Matthew 5:21 begins You have heard that our ancestors are told… most translations say something like you have heard it said. Now in other places in the Bible, Jesus is recorded as saying it is written when he is quoting scripture. So the fact that he is now saying you have heard it said indicates that Jesus is addressing the laws as man taught them. And we know by now that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law often distorted those laws by adding their own man-made laws and rules that the people were to follow. Well, remember Jesus says earlier in this chapter that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill the law, and that not a single stroke of the pen will disappear from the law until all is accomplished.
So Jesus is not trying to change the meaning of the law as it is written, on the contrary, he is explaining to the disciples and to us the full meaning of the original law. That is, what God intended us to know, the heart of the law.
Jesus wants us to understand the why. What was the purpose of the law in the first place? The law says in Exodus 20:13, you must not murder.
Murder is an external act. And that external act in Jesus day was punishable by death in a human court of law.
But God, our perfect judge does not judge us merely on external acts as humans. Instead, He judges us on the attitude of our hearts, in this case, anger. Why do you suppose that Jesus teaches that anger is as grievous as a sin as murder?
Besides the fact that God is holy, and any sin causes unrighteousness, I would propose this teaching stems from the fact that sinful anger, ruins the relationships that God has gifted us.
Anger hurts our human relationships, and it hurts our relationship with God. And God is all about relationship. In our anger, we are tempted to lash out at others, what do you think is the effect of calling someone an idiot or cursing them as Jesus references? Not good, right? It was even worse in Jesus day when a person's name was everything, a hallmark to who that person was. So to call someone, Rayana, which was the original word use, that means empty headed or translated here as idiot would have been an insult even greater than it is today. Anger such as that could in effect, murder, a God-ordained relationship.
And Jesus goes on to teach that relationship is more important than any sacrifice, we could offer God saying in verse 23. So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar, go and be reconciled to that person, then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Jesus then continues with some more practical advice, when you're on your way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Anger puts you in a prison cell. It holds you captive from being who God truly made you to be. And it keeps you from doing what God has called you to do. Jesus says settle your differences quickly. Don't allow the chains of anger to keep you from the relationships that God intended for you.
Next, Jesus teaches on the seventh commandment Exodus 20:14. You must not commit adultery.
Going back to Matthew 5, verse 27 says, You have heard the commandment that says you must not commit adultery. But I say anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus is again teaching the wisdom behind the law. I think about my when my kids were young, they didn't understand the why behind our family rules. It just didn't make sense to them that I had to know their friend's parents before they could spend the night with them. Their undeveloped and naive minds simply couldn't make the connection that a fun play date could turn out bad under the wrong circumstances. They didn't know the why.
The Pharisees taught the letter of the law and were harsh with their punishments but they didn't understand the why. Jesus taught the wisdom of the law, the why behind the law, and it all hinged on his care and concern for us, for you.
Just like when he was talking about murder and anger, Jesus is teaching here that the root of sin the sin of adultery, lies in the attitude of our hearts.
Honoring and loving your spouse means in part making him or her the object of your sexual desire. When your mind begins to stray, the poison of sin begins to grow in your heart, and it quickly infects your relationship. But not only does committing adultery infect the relationship, but lust for another does as well. And God is all about relationships.
Jesus goes on to tell how serious he is about this teaching.
So if your eye even your good eye causes you to lust, gouge it out, throw it away, it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand even your stronger hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body then for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
While these things are true, that it's better to go to heaven with part of a body these statements are not to be taken literally, but they are a case of Jesus speaking in hyperbole, intentional exaggeration to make a point very common in this time and a Jewish culture.
What Jesus is saying is when you are tempted, run away, Look away, then stay away from those things that can pollute your mind. And don't delay. Don't leave sin unchecked in your heart, but clear it out right away. If you are a gardener, you know how quickly weeds can take root and take over the good soil, crowding out the flowers and leaving them with no room to grow and no nutrients to sustain them.
Being a Christian is not easy. The devil is always prowling, trying to infiltrate your heart. It isn't just about what you do, but about what you let in to your heart. What you let in can help your relationships or it can destroy them.
As Jesus continues, he touches on divorce beginning in verse 31.
You have heard the law that says a man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce. But I say that a man who divorces his wife unless she has been unfaithful causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
Again we see the You have heard it said statement only this time this teaching does not come from God but from society.
We will expand on this more in the coming weeks but right now I will just share with you that the Jews have a big problem with divorce. Deuteronomy gives instructions regarding the treatment of a wife whom a husband finds displeasing
Deuteronomy 21 says suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her he writes a document of divorce hands it to her and sends her away from his house.
Like I said, we won't go into a full discussion on this right now. But the offshoot of this scripture was that the most well known Jewish rabbi teachers, Shamai and Hillel, both disagreed over what was deemed displeasing enough to warrant a notice of divorce. And as a result, divorce was allowed for basically anything. I guess that's where we get irreconcilable differences.
So what does Jesus teach here? He teaches that divorce causes relationship problems. You might think, well, that's a no brainer, but it's deeper than the obvious.
Divorce causes relationship problems going forward in each individual's life, and often in the lives of those around them. And God is all about relationships. Our God is all about relationships. I believe that God wants us to walk away from this teaching, realizing that he is all about relationships.
There are trials in this world, some of us are facing devastating life changes as the effects of sin continue to ravage this world. And it's quite likely that things will get worse before they get better. But God is all about relationships.
And when you honor your relationship with him, and walk close to him through any storm, he will be your strength, your protection, your wisdom and your joy. Yes, you can have joy even in trials. God gives us the law. But it's not about the letter of the law. It's about the why. God is the why. Every word of the Bible, every nugget of wisdom, we can glean from studying God's word is intended to point us to a perfect relationship with God, and to godly relationships with others.
God will get us through the storms of life, he will walk us through the loss of loved ones devastation caused by natural disaster and heartache of all kinds. But we have to have a relationship with Him. And he asked that we keep our hearts connected to his and that we honor that relationship. That's what the law points to. That is the heart of the matter.
Let's pray
Dear most holy God, He loves us, and you are there for us. God, I thank you for reminding us today that you care about the relationships that we are building with each other, and most importantly, the relationship that we have with you. I thank you for reminding us that when things get difficult, and there are mountains in front of us to climb that you, Jesus, are our best climbing partner. That when we don't know where to turn God Your Word will always guide and lead us. And when we are in turmoil, you Holy Spirit, will comfort and sustain us and give us peace. God thank you for reminding us that you see our hearts and that you will always care for our hearts. We give them to you today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
A Miracle Mindset is something we should all learn to master.
Hear a message from Kelley Rene, co-author of the newly released book, Miracle Mindset: Finding Hope In The Chaos. How can we receive helpful tools that will assist us in harnessing a Miracle Mindset? Check out today's podcast and hear what we can learn about possessing a new way to think.
Today, Julie Harwick shares about how God opened her eyes to her own failings while giving her His grace. Our God is always there when we need Him the most.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
When my children were small and I was very engaged in teaching them the value of first-time obedience, God opened my eyes to my own failings in that area, but fortunately, His grace was there once again, when I needed it most.
I dropped off my four-year-old twins at preschool, and set out to do a little shopping and run some errands while I enjoyed a little extra freedom. I needed gas before I went too far, so I filled up at the nearby 7-11. The pay at the pump feature didn’t work, so I had to go inside. As I approached the cash register, I met the gaze of an older man who appeared to be homeless, or at least down on his luck. I tried to break eye contact before he actually spoke to me because I was pretty sure I knew what he would say. I was half-way past him when I heard, “Excuse me, Miss, could you possibly buy me a hot dog?” Before the words were completely out of his mouth, I responded without even thinking with my usual, “Sorry, I can’t.” I paid at the register and got back in my van as quickly as possible. I always got very nervous when someone approached me asking for money. It felt heartless to ignore them or say no, but I also knew that 99% of the time, that money would go for drugs or alcohol, so I almost always said no. As I fastened my seatbelt, I replayed the exchange in my mind and it finally registered with me, “he didn’t ask for money – he only asked me to buy him a hot dog.” My heart sank as I was confronted with how truly thoughtless I had been. Of course I could have and should have bought him a hot dog. There was absolutely no reason not to. A hot dog couldn’t possibly feed a drug or alcohol addiction. This would’ve been the perfect opportunity to help someone without questioning if it was the right thing to do. But based on previous experiences and appearance, I dismissed him without really even listening to what he was asking. I felt a deep sense of conviction and immediately headed back inside hoping that I could rectify my wrong by buying him a hotdog and any other food or drink he might like. When I entered the store, he was nowhere to be found. I asked the clerk if he had seen the homeless man who was here just a minute ago. He said a number of homeless people often came in, so much so that he frequently called the police. After checking every aisle and looking all around outside, I got back into my van. It seemed strange that he completely disappeared so quickly. I was reminded of Hebrews 13:2 which says “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Could he have been an angel sent by God to test my willingness to show hospitality to a stranger? If so, I had failed miserably.
I went on about my day, but the whole experience kept replaying in my mind and I couldn’t shake the shame and disappointment I felt about the way I had handled it. When my girls were taking a nap that afternoon, I settled in for some time alone with God. I usually read scripture first and then spent some time in prayer. My bible fell open to Matthew 21:28-31. It said, “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ’I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, Sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” As with all of Jesus’ parables, there was a lot of meaning packed into this short story, but in this moment, I believed God was speaking directly to me about my failure earlier in the day. I was the first son who initially said no, but after some thought, realized there was a command I needed to obey and set about doing it. While it would’ve been better if I had obeyed instantly, the fact that after initially saying, “no,” I actually followed through was all that really mattered. Jesus saw my repentant heart and used His own words to comfort and teach me. This became known as my “hot dog story,” as I shared it with those closest to me. The way this parable specifically addressed the very thing I was struggling with reassured me that God wants to communicate with us directly and personally. It also showed me that He is eager to extend His grace to us when we pour out our hearts in repentance.
I wish I could say that this memorable experience got through to me in such a way that I never struggled with immediate obedience again. But of course, you know that’s not the case.
One area where I frequently feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction and correction is when I’m driving. I’m not an aggressive driver, but I tend to be very passionate about what is fair and correct on the road. If traffic is barely moving because two lanes are merging into one, God help you if you attempt to illegally drive down the shoulder and force your way back in and get further ahead. I’m the vehicle attempting to straddle the right lane and the shoulder to keep you from doing it, while making sure of course to stay out of the way of emergency vehicles. Circumstances like that get me all cranked up and very focused on protecting my rights. While there’s no question that cutting in front of others is wrong, and driving on the shoulder is illegal, being obsessed with making sure my rights are not violated in something as inconsequential as traffic is also wrong. If Jesus willingly laid down His divine rights to put on human flesh, He probably wouldn’t make a big deal out of a car cutting Him off. Jesus probably wouldn’t straddle two lanes to keep someone from getting ahead. He would probably make room for them fulling realizing that the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. For some reason, getting behind the wheel prompts me to look at other drivers more as adversaries than people loved by God. What does it cost me to slow down and let someone move into the lane ahead of me? But that’s not the way I think. In the same way I programmed myself to say, “Sorry, I can’t,” to the homeless man, I tend to go on autopilot behind the wheel – making sure no other drivers take advantage of me. For me, this is literally where the rubber meets the road. Do I drive the way Jesus would? Why not? If I’m honest, I have to admit it’s because I’m selfish.
Human nature and selfishness go hand in hand, but God calls us to die to self and follow His example. Ephesians 4: 22-24 says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Like so many scriptures, this makes complete sense and is simple, but in no way is it easy! God knows it isn’t and in His grace, He works on me in small increments I can handle. So being made new in the attitude of my mind in areas like driving or dealing with homeless people asking for help may seem trivial compared to issues of much greater importance. But I have to believe that if I could put on the new self in such small everyday ways, I’d be more likely to get it right when a serious challenge comes along. I have no doubt that God is using these situations to convict me of my wrong attitudes and to refine me to become a little more like Jesus. He knows my weakness and reminds me that, “His grace is sufficient for me and that His power is perfected in my weakness.” That kind of grace is exactly what I need and the only hope I have of fulfilling His ultimate purpose of conforming me to His image.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.
The Law requires strict adherence to attain perfect righteousness. Thankfully, it isn’t up to us to fulfill the law. Learn from Jesus' words as we study Matthew 5:17-20.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. And I'm so glad that you are joining us today.
It is September as I record this, and the days of Summer 2023 are behind us. It’s hard to believe that soon we will be looking at a new year – 2024. This has been an exciting year for Women World Leaders. We are about to reach episode 500 of our podcast, the publication of Voice of Truth magazine will complete its 3rd year in December, and we have a NEW book launch THIS week! Keep your eyes open on social media and your email to get more information.
If you don’t get our emails and would like to, please visit womenworldleaders.com and fill out our contact form so we can keep you up to date on all the happenings of the ministry. One of the happenings we are so excited about is that we are currently planning our fall event, Ignite Your Purpose—which will occur on October 14th in West Palm Beach, FL. This will be a morning of worship, prayer, biblical teaching, empowerment, and fellowship. We would love for you to join us – but be aware that tickets are going fast! So hop on the website, womenworldleaders.com, now to order yours.
Each Wednesday on this podcast we have the privilege of walking through the Word together. We are currently walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and, in this season, we are revisiting Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. Today, we will be examining what Jesus said about the law in Matthew chapter five verses 17 through 20.
Before we begin let's pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we love you so much. We honor praise and thank you today for who you are. You are a good father. You are love, joy, peace, wisdom and strength. God, you never give up on us sometimes teaching us again and again. What it is you long for us to know. God, I ask that you open our minds today to your teaching help us understand on a deeper level. These words that Your Son Jesus spoke so many years ago. I thank you for recording those words in the Bible, and allowing us to come back to them today. Guide us as we study. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
As we begin, just a reminder of where we are, Jesus is primarily teaching his disciples. It's part of their personal training, if you will.
Matthew 5:1 tells us that Jesus sat as he taught, which indicates that this was intended as an intimate teaching, as they gathered on the side of the mountain. But we can surmise that there were others listening in as well.
Have you ever been asked to leave the room, maybe as a child, so your parents could discuss something among the grownups? Or maybe a boss has asked you to leave the room so other higher-ups could discuss your position. Or maybe you've entered a room, and the conversation just seemed to stop, indicating that you were not welcome. You are not welcome to know what the discussion had been.
It's not a good feeling to be left out, isolated, and wondering what you are missing. I want to tell you clearly, Jesus will never leave you out. He welcomes you for every discussion, conversation, activity, and even blessing. I remember arriving at our church one Sunday to be told that I couldn't sit near the front. Because that Sunday, the front rows were reserved for someone important. In God's eyes, there is no one more important than you. When we all bow down and worship God together in heaven, you will be in the front row. Don't ask me how this can be. Our humanity tells us that only some privileged people get sit in the front. I don't understand it. But God looks at each one of us. God looks at you, and sees his most precious child of all. You are the apple of his eye. Whenever you want to hear Him, you can go to Him. Whenever you want to ask him a question, you can ask. God will always have time for every one of your questions, concerns, needs, and even desires.
Jesus may have been teaching the disciples that day. But he was teaching anyone who wanted to listen. And that includes us right now, as Jesus spoke the words that I'm about to read from Matthew 5, verses 17 through 20. He had you on his mind. There is something here that he wanted you to know today.
From the New Living Translation, Matthew 517 Records Jesus is saying,
“Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
The Pharisees thought and taught that Jesus was attempting to destroy the teachings that had governed the Jewish people. The Law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Old Testament otherwise known as the Pentateuch. And the writings of the prophets includes the major and minor prophets as well as the historical books of the Old Testament.
In other words, the Pharisees believed and wanted everyone to believe that Jesus was speaking, teaching and living against the Hebrew Scriptures, in a sense, tearing them down and rendering them irrelevant. Jesus knows this and in this scripture, he addresses this fallacy head on saying, I have not come to abolish the Hebrew scriptures, but to accomplish their purpose, or as some translations say, to fulfill them.
Theologian Michael Wilkins describes the statement as “all of that the Old Testament intended to communicate about God's will and hopes for humanity, find their full meaning and accomplishment in Jesus teaching and ministry.”
And Warren Wiersbe likens Jesus fulfillment of the Old Testament to an acorn. Jesus did not come to smash the acorn to smithereens, but he came to grow that acorn into a majestic oak tree that was meant that it was meant to become. Jesus purpose was to accomplish all that the Old Testament said would be. He was the Promised Messiah, whom the Law and the Prophets pointed to.
Jesus continues in verse 18, “I tell you the truth until heaven and earth disappear. Not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”
Each part of the law and every prophecy given by God's chosen prophets had a purpose. And in Jesus, that purpose was fulfilled. Jesus was born and raised in the Jewish tradition, tending to every Jewish ritual. He fulfilled the law completely as no one else could before or since, living a sinless life. In his teaching, he taught the true meaning of God's Word, as God intended, not as the tainted version that the Pharisees spun.
And of course, though, unknown at the time of the speaking, Jesus fulfilled the law in his death, and resurrection. We still study the Old Testament, God's law and we should, but we should study it with the understanding that in Jesus, it is fulfilled. Scholars will tell you there are three categories of the Jewish law. The ceremonial law had to do specifically with how God instructed the Israelites to worship, through sacrifice and offering. Each part of the ceremonial law was specifically crafted by God, to point the worshipers to Jesus Himself. We are not held to this part of the law because, as Jesus stated, even the smallest detail has been fulfilled. Some versions call this detail the smallest stroke of the pen. The actual translation is the word tittle, ti t t le. A Jewish tittle is what you and I would call a serif, a small projection on the top or the bottom of a letter, which in Hebrew, differentiates one letter from another.
You could spend hours every day for years of your life studying the Old Testament, and never fully comprehend the depth of prophecy that the Jewish law held, as it pointed to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, many have set out to disprove that Jesus was the Son of God by studying the prophetic law, only to come away knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was exactly who he said he was.
The second category of Jewish law was the civil law and this applied to daily living, because our world and culture are so different now, these no longer apply to us. But again, each tittle prepared the people for what was to come.
Finally, the third category of Jewish law is the moral law. These are the direct commands from God that teach us how to relate to God, and how to relate to each other. The Moral Law of God has not and will not change. This is the core of what God wants us to know, and how He yearns for us to respond to him and to other people.
It's important to note that Jesus obey the law completely as prescribed by God in each of these three areas, even if the Pharisees didn't see it that way. And then Jesus drew the line between himself and the Pharisees, saying in verses 19 and 20. “So if you ignore the least commandment, and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. But I warn you, unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of the religious law and of the Pharisees. You will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The goal of the Pharisees was To be righteous, and hear Jesus calls them out, saying that the degree to which the Pharisees are righteous will never be enough to get them into the kingdom of heaven. This should speak to all of us. It should show us even today, that no amount of studying God's Word serving in God's Church giving to a ministry or even taking care of homeless orphans is good enough to receive our ticket to heaven. In fact, the righteousness that God demands of us before we can spend eternity with Him, is impossible for us to gain. We must be perfect.
That lipstick you stole from your mom's purse when you were six. that disqualifies you. That piece of chocolate you ate in the closet and then told your kids you don't know what happened to it, disqualifies you. The anger you felt at the car in front of you in car line that wouldn't turn when it was his turn after you waited for 25 minutes in the same spot, disqualifies you.
Okay, I should say those all disqualify me. Because those are my stories. But I'm sure you have your own. So how do we gain the right righteousness? How do we become right with God? Unblemished, pure and holy enough to stand beside God for eternity? There's only one way and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for you. For me and my stolen lipstick, that we should have the opportunity to take on his righteousness.
Our righteousness will never cut it. But Jesus’ righteousness is a shoo-in. And he offers it to each of us, no matter what shape our lives are him.
Remember that third category of the Jewish law, the moral law, the moral law concerns itself with relationship. And when you give yourself over to your relationship between you and God, when you willingly repent of your sins and ask God to show you which way to walk, by the way, his answer is always that he wants you to walk with Him—then you are cleansed, made pure, made righteous, and you are gifted the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus did not come to abolish the law. He came to fulfill the law to pay our penalty for sin that we no longer have to fear death, but can look forward to eternity with Him. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which Jesus ushered in as he fulfilled the law.
Let's pray.
Dear, most holy God, thank you for making a way for us to spend eternity with you. Thank you for teaching us by way of the law and then for showing us that You alone are everything we need. Jesus, I pray for anyone listening who has tried to do it on her own and has not surrendered her life to you. Put your loving arms around her reveal yourself to her today. Give her courage and strength to humbly bow before you call her to your side forever. God would give You all the praise and glory and while we do our best to walk with you every day. We look forward to the day when we are walking with you and simplicity and joy. Thank you for making that possible for each of us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Having persevered in the face of adversity, Alicia Roberts shares her story of heartbreak. Alicia has grown from heartbreak to empowering and equipping others who have suffered hurtful relationships, helping them find their personal power with God so they can live confidently. She has written a devotion shared on the You Version Bible app and, on today's Podcast interview, Alicia shares nuggets with us on how to overcome heartbreak.
Know the power of God's grace in the Feast of the Lord, as you learn how to prepare for God's inspection.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-
Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title: Inspection Time
35 “And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you and contend with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment and contended with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment and contend with you, says the Lord God. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod [as the shepherd does his sheep when he counts them, and I will count you as Mine and I will constrain you] and bring you into the covenant to which you are permanently bound. 38 And I will purge out and separate from among you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they temporarily dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 20:35-38 AMPC
We’re in my favorite time of year, which is the time of the Fall Feasts for God’s People. September 16th is the Feast of Trumpets, September 20th is the Day of Atonement, and September 30th is the beginning of the seven days of Feast of Tabernacles. The fall feasts are laid forth in Leviticus 23:24-37.
The Jews celebrate the New Year, Rosh Hashana, which is the first month of the Civil Year, beginning with the month of Tishrei, falling on the same day with the Feast of Trumpets. It’s at this time that the Jewish people believe there is the passing of Judgment for the New Year, which can be likened to the sheep passing under the shepherd’s rod.
The Feast of Trumpets is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ second coming, where He will blow the trumpet as His people will be caught up with Him, and then tabernacle with Him eternally in heaven, as displayed in the Feast of Tabernacles.
Prescribed in Revelation 19:7-8, we’re making ourselves ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, permitted to dress in fine linen that’s dazzling white.
Like the preparation of a farmer gathering the harvest, there’s a preparation for God’s people to enter the fall feasts, which begins with one examining their own heart as they seek God, to see if there be any wicked way within them. (Psalm 139:23-24)
This past Friday, after I did a video on the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord, I received an email from the apartment management company that there would be an inspection, on what I thought read “Monday.” I began cleaning the dining room on Friday, basically used for storing boxes of cookware that needed to be unpacked. Then, I determined that the rest of the house could be dealt with over the weekend, since my husband would be available to help.
When the weekend came, we not only cleaned the bathroom, but knew that a bigger project lay ahead of us, my youngest son’s room. Now, I don’t know how many mothers out there can relate to having a son, which I have two. I’ve gone through years of dealing with them on dirty rooms while growing up. In fact, my youngest can go for days with soda or drink cans, boxes of crackers or the like, and be completely fine with it. In fact, I think he could go for weeks if not months like that, and it does not affect him.
As a result, occasionally, in years past, I’ve cleaned my youngest son’s room, as a birthday or holiday gift. However, things were different two years ago. I became too overwhelmed at the thought of even tackling his room. As I mentioned in my last podcast with my hormonal storm in August, where my estrogen tanked, I didn’t realize how much the deficiency of it took a toll on regular activities.
Because my estrogen was getting lower, I wasn’t motivated to clean anything and was pretty much overwhelmed by everything. Thank goodness, that the three weeks on Hormone Replacement Therapy, had renewed my youth. I never knew prior to this, that estrogen was known as “the fountain of youth,” and now I understand why.
Thus, I had amazing energy and motivation at cleaning my youngest son’s room, as I felt like a foreman on a construction site, giving assignments to my husband, in us tackling what seemed like the aftermath of a tornado. To mine and my husband’s amazement, we finished in an hour and half, and it looked PHENOMENAL! I won’t go into detail, but I had at least three bags of trash that Rich hauled out.
After our hard work, we were able to rest, feeling more relaxed, knowing that everything was prepared in advance for the inspection.
Inspect means to examine something or someone closely. It comes from two Latin words “in” meaning “in” and “specere,” meaning, “look at.” As we look at the Fall Feasts, beginning with Feast of Trumpets and get closer to the Day of Atonement, these two specific feasts are a token of God’s message for us to prepare for the inspection of the Lord, symbolically preparing for Christ’s return.
This can be seen in Ezekiel 20, with God preparing His sheep to pass under the shepherd’s rod. Pass in Hebrew is ʻâbar pronounced aw-bar' meaning, “to cross over, to cover, carry over, escape, go beyond, go forth, sweet smelling, etc.” [i] The Hebrew letters that compose pass, reveal much, as we look at the Old Hebrew symbols and their meaning. Ayin, Bet, and Resh are the Hebrew letters for pass. Ayin is the ancient symbol of an eye meaning, “to see know and experience.” Bet is the ancient symbol of a tent meaning, “tent, house, household, and family.” Finally, Resh is the ancient symbol of a man’s face meaning, “head, highest, and person.” Therefore, all three letters combined, create the word picture SEEING AND EXPERIENCING THE HOUSE OF THE MOST HIGH! Wow! This is us preparing for ETERNITY!
The English letters that spell the Hebrew word for pass are A.B.A.R. When I look at the English spelling of this Hebrew word, I cannot help but see the two words A BAR! You’ve heard the saying “raise the bar.” The term “raise the bar” originated from athletic games referring to the pole vault and high jump. This can be likened to 2 Corinthians 3:18.
“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC
Our bar each year, as we approach the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, is to go from glory to glory, being transformed into the image of Christ. Glory comes from the Greek word doxa pronounced dox'-ah meaning, “glory, dignity, honor, worship, and praise.” [ii] This comes from the Greek word dokéō pronounced dok-eh'-o meaning, “to think, seem good, pleasure, etc.” What I can relate to with this primary Greek word for glory is that it means “TO THINK!” Immediately my mind goes to Jeremiah 29:11, where God’s thoughts towards us are to give us a hope and a future. Thus, as we go from glory to glory in the Word of Truth being transformed into the image of Christ’s character, WE THINK GOD’S THOUGHTS!
This is what the bar looks like in the individual Christian’s life. We think more in align with God’s heart, seeing through the eyes of Love, having mercy on others, without judgment, to believe and pray as the Father leads us. This is the power of love. This is what my husband and I did when we cleaned our son’s room. We didn’t point out all the grossness of the things we found, that made me want to put on a hazmat suit. We didn’t think he was awful or horrible. Why? Because we love him! We see him through love’s eyes. We saw his room already as being clean before we finished, because that’s how we see him.
What is absolutely wild, is that I waited for the inspection on Monday, and it never happened. So as the day went on, I decided to look at the email again. I know for certain I saw the word “Monday,” for the inspection, and thought they would come late. Low and behold, as I reread the email, it said the inspection would be THURSDAY! We cleaned up several days ahead, prepared and waited for the inspection. All I could do was give a sigh of relief, thanking God that I read it wrong. Otherwise, I would have done all the cleaning myself, not asking for help from my husband. With this relief, I just pondered on the Hebrews 4 rest of the Lord, the Seventh Day rest, represented in the seven-day celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. Think of this, how we’ll be blessed that we did what the Lord prescribed for us on earth, preparing for heaven.
The sheep passing under the bar as in Ezekiel, for eternity are those who will tabernacle with God. And for us on earth are those who can cross over into the New Year, becoming more like Christ.
I couldn’t help but think how it would be if we treated everyday as though we were preparing for an inspection with God. We’d be a little kinder, more long suffering, forgiving others quickly, being slow to anger, and serving others with the love of Christ.
As we continue in the Fall Feasts, let’s celebrate the fact that we will be caught up one day with the Lord and tabernacle with Him eternally. In this celebration let’s rejoice that we’re all going to be together, treating each other with respect and honor, to enter the place of God’s approval, being a faithful servant of the Lord, to hear “well done, my good and faithful servant, enter the joy of the Lord!”
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
[i] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 5674
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 1391
As we study and learn from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we are reminded of our calling to be salt and light. Let’s discover what that means together as we study Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:49-50, 4:21; and Luke 14:34-35, 8:16.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World leaders Podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. Thank you for joining us as we walk through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronologically.
Our goal for these few minutes together is that we would take our eyes off ourselves in the busyness of our own lives, agendas to-do lists and responsibilities. I pray that as you take time out today to listen to God, He will speak to your heart and guide you as only he can. If you need prayer support in this busy season, please reach out to us at womenworldleaders.com and post a prayer request on our prayer wall. We're here to hold you up.
Before we begin our study, let's pause for prayer.
Most Holy God, thank you, thank you for being our all in all our Abba Father, our provider, sustainer healer, and our salvation. God, we come to you today from so many walks of life. And yet you intimately know where we each are in what we each need. God, we rest in your presence. And thank you in advance for the care, teaching, and guidance that you will provide for us. We give you these next few minutes, and we ask that you have your way with us and guide us into your truth. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Sit back and soak in God’s Word while I read Matthew five verses 13 and 16. From the New Living Translation.
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it's lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We know from Matthew 5:2 that in this passage Jesus was teaching the disciples. He had told them about the kingdom of heaven and the attributes and rewards God offers to his children as they walk in obedience to Him. Now Jesus gives the disciples two descriptions of who they are. And he tells us by extension who we are. And we know that what God says about us is true. Sometimes we think less of ourselves than God does. And it is in those moments that we have to listen especially hard to what God says. Because he knows us better than we know ourselves. And what he says is true.
So, in today's reading, God calls you the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. Let's take this apart.
First you are the salt of the earth. What do you suppose is the meaning behind this? While you're likely familiar with salt as a preservative, this would have been top of mind in a society void of refrigeration. Salt keeps food fresh and edible for a longer period of time than it would be without it. Salt accomplishes this feat by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, which in other words means salt allows food to remain as God made it to be, and to be used as God created it to be used.
When God says that we are the salt of the earth, He is saying that we have a job to do: to preserve the world as God intended it. When God created the world, everything was perfect, peaceful, joyful, and meaningful. But sin entered into the world and sin was like a bacteria that began to grow and was infectious. God empowers us, his children, to stand against sin, and to inhibit sins growth, by our actions and reactions.
By allowing God's power to operate in us, we are salt preserving life, the way God intended it to be. You are the salt of the earth. You have a responsibility to live life on behalf of God.
Salt in the Bible was also a symbol of covenant. This also has to do with its attribute as a preservative. A covenant was not to be broken; God will never break his covenant with His children. Once we give our lives to Him, we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and we belong to God forever.
If you have given your life to Christ, you are the salt of the earth, carrying his covenant promises. Nothing and nobody can change that.
Salt in biblical times was a symbol of friendship and loyalty. Salt is salt, no matter what you do to it. You put it in your food and your food tastes salty. You put it in water and allow the water to evaporate, the salt remains behind. Our God is loyal. And as Christians we are called to carry on that loyalty. You are the salt of the earth. Though the world will test you, you have the power within to remain loyal to the one who saved you.
Salt is a necessary source of nourishment. It's an important element in a person's diet. And as such, salt is highly valuable. In the Old Testament when God required sacrifices, he required that the offering be seasoned with salt. It was necessary, and it was valuable.
You are the salt of the earth. You are necessary and you are valuable.
And let's face it, salt makes food worth eating. Who doesn't love a little salty sweet action and their taste buds. In my opinion, nothing beats chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt on top. Salt brings out the true flavor of the food and makes eating a joy and a pleasure. You are the salt of the earth You were created to bring joy and pleasure to God himself.
But Matthew records that Jesus continues, What good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again, it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
Salt can lose its flavor. Bakers at the time used salt blocks to line their ovens. After a time, the high and prolonged heat of the oven caused the salt to crystallize and become useless. It had to be thrown out. Luke says in 14:35, flavorless salt is good neither for the soil, nor for the manure pile, it is thrown away.
The heat of the world is intense, more intense at times than that of a baker's oven. But as Jesus disciples, you and I are called to stay under God's protection and to keep our saltiness intact so that we can stand against the spread of sin. Live the life that God intended for us to live out our lives in covenant with him. claim our high value in a world filled with imposters and bring joy and pleasure to God.
Don't let the heat of the world claim the saltiness that God has gifted you. Mark 9:49 through 50 gives this guidance for every one will be tested with fire. Can I get an amen on that one? Salt is good for seasoning, but if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again, you must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.
The next thing that Jesus tells His disciples is not only are they the salt of the earth, but in Matthew 5:14. You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Have you ever flown into a city at night seeing the pinpoints of light from high above is one of my favorite sights. At night, the Earth is blanketed in darkness. But the lights of a city are unmistakable. There weren't airplanes in Jesus’ day and the world didn't move quite as fast as it does today. A traveler who saw the lights of the city in the distance, would see safety and protection at the end of a long journey. Or, at the very least, lodging and food. In other words, rest and sustenance.
Jesus is indeed our lighthouse in a dark harbor. Our protection and safety, our rest and sustenance. And we, as his followers, reflect God's light into this dark world. And we too, are a light for others who are searching in the dark. Jesus says You are the light of the world and he continues, No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
The light we shine is to lead others to God to show them the way to get to the kingdom of heaven. God wants us to welcome everyone we know to his city. We can shine the light of God by sharing the gospel message with others and by encouraging others to walk in their God-given purposes. That is our goal at Women World Leaders to shine our lights that you might shine yours.
One of my main jobs at Women World Leaders is editing. I edit the Voice of Truth magazine and I edit the books put out by World Publishing and Productions. We are currently working on several books that are compilations of stories of victories and spiritual growth that individuals have walked through in their lives, and how they have allowed Jesus, even through their turmoil, to keep their lamps lit, so that they might hold them high to shine for His glory. These authors are truly the light of the world showcasing that even when we walk through the unthinkable — abuse, abandonment, shame, temptation—we can shine our light brightly. If you feel your light dimming, know that God is guiding you; you only to follow his light. And he will purposefully use everything that you are going through to strengthen you and give you the honor of bringing others to him.
Mark says in 4:22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open and every secret will be brought to light.
The Bible tells us that anything the devil meant for evil in your world, God can use for good. When we allow God to shine his light on us. He gives us the honor and privilege of shining that light to beckon others into the kingdom.
Luke concludes his account of this teaching in Luke 818. So pay attention to how you hear. to those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand, will be taken away from them.
You were created to be salt and light. There is no doubt about that. But what you do with your salt and light is up to you.
Jesus warns us to pay attention and not take his teaching lightly. The more we obediently walk in the wisdom that God guides us with, the more wisdom he will provide. Don't hold the Holy Spirit back in your life. Unleash His presence by your obedience and your light will shine brighter than you can possibly imagine.
Let's pray. Father, we thank you for making us who we are and for giving us the experiences you have given us. God, I thank you for the privilege of being salt in this sinful world and light in this dark world. God, I ask that you empower us by your presence and strength to shine so brightly on your behalf, that the whole world will see your glory. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Submission to Freedom is the message from Mary Kay Inglis. You will never forget this podcast! Mary Kay has a story for you and God saw to it that nothing would stop her message from getting out to the world, not even death. May God speak to your heart through this special message from a warrior with a purpose. To God be the glory.
Today’s message discusses faith, the course in faith we take when we radically love and trust God. No matter what circumstances we are surrounded by, no matter what obstacles come our way, no matter what happens, we can CHOOSE to love, trust, and serve the founder and perfecter of our FAITH. We must believe in Him and know great faith is shown as we wait for the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole, born in Louisiana, USA ,now living in Australia. This is a podcast that comes to you through a women’s global ministry, Women World Leaders. The WWL ministry began 4 years ago with people gathering in a home studying and discussing the Word of God. As followers of Jesus Christ we are commissioned with the call to go out into all the world, and share the gospel to the entire human race! We may be called to GO and influence our friends, families, our children. We may be called to GO into our communities. And we may be called to GO into other nations. God’s power and desire to reach the ends of the earth is evident in what He has done through the beautiful women of God who serve in WWL and the supporters who give, whether in donations, love gifts and prayer. We are privileged here at WWL that He has called us to be His army in sharing the love and grace message of our Lord Jesus Christ and we celebrate and are constantly amazed that He is allowing us to reach the globe. Thanks to all of you that listen and support us!
I hope you are well & blessed and enjoy this time we have together and if you believe this message will speak to someone you know and help support and encourage them we ask that you share it. We are called in the body of Christ to uplift and support our brothers and sisters. Each week we bring you podcasts where we share women’s testimonies, have teaching in the Word and today in our segment of “Celebrating God’s Grace” I’d like to speak to you about FAITH. A big subject and so much could delve into but for today I want to look at:
How we are never alone and we have supernatural support.
We must believe, even when we are walking through the most horrific trials.
I didn’t say it’s easy, but it is possible… WITH GOD!
Hebrews 11:6 (TPT) tells us that “without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek Him.” Verse 7 says “faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming”. Even things that hadn’t been seen, for rain had not yet even come upon the earth. WOW! He worked diligently for several decades building what God had told him without really knowing what exactly for. How many people would have possibly ridiculed him or even made fun of him? “What in the world is this guy doing building this HUGE construction? What a waste of time and effort?”I’m sure he might have had moments he may of questioned, what am I doing? But he focused on God and was obedient to what God had asked of him. Will we be?
He was FAITHFUL. Genesis 6:22 says Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Sometimes it may be difficult to hear what God is telling us to do. This is where it is important to be in God’s Word every day. He is always speaking to us. We must often take time to be still to hear and trust His timing to bring us what He wants to tell us.
The greatness of faith is not to be judged on how many of God’s promises you receive or great wealth or health you experience. The greatness of faith is shown in proportion to how long you can wait for the fulfillment of a promise. Greatness of faith is not proven in what is received, but in how long a person can wait without wavering to receive.
Many things in our lives have not come to pass that our heart so desperately desires! It may be healing for a loved one or for ourselves, it may be a healing for a broken relationship or marriage, or seeing those we love and care about being saved and living a life for Christ.
Waiting…. Wanting… Wishing.. things would happen!
How do we still passionately seek Him?
How do we ride the COURSE OF FAITH, especially when “things” aren’t going as we would desire and life’s battles continue to come.
How do we remain faithful servants?
Faith seems to come easy when “things” are going well. It’s when life gets tough and challenging and our faith is tested that can be really trying.
This year, 2022, it seems to me that for a lot of people I know things are “heavy”. Many I talk to are dealing with quite difficult things in their life and the lives of their loved ones, including myself.
As you get older and experience life as a follower of Christ I believe you start to see it’s about faith, yes, but it’s really about remaining FAITHFUL NO MATTER WHAT THE WORLD THROWS AT YOU! Nothing in life remains the same and there are seasons of many highs and lows. It’s about:
Keeping our eyes on the FOUNDER AND PERFECTOR of our faith.
It’s a COURSE IN FAITH we take every day.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (TPT) tells us:
As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. 2We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! 3So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.
God will NEVER abandon YOU!
We are to be hopeful while waiting
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses
I recently attended some biblical training, and the pastor/teacher (over 40 years in ministry) shared lots of stories. One story he shared has stuck with me and I continue to reflect on it.
He was in his office one early morning making last minute preparations to his notes for a wedding that he would perform later that day. A wedding, a glorious and happy celebration of two people very much in love. Not many things are more beautiful then celebrating the union of two people in love and embarking on life together!
The phone rang with the devasting news of the death of a young man, a member of the church he pastored. It was the young son of a dear friend. He was devasted but he knew he had to be the one to tell the family. He got in the car and drove to his friends’ home. His friends’ wife opened the door welcomed him in, “What are you doing here? You should be preparing your message? He smiled and received the invitation to take a seat and wait on her husband who would return any minute. When his friend walked in the door, he greeted the pastor, his friend, and said something similar that his wife said to him, “What are you doing here? You’ve got a wedding at the church tonight, right?”
He looked at him and said, “I have some very sad news, your son was in a car accident a few hours ago and died.” What happened next the pastor said would stay with him forever. His friend, the father of the son who had unexpectantly died that day, dropped to his knees and said, ‘You are a faithful God and I will choose to trust you and praise You through it all.”
Prayer
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
On today’s podcast, host Julie Jenkins continues walking through the Beatitudes, taught by Jesus and recorded in Matthew and Luke. Jesus is always forthright with us – revealing the blessings or sorrows we will encounter based on our obedience. As you listen, ask God to open your heart to His teaching. (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:20-26)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. If this is your first time joining us, welcome. I encourage you to check out our previous podcasts as well as visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com. Our goal at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Some of the ways we do that are through teachings, devotions, prayer books, and the Voice of Truth magazine. But one of the best ways you can grow in your God-given purpose is to get involved. God has a place for you in this ministry. We often say that we are reaching over 60 countries but did you know that we also have leaders in our ministry from several different countries? The devil certainly knows how to use technology but so does God. COVID pushed us into a digital platform and what the devil meant for evil, God used for good. One example is that we meet the fourth Monday of every month for a zoom prayer call. We gather and pray for specific needs for those on the call as well as for the needs of the ministry. If you would like to be involved, no matter where you are, send us an email at info at womenworldleaders.com.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we have the opportunity to walk through the Word of God together. And currently, we are walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Before we begin, let's pray.
Dear Most Holy God, as we dive into your teaching today, I ask that you be with us and show us clearly what it is that you want us to learn today. God Your Word is living and active and we know that it will meet us where we are and it is you Holy Spirit that allows us to hear your thoughts, direction, and love for us as we read Scripture. God cleanse us of all unrighteousness that we may hear your voice clearly. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Last week, we began our study of the Beatitudes, the blessings that Jesus presented to his disciples and others listening on that mountain so many years ago. We learned that God blesses those who with humility, put God first in their lives. And the blessing is that they will be granted eternity with God Himself. We learn that God blesses those who mourn. Jesus knew how hard this life was how heartbreaking things of this world can be. Yet he promised that he has overcome this world. And though we mourn, we will receive the comfort of God Himself.
We learned that God blesses those who are humble, who are gentle, who put others and their welfare above themselves. To me, this sounds a lot like a lot of parents out there. The reward he promises you who put others first, you will inherit the whole earth.
And we learned that God will bless those who hunger and thirst for justice. God promises that when we work for justice in his strength tirelessly and obediently, justice will come to pass.
So let's continue with our study and see what else Jesus has up his sleeve. Matthew five verses seven through 12. In the New Living Translation says, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right and the kingdom for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers, be happy about it. Be very glad, for a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
In these verses, we continue to see God's rhythm those who walk in obedience to God's call on their lives, will receive a reward that only God can give. It's important to note that these rewards are not typically a treasure that would be cherished by worldly standards, but they are actually greater than anything that the world could offer. Remember the age old question, if you could have your three best wishes, what would they be, and you're not allowed to say all the wishes in the world.
As a child, you might wish for $100, a new bike and your brother to stop bothering you all the time. As an adult, maybe your wishes more along the lines of a million dollars, a new boat, and a trip of a lifetime that you could take your whole family on, including that formerly pesky brother.
Well, as we grow in Christ, we begin to get glimpses of even more mature dreams, dreams that God wants for us, that are exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we could ever hope or imagine, dreams of hope and joy and the deepest form of happiness ever, despite what is happening around us. Those rewards often come from a place of growth, and sometimes even a place of suffering. As we look at these attributes that God calls us to, it's important to note that Jesus exhibited each of these perfectly as he walked this earth in human form.
Let's continue examining each action that we are called to as Christians, and the reward that God promises to bless us with when we walk in obedience.
Verse seven, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Mercy also means compassion. The only other time this specific word is used in the Bible is in Hebrews 217, which says, Therefore, it was necessary for him talking about Jesus to be made in every respect, like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful high priest before God, then He could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
That is how Jesus exhibited perfect mercy, perfect compassion by giving his life for us. That is a compassion that is really difficult to wrap our heads around, it goes a bit beyond making a casserole for someone or giving up a prime a parking space. And yet, that is perfect compassion.
Don't get discouraged by this thinking, I could never be that merciful, and throw in the towel. God grows us degree by degree, and he is patient, and he will never stop encouraging or teaching us.
So Jesus, while the greatest example of Mercy also is an example of being the recipient of the greatest mercy, he was brutally killed, exhibiting the greatest mercy, and then he was mercifully resurrected and seated at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a lot to comprehend. And perhaps I should just confess here in now that God's ways are higher than I can understand or adequately explain. But I do know that I can live by faith, and that I can trust His promises. When I am wronged, I am instructed to show mercy and I can trust that God's mercy will return to me.
When I am in a position to show compassion, I must remember that God is asking me to show compassion, and I can trust His compassion on the other end, even when it feels like I am getting the raw end of the bargain.
Verse eight says God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
I've got to be honest, I have a love hate relationship with this beatitude it sounds beautiful. I want nothing more than to see God honestly, it's a great reward. But the criteria, well, that requires me to have a pure heart. The word pure means clean, blameless, innocent, free from corrupt desire, sin, and guilt. Well, that's not me.
And I'm guessing it isn't you either. But there is hope. One of the sub definitions of pure is purified by fire. Fire is cleansing. By it, a metal worker is able to clean the impurities out of the metal. But fire isn't fun. It burns and it hurts the flesh.
You and I alone can't make our heart pure. But if we ask, we can trust our God to do it for us. And remember, we serve a gentle God. If we take responsibility for our sin and gives give ourselves to Him for cleansing, he will make our hearts pure.
First, John 18:9 says if we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
If we ask, confess and submit, God will cleanse our hearts and make them pure. And then we get to reward we will see the face of God.
Verse nine, God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
We all recognize the benefits of peace. But what is interesting here is that Jesus notes that on this earth, peace requires work. Some translations say blessed are the peacemakers, the word peacemaker, also connotates action.
We have a picture of peace from the 1960s that calm disconnectedness or people can think of peace as you don't bother me, and I won't bother you. But true peace indicates a wholeness, a completeness. We are created to be one family of God together. And that takes work.
God will bless our work for peace.
Jesus closes this section according to Matthew with these words, God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right for the kingdom of heaven as their got theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it. Be very glad for a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Throughout history, and throughout the Bible, God's followers have been persecuted and mistreated. The truth is that the devil does not want God's name to be proclaimed. If you are in a position where you are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, know that God is wrapping his loving arms around you right now. And that he is holding a place of great honor for you in heaven. Stay strong, and cling to God, he will see you through.
Luke records a bit more as a warning to those who are relying only on what the world can offer. Beginning in Luke 624, what sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have only happiness now? What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now? For a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn into mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
I think it is telling that we often focus on the blessings the What's In It For Me, but we forget about the sorrows that I just read.
I asked you today to pay attention to the sorrows. If your focus on monetary wealth in the here and now? If it is no that that is not God's will for you.
Do you turn away from the responsibility the that God has given you and focus your attention only on the pleasures of life? If you do, you're missing out on God's best for you.
Is your time spent lauding yourself at that others will see and remember your name? If so, will you pray about how you can shine Jesus name instead of your own?
The Beatitudes show us that God has blessings beyond her wildest imaginations, just waiting to rain down on us. But they also tell us that we are to carry out our end of the bargain, to be obedient to his calling. We are called to be humble, gentle, compassionate, merciful peacemakers, to work for justice, to allow God to purify our hearts, and to do right by God. Let's not give up the fight, stay strong, for your reward is great in heaven.
Dear most holy God, you are so gracious and giving to us. You only ask that we put you first and obediently follow your call.
God. empower us in Your strength to be obedient. Thank you for reminding us that the rewards you offer are greater than we could possibly ask or imagine and certainly better than the rewards of the world. Help us keep our eyes on the best prize of all eternity in your presence as we walk the path that you have called us. In Jesus name, I pray
Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Part two of two. From a disastrous ATV accident and people who left Christian Mayberry in a ditch for dead, the miraculous happened. Christian met Jesus. Christian survived the tragic accident and 10 years later he lives to testify of Jesus and His love. Christian speaks across the nation with his mother, Kim Mayberry, who travels with him to assist with some of his disabilities. Together, they journey across the country to share their miracle story. May you be empowered with hope, inspiration, and Christ's love.
In today’s podcast, Tawana Lowery provides transformational insights on the importance of Unstoppable Desire and the critical role it plays in planting a mustard seed of hope.
Listen as she encourages you to never throw away your desire; it is the key to receiving what you are hoping and believing for. Desire is where Faith begins.
We don’t need a large shovel to plant a mustard seed. We can plant a Mustard Seed of Hope with just a Teaspoon of Desire!
Taken from “Miss Overcomer Empower Moments.”
All content is Copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
A few weeks ago, I was praying about some close relationships that never panned out the way I had
hoped. Although God has completely healed my heart from the pain that was created, I was still curious
about the choices others had made concerning me.
And so, I asked God, “Lord, what was their reason for NOT including me and NOT accepting me???
I wasn’t lamenting or demanding and answer. I was simply trying to connect the dots on the rationale
behind it. He said… “They didn’t Want to. They just didn’t want to.” Truthfully, I was a bit surprised at
the simplicity of God’s response….
I guess I was expecting to hear some deep spiritual answer. But he just said… “They simply didn’t want
to.” And then he said, “What I told you is profound when you think about it. In fact, it’s very
insightful… spiritually speaking”.
Want = Desire
And Desire is where Faith begins!
Conversely, the lack of desire is where Hardness of Heart begins… because it means we’ve given up
hope!
Immediately my mind went to the story of the Lame man at the Pool of Bethesda (as recorded in John
chapter 5). And I realized why Jesus chose the words he did when engaging the lame man.
By the time Jesus came on the scene, the Bible says this man had been in the same condition for 38
years. That’s a lifetime when you think about it. But Jesus question was intended to expose the man’s
heart and where he was in his ability to believe for a miracle.
Jesus said, “Do you WANT to be healed.” He was basically asking the man… “After all this time… after
all the disappointment… after all the waiting… after watching others receive their miracle…
Do you STILL WANT IT, or have you Given up?
In other words, “Do you still have a Desire? Do you still have a little bit of want to?”
“Because if you have just a teaspoon of desire… I can work with that!”
I also believe Jesus was showing us the Heavenly equation on Faith. He is saying that our Desire, even if
it’s small, is where faith begins.” I believe this perfectly aligns with what Rabbi Paul (or the apostle
Paul) admonishes in Hebrews 11:1.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
In other words:
Desire produces Hope and Hope produces Faith!
And although our Desires are not immediately visible, they can be made visible if we don’t give up!
So, you could say… “Now Faith is the Substance of things Hoped for… the evidence of our Desires!”
I think we can also see this in the story about the Women with a Bleeding Disorder (Luke 8:43-48).
After years of suffering and tons of disappointing results, her self-talk is quite remarkable. And gives us
insight into the results she experienced from Jesus. She said, “If I can only….” WOW. Those are the
words of “Desire.”
She was saying… In spite of it all, I still Want It! And her my desire fed her hope that provided the
strength to DRAG herself away from a place of hopelessness and onto the highway of life.
Jesus said to her, “Your FAITH has made you whole.” But it started with her teaspoon of Desire! Her
teaspoon of DESIRE kept hope alive… And it positioned her to COME ALIVE with healing!!!
Let’s look at one more example found in Luke 5:17-26. When we think about unstoppable Desire, this
story should get the POSTER award! You know it well. Four Men are trying to get their paralyzed friend
to Jesus in the HOPES that he will be healed.
And there are a lot of obstacles in the way… Lots of reasons to give up and go home! But, because of
their strong desire, it fueled their hope. The scriptures tell us that when Jesus saw THEIR Faith. When
he saw their unstoppable desire, their friend was made whole.
You know… sometimes I think we make our faith walk harder than it needs to be. Sometimes we think
it takes a whole lot of faith just to have faith! Sometimes we think it takes a giant shovel to plant a
Mustard Seed. But that’s not true!
I believe these passages tell us that we can plant a Mustard Seed with a Teaspoon! I believe it is telling
us that our DESIRE (even if it’s small) is the key to receiving.
But, let’s go back and visit the first example about the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5. Because
his story is slightly different from the others. This man didn’t pursue Jesus. Jesus came to him. But
WHY? I’m sure there were other infirmed people by the pool that day. So, why this man?
Well, I think we can learn something from the question Jesus asked him. Jesus already knew what his
answer would be. I think Jesus came to this man because Jesus knew there was still a teaspoon of Desire
in his heart. The problem was, he had been placing his HOPE in others.
His initial response was, “Lord, when the waters stir I have no one to help me!” This poor man had spent
all those years hoping in others. WOW! How many of us can relate to that?
And this is how the enemy tries to kill our Desire. He tries to kill it through Misplaced Hope. Because if
we take our desire FOR something, but put our hope IN something or someone other than God, we will
experience disappointment, heartache, etc.
And, if we do that long enough, we’ll be tempted to GIVE UP. We’ll be tempted to throw away our
Desire and our Want To! Possibly the other people around the pool had already given up and had given
themselves over to hardness or heart.
I also believe Jesus is showing us that Hardness of Heart is the real danger. And it happens when we
stop Desiring, when we throw away our Want To!
But what this also demonstrates is that we need to be Vigilant to Guard our Hearts from growing cold
and indifferent. We can bypass the hard heartedness if we commit our Desires to Jesus. If we place all
our Hope in him only.
HE and HE alone is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. The scriptures say… the Lord will
give you (Freely give you) the desires of your heart.
He is the one who initiates the Desire and He is the one who brings it to completion.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us to, “Not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we don’t
give up.” In other words, when we seek God to keep our heart’s desires, and if we ask him for continued
strength to forgive and to think on things above, we will reap a harvest from the mustard seed we have
planted (with our Teaspoon of Desire).
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Sisters, we must resist the temptation to give up on our Desires, because it will determine our line of
thinking and believing and receiving!
So, you might be thinking, “What about people who gave up their desire and didn’t realize the cost
involved? What if someone put their hope in others because the enemy seduced them into believing a
lie? What does the Bible have to say to those people?”
We’re basically asking, “Will God redeem the unbelief?” In a word, YES! And the scriptures confirm
it!
Isaiah 1:18, the Lord invites us to talk with him about anything that separated us from him on any level
so we can be made new again! “Come now, let’s reason together (lets talk about this thing that tripped
you up!) Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Even though the unbelief and
dooms day thinking left a stain on you heart and mind… give it to me and I will replace it with a
resurrected heart and mind!)”
1 John 3:20 reads, “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he
knows everything.” In other words, he is compassionate and understands our weakness and is always
there to bring us out!
Maybe you’re feeling weary right now? Maybe you’re feeling tempted to throw away your Desire?
It could be because of your vocation…
Or you might feel weary concerning a special relationship.
Maybe you’re disheartened because of a life interruption that you weren’t prepared for.
Or maybe you still have a little desire, but you’re growing weary because of Misplaced Hope.
Possibly you put hope in the performance or acceptance of a spouse, a child, a friend, or even a
religious leader. It is a common snare. We’ve all made that mistake before!
Lastly, you might be the person thinking you need HUGE Faith just to have small faith.
In other words, maybe you devalued your simple Desires… not realizing how much God can use it.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed at the thought of Mustering up hope because you think it requires a
giant shovel to plant a mustard seed?
That’s okay… because our sense of lack is the perfect place to start. Just think about the miracle of
the Loaves and Fishes.
Whether we use a shovel or a teaspoon, we must place it in God’s hands if we’re going to reap a
harvest.
If any of those scenarios apply to you, then with your permission, I’d like to lead you in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
I bring this weariness to the cross in the name of Jesus. You’ve told me to cast ALL my care upon
you… because you care for me.
And Lord, this weariness is more than I can bear. Forgive me for trying to carry it on my own.
And Lord, where I’m tempted to give up on the desires of my heart, forgive me… I know you don’t
condemn me… In fact you are always ready to rescue me from any temptation that might separate
me from your perfect love.
And that includes feeling alone and isolated and hopeless.
Father, reveal to my heart any area where I have been tempted to put my hope in someone or
something other than you…
Forgive me for putting my hope in another person, or in myself or a certain outcome.
I bring the misplaced hope… this temptation to despair, the unbelief and giving up to the cross of
Jesus.
I asked that this part of my heart that’s been wounded would be made dead on the cross, crucified
and buried… and the wine skin that’s contained it all these years.
And any area of my heart that has exchanged the truth for a lie… I asked that it would be made dead
this very moment… on the cross of Jesus.
Father of glory… I ask to be Resurrect in Jesus with a NEW heart and a NEW mind and a NEW
wineskin.
Lord… fill me with new wine that I can live a brand-new life!!
In Jesus mighty and glorious name…. Amen.
Copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Miss Overcomer Global
and cannot be used without express written consent.
July 2023
Join us for Part I of this two-part series on the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” means “blessing.” Jesus offers many blessings to His followers. Dive into The Beatitudes and learn about God’s Kingdom and the blessings that come with it as we study Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins, and I'm so glad you are here.
I want to encourage you to join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our trio of podcasts. On Mondays Kimberly Hobbs the founder and executive director of Women World Leaders hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, a 30-minute podcast where she interviews a different woman of faith each week, showcasing how God has worked in her life. Kimberly is a master connector with the gift of encouragement. And you will be blessed when you tune in and listen to her Monday podcast as she encourages you to walk in your God given purpose.
Then on Fridays, we have a team of leaders who host Celebrating God's Grace — a short, power-filled podcast that will launch you into the weekend with joy and excitement about all that God is doing in our world today.
And here on Wednesdays, we have the privilege of walking through the Word of God together. We are currently walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we learn from the life of Jesus, I pray that the series is blessing you and that you are finding many treasures along the way to get you through the day.
You know, I heard a story somewhere that has stuck with me for many years, a young seminarian learned about how little a listener of sermons actually retains, which led him to question his calling. He went to his mentor and asked, Well, why would I spend this much time and put in this much effort to learn to teach the Word of God if people aren't going to be able to recall most of what I say? The mentor replied, people have to eat every day, despite what they ate the day before.
Our words are meant to illuminate the Word of God on a daily basis, because people need to nourish their spirits every day. If you can nourish someone for a single day, for a single minute, even then all your work will be worth it. Amen?
My prayer for you is that God would speak to you through this podcast today. I don't care if you remember my name or even the name Women World Leaders. If my words encourage you to think about God for even a single moment, to ponder his words, then my work is worth it. Let's pray before we begin.
Dear Heavenly Father, it is your name we seek to glorify today it is your glory that we want to see. It is your word and instruction that matter. God, I ask that you teach us today reach into the spirit of each listener and let her feel your presence and know your thoughts. Allow her to let go and let you guide her on the path that you have prepared for her for today, tomorrow, and always, no matter what may come her way. We give you this time and we thank you in advance for the teaching that you are about to give us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Well, today on our journey, we will be looking at Matthew chapter five verses one through 12 and Luke chapter six, verses 20 through 26. From the New Living Translation, as we begin our walk through the Sermon on the Mount. This is actually just part one of our teaching on the Beatitudes. So you will have to come back next week to hear part two. Listen as I read the Beatitudes as written in Matthew.
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him and He began to teach them. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. If God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right. For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you, because you are my followers. Be happy about it. Be very glad for a great reward awaits you in Heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets are persecuted in the same way.
Well, we know this teaching as the Beatitudes, which means blessing in Latin. You may be familiar with other translations, where each phrase begins, blessed is the one or happy is the one. The original Greek word that starts each phrase is Makarios and carries with it the connotation of divine joy, and perfect happiness and inner satisfaction or sufficiency. That doesn't depend on outward circumstances. This word was reserved for the gods, not for humans, and certainly not for humans who are currently living. But Jesus offers this blessedness the secure happiness to his listeners to the living, even mentioning the worldly circumstances that they were currently enduring, drawing them in to the realization that they could be blessed Now, despite their circumstances. Now, Jesus had already announced that the kingdom of heaven was near as recorded in Matthew 417. So it's likely that he was hearing questions along the way, like, what is the kingdom of heaven? And how do we get there? So he begins his teaching with God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. For the kingdom of heaven is there's this verse, often translated as blessed are the poor in spirit means blessing are those with humility.
Humility is a necessary requirement to get into heaven. We need humility, meaning that we must recognize our own sinfulness and our own need for God, it's God's kingdom, we seek to enter. So to enter his kingdom, we must put him first and become subservient to him. It makes sense. You don't walk into someone's house without their invitation. And in order to receive the invitation, we must put God the owner of the kingdom, first in our lives. These blessings then go on to describe what it means to be a follower of Jesus, what we can expect from this world and what we can expect from our God. It showcases a character traits that true children of God will exhibit in a world that throws curveballs at us, trying to confuse us and pull us off the path that God intends. One of those curveballs was that the people had been taught for years, that righteousness was following the letter of the law, even man made laws, as the Pharisees taught and enforced. Jesus is teaching that there is a better way, and that there are better rewards that haven't even been told about yet.
As he teaches Jesus falls into a rhythm. Our God is very organized. He first gives the requirement then teaches about the reward. The rewards themselves are telling before you enter a contest, it's human nature to ask, what is my reward? What is the payoff? Is it worth it? Jesus says, Here are the rewards. And to sum to those who are looking at the rewards through a worldly lens. The rewards may not look so great. But when you look at the rewards through Kingdom eyes, they are better than any rewards we could dream up. My husband and I are in a walking competition right now through his work. We are on teams of five people each made up of employees and their spouses. And we are walking from Nashville, Tennessee to Portland, Oregon. Well, not really. I I live in Florida. And no matter how many miles I walk, I'm still in Florida. But theoretically, Portland is our destination. When we walk 1900 miles, we will have made it to Portland. This is a three month challenge, and I'll let you in on a little secret. I am a crazy competitor. The best way to get me to do something is to challenge me. So I am walking and walking and walking. What's the payoff you might ask? Well, the reward for the team who gets to Portland first is two extra days off work for a company that I don't work for. You'd think I wouldn't want to walk through the blisters. But for me, there is a greater payoff, my health. Ultimately, the price I am working toward is not the price that is being offered by those who are running the competition. But it's better. The blessings that Jesus offered may seem a bit strange, but they are the best prizes. If we look at them with Kingdom eyes, verse four, God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. This must have caught the crowds attention right off the bat, who doesn't mourn on Earth. This earth is not our home, the kingdom of the kingdom of God is our home. In this world, we will have trouble but God has overcome this world. The kingdom of heaven is an already and not yet phenomenon, something that is very difficult to understand. Once you have confessed your sin and given Jesus reign over your life as Lord, you become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and receive all the rights and privileges do a citizen. And yet you still live and breathe and walk on this earth. And on this earth, you will mourn. You will mourn the death of a loved one, the loss of health, the loss of a job, even a dream. But as a citizen of heaven, you will be blessed as you receive God's comfort. And when you look at that reward through Kingdom eyes, nothing could be better than the comfort of God. Verse five, God blesses those who are humble for thy will inherit the whole earth. The word humble can be translated as meek or gentle. God blesses those who do not assert themselves at the expense of others. This is one of those upside down teachings of Jesus, you would think that those who scrape and tackle their way to the top would ultimately claim their ground. But Jesus teaches the opposite. It is by gentleness guided only by the Holy Spirit, that the children of God become the victors. That Gentle, gentle will inherit the earth. Verse six, God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. The words hunger and thirst indicate a need, we all need to eat and drink. And we will work tirelessly to make sure that we and our loved ones have enough to eat and drink. Jesus is saying when the need for justice is so great within you that you are willing to work for justice, as you work for food and water, you will be satisfied justice will prevail.
Only God can bring justice. So what is our role when we see an injustice? The answer to that question is highly personal, and one that is too vague to answer in a short podcast. But what Jesus does teach us in this passage is that he does not want us to sit back in our easy chair and watch injustice happen around us. If you are being faced with an injustice, or if you are aware of an injustice, I beg you to go to God on your knees and ask him what he would have you do. In your quest, read the Word of God and go to a trusted Christian source. God may be calling you to stand up against that and injustice in a practical way. Or he may be calling you to stand in prayer against that injustice. Or perhaps he will give you his wisdom on how he wants you personally, to offer relief to the persecuted. When you seek God's answer as you would seek water on a hot day you He will give you the answer. And when you answer his call obediently, you will be satisfied. We are so quickly running out of time. So we will continue with this teaching on the Beatitudes. And next week in the meantime, you have some homework to do. Have you received your invitation to the kingdom of heaven? If you have Have you answered, in order to receive the kingdom of heaven or to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, we must be poor in spirit wrapped in humility. We must put God first. And we must put ourselves last. Will you ask God to show you how are you in mourning? If you are Will you allow God to comfort you? And if you are not in a season of mourning? Will you take a moment to look around at who in your circle may be morning and offer them the comfort of God? Say a prayer on their behalf or text a Bible verse to your neighbor in the kingdom? Is someone or something coming against you tempting you to rear up and defend yourself at the expense of another? Will you pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to empower you to be gentle in your dealings? trusting Jesus that by being gentle, you will inherit the earth? And will you pray for God to open your eyes to the injustice is going on around you? There are plenty. Ask God to personally grant you wisdom for the path that he would have you take to stand against that injustice. If you are a child of God, the kingdom of heaven is yours. Will you take ownership? To Heavenly father I pray for every listener that she will enter into your kingdom and will take ownership in the very personal way that you have commanded her. Give her a moment today to sit quietly and listen to your voice. Give her courage and wisdom to step out where you call her. Give her a humble heart and a gentle spirit to do Your will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
From a disastrous ATV accident, where Christian Mayberry was left in a ditch for dead, the miraculous happened. Christian met Jesus. Christian survived the tragic accident and, 10 years later, he now testifies of Jesus and His love. Christian speaks across the nation with his mother, Kim Mayberry, who travels with him to assist with some of his disabilities. Together, they journey across the country to share their miracle story. May you be empowered with hope, inspiration, and Christ's love.
I’m about to share with you one of my most embarrassing moments. It had the potential for epic humiliation, but by His grace, God used it to teach me a lifelong lesson.
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Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
I’m about to share with you one of my most embarrassing moments. It had the potential for epic humiliation, but by His grace, God used it to teach me a lifelong lesson.
In 1 Corinthians 10:12, the Apostle Paul warns, “So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall.” This verse took on a unique and very personal meaning for me more than 20 years ago. My husband and I had recently relocated to central Florida from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It was a very difficult move for me. I loved everything about Hilton Head and living there. For nine months of the year it felt like a small town, but the difficult 3 month-long tourist season provided an abundance of shops, restaurants and entertainment, making it a great place to live. God had provided us with a home I loved on a beautiful piece of property, the opportunity to run my own business, great friends and a church family we loved along with 6-month-old twin daughters. Life there felt perfect when He seemingly pulled the rug out from underneath me and made it crystal clear that He wanted us somewhere else. We took quite a few weekend trips back to Hilton Head in the early days following our move and on one such occasion the reality of Paul’s warning smacked me right between the eyes. I was excited to be back in our home church on a Sunday morning. It had been our spiritual home for nearly 10 years. I had led women’s bible studies, been worship leader and choir director as well as the writer/director of our annual original Easter production. Having the only set of twins in the church also increased my public profile. Before the pastor began his message, he wanted to welcome some former members who were visiting. Immediately I leaned forward to absorb every word. He was talking about how important these people had been to the life of this church and how much they were missed. “Well now, you’re making me blush,” I thought, but it is so nice to be remembered and appreciated. Now he was indicating that he wanted these special visitors to stand and be recognized. I leaned further forward, preparing to stand up and bask in all that love and affection when something pulled me back just in time. “Frank and Helen,” he called, “stand up so we can show you how much we miss you.” I was neither Frank nor Helen. They were a wonderful couple who had even more recently relocated to Florida. Frank had met the pastor for a weekly breakfast for years and Helen had been the church secretary. My heart pounded as I realized how close I had come to making an utter fool of myself. “Let the one who thinks she is standing to receive recognition that is not hers take care that she doesn’t fall flat on her enormously self-centered ego.” That’s my personal amplified translation. Thank God I was spared the public humiliation I deserved, but I was humiliated, none the less. God had seen and knew explicitly, the prideful thoughts that had occupied my mind.
That experience began a long-term dialogue with God about my issues with pride. I had never felt so convicted about a heart issue. That was probably due to the fact that it wasn’t readily apparent to anyone else. I knew how to conduct myself in public without giving a hint of egotism or superiority. In fact, many people might have described me as self-deprecating. I could poke fun at my own deficiencies…at least the ones I didn’t really care about. But God began to show me that my inside didn’t really match the outside. I was often consumed with thoughts of what people thought of me, did they notice me? Did they recognize my talent in singing, acting and speaking? Was I equally or more attractive than the women around me? Did people think I was intelligent and capable? You may have heard it said that “I” is in the middle of pride. I discovered that was true, not just in the spelling of the word, but in its’ true meaning.
As I began to recognize that God wanted me to make some changes, I looked for scriptures to memorize that dealt with humility, the opposite of pride. I had heard the phrase, “Pride goes before a fall,” without realizing it came from Proverbs 16:18. Another Proverb, chapter 18, verse 12 spoke to me. “Humility goes before honor.” I was pretty sure Frank and Helen had already grasped that truth and that’s why they deserved the honor they received. Philippians 2:3 pretty much summed up what I knew God wanted from me. “Do nothing from selfishness or vain conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves.” But that’s a tall order because it goes completely against my fleshly human nature.
When you really think about it, the original sin of pride is also the root of every other sin. When Lucifer decided to set himself up as God it was because of pride that wouldn’t allow him to play second fiddle to anyone. His very first act as Satan was to lead a third of the angels in heaven to commit mutiny against their creator because their pride wouldn’t allow them to live in subservience to Him. And the devil’s next step was to derail the entire human race by convincing the first woman that she could know everything God knew by breaking the only law He had established. In every case, pride was the root of the problem…wanting to be more, do more or know more than the Creator originally intended. Pride always comes down to elevating self – above others, above any other considerations and above God Himself. When we see pride for what it truly is, we can no longer pretend it’s not that big of a deal. It’s the whole deal. It’s what separates us from God.
The whole concept of pride vs. humility is at the very heart of the gospel. I say that because of Philippians chapter 2. It says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the very form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Here I am, looking for the recognition I think I deserve because of some talent or importance I think I possess while Jesus, who is actually God doesn’t feel any need to be recognized for His unquestionable value and superiority. In fact, the scripture goes on to say that He actually emptied Himself of His Godhood and willingly took on the form of a bond-servant. He became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Not only did He lay down His rights as the God of the universe, but He willingly put on the lowest form of human flesh and gave up everything He had…even life itself, to serve and save us. That’s what true humility looks like – complete selflessness.
Satan knows what a challenge it is for humans to master their selfish impulses. He’s confused the issue by making us think that if we talk and think badly about ourselves, we’re showing humility. By saying, “ well, I’m just a … you can fill in the blank with whatever disparaging words come to mind here, it’s not an expression of humility, it’s a criticism of God’s creation. The best definition I’ve heard of true humility has been expressed by several authors I’ve read. I don’t know who originally said it, but I think it’s profound. “ Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less.” Let me say that again, so it has a chance to sink in. “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less.” The issue isn’t so much what we think about ourselves, but that we think about ourselves…constantly.
I can attest personally that living in true humility is a monumental battle. I continue to be convicted of my pride regularly and though I think I’ve gotten a little better handle on it, I still have so far to go. It’s especially a struggle in the area of ministry. The areas of ministry God has opened for me are largely in very visible areas such as public speaking, singing and acting. I’ve never been one to shy away from the spotlight and to be transparent, a part of me relishes the attention. In every ministry I participate in, I have to check myself and ask, “why are you doing this?”, “are you doing it for your own self-gratification or has God called you to do it and are you doing it for Him?” I frequently have to refocus my attention where it belongs…on Him. In Philippians Chapter 3, Paul recounts all the achievements in his life that were once a source of pride for him. In the New Living Translation he refers to all of it as “garbage,” saying “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” In this passage he’s giving us the secret to overcoming the pride that so easily entangles us. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His unsurpassed worth, everything that might become a source of pride for us remains in its proper place…the garbage dump.
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In John 11, the tables turn. The crucifixion awaits Jesus. Yet Jesus continues to do God’s will and trust His sufficiency. No matter what you are going through, you can trust God’s sufficiency, too. Join us for today’s study of John 11:45-57.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, where we take a few minutes each week to study the Bible together systematically. We offer three very different podcasts each week – so I hope you have your phone set to download ALL of them regularly. We all lead very busy lives, and I LOVE having these podcasts ready to listen to when I have a few minutes alone while driving or even washing the dishes. Besides this, the Wednesday edition, when we open and study God’s Word together, on Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith. This podcast is meant to inspire you and empower you in your God-given walk. Sometimes, Kimberly interviews someone you might recognize, and other weeks, you will meet someone new. You can be sure that you will gain valuable insights as you listen EACH week. Then, on Fridays we have the joy of Celebrating God’s Grace with one of our beautiful leaders. These women are gifted and talented and you won’t want to miss a single episode. So download yourself a free gift of encouragement – and get in the habit of sitting in God’s lap as He grows you 3 times every week!
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically. If you are new – don’t worry – you can jump in right where we are, which, today, is John, chapter 11, verses 45-57
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – Thank you for who you are and for who you made us to be. God, you formed each of us carefully on on purpose, and you KNEW we would each be listening to this today. You are sovereign, always in control, and your plans are perfect. Father, we give you this time, and ask you to open our hearts so that we will each hear exactly what you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
For the last few weeks, we have been studying the 11th chapter in John’s gospel, which you might recognize as the resurrection of Lazarus.
We’ve wondered with the disciples why Jesus didn’t go immediately to the side of His dear friends Mary and Martha when they sent word that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill.
We’ve observed in awe of both Mary and Martha’s faith as they told Jesus with heartfelt agony that Lazarus would not have died had Jesus arrived sooner.
We’ve related as Jesus comforted the sisters in their grief, even crying with them.
We understood when Martha questioned Jesus as He told her to have the stone removed from the grave of her brother, who had been dead and decaying for four days.
And, if we imagined realistically, we gasped in awe as we read about wrapped-up Lazarus hobbling out of the tomb and the onlookers obediently going to his side to help unwrap him.
Today, we will finish the story as we pick up where we left off last week, John, chapter 11, verse 45 from the New Living Translation…
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.
Remember, Martha was the do’er, the hostess, and it seems that Mary’s giftings were more relational. So it isn’t surprising that the Scripture records that many who were with MARY believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. Martha was as much a part of this scene as Mary was, but it seems as if God, in providing what each sister needed, had made certain that Mary had many people around her to carry her through this time.
Our personalities are gifts from God. We can trust in the fact that He always knows what we need and will meet us where we are.
So, MANY believed in Jesus as a result of this miracle. THAT we can imagine. But although everyone there clearly saw what happened, others had such hard hearts that they used what they saw as ammunition against Jesus.
We have seen this before, but this time, the divisiveness of the people was a true turning point. Whether it was the enormity of the miracle, the location, or the timing that spurred the hatred and vitriole against Jesus that erupted, we do know for certain that God was in control. He always has been, He always will be, and He certainly was on this very day when the wheels were set in motion that would lead to Jesus’ death on the cross.
Verse 46 continues…
46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council[a] together.
This is where we see the escalation.
Some who had witnessed Lazarus’ resurreciton, instead of praising and thanking Jesus, went to the Pharisees to report what they had seen. The Pharisees knew the Mosaic law and were not shy about holding it up in a very extreme and overzealous fashion.
So in response, they called for a meeting of the high council, the Sanhedrin – the supreme governing body—kind of like the supreme court here in the US. There were smaller sanhedrins at local Jewish centers, but, as they were near Jerusalem, this was the Supreme, or Great, Sanhedrin. This group managed the internal affairs of the nation, which was under the Romans at that time. The council was controlled by the chief priests—it was a family affair. This group banded together, intent on keeping the control they held. These were the elite, the bigwigs, the men who seemed to hold all the power, and weren’t about to give it up.
I feel compelled to offer an aside here. I feel like the Holy Spirit wants someone listening to know this. For all practical purposes, it looked to the world like these powerful men had the upper hand, and there was NOTHING anyone could do to stand against them. The days to come must have been so frightening for those standing with and for Jesus. And skimming through the story, we all know that they had every right to be frightened. They were seemingly powerless. Jesus WAS crucified.
Maybe you are there right now. Maybe you feel like you are up against the world. Perhaps you have been fired despite years of giving your best. Perhaps a spouse has turned against you and even turned your children and your friends against you. Perhaps you feel stuck up against an economy that is rife with inflation and you are just trying to keep your head above water as you feed your children and purchase gas to get to work.
Sometimes in life, it feels like all the cards are stacked against you. I’m sure Jesus’ followers felt that way as the Sanhedrin, this Great Supreme Council, gathered and proceeded to march forward with their own agenda.
But we CANNOT forget the end of the story. JESUS overcame. JESUS rose from the dead. JESUS won! And Jesus will win for you, too!
Even as things may seem to be spiraling in your life, keep your eyes on the end of the story. You know it. Jesus wins. Jesus modeled this even as they were plotting against Him. I love Hebrews 12:1-2, which says…
let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
God’s greatness will always win, but sometimes, we have to walk through the mud while keeping our eyes focused on the end goal. The Sanhedrin began to plot…verse 47 continues…
“What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple[b] and our nation.”
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time,[c] said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
Even as the Sanhedrin plotted, even as they thought they had the upper hand, even as Joseph Caiphas pronounced that it was better for Jesus to die, GOD was in control.
We can see this clearly -because what those present at the Great Council were most concerned with, and what they thought they would thwart by killing Jesus, is exactly what came to be – despite their best efforts.
They were afraid that their Temple and their nation would be destroyed. Which happened. The Temple was destroyed in the year 70 AD.
And we also see God’s control as Caiaphas prophesies that Jesus would indeed die, bringing together and uniting all the children of God that were scattered around the world. Caiphas, as he plotted Jesus’ death, was prophesying that you and me would be united with God. How incredible is that?
Verse 53 continues…
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. 54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
Jesus did not allow those who were coming against Him to derail His mission. He simply pivoted and trusted God. When we are up against the world, we too, can pivot, trusting God control of the situation as we simply do what we are called to do.
Verse 55…
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” 57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
They Sanhedrin were determined to win, and they were prepared to pull out all the stops to do so. The people were looking for Jesus.
Meanwhile, Jesus was busy, teaching and leading His disciples. Just as He was called to do. Jesus trusted God even when the walls seemed to be caving in. So can we.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, We trust your control. Some days are good, and others seem really bad from our point of view, but we trust your control, wisdom, guidance, and direction. We know that you win. Thank you for the assurance that when we follow you, we will win, too. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The number one weapon against us is a lie. Our onward progress with God will stop if we believe the lie the enemy speaks over us. Today's guest Kimberly Ewell, best-selling author and founder of Wildfire International ministries shares her experience of trauma and believing the lie from her childhood. She brings helpful encouraging words about transforming our minds to God's truth through our thoughts.
As the hot days of summer, so can the trying of our faith cause us to feel the heat of the fire. Learn how to Beat the Heat, and be Sweet!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-
Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the
world.
Today’s Title: Beat the Heat!
6 “[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 AMPC
There are core scriptures that are resolute within my soul, having the Word of Truth operate on me like a surgeon’s scalpel to get to the intents and motives of my heart. I learned a long time ago that when the Word operates on you, then it is operative in you. For me, 1 Peter 1:6-7 has been a core scripture for decades.
One of the greatest joys we have in life, is seeing our faith go from glory to glory, as we’re being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus. If anyone knew this well, it was Peter.
About a decade ago, I was forever changed, when the Lord showed me something that I hadn’t considered, when it came to Peter’s testing. Jesus warned Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-34 that satan had asked permission to sift all of him like grain, but that Christ had already prayed that when Peter returned, he would strengthen the brethren. If anything is a token of grace, the refining of our faith surely is such a demonstration.
Peter thought he would follow Jesus to prison and death, if need be, but he didn’t know what was in his own heart. Jesus informed Peter that he would deny Him after the cock crowed three times. It was then that the sifting came to prepare Peter for the greater, which was PENTECOST! Had Peter not been sifted then he wouldn’t be the vessel of mercy to be used of God’s glory for the message of Pentecost prophesied in Joel 2 of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
God showed me that satan’s message that sifted Peter was to compare him to Judas. Judas was the betrayer of Christ, who sold Him out for 30 coins of silver to the Pharisees, whom Jesus calls the son of perdition. I’ve never considered at all, how the devil might have sifted Peter, but surely if there’s any means by which to harass a saint of God, it is to make them think they’re bad or evil. When God gave me this revelation I was blown away, thinking, oh my goodness, Peter thought he might have even been the son of perdition.
Jesus warned Peter that the sifting would be so intense, that he would leave the ministry and eventually return. (Luke 22:32) Therefore, I have no doubt at all that when Peter wrote about the joy we’re to have when we experience fiery trials and the testing of our faith, he knew the glorious outcome for each saint.
Peter states, “BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD!” The Greek word used for having this exceeding gladness is agalliáō pronounced ag-al-lee-ah'-o meaning, “to jump for joy, be exceeding glad, with exceeding joy, greatly rejoice.” [i] This comes from the Greek word hállomai pronounced hal'-lom-ahee meaning, “to leap, spring up, to gush, and jump.” [ii] I couldn’t help but see the Greek word from which exceeding gladness is derived and see HALL O MY by the way its spelled H.A.L.L.O.M.A.I.!
Having been a football cheerleader in junior high and high school, I cannot help but be God’s cheerleader for His people, encouraging them in the midst of their fiery trial. For many years while preaching, when using 1 Peter 1:6-7 I’ve used a visual like that of a hall. I would tell people to imagine if at the end of a sermon, instead of an altar call, people lined up to give cheers of joy for those who were experiencing fiery trials.
Can you imagine if you were at church and people were lined up on two sides to welcome those who were going through fiery trials in their life, saying, “Woo Hoo! Glory to God! You are blessed!” It would be a totally different perspective for God’s people, with everyone being excited at the working of the saint’s faith.
Our faith is tested by pure fire. The Greek word for fire is pŷr pronounced poor meaning, “fire and fiery.” [iii] The pronunciation of the Greek word for fire, sounds like poor, and gives an entire new meaning to Joel 3:10 “let the poor say I am rich!”
The last few weeks it’s been so hot here in Birmingham, Alabama that my husband, Rich, and I have been making protein shakes and salads mostly, for dinner. The temperature index is in the 100s and with all the humidity, it feels like a brick oven when walking outside. In addition to the hot temperatures, I just recently experienced some symptoms of perimenopause, and for the first time in my female life, understand what a hot flash is. I told my husband, who works at a cemetery and has to go outside at times, to imagine how he feels going out to the cemetery in this heat and sweating, telling him that’s how I feel internally, all throughout the day, with 50 are more hot flashes a day, and 20 or so night sweats each night. Man oh man, I have more sympathy than before, for women going through perimenopause, because the only way I can describe my experience, is that it feels like I’m in hell banging on the door to get out.
Fortunately, not all women experience the severity of the symptoms that I have. But with these symptoms, it compelled me pray for lost souls, thinking if this is anything close to how people will experience hell, I don’t want them to go there.
Without a doubt at the present time, while I wait for my doctor to put me on hormone treatment in order to get relief, I can surely appreciate 1 Peter 1:6-7, and the refining of our faith.
One thing I noticed with the increase of the heat this summer, that people are driving more crazy than usual. Just the other day while driving to the store and back, 3 different drivers were driving recklessly and nearly ran into me. I asked God, what in the world was going on. It was then that He brought to my mind “Robin, you have to Beat the Heat!”
I rejoiced in the fact that although I’m in the most uncomfortable time physically in my entire life, I’ve had such a gracious mood by the Holy Spirit. It has been God’s grace that has kept me joyful, not taking my own personal physical struggle out on others, with the many stories you hear from women, who’ve dealt with hormonal imbalance. Going through this change in life personally, and getting the necessary education to equip me in navigating through this time of my life with grace, has made me all the more passionate to give women the important information to beat the heat of menopause and perimenopause issues in their life, with joy and grace.
Now think of these different examples. One is an internal fire going on physically, and with the reckless drivers, people acting crazy in their own fire around you. This is what it’s like when you’re in a fiery trial, there are fears within and fighting without that you are overcoming as in 2 Corinthians 7:5.
You must be at rest, knowing the peace of God, so that Jesus in you, is revealed. What does this mean. Your character is more like Christ.
My favorite barbecue sauce on ribs or a pulled pork sandwich is SWEET HEAT BARBECUE SAUCE. Think about the combination of those words. I can just imagine smacking on some good ole ribs right now with some of that sweet heat barbecue sauce. I don’t mind even if I make a mess and get it all over my hands because it tastes so good. That’s how we need to be in our trials, the Word of God tastes so good, that spiritually its like that sweet heat barbecue sauce.
Women of God, are you in the heat of a fiery trial? Beat the Heat and be Sweet and watch how good God’s Word tastes to your soul, as Christ is revealed.
God Bless!
Robin Kirby-Gatto
[i] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 21 “exceeding joy”
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 242 “jump”
[iii] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 4442
Are we seeking God’s will or our own will? Do we trust that our all-powerful Lord and Savior has EVERYTHING under control? Read this story of Lazarus’ resurrection with fresh eyes and bask in the power of God! (John 11:38-45)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical Teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins. This podcast has been created by Women World Leaders in an effort to help YOU step into YOUR God-given purpose. On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - chronologically. The Word of God is living and active, and is designed to be a guide for our lives. As we study, we look at what circumstances the scripture was written under, who it was written by, and who it was written to – striving to discern the original intended message. And then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bridge to what the writing means for us today – discerning what God wants EACH of us to know and how He wants to apply it to our lives.
No matter what your season of life looks like right now, God has GREAT things planned for you. I’ve heard it said that if you are still breathing, you are still on mission from Christ. And it is our hope that you will allow us at Women World Leaders to walk WITH you on that mission! We invite you to subscribe to our podcast; join us on Facebook, where we share in community and offer daily devotions; jump on our Zoom gatherings on the third and fourth Monday of every month; and read the digital version of Voice of Truth magazine for free or subscribe to receive your own physical copy of Voice of Truth by becoming a monthly donor to the ministry. Join our email list by filling out the contact form at womenworldleaders.com so you can find out all you need to know.
Let’s begin in prayer…
Most Holy God – as we begin the study of your Word today, we offer you ourselves. Father, we are coming to you from different places—mentally, physically, spiritually and psychologically—but one thing we have in common is you. Father, you ARE our creator, our sustainer, and our guide. I give my words to you today, and I pray for each woman listening, that she would hear directly from you. You are a faithful God who will never let us down, who will walk with us, and who has great plans for each of us! I ask that you speak to us in these next few minutes – meet each woman where she is and guide her into a deeper walk with you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
For the last two weeks, we have been studying the story of Jesus as He was called by His dear friends Martha and Mary to respond to the needs of their brother, Lazarus. The sisters sent an urgent message to Jesus regarding Lazarus’ illness, yet Jesus delayed His visit for two days. By the time Jesus did arrive, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Jesus had forewarned His disciples of this, but He told them, “Now I will go and wake him up.” And He also shared the purpose behind this upcoming miracle, saying, “For now you will really believe.”
After Jesus arrived in Bethany, He told Martha, who was grieving the death of Lazarus, “Your brother will rise again…I am the resurrection and the life.”
And when Mary arrived weeping and distraught, Jesus wept with her.
Today, our study continues as we open the Gospel of John to chapter 11, verses 38-45, and read from the New Living Translation.
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance.
I don’t care too much for this translation which states that Jesus was “angry.” Other translations state that Jesus was deeply moved, very sad in his heart, greatly disturbed, intensely troubled, or even groaning in himself. As you can see, this original Greek is not easily translated! I read the views of different theologians, and the most common description of Jesus’ demeanor as He arrived at the tomb was that He was physically releasing agitation, anguish, and sympathy in the face of human suffering. Kind of an audible snort ...”huh.”
What we do understand for sure is that Jesus was led to the tomb by very real people who were suffering greatly due to the loss of a loved one. It had been four days since Lazarus death and, for many of them, the reality of it had sunk in. You may remember last week when we talked about the fact that the first phase of intense mourning lasted 3 days, because it was after three days that the face of the corpse would have decomposed beyond recognition.
Still, although time has now passed, anyone who has lost someone can empathize with the fact that grief continues to come in waves for quite awhile. And as these mourners arrived at the tomb, those waves likely fell fresh on both the family and Jesus.
The tomb was, basically, a cave with a stone positioned in front of the entrance. The sites of tombs were often quarries that were no longer in use. The newly dead body would have been treated with spices and wrapped in a large sheet of linen that was more than twice the length of the body. The normal practice was that fabric would be laid out, and then the body laid on it, with its feet at one end. Then the sheet was folded over the top of the head and pulled back down to cover the whole front of the body. Next, the fabric would be secured by wrapping strips of linen around the feet and arms and then binding the face with another cloth.
Once prepared, the body would be laid in the main part of the cave, where it would remain for the next year, protected from the outside world by the stone covering the opening to the cave. After a year, the stone would be rolled away, and the bones of the deceased would be collected and placed in a small box which was then placed into a horizontal niche cut into the rock.
By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus body had been spiced, wrapped, tied, and fully and completely laid to rest. Which is why it must have been shocking to hear Jesus’ next words…
39 “Roll the stone aside.”
Verse 39 continues…
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”
Earlier, Jesus had asked Martha if she believed. She replied yes, but from her answer, we could sense that although she DID fully believe Jesus, she likely didn’t understand all He was saying.
When I was a child, with a very immature faith, I used to wonder incessantly about my future. Will I get married? Will I have kids? Will I have a career? I can remember thinking, I wish I could just know that everything will turn out ok!
As we walk through life, we don’t know what is around the corner! We don’t have a crystal ball that tells us the future. But we DO know, as God’s children, that everything will be okay! Our God is in total control, and He loves you more than you can imagine. Martha didn’t understand, but she BELIEVED Jesus! She trusted Him. It didn’t make sense that He was telling them to roll the stone away, disturbing her brother’s decaying corpse, but Jesus HAD said, believe, and you will see God’s glory.
We, also, need to believe to see God’s glory. We can trust Him even when we don’t understand His methods.
Martha, evidently, came to this conclusion. Because she, as the next of kin, gave the go-ahead for the stone to be rolled away.
Veres 41…
41 So they rolled the stone aside.
I want to pause here to share an aha moment I had as I was reading and studying this passage. The only other entombment of a Jewish man I have ever studied is that of Jesus. And it’s kind of similar, right? Jesus was laid in a cave, and a stone was rolled in front.
What struck me as I read this was the immense power residing in Jesus. In this instance, we see Jesus call for the removal of Lazarus’ stone. We, in retrospect, know that we are about to see the glory of God unleashed as He raises Lazarus from the dead. But what struck me is that Lazarus was as much of a bystander in this situation as Martha and Mary and the rest of the crowd were. Lazarus was just chilling up in heaven, probably dining on the most amazing food ever!
But, when JESUS died, it was all about Jesus. Jesus was separated from God. He was sitting in the depths of hell for 3 days – until God ordained the moment of His resurrection. At which point Jesus, still completely filled with the power of God, raised HIMSELF and moved His own stone away!
Maybe that’s elementary Christianity, but it just drove home to me that there is NOTHING WE can do to save ourselves, to raise ourselves from the dead. Not only could Lazarus not raise himself, he couldn’t even move his own stone away so he could get out of the tomb.
We NEED Jesus! Only He is able to to save us. Only He can grant us a peaceful eternity with the Father. Without Jesus, we are just a pile of bones destined to turn into dust.
But although Jesus seemed to be the star of the show, He clearly shows us that this resurrection is about pointing to God the Father, who holds all the power and glory. Verse 41 continues…
Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”
Jesus is the obedient Son who stands aligned with God the Father in His power. Jesus, who is in constant contact with God the Father, only and always does GOD’s will.
And that’s what we are called to do, too. When we pray the Lord’s prayer, we pray that GOD’S will be done. Our journey on this earth is not about doing what WE think we should do, but it is about doing God’s will. He has made YOU for a purpose. Even as He was forming you in your mother's womb, He had a plan for your life. Is your prayer REALLY to do the will of God? Do you seek His guidance and follow in faith even when you don’t understand? We already saw that Martha obey in faith, and now we see Jesus’ outward display of following God’s heart.
Jesus does exactly as God instructs. He raises Lazarus—a man who has been dead for four days, his face no longer recognizable, and who was carefully wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb.
Verse 43…
43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth.
Can you imagine? The scene I picture is right out of a B movie…from the opening of the cave, a man emerges, hopping or scuffling along, wrapped in a linen cloth with his feet tied together, his arms strapped to his sides, and a full covering over his head.
If you think about it, it was probably a bit scary. It is no wonder Jesus had to give another instruction…
“Unwrap him and let him go!”
Next week we will get into the aftermath of the miracle, but can we, for a moment, just pause to take in the awe of the scene?
We don’t know who went to Lazarus side. We don’t know if they rushed to him or approached carefully. I wonder if Lazarus was disoriented as they unwrapped him. I wonder what He said? He had experienced so much. He saw God’s glory. He felt God’s power reunite him with his physical body. He understood what complete healing felt like.
I imagine that Jesus didn’t bring Lazarus back to the sickly body he had left or even to the well-on-its-way-to decomposing body that had been dead for four days. I imagine that the power of Jesus recreated Lazarus’s body in perfection. That as the linen cloth was unraveled, Lazarus perfect skin and bright eyes were revealed.
Verse 45 says simply that Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.
I bet!
John includes this miracle in His gospel as the climax of Jesus’ public ministry. As we study next week, we will see the clear division that this miracle brought. Yes, some people believed, but many also turned staunchly against Jesus.
And I can imagine why.
God’s power is awe-inspiring and life-changing.
I had a very limited foray with playing sports when I was young. In grade school, I played on a basketball team with a powerhouse of an athlete. She was quick, adept, and smart at moving the ball. The rest of us were, well, typical grade-school athletes. But this girl, she was our key to winning. I always thought, thank goodness she is on our team, because I would be scared silly to play against her.
Jesus’ power is way beyond that of a powerhouse athlete! Jesus works in total and complete cooperation with an all-powerful and all-sufficient God. That means that, as His teammates—we are SO COVERED! We are NEVER going to lose.
But go against Him, and you would have every reason to put up your guard and reach for any weapon available.
Jesus, in God’s power, ROSE LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD!
He said, Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Then He asked Martha if she believed Him. And then He showed her that she COULD believe Him.
We can believe everything that Jesus says! We can move the stone when He says to move it. We can rise in power when He calls. We can unravel death cloths expecting to see healing. We can trust in our future, knowing that with Jesus, everything WILL be okay.
But if we decide to go against Him, He will still be God. And if decide not to be on His team, we will lose for eternity. Because God wins. Will you trust His will and His call?
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! We stand in awe as we read through this story verse by verse. Father, thank you for teaching us of your power, strength, and perfect will. Thank you for reminding us that when we commit to your will, we will see re-birth and renewal like we could never imagine. As we say yes to your will and seek to walk in the path you have given each of us, we look up to you and say thank you for giving us the power to do all you have called us to and for choosing us to be on your winning team. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Please join us today as we celebrate the 3-year anniversary of our very first podcast from Women World Leaders by replaying our first episode. Today's interview is with actress Robia Scott. Robia co-starred in the movie "Unplanned," a Hollywood box office hit in theaters that is now on Amazon Prime. Robia plays the villain in this true story about Abby Johnson and Planned Parenthood. Robia Scott is a well-known Hollywood actress, starring in Beverly Hills 90210, Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, and more...she's a true Christ follower, author, and speaker. She joins us to discuss how our "mess~ups can become God's messages." Please join us today for this interview and then please share it with everyone you know.
Many things can be restored. Some of us can relate to restoring furniture or homes we have lived in. Even relationships can be restored. God’s Word holds many promises that were not just for those in biblical times. His promises are for us today! God promises in Joel 2:25 that He will restore the years the locust has eaten. So be of good cheer! God can restore even lost time we feel we may have had in this lifetime, years possibly not living our best or years without Him. God is the ultimate restorer – of all things – even time!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast. We are grateful you are here and it’s such a privilege to come together and delve into God’s Word and teachings and I pray today’s message will touch your heart and mind. Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live our a courageous, purpose-driven life!
Don’t forget to join us each Monday where our founder & Co-CEO, Kimberly Hobbs, interviews women from all over the world – women of God who have a story to share – and how God has shown up in their life. And Wednesdays, where our Co-CEO and Bible Teacher, Julie Jenkins, brings us a study of God’s Word and its application to our lives.
Today, let’s look at a verse in the book of Joel. A promise. There are many promises in the Bible – thousands of them. And they are for us, not just those who lived long ago.
Joel 2:25 – I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts has eaten.
God promises to restore the years the locusts have eaten.
This is an amazing promise. For, some things can be restored. We may lose property – it can be restored. Even relationships can be restored. Money, jobs can be restored. We may think of furniture or a house being restored.
But TIME. Time cannot be. Haven’t we all possibly thought, “Oh, if I could only go back in time”. But these days are forever gone.
Here God is promising the IMPOSSIBLE.
To give us a glimpse of the context of this verse. God’s people had experienced the complete destruction of their harvest. An invasion of locusts, marched through their crops, field by field. The entire country of Israel was affected. God’s people in the Promised Land had been brought to their knees.
How many of us have been where we have been brought to our knees?
Devastated.
Worry.
Battles of life we face.
Heartache.
Sorrow.
But there is always HOPE in the LORD.
What are our locust years? Locust years, wasted years, lost years. Years we can’t get back and it causes us grief. Comes in lots of variety, different forms.
Here are some to reflect upon.
Fruitless years – Farmers had planted seeds, laboured week after week only to see no fruit. Some of us may relate to this. “All this work I’ve done! What did I get out of it? Absolutely nothing. It could be a failed venture, a failed marriage, a child that has left home and is living an unhealthy lifestyle. All our efforts leading to disappointment.
Loss of love – it could be losing the love of our life. Or it could be never finding that soul mate that our heart yearns for. Years lost where love of another does not fill our days and years. It could be where family moves away and we are separated from our children or grandchildren and do not get to experience the love of seeing them regularly and being part of their lives – only to depend on technology to “see” their faces.
Loss of ourselves – we sometimes feel we give so much to our families, our children, our career, our missions. We may feel we loss a part of ourselves. We may even face in this lifetime health challenges, an illness, or a major life challenges that has us reflecting on loss.
Selfish years – Some have committed to God but living for self. Some could say what has become of all these years without real spiritual awakening, without the Holy Spirit filled life!
Lukewarm years – Some of us were on fire for God and have become luke warm, Distractions come, many of them are good distractions, but take us away from our time and study of the Word and our first true love.
Misdirected years – Choices that led to dead ends.
We might have had our lives mapped out.. dreams & goals to accomplish… But life didn’t turn out quite the way we imagined. Empty years. This can happen at any age.
Oh, how the locusts can slip into our fields and eat away at the years of our lives!
And what about the rebellious years, the parodical son or daughter. Growing up with many blessings yet our instinct was to rebel. Throwing yourself into a life of pleasure but it only brought pain. We thought we knew best at the time. Regret, eventually realising these years were lost searching for things we believed would bring us happiness only to now know the years were spent chasing things that only brought temporary happiness (or what we thought was happiness).
If we have the blessing of living a long life we may reflect on our own locust years. All Christ-less years are LOCUST YEARS. All years we are not surrendered and seeking Him with all our hearts are locusts years!
We all have them. But praise God! We meet, get to know and serve a God who can bless the years. We look forward, not behind, and live the hope that is our anchor, Jesus Christ. Complete restoration doesn’t just happen. We must take personal responsibility to enforce this prophesy.
Christ can restore lost years by deepening your fellowship with Him.
Gear up for it!
Be expectant!
Sow your seeds – His harvest awaits. Here for the time and years we have left and beyond with heaven awaiting.
So let us keep our eyes and mind and heart upon You Lord, the restorer. He completely restores – no matter what we’ve done or been through.
He desires to give us double for our trouble!
Is it old attitudes and mindsets?
Unhealthy relationships?
Ask Him and He will tell You. Restoration awaits!!
Will you receive it?
I pray you ask Him to. Fill our hearts with a love for You stronger, brighter than it could ever be starting today with all of the years you bless us with to be here. Multiply our fruitfulness and no matter what comes against us in the earthly years let us bear fruit that will last! Spurgeon said, “God can do more in a year or a day than all of us can do in a lifetime”.
Amen,
Jesus travels to Bethany to meet with Martha and Mary upon Lazarus’ death. Although the sisters don’t understand Jesus’ plan, they proclaim their faith and trust in Him. And then they learn, as bit by bit, He continues to give them remarkable lessons about who He is. Jesus also wants to meet with you. In today’s study, learn that you can come just as you are, trusting His response. (John 11:17-37)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you each Wednesday as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to learn today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, you can find out more about us at our website, womenworldleaders.com, where you can post on our prayer wall, purchase resources, and get involved in our worldwide ministry.
If you are new to our podcast, this is one of three offerings we have for you each week. On Monday, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares the story of her life, struggles, or ministry. These interviews will inspire you to listen for God’s calling in your life.
On Fridays, we have an amazing team of podcasters who host Celebrating God’s Grace. These Friday episodes are always full of such incredible nuggets of wisdom and revelation about the goodness of God and will fuel you as you launch into the weekend!
And today, you’ve happened on Walking in the Word, where we take time to open God’s Word and learn together from it – verse by verse. We are currently studying the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Today we will be reading and learning from John, chapter 11, verses 17 through 37. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Holy God – thank you in advance for guiding our thoughts and this teaching as we prepare to open your Word. Father, your Word is living and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword. So we are here to dive in, but we also commit to handling your scripture carefully. Father, we respect the authority of the Bible, and we want to take away from it ONLY what you have intended for us today. Allow us each to focus in on you alone for the next few minutes, and then to walk away with a singular thought that you want to ingrain in us. Thank you for always blessing us with your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Last week we met Jesus as He received the message from His friends Martha and Mary that their brother, Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus, was deathly ill. Jesus was with His disciples at the time, and despite the news, he surprisingly remained where He was for the next two days. Then, Jesus announced that although Lazarus had died, He would be traveling back to the dangerous territory near Jerusalem to “wake him up.” The disciples were confused by this statement but resolutely determined to accompany their Lord on the journey.
Let’s pick up today in John chapter 11, verse 17 from the New Living Translation…
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.
This information would not have surprised Jesus, who had already announced to the disciples that Lazarus had died. But the fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days is significant.
Jewish sources cite the rabbinic belief that after three days, the dead person was, well, really dead. It’s difficult for us to imagine in this modern day of science how a dead body naturally decomposes. But again, sources cite that because a dead person’s face became unrecognizable after three days, three days was to be the first and most intense phase of mourning a loved one. During that time, the body would be buried. Then, a carefully prescribed time of mourning would follow, which often included the hiring of professional wailers to accompany the women as they reverently visited the tomb.
So Jesus arrived on day 4—after Lazarus was buried and family and friends had already gone through days of grieving.
Let’s continue reading verse 18…
18 Bethany was only a few miles[a] down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house.
We know Martha as the do’er, so it isn’t surprising that she was the one who would be aware that Jesus had arrived and went to greet Him. By Jewish standards, Jesus’ arrival was the fulfillment of an obligatory visit from a respected teacher who had traveled to offer His condolences to the grieving family.
Still, we know the deep relationship Jesus had with this family, so we can imagine the comfort Martha gained from Jesus’ presence as she approached Him…
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
Surely Martha was confused at Jesus’ late arrival as the sisters had called for Him several days earlier.
Perhaps you can relate to Martha’s words. Have you ever been confused by God’s actions? As Christians, we KNOW that God is sovereign—in control of everything. And we know how much He loves us. We believe that He is working all things for the good of all those who love Him. But sometimes, it just doesn’t look like it. Martha pours her heart out – Lord…if you had only been here, my brother would not have died…she says as she proclaims total and complete faith in Jesus’ power.
But because she doesn’t understand Jesus’ plan…Martha states what she does know …I know that God will give you whatever you ask.
Sometimes, all WE can do is proclaim that God IS in control, even when things don't make sense.
Jesus heard Martha’s heart…verse 23…
23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[b] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Martha was holding tight to what she understood. Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise again – she agreed! She knew the teachings from the book of Daniel about the end days which said…
there will be a time [when]… every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever
Martha knew what she knew…which was a lot! But she still had so much to learn!
Jesus didn’t chastise her for not understanding the full truth of His statement, He simply graciously added to her knowledge. Jesus doesn’t ever expect us to understand His ways completely, but He does expect us to be faithful followers of what we do know even as we open our minds and hearts to learn more.
So Jesus taught her…“I am the resurrection and the life.[b] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
And then he asked her…
Do you believe this, Martha?”
And, although she STILL doesn’t understand that Jesus will soon do the impossible, that is, raise Lazarus who has now been dead and decomposing for four days, she again states what she DOES know…
27 “Yes, Lord,…I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
Praise God!! Even GREAT theologians know that they have only scratched the surface when it comes to completely understanding God. But we serve a God who is patient with us and never tires of teaching and guiding us! We don’t ever have to be afraid that we don’t know enough or understand enough, because our God IS enough – and all we have to do is yield to Him, stay alert, and trust that He will guide us with the knowledge we need.
Jesus must have then told Martha to go get Mary…verse 28 continues…
28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him.
I just love the obedience of these women. Their minds were likely in a fog after their brother’s illness and death and burial, yet they IMMEDIATELY did exactly as Jesus requested…
When Martha whispered to Mary that the Teacher wanted to see her, she went.
As an aside, I want to note that, culturally, women didn’t have teachers. Only men had teachers. Women had husbands, who, if they chose, relayed the teaching. But both Martha and Mary called Jesus their Teacher. And they did this with full confidence that this was the way it should be. Now those are women after MY heart!
Verse 30…
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Do you recognize those words? They were the same words Martha first said to Jesus. But Mary, who every time scripture speaks of her is sitting at Jesus’ feet, makes her declaration while bowing at Jesus’ feet in reverence and honor. Still, she was crying. Mary honored Jesus while, at the same time, baring her heart to Him.
Jesus calls us to come to Him, too. And we should come to Him with reverence and awe. But He also wants us to come with complete transparency. With Martha, we learned that God doesn’t want us to to be afraid to come to Him even when we don’t fully understand. And now with Mary, we learn that God wants us to come to Him with our souls completely open. The takeaway…God LOVES you! And He is calling you to come to Him just as you are.
Verse 33…
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him,[c] and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.”
Then we read perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible, John 10:35…
35 Then Jesus wept.
Why did Jesus weep? We can speculate that Jesus felt empathy for what Mary and Martha and the other mourners were experiencing. Perhaps he was so sad that our sin leads to death. Or, as one theologian suggests, perhaps Jesus was crying for Lazarus, whom He was about to rip from paradise, bringing him back to his stinky, smelly body in this corrupt world.
But perhaps it isn’t as important to know WHY Jesus wept than to understand what it means THAT Jesus wept.
It means that Jesus experienced the pain and heartache of being human. Therefore, WE can call out to Him at any time, trusting that He understands grief.
It means that if it was okay for Jesus to be sad, then it is also okay for us to be sad.
It means that Jesus is full of love and compassion and emotion. Although He is set apart, holy, and perfect, He is still so connected with us that He reaches into the depths of our souls in a way that we cannot fully understand.
And it means that we are valuable to Him. When we weep, He weeps with us.
Some people were shocked by Jesus’ love for Lazarus, saying…
“See how much he loved him!”
But others misinterpreted Jesus tears…condemning and judging Him for His lack of timeliness or mismanagement of His power, saying…
“This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
God’s ways are SO far above our ways!
He calls us to Him, but doesn’t judge us when we don’t understand.
He never ceases to gently teach us.
He offers full rights to His presence to all of us – even women, which was controversial at the time and still is controversial in some cultures.
And He weeps for and with us, even while working out His perfect plan for our salvation and our lives.
In short, we are each called to come to an amazing God who is deeper, more loving, and more patient than we can begin to imagine.
And as YOU listen today, you can be assured that He is calling you. Will you, like Martha and Mary, respond immediately, fully trusting where He will take you?
Let’s pray,
Dear Most Holy Father – thank you for sending your son Jesus to live life as a human being on this messed up earth. Thank you for calling each of us, and for teaching us that you want us to come to you just as we are. Thank you for accepting us and giving us chance after chance to grow and learn and become all you have called us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Today's guest is "Miss Overcomer" Tawana Lowery.
Tawana is a gifted speaker, author, and radio talent who helps women reclaim courage, reconnect with their calling, and move forward with radiant joy and purpose. Today she shares the fire in her soul which God gave her to help women overcome obstacles in facing their true identity.
The power of prayer can not be overstated! Whatever you are facing in life, God wants to hear directly from you. Join host Lauren Dean as she extols the virtues of the gift of prayer, which gives us the amazing opportunity to be in constant communication with our loving Father.
Have you ever questioned God’s response? Why is His silence sometimes deafening? Are there times God just decides to ignore us? Jesus’ actions and response leading up to His greatest miracle, Lazarus’ resurrection, must have confused His followers. Let’s study John 11:1-16 together and see what we can learn about what it means to truly walk in faith.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open God’s Word and ask Him to teach us what He wants us to know. Today, we are continuing our walk through the gospels —I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. God’s Word is a treasure trove that never stops producing wisdom for our lives. I don’t know what is happening in your day today, but God does, and when you give your attention to Him, He will speak to you.
If you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, you know that Women World Leaders is a ministry whose purpose is to empower you to walk in your God-given calling. We are an eclectic group of women from around the world who share a love for Jesus Christ. If you’ve ONLY been listening to the podcast up to this point, we would love you to join us on yet another level. On the 3rd Monday of each month, we gather together at 7 pm ET on Zoom for 90 minutes of connection and leadership growth; this is open to every woman, no matter where you are! And then, on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:30 pm ET, we gather, again on Zoom, for 30 minutes of prayer. We spend this time praying for each other and the ministry. Both of these options are easy ways for you to connect with women from around the world and find out more about the ministry—no strings attached! To receive the Zoom links and join us, simply visit our website, womenworldleaders.com, and fill out our contact form so we can email you our monthly newsletter and meeting reminders and information.
Before we dive in, let’s pray…
Dear most holy God, we thank you for meeting us each where we are today. As we open your Word together, we ask you to enlighten us, teach us, and mold us. Father, cleanse our hearts and clear our minds so we can hear directly from you. Protect us in the coming minutes from any distractions that the world or the devil or our own flesh may try to use to derail our thoughts from you. We give you this time. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Today, we will be opening to the book of John as we study John, chapter 11, verses 1-16. This is the introduction to one of Jesus’ most famous miracles—when He raises His dear friend Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus has been traveling with His disciples, teaching them and preparing them for what He knew was to come – His own death. As He continued to preach unashamedly, the danger He was in increased, a fact Jesus’ disciples and friends were acutely aware of.
Let’s read from John 11, beginning in verse 1 from the New Living Translation…
A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair.[a] Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”
If you’ve studied the Bible, you are likely well aware that Jesus loved and cared for the siblings Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They lived in Bethany, about 2 miles from Jerusalem, which was Jesus’ “danger zone” – the place where His life was clearly threatened.
Because they had such a close relationship with Jesus, when Lazarus fell ill, the sisters sent a messenger to inform Jesus. They knew, however, the dangers Jesus could encounter should he enter the area, so many theologians suggest that Mary and Martha did not expect Jesus to come to Lazarus’ side, but that instead, they had faith so great that they trusted Jesus could heal their brother from afar.
That would’ve been a nice, clean story, right? How many times do we ask Jesus just to “fix” something? And then we sit waiting and wondering where He is?
Jesus’ answer seems to be what the sisters hoped for, but God’s ways are not our ways. Verse 4 continues…
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
Sounds promising. But later, we find out that Jesus didn’t heal Lazarus from afar, and, in fact, Lazarus DID die, making Jesus’ words seem very confusing. But as we take that information apart, we uncover the truth in Jesus’ words as he stated… Lazarus’s sickness will not END in death.
And Jesus foreshadows the WHY, stating that this all will happen… for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
Imagine if we faced all our trials holding tightly to the foreknowledge that God will use EVERYTHING we go through for His glory – to shine the light on Jesus.
God’s vision is beyond ours. His ways are perfect. And He loves us so much.
When we put all those things together, they all point to the fact that we can trust that God has a purpose and plan for everything that happens in our lives. Our God is organized, prepared, and intentional. Remember when He was feeding the 5000? Before He did, He organized everyone into groups and set forth a PLAN. Our God never operates haphazardly or on a whim. Everything He does and allows to occur is purposeful and meaningful. What that means is that even when we are in the fire of pain, illness, or persecution, we can trust God’s plan and faithfully walk in obedience how and when He calls.
Verse 5 continues, as if to underscore this point…
5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.
Jesus had a plan. He wasn’t ignoring Mary and Martha’s pleas for help, and He didn’t have something better to do. He had a plan…although He LOVED Martha, Mary, and Lazarus…he stayed where he was for two days. Seemingly not responding. But purposefully waiting for the perfect timing.
Verse 7…
7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people[b] in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.”
This teaching is both practical and spiritual.
Let’s look at the practical side first. God has given us a rhythm of light and darkness, work and rest, that fits together like a puzzle. We ARE called to work – to do what we can do as the daylight allows. God has gifted each of us with special talents, interests, and aptitudes to fulfill the calling that He has given us. Using what He has given us is our responsibility. We are to work hard, serving God and others. We all depend on each other.
I know NOTHING about farming. In order for me to eat, I need farmers to do their job.
I have visited multiple medical doctors in the past weeks on behalf of myself and my loved ones. I NEED the expertise of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
And although I work in ministry, spending my days empowering and teaching others, I also need and depend on others who hold me up.
We ALL have a responsibility to WORK in the light. And yet, we also are responsible for resting in the dark. If we try to work in the darkness, we risk getting overtired and stumbling. We must rest and spend time in prayer and fellowship with our loved ones. That’s the practical.
And then the spiritual side of Jesus’ statement is that when we walk WITH Jesus, we can trust HIM to light our path. Without Jesus, we will simply stumble along in the darkness.
Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that they will head off together, trusting the light, to fulfill a mission…verse 11…
11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
Have you ever endeavored to learn something you know nothing about? This can be mind-bending…and I’m guessing the disciples felt a bit out of their element at this point.
I have taken classes that I’ve felt were so far over my head I would never get through. I’ve sat there with a pen in my hand, catching about every 10th word. When I DID understand something, I’d write it down. And then I’d keep listening, intently trying to find SOMETHING else to grab onto. When you are in a position like this, eventually, you begin grasping more and more as the pieces start coming together. And whereas, at the beginning, you didn’t even know enough to ask questions, eventually questions begin forming in your mind.
We read the Bible, even this story, already knowing that Jesus Himself died and rose from the dead, an understanding that Lazarus died and Jesus resurrected him. But the disciples—they were at the point where they were trying to understand every 10th word. Jesus said Lazarus was asleep, and they thought, Great! He can heal if he is sleeping soundly.
But Jesus corrected them, plainly telling them, No, Lazarus is dead.
First of all, I’m sure they wondered – how did Jesus know that Lazarus had died? And second of all…what could He possibly mean when He said He was GLAD He hadn’t been there.
And then Jesus says to the disciples, let’s go see Lazarus. What? He just said he’s dead. Can you imagine the brain fog?
And yet….though they couldn’t begin to understand…they followed Jesus… in total faith. Verse 16…
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,[c] said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
They were headed to a place where they were likely to be killed to see a man who was dead. Yet Thomas said – Let’s go.
We serve a God who has a plan. A PERFECT plan. A plan that sometimes, we can’t BEGIN to understand. Following Him takes faith. Walking in His light takes faith.
Faith is obedience to God even when we don’t understand the path. It is following in complete trust the One who is leading us. Faith is going where God tells us to go and KNOWING, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that what happens will be purposeful for all eternity.
We don’t HAVE to understand right now. It’s okay if we are walking in a fog – as long as we have enough light to follow the one who is leading us. All we have to do is trust that those words we CAN grasp onto are all we need to know and understand right now. And as we walk in God’s light and do the work He has called us to do, He will show us glorious outcome after glorious outcome – growing our faith and revealing His glory and perfection.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…sometimes the road is hard and we don’t know where you are leading us. Sometimes, it feels like you are ignoring us or that you have something better to do than to answer our prayers. Thank you for helping us see the truth in today's reading. Thank you for reminding us how much you love us, and that it is BECAUSE you love us that we can trust that you are orchestrating everything perfectly. For your glory and our good! We praise and thank you, Father, for being our ever-present light and our perfect guide. Help us walk in faith today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Best-selling author, Clarity Coach, and WWL'S Graphic Artist- Kelly Williams Hale speaks on the topic of "Forgiveness." She shares a very private story openly with the world for God's honor and glory.
Malachi 3:10 reads, “Test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’” If we really believed that, might it encourage us to pray for some things that might seem a bit crazy?
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.
How’s your prayer life? Maybe you only pray when your back is against the wall and you have nowhere else to turn. Or maybe, like me, you know the importance of communicating with God, but struggle to do it in a way that doesn’t feel rote, rehearsed or maybe even sleep-inducing. By His grace, God is in the process of revitalizing my prayer life and has recently led me to pray what in the past, I could’ve only considered crazy prayers.
I’m not sure that anyone taught me this, but growing up in church, I kind of had this notion that prayers should be prioritized according to importance. At the top of the list is anyone who’s facing some kind of life and death crisis, followed by other, serious concerns, and finally, after the important stuff was covered, I might address my personal desires. From age 9 to 14, I dared to pray for a horse. I was totally obsessed with horses and dreamed of having my own. We lived in the country, had plenty of acreage and a barn, so it was feasible, but I almost felt guilty for asking for such a thing. While people I knew were seriously ill, or battling addiction or struggling financially, was it wrong of me to bother God with a horse? In spite of my doubt, God moved my parents to say, “yes, I could have a horse…if I could afford to buy it and feed it myself.” I began saving money for it, but by the time I had come reasonably close to having enough, I was in high school and came to the realization that I didn’t really want the responsibility of caring for a horse. It seemed I had matured beyond the desire for what I now deemed a childish thing and subconsciously I began to equate praying for such trivial things as a mark of immaturity. In my mind, God had enough major issues on His plate to deal with and my silly little desires didn’t merit taking His attention away from them.
He challenged that notion a couple of years later when I was on a summer missions’ trip. After 3 torturous years of wearing braces, I had finally gotten them off and was only required to wear a retainer. But it was critical that I wear it anytime I wasn’t eating in order to ensure my teeth didn’t shift back to their former positions. About 10 days into the trip, I came to the horrifying discovery that I had accidentally scraped my retainer into the garbage after dinner. I realized it within 30 minutes, but dozens of massive garbage bags had already been tied off and taken to the dumpster. There was no way to know which garbage bag held my retainer which was nothing more than clear plastic and a metal wire in the midst of fried chicken bones, corn on the cob and other food waste. I was due at the evening meeting in less than 5 minutes and to be late would lead to “special blessings,” which were never nearly as nice as they sounded. Usually, it meant digging a ditch while everyone else enjoyed some free time. I considered just throwing up my hands in defeat, but my parents would be furious at having to pay for another retainer and I wouldn’t be able to get it for more than 8 weeks. During that time, my recently perfected teeth might be beyond straightening with just a retainer. I shared my dilemma with some friends who suggested we begin by checking the site where we’d eaten in case it had just fallen on the ground. When our search turned up nothing, I realized I was going to have to bite the bullet, risk special blessings and begin the most disgusting treasure hunt I could imagine. In the spirit of unsurpassed kindness and teamwork, several of my teammates offered to join me. In addition to being thoroughly grossed out at the prospect before us, I had serious doubts that we could ever hope to locate such a small, nearly invisible thing in the midst of so much garbage. God had already used difficult experiences here to show me that I could cry out to Him in brutal honesty and that He would be with me through every trial. In desperation I prayed, “God, it’s just a stupid retainer, but it’s really important to me right now and I have no hope of finding it unless you intervene.” We went through bags and bags of slimy chicken bones with no success before one of my friends pulled out the long- lost retainer. Our faith soared and I couldn’t wait to write my parents a letter about the incredible miracle God had worked for me. I was not so eager to put it back in my mouth, but after repeated cleanings, it was a constant reminder of a verse I had memorized years earlier. Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” A retainer wasn’t something I would’ve ever considered a “desire of my heart,” but in this moment it was and I believe that God delighted to give it to me.
My faith definitely grew that summer, but it was easy to slip back into old ways of thinking. Apparently, I’m not the only one who struggles to remember that God really does care about everything that concerns us. Jesus addressed it in His Sermon on the Mount. He points out that we are quick to worry about things such as what to eat and what to wear even though we observe that God feeds the sparrows that we barely notice and clothes the lilies of the field in splendor greater than Solomon’s. He says, “the Father knows that you need these things,” and wraps it up in Chapter 6, verse 33 by directing us to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”
Jesus was specifically addressing our tendency to worry rather than pray and He brought that to my attention in an unusual way a few years ago. The swimming pool that seemed like an absolute necessity when we purchased our home as parents of four young children had now become an albatross around my neck. One day as I was adding muriatic acid and shock, I noticed some black spots scattered around the bottom. I grabbed the brush and tried to scrub them away, but it didn’t seem to have much impact. As time passed, I began to notice more and more of these black spots, and it concerned me enough to do some online research. What I learned was troubling to say the least. It seemed to match the description of something called black mold which, from all accounts, was a pool owner’s nightmare. Those who had dealt with it described using various treatments only to have it reappear time and time again. Short of having the pool resurfaced, most people began a lengthy process of daily scrubbing of every single spot along with a special chemical regimen. Eradicating it was expensive, difficult and very time consuming. I lived in denial for a while, but when the pool pump needed to be serviced, I asked the technician to give me her professional opinion about the black spots. She confirmed my fears. The next morning as I attempted to have my daily quiet time on the patio overlooking the pool, my thoughts were consumed with how I was going to deal with this problem. I was apologizing to God for my lack of focus when He reminded me of James 4:2, “You have not, because you ask not.” For the first time, it became crystal clear. Why was I worrying about this situation and trying to deal with it on my own? Did God actually care about my swimming pool? Could I do something as crazy as pray that He would heal my swimming pool? I must admit, it did seem a little crazy, but I asked anyway, saying, “God, You say nothing is too hard for you. Well, this is too hard for me. I don’t know what to do about it and You have better things for me to do than scrub this pool every day and we have better things to spend our money on too. Would you just make this mold disappear?” I instantly felt better and was able to set those concerns aside. I got distracted by other things and didn’t really even think about the pool for a while. I couldn’t see the mold from a distance, so it wasn’t really on my mind until I saw hints of mustard algae beginning to appear. When I went to treat the algae, my heart soared as I looked from one end to the other and saw not a single black spot. God had healed my pool! Now I’m almost reluctant to say that, not because I have any doubt that He did, but because it may hurt someone who’s been praying for healing of a far more serious nature. I don’t pretend to know why God chooses not to heal some serious physical illnesses or conditions and then heals something as trivial as my swimming pool. I only know that His ways are not our ways and, as Job learned, He really doesn’t have to answer to us. The fact is, He did heal my pool and I give Him all the glory for it. I’ve had opportunities to share this story on multiple occasions and I see it as further confirmation that He really does care about everything that concerns us and is even eager to not only meet our needs, but give us the desires of our hearts. He is such a good Father Who delights to give His children more than we could even ask or think.
Most of my prayers are of a more serious nature, but the swimming pool lesson was not lost on me. My current “crazy prayer” is that God would provide me with a lake in my backyard. Yeah, I know it’s a little unorthadox, but I had prayed for many years that at some point God would lead us to a home on a lake, river or pond. God speaks to me through nature and I feel especially close to Him when I’m looking at a large body of water. He led us to a new home a little over a year ago and I love it, however, it does not have the water feature I was hoping for. What it does have is a dry lakebed just beyond our property line. As recently as 4 years ago, there was a lake there, but now it’s nothing but tall grass and a big puddle. Our new home has so many other features that I love, I can’t complain. But one day when I was reading Mark 11:23 a new thought sprouted. Jesus said, “I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.” I immediately saw a parallel. I prayed, “Lord, I don’t need You to put a mountain in my back yard, though I know You could and that would be really awesome since we’re in Florida which doesn’t have mountains. But what I am asking You to do is pick up some lake, there are hundreds all around me that no one even notices and put it in that dry lakebed behind our house.” It may take years or God’s answer may be no this time, but I know He can do it and I know He loves giving me good gifts. So I’ll continue to pray and wait.
My husband is a great dad and he is quick to pick up on what our kids are passionate about. If there’s something they want or need and he can provide it, he rarely hesitates. He didn’t generally spoil them or give them everything they wanted, but he took great joy in those times when he could give them something special. Our heavenly father is no different. He loves you. He delights in you. Don’t ever hesitate to ask Him not just for what you need, but for the desires of your heart. And then, sit back and watch for the crazy miracle He may bring, just to show you how much He loves you.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders . All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Are you called to be a leader? Do you know how and where to lead others? In today’s scripture, Jesus teaches His followers not only the importance of leading well for His glory, but also how to harness God’s power in the process. (Luke 17:1-10)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am honored to walk with you as we open the Bible and ask God to teach us what He wants us to know today.
We are busy at Women World Leaders as we continue to put in place offerings to help empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. To accomplish this goal, we use a three-fold effort – first, we teach the Bible – standing on the Word of God together in all that we do; second, we offer community as we connect women in Christian fellowship; and third, we offer teaching and guidance to help equip you for your ongoing service to our Lord. To learn the specifics of how we are fulfilling this mission and how you can get involved, please visit our website: womenworldleaders.com. While you are there, make sure you fill out our contact form so you can stay up to date and join us as your schedule permits and as God prompts you.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Recently, we have been studying the book of Luke, which we will continue today as we embrace Luke 17:1-10. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – I don’t know what is going on today in the life of the woman who is listening right now, but you do. You are ever-present, even when we don’t recognize it. And you know what it is that we each need to hear. So we come to you today, asking for a miracle: speak directly to each of your listeners. Allow her to hear your voice and your words as we open Scripture together. God, I ask that you remove me, and allow only your thoughts to be heard. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
As we have been following Jesus in the book of Luke, He is making His way to Jerusalem teaching and preparing His disciples, not only for the events of the crucifixion that were to occur, but also for the life they would soon lead after His death and resurrection. In short, Jesus is rising up leaders for His church. The Pharisees thought THEY were the leaders, but we’ve seen time and again how they let Jesus down. And, in that day, Jesus had chosen His 12 very unlikely disciples. And as we read today, we know that Jesus has chosen US to be His leaders. WE are His followers. WE are His disciples. And WE are those whom He has chosen to lead others in the way of Christianity. Aren’t we lucky that Jesus left US the SAME training manual He gave those original 12 disciples?
I don’t know exactly what your calling is – but I know it is important because it has come from God Himself. And I also know He is continually equipping you exactly what He is calling you to. Keeping that amazing thought in mind. Let’s give our attention to HIS words today, as recorded in Luke 17:1-10 from the New Living Translation.
17 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!
Remember, Jesus had been teaching as He traveled, and the Pharisees and other religious leaders continued to outwardly scoff at His teachings.
Have you ever been influenced by someone else’s attitude toward something? Perhaps you’ve been swept up in the exuberance of a political rally. Someone starts yelling something, good or bad, about the leader, causing you to think…hmmm…what side should I believe?
There is no doubt that, as the Pharisees scoffed, there were some who were there wondering, “Is this Jesus-guy for me?” And you can bet that the scoffing of the Pharisees caused some of them to question Jesus’ words.
Jesus warned the disciples… what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.
Our words, actions, and responses carry influence. And we MUST take that responsibility of influence seriously.
When my daughter was just 4 years old, her leadership skills had already become very apparent in her pre-k class. As I noticed this, I was careful to guide her, telling her that she had a remarkable power – people listened to her. And so, along with that leadership power, she had the responsibility to carefully choose how and where to lead others.
A couple of weeks after I had that conversation with her, her teacher pulled me aside, wanting to relay the day’s happenings to me. There was a boy in my daughter’s class who was not well-regarded. He didn’t come to class very often, often came late, and spoke in a thick accent – all causing the kids to not have much interaction with him. That day, a few minutes after the day started, an announcement came from the office that that boy had arrived and would be entering the classroom momentarily. My daughter, who had noticed written on the board that it was his birthday, quickly told all the kids to hide so that when he came in, they could jump out and wish him a happy birthday.
She led. And the kids listened. And the boy was thrilled.
We ALL have an opportunity to lead. But we must CHOOSE how and where we lead others. With our words, written or spoken, and our actions, we can lead for peace or for strife. And we can choose whether we point others to the glory of God or to the waywardness of the world.
There are people around YOU who are watching you in your Christian walk. What are you showing them? Where are you leading them? Do they see, by your words and actions, that Christians are judgmental and harsh? Or do they witness a love that is beyond their worldly comprehension?
Jesus says… It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.
“Little ones” are not just little children…”little ones” are those who are younger than you in their spiritual walk. Are you leading others well? Do your actions lead others to react in kindness, graciousness, mercy, and generosity?
Do you model forgiveness that makes Jesus smile? Jesus continues…
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Forgiveness can be so difficult. It can feel like cleaning your own wound.
Have you ever had to pour alcohol on a wound to kill anything that might lead to an infection? Oh, it can sting! Yet we know it is necessary to allow the wound to heal.
And not only is forgiveness difficult, but it can also be exhausting. HOW many times do I need to forgive? As God’s children, we are to forgive as often as it takes.
Because forgiveness allows healing to occur…DESPITE the fact that it can sting, is difficult, and exhausting.
The disciples were listening. They heard the urgency with which Jesus taught about the necessity of forgiveness, but they were also very aware of their own fleshly limitations, so they responded to Jesus…
“Show us how to increase our faith.”
Have you ever been there? You KNOW what you need to do – in this case, forgive someone despite the pain it may cause you to clean out that dirty wound, but you ALSO know that you need God to grab you by the hand and walk you through the process…so you cry to Him … INCREASE MY FAITH!
I think we’ve all been there. The struggle to do what is right can be SO REAL.
Next time you cry out to God to help you do the right thing…remember His response…
6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
To do what God calls us to, we don’t need much…just the tiniest bit of faith leading us to the next simple step of obedience.
The black mulberry tree has a large root system that gives it the ability to live up to 600 years. Uprooting a tree like this would be nearly impossible. AND … planting it in water would also be impossible as the roots could not reestablish themselves.
BUT….THE LORD said… ALL THIS is possible with faith the size of a tiny mustard seed.
God sometimes calls us to do VERY difficult things – like choosing the stinging pain of forgiveness. But, He promises that we can do what we are called to by simply holding onto Him in faith and taking the next right step. Jesus illustrates the power that He gives us when we hold onto just the tiniest bit of faith…verse 7
7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Our job, as servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is to simply do the duty Jesus has set before us – just one step at a time. When we do, our faith will grow like the mustard plant.
Jesus was teaching the disciples, and He is teaching us, how to lead well. He starts with a warning – choose carefully how and where you will lead others. You ARE leading them somewhere, so, as He says in verse 3, “watch yourselves.”
After the warning, Jesus gives an instruction: always offer forgiveness.
Then Jesus reminds us that we have the POWER to do all God calls us to. That power comes from holding tightly to even the little bit of faith we have.
And finally, Jesus wrapped it all up in a story, telling us that we are servants of an amazing master who will always lead us the right way – our job is to walk in obedience to Him. One step at a time. And in the process, watch Him grow our faith AND the faith of those He has called us to lead.
Dear Most Holy God – we cling to you and to the faith that you are growing within us day by day. Father, it is not by our own might that we have the power to lead, forgive, and serve – but it is by the power you grant us when we actualize the faith you have gifted each of us. Give us the courage and strength to go wherever you call and to lead others well – with a positive influence and in the right direction, straight into your arms. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Don't miss today's part 2 of Dana Cryer's Podcast Interview: "SHUT-UP" were the only words Dana Cryer heard for days upon days, which turned into months upon months then years upon years while being held captive! Kidnapped at age 5, taken and held alone in the deep woods inside an old shack, Dana shares her detailed horror of terror-filled days and nights and excruciating pain in her body, just to continue living. It was all this little girl knew for over a decade. Until.... Hear this incredible God story of rescue, restoration, hope, healing forgiveness and God's abiding love. The journey of tremendous pain to the POWER of God working and ultimately forgiveness and incredible love only God can provide. (Part 2 of 2)
As we go through trials, there will be temptations to complain. Find out what happens when you resist complaining and yield to God's work of truth in your heart to bring the joy of heaven!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast. I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title: The Concession of Grace
“Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.” Isaiah 61:7 AMPC
Recently we’ve been going through an unexpected kitchen renovation in our apartment. This started June 26th when plumbing issues showed up in four of the apartments in our historic building, which was built in 1928. The pipes, full of rust and degraded, had holes throughout. As a result, anything that went down the drain would leak behind the walls.
Our apartment, which is on the top floor, and the three apartments under us had to have a kitchen renovation in order to put in new pipes. Management alerted us that we couldn’t use the kitchen sink, as well as needed to prepare for our kitchen being redone, so that the plumbers could remove the wall and put in new pipes. I really didn’t know what to expect since I’d not undergone anything like this before. Not only did we have to wash our dishes in the bathroom sink, but we had to purchase water to drink and cook with. Moreover, we’ve gotten takeout during the renovation with all our kitchen items being spread throughout the house, making it difficult to navigate meals.
It has already been over three weeks since work began, and they hope to be finished with everything by Monday July 24th. Although things are chaotic with workers in and out of our home, and the house a mess, we’ve felt God’s peace. Throughout this time, I’ve been flooded with unspeakable joy, and because my heart’s been so full, there’s not been room for any complaints.
I did a morning video one week into the renovation, reminded of Israel in Numbers 21, who complained in the wilderness. Because they wouldn’t stop grumbling and complaining, God sent fiery serpents to bite them. In order to be healed from the serpent’s bite, people had to look upon the pole that Moses raised with the bronze serpent, and they would live.
God brought this story to mind of Numbers 21 as He told me that He had given us joy, through the transition of our kitchen, and would bless us for having no complaints in our hearts. We felt like we were camping, having a makeshift routine, while waiting for the renovation to be finished.
About three weeks into the renovation, I contacted management to see about the possibility of getting a concession on our rent. We’re charged for water each month, and not only did we not use water in our kitchen, but we had to purchase water to drink, as well as get takeout. The manager mentioned he had put in for us to get a concession with the boss, the Friday before.
As I finished my walk one morning, he saw me and made mention that we were going to get a concession. Moreover, although we are the top apartment and the last one on which they started, for whatever reason, we’re the first one they’re finishing. All I could see in this entire process was Isaiah 61:7, about getting a double portion of honor. The personalized tag I saw three days prior to writing the podcast, was MRSHONR, for Mrs. Honor!
In my new book, in which I’m writing, “The Forbidden Fruit, the Spiritual Disease,” God has me teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of the world. In Isaiah 61:3, The Kingdom of Heaven is the garment of expressive praise, and the kingdom of the world is the cloak of heaviness. Jesus came to remove the heaviness of the world from us and bring heaven’s joy! As I keep saying, and my husband is now saying, while editing my new book, once you truly understand scripture about Jesus’ message of The Kingdom of Heaven, you cannot “unsee it.”
In Isaiah 61:7 scripture says, instead of dishonor, you will have a double portion and JOY! I’m going to bring in the Old Hebrew symbols, which form a word picture, to depict these Hebrew words in a deeper measure from this scripture. The Hebrew word for dishonor is kelimmâh pronounced kel-im-maw' meaning, “disgrace, confusion, dishonor, and shame.” [i] The Hebrew letters for dishonor are Kaph, Lamed, Mem, and Hey. Kaph is the ancient symbol of a hand that can open or close meaning, “cover and allow.” Lamed is the ancient symbol of a cattle goad, which looks like a shepherd’s staff with a prick in the curvature, and means “tongue, control, and authority.” Mem is the ancient symbol of water, and looks like a three humped “M,” meaning “chaos” in the negative and “massive and flooding.” Finally, Hey is the ancient symbol of a stickman holding its arms up, as if worshiping, and means “to reveal.” Thus, the word picture for dishonor is THE TONGUE COVERING YOU AND BRINGING CHAOS IS REVEALED. This is the voice of the stranger, which Jesus warns of in John 10:5. The stranger’s voice, is the voice of satan that is of the kingdom of the world. When the enemy attacks the heart and mind, he does so through the chaos of the world, making you feel “bad.”
As you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, God adds all things unto you. (Matthew 6:33) The evidence of seeking the Kingdom of God, knowing that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, is that you have JOY! Joy in Isaiah 61:7 is the Hebrew word simchâh pronounced sim-khaw' meaning, “blithesomeness or glee, exceeding, exceedingly, gladness, joy, joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, rejoice, and rejoicing.” [ii] The Hebrew letters that compose the word joy are Sheen, Mem, Chet, and Hey. The Hebrew symbol for Sheen is like a jagged “W” and the picture for teeth, meaning “to consume” in the positive and “devour” in the negative. The Hebrew letter Mem mentioned earlier is the symbol of water and in the positive indicates massive, as well as depict flooding. Chet is the ancient symbol of a fence or chamber and means separated and secret place. Finally, we saw Hey earlier meaning, “to reveal.” Therefore, the word picture for joy is BEING CONSUMED IN THE SECRET PLACE AS YOU ARE MASSIVELY FLOODED WITH WORSHIP THAT IS REVEALED.
God began to speak to me about the word “concession,” since the apartment management is giving us a concession on our rent. Concession means in our circumstance, “a preferential allowance or rate given by an organization.” [iii] It can also mean a commercial operation that brings refreshments. satan was cast down from heaven, as his heart was lifted in pride, bringing merchandise into heaven. (Ezekiel 28:16) The Hebrew word for merchandise comes from the root word meaning “merchant.” Merchandise is composed of the Hebrew letters Resh, Kaph, Lamed, and Hey. Resh is the ancient symbol of a man’s face and means, head, highest, and person. We saw the symbols for Kaph meaning, “cover or allow,” Lamed meaning “tongue, control, and authority,” and finally Hey meaning “reveal.” Therefore, the word picture for merchandise is THE TONGUE THAT IS ALLOWED TO CONTROL THE PERSON, IS REVEALED. This is the stranger’s voice that Jesus refers to in John 10:5. His sheep will not listen to the stranger’s voice, but only the voice of their Good Shepherd.
A concession stand at a ballgame is normally filled with fast foods, and generally has a selection of candy. I couldn’t help but see the concession stand of the enemy during people’s trials, as they allow his lie to continue to speak to their heart and mind, and they look at all things, through the lens of the kingdom of the world, which is “good or bad,” from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Moreover, I couldn’t help but think of candy at a concession stand, and how sugar makes you feel good initially with a sugar rush, and in time, causes you to crash. Furthermore, it’s the sugar in alcohol, which is ethanol, that gets a person drunk.
The concession stand of the enemy is in the kingdom of the world, for those whose eyes are not fixed on God, which causes people to be drunk with pride during the trial. Pride is revealed as complaining creeps in, making a person feel good, getting the sugar-coated message of the world. I saw clearly that those who stay focused on the world, gripe and complain in their trials, and are forever at the concession stand of the world.
Understand, this doesn’t mean you won’t experience hard times in life. Rather, in the hard times of life, you keep your eyes on God, and He brings heaven down! He lifts you into Joy, giving you a double portion of honor as your reward!
God began to show me, how the joy of the Lord on my husband and me, amid this renovation, caused us to have favor with God and man, as in Proverbs 3:3-4, as we were honored by management with a deduction from our next month’s rent. Moreover, the crazy thing is, we’re the first apartment they’re finishing, although we were the last one, they started on. What came to mind was the last shall be first.
When this all started, the tenant, who lived three flights beneath us, had been bothered and complained so much that she ended up leaving. I couldn’t help but see the power of not complaining and keeping your eyes on the things that are above. (Colossians 3:1-3)
When we’re in trials, we should be exceedingly glad, as in 1 Peter 1:6-7. It is the testing of our faith, which is being brought forth more precious than gold, to reveal Christ Jesus in us the Hope of Glory. Our faith results from keeping our eyes on God, where we’re in the overflow of God’s joy, which is our strength, seeing Heaven’s reward in our life.
Where is it in your life that you’re complaining? Keep your eyes on God and watch Him reward you with joy and give you honor!
[i] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 3639 “’dishonor”
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 8057 “joy”
[iii] “concession”
Jesus told the story of Lazarus and the disobedient rich man. They both died – one was buried and the other was carried away by angels. We will all die. What will decide your fate? (Luke 16:19-31)
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us for this Wednesday edition of the podcast, when we open the Bible together and ask God to reveal what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to the ministry, please know we are glad you are here! We are an eclectic group of women from around the world who love and support each other as we grow in our faith and our leadership abilities in an effort to do all God has called us to do. Together, we study the Bible, pray, and develop and put into practice our individual giftings – all while giving glory to God. This podcast is just one of our many offerings – you can find out more about the ministry by visiting our website: womenworldleaders.com. While you are there, be sure to fill out our contact form so that you can receive our regular emails that will help you connect with us.
Women World Leaders is a 501c3 non-profit ministry, which means that we are dependent on you to support all we do. We are an army of mostly volunteers, but, like everyone, we do have expenses. If you feel drawn to take advantage of a tax write-off as you donate financially, you can do that also at womenworldleaders.com. And when you become a regular monthly donor, we will put you on our subscription list to receive a physical copy of Voice of Truth magazine as a thank you. Will you consider helping us empower each other to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ by volunteering or donating to the ministry? There is much that God has for us to do, and we don’t want YOU to miss out on any part of it!
Well, let’s dive into today’s teaching, shall we? If you have your Bible handy, today we will be studying from the book of Luke, chapter 16, verses 19-31. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father – we come to you today in awe of your presence! Thank you for always being with us. Thank you for your grace and mercy and endless teaching and guidance as we walk through this life. We admit that we are flawed. But Father, we also proclaim with joy that although we mess up, you never give up on us. Thank you for being with us now as we open your Word. Help us hear and understand all you want us to know from this Scripture. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
As we step into the writings of Luke today, it may help to know that in this 16th chapter of the gospel, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, but the Pharisees and other followers were also listening in. In this crowd, there were, no doubt, people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Yet the Pharisees held a strong belief that the amount of a man’s riches directly pointed to his righteousness. Jesus, however, had already bluntly taught of the dangers of the love of money, stating in verse 13, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
And their response indicated the hardness of their hearts to Jesus’ words, as verse 14 records: The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.
Despite the scoffing, Jesus didn’t give up. Instead, He teaches again from an angle that we hope reached some…let’s begin in Luke 16:19 from the New Living Translation…
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
This man was truly of the upper echelon of the rich folks – one to whom the Pharisees would certainly prescribe righteousness on account of his riches. His outer garments were purple – made from a dye that was very expensive, and even his undergarments were made of the the finest linen.
But, it was evident that he cared deeply for only himself. As we will see, he closed his eyes to those in need around him. Verse 20…
20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
As I write, my own puppies are lying beside me, and I smile when they come up and lick me as they show their love. But don’t allow yourself to be culturally confused here. In the Jewish culture, dogs were NOT lovable pets. They were detestable and dangerous scavengers. This scene highlights the helplessness of this poor man, Lazarus. Not only was he hungry, longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, but he was also seemingly too weak or worn out to even shoo the dogs away who came to lick his sores as he lay at the rich man’s gate.
Picture that: the rich man went BY Lazarus each time he left his home and each time he returned to his home. This is important, because it shows us that this rich man was not godly. When we love God, we long to be like Him. Sure, we mess up, but He continues to put us in circumstances where we can serve and honor Him and others – molding us each day more and more into His own image.
But this rich man had clearly hardened his heart. He, again and again, put his own comfort and his own love of money above everything else, including the miserable man who lay at his own front gate.
Verse 22…
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet.
I LOVE this visual!! For those of you who know me, you know my mom died recently after a long bout with Alzheimers. For the last several years, she couldn’t speak and didn’t have any sense of recognition. Yet as I held her hand as she took her last breath, her eyes opened wide, and a look of glorious recognition graced her face! It was clear that the angels were there to carry HER to the heavenly banquet.
Our physical death on this earth can be so glorious! If we give our lives to Christ today, we have NOTHING to fear and EVERYTHING to look forward to! Lazarus lived a life of want…but he clearly knew God. And God honored Lazarus by ushering him into heaven.
Verse 22 continues in direct contrast, however…
The rich man also died …and was buried,… 23 and he went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
The rich man still didn’t get it…despite the place of torment he was now in, he still considered Lazarus beneath him. He spoke to the holy Abraham, demanding his way. This is a picture of how I imagine the rich man had lived his life – feeling that his money gave him power over others and the right to demand their service.
But the tables had turned…and they had turned permanently… verse 25…
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
There will come a time when we will each take our last breath on earth – and at that moment, the playing field will be leveled. I’ve heard it said that he who dies with the most toys wins. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth.
Money is not evil, in fact, it is a blessing that can be used to bless others. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter to God how much money we have, what kind of car we drive, or where we live. Our perfect God cares most about the relationship with have with Him. And you can trust He has a purpose and a plan for each of His children’s lives – whether we are lying in a hospital bed, sitting in a prison cell, living in a shack, or residing in a mansion by the seaside. When we know and love God, He will place in us a desire to follow Him in obedience. All He asks is that we follow Him one step at a time, no matter what our lot in life is. Pray to Him. And listen in obedience, doing WHATEVER He calls you to with WHATEVER you have been given.
At this point, it seems the rich man understands that his fate is now permanent.
Verse 27…
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
I imagine this last statement was personal to Jesus.
From the time the first sin created a chasm between God and humanity, God put a plan in place to bridge that chasm – to allow sinful man the opportunity to spend eternity with God. God sent Moses and the prophets to give warnings and hope to His people. Some listened. Many did not. Then Jesus Himself came. He taught the truth, giving warnings and hope – and even performed miracles to showcase that He was telling WAS the truth. Some listened. Many did not.
And, even as Jesus told this very story, He knew that His own time was drawing near. Jesus, fully God and fully man, was sent to die a sinner’s death on a cross and then be raised from death – so that He could overcome death once and for all time for those who follow Him.
Yet even as He spoke and prepared for His own death and resurrection, Jesus knew…Some would listen. But many would not.
Our God is kind, thoughtful, generous, and merciful. He infiltrates this world with signs and wonders and miracles in an effort to lead US to our place of salvation. He has prepared us each a place at His table and has His angels on standby, ready to escort us directly to Him when we each take our final breath on this earth.
But our God also gives us free choice.
We can CHOOSE to follow Him. We can CHOOSE to be obedient with all He has given us. Or we can CHOOSE to focus on the things of this earth – loving the gifts instead of the Giver. Hoarding whatever wealth we’ve been given instead of obediently responding when He calls us to a mission.
The rich man died and was separated from God forever, not because he was rich, but because he had hardened his heart while he was here on earth, refusing to love others as God loves and serve others as God serves. We do not go to heaven because of what we do or don’t do, with one exception: to dine at the eternal feast with our Father who loves us so much, to experience the glory of the angels whisking us to His side when we take our last breath on this earth, we must give our lives to Him today. We must accept the payment that Jesus made for our sins. When we do, God will begin to mold us into the people He has called us to be.
Let’s pray…
Holy Father, we come to you today in obedience, giving our lives, our decisions, and our loyalties to you alone. We ask you to guide us each day. We thank you for the forgiveness of our sins you have already granted us. And we look forward to that day when we get to dine at your table for all of eternity, escorted in full glory by your angels. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Don't miss today's Podcast Interview: "SHUT-UP" were the only words Dana Cryer heard for days upon days, which turned into months upon months then years upon years while being held captive! Kidnapped at age 5, taken and held alone in the deep woods inside an old shack, Dana shares her detailed horror of terror-filled days and nights and excruciating pain in her body, just to continue living. It was all this little girl knew for over a decade. Until.... Hear this incredible God story of rescue, restoration, hope, healing forgiveness and God's abiding love. The journey of tremendous pain to the POWER of God working and ultimately forgiveness and incredible love only God can provide. (Part 1 of 2)
God's Word tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. But what does that really mean? Learning that our identity and self-worth are in Him is a life-long lesson and journey. And what we are going through is exactly that, what we are going through. We are children of God, loved and adored by HIm. No matter what we are going through in life, God is ever present and aware of our problems and needs even when we can't "feel" it. The world needs you to be who you were meant to be!
As God's children, we are called to imitate Him. As you grow deeper in your relationship with God, allow His example of love to flow from your life. (Ephesians 5:1-14)
From self-centered to more of a self-less life through God's direction, our guest Stacy Thomas has learned to be bold and courageous in sharing her faith. Step out of your comfort zone and step into an ability to share your faith as Joshua 1:9 commands. Be bold and courageous. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are so grateful that you have decided to join us today. And we would love to welcome our guests today. Who is Stacy Thomas from? Where are you from stays in my city Beach, Florida Animos city, I knew it was Florida. I just forgot this the city. So welcome, Stacy.
Stacy Thomas
Thank you for inviting me. I'm really appreciative.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, you're appreciative that you're here. So, ladies, it's all about sharing our stories to encourage each other what God has done in and through our lives. That is who we are at women, world leaders, we want to come beside you encourage you empower you, strengthen, strengthen you through the power of the Word of God. We believe that he is working in you giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. That's actually a scripture from Philippians 213. And what does God say in Revelations 1211, he says that they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And we believe that by sharing our testimonies that we can overcome him which is the enemy of our lives, and we share our testimonies and oh my goodness, what comes out of it is just amazing. And others can relate and, and help you know draw their relationship closer to the Lord as well. So, so ladies, we are so happy to have you and I just want to share a little bit about Stacey before. She shares a little bit about her story with you because today we're going to talk about being bold and courageous. And Stacey is a wife and a mother of three and she's been a pediatric occupational therapist for 27 years and is currently serving in the level three NICU unit. Stacy served as the ministry leader at her local Celebrate Recovery for seven years. She has assisted with establishing community based nonprofit ministries such as backport blessings and protect our preemies. Stacy has multiple publications in a local Christian magazine ad and has co published in the APTA professional research journal. Stacey enjoys spending time traveling with her husband visiting her children hiking and outdoor activities. And one of her scripture verses that is special to her is Psalm 91 Two, which says He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in him will I trust. So as I was sharing, ladies, today, we're going to talk about being bold and courageous. And if you're anything like me, I had a difficult time because I have always felt unworthy and worthy to talk out and share about my faith. Because of my past. And I know in speaking with Stacey, her and I shared some of the same past and that just lacking confidence. But Joshua one nine says, Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, be bold, do not be afraid. And Tracy was an only child growing up. So she was in this kind of self absorbed place. But after growing in the Lord in him intervening in her life, he has taken her from this self centered place to now being more selfless. It's this growth process that we all need to go through. And she is learning how to be a selfless human being. And today Stacey is going to share a little bit about in her story about how God has drawn her closer to him. Stacey, can you share about that a little bit?
Stacy Thomas
Thank you, Kimberly. Yeah, just to give you a little background, I, like Kimberly said was born and only child to very young parents who were on their way to college and life changed quickly for them because of that decision. And through a difficult delivery. Long story short, I ended up having some difficulties and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. So mild case but still have some challenges with my physical abilities. I always did well in school, and really learn to overcompensate there with my grades trying to meet the demands of fitting in. So over the years of being an only child and my parents were working and going to school, I learned to become more self sufficient. And I never really had to be challenged in any way with confrontation because there were no siblings to have confrontation with. And I guess I could say I was probably a fairly easy child, I didn't have much conflict with my parents growing up. So I grew up believing that I was in control, and that I was independent, and that I could do whatever needed to be done. And I carried that into my adulthood. I knew who Jesus was, but I did not have a relationship with him growing up in high school friends, who went to church would invite me I would go, but honestly speaking, it was more for the socialization, and just being able to fit in somewhere than it truly was about making myself a relationship with Jesus. went away to college, five hours away, no cell phones, and I was large and in charge of my own life and not doing it very well. Really kind of let go of some morals that my parents had instilled in me and being a number one party school, University of Florida, tended to hang up those morals and just do everything I could to fit in with the people around me. So over time, after marriage, and having kids and my children really were the gifts that God gave me, that made me want to have a closer relationship with God, because I wanted them to. And that's what really kind of led me to start going to church and pursuing God a little bit more. But even on the Wednesdays, and Sundays that I was there and serving, I still kept a
Unknown Speaker
wall up
Stacy Thomas
between me and had a lot of expectation on others had a fairly critical spirit on me and, and didn't give a lot of grace at that time. And so God began talking to me about that in my late 30s. So that's kind of in a nutshell. And
Kimberly Hobbs
and I know through our conversation, Stacy and talking to you, you are sharing about that time where God started speaking to you and listening to podcasts, which we know are very helpful. Ladies, these podcasts are so helpful to us, aren't they, and I am just so grateful for them. Please pray for us as we do these podcasts. But you were listening to podcasts in your life, Stacy, and God was speaking to you. And then you are also sharing how you did a study in the zekiel. And one of the words that was jumping out at you as the word telling. And Ezekiel was talking about that in his book about being telling to be bold, and stand up and speak up, instead of being full of pride and talking from a self centered place. How did you do that? Stacy? How did he do this through you?
Stacy Thomas
Well, God led me to a ministry called Celebrate Recovery about 10 years ago, and my church had started it. I was one of those people that said, I'm not one of those people. And finally, God just led me there really, truly with a desire to fix my marriage and fix my husband. But God showed me that that was not my job. And hey, let's look at these things in your heart a little bit. So after some time doing the steps there and realizing that I had some hurts that I needed to deal with, and some anger to deal with. The Lord led me through that and to a much healthier place. And since then, my studies have included podcasts have included small groups. And recently, last year, he said, I want you to study zekiel And I said, God, what? And so I kind of pushed back in my old Stacy way of pushing back from things and sat on it for a bit. And then this past month podcast that I listened to started a lit study on a zekiel. And I realized, Okay, God, you put me up this put this before me again. So I was obedient and began to study on the podcast. And yes, I had no idea what Ezekiel looked like for my life, but he has opened my eyes to realizing that he's not putting me out into the world to fix people, like I have done in my job that's been a requirement as an occupational therapist is to fix the injury, fix the development of the child, whatever it may be, but that my role as a Christian is not to fix people, but to tell people who he is and the love that He has for others. And for me And so I'm learning a new habit of just being able to go out and share and not have to be a scholar in the word not have to be a Theo theology, but use my testimony, use my story, use my experiences, to show people how much God loves us, and how much his purpose for us is for good, but also for the kingdom and helping others come to know who he is.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's so true, so true. And thank you, I am so grateful that God impressed upon your heart, that you needed to turn things around and to start to speak truth into people in the place that God has brought you. And you are now doing that inside the NICU unit. And God brings you to women that are there. There's reasons why some of these babies are born. So premature, and there are problems associated with those children. And sometimes the the pregnancies and it gives you the ability to speak truth into their lives. And I'm just very grateful for that. So out of your place of rejection and different things that you've had to deal with in your life of fear that you can now speak truth into these women who are rejected and afraid. And God gives you these opportunities. So the Bible says when fear a mobilizes us, ladies, like when you are afraid to do something, just as I believe Stacey, in hearing her testimony, was afraid to step out in that faith and to be bold. And to be courageous. The Bible says when fear a mobilizes you to do something, ladies, don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you and He will be with you. And he will neither fail you nor abandon you. And that's Deuteronomy 31. Eight. Stacy, can you give us some examples how God embolden you in your career? Like maybe in the NICU? Like do you have a story you could share with us about God giving you that boldness at a certain moment to step out and share about him?
Stacy Thomas
Oh, wow, there's so many opportunities. First, I want to share a scripture. Second Corinthians one four is kind of the scripture that I stand on now for my work. And it says, who comforts us in all our tribulations so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. And to me that says that he's calling us to use our testimony to help people understand and have hope that they are not alone. In the NICU, I come across mothers who, you know, most women, you know, have an expectation of I'm going to get pregnant, I'm going to carry this baby for 40 weeks, and there's going to be a baby shower, and there's going to be a now there's these baby reveals, and you know, all these fun things that are supposed to happen along the way and pictures and whatnot. And when that baby comes, we're going to spend a couple of days in the hospital, we're going to take them home to the nursery and things are going to be grand, our moms, whether it be because of prematurity or some other medical issue with the babies tend to have to have go to the NICU and have a different experience. And it's an experience where they absolutely have no control over the circumstances that they're facing this little human being that, that we that we take gratefully from God, and in some ways own in our own minds, is has to be at the mercy of the people who were taking care of it at that point. And so we have to bring to them a place of knowing that they can trust us. And how many women and men dads that I've talked to have trust issues. And so it's a very difficult time. So I've been able to use in so many ways, my experience of having cerebral palsy myself and having a developmental delay in my physical ability, being able to tell parents who are facing those worst case scenarios and say, hey, my parents face this too. And they were told I'd never walk. Or I might never walk. But look at me now. And so I'm able to use my visually use and show them that though this looks really grim right now, God took what happened to me, and he turned that into something good. So a perfect example was we had a baby who was born extremely premature. 24 weeks, her biological mother signed her rights away and she became a word of the state who was adopted. She was not doing well. She had a lot of difficulties. She was at the age where she was able to start learning to eat by mouth. And she just had no desire, she really didn't wake up much. And adoptive family was assigned to her, they came up and they immediately wanted to hold her. within 24 hours, we saw that baby turn around. Within eight hours, we saw that babies start to eat. And we were able to talk about how the love and affection that that family gave her. And the trust that they had for the process allowed them to be able to turn that baby around. And isn't that just the way that Jesus does with us?
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, yes, yes, that his arms
Stacy Thomas
and he loves us. And all of the circumstances that we are in all of the tribulations that we are facing, just melt away. And we're able to surrender it all to him. And he turns it around in our life.
Kimberly Hobbs
He does. He does. It's all about love. It is all about love. And I just I was flooded with goosebumps when you said that. And I can just imagine that scenario, because that's how God created us, we need to be loved. And we need to show love. And that little baby felt that love that human touch that genuine love for it. And look at what God did in that situation. Wow. Wow, that's beautiful. And to take it
Stacy Thomas
further that is to have moderate to severe cerebral palsy based on the medical findings of her brain that we had seen on scans. And before she left, all evidence of brain damage was gone. Wow. And those parents embrace that as a miracle from God. And, and you know, and so not only do we have the opportunity to talk about God and His love for us and connect those dots, but then there's, you know, people that come to us that have the same ability to minister into our lives. And that's what I love about the kingdom is that we have opportunities outside where people who may not know Jesus, we have opportunities, to boldly bring it to them, but also within our own community of Christians, we need to be encouraging each other and loving on one another and accepting one another right where we are, instead of expecting another to be somewhere or doing something a certain way.
Kimberly Hobbs
It's so true, we cannot have a judgmental attitude or anything, it's all about loving one another and having that boldness, again, encouraged to step out and just embrace another with love, speak the truth into their life. It's so important. You know, we see it from the moment we're born, obviously, with what you see Stacy in your career and, and you see it all through life, you see it through the mothers lives who are giving birth, you know, that maybe feel so broken, you know, delivering this child and, and rejected and whoever, you know, who knows what that woman is going through, but you have the ability, Stacy to love on them, God has put you in a place where he is using you and all of your past things in your life. To now speak love and truth into other women. And ladies, that's what we need to look for is in our own life. What are you doing? Where are you right now in your life, that God can allow you to open your mouth and speak love and truth from his word into others lives, that's what will change their lives. That's what will impact them and turn their situations around. It's his love. It's the power through his word that will do that. And we are just so grateful, Stacy for you doing that? And do you have any other examples maybe that you want to share? Because these examples again, just give such a profound? Ah, you know, like, wow, you know, I get it. I see it. I see what God's doing in that situation. About speaking boldness and to somebody.
Stacy Thomas
Yeah. So one of the scriptures that I really have held on to for a long time, as James 122 says, Don't just be hearers of the word but be doers of the word. And just like an zekiel zekiel was tasked not with going in and fixing the broken nation, but he was tasked with going in and telling about God and what God's promises were and and God muted him for that purpose. He was only allowed to speak when he was sharing what God wanted share. And for me that that stood very tall for me because I've always you know, my profession requires me to People, whether it be their injury or whatever, are these babies. And so, I take that seriously, because now my new habit is to go and tell, go tell it up upon the mountain, right. So, but you know, one of the things we have to remember is that we are loved and he forgives us. And he gives a second chances. He shows us mercy and compassion and his heart is softened towards us. And that's something that we have to remember to do as well. You know, there are women that come through the unit, who have been doing drugs, and for a long time in their life, they may have been shunned, and they may have been judged and, and when they come to the unit, we have to know that they didn't, they weren't little girls that grew up thinking, Oh, when I grow up, I want to be a drug addict. They something happened in their life that created this for them. And we have an opportunity to help them become the women that God has purposed them to be. And that baby might be the reason why they are there to hear from us that they are loved, and that they are accepted, and they are forgiven. We can empower these women to have a purpose beyond that drug that they're addicted to. And we can help them. And so that's that's a big part of my heart after being involved in Celebrate Recovery as a ministry leader is that just letting people know whether it be a man or a woman that they have such great value in this world, beyond the circumstances are in the moment. And so that asked us to be those people who come alongside others who are downtrodden, and who are hurting. And they let them know that they are loved spite what has happened in their past.
Kimberly Hobbs
As ladies, I believe, that's a calling on all of us, that we need to step out in prayer. And if you're not a bold person, if you're tend to be quiet, and you let others just, you know, no step out and ask God to help you be bold and courageous. And that you would step out of that comfort zone for Jesus cuz it is our it's our job, I guess you'd say, you know, as believers as those in relationships with Jesus, that we talk to somebody that we normally may not talk to, you know, our pray with a family member, a friend or a co worker such as Stacey does, she's bold, and she steps out where God has her right now, in that Nick unit and with boldness, she's praying with others, she is loving them and loving them to Jesus. And true boldness, ladies is centered in Christ, not ourselves. And sometimes we're so focused on ourselves, or what are people gonna think of us are, you know, I'm not a speaker, or I don't know, a whole lot of Scripture what, but just take that first step and just ask God to go with you, and speak out about him. And you're going to watch how he's going to be right there with you. He's going to give you our triggers something in your mind that you're going to say, because you prayed about it, and you asked him for that boldness. So the CC Can you just give us a give these ladies an encouraging word from your heart, how they can step out in that boldness just like you are you are in a place where you were, you were afraid to do that, because all the focus was on yourself. You grew up that way. But God turned it around. So how can you encourage our listening audience to step out in that boldness?
Stacy Thomas
Um, I think the main thing that we have to remember is that God is never going to lead us into anything that is for to hurt us. So start feeling afraid, I realized that is from the enemy, and the enemy loves to distract us with fear. Yeah, yes. So if you know if God is calling if the Holy Spirit is putting it on my heart to talk to somebody or to say something in particular, the first thing I do is I pray about it. Because I want to be sure that my words are helpful and not hurtful, and that they come across with the right motives. And so I checked my heart, and I asked God to show me the way that would be a way to, to enlighten him in this person's life. And then I have to take that step. And, and that step is is sometimes very hard, and sometimes it's very easy, and I will be honest, sometimes it's the people that I'm the closest with that I have the hardest time being bold with. I come from a place of not wanting to disrupt the applecart, you know, and I come from a place of wanting that accepted And, and needing to know that people are happy with me. But God is really leading me out of that. And, and And ladies, if you if you wonder how I got here, it's been through just really listening to God and learning how to be obedient. And sometimes I thought, am I even hearing him. But there was always a time that he would come alongside me and make it clear in some way, even through telling me to read the book of Ezekiel, which I did not understand whole lot of before the surgery, and I still don't, but being able to just say, You know what, I'm going to take a chance on God, because what else do I what do I have to lose there? Because he's always for me, he's never against me, always. And I spent too many years living in fear and living afraid of what might happen. And now knowing that that fear comes from the enemy. It's just a matter of taking a deep breath, thanking God, loving God and saying, God, my life is surrendered for you and your will test and that word, and those 100 Steps come in baby steps. He's not going to require us to jump off the cliff into some sort of ministry or jump off the cliff into some sort of evangelism. He's just asking us to have conversations and share our story.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Yes, ladies, and thank you. Thank you so much, Stacy for sharing that and encouraging and it does, it requires humility, again, ladies rather than pride. And realize that you can be bold in your faith, be bold in your faith, and I just have a couple scriptures I wanted to share as we close here, the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. And that's proverbs 28. One, be bold, as a lion, ladies, God will give you that confidence, you can do it, you just need to step out and be courageous. Acts for 31 reminds us that after they pray, they were shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly. So one thing that Stacy and I were both sharing was pray, pray about it, as she is there in the NICU, and things are right in front of her situations that she doesn't have any control over, she goes to God and prayer and ask God to how is he going to use me here? What am I going to say, Lord, and then God speaks through her, he will do that for you too, if you ask him to. So remember that ladies, that's our duty, we need to be bold and courageous, and share our faith wherever we are, where ever we are in this world. And this is a tool that I hope might help you. Two years ago, we women world leaders put put out a book called courageous steps of faith. And these women, there's many women in this book that have shared their stories of being bold, and courageous and stepping out in faith and doing something amazing for the Lord. And we believe that all of us, all of us have that ability to do it. If you would like to get this book to encourage you and inspire you. It is available through our website at women, world leaders calm and it and we ask that you get it through our website, it is available on Amazon as well. But it has become a number one bestseller. And we are very grateful for that. But that's because God has shown favor and this book has been prayed over and we believe it will be a very useful tool tool to you if you need that little encouragement to step out and be bold, courageous steps of faith. And that's with God. All things are possible. We do believe that with all of our heart, ladies. And one other thing that we have for you that would be a great inspiration. And again, full of Scripture full of encouragement is our magazine that comes out once a quarter now. And it is called voice of truth. It is available digitally outside of the United States around the world, through women world leaders.com. And you can get your free copy if you are within the United States. And that is by going to women world leaders.com voice of truth and then there's a place where you can sign up leave us your name, address and email address which we do not share. But please ladies also if you receive Voice of Truth last year, this year, we need to have you re submit your name and address and email to continue receiving it. And our next edition is coming out in May. So please ladies, make sure that you get yourself Rhys re signed up for Voice of Truth or if you want it Please go to our website at women world leaders calm. So in closing again, thank you so much Stacy Thomas for joining us. And Stacy is going to be one of the authors and the upcoming book for this year which is called surrendered, yielded with purpose. So we are so excited that chair, Stacey is going to share her story. So thank you, Stacey, for your willingness to say yes to Jesus and to serve. Lady desires a place for you to serve here within this ministry and we invite each and every one of you to join us at women world leaders.com Or join us in our Facebook group. And just look for women world leaders on Facebook and asked to come into the group and we will gladly let you in. Ladies, we are so happy to have you and again from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you each Thank you for listening. And please don't forget we have our teaching podcasts every Wednesday by Julie Jenkins. And we also have encouraging podcasts every Friday and Celebrating God's Grace. So ladies, please we have podcasts for you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays please be sure to join us at Women World Leaders podcast. Thank you and God bless you
Today, Kelly Williams Hale, shares about grace, specifically the freedom of grace. Regardless of our past, our mistakes, and our beliefs about ourselves, God’s grace covers us. It’s not something we can earn. It’s a gift we receive. And that’s worth celebrating!
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast. My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
I'm an author, speaker and mentor helping women discover the purpose God has for them and embrace their divine destiny.
This week l I want to talk about grace. Specifically the freedom of grace.
What does grace mean? I’ve heard it my whole life – mostly attributed to my accident-prone self. When walking through the doorway swinging my arms, inevitably my hand would bash against the doorjamb. Good job, Grace. Or walking down the sidewalk with absolutely no obstacles, I would trip and stumble over a spec of dust. Again, Grace. But the grace I want to talk about is God’s grace. The grace he extends to us despite and in spite of our failures and shortcomings. Boy, I can tell you it has taken me many, many, MANY years to fully understand the amazing wonder of God’s grace.
It is by His grace that any of us still walk the earth. His grace allows us to wake up each day and attempt (in our weak, self centered way) to go about the daily business of living. And it’s by His grace that we are forgiven over and over and over again – when we fall short OR fall down. Hmmm… so there is some correlation to my younger definition of grace and God’s version! God’s grace is what we must remember when someone causes us harm or in some way disappoints us. His grace is what we extend to others. But we should also extend it to ourselves. A few years ago, I had the word “grace” tattooed on the inside of my wrist. It’s a reminder for me to extend grace to others. I can also glance down when I need to be reminded to give myself grace. Have you ever messed up so badly you wondered “how could God use me after that? I sure have. And I remember so vividly when the Lord reminded me of His grace. I was sound asleep after attending the first day of a women’s conference. I felt God was calling me to ministry; to serve women who felt like their past disqualified them from His purpose. I heard a voice whisper “my grace is sufficient.” I immediately sat upright in the cozy hotel bed, grabbed my Bible, and located this verse:
“And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
That was the beginning for me. The beginning of my understanding of the grace Jesus gives me. Gives all of us. His grace saves us.
I believe it’s so difficult to comprehend because it goes against everything the world tells us. We are told to treat others the way they treat us. Which in some cases is ugly and mean. Should we then be ugly and mean back to them? Is that what Jesus did when he was persecuted and called names? No. He loved the haters despite their hate.
Accepting God’s grace is understanding that there is nothing you can do to earn it. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more – or less. He loves us – unconditionally. If you have children, you can relate to this. Like the prodigal son, our children can literally walk away from us and yet we welcome them back with open arms. Every time. As God’s children, regardless of the messes we get into and the mistakes we make, God loves us. Period.
I don’t recall a lot of my childhood but I do remember how I felt in certain situations. I remember feeling like I needed to make people happy. It was my responsibility to smooth over the hurt feelings. I needed to help dissipate the tension that hung in the air after arguments. As the oldest, I wanted to protect my younger brothers. I felt like I could make things better. I was the do-er. I helped mom around the house because it made her happy. I did my homework and helped in the classroom because it made the teacher happy. I was polite and helpful. It was my job to take care of everybody. They call us peacemakers. I think my natural personality is to be a peace lover but I also learned that keeping the peace helped others.
So I was taught to be a good girl. I overheard people tell my mom, “Boy, your Kelly sure is a good girl.” And later in high school, we were at my mom’s work picnic. I overheard someone tell my mom, “Kelly is so well-adjusted.” I was all of 16 or 17 and felt that was a great compliment. I’m sure I was very demure on the outside, all happy and friendly and helpful. But inside, I was developing a not so great case of false humility.
In fact, it was years later in counseling that I discovered I controlled people by not allowing them to be responsible! What?! I just did what needed to be done. If someone couldn’t do a task, well it wasn’t going to do itself, right?
I still struggle with the doing part of existing. And allowing accolades to determine my worth. Yet I could be a bump on a log all day, every day and God would not love me any more or less than he does when I make myself crazy taking care of everything and everyone! What a lesson.
Precious friend, we cannot earn God’s love. We cannot behave in any way that will make him love us more. He simply does. Freedom from our past and the mistakes we’ve made is directly related to how and when we grasp this truth.
Grace is given. It’s up to us to accept it.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Are you weary? Walking hopelessly through the mundane? Jesus has so much more for you and is calling you to get up and walk in obedience. Pick up your mat and let God, in His grace, supply the strength you need every step of the way. (John 5:1-15)
Thanks for listening to the Women World Leaders’ podcast! This is our Wednesday edition, Walking in the Word, where we take time out of our busy week to sink into God’s Word and ask Him to reveal His truth and teaching to us. My name is Julie Jenkins. I’m the teaching and curriculum leader for Women World Leaders, and I am pleased to be your host. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John together as we study the life of Jesus Christ.
If you are enjoying our study, I’d like to ask you to take a moment to share it with someone else. My reasoning is simple. See…this podcast was started because a friend came to me in need of Biblical teaching. She is a nurse, and her team of associates had been gathering at lunch and listening to a limited Easter teaching. When they completed the series, she reached out to me looking for a podcast to empower them to stand strong together during the height of the covid pandemic. After searching and praying for an appropriate podcast for her, God spoke to me that He was calling Women World Leaders to begin this podcast series, and I thought, if He is calling, there must be a need. So we are asking you now, to help us fill that need. For us, it isn’t about download numbers, but about reaching those whom God intends to reach. Will you pray and ask Him who in your life would benefit from a weekly bible teaching that they can access anywhere at any time? And then will you share it with them? Your outreach will likely have a ripple effect that will extend further than you can now imagine. Sometimes we just have to respond obediently, even if we don’t fully understand.
That thought leads us into our teaching today as we study John’s account of the healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda from John 5:1-15. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, I thank you for each person who is listening, wherever they may be. Lord, I don’t know how you drew each individual to this podcast today, nor do I know what they are going through. But you do. You see each listener individually and there is something that you have called them to hear today. God, may the words that come from my mouth not be my words, but yours. Allow this teaching to come from you alone. We give you this time and ask you to infiltrate our thoughts, Holy Spirit, as we read and study your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
John 5 from the New Living Translation begins…
5 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days
We have seen Jesus heal many people as we have been walking through the gospels. We have seen Him step out time and again, but today we see Him intentionally step into the territory of the Jewish religious leaders whom He knew would seek His death. He traveled straight into Jerusalem. Scripture says He traveled there for a Jewish festival, although we don’t know which one. And it appears that He was alone as He visited the Temple area.
Verse 2 continues…
2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.[b]
The Sheep Gate was not an obscure name of an entry into the temple, it was the actual opening in the Temple wall through which the sacrificial sheep were brought. From the Sheep Gate, the sheep would have been taken directly to the pool that John mentions, where they would have been washed before being taken into the sanctuary.
Heading through the Sheep Gate, you could walk down a pathway to the pool of Bethesda, a set of twin pools that has now been identified by archeologists and is currently known as the pool of St. Anne. These twin pools were surrounded by four colonnades with an additional colonnade going between the two halves of the pool. I am far from being an expert in architecture, so to get a picture in my mind, I had to look up what a colonnade is. So now I can report that the pool was surrounded by an open hallway made of large columns and covered by a roof. This is where the sick people would lay…under the colonnade that both surrounded the pool and cut through the middle, separating the two parts of the pool. Many translations say that those who lay there were disabled, using the generic term for those who were too weak to help themselves. John further describes them as the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. This must not have been a pretty sight…it was probably actually quite heart-wrenching, pathetic, or even disgusting – depending on your outlook. Perhaps needless to say, this was an area that the upper class and those considering themselves purified for worship, would avoid.
But not Jesus. He walked right down the colonnade, among those who were hurting. Those who couldn’t see. Those who couldn’t walk. And those who, in fact, couldn’t move. He walked among those who were there because they didn’t know what else to do or where else to go.
There was a superstition surrounding this pool that said that when the angels randomly caused the water to stir, the next person into the water would be cured. But in reality, the people were hopeless. The blind – they would not have been able to see the water stirring. The lame could see the water stirring, but they couldn’t get to it. And the paralyzed, they were unable to move altogether. And the Jewish officials surely looked down on the gathering as the belief of the powers of the water mirrored the belief bestowed upon many of the healing shrines and pagan cults of the area. It was an area full of disgrace.
Those who gathered where the animals were cleansed were unable to get help themselves – and yet they waited.
And their waiting was not in vain. Not because of the stirring of the water, but because Jesus, God in the flesh, stepped in among them.
John narrows down our vision from a crowd of people to a single man who lay on his mat without a purpose, no different than the others. Verse 5…
5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.
We don’t know anything about this man except that he had been afflicted for 38 years. That is nearly as long the average life expectancy at the time! And he had given up. He may have been lying beside a pool that was said to have healing powers, but it was a formality.
Verse 6…
6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
I can understand the man’s state of hopelessness. He had been living with a debilitating illness for 38 years and was lying, day in and day out, among others who had no hope. We tend to get acclimated to where we are and to accept the situation we are in after a period of time. While that is a normal human defense mechanism, if you are stuck in a situation that feels hopeless, I want you to know that our God is a God of hope and renewal and restoration. God wants to light a fire in your soul and remind you that with Him, nothing is impossible. You may feel that you have nothing left to give and absolutely no way to make your bad situation better. And do know what? You may be right! You may have no power AT ALL to walk out of the situation you are in. But what God wants you to know is that you don’t need to rely on YOUR power or on YOUR plan. We were not created to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to use an American colloquialism. We were created to trust Jesus. We don’t know if this disabled man was blind or lame or paralyzed … or all three. What we do know is that he was beyond hope. And as Jesus, the Son of God, walked beside his mat, the man couldn’t see Jesus for who He was, he couldn’t walk to Jesus, and he couldn’t even reach out to him…and he didn’t have to. Because JESUS spoke into the life of the man and healed Him with His word … without even a drop of the stirring water hitting his skin.
Verse 8…
8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!
THAT is how God works!
Remember our previous teachings on God’s sovereignty? Jesus’ power is above nature, demons, illness, and even death. But there is so much more. Jesus’ power is personal and will reach into your soul giving you hope where there is no hope, peace where there is despair, and salvation where there is sin. Nothing we can do in our lives can wipe the mud from our eyes so that we can see. Nothing we can do can empower our legs to run the race that God has for us. We can do nothing to move from a paralyzed life to one full of movement and purpose for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But with a single word, Jesus, who walks among our sick mats strewn about, can raise us to a life that we can only imagine. We need only believe and obey.
Continuing in verse 9…
But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”
12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded.
13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
The man picked up his mat and walked without even realizing who had healed him. And he walked into a controversy…and all he knew to do was to say what had happened. And wait. And Jesus confirmed that He would not leave him alone in his newfound healing. Jesus was there. Jesus guided the newly healed man into his next steps. Jesus first healed the man, and then he walked with him. This man who had just a short time ago been without hope and without anyone to help him, through no action of his own, now had Jesus beside him.
If you are listening to this, you need to know that JESUS is walking beside your mat. He is calling your name. Telling you to get up – He has a mission for you. You can trust His power, His strength, His love, guidance, and protection. You are His. And He will never leave you alone.
It was the Sabbath…which turned the religious leaders against Jesus and against the man who was now carrying his mat. Jesus knew it would. Jesus knew the tide was turning against him, but that didn’t stop Him from loving and caring for the man on the mat. We don’t know what happened to that man, but I’d like to think that he became a stalwart follower of Jesus Christ. I’d like to think that he used the power in His legs to run after Jesus and the strength in his muscles to go wherever He was called to share the good news.
And I’d like to think that I, too, will harness that power that Jesus infuses into my own cells daily to share who He is. I pray you will, too. Let’s get up and walk together in obedience. Wherever God calls.
Dear Most Holy God…I simply can’t thank you enough for rescuing ME from beside the pool…for giving me eyes to see, feet to walk, and muscles to respond to your call. For infusing me with your power and strength to walk through this life. God, I confess there are days I am weary. There are days when I come up with excuses. Thank you for never giving up on me, and for never leaving my side. Thank you for calling to me and for commanding me to get up. Thank you giving your life for my weakness – that I may run in your presence forever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today's guest, Lisa Hathaway, had multiple tragic events happen to her in a very short period of time in her life and she lives to tell of them. Where was God? She was faced with a choice and shares her miraculous story today: Wallow or worship? ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so glad that you joined us today. And I would love to welcome our guest Lisa Hathaway. Welcome, Lisa,
Lisa Hathaway
Thank you so much for having me, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs
It's our pleasure. And we are excited to introduce her to you is who she is. And like you get to know Lisa a little bit. And God says in His word that they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, Revelation 12:11. And ladies, today, Lisa is going to share a little bit about her story, and the miracles that God did in her life to get her through. And we hope that through listening to these stories, ladies that you will be inspired, and encouraged to walk out your beautiful purpose that something you might hear today will spark something in your life that you will connect dots and see what God may be speaking to your heart today. So that is our prayer as well as we go into these podcasts that God would speak to you through these words that we share today and through Of course, His scriptures, because there's power in the Word and we know that the word is life changing. So I want to introduce Lisa with a little bit about who she is. Lisa is a lover of Jesus, and has passion for the least of these. Her heartbeat is to see those who need a second chance and help them experience the tangible love of Jesus. Lisa has learned to worship through suffering as a special needs mom. She's a recent breast cancer survivor and also a survivor of a tragic car accident within a two year span. Suffering has been intertwined in her story, and she wants others to experience the sweetness of God through some of the most difficult things in life. She resides in Lexington, North Carolina with her amazing husband and three precious children. She's a youth leader. And Lisa has an MBA and is currently attending Liberty University Graduate School where she's pursuing her master's degree in clinical and mental health counseling. So today we titled this podcast wallow, or worship, wallow or worship we all have choices to make. How do you respond when difficult events happen in your life? Think about that. You have a choice and how you respond? Have you questioned God during your suffering? Today, Lisa, you chose to come on and be real with us and be authentic and share about some of the suffering that you endured. You had some choices to make, which we're going to talk about those choices in a little bit. But Lisa, you stated you had a choice that you could choose to wall up, wallow, or worship. So Lisa, can you open up today by sharing some of the trauma and grief of your story and a place that you were at prior to making a choice?
Lisa Hathaway
Yes, thank you so much, Kimberly, even hearing you talk through that. It's like, wow, you know, we all have, we all have stories, we all have testimonies, and we have to choose what to do with those stories, and choose what to do with suffering. And mine started back in the year of 2020. Obviously, the COVID year, everybody was you know, identifies that as COVID. And, you know, God gives me a word every year and my word for 2020 was rest. And I was like, you know, I'm a very active person. And so it was just like, okay, you know, we're gonna rest and then the end of February, I found out my mom had a genetic mutation of lung cancer. And a week later, I found out my dad had bladder cancer. And after those two, they're divorced, that you know, so they weren't live, you're not living together, obviously. But after those two diagnosis, I hit a low point just from that. And I was like, alright, God, you told me um, I heard this she was rest. So I'm like, a little stressful. And so I hit a really low point, just processing all that in my brain and then I was was a high school teacher teaching special education And our assistant principal and I, during COVID, we went virtual. So we had a little extra time. And so we decided we wanted to go hiking and mill the day at a local park. And it was the best day was just the best day. And she opened up to me and shared and on our way back was a ride around noon. I saw a car coming from a distance, and I was like, Wait, they're swerving all over the road. They're swerving all over the road. And the next thing I know, we were hit head on, and he was a drunk driver. And, um, she died right beside me. And, you know, I knew, in that moment that something wasn't right. Like, I could just steal it. In my spirit, I don't remember a lot about some details. But God has brought things back to memory, I think, for healing. And I saw her posture of saw the blood splattered all over me, I felt it. Um, I don't know, like how I got out of a car, I don't know any of that, like, I really shouldn't survive, he hit us about 65 miles an hour. Um, and so that, that day, I went to hospital. And from that point on, I didn't dry for two months, I suffered from, you know, PTSD, pretty severe in that timeframe. And I really started experiencing, I've been a Christian since I was eight years old, but I really start experiencing a whole new level of who God is. And and I say it was, but you know, he always has been. But when you are going through something, you start you are open to see we have a choice. Like we can get bitter and angry. And yes, I asked why, why, why, why, why, why, and then I stopped because I wasn't getting the answer that I wanted. And, um, you know, looking back on that, I'm now starting to understand the why. So I went to counseling immediately after the car accident because my brain couldn't process the trauma and grief. And then, you know, went through that I went back to teach in August, I had a pass for office every day, how to deal with all of that. And then we're coming up on 2021. And April 28 was the actual day it happened in 2020. And April 29 is my birthday. So I birthdays a little obviously bittersweet because I had to wake up the next day, knowing that she was not here. And you feel the feelings of guilt and all those things I've had to work through.
And so April 28 of this of 2021, I, my mom, I took the day off work and we went and bought flowers. And I just love fresh flowers. And we went and so I could do it from my deck and I had my OB visit. So I did that and got my mammogram and all that good stuff. And we had lunch and then I get a call in May of 2021 May 24 And my doctor's like, um, I don't know what happened, but something just kind of got misplaced. And we found something on your mammogram that you're very sisty. So we probably just assume that it's that I'm like, okay, that's fine, whatever, I'm good. I don't take things real serious sometimes. And so we fast forward, and I went and got ultrasound. And after the sixth time of going in and out of the radiology room. I was like, huh, and God just started to prepare me. And I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on June 11 of 2021. So, I was like, wow, God, like, what now? My word for 2021 was courage. And so I had risk for 2020 I had courage for 2021 Courage to to fight courage to walk through things i like how appropriate Lord, I'm and he has such a sense of humor. So I fast forward I had a double mastectomy on August 12 of 2021. And you know, going through everything happened so fast, like appointments and what treatment and all this stuff and you know, I was 44 when I was diagnosed. I'm 45 obviously now but um and so I was like oh my gosh, you got three kids or what? You know your mind can go and then because I I saw so much of God's faithfulness after the accident. I was like, Okay, God, like, I can't worry about this, like, you're gonna work this out because I saw his, his kindness and gentleness and the, how he never left me. And so did I think, does your mind go places? Absolutely. We're human. You know, my Armand goes like, oh, gosh, I'm just gonna die tomorrow. You know, I mean, I'm just, you know, that's the truth. And so I'm going through all of this, and, you know, we're going through the treatment and what to do, and I was like, double mastectomy, you know? Well, then yeah, I'm a very was a very large chested woman. And that to vary. I mean, we're all women here, suddenly, it's a very, it's a very physical part, it's a very sexual part, you know, all these things go through your mind, you're like, oh, my gosh, my whole entire body is gonna change. So when I had my double mastectomy, they propose things for you to have reconstruction. And so I decided to get implants. And in that process, they put tissue expanders in, and of course, my body rejects the tissue expanders. Um, and I had originally told my husband now I'm going to be before the mastectomy. So I'm going to be content with where I'm at. God spoke to me. And I'm going to be content with no reconstruction. Well, you know, then the flesh takes over, then people start talking to you, and you hear all these things. And so I was like, Oh, well, I've got to have implants and perky boobs, right. So I was like, Okay, I'm gonna do the tissue expanders, my body completely rejected him, I got a massive infection, heavy in the hospital for five days on T round to IV antibiotics, just because I wouldn't become septic. So I had three surgeries within six weeks. And then, um, you know, the healing process and the emotional process and all of that stuff. But I was able to go back to work October 25. So mad woman said to me was August 12, men back to work. And that's when it kind of started hitting me like, this has been real, you know, and then I'm in the middle, they forced me into menopause. So we all know about that. So hot flashes, all that so I wallowed. I mean, I'm gonna be honest, I went through very many, you know, many stages of wobbling, and many, like, my husband would come and say, Get off the couch. Come on, let's go, go on wall, get up, get up, you know, like you, you're not gonna stay in this place. And I realized through both of those that, you know, everything's a choice and that I had to I had to choose not to wallow. So...
Kimberly Hobbs
In the world, the world would say you have every reason to wallow. I mean, look at what happened in your life. Right? You had, oh, you know, poorly saw. And wow, you went through a lot hunting, you went through a lot. So but there's more to this story. Because Lisa, you did see Beauty from Ashes, right? But how so? The Bible says, our present troubles are small, and they're not going to last very long, yet they produce for us, glory that vastly outweighs them, and will last forever. That's kind of like a capsule of your life. All of this time that you could have been wallowing and you had that choice, and you did wallow for a while. First Corinthians 417 Is that verse that God was producing a glory that is going to far outweigh what you went through. So you emphasize the choice because of the past two years of your life. You saw God's hand moving? How did you choose to follow God after the accident? What specifics? Can you share with the audience that allowed you to choose not to while into follow? God?
Lisa Hathaway
I mean, yeah, that's a very it's a very good question. I, I think after the accident, my when you have nothing left, and when you hit that rock bottom, I mean, of course, I had my family and, you know, but there was so many times they had no idea what to do. They had no idea what to say. Because you don't know what to say. Sometimes when someone is at that place where you have nothing left like I couldn't even walk to get out to walk towards a vehicle. Like it was so traumatic. And I started I set on my deck, and it's so crazy how God works and moves because right before the accident literally two days before the accident, we had just like refinish our deck. And I got all these fresh flowers and all this stuff. God knew he sees the end from the beginning, he knew that was going to be my safe haven of healing. And I said on that deck, and I would I would wash it, because you can't wallow and worship at the same time. Right? So I had to sit there and go, I know my God is faithful. I don't understand this. But he is so faithful. I have to choose to see his faithfulness in the situation. So I would find worship songs. And I doubt I had I created my own playlist called Soul lifter. And because it all lived my soul, and it spoke to the deepest parts of my heart. And it was like, it was like, God's just like, I'm here. I haven't left you. And so I started just to build on that. And it's like the joy and sorrow dance together. I was it was this the joy of the Lord that's unexplainable to the human eye. Because I had such joy. My husband told me, we've been married 20 years and he goes in those two moments. I've never seen you at so much peace. And I thought, what, why, what after all this happened? Because I pressed in so hard to Jesus, like I've never done before. Amen. When you do that, it it's a sweetness that you can't even can't even describe. So my level with the Lord, my intimacy with the Lord got so deep that I could not wallow. Like I could not wallow, because I was like, God's like I'm taking you. I'm allowing that truth. Yes, I'm allowing you. And it reminds me of like one of my scriptures that have spoke so much to me Habakkuk 317 through 18, even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the all of crop fails, and the fields like empty and barren, even though the flop sat in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation, Yet I will rejoice. So, regardless of anything that happens when all the fields are gone, when everything is is just falling apart in your life. Yet I will rejoice.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. I love that. I love that. And we pray that that Scripture speaks to you ladies as well, if you're in the midst of something right now, and when you're on that slippery slope, and you might fall off of it, oh, God instructs us in His Word, give your burdens to the Lord and he's going to take care of you ladies. He's he's going to and that's what Lisa chose to do. She gave everything over to the Lord and chose not to wallow, but to worship God. And Psalm 5522 says he will not permit the godly to slip and fall. So when you're on that slope, ladies, and you're you're just trying to balance everything because the pain is so intense, or the the trial that you're going through is so burdensome. God says right here in Psalm 5522, to give your burdens to him. So Lisa, you found your value in God and praise God, you did. You lived to through two things where realistically the arrows were pointing that your life should be over. But God, by God, he chose and you saw that. So you started worshiping Him and you started thanking him for the good and what you saw you lived. So when you found your value in God by choosing him, Lisa, you didn't allow yourself to wallow anymore you chose and you chose well, God opened the door to give you a passion to work for him, which is this is the exciting part of the story, ladies is because now Lisa turned her life around through this and she chose to work for Jesus and serve Him with all of her heart. She helps the homeless she is working with the youth at church and she showed a way to articulate to others about their suffering in the valley. So God allowed her to turn all this for good. And Lisa, can you explain in your own way about how God doesn't leave us ever? There's ladies listening right now that feels so alone. In their hurting world, please share with them how he never leaves us.
Lisa Hathaway
Yes, I, you know, I think that you hit on a good point. I mean, we all, no matter how close you are to the Lord, or what our backgrounds are, there's times where we feel lonely as women. I mean, that's just, that's just human nature and the flesh part. And we're like, I'm lonely. I feel like I'm walking through whatever journey by myself. And, you know, God has spoke to me in a lot of ways. And I've journal a lot. And it was a visual that he gave me and I hold so tight to this. And I'm so thankful that he gave it to me that we're in a valley. And, you know, I've got kids and work in school. So he is I'm sitting on the bottom of the valley floor. It's like lay mud it but it is solid, that foundation, the bottom of the valley is solid. And I'm sitting, as I say, crisscross applesauce or Indian style. And Jesus is right beside me. crisscross applesauce. I'm like, Hey, Jesus, how you doing? He's like, I'm doing I'm doing good. I'm right here with you. Okay, well, you can go if you want to, because I'm gonna be here a while. It's been pretty dark the last couple of years. He's like, no, no, I'm not leaving you. But he's like, No, I'm not leaving you. I will sit with you, as long as I need to here to show you that I have never left you and I'm never going to forsake you. And he just sat there. And we're just carrying on conversation. And then all of a sudden, he looks over at me. And he goes, It's time. Let's go is Tom, you've been here long enough. You said grabbed my hand. I was like, Oh, we're gonna climb up that we're gonna climb to the top of that mountain, or the top of this humongous Valley? You said, yeah. So I grabbed his hand, he keeps looking at me and goes, I've got you, my daughter. I've got you, my daughter. I haven't left you. I haven't left you. I'm like, Jesus, this is tough. Come on. Because what I have for you, on the top of this is far greater than this valley floor. And so it is something that in our suffering, there is beauty. But you have to open your eyes to see it. We get so laser focused on what's wrong in our lives. And we got to open our eyes to see that God is in the smallest of things. You know, feathers are a big thing for me. I saw 91 for and it's a huge thing for me. And I would walk downtown where I live and feathers were just falling. And I'm like, Where are these coming from? And God's like, I see you. I've got you. And this is what when I wasn't driving and I was walking because I needed I had my worship music on. I'm sobbing my eyes out and working through the grief and trauma and like, why is this happening? And God just like his promises are so true. And he is so faithful, and the kindness and the gentleness. So whatever story you have whatever you're walking through, even when I was walking through the breast cancer, God has taken the scales off my eyes to even see myself differently. Because this is a battle and God chose to save me from this says stories are different. But I cannot like doorman not to worship Him. Because He faced he saved me twice. So God's like I have something so much greater for you. And so I have to speak I have to use it for His glory. And I'm just I'm so excited to challenge because suffering is beautiful. I know it sounds really weird. But suffering can be so beautiful because I wouldn't be where I'm at today. If I didn't have suffering. I wouldn't have the intimacy if I didn't have suffering. So yes, you can choose not to wallow, but you get up each day and go I'm gonna make a choice to worship the God in Jesus who died for me.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that. I love that and you did you chose to worship and you looked for God to show you to show you that way and he did and ladies, when you are wishing that someone would just be there to show you the way you know we all look for our help in different ways. You know, some look to Doctor some look to different people. Ladies look up and worship the Lord just as Lisa was sharing from her heart her life changed when she chose worship. So when you're looking for someone to show you the way A God's word is there to do so he will show you the way through His Word. The Lord says, I will give you along the best pathway for your life I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise and walk watch over you. He says that to us, ladies. So if you open the Word and you worship Him through the word, he's going to advise you through the word he's going to watch over you and tell you how to get out of the wallowing in the situation that you're in at Psalms 32 Eight, God is our God forever. And just like Lisa was sharing about crisscross applesauce, God was there and said, No, I'm never leaving you. I'm never leaving you as she sat there on the ground. He is our God forever, ladies, forever and ever. He will guide us until we die. That's Psalm 4814. All the scriptures are right there in his word for us to grab hold up. So are you going to allow him? Are you going to allow him access into your heart and not block him by wallowing in your pity? Will you choose him Ladies, don't choose pity choose to worship him as we were just praying for all of you ladies listening in today, Lisa and I both had that on our prayer heart that you are going to choose well. And when you want to recognize God's presence, ladies, worship Him, worship him. Come let us worship him out, bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our God our maker, because He is our God. And we are the people he watches over. We are the flock under his care that Psalm 9095, six and seven. I don't know about you, but I can't even contain the joy. And if you hear in Lisa's voice, she can contain the Joy because she chose correctly ladies. So come close to God and He is going to come close to you. That's James for eight. So I just asked Lisa. Lisa, do you have a word that you just want to share? In the last 30 seconds? With the ladies? What can you just give them to take away today as your final word to them?
Lisa Hathaway
I think I would just have to say, you know, God is a God of redemption. He's a God of kindness, a God of love. And I just challenge you to just look to Him. And you will absolutely see the beauty coming from the ashes of whatever your story is. Because he is so good.
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so wonderful. He is so good lady so good. One more verse to leave you with. I love just pouring scripture out. But God says Call me when you're in trouble. And I will rescue you. And you will give me glory that Psalm 55 Don't we all want to glorify God. And look at Lisa right now all of what she experienced in her life. And this verse is so true in her life too, because now she's given all the glory to God. She's here sharing her story of how God brought her through because she didn't choose to wallow, she chose to worship Him. And we just pray that you'll choose worship ladies worship God, and you will give Him the glory. He says that in his word. So as we close out, ladies, we are a ministry of women here. You may have a story that you want to share that God is just prompting you to share with the world. We have an opportunity here in so many ways for you to be used by the Lord. Or maybe you just need to be comforted around other women who would love you and encourage you to walk closer with Jesus. We want to be here for you. So reach out to us on our website, info at women world leaders.com. And we'll give you further information. We have social media, where we give daily devotions that you can plug in and comment we can interact with you in the comments. That's the Facebook group. It's called Women, world leaders. So go to your group groups on Facebook and just type in women world leaders, you'll see a little girl holding a tilted crown, please ladies request to come in. It's a private group. It's just growing unbelievable. And we would love you to be part of it. We have other tools like voice of truth. That is an encouraging magazine, and we put it out every quarter ladies, it's free. You can go on our website, you can flip through the pages. It's beautiful and every page is filled with encouragement from God's word, and women around the world who are right thing to encourage you through God's word. There's so many tools please check out our website at women world leaders.com. And, and Lisa, how can the ladies reach out to you if they would like to contact you?
Lisa Hathaway
You could just email me at LTHathaway77@gmail.com. And I'll be happy to talk with anybody who emails me.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's awesome. So ladies, you There you go. Lisa is willing to speak with you. And sometimes you just need that live person to pray with you or speak with you and she has a willing heart. And that's the beauty of the women and women world leaders is we are here for one another as God called us to be. So reach out as you feel, lad. We hope to see you and we hope for you to become part of women world leaders join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for these podcasts in many different ways. So ladies from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. We thank you Lisa Hathaway for joining us today and sharing your God's story with us. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Ladies, have a beautiful and blessed day. Remember, Don't wallow, worship the Lord and see your life change. God bless you.
God honors our honest prayers and meets us where our faith is. Join our newest host, Julie Harwick, as she shares wisdom for Celebrating God's Grace in prayer.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world. I’m new to the Women World Leaders podcast and I am so thankful and excited to have an opportunity to share what God, in His grace, has been teaching me.
I began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at the tender age of six. At my very first after school Good News Club meeting in the fall of first grade, I heard that God was offering me the free gift of salvation and heaven and all I had to do was tell Him I knew I needed it and I wanted it. That sounded like the best deal ever to me, so why wouldn’t I take it? I repeated the words she told us to pray if we wanted to receive the gift of Jesus. And that began a lifetime of communicating with God through prayer.
Because I came to faith at such an early age, I developed a somewhat childish concept of prayer. Subconsciously, God seemed a little like Santa Claus. After all, He saw me when I was sleeping and when I was awake and He knew if I’d been bad or good…well, that’s what the song said anyway. I made a list for Santa once a year, but I had a list for God every night before I went to sleep. That idea was sort of reinforced at church when we’d go around the table at Sunday School and the teacher would ask us if we had any prayer requests. We prayed for sick grandmas and pets who were missing and that we’d do well on tests we had at school. The person who led the prayer would work through the list, asking God to intervene on our behalf and throwing at least a little bit of gratitude His way as well.
Although my method of praying may have been childish, I believe God honored it. My faith was real and I wasn’t just praying because I’d been taught to. I knew that I needed God’s help and direction and that only He had the power to meet all my needs. As I grew older, I began to pray about more serious issues. At 13 I began to pray about the boys I would date and the man I would one day marry. I am convinced that God absolutely honored that prayer because he took me through 4 reasonably long high school romances which all ended amicably and without drama and brought me my husband of 38 years in a miraculous way. I prayed about what college to attend, what to major in and what jobs to take and I firmly believe God led me through all of it.
Just before I turned 16, God began to expand my concept of prayer. I saw a presentation at church about a summer missions opportunity for teenagers. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and began to believe God might be calling me to do it. Initially I didn’t think I should because I already felt the pressure of college tuition looming before me. The babysitting money I was able to earn didn’t amount to much and I knew I needed to start working the day I turned 16 so that I would be able to afford a private Christian college. But for the first time, I felt God was speaking to me. I sensed He was saying, “you give Me this summer and I’ll provide what you need when the time comes. So, in faith, I submitted my application and set about raising support. This experience turned out to be a pivotal time in my life in many ways. I had never been away from home for more than a week and I was going to spend the next 10 weeks surrounded by strangers and foreigners. Boot camp turned out to be more than I had bargained for. It was quite like a military boot camp. We slept in tents in the Florida wetlands. We literally had to wear high top hiking boots everywhere – including the swimming hole. We bathed and did laundry in a lake, ate all our meals sitting on logs outside and worst of all, we had to run an obstacle course every morning at dawn. That obstacle course lived up to its name because it was a major obstacle for me. Although I liked playing sports, I was never had the ability to go along with the interest. I was extremely slow, always among the last 3 or 4 to be chosen when the gym teachers opted to afflict us with this humiliating method of splitting into teams. The obstacle course involved a lot of running, swinging on ropes, agility and climbing. I began falling behind my teammates within the first 4 or 5 minutes and I was gasping for air as I approached the final obstacle. It was an 8-foot wall with absolutely nothing to grab onto but the hands of the two guys who sat on top of it. How they got up there, I’ll never know because they had been straddling the top for quite a while by the time I got there. They leaned down, each grabbed one of my hands and my job was to pull my legs up until they were perpendicular to the wall and walk up that wall until I could throw a leg over. Sounds simple enough, right? Apparently, it was simple for the rest of my teammates, but my muddy, slimy boots paired with my near total exhaustion and general lack of athletic coordination made it nearly impossible. On maybe 2 occasions I defied the odds and was able to position myself correctly and scramble up as expected, every other time I would start to climb and have my boots just slide back down that wall. At first, the guys on top were encouraging, but as they struggled to pull my 105 lbs. up and over that blasted wall day after day, their encouragement turned to resentment. On the way to breakfast one day I overheard them talking about my lack of ability in frustrated, disparaging terms. At this point the loneliness and homesickness were almost more than I could take. During my quiet time after breakfast I cried out to God in a way I never had before. Bitter tears ran down my face as I reminded Him that this was His idea, not mine and that He had promised to never leave or forsake me, but I felt completely alone. As I opened my bible, my eyes fell on Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” It may have been a stretch of interpretation, but God planted the idea in my mind that although my teammates had the natural ability to run that obstacle course like a horse, I didn’t need to rely on my own strength or ability. As I trusted in Him, He would enable me to do what He wanted me to do and overcome any obstacle. It was the first time I remember God speaking to me directly through His word. Out of desperation, I had freely admitted my own inability to do anything about my situation and I got brutally honest with God. I might even dare to say I got mad. But He didn’t strike me dead. He answered me directly. My take away from this encounter was God honors honest prayers and He’s not afraid of emotion.
There’s an account in Mark chapter 9 where the father of a demon possessed boy asks Jesus to heal his son. It’s obvious that the man is in a desperate situation and recognizes his own inability to help his son. He’s only heard about Jesus’ power though and doesn’t really know if Jesus can help him or not. The disciples have already tried to help the boy and failed. Although Jesus has just expressed His frustration at the lack of faith among an unbelieving generation, the man asks, “if you can do anything, take pity and help us.” “If you can,” Jesus replies. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” I love the honesty of the man’s response. “I do believe,” he begins and then admits, “help me overcome my unbelief.” We can and should be honest in our prayers. If you’re struggling to believe, don’t try to “fake it ‘til you make it.” God already knows your heart and would much prefer to hear, “help my unbelief.” I think God delights to answer prayers like that. We admit our lack of faith and dependence on Him to grow it and He does what only He can do and brings us to a whole new level of faith.
God grew my faith in many ways during that summer. I never did learn to climb that wall, but I got to know the two guys who sat on top. As they got to know me, they recognized that I was really trying and they learned that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. I made many close friends and learned the value of hard, physical work and God did provide what I needed when it was time for college. Most importantly, I began a deeper, more honest type of communication with God.
Another biblical account that has confirmed to me that God appreciates honest prayer is found in 2 Kings:19. Hezekiah, King of Judah trusted in the Lord. Chapter 18 says that there was no one like him among the kings of Judah because he held fast to the Lord. In Chapter 19 Judah is facing an attack from Assyrian troops that far outnumber their own troops in size and strength. The Assyrians had already conquered many of the surrounding countries including Israel. The Assyrian king sent a letter demanding Judah’s surrender and reminding Hezekiah of all the other countries who had called on their gods to deliver them but could not stand against the Assyrians. From a human perspective, Judah didn’t stand a chance and Hezekiah knew it. And here’s what I love about this story. Hezekiah went straight to the temple and spread the threatening letter out before the Lord. It’s like he’s laying all his cards on the table, saying here’s the situation and I’m helpless to protect my people from our enemies. Humility was not a trait that came naturally to kings of his day, but he made no effort to disguise his fear or lack of confidence in his armies’ capabilities. Instead, he openly recognized the only source of their deliverance by saying, “Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord are God.” The prophet Isaiah gave Hezekiah God’s response, saying, “I have heard your prayer.” He prophesied against the king of Assyria and promised that he would not enter the city. That night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp causing them to withdraw and never threaten Hezekiah again.
In spite of all God has taught me about praying honestly and recognizing my own weakness, I still find it easy to lapse back into those immature wish list prayers. Don’t get me wrong. He wants us to bring our concerns and desires to Him, but He is not Santa Claus. Prayer should be a conversation, not a recitation of everything I need Him to do on my behalf. That means taking time to listen and worship and just enjoy being in His presence. I find it easier to do this when I’m outdoors. I love nothing more than to sit outside in my yard overlooking beautiful live oaks and grassy fields. Sometimes I close my eyes and just focus on what I hear: the bird songs, the nearby rooster crowing and the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. It’s the best way I’ve found to follow the command of Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness can be so difficult to achieve with so many demands on our time. That’s why communicating with God is the first thing on my daily agenda. If I don’t make time for it early in the day, life will take over and it’s doubtful that I’ll be able to make the time to be still. Some people have an easier time getting quiet before Him at night when all the tasks of the day have been completed. The where and the when are not nearly as important as the how. You can probably tell when someone is in a hurry to wrap up a conversation with you, because you don’t really feel like you have their full attention or that you’re really very important to them in this moment. How much more is the God who created us able to recognize when our hearts aren’t really in our prayer. Rather than forcing ourselves to focus enough to get through a list of requests, I think He might prefer that we just say, “God, I feel so harried and distracted. Would you just give me your peace and enable me to calm down and just sit here with you, even if I can’t put two words together.” He already knows the burdens that are on your heart whether you’re able to verbalize them or not. Just being with Him is often far more important than any words you may speak. Beginning a conversation with Him from that perspective is quite different from working through a wish list.
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Jesus heals - of that, we can be certain! In today's passage, Jesus heals two women - but even when we don't see His healing as WE expect, we can trust God's sovereignty and perfect timing and coordination in all things! (Matthew 9:18-26 Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host Julie Jenkins.
We are praying for you at Women World Leaders. Our mission is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose – and part of that mission is to pray! We invite you to join with us in prayer by visiting our Prayer Wall at womenworldleaders.com where you can submit a prayer request or let others know that you are praying for them. We also have an amazing prayer team who bends their knees daily to God. I recently went through a tough season in my life, but I was able to walk through it peacefully covered by God’s presence thanks to my amazing sisters who lifted me up even when I didn’t have the words to say to God myself. If you would like to delve deeper into prayer, please email us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com. Let us know how we can meet you where you are – whether that be a one-on-one phone call, through email, or perhaps you are being called to join our prayer team. However God is leading you, I encourage you to connect with us – there is nothing like being surrounded by the family of God!
Today we continue our systematic walk through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we together, delve into God’s Word and ask Him to show us what He wants us to learn. Today’s teaching comes from Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, and Luke 8:40-56.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for meeting each of us where we are today. It never ceases to amaze me that you are ALWAYS there for us…waiting expectantly for us to decide to spend time with you. Thank you for your patience, your diligence, and your love! Guide us today as we study your Word. Help us understand more of you and to become more like you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
In the last couple of weeks, we saw Jesus cross the Sea of Galilee where He encountered a storm through which He proved His sovereignty over nature, then He exorcised a multitude of demons from a Gentile man, proving His sovereignty over evil, and then Jesus and the disciples boarded the boat once again and sailed back across the Sea of Galilee after the townspeople ran Him off. As continue the scripture reading today, Jesus is again stepping off the boat, this time back in Jewish territory, when He is met with a crowd and is about to showcase His sovereignty over disease and death.
I want to pause here to recognize that God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect! Jesus and the disciples had a LOT going on…and yet God gave them a solid opportunity to refresh themselves and reflect as they sailed across the water. How quick are you and I to dismiss all that God is giving us as we are on our way to somewhere WE have deemed important? Some of the best conversations I have had have been when I was in the car driving a long distance. And some of the most valuable lessons I have learned have happened when I was in a season of waiting and processing. Don’t ever begrudge those moments of silence. Always remember that God’s plan is PERFECT, He is ALWAYS working, and every moment is filled with His grace – we simply need to trust Him and open our eyes, expectantly asking to be receptive to all He has for us.
Let’s begin reading today in Mark 5:21 from the New Living Translation where we meet two important characters – Jairus and an unnamed ill woman. These two people are as polar opposite as we can imagine. One is a high-powered Jewish synagogue leader, the other is an unknown woman who hadn’t been able to worship in the synagogue for 12 years. But they are both in desperate need of Jesus – and they are both waiting on Him – with humility and faith. Mark 5:21…
21 Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, (JAI rus) arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
As a synagogue leader, Jairus would have been well respected, and as many Jewish leaders were turning their backs on Jesus, Jairus may have felt peer pressure to do the same. But Jairus had faith and humility. He was desperate. His only daughter was dying. And yet he had faith that this JESUS could save her. He reacted in pure humility, in the midst of a large crowd, claiming his own dependence on this not-well-esteemed Jesus, he threw himself at Jesus’ feet. And Jesus responded – because that’s who Jesus is…verse 24…
24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him.
But meanwhile, we see yet another soul reacting in pure faith and humility. A woman who had been sick for 12 years. For 12 years, while Jairus enjoyed the companionship of his now dying twelve-year-old daughter, this woman struggled with an illness that kept her continuously ceremonially unclean, therefore unable to worship in the synagogue. She saw Jesus’ respond to Jairus, the distinguished leader, and she could have turned away, but she pressed on in faith, knowing that Jesus alone could cure her. Verse 25…
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
This weary woman, who perhaps did not have the energy or confidence or strength to actually speak to Jesus, believed with her whole heart that if she could just touch the hem of His robe, she would be healed. And her faith was well-placed, verse 29 continues…
29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
Can you imagine her joy? Her elation?
Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus where you just know that things were different from that moment on? I pray that you have – and if you can’t recollect one right now, I pray that you will give yourself FULLY and COMPLETELY over to Jesus right now. There have been times in my life when God’s presence has just been so palpable that it could not be denied, and I’m telling you, there is NOTHING like it!
At one point I had been going through a season where I wanted to serve God SO BADLY, but no offer to serve Him was working out. I kept being denied the opportunity to serve God. I was dumbfounded. I wasn’t doing this for me after all, I was doing it for God! But as I searched my soul, I realized that maybe I WAS doing it for me…somewhere deep within I wanted to be important, to gain the notoriety that a position of service would bring. I will never forget the moment of my conviction, confession, and release. I was sitting at a red light of all places. And I released my service to God…saying “if you want me to clean toilets for you, that is what I will do. No job is too menial.” The light turned green, and I literally and figuratively put my foot on the gas as my trajectory changed and I drove into my future. Later that VERY day…in fact within an hour, I was offered a serving opportunity of a lifetime.
I know what I felt like then – having my life completely changed by Jesus. So I can KIND of imagine how this woman felt – knowing that she had been healed by the power and grace of Jesus Christ. And as her trajectory changed, she was immediately asked to boldly come forward…verse 30…
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
No one understood this question, no one except Jesus and the woman, that is. Sometimes in life you WILL have encounters with Jesus that only you and He will fully understand. I encourage you to open your ears to hear what Jesus has to say to YOU! And open your heart to respond to Him. It won’t always be easy…but it will always be worth it! Verse 31…
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Jesus…busy Jesus…who had calmed the storm, driven out demons, and now was on His way to help the esteemed Jairus…was not too busy for this woman…and He will NEVER be too busy for you either…
But things were probably not feeling as perfectly timed on Jairus end…who was likely fighting frustration at Jesus’ delay. And, in fact, verse 35 continues…
35 While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
36 But Jesus overheard[a] them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Jesus always is intentional with every minute. He has a purpose and a plan that is often far beyond our understanding, but we need never worry. Our job is to continue to come to Him in faith and humility, trusting His goodness. Verse 37…
37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,”(TAHlly tah KUUM) which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. 43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.
Faith and humility. Trusting in God’s perfect timing. Jairus and the woman certainly didn’t have a lot in common, but they did have faith and humility in common. They both exercised faith and humility in the face of what the world would deem as hopeless and despairing situations. They both exercised faith and humility and did the one thing they knew to do…and that was to seek out Jesus. And Jesus was all they needed. Jesus had demonstrated His sovereignty over nature, demons, and now He demonstrated His sovereignty over illness and even death. We don’t have to know what to say or what to do…we only have to know who to trust. Step with humility and put your faith in Jesus, the true Sovereign King. He will never let you down.
Dear Most Holy God – we DO come to you with faith and humility. We confess that you are all we need, that your plan is perfect, and we vow to trust your perfect timing. Help us to allow YOU to plan the trajectory of our life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Tina Kadolph, was sex trafficked at age 4 and lived her childhood life being a human slave to others which is indescribable in words. BUT GOD... God had a purpose and plan for Tina's life from her birth. Rescued and miraculously led to Jesus in her 20's, Tina now shares encouragement with others, showing that with God, all things are possible. Hear her interview today. The ability to share her story publicly helps draw others afflicted with pain and tragedy to the healing arms of a Savior who loves them. (Originally aired December 2020)
The Gift of Miracles demonstrates the authority of God, proving He exists. His miracle-working power does the impossible. Learn about the grace of God in the gift of miracles provided to us by the Holy Spirit.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title is: “The Gift of Miracles”
“To another the working of miracles...” 1 Corinthians 12:10 AMPC
The Greek word used for miracles in 1 Corinthians 12 is dýnamis pronounced doo'-nam-is meaning, “miraculous power, ability, abundance, mighty, worker of miracles, miracle, power, strength, violence, and wonderful work.” [i]
God’s grace is continually working through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The working of miracles is distinguished from the gift of faith and that of healing. As I mentioned in the prior podcast I did on the Gift of Faith, # 441, the Gift of Faith, is God’s faith, added to our faith. Although I haven’t gotten into the gift of healing, you will come to find out that it’s specifically for the healing of dis-ease and the brokenhearted.
In relation to the gift of miracles, this can happen in many circumstances, both with things in the natural, such as God parting the Red Sea, and times, when God’s authority is being manifested in supernatural signs of removing congenital disease, someone paralyzed who walks, creating new organs in a person’s body, or delivering a person from the point of death. When it comes to a miracle it’s a sign, SHOWING GOD’S AUTHORITY. Whereas the gift of healing is the Great Physician’s work on keeping people well mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Let’s go to miracles in the Word of God, beginning with Israel coming out of Egypt. In Exodus 3, God spoke to Moses at a burning bush, where he called him to Go to Egypt and to tell Pharoah the Lord’s message “let My people go.” Moses then asked God, when he went to the children of Israel in Egypt to prepare them, Who should I say sent me, God responded “I Am that I Am” has sent you.
“I Am” in Hebrew is hâyâh pronounced haw-yaw meaning, “to exist, be or become, come to pass, accomplished, committed, happen, etc.,” [ii] Therefore, the gift of miracles shows God exists and all that He is committed to, will be accomplished and come to pass. His promises are yes and amen!
“When Pharaoh says to you, Prove [your authority] by a miracle, then tell Aaron, Throw your rod down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.” Exodus 7:9 AMPC
God instructed Moses to use the rod for miraculous purposes, which would prove the authority in which Moses came, the Great I Am, demonstrating that God exists, there is none like Him.
In Exodus 7, miracle in Hebrew is môwphêth pronounced mo-faith meaning, “conspicuousness, a miracle, a token, sign, and wonder.” [iii] Isn’t it amazing that the Hebrew word for miracle sounds like MO-FAITH or should I say MORE FAITH? Let’s look at the Hebrew letters that compose it, which are Mem, Vav, Pey, and Tav. The ancient symbols from the Old Hebrew of these letters, combine to form a word picture, revealing the nature of what a miracle is on a deeper level.
The first letter Mem is the ancient symbol of water, and looks like a three humped “M,” meaning, “massive and flooding,” in the positive. Vav is the ancient symbol of a tent peg or nail and means, “to add and secure.” Pey is the ancient symbol of a mouth that is opened, and means, “open, word, and speak.” Finally, Tav is the ancient symbol of an “X” or a cross, and means, “sign, seal, mark, and covenant.” Therefore, the word picture for miracle is THE MASSIVE FLOODING OF THE WORD THAT IS A SIGN OF COVENANT.
Thus, the Gift of Miracles through the Holy Spirit, demonstrates the authority of God’s Word and that He exists, there is none like Him.
In John 4:47-54, Jesus was coming from Judea into Galilee, at which time a royal official came from Capernaum, where his son lay dying, to ask Jesus to heal his son. Jesus spoke to the man to go in peace, for his son would live. The royal official headed home, when then a servant came running to give him the good news that his son was better, and that the fever broke. The royal official asked the servant when it happened. It was at the exact time Jesus spoke to him that his son would live. This was the second miracle of Jesus.
All throughout the Bible, miracles occur to demonstrate the authority of God Almighty. The enemy of our soul wants to hinder us from seeing the ability for God to do a miracle, by causing us to be double-minded and putting it in our heart that God won’t perform it. If we give into this tactic, fear will rob our faith, and cause us to speak negatively. We need MORE FAITH, MIRACLE WORKING FAITH!
I remember when my oldest son had been in a drug house for two years, God grabbed a hold of my heart and instructed me to brag about my oldest son like I did my youngest. When other people would ask me how he was, I would boast about how awesome he is. I agreed to do as the Lord instructed, and immediately followed suit.
I’ll never forget during this time, when I went to the movies, a woman asked me how my oldest son was. I just boasted about how proud my husband and I were of him, and she looked at me like I was an alien with four heads. I found out later that she had seen my oldest son the day prior, and their exchange made it evident to her that he wasn’t doing well, and that our relationship was on the outs.
Shortly after obeying God, on Mother’s Day of 2011 (May 8th), my son was set free and came out of the drug house, knowing the power of Holy Spirit, as God had shown him the demons that were involved with his addiction. I knew that God did a miracle in delivering my son and bringing him back to the Lord. He demonstrated His authority over the powers of hell.
When someone operates in the gift of miracles, it’s the grace of God on them showing a sign of His authority. Greater is Jesus in us, than he who is in the world.
On another occasion in 2012, when ministering in South Carolina at a minister’s retreat, I ministered to individuals after having preached. A woman came up to receive ministry, when then I saw a huge rope knotted up and stuck in her ear. My spiritual eyes were open, and upon seeing this, the Lord said “Robin, pull that rope out of the woman’s ear.”
I obeyed and told her “God showed me there’s a rope in your ear and I have to pull it out.” I just did a demonstration of it, and prayed whilst doing it, when then the woman started jumping up and down shouting. I looked at her in amazement, wondering why she was so excited, when she proclaimed, “I have been deaf in that ear, and NOW I CAN HEAR!”
Lastly, when I was in the mission field in 2011 for a month in the Philippines, preaching and ministering, we had taken a flight into Tacloban on the Island of Samar and were in route on a van to Catarman, which was four hours north. It was about midnight when the van broke down about half-way. The taxi driver got out to see what the problem was. For the next two hours, he would go back and forth from underneath the engine, where oil had gotten all over him. I began to wonder if there was any oil left in the vehicle.
Shortly after having been broken down, a bunch of Muslims came out and congregated behind the vehicle. The taxi driver’s wife stood outside by her husband to help him. My friend opened the van door, anxious to go look for help, at which I informed her by no means was she to get out of the van. Our windows were cracked to let air in as well. During this time a Muslim man in his early twenties passed by the van to do recon for the group, caught a glimpse of me, at which time we locked eyes. I’ve never felt the hate that I did from that man, who was oppressed heavily by a demonic spirit.
In the invisible realm, God showed me the demon jumping on top of our vehicle, and I felt it’s heaviness all over me. Immediately the taxi driver’s wife, heard what the Muslim men were going to do to us and shouted, “SHUT THE DOOR!” My other two friends were in front of me, while I stayed in the back, looking out of the window, as the Muslim men carried weapons, and were now coming to surround our van.
God instructed me to post on Facebook that we needed prayers immediately. He then said “Robin, close your eyes, and focus on Me!” I closed my eyes tightly, to shut out all fear. Then God said, “Robin worship Me.” I began to hum, “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice.” Suddenly the heaviness lifted. God then said, “Robin, open your eyes.” I looked, AND ALL THE MUSLIM MEN, WHO HAD WEAPONS SURROUNDING OUR VEHICLE WERE VANISHED, THEY WERE COMPLETELY GONE!
God showed me that He had sent an angel of the Lord to protect us and that it so frightened them that they ran, HE HAD PERFORMED A MIRACLE!
That is the power of the gift of miracles, when the need arises for God’s authority to overcome the powers of darkness, proving that HE REIGNS; HE IS THE GREAT I AM!
Is there something in your life that seems utterly impossible? If so, you are in a position for the grace of God to be poured out by the Holy Spirit through the gift of miracles! Only believe!
[i] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 1411 “miracle”
[ii][ii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 1961 “I Am”
[iii] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 3302 “miracle”
We each have been given gifts and treasures from God. It can be easy to want to hold them close, but in today’s teaching, Jesus reminds us that we are conduits of the blessings we receive. What we have been given has a purpose that is beyond us. As we study Luke 16:1-18, ask God to show you how and where to offer up all He has given you.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend with God. On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we open the Bible together and ask the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us about what He wants us to know today. We are currently walking through the gospels together, and today’s teaching comes from the gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verses 1-18.
On every episode of our podcast, our goal is to point you to the glory of God and empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. On Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, during which she interviews a different woman of faith about how she has seen God work in her life. And on Fridays, we have a team of hosts who shower you with blessings as they Celebrate God’s Grace.
This podcast is just one of the many things God has called Women World Leaders to. We would love for you to join us from wherever you are for any of our amazing offerings – please visit womenworldleaders.com to find out more and to dive in. While you are on the website, be sure to sign up on our contact form so we can send our monthly newsletter to your email so you won’t miss a thing.
Before we begin…let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – we come to you today seeking your presence. Father, our days are busy and it can be easy to feel burdened down by all that we see as our responsibility. Right now, we breathe out the world and its worries, and we breathe in you. Help us revel in your teaching over these next few minutes. Open our minds so we might learn what you want us to learn today. Help us accept your teaching so that we can be transformed into who you have called us to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The portion of scripture that we will be studying today is one that has confounded me every time I have heard it. If you have been following along in this podcast, you know that we are studying the gospels chronologically. As I prepare, I simply look to the next passage and, in prayer, read it in several versions, study the teachings of different theologians, and do my best to share with you all the Holy Spirit is imparting to me. Then, as I write, I pray for myself…that God would give me His words…and I also pray for you, asking God to tell you DIRECTLY what He wants you to know – in spite of my words. And God honors those prayers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taught in front of a group of people, only to have someone come to me and share that what I said, “xyz,” was EXACTLY what they needed to hear. And I walk away from those conversations in awe…knowing I NEVER said “xyz,” but that God spoke directly TO that individual.
So today…as I came across this scripture, Luke 16:1-18, I followed the same method – giving the teaching completely to God, and trusting Him even more than usual because, as I’ve said, this scripture has always confounded me.
And what the Holy Spirit showed me were 3-points He wants each of us to walk away with today.
First – God has a purpose for everything He entrusts us with – it is up to us to use it for His glory.
Second – To understand the purpose God has for all He has given us, we are to listen to Him daily.
And third – To correctly respond to God, we are to listen to Him deeply.
Let’s begin in Luke 16 from the New Living Translation…
Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs.
I’m going to pause here. Often in Jesus’ parables, the “rich man” or the “owner,” is a representation of God. But as I studied this scripture and prayed to understand it, which theologians agree is one of the most confounding stories in the gospels and for which they have many different interpretations, God told me to look at it in a different light. Perhaps the “rich man,” in this case, does NOT represent God. He is simply a rich man.
I say this for several reasons: first, this section of teachings in Luke is all about putting money in its respective place, that is, far below blessings and spiritual gifts. So money, it seems in this case, represents actual money.
Next, we will see that the “rich master” responds positively to his manager’s shrewdness – and God always calls for our honesty and integrity. So the rich man does not portray God’s attributes.
Third, verse 8 says… the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. To me, this indicates that the “rich man” was a “child of the world” dealing “shrewdly” with his manager.
And fourth…some theologians, upon studying this scripture in its original language, observe that this account was never expressed as a story OR a parable…therefore it was likely a retelling of an actual event. And no true, living person can stand in for God.
So…if you will go with me…let’s look at the “rich man” in the account as simply…a rich man…
“There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. 2 So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’
3 “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4 Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’
5 “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 6 The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.[a]’
7 “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.[b]’
8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.
By reading this story using a different character analysis of the master than I was used to, seeing him as a shrewd man who put money first rather than as a representation of God, I was able to see this story in a new light.
God IS our master. But the reality is, we are also under earthly masters – bosses and other authority figures. And sometimes our earthly masters will laud and praise us for following the ways of the world rather than living righteously and using our resources as God intended. However, despite who our earthly authority is and what they praise us for, we ultimately answer fully and completely to God himself.
The shrewd manager made his rich master proud – birds of a feather flock together. But neither of them made God, our ultimate master, proud – because they both put money above God, and treated it as, well, money, when, in essence, money is a blessing and a tool God gives us to use as a resource for His glory. God has a purpose for everything He has entrusted to us. Verse 9 explains…
9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.[c]
In this world, we like to make everything about money. What’s that saying, “the one who dies with the most toys, wins.” But that saying could not be further from the truth. If God has entrusted you with a lot of money, He has also given you the honor of using that money responsibly for His glory.
Jesus continues in verse 10…
10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
So how do we know what God wants us to do with our money and the other resources He has provided us with? We ask Him. Daily.
Having money is quite the draw in this world…we long for nice cars, homes, fashionable clothing and jewelry. And it's fun to show off our stuff. It makes us feel like we have made it. But remember, God’s ways are so far above our ways. And He doesn’t give us money to bless US, He gives us money to bless OTHERS. But, as with EVERY gift, God also gives us the ability to CHOOSE our actions. Will we live honoring money and material belongings, heaping up our blessings, or will we live using all that God has given us to honor Him? The Pharisees didn’t really even consider Jesus’ words…Verse 14…
14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.
Jesus explains to the Pharisees, as clearly as any place I’ve seen in the gospels, what is happening in the big picture of God’s reign on the earth…
Verse 16…
16 “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.[d] 17 But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.
Jesus appeals to the Pharisees…seek God and what He has for you today! It is true that God is unchanging – He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. BUT…God understands that THE WORLD is constantly changing – and He is always there to meet us where we are. The Pharisees were stuck in the old teachings of the law – which Jesus did not abolish, but He did come to fulfill. Jesus ushered in the Good News – a time of mercy and grace and love and ummerited forgiveness. I think we would do well to hear and understand that today. Even today, and maybe especially today, it is tempting for God’s people to be so consumed with the law that we have forgotten that Jesus came to bring mercy and salvation to all.
Jesus knew the hold that money had on the Pharisee’s hearts, and, Christian, he knows what holds your heart as well.
He wants us to go to Him daily and seek freedom from those desires and oppressive idols that hold us captive. And what He has to tell us isn’t always easy to hear.
Jesus demonstrates this in His one-line about God’s thoughts on marriage…verse 18…
18 “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
God wants us to go to Him daily, and He wants us to listen to Him deeply. That’s what He was teaching the Pharisees, and that is what He is teaching us today.
The background here is that religious leaders of the day granted divorces for nearly anything… leaving women destitute and not taken care of. So Jesus reminded them that to truly seek after God’s heart we are are to go to God daily and listen deeply. Our God is not a god of surface rules and regulations. His ways are above our ways and His reasoning is deeply beyond our reasoning.
We are ALL here on this earth together—scarred, broken, sinful, and a mess. Yet God loves each of us individually and beyond our imagination, and He has future for us that is so glorious that the thought of it should knock us flat on our face in submission and reverence to Him.
God has showered you with blessings – perhaps monetary, perhaps talents and abilities, perhaps all of the above. This teaching is clear – all that God has given us has a purpose in the kingdom that can only be realized when we go to Him daily and deeply and trust His guidance as we commit to using all that He has showered us with for His glory.
You hold gold in your hand, my friend. Let me encourage you to release it and give it to God. He will make it shine brighter than you or I ever could!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – you have entrusted us with so much! We hold it with open hands, and ask you to guide us today into how best to use all that you have given us for your glory alone. We want to work for you, we want to give you our resources – our time and talent and treasure. And most of all, we want to shine the spotlight on you! We thank you for being our good and loving master. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Vanessa Jackson, founder of Destiny by Design, shares her story about the transformation God did in her life in a healthy way. She is now passionate about helping others achieve a "Trifecta Transformation" that occurs physically, mentally, and spiritually as she assists people in transforming their minds through biblical teaching, reclaiming their voices, and finding their authentic selves in order to discover their divine destiny.
Join us today for Celebrating God's Grace where host Rusanne Carole explores the competing voices that vie for our attention. In our current days, we have an overload of information right at our fingertips! Let’s reflect on the time of the crucifixion of Christ and explore the many voices that Pontious Pilate, the Roman Governor, heard and finally prevailed to. We have a choice each day to decide whose voice we will listen to. Jesus tells us His sheep will know His voice - may we stop and learn to seek it, hear it, and be obedient to it
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host today, Rusanne Carole.
We are grateful you are here and it’s such a privilege to come together and delve into God’s Word and teachings and I pray today’s message will touch your heart and mind. Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live our a courageous, purpose-driven life!
Don’t forget to join us each Monday where our founder & Co-CEO, Kimberly Hobbs, interviews women from all over the world – women of God who have a story to share – and how God has shown up in their life. And Wednesdays, where our Co-CEO and Bible Teacher, Julie Jenkins, brings us a study of God’s Word and its application to our lives.
Today, let’s have a peek into a subject that would affect us all – there are things all around us competing for our time and attention.
We are living in an Information Age. When I was growing up and you had a question or wanted information you went to the library and did research. It could take hours, days or longer – depending on the research and what you were looking for. Today, with a smart phone you can look up any question or acquire information in seconds.
So much information/ talk of “disinformation”, so-called conspiracy theories – the descriptions can go on & on. But one thing is for sure.
TRUTH is TRUTH. And the source of Truth is JESUS.
John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Where will we turn? When we have serious questions about life? We may need wisdom, guidance, or comfort in any given situations in our lives.
We have a choice.
We turn to the peddler of poison (Satan) or the Prince of Peace?
Somehow most of us linger somewhere in the middle, walking a tightrope with lots of distractions and voices vying for our attention. Even well-meaning Christians who love and follow God are having to choose daily – “Lord, is this You speaking to me?” We yearn to hear Him. Spending time in the Word and Prayer and Stillness desiring to hear His Voice.
Let’s have a look at Pilate in the Bible as an example of so many voices to choose from:
It was days before the crucifixion of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus.
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. At every Passover festival the Roman governor could set free a prisoner chosen by the crowd. The choice was presented “shall it be Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?”. Barabbas, mentioned in all four gospels, was described as a robber, a murderer and a rebel who spoke openly against the Roman authority and was condemned to die. The crowd, along with the Chief Priests, shouted, “crucify Jesus!”.
Luke 23:22, “A third time Pilate said to the crowd, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death; I will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. AND THEIR VOICES PREVAILED.
Their voices certainly did prevail. And Pilate’s fear, Pilate’s pride and his hunger for power prevailed too! Sound familiar. I think we could all relate to how we have listened or been subjected to every other voice but God’s – either before we accepted Christ or even as we follow Him there are voices vying for our attention.
Gods’ or those contrary to His voice, they appear!
The crowd’s voices were not the only voices.
Most importantly, there was the voice of Jesus.. Five times he postponed the decision hoping to gratify the mob with polices or lashings. Three times he stood right in front of him, eye to eye, face to face with the Nazarene who had come to reveal the truth. “What is truth?”. Jesus’ silence was so much greater than the crowd’s demands, but Pilate didn’t listen.
Then there was the voice of his wife. She sent a message to him to not have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him”. (Matthew 27:19) One might pause to wonder or ponder the origin of the dream. But Pilate didn’t.
Then there was his own voice, his conscious. Surely, it was speaking to him. In Luke 23 he told the crowd he had not found any crime to deserve death. Surely, he could see through the façade. But he didn’t listen. The crowd’s voices and his fear prevailed.
We have all had times where that little voice presents itself:
One time won’t hurt.
He’ll never know. She’ll never know.
Other people do much worse.
I will never do it again.
It’s just a little “white” lie
We will rationalize, make excuses, and justify. We have all done it.
And Satan’s voice can be louder than all the rest at times.
So that leaves us with a choice. Who do we listen to?
Jesus tells us His sheep (us as believers and followers) will hear His voice. We must position ourselves to hear Him .
Psalm 46:10 teaches us to “Be still and know that I am God.”
So stillness – removing the other voices as much as possible and seeking Him through prayer and petition is where we will hear Him. We hear Him in His Word.
What voices will you choose to listen to?
The voices of men & women or the voice of God?
Let us pray:
Father, let us hear You above all the noise we live with. Let Your Word, Your teachings, Your promises and yes even Your correction ring in our ears and drop into our minds and our hearts to be obedient to You and Your desires – for Your desires for Your people are only good.
At times when there isn’t a direct and immediate answer teach us to wait upon You, Lord. There are over 100 references in the Bible to wait upon You and Your Word in Isiah 40:31 tells us those who wait and trust upon the Lord will find new strength, they will soar high on wings like eagles, they will run and not grown weary. They will walk and not faint.
Help us to choose purposefully and intentionally to seek to hear You! And when we miss the mark, may we ask for forgiveness and continue our walk with you – being strengthened each day as we get to know You more and become more like Your Son. Amen
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday,Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website atwww.womenworldleaders.comto submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event & support the ministry. We’d also love to support you in finding for your God-given destiny. Check out our quarterly magazine, Voice of Truth and there are several ways to join us online where we come together to pray and meet with women all around the globe where we are taught, inspired and encouraged! From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
Jesus said in John 6:41-59 “I am the bread of life.” The crowd murmured in disagreement. But that didn’t stop Jesus from teaching truth. What did this statement mean to the Jewish people and what does it mean for us today? Join Julie Jenkins today as we unpack this together
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Last week we focused on the blessing after the miracle – that is, Jesus using the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 to point to the glory of God. Now Jesus moves from the area of Genessaret to teach in Capernaum, his home base and a prosperous town of about 1000 people. The lesson He shared is difficult for us to understand TODAY, but if we put ourselves in the shoes of the Jewish people who were contemporaries of Jesus, we can barely begin to imagine the difficulty they would have had with His words. Which is why John states in chapter 6 verse 41 as written in the New Living Translation…
41 Then the people[a] began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
I can hear it now…What was that He said? Some translations say that the people “grumbled” which can give us a different picture…my dad would have called that “bellyaching” … and that can make us think that the crowd may have even been speaking belligerently; but the correct interpretation, I believe, is that they were all kind of whispering to each other, a bit shocked and in unbelief, not knowing what to make of this statement that was said openly in the synagogue. “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
To give you some background, after the Israelites left Egypt, and as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, God provided them manna every single day. The actual word manna means “what is it?” – because the people didn’t know what it was! They quickly learned that manna was bread from heaven that would keep them alive if eaten daily but would only last for a single day. They were to gather what would sustain them for the upcoming 24 hours – or 48 hours if it was the day prior to the Sabbath. If they collected more than that, it would rot in a disgusting way. So they had to trust that God would provide more for them every single day. Later, the Jews were taught that when the Messiah came, He would also bring manna, or bread, that was capable of giving them life. So now Jesus said, not “I BRING the bread of life,” – which is what they would have been expecting from the Messiah… but “I AM the bread of life – sent down FROM heaven.”
What could this mean?
Instead of trying to understand Jesus’ words, however, they simply dismissed Him by attacking His character. Verse 42…
42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
They didn’t understand what Jesus said, so their response was to dismiss His authority. As WE study the Bible and apply it to our lives, there are certainly going to be things we don’t understand. Our job is to keep seeking God’s answer and to trust Him AS the authority even when we don’t understand.
Have you ever heard a word from God, and then questioned whether you heard it at all? Any relationship counselor will tell you that the key to a good relationship is listening. If something confuses you about God or the Bible, keep seeking…keep listening…keep asking questions. Our God is not a God of confusion, and He knows better than we do how we learn and grow. We can always trust His timing and revelation to us.
Jesus didn’t answer their murmurs that dismissed His authority. Instead, He told them to focus in…He wasn’t done explaining. Verse 43…
43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
Anyone who hears about Jesus or feels the pull of faith in Jesus, does so because God has had them in His sight since the beginning of time. We cannot draw ourselves to God – that is one of the reasons we marvel at how gracious and loving He is! Just like the Israelites could do NOTHING to make the manna that would sustain them fall from the sky, we cannot bring God closer to us. On the contrary, God has positioned HIMSELF in our lives – He has OFFERED Himself – our job is to say yes. To accept the manna and ingest it…to receive Jesus, THE bread of life, into our very lives. But unlike manna, which lasted only 24-48 hours, the one who openly receives Jesus, receives life eternal. Jesus is THE bread that will sustain us for ETERNITY.
Jesus backs up this bombshell with the news that He is now their direct access to God the Father. Isaiah and Jeremiah both had prophesied that a time would come when the people would have a direct connection with God … something they had always had to rely on the high priest for…and Jesus is saying that HE is now that direct contact…verse 45
45 As it is written in the Scriptures,[b] ‘They will ALL be taught BY God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me...
Persecution is a strong word. It can come or be caused by anger, hate, jealousy, or wrath. Today's guest, radio speaker Julie Harwick, talks about persecution in the Christian church and what can be done about it. Hear Julie's story of why she speaks out so passionately about persecution and the Christian church.
Join Kelly Williams Hale today as she shares her thoughts on Fathers, both our earthly Daddy and our Heavenly Father. In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, Kelly also shares a personal love letter to her father who has gone on to be with Jesus.
Our prayer is that you are encouraged and receive the message of God’s unconditional love for you.
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
I'm an author, speaker and mentor helping women discover the purpose God has for them and embrace their divine destiny.
This week l I want to talk about fathers. Our earthly father as well as our father in heaven.
Growing up, I struggled with accepting that God loves me unconditionally. It was difficult to believe that God loved me no matter what. Particularly because I didn’t always have a great relationship with my earthly father. I think many of us compare the idea of a heavenly father with our human father. I know I did. To make my daddy on earth happy, I felt like I needed to be a good girl. All the time. That translated in my view of God. If I was good, he would love me. If I made a mistake, or was bad, then I was in trouble with the Lord.
I have since deepened my relationship with God and hold this scripture close to my heart:
Ephesians 3:18-19
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
As an adult, I know now that both of my parents did the best they could. I’m extremely grateful that I was brought up in church. My mom took me and my brothers to church regularly but I don’t recall my dad going with us.
As a teenager, I do remember when one of the church elders visited our house to talk to my dad. And I recall he was baptized that weekend.
My dad was a complicated man, as many men are!
And so today I want to read a letter I wrote my dad, to honor him on Father’s Day this weekend.
It’s not a coincidence that this podcast is being aired one year and six months to the day he went to heaven.
Maybe your father is in heaven… maybe you didn’t have a great relationship with your dad… maybe you still don’t.
My encouragement today is celebrate the Grace that we have in Jesus. To remember that our parents are human and make mistakes and poor choices, just like we all do… but that we have a heavenly father that loves us so much. A father in heaven that will never leave us, and never for sake us. His love never dies.
1 John 3:1 NIV 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
If your dad is still around and there are unresolved issues, I pray that you experience restoration and reconciliation.
Colossians 3:13 says:
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
And
Ephesians 4:32 says:
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
All things are possible with God.
Dear Daddy,
Hey there Pops, I wanted to write a letter to you for months and could kick myself for waiting. How do I start now? We shared so many moments. You have been my hero since I was born – although we didn’t meet until I was 9 months old. You and mom “made me” on your honeymoon! I always thought that was so romantic that you and Mom conceived me on your honeymoon. Two 20-year-olds just starting your life together. But then you had to report back to duty to fight in a war I don’t know much about. Fight for your life. You never talked about your time in Vietnam. You never mentioned the things you saw.
When I was 11, I found letters from the wives of the soldiers you saved in that war You risked your own life to pull them from the waters to safety. You gave them another chance at life. Jesus did the same thing for us – pulling us all from the murky depths of sin so that we could live again. The Bible says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)
Mom recently found paperwork from the sessions with your psychiatrist. You were applying for disability benefits for PTSD. How could you NOT have post-traumatic stress disorder? You told a story of transporting prisoners when an officer suddenly kicked one of them right out of a helicopter! The sounds of screaming haunted you. I can’t even imagine.
Now, knowing the demons you battled your whole life, my heart breaks, Daddy. Mom said she never knew but can understand why you drank. To escape. The voices, the memories, the pain. I wish you could’ve shared that part of your life. None of us knew what you were thinking.
You loved us. I know that. Having four children by the time you were 25 must have been a challenge. I can barely take care of one at a time. God gave me three beautiful kids, a decade apart, for a reason!
I was so scared to tell you and mom when I got pregnant with Christie. I was just 19. Looking back, I know I was running away. I wanted to escape the pain that I didn’t yet understand. You and mom were always there for me. Supporting me when I moved back home after my divorce and when I went back to college with a 2-year-old. Then, years later, helping me move (several times!) when Greg and I would break up - and get back together. I was a mess, but you loved me anyway.
Honestly, Daddy, we’re all a mess! But God loves us anyway. Like a father who loves the daughter who always needed him.
I remember you telling me and Greg something that I have absolutely no recollection of. I was about 5 or 6 when this incident occurred and while I have no memory of it, you thought I knew. You carried the weight of guilt and shame, imagining my judgement. I believe you found freedom when you learned that I never held that against you. I just always loved you, mistakes, and all.
That’s how God loves us. Unconditionally. Jesus took our sins and nailed them to the cross. He died for us so we can live. God never withholds his love, even when we feel ashamed of our past.
It’s taken me awhile to believe this. I had to learn how to forgive myself for my own poor choices. I’ve learned so much about grace, Daddy.
Another thing I know is that God created you for a purpose. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
I believe your purpose included the family you and mom created. Even when you were diagnosed with a rare blood disease, God had a purpose. You defeated the odds. At 31 years old, the doctors gave you a 5-year life expectancy. But God gave you nearly 45 more years on this earth – to bless the people in your life. Your family certainly, but also the friends you made.
I’m so proud of you Pops. I wish I told you that more often. I know you were proud of me, even though you may not have said it often either. Remember the time you were at The Breakfast Club and out of nowhere you heard my voice? Your friend Mo was on her phone watching a video I had posted on Facebook! How crazy that you were at the restaurant and heard my voice of encouragement. Only God could’ve orchestrated that special moment!
I can’t wait to see you again. You know how they say a hero remembered never dies? I believe that’s true since I carry you in my heart now, everywhere I go. And until God calls me home, I will continue to live MY purpose here on earth.
I love you so much.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Today we take a second look at Luke 15:4-6, this time through the eyes of a real shepherd. Enjoy and learn from Julie Jenkins’ reading of “He Leaves the 99” written by Tina Kadolph.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and it is my honor to walk with you each Wednesday as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to learn today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, you can find out more about us at our website, womenworldleaders.com, where you can post on our prayer wall, purchase resources, and get involved in our worldwide ministry.
If you are new to our podcast, this is one of three offerings we have for you each week. On Monday, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares the story of her life, struggles, or ministry. What is most important about each of these interviews is that they are truly not about the woman who so bravely steps out and shares her story, but each one is about shining the light on the glory of God.
On Fridays, we have a team of podcasters who host Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a short podcast full of nuggets and wisdom of the goodness of God that will launch you into the weekend!
And today, you’ve happened on Walking in the Word, where we take time to open God’s Word and learn together from it – verse by verse. We are currently studying the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we mesh them together and look at the life of Jesus as chronologically and as fully as the Holy Spirit enables us.
Last week, we studied Luke 15 together, where it is recorded that Jesus taught the parables of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son. Throughout this chapter, we saw a theme emerge as God went to great lengths to seek His lost people and then celebrated their return. As I taught last week, I kept thinking about a beautiful article written by Tina Kadolph, published in our newly released Voice of Truth magazine. Tina is a missionary with a pure heart devoted to serving the Lord and His people. Her column, Coffee Chats, has been part of Voice of Truth magazine since its beginning, and is always so thought-provoking. And her article in the 12th edition of the magazine, based on Luke 15:4-6, is titled, He Leaves the 99.
So I’d like to veer from our expositional teaching path this week and read Tina’s article to you – I know you will find it as impactful as I do. If you would like to check out this article and so many others in print, we offer Voice of Truth for free digitally on our website, womenworldleaders.com. While you are on the website, we’d love you to register to become a monthly donor to the ministry. As a thank you, we will put you on our subscription list to receive a physical copy Voice of Truth. This magazine is a pure work of art that we know you will enjoy and share with others.
Before we begin today, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we thank you for meeting us where we are today and for giving us your Word. I thank you for the insight you gave Tina as she lived out and then wrote this article. You are a God of complete control and perfect timing, and we thank you for guiding our thoughts today as meet together. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Our guest today, Shelia Erwin, raised two amazing children. You may know them as the Erwin Brothers who went on to produce box office films such as 'I Can Only Imagine' and 'Mom's Night Out.' Shelia speaks to moms and grandmothers about what it is like to parent two dreamers and raise them up God's way.
God will heal the innermost parts of your heart as you keep your eyes on Him. Join host Janet Berrong as she blesses you with this insightful teaching: Heart Healing with Jesus.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in this ministry, and in the world. It's an honor for me to be back with you today sharing health, beauty, and Jesus. I want to talk about heart healing as we keep our eyes on Jesus. Recently, I've been doing some heart healing to be the best version of myself. While doing this, it requires me to keep my eyes on Jesus to be intentional and focused allowing him to heal my inner parts of my heart. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it." Scientists have recently discovered some interesting facts about your physical heart. For example, they now believe that the heart has its own way of thinking and feeling. They have also found that the thoughts and feelings of your physical heart exert tremendous and measurable control over how you interpret life's experiences. In other words, they have discovered what you believe in your heart determines the course of your life. Wounded hearts cause blind spots that keep people from walking in the fullness of who God created them to be. You can help people connect with Jesus, receiving healing from emotional pain and trauma and make space for God to uncover the lies that keep them from living from what the whole heart that he paid for on the cross. Psalm 76:23 reads, "My flesh and my heart may fail. But God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever." What does it mean to keep your eyes on Jesus, we surely know that the world is filled with so many temptations. Oftentimes, these appear to be brilliant enough trying to lure us to keep our focus on them. But as Christians, our loyalty must belong to Jesus alone. As what the Bible has taught us, we have a jealous God. And this we have to give him only our attention. Also, as we are traveling on the road of uncertainties, and too many distractions, keeping our eyes on Jesus would safely lead us to our right destination. Otherwise, we'd be lost wandering in the wilderness. fixing your eyes on Jesus is not a form of denial or abstract belief. Keeping your eyes on Jesus doesn't require us ignoring the problem, or pretending it does not exist. Just the opposite. leaning on God empowers us right within the battle. What is distracting you today from keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus? Can you identify what it is this distracting you call it out and go to battle against the lie. But when you are tempted to look down at the storm around you, look up. Keep your eyes and heart focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, who set the joy before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12, one through two, friend, there's joy coming. Don't focus on the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is there in the storm. Matthew 14:25 through 31 reads, shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake. They were terrified. It's a ghost they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them, Take courage. It is I don't be afraid, Lord, if it's up to replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the winds, he was afraid and began to sink cried out, Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You have little faith. He said, Why did you doubt? Lord, thank you for your saving grace. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.
I pray right now for anyone needing a heart healing today that you will meet them where they are. Speak to them now Lord, give them ears. to hear and eyes to see what you are revealing. Let no other voice speak to them but you Lord Jesus, and you alone. Help them to keep their eyes on you and receive your healing. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Be blessed
Jesus tells us, in no uncertain terms, that we are to seek the lost. Who is He talking about and what does He mean? The depth of His answer might surprise you. Join Julie Jenkins for a study of Luke 15.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and I am so happy you have joined us today as we continue our walk through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
It is June 2023 as I record this. If you are a regular monthly donor to Women World Leaders, please make sure to check your mailbox in the coming days for our newly released 12th edition of Voice of Truth. If you are new to the ministry and are not familiar with Voice of Truth magazine, I encourage you to go to our website, www.womenworldleaders.com, and check it out. We have all the back issues available digitally, and the new edition will be up within a week. We send out a physical copy of this beautiful, full-color, 100+ page magazine to each of our regular donors as a thank you, because saying thank you for supporting this ministry just doesn’t seem like enough! By supporting Women World Leaders, YOU are reaching women across the globe – offering them the gospel message and giving them tools and support to walk in their God-given purpose. Personally, I don’t believe there is a greater mission than that. God is the master organizer and coordinator – and although He can do ANYTHING in the blink of an eye, He often uses us, His children, to partner with Him. If we EACH were to respond to Him by fulfilling the role He designed us for, imagine how beautiful the world would be. So you might say our underlying goal at Women World Leaders is to help steer the world into the beautiful place God created it to be. Does that sound lofty? Well…our God is amazing…and nothing is beyond Him! So, thank you to our donors and our leaders for believing for the lofty with us!
Let’s dive in, shall we? Today’s teaching comes from the 15th chapter of the book of Luke. Let’s begin in prayer.
Dear Most Holy God, We thank you for meeting us each where we are today – for guiding us a leading us in the path you have ordained for each of us. Father, I thank you for Women World Leaders! I thank you for the donors, the leaders, and the opportunity to share your Word with the world. Guide us as we open Scripture together, and teach us what you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we continue walking through the gospels, we are currently studying the book of Luke together. Most recently, we saw Jesus attend a dinner at the home of a Pharisee and then later teach the large crowds who were following Him what it means to truly be His disciples. Today, we continue to follow Jesus as He continues teaching using parables.
Chapter 15 from the New Living Translation begins…
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
These verses are important to this chapter because it sets up Jesus to share three parables – The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son.
The sinners were flocking to Jesus, and the Pharisees were calling Jesus out for hanging out with the sinners – those who were deemed unclean.
As we study the Bible, we tend to see the Pharisees from a single, harsh angle. They were the rabble-rousers—the prideful, arrogant religious leaders who positioned themselves above everyone else. But the reality is, they have gotten a much worse reputation through the course of history. They, after all, were men who had devoted their lives to following God, and deemed the best way to do that was to follow the law of Moses. They WERE trying to hold to scripture, and even though we can see they went overboard and many of them missed Jesus’ calling to follow Him, we should be careful to recognize that their attitude was very complex and is one that many of us fall into today.
We, as the Christian church, are in danger of becoming the Pharisees of today.
That’s a tough statement. And it is one we should recognize fight against on an individual level—just as Jesus called the Pharisees to confront their own sins, He calls us to look at ourselves.
As a Christian, it is imperative that I ask myself regularly, “Do I love others as Jesus did? Do I love others as Jesus does? Am I willing to look past the someone else’s sin and see the person God made them to be? Do I choose to love EVEN and ESPECIALLY those who are CHOOSING to sin, recognizing that MY sin is no greater than theirs and God that has given me the HONOR to love them and meet them where they are?”
Pride and arrogance are as rampant in the Christian church today as they were in the days of the Pharisees. So as you listen to Jesus teaching – ask yourself, what does God want ME to do differently in my life?
Jesus first told a parable targeted to the men, beginning in verse 4…
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
We see a theme developing here that carries all through chapter 15 – something was lost, the owner did everything possible to find the one missing piece, and then joyful celebration broke out.
The first story is the story of the sheep, who was lost through his own foolishness. The shepherd, who represents God, was responsible for EACH of the sheep. But not only was He responsible for each sheep, He also loved each sheep dearly—enough to step away from the faithful flock so He could find the one who had strayed.
How often do we remain in our bubble of Christianity, afraid to step out to find those who have set themselves apart? Over and over, I hear parents say that they want to protect their children from the evils of society. Parents – if we pull our God-loving children out of society to protect them, who is going to be the light of God to those children who don’t come from a Christian home? Every child is different, but I encourage you to take a moment and think – what if I empower my child to make a difference in their school or club or organization rather than simply trying to protect them? What if I, instead, walk with my child into the unknown, traveling alongside them and spending time tutoring or leading a Christian club or simply being available to those who may not have another Christian influence?
Jesus put it all on the line to go after the one. Are we willing to do the same?
Then Jesus moves from shepherding to taking care of the home – something the women in the crowd would be more familiar with.
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
The coin, although it was a single coin that wasn’t worth much, was important to the woman, and so it became a priority for her to find it. She did what was necessary to recover her lost treasure. She lit a lamp, she swept, and then she searched carefully.
In our world, we are given a purpose to make others our priority – even those who don’t seem all that important to us or the world. The sinners – the tax collectors and those who were not following the law of Moses to the nth degree—were deemed unimportant and even disposable by the Pharisees. In this parable, Jesus marks the importance of every individual.
Who, in our society, have we as Christians deemed unimportant or disposable? Who do we dismiss and maybe even try to avoid?
Let me ask you some difficult questions. Do you believe in God? Do you have faith that He will protect you? Do you trust Him when He tells you where you should go? Christian, Jesus, in no uncertain terms, is telling us to LOVE the marginalized in society. He is telling us to speak to the sinners, to embrace those we aren’t following scripture. And what is our agenda to be when we do? Simply to love them! To open our hearts. And to trust GOD.
Just as there was no coin that was unimportant in the woman’s eye, so there is NO individual who is unimportant in God’s eyes.
And finally, scripture says, “to illustrate the point further,” Jesus told the story of the Lost Son. Let me paraphrase…
A man had two sons…the younger one decided he wanted his inheritance early. So the father gave the young man his inheritance, likely a third of all he owned. The son then sold the property and left town with the money. You probably know the story…after he wasted away all his money and was so hungry that his mouth was watering after the pigs’ slop, he returned to his father.
When his father saw him coming, he RAN TO HIM! How beautiful is that?
The sheep was lost to foolishness, the coin was lost to carelessness, but the son was lost because of his own willfulness.
The father had every right to turn away from the son who had willfully disengaged with him. The son had damaged his father. He had asked for his inheritance, basically telling the him ‘I wish you were dead,’ took the family land and SOLD it – not even using it for his own long-term gain – that must have stabbed the father. And then he went silent. There were no cell phones or email or Facebook. The father grieved the loss of his child, truly not knowing if he was dead or alive. And then the son returned. And when he saw him, the father dropped all his dignity and pretension and RAN to his son. Not only did he run because he was thrilled to see him, but he ran to him to protect him. The young man had completely disrespected his father and his family, and by all rights, should have been stoned…so the man ran, knowing that if he was beside his son, no one would dare hurt him.
The father welcomed the young man by giving him his robe – a symbol of honor and authority, a ring—a symbol of belonging in the family, and sandals—which identified him as a son.
The father – representing God, welcomed this young man who had hurt him, sinned against him, and left him. But who also CHOSE to return.
And then a joyful celebration broke out – just like when the shepherd found the lost sheep and the woman found the lost coin. Doing the work of Jesus – reaching out to the least of these and welcoming them into the Christian fold, is the BEST reason for celebration there is.
But do you know who wasn’t joyful in this last parable? The oldest son. The one who had remained by the father’s side and waited patiently for his inheritance was now jealous and angry. He had steadfastly remained by his father, and now his wayward, sinful brother was being welcomed back?
We don’t know the end of the story. The brother went to the father and voiced his frustration. And his father replied…
‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
I think Jesus left this open-ended intentionally. Remember, He was speaking to the Pharisees. By not delineating the older sons actions, Jesus was making them aware of their choice: You can be happy that I am hanging out with sinners and welcoming them into the kingdom, or you can be bitter and go your own way.
Although it seems that many Pharisees held to the letter of the law, dismissing the importance of love, we do know that some understood and began to trust Jesus.
It is not our job as Christians to make SURE an individual CHOOSES to follow Jesus, any more than it was the father’s job to chase down his lost son or demand joy from the son who had stayed by his side.
God has gifted us, as Christians, with the joy of searching for and loving all others—saints and sinners alike and PRESENTING them with a different way of life – for THEIR choosing. We can trust God’s provision and protection as we follow His call. But oh the joy when we join in the celebration of each homecoming, because there is NO ONE who is too small to celebrate.
Let’s pray…
Dear Father – thank you for seeking US out each time we stray. God, we confess that, at times, WE have been the stumbling block for others to come to you. Father, we seek your forgiveness even as we thank you for running to us with open arms of love and protection. Guide each of us today to step into your calling as we seek to love the unloved, opening our arms and hearts in unexpected and amazing ways. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God gave us the ability to use prayer and our guest, Dr. Chidi Kalu - speaker, author, empowerment life coach, and corporate trainer - shares the importance of using this powerful tool in your life. Please join us as Dr. Chidi unleashes a "prayer of declaration and promise" over you today!
The Gift of Faith is given to us by God, when it feels as though you're in a pit. Join Robin Kirby-Gatto and learn about how the Gift of Faith pulls you up out of your pit, sparking great faith!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s title: The Gift of Faith
The work of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives shows up in different ways. One of those ways is through the gift of faith, for our time of need.
“To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC
There are times in life where you might become discouraged and disappointed. Knowing Ephesians 3:20 well, you’re certain God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can think or imagine, it’s just that you need to experience the operation of His power inside of you to believe.
In those moments, God provides the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit, to lift you up out of the pit. The Greek word for faith is pístis pronounced pis'-tis meaning, “persuasion, credence, conviction, reliance upon Christ for salvation, assurance, belief, believe, and fidelity.” [i] To better understand the Greek word for faith, let’s look at the primary Greek word from which it comes, which is peíthō pronounced pi'-tho and means, “to convince, rely, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, MAKE FRIEND, obey, persuade, trust, and yield.” [ii]
Years ago, when I taught on faith with the different gates of Jerusalem, from the book of Nehemiah, God showed me that faith equals commitment, as well as friendship. You cannot have faith without friendship, and you cannot have commitment without faith. Whoever or whatever you’re committed to, reveals who or what you’ve made your friend. You rely on your closest friends, because of the confidence that has blossomed in the trusting relationship.
For example, a husband and wife show their commitment publicly with their marriage vows. Marriages that survive and thrive are those based on Christ Jesus, as well as love and friendship with one another.
Likewise, as we mature in our relationship with God, we build a deeper friendship. Jesus told the disciples in John 15:15, no longer did He call them servants but friends. Moreover, that He told His secrets to His friends. Sonship and friendship are the two pillars of our faith, which I write about extensively in my book, Rev 22:2. Our individual faith will never deepen, if we don’t understand that we’re a child and friend of God. Jesus acknowledges in John 15:14 that those who do what He commands, are His friends.
Our faith and commitment to God is based on a personal relationship we have with Him, not on someone else’s relationship with God. This is why the primary Greek word from which faith comes, means “make friend.”
Holy Spirit comes according to the need, as revealed in the last teaching I did, podcast number 429 “Celebrating God’s Grace the Gift of Prophecy.” Jesus taught in the parable after the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 on the bread, showing that God supplies the power of Holy Spirit according to the need.
If we, as parents, provide for our children’s needs, how much more will God provide us the grace required through His Holy Spirit for what we need. The gift of faith is given to us in times of difficulty and is different than our individual faith. Our individual faith is our commitment to Christ Jesus, as a Christian. This can be seen in Paul’s writing to the church of Ephesus.
8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) THROUGH [YOUR] FAITH. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] Ephesians 2:8-9 AMPC
When we come into salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s grace works through OUR FAITH. Our salvation isn’t based on our own works, but entirely on the grace of God, at work with our faith, the manifestation of what we believe. The difference between our personal faith and the gift of faith, is that the gift of faith IS GOD’S FAITH on top of our faith.
Imagine obtaining a mortgage on a house and putting down a 20% down payment. You don’t own the house, but have a commitment to buy the house, and arrange for monthly payments. The down payment can be likened to our individual faith. However, the gift of faith would be that you’ve paid the down payment and discovered you don’t have the money to pay the mortgage off. In that circumstance, the Mortgage Company comes in and immediately pays the other 80%. The mortgage company paying the rest is analogous to God’s faith operating by grace through the gift of faith. It gets us out of a rock and a hard place.
I call these rock-and-hard place times “the pit.” These are times of complete darkness, where you feel the only one near you is Jesus Christ alone. You find yourself in a crisis, uncertain as to how you’re going to get out or when that might be. Or maybe it is a wayward child for whom you’re believing the fullness of salvation and God’s deliverance.
These pit moments are faith opportunities, which will require more than your faith. It will require the gift of faith! I couldn’t help but see the Greek word for faith spelled P.I.S.T.I.S. As I looked at the word and took the first “s” out of it, I saw the two words ‘PIT IS.” The pit is the place of GOD’S FAITH! Even more, I couldn’t help but think of car pistons when looking at the Greek word for faith and seeing it as an example of the gift of faith at work inside of us. Taking the first and last “s” out of pistons you have “PIT ON.” The pit is the switch that flips God’s faith on in your life.
An internal combustion engine of a car generates its power through compressed air that mixes with fuel, contained in individual cylinders. For example, a four-cylinder engine looks like four individual pits. Within each pit/cylinder is a piston. These pistons look like a platform of sort and are pushed down by the mixture of air and fuel coming into the cylinder. It’s almost like a suction cup, when the pistons are pushed down. The pistons being pushed down rotate the crankshaft, basically moving the engine parts. Within the cylinder is a spark plug at the top of the pit, where once the air and fuel mixture come in, while the piston is lowering, pulling it in, ignites it with fire! Isn’t that powerful?
This is a great description of the gift of faith. It is the platform for God to spark our faith with His faith! To get us moving out of our pit, into the place of His promise!
I went through an unexpected divorce in 1997 and found myself a single mother of two boys, ages one and six. I’d always gone to church, ensuring my sons had the heritage of being brought up in church. I was in the first semester of graduate school for social work and a week before midterm exams when this occurred. Initially, I pressed into God and tried to look for solace and answers. Within about six months of the divorce, the social worker in me kicked in, and I went to two divorce recovery programs. One was Sunday mornings at the Baptist church, and another on Tuesday evenings at the Catholic Church.
Upon attending, I made friends with two women. As I got to know them, we began to fellowship at each other’s house. One night visiting, they had a bottle of wine and asked me if I wanted some, to which I replied yes. I then began medicating my pain with alcohol, which led to me becoming a somewhat functioning alcoholic by late 1999.
I still attended church, worked, took care of my sons, all the while loathing my addiction to alcohol. Little by little my tolerance built up, to where I was drinking about 12 beers a day, at least 4 days a week. My sheets would get bleached from where the alcohol came out of my body. I finally gave up on anything but white sheets, because inexpensive or designer sheets, no matter how incredible they seemed, would get bleached like a body outline of a crime scene.
I married Rich Gatto, in December 2001. He knew that I had some issues, but wasn’t around me as much, since he lived in Connecticut and I in Alabama. He commuted the first year of our marriage from Connecticut to Alabama, seeing me one to two times a month.
I was in a deep dark pit that I couldn’t get myself out of. Around the time of our marriage, God spoke to my heart, and said Robin, you’re going to be set free. He brought John 8:32 to my heart, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
God gave me the gift of faith and had me speak that I wasn’t an alcoholic. He gave me scriptures to proclaim, Jeremiah 29:11-13, 1 Corinthians 2:16; and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Although, I hadn’t been set free immediately, it begin to stir me up with great faith, in God’s Word. Then on Resurrection Sunday 2002, Rich and I went to church, when something unexpectedly happened.
During the offertory song something special happened, the choir sung Nicole C. Mullin’s “My Redeemer Lives.” I had the album and been to her concert, and above all songs, this was my favorite. My heart began pounding fast. Freaking out, uncertain as to what was occurring, I looked down at my heart, while everyone was sitting. The pastor was going around the pews shaking hands, and I was silently pleading for him to hurry and pass me, because I didn’t know what was going on, and I felt like my heart would explode.
As soon as the pastor passed, I heard this voice say “Robin, stand up!” Immediately I stood up, and it seemed as though this amber colored light came from the ceiling on me, I lifted my hands, and my entire body began to shake! I was perplexed and in rapture, clueless as to what was happening. Rich, watching this occurrence, stood beside me with his hand on my back. My legs were weak, but it felt as though I was being pulled up. Then suddenly, the power of God hit me, and chains fell off, where the powers of darkness were completely broken! I was set free! I was no longer an alcoholic!
Do you see this, women? The gift of faith in my pit of bondage was the spark needed to lift me up out of the darkness, to know the truth and be set free!
Where is it that you need the gift of faith? What pit have you been in?
[i] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 4102 “faith”
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 3982 “make friend”
Perhaps you gave your life to Christ many years ago. If you did, you can rest assured that God has a place for you in His kingdom. But Jesus is also calling you to be His disciple. What does that even mean? We invite you to listen today as Julie Jenkins teaches from Luke 14:25-35.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and we are happy that you have joined us today as we continue to walk through God’s Word together, asking Him what He wants us to know today.
If this is your first time joining us, welcome! I encourage you to check out our previous podcasts as well as visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com. Our goal at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Some of the ways we do that are through offering teachings, devotions, seminars, and the Voice of Truth magazine. But one of the best ways you can grow in your God-given purpose is to get involved. God has a place for you in this ministry. We often say that we are reaching over 60 countries, but did you know we also have leaders in our ministry from many different countries? And we are growing every day. One offering we have is our Leadership Connect, where we meet on Zoom on the third Monday of each month to grow together as Christian sisters. We also gather on Zoom on the fourth Monday of the month to pray together for 30 minutes. We pray for specific needs of those on the call as well as for the needs of the ministry. If you would like to be involved, no matter where you are, visit our website at womenworldleaders.com and fill out the contact form so we can send you monthly emails with all the information you need to get involved.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast we have the opportunity to walk through the Word of God together, and currently we are walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Today we will be focusing on Luke 14:25-35. Before we begin, let's pray.
Dear Most Holy God, as we dive into your teaching today, I ask you to be with us and show us clearly what you want us to learn. God, Your Word is living and active, and we know that it will meet us where we are, and it is you, Holy Spirit, who allows us to hear your thoughts, direction, and love for us as we read and study Scripture. God, cleanse us of all unrighteousness that we may hear your voice clearly. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
As we have been following Jesus, most recently we have seen Him dining at the home of a Pharisee, where He spoke some difficult truths regarding humility and the value of being a servant. As He leaves, the Bible records that the enthusiastic crowd following Him is growing. But now, as we read Jesus’ words to that crowd, we wonder about their enthusiasm. Were they simply caught up in the moment, wanting to be part of the “in” crowd? Were they mesmerized by the fanfare of Jesus’ miracles? Were they looking for a warrior-type leader to usher them into freedom from the Romans? The answer is that there was likely a great mixture of reasons why individuals were following Jesus.
And isn’t that the same today? People follow Jesus for a multitude of reasons, ranging from selfishness to pure loyalty to God. The amazing thing is that Jesus offers salvation to everyone who comes truly seeking Him, and we are to praise and thank Him each time someone offers their life up to Him! The crowd following Jesus is still growing today!
But being saved once and forever by Jesus’ free gift and becoming a disciple of Jesus’ are two different things.
Being a disciple means being a learner. It is attaching yourself to a teacher for the purpose of intentional growth. It is seeking to work with Jesus, harnessing His teaching and power while here on earth every day, joining Him in His pursuit of showcasing the glory of God the Father to everyone.
Being a disciple is far more than celebrating with the saints and angels, enjoying the party, fellowshipping at church or in ministry, or wearing a beautiful cross necklace as a statement piece. Being a disciple of Jesus takes intentionality, effort, and sacrifice.
And so in today’s teaching, we see Jesus turn to all those who are following Him and guide them not to be swept along in the crowd, but to intentionally become His disciple, that is, become an intentional learner, growing in all that He has for them and all He has for them to accomplish in His name.
Luke 14:25 begins in the New Living Translation…
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
The first stipulation for being Jesus’ disciple is to put Jesus above all others.
Don’t get hung up on the word “hate” here. Jesus has advocated over and over for love. I like the way the NLT translates this - you must, by comparison, hate everyone. In other words – Jesus must be first. Your relationship with and responsibility to Him must come so far above others that there is no question who you, as a disciple, will be loyal to.
One of the most difficult things about loyalty is that when we claim loyalty, we often do it not knowing what perils lie ahead. Being a disciple of Jesus is no different. We don’t know the path that God has laid out for us to walk – we cannot foresee either the joy or the trials ahead. Yet as disciples, we are committing to put Jesus above all NO MATTER WHAT. The Bible tells us over and over that we CAN trust God, that when we give ourselves to Him, we will experience above and beyond what we can ask or imagine. BUT we can NOT and WILL not experience all He has for us if we do not trust Him completely. We can’t put the cart before the horse. A disciple must ALWAYS stay loyal to Jesus – in good and tough times that are and that are to come.
So the first qualification of being a disciple is to put Jesus above all else.
The second qualification flows from the first. As disciples, we are to surrender to God’s will. Verse 27…
27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
God has a different walk planned for each of us – but you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is in control of the plan He has for YOU.
The Jewish people were VERY aware of what it meant to carry your cross. It was common to see a procession heading through the streets with the central figure being a condemned man carrying his cross to his place of execution. Who wants to carry a cross? Yet when we carry the cross given to us by Jesus, we can trust that God will use it for a great purpose.
To be Jesus’ disciple, we must put Jesus above all others and surrrender to His will.
AND, Jesus warns, don’t go into this lightly. Becoming a disciple of Christ is a very serious commitment. Verse 28…
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
This kind of hits home to me today as my oldest daughter is purchasing her first car. As parents, there is so much my husband and I are trying to help her prepare for. Not only do you have the cost of the vehicle itself, but you must be prepared to pay the tax and tag, insurance, and car maintenance. Neglecting to fit these costs into your budget before buying a car could be disastrous.
Jesus uses the parable of constructing a building – the builder must look at every financial angle before he begins or he might end up throwing all his money away.
Being a disciple – putting Jesus first and submiiting to His will – could cost us everything, up to and including our lives. Jesus doesn’t want us to be fearful of that, but He does want us to be prepared. When we are prepared to face the worst, we will also be prepared to lean on God in full and total trust.
Jesus continues in verse 31…
31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
When we follow Christ, we will have enemies, and there will be battles. God wants us to intentionally gather our forces. Who can you depend on to encourage and support you as you stand strong for Jesus? One of the things we must give up, as disciples of Christ, is our independence. God made us the body of Christ, we are made for community, we are made to be interdependent on each other. Together, as God’s army, we can stand against anything the world will throw at us.
Who is in your army? Who can you rely on? That is one of the reasons Women World Leaders exists. We are here to empower and walk with each other. If you haven’t yet joined in, we’d love to get to know you!
As disciples of Christ, we are to put Jesus first, submit our control to Him, be prepared to stand close to Him no matter what, and give up our independence as we operate in the body of Christ.
Jesus then encourages the crowd that they are in a good place! But He also warns them to not fall away.
Verse 34…
34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away.
Salt, in its purest form – sodium chloride, cannot actually lose its flavor. To me, this speaks of our security of salvation! Once a child of God, always a child of God.
But salt, in Jesus day, as found around the Dead Sea, was a mixture of sodium chloride and other compounds.
Salt is very useful! It is useful as flavoring and for preservation, fertilization, and as a weed-killer.
We can draw several parallels between salt and the life of a committed Christian.
As a flavoring, salt brings out the best flavor in other things. Aren’t we to bring out the best in others?
Salt also makes a person thirsty. Isn’t our aim in life to make people thirsty for the Word of God?
Salt preserves. There is no doubt that Satan comes against this world everyday. Our job as Christ’s disciples is to preserve God’s glory for all to see.
Salt fertilizes. As Christians, we have the joy of helping others grow in the power of Christ.
And salt is a weed-killer. Through our loyalty to Christ, God infuses us with the power to stomp on Satan and ruin all his plans.
But to maintain our saltiness, we must stay engaged – with God, His Word, and His community. If we don’t, we, like the salt compound from the Dead Sea, might just find ourselves flavorless and inneffective.
To be a true and effective disciple of Jesus, we must do far more than follow the crowd and enjoy the celebration. Jesus told those who were following Him then and He tells us now, that to be His disciples, we must put Jesus first and submit our control to Him. Then we must be prepared to stand close to Him no matter what, and give up our independence as we operate in the body of Christ, so that we can maintain our effectiveness for the Kingdom.
Jesus continues with this final statement…
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
In this statement, Jesus is calling for a response. And as you listen today, He is also calling for your response. You may have given your life to Christ 30 years ago – and if you did, your place in heaven is sealed today just as much as it was that first day – no matter what you may or may not have done! But today Jesus asks, will you be my disciple? Are you willing to work WITH Jesus to make a difference in someone else’s life for eternity?
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! We WANT to be your disciples! Thank you for teaching us how to be. Jesus, we give you our utmost loyalty and surrender our will to you, fully trusting in all that is ahead! We stand with our eyes wide open, we are ready for all you call us to. Jesus, we commit to operating within the body you have given us, and we praise and thank you for using us to make a difference in your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
How Tragedy Birthed a Ministry. Kristy Furlow-Green shares about the devastation that came to her young life as a wife and mom of 3. Yet, through her "surrender" to the POWER of God, He has brought a ministry for Kristy. God is weaving a tapestry through the ministry of "Cloth and Clay." God brought beauty from ashes and now Kristy shares her story with you, showing evidence of a truly miraculous way of healing from the unthinkable.
How often do we really think about what we think about?
Research says we have thousands of thoughts every day. Many are unhelpful and determine how we feel and respond to things! Join Rusanne Carole as she explores the importance of meditating on God's Word. It is alive and holds the power to give us abundant life no matter what we face in our world!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast, where each Friday we talk about God’s grace and share how good He is and how we can encourage each other in our journey.
Don’t forget to join us each Monday where our founder & Co-CEO, Kimberly Hobbs, interviews women from all over the world – women of God who have a story to share – and how God has shown up in their life. And Wednesdays, where our Co-CEO and Bible Teacher, Julie Jenkins, brings us a study of God’s Word and its application to our lives.
Today, I felt called to chat about Meditating on God’s Word.
How often do we actually think about what we think about?
We know that how we feel truly affects how we feel, even how we act or respond to things. But how hard is it sometimes to mediate on the good things, especially if we are walking through challenges and tough seasons in our lives.
Studies vary about how many thoughts we have in any given day but there is agreement there are thousands! Studies also suggest that 70-80% of the thoughts we have daily are negative – and a high percentage are often the same repetitive thoughts as the day before!
Thought Zapper. Thought Tracker
The Bible specifically calls us to meditate on things that are wholesome, godly and of a righteous nature. (Philippians 4:8)
TPT – “Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind.”
What are we allowing our minds to constantly focus on?
What do we constantly find ourselves thinking about on an average day?
In this text Apostle Paul exhorts us to develop a Christian thought life.
But how do we do that?
We prioritize it.
We chose it.
We pray to have it.
We practice it. Daily.. and then again each day.
If the Holy Spirit lives within us, we have the power through Him and the Word of God to change the way we think.
Will it happen overnight?
Will it be easy?
I think we all know the answer to that, but we have been given the path for a changed mind. It’s about deciding to embark upon the journey and remembering God sees your heart.
The goodness of God, the Word of God and the work of Christ on the Cross are all rich subjects for us to meditate on.
This is why David says in Psalm 77:12 (ESV) “I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds.”
Hebrews 4:12 tells us “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. It has a power inherent to itself.
Jesus likened the Word of God to seed in Matthew 13. Seed, like the Bible, is not dead, but living and it has the ability to bring forth more life abundantly.
When is the last time you have simply meditating on what God has done? And read and pondered His Word in a particular area.
I can find myself focusing on what I want God to do rather than spending time thinking about what He has done!
At this time in my life, I would very much like to purchase a home for me and my youngest son to live in. He has additional needs and the security of a place of our own would bring me a lot of comfort, security, and peace. God knows this!
I have a chose – to mediate and think things like:
“Lord, will I ever find a place to buy that I can afford and will meet the requirements of my family? Father, it’s so hard with the way things are now in the world – increase in prices, interest rates, etc”
Of course, it’s cool to bring all my concerns to him and have a REAL chat with him and all on my mind. But what would be better to do with my time and energy would be to meditate on His Word and promises and speak them over my life! I encourage you to do the same.
Right now if you can pause the podcast, grab a pen & paper or your computer and write or type a negative thought or concern that is on your mind. It’s the one that keeps popping in – invited or uninvited but it just keeps visiting the space on our daily thoughts.
Will this child ever grow up be independent?
What is going to happen to my child with the mental illness issues, the addiction, the anxiety?
Is my marriage going to make it?
The diagnosis is tough and I am in pain every day: physically, mentally and emotionally.
I’m finding it difficult to find a job? A friend?
I encourage you to find Scripture on a subject you might find your mind may go to the negative vs the positive. For example, if it’s your future you are worried about find Scripture on God’s promises about not worrying and how He has a good plan and purpose for your life – to focus on today and not too far ahead and certainly not in the past but on the here & now.
I have yet to have a concern and not be able to find a promise and good Word on the subject that may be filling my head with things He would not have me focused on. Don’t we love and serve a God that thought of everything! Praise Him.
Let us pray:
Lord, thank you for your Word. Powerful, true, alive! There is nothing in Your Word that would ever bring anything but life, abundant life.
Let us have a new and fresh desire to read Your Word, to study Your Word, to believe Your Word. Let it penetrate our heart and mind. Allow what we read to be like seeds planted deep down in the soil of our hearts and soul to be watered and nurtured to bring a harvest in our lives and others around us.
Teach us.
Correct us.
Show us the beautiful mysteries and wisdom behind all that Your Word has for us and our lives.
Amen
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday,Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website atwww.womenworldleaders.comto submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
A great banquet is coming—greater than anything we could ever imagine! And YOU are invited! Will you RSVP today? Join Julie Jenkins as she unpacks the parable of the Great Feast as told in Luke 14:12-24.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. I am your host, Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open scripture together and ask God what He wants us to know today.
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Well on this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronologically. Today’s scripture comes from Luke 14:12-24. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – we are humbled to come before you today, and we are ever-thankful for your presence! Thank you for guiding us as we open your Word together. Father, we long to know you more and understand all you have for us. Thank you for meeting us where we are and teaching us in those magnificent “aha” moments, and in little bite-sized nuggets. You alone know exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it, so we give you the reins and ask you to guide us into YOUR teaching, teaching us the lessons you have for us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The scene for today’s scripture was set at the beginning of Luke 14, where we were told that Jesus was in the home of a prominent Pharisee for a Sabbath meal. Jesus had already stirred the pot by healing a man with swollen limbs on the Sabbath and then boldly teaching about the humility each guest should exhibit as he chooses the appropriate seat – as far away from the host as possible.
Today, we read about Jesus’ continued teaching to the Pharisee and his guests. Beginning in Luke 14:12 from the New Living Translation…
12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
As we’ve said in the past, meals were a time of honor and celebration. There were often two main reasons why someone would have been invited to a meal: either the host was fulfilling an obligation – that is, the guest had previously invited the host to his home; therefore the host was now making the scales even. The second reason for issuing a specific invitation was so the host himself could step up the social ladder by having a particular guest of distinction in his home.
In other words, the invitation list often had more to do with the host trying to elevate himself than any form of gracious hospitality.
So Jesus calls out the host – in front of everyone. He teaches that a host should invite those who could never repay him.
Jesus calls each of us to give to others out of pure love and generosity.
This teaching can go so deep. Because although we understand the concept of unselfish giving, it is SO difficult to do on an ongoing basis – because it is in our nature to want to be seen and appreciated. My mom raised seven children. And although I am a mom of three and I understand SOME of what she went through, I will never know her exact thoughts and struggles as she graciously gave of herself for all of us so that she could be the mom God called her to be. But God knows.
God sees us each time we put ourselves on the back burner to care with a pure heart and unselfish motive for someone who may never repay us. God is CONSTANTLY calling you and me to a higher standard. He is continually helping us grow into the fully glorified version of ourselves that He has created us to be.
Jesus called out the host, and He calls us out, too, to put ourselves aside and look out for the good of another. And…He promises us HIS reward – which will be far better than any earthly reward could ever be.
One man who was listening, was beginning to understand. The reward for Jesus’ faithful followers will be offered at the banquet to end all banquets – hosted by God in heaven when we reach the end times. Verse 15 continues…
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet[a] in the Kingdom of God!”
16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
In this parable, Jesus says that “a man” – God—prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
This is indeed a picture of the amazing banquet God will hold in the end times, which the people knew about from the teaching of the prophets.
Now in Jesus’ day, any major social event, such as this, required two invitations. The first invitation told of the upcoming event and required an RSVP – so the host would know exactly how to prepare. And then, when the preparation had been completed, a second invitation would go out to all those who had already committed to come, telling them to “Come now – the celebration is about to begin.” It was considered extremely rude and insulting to the host for the guest who had already committed to coming to change their mind. Yet, in this case, many did just that.
Jesus gave three examples of the type of excuses the host received from those who did not attend the banquet. If we read through these quickly, we might mistakenly think these potential guests were justified in walking away at the last minute, but on further examination, it is clear they were in the wrong.
The first excuse for not coming was, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’
Purchasing a field was a major undertaking and would never be done lightly. Anyone buying a field would inspect it BEFORE the purchase. So yes, this matter may have seemed pressing to the individual, but the reality is that it was not immediately necessary as the purchase, by this time, was complete. And yet the potential guest clearly chose his own excitement for the newly purchased property and his own worldly future over his commitment and relationship with the host.
When have you and I been so concerned about securing OUR future on earth that we have neglected our relationship with the Lord?
The second excuse was, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’
This man had JUST purchased ten oxen, no small investment. Again, this would not have been done without the purchaser first examining the animals and ensuring they were a team that was suitable for all that he needed.
So this man was now giving up an opportunity to give honor to the banquet host and giving INTO the unending call of work.
When have you and I neglected our time with the Lord in order to get “just one more thing” done?
The third excuse was, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
Clearly, this man’s wedding celebration was no longer going on. We know this simply because there would not be two simultaneous celebrations in the same town. And further, the wedding had certainly been in the past, as the potential guest had responded that he would come to the banquet. So, for a reason we don’t understand, this man was using his wife as an excuse not to fulfill the obligation he had already committed to.
How often do you and I choose to put Jesus on hold? Even using our loved ones as an excuse?
God is patient and long-suffering. But He will not wait forever. And if we choose again and again not to come to Him, our hearts will become more in tune with the world and will be hardened to hearing and responding to God’s call.
The host of the banquet sent out the first round of invitations and received RSVPs from the expected guests, but when the actual celebration arrived, many claimed they had something better to do.
This group represents the people of Israel – God’s chosen people. They were called to salvation by God, but when Jesus came and told them that He was the Messiah, God’s Son sent to usher them into eternity, they turned away – using flimsy excuses.
In the parable, we read that this turning away made the master furious. God’s anger is something we don’t read about all that often in the Bible. But there will come a day when God’s fury will be unleashed at those invited guests who have consistently turned away from Him.
So, in the parable, the host opens His arms to those not originally on His guest list. He invites the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame, and then he invites all those from the country lanes and from behind the hedges.
The translation is that God’s invitation is not limited to the Jewish people—those we know as God’s chosen people. Those, the originally invited guest of honor, turned away, and now, ALL are invited to the banquet! The invitation to the Lord’s celebration is for everyone! Whether you are Jew or Gentile, no matter your color, social status, or country of origin. YOU are invited as one of the Lord’s honored guests!
All you have to do is put Jesus first. Put aside what you are doing and make your relationship with Jesus the most important part of your life!
This parable was a warning to the Jewish people – but it is also a warning to us.
Yes, we are all invited. But to be able to enter into the Lord’s banquet, we must each choose individually to not only RSVP, but to show up! This will be the best party ever, but there is a chance YOU will miss it.
Were you raised in a Christian home, and now figure that since your parents are saved, you are, too?
Did you grow up going to church with your family, but never truly made Jesus YOUR Lord and Savior?
Have you always believed in God but never really made time for Him?
Do you put your financial future, your work, or even others in your life above your relationship with Jesus?
If so, this message may be a wake-up call for you. We each are responsible for our own walk with Jesus. We are ALL invited, but we EACH must say yes. There are no good excuses.
There will no doubt be a point when God WILL turn away from those who have consistently turned away from Him. The parable ends with the words…
For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
Will you pray with me today? Will you make the decision to secure YOUR place at the banquet?
Dear Most Holy God, I give my life to you. I’m here not only to RSVP to your invitation, but to invite you to be Lord of my life. When you say jump, I will jump. When you tell me to run, I will run. Jesus, I will hold onto you, humbling myself and putting others in front of me, and putting you at the very front of it all. I honor you and thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Survivor. Today's guest, Cindy Rosenthal is a survivor. She shares her story of growing up with physical and verbal abuse which left her lonely and building walls of protection. Now, Cindy has gone from Survivor to Thriver as God has restored what the locusts have stolen. Hear how Cindy is now healing from past trauma and walking in newness of life.
Have you ever made a commitment to be loving and kind only to get frustrated when something happens that throws you off course? You’re not alone.
Join us today as host Kelly Williams Hale provides encouragement around grace and how to lean into who God says we are. God wants us to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes. His grace is enough.
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
I'm an author, speaker and mentor helping women discover the purpose God has for them and embrace their divine destiny.
Today’s message is about God’s grace, the blessing of God‘s grace, and the beauty of God’s grace. How God connects us with other women. For example, this podcast from Women World Leaders’ has been such a blessing to reach so many women across the world. So today I want to begin by acknowledging the women, Kimberly Hobbs and Julie Jenkins - who had a vision for women world leaders, and saying yes to what god was calling them to do to create this ministry. A ministry that really impacts and empowers women to fulfill their purpose and calling.
Last month I spoke about our gifts and talents, and accepting who we are and our assignment. I want to follow up with that and talk a little bit around self-reflection, and how we can extend God’s Grace to ourselves.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Growing up in church, I knew that God loved me that Jesus was his son and he died on the cross for my sins so that I could have life everlasting and yet in my young mind I still felt that I had to earn God’s love. I didn’t yet understand the remarkable grace of God.
I was a child of the 80s. Life was much different back then. We didn’t have so much competing for our attention in terms of the Internet and social media. As young kids, my brothers and I spent a lot of time outside and for me, in my room drawing or reading. We grew up in the era that children were seen and not heard. We definitely had rules in our household. And there were consequences for not following them. I believe that translated into my relationship with God.
As children, there was punishment when we messed up. And so for me, there was a very strong correlation in that when I messed up… and disobeyed the rules in the Bible… the 10 Commandments… the rules that I was taught in church… there was a lot of guilt that surrounded my behavior.
It’s taken me years to really understand the Grace that God so generously bestows. That when we sin, we can repent and ask for forgiveness, through his son, Jesus.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Colossians 3:13 ESV
This is exactly why Jesus came… because none of us are perfect and we certainly can’t earn our way to heaven… we don’t earn our salvation… however, I feel like as women… As grown up adult women, we tend to still feel like we need to be good enough… and can judge ourselves when we make mistakes… I certainly did when I was younger and still struggle today sometimes.
But we are called to walk in the authority that we’ve received through the Holy Spirit. This can sometimes be a paradox… a duality, if you will. We need to be strong and courageous, but also meek and submissive. It can be confusing!
1 Thessalonians 1:5
for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;
We judge ourselves so harshly when we feel like we fail or fall short. If we’re not gentle enough, or humble enough… We’ve set unrealistic expectations on ourselves at times and then get super disappointed when we don’t finish our to-do list, or serve in the children’s ministry at church, or say yes to lunch with a friend when we’d rather stay home.
We make a commitment to be loving and kind to our children (or husband) and then they’ll do something (usually ridiculous) and we blow up and freak out on them.
And so today I want to provide some encouragement around grace… giving yourself grace, meaning release the judgment we can hold over ourselves for being human, honestly… and truly lean into who God says we are… lean into the fact that he knows everything! He knows exactly who we are. He wants us to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes… knowing that Jesus forgave us on that cross.
I was talking to my daughter today… she’s a hairstylist and makeup artist and had a job with her client - a photographer. They set aside the day for several women to have their pictures taken. Christie shared with me some of the conversation the ladies had today as they were preparing for their photo shoots. She told me how the women really lifted each other up… celebrating each other… acknowledging the uniqueness of their work. One was a therapist, another worked with trauma… The conversation included the stories we tell ourselves about not being good enough… and how we can judge ourselves so harshly… and fail to acknowledge the wonderful things that we’ve accomplished.
And that resonated so much with me. Particularly because I know the value of women supporting women. Again, this ministry – Women World Leaders – is a perfect example. And I knew it was a God-wink that I was recording this podcast today – after hearing about my daughter’s day with those women.
Growing up, I was taught to be careful about celebrating accomplishments. It might come across as bragging or being boastful… but what I’ve learned is to embrace who God created me to be. He says we are all incredibly valued.
It’s no accident that today message is about celebrating God’s grace.
We – as women – get to honor God when we give ourselves grace and celebrate who he created us to be… we are allowed to give positive feedback to ourselves! To honor what we’re good at… celebrate the gifts that we’ve been given… and know that mercies are new every day.
Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I recently went to a conference on healing. It was called healing in the kingdom, and I attended a workshop with a young woman who was walking us through a two way journaling exercise, and so if you’re willing, I invite you to explore this idea of journaling and talking to God, and really taking responsibility for our feelings and our emotions, which God gave us, and rather than Stuffing them, or judging ourselves so harshly… we can incorporate our journaling to really speak to God… and to hear from him.
The exercise two-way journaling. She invited us to take a notebook she provided and grab two different colored markers. She turned on some quiet music, which was lovely, and then instructed to think about God… who he is to us… using one of the markers to write out all the attributes of him that we adore and love so much… reflect those back to him and spend three or four minutes just really journaling and writing down, who God is, praising him through our words, thanking him for our blessings.
The second part of the exercise was to take a moment to think about who God says WE are… taking the other colored marker to write our response to him…
I don’t know about you but I struggle sometimes with journaling. I tend to write out prayers when I journal… so this , but this was a bit different. But I felt the Holy Spirit move when I began to write out my response. I began to hear and truly listen to who he says I am… sisters, my hand fairly flew across the paper… thanking him for who he created me to be… speaking life over myself.
It was a beautiful experience.
Do not confess that negative thoughts in your mind, rather speak life to every situation around you (Proverbs 30:32)
I invite you to try this. As you consider God’s grace, and all that Jesus is to us, take some time to reflect. Self-reflection is a gift… an opportunity to grow, give ourselves grace, and remember that God loves us just the way we are. So much so that he sent his one and only son for YOU… so that we can spend eternity with him.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Happy Mother’s Day week! Join Julie Jenkins as we celebrate the gift and responsibility of mothering another, which takes place every day in every woman’s life in some form. God is always with us in our calling to care for another—leading, guiding, and cheering us on. (Luke 1:26-38)
Thank you for joining us today for Walking in the Word, the Biblical Teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am honored to walk with you as we study the Gospels. Our goal for you through these podcasts is that you would experience God’s extravagant love and your exquisite purpose as we focus on teaching, inspiration, and encouragement. Our prayer is that as your intimacy with God grows, your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live out a courageous purpose-driven life, fueled by the Word, led by the Spirit, and propelled forward into your God-given destiny through fearless faith!
Here in the United States, we celebrated Mother’s Day this past Sunday. Whether or not you are a mother, as women, we are constantly put in the role of “mothering” others – which can be fulfilling, exhilarating, confusing, and just plain hard work. Mothering can, and should, cause us to question our thoughts and actions. In a single bullet point, mothering should pull us closer to God as we depend on His provision, wisdom, strength, and comfort.
The Bible is full of examples of godly mothers we can learn from. Today, during this week of celebrating motherhood, I want to veer from our usual path and pause to take a look at Mary, Jesus’ mother as we dive into Luke chapter 1, verses 26-38 from the New Living Translation.
Allow me to begin in prayer:
Dear Most Holy God! We offer you this day and this time and ask you to guide us in YOUR will and with your wisdom as we celebrate your amazing concept of mothering. I ask for revelation today, that we may each hear what YOU want us to know. Open our minds, our hearts, and our spirits to hear from you. Infiltrate the hard parts of our soul, forgive us of our sins that we may be clear vessels for your glory to flow through freely. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In the first part of Luke 1, we read about Zechariah, the esteemed priest, who was visited in the temple by the angel Gabriel who was there to tell him of the imminent birth of his and Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist. In today’s scripture, Gabriel is back – this time to visit an unwed teenage virgin who lives in the undistinguished village of Nazareth. Quite the dichotomy of meetings the illustrious angel Gabriel had! And yet, in both instances, he was sent by God for an incredible purpose – to share the news of the upcoming birth of a child. Parenting is important to God, and He will be with us every step of the way – before we even know we need Him.
Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, was older and longing for a child; on the other hand, Mary was a young lady about to be married. Despite the astounding differences between these mothers-to-be, Elizabeth and Mary had something in common: they were both sold out to God and willing to obediently and courageously walk wherever He would lead.
In verse 26, we read that Elizabeth was Mary’s elder relative and had spent MANY years trying to get pregnant; and she was now in her 6th month of pregnancy due to God’s impeccable timing. Through her pregnancy, we see God’s perfect provision and answer to years of prayers from that godly couple. But, we can imagine that Mary was NOT praying to be pregnant - she wasn’t even married yet, only engaged!
A study of the Jewish culture tells us that at that time, a young girl would normally get engaged when she was between 12 and 14 years old, and that the engagement would last about a year. Very different than in most parts of the world today, this engagement would have been formal and legal. Though the bride-to-be would have continued to live with her parents during the engagement period, she would have been identified as a wife and therefore, would be considered an adulterer if she had had sex, which would likely lead to a calling off of the marriage ceremony and require legal divorce proceedings to occur.
We learn a bit about Mary’s groom-to-be in verse 27 – his name was Joseph and he was a descendant of King David. Joseph and Zechariah were no doubt important in their children’s lives, but as this is the week of Mother’s Day, let’s focus on the moms.
So Gabriel appears to Mary, and says, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” The text says that Mary was “confused and disturbed” and tried to think what the angel could mean. Gabriel went on, “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel[c] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary then asks the question - “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
We can see that the Lord WAS with Mary. He was already giving her wisdom and understanding that this pregnancy was imminent. The angel had told Mary “you WILL conceive” – yet Mary understood that this conception was to happen even while she was still a virgin.
Have you heard of the sixth sense that a mother has? Where she can quickly and miraculously discern a situation involving her children. You’ve probably experienced it. But when you feel something about your child, this is not a “magical sense.” It is the voice of the Holy Spriit speaking to you and guiding you.
When you are given the calling to mother, whether that be to mother your own flesh and blood, someone who is passing through your life, or any situation in between, the Holy Spirit WILL guide and direct your words, actions, and responses – if you let Him. Be assured that the devil doesn’t want you to listen to the Holy Spirit, so the world may tell you that your mothering intuition is just a farce, and your own flesh may tell you that what you have heard is impossible. But be assured that God cares for His children so much that He is never going to leave us alone in parenting them. God is with us each step of the way, and when He speaks, we are wise to listen and respond. Yet, it is okay to question when things don’t seem clear. We SHOULD always ask God for clarification, wisdom, and guidance. Mary was confused, she didn’t understand, and so she asked – how can this happen? This wasn’t a lack of faith on Mary’s part, but a mere question of – how, God?
The scripture continues in verse 35…
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.[d]”
There is so much information here! Let’s examine some of what Mary learned…
Gabriel first answered Mary’s “how” question, saying, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Mary was a faithful and devout Jewish girl who was well-versed in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, this was something new for her to experience. In Mary’s time, the Holy Spirit came upon individuals in specific circumstances. But for the Christ-follower today, the Holy Spirit is ALWAYS present. Let this passage be a reminder that WE have the miraculous wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit with us every moment – at our fingertips.
Mary also learned from Gabriel that her baby was to be holy, the Son of God. The Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah – the promised son in the lineage of David, who would reign forever – the fulfillment of a promise made hundreds of years earlier - AND the words spoken by the angel clearly prophesied Mary that her son was to be both flesh AND God. She was to name Him Jesus – meaning Jehovah is salvation.
God taught Mary about the one she was to mother, and we, too, can trust God to teach us about those we are called to mother! God knows each of us inside and out, and He knows exactly what we each need. That’s not to say that a mother/child situation is always ideal because, unfortunately, we don’t always follow God with every turn – and as a result, hard times may come. But our or our children’s faults don’t negate the fact that God is always with us, knows us each inside and out, and is always waiting to share with us His wisdom regarding how He wants us to specifically guide, lead, and love someone the one He has entrusted us with.
I doubt that Mary knew HOW difficult her life would be upon her obedience to God. No mother-to-be truly understands the joys and pains that motherhood will bring. And no child of God truly understands the joys and pains involved in following the will of God. Still, Mary knew that in saying yes to God, she was risking everything. She likely wondered if Joseph would turn away from her, and If he left, would her parents turn against her? Had Mary allowed her imagination to run wild, she could have let fear paralyze her as she wondered if she would have to spend the rest of her life begging or living a life of prostitution. And if Joseph did stay, would their wedding day be one of joy? Would she be ostracized by society forever? Would people think she was crazy if she claimed to be the mother of the Messiah?
But Mary was faithful, and she simply clung to God and His promises. She knew of God’s steadfast love and His perfect provision, she knew of His amazing power and perfect control. She heard Gabriel’s words, nothing is impossible with God, and she surely responded in faith, saying…
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
As I think about Mary, I also think about my own parenting. My kids are getting older now, but they still give me plenty of opportunities to trust God’s work in their lives. No matter where you are in the process of mothering – caring for an infant daily, sharing wisdom with your older children, or mothering unconventionally, by loving the one God puts in your path today, you can trust God to lead and guide YOU as you lead and guide another. And as you lean into Him and He continues to show up over and over again, praise and thanks to our God will fill you to overflowing as you become closer to Him through this act of blessed parenting.
Psalm 92 says “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High, It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. … You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!”
Happy Mother’s Day week! I pray you feel honored as you walk in God’s presence.
Dear Heavenly Father – we thank you for each woman who is mothering in your will, clinging to you for wisdom and guidance. And I pray that each person listening feels honored today for her work even as she is humbled by your greatness. We walk in amazement that you allow us to partner with you in building your kingdom, and we give you all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God brought artist, Katharine Ward, from a low place in her college life to a new place of service with Him. He gave her a revived heart! Please join us for today's interview and be inspired to receive a revived heart, one that is eager to serve God. Ezra 9:9 "The Lord provided physical and spiritual revival."
Join host Janet Berrong as she shares the many therapeutic benefits of music. It's time to get your praise and worship on - and get healthy at the same time!
Jesus attended a Sabbath meal meant as a form of entrapment, yet He turned it around by serving in humility. We, too, have the glorious power to serve others with humility and respect! (Luke 14:1-11)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and we are honored that you have joined us today as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to know today.
God is continuing to do a mighty work in Women World Leaders. Our mission is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. When God calls you as His child, He also sets you on a mission to lead for Him – that is part of YOUR purpose. So, whether you are in business, a servant in your church, a mom – or maybe all three – God has a unique calling for you to lead others, and we want to walk beside you as you do!
Besides this podcast, which comes to you each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a bit of a different flair each day, we also offer daily devotionals through email or FaceBook, community through Facebook and our Prayer Wall, encouragement through Voice of Truth magazine, fellowship and growth through events, and opportunities to grow and serve through writing, music, art, and utilizing leadership skills in finance, social media, organization, and coaching. Our God is endless and miraculous, and He has given us an endless and miraculous mission to reach and include you.
We have recently released our newest book, Joy Unspeakable, and we are also continuing to guide and lead new writers as we prepare to publish other books through the ministry. Writing your story can be tough, but it is so important for us all to be transparent with each other so that we can relate to and hold each other up. Because of the enormity of these projects, we’d love you to partner with us in prayer for our writers and editors. And if God is nudging you to share YOUR story, we invite you to reach out to us at info@womenworldleaders.com.
But now…on this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, let’s take time to put down our pens, agendas, struggles, and strivings and simply rest in God’s presence as we learn from His Word. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically as we ask God to teach us all that He wants us to know today. Today’s teaching comes from Luke, chapter 14, verses 1-11.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we come before you humbly, in awe of who you are and the fact that you speak directly to each of us – all you ask is that we quiet our hearts and listen. As we open your Word today, God, I ask that you be my mouthpiece. God, you know I have studied and prayed over this teaching, and now I give it all to you. You know what you want each listener to hear, and I ask that you allow those precise words to flow from my mouth. We thank you for your Word, your presence, and this teaching. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s dive in, shall we? Luke 14, as written in the New Living Translation, begins.
One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely.
Sabbath hospitality was an important part of the Jewish culture, so it wasn’t unusual for Jesus to be invited to a Sabbath meal. What may have been a bit awkward, however, is WHO invited Him. Luke tells us Jesus went to the home of a LEADER of the PHARISEES. Remember – the Pharisees had tried to trap Jesus and had even come after Him on several occasions. So if it seems odd that Jesus would go to dinner with His enemies, you aren’t off base. But Jesus, as we have seen in the gospels and, hopefully, we have all seen in our own lives, offers His presence to everyone.
Luke also makes it clear, however, that for the Pharisees and those in attendance, Jesus wasn’t there as an honored guest – instead, He was invited so they could keep an eye on Him – they were “watching him closely.”
And as we read on, we get a better sense of the entrapment occurring…verse 2…
2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.[a]
Some Bible versions explain that the man had Dropsy, which was a painful swelling of the limbs due to fluid retention, likely a symptom of another serious medical issue. Many people at the time actually considered that this condition was a result of God’s judgment on the affected individual.
Of course, Jesus notices this man and has compassion on him. And Jesus fully understood that the man, in all his misery, was being unmercifully used as a pawn.
In Jewish culture, people hung out around people who were like them. We can ALL understand segmented society. As much as we would like to say we are open to and accepting of people from other cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and walks of life, if we each REALLY look at our lives, the majority of us tend mostly to hang around people we are similar to. This is a tough thing to recognize, acknowledge, and face. And it is something we should never become comfortable with.
So you can understand that this dinner crowd was a bit unconventional.
Here was Jesus…a teacher who was disrespected and even hated by the Pharisees, invited to dine with the Pharisees. And also invited to dine with the Pharisees was a man who was afflicted with a terrible illness that was believed to be the result of God’s judgment.
These facts, combined with Luke's words that the people were watching Jesus, reveal this as a set-up.
Those who knew Jesus bet on the fact that He was compassionate and would not turn away from a suffering man. And yet it was the Sabbath; if Jesus, in His compassion, healed the man on the Sabbath, it would be in full view of everyone and certainly go against God’s will.
Jesus doesn’t skip a beat…verse 3…
3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?”
By presenting this question, Jesus put the Pharisees in the hot seat. If they maintained that healing was NOT permitted on the Sabbath, they would reveal themselves as unfeeling and unloving. After all, here was this man in misery alongside a man who was ABLE to heal him. Remember, the Pharisees themselves couldn’t heal the man, yet they had invited him to dine with THE miracle-worker, who could change his life forever. And yet, if the Pharisees answered Jesus’ question by saying that it was okay to heal the man, they would not be holding themselves to the law that they held everyone else to.
The Pharisees had attempted to trap Jesus, but Jesus actually cornered them with their own ammunition.
They were stunned… and said nothing. Verse 4 continues…
4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer.
This dinner was off to a rocking start! I bet it was pretty tense in that room.
So everyone, no doubt murmuring, makes their way to the table…and Jesus continues to pour out the teaching…verse 7…
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus is taking this opportunity to teach about humility.
Before we look at the actual teaching – I want to point out how adeptly Jesus takes advantage of this chance to share wisdom.
As we grow older, we hopefully also grow wiser. And as we walk more closely with Jesus, we certainly grow wiser. Be assured, there are people in your life with whom God wants you to share your wisdom. But sharing wisdom is an art! We can teach others through our actions and by taking advantage of the opportunities God presents us with. If you are praying for someone in your life to gain wisdom, be aware of the circumstances that present themselves in which you can humbly share your wisdom.
Jesus slid in this teaching as, I’m betting, He took a seat at the FOOT of the table. Actions speak louder than words!
You see, just like who was invited to what dinner was based on a hierarchy of society, so too was the seating arrangement at those dinners. The most honored guests would sit closest to the host, while the least honored guests might even be placed in another room. And it also wasn’t unusual for several different tiers of food and wine to be served. Think of it as first-class verse coach on an airplane! We’ve all been there!! Who wants to be squished in those tiny seats being served peanuts while there is an opportunity to sit in a comfy seat, complete with meal service and a steaming hot washcloth to cleanse your hands. Ah – the luxury of first class!
Imagine this scene in those terms. What if Jesus boarded a plane and went straight to the back to sit by the bathroom – you know, in the last seat that doesn’t even recline.
We are called to walk through this life in humility. Jesus doesn’t want us to think less of ourselves – we are honored in God’s sight. But He does want us to think of ourselves less. He wants us to put others ahead of us. To think in terms of honoring THEM – whoever THEY are. Even, and especially, those who may be from a different culture or live below our own socio-economic means. When I think of the word humility, I think of the word respect. God calls us to respect others. When you respect someone, it naturally follows that you will want THEM to take the place of honor.
What a privilege and what POWER we each have to place others above ourselves! Isn’t it so fun to see others succeed? To cheer them on? As God’s children – we KNOW we are invited to THE most important banquet and that God WILL honor us. That truth gives us so much FREEDOM to live our lives honoring others.
You, Christian, have the privilege of taking the backseat. When you do, you will witness a sea of God’s loved ones in front of you – and you will have the vantage of basking in the glow of the smiles of those before you! Be like Jesus – show up at the party ready to serve others no matter the cost. Who needs a hot dishcloth anyway!
Let’s pray!
Dear Most Holy God – thank you for showing us today the privilege and honor it is to take the backseat as we live our lives in service to others. Jesus, you descended from your throne and came to earth as our humble servant. Thank you for showing us today that you have given us the POWER to walk in your footsteps – to RAISE others up, to join with them, rejoicing in their blessings. We love you and we humbly submit as you guide and lead us to be your servants. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
In 2020 Shawna V. Sun, business entrepreneur and producer, had a life-changing encounter. In today's podcast, Shawna shares her story of breakthrough after walking away from God. Listen and hear how faith, forgiveness, and obedience could be the keys to your breakthrough.
The power of the Holy Spirit was poured out in the time of Acts 2. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the gift of prophecy. Prophecy edifies the body of Christ. Where is it that you need edification? Learn how the Holy Spirit gives us edification through prophecy.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s message is titled: The Gift of Prophecy
The apostle Paul, writer of most of the New Testament, urged the church to edify one another in the grace of God revealed in the gift of prophecy.
1 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching). 2 For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]. 3 But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation. 4 He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, but he who prophesies [interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, and happiness]. 5 Now I wish that you might all speak in [unknown] tongues, but more especially [I want you] to prophesy (to be inspired to preach and interpret the divine will and purpose). He who prophesies [who is inspired to preach and teach] is greater (more useful and more important) than he who speaks in [unknown] tongues, unless he should interpret [what he says], so that the church may be edified and receive good [from it]. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 AMPC
I will never forget the first time I experienced the beautiful gift of prophecy at a women’s prayer meeting. I had known the Lord and attended church since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until 2003, in my mid-thirties that I witnessed an elderly woman prophesying over another sister-in-Christ. To me, it started out as a day of excitement and anticipation. I was hungry and thirsty for more of God and didn’t know what to expect at a prayer meeting, other than there would be a short teaching, which would then lead into a prayer.
Up to this point for a year-and-a-half, I had been reading the word of God hours a day and praying earnestly after each reading. God had to redeem the time in my life, as the power of Holy Spirit came on me Resurrection Sunday 2002, setting me free of alcoholism. My joy was full and made complete, as I experienced the washing of God’s Word, and the bounty of Living Waters in my belly.
It was then that I wanted to pour the abundant Life I possessed upon others but didn’t know how. I couldn’t put words to it, or never knew what “it” was that I was looking for.
The teaching at the meeting had ended, and the women began to pray. About ten minutes into prayer, I witnessed the gift of prophecy. My heart leapt with joy, as prayer and prophecy continued throughout. At the end of the meeting, I spontaneously erupted “WHAT WAS THAT?” The women explained that it was the gift of prophecy. Caught in the afterglow of such powerful prayer and prophecy, I then blurted, “I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THAT ALL OF MY LIFE!”
I didn’t know that this was the “it” I was looking for as a Christian. I’d known the Word of Truth for years, but somehow my eyes were covered from seeing 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 with the gifts of Holy Spirit.
I desired prophecy all my life as a Christian, how could I not. All through high school I was a football cheerleader. It made my heart content, running up and down the field cheering the football players on, to win the game. I love edifying others, and to me, prophecy is cheerleading the saints.
The Greek word for gift is pneumatikós pronounced pnyoo-mat-ik-os meaning, “ethereal, supernatural, and spiritual.” [i] Ethereal means that which is beyond the clouds and is heavenly. The gifts of God came to mankind on Pentecost at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, prophesied in Joel 2.
28 “And afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 Even upon the menservants and upon the maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit.” Joel 2:28-29 AMPC
The Holy Spirit, Who is at the Throne of God as seven torches of Fire, does not speak His own message, but only what the Father says. (See Revelation 4:5; John 16:13) Thus, this gift of prophecy is God’s grace by the Holy Spirit at operation inside of us, to speak edification according to the need.
Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray in Luke 11, saying “give us this day our daily bread.” (See Luke 11:3) Immediately after the Lord’s prayer, Jesus depicts what the bread represents. He describes a man who had need of bread, since he had visitors over at his house. He then goes to a friend’s house to ask for bread at midnight and knocks on his door. The friend tells him to leave because it was late, and his children were sleeping. That didn’t stop the guy from knocking on the door, and finally the friend got up and gave him as much as he “needed.” Jesus then goes on to explain that we are to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, and the Father will open the door to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 11:5-13)
There are times in your life when you need a personal cheerleader, you need to be edified. Moreover, there are times that you will come across others who need to be edified. In such times, the Lord God supplies us with grace to ask, seek, and knock on the door and the gift of the Holy Spirit will be poured out to bring forth the edification needed in prophecy.
Prophecy in Greek is prophēteía pronounced prof-ay-ti'-ah meaning, “prophecy, prediction, and prophesying.” [ii] Prediction comes from the Latin word praedicere meaning “make known beforehand.” The Latin word for prediction is spelled P.R.A.E.D.I.C.E.R.E. As I saw the Latin word for prediction, I couldn’t help but see PRAED as PRAYED, and icere as I C (see). In John 16:13 Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will show us things to come. He will show us what to pray. Through prayer, we will feel a lifting in our heart, being filled with joy and excitement that God is up to something. By faith as we open our mouth and pray forth, we shall prophesy! This is the power of God’s grace in His beautiful gift of prophecy.
The gift of prophecy edifies. The word edify in Greek is oikodomḗ pronounced oy-kod-om-ay' meaning, “architecture, confirmation, building, edify, and edification.” [iii] Thus, edification builds people up, confirming what God has placed within them, defeating the powers of darkness that would assail them with lies.
A great analogy of this beautiful gift and what takes place in the invisible realm is in Song of Solomon 6.
12 “Before I was aware [of what was happening], my desire [to roam about] had brought me into the area of the princes of my people [the king’s retinue]. 13 [I began to flee, but they called to me] Return, return, O Shulammite; return, return, that we may look upon you! [I replied] What is there for you to see in the [poor little] Shulammite? [And they answered] As upon a dance before two armies or a dance of Mahanaim.” Song of Solomon 6:12-13 AMPC
The Shulammite is hungry to know the King, who is the Good Shepherd. She’s so caught up in knowing Him that she doesn’t realize the power that has come through her, in their love. As the daughters of Jerusalem go after her to behold her beauty, the Shulammite asks them “what is there to look at.” Their response is that when we see you, we see the dance of Mahanaim, which means THE DANCE OF TWO ARMIES.
In other words, the love relationship you have with the King, has given you the authority of two armies. That is the power of prayer and the gift of prophecy. One can send a thousand to flight, but two can send ten thousand to flight. This gift of prophecy encourages you and others, bringing a fresh anointing of the Lord’s hope and future. (See Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Where is it that you or someone you know needs hope? Seek God and desire to prophesy!
[i] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 4152 “gift”
[ii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 4394 “prophecy”
[iii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 3619 “edify”
- Jesus’ Compassionate Perseverance (Luke 13:31-35)
Herod is after Jesus – yet Jesus marches on in love and perseverance, determined to fulfill God’s call on His life. What can we learn from this as we walk in Jesus’ footsteps? Join Julie Jenkins for a study of Luke 13:31-35.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I’m glad you have joined us! Women World Leaders is God’s ministry, and the mission He has given us is to help others walk in their God-given purpose as we all lead for Christ. We have many offerings for you, including our monthly leadership connect on Zoom, seminars to help shore up your leadership skills, a prayer team who would love to meet and pray with you, opportunities to write and grow, our quarterly Voice of Truth magazine, and of course this podcast!
We offer three very different podcasts each week under this one banner. On Monday, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith each week; this is meant to inspire you and empower you in your God-given walk. On Fridays, we have the joy of Celebrating God’s Grace with one of several beautiful leaders who offers us a burst of enthusiasm to jump into the weekend with. And on Wednesdays, today, we take time to walk through scripture together, seeking God’s wisdom and direction for life.
We are currenly walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronologically, and today we are studying from the book of Luke, chapter 13, verses 31-35.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Father God, we are in awe that you are with each person listening to this message! Thank you for meeting us each where we are. We know you have a word for us today, and I ask that our hearts be receptive to hearing your voice. Father, even as I prepare for the honor of reading and expounding on your Word, I ask you to be with me. Guide my thoughts and let all I say be pleasing to your ears and be exactly what you would have each listener know from your heart. We thank you and give you all the praise and glory as we begin. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If you have been following along with us from week to week, you know we are picking up as Jesus continues visiting towns and villages, teaching and preaching to the people. As He does, He is getting closer and closer to His crucifixion, and his teaching is getting more and more direct and intense.
As we continue today, we see the Pharisees launching out at Jesus yet again, but this time they take a bit of a different tactic. Let’s begin by reading from Luke 13:31 in the New Living Translation.
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
The Herod they were referring to was Herod Antipas. Now Luke had recorded earlier that Herod feared that Jesus was actually John the Baptist, whom he had murdered, returned from the dead. So it certainly wasn’t a stretch that the Pharisees would be “warning” Jesus that Herod was after Him. However, looks can be deceiving, and we should be careful NOT to be under the impression that the Pharisees actually cared about Jesus’ well-being.
WHY then, were the Pharisees warning Jesus? It seems they were trying to frighten Jesus into returning to Judea, where they could watch and trap Him.
But our Jesus is not to be frightened, and He will never succumb to trickery. Jesus was FULLY obedient to God, KNOWING that God had THE perfect plan and His every direction is always trustworthy.
How freeing would it be if we, too, fully trusted God to guide and direct every step we take?
If we trusted God…we wouldn’t have to stress about our finances, because we would know that God had everything in His control. If we FULLY trusted God… we could live in joy knowing that our children’s futures are secure in His hands; we wouldn’t have to get angry and shout about causes in the streets or on Facebook – because we could live by the teaching that God WILL work all things together for the good of those who love Him. If we fully trusted God, we could have civil conversations with others, seeking to learn and come to a full-fledged understanding, and even love, for each other. If we FULLY trusted God, we could go where He calls us and do what He calls us to do despite any apparent lurking danger or division.
Jesus – under a REAL threat of attack on His life, chose to fully trust God…verse 32…
32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
Jesus was NOT going to be stopped from what He was called to do. Despite the very real threat on His life, He was going to press on down the path, doing exactly what GOD had given Him to do.
Two takeaways I want us to understand from this reading.
First – Nothing will stop Jesus from doing anything and everything for you! By this time, many had heard of Jesus, and had even heard Him teach in person. But, undoubtedly, there were some who hadn’t yet encountered Jesus. There were some people who still had divine appointments with their Messiah written by God on their calendars. And although they didn’t yet realize how their lives were about to change, JESUS knew the name of EVERY single individual God had already prepared a meet-and-greet with. Jesus loved each of them IMMEASURABLY and NOTHING was going to stop Him from coming face-to-face with them. Friend, Jesus loves YOU that much – and NOTHING will stop Him from orchestrating EVERYTHING to give YOU the chance to encounter Him and learn from Him.
The second takeaway is that as we walk with Jesus, we, too can PRESS ON where and how we have been called, KNOWING that He will empower us to reach our destination.
So whether you are walking and serving Him in ministry, as a parent, taking care of a child or loved one, or if you are walking staunchly away from abuse, neglect, sin, or wrong thinking, you can trust that God will guide you to the next right step.
After Jesus shows us His strength and perseverance to do God’s will, we see His tenderness and compassion for His people ooze from His words. … verse 34 continues…
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
Can’t you just hear the pain and love in Jesus’ words as He speaks on behalf of God Himself?
These were God’s chosen people whom He longed to have a loving relationship with – and yet they turned away from Him. I think every parent has had a glimpse of this pain at some point. Days when you think, I’ve given it all, and yet I feel alone at this moment – unappreciated and unloved. If you are there right now, I’m sorry. Please know that Jesus understands. And you are never alone.
Jesus then warns His listeners…
35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[a]”
The house of Israel was left desolate, because far too many did not believe that their Messiah had come and was standing before them. Yet our God is a God of many chances – the key word in this verse is “until.” Jesus says… I tell you, you will not see me again UNTIL you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We see Jerusalem under attack even today – because MANY have not come to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. But there WILL be a time when God again will take them under His wing.
Our world is in turmoil.
Christians are persecuted and many of them thrive and gain some sick energy as they yell against each other, thinking if my voice is loudest, then surely others will see me as right. Perhaps it is time to lower our voices and simply stand strong in our deeds and actions. Perhaps, instead of screaming about the atrocity of abortion, we should spend our time and money working with young, pregnant women who need the support of a Christian family.
Perhaps instead of fighting to build a bigger and higher wall to protect our country, we should recognize the one person we may be called to help as we press on in love.
We don’t have to make a stink to make something happen – because we have an amazing God who PROMISES to make the right thing happen – and He is in control.
I’m not suggesting we be complacent and let the world make decisions for us. Instead, I am suggesting that we, like Jesus, no longer walk in fear – but we simply keep walking where we are called and doing what we are called to do – keeping love and compassion at the forefront.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…you sent your Son to save us, yet the world came against Him. Sometimes, we feel like the world is coming against us, too. Father, the fire burns in us to fight – but you have called us instead to persevere in love. Help us to remember that YOU are in control and you have called us to be a light for You. Father, I ask you to speak to each person listening right now – the task you have called each of us to is unique, and we can each only respond by listening to and trusting you fully and completely. Give each one listening the wisdom, strength, and perseverance to take her next right step in love and compassion. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Todays guest, Rusanne Carole from Australia, is an author, speaker, teacher and leader who loves Jesus. She is an advocate for families with additional-needs children. Receive encouragement today as Rusanne shares her story of God's restoration of the broken pieces to a life of unspeakable joy, and learn how you, too, can receive beauty from ashes.
How often do we ask for all we want? t’s ok, the Word says ask and we shall receive.
Yet how often are we thankful for exactly where we are and all we have at the moment. Could God be using every moment we are given to grow us, strengthen us, make us more like his Son, Jesus?
Keeping our focus on Him and being thankful is key! Join Rusanne Carole as she talks about being thankful no matter what!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast, where each Friday we talk about God’s grace and share how good He is and how we can encourage each other.
Don’t forget to join us each Monday where our founder & Co-CEO, Kimberly Hobbs, interviews women from all over the world – women of God who have a story to share – and how God has shown up in their life. And Wednesdays, where our Co-CEO and Bible Teacher, Julie Jenkins, brings us a study of God’s Word and its application to our lives.
How many times have we gone to the Lord to cast our burdens?
How many times have we gone asking the Lord for something – Lord, help me, help my children, help my husband, help my family.
We ask for peace in our homes, We ask for healing in our bodies. We go to the Lord FOR so many things! WE ASK.
And this is fine. The Word says Ask. In Matthew 7:7 Jesus told His disciples, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you.” This should encourage us to ask for whatever is on our heart, talk to God and in faith believe that God hears us and will grant His blessings upon us, trusting He knows best. Our heavenly Father graciously offers us freedom to ask for things!
Matthew 6:8 tells us “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” But in the next verse he tells us to pray for our needs. I personally don’t think that’s for us to ASK, I think it’s to prompt us to talk to Him, be in relationship with Him, open our heart to Him and spend the time with Him that He so deeply loves. His children choosing to spend the time with HIM.
I know I have four boys and when they want to spend time with me it makes me feel so very special. My eldest son asked me out to go to the movies and when he picked me up he actually changed his mind saying, “hey mom, let’s skip the movie and go somewhere where we can talk. We haven’t talked, really talked in a while.” My heart skipped a beat, knowing he wanted to talk and share with me, hear from me, maybe ask me some questions, or just listen – even possibly asking my opinion on something that was on his mind.
I imagine God may feel that way. He just wants us to want to talk to Him throughout our day.
But how many times do we go to God to simply say THANK YOU!
How often do we take the time out to pray and say Lord, I am grateful?
If you go and speak to Christians who live in some of the poorest parts of the world, you would be amazed at how thankful they are for the LITTLE that they have, despite their lack, despite being uncomfortable – they are RICH in FAITH! They are ever so grateful to GOD because they can still see the GOODNESS of GOD – even in the middle of their problems, their challenges.
Psalm 34:8 tells us, “taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
How many of us can be grateful in the midst of a storm?
How many of us can be THANKFUL TO GOD even when things seem to be falling apart?
How could we be grateful to GOD knowing that no matter what we go through or face that He will never harm us or forsake us? Could it all be for our teaching, our good, to make us stronger in Him, closer to Him, more Christ-like.
It is good to remember just how good God has been to you? For the believers I would encourage you to meditate on this. Remember this!
How has God revealed Himself to you? Ask God to bring all He has done to your remembrance, even write it down. Ponder and meditate on this – how good He has been and thank HIM!
For those of you who have not yet met Jesus I pray you will. I pray you will meet Him in a mighty way – Know Him and His goodness, know all He has done for you! Jesus died just for you – yes, to have eternal life but to have abundant life here with the days we are given. Thank you Jesus.
The Bible tells us an interesting story about thankfulness. In Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)
Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Only one leper remembered to say thank you.
Had a heart filled with gratitude.
Friends, I encourage you to go to Lord every day and thank Him.
Let us pray (prayer)
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday,Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website atwww.womenworldleaders.comto submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
The door into God’s Kingdom is narrow – you must choose to walk through it if you want to celebrate with God for eternity. Will you intentionally step through the door and leave the world behind? Listen to Jesus’ teaching in today’s scripture to gain the strength to follow His voice. (Luke 13:22-30)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open scripture each week and ask God to show us what He wants us to know.
Women World Leaders was started with a vision to reach out to the world with the love and message of Jesus Christ. It is our goal to share God’s love with you and empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. We do that by offering Bible teaching, fellowship with other Christians, and by providing avenues for leadership growth.
If you are new to the ministry, we would love you to join us from wherever you are! We offer several monthly zooms that are educational, informative, and fun – and they are open to women from around the world. Through Women World Leaders, I have friendships with women from all over whom I have come to know, love, pray for, and depend on as sisters. Two of our regular meetings are on the third Monday of each month when we join together for our Leadership Connect, which includes fellowship and teaching, and the 4th Monday of each month, when we join together for prayer. But we also offer monthly seminars on zoom, of course our Voice of Truth magazine, and opportunities to grow and serve in your gifting. To get started, visit our website www.womenworldleaders.com and fill out the contact form to get on our email list. That way, you can stay informed about all that is happening in the ministry and jump in as the Holy Spirit leads you.
On this, the Wednesday edition of our podcast, we are continuing to walk through the gospels together chronologically. Today’s scripture comes from the book of Luke, chapter 13, verses 22-30. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – thank you for sharing your Word with us so that we might know you better. We come to you in awe of who you are and how you have sustained your written Word for so many years just so we can open it today. Father, we open the Bible with confidence today, knowing that you will meet us and guide us as we read. Help us each walk away from out time together knowing exactly what you want us to and having a better understanding of who you are and what you call us to today. We give you this time and trust your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When we left Jesus last week, we were in the book of John, at the end of chapter 10. Jesus had been teaching and clearly shared that He and the Father were One. This resulted in the authorities attempting to seize Him, but Jesus escaped their grasp and went across the Jordan to stay and rest in the place where John the Baptist had baptized many. In that time and place, scripture tells us, many more came to a life-saving belief in Jesus as the Messiah.
We can imagine that this was a mountain-top experience for Jesus. Though many had come against Him, God graciously provided Jesus both rest and a shot of adrenaline as He allowed Him to see the difference He was making in so many lives.
If you have ever stood up for Jesus – whether it be by praying before your meal at a restaurant or ministering to an individual – you know that standing for Jesus includes both highs and lows. Ministry, in any form, is hard work. You’d better believe that the devil does not want us to stand for Jesus, and when we do, he will come against us, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. But when you serve on God’s behalf, you can also know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are making a difference in the world. That what you are doing matters. And you can trust that God WILL provide you with rest and encouragement at just the right time—IF you stay connected to Him in prayer and are obedient to His calling. As a leader, God does not want you to burn out. You do not have to be the end-all-be-all for those you have been called to serve. That is God’s job. Even Jesus left when the crowds came against Him. And when He did, God gave Him the rest and provision He needed to step out again—exactly where He was called.
As we join back up with Jesus today, let’s begin with Luke 13:22 from the New Living Translation…
22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
This was no doubt one of MANY questions Jesus received along the way. The Jewish people believed that all Israelites would be saved, except those who did egregious acts such as denying the Law or speaking the name YHWH. They believed THEIR salvation was a given simply because of who they were as God’s chosen people. And yet, they were also taught, “Many have been created, but only a few shall be saved.” So this person was likely asking for clarification. Would only a few be saved? Jesus doesn’t answer directly. Because although Jesus DOES care about the masses, His gaze on the masses is always intently focused on each individual. God sees EACH of us. He loves, attends to, and cherishes YOU as an individual. And He felt the same way about this person asking the question. So the more important question that Jesus wanted this person to answer was, Will YOU be saved? From Jesus’ answer flows a fountain of information that centers around one specific point — EACH person must intentionally give themselves to Jesus in order to be saved.
In Verse 24, John records Jesus’ response…
24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
The word translated as “work hard” means to strive, to intentionally make every effort to enter God’s kingdom.
Receiving the gift of salvation from Jesus is not like standing in a spring shower.
I live on the coast in Florida, where it can be a beautifully sunny day when I walk out the door, and within 10 minutes, I can be drenched by a sudden and unexpected shower. I actually walk quite often and we have taken to leaving towels by the front door for just such an occasion. When the rain comes, you get wet, and there isn’t anything you can do about it.
But that isn’t how salvation works.
God IS ALWAYS raining down His love and His offer of salvation, but no matter WHO you are, WHAT church you go to, or WHO your parents are – to receive God’s salvation – to secure your place in His kingdom – YOU have to intentionally walk INTO His blessings.
Jesus, in this parable, describes the entry into God’s Kingdom as a narrow door. Nobody steps through a narrow door without meaning to. And it is impossible to go through any door without leaving a different place behind.
Have you ever hit a crossroads? Have you ever had to walk through a figurative door, knowing you are entering a new location or phase but are also leaving something behind? This happens so often in our lives. As a graduate, you leave behind being a student and step into a world full of new possibilities. When you walk down the aisle to be married, you are leaving behind single life and entering into a life of communion with your spouse. And when you have a child, you gain a new title – mom or dad – and your world will never be the same.
The same is true when we enter into a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we say yes to walking through that narrow door, we must leave behind our old selves. No longer are we tied to the world and solely responsible for ourselves. Instead, we choose to humbly submit to God’s direction, we ask Him to forgive our sins, and we step across that threshold of salvation into His Kingdom. And suddenly, we are never alone again. Suddenly, we have God fighting for us at every turn. Suddenly, we have an army of believers who hold us up in difficult times and rejoice with us in good times.
But this miracle, though a free gift, doesn’t just happen. We must each CHOOSE to look for the door and then walk through it. But there is a catch…and this is the hard part for us to understand…that door to the kingdom won’t remain open forever.
Jesus continues…
25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’
I can’t imagine how this information struck the Jewish listeners…they always ASSUMED that as God’s chosen people, they would be with God forever. Was it true that they could be left behind?
Then Jesus continues to paint the picture for those who did not choose the narrow path to the kingdom before it was too late…
28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.
The Jews listening must have recoiled at this. Their own forefathers, the very people they looked up to and longed to follow, would be there, in God’s Kingdom. Yet, it was now likely beginning to sink in. They were starting to understand that those who do not choose to follow JESUS will be left out of the celebration. And, they will be doing the opposite of celebrating – they will be weeping and gnashing their teeth. Weeping and gnashing their teeth was a way of describing being in extreme anguish, torment, and even experiencing extreme anger. This is understandable, because those who did not follow and submit to Jesus, before the door closed, will be judged and, ultimately, rejected by the God of love – who had offered them EVERYTHING.
And, speaking to the Jews, Jesus makes it even more clear that salvation is not based on heredity. And as He does, Jesus reveals what is a glorious revelation for those who are not Jewish – EVERYONE has the opportunity to intentionally follow Jesus and walk through that narrow door, leaving the world behind and entering God’s kingdom… Verse 29…
29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30 And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.[a]”
WE are each given the gift to enter the kingdom of God through the narrow door by submitting to the doorkeeper Himself, Jesus Christ. But to walk through that door, we must intentionally leave behind our self-sufficiency and pride. We must walk away from the false sense of security that the world offers. We must deny what we THINK we want and trust that when we follow Jesus, He will give us more than we can truly IMAGINE we need and want. The way is not easy and we cannot do it alone. But we don’t have to do it alone, because Jesus is there, holding out His hand to help you step over the threshold.
Can you hear the voices calling you on the other side? Focus on them. Listen to them. Ask God for the strength to follow Him in obedience.
And let me encourage you to act now. Quickly. We have no idea when that door will close. It will happen unexpectedly – and when it does, the sound will be deafening.
Will you pray with me?
Dear Most Holy God – we know you have so much for us! We hear your call and we want to answer. Today, I vow to follow you, to lean into knowing you, to walk in your way and follow your will for my life. Jesus, I am sorry for the times I have gone my own way. Claim me as your own! I give you my life! I give you my eternity! And I hold out my hand to you – lead me over the threshold into your kingdom today. Thank you for leading me and loving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Shelly Paino speaks about the up's and down's of being a screenwriter and how years of her life works and God's leading, led to His perfect timing to work in the "Faith-based" industry of film. We can be limited by our "finite" view and can fear God is not moving on our behalf. God never stops moving, even when we don't necessarily see it.
Have you ever wondered, “What is my purpose?” Many of us do. God’s Word tells us He has given us gifts and talents which He will use to fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Join Kelly Williams Hale as she shares a message about acceptance and our assignment.
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
I'm an author, speaker and mentor helping women discover the purpose God has for them and embrace their divine destiny.
Today we’re going to talk about Accept your Assignment.
For context, we – as Christian women - we know what the Bible teaches us.
We know what God says in His Word about who we are.
Ps. 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
God will also speak to us through other people.
We can also hear a voice or a thought, and we know that it's from the Holy Spirit.
And so being aware of those things, and also knowing that there's always opportunity for growth, I want to talk about Acceptance.
Specifically ACCEPTING who God says we are.
For years, I didn’t quite BELIEVE who God said I was. I sought validation from other people – and what THEY saw in me.
Anybody else?
We may feel like we know God loves us. We know Jesus died for us. But because of our experiences, our choices, our family and what we may – or may not – have been told growing up, we struggle with self-doubt and truly knowing the value of who we are.
God showed me very recently – a fresh revelation to what Jeremiah 29:11 REALLY says.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
God KNEW us.
His eyes saw our unformed body;
We were with God before we were born and he KNEW US.
Looking at who we are from that perspective made Jeremiah 29:11, just kind of come to life for me in a whole new way.
It bear repeating.
God says he know the plans he has for each of us. Plans not to harm us. But plans to prosper us. Plans for hope AND a future.
God knows the plans he has for us.
And the way that hit me is that even before I was born, he knew what that plan would look like.
But because of our past, our mistakes or again, what others say about us… we often count ourselves out.
Or discount the desire he's put on our hearts.
We can feel like what we want can’t be part of his plan. We’re being selfish if we want more.
Or we're just not sure how what we want will compare to the plan he has for us.
Truly – we just want to know “what is his plan”?!?!?
But he tells us. We were created to glorify Him, his purpose for us is to bring Him glory.
To love.
To model our lives after what Jesus did.
WHO Jesus accepted.
That sure sounds easier said than done! We are human after all, and we have lives, we have families, we've got to pay our bills.
But I believe that the desire in our heart comes from God.
Maybe it's to pursue art, or pursue singing, or maybe we want to start a ministry, or serve and support another ministry, or we want to help people as a nurse, or we want to be a teacher
I believe God gives us those desires because he KNOWS US.
My encouragement today is that we learn to ACCEPT our assignment. The gifts we have – came from God.
He’s given us everything we need to have that prosperous, abundant life he promises in Jer. 29:11. Our hope comes from ACCEPTING that who we are is exactly who we need to be to FIND SUCCESS in our assignment, using our gifts for his purpose.
1 peter 4:10
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
God is asking us to trust him. And BELIEVE.
Psalm 106:12
Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.
When we believe, we can then ACCEPT the unique person he created us to be.
We will stop comparing ourselves to other people. How easy it is to find ourselves lacking when we compare our situation or circumstances to somebody else. Social media has made this so easy – because most people are posting their highlight reel. Very rarely will we see behind the curtain so to speak and the REAL picture.
We must identify and ACCEPT that God gave us all unique gifts and talents.
The gift of hospitality, gift of mercy, gifts of encouragement, gift of prophecy, healing, etc.
He’s designed us so that some of us have beautiful voices, or we are extraordinary organizers (yes, that IS a gift!)
1 Peter 4:11
11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
When we can IDENTIFY, value and FULLY ACCEPT the gifts we were given came from God for his purpose, then we will find fulfillment because we’re aligned with HIS PLANS FOR US.
If you’re unsure what your gifts are, the Bible tells us to cry out to God.
Psalm 57:2
I cry out to God Most High,[a] to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
Ask him. He WILL reveal to you the gifts he’s given you.
I’ll even challenge you to get out a piece of paper and pen and begin to write down what you are good at. What you enjoy. What others see in you. Everything.
From being a good cook to helping your 3rd grader with his science project.
Every little thing about us was KNOWN to God before we were born.
So the word acceptance is truly accepting who He created us to be… all the weirdness, quirks, creativeness, our unique personality, our humor, the way we love.
It’s all on purpose.
These is peace and joy to be found when we accept that.
Jesus declared, for all the world to hear, that He is one with the Father. When we live by that truth, He will give us wings to fly. (John 10:22-42)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so glad you have joined us.
It is April, 2023, as I record this, and I want to take a moment to congratulate the authors of our newly released book, Joy Unspeakable. In case you missed all the hoopla, Joy Unspeakable was released last week, and within the first day, it went to number one best seller in 10 categories on Amazon. We are praising God for this success – but more important than numbers and charts is what God is doing through this book. The authors who shared their stories in Joy Unspeakable are ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God! Our purpose in sharing these stories is to shine the spotlight on God and remind all our readers of how great He is. Life can be tough, and yet God is tougher! That’s a fact He wants us to remember and constantly remind each other of. And just as Jesus taught using stories, today we still learn so much from stories. I hope you will pick up this book, or one of our other books, and be blessed and fed as you read. You can purchase the books by going to our website womenworldleaders.com, which will direct you to our publishing site worldpublishingandproductions.com. And while you are at womenworldleaders.com, make sure you fill out the contact form so you don’t miss out on any of the exciting offerings from the ministry!
On this, the Wednesday episode of the podcast, we take a few minutes to dive into scripture together. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically as we study Jesus’ life and learn what He wants us to know today. Today’s scripture comes from John, chapter 10, verses 22-42, and we will be reading from the New Living Translation.
Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we thank you for the honor of being able to open your Word and meet with you in the Spirit at the same time! Father, you are so gracious to continually teach and lead us as we walk through this life. We do give this time to you and ask that you cleanse us of all unrighteousness so that we might be clean vessels with the ability to hear your voice clearly. I ask you to teach us what you want us to know today. We love and honor you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We have been studying Jesus’ teachings to the crowds as He walks closer to the His death. Jesus is trusting God’s timing and path for Him, even though the crowds are getting riled up all around Him. Many are coming to Him in belief, but many are also turning against Him in anger.
This alone should be a lesson to us. It is easy for us to want to make people happy – but our true calling is to live by truth. It can be so difficult to discern the right path when we long for life to be easy both for us and for the ones we love. But Jesus teaches us by His actions that we are to ALWAYS hold to God, ask Him for His wisdom and guidance, and then trust the outcome beyond a shadow of a doubt, even when it seems things are getting stirred up around us.
John sets the scene for us beginning in chapter 10, verse 22…
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. 23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade.
Hanukkah was a celebration of the restorarion of the temple after it had been desecrated. This is important because, as we will see, Jesus is about to publicly declare Himself as the Son of God, leading to a restoration of humanity through salvation. God’s timing is always perfect. The more I study the Bible, the more I see God’s perfect plan and provision throughout all of history.
But even as the people celebrated the past restoration of the temple, many in the crowd were completely unaware that God was currently working in their midst orchestrating a greater restoration. Verse 24 continues…
24 The people surrounded (Jesus) and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
The people were looking for a strong warrior to lead them into freedom from government and oppression. In essence, they were looking for a Messiah who could do far less than Jesus, our true Messiah, was there to do. Jesus had taught this over and over, but they just weren’t getting it. God’s kingdom was beyond their wishes and dreams. Verse 25…
25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. 26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
A couple of weeks ago we discussed Jesus’ declaration of Himself as the Good Shepherd. We uncovered that many were, and are, out to deceive and misguide us from following God.
I know I have said this before, but it is of utmost importance that we EACH know that God is God and He will ALWAYS guide us into truth through His Word and His Holy Spirit. Let me say it plainly – if ANYONE contradicts the Word of God, he or she is not speaking truth – whether he is ordained, a church or ministry leader, or even your own parent. God has given us each the opportunity to know HIM personally. His Word is living and active and relevant to your life. God will never lie or go back on His Word. Yes, biblical counsel is a wonderful thing and we can certainly learn from each other, but God always has the final answer through His Word and His Spirit. God gives each of us the choice to connect with God and then to decide to follow Him or follow someone else. A shepherd CAN be deceptive, but God is our authentic shepherd.
I say this not to make you paranoid, but to underscore that YOU are held accountable for your own actions. And God Himself will guide you and give you the strength to do what He calls you to do.
Jesus says…I am the shepherd…my sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
But…despite our foibles and misteps, Jesus then teaches of His abounding and amazing grace…saying…that once we say yes and become Jesus’ sheep…
No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.[a] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
What freeing and amazing words these are! When we give our lives to Jesus Christ and commit to living for Him, NO ONE can snatch us out of His hands! This should give us unadulterated freedom to do what God has called us to.
In college, I took a lot of phsychology classes, and I remember so vividly studying and learning about abused children. The findings went something like this…people who are abused as children are less likely to move out of their childhood home at an appropriate age. It is more likely that the child who has been treated well to move out and face the world on her own. At first glance, this seems backwards. Shouldn’t the one who is abused be clamoring to get away while the one who is covered and protected want to remain? But we are not logical beings.
When we learn through mistreatement that “the world is bad,” we become shackled to fear. Our wings are clipped.
But when we are showered with love and protection, we become empowered to become all we are called to be and to take on the world.
The devil wants to hold you in, to clip your wings and keep you from flying. He uses fear to control you.
Jesus, on the other hand, offers freedom. When you become His child, He empowers you to fly where you are called, and He promises that no one will ever snatch you from Him. And as far as you fly, as God’s child you know He will NEVER leave you alone. He will always be there beside you with His love and protection.
Then Jesus lays down the FULL truth of who He is, saying…30 The Father and I are one.”
The Jewish people recited the schma regularly…which states “Hear, O Isreal: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
They CLEARLY understood Jesus statement, “The Father and I are one,” to mean that Jesus is one in being with God the Father.
Jesus spoke truth, even though this statement put His own human life in peril…verse 31…
31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.
And Jesus continued speaking truth…fully understanding that His life was on the line, yet also understanding that there were some listening who needed to hear more…
32 …“At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”
33 They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures[b] that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’[c] 35 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ 36 why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. 37 Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. 38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”
Jesus is the real deal. If you still don’t believe Him and the words in the Bible, I want to encourage you to ask Him yourself. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you, and then watch expectantly.
The people asked Jesus to PLAINLY state who He was. And He did. And then He also pointed to His works, which lined up perfectly with the works that Scripture clearly stated the Messiah would do.
The people asked. Jesus answered. But many didn’t pause to objectively consider His reponse. Instead, they followed what they had already determined in their heart was the right answer. How many times do we do that. How many times do we go to God and ask Him a question, only to misconstrue His answer to what WE want it to be?
Jesus will NEVER force us to follow Him. But when we willingly follow Him, no matter how hard it may seem, I promise you He will give you wings to fly.
Verse 39 tells us that many were not willing to fly. Instead, they chose to be chained to untruth.
39 Once again they tried to arrest (Jesus), but he got away and left them. 40 He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile. 41 And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come true.” 42 And many who were there believed in Jesus.
When we listen to God, He will lead us to a place of safety. He will surround us with other believers who will love and support us.
Jesus’ life was more difficult than we can imagine, but God provided respite for Him. God gave Jesus a place to be re-filled, to remember and reflect on His goodness. God gave Jesus green pastures in which to lie down. And He will do the same for you and me. If we let Him.
Jesus declared Himself the Son of God – in unity with the Father. This fact is such a blessing to us. Through Jesus’ life and death, we are granted eternal salvation. The immediate future was scary for Jesus, but He considered the outcome worth it. That is something we should all remember. Although your road may look scary and bleak, you can trust that the God who loves you will give you wings to fly to an incredible outcome.
Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus…we can’t imagine all you went through for us…and yet we thank you for how strong you were. We thank you for holding close to God and walking in truth despite the effect of your own words and actions on your physical body. Jesus, you gave it all so that we could fly. We thank you, and we ask now that you infuse us with that same strength to choose the next right path – for you and for those you love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Lynn Strickland - wife, mom and grandmother - held on to God's promises as she was in the hospital for 92 days during the Covid lockdown crisis. From intensive care to walking, breathing and living completely free of assistance, Lynn praises God. She continues to share her powerful story and the promises she received from God which helped her live through this critical time.
God calls us to be the best version of ourselves. In order to do that, we need to have healthy guardrails in place to protect our hearts and minds. This is something that with the influences of society, can be challenging to do. It is vitally important that we surround ourselves with life-giving people who spur us on to be who God created us to be.
Hello, and welcome to Celebrating God's Grace. This is Lisa Hathaway with Women World Leaders. And I'm so excited today to talk to you about a topic that has been something that I have worked on personally in my life and continue to do. I'm in graduate school for clinical and mental health counseling, and I'm counseling clients now. And it's something that comes up often in sessions, but it's also such a powerful, powerful thing personally for me, that I've had to work through. And that is the subject of boundaries or you can call them guardrails. And so I like to talk about guardrails and how important those are in our lives. Webster's Dictionary classifies guardrails as a railing guarding, usually against danger, or a barrier placed along the edge of a highway at dangerous points. So you think about a guardrail. I'm very visual. So I'm thinking about driving down the highway and these guardrails are keeping you from going off the cliff or going into a median or whatever the case may be. But the guardrails are there, and us in our life as protection, just the same as we, we have boundaries, and you hear that word boundaries a lot these days, and but it's so important. And one thing that I've really learned as that is not selfish, to place boundaries on your life, it's not selfish to say no. And, you know, I have three kids, three teenagers, and one is my daughter is a senior in high school, get ready to go to college. And we talk a lot about placing boundaries on things that are not life giving to us, and things that drain us. It's not healthy. God doesn't want us to be drained. When we have things we have to do, of course, there's things that are stressful to us, or things that take a lot of energy. But as long as they're not draining to us, you know, God wants us to do things with excellence and to do things with joy, and with the gifts that He has given us. And He wants us to be a light to others. That's part of being part of the kingdom. And a couple of subjects that I want to talk about as far as guardrails go is emotional mental guardrails as long as as along with relational guardrails. So relational guardrails is, you know, what I talked about, it's okay to say no, if it's if the person is harmful, or toxic, or the relationship you're in, it's okay to say that you need to be out of that relationship. It doesn't mean that you can't love that person. Does that mean that you can't be kind to that person, but it doesn't mean they have to be your best friend. And so I've experienced that in my life of I've had to literally walk away, which is so hard for me walk away from people that are not life giving to me, and that are toxic, or there's been betrayal or whatever the case may be, it's super important that we surround ourselves with people that spur us on spiritually and emotionally. And also, we are to seek wise counsel and to be involved with people that allow us in and challenge us for our walk with the Lord. And that's a big thing. You know, we want to be able to have hard conversations with people our friends are, of course we do we don't want to dwell in, in conflict or if there's unforgiveness, but when you have hard conversations, it's important that you're able to walk away from that knowing that you did it in love and you did it the way God wanted you to do it. emotional, mental guardrails. These are, what we think what we feel what we read what we watch. This is very impactful in our lives, especially with social media and all the things that we consume our lives with on a daily basis. This is impactful so much on our soul, you know, you can have the comparison trap or you hear all these things on social media, you're comparing yourself to someone else or you they they have things that you don't have that you wish you have and then you're then it just this a spiral. I don't know if some of y'all have dealt with that before, but I try to alleviate those on social media and just follow people that really ponder made me ponder on things and, and allow me to look introspectively in my wife of how I can be better. And so I think it's super important as far as emotional intelligence has such an impact on our lives if we don't put up appropriate boundaries or guardrails to what we need to be doing. Also, we can have some spiritual guardrails, and this is something that you know, it's so time consuming or we think it is You know, I'm at fault myself that I'm get so busy, but I'm having to purposely carve out time in my life, to make sure that I fill myself with the word, the worship. All that because so much in your day does not go as according as to plan or as according as it should if you aren't laying the foundation of Jesus, and those are just those are just powerful, but we can use that as an excuse, like, oh, God's always going to be there. But we are to study and pray and worship, and fast if you feel like you're called to fast and have the spiritual disciplines in our life, because it's knowing that God is a God of forgiveness and new beginnings. And so he wants us to be in close communion with Him. So we set up a healthy boundary and guardrail to put him first as a priority. And all we do. Psalm I'm, excuse me, Proverbs 420, through 23, I love this verse, it says, My child, pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to my words, don't lose sight of them, let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them in healing to their whole body, guard your heart above all else, for determines the course of your life. And this is found the New Living Translation, of course, there's different translations, but this one is powerful. It says, Let them penetrate. Let His words penetrate deep into your heart that is like going to the depths, the depths of your heart, that they bring life to those who find them that our words are to bring life to others, that we are to speak and to have people in our life that bring life to us. And so I just want to challenge you as you ponder on boundaries, guardrails, and there's so much research on boundaries, there's so much there's so many articles and all the things that you can look up on boundaries and guardrails. But I think that one thing I have learned is that God has called me to protect my heart. And that's not selfish. And in order to do that, I am able to pour out in such a greater way to others, and to love on others because my soul and my heart is healthy. And I have been years ago, 567 years ago, I've been very depleted and my boundaries were super weak, and it affected everything around me. So I can sit here today and talk about how healthy boundaries are so incredibly important, and it brings wholeness and healing to our lives when we practice them. And so I just want to encourage you to look at your life and look at the areas where you can possibly focus on putting up more boundaries relational guardrails, emotional and mental guardrails and even spiritual guardrails because God wants us to be the best version of ourselves. He created us with such beautiful gifts and wants us to be able to love on others and be Kingdom-minded. And in doing that, we have to be healthy, healthy in our own soul. So thank you so much.
Jesus taught the Parable of the Soils for you! God wants YOUR life to blossom in HIS nutrient-rich soil. Walk through this scripture as Julie Jenkins unpacks Jesus' teaching. (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-25, and Luke 8:4-18)
Welcome to Walking in the Word the biblical teaching arm of the women world leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. And I'm so glad that you have joined us today as we continue our walk through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Today we are going to take a step back and look at one of my favorite parables - the parable of the soils. Parables can be difficult to understand because their meaning is veiled. And as we find out in our reading today, that was intentional. We will look at this further in a bit. But for now, I should highlight that like the rest of the Bible, the true intended meaning of the parables told by Jesus cannot be understood, without guidance from God Himself.
If you are trying to develop a habit of reading the Bible, but are having a difficult time understanding it, I would encourage you to seek God in prayer before you begin your study. After all, if you are reading a book written by a friend and had a question, wouldn't you call the author and ask what he meant as he wrote. I want to encourage you that you do know the author of the Bible, and you can approach Him at any time. With that said, let's begin in prayer.
Dear most holy God, thank you for always meeting us where we are, and for always providing us with the teaching you need us to hear.God I pray that you will be with my words today. Allow your teaching and illumination of your Word to pour through me. Father, we want to grow closer to you and we want to glorify Your name. And I pray in Jesus name that you will accomplish both through each person listening today.Thank you for sending us your Word and for being present with us to interpret your meaning. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.
Today's reading comes from Matthew 13, verses one through 23 and is also recoded in Mark 4 verses one through 25, and Luke eight, verses four through 18.
As we go through the study together today, you will notice that this parable is presented twice in the Bible, with an interlude explaining why.
As we open, we see Jesus speaking to a very large crowd. Let's begin in Mark, chapter four, verse one from the New Living Translation.
"Once again, Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore."
Can you picture the scene? The crowd was so large Jesus had to get into a boat. He was like a magnet, drawing people to Him, yet He made sure that those who came to hear Him, COULD hear Him. When someone makes the effort to come to Jesus, Jesus will make sure nothing stops them.
Today, locals set this scene at an inlet about a mile from Capernaum called the Cove of Parables. In this cove, the land slopes down like a natural amphitheater, providing natural acoustics so that the whole crowd would have been able to hear Jesus from the boat.
Meanwhile, the water between the boat and the shore provided a natural separation like a stage, allowing all to not only hear, but also to see Jesus.
I just have to pause here for us to take notice of the providence of God. You probably know that this podcast comes out on Wednesdays which means that Tuesdays are generally the day I buckle down at my computer in preparation. Well, this week, I'm a little behind. And as I sit here, the sun is going down on Tuesday. And yet, as I remember my day, I thank God for His provision.
We have an exciting week at Women World Leaders, so things have been busy. On Friday, we have a new book launch to celebrate! If you've been around Women World Leaders for any length of time, you understand that this is a big deal. We spend months working with women and men as they process and write about their God story. This is important for the authors, but it is also important for the reader, as we know that God has already planned who He wants to empower with the stories He has already been so present in.
So even as I sit here this evening with the sun going down, I am thanking God for His provision and glory for this soon-to-be-released book, and thanking Him that He has all things in His control - even the words He wants spoken in this podcast. When we walk in obedience to God, we can trust that He will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him. That means He will make sure the right reader reads our books, the right words are said on each podcast, and that NOTHING will EVER stop His followers from hearing His voice - even when there is so large of a crowd that Jesus has to get in a boat.
The natural amphitheatre and the boat on the water where Jesus found himself was God's perfect provision. Allowing all those who had come to both see and hear Jesus.
So Jesus began teaching the crowd from the boat. You've probably heard this parable before, but allow me to read it from the book of Mark.
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed and he scattered it across his field. Some of the seed fell on a footpath and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died.
Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so that they produced no grain.
Still, other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was 30, 60m and even 100 times as much as had been planted.
Then he said, anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
This was a parable that the people could easily relate to, yet it is likely that many didn't understand the true meaning.
The listeners could picture the farmer, walking along a field with a cross body satchel generously throwing out seed as it was a common occurrence. They could also understand that sometimes the fields there were less than desirable. The walking paths often went alongside the fields, so it was understandble that some seed would have fallen on a path to be trampled.
And the terrain of the area was rocky. So even in the fields, sometimes the soil was shallow - just a thin layer of topsoil covering the rock.
And of course weeds have been around as long as farming.
But I'm guessing that although the story was engaging, many must have questioned its meaning. Who was the farmer? What did the seed represent? And what did He mean by the phrase "anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand"?
I can imagine the crowd muttering and touching their ears as they walked away.
Well, even the disciples were likely perplexed as they later asked Jesus, as Matthew records, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?"
The disciples wanted to know why Jesus spoke in these riddles,
Jesus responds that he uses parables so that those who listen will be given an abundance of knowledge and will understand the mysteries that are being revealed. Through these stories, Jesus is offering divine revelation of God's kingdom, available to those who are seeking to hear from God through the words of Jesus.
Suddenly, we understand that a parable is so much more than a story. But, Jesus adds, the true meaining of the parabales is obscured to those who have walled off their hearts.
Then, proving His point, and because the disciples were earnestly seeking to understand, Jesus explained the actual parable to them. He explains that the seed that is sprinkled by the farmer represents the Word of God.
God assures that every individual has the opportunity to hear His message. But whether or not that seed grows, and how it grows, depends on the condition of the hearers heart.
The seed that fell on the footpath, Jesus explains represents those who hear the message about the kingdom but don't seek to understand it. Just like birds who stand and wait for food to fall, Satan stands in wait to devour the knowledge of Christ from us, even though we were created by God himself, to belong to Him, and to love Him.
Next, the seed that fell on the rocky soil germinated, but did not take root and was burned up by the sun. When we don't hold close to God, the world, which has been taken over by the devil and sin and is no longer the ideal environment to grow and thrive, can cause our faith to wilt and die. But when we do seek to follow God, we can be asured that He will see to it that we grow. God will provide the right amount of light, water and nutrients for us to grow exponentially.
Third, the seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear the word, but allow it to be crowded out by worries, and the lure of wealth.
The ultimate goal of a Christian is to grow fruit as we become more and more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But when we become distracted, though we may stay alive, we often don't produce the fruit that we were intended to.
And finally, the seed that fell on the good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's Word. They cling to Him, they cling to his guidance and his protection and, as a result, produce a harvest that is multiplied exponentially.
We need to make note that despite the journey of each seed - whether it's trampled underfoot, grows without deep roots only to be burned by the sun, grows steady but does not flourish due to the weeds around it, or if it flourishes in abundance. Each of those journeys take time.
Neither growing nor withering happen quickly. Each takes a lifetime. In fact, we cannot be fully who God intends each of us to be without the passage of time, and without our utter dependence on God Himself.
God is patient. And while we don't grow and flourish in to all we have been called to over night, neither do we fall away with immediacy. And our God continues to pursue us for our lifetime.
Well, one thing that theologians will warn about regarding parables is that they are meant to speak a truth. Parables are not to be dissected or extrapolated, and they are not perfect analogies. This is just one of the reasons why we need God's help for our clear understanding of His Word. So regarding this parable, I do want to make note that while a seed cannot change the location of the soil it is in, we do have the potential to ask God to change the soil of our hearts.
We will go through many seasons in our lifetime. And we should never assume that because we went through a season where the weeds got the best of us, that God cannot miraculously kill those weeds, allowing us to flourish in our God given purpose.
And if you feel like you once had a great start as a follower of Christ, but have been burned from the hot sun and the lack of nutrients in the soil of your heart, know that God is longing to take your withered self and give you new life.
Even if you have been snatched by the devil, please remember that God has the final word. And if you come to him in submission and repentance, giving your life to Christ, God and all the angels above will dance for joy.
If God is speaking to you right now, in the seed of his is His Word is falling on your heart just waiting to grow, but you've not accepted Christ. Please know this is your chance. God is doing a miraculous work in you. Right now. He is fertilizing the soil of your heart, just longing for you to take root in him? Will you Will you pray with me?
Dear Most Holy God, I give you my heart. I asked you to enrich it with your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. God I am sorry for those times I have turned away from you and I turn to you now. Jesus Christ, I thank you for holding your arms open to me and I willingly run into them. Accepting eternal life in your presence as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
If you've prayed that prayer with me, welcome to God's kingdom. Expect the soil to feel different! Expect to grow! Expect to see God's glory like you never have before. And also be on alert, expecting the devil to keep trying to snatch you - but at the same time, know God has you firmly in his grip. We don't grow in a vacuum, so I encourage you to reach out to your local church or reach out to us at Women World Leaders and commit to growing in the Lord. God bless you.
Finding rest in Christ alone is FREEDOM. After battling 2.5 years debilitated in bed with depression, anxiety and agora-phobia, Keli Hillier sees God show up in a profound way. Hear Keli's story of the 2 battles of a lifetime. The other was 115 days struggling to live in an ICU unit at the hospital with Covid. Dead for 7 minutes to returning to live for God, you will hear how He brings Keli to a place of "rest" in Him alone. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose and I'm your host Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so glad you joined us today ladies and today I'd like to welcome our guest Keli Hillier from Michigan welcome, Keli.
Keli Hillier Thank you, I'm thrilled to be here
Kimberly Hobbs We are thrilled to have you. Today we are going to be talking about rest. It's a word that might be foreign to many people. But rest is so important, but the proper rest resting in our Lord. So today, Keeley comes with an amazing story. And before we begin and before I tell you a little bit about Keeley, I just want to tell you that we are so happy to be here together and share in these stories that come from our Lord, to empower one another encourage one another in many different ways. And we believe that each and every one of us have a purpose. And so today, it's our hope by listening that God is going to touch your heart and maybe spark an idea to act upon truth and walk out your special purpose. God says that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many colored tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 410 and that is what Keeley has done. Let me share a little bit about her her life and who she is before we get into her story. She is a strong Christ follower since childhood. She's married and attended William Tyndale Bible College and loves her children and her grandbabies. Although Keeley was saved, she was far from joyful or victorious. Keeley has dealt with paralyzing fear, debilitated, debilitating depression, and excruciating panic attacks. I know that is a story for a lot of our listeners. A lot of people suffer from depression and these panic attacks seem to be on the rise. So completely defeated. She returned to bed where she remained for two and a half years. As a Gora phobia dictated her daily life, she watched her world slowly shrinking. In desperation, Keely cried to God who immediately responded and tenderly nursed her to emotional wholeness. Healy wrote a Bible study about her healing to help other broken women, and now she speaks publicly sharing her story. And in December of 2021, Keeley went to the hospital with COVID and there she remained for 115 days before returning home in a wheelchair. She was on a ventilator for 55 days. She was 50 days with a tracheotomy. And she actually died for seven minutes. Does this woman have a story? Yeah. Kelly's partner with her daughter, Amber, and together they speak in churches ministering to women's groups and sharing about her time in heaven. And she currently lives in Michigan with her husband and three dogs. So as I shared with you today, we are going to talk about rest. And Keeley, I would love if you would just start in and just share with our listeners a little bit about your story
Keli Hillier I would love to Well, as you shared, I accepted Christ as a child, my dad was a pastor. So I grew up in the church and I actually don't remember a time when Christ was not a part of my life. The issue was it. I didn't have any concept of God's grace or His luck. So I thought he was angry at me, and distant and judgmental. And I was always trying to earn his approval was all about personal accountability and responsibility. So I married when I was 22. We have three daughters and three years. And in the late 90s, we when I married my husband, he was a multimillionaire. And then in the late 90s, we lost everything including our home business, we were completely wiped out. And so my husband was like, You know what, I just want to get out of here. So we moved out to California, San Diego area. We didn't know a soul and we we move Don't we unpacked and we looked at each other, and it was like, Okay, now what? And we've been having marital problems. And then we lost the business. And I was so broken, I just shut down. And it was like someone went inside my head, and flipped the switch to OFF. And I just would withdrew. And it felt like, I had a belt wrapped around my soul that was squeezed like two sizes too small, and I couldn't breathe. And I would wake up in panic attacks, where I was so frozen in fear, I couldn't even lift my hand and wake up my husband, I was paralyzed with fear. And it got to the point where I was having a hard time going out by myself. Now, if I was with my husband, or kids or friends, I had a smile on my face. I talked about the love of Jesus, nobody knew anything was going on. There was such shame, because they felt like, Okay, you're a Christian, you should be better than this. And so I hit it. And during that time, my world like you shared was just shrinking. And I went to bed for two and a half years. And I finally cried out to God, and I came across this verse in the message. It's Matthew 1128, through 30. And it's are you tired, worn out, burned out, and religion? Come to me, get away with me, and you'll recover your life, I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me. Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace, I won't lay anything heavy, or ill fitting on you. keep company with me. And you'll learn to live freely and lightly. And when I read that, I thought, well, that's a God, I want to know, I don't, that's not my God. I want to know this God. So I started to focus on his love, and get to know Him not just as my Savior. But as my friend. And the Holy Spirit took me by the hand, like, like you shared, and he led me into my healing. And fast forward to 2021. Now I've, I've written my Bible study, and we've started speaking in churches, teaching about the healing, power and our authority in Christ, and what it really means to be a daughter of the king. So December 1, my daughter took me to the hospital for what we thought was going to be a two day state maybe. And on December 26, at four in the morning, they received a phone call from the hospital that I had actually died. And they used the paddles on me twice, CPR three times. And I was dead for it was almost seven minutes. And they brought me back. And they said when the next couple days are going to be, you know, crucial. She probably has brain damage. We just don't know the extent of her of her, you know, the damage done to her body. The day before on December 25, I had a temperature of 107.8. So they thought I would also have possibly organ failure also. So when I died, I wasn't heaven with Jesus, walking with them. Just talking, I don't remember what we were specifically talking about. But we when it we were walking on a dirt road, and when we rounded a corner, he looked at me and said, Okay, you have your choice. You can either stay or you can go back. It's totally up to you. And I had promised my girls, when the doctor first taught or spoke to me about putting me on event I thought you know what, I might not be coming home. This is not sounding good. So I sent out a text to my family, just saying, no matter what happens, always turn to Jesus never, never turned from him. He has this and my one daughter texted back and said promise you will not give up. I said I promise I will never quit fighting. So as soon as Jesus offered me the opportunity to return I knew. I knew that I had made the promise. I knew that when I came back I would not receive my physical healing completely was going to be a process I didn't think it would be quite as long. I was thinking like, you know, four to six weeks. Here we are over a year later, and I am out of the wheelchair. So that's good. I am walking, it's God, but the healing is coming. It's you know, it's never as fast as we want it to be as it. Never. So I came back and the doctor said that when I returned, so when Jesus said, okay, he said, Alright, we've got work to do. And I came back, the doctor said, it was like, my body did a reset. They said, We have no medical explanation to explain what happened. But when I woke up, I was paralyzed from the chest down. And I could only move my forearms, and my hands in my head. And I was on a ventilator, which I'm obviously still, for those that can't see I'm still on oxygen. But it's getting better. My lungs are improving. So I am starting to get off of that. But the 2022 When I came back, and like spent my time with Jesus, I was like, I'm ready to get back. I want to tell people, I want to, you know, let's go and my family was like, slow down, you can't even stand. And so finally, now we are the together with my daughter, I'm finally getting back to work.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, amen. That is definitely a victory story. And you know what it I like you said there was those times and the depression and the, you know, going back, you know, God spared you back then to bring you out of that darkness. And then fast forward. It's almost like you had to go through that a little bit more you No, but God was building you, building you for using you and God, who said, Let there be light in the darkness has made this light shine in our hearts. So we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ, Second Corinthians four, six, and you experience some of that. So can you tell us why you started your ministry in the first place? I think this kind of the Scripture just starts to fit with that fully. Yes.
Keli Hillier When I was in the Depression, like I said, I had such shame because I felt I should be better than this. And I hid it from most people. But there were some times where I would open up to a, with a couple of wonderful, loving Christian ladies. And what I always heard back whenever I did, was, you know what, honey, you just need to cast your cares. Or you need to, you need to renew your mind. And you know, there's 365 Do not fear is in the Bible, for every day of the year. Now, as a Christian who grew up in the church, I know all of that. But don't just tell me what to do. Tell me how to do it. When I am waking up in the middle of a panic attack, and so paralyzed with fear. How do I cast my cares? So God, I am a very visual person, and I love mental exercises, and different different things that I do to, to, to take the promises of Scripture, and to bring them alive in my everyday life. So he, he just taught the Holy Spirit taught me everything. And after I received my healing, I'm like, You know what? I think I want to teach this to other women. So we already so that's why I wrote my Bible study, and started the ministry. And it's very much in applicable teachings, not just the what, but the how. And when we already talked a little bit about the rest of God. So as an example, when I started reading about the rest of God, my kids were in elementary school. And we lived right across the street from the elementary school and when I walked back, I would after I dropped them off, I was fine. When I walked back, the panic attacks would set him because I was alone. So what I started to do is say, Okay, God, I'm gonna rest in you. So I picked a spot where it was my spot to meet with God. I had my Bible, my water, Kleenex and my journal. And I would say to myself as I was walking back, you know what God is waiting for me to meet with me. I'm going to go and rest in here. And I would set a timer so I didn't have to look at my clock. And I would turn on worse. At music, I would sit in my chair, put my head back and I would just rest. I didn't have an agenda. I didn't have anything I was doing. And a lot of times I actually fell asleep. And that's okay. Because I was so physically exhausted. But that is how I started to enter God's rest. Right? We know it's a lot more. But God is now where I continually live, both when I am physically in motion, and when I'm being completely still. But that is how I did it. And it worked for me. And I encourage everyone to, to really pursue that rest.
Kimberly Hobbs So beautiful Keli and that rest, I reflect on my own life as you are talking because I had moments in my life where I needed that rest with God. There is nothing like it, ladies, there is nothing like it when you rest in the presence of God. His Word says, oh, Lord, you have examined my heart. You know, everything about me. You know, when I sit down or stand up, you know my thoughts, even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel, and when I rest at home, you know everything I do you know what I'm going to say before I say it, Lord, you go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. That's Psalm 139, one to five. Oh my goodness, just like you were talking about Kili. What? perfect peace and rest. God has for us. We just have to look to Him for that rest. We have to stop what we're doing. realize it's not working for us and turn to him for that rest. So Kili. How did spending time with Jesus change you and help you do what you do now not to strive? You know, you found what kind of a God Jesus is, you know, he's kind and he loves communing with us. Can you share about that time?
Keli Hillier Absolutely. What what I found overwhelming was his kindness and his gentleness. He just enjoyed being with me. There was no striving, no feelings of needing to do more or be better. He was just there for me. And I immersed myself in his warmth. And if you would have asked me before COVID, I really thought that I dealt with legalism in my life. But it's so subtle in those roots goes so deep. And sometimes we don't even realize it's there. I always felt like I should be doing more. And doing it better to build the kingdom. And at the root of it was constant striving to earn God's love. But now I live in continual awareness of how much God delights in me. And I rest in that it is foundational for everything. I have found God's rest to be a place of renewal, of warmth, of healing, of innovation. If you are in a situation where you don't have a solution, God has your solution. He's not stumped. And he is so creative. There have been so many times in my life where he has offered a solution that I would have never thought of in a million years. But when we're so busy with things, sometimes we can't hear God. Okay, so he's in innovation, protection. And for me, what's really important is focus and recalibration. Because we have so many opportunities to do things we have, you know, every time we turn around, there's an opportunity for us to get involved in stuff. And you know what church? When I started this ministry, I was leading a small group Bible study, I was on the women's leadership team and I was on the connection team. As I started to do the ministry, you know, we can have all of the desire and all of the good intentions, but we only have 24 hours, right? And some things had to go and I was stretched so thin, that I wasn't doing anything in the things that God were caught was calling me to do. What they were getting pushed to the side. While I was doing other good It thinks, you know the enemy. He knows that I'm a daughter of the king. There's nothing he could do about that. But if he can keep me from my purpose, once, right, then he's going to affect the kingdom building. So you're right. So entering into God's rest, he will do a recalibration and tell you what to do and what not to do.
Kimberly Hobbs Absolutely, absolutely. And just like you had just those burdens of, you know, life is a struggle, right? We're always going through these ups and downs of life. It's like a roller coaster. You know, okay, the struggles here again, but God does. Jesus says, Bring your burdens to me for relief from the struggle, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. He says that Matthew 1128. I love how you look to Him for rest. So clearly, everybody listening right now wants to hear something very loudly today. And that, I think, is that word that you're talking about? And when they have the anxious thoughts rising inside of them, when they their spirit isn't at rest, and they're striving because you went through that in your life, Keeley, you went through the striving, that legalism that you grew up with in the church and all of that striving to do better to be more to you? No, and you just collapsed. And you found rest in God, what is that loud voice that you can share with the ladies that they may be hearing in their ear? To release and rest share a little bit to the woman's heart.
Keli Hillier I would say God delights in you. He loves you to the moon and beyond. And whatever you need today, you will find it in his rest. So go to him because he is waiting for you.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. He is he as he says in His Word. Again, I love using scripture that will confirm things that we just say, within our life and our thoughts. I lay down and slept yet I woke up in safety for the Lord was watching over me. We all have to know that that psalm three five that the Lord watches over our every move. He knows, when we lie down, he knows when we wake up, he knows when we're struggling and we need rest rest in Him. So I thank you so much Keeley just sharing all of this and another scripture, I'd love to share as he gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 4029. And when you were laying in that COVID bed in the hospital, he strengthened you, didn't he? I mean, there was no talk about that. Yeah, talk about that
Keli Hillier The presence of the Holy Spirit was so overwhelming, that even if I was displaying anxiety externally, I was not experiencing, it felt like I was in the present. I was in the arms of Jesus. And I truly rested in that. I would tell anyone if they've lost a loved ones, or have people or are experiencing themselves when you are in that situation. And in the process of dying. God shows up in a great way. Yes. His the presence and he shows up for everybody. It doesn't matter. I think he does some of his best work when and he reaches and he chases people. And I, I actually, if you've never heard the alarm on event, it's very distinctive. And mine was going off all the time. Then one of the girls got a videotape of it going off. And sometimes I will go back and listen to that sound. Because it takes me back to when there was nothing I could do other than to rest in Him. Wow. And how he showed up. So powerfully formed. Wow. And he shows up for everybody
Kimberly Hobbs For everybody, for everybody. More Scripture because I cannot share enough scripture with you all listening. The Lord Himself watches over you. He stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121 Five. Hold on to that scripture because if you are going through something a struggle where you're feeling you may not wake up tomorrow. All. Remember the Lord Himself watches over you. He stands beside you as your protective shade. Everybody, Psalm 120. Please mark that scripture down and hold it. Also the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, just like Keeley was just talking about being in the hospital and bringing her back to that point by a sound, you know, it brought her back to that time where she was so dependent on the Lord. And the scripture says, The Lord is always with me, I will not be shaken for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad and I rejoice in my body rests in safety. Psalm 16, eight to nine. Your body will rest in the safety when you release all your control to the Lord and let him carry this burden that you're going through whatever it is, if you're walking through depression, if you're walking through anxiety, if you're walking in darkness, worried that you're not going to live, you know what your life is in God's hands, leave it there and trust Him, and go on living with what he's giving you right now the day that he's given you right now. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. We need to be glad in every single day, what we're living in what we're walking through. God has a purpose and a plan and look at Kelly's life. I told her I said, Wow, clearly, God obviously brought you through all that depression two and a half years in bed. Then fast forward to COVID 115 days in the hospital. He saw you through it when you thought you were gonna die when you did die for seven minutes. And liquid he's done. So don't say it's over ladies. And don't throw in the towel. God's not done with you yet. And you just seek His face. And you just rejoice in the day he's given you today and be glad in it. And one step at a time with Jesus right Kili will one step at a time. One study that got you, man he met a man and I just thank you for sharing the story and the story of victory, victory over death in the grave and victory in Jesus. Yes, he's got a purpose and a plan. And I just pray over your Bible study that you wrote, I pray over all the lives that you are touching. Dear Keeley, I thank you for sharing from your heart on today's podcast. And ladies, I also just thank you for being here. And just for listening in and share these podcasts with people who need to hear them and listen to them and bring hope to their life because you're not going through this life alone. You have sisters around you that come together. Ladies, there's so many helpful tools that women were leaders, that we can help point you on the right track, we can help give you opportunity to our opportunity to serve God where you are, you may want to write your story and one of our upcoming books and you won't do it alone, we are going to walk with you through it with other ladies that need to share their stories. So just like Kaylee is sharing with us, and I believe she's sharing in one of our upcoming books. And I am just so grateful that she's said yes to the Lord this way, and is willing to share what she does for Jesus. We also have opportunities through our amazing magazine that God has provided voice of truth. It is filled ladies with encouragement, blessing Scripture, the gospel message of Jesus, you can read it every day, you can read it on our website at women world leaders.com. All the past editions of voice of truth, there is so much in there for you. And I know that God will speak to your heart through this incredible publication. And we also have ways that you can receive it in the mail because it's beautiful. It is coffee table quality and there is something for everybody in this magazine. So if you would like to receive a mailed copy, you can do so by becoming a monthly donor to the ministry. If you believe in what we do for any amount, we will gladly send you a voice of truth and it is like I said beautiful and when you're done we ask that you just pass it along to other sisters who may need to hear all of these amazing messages in this publication. But as we close, Keli thank you so much for being with us today. If anybody wants to reach out to you, how can they reach you?
Keli Hillier I have a website which is my first and last name Kel i h i l l i e r dot Calm I'm also on Facebook under that name and my phone number if you want to actually do it the old fashioned way and call is 586-267-7833
Kimberly Hobbs And that's the United States number yes so whatever your your country code is our I'm not even sure what ours is. But wow, thank you so much for being transparent to give out your phone number that's that's the type of people that God brings to this ministry, those who have a heart, they trust God, they know that their message is powerful and important that they could pour into others. So if you need to talk with Keeley she has made it free to you to reach out to her and that's beautiful. Thank you, Sister. We love you. We appreciate you and listeners we love and appreciate you and uh, so grateful again that you would join us on these podcasts which you can join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for women world leaders, podcasts, all different types. And ladies like we asked please share these podcasts with others they need to be uplifted and encouraged in the name of Jesus. So from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.
As we celebrate the life of Christ, we can be assured that the Kingdom of Heaven is real. Jesus made this Kingdom known, as He proclaimed, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Where in your life do you need the assurance of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
I pray you have an amazing weekend, celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today’s message is titled: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Jesus’ ministry began with the message “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) It wasn’t happenstance that most of His parables and teachings were on the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus wanted God’s sons and daughters to know their true home, and to be confident of God’s plan for their lives on earth. In Matthew 11:10-13 Jesus emphasizes the power of this kingdom.
10 “This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You. 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.” (Matthew 11:10-13 AMPC)
Jesus distinguishes that something shifted with John the Baptist’s appearance. It was since the days of John that the Kingdom of Heaven endured violent assault. Why is that? John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord, proclaiming the message, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” in Matthew 3:2.
To better understand this, I love to look at a scripture in the Old Testament.
“The Israelites shall pitch their tents by their companies, every man by his own camp and every man by his own [tribal] standard.” (Numbers 1:52 AMPC)
Israel had twelve tribes, whom Moses led through the wilderness. God gave him specific instructions that when the twelve tribes pitched up their tent, they were to place it by the tribal standard. A standard is a banner or flag. This can be compared to the Olympics where every athlete stands by their nation’s flag.
The root Hebrew word from which standard comes is dâgal pronounced daw-gal' and means “to flaunt, i.e. raise a flag, to be conspicuous, to set up with banners.” [i] I absolutely love the Paleo Hebrew script, which is the writing system found in the Canaanite language, otherwise known as the Old Hebrew. These letters of the Old Hebrew are symbols, that when put together create a word picture, and give such depths of appreciation to what is written in the Old Testament.
The three Hebrew letters that compose standard, are Dalet, Gimel, and Lamed. Dalet is the ancient symbol of a door and means to enter and pathway. Gimel is the ancient symbol of a camel and in the positive means to lift up. Finally, Lamed is the ancient symbol of a cattle goad, which looks like a shepherd’s staff with a prick in the curvature, and means tongue, control, and authority. Therefore, the word picture in the Old Hebrew for standard, is THE DOOR IS LIFTED UP INTO WHICH YOU ENTER AND BRINGS AUTHORITY.
Just wow! Listen to that word picture again. The Door is lifted up, into which you enter, and brings authority. Is this not a beautiful picture of Christ on the Cross! In John 12:32 Jesus said that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. Jesus also says in John 10:9 that He is the Door, and if anyone should enter, they would be saved and go in and out and find pasture.
John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Son of God, baptizing Him in the Jordan River to fulfill all righteousness, and saw the Holy Spirit come upon Christ like a dove. John’s whole life was set aside to look for Jesus and prepare others for His coming with the message of repentance. Repent means to turn from your ways, having a change in heart and mind.
John saw something others couldn’t see.
Because I’m a visual person, I learn best when I can see and picture something. As I read Numbers 1:52 about the tribes pitching a tent by their tribal standard, I couldn’t help but think of John as “the standard.” Jesus said about John that the greatest born among women is John, but even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John.
The Lord showed me that John was the STANDARD, as Jesus proclaimed the greatest born among women. John proclaimed in a conspicuous manner about Christ Jesus being the Son of God! He was merely a conspicuous flag sounding the message of Christ’s coming.
What blessed me even more is that I saw Jesus Christ as the Tent pitched by the standard, THE DOOR TO HEAVEN, where all could enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and find pasture. The pasture represents a place for the soul to rest. This is grace.
One of the things I love about Matthew 11:12, and the Kingdom of Heaven suffering violence, is the gift of grace we’ve been given to perceive heaven. You don’t need special glasses to recognize the Kingdom of Heaven. God has fearfully and wonderfully made you, that on a special receptor in your body, the G Protein-Coupled Receptor, He placed the ability within your body to see, hear, taste and smell. What’s even more phenomenal is that these senses inside of the body, from the neck down, regulate your organs. You apprehend this as “feelings,” where you feel God’s presence.
As we receive salvation in Christ Jesus, we have a special rest for our soul, which is known in Hebrews 4 as the Seventh Day Rest. God’s rest produces confidence and assurance in your soul to boldly run to the throne of grace to obtain mercy for your need. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. God’s grace giving us mercy, for us to know He is near.
The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and it is the violent that take it by force. This visual of the Greek word for violence will cause you to see this verse in a new light. The Greek word for violence is biázō pronounced bee-ad'-zo and means, “to force, TO CROWD ONESELF, to be seized, press, and suffer violence.” [ii] What I love about this particular Greek word is the root word from which it comes, which is bíos pronounced bee'-os meaning, “life, present state of existence, livelihood, good and living.” [iii] This is the Greek word from which we get the English word bio. When someone gives their bio, they’re saying all the things about themselves that prove THEY EXIST! They identify who their family is, and what accomplishments they’ve made in life.
Therefore, as we look at Matthew 11:12, where the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent seize it by force, what we see is that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CROWDS US! IT BRINGS US LIFE! Whose life? The Life of Christ, that He lived in His body! The very life we celebrate today that has given us grace, to walk in God’s peace, no matter the circumstance!
Close your eyes and imagine with me. You’re walking barefoot on a gravel trail leading you through an orchard of trees with all kinds of fruit. The aroma and freshness of the sweet ripeness of the fruit draws you into the middle of the orchard. You’re now still, feeling green grass under your feet, with a hint of dew. You inhale, taking in the moment. Suddenly, you feel a brush on your face, then on your arms and hands. You open your eyes and find every fruit tree in the orchard now surrounding you, crowding your space. This is what the Greek word for violence means, HEAVEN IS CROWDING YOU!
This is the thing. When we’re not in the rest of God, leaning entirely on Him, we get distracted to heaven’s presence. Luke 17:20-21 tells us that heaven is planted in our hearts. The Word of Truth, Who is Jesus, brings the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven as we live on this earth. And as great as John was, because of Grace, he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is GREATER THAN JOHN. This is the power given to you and I. We can enter through the Door into a Kingdom that Lifts us up into an authority we’ve never known, no matter what!
Bad days, crises, and catastrophic events don’t affect the Kingdom you and I are from. It exists and is real. This kingdom allows us to find peace in each moment of our day.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve gone through two major crises in my family. At times I thought I would lose it and was overwhelmed. But this is the beauty, I put my eyes on Christ Jesus and the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and I found peace and rest for my soul.
Amid these crises, I had my sixth month mammogram from a finding in September, which showed calcifications had returned inside of one of my breasts. I had an operation two and a half years ago for a breast lumpectomy, where a biopsy of calcifications at that time set my doctor on high alert and put me in the high percentile for breast cancer. Thank goodness they did the lumpectomy and after tests, found the cells were benign. Because of this I must go to a special clinic yearly, doing two visits a year, for a mammogram and ultrasound. However, when they find something, they then move you to two mammograms and ultrasounds a year.
I was dealing with the two crises at the time of this mammogram and thought, “God, please bring me a God report.” The prior week’s notification, reminding me of my appointment, immediately sent dread into my heart. My skin was super thin, so to speak, from the other crises. However, I took a deep breath and put my eyes on Christ and instead heard the Lord speak to my heart, “Robin, refuse to be afraid,” and OH MY I was lifted into grace. I had a boldness of faith, and I said to myself, “NO MATTER WHAT I REFUSE TO BE AFRAID!”
Then came the day of the mammogram. They took me into the room to get my robe on and do my first round of pics. The radiologist technician then returned me to my room and told me to stay in my robe, in case the doctor wanted more. I sat there waiting about 10 minutes, and she walked back in and said, “She wants me to get more pictures.” My knees got jittery. I was doing the special mammography in the room in which I had a biopsy years before. I responded as she prepped me, “is this bad news?” She looked at me and assured me it was common.
I went through the process telling myself to breathe. I sat back in the room, and she told me to keep my robe on, in case they wanted more pictures. I waited for what had to be another 20 minutes. Thoughts went through my mind that they might see something more with the calcifications, and I wanted to burst into tears.
Then suddenly, a thought entered my mind, “what if they cannot find anything.” Heaven crowded me. I was standing in the orchard feeling the fruit trees press up against me. I then said, “NO MATTER WHAT I WILL NOT BE AFRAID!” I was in green pastures. I found rest for my soul.
The nurse came in and told me to change, and that the doctor would meet with me. I got up to change, when she immediately came back and said, “don’t change yet, the doctor wants to do an ultrasound.” I took a few deep breaths. She brought me into the ultrasound room, where I waited for a while, wondering what she would say. Then after 20 or so minutes the doctor walked in and patted me on the arm and said, “When you come here it is always something.” I looked at her puzzled. She then said, “We cannot find the spots anymore, their gone. I don’t know what happened.”
OH, MY GOODNESS LADIES! I WANTED TO CRY FOR JOY! HEAVEN INVADED MY SPACE, I RECEIVED GRACE, BEING PAINTED IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD’S MERCY!
The release date of this podcast is falling on the Jewish calendar of the 16th of Nisan, which is the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Passover begins the evening of the 14th of Nisan on the Jewish Calendar, which was this past Wednesday. What an amazing time to consider the grace of our God, which has been given through Christ Jesus.
Where is it you need the power of the Kingdom of Heaven? Just breathe, stand still, and smell the fruits of a Kingdom that is near you, crowding you!
[i] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Hebrew Word # 1713 “banner”
[ii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 971 “violence”
[iii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 979 “life”
As we celebrate Holy Week, let’s remember together with joy the provision of our Good Shepherd, who voluntarily sacrificed His life on earth simply out of love for us. (John 10:11-21)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and I am so glad you have joined us today as we delve into scripture together.
As I record this, it is Holy Week – the week that Christians all over the world intentionally remember, commemorate, and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All that we are, our lives, and our futures are owed to God’s amazing grace and the events we celebrate this week. As I grow, definitely older and hopefully wiser, I become more in awe of Jesus’ death and resurrection and all that they mean for us. I pray that you intentionally take the opportunity this week to reflect on where you are in your walk with Jesus. I pray that you ask Him what He wants you to learn today. I say “today,” because, in this life, it is simply impossible for us to learn and know everything about God. But when we ask Him to show us what He wants us to learn today, we can trust that He will guide us – and give us the nuggets of wisdom that we need to live a productive and joyful life for Him.
Because you are listening to this podcast, it is clear that you are listening to God. You are willingly working to grow in Him and follow Him obediently. And I want to share a feeling I have deep in my heart that He wants you to know right now: your efforts are making your God smile. He knows your days are not always easy. He knows it isn’t always convenient for you to still your thoughts and focus on Him. He sees you. He loves you. And He is cheering you on.
So even as you reflect this week on Jesus, know that you are in the forefront of HIS mind at EVERY moment!
You don’t have to take my word for it…because He tells us this Himself in the Bible.
Today’s teaching comes from John, chapter 10, verses 11-21. As we study together, I know you will get a deeper understanding of what it means to be a sheep under the care of THE good Shepherd. Before we dive in, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, thank you doesn’t ever seem enough, but it especially doesn’t seem enough during this – the holiest of weeks. We offer you full reign over our spirits as we take time out to intentionally hear from you as we open your Word. Open our minds and hearts so that we may fully understand what you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week as we studied together, Jesus declared Himself the gate. This was in reference to the then widely understood care of sheep. The person who acted as a gate in the sheepfold was fully in charge of allowing only the sheep’s caretakers in and keeping the thieves and robbers out. We learned that Jesus, our gate, is our protector, always keeping watch over us. Jesus stands alert, ready to keep intruders from our lives. Our responsibility is to always turn to Him as our authoritative source. This teaching came on the heels of the Pharisees throwing the man Jesus had healed, the one who had been blind from birth, out of the temple for boldly speaking the truth about the man Jesus, who healed him, and declaring that Jesus must be from God because no one else could miraculously heal as He had.
In today’s teaching, we learn more about Jesus as He shares that not only is He the gate, but He is also THE Good Shepherd.
Let’s begin in John 10:11 from the New Living Translation:
11 “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their Shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
Jesus is the good Shepherd. The fact that He declares Himself THE Good Shepherd and not A Good Shepherd underscores that He is uniquely qualified and capable. There are no other shepherds like Him.
And as He declares himself the GOOD Shephered…let’s see what He means by using the word “good.”
Of course, Jesus IS morally good…we know He never sinned. But good means so much more than that – it means that Jesus is the beautiful Shepherd; He possesses all we can imagine that is right for the job of protecting and caring for the sheep - He is loving, attentive, smart, powerful, and gracious. He is THE GOOD Shepherd, unlike any we have ever known or will ever know.
Jesus contrasts Himself to a hired hand, who runs when he sees a wolf coming, abandoning the sheep as he looks out for himself. Can you relate?
As Christians, we are all shepherds of someone – we all have sheep to lead. We may have children, lead ministries, or have others who look up to us in our personal life, on social media, or in our workplaces. Think about who you have been called to shepherd.
Now…think about HOW you shepherd them. Are you willing to put YOUR life on the line for those you lead? I often hear people bail on their responsibilities, saying something like, “I don’t get paid enough to do that.” Or, “When push comes to shove, I need to look out for number one.”
I’m not here to cast judgment; if I were, I would be pointing the finger at myself. But when we think about it – who in their right mind gives up EVERYTHING for the good of someone else?
And, let’s be clear, that OUR Shepherd, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, not only sacrifices for those who are sweet and kind and productive, but He sacrifices everything for ALL of us…no matter our demeanor, our sin, or our nasty attitude. Jesus, your Good Shepherd, counts you worth His while to give up everything.
Yes…that makes Him unique.
And that should humble and awe us.
Jesus continues, saying not only will He ALWAYS be there to lead, guide, and protect us, but He always do this while FULLY RECOGNIZING who we are – faults and all…Verse 14…
14 “I am the good Shepherd; I know my own sheep,
Jesus KNOWS you! And, yet, Jesus LOVES you!
Intellectually, we understand the concept of unconditional love. But I don’t think there is a human alive who can fully comprehend the depths of unconditional love. I love my husband and my kids, but there are days…okay…I won’t go there. Suffice it to say, I am not spiritually mature enough to fully harness the power of love that God has gifted me. But I try every day. I confess every day. And I THANK God EVERY DAY that despite MY faults and intentional sin, He still hasn’t given up on me. And He never will. He IS MY Good Shepherd.
Jesus continues, and this next line gives me hope…
I know my own sheep, and they know me,
Jesus tells me that the longer I trust Him, hang around Him, and yield to Him…I will learn to know Him better! Praise God!
Have you ever met someone you just really want to be like? My daughter is a fashionista. She dresses to the nines on a strict budget – I want to be like her. And do you know what? When I hang around her, I up my game. Kimberly Hobbs is one of the most gracious and loving people I know. And because I work with her day in and day out, I have learned to be more gracious and loving. When we spend time with others, we become more like them.
And when we hang around with Jesus – THE GOOD Shepherd – we WILL come to know Him more and we will up our game – becoming more like Him.
And if you thought THAT takeaway was thrilling…just listen to this next one…Jesus says…
I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father.
Believer…Jesus knows you and promises that you will know Him JUST AS He knows God and God knows Him.
Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit – are three peas in a pod! They are BFF’s forever…and Jesus, seemingly nonchalantly, invites us to their party. Does that not blow you away??
AND…not only does Jesus invite you to His party…as the Good Shepherd…He will give HIS LIFE so that you can come!! …verse 15
So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
NOBODY made Jesus die. Yes, He was killed, but He could’ve jumped down from that cross at any moment. Jesus CHOSE to GIVE His life…as our Good Shepherd…so that we could be freed from the thieves and robbers – so that we can leave behind all the turmoil that sin causes us in our lives…so that we can strip off our dirty old clothes and put on robes of righteousness and enter into the greatest party ever – the one that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are hosting!
And even though YOU will be the honored guest…you will REJOICE that ALL of the SHEEP that the Good Shepherd has called and who have responded…will ALSO be honored guests.
Jesus says…
16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one Shepherd.
Our good Shepherd – Jesus Christ – is gathering His sheep. He was as Jesus spoke these words in real time and He continues to today. He began with His sheep of Israel – His chosen nation. But then He proclaimed that there is only one flock – and He is the ONE, true Shepherd. There are indeed other sheep. Sheep who look different than us but have the same Shepherd we do. And if Jesus loves those sheep enough to die for THEM, is it too much to ask that we love them enough to work with them in unity?
Let’s reflect together on Jesus’ next words…
17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
THAT is what we remember this Holy Week! Our Good Shepherd has offered us freedom by choosing to lay down His life. He alone has the authority and power to lay down His life and to take it back up again.
Jesus CHOSE to die for you and me. He CHOSE to endure the pain and suffering so that we could be relieved of the eternal pain and suffering we are owed. Jesus was not a martyr, He died a death of substitution, so we wouldn’t have to. We truly have a reason to celebrate and to fall on our knees in awe and thanks to our Good Shepherd.
As you walk through this week, will you remember Jesus’ sacrifice? Will you quiet your soul and block out the noise around you to listen to His voice? Will you strive to learn more about who He is? Will you strive to become more LIKE Him? Verse 19…
19 When he said these things, the people[a] were again divided in their opinions about him. 20 Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” 21 Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Let’s pray…
Most Holy God…most loving Jesus…you alone can open the eyes of the blind. Yet you alone can do so much more. Thank you for opening our eyes just a little wider today. Thank you for allowing us to see a little more of your heart. God, we know that if we saw the whole scope of who you are, we would be struck dumb…we simply couldn’t handle the glory! But despite the vast expanse between your glory and our dirty rags, you love us. Thank you for making a way for us where no other way was possible. Thank you for inviting us into your kingdom, to celebrate at YOUR party. Thank you for allowing us to know you so personally. We love you and we commit ourselves to growing more in your likeness every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Filled with shame and guilt from a past, Angela Ball from Hearts For Moms shares her story of God's forgiveness and how she found hope through "healing" in Jesus Christ. Angela is now the Founder/ CEO of Hearts For Moms, an organization formed to help single mothers to follow after God, get on their feet and walk in their God-given purpose. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so grateful that you joined us today. We have prayed for you. And we are excited for our guest today. Angela Ball from hearts for moms. Please help me welcome Angela. Angela. Welcome.
Angela Ball Thank you. Thank you, Kimberly, so excited to be here with you, um, with all of the ladies out there that support this amazing, amazing organization.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, thank you. And you're gonna hear about Angela's amazing ministry as well. It's so beautiful, called Hearts for moms. And today we are going to talk about healing, turning your pain into his purpose. And I love Angela's story, and it's going to touch your hearts. So before we start, I always love to share scripture and God gives me different scriptures to share. And today, the Scripture has come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise, Proverbs 123. Isn't it amazing how the God of the universe wants to talk to us and communicate with us and allow us to hear amazing things through His scriptures. He wants to make us wise and who doesn't want God's knowledge, right? There's the the wisdom of the world, but we want God's wisdom poured into our lives. And ladies, God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That Philippians 213. So please just hold on to that today as you listen to Angela share her story and what God has put on her heart and want to share a little bit about her today before we begin. And Angela, replacing fear, trauma and insecurity with love, grace and the mercy of God is what Angela ball has called has been called to do in her life work. She's a native of Columbia, South America, and emigrated on her own to the United States at age 15. While still in high school. That's amazing in itself, Angela. She lived with friends of her parents in North Palm Beach, Florida, where she eventually met her amazing husband of 27 years Ray and they now have a 19 year old son Ashton loves basketball. He's a major heat fan and has an entrepreneurial spirit. Angela's story of abortion turned her pain into purpose, inspiring her to support single moms as they showed bravery and courage that she did not have when she aborted her baby. Being new to the nonprofit world. Angela needed to be obedient to the call and founded hearts for moms in West Palm Beach, Florida. And she now serves there as executive director. She's passionate about sharing day to day challenges that single moms face. Angela attended Christ fellowship leadership college to grow her leadership skills, and hearts for moms mission is to provide resources and enrich the lives of single moms in need. Helping moms become whole, rebuild their future and restore their lives. So Angela encourages all of us to live out our faith and give single moms hope and show them love. That is important. The love of Jesus right? So Angela, your story right now is going to be about your abortion journey and how God turned your pain through all that into his purpose. And it's just that story of how God led you to do for him. What he's called you to do caring for single moms. So can you share with us your story and how you stepped out of shame and guilt from a past horrific experience?
Angela Ball Absolutely. Thank you, Kimberly. Well, you know, I just wish that at age 19 I knew then what I know now. Like I I like to say I was the perfect CEO Christmas Easter only I will attend the church. I will know of God. Better yet of Christ. But I really didn't have a deep relationship with him. So I didn't really know what I didn't know. And we came at a crossroads where my now husband, we had to make that decision and not until you know after living and caring that for so many years knowing that it was not the right decision. At the end of the day. You continue to care I read that and I knew that there was there was healing that needed to take place. But truly until I gave my life to Christ, Kimberly was when my whole life was turned upside down. priorities were a completely 360, I really was so thirsty for his word. And I got to know him in a deep, deep relational level that I had never had before. And that was the beginning of my healing. That's when all of this aha moments continued to overcome me, and how he continued to point me to His Word. And to know that I was so loved even during that decision. It was it was a choice, because obviously, back then I was, you know, pro choice, and just getting to know how we are wonderfully, beautifully made, and created on his image, and how that beautiful baby that was unborn. He's still with him. And then, you know, I needed there was a book, it was an amazing book that I highly recommend to many, which was heaviness for real. And when I read the book, when I saw the movie, that was such an incredible moment for me, because I knew at that time, that I needed to name our unborn child, and it is in our hearts. That is, his name is Jonathan. And it is so beautiful to know that one day, we'll be reunited with them. So he is very much present, and we're thankful to God, but he was able to forgive me, forgive us, because really was a decision that it was between my husband and I, that we have been forgiven, that we have been healed, and that he truly took that mess and turn it into such a powerful message. Yes, because again, what he uses every single part of us so that we can go ahead and do what we need to do. So we can build His kingdom, we can give Him glory, we can continue to tell our story. So that again, other woman, like myself, will be able to just come to a place of, of healing of just not continue to carry that regret, that shame, that guilt that I carried for so many years. So, you know, it's amazing how the Word of God is so transformational. I meet with people. Listen, I used to be off the world Kimberley, and some people may not understand that. But that's really when you don't have that closeness with our Lord and Savior. And when you know that all sudden, you're being like, completely transformed. And I can relate to to everyone, because I used to be there. I used to be in that place. And so when even people asked me nowadays that why was I led to create a nonprofit that is very much Christ center, is because we know the power of his transformation in our lives. And I couldn't have it any other way. So we're glad that again, he was able to use me and that we're able to surrender and just walk in His perfect will. So yeah,
Kimberly Hobbs That is so beautiful, Angela, and, and wow, you know, I just the it gave me goosebumps when you said how you actually named Jonathan. And I heard that just recently, one time before that somebody had named their aborted child. And it brought that closure because they were able to pray, you know that all all of it, you know, and know that that child is in heaven right now, you know, no matter what, but just pray and refer to that baby human life with a name. Oh, my goodness, that's so powerful.
Angela Ball Absolutely. And I had a couple of miscarriages to following after Ashton spurs, Kimberly. So we believe that David and Ashley is also waiting for us. So we have various bombs. So we only have so Ashton is the only child that the Lord has blessed us with. But obviously we have several children. Amen. Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. And what a homecoming that's going to be right when we get to heaven and get to meet them and know that they just in in but also what God is doing right now here on Earth in your life, because of what the pain you went through with that and they're going to rejoice in that as well. That there was purpose In this pain, and I'm certain they're going to just be so overjoyed when you get to heaven and know all the all the lives that were impacted because of that turn and that, that repentance to the Lord and Him carrying the rest. It's just so beautiful read. Oh my goodness, so. So in what capacity now? Are you involved in ministry? Because we know that God has brought healing to your life through accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior reading the scriptures, transformation of your life. I mean, all of it. So can you talk about that for a little bit about her mom's and just that the way you're involved in ministry now?
Angela Ball Well, and so as my healing began, I wanted to serve more, I wanted to do something at some capacity, Kimberly, but I never realized that it was going to be to this capacity, because again, I would have been like the Jonah just running away from the Lord. Because if he were to show me the whole plan, and also realizing that so many of the moms young moms, have been so brave in choosing life, despite all of their challenges and circumstances not having financial support, not having their partner beside them not having all of the family right next to them education. And I realized that they they are just so much braver than I ever was at age 19. So for that reason, the Lord was really pulling on my heartstrings to be able to become more of the voice and the support. And that's how everything got started as I started serving with other nonprofit organizations. I've been doing this for over 12 years. Wow, I just had to surrender. I just wanted to do something. And this little something as unequipped as I felt on even starting a nonprofit organization, Kimberly, that's where the Lord gets all of the glory, because I didn't know that I was going to be able to do something, as as much as what we are doing right now. And it's, you know, the chapter has not closed on that. There's many, many chapters to come. But we're so glad that we're able to serve the single moms in our community in so many capacities. So yeah, that's we wanted to be a part of that, that voice because they need our support. And we're glad that this is part of the of the calling that
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, look what God has done with your Yes, with your surrendered obedient heart, being led to what he was calling you to do, and just, I am blown away and then how long you've been doing it already is so exciting. So but you, oh Lord are a shield around me. You are my glory, the one who holds my head high. victory comes from you, oh, Lord, that Psalm 313 and eight and you know what, it's just you read through Jesus the shame, the guilt that was binding you to be free and Christ to hold your head high. Like he just said in that Scripture. And victory comes from you. Oh, Lord, like look at the victory through all of this. As you're listening, you know, something so beautiful was birthed through pain. And that healing that Angela had to deal with with the Lord and release into his into him. And in she did. So now. You can share what the impact is on the world because we know hearts for moms, is having tremendous impact on these women's and women's lives. Can you share like some of the stories that hearts for moms has made?
Angela Ball Absolutely. So Little did I know again, I've been married for over 27 years, Kimberly, and never been a single parents. Little did I know the challenges that single moms face on a daily basis. And the more I want it to serve, and the more I realized that there was such a need of support. And as we started serving, we also realized that we could not be an organization that was going to only attend to the need of one thing, whether it was just childcare that we're going to be able to help the moms with, or housing, one doesn't go without the other is a domino effect. If a mom doesn't have childcare available, she's not going to be able to go to work. She's not going to be able to go to school. If she doesn't have housing, everything falls apart. If she doesn't have education, she's not going to be able to grow and really become self sustainable. If she doesn't have transportation. She's not going to be able to do anything. She's going to be captive. have been home, or possibly use the public system that is not really available in our area. Our area is very different from that of New York, or possibly even Washington, DC. Public transportation lacks in our community. So we knew that we had to attend to all this needs. And as we're doing that, we see how the moms truly are being transformed. Because again, we have created a community for them, which is so important. That is, that was one of the number one needs that they wanted was somebody to be able to lean someone that they will be able to get guidance from, be able to learn and be empowered by other moms. So as we were doing it, we noticed one particular story that I share often is our young lady lovely. When she came to us, she was holding two full time jobs, she was scared to death to even think about the possibility of going back to school. And our winning sauce that it's been for for the ministry is that we were able to tell her that we were able to subsidize the cost of housing, then we were able to stabilize her right. But she was able to take some of those working hours and putting into her education side. Well, to this day, lovely have been able to graduate with her as she continues to move forward with her bachelor's degree, working towards her registered nurse degree, which you will graduate in about a year. This is a young lady that was scared to death, she had to borrow our faith in order for her to be able to really see beyond her circumstances. And she just had to take one class. And suddenly she started taking five classes, or four classes, she made it into the President's list, she is doing amazing, she continues to work because she has to that's the reality. But she doesn't have to kill herself doing it now she's able to really focus on doing something else is going to really break the cycle of poverty, and be able to really become independent and self sustainable, and provide the kind of life the abundant life that God has for her and her son. So that's one of the stories that we're able to share as well as another one from this young lady actually is a workforce mom, I leave because we serve moms also that are between 30 and 40. And Eileen was able to eliminate over $9,000 in debt. And that's simply because we're very intentional on financial literacy, we're able to pair them with their financial coaches, the moms have to be fully transparent by giving financial statements and budgeting. So that again, we're gonna create plans, so that they can meet those goals. And so if it's credit card debt, that they have to eliminate, increasing their credit score, whatever it is that they're going to be able to do. But this mom in particular, for eight years, she had tried to eliminate that debt, and she was not able to do it on her own. And I love what Dr. Maxwell says he says that the journey to success can then be traveled alone. And so that's is that is our focus, making sure that the moms are not walking this journey along and alone. And as we see when we bring the right support system, when they gain the knowledge when they have the discipline where they continue to grow and develop. These are the kind of things that happen as well as see them growing in Christ, because we are very Christ center. And the moms don't have to be Christians to be part of the program. But they do know that Christ is our CEO. He is in every single part of our conversation. So what we see come just happening with them. They're encouraging each other they're sending Bible verses prayers devotionals it's a beautiful community that has been built amongst them so
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. This is a system that works because God is in it. He is at the helm leading the way and you have given him permission to be CEO. It's so beautiful. The calling on your life has been surrendered to God and look what he's doing through this like life changing impacts that isn't being made on the world or I'm just so grateful. So yes, ladies, the goodness of God brings healing on your life and others lives what that are touched with you just you need to embrace that healing that God has just for you. Because your story may be different than Angela's but it's okay because all of us have different stories but It are God wants to heal you wherever you are and bring you to, to do what he's called you and created you to do, which is his his goodness to be seen in and through your life. Let all that I am praise the Lord may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. he redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's at Psalms 1032 to five. Oh my goodness, the word of God just fuels our hearts, doesn't it? Angela? Like I know, it feels you I know it feels to me. I pray ladies listening that this feels you because He is our God of healing. He restores, he takes our pain and turns it into his beautiful purpose. And I'm just thrilled that I can share with a sister who's also in ministry, who also knows what it takes, you know, to just surrender your life to God and live for him. And things happen. Good things, you are going to be renewed on eagle's wings. Ladies, let me tell you. So Angela, can you speak to the woman who needs right now release from her own pain, so that she can move beyond her own guilt and shame that may be holding her down into that beautiful purpose just like he's done for you, just like he's done for me talk about that talk right into her heart. The one thing that I will encourage for a woman in my situation, is to be able to just surround yourself with amazing sisters in Christ, that you're able to start sharing that part of your story. When I started sharing Kimberly, that's when my be my healing began. And it's amazing how many other woman have gone through this similar circumstances. But we gotta be released from that. And, and coming to the Lord and asking for forgiveness. He, like he is that kind of God. He wants you to continue to walk in freedom. And then when we start doing that, little by little, the Lord started releasing me more and more about sharing my story. Because it's not something easy to just simply verbalize. You can just never know how other people are going to react. But my story is my story. And nobody can take away from it. But if somebody can gain from it, and be able to be brought to that place where the Lord wants them to be, then that's a win win. If it just touches one person, then I just know what it did to my life. And how that one single moment that I was literally on my knees.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes. Yes.
Angela Ball Just crying out to Him to be forgiven. Yes. That was the beginning of what I would have never thought that he will do something greater that I could even ask or imagine this if I was a stay at home mom, I had life all figured out. I had no need to necessarily go out and start working. But I just love when we truly come to the place of just being totally all in for God. Amen. And when he just turned it all around, and he brought me to now where I am today. The joy from that one moment of surrender and allowing myself to forgive myself. Yes, that's where everything changed for me. And I am so thankful because the blessings that have come from being able to serve our Lord, to be able to be amongst this beautiful woman and families and volunteers and supporters. It is a family like no other. I tell everybody the one of the biggest blessings that I personally have been given is being able to do ministry with so many people, my sisters and my brothers and race are just priceless. And to be able to just really lean on each other. So number one is really just just entering to prayer, start sharing your story. And then truly allow the Lord to heal you. Because you just never know where he's going to lead you in is awesome. Yeah, just awesome.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen sister Amen and just hearing your heart overjoyed as she you pour into the others, Angela and I just in your tears, I mean, your tears, say it all the genuine heart that you have of what God has done in your life is is is just, we see it, we feel it, you know, I pray the listener is grasping the beauty. It reminds me of the song, something beautiful, something good. All my confusion, he understood. And just as you were explaining that, you you had to just give it to him, lay it at the foot of the cross. And He understood it all. And he forgave you. And now the freedom that you are experiencing in Jesus and impact on lives that this calling has done has is just, there's no price tag on it. You know, you do it for him, and his glory. And I just, I'm proud to serve with you. As a sister in ministry, I am thankful to now be able to call you friend Angela, we have had some times together that I won't ever forget. This woman is just beautiful. There's another scripture and all of you who listen, no, I love to share scripture, you can never get enough but He lifted me out of the pit of despair. out of the mud in the mire, he set my feet on solid ground and steadily studied me as I walked along that Psalm 40 Verse two, and Angela knew that she couldn't do this on her own. And God steadied her feet as she surrendered her life to him and he did it. He did it. Ladies, he will do that through you. Just surrender your heart to him. Give him your all. Tell him you can't do this on your own. Ask for forgiveness for whatever it is that's binding you up and holding you prisoner to serving Him because He wants all of you. And he's going to help you all the way through ladies and what what is being held back from that beautiful testimony that you are and like Angela said, share your story, right share it. The world needs to hear this god story that is in you. And we do give you that ability at women, world leaders just to share your God's story with the world we have so many opportunities. We're all in the same boat, we are sinners, but we're saved by God's grace, there is no shame and guilt once you're saved, it's like jump in with your story and share it because others just like you may be identifying with Angela and, and the pain she went through. We all have different stories and it might help somebody else to identify with your story. And there can be impact on the world. So ladies pray about that. And we just encourage you one of the ways you can get involved is through our magazine voice of truth. And we love this magazine because it is going out to the world to bless women wherever they are. You can read it digitally for free on women world leaders.com Every edition passed is available through our website. And then also every edition that comes out you can have the opportunity to actually hold it in your hands if you want a copy of voice of truth. And the way that you get that is just become a monthly contributor to women world leaders of any amount. All we don't say but we'll send you our voice of truth every edition that it comes out. And it's amazing ladies jam packed with ability to Scripture to change your life and impact your life stories that you can relate to just one of the things we do at women world leaders and we want to hear from you. So please just reach us You can reach me personally Kimberly at women world leaders.com And I also love to give opportunity to our guests for how they can be reached if if Angela and her sharing has impacted you or you know of a way that somehow you can help this ministry hearts for moms. It's huge. God is doing big things within this ministry Angela, how can they reach you?
Angela Ball Thank you so they can go to our website at hearts for moms.org. We also have Social media through Facebook and Instagram, at heart hearts for moms, and LinkedIn as well. So those are some of the ways that they can reach us. We also, I would like to add a little something, Kimberly, because I've seen the beautiful product that you always give on a quarterly basis with your magazines. And the stories are so empowering. And I want to truly, truly be able to say that without your stories without that magazine, we, the testimonies is really what continues to build us up, right is what's continued to speak to us. So I encourage your listeners to see the value of this. And I'm going to say that it's a $20 a month value, that means that it needs to be, I will sign up today, I will become one of your monthly contributors. And I encourage others to do the same. Because again, this is too valuable to miss. So the quality of your work is amazing. Your heart is incredible. And I just want to be able to pass it along and share it as much as we can. Because again, we all need to link arms together. You know, ministry is hard nonprofits to be able to raise funds, it's hard, but in order for any nonprofit to become self sustainable, is through the monthly giving. So let's make a great impact on to woman world leaders by becoming monthly givers.
Kimberly Hobbs Angela, like, like I'm teary eyed because Thank you. Thank you. Wow, while again, God is moving. He's moving mightily in the hearts of ministries. And we just need to open our eyes to what's around us and what tools and what ability God gives us through some of these ministries. And ladies, I don't know if God stirring in your heart even for ministry might be a big thing to grasp right now. But even partnering with Ministries is huge. And God will bless that He'll bless your giving. He'll bless you're getting involved, whatever way you can serve, serve him serve him wholeheartedly. And it's been a pleasure, Angela, thank you from my heart for just who you are in Jesus and again for your willing heart to come on and just share your story with our ladies and in our listeners. God bless you and it is honor. Thank you as we close it out. I always say from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders and hearts for moms. And all copy all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Please have a beautiful and blessed day and Jesus God bless you
Is it possible to live in the Promised Land here and now? Or do we have to wait until eternity in heaven? Rusanne Carole suggests we can have it here, yet it takes yielding to the One who is the lover of our soul, and in return, our soul finds a place to live... and rest! Your own individualized "Promised Land" God designed just for you is waiting.
Welcome to Women World Leaders “Celebrating God’s Grace” Weekly Podcast. I’m Rusanne Carole, your host for today’s message. We are so glad you have joined us or recently found us. We offer a trio of podcasts each week. Be sure to check out on Mondays where our founder Kimberly Hobbs spends an hour chatting with a fellow sister in Christ and we hear their story of challenges & triumph. We can all be so encouraged from hearing the testimonies of women who are following Christ. And on Wednesdays, our Teaching & Curriculum Leader, Julie Jenkins, brings us an in-depth study of the Word and how we can apply it to our lives. And join us each Friday where our team of podcasters bring a message of God’s amazing grace!
Visit womenworldleaders.com for information on our mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and empower one another to follow Him – love in abundance and cultivate women warriors in their purpose by His promise and power!
Which brings me to what God has placed on my heart to share with you. We read of the Promised Land in the Bible. The Israelites had been in exile and enslaved for generations, Exodus 12 tells us over 400 years! Moses had been called to take them out of that land of Eygpt to the Promised Land that God had promised & prepared for them. An 11-day journey that took them over 40 years to travel and enter – and many did not get to take that step into the Promised land, including Moses himself.
But it got me thinking – where and what is our Promised Land? Of course, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour we are saved. Our eternal home becomes heaven, with God for ever and ever. The Bible speaks of us becoming citizens of heaven, temporarily here to walk out this life on earth with Him, trusting Him and learning and experiencing all He has for us – an opportunity every day to yield to His purposes for our lives which when obedient makes us more and more like His son, Jesus, that He so freely gave us, who died so we could live!
Yet does anyone ever wonder, “Is this really a promised land I’m living in?”
“I thought life was supposed to get better, easier, more fulfilled when I became a Christian?”
“What is this ‘abundant life” the Bible described in John 10:10? Because, honestly I often don’t see a lot of abundance, I see a lot of other stuff. Could I, could we be looking at it from the wrong perspective?
John 15:8 says, This is to my Father’s Glory, that you bear fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. What fruit? How do we bear fruit and define our land of promise? Could it be for here and now, not just when we enter the gates of our eternal home? Might I suggest that that land for me – that land for you is there to step into, live in and take hold of. Let us not be a people that wander in the wilderness while the promises are just on the other side of the mountain that lies ahead of us. It’s there. We just may not physically see it with our natural eyes.
Your promised place is where God’s personalized promises over your life start to become a living reality! How do we begin living in this reality, in our own promised land? I’d like to suggest a few things to ponder.
- Believe that God has made YOU promises, just for you! He knows you better than anyone and His plans are always better than the ones we often come up with on our own. Seek Him. Sit with Him in quiet times, maybe keep a journal, ask Him questions, just let it flow and write whatever comes to mind. His Sprit is in us, with us and He will guide us in what He has for us – always good!
I recently moved and I went through lots of photos and old journals – some from 20 years ago! It’s amazing what we forget! It was an amazing exercise to read my conversations on paper with God. How many times I didn’t know how I’d get through something. But as always, God is faithful and in His strength I got through. I’m still standing! It’s a good reminder too when we are going thru something to look back and reflect how He promises to be there with us every step – and He is!
Remember and remind ourselves that God promised us a place of blessing! God’s willingness & unwavering desire to bless His people is told over and over in His Word. He is the giver of good gifts and He exults His children when they cooperate enough to receive some. We often think of “blessing” as worldly possessions and success. Beth Moore, a sister in Christ and best-selling author, puts it like this – “Blessing is bowing down to receive the expressions of divine favour that in the inner recesses of the human heart and mind make life worth the bother”.
Would those that know us see us living for God, that our faith is REAL and that it works? That it makes room for and the possibility of a different life, a better life – a more LOVING, PEACEFUL, JOYFUL, PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE, SELF-CONTROLED LIFE? That is really our calling – that no matter what is going on around us – the mountains may crumble into the sea, the fig tree may have no leaves, but we know who we are in Christ and we trust Him to get us through the wilderness to begin living under the promises of GOD. It’s about believing.
- God promised a place to LIVE, not vacation in! In John 15 God’s Word talks about a place of ABIDING! Resting, (def: Lasting a long time, enduring)
So is this way of life – of living- always easy? Lol, no!
Is this way of life automatic the moment we become a follower of Christ? Not likely!
But our soul needs a place to live. What better place than in the promised land God has prepared just for you! And day by day digging deeper where roots can be embedded in our soul, our hearts, in the ground that you possess there!
- God promised this is a place of a great harvest. Many of us have heard the land characterized as a land of “milk & honey”. Yet Deuteronomy 8:7-9 brings us even more description and says, “ For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land-a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills: a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scare and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.”
Yes, heaven awaits. Our perfect eternal home, where at times we long to see or even be! But we trust God has a plan and a purpose for each of us – our own promised land to enter and conquer living in – a place of love, a place of peace, a place where we abide completely and totally in HIM!
Let us pray:
Lord, thank you that you have given us promises of living in a promised land – not just for the future but even for here and now! Help us as we navigate through the wilderness and challenges this life on earth brings. Thank you that you always had a plan for our redemption. It’s when we let go of our own travel plans and decide to let you lead the way does the real beauty of allowing our soul to live begins. Our soul currently has a place to live – in the promised land for you come to reside in us when we believe. We are in You. You guide our way into the land where our soul can be at peace. We thank you. We love you. And may all we do be for You and Your glory! Amen
Jesus is the gate. Many in the world try to trick us into following blindly. This is no different today than in Jesus’ day. And yet Jesus continues to stand guard – protecting His sheep from those who attempt to kill, steal, and destroy the amazing future He has prepared for us. (John 10:1-10)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins. I am so happy you have joined us today.
It is March 2023 as I record this, and I hope you have received your copy of Voice of Truth! Voice of Truth is our quarterly magazine that is full of scripture, stories, and art that all shine a bright light on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are now in our third year of Voice of Truth, and God has blessed thousands through this magazine. We have had scores of contributors from all over the world – women who are passionate about sharing the gospel with others. We do send out the physical magazine to each of our monthly contributors as a thank you, but we also make the digital version available to anyone to read for free on our website. To check it out, visit womenworldleaders.com, and click on Voice of Truth under our Resources tab. There you will find access to all of our back issues. And while you are on the website, if you want a free physical copy of the magazine, click on the donate tab and become a monthly donor. As a 501c3 non-profit, your donation is what allows us to keep this ministry running – to provide these podcasts, our events, and monthly leadership connects and seminars – all meant to empower YOU to walk in your God-given purpose.
This is the Wednesday edition of our podcast, when we take a few minutes to dive into God’s Word together and ask Him to show us what He wants us to know today. God’s Word is living and active, which means it is relevant at every moment and in every circumstance. It is inspired and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is longing to work in each of our lives every single day. With that in mind, before we begin our study today from the gospel of John, chapter 10, verses 1-10, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, We are honored to come before you today to learn from your Word. Holy Spirit, as we continue to study the gospels, I ask you to do a marvelous work: open our minds so that we will completely understand the words Jesus spoke in this passage that John so obediently recorded. Open our hearts and connect the words on the page with the wisdom you want us to gain. I ask a blessing on each of us as we stand in your presence today, learning from and growing in you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Recently, we studied the 9th chapter of the book John. You may remember that chapter 9 gives the account of Jesus and His disciples as they left the synagogue. They came across a beggar who had been blind from birth, and Jesus healed him. The process of healing is always miraculous, but what actually happened was beyond a healing. Because the man had NEVER been able to see, Jesus actually CREATED the man’s vision – making a way for him to see for the first time ever. This was quite the picture of the touch of God – and the man knew it. Although he didn’t know WHO Jesus was, he knew that Jesus was from God.
Because of this healing, however, the Pharisees came against Jesus, saying that it was unlawful for Him to heal on the Sabbath. And when the Pharisees questioned the man about who had healed him, he told them his name was Jesus, and he stood up for Him, saying that Jesus couldn’t be a sinner, because a sinner could not possibly perform such a miraculous sign. The man knew what he knew, and he stood his ground. The Pharisees reacted by expelling the previously blind man from the synagogue.
At that point, Jesus found the man and revealed Himself to him, telling him that not only was He FROM God, but He was OF God. Jesus proclaimed Himself the promised Messiah, the Son of Man.
All of this is important as we dive into today’s scripture because it is the backdrop for Jesus’ teaching. So let’s begin with Jesus’ words as recorded in John 10 from the New Living Translation, beginning in verse 1.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!
The illustration of the sheep and the shepherd is used throughout the Bible. Humanity is portrayed as the sheep – who need constant guidance and care just to survive. And as far back as the book of Isaiah, God is hailed as our shepherd…Isaiah 40:11-12 says…
Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
So as Jesus does a follow-up teaching to the man He had healed and all those who witnessed the aftermath of the man’s expulsion from the synagogue, Jesus uses the sheephold as a symbol of Israel.
There were two types of sheepholds in Jesus’ day…one type was typical in the city and a different kind was prevalent in the countryside. Jesus begins his teaching by referencing the sheephold in the countryside, which would have likely been a built-up circle of rocks with a single opening. As the shepherds were out with their sheep and dusk fell upon them, they would lead their sheep into this rocked-in barrier to keep them safe from thieves and predators throughout the night. Then one of the shepherds, or an undershepherd, would lie across the only opening, keeping those who had no place among the sheep from entering.
The opening, or the gate, would be easy to walk through for those who belonged, but those without rights would have to use their ingenuity to climb over the rocks without being detected in order to get in.
With that picture in mind, let’s read on…
2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
Knowing that we MIGHT need not understand exactly what He was saying, Jesus explained further…verse 6…
6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
Jesus’ listeners were craving to understand – they had been faithfully waiting for their Messiah for centuries - following the teachings of the Pharisees and living by the Jewish laws. And then they saw Jesus heal a man who had been blind from birth – a sign given by the prophets of the Messiah. And yet the Pharisees – those they were to listen to, had thrown this man out of the synagogue. It was SUCH a conflicting message that surely the people didn’t know what to think.
But then Jesus gave them this one sentence that made it all clear – you can almost sense the relief and wonder as their sense of realization clicked into place.
Israel was the sheephold. And they were God’s people – it was recognized far and wide that the people of Israel were protected and cared for by the most powerful God ever.
And Jesus now proclaimed – I am the Gate. I am THE ONE who lets only the true Shepherd in. I am the one who keeps you safe. I am the one who is accountable to God. Jesus continues…
8 All who came before me[a] were thieves and robbers.
Jesus wasn’t the first man who claimed to be the Messiah. And the Pharisees and Sadducees who had fallen away from God and put themselves on a pedestal, cracking their whips of rules and regulations against the people, were not protecting or guiding the sheep as a shepherd should. They, in fact, were the thieves and robbers, finagling their way into the sheephold so they could trick the flock into following them.
But those who were truly called to follow God, those who were truly part of His flock, like the man whose sight was now healed, were not fooled by the strong hand and fierce whip of the Pharisees. Jesus makes that plain, saying…
But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.[b]
What a revelation of freedom! The people no longer had to bow to the impossible-to-follow rules. In fact, all they had to do was follow the calling that had been tugging at their hearts – they only had to follow Jesus. He would open the gate and lead them. Jesus said…
They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
When we follow Jesus, when we allow Him to guide us, we can come and go freely in complete safety and protection.
Jesus has called you to His side. He hems you in and protects you as you rest. He leads you to nourishment and refreshing water. He calls you by name, and instructs you where to go.
I can remember going on vacation with my parents as a child. Every day would bring a new adventure: a hike to a waterfall, a stop at a museum, food cooked over an open fire as we camped. Never was I worried and never did I have to figure anything out. My parents led me. They researched and planned and paid for everything. I was just along for the ride – full of wonder and awe at the amazing things I saw and experienced.
I was the sheep – if danger was around me, I never sensed it. If questions arose as to where we were going next, I never thought to ask – because I had faith in my parents. I KNEW that they had it all in control. As a parent now, I recognize that maybe they did, and maybe they didn’t have it all in control. But the analogy is that our GOD, our GATEKEEPER, IS and always will be in complete control. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He will ALWAYS lead us and guide us. He will call us by name, and as we listen to Him intently, He assures us that we WILL know the sound of His voice.
But not everyone who claims to be holy is the trustworthy gatekeeper who can indeed keep us safe. ONLY Jesus has the authority to guard the gate…And if we don’t listen carefully to Him, we will be in danger of being attacked by the thief and the robber. There ARE thieves in our churches who climb over the rocks and try to claim the status of Jesus Himself. There are robbers who finagle their way into the sheephold and try to claim their unrightful place in our lives. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing who, under the guise of religion, will stop at nothing to trick us into living by the world’s ways, tempting us to climb up on OUR pedestals and sit in judgment of others.
In this scripture, in retrospect, it is clear to see that the Pharisees were against Jesus and were doing everything they could to turn the people, including the now-healed formerly-blind man, against Him. But we must remember that Pharisee-like people are so common in today’s world – they conspire and scheme to destroy you and pit you against those God calls you to love. Only God can call His sheep – our job is to stick together as His flock and welcome all the other sheep He brings in – no matter how different they may look to us.
John 10:10 says it clearly…
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Jesus is standing at the gate, protecting you, and prepared to lead you to a rich and satisfying life. You are safe in His presence. You can trust HIM.
What do you need to trust Jesus with today? What in your life seems so out of sorts that you feel like you will never untangle the mess before you?
What do you need to let go of and allow Jesus, THE Gate, to take full control of?
Child of God – you do not need to worry – all you need to do is follow the sound of God’s voice. He will guide you and protect you and lead you down a path full of wonder and awe meant just for you.
Let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – thank you for being our gate. Thank you for protecting us within the sheepfold of God’s love. Thank you for planning and building the boundaries around us even as you allow us freedom in the coming and going. Thank you for knowing our names and for allowing us to clearly recognize your voice. Jesus, we claim your promise, that as we follow you, you will give us, your humble sheep, a rich and satisfying life. We love you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Overcoming trauma is not easy, but with God, all things are possible. As a highly successful business woman, wife and mom, Maria Termotto Horwitz shares her story of dealing with childhood tragedy to now living a blessed life with God. Maria is a woman on a mission to encourage us not to fall into the trap of remaining stagnant and believing lies from the enemy. God has a purpose and plan for you. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so grateful that you chose to listen in today to the women world leaders podcast and today our guest is Maria, tomato. Horowitz. Maria, I'm so glad that you joined us, Honey,
Maria Temotto Horowitz thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs We're talking about the blessed life today, ladies, and Maria is such a joy and she lives out a blessed calling on her life. She's amazing. So as we get into today, we're, we're just overjoyed every time we come to you and, and bring to you stories that we feel would really be impactful that we can relate to these stories of things that are going on within our own life and see how God moves as you listen in and, and maybe identify with some of the stories or some of the pain, and how we look to God with with what we're going through on a day to day basis. Because we can't do this life alone. And it's all about coming together and sharing with one another and following after God and asking him to be with us in our lives. One of the scriptures I love to share in these podcasts as they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony. That's revelation 1211. And it there's healing when we share these stories that God has given us. And I am just grateful that Brandi chose to come and share with us today I want to tell you a little bit about Maria before we get going. Maria is a woman on a mission. And as a Florida native, she has built a successful real estate and property management company with her husband Josh and they also have a little daughter Genesee, whose precious. Maria's faith based approach to real estate makes her the miracle working realtor who connects blessed families with their best home ever. Maria's unwavering faith is the foundation of everything she does, as evident in her daily routine, which always begins with the Miracle Morning and Bible study, which we'll talk a little bit about later. Maria's desire to serve others is also at the heart of her work. And in memory of her late mother, she founded the Amanda tomatoes, right from the Heart Foundation, which empowers young people to live their lives to the fullest, for the glory of God. I love that. She partners with a nonprofit organization, and she makes positive impacts on her community. And together with her husband and daughter Maria loves sports. She loves making memories in God's creation. She loves being a role model and living her life for the glory of God. She is a delight. And I am so grateful to have her and Maria chose blessed today for the title of our podcast. And Maria, you have quite the story to share. Which brings us to a bit later of why you chose the word blast for today's podcast. And I just want to share this scripture before Maria shares her story. And it's from Second Thessalonians 316 and says May the lord of peace Himself, give you his peace at all times. And in every situation. The Lord be with you. And I quote this verse right now because inwardly I'm going to be praying for Maria, she shares her story. So go ahead and real let's, let's hear a little bit about your story.
Maria Temotto Horowitz Thank you, Kimberly. Hi. So I'll just jump right in. I'm 13 years old. And I'm in the car with my mom and my two younger brothers. My brother Michael, who was 11 and my brother Max, who was six. And we just went into Toys R Us and got some toys on behalf of my brother's birthday, who we just celebrated. And we're sitting there in the parking lot of Toys R Us and my mom looks in the rearview mirror and says would you guys be okay, if I died? And it was such a weird question to hear. As a 13 year old and i i took a moment and I said we would survive but why are you asking that's never gonna happen. Then she just was silent. And then we just continued on with the day and I didn't think anything of it. Until two days later. I wake up It's a 6am on a Monday morning, a school day. And my brothers are pounding on my door and shouting and screaming that mom's dead. And I get up not knowing what's happening. And I walk over to their bedroom. And it smells like sickening Gun Smoke. And I can hear my heart in my ears eating. And I see my dad on the phone with the paramedics. And my mom is on the bed, her chest is heaving in and out. And she had shot herself in the heart. And my dad yells at me to go grab towels, and I'm like, looking at him. I can't hear him. I feel like we're in a movie. It's just so surreal. And I get the towels and then I go outside and I'm with my two younger brothers were crying. so confused. I'm this is just bizarre. And we're there at the end of our street and waiting for the police to come. And we see the flashing lights at the far end of the street, but they're not coming to our house because there's a gun involved. So 30 minutes later, they finally come. And she's now passed. And they have us and we're about to leave for the police station. And I asked if I can play a song on the piano before leaving. And I sit down the piano and I play the song Adi law, which is like an Italian song and the words say Id la means you are far above me very far. De la as distant as the lovely evening star. And it goes on and the words were so describing what was happening. And at the time, it was one of my favorite songs. And I didn't even draw the connection of how how swell suited it was until later. So we get into the police car, we go to the station, we tell them all we know. And I shared that she had asked us if we'd be okay with them before it happened. And then after we get home my dad proceeds to tell us that she has been suicidal for 17 years she was in and out of mental institutions long before I was born. She married my dad young to escape her family. Her dad had walked out on her mom when she was 13. And her older siblings had gotten into drugs and alcohol and partying and reliving crazy lives and my aunt had died from bulimia and anorexia in my grandma's bathroom. And it was just a broken situation. Family. So my mom married young and after marrying realize like that wasn't the answer either. And my mom and dad were both hard headed so they kept clashing. So she felt rejection from my dad rejection from her parents rejection from her family. And also at the time she was having rejection from the school I was going to from the women on the auction committee, because they were jealous of her that she was doing so well with raising funds for the auction. So literally, she felt rejection from every area of her life. And before she passed, she even asked me if I think she should quit the auction because it was causing her so much stress and heartache. And I had said, you know, you put so much effort and work and blood sweat and tears into this, you know, are you going to quit now. So it's crazy. She doesn't quit the oxygen. She doesn't divorce my dad, but instead just checks out of the whole situation. So for many years, I just bottled it up inside, and then it wasn't until an adult as an adult by sharing her story and having healing connecting with other beautiful women such as Kimberly and everything. She's doing enrollment women, world leaders, that um, that healing came because healing doesn't come until you share.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, honey. Wow. And you know, I Yeah, you're right. You know, healing comes when we can talk and share about our stories and know that there are other people out there that identify with us and when we can do it for the glory of God, because we see what he has brought us through through and what we've lived through it it just brings a whole nother place to our stories coming alive alive in Jesus you know alive and what he's doing in our life. And I shared that scripture prior to you sharing your story because I knew it was going to be difficult for you to relive it you know, as we speak these things out and you have to go back in your mind you know, like when you share your story or when you write your story And that scripture May the lord of peace Himself give you his peace at all times in every situation, The Lord be with you. And that is such a beautiful verse because he is with you as you start to testify about him and about what he's done. And all the good that you saw. Through this, Maria, his hand was upon you, his hand was over you. So you shared with me that you didn't feel alone through this time? Because even though you were the only girl and everything, you said, you never left the house, but you didn't feel alone. Can you talk about that and why you didn't feel alone.
Maria Temotto Horowitz So you know, at first, I felt alone, with being the only girl. But then after realizing that Jesus, and my faith is the rock of everything, and knowing I can rely on him, it made me not feel alone, like the angels and saints are my friends. And, you know, that's just how I, how I made it through that time in life.
Kimberly Hobbs You said you read your diary aloud to can you talk about that? Like,
Maria Temotto Horowitz Yeah, so that's, that happened right after my mom passed. And my dad was there at the dining room table. And he just said, Go get your diary. And I did not want to things about a boy in there. Like I didn't want to share. Like, go get it. So I went to my room, I got it. And I'm just like, dreading what's about to happen. So I walked to the table, my two younger brothers are there. And he takes a diary, he starts reading it out loud. On the entry, where my mom had died, the whole page, it just says like, what the f on the whole page? Wow. Um, but after that, it's talking about a boy. And he's reading it out loud. My brothers are laughing. They're all snickering. And at that moment, I felt very, very alone. Just knowing that. This is it. I had my dad, my two brothers, my grandpa moved in with us soon afterwards, there was a dog there was a boy. So I felt very alone, like the only girl in the house. Wow. And it wasn't until a few years later that I was listening to the audio gospels. And something started inside of me that I just wanted to get rid of all my possessions and live like a stay at home nun life. So I pulled out like a big trash bag and I filled multiple trash bags with literally all my designer clothes and shoes and bags and thinking back on it, there's probably not the smartest thing to do. But I did put it all out to the garbage and to the street. They picked it up in the morning. And then from there, I was just living, very simple clothes, very simple food, fasting, praying, reading the Bible, and doing house chores. And that's what I did for quite a few years.
Kimberly Hobbs Well, I know your spirits definitely needed to be lifted honey and God's word says I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love for you have seen my troubles. And you care about the anguish of my soul that Psalm 31 Seven God cares, he cares. What we are all going through ladies. He cares about the anguish that were in, he cares. And as you took the role, Maria, of caring for your brothers, your father, the household chores, homeschooling, I mean, you took all this on as that mother role. And can you talk about this time in your life when you took on all those job chores and all the things that you were doing?
Maria Temotto Horowitz Yeah, it was. It was just a very, you know, once you get into a routine, you just go with it. And I was in charge of my brother's homeschooling. So we wake up, we do our prayers. I do the dishes, the cooking, make juice salads, I would do walks with my little brother we'd read read the book of Psalms out loud. And, you know, worked out and just did the same thing over and over again with the homeschooling and prayer work, play. Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs God used that time because you were in the scriptures. You had to teach your brother and there was no other choice. But isn't it amazing how God just kept his eye on you and your brother and there's power in the Word and those who live in the shadow of the Most High God will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty that some nine Do you want one and so then you're feeling happy. On the outside, you're moving on through life, things start to happen. But inwardly you were telling me that you were feeling fake about who you were, you weren't happy about how you were partaking, portraying yourself because you began questioning things in your own life as you got older. And so can you talk about that?
Maria Temotto Horowitz Yeah. So after that period passed, now I'm dating, and I have this boyfriend, I hit with him for two years, my dad does not like him at all. And he never met him, he wouldn't meet him. And then I had another relationship for another year, my dad didn't like him, and he never met him and didn't want to meet him. So it's like this whole period of life where I'm just like, really wanting my dad's approval with a guy I'm with. And I'm not being I'm not sharing the gospel outwardly, like, I'm not talking about it in a public setting. And I'm just like, so happy on the outside, like, I'm smiling all the time, I'm working at the gym, I'm selling nutritional products. I'm at boot camp instructor. And I'm just with, like, I'm plugged into my boyfriend's families and plugged into their clients. And I just feel like I'm living a fake existence. And um, what was more depressing was thinking that I'm going down the path my mom did, because she was outwardly so happy and joyful, and doing all this active stuff, but I'm really sad. So I was more sad reflecting of how similar we were becoming.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow. And I am sure fear started to creep up, you know, like, you didn't want to go down that path. But yet, you know, I'm sure the enemy is putting that voice in your head about, you know, that's how you're gonna end up and you know, all the different things that you're hearing. So you're stuffing that down inside and the outside, you're trying to put on that, that fake happy part of you. And so tell me how, tell the listeners how the word blessed that God brought you into a blessed life, because you really had to completely redo some things in your mental thinking, your physical and spiritual. So can you talk about how that transition happened to in order to get from being the fake Maria? And you know, miserable on the inside? But happy on the outside? As an appearance? How did you transition?
Maria Temotto Horowitz Yeah, so moving on from those two relationships. Now I'm in the relationship with Josh, my now husband, and in the beginning was all flowers and sunshine, and then I was right back into the depression. And it got to a point where I'm like, God, I need answers. Is this the man I'm supposed to be with? Is this the role as a realtor? And this is like the job and career I'm supposed to be in? Like, what am I supposed to do? So I did a nine day fast, for three days was just juice and water, then the next three days was just water, no food. And the last three days was juice and water. And after the nine days of just praying and fasting, which is what the Bible tells us to do, I felt so clear that this is the man I'm supposed to be with. This is the job I'm supposed to be in. And that fast set me up to having a mental, physical and spiritual renewal. And during the fast I signed up for this personal development course, that turned out being a huge asset to me mentally. And after the nine day fast, we went to a place called Hippocrates Health Institute, which is a world renowned health facility, which preaches the raw food, diet and sprouts and juice and just healthy living. So that's how we like, got into that community. And then the spiritual side, my husband and I started reading the Bible together every day, three chapters, and going to church together, watching Christian films and YouTube videos and just getting plugged into that community. So through the fast is really what started the mental, physical and spiritual revival.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, that is fantastic. And you had to make that decision to, to mentally, physically and spiritually, take that step of faith and say, I'm going to make a change, Lord, and you surrendered it to him during that fast communicated with him and took action on the faith, right, like we we can choose to wallow in our sadness and our our things that are happening in our life or we can say, Enough God, I choose you and to follow you and make that transitional change. And so that's what you did. Maria, and that changed the trajectory of your life. And I am so grateful because the Maria that I know and I am privileged to serve the Lord with is so beautiful, and she truly is living the blessed life. And I thank God for that change that you and Josh had in your life. So now that you are living the blessed life, sweet Maria, can you share with the listeners? What, what you do, you told me about habits that you have formed? And maybe our listener might glean from some of those habits that you're doing? Your your morning routine, and the prayer time share about those different things?
Maria Temotto Horowitz Yes. So one thing I just love doing together with my husband is called the Miracle Morning. And it was started by a gentleman named Hal Elrod, when he was having a very difficult time in life. He got into a car crash, his life is over. He lost everything. And he did research to find out what are the habits that the most successful people in the world do. And he found that there's six, and some people do. Some of them. Some people do all of them every day. But he realized that by doing these six habits every single morning, you prime yourself that to have a great day ahead. Instead of just running into the rat race, you can intentionally set the attention for the day, and how it works. It's silence. Silence and prayer affirmations where you're affirming things that you want for your life, I do Bible affirmations. I'm strong and courageous in the Lord, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am, I am a citizen of heaven, I am redeemed by the blood testimony of His Word. So those and then the next part is visualization where you just close your eyes and you're visualizing the person that you want to be. So I visualize myself and Josh, debt free and incredible, healthy shape, leading people to Christ got thrown open the doors of heaven sending on high, you know. And then the next part is exercise. And it doesn't have to be a huge thing right in the morning. But you can like do some jumping jacks, do some stretches, punch the air, you know, can be good, Get behind Me, Satan, that kind of stuff, right. And the next part is reading, which is when we always do our Bible study. So we just pull out the Bible. And we were doing three chapters from three different books. And we ended up doing the whole Bible. So we only have like one book left. So we did all three chapters in like that one book to speed through that one book. And we finished the whole Bible in 14 months. Wow, praise God. And you learn so much, and you so many stories that are not like popular sermon topics, so you really just dive in. And um, it's life changing. And then the last one is scribing. So you just take your, your pad of paper out, or your notebook or tablet, and there's different prompts you can use to just get the mind flowing of what to write about. And I really like to use the Miracle Morning app. And it has all the Savers on there. And it's funny just checking them off as you do them. And then it confetti down, which is always exciting. And if you don't know what to do for those, there's a little section that will have little video or audio prompts that have one or all the savers in it. So it's just a really great way to start the day off. And it just sets your day up for success.
Kimberly Hobbs It's the miracle mindset app.
Maria Temotto Horowitz It's the miracle morning app. So the Miracle Morning or the Miracle Morning.
Kimberly Hobbs That's wonderful. And again, proactive that you are doing things you're not sitting stagnant. You're not you know, in the woe is me part of your past because we can all get caught up in that depending on what you've been through in your life. And a lot of people use that as excuses to not do anything not to move forward. But Maria, you chose you chose the Lord you chose to move and work with him as he worked in and through your life through the scriptures. And I love that you went through the Bible in 14 months. That's fantastic. And that's ladies where we're gonna get our strength. That's where the power is going to come. That's where the truths are going to be spoken into your life because there is power in the Word. Right. Right and talk about your communication with God Maria, because that is so key to a blessed life.
Maria Temotto Horowitz You know, just realizing that God is around you in you like, it's here, like right now. So you don't have to wait for a specific time to talk to him or you have to go to a certain place to see him. It's like, right here right now at all times. And it's just bringing him into every conversation scenario. As weird as it might sound to some people, like my husband and I, every single time we make love, we pray, like right now, afterwards, I'm praying that God blesses my womb, that he blesses our children that any baby we have is formed perfectly in His image and likeness. So it's, it's every situation I were eating, every time we eat, we pray every time. We, you know, a lot of times after we have an encounter with a friend, we'll pray over each other as we depart. And it's just making prayer like a normal part of living just like breathing is a normal part of living.
Kimberly Hobbs Right and, and listeners, I pray you hear that because that is evidence of a blessed life. A blessed heart is a thankful heart. She is thanking God for everything. And as Maria just shared her heart, you know, in God moved and turned it around. To the focus was no longer on woe is me, but awesome, God, you are in my life, and I just love you. And so the more she relied on God, the more she sought after him, the more she took action to make a change. He not that he ever leaves us because he doesn't, but he is there all the time. And now you can see him and feel him and breathe him and love him and just thank him over and over and over and over. It's all about a thankful heart to be able to live the blessed life because then you see God move in your life, right. And Maria, let's give one final shot in the arm to the woman that's listening that heard your story that can't even comprehend what you went through growing up and all that you carried and what you were learning. But she's going through something that she doesn't know how she's going to get beyond what is that one thing that you can pour into her at this moment that might give her that hope to get beyond her circumstances right now and into the presence of God.
Maria Temotto Horowitz Hmm. Two things come to mind. For the woman who's hurting and struggling with something and has something on her heart, when you're holding on to this pain and not letting, not sharing it. You know, God created the world by speaking into being and by speaking our pain out loud, we just release ourselves from it. So I highly recommend going to somebody who you know, has a good connection with God and just sharing your heart and telling them everything that you have inside, just let it out. It doesn't matter how it sounds, you could be stumbling over words and like not how your thoughts all formed. But just by releasing that to someone else who can pray for you will be incredibly healing for you. And the last thought was the word power. Power is the time between your thought of doing something and the execution of it. So it's all powerful. So when God thought and spoke this world into existence, it wasn't like he thought about for a long time and then was getting ready to do it. It's like God thought and it happened like it, it was done. That it was week one the same thing. So that's what power is. So if you ever thought to do something, your power is how much time you've had that thought to be to make it a reality. So if you haven't thought of doing something, do it. Because the time is short, Eternity is forever. Time is now.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. The time is now that is such a great word Maria. All my strength to you. I sing praises for you oh god are my refuge the God who shows me unfailing love. The time is now God is going to show you his unfailing love Psalm 5917 and I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns Philippians one six this is so exciting because God started a work in you Maria in you listeners he has start started that good work and he's not finished yet he's going to be doing and doing and doing until the day he calls us home. So be looking to Him take action like Maria said the time is right Now the time is now to turn this ship around right? All for the glory of God. So as we have to close out today, I am so grateful Maria, that you and your beautiful self, your Joyful Heart came to share with our listeners today. Thank you, honey.
Maria Temotto Horowitz Thank you so much.
Kimberly Hobbs Thank you. And ladies,
Maria Temotto Horowitz thank you for this.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes, thank you, Lord, thank you remember, that you overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of your testimonies. And ladies, we invite you. If you have a story of God's working in your heart, I want to talk to you, because others need to hear how God is moving. And you overcome the enemy ladies, when you testify of what God's doing in your life. So please think about that. If God's nudging your heart right now to contact us, we want to hear from you. That's what we do here at women, we're leaders, we come around you we give you opportunities to have your voice heard in the world. And we'll walk you through it and just talk and share with others ladies, we have opportunities for you to write in some of the books that we have going that are so helpful to others that need to read about your story so that they can identify with what you went through and you can give them that hope that lies within you. Or maybe you need just some healing. And you just need to read and listen to these stories. Please go to our website, we have all kinds of books that are amazing, amazing books that will help you get beyond where you are, through the power of others sharing their god testimonies, these books are anointed ladies. So go to www dot women world leaders.com. And you can check out any of the books that we have, or even our voice of Truth magazine. All past editions are on our website. You could read them digitally for free. They are beautiful ladies, there's tools to help you. And we want to be here to support you and whatever it is God is calling you to do so please reach out to us. I'd personally love to hear from you at Kimberly at women world leaders.com Kimberly at women world leaders.com Send me an email, and I'll return your message and ladies God bless you for being here again. Maria. Thank you so much. And Maria, do you want to share a website if anybody wants to reach out to you?
Maria Temotto Horowitz I can be reached at besthomeeverteam@gmail.com
Kimberly Hobbs besthomeeverteam@gmail.com and Maria thank you again for being here. Now bless you all, from his heart to yours. We are women we're leaders all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.
As we wrap up the winter season and enter spring, we are reminded that new life is coming. There’s an anticipation of more sunshine and the promise of warmer weather. It’s also the season many of us decide to do some deep cleaning.
Join us today as Kelly Williams Hale shares a message from her heart, a story about spring cleaning… with a twist!
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” ~ Song of Songs 2:11-13
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast. My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace. I'm an author, speaker and coach leading women through inner healing and intimacy work.
I help women discover their purpose and create a life they love.
Today I want to start today’s message with Hosea 6:3
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
I love this reminder that God is with us in ALL seasons.
Right now, we’re wrapping up the winter season and entering spring. The season of renewal. Warmer weather and nature waking up. I think Spring is my favorite season. It’s the reminder that new life is coming. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of the cold weather. Now it’s bearable if I’m dressed appropriately but for the most part, if it’s cold outdoors, I’d rather stay inside and basically wait out the winter seasons under the covers.
I know there’s a time and a purpose for winter, but I just love when the days start getting longer and I can smell spring in the air.
There’s a freshness to this time of year. An anticipation of more sunshine and the promise of warmer weather. I live in Florida and when we start seeing the azaleas blooming, we know spring is around the corner. I celebrate God’s grace every day, but it seems like Spring provides a reminder of his mercies after a long cold winter.
Song of Songs 2:11-13 “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”
Spring for me also brings to mind spring cleaning. A time to declutter and clean up.
Well, today I decided to detail my vehicle, my dad’s truck. For context, my dad passed away December 2022 and it wasn’t until last October that my mom gifted me with my dad’s pick up truck.
It sat in their driveway for almost a year. It was one of those things that was difficult for my mom to let go of - as she went through the grieving process.
But it was such a blessing to me because I loved my dad’s truck. I knew it was special to him and he took very good care of it. It’s a 2008 Ford F150 – not new, but you wouldn’t know that looking at it. He kept it pristine. Every time I visited my mom and saw my dad’s truck, I would think of him.
It was such a blessing when she gave it to me. My dad wore a specific cologne – well it was one of those body sprays that the men like – and his truck smelled just like him. I feel like my dad is with me every time I drive it.
Well, October was six months ago, and I was very careful to keep it clean… until I didn’t. Anybody else have good intentions? Where you’re going to exercise EVERY DAY! Or decide I’m going to leave the house early so I’m not late?! Or like me – you want to keep the car clean… and then let the kids eat the snacks (just this once!) and you tell yourself you’ll bring in all the books and crayons and toys each evening… then a day goes by… then another… and then it’s been two weeks and you’ve got trash and items and clutter that’s accumulated…
Or is it just me?!
Well, today was the day to clean it. It was time! I knew my dad would have a fit if he saw the condition of his “baby” … I pulled out all the supplies, the armor all, the washrag, the vacuum and cleaned his pretty truck. It took me a couple of hours… but it was done.
And in the middle of cleaning, I realized my effort was honoring both of my parents. I was honoring my dad, by taking good care of something he owned and honoring my mom because she trusted me with it.
I have two brothers and out of us three kids, she gave dad’s truck to me.
And so, I was diligent and took great care in cleaning it today. It was a beautiful spring day. The sun was shining, and it was just a joy, knowing that I was using my physical strength, in terms of my energy… scrubbing, and cleaning and praising God for the ability TO clean.
Colossians 3:17 ESV
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I was also reminded of how God looks at us.
God gave us the gift of this life. Our experience here on earth… or human existence.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New International Version 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
How we take care of ourselves, what we fill our mind with and what we put in our body… matters to God. How we take care of and treat ourselves is important.
When we honor our physical self, by taking a hot bath or eating a healthy meal or going on a long walk… we’re taking good care of this body that God gifted us with.
And what we do with that gift is our gift back to him.
How we take care of US, honors him.
So, this revelation came to me as I was cleaning my dad’s truck and was reminded that I need to be intentional with how I live and what I do with the gifts he’s given me.
Our life is God’s gift to us.
What we do with our life… is our gift back to God.
So, as you enter the spring season, my prayer for all of us is that we would intentionally take time to declutter our mind and get into God’s word… and to consider our physical form and make time for exercise or activity… become mindful of the things we eat.
God wants us to enjoy this life he gave us. When we feel our best, we are more likely to walk in the purpose that he gave us, and we can celebrate his grace more freely.
A woman stands before Jesus in her sin. Accusers look on with condemnation. Then, the power of Jesus’ voice rings through the crowd, and the atmosphere changes. We, too, are invited to stand before Jesus – fully forgiven. (John 7:53-8:11)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins. I am honored to walk with you today as we open Scripture and ask God to teach us what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to our podcast, this is one of three offerings we have for you each week. On Monday, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares the story of her life, struggles, or ministry. But what is important about each of these interviews is that they are truly not about the woman who so bravely steps out and shares her story, but each one is about shining the light on the glory of God. That kind of makes me smile, even as I say it – because God’s glory is SO bright that He certainly doesn’t need US to shine a light on HIM. But you know what? We GET to!! God is so present in each of our lives, but that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to hide Him from us. So Kimberly’s podcast is about looking beyond the schemes of the devil so we can truly see God’s purpose. It’s kind of like a game of hide and seek – the devil is trying to hide God’s glory, and we are seeking to uncover it! And God always wins the game!
On Fridays, we have a team of podcasters who host Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a short podcast full of nuggets and wisdom of the goodness of God that will launch you into the weekend!
And today you’ve happened on Walking in the Word, where we take 20 minutes to open God’s Word and learn together from it – verse by verse. We are currently studying the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we mesh them together and look at the life of Jesus as chronologically and as fully as the Holy Spirit enables us.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, you can find out more about the ministry at our website, womenworldleaders.com, where you post on our prayer wall, purchase resources, and get involved in our worldwide ministry.
Today’s scripture comes from John 7:53-8:11. If you have your Bible opened to John chapter 7, verse 53, you likely see a notation that says that most ancient Greek manuscripts do not include this section of scripture. I do want to briefly address this. This text was passed down orally and discovered in written form as early as the third century AD, and is true to Christ’s nature of compassion, love, and forgiveness – so biblical theologians throughout the years have opted to include it as part of John’s writing. And I think you will see, as we study, that this narrative is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ saving grace given to us through His death on the cross. Some researchers believe that this story may have originally been included in John’s writings but was taken out along the way due to a discussion on paganism and a belief that this could be used to incorrectly substantiate Jesus’ dismissal of fornication and adultery.
Despite the background of these particular verses, as part of the Bible, they are worthy of our study and learning. But, as with all things, we should ask for wisdom from the Holy Spirit. So, as always, before we begin our study, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we thank you for meeting us where we are today and for giving us this particular scripture to study today. No matter its origins, we know you are a God of complete control, and you have made a way for us to read and study this narrative today – so we know you have a reason for it and something you want us each to learn. You know exactly what each of us is going through, when and where we are listening to this, and you are prepared to teach us what you want us to know. So Father, I personally give you free rein over my words and ask you to use me as you will. Please guide each listener’s heart and allow her to hear directly from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As Jesus continues to walk toward the cross, we see his enemies, the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law, ramp up their efforts against Him. Yet, because it is not yet God’s ordained time, Jesus continues teaching and preaching.
Let’s begin in chapter 7, verse 53 from the New Living Translation…
53 Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.
8 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple.
Where this story has been inserted, Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts during the Festival of the Tabernacles. I think it is telling that the scripture says, everybody went home, and Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives – only to return again in the morning.
Have you ever been in a busy season of ministry? Maybe even the ministry of being a parent or being a caretaker for a loved one? If you have, you understand what it is like to sleep in an unusual and perhaps, uncomfortable spot, and then to wake up only to be faced with the reality of your mission again. When someone is counting on you, you have little choice but to respond. And yet, despite the difficulty of taking care of someone we love dearly, we find fulfillment in that calling – knowing that we are carrying out a purpose that God placed us on this earth to accomplish. And despite our flesh crying out and our emotions reeling, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This is how Jesus lived His life on earth. Caring for a loved one – times millions! Each of us is so valuable and loved by Jesus, that despite the persecution, the exhaustion, and the fore-knowledge of upcoming pain and suffering, Jesus wouldn’t have had it any other way. Because He loves YOU that much, and He knew that by getting up each morning to face the growing animosity of the people, He was accomplishing for YOU what He was sent to earth to do. So He slept on the Mount of Olives, and got up early the next morning to continue His purpose as He returned to the Temple.
John 8:1 continues…
A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
Make no mistake, this situation was an elaborate trap set up for the sake of tripping up Jesus. It was planned and calculated – all with disregard for the woman. Verse 4 says that the woman was “caught” in the act of adultery, but the original Greek word means that she was seized or apprehended WHILE in the act of adultery. Let’s dissect this for a moment.
Under Jewish law, it was necessary to have multiple witnesses before someone could be accused of adultery, and the witnesses had to agree to have seen the exact same event without question. I think we can all agree that sex, especially when it could get you in trouble with the law, would not be executed where several people could witness it.
The other part of the story is that, in the case of adultery, Jewish law, according to Deuteronomy 22:22 called for the death of BOTH the man and the woman. So where was the man? Why was the woman seized and the man let go? Could the man, perhaps, have been in on the plan?
It seems that that Pharisees and the teachers of the law were SO intent on trapping Jesus that they themselves had total disregard for the law AND for the nature of the woman as a human being. She was merely a pawn in their hands. Expendable, as long as they got what they wanted.
So they took her to Jesus and stood her before the crowds at the Temple. This was nothing but a vain attempt to discredit Jesus in front of His listeners.
Jesus preached compassion. In their minds, if He had compassion on the woman, they could accuse Him of going against the Law of Moses. And if He called for her death, He would not only be seen in a different light by His followers, but He could be reported to the Romans.
And all the while, she stood there in humiliation. An object of wrath and convenience.
Verse 6 continues…
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
Jesus spoke – and then He looked away. Can you imagine the power that Jesus’ words carried? It is simply unimaginable to me. I remember my dad stating a word of warning and then tilting his head down and looking at me over his glasses. You know, giving me “that look.” That look that made me feel about 2 inches tall, convicting me to my core. His eyes would lock with mine, and I could tell no lies.
But Jesus? Jesus didn’t even have to look. His words alone were so powerful as they cut through the air that He simply went back to writing in the dust. And I bet you could’ve heard a pin drop in that dust. He wasn’t watching – any one of the men standing there could have cast a stone. In fact, law dictated that the witnesses of the sin should be the ones to throw the first stones. But it was not to be…
Verse 9…
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Jesus spoke, and then He looked away. And each listener had a choice to make as conviction rang through the air.
This is a picture of the cross that was to come. Jesus was about to bow His head in death, to say His last words as fully God and fully man, and to close His eyes, giving us each a choice. Do we focus on the sin of others, accuse them and hold them accountable as we throw stones at them? Do we acknowledge our own sin and guilt and simply slip away? Or do we stand in our sin, trusting Jesus, in His compassion and care, to offer us forgiveness as only He can?
Who are you in the story?
The woman was not in the right – although she was entrapped, she was in no way sinless. Yet she stood there, transfixed by the power of Jesus – ready to accept her punishment. But instead of punishment and death, she received Jesus’ grace and compassion. Her struggles were likely not over, Jesus told her to go and sin no more. I can understand that calling. And I can also understand that I mess that up every day. But Jesus told her, and He tells us, if you stand by me, if you give yourself to me, I will not condemn you.
Despite their elaborate plan, the Pharisees and teachers of the law sure didn’t trick Jesus. And the woman’s day went maybe from her worst ever, to her best ever.
That’s the power and compassion of the cross that only Jesus can give. Jesus fulfilled His purpose on earth – through the exhaustion and the pain of His calling – He gave His life so that you and I can stand transfixed by His power and receive His grace and enter eternity in the presence of God. Because He loves you that much.
Let’s pray…
Dear Jesus – thank you. Thank you for your never-ending love and grace and compassion. Thank you for giving it all – even to death – so that we can live. Jesus, we do stand transfixed in your presence, longing to serve you and live for you. We humble ourselves before you as we offer you our lives. Guide us and lead us, directly into your arms. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Siv Ashley has a survival story. From a child captured and enslaved in Cambodia, she loses her family and then escapes to Thailand.
Rescued in the mountains by an American soldier, this faith story continues as part two of this podcast shares the miraculous hand of God who never let Siv go. Faith in Christ was instilled from her father at an early age and is the underlying key of this incredible journey to and now in, the United States of America.
Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs, I am founder of Women World Leaders. We are so grateful that you have decided to join in with us today. Today we have part two of the Siv Ashley story which is an incredible story of faith of survival. And we are just so grateful to be able to share with you today Siv's story. Siv welcome,
Siv Ashley Thank you, thank you for having me. And as a blessing to be on this show.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, amen I love, love the joy and are the people that come on to be interviewed because to share their God's story. It is so joyful to them just to be able to help you and encourage you the listener that you are not alone in many things in your life. And even though we walk through different valleys, we walk through different storms. And our stories look very different. There is a thread that runs through that by sharing our God's stories with the world and gives others hope. And that's why so many of our guests come on here so joyful because they know where their hope lies, and they have seen it alive in their life. And sieve has seen how her strong faith got her through a time that we can't even comprehend in our lives that can be endured by a person. So we're gonna share with you a little bit about it to recap what has happened and how Civ got to America. So at first I want to just share a little bit about Civ who's from Hampton Ville, North Carolina. And then prior to that she was from Cambodia. Sylvia Ashley began her life as a normal child in an average happy family in Cambodia. She was surrounded by loving family members. And on April 6 1975, everything changed for her. Read soldiers came in and evacuated her family with 1000s of Cambodians and they were marched to camps to work in the government rice fields. Children had to work over 12 hours a day. They were fed only rice and water to live and nearly starved to death. Sieve witnessed red soldiers killed countless children and also adults. For four years sieve faced the possibility of eminent death daily herself. civs father clung to faith no matter what happened to him, no matter what he saw, no matter what he endured, and reminded sieve God is always with you sieve if you believe it with all your heart. He stressed to her about faith, seven doors, faith and prayers. And that is what helped her survive against all odds. Today sieve is going to share her story of faith and survival with you. Siv, you are going to recap right now about your story. So those that may have missed out on part one can hear a little bit about your story before you go we go into part two. So be ready. The story is incredible. And remarkable to me. Just powerful Civ Go ahead. Let's hear your story.
Siv Ashley Well, thank you for having me, Kimberly. Part one, I was talking about, you know the story of my life. And it it started out with my father going from a country town to a capital meeting with a missionary and, and I at that moment he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. I heard it one time. Jesus Christ is a beautiful name. And he came home to us and he applied that to us and and during that time when he did and we all accepted Christ and a family of five plus the grandmother and so and my father, and so we was a happy family. ain't gonna be okay. But the red soldiers came in the poor port soldier. And they separate our family, not just our family, everybody else, children was being separated the kid, I was in a concentration camp with my brother, being a little boy, instead of a little girl. Because my dad cut my hair and so that all can be not being seen as a little girl. And so during the camp, if we were good, we was being able to go see the adult camp to, to visit your parents or your loved one. And each time when I visit the camp, each one of my family have passed away, either tortured to death or beaten to death. And the last time was my dad, my dad have been beaten and am shot at one of his leg as I can see it. And I will be just wondering what he gonna do. I mean, what what are we gonna take care of me who's going to take care of me. And he keeps telling me Believe in the Lord Jesus class. And one day, you will go to a place called America. And that his fight, which is so strong, and he died in prison. And during this time, I was, didn't know what to do. I want to hurt myself, I want to kill myself. I don't want to live anymore. Why should that, but I keep remembering my dad keeps saying keeping your faith, you keep your faith, I still have a brother that are in a sick care, that are just not going to make it. And then a group of people came up to us and said, If you want to escape the camp, you better leave tonight. And if you have some loved one, you need to and in the in the camp where you can just actually can leave that night if you can go get your brother. And so I didn't see the body of my brother. And so I pray about it. And I pray really hard. And God gave me a sign to leave. So I left with a group of people got to a place called Sam NiP. Is is mountain war between Thailand and Cambodia. And that's when I was rescued by one this man I don't know what his name is. All I know is a beautiful, beautiful and his shoulder. Red, White and Blue. snores all around it. And he was he was so kind. He was taking me to a refugee camp. At that moment, I knew his mind Angel. And I bought me the refugee camp in Thailand. During Thailand, I was united with my my aunt. And she said, we're gonna go to a place called America and in the church, and then in that thing 79 A church in Jefferson United Methodist Church decided to bought a family not just anywhere, a family from Cambodia. Wow, with God. I hope things possible. Yes, you work a mysterious way. And he bought God bought our family to Jefferson United Methodist Church, and that thing's 79. And at this time, I was back 15 years old. And my birthday was on September 5 18. And I came in July, so they have to put me in school. Wow, wow. Yeah, that's how I was at, you know, but to their and that's what's important too, that we en that we came to a safe home in America.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. As much as you endured sieve and, and honestly if you go back to part one, you will hear all the details of what she endured because it it's on comprehendible that a person can endure what sieved did as a child as a child. But God said when you need courage, don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will hold you up my with my victorious right hand. That's Isaiah 4110. He holds all of us up with his victorious right hand. Sieve he held you up in times where you just wanted you said You didn't want to live anymore. But from somewhere that strength kept pouring into you pouring into you because God knew there is a plan and a purpose that He created you for. Just like our listeners, there is a plan and a purpose listeners that God has created you for. Do not give up. Don't be discouraged. Don't be afraid God is with you. And so as you came to America, this family, God provided them for you. He allowed them to pay and help with money to give you a life here in America, you went to church. So now that you're in America, 15 years old, you'd started to give us a glimpse that you had to go to school? And can you tell us what you thought about America? What What? What was it like when you first got here?
Siv Ashley Well, um, I started a school and kindergarten I was 15 years old. Never been in school before and never hold a pencil never know what what you know, anything is I have to learn ABC 123. Well, my very first book that I read was in the Bible, because I didn't know how to read. But my very first book was run Spot Run over and over and over fine too. And so I learned at the age of 15, and coming going from within six years, I was able to graduate from kindergarten all the way to high school. And then I was able to go to college, and I went to college. And yeah, and went to college got a two years degree, Hotel Restaurant Management, and got art degree as well and to a degree and I was able to get hell a job in Boone, North Carolina, restaurant managers, and I was making money and I was doing really well and I was looking at the cultures of how American culture is and how beautiful it is and and everything else and at this moment my focus was making much more money to live a good life and an hour just but I was just really upset steel and did not know what to do. I want to hurt myself sometime because I just like, you know, I don't know what uses it by making all this money and all that. And then I look at other people that have a family that loving family and and all that and at this moment I was going up teenagers and now I want to think that American culture is God and look at why boys like girls and girl like why what's wrong with me and I were just hanging on in the long crowds and and just didn't care. And at this moment, I would just forget about God. And, and, and when I forgot about God, I would just like the stress again and just going from one end to another and just want to in my life again at this time and just yeah
Kimberly Hobbs it was it was I can't imagine you know like now that you're here you're free in America and you are integrated into society a new society a new culture, the pain and the trauma from your past had to be dealt with and you were hurting you were running you wanted to end your life again. And you started running far away from God because of the you know the anger and the different things in your heart that you know you forgot about him so So can you talk about Civ that how did guy get your attention to get back on track when you forgot about him?
Siv Ashley You know, I thought about at this point, were my life just 90 degree turn. And I forgot about God and we're just like, God, did you just don't love me anymore? And one day, I was just running on a streak and I was just like going around and, and at that time were the person I was dating is my husband now. And he texts me and he said, you know, you need to turn back to God and you need God directions. And that was Masane, saying, you know, I need to get back to God. And, and I thought about the scripture that I open up, and that in my Bible and, and in Matthew tablatures 14, where Peter glade gaze into Jesus, when he was walking in a water and fan, when he lose his love fate, what happened to Peter, he fell in the water. And every one of us are like, Peter, we got all these little thing. And then, and then what, what the next thing we need to do is that we just forget about God, and we just don't know that, that God has been holding on to us all these time. So I thought about that scripture over and over and reading about eater, and God pull my attention and say, Look, serve are protected you for all this time. And I bought you to America for a reason that tells a story about me. I just go and over and over. And then I began, and then the church car for me. And the chart responds to us. Call for me. And got me to speak for the first time at that turn. That's awesome. Wow, wow.
Kimberly Hobbs So God started getting your attention. And the Lord God is merciful and forgiving, forgiving, even though we've rebelled against Him. That's Daniel nine, nine, even though you are far from God, he never was far from you. And he kept getting your attention. And when you went into that street to take your life, your husband shows up and all of a sudden he's he was that sign again, that you need that faith back in God, you need to turn to him serve. And I love that and all the way through to church, you know, they, they've heard your story they're asking you to speak. Ladies, there's so much so much healing when we speak out loud when we share our stories when we write our stories and share it with others and serve had that opportunity. So sieve what began inside of you through sharing your story and speaking it out loud in the different churches that you were called to.
Siv Ashley So when God called me and my first church was Detroit that sponsor me and ask begin to tell my story. And when I begin to tell my story about how I God rescue me, from Cambodia to America, and I feel that we leave just came all over me I said no matter what, God loved me, no matter what anybody said anything to anybody else don't love me, God loved me man, like John 316 That my father always reminded me about that. And so ever since that, I've been going from one chart to another and to do mission work and I've been going from from state to stay speak at women's conference. I was God call me for all this to share. And, and and from from United State to out of the country to share my story and to around the world to women that are been beaten and then then abused then Amy Cana and they hurt to store it and that's what God wanted me. Every cent that I have been we leave out of you know, you just have that burden sometime. And you just feel that we leave every cent that and just it's just like God never forgot about me. It was me that forgot about him. Yes, yes, that Peter. So yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow. Exactly. And God was protecting you all the way through this, but he was building you to that calling that he had on your life. And so different people would come in asking you to speak and share, like you said, women's conferences, you're speaking at churches, you're sharing and the Scripture, Revelation 1211, they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony. And as you grew in strength, as God poured that strength into you serve, and you were able to proclaim the story that God gave you, you were able to overcome what was trying to pull you away from God, you overcame the enemy. And I love that so. So now, God's Word says, You have allowed me to suffer hardships, but you will restore me and lift me to life again, and lift me from the depths of the earth, you will receive, store me to even greater honor and comfort to me once again, that Psalm 7120 to 21. And listeners that are hearing that verse applies to you that scripture applies to sieve, all of us because we've all suffered hardships, right. And God is a restoring God, He wants to bring us back to the fullness of Him and Him in our life. We just have to surrender to Him and be willing to go where He sends us and you are on the mission field sieve. I love it. I love it. So everybody has a story. Some of us have suffering stories. And if there's those of you listening right now that are suffering, you've heard sieves, part one and two, which is an incredible powerful story. Civ. There is the listener right now that is suffering. She wants to hear a word she's praying for a word. Are you praying right now ladies? Are you praying for that word of encouragement, sieve, pour into her that word of encouragement from your heart right now that is advice to help them through their time of suffering right now and even pray with them if you so feel led?
Siv Ashley You know, I'm all the listener out there. And I want you all to know that God never forget about you. We forget about God. And my encouragement is that the first thing you need to do, open your Bible. That's what that's what the Bible is for. And open that Bible and read a scripture. And it all will come to you at that moment. Like I said, you know, in Romans 828. And we know that we all doing our work together for good to them that love God, and to them that who are called according to His purpose. Yes. Ah, that treasures that verse to me. And when that moment come, God will put your life in a place that you will never imagine. And God knows you before you even born in your mother's wounds. And so, in that and out, can I pray for y'all right now, just to say, thank you all for listening. Okay, and thank you, God, Father, although we're in heaven, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On our side, this is heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us those treasures passes against us, will deliver us from the evil For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. And thank you, Jesus for teaching us how to pray this pray, lore. I pray for the one right now that are hurting and the one that are suffering on all sorts of thing. But if we can just think about what you suffer for us, that you gave your life to us. Beaten and hurting spurred on and all the boosts the scar that you've gone through just for Cinder, like me. Know, thank you for giving your Son, Jesus Christ to us that we can look up in heaven. I say, lor, thank you for saving a worthless like me. In Jesus name, I pray in the precious name in your holy name. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs That's so beautiful. Thank you. So thank you for sharing from your heart. And God's Word says, Call on me when you're in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. That's Psalm 50, verse five, rescue me and you will give me glory. And this is civs life right now she has given back to the Lord and complete surrender, to give Him the glory, for rescuing her life from saving her from sin, forgiving her sin and bringing her to this new life in Christ. Revelation 21 Five says, Behold, I am making everything new. And he did that in sieves life, it was a journey. She had to endure so many things. I'm sure if you ask her that through her story. If one person accepted Jesus as their Savior because of it, she would endure it all over again. Because that's the value that Civ has. In her salvation. She knows who her savior is, she knows who she serves and lives for. And we pray that for you that you have that faith, that faith that God talks about in his work, that if you have that faith of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain to be cast in the sea, and it will be done. We can't comprehend that. So what is your mountain? What is that overwhelming fear or trouble that you're going through right now? God wants your faith, your faith in him that only He can do it. And he will strengthen you and equip you to go on and press on and get through it will get saved. Look at her life, what she endured things that us we can't even comprehend what this child endured. Growing up in the memory she had to deal with with losing every buddy she loved everybody and being beat and hurt herself. She endured because God gave her the strength. And she kept hearing the word faith that her father instilled in her believe Civ believe Civ. Oh, dear Lord, we are so grateful. So grateful for your mercies that are new every day. Save any closing word you want to share with the ladies, tell them how they that they can receive your book. A teenager's survival, it's beautiful. Yeah. How can they receive that?
Siv Ashley The book will tell a little bit more details into my life. You can receive that book from Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. And I believe it's like $11. That's it. And most of the poussette BOCES go into the mission fields. And well, actually, the whole thing go into mission. So yeah, you can go through their Amazon and there'll be a Barnes and Noble to get them and I'm a warrant encouragement. Look, everyone listening right now. Just don't look behind you. Look for to God, what he can give you. Because when you look behind is always sad. Live in front of you. With God. Always. Always with you. He always never doubt. Never doubt he loves you. Love you. And if y'all need to get in touch with me or need to talk to me. I'll be there for you. You can You know, going sieve Ashley srv.ashley@aol.com, and shoot me an email, you want to go to my website, WWE dot save ashley.com Shoot me an email, I'll get to you as soon as I can. And we all I'm there to help you Kimberly's there to help you with the war woman, website and any anything that we can help you we'll be happy to shoot you back an email or even give you a car. And don't worry, look for them one of you will God, how so much for you to ask
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. You are so lovely, Siv. And I'm just thankful that we've become sisters in Christ. I think thankful that you are part of women, world leaders and listeners, this is the heart of the women that are within this ministry. They just want to be there and help you. We were all going through different things. And, you know, just hardships are no respecter of persons, they happen and they hit us all. But we need that community to come around us. And that's who we are at women, world leaders, we come around you and inspire you encourage you try to support you how we can through things that you go through. But we have opportunities here for all of you to serve, and be a part and plug in to this wonderful, amazing ministry that God has provided. And there's different ways you can connect with us through zoom. We have leadership Connect meetings every every month, please go to our website at women world leaders.com. And check out how you can get involved in the ministry. We'll reach out to you we want you here we want you to be a part. It is fun to serve God together from where we are all over the world right Civ like, wow, he's connecting us in all these different countries. So please just Just don't be afraid. Just reach out, step out. If God is nudging your heart right now, just be a part come on board with us. And remember with God all things are possible. You may not feel worthy, you may not feel you may have be self conscious, so who knows what's holding you back. But pray and ask God to help you through that and then plug in with us be part of us. We're on Facebook. You can follow us that way. We have devotions every day on our website, there's things that you can do that will keep you engaged. And these podcasts are available to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through women world leaders podcast. So please just join in. We are in all different platforms all over the world. We're in 70 countries and we are thankful that God is propelling his message of truth throughout the world. So ladies, thank you again, sieve Ashley, thank you for being with us today ladies, from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have the most beautiful day.
Last weekend, Women World Leaders hosted a conference titled Come As You Are in West Palm Beach, FL. Join Lisa Hathaway as she discusses the importance of gathering together as Christian women. When we prioritize ourselves and make room for our souls to be fed, God meets us through the love and encouragement of others.
Hello, and thank you for joining this is Lisa Hathaway with Celebrating God's Grace.
I just want to talk to you for a few minutes about Women World Leaders. We had an event in West Palm Beach, Florida, this past weekend, and the name of the event was Come As You Are. And it was such an amazing, amazing experience of community and women coming together. And just really celebrating and valuing who we are as women. I had the privilege of being at the table to check women in to see their beautiful faces and the happiness they came as individuals. They came as mothers and daughters and friends. And it was just so nice and awesome to see the community that came together. We handed out the bulletin, the program, we handed out name tags, so that we can know their names because names are so incredibly important. And we recognize that names are who we are. And we know that God has called us by name He has created us and called us by name, and that we are so loved and so valued. And as we were welcoming them in, we went into the auditorium. We start off with praise and worship, which is such a time to come together as a community and worship God. And just as a whole to be able to sing and just listen and soak in His presence. We had an amazing, amazing interview with our founder Kimberly Hobbs, she interviewed brandy reader who if you go on women, world leaders, there's a podcast with her. That's phenomenal. It's just a true story of redemption and restoration and brandies life, it was so moving and so touching. And then I had the privilege of speaking and sharing my story and just to be able to share the goodness of God and the miracles that he does in our lives big and small. And we had a lot of comedic relief. And it was so awesome to hear one of our leaders, Deanna Elaine and she helped us in comedy and kept us on our toes laughing. And then we had Julie Jenkins, one of our co founders of women, world leaders as coming in and just ending it in an amazing, fantastic teaching on Ruth. And so it was it was packed with prayer. It was packed with teaching and testimony. And it was something that I will never ever forgive. And I know that it was in Florida and so many people from women were leaders, there are a lot that live in that area. But there are so many that are around the country, we have numerous people that write in books, from Australia, and South Africa and all all around the world. And that is where our voice of truth magazine goes. Our books code that we publish, they go to people around the world. And one thing that I really just wanted to share was just to have the benefit of what community looks like it's it's so vitally important for us as women, if we're moms, wives were sisters, whatever the case may be is to be able to really pressed in and rely on each other and have that fellowship. And we're so different. I mean, us women are so different, we have our own lives and our own stories. But it is also a so moving to be able to hold hands with the person beside of us as a woman and know that we are there to encourage each other and to lift each other up and to be that, that safe place for each other. And it's so it's just crucial for us in today's society that we have all these struggles and all these responsibilities, but that we can sit here and bond together as women as Christ like minded women, to worship Him and to fellowship and just be a part. And we ended with an amazing beautiful catered lunch at Kaiser University in West Palm Beach. They catered it and it was just another time of fellowship and we had pictures taken and we had our books for sale. So the whole day was just so it was just so life giving and I flew in from North Carolina and you know, just to be there that whole weekend. It was it was something my soul needed personally and you know, it's just you, you have fun and you laugh and you cry and you make me relationships and memories that I will cherish forever. So I just want to encourage you ladies if even if you're listening from other states, other continents other you know whatever wherever you are, it's just encourage you to find a group a ladies group If it's a Bible study, if it's a community, if it's a ministry, you know, we, we encourage you to find community. And, and something that is extremely life giving to you, we also have a leadership connect with women, world leaders, and that is the third Monday of every month, if that's something you would like to be a part of it, we come together, and we have a teaching, and we just share and we see all the different faces on Zoom. And, you know, thank goodness for technology, I guess that's something you know, COVID really did help us with is to enhance our tech technological skills and to be able to fellowship across the globe via zoom virtually, or whatever platform that you use. And so, you know, I just want to say that it's important, it's important to take time for yourself, it's important to have that self care as women, it's important to have community and to sit back and just pray about asking God to give you a a ministry, a nonprofit, or a church group, a church ladies group, I mean, so many churches have women's ministry just to get plugged in, plugged into something that God has for you, because it's so it's just, it's something that we really, really need as women so, but I just wanted to take a few minutes to share with you about the commas you our event. And we're going to plan to have this yearly. And we hope that we can expand in different areas in the years to come. But I just, it's something that was on my heart. And I know this isn't necessarily like a teaching or anything, but it's just to it just hit me as I was flying home on Monday, that it was something that my soul needed, and to take time to value ourselves because that's what God wants us to do. He wants us to feel our spirits fill our cups up. And my cup was definitely running over after this weekend. And just the connections and the friendships and the people that I've seen on Zoom, I got to hug in person and it was so meaningful to me. And just to let people love on you, and that's what we wanted to do and what we wanted women to take away from this event. So thank you for listening and allowing me to take some time just to share and just really, I just really emphasizing that you are worth it and you are loved. You are valued God sees you. He sees exactly where you are who you are, and he loves you just where you are. Even if you're struggling if you're broken or anything he just loves you and he wants to bring people around you to support you and love you
Jesus sent His disciples into a storm. Really! There was a storm coming, Jesus knew it, and He told His disciples to get in the boat and go without Him. Do you ever feel like you are in a storm and Jesus has abandoned you? He didn’t abandon His disciples, and He will never abandon you! If you let Him, He will use the storm to open your eyes to His glory and wonder – just like He did for the disciples! (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark, 6:45-52, John 6:16-21) (Original air date 4/12/22)
Welcome to Walking in the Word…the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m so happy that you have committed the next few minutes to focusing your mind on the teaching that God has for us today.
God wants to meet you where you are and longs to empower you to work together with Him and His people to showcase His glory. That is our goal at Women World Leaders, to use our gifting to share Jesus with the world, and to help empower you to do the same as you walk in your God-given calling. Wherever you are in your walk, we are glad that you have joined us. When I came to this ministry, I felt called to simply put my toe in the water. I wanted to find out what Women World Leaders was all about and spend some time in prayer with God, asking Him to lead me in only as deep as He wanted me to go. And that’s what we want for you! Think of Women World Leaders as a stream of God’s love that you can access in an as big or small way as God calls. We are thrilled that you are listening to our podcasts – and maybe that is exactly where you are supposed to be right now. But don’t ever discount God’s movement for you as He calls you deeper – to grow, to serve, to give, and to experience His love in community. When you are ready, check us out at womenworldleaders.com and ask God where and when He wants you to step deeper into the stream.
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we have the joy of studying Scripture together as we ask God what He wants us to learn from Him today. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Before we jump into our scripture today from Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy and Ever-Present God! We thank you for meeting us where we are today and always being ready to share your heart with us as we open your Word. God, your Word is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, and as we study today, we ask that you not spare us the blade. God, prune us as you teach us, that we may develop a deeper relationship with you. Open our hearts and our minds that we might truly grow and learn from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week we learned about Jesus turning five loaves of bread and two fish into a satisfying meal for well over 5000 hungry people. There is no doubt that that miracle amazed all who were present, and John 6:15 tells us that, as a result, the people were ready to make Jesus their king by force. King Jesus…sounds pretty appropriate. But, not to Jesus, not at that time or for that reason. Jesus knew the hearts of the people, and they weren’t looking for an eternal King who would forgive their sins and lead them to life everlasting with God…they were looking for a worldly king. Their offer of kingship was akin to Satan’s offer to Jesus to rule all the kingdoms of the world when he tempted Him in the desert. Jesus understood this temptation, and He separated Himself from the tempter…and He separated His disciples from the tempter as well. Matthew 14:22 in the New Living translation states…
Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Jesus knew that the devil was up to his tricks, and He knew that the temptation to turn away from all that God had planned for Him was going to get increasingly more difficult with each step. So He retreated to pray – to spend time alone with His Father. In fact, He probably spent about six hours alone with God, while the disciples did what He told them to do. They got into the boat, only to encounter a dangerous storm.
What the disciples didn’t know was that even by sending them into the storm, Jesus was protecting them. We often note that Jesus was fully human, well, the disciples were fully flawed humans. Like us. If they had gotten wind of the fact that the people wanted JESUS to become KING…there’s no telling where their imaginations would have gone. They were, after all, Jesus’ right-hand men. Surely, if Jesus was to become king, their own positions would be elevated as they became members of the King’s court! There is no telling how pride could have crept in and stolen their allegiance to God. Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He sent His disciples by boat into a literal storm…He was protecting them from a storm of pride and greed that could have permanently sunk and destroyed them.
How often do we nay-say the position we are in…wondering why our finances, position, or even relationships aren’t all we wished they could be? Perhaps by placing us where we are, even placing us in the middle of a storm, God is protecting US from a danger that we don’t even recognize.
So…Jesus was with God, praying…and the disciples were boating into a storm.
Did I mention that Jesus was WITH God?
As the disciples were sailing into a storm, it likely crossed their minds…where is Jesus when we need Him? He knows how to calm the storm!
But Jesus was with God…and He knew EXACTLY what the disciples were up against…and He knew EXACTLY what they needed.
See…the disciples, whether they knew it or not, were in an intense learning period. First, they participated in one of the biggest miracles ever, then, maybe feeling a bit prideful, they got on a boat with their 12 baskets of leftovers…and steered right into a vicious storm.
John 6:18 says…18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.
Mark writes…they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves
And Matthew records…a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
Jesus knew. Matthew 14:25…
25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
The disciples did not recognize Jesus, likely because they weren’t looking for Him. In their minds, He was on the shore praying.
But Jesus was there…because Jesus is ALWAYS there for His children. And the fact that Jesus was walking on water was a clear demonstration of His deity. Job is recorded as extolling the virtues and attributes of God, and says in Job chapter 9, verse 8, “He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.”
The word the disciples used for ghost demonstrated that instead of looking for Jesus, they were most likely thinking that an evil spirit was coming toward them.
Mark records in chapter 6 verse 48 that Jesus intended to walk BY the boat…He was simply reminding them of His deity and control, as when God appeared in many instances throughout the Old Testament…but when Jesus recognized the disciples’ utter terror…He spoke..
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”
Jesus’ presence should have been enough! But the disciples were still learning! And Jesus was SO gracious!
Matthew, 14:28 continues…
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
This is remarkable to me…
Jesus’ intent was to walk BY the boat…but when Peter called to Him, Jesus didn’t HESITATE to stop and respond. We’ve read over and over about Jesus’ compassion for the people – healing them, freeing them from demons, even feeding them. In this case, Jesus was there to comfort the disciples. And Peter wanted nothing more than to be close to Jesus, so he asked Jesus to call him. And Jesus didn’t hesitate.
Jesus is always near us. He is always aware of what we need, and He certainly has the power to handle anything that is going on in our lives. But we must be aware, ask Him for His instruction, and then bravely follow His voice.
Verse 29 continues…
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
The lesson could end there. Jesus called to Peter to come, walk through a storm, across the water, defying logic and circumstance. And Peter obeyed.
When has Jesus called you to get out of the boat? To draw near to Him? To trust the sound of His voice? Did you follow? Did you obey? Or are you still sitting in the boat?
Peter followed. He stepped out. That could have been the end of an amazing story of faith. BUT…we are human…and in our humanity, even strong faith wavers when the world comes against us…
Verse 30…
30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
Again…THAT could have been the end of the story! Peter got out of the boat with his gaze fixed on Jesus, got distracted, and sank. The end.
But it isn’t the end! Because God DOES NOT give up on us…or on our wavering faith! Instead, Peter looked back at Jesus and managed to grasp that wavering faith inside and shouted…
“Save me, Lord!” and
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
So few words from Jesus, when He could have, by all rights, given Peter a complete lecture. Every time I hear this verse, I picture my children when they were tiny. I picture them coming to me with tears and big eyes…seeking forgiveness and feeling bad…I picture hugging them and kissing their head…and saying…its okay…but why did you doubt me?
Jesus’ reaction to Peter is one of pure and utter love and devotion. It is compassion for Peter’s hurting, and wet, heart. Peter was gung ho…none of the other disciples asked if THEY could come to Jesus in the middle of the storm…but Peter asked! And Peter stepped out! And Peter wavered … and he sank. But then he called out to Jesus, who IMMEDIATELY reached out and grabbed him, and I like to imagine, kissed Him on the head in reassurance.
Matthew 14:32 continues…
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
This was the first time the Bible records that the disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. And do you see why they did?
Because they were in a storm, and Jesus calmed it.
Jesus will always protect us…when we let Him.
Because God who was passing by in a display of His sovereignty and peace, didn’t hesitate to invite Peter to come to Him and then He stuck around and saved Peter even through his wavering faith.
Jesus will always honor our faith in Him…even when it is flawed.
Because Jesus, who had sent them out in a boat to encounter a storm, used that same storm to meet them where they were and to guide them into the knowledge that He is God.
Jesus will always show us who He is…and His works will always point us to God.
Our lives on this earth will not always go as we would like them to…but God is in control and God will always show up! When we call to Him, He will use every storm for His glory.
If you are in a storm, or have been brought out of a storm, perhaps God is now calling you to share your story…so that others will see His glory and will worship Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Call to Him. Obediently step out of the boat. And then shout His praise! He will never let you down. I promise!
Dear Most Holy God…Thank you for bearing with us despite our wavering faith. We know you have a purpose and a plan for us and you are calling us to get out of the boat. Help us keep our eyes on you even as we walk on the water through the storms of this life. With you, we can. With you, we will. We put all our trust in you as we step bravely, for the purpose of your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As a normal, happy 5 year old child, Siv Ashley grew up in Cambodia. She was seized by red soldiers with her family and sent to concentration camps. Facing starvation and beatings daily, imminent death was a continued possibility.
Siv's father instilled faith in his young family prior to their captivity. Hear this miraculous faith story of survival because of the one word instilled in a child, "believe." Against all odds Siv now resides in America.
Kimberly Hobbs Welcome, everyone, to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so happy that you have joined with us today. It's always a privilege to welcome our guests onto the program and we are welcoming Siv Ashley today she is from Hampton Ville, North Carolina. Welcome Siv.
Siv Ashley Oh, thank you so much having me today. And just, it's a, it's a precious to be on this with you all.
Kimberly Hobbs Well, you are precious. And we are grateful that you're here to share your story today. Ladies, this story is one of the most powerful stories I have heard, as she says originally from Cambodia, and she has one faith story to share with you all. And that's what we're going to talk about today is faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen. And that's what Scripture says, God loves you. He loves each and every one of us, he never leaves us he never forsakes us. And it says so in His Word, and His Word is truth. And we can count on that. And today, our hope is that we can inspire and strengthen and help build your faith already you may be walking through something right now. That is a tremendously difficult and we want to say we, we love you, we're here for you. But most of all, God loves you. He will never leave you. And through sieve sharing her story today we believe that you're going to feel that emotion, compassion, but yet think about your own life through listening to this powerful, powerful story. So as we go back and her life a little bit she's gonna share her story but I want to first share a little bit about Civ. Ashley Civ began her life as a normal child and an average happy family in Cambodia. She was surrounded by loving family members, and on April 6 16th 1975, everything changed for her red soldiers evacuated her family with 1000s of Cambodians and marched them to camps to work in the government rice fields. Children worked over 12 hours a day. They were fed only rice and water and were nearly starved to death. Sieve witnessed red soldiers killed countless children and adults. And for four years sieve faced the possibility of imminent death. Daily. sieves father clung to faith no matter what happened, and reminded sieve that God is always with you sieve if you believe it with all your heart, sieves and during fate, faith and prayers helped her to survive against all odds. And today, as I said civis going to share her story of faith and survival. So save let's just start right now where you just share your story with us.
Siv Ashley All right, um, I grew up in a beautiful family and in the countryside. So Cambodia, Phnom Beng new Phnom Penh in Gabon Jam, which is our How to brother and two sisters and aunts and her baby. And my grandmother, my father and my mother. And we live you know, just like a normal family was a very very happy and one day my dad was he was just wanting more out of life and we didn't have much but he wanted more for his children to educate and all that so he went to town he told my mom and dad told my mom and my grandmother that we are we going to town which when I say town is about 800 miles from where we live wow yeah is is the capital of Cambodia would Phnom bang so as he was traveling to Cambodia tribal dudes penumpang he he got to a place where I lose store and then they got to bag rice and he was just going to exchange some good and clothing and things like that. so that my mom can make clothes for us and food and stuff like that. And, but during this time he passed through a store, and he heard these people speaking. And they did not look like him. They didn't sound like him. And he would just amaze about the beautiful, beautiful name. They call him do Su, mean Jesus, but he didn't know it. And he put down his rise. And then he went on into that store. And he will just like, wow, our amazing this is, so he stayed there all day long. And on that day, and that week, he accept Jesus Christ as Savior, Hey, man, one time, and he was so happy, he was totally different person. He forgot about exchanging rice and exchanging anything, he was so happy. And he came back to the village without nothing for God about everything. So he came, and then he was beginning to tell us, my grandmother thought he was crazy. You know, like, passing you do all this thing, and you didn't bring anything? And so, um, he said, No, no, I just heard the wonderful news. And let me tell you about it tonight. And so we sit in that campfire that night, and my dad begins to tell the story. And also he was beginning to tell the story that the people was telling him about that if you just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, which they call him dusu, and that you will have eternal life. We pray that night with my dad. And we all accepted Christ that night. And we didn't know what to do. Because you know, what my dad learned about it, is that's all we got. And he always always looking at me and say, Now, Sir, one day you are going to a place called America. And he don't know where America is. He just thought of these people that was telling him how beautiful America is and how these places. And so my dad wanted to meet them again, these people that he had met at the store that are hoping that he can get the book. He didn't know what the book means, which is referred to the Bible. He didn't know what it was. He said one day, so if you're able to read that book, so he decided to move his family a little closer to Phnom Penh, which is the capital of Cambodia. As we move there, our house was different than from a straw house to a break house, which they had to look for a job. So during this time, in 1974, sitting around 7475, Vietnam war was ended. And boy, pot was the leader of Cambodia. And they came in and they decided to capture young children. Adult smart kids, smart adult, and my dad didn't realize what was going on as he was looking for job and looking for the people that he was met at one time that shared a gospel. But as it's like a parade, and they come in and they they have their gun down their grenade in the back. And suddenly my my whole entire world turn. My brother and I Mang was playing and they they just begin to separate children taking children and my dad was able to reach me at that point, and cut all my hair off, making sure that I was in look like a little girl. My brother and I was the same pack together so we look so much alike. He said no matter what said no matter what I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ when suddenly they take us they took me my brother to a work camp... and we will sep, sep, sep separated from our family. And now I can understand what's going on. I was nine years old, didn't understand what what causes what, what just happened. it and all the adult was get put in the cam. Um, we, I have they put me in the children can, which is the boys can just because I look like a little boy because my dad cut my hair. My brother and I was together at this point, we was in this camp where they teach us not to say a thing, only go by their rules. And if you were good, there was April led you to see your family. So during this time, everybody was starving, we have to work in the rice field from morning, early morning till night. And if you don't, they will beat you to death. Or they sometimes they will try to cut you until you bleed to death. There's so many things going on and I didn't understand it. And my dad, what when we get a chance to go see my dad, the adult camp. My mother, mom, grandmother, Dad, I don't know if she's been beaten, or, or been tortured to death. My dad said she passed away. And so I would ask my dad, I was like, why this is happening? That? Why does this happen? He said, This is just maiming man and doing all this stuff. But don't worry. Believe, to one day you're gonna get out of this place. And you'll go to a place called America. And I will be laughing at him is like, you know how we're I go to a place I don't even know how to read. I don't know where I'm at. I mean, this camp. So we was out able to go back. And we've been tortured again. And we've been at nighttime, they will teach us bad thing, how to use a gun, and how to play the Russian roulette. And just going on every day, every night and I and and each time when I was able to come back to visit my dad to the adult camp. Like oh, my entire family was killed. My little brother and little sister was put in this little big hole. I don't know how they died because my dad never did describe it to me. And all I see is a lot of bodies just in this hole. And the last person was my mom. It was in his arm and I said, you know, please let my mom rest. She's dad, my dad let her go. And he loves her so much. He loves her so much. And he finally finally let her go. You can see the boosts in her body. I don't know she's been right. What she's been she he didn't tell me. But he can see the evidence in her body. And I would ask him is like father, the God that you believe here are you see? And he will put on this big smile, he said is right here in your heart. You believe so and one day you will go to a place called America. So they ... they put me back and they got me to the back to the work camp. My brother was being beat because he couldn't work on his camp too long. And so he had been beaten up taking to the to a sick camp, they call it a fly was eaten him up and all that stuff. And I just didn't want to live anymore. I didn't I didn't know what to do. I was just like, Okay, what is next? What I'm gonna do. Laura, please help me. I play our play every night. And so, the last time I got to go to see my dad was he died in prison. And he was been beaten up. You can tell that he's been shot at one of his legs. The flower was eaten up and the lies were from him was watch him. And the last word from him is that with that big smile in prison and said beliefs Say, in one day you go into a place called America. And Jesus is in your heart. You die in prison. And at that moment I didn't want to live at all was Wildwood I'm the only one. I'm the only one my brother is sick. So what do I do? What do I do? I just remember my dad said to believe a new will go to a place car America. That is what I hang on to.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. It's almost that there's no words, you know, to go back and feel the pain that you must have felt. You know, in America here, we can hardly comprehend what you're sharing in what you endured. Let your dad continue to tell you have faith. Have faith believe Civ believe in those words that he impressed on your heart over and over and over and the fact that you all accepted Jesus as your Savior. He was there with you. He was there with you. And as you went back, and you told me you, you pretended to be a boy in the camp just to just to stay alive. And your brother, you know, was is was so badly beaten and broken. And in that hospital, and you were you just didn't want to live yourself anymore. So here you are at this turning point. And the scripture says, The Lord hears the cries of the needy, he does not despise his imprisoned people. Psalm 6933. He never returned from you said he never did. He was there. So can you share right now how, how you began the road with God to America. What, what happened next?
Siv Ashley Well, a group of people in that camp in that in that concentration camp. And they said, you know, you need to escape this camp in the ABR in a loved one and you go get your loved one. And as I was going to see if my brother's still in that sick camp, still, you're able to move with me this is at midnight. And so I went over there quietly and trying to find my brother, but I couldn't. I couldn't find that the body and the lady came up to me that was in that morning that he she had been going around to all these bodies and make sure they that they are either pass away or what? And so she said that you were to leave, leave right now the soldiers come in, you need to go with the screen, how alive to yourself. And again, I broke down I didn't want to leave my brother. Well, I did not see the body. And God just after my poor as it got, please give me a sign what to do. And the sign is that you know the soldier was coming and I can hear in the background they will talk and coming toward this camp. And so I run with a group of people and we got to a place car. See I'm near is is is a border between is a mountain with a border between Thailand border and we sit on top of that mountain for a while and and I would just didn't want to do any anything anymore. I just feel really, really separated from everything and I didn't want to live with the assay up there watching children. Lou young baby smugger by their mother so that no one can hear them starvation and we could we couldn't find any food or anything. And I would just just very depressed and very worn it's just I even tried to find a raw and want to kill myself. And as I realize I pray again on that mountain. And when I pray and when I finished my prayer that it hurts like a samurai sword or how little cartoon or something. And this, this thing was dropping in. And out in the middle of nowhere, the soldier found out that we was escaping the camp. And so they was coming at to us. And so the gunfire was going back and forth and just is just so loud that the lay was blowing up and everything else out in the middle of nowhere. This means scoop me up. And he was shooting at the enemy. And I was scared. He was scared. And I didn't understand what was just going on. And I love as He was holding me and shooting at the enemy at the same time. And I saw the most beautiful thing that it was, say, in his shoulder. It was the red. What in blue? What stars all around it. And I didn't know what it means. Because I didn't know what the red white and blue with the star means. Oh, I know. He was a good man. He was sweet. And i It's me and him just run and we just run toward the safety.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, amen. That's God. God showed up. In the form of that man that scooped you up. He chose you. Sieve he scooped you up. God says in His word, the Lord your God fights for you. Everybody listened to this Scripture. The Lord your God fights for you, Joshua 2310. Even when you don't see it, God is fighting for you. Save this is just an incredible story of faith story that you never gave up. You look to God constantly. How did you get from Thailand Civ to America? What happened next?
Siv Ashley What God all thing is possible in it? Yeah. Hey, work in mysterious way. The man bought me to the web a G camp in Thailand. And in Thailand, he would just, he would he know that I couldn't speak his language. And, you know, and he sat me down and he patted my head. And he's like, everything's gonna be okay. As he offered me a little package of food. And I took it from him. And as I looked up, he was gone. He was gone. And at this time, I was 14 years old. Don't know anything, don't know how to read, write, didn't know where I'm going or anything. And in doing this camp, I was I was I was able to united with one of my aunt that survived the camp. And she was in the same camp. And she came over and she she said, you know, can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Because I heard this lady say that you are my or related to me, and your whole entire family died. And so I told her and I said, and she said, You are Ma, you there was a word she used? She said, can you tell me a little bit about your name, what it means. And I told her is where a flower is a flower that you cannot find. That's what my grandmother naming. And so she said, You are my knees. And I have two young daughter and my husband and I was able to escape the camp. I'm going to take you ens my daughter, and we're going to have our whole entire family. You know, your ongoing and your cousin, which is my sister now. And then the five of us, we're gonna go to a place called America. Wow. And I thought that's what my dad said. Wow. And in 1979 That's one church in Ashe County in Jefferson United Methodist Church in Nash County, in North Carolina, adopted our fam. And it is just amazing how God just allowed them just adopt a family from Cambodia and bought them to jails in North Carolina. And at this point you know, I was about I'm 40 You're 40 years old, be 15 My birthday on September. So we came in July in Jefferson United Methodist Church, and I couldn't, I couldn't do anything I couldn't speak or anything so they got me there started a wonderful home.
Kimberly Hobbs Praise God, praise God. I mean, how do you not hold back the tears of joy and praise to our father? A life he brought by faith to fulfill your dad's words to you don't stop believing safe, don't give up faith. And he believed with all his heart, for you, honey he did. And again, that scripture Hebrews 11 one faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen. You never, you never knew what was ahead, but God knew because he had a calling on your life sieve. And ladies, we we are going to do this in two parts. Because this is just the beginning of Civ and what God is doing in her life. Now that she's arrived to America, so please tune in next next podcast. But there's one thing that sieve wants to share with you something about faith. For you, the listener she wants to share from her heart. So sieve, go ahead and share with the listener about your words of encouragement.
Siv Ashley Well, my encouragement is what my dad been encouraging me all ever said, he's a believer. And the verse that that he had always shared with me was John 316. And he didn't know what is the Scripture is all you know is not know how to say it. He always said, For God so loved the world, that who shall ever believing in Him shall not perish but how everlasting life that whosoever believes in Him will have an everlasting life. And it you know, it just a fate that he has so strong and he said, anytime when you are down when you when you are or upset, or when somebody hurts you what he said you think about what Jesus go through the give your life to give his life to you the beating that he going through the Spirit not that he going through to have you have eternal life, the man and I just think about what my dad said and the picture of what Jesus had gone through for me I must say I mean perfect so I know I get so emotion when I talk about if you're out there right now our have enough heart rates and anything that goes through you right now. Believe me the Lord Jesus go through a lot more just for us. He gave His life and that was the scriptures that for me and so can I play for the listeners?
Kimberly Hobbs Yes please, Siv, pray for our listeners.
Siv Ashley Um, let me pray for you. Gracious Father. Please help us to cherish you when we are hard press. And Father God, help the one that are suffering right now. Lord, help us by healing but the healing of your love. In Psalm 118 See, sixth The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. Thank you, Lord. For your precious name. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen
Kimberly Hobbs Amen Amen Civ. Thank you from our hearts, the listeners, myself. The ministry thanks you for sharing. It wasn't easy to talk and relive some of those memories. But you believed to come on here that God called you to share this story with the listeners around the world. And we are grateful so I thank you From my heart, but as, as I shared earlier, this is not all. This is not all, there's part two, next week and we pray that you'll join us, we pray that you will share this with others to hear the story. Sometimes we take our life for granted. And we think we've got it bad here in America, or maybe where you live in other countries, we think, how am I going to get through this, this is bad. But then God gives us a story like this to listen to a faith story that she never gave up. And she kept trusting and believing that those words, and that Jesus that her dad introduced her to, would help her and get her through this. And so wait until you hear next week what God is doing with this amazing woman's life. And we are so grateful to call her sister to call her friend, sieve we look forward at women were leaders to what God is going to do with you through this incredible ministry and a ability to share your story not only here on the podcast, but lady she's going to most probably share in voice of truth magazine with her story. And that is our publication that comes out. And every edition can be viewed on our website for free around the world digitally. And it's you can read it just like it was in your lap. And ladies, we also have it available to be sent to you by mail if you become a monthly donor of any amount to the ministry, and we will graciously send you every copy of voice of truth that comes out. It's amazing. It's beautiful. It's full color. It's copy coffee table quality. Ladies sieve also has a book out. And her book is a teenager's survival. Let me tell you, she can go into more detail in this book. So if you would like to receive this book safe, can you tell them how they can receive the book? Yes,
Siv Ashley They can order it and Amazon is a teenager survival by Siv Ashley, in Barnes and Noble and it might take a little while but it'll get there. to it, yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs Wonderful. Ladies, if you want to reach out to Siv further, or connect with her, you can connect with us at Women World Leaders to reach out to her or serve if you do you want to share a way they can reach out to you personally?
Siv Ashley Oh, yeah, they can go into the website or either, you know, wo dot sivashley.com and it will give you a list I have you can reach out to me and or you know, send shoot me an email. I'll get to you as soon as I can. You know, it's Siv s o n k@gmail.com. So that my email so
Kimberly Hobbs s i v s o n k.com
Siv Ashley lot? Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs Yeah. All right. At gmail.o@gmail.com I'm sorry. gmail.com. Yeah. All right. So we close out today and I thank you again, listeners for joining us today. We love you and from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all have a beautiful day and look for us next week with part two of SIV Ashley's interview. God bless you.
Are there areas in your soul in desperate need of God's grace in relation to trauma? Learn, with Robin Kirby-Gatto, how Jesus Christ came to heal us in the fractured places of the soul.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Title is: “God can heal the trauma that fractures your soul.”
17 “This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations. 19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets; 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory.” (Matthew 12:17-20 AMPC)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gives us Eternal Life, delivering us from sin. Not only does He deliver us from sin, He heals us of the trauma that is the result of sin. This prophecy from Isaiah 42:1-3, is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. God has literal meaning of His word, as well as revelation richly applicable to our individual lives, of which this passage is one.
I get into detail greatly on the issue of trauma in my upcoming book “The Forbidden Fruit, The Spiritual Disease,” where God reveals that the effects of sin are the impression of trauma. The acronym God gave me for “traumas” is Terror, Rejection, Abandonment, and Unloved Massively Announcing Shame. As a former psychotherapist, I saw the symptoms of trauma overabundantly in outpatient psychiatry. Presently, in my ministry work of health and wellness coaching, this is the most prevalent issue, in which I navigate my clients.
We don’t realize that even in the smallest way, we have an undercurrent of emotion, generally in those four areas, of terror, rejection, abandonment, and unloved, speaking within our body, causing us to react to things we’ve misinterpreted in life. Two symptoms of trauma I want to address are hypervigilance and being paranoid. Hypervigilance means that your super aware of things in your environment and you’re getting ready to fend off a perceived violation that might come through a circumstance or through another person verbally, passive aggressively or physically.
No one is immune from trauma in this fallen world. Adam and Eve were the first ones to experience this, as they were banished from the Garden of Eden as a result of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, bringing about spiritual death, where sin entered mankind. (See Genesis 3:1-24) Sin separated mankind from God. From this act, sprang emotions unfelt before, reeling through Adam and Eve’s bodies, of terror, rejection, abandonment and unloved cloaking them in shame. They tried desperately to cover themselves in fig leaves, hyper aware that something had changed. God hadn’t changed, He still loved them. What changed was that sin separated mankind from God, where Adam and Eve now felt terror, rejection, abandonment and being unloved.
Because of Christ Jesus and the power of Grace, we are freed from the impression of trauma. This is what the prophecy from Isaiah, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew is about.
“20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory.” (Matthew 12:20 AMPC)
The bruised reed and smoldering wick, represents the soul that’s experienced trauma. God provides a backdrop in which we can view the bruised reed and smoldering wick and its meaning, through the Hebrew words, which compose it.
Bruised comes from the Hebrew word râtsats pronounced raw-tsats' meaning, “TO CRACK IN PIECES, break, bruise, crush, discourage, and oppress.” [i] Thus, the bruised reed represents the person whose life seems to be falling apart or is at the point of a nervous breakdown. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had many opportunities in life, where I’ve felt like this. You must realize when this comes upon your person, it is only the “cracked” or fragmented parts of your soul, speaking and bleeding over into your entire body, overtaking you for the moment. You must stop and breathe, acknowledging GRACE!
To provide an analogy I want to use the spelling of the Hebrew word for bruised, which is r.a.t.s.a.t.s. Let me say it one more time, R.A.T.S.A.T.S. Now I’m not a wordsmith by any means, but I cannot help but to see things in the Hebrew words, which my husband, Rich, calls “Robinisms.” I couldn’t help but see RAT-SATS. This might not mean anything now but just wait.
We live in an old apartment, which we love, built in the early 1900s in downtown Birmingham, Alabama in the historic garden district. We have three parks in the area, where many more old buildings stand, occupied by tenants who can appreciate the character of the old architecture. I feel like I’m living the HGTV House Hunters International life, except nationally.
We’ve lived here for six years, and it wasn’t until just a month ago, that we experienced a mouse issue in the place. Thank goodness it was a mouse and not a rat. Well, that mouse had a friend later, so it became mice. Although they were cute, they were unnerving as from time to time, they would come out and run across the kitchen floor, and eventually one was in our bedroom. Me being the wife that I am and knowing my husband, I tried to keep it on the down low as much as possible.
Because of my work, I couldn’t help but hear the mice in the apartment. I am a proficient writer, having written 70 plus workbooks, and now 14 books. My father jokingly says, years from now that he’ll ask me what I’m doing and I’ll respond, “I’m writing a new book.” Along with being a writer, I minister and do health and wellness coaching, all from our apartment. While writing, I could hear something moving in the kitchen for a few days and would get up and down over and over to see if I could find what it might be. Eventually, I discovered a mouse, and contacted the property management to deal with the issue. One was caught, and I let out a sigh of relief, only to find out two days later there was another one. The second one I saw scurrying across our bedroom floor, which was caught later.
I cleaned our kitchen as though we were moving out, dismantling little boroughs of collected paper bags which might seem inviting for a critter. As well as getting into the nook and crannies, where I moved all the items in the kitchen, and then swept and mopped the floor.
I’m grateful it was mice and not rats. Rats are bigger and very aggressive, compared to mice. I’ve heard stories of people that had to deal with rat infested homes, and it’s not good. So, imagine if you had a rat sitting in your house and refusing to leave. No matter what, you couldn’t get it out. That’s what the effects of sin do, by leaving the impression of trauma. You might not have committed an act, but someone else committed an act against you. Regardless of who committed the act of sin, for which you’ve forgiven, you still have its impression in the form of trauma, which has made you hypervigilant on a matter or even paranoid.
God’s grace delivers us from this issue. He brings the power of His Word of Truth, where His Spirit of Truth, reveals His love, driving out the fear that was brought on by it. We see this in 1 John 4:18.
18 “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and EXPELS EVERY TRACE OF TERROR! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” (1 John 4:18 AMPC)
The bruise of the enemy, inflicted by sin, is trauma, the rat in our soul, gnawing at places in which we feel we’ll never be healed. God’s love makes us whole driving all terror out! The Greek word for fear is phóbos pronounced fob'-os meaning, “to be put in fear, alarm or fright, be afraid, and terror.” [ii] This is also where the word phobia comes from. Thus, God deals with the bruises on our soul, where we’ve acquired phobias.
The dim wick represents a little flicker of a flame on a candle, barely burning. The Hebrew primary root word for dim is kâhâh pronounced kaw-haw' meaning, “to be weak, to despond, to grow dull, darken, be dim, fail, and faint.” [iii] This gives the picture of someone barely hanging onto life, who’s hopeless. Jesus brings hope to the hopeless through His love, which is grace, lifting the weary traveler up onto the Highway of Holiness in Isaiah 35:8, where no unclean thing or beast can walk. No terror can tread on Love’s path. The saint is bathed in the pure love of the Cross of Christ Jesus and what He has done, to know the power of His resurrection. That power is our inheritance. (See Ephesians 1:17-20)
There is a process in working out our salvation as in Philippians 2:12, in fear and in trembling. That process is to know the grace of God that has come through Christ Jesus, so that although we’ve asked for forgiveness and have forgiven others, we must address our issue in getting past some things. The effects of sin have traumatized us in some fashion, which has left us feeling stuck, and possibly hopeless.
The first step in addressing the area of trauma, is recognizing that you’re feeling it in some form, whether it be terror, rejection, abandonment or unloved. This is prominent at times, where you might be triggered by what some says or does. You feel like a little girl lifting her hands, who longs to be picked up by her daddy and kept in his long embrace. This fractured part of the soul is where trauma dwells and needs to be healed by grace.
One of my favorite stories, which I’ve taught in my books, is about the ruby. I teach God’s scriptures with all the sciences, unfolding understanding of truth. When I taught on precious stones, in the series of God’s Fire Wall Healing of the Soul, I taught on Job 28 and on the precious stone, the ruby.
In Job 28, the prophet is grappling with his own trauma, which he’s felt during his trial, where he’s crying out for wisdom in the dark (dim) place, inside of a mountain. Sitting in darkness, Job’s led to pull back a piece of the mountain, allowing the light to shine in, and he discovers himself sitting amid sapphires and other precious stones. How beautiful is that? We don’t realize the precious blessings of God’s truth that’s made known to us in the darkest trials in our lives.
When I studied and taught on rubies during the gemology and archeology I employed with scripture, it blew my mind. Did you know that a perfect ruby is rare. That’s right. Isn’t that surprising? Most rubies have what gemologist call “fractures.” Little fractures make their paths through the stone, which might cause a regular person to discard it.
Fortunately, there’s a process to make the imperfect fractured ruby, perfect. Oil is poured into the fractured parts of the ruby, that’s then put into an oven heated at 500 degrees. Once done, the ruby is brought out, where the oil has baked into the fractures, and it is then made perfect. This process is called “healing,” where the fractured places in the ruby have now been healed. 500 represents grace for us, and is such a testament to the trials, which expose the areas of trauma in which we need healing. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn’t discard us or break us, He sweeps us up in the Love of God, bringing the display of the Father’s love for us.
Where is it you need healing from past trauma? Let the Lord’s love pour into your heart, overflowing within your mind, as you know the power of healing, grace.
[i] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 7533 “bruised”
[ii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 5401 “terror”
[iii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 3544 “dim”
In today's episode, Pt 3 of No Longer Blind!, we recognize that the true gift Jesus gave the blind beggar was NOT the gift of physical sight. It was far greater! And Jesus has that gift ready and available for you as well. Join Julie Jenkins for the conclusion to this 3-part teaching on John 9. (John 9:34-41)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. If this is your first time joining us. welcome. I encourage you to check out our previous podcasts as well as visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com.
Our goal at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Some of the ways we do that are through teachings, devotions, prayer, books, the Voice of Truth magazine, and events! In fact, we have an in-person event in West Palm Beach THIS weekend!! We would LOVE you to join us if you are in the area!
One of the best ways you can grow in your God-given purpose is to get involved. God has a place for you in this ministry. We often say that we are reaching over 70 countries, but did you know that we also have leaders in our ministry from several different countries? The devil certainly knows how to use technology, but so does God. COVID pushed us into a digital platform, and what the devil meant for evil, God used for good. One example is that we meet the fourth Monday of every month for a zoom prayer call. We gather and pray for specific needs for those on the call as well as for the needs of the ministry. If you would like to be involved, no matter where you are, send us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com or fill out the contact form on our website – www.Womenworldleaders.com
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast we have the opportunity to walk through the Word of God together. And currently we are walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Before we begin, let's pray.
Dear Most Holy God, as we dive into your teaching today, I ask that you be with us and show us clearly what you want us to learn. God, your Word is living and active and we know that it will meet us where we are. It is you, Holy Spirit, who allows us to know your thoughts, direction, and love for us as we read Scripture. God cleanse us of all unrighteousness that we may hear your voice clearly. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
This week, we are studying Part 3 of John chapter 9, which teaches us about Jesus healing the man who was blind from birth. Allow me to set the scene briefly, and then we will dive into today’s conclusion to this chapter as we study John 9:35-41 from the New Living Translation.
Jesus had been teaching at the temple, and as He and His disciples were leaving, they came across a beggar who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus if it was the man’s sins or his parents sins that had caused his blindness.
Jesus replied, “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” … “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Then Jesus proceeded to spit in the dirt, making mud, which he rubbed on the man’s eyes. He then instructed the man to go to the pool and rinse the mud, and the man’s vision was healed.
It was the Sabbath, and as healing was not permitted on the Sabbath, the man was taken to the Pharisees, who asked him about the incident…
The man simply gave the facts as he knew them, saying - I was blind, but now I can see.
They asked the man about who had healed him…to which he said, “I think he must be a prophet.”
The questioning went on, and the formerly blind man held his ground, simply re-stating his story. And finally, calling the Pharisees out for dogging on his healer, saying…
“He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”
At this statement, the Pharisees threw the man out of the synagogue.
And this is where we pick up the story today…
Let’s begin with John 9:35…
35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man…
The Pharisees had THROWN the man out of the synagogue for speaking truth. That sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Aren’t our places of worship supposed to be places where God’s truth reigns?
We must take this as a warning. I don’t want to speak ill of the church – I love the church and she is the bride of Christ. BUT…all churches are made of people. And people are sinful. So we must be careful – even in church.
Throughout the Bible, we are taught to be aware of false prophets – to think on our feet, trusting God to help us discern wisely EVEN that which is taught by and in the church.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 16:17-18…
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
What I LOVE about today’s teaching is that no sooner than religion failed the man, JESUS found him.
The man was THROWN OUT of the synagogue by men who were more concerned with their own welfare than bringing people to faith. Despite this, that wasn’t the end of the story for the man thrown out – Jesus HIMSELF found him.
And when He found him, Jesus asked him…
“Do you believe in the Son of Man?[c]”
Remember, this newly-sighted guy had never SEEN Jesus, the one he had just professed to be a prophet – he had only heard his voice. But having relied on his hearing for his whole life, there is no doubt in my mind that he recognized the voice of his healer. And he IMMEDIATELY responds to this rabbi who has already given him so much…
“Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
The now-sighted man was ready to jump on board with whatever this prophet said – he trusted him as his leader.
You have probably heard the leadership adage – People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Jesus had shown the beggar HOW MUCH he cared! This man had been ostracized from everyone – the disciples had seen him as a sinner, people who walked by saw him as a beggar, and the Pharisees saw him as a means to an end. He was a castaway of society. But JESUS SAW him! Jesus physically touched Him. Jesus cared for him and even healed him – gifting him with vision – something he had NEVER experienced.
This man cared what Jesus knew because he knew how much Jesus cared. So he asked Jesus – Who IS the Son of Man? I want to believe in HIM!
37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”
38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
That man had had quite a day. He had gone from his normal agenda of begging on the side of the road to being spoken to by a group led by a rabbi who then put mud on his eyes and healed his sight. Then he was addressed, maybe for the first time, by people who had seen HIM every day but hadn’t bothered to give him the time of day. His parents were brought onsite – but they were too afraid about getting in trouble to celebrate that their SON had been given sight. Then he was questioned about his healer, and he boldly proclaimed him to be a prophet.
With every step, the man grew. God was fast-tracking this man to Christianity. Jesus not only made it possible for him to see physically, but this man received a far greater gift. He could now spiritually see and recognize His Messiah.
And his response? He WORSHIPPED Jesus!!
Do WE worship JESUS when we see Him? He is everywhere – in our every day! If we doubt, we too can ask, “Who are you, Jesus – I want to believe!”
If we are blind, we can ask Him to heal OUR vision.
If you have ANY questions about faith, please don’t ever hesitate to ask our God in prayer. He WILL show you! And if you need someone to talk to or pray with you about faith, please don’t hesistate to reach out to us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com
Verse 39…
39 Then Jesus told him,[d] “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see[e] that they are blind.”
Jesus came to reveal the truth to us about God’s worth and our unworthiness. Any leader will tell you that speaking truth can cause division. But Jesus spoke truth in love as He offered an open invitation to everyone to join Him in God’s kingdom for eternity. Make no mistake that any division that comes from the truth of Jesus Christ stems from the sheer disobedience to not accept His teaching.
Verse 40…
40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”
41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
The Pharisees had a chip on their shoulders. They wanted to be in control and they wanted to be right. They did not want to learn or grow.
One of my favorite prayers is to ask God to make me teachable.
I am currently taking a class at my church and we have a couple of ground rules. One of them is, there is only one expert. The one expert is Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus has the whole story. Only Jesus understands complete truth. Only Jesus can heal and protect and guide us with all wisdom. And do you know what? Jesus is available to us every moment of every day, ready to respond to every question and need that may cross our minds.
The man was not blind from birth due to HIS sins OR his parents’ sins. He was blind SO THAT the glory of God could be revealed in Him. Jesus’ healing of this man’s physical sight was an illustration of the healing God offers EACH of us for our spiritual sight. He WANTS us to see Him, to come to Him, to rely on Him.
He is our Creator, Sustainer, and our ALL-IN-ALL.
Listen for His voice. Follow His call. And allow Him to show you things beyond your wildest imagination!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…today I thank you for the blind man. It seems crazy that you could use a blind beggar who lived over 2000 years ago to teach us today. I think of the days he wondered why his life was so difficult – I know he didn’t have ME in mind! But God, you did – and I thank you! God, when my life gets difficult, I ask you to remind ME that you are working in and through me. When I have a difficult time believing, I ask that you show yourself to me. When I feel prideful, I pray that you make my heart teachable. And when I question, Father, remind me to bring my questions to YOU. We worship you today – rightfully giving you all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Faced with oppression, poverty, and life-threatening circumstances in the country of Burma years ago, our guest, Nita Tin, Buddist and lost with Jesus, fled her country. Hear this victorious message of hope that only God could provide and how she found Jesus at a critical time. Hear what God is now doing with her incredible life story. * Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women, world leaders. Today ladies, we have such an incredible story. And I am so excited to introduce our guest. And pray that through this time together, you are going to hear an amazing victory story full of hope. And it's going to be brought to us by Mrs. Nita.Tin. Hi, Nita.
Nita Tin Hi, Kimberly, it's so lovely to be here with you.
Kimberly Hobbs And we are so blessed to have you and, and ladies that have joined in return, ladies and women that are just maybe tuning in for the first time. We are here as a ministry to encourage you, and empower you to run after Jesus to see what your beautiful purpose and serving him might be. And through learning about some of these stories, and all of the different things that so many of our sisters go through around the world, that this can encourage and inspire you to walk after God to seek Him with all that in you and find that beautiful purpose that He has just for you because we believe wholeheartedly, that God has a purpose and a plan for your life, ladies. So God says in Ephesians 210, that we are God's masterpiece, we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And as I'm going to share about a Anita or Anita I want to share in a little bit of length about who she is. Because this is all going to add to her story when you guys listen to how amazing God showed up in her life. And she has an incredible story. And actually, there's been a she's been writing a book and there's also a screenplay that's been written and she's going to talk more about that later. But it's it's just phenomenal what God has done with her life. So Anita is the co founder and Chief Chief Operations Officer for her husband's eye surgery practice in need to 10 Helton held the role of practice administrator for 40 plus years. She's a graduate of the University of Rangoon, Burma, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree Gulati with honors in the English language and literature. She's a former Buddhist. She is originally from Burma, currently known as my Inmar and trusted the Lord Jesus as her Savior after she arrived in Chattanooga nearly 50 years ago. She's a Christian motivational speaker, nationally and internationally. She's a leader and a Bible study teacher, and she has helped plant 1100 churches in Nepal. She's been on Moody Bible radio with Kay Arthur, and focus on the family. She has written, directed and acted as lead role in a dramatic, motivational, inspirational musical Easter drama that she's written. Anita wrote inductive Bible study guides, and her memoir heartbeat of a survivor love that could not let me go. And a film script, as I was telling you about has been written, and it was called it is called love beyond borders. Anita has a story of God's unending love to share and it describes herself as an empty broken vessel saved to tell the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Sonita Here we go. Let's talk today about your story of victory and being set free from the bondage in Burma where you began your life. Let's start there.
Nita Tin I'm passionate about sharing my journey because I was sick free from bondage, fear and tyranny to a life overflowing with freedom, joy and love to the valleys and hard trials in my life. I discovered that no, no matter what the circumstance of bondage, the pain, the heart ache, the loss or the sorrow. Change can be broken, and life can be abundant and meaningful. I grew up as a rich Burmese girl brought up in the Buddhist religion, in search of satisfying the longing in my heart and from a young child. I wanted to know God. Jeremiah 2913, says, You will seek me and find me when you search for me with your whole heart. And God, my loving pursuing father, in his infinite kindness, was drawing me to himself, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, with loving kindness, have I drawn you this verse in Jeremiah 31 Three, in a nutshell, is what God has orchestrated in my life. Two weeks after my 16th birthday, he God has a sense of humor, doesn't he? I was seen and he brought a gentle physician and surgeon into my life, who by His very love for His Heavenly Father, and the life that he lived, was instrumental in bringing me to the feet of Jesus, my Savior. our married life was interwoven with sorrow and hardship, that threatened to break our spirits and steal our joy. But finally, through atrocious circumstances that made it impossible for us to remain in Burma, a brutal massacre, my father's imprisonment and torture, loss of freedom, the absolute control our ruthless military dictator who took over Burma, and the struggle and poverty which we fought through in the jungle where we had been sent to. This forced us to live, family, home, friends and country. After waiting too long years get back by the oppressive government. We willingly signed papers, stating that we were traitors to our country, we left all our possessions, treasured photographs, jewelry, including my wedding and engagement rings, and everything we owned, and boarded a British Airways jet plane bound for America, never looking back. And on November 3 1973, we flew into New York's Kennedy Airport, our life was marked with poverty, and sorrow, liberty and joy. And in all of this, God poured out His riches and his blessings, and gave us himself as God said to Abraham, via not, I am thy shield and I exceeding great reward. This is a faith journey of an ending marital romance, of God's story that is so rooted in a never ending spiritual hunger, and an ever growing experience of God's love. As God became my hiding place and fought my battles for me. Heartbeat of a survival will open the heart rending stories of battles, I could not fight where the Lord becomes my strength, my shield, my buckler, my strong tower, when there were times when all I could hear as he holds me up are his gentle, gently whispered sigma things, and my tearful, Broken Heart answers, dive face, oh, Lord, will I seek?
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, my goodness, Nita, my heart, my heart, because as you described, being back in Burma, and the the pain and the tragedy that you went through, even knowing your father was tortured, in prison, and all of the horrific things that you faced while you were there had to bring hardship to your heart. But God provided this amazing physician, this man that you grew to love, that also shared your faith. Like he, he shared faith with you, as a Buddhist, you started to learn things. So let's, let's talk right now like ladies, as you're listening to this, we can't even imagine, you know, being in another country and in going through poverty and no food and being tortured and all of the things that she that Anita had to endure. Maybe some of you have been through something like that in your life. You've faced poverty you've faced being without and you were hurting. But God says when your troubles seem to You big. He's there, ladies, he's there. What is impossible for people is possible with God. And, Anita, as you came to the United States, your love and your joy grew as your husband's faith became your own. So can you talk about those years of growing with your husband and learning more and more about his faith?
Nita Tin Well, we fell in love when I was 16. And in my first year in college, he was 19 years old and a third year medical student. And it was his gentleness and love for Jesus that drew me to him. If anyone had all the fruit of the Spirit my husband did through my teenage years, and our young adult married life. It was his gentle, unwavering, steadfast faith that brought me through the trauma of the mass student massacre, when the brutal government in Burma shot down the unarmed university students. And it was his unwavering love for God that held me as we struggled to live in the jungle, through floods, disease, poverty, and sickness. And when we finally left home, family, friends and country, through prosperity and loss, my love and joy grew, as my husband's faith became my own, as Kimberly said, and when it was time, God's time, through my husband's constant prayers. And through first John 513, to 15, God opened my eyes to His wonderful gift of mercy. And I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but says, and this is the record that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, He that has the Son has life, he then has not the Son of God has not learned these things have I written unto you, that you may know, and that you may believe in the Son of God. And so, you know, his his fate, through prosperity and loss, as I was saying, My love and faith grew, as my husband's faith became my own. And when it was time, God's time, that was what he did. A peace that passes, all understanding became mine.
Kimberly Hobbs Nita, I love that. And I heard the joy in your voice, as you shared about finding Jesus and, ladies, we, we just know if you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you know, the joy and the freedom that comes into your life when you experience that, that acceptance of him for your sin that he paid the price he came in, and he freed you from all your bondage from all of your trials and tribulations. And that's what he did for Anita. And we thank the Lord, for Your husband's faith, Anita, and that he was able to lead you to Jesus, what a beautiful love story and a completion of that marriage. And, you know, ladies, we all we all have a God's story, because God's doing something in your life, your life is an amount for something, you have to believe that and God's story. You say, Anita, you say God's story is not it. It's his story in your life. And you want to share that story. So I just want to read a Scripture before Anita testifies of something else. But God says, All Glory to God who is able to keep you from falling away and we'll bring you great joy into his glorious presence. And we all heard that joy and Anita his voice as she found the presence of God in her life, and All Glory to Him Who alone is God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power and authority are his before all time and in the present, and beyond all time, amen. It's Jude 124 to 25. So now need to share about through all your trials and pain. You can testify of God's victorious love and what he has done for UNITA a love that could not let you go please talk and share about that right now.
Nita Tin I had to come to the end of myself. When it seemed as though I had reached the bottom of the pit. My Heavenly Father's love was deeper than my deepest pit and covered me in my pain and distress. As we're hanging on the side of a mountain, I could not time my gentle Shepherd lifted me up in his arms of love. When I could not bear the pain of cancer, my losses, my sorrow and my headache. My faithful God who sees me, and here's me, carried me. My victory came when I gave God, everything in my life was in total surrender, in coming to the realization that I could not do it. And then I had to let go, and let God take over that I was able to overcome. It was simply putting my trust in the sovereignty and power of God, to know that it was not my strength, but his that it was not my power, but his. I had to learn that he is the potter and I'm just the clay. But this blows my mind in all of that, he is the refiner. But he was also in the fire with me. Shouts of my victory cry up laced in the pages of these rich memoirs, as I hold on to the promises in Psalm 27. One the day of trouble, he will conceal me in His tabernacle, he will hide me in the secret place of his tent, he will lift me up on a rock, now in my head, be lifted up above my enemy's round about me, and I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy, I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. I suffered extreme poverty, but he became my sufficiency. I suffered emptiness, but he became my friend, my companion, I suffered depression. But he became my joy, my hope, my light, it took away my empty, restless heart, and gave me a new heart. He took my empty religion and gave me new life. He took me from my family, and brought me into his family. He told me my empty religion and gave me new life. He took away my material possessions and gave me himself. In my weakness. He became my strength.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, wow. So beautifully said, Anita. And I love what you said about you were in the fire. But he was right there with you. Yes, right there with you. And through seeking Him and searching in his word, he became alive to you in so many ways. And just like you said, he became your defender, he became your protector, your provider, everything that you could think of he was there and ladies, you may be in the fire right now. And Anita and I both want to encourage you that God is there. He's there, right there. Just reach out and talk to him. Ladies, there's answers all through his word. That's why he provides the Bible for us. Because what we need is just nestled in all of the pages of His Holy Word. And we encourage you to go there and just look and read and read and know that God has a plan for you reading His word. Anita, if you can right now, I would love you had such tremendous courage what you and your husband did to leave that country that was so persecuted and you were as well, you lost your family, you left them, you left everything you owned, to come here with nothing that took courage, courage. So right now, the woman that's listening, she needs that courage belt, she needs to be encouraged in the Lord. So can you speak to your sister right now the sister listener who can have victory and true hope in her life? Please just give her a word from your heart that will speak deeply and be planted that she can take away with today.
Nita Tin Throughout my story, there is one strong thread. It is the unending covenantal all consuming love of God. precious hearts. God's love is for you. As Jehovah Sharma He longs to hold you in his to his breasts as a mother would her child He longs to pour out his mercy, his grace, his peace upon you The Lord gave me victory in the darkest, deepest steps. And you Beloved child of God, you can have the same victory. The God who hides me in the depths of his seventh tabernacle, and fights, my battles for me, is the same God, who will hide you in the secret place of his tent, and fight your battles for you. God is writing his story. And we, we get to become a part of it, nothing is wasted. We have the wonderful opportunity of joining him where he is already working. Yes, you may sometimes feel that you are being pummeled. And at times, you may feel that you just can't go on. Don't give up becoming a trophy of His grace, His masterpiece, that is lighting up the dark, and drawing those who sit in darkness while waiting to hear his story of salvation through Amazing Grace. Are you disappointed with your life? Are you discouraged because things are not turning out the way you have planned? Do you feel trapped in your past? Are you going through more than you can bear Take heart, God can see around the corner where we cannot, we may not see the understand side of the tapestry. He is weaving in your life and mine. But he knows and sees the other side, which will finally have the beautiful patterns he has planned for you and me. God does Kay. He hears us when we call and speaks to us if we will listen. As CS Lewis wrote, he whispers to us in our pleasures, but shouts in our being, we will always walk with us in our trials and suffering. be comforted that he knows and fields have been because he has already gone before us. He loves us so much he died for us. So run into his outstretched and stretched arms. He is waiting for you.
Kimberly Hobbs That is amazing. encouragement, thank you so much. He is waiting for you ladies run into his arms run. There's no time like today, to run into the arms of Jesus and surrender your heart to Him. He's waiting for you ladies. He's waiting. He wants all of you, all of you. So I just pray and need to praise that you can surrender your heart to Him today and let him take you through the fires that you're going through right now. He is a loving God, He cares about you. And he's going to bring you through them for a purpose, which you are going to walk out in your life. You may not see it now. But know that God is there. And he is he has a plan for you just like that opening scripture. You are his masterpiece He created you knew in Christ Jesus, right. So he has things planned for you from very long ago, before you were even born. He had a plan for you run after him. And Anita, you are just so delightful. I love talking to you. You just bless my heart. I respect you for all that you know in love in our Lord Jesus Christ and teach to so many. I want to just ask you right now, you wrote a book, and there was a screenplay written about your life. Can you talk about that for just a minute?
Nita Tin Yeah, actually, I don't know if you can see it. But this is the cover of the book. And it says, heartbeat of a survival. And it's from Golden pagodas to land of liberty in search of something more. And, you know, this is a book that God impressed upon my heart to write, but somehow he brings into our life, a film director who's just listened to our story within two days, she said, I'm going to write your film script. And she called it was a love story and she called it love beyond borders. So we're waiting to see what God's gonna do. And I'm just you know, excited about what he will do in his own time and in his own way.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, that's so beautiful Anita and ladies, will you please pray over love beyond borders and play it pray over neat as book which is going to be come published and and how do the ladies find you? Nita, if they want to reach out and email you or talk to you, do you want to share any way that they can reach out to you?
Nita Tin Yes, my, you can reach out to me to email. And it is my name, Anita Qin X L, like for extra large, or you could think of it as excellent. So it's needed in excel@yahoo.com. And you can also find me on Facebook. It's needed in and you know, you can send me messages through that, I will talk to you, or I will, you know, I will email you and let you know what the progress is, if you want to,
Kimberly Hobbs That's so beautiful. And so I encourage you ladies reach out to Anita, talk to her and ask her some questions about her life and, and get ready for this amazing book and movie and she can let you know when that is going to come out. And ladies, as we close up, there's a couple things that I just want to share with you, especially scripture. That is we were talking about being victorious in Jesus. God's Word says that God's way is perfect. All of the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who looked to him for protection, Psalm 1830. And as need to look to God for protection, and had that amazing covering over her life. That can be the same for you. His promises are true ladies. That's why please go to his word, search out his word, know that His promises are true. And you can be victorious and Jesus, God says, I hold you by your right hand, I the LORD your God. And I say to you, don't be afraid. I am here to help you. That Scripture gives me goosebumps because God is here to help each and every one of us. He's here to help us. He says that in His Word. And remember, he cannot go contrary to what he says. So those last words of that sentence, he says, I am here to help you. That's Isaiah 4113. Take that scripture carry it with you memorize it, hold on to it, when the doubts are coming in when the depressions coming in when the want to give up is setting in in your life. Don't you allow that, as Anita was talking about victory victory and Jesus, women were leaders put out a book called victories. And it's claiming freedom in Christ. And that's available on our website. There's so much help in this ladies. There are teachings in here there are stories from women around the world. But one of the things is that you can glean from these teachings having victory overcoming addictions, overcoming different challenges in your life. It's all in here. It's an amazing book. And since Nieto was talking about victories today, I thought I would share about that book with you. It's an Amazon number one best seller. It is a seven time best seller. You can get it on Amazon as well. But we would love it if you got it through women world leaders.com. And ladies, I just want to say thank you to you, Anita for sharing your heart today. You are delightful and a blessing.
Nita Tin Thank you for having me. It was so much joy. So much love.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. And I am just so glad that you reached out to tell the ladies they can communicate with you and I pray that they will do that. I pray that they will do that. So as we close ladies, we again we are a team together right all working toward having a closer walk with Jesus. And so we just invite you to be part and from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women, more leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless all of you and have a beautiful day.
How do we live this abundant life God’s Word talks about in John 10:10 when we are, quite frankly, often so tired – on the verge of burnout. We, as women, wear so many hats. We desperately need time to rest, to rest in Him. To breathe and reset – to gather strength, His strength, and allow His power to work through us. Just like our bodies need sleep and rest – our souls need rest too!
Rusanne Carole, our host, takes us on a Christian meditation to spend time with Jesus. Take a "Mini-Sabbath" and step into His presence to refresh and renew your soul.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a WWL’s podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole. Thank you for joining us today and we invite you join us each week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where a variety of interviews, teachings and sharing of God’s grace helps uplift us and support us in our walk with God. Today I thought we would look at how to live the abundant - a life of resting in God knowing He has all things under control. We can feel anything but abundance when we are exhausted, overwhelmed and the battles keep coming…how do we live this abundant life God’s Word talks about in John 10:10 when we are quite frankly often so tired – on the verge of burnout. We, as women, wear so many hats. Some of us are carrying quite a bit – You may be: Caring for a loved one who is totally dependent on you Looking after an elderly parent Trying to juggle work and home duties – which may even include home schooling young children and many women are doing this alone without the support of family or a husband We may have health issues we are facing – financial problems to try to work through The list goes on. and we desperately need time out, to rest, to rest in Him. To breathe and reset – to gather strength, His strength and His power to work through us. Just like our bodies need sleep and rest – our souls need rest too! Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. And Psalm 23:1-2 tells us the Lord is our shepherd and we lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. Our soul is defined as our mind, thoughts and feelings. How do we turn the unhealthy thoughts of the mind and unhelpful feelings felt in the heart over to Him – to be restored, refreshed, and renewed enabling us to move through each day with courage, strength and operate with the perseverance needed to persevere in this world! By being in His presence! By allowing Him to take us to lie our souls down in those green pastures, to lead us beside the quiet waters where all we see is His face, all we hear is His voice. I am presently going through one of the most difficult times in my life and what sustains me is Him. I cannot get through this tunnel I feel I am in without looking to Him and His Word constantly – knowing who He is and His promises are for me no matter what I am facing in the natural. The Bible talks of two women who were very close to Jesus. They and their brother, Lazurus, were friends with Jesus. Any of us who have studied the Word know that Martha is described as the “doer” and Mary as the women who sits at Jesus’ feet – some might say she is able to simply “be”. But we need a balance of both! We are called to pray on all things, do what we can and then leave everything else to God! I don’t know about you but I can pray, do what I can, give it to God then keep picking it back up! Worrying thoughts, the what ifs! The confusion! The fear! How do you sit? Sit still when there is so much to be done. Globally, women are now working outside the home & this is on the increase year after year. So there’s work to be done to pay the bills then work to be done to be there for our children or husband or family. I just love the Word of God. It really does have all the answers to life’s questions… and challenges we face. One thing it tells us is in Hebrews 4 – we must MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER REST! We were given a gift called the SABBATH. Mark 2:27 says the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. Yes, God rested on the 7th day and looked at everything he had made and said, “It is good”. He didn’t need to rest! I think He was modeling what a good and abundant life looked like for His children – just as we are called to do the same. The little ones are watching us – how we live, what we say… So it is intentional – on purpose -that we take the time to rest. Rest our body and our soul to renew and reset with more strength and focus. It’s easy to seek the “other things” – the “worldy things”. God tells us these are the idols in our heart that need to be cleansed. Where do you go to get rest and comfort? ...
The beggar who had been blind from birth didn’t understand HOW he could now see. But his truth was his truth, and his story was his story! He unashamedly shared his story with all who would listen as he made the leap that Jesus must be from God. Walk through the Word with Julie Jenkins as we continue to unpack the story of the man who had been blind from birth. (John 9:13-34)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins. I am your host as we walk through scripture each week and ask God what He wants us to know today.
As we enter March, we are looking forward to a very busy month at Women World Leaders! Besides our Leadership Connect on the third Monday of the month and our Prayer Zoom on the 4th Monday, we also have an in-person event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 11th, the release of our 11th edition of Voice of Truth magazine, and seminar on Leadership available on Zoom. You can find out more and register for any of the upcoming events by visiting our website at womenworldleaders.com. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us via our contact form on the website or email us at info@womenworldleaders.com.
On this, our Wednesday podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels. Today, our teaching comes from John 9:13-34. You may remember that last week we studied John 9:1-12 as we learned about how Jesus healed the man who had been blind from birth. Today we are continuing to unpack that story. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we come to you today in thanks and praise for who you are. Father, you are sovereign, holy, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And on a more personal level, Jesus, you are our savior and redeemer. Without you, we would be drowning in our sin, but you took all our sin on YOUR shoulders, and now we walk freely in your presence. I can’t imagine a more costly or greater gift. Thank you doesn’t seem enough, and yet that is what we have. So we offer you our thanks and our lives. Holy Spirit, be with us as we open your Word together. Instruct us, teach us, and lead us. All for your glory and honor. Amen.
Let’s recap our teaching from last week…Jesus and his disciples were leaving the temple when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” Jesus responded… “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” … “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
Then Jesus spit on the ground, mixed up some mud, and put it on the man’s eyes. Jesus then told him to go wash his eyes in the pool, and when he did, he was no longer blind.
The previously blind man returned to his stomping ground, and many there did not even recognize him. He adamantly shared his identity, and when he was asked what happened, he replied… “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see.
So today we pick up the story, remembering that it was the Sabbath, and as we know by now, it was unlawful, according to the religious leaders, to heal on the Sabbath…so now there was an issue to address.
Verse 13 from the New Living Translation states
13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”
I love this SO MUCH! God is constantly working in our lives. We ALL have a testimony. Whether you are a new Christian or have been following Christ for years, God is working in your life. And whether you have a redemption story of God healing you from addiction or snatching you from abuse or if your walk with God has been more simple, YOUR story matters. I grew up in a Christian home, and I used to think my story was unimportant because there was no flash and bang. But when we open our eyes and look for God’s miracles, they are all around us!! I praise God for the ability to work in this ministry and attend church in a healthy Christian environment each week. I am in awe that God has orchestrated a way for me to serve Him from my home, with my sweet puppy dogs by my side. And even as I sit here, I am amazed that God finds ways to focus my mind on Him – a crackling candle, access to soft piano music, a safe neighborhood where I can walk down the street in my socks several times a day to clear my mind. These are some of the things God has done for me. And while they may not mean anything to you, this is my story. And it is important to me. And praising God for even the little things brings glory to Him!
We all have SO many God stories every single day. Stories of protection, provision, and revelation. God is working in your life right now, allowing you this time to focus on His Word.
And He wants us to share our God stories! Because there is someone who needs to hear them! There is someone who needs to be assured that God is alive and well, and that He is present every single day in our lives.
So the man simply tells what happened to him… He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!
But this proclamation of what had actually happened caused an uproar…verse 16…
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.”
The Pharisees held so tightly to the letter of the law that they couldn’t reconcile that someone FROM God, would EVER work on the Sabbath…but God gave wisdom…cloaked in common sense…to some in the crowd…
Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.
17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”
The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”
I love this man. He is simply no-nonsense. It is what it is. He healed me. He must be from God.
Sometimes we try to make things so complicated when the most logical answer is staring us in the face. We WANT to think what we want to think, and we will rationalize until our faulty reasoning makes some form of convoluted sense.
But the man was just calling it like he saw it. This wasn’t the first healing of the blind, but it was UNHEARD of that someone blind from birth would have their sight healed. This wasn’t a renewal of this man’s sight, this was a CREATION of his vision – and only God could that.
Verse 18
18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?”
His parent told what THEY knew…verse 20…
20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this,[a] because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”
25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?”
27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
Oh my…I can’t wait to meet this man in heaven. In essence, he was saying – I know – this is so amazing, right? We would all be crazy to NOT follow this man who clearly is from God.
Again, I encourage you to take a moment and think about the story God has given you today. I don’t know your story, but I know God. And I know that God is working AMAZING things in your life!
Consider the accident you saw on the way to work. God kept that from being you. Consider the pain your co-worker is walking through – yet God has kept you from that particular pain. And even when we are hit – whether it be from our own actions, shots fired at us, or by a stray bullet – God is ALWAYS there to get us through it! And if we allow Him to work in ALL our circumstances, we will be AMAZED at His provision.
We have a new book that will be released soon by the ladies in our ministry titled Joy Unspeakable: Regardless of Your Circumstances. God is SO POWERFUL, that He can teach us, lead us, and bring us JOY, even when it seems the world is against us.
So now that maybe you are thinking of your God story – go a step further. Who can YOUR God story impact? All you have to do is tell it! The man says, listen…I was blind, and now I’m healed…perhaps we should ALL be looking at this guy Jesus. I’m willing to bet MANY listened to the man and their lives were changed. But the Pharisees…not so much…verse 28…
28 Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.”
The man didn’t give up stating the obvious…
30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”
The man spoke his truth – and he unashamedly spoke the truth about Jesus. We should be empowered by this, strengthened and emboldened to tell our stories—to tell our truth. But even when we do, we can NOT control people’s responses…Verse 34…
34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.
I wish I could have seen the man as he left the synagogue, looking around at the plants, trees, buildings, and the faces of the people he had walked be for years but had never seen. I wish I could have seen the spring in his step, knowing that he knew that he knew that he had had an encounter with God!
Next week we will wrap up this story. But for today, I want you to think: what is the God-story I have been given today, and who can I share it with? As you think and process, let me encourage you to pray about writing your story. We at Women World Leaders are intentional about meeting individuals where they are and helping them share their stories – and we invite you to share yours. We have writers who meet together regularly as they step out to share how God has shone up in their lives. As you process this invitation, go on our website, womenworldleaders.com, and check out some of our best-selling books, full of God stories. I’m telling you, I have read every single one, and each one helps me walk stronger and more faithfully, knowing I serve an incredible God who is intricately involved in each of our lives.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – thank you for our stories. Thank you for not only being part of our lives, but for orchestrating every moment so we can always see you. Father, we want to no longer be blind – continue to restore OUR vision as we are blessed to see a more perfect picture of you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Tammy Hanson, faith-based actress and musician who holds a biblical studies masters degree, shares her "surrender story." From climbing the corporate ladder of success to a tragic turn of events in her life, Tammy shares her story of hope to encourage you that our surrender to God is very important, although not always easy. * Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs, I'm the founder of a Women World Leaders. And today, we are here to encourage you, to empower you to walk with Jesus to find what that beautiful purpose is that God created you for and use it because he did create you for a purpose. And one of the things we love to do is bring guests on that share their story, that can also help encourage you because possibly you can relate to what they've gone through in their life, or hear about how they are seeking God in their life and in their walk, which in turn helps us and we just love what God does. Through these interviews that we do. Today is Tammy Hansen, who is our guest welcome, Tammy.
Tammy Hanson Hi! Thank you for having me.
Kimberly Hobbs Of course, Tammy is from Orlando, Florida. And she is going to be talking today about surrendering and it's not easy. It's not easy to surrender. But we believe that every believer has received grace gifts. So God says use them to serve one another, as faithful stewards of the many colored tapestry of God's grace. That's First Peter 410. And Tammy is going to be sharing today about some of her gifts and what God has done in and through her life to allow her to continue on in serving him. So I want to share a little bit about who Tammy is. And Tammy Hansen is a single Christian walking with Jesus for over 20 years. She holds a Master's of art in Biblical Studies. She enjoys acting, and playing piano or drums on the praise team at her church. She also enjoys Disney theme parks traveling with her mom and friends and loves her two chihuahuas to Keita and Coco. Tammy love learning to follow the example of Jesus in the gospels. And she studied his life and how to love the Father, and to love people. But she loved her career too. So today, she's going to share a little bit about her story of 23 years in the corporate world, and climbing that ladder of success that I'm sure some of you can relate to. And that's where she saw that she could be a witness for the Lord was in that time, and she's going to talk a little bit about that time until something devastating hit. So Tammy, do you want to share about that time in the corporate world until you got that devastating news?
Tammy Hanson Oh, yes. And I, having worked in the corporate world. Little did I know that the Lord was gonna have me there for so long. But anyways, when I first started out working at Publix corporate headquarters in the retirement area, I was so eager to learn everything about the retirement plans. And I started in at the bottom level. And once I got my, my desk organized, and all my work done, I always wanted to take on other tasks to learn other things about the retirement department and grow. And little did I know that and now especially looking back, having done that I never in that 23 year career had to apply for a position in the retirement department. They always came to me and asked me if I would like to be promoted to whatever was next. And I'm I was just like, yes. So with that being said, I did the same thing. Every time I was promoted, I always learned my position, got really good at it, and manage my time very well and did the same thing learned something new about another level within the retirement department. So with that being said, again, it happened again, they'd asked me if I wanted to be promoted to the next level and so on and so forth. So that kind of happened in my career. Working at Publix, and the very last position that I had in the in the retirement department before I started praying to the Lord about is this what you want me to do for the rest of my life? If so, you're going to have to allow or make something happen. For me to know that it's us speaking Lord. I was promoted to one of the top positions within the retirement department was titled The agent and the analyst on the retirement plan at Publix supermarkets Incorporated. And if you know much about Publix supermarkets, their retirement plan is one of the biggest in the nation. It's an employee stock ownership plan. And it's, it's owned by the employees and Publix gives you stock based on your eligible wages. So with that being said, every year, associates if you qualify if you met the criteria, you got paid public stock shares in your retirement plan, which is a federal retirement plan based on your eligible wages for that year. And sometimes that can be 8.5% of your calendar year wages in stock and then you have to imagine the the growth the growth year and if the stock splits so the compounding interest on that. It's crazy. I don't have the number in my head as far as what a stock if you were to purchase stock way back when would it be would be valued at today, but I can tell you this the numbers the the amount. It's It's It's crazy. Good. So all that being said, I did I had a cush. I had a cush position there the last few years working with Publix until I started feeling a little stagnant in my position and just started praying. But anyways, right in the middle of that career with Publix, I were women. So I can say this, I started seeing the signs of breast cancer, breast cancer, I just saw the signs not not to be weird about I just saw the signs, like when I go for my checkups this, that and the other to do your self examination. So I was like, you know, maybe it is time to do that. But wait and do it the right time, you know, after your monthly. So that one particular month, when I started seeing those signs, I did the self examination in the shower, because they said that's really a great place to do it. And lo and behold, I'm like, Huh. So I found a knot in. I waited, I was at first I was like no, you know, I was trying to tell myself that no, this can't be. But I finally made the appointment and went and found out that I was that I had stage two actually was odd because I was like the size of the tumor. I was in the middle of stage one and stage two. Anyways, I think they coded at stage two, stage two breast cancer. But my doctor said if I followed through with the protocol that he had put down for me, after all the biopsies and everything that it's everything I would survive. So I really liked this particular particular doctor a lot. And a lot of people started coming saying you need to go get a second opinion, second opinion. And I'm like, No, I really liked this doctor. And I really like what he's about. So I stayed firm, even though I had all these other people coming at me with you need to go get a second opinion. I felt very confident in my decision to stay with that doctor and all my other doctors were there anyway, so I had to stay firm in my decision. And what I felt the Lord was telling me to do. And so anyways, I I listened to that, and I stuck with it. And I'm so thankful that I did because in the end, the Lord took care of all the finances, because my health insurance and foreign pharmaceutical insurance had changed. That year, they put a cap on the pharmaceutical side. And Anyways, long story short, that place Watson clinic Cancer Care gave me all the medication that I needed, which was over 20 grand worth of self injected drug that I needed in that time to boost my white and my red blood cells. So that was a blessing and in my I was like Thank You, Lord, that I listened to you.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. To me, and Wow. Thank God and thank God for your healing too. And I'm just so grateful for that and I can't imagine that time. You know, you going through that walking through that and working again in the corporate world and having a lot of pressures hitting you from that way. Because when you are way up the ladder, there's a lot of responsibility that goes with that. And then you're dealing with this devastating news. And I know that there's women out there right now relating to you being in the workplace work environment, but yet you're hit with such tragedy, and news like that, you know, it rocks your world, almost to a halt. But so you were struggling at that point with thinking about an early retirement, surrendering that corporate job and you were concerned about finances as well. And you were ready to step out in faith and believe that God was going to catch you and carry you. But some of our listeners right now, don't necessarily know you know how to relate right there. But But you did. You took that step of faith, you stepped out, and God took care of you in ways you couldn't imagine, Tammy, and you shared that with me on a separate call. And I just thought, wow, that is so amazing how he did take care of you. And during that time, he used your grandmother in a profound way, financially, emotionally. And can you talk about that time and even how your life as an actress too came involved in that time? Talk about that time?
Tammy Hanson Yes, after after I'm actually listening to the Lord and surrendering my will. Leaving my cush job. With Publix. I say Cush, it, it was moments, but I think we're still all still blessed. When we have a decent career no matter what, because it's just amazing that we live in a country and that we can actually work in a corporate world and have all these benefits, etc, etc. But anyways, when I left the company I was so I was like, Okay, Lord, this is my retirement, this is what I have. This is probably only going to last me if I'm doing my numbers, right, about five or six years, which is still a blessing, but I'm like, I thought this was for retirement. And I'm not normally 47 I think I can't remember my age. But anyways, so I built a home. I built a home for my grandmother and I knew that she needed me. My grandmother raised me my grandmother took care of I was a brat so she spoiled. She spoiled me she but anyways, I thought it was her turn meaning my turn to take care of her because she needed me. So I resigned from Publix. And I said, Okay, Lord, not my will, Your will. Long story short, I took my grandmother in, moved her in my home, got a room all nice and setup. Just made it really cute for her and we had a conversation. And she's told me, I don't want you to retire. I don't want you to touch your retirement. I want to take care of this. So my grandmother because she was blessed in those areas, because she had my grandmother widowed, she found love twice and widowed twice and her 88 years that she was on this earth. Both husbands left her with nice pension and security at a little higher than the average. So she took care of the mortgage and everything. So I didn't have to touch my retirement. I was like it's beautiful. Your god or something, you know, you know what you're doing? I'm just saying that we all know that he knows a lot more than we he knows further down than we do. But um, anyways, so I was like, Wow, Lord. So in the midst of that, so I didn't have to worry about finances, grocery, she took care of everything. Everything she even spoke bought me. We went on road trips. She even bought me a few things here and there, which I was like, Thank you, you know, she's still spoiling me in my 40s she I the Lord also used her as sandpaper in my life because I've never I'm uh, I'm divorced. I've been divorced for over 20 years myself. I'm married very young, but never had any children. So I've never had to take care of any human being. So so I really didn't have like compat there were some fat things I was lacking. So he definitely used my grandmother, and I call it as sandpaper because I had some rough edges and still do mean, but wow. He used her in her have found way in that area. And also to as far as doing fun things in my life being an actress, she brought that up. She's like, you remember when you used to do this? And I'm like, yeah, she's I said, are you okay with me? She's like, Yeah, so there was time, I could leave her an hour or two by herself go take an acting class. And little did I know that it would lead into much more. Today as far as acting?
Kimberly Hobbs Absolutely, absolutely. Ladies, we don't know the plans that God has for us. But he does have plans. And when you think about surrendering your life at different times, like Tammy, she was hit with breast cancer, she surrenders her life. But God was taking care of her. She couldn't really focus in that part of her life anymore in the corporate world. And she took that step of faith, to leave it, and God says, for us to commit everything that we do to the Lord, trust Him. And He will help you that Psalm 37 Five, I love to share that verse all the time, because that's exactly what you did. Tammy, you trusted him that he was going to help you and grandma helped with? Well, you call her nanny helped you with your finances helped you get into acting school helped you? There was even more which we're going to talk about which was going to college, but he was already on your financial needs before you even retired or resigned for corporate because that's what God does. He goes before us, he already knows the plans he has for us. So how in the world did you get into getting your master's degree in Biblical studies, that was later in life?
Tammy Hanson That actually, when I was, I was still working it. I was still working at corporate and I, we all know when we go to, it's great to go to church. But when you don't, like I didn't learn, I was so focused on playing music, that I was like, It's time to get up back on a platform that I would listen it not. And I was terrible with reading the Word. I admitted I was ignorant. For several years of my going to church, even though I've been going to church for over 20 years, I was ignorant in the beginning. So on my I felt like the Lord put on my heart to start going to school because the church that I had been attending started giving classes, and you could earn credit and earn a degree. So I was like, I'm gonna do this. Oh, so um, when I felt like he put it on my heart to do I started classes a little did I know, I'd be master's degree all these years later. But I'm so thankful that I did it because I knowing knowing more about the word and why we're even here in studying the life of Jesus. And just really, even though I say I have a Master's, there are people out there that have four and five masters. By the way, I learned that I was like, what I'm like, I'm stopping at one. Because keeping the main I'm sure I mean, that's just me, because I already I understand I'm like keeping Jesus keeping the main thing, the main thing and that's loving God and loving people and being trying to do our best by following Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ was our example. He came here on this earth. And you can read it in the four gospels, how he lived his life, here, and when we keep the main thing, the main thing and then that is Jesus, I'm like, I think I'm gonna stop here, Lord, with the Masters I've had, you know, I'm thankful to have had the time to you know, take those classes and learn why I'm even here and the whole story because the whole Bible is just it leads all the way up to Jesus. It's all about Jesus anyways, even though you have the old and the new. I didn't know that I would not have known that had I not gone to school, and praise God for church, I love church. But for me to have learned what I've learned school was the way for me to go and here I am with a masters and think thank God I'm, I've graduated, couldn't live my life now and, and have a firm foundation. That's the other thing is have a firm foundation, especially what I'm called to do,
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, amen. I love love, love that because, again, you weren't necessarily planning that out but God already had a plan for your life and he moves us, right he moves us in the directions that we should go and we are in tune with him and you are surrendering Your life for a purpose and God had you moving in that direction. And I love that. So God was already on your financial needs your emotional needs before you even retired or resigned from corporate. And so I love that he had a plan for Tammy, he has a plan for you ladies and He will take care of your future. There's a scripture that says, show me the right path, oh, Lord, point out the road for me to follow, lead me by your truth and teach me and God was teaching Tammy, for you are the God who saves me all day long, I put my hope in you. And that's what Tammy did. She put her hope in God, that Psalm 24, four and five. So you have this master's degree Tammy, where are you going with it? And what is God telling you to do with it at this age in your life, because you are an older life, you go and get your Masters at this age in life. So now now what?
Tammy Hanson I don't know. The what really is, I have peace about in my spirit regarding my masters. I am called to work in both the secular and the Christian film world. And for me to go in and be able to read a script, whether it's family friendly, or versus a Christian script, because sometimes there are Christian scripts out there that aren't aligned with the word. And you have to be really careful. Not that I'm perfect. Not that I catch everything. But I can say that right now, because I did recently read a script that was Christian and it wasn't aligned with the word and I was like, in I don't want I want to have a firm, solid foundation. And I want to, even though I'm gonna I mean, I'm not perfect, we're all going to make mistakes. That's one of the main reasons why how my degree degree is going to be used. I don't see myself as being a teacher, I just see myself as going out in the world, just like Jesus's disciples did. And being that disciple, and being who that person being an example of Christ to whoever may come my way, you know, when we're on a set, when we're learning a script, whether it's family friendly, versus a Christian script, you have to be real careful with that. Because when it's labeled, that you don't want to steer someone in the wrong direction with beliefs in the way the word is extremely aligned. Text contextually. Now, anyways, the main reason right now unless the Lord changes it, and you know how he, the Lord does, sometimes you're on you're going this way. And he might come in and say, Nope, I want you to go this way. So that's another, that could happen. But to be honest, right now, all I know is it's just going to be used as far as me making the right decision and right choices when I'm reading a script. Or when I'm in the presence of someone that may or may not know the Lord or has a question about the Lord and praying and hoping to lead them in the right direction contextually.
Kimberly Hobbs And I love that I love that he used your education and gave you confirmation right away, even with this movie that came about and you had to reject it, because it went contrary to what you now know, because of your master's in Biblical Studies. Like, wow, God, thank you, you know, even for that one moment that you did decided not to take part in that. And so I respect you for that, Tammy, I do or and it's hard. It's hard, because again, that's another form of surrender, right ladies listening that, you know, I'm sure she wanted that job. She wanted that money. She was excited. You get excited when things come your way. But it could also be a test lady. So be careful because again, God is going to test your heart, your your, your surrender to him, and I am thankful that you chose because of what you know, and God gave you that wisdom to discern at that moment, and you chose the right the right thing to do. So, in closing, let's talk to the woman right now who is facing her surrender moment. Tammy, it may be a career that she has and she wants to have kids and she's got to leave that career or maybe taking a step of faith to serve God somewhere out there and it she doesn't know Oh, she should take that step and do it because that's going to require surrender. Or maybe she's leaving a broken situation that's holding her captive. What can you share with her in a minute of what she should do from your heart, just share?
Tammy Hanson I would say just expect, you know, with confidence and know that the Lord, His plan is so much better. Even though it may not look the way we want it to look in the present in the here and now. Just take one day at a time and pay attention to what he's saying to you now. And if he's not speaking, he's just giving you peace and rest, but he's not literally speaking to you audibly or confirming things in your spirit. Just listen to remember the last thing that he told you. That's what I hold, held on to. And even now in my life, same thing. There are questions that arise because he's stretching me now I think he's going to stretch us until the day of glory. Right? And so for me, I'm having to hold on to the last thing that he said, because he's making, he's allowing me to rest right now and enjoy his presence.
Kimberly Hobbs An amen for that. I love that he is and he's allowing you that time. That's beautiful. And, and yes, Lady is just what she said, you know, God's gonna show you and he says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts. neither are your ways, my ways, declares the Lord, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. And, ladies, that verse has so much right there that, you know, why do we continue to take control over our lives when God clearly says that he knows more than we do. He's all knowing all powerful with Him, all things are possible. So when you surrender, whatever that issue is in your life right now that you're just holding on to so tight that decision. Just remember that God's ways aren't your ways. And when you trust Him and rely on Him for everything, when you go to his word, he's going to take care of you. He's going to see you through just like he saw Tammy through with providing her grandmother who provided finances, who provided emotional help for her when she needed her. At that time during breast cancer, and then going to acting school and encouraging her to get back in God took care of her all the steps, he's going to take care of you all through the steps of whatever it is you're facing right now. Be confident with that, know how much he loves you be patient, listen to the right voice. And I love the scripture in Isaiah 3221. Whether you turn to the left, or to the right, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk in it. Listen for that voice. As we have to close out I just want to thank Tammy Hansen for being our guest today. And Tammy, if there is any way that the ladies want to reach out to you or watch some of your movies or films, or how can they look for you
Tammy Hanson Right now, on Tubi. I don't know if you're familiar with the streaming to be TV. One of the movies that we did to bring awareness to the human sex trafficking is called not for sale. I have one of the lead roles and that it's streaming now on to BTV. Also, I have Instagram and Facebook and Instagram. If you want to follow me it's Tamizh live one to seven. And then on Facebook, I have a page, Tammy Hansen actor, and you can follow that. And I post when I have things that are completed, I usually post a link on those two social media sites.
Kimberly Hobbs That's wonderful. Thank you so much, and the ladies can reach out to you there and ladies always know that any of our guests if you would like to reach out further and you forget, you know, and you just contact us we can help you through him and world leaders to find who you're looking for. And Tammy is one of our women world leaders I'm so grateful to say and she indict and Deanna Elaine, who is another comedian, actress, faith based. They together do some fun things for women, world leaders, and they're doing these little short films. So if you're on our Facebook group, or yeah, they're mainly shown on our Facebook group. It's about the voice of truth magazine, which is our magazine that comes out quarterly. And to me, in the end, do these cute little stints and their comedy. It's kind of just so cute. But anyway, you can see a little bit of their acting. And I do want to share about voice of truth magazine while I'm on that, that ladies, this magazine is beautiful. It goes out to the world digitally for free. We're in 70 countries, and this magazine will bless you it comes out. Like I said, quarterly. And we also have the printed version that is available through our website, if you'd like to have it mailed to you. It's 100 pages color, it's coffee, table quality, it's done with excellence for our Lord. Every magazine contains the gospel message of Jesus. And we are grateful for that because it's all about lives coming to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. And then this magazine is to bless women, we don't have advertisements in it anything this is truly to bless you. So if you would like a copy of voice or truth, just go to www dot women world leaders.com. There is also many other things on our website available for you daily, we have the devotions. And we have events that come up we have books that you can read or even be a part of if you are feeling led to be part of this ministry in any way, one of the things we offer is writing. You can write your story if God's given you a story in one of our books. So think about it, pray about it. We'd love to have you with us from wherever you are in the world. We have leadership connect every third Monday of the month on Zoom. Ladies, there's a lot to do in women world leaders if you would like to join us and we would love to have you join us. But for now we have to close thank you again Tammy Hansen for being our guest and ladies from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women, more leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all have a beautiful day in Jesus
Kelly Williams Hale is our host today on Celebrating God’s Grace.
Today’s message continues the conversation on LOVE and how we can activate the extravagant and abundant life God has planned for us. Even when we’re frustrated, angry, hurt, or disappointed LOVE never stops. Every day can be a day of love. That’s literally our job, assigned by God: to love others.
We’re in a love relationship with Jesus and He wants us to be abundant. He wants us to prosper.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace. I'm an author, speaker and coach leading women through inner healing and intimacy work. I teach women how to overcome self-doubt proving their worth and step into the purpose and plan God has for them.
Before I get started on today’s message, I have a question… Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? And while I do have some thoughts about the commercialism of this holiday, I do love that (for at least one day) – so many people are intentionally choosing LOVE.
Transparently, I’ve not been one to plan ahead or make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. In fact, I didn’t pick up cards and chocolate for the boys in my family until that evening!
But my husband has always been one to celebrate and I was blessed to wake up to flowers, chocolate and cards. He’s actually training Austin, my 11 year old, in the fine art of thoughtfulness. That IS special to me… that my son picks out my cards! (meanwhile, I tend to find a fun card from Austin to Dad and just ask him to sign it.
I know, there’s def room for improvement!!
And I realized that I look at EVERY DAY as a day of love. That’s literally our job, assigned by God. To be like him. To love others… and I want to add: LAVISHLY. This message is titled: Lavish Love – to illustrate the extravagant, abundant, overflowing love he has for us.
He loved us so much he sent his son to be crucified. To die that horrendous physical death – for us. Giving us the opportunity to be reconciled with the Father himself.
That’s LAVISH LOVE.
And so today, I want to dig a little deeper into what that means. What does it mean to be lavishly loved, and… to GIVE lavish love?
LAVISH is defined as:sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious, bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.
I love sharing definitions. Often, the synonyms resonate with me and broadens my vocabulary.
So let’s look at what Merriam Webster says love means: an intense feeling of deep affection, a great interest and pleasure in something. feel deep affection for (someone).like or enjoy very much.
Now that we have a head knowledge – what Lavish Love means “technically” – how do we apply it?
The questions to ponder and sort of contemplate is: what do we love?
Who do we love?
What do we love?
How do we show love?
And a very big question: how are we about receiving love?
What does the bible tell us about God? He is literally love.
1 John 4:7-8
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The highest form of energy, pure love.
And if we’re created in his image, we also have this capacity to BE LOVE. But of course, we live in a world that challenges that mandate. Wondering how we’re supposed to love when our situation is less than perfect. When our neighbor is hosting yet another party with the music blaring at midnight and we have a meeting at 8am. Or when someone pulls into the parking spot we were just about to take. I really shouldn’t bring the spouses into the mix… but if you’re married, you can probably relate to the many “opportunities” to extend grace in our own households!
Thankfully, in spite of the very real “LIFE” we lead – daily… Jesus COMMANDS us to Love one another. AND he gives us instructions on what that looks like.
I’d like to share (1 Corinthians 13:4-8…) – from the Passion Translation.
Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.
What does this tell us: even when we’re frustrated, angry, hurt, or disappointed LOVE never stops… loving. It remains long after those words are forgotten.
We are called to love even when we don’t FEEL LIKE IT.
Let’s revisit the questions I asked earlier:
Who do we love? God has given us people in our lives to love. Our families. Mom. Dad. Siblings. Husband. Children. We also have our church family. Co-workers, maybe. Neighbors. Etc.
What do we love? This is obviously different for everyone. We can love our home. We can love where we live. We can love our garden. We can love our family trips. Or our women’s bible study. Many, many things. Which I believe are ALL blessings from God.
How do we show love? This one may be more nuanced. Since God created us so differently – from the tip of our nose to nail on our toes, he’s given us all unique qualities, how we think, what we like, our very personality.
And to throw a little wrench in this, most people don’t do things the way we do them! Anybody ask your kids to fold the laundry or load the dishwasher – and then go back and do it the quote unquote “right way”?!?!?
Ephesians 4:29
2Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Did you catch that? So that it will benefit those who listen.
This is important with conversation. But also applicable with how we show love. AND how we RECEIVE LOVE.
There’s actually a book about this – related to LOVE. The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman.
It was written for couples, but I think we can all benefit from it.
Here are the 5 love languages:
· Love language #1: Words of affirmation. ...
· Love language #2: Acts of service. ...
· Love language #3: Gifts. ...
· Love language #4: Quality time. ...
· Love language #5: Physical touch.
The book is about everybody's different way of receiving love.
Because a lot of times we will show love in a way that we tend to want to receive it.
When we can identify what love language the special people in our life speak, we can show love in a way that will mean more to them.
Now here’s the big question: how do WE receive love?
How do we feel about receiving in general?
As women we're hardwired to be nurturers… We tend to be givers. A lot of times it’s our way of loving others.
And so, we love others and find it easy to give.
But how do we receive love. particularly as it relates to God.
He wants to lavish his love on us. But the question is, are we open to receiving that love for him? Do we REALLY believe that he loves us? a lot of times our humanness, our experience here on Earth is sort of tainted by how we've received love in the past, like in our formative years, how other people showed love to us.
For me, when I went through my second divorce, my son missed his dad. I know his dad loved him. But when we first split up, he would cancel plans to see Dallas. Obviously, it hurt my son. And so, it was very difficult when I would say “But your dad loves you”.
I didn’t want him to equate “love” with someone who wasn’t around. Or disappointed him.
And so we can view what love is through that lens of abandonment or rejection.
Where we can question if somebody truly loves us, because our experience around love is that, oh, my dad loved me, but he didn't spend time with me.
We can view God this way too.
The enemy of our soul would like nothing more than to deceive us that way. But we have only to look into scripture to read about God's love for us.
So much so that he forgives us when we sin and mess up. That’s grace.
When we think of God’s lavish abundant love for us, we will find the compassion, forgiveness and grace for the people in our lives.
When we can activate the Holy Spirit and love others lavishly… the abundant life is available. I believe that's what God wants us to experience while we're here on Earth.
To love others, like Jesus says, the greatest commandment is to love God first, and then love others.
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
And we must love ourselves as well. Now, I don't know about you, but I have girlfriends who are not married, and widows who have lost their sweethearts. And so valentine's day can be very painful. This whole idea about love and gifts and celebrating can be painful when we don't have someone. But what God gave me is that we can love ourselves. It requires us to love ourselves to activate that abundance.
I know for me I lived so much of my life in survival mode. I wasn't even aware of this because of the programming I received as a child.
We can learn how to behave in public and appear like we have it all together. But deep down, we can often feel unlovable. I see this in my son Dallas. Again, because of how people treat us, our experiences, the stories we believe that we're not worthy, even what we've been told. It's very subconscious.
But we can become aware, when we begin to have these voices go through our mind that we are unlovable. We can catch those thoughts and take them captive. The Bible says make them obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
When we start noticing those thoughts that don’t align with the lavish love God says he has for us, we can CHOOSE a new thought. The TRUTH.
That can help us activate abundance. And honestly activating abundance is really activating the Holy Spirit that lives inside each and every one of us, as Christians, as followers of Christ.
We're in a love relationship with Jesus and He wants us to be abundant. He wants us to prosper. Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
And so when we can love ourselves the way that God does, unconditionally. Loving ourselves becomes a form of worship to Him.
Jesus opened the eyes of a man who hadn’t ever seen – and He can open your eyes, too! Today our study is from John 9:1-12. Let’s discover together what God wants us to know as we walk through His Word.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m honored to be your host.
Women World Leaders offers many opportunities to grow, and one of those is our Leadership Connect, which is the third Monday of each month on Zoom. We are just coming off our February gathering, and if you missed it, you missed out! Our teaching this month was centered around developing your gifting as a leader – and I’m telling you, we had SO MUCH fun! If you did miss it, all is not lost! Go to our website, womenworldleaders.com, and sign up for our three-part series on polishing your leadership skills. All of the information is on our website under the events tab. And while you are there, check out all the other things happening at Women World Leaders, and be sure to fill out our contact form so you don’t miss out on our NEXT Leadership Connect!
If you are new to the podcast – Welcome! We have three offerings for you each week. On Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her God story. On Fridays, we have a team of leaders who host Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a short podcast full of joy, meant to propel you into the weekend. And today, on Wednesdays, we get to walk through the Bible together as we study scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what He wants us to know today. We are currently walking through the Gospels chronologically, and we invite you to jump in wherever you are. Despite our locations, age, history, or ethnicity, we are all one family seeking to learn and grow together.
Our reading today comes from the book of John, chapter 9, verses 1-12, from the New Living Translation. This is actually a three-part message because there is just SO much packed in this chapter! So, spoiler alert, I will be leaving you with a cliffhanger today! But I do promise that God will teach us, and He won’t mind if you open your Bible and read the rest of the story before next week’s episode!
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we thank you today for the provision of your Word. Today, we look forward to reading this story – the account of the man who was born blind who underwent a miraculous transformation in his life. Holy Spirit, you were there when this event occurred, and I ask you to illuminate this scripture for us. Help us read and understand with your eyes. Allow us to glean what you want us to know today from this God story that happened so long ago in a land that is foreign to us. Help us to experience your presence, Lord, as we spend these next few minutes with you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we begin our reading today, we know it was the Sabbath, and Jesus had been teaching in the Temple. John 9 picks up as Jesus and His disciples were leaving the Temple, likely finishing up their day.
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
Can you picture the scene? In Jesus’ time, there wasn’t much a blind man could do but beg, and I can just see this man sitting in the dust on the side of the road. There were probably many people coming and going, but he couldn’t see any of them. I imagine he had “his spot” where he sat every day. Some people must have given him money, otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have sat there. But I bet many people looked at him in disdain. Not that he could see the looks anyway, but he probably heard the murmurs.
As he sat there, suddenly he felt the presence of several people stop in front of him as their shadows blocked out the feel of the setting sun on his face. And then he heard…
2 “Rabbi,” …“why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
Ah yes, the age-old question. Everyone wanted to know what terrible sin had committed him to this life of destitution. The only life he had ever known.
He couldn’t remember doing anything terrible, and his parents seemed like good people. But surely he had done something to deserve this life. Everyone else thought so, so it must be true.
I do wonder what his story was. We don’t know how old this man is, but we do later find out that he is of the age where he could speak for himself – so he had to have been at least 13. And I wonder what his childhood was like and how long he had lived this routine of begging.
Perhaps it had been years that he had sat there…listening to the comings and goings of the temple-goers—people attending festivities, worshipping God, and learning from the rabbis. But this man had no means to seek anyone or anything. He was sentenced by his blindness and his perceived sin to sit in the dust as a beggar.
And then he heard a kind voice. Presumably, it was the voice of the rabbi, as He answered that ordinary question in a new way.
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” … “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
I imagine the man lifted his drooping head. What did he say? My blindness is NOT due to sin? He had never heard that before! And what was it the rabbi had said next? This happened so the power of God could be seen in me?
The voice continued…clearly talking to His companions…
4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.[a] The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
This must have been puzzling. These people standing in front of the beggar clearly had tasks, most people that passed by seemed to. And it didn’t matter to him who “sent” these people. And yes…night WAS coming…it had been a long day…but what did this person mean that he was the light of the world? And what did it mean that his blindness would allow others to see the power of God?
Then the blind man felt someone kneel beside him – he guessed it was the rabbi. He heard him spit and mix the spit with mud. As his mind spun, suddenly he felt a strange mixture – was it the mud? – being smeared onto his eyes. He jerked a bit…when was the last time someone had touched him? And yet this unexpected touch was gentle. The grit seeped into his eyes, and he wasn’t quite sure if he had just been assaulted and ridiculed or what was going on.
Then he heard the man say…
“Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam”
He knew the area well; it was the place where the water was drawn for the Feast of the Tabernacles. He obediently went. Perhaps he felt that he should do as this rabbi commanded, or perhaps he just wanted the gitty mud out of his eyes and that seemed like a good way to accomplish his goal.
Scripture is silent on what happened as the man rinsed his eyes. John simply tells us..
So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Can you imagine the wonder? This man had NEVER seen ANYTHING before! And he was sent from his spot on the side of the road with his eyes caked in mud to complete a simple task that would change his life forever!
Let’s pause to ask the Holy Spirit what He wants US to see in this story.
When we met the man, he had no purpose. His life was mundane, and it was a struggle for him just to survive. Yet he wasn’t looking for a change because, per everything the world and society screamed, his case was useless. Until Jesus came looking for HIM!
The man had no idea who Jesus was, and certainly hadn’t been seeking Him out. But Jesus approached this lost, forgotten man huddled on the side of the road. Jesus didn’t walk by, judge or belittle him. Instead, Jesus gently met him where he was and performed a miracle that restored his sight and changed his life forever.
Does that sound familiar. Even when we aren’t seeking God, He is seeking US!
Jesus wants to meet you where YOU are! There are days when we don’t have the strength or the belief or the will to seek Jesus. But you know what? He will NEVER stop seeking you. He wants to meet you where you are and He longs to open your eyes to see His wonder and glory.
Jesus told the man to go wash his eyes. And with that simple act of obedience, the man was healed. God’s ways are mysterious, but we don’t ever have to questions what He tells us to do. We can trust His care and His provision. And we can always trust His heart.
Let’s dig a little deeper…
The onlookers, including the disciples, were probably dismayed at the fact that Jesus rubbed MUD made of SALIVA and DIRT on the man’s eyes. To be honest, it sounds kind of gross to me sitting here today. But the Jewish people had further reason to be appalled, they believed that anything that came from the body – including saliva – would render a person unclean. So according to this belief, saliva mixed with DIRT and rubbed on someone’s eyes should have been unclean to the max. BUT Jesus’ saliva is different – becaause it comes from Jesus Himself! Jesus is pure perfection – everything about Him is healing, cleansing, and purifying, because Jesus is HOLY.
Not only can we trust Jesus – we can trust EVERYTHING about Him! His ways are so far beyond our ways! The disciples were still learning this, too. They were unknowing participants in the world’s persecution of this blind man – succumbing to the wrong belief that we are each responsible for the pain in our lives, they pushed him down further and considered him sinful. Even on our best days, we are still human. We are still sinners who unintentionally beat each other down.
But by listening to and obeying our perfect and HOLY Jesus can we be all that He has called us to be.
And by allowing HIM to heal US – God’s glory can be revealed to the whole world!
The disciples weren’t alone in judging the man. The scripture goes on to illuminate that NO ONE had ever truly looked at or appreciated the man for anything beyond his blindness.
Verse 8…
8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”
But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”
Either the man had changed so much that those who walked through life with him no longer knew him, or they never took the time to know him in the first place.
Sadly, I think we can all relate to this at some level. We all have people in our lives that we dismiss or look past. Let me encouage you to ask God who He wants YOU to see today.
When they realized who he was, the people asked the man…
…“Who healed you? What happened?”
11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!”
12 “Where is he now?” they asked.
“I don’t know,” he replied.
How WAS he to know where Jesus was? He had never seen Him! He had only heard His voice and felt His healing touch! I very incorrectly used the word “just,” because hearing Jesus’ voice and feeling His touch are miraculous occurrences! But aren’t you and I in the same boat? I have never seen Jesus, but I have heard His voice and felt His healing touch. Jesus has opened my eyes, too. He pulls me up daily, reminds me to open my eyes, and gives me a purpose in my every day. And I pray that I use His touch on my life to give all the glory and honor to Him!
Friend, no matter how beaten down you are, Jesus will NEVER walk by you! He will always stoop down, offer His help, and tell you what steps to take next in your life. Our job is to listen, to respond, to obey. And when we do, He will open our eyes and give us a future that we simply can’t imagine.
The man’s story continues…but we will have to wait for next week to see what happens. Feel free to open to John 9 and read ahead! In fact, I can guarantee that God wants you to!
Let’s close in prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father – you have so much to teach us from this one story - and we haven’t even made it half-way through. Already you have reminded us how diligently you seek us, how perfect and trustworthy you are, and that with you, our lives are purposeful and far from ordinary. God – we thank you for seeking us out and opening our eyes to the wonder and glory of you. Teach us to see others as you see them and help us listen only to YOUR voice and YOUR instructions. We love you and we do give you all the praise and honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Marli Brown, is a speaker, author, musician, and phycologist, called by God to teach about a life of serving Him. Marli and her husband travel and serve throughout the United States and on today's podcast, Marli shares about what may be "your" next steps of following God in your life. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so happy that you have joined in today. Ladies men may be listening to everybody's welcome. But we are just glad you're here to empowering lives with purpose through women, world leaders. Today, I'd like to welcome our guest, Marli Brown from Michigan.
Marli Brown Hi, so nice to be with all of you. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, you're so welcome. And it's just been a pleasure getting to know you, Marli. And as she's come in two women were leaders to be a part of this ministry. We're so happy to have her and today we're gonna be talking about saved what now? And sometimes some of us are just stuck in life, right? We are. We know Jesus is our personal Lord and Savior. But what do we do with that? Where do we go from here. So today's conversation is going to be talking about that. And Marlene is going to share a little bit about her life as well. And what she has done as she found Jesus as her Savior. So we believe that we're here to inspire you and strengthen you and encourage you. So that's one of our purposes. But we know God's Word says that God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. So there is a purpose for your life once you come to know Jesus as your Savior. That Scripture is found in Philippians 213. And God also says that were his masterpiece, were created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. So listeners, there is a plan over your life. God has a plan for each and every one of you. So as we start to share about saved what now just listen and just see if God promised your heart in any way. Just listening to what Marley has to share. I want to share a little bit about who she is first before we get started. Marley is a gifted speaker. She's an author and a musician with an a unique style of communication. She's a dynamic storyteller using humor and everyday situations to describe the love, mercy and grace of God. Marley grew up in Michigan. She earned a BA in psychology and was ordained with the ECA. Marly has been married for 34 years and serves with Randy her husband and a full time worship concert and speaking ministry. She has a book out called riding shotgun, which recounts her eight year journey of living on the road with her family in an RV. I'm sure she has a lot of stories about that to share
Marli Brown You end up with some stories.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes. So today we're going to talk about saved what now? And what does it take to claim Christianity everybody? Have you really thought about counting the costs as a teen Marley was saved and she knew Jesus, but she was not by any means a sold out Christ follower. So Marlee, can you go into sharing a little bit about your story?
Marli Brown Well, sure, I grew up in a pastor's home. My dad was a pastor of Westlands churches. And, you know, I was told that I gave my life to Christ at five years old, I don't remember that. I'm sure they're not lying to me. But I certainly don't remember that was not a life changing situation for me. But I certainly grew, I was so blessed to grow up in a Christian home, where I was continually told about the love of Jesus, and my parents lived that out before me. And so growing up with a church, I remember April 4 1984, I was a sophomore in high school. And I, I just knew, I mean, either going to believe this and live this or forget it. I've got to do one thing or the other. And, and it really how I understand it. And I don't fully understand you, but I just think that that was the time that Jesus became a word of my life where I said, Okay, you've saved me, my sins forgiven. I understand that in my head. But now I want to experience you as my Lord. And what does that look like? What does that mean? How does my life change? And so it was 11:20pm. I remember going to my dad and saying, Hey, I need I need some help here. I need to, I need to take the next step. There's got to be something more. And so we just knelt together and I just you know I really told the Lord, I want a relationship with you. I want something more. And so that's, that was the pivotable, the pivotal turning point in my life where I think I met Him as Lord.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. Do we want more? Are we looking for more? Through our relationship with Jesus? I hope we are and that that's beautifully said you wanted more. And so you gave your life to Jesus. So what happened in the following years, Marley? How did that play out in your life? When you you did seek Him you followed after him? Talk about your college years a little bit. And when you met your husband, because we were sharing about that off screen before and I thought that was very interesting, what you shared about that?
Marli Brown Yeah, well, you know, I certainly in the years to follow, didn't live a sinless life. I don't think any of us have. And it certainly was a a, you know, progress of learning how God wants us to say no to are flush and, and seek him and all things. But interesting, my parents when I was about 10 years old, encouraged me to pray for the man that I was going to marry. And you know, I talked about this in my book at 10. You don't want to sit next to a boy, let alone pray for him. And you know, you just thought that they were stinky and engrossing. And but they said, No, you trust us. And so I began praying for my husband at 10 years old. And I remember my first prayer for him was that he wouldn't stink, and he would be very good looking. That was the all encompassing prayer apparently Kuva laid at that time for the man that I was gonna marry. But it was this incredible springboard to learn how to communicate with the Lord about things that were gigantic in my life. And then things that were just so small and seemingly insignificant, but really weren't to the Lord. And so I really learned how to talk to God, like I'm talking to you, because I didn't know how to put it into church terms that I wanted for this man that I was going to marry. And I really wanted him to, like nice shoes. What do you do with that in church, you know, that was so important to me as a teenager. And so, um, did just talk to God about everything. And I remember getting serious about my prayers and saying, God, if he's a musician, help him to practice well and develop his craft. Give him a heart after you that he would use everything in his life and all of his giftings and his abilities for you. So I always tease Randy, my husband was trained as a classical pianist, and he's very, very gifted. They wanted him to be a concert pianist. And he said, No, I want to go into ministry. But he's obviously got that gifting. And so I've always teased him and said, Whatever you can do on the piano, it's because I've read for you. It's not all the years of practice, it's because I prayed for you. Um, so my, my senior year of high school, I decided to enroll at a nearby Bible College. And I really felt a pull towards ministry. And so I went to audition for the current PR traveling music team. And the current team had to be in that those auditions. And so I walked into this room with six other people and a prof sitting there. And I took one look around the room and I saw this guy sitting at the piano, and I knew that's him. That's the man I've been praying for, for the last, you know, eight years. And I just, I don't know. I mean, I obviously didn't tell him that for a long time, but I think God just melted our hearts together. And, and I prayed for him so much and talked about him so much that I just recognized him. And right Lord was gracious enough to point him out to me, you know, so, funny enough. I went home, my sister also attended the college, I went home and she was home for the weekend. And she said, how did your audition go? And I said, it went terribly. I sang horribly, I'm sure didn't make it. I said, But I met the band I'm gonna marry. And she said, at the school, you met the man, you're gonna marry what's his name? And I said, I have no clue what his name is. But he's a piano player, and he's gorgeous. And he was, he's tall. And she said, That's Randy Brown. That's my piano teacher said Honey, you don't have a shot. So when I was walking down the aisle, and my sister was my maid of honor of course, I looked at her and I gave her that sister. I told you so look.
Kimberly Hobbs I'm sure that was a great moment for you. Victory Yeah, moment of victory. So Oh, yeah. So you shared with me that you did marry Brandi. And that was awesome. God brought the two of you together, you recognize him because he was everything you prayed for, right? That's why it's so important. Ladies Pray, pray, pray. God hears every prayer we pray, and he wants to give us the desires of our heart. And
Marli Brown One of the most important decisions you're gonna make in your lifetime because it literally who you marry, who you yoke yourself to, you are becoming one with and it is right, critical that you choose someone who loves Jesus, like you or more than you,
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. Good word. So you met Randy, you're in college, but both of you are not spiritually mature yet. And you end up getting married. So now ladies are probably thinking about their life and how they're relating to you a little bit, some, some may, some may not. But when you need to know where to begin, God does speak to us, ladies. He says it in His Word that seek His will. And all that you do, and he will show you which path to take. That's proverbs three, six. So So Marlene is going to tell us about the decisions that were made together as husband and wife to take you into serving Jesus FULL TIME wholeheartedly. Can you talk about that right now? A little bit?
Marli Brown Yeah. You know, when Randy asked me to marry him, my first question to him was, you're not going to be a pastor, right? Because I don't want to marry a pastor. I broke up with guys because they said they wanted to be a pastor. So I was serious. I did not want to marry a pastor. I wanted to marry someone who wanted to be in full time ministry, but not pastoral ministry. And Randy assured me I am not called to the pulpit. I'm not called to pastor a flock, but I definitely am called to full time ministry. Great, we're on the same page. God can use us as a team, let's go forward. And we've been married about nine years. And he was on staff as a church at a church as a worship pastor and associate pastor really in charge of worship. And that was fine for me, because that was different. It wasn't pastoral in the pulpit. And he came to me and he said, I need to talk to you. He said, I, I really believe the Lord is calling me to be ordained as pastor. And I told him, I said, Hey, we had a deal. But I fully, fully agreed that God was leading us in that direction, because here's the thing, especially in ministry, when God leads one, he's got to lead the other, you've got to go to God to be in agreement or just doesn't work. And throughout our 35 years of ministry, to congregations all over the United States, we have seen so many pastoral couples, where one did not want to be in ministry, and it was tragic. It was just really tragic and hard. So I knew that God was calling him and we were on the same page. And so he was ordained and, and really served that local church for a while in that, you know, in a kind of a associate position, and, and it just worked really, really well.
Kimberly Hobbs Right, right.But I know I know, you talked about that. Your husband wanting to be ordained, threw you for a loop because of what you had said before. I don't want to marry a pastor, I don't want to marry a pastor. But that was your wants, not necessarily the plans that God had for your life.
Marli Brown The vision was so small, I'm sorry. My vision was so small of what ordination and what God's calling on our life looked like. It was just so small Kimberly?
Kimberly Hobbs Yes, yes, and I can understand that, and I'm sure we can all relate to some of those, you know, we have small vision, because we want what we want. So we're not looking with those wide eyes of what is God one and He is all knowing, all powerful can do the impossible. So we're looking at of our little vision, right? spectacles and but we all want to be confident about our decisions and our choices. And that's important. And the Bible says that if you need wisdom, ask your generous God and he will give it to you and he will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, Be sure your faith is in God alone. Do not waver for a person with divided loyalty is unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed into the wind. That's James. One, five and six. So God can change your heart if you pray to Him in the right way that it's his will not yours. And that's what he did with you. I mean, it was a beautiful picture when you were thrown for that loop. And now you had to say, Okay, now what do I do with this? You know, because you did become one. And so how did? So how did God change that heart develop that partnership?
Marli Brown Yeah, you know, um, this is a really simple, simple answer. But when you walk with Jesus, when you pursue him intimately, he'll change your heart in any area that needs to be changed when you're really open with him. And I think that he changed my heart through simply, day by day crying out to Him saying, I want to know you, I really want to know you. And so then he, he, you know, and when you're submitting yourself, what good father doesn't help you make a change, right? Of course, he's going to do that. So you know, and what also threw me for a loop was a several years later, the Lord asked me to be ordained, and that really threw me for a loop, not to be in pastoral ministry, but to have a covering. And boy, I had to just really wrestle through that. And, and it it was just a step of obedience for me to do that. And so we had this, this stirring inside of us. I remember laying in bed one night, and we were just both laying there thinking you could hear us thinking almost and, and I said to him, I said, set aside the mortgage, set aside debt, set aside, the kids the house responsibilities, what do you want to do? What do you want to do with your life? What do you want to do? And my husband hemmed and hawed and just, it was so hard for him to, to verbalize what he wanted to do. And I sat up and I looked at him, and I said, it's okay. There's no judgment, say what you want to do. And he said, Marley, I want to travel the country, and I want to sing in churches. I don't want to be in a concert ministry. And I said, Good, so do I. Oh, wow. That said, Okay, Lord, you have revealed your plan for us. Now, you've got to make it happen. And and that's walking with Jesus day by day.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen, day by day. So I love the fact that the two of you humbled yourself before God. It was so humbling that moment, because you were together, you were talking, you the presence of God was there and you humbled yourself, he, ladies listening, He wants our surrender, He wants our surrender. It on ties god's hands to be free to work for us when we give Him our surrender. And at that moment, I love that you look to your husband, to ask him what what he wanted as that, you know, leader in your home, and God had already lined your hearts up together for it to work perfectly. So that's what God does. And, and don't be afraid to surrender your control. People to God's control, give him your first render, he says, Don't worry about these things, saying, What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. And I love that seek the kingdom of God above all else, live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 631 33. And as you were starting out in this ministry together, Marley with your husband, and worshipping and traveling and, you know, being in all these churches and leading people to the Lord. I mean, how amazing is that? He gives us the desires of our heart. He says he will give you everything you need. So Marly talk to the woman out there right now who's made her own plan. She has control of her life right now. But things aren't going her way. How does she trust God she saved but what now? It's not aligning with her plan. Something must be up. So can you talk to her right now?
Marli Brown Yeah, that's such a good question. Because I think you go back to the verse that you just quoted, you said, it gives us the desires of our heart. I think we've misunderstood that verse to mean if I please the Lord who gives me what I want and what I think that verse really means. The closer I get to the Lord, he actually takes his desire and he places it in my heart, his desire for what he wants for me. So I think to the woman who is really struggling, I think you go back to that moment and you say God, when I gave If you my wife, I said, I'm going to lay my agenda down. I want what you want for me. And I asked you to place your plan, placed the desire of your heart in the mind, so that I'm actually desiring what you want, and then helped me know, they helped me to walk that out. Because we all know it's in the walking out of what God wants that man, that's where we grow, because there are challenges. And it's hard. And it was not easy in especially in those first years, little kids life, we just got turned all upside down. And there were not easy answers for anything. And our, our faith muscle was stretched. We thought the point of breaking in it wasn't God was with us the whole time. But it was also fun. And it was exciting and new. And so it was all of those things kind of mixed together. But the excitement of saying, God, what do you want for us? Now we want to do that. And to be so excited for that. You know, I remember when I was growing up, and I would pray and I would say, God, will you carve out a niche for me that I fit into, I want to I want to use my life to serve you. And I can't imagine myself sitting in an office desk. I can't imagine that. I'll do it if you want. But I just I feel that you've got something different for me. And wow, did God answer those prayers?
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Yeah. Amen. Wow, he did. And he started putting things into your heart, as you said, what now God, you know, I know you. But Randy knows you. You know, you were immature. But he brought you to that maturity through asking him what you're
Marli Brown And the fighting. I remember the just that wrestling, I say fighting but it's more of a wrestling with yourself and with circumstances and situations. I remember. Our first year when we were in concert ministry was just one test after another. We were actually in Florida. And we had no money. And we had no concerts. And we believed God had called us to go on this tour and nothing worked out. Like was planned. Nothing worked out, like we thought it was going to and it was just difficult. It was hard. And we're looking at these two little kids thinking how are we going to feed you? And I remember going for a walk by myself and just crying out to the Lord. And I said, God, what if we've made a colossal mistake? And the Holy Spirit was so present? He said to me, Marley with me, what is the colossal mistake? That I can't redeem? Wow, that's Kimberly, it took this backpack of rocks off of my shoulders. And I went back to where we were staying with no clear answers. Circumstances hadn't changed. I had no more money in my pocket. I had no more concert scant scheduled. The same two little faces are looking at me. But it's...
Kimberly Hobbs Those were a lot of what now? Moments, right?
Marli Brown Yeah. But God reminded me what now I'm with you. That is his answer for everything. I'm with you. So I think when we give our lives to Christ, we have a choice. Are we truly going to become disciples, because the people that sat at Jesus feet and said, We want to be your disciple? And he said, Hold on. You go back and you read it. He says, You can't be a disciple without counting the cost. Nobody goes to war without counting the cost. Nobody builds a tower without you have to look around either. What is this going to cost me because Kimberly, salvation is completely free. But discipleship cost you EVERYTHING. Wow, you want to become a disciple. You have to give up everything. You have to give up your agenda. You have to give up the pain of your past, you have to lay that down because you are not going to be I am not going to be the kind of minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ that He wants me to be. If I am not willing to lay down the hurt, the pain, the betrayal, anything that was done to me anything that I've done my sin, gonna lay down my fear. I'm gonna lay down everything before him so that we're truly focused on his plan. That's what's next. God, what do you have for me? I don't want you know, I think I think we talked about this. I love leaving people in a prayer of salvation. And I think it's crucial. There's a lot of controversy over that right now. I've heard different pastors speaking out about that. Oh, Um, that's how we talk to God. And when my husband asked me to marry him, I had to give a yes or no. He was waiting for an answer. And God is literally doing that. Will you be Botros? To me? He's, he's waiting for a yes or no. That's a prayer. But I think, what what God's really calling us to is relationship. I'm really quick, the the woman who was bleeding for 12 years, when Jesus, she gets healed. And then Jesus says, Who touched my role. And he basically calls her out, he could have let her go, it was an embarrassing situation than living a life of isolation, right? But he calls her out. And everybody was pressing around him, you know, and the disciples are probably thinking, who's not touching you, everybody's touching you. But it keeps He keeps looking around for. And she finally comes forward. And it says she was terrified and trembling. Because she's breaking Jewish law. She wasn't supposed to be out there. She's not supposed to touch anybody. But she risks everything. To touch the hem of His garment, that the son of righteousness as healing is wings, that word wings. When you look at the original translation, that means the hand of a garment. She's waiting for the sun of righteousness. And she finds him and she crawls through the crowd and she grabs his garment, and she gets healed. And then you think Jesus is so compassionate? Why didn't he just let her go? Why call her out in front of people? Kimberly, I have, I have thought on that for a long time. And I really think it's a couple of things. Most importantly, I think it's because Jesus is so much more about the relationship than he is the miracle. I think Jesus wanted to look in her eyes. And I think he wanted to meet that woman, so that she didn't just grab her miracle and run. I think he wanted her to meet him, and he wanted to meet her. And I think he wanted this relationship thing to happen. That's what we're doing. When we're giving Christ we're saying yes, not, not only to are my sins are all forgiven, and now I get to go to heaven. That's phenomenal. But we're saying yes to I get a relationship with you. Day in and day out. I'm walking with you on a Tuesday afternoon, when I can't pay the bills. Or when I get that terrible phone call. I fall to my knees and I begin to worship because you're my everything. You're my rock, and you're going to do life with me.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. I believe that's our what now. And I love how you said it Marley that we we become betrothed to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That's the what now is that we are connected so deeply, so strongly. And as God says in His Word, we take up our cross and we follow Him. We let everything behind we are betrothed to Jesus now. And that is our what now and, and God is going to take care of you ladies, he's going to take care of you in your surrender to serve him over yourself. It's all about the surrender. And he's Word says, Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessings, you guard all things that everything that is mine, Psalm 16, five, and he's got it all taken care of. So what now we serve Him. We give Him our all, and he'll guard all that as yours. He said it. So let go and let God and just remember that scriptures. Psalm 16. Five, it's so so very important. So we have to close unfortunately, but I just want to ask you, Marley really quick. You talked about the or I talked about the book you had out shotgun and you think you referred to it as well. Can you tell the ladies how they may find you or get a copy of shotgun when you were riding in that RV all those years serving Jesus?
Marli Brown Yeah, I wrote the book because I literally wrote in the passenger seat for eight years, and I get very carsick and I could not drive a rig that big. And so I sat in the passenger seat and rode for eight years. And so it's really my count up how God convinced me to ride with him on that journey. And so you can visit our website, which is Randy R, a nd y and a nd Marley and ar l. I, at at I'm sorry, I'm getting my email address. It's Randy and marley.com.com is our website. And then you can email us at Randy and Marley at AOL. Yeah, and you can get us there and so
Kimberly Hobbs And ladies, you can always reach out to us as well. If you need to find Marley and you did quite get it and we will be happy to share her with you. She is also now a woman. We're a leader. And we are so grateful to have her onboard and just being part of this team of women that gather from around the world around the country of the United States, but we have women in so many countries. And it is just a beautiful ministry and we would love for you ladies to connect with us. And you can find us at www dot women world leaders.com. There is so much for you on our website, we have daily devotions we have the voice of truth magazine that you can read online for free, it is beautiful, you can flip through the pages on your computer and just see how absolutely gorgeous and filled with God's Word that it is. It's table top quality. And you can also request a printed copy to in the mail. There are 100 pages, it's like just like having a book and you will hold on to it forever and ever because it's so beautiful. But we do ask that you if you do get voice of truth that you pass it on. It's just a witnessing tool because it is jam packed with the gospel message of Jesus and there's so much to share there too. And as Marley and I were talking today about saved what now remember, it's been devoted to Jesus surrender a life of serving Him. And women were a leaders put out the book surrendered, yielded with purpose in November of 2022. And this book went to Amazon number one best seller. It got seven Times best seller. It is filled with stories of women who have surrendered their life some through tragedy. Some you know, we don't know how God's going to get our attention. But he wants us to be fully fully sold out to him and serving Him. So this book surrendered will have teaching in there it'll share stories and you can get that on our website as well or Amazon surrendered yielded with purpose. So in our close I just want to again say thank you so much Marley Brown for being our guest today on empowering lives with purpose. And ladies, today, we say from his heart to yours. We are women we're a leaders all content is copyrighted by women were leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless each and every one of you that are listening today. And please join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for women world leaders podcast. Have a great day. Thanks so much, Kimberly. You're welcome, Marley. Thank you
What does it look like to have our roots run deep in Christ? The importance of being rooted in Christ is having a foundation that is unshakeable no matter what we face or walk through. The deep roots are there for support and to build a strong faith. Trusting in Jesus and having confidence in Him are the only solutions for our lives.
Hello. Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace I'm Lisa Hathaway. And I'm excited to share with you today something that God has laid on my heart over the last week or so. And I've, I've really thought about it and I'm such a visual person. And what I want to talk about is being rooted in Christ, rooted in Jesus, rooted in God rooted in the creator of the universe, and we think of the word rooted. It's, it's an odd word, but when you think of being rooted that means to me like this. I have this visual of this big oak tree and the roots of that tree run so deep in the ground and it spreads so why, and it gives the stabilization and foundation for that oak tree to be exactly the need of what God created to be to be the shade the covering and to just to grow so big and strong. And so when I think of us being rooted in Christ, it is us having that foundation that unshakable and begin wholly dependent on Jesus. So the roots of the tree, the oak tree is dependent on their roots to keep it stable to keep it from not breaking into grow healthy and whole. And that is what is being rooted. So when we become wholly dependent on Jesus and all that they do. This a complete, complete trust. And when we think of a complete trust that surrendering everything to Jesus, knowing that whatever his plans are, there's so much greater and so much broader than we can ever ever imagine. And so I was looking at this scripture in Jeremiah 17, seven through eight, I'm going to read that to you. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when he comes for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, or does not cease to bear fruit. Wow, this is a powerful, powerful Scripture. When we think of blessings as a man who trust in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. So you can trust in the Lord with all that you do and all that you are but your trust is the Lord. This so those are two very different things and when it goes on to Jeremiah 17, eight, it says that the routes are by the stream and does not fear when a heat comes. So I was like, Okay, what's the heat? What is when he comes I think of Sun obviously or when something gets hot, but heat is your trials and your suffering and your tribulations that you go through your circumstances that aren't going to be exactly the way that you think they need to be. So that is the heat so they're not nothing is going to shake when the heat comes and for its leaves remain green, and the leaves remain green because their roots are so deep from the oak tree like our lives are waiting to be so deep and Jesus that everything us in US bears fruit. So we bear fruit. It's just like, when we walk through and we're going through and looking at a vine of in the Scripture talks about you know, He is the vine we are the branches. So it's like we need to be fruit bears of who he is. And so when we are rooted in Christ, we are built on a foundation that cannot be uprooted. We are unshakable, unshakable like nothing can shake us and so the verse also means that it's not just simply being saved. It is about trusting and having confidence in Jesus, trusting and who Jesus says He is trusting in what he is going to do for us, trusting in the fact that no matter what we walk through, he's never going to leave us or forsake and having confidence in Jesus, it's so much better. It's not easier sometimes, but it's so much better. When we go through life's tough circumstances which we face every day and every one of us have a story and some of our stories are so much harder and so much deeper, and trauma and wounds and everything that just really really hurts us. But with Jesus, it can be bearable. It can be we can be unshakable doesn't mean it will be easy. It doesn't it all means going to be easier sometimes. Walking with Jesus I think is harder, and you try to keep that you think I think a lot of people I've had a couple of friends are like Oh, when I accept Jesus, I'm just going to all my worries are gonna go away and no, they're not. Matter of fact, I think sometimes things just get a little bit harder but it's just our trusting in Him. And that's what he wants us to do what he wants us to reach for him to claim for him to absolutely trust him. And so you will not fear the Scripture tells us the Scripture actually says it says for your leaves remain green and it is not anxious in the year of drought for it does not cease to bear fruit and there and does not fear fear you don't you're not scared when the trial and tribulations come because you are rooted in Jesus. So I think that that is that was really something that stuck out to me is that you don't have to be afraid to walk through the valley because you have Jesus. You don't have to be afraid when you can't meet a bill because your check hasn't come in. You depend on Jesus is your provider. He's Jehovah Jireh he is your provider. You don't have to fear when things happen with your children or they stray away from God because God is all knowing he sees the end from the beginning and to trust in that and to have confidence in that is something that we can so so appreciate and value. And I know you know I've always as I walked through some trials myself, it's been so easy just to kind of sometimes get complacent. But then on the flip side, guy just gets my attention really quickly, really quickly the way he does, and he nudges me and he's like, I see you. I'm here with you and your roots run deep. Your roots run deep my child. My daughter I love and because your roots run deep, your foundation in knee is so strong, and it's unwavering and it's unshakable and to hear that and to know that from Jesus. So one that to huddle on the cross for me is something that gives me great joy and we can have joy in the trials. And we when our roots run deep in Christ, it's something that expands and when it starts expanding, it's you know, I don't know if y'all have ever walked and you've seen like roots pop up out of the ground, or you know your your step over him or the tree and it's so old the roots are just coming up. And that's what I visualized that I want to be I want to be the root meaning I want to expand so much and grow so much as our just pop it up and shining and shining bright for Jesus and so when our roots run deep in Christ, we turn and let go of ourselves in rely and trust on Jesus. So you have when you trust me you're rooted and you trusting Christ you have the only solution you need for every problem that you face. Because Jesus is the only solution. Sure we can have monetary things or we can have material things that we think are going to fix the problem. And it might be temporary fixes for sure. But it's not going to be sustainable. You can't sustain something that's away from Jesus. And so when you are walking through life, I just challenge you and encourage you to really, really press it and just think about a tree being rooted and how you as a son or daughter or the king can just go and dive deep in the ground and have your roots spread deep and know that they're strong, they're unshakeable, they're unwavering. They're not going to break because the roots are the foundation of who God has called us to be. So I just want to challenge you and encourage you to read through Jeremiah, Jeremiah 17 and amazing chapter in those verses are so much meat in there and just challenge you to really ask God you know, God, how can I grow deeper in you and be fully and wholly dependent on you? I want to walk in your purpose and your will for my life. And I want to be rooted rooted in you. Like just I love the word. And it's so it's so powerful to have visualizations and God just knows that that's something I need. And he's so sweet to give me these visuals. And so as you move through your week or whatever you have going on in your life, I just want to challenge you encourage you build you up to let you know to to run, just to run to him. Put your trust in him. Your competence in Jesus, and you will never ever ever go wrong. Even though it's hard. God's right there. He hasn't left you He will never leave you. He's rooting for you and waiting for you and just continue to stay rooted in who he has created you to be …
Jesus interrupts His own very important teaching to reach out to a woman in need. What a picture He shows us of His love for us and the love we are to offer to each other! Open your heart and let Jesus pour His lavish love into you today. (Luke 13:10-17)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us as we continue our walk through the gospels, asking God what He wants us to know today.
So many things are happening at Women World Leaders! On Thursday of this week – February 16th – Dr. Chidi Kalu is offering the first part of her 2-part prayer seminar designed to help you dive deeper into your prayer life! This seminar is on Zoom, so you can join us from wherever you are. Check out our website, womenworldleaders.com, to register. Also upcoming is our Leadership Connect, also on Zoom. Join us next Monday, February 20th for a time of connection and teaching as we grow in our leadership skills. You can get the link by registering on our contact form on the website.
And…we have an IN-PERSON event coming to South Florida on March 11th! If you are in the area, you won’t want to miss this precious time of worship and prayer and teaching.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, we know that God has a place for you to grow AND serve, but for right now, we want to take a few minutes and just rest in His presence as we read and study His Word together. Today’s scripture comes from the book of Luke, chapter 13, verses 10-17. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – as we open your Scripture today, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for caring enough to speak into our lives daily. God, your Word is a wonder, a treasure-trove of all you want us to know. Father, you are wise, all-knowing, and you are purposeful in action. Thank you for leading us to these particular verses today. We recognize that your plan is perfect, and we know before we even begin studying that you have something specific to teach each one of us. So we give you this time and ask that you make our minds and spirits sharp so that we may learn exactly what you want us to learn today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We have been following Jesus’ teaching, as recorded in Luke, for quite some time now. Jesus has used illustrations and parables and has spoken words of encouragement and warning. So this next event, still as He is in the synagogue teaching, is a veer from the usual. Let’s begin in Luke 13:10 from the New Living Translation…
10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
Let’s go back to the beginning …Luke says “one Sabbath day”…as Christians in today’s society, it is difficult to understand the significance of the Sabbath. For Jews, this day, which came around every 7 days, was holy and was to be a day of rest and worship. Each Sabbath began on Friday evening with the lighting of the Sabbath candles in the home. At sunset, specific readings were presented in the synagogue, which was then followed by alternating periods of ritualistic meals in the home and services in the synagogue. Everything was in a particular order and was highly coordinated.
The structure was so intense that I can’t even think of a modern-day equivalent – and this happened every single week! The Jewish people knew what to expect and what was expected of them. Governed tightly by the rules and regulations, the word “freedom” would have been the FARTHEST thing from their minds.
So on this one Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. And there was a woman there who was following the prescribed protocol of the Sabbath. Presumably, she was faithful, despite having been crippled and bent over for the past 18 years.
I have to wonder how tired she was! Surely she had prayed for healing from the effects of the evil spirit, and yet she remained bent, unable to stand up straight.
And yet…on THIS Sabath day, Jesus broke from HIS norm when He saw her, and called her to Him.
I wonder what was going through her mind. Here she was – a WOMAN – in the synagogue among, no doubt, mostly men. Although it wasn’t unheard of for women to be at the synagogue on the Sabbath, the reality was that SOMEONE had to be at home preparing for the three traditional Sabbath meals. Right? If you are a mom, you don’t have to imagine what I’m talking about.
And…not only was this lady a WOMAN, she was also crippled by an evil spirit. So she wasn’t really the kind of person people would flock to.
But Jesus saw her. And He called her to His side.
He interrupted His own teaching – and we all recognize how important His teaching was - to take notice of this crippled woman.
I imagine her hobbling over to Him, perhaps as the crowd murmured. Who was she to disturb THEIR Sabbath schedule?
Jesus is NEVER too busy to meet you where you are! In His eyes, NOTHING is more important than you. When you walk into a room, Jesus sees you. And when you walk through a storm, He calls you to His side. Let me encourage you, whatever shape you are in, go to Him. Even if you have to hobble through a group of grumpy old men to get to Him.
When the crippled woman arrived at Jesus’ side, He said to her… Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” …the original Greek word Jesus used was apolyo (ah pah LU oh), which means to set free, to grant liberty to… on that Sabbath day, Jesus granted that woman freedom. She was no longer bound by illness or an evil spirit. Luke – who is a physician, remember – reported that the woman was healed, she stood up straight, and she praised God.
This SHOULD have been the end of the story – everyone should have joined the woman in praise to God. But it was not to be.
Verse 14 continues…
14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”
The synagogue leader, despite witnessing an extreme release to freedom, still insisted on keeping his own shackles tightly secured. My mom would have said he couldn’t see the forest for the trees. This man was looking so closely at the minutia of the situation that he refused to recognize the wonder of the healing. It was clear to everyone that this woman’s illness was a manifestation of evil. And only God is more powerful than an evil spirit, so a slight turn toward common sense would have illuminated the fact, at the very least, God was on Jesus’ side. This should have been a cause for celebration – but the synagogue leader was too hardhearted to look past his own pride and desire for control.
Jesus called out the naysayers…Verse 15…
15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
We mentioned the constraints of the Sabbath. But let’s examine the absurdity of some of those constraints more closely. Exodus 20 instructed the people to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy – it was to be a day of rest dedicated to the Lord. Yet, over the years, man added to that God-given law, regulating and putting restrictions on every aspect of life. For example, as Jesus brings up, there were regulations limiting how far from home an individual could travel on the Sabbath, which severely restricted the ability to lead their animals to water. But they knew their animals needed water, so the figured out a way around the tight constraints. They would build a structure around a public well, and then claim that it was now a “home.” This permitted them, by the letter of the law, to ensure the watering of their animals while still being in the legal vicinity of home.
Although this was a bit sneaky, perhaps you may see it as a noble cause. After all, the animals needed their daily water.
Jesus was not speaking against their…let’s call it ingenuity. No…He was appealing to their hearts and their common sense. If they cared enough to figure out a way to water their animals, how much more important was a PERSON’S health. And more than that…Jesus calls the woman a daughter of Abraham – God’s faithful child – who was held IN BONDAGE by SATAN for EIGHTEEN YEARS!! And He asks, Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?
One of the most amazing things I find about God is how big His heart is! God loves each of us SO MUCH that He will stop at NOTHING to care and provide for us. Have you ever seen a child who was lavished with all the good things in life, and thought, nothing good can come of that? Well Christian, God wants to LAVISH you with blessings beyond your wildest imagination! He will stop at NOTHING to give you exactly what you need – because His heart is THAT big – and you hold primary real estate in it! God wants to set you free from everything that holds you in bondage. So He calls YOU to hobble to Him. And when you do, no manmade laws or rules or regulations can stop you from landing in His love. Give Him your life – He WILL heal you. And your life will be better than you ever knew it could be.
The crowd reacted to Jesus’ display of love and healing power – each in His own way. Verse 17…
17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
Let’s pray…
Father, we want to be the ones who rejoice at the wonderful things you do! Enlarge our hearts so that they may look more like yours. Give us your unending compassion, that we might lavish love on others. Give us the strength to put aside our own pride and control as we hobble to you in total and complete surrender. Like the afflicted woman, we crave your healing touch, and we trust that you will shower us with it in your perfect timing. Help us always to look at the heart of others and rejoice in your goodness toward all your children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Devotion is so important in our lives, and who or what we are devoted to is equally important. Today's guest, Tina Wanamaker, is a speaker, teacher, and ministry leader. She shares her story of how God changed EVERYTHING in her life in one moment that occurred on the side of the road. This incident led her to a life devoted to God. **** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs and the founder of Women World Leaders. And today ladies, we're going to be talking about devotion. And we are so glad that you joined us today. I'd love to welcome our guest today, Tina Wanamaker. Welcome, Tina.
Tina Wanamaker Thank you, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs So glad to have you. She's coming to us from the state of Washington. So we are at opposite ends of the United States, she's up in one corner, we're down in another. So ladies, it's our desire to encourage you and empower you to walk closer with our Lord. And He is everything to us. I hope that he is in your life too. And we're going to talk about devotion. Today. As I was sharing with you earlier, God's Word says, come and listen to my counsel, I'll share my heart with you and make you wise that's proverbs 123. God wants to share his counsel with us. We need to find that in the Word of God, how important is that for our lives, and also through sharing stories and different things that our guests have been through and how they have found Jesus and have a closer walk with Him now because of finding him is very important and valuable. And I just pray that through listening to this podcast interview that you will be inspired and empowered to have that closer relationship to him. I want to share a little bit about Tina before we get started. Tina has been married for 22 years. She has four children and a home as I said in sila Washington, where they raised their children and chickens on a five acre farm that they call their hobby farm. Tina has authored three books, which show her passion for the practical application of God's word to hearts and lives. She homeschools her children, she speaks at women's events and ministers at a jail as part. She does this part time as a chaplain. She's an international women's leader, she teaches Bible studies online and on local television. And together with her husband, oh, and they manage that I may know him ministries, where they share the gospel and equip believers to walk out their faith. So in titling today's interview devoted that is something that Tina chose. And we believe there comes a point in each of our lives, where change is deemed necessary. Where do we show our devotion? Have you thought about that? Have you ever thought what am I devoted to? We can all be devoted to many, many things. But God is devoted to us. And he tells us, he's devoted to us. Oh, Lord, you have examined my heart. And you know everything about me, you know, when I sit down or stand up, you know, my thoughts, even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and I when I rest at home, you know everything I do? You know what I'm going to say even before I say it, Lord, you go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head that Psalm 139, one to five. And I thought that was such a beautiful picture of God's devotion to us. He's so devoted to us. So Tina, can you share a little bit about how you came to know Jesus, how he changed everything in your life?
Tina Wanamaker Oh, golly, well, that was 20 years ago now. I when I was 25, I came into relationship with Christ. Prior to that, I had been walking in darkness, but not really understanding that I was walking in darkness. I don't think it's until we come into the fullness of relationship with Christ and our walking in the light that we begin to fully understand what it was that we were involved in before. And so growing up, I had grown up involved in going to church, but not having an understanding of a personal relationship, but seemed very distant like he was way over there somewhere, you know, but I did believe in God, that he did exist. And so early on, that's how that's how it all came about. And as I, as a child, there were some things that had happened that were painful. And, and moving on from there going into high school years, you know, those are really, they can be very uncomfortable for, for people. And in my case, they were, you know, trying to find your identity, I think is how we would term it now is, you know, where do I fit? How do I fit in here, and so you try this, and you try that and, and it just nothing would fit for me. And so I ended up beginning to do some partying with some friends. The year before I was beginning my senior year, and I had up to that point had been a, you know, a 4.0 student, very studious, very much. And so the summer before, when I began to drink so heavily, I, the next year, I almost didn't graduate high school, my mom had to go in and, you know, plead with the teacher, you know, hey, with you, because of my mind choices, the choices that I had made, had put me into some positions, where I was unable to do what I had been doing in the past. And so there was, once I started down this routes and, and looking back on it, I can see what I was trying to do, I was trying to find identity, but I was also writing, because there are some areas of pain that we can have that we don't know what to do with. And we can't really explain it in that time period, either. I don't think that we can, until we come into relationship with Christ, really, we and I see this a lot in the jail is that there's a lot of girls that don't know what to do with their pain. And so they will use drugs, or they'll try to cover with relationships. And so I did that through the drinking and dabbling in some drugs and relationships. And so that lasted that time period lasted about eight years, I just kind of moving through these things. And it was it was messy, and it was yucky, and it was dark. And in the middle of that, towards the end of it. My husband, Ellen and I got married. And so once we got married, I was thinking in my mind, oh, well, we're gonna get married and things are gonna be better, you know, because that's what marriage does, right? Makes things better. But actually, it made it worse, they compound the problems that were already there. And so we ended up in a very dark place together. And I recall having a conversation, you know, hey, we knew that there was a problem or destroying ourselves physically, spiritually, emotionally. But we didn't know what to do. Like, what do you do? Do we go see a counselor? Do we? I mean, what do we do? Do we read some self help books? You know, like, we just didn't know, we didn't have an answer at all. And so a friend of ours that actually had done a lot of partying with us said, Well, I go to church, why don't you come to church with me? And we're saying, When do you go to church, you know, you're always with us, you know. And so we ended up going with her to church. And at the end of that service, there is a group of us, and we're all you know, just being honest, we're all hungover and just showed up there. And they gave the gospel message at the end of the service. And my husband responded to that gospel message, but I didn't, I was under the impression that I needed to earn salvation, that I had to do good works in order to obtain salvation. And as I said, before, God was very distant from me. And so I continued in doing what I was doing for a number of months after that, finally culminating in getting pulled over for DUI, and I had just gotten accepted into a radiology program at the local college and if you've gotten to any trouble you are out of that program. And at that moment there when I was I got pulled over, and I'm on this side of the road with these police officers and I broke there is this It was messy, it was ugly. They didn't know what to do with me. And I it was like, this moment of just utter brokenness, just trying to all those years of trying to cover the pain and all the years of trying to find my identity and, and it was just, it just came to this culminating point. And, and in a sense, I feel like I came to myself in that, you know, the the story of the prodigal son, where he goes out, and he's out doing all the things, but there comes this moment where he comes to himself, and he has this realization of what it is that he's doing. And he's like, wait a minute, this isn't okay. You know, and I feel like that moment came when I was on the side of the road. And they had to call my husband to come get me they did not give me a ticket for that. No, but my husband had to come get me and they told my husband, you need to get her help. She needs some help. There's something way, you know, off with her, right? And, and, and I did get help. Right? So immediately after that is when I realized, wait a minutes, I am not saved by good works. I'm not going to heaven, because I've done enough good things in my life. I need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ had this realization that it's not a works, but to get God, and I receive that gift. And then Jesus began to process the healing process that took while it's still happening, right.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Tina, amen. And a lot of us can relate having that define of definitive moment in our life where Jesus gets our attention, right? We're going down the wrong path, but we are his he's devoted to us. So somehow, some way he's going to show up strongly. And that's how he showed up to you was on the side of the road, thank God, He gave you grace, you didn't get a ticket, if that could have really marked you for a long time. So there was Grace there. So Tina, as we got to talk, off of this interview, you shared a lot with me. But as you came to know, Jesus, and you started developing that relationship with Him, He brought you freedom, God brought you freedom. And through that freedom, you learned how to be a wife, a mom, you became devoted to be able to speak in that way. And a testing of faith came after you began having children. So can you talk a little bit about that? And you had a question that you asked yourself that I recall, which was, Do I really believe what I say I believe, can you talk about where that came from?
Tina Wanamaker Sure. We had been walking with the Lord Jesus about two years, and we found out we were expecting our first child, and which he's 18 now. And so after we had Levi our oldest, then I became, we were expecting another little one after about another year and a half. So probably about the four year mark into our walk with Christ. And we were at the three month point in the in the pregnancy, which is the safe zone, they say, right? But I ended up miscarrying that baby. And not only miss carrying the baby, but ended up having some severe hemorrhaging, and emergency surgery and two months recovery, it was a mess. In that time period, I couldn't take care of my little guy for a season and, and so out of that, once I recovered physically from that, then I had, I've always had a lot of questions. And so, in that place, I began to I had a lot of questions or why, why did this happen? You know, we wanted this child we prayed for this baby, we, right. So why did this happen? And, and other questions as well. And so I would put Levi down for his nap. And I would go into the bathroom and close the door and just cry out the Lord. And so what this ended up being for me, was a testing of my faith. And, you know, Scripture tells us that God tests our hearts. And it's like, who knows the hardest man but God, and He tests our hearts and our minds. And so he's the one that does that and he wants to refine our faith. And he really I feel, wants us to ask those questions of, Do I really believe what I say I believe, right? Am I going to really step out and face and the metal of something that's so hard? And the hard can look different for each of us? So in my case, I was asking the questions, but ultimately, the Lord showed me I was asking the wrong questions. So because when I was asking the wise, will job ask God, the wise, and he didn't get any response, the response he got was, I'm God, and you're not. And so, when I was asking the wise, I wasn't getting any response from the Lord. He was comforting me, but I wasn't getting. I wasn't receiving any answers. And so I realized I had to change my question. So I submitted myself under the authority of Christ. And I, I asked, what question should I ask? And so then I began to ask, Okay, Lord, what can I learn from that? What do you have in the midst of this that I can learn about? Or what do you want to teach me? Or how do you want to speak to me? And one of the scriptures that the Lord gave me was Romans 828? Are all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose? I asked him, Lord, would you allow me and your kindness Would you allow me to see some good on a practical level from this, and he brought it, there was another lady that we knew that had miscarried for the second time. And I was able to reach out to her, and to have a heart level of compassion for her that I never had in the past. And so the Lord used that to teach me it wasn't his well for that baby to die. But he used it, nonetheless, to test my faith, to bring it forth this gold, to have me ask those questions. Do I really believe these things? And my all in and ultimately to increase my level of devotion to Me, I love that. I love that Tina, I love that God was growing your faith through all of these trials. And that's what he does, ladies, we go through things that like you questioned, you know, what, why is this happening? Why do we go through them. And I think that's a normal response of some of the things that we all go through. Because they're tragic. There are hard they're hard to deal with. So I love that you were learning that your faith was growing through this tea not and I wanted to share a scripture, Scripture says, I am certain that God who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ returns Philippians one, six, so God is working. He's working. He's working all the way through these adversities that we face, these trials, these hard things in life, he's working, he doesn't stop working. And God taught you how to be devoted to him through these hard, difficult times. And one thing that you had shared with me was you because of the baby, and you had a fear of death, and it became intense. And as you started to study the word Tina, and live it out daily, through it, God provided you opportunity to begin teaching. So can you tell us how you started to focus on utilizing God's word despite the fears that you were feeling? Mm, one of the things so early on, when I came to Christ, the first couple of years, I actually struggled with forgiveness, receiving the fullness of forgiveness. And, and after about two years, the Lord helped me to see that by standing on Scripture. So this is where that begins to come in. He helped me to see that everything was covered by the blood, not just the things that were small, but the big things too. And early on, when I first came into relationship with Christ, I, he taught me to sit with him, and to study the Word and to really ingest the Word of God, not just to read it, to have knowledge, but I wanted more than that. I wanted to read it, to ingest it, to digest it, if you will, and then to have it come forth again and help to those around me. And so, in that place, the Lord really trained me to sit with him and to begin to study his word, and to allow it to change me, one of the things that I often tell people is there's no point in reading the word if it's not going to change us. I mean, why we could read something else, that we, if we're going to read it, we want it to impact. We really want to have a practical application of that, as in the fear that you mentioned that fear of death. I had had that since I was a child. And then coming into relationship with Christ, I thought it was gone. Well, you know, it's gone. I'm sure. You know, I'm, I know where I'm going. I know my destination now. So when it came back up, it surprised me, honestly. And so but again, we deal with those things. On the level of the Word of God, we stand on his promises. Yes, that's where we find the victory.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Amen. Good word. Good word. And I know that there's ladies out there listening right now where, you know, fear is a mobilizing you ladies. And it's difficult. Through those times, I would say to think about devotion and everything, because right, then you're focused on those fears, and you're worried about what's happening and what's going to happen. And here you may not be thinking about I'm devoted to God, nothing's going to happen to me because you're in the situation. But that's where the word of God becomes so important ladies, to know that word to hide it in your heart, to know that you can go to it for that comfort, and God's word says in Psalms, you know, the 23rd Psalms are such a great comforting scripture. But even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close to me, beside me, your rod and staff protect and comfort me on Psalm 23. Four. So, yes, go to the scriptures, like Tina was just sharing how important it is. And Tina, you talked about a word study that you did on fear, which really helped you to become devoted to God and devotion brings us inner peace, ladies. So remember, when you're looking for that peace, it's not going to come on your own accord, that peace comes from God. And you need to be devoted to the one who loves you most just like the Scripture, we started off with, you know, God's devoted to you. You need to be devoted to him. So tell us, Tina, about that word study that you did that truly helped you.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes. The word study that I ended up doing when that again, when that fear of death rose up, which surprised me, as I mentioned, I felt I knew that something needed to be done. No, I asked the Lord, what a way to, you know, learn why do I do I don't know what to do. You know, it's all new, you know. And so I felt that the Lord was leading for me to go through the Word, and to write down every scripture I could find on fear. So I ended up with some pages, I would always journal and keep a notebook. And I still do that today. So I ended up with these pages filled. And then I said, Lord, now what, what should I do with the scriptures. And I felt that the Lord was leading me to look through them, and look for the ones that seem to highlighted or to stand out to me, and to write those on note cards. And so I did that. And I ended up with probably, I think, five scriptures. And I made two copies. And so at night, when I was getting up with the baby was when the sphere would returned. And so I put one sets of those note cards in my robe that I would put on what I would give to the baby, and then one next to where I would sit in the rocking chair with the baby. So I I set them in the right places, you know, and then I got up with baby that nights. And again, I sit down and that overwhelming fear came over me, you know, and I don't know if you've ever experienced this, but it just felt like an elephant sitting on my chest. This just wait, you know. And so as soon as that came up, I knew in that moment why the Lord had me make those cards and do that study because I was going to battle. I was going to learn to battle. And so I picked up those cards and I began to go through them one at a time, and I read them aloud. I feel like our like declarations. ...
Be set free of the stinking attitude of unforgiveness. Enjoy the fullness of life, as you let go of the thoughts of how others have hurt you.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Podcast is titled, “Forgive”
Jesus states in the Lord’s Prayer
“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong]. And bring us not into temptation but rescue us from evil.” (Luke 11:4 AMPC)
No one likes wearing clothes with body odor. As for me, my sensitive nose permits me to smell things at such strength that it is like a superpower. If I were a superhero today, I would be the Super Sensitive Woman. All kidding aside, it is difficult for me to wear a top, if it has any bad odor. It’s nothing but a distraction in my day. Although, it’s something invisible to the eye, my brain is constantly aware, as the olfactory receptors of my nose, transmit the information of the odor to my brain, signaling the fact that my top stinks.
Now, I don’t go around telling people that my top stinks, rather I keep that information to myself. However, when I’m at home and around my husband, I inform him that I must change my top because it smells so bad, to which he replies, “I don’t smell anything.” He doesn’t have the super sensitive smeller I have.
Unforgiveness in the heart can smell like the top with an offensive odor. Sooner or later, something happens in our lives, to make us aware of our stinking thinking about a person or situation. If you’re super sensitive to the smell of unforgiveness, you do something promptly about the matter, seeking to forgive.
Jesus addressed this invisible offense of the heart in the Lord’s prayer, as unforgiveness. We are forgiven our sins, as we have forgiven others their sin. This awareness of needing to forgive is God’s grace.
“Aware” means to have knowledge about a situation or a fact. The word from which it is derived, is the Germanic word “ware,” which is pottery, as well as the manufacture of articles for sale. This is obvious in the kitchen mostly, where we have cookware, silverware, glassware, tableware, etc.
I like to envision cookware, tableware, and glassware as containers for food and drink. However, imagine if those vessels were instead memories within our heart and mind, which we clung to, about what others have done that has hurt us. It would be no different than cooking a gourmet meal with rotten food, offensive to the pallet and nose. Eighty percent of “taste” comes from your olfactory receptors (smell). If we wouldn’t eat such a meal, we surely wouldn’t invite guests over to partake either.
The Greek word for “forgive” is aphíēmi pronounced af-ee'-ay-mee and means, “to forgive, lay aside, let go, and to send away.” [i] The word from which this comes apo, means “off and away.” When my top smells of body odor, I get it off as soon as possible, and put it in the laundry basket, away from my nose. Again, I credit that response to my super senses, where I cannot get any work or activities done in my day, since the stench of the smelly top has my attention.
Likewise, when we deal with unforgiveness quickly, it’s like taking the smelly top off and putting a fresh clean one on. Unless someone had super senses like me, they couldn’t perceive it. But imagine if I didn’t use deodorant for days and got around others. Not only would it be constantly on my mind of how bad I smell, and interfere with my ability to fellowship, other people would smell the body odor, as well.
I experienced this last year, when my husband, Rich, and I drove up to Virginia to celebrate his sister-in-law’s sixtieth birthday. We made it a two-day trip to get there, and I was beyond excited, having found a brand-new dress that was normally over $200 for only $35. Moreover, I had stunning shoes to add that extra-bling, rose gold pumps, with matching rose gold stones. In addition, we had bought Rich a brand-new suit, with shiny black dress shoes. We haven’t dressed this nice since our wedding day in 2001.
Little did I know, that in all my packing, I did not pack my deodorant. Ok, I could get by with using my husband’s deodorant, if need be, for this trip, so problem solved. However, I later found out because I had packed so hurriedly that I couldn’t find my husband’s deodorant or the toothpaste. This was a double whammy. On top of this, we were exhausted, having woke up 3:30 am on Thursday to get to our half-way destination, and then at 4 am on Friday to make our final trek to attend the surprise party. Well one thing was for sure, if someone were to smell my breath or my underarms, they would be surprised by the awful smell.
Rich and I arrived at the party exhausted, unable to find his deodorant, which is fine for my husband, because as he says, he glistens, and doesn’t sweat. I on the other hand, am like Niagara Falls when the temperature rises above 75. Not only did we not find the deodorant, but the toothpaste, as well, leaving me with bad breath. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my regular breath mints in my purse, either.
So, get this, I looked the best I have in years, in the most beautiful black sequin gown, stunning shoes with bling, and matching jewelry. However, the whole time I was at the party, I kept my arms tight by my side, and my hand over my mouth. I wanted to really enjoy the celebration, but I was so distracted by my bad breath and stinky underarms. The whole time there, Rich and I kept asking people if they had a mint or something, and no one did.
We went for 2 days without brushing our teeth and finally bought some toothpaste from the gas station, only to find our toothpaste packed in my makeup bag, later.
While at the party, going through my head was “I hope no one else has the super senses that I do and can smell me.” Instead, if I would have brought my deodorant and toothpaste, I would be carefree, laughing and having fun with all the family.
Things that we hold onto from our past towards others can be likened to us not wearing deodorant or brushing our teeth. Imagine on top of not having toiletries for proper hygiene, if we ate rotten food, which then wreaked through our pours, all the while building up in the mouth as super bad breath. We would be unbearable to be around.
That’s how it is when we have unforgiveness. Our rotten attitude makes it hard for others to be around us. Because we’ve not the super senses to perceive that our attitude stinks from unforgiveness, it’s built up, and been like days without brushing our teeth or taking a bath. Now imagine further, if we haven’t brushed our teeth or taken a bath in years.
The grace of Truth given through Jesus Christ, was to remove the stench of sin from mankind, where we would be in right standing with the Father, without spot or blemish, because of the atoning work of Christ on the cross. He nailed the debt of our sins to His cross. (Colossians 2:14) That experience of the forgiveness of our sins, comes as we forgive others. Forgiveness means to let go. We must let go of the things we’ve held onto about others, and the way we might dwell on how they’ve hurt us. It’s the stinking clothes that distract our hearts and minds, keeping us from enjoying life.
God taught me that anytime I dwell on something negative that someone has done to me, that it is satan accusing them in my head. He then has me say, “I break agreement with the accuser of the brethren, In Jesus’ Name.”
What circumstance do you need to let go of, and who do you need to forgive? Take this opportunity to be free of stinking thinking, and cling to the work of the Cross of Christ Jesus, receiving forgiveness for your sins.
[i] [i] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Greek word # 863 “forgive”
In Luke 13:1-9, God calls us to dig deep! The devil wants us to skim the surface of God’s teaching, infusing us with self-righteousness and greed. But God has so much more for us! He has fruit, just waiting to blossom on our branches – don’t miss out!
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my joy to walk through scripture with you each week as we ask God what He wants to teach us today.
Women World Leaders is busy doing all the many things God has called us to! Our next edition of Voice of Truth magazine is scheduled to come out in March – just a few weeks away! If you are not on our mailing list for Voice of Truth, you can sign up on the contact form on our website, womenworldleaders.com, to receive a free digital version of the magazine. We also send a physical copy of the magazine as a thank you to each of our monthly donors! And while your donation puts Voice of Truth in YOUR hands, it actually does far more than that! Donations like yours are what allows Women World Leaders to keep going! We stepped out as a volunteer army about four years ago as God birthed this ministry, determined to do whatever He called us to; and now we offer podcasts, daily devotions, a place to pray and receive prayer, books that proclaim the gospel…the list goes on! And although SO many freely pour their time and gifting into this ministry – INCLUDING ALL the writers and contributors to Voice of Truth, it still takes money to keep the ministry running. So, if you are a regular donor – thank you!! We simply couldn’t walk in OUR God-given purpose without your support!
When you visit the website, you will also notice that we have an in-person event coming up! We are so excited to present the Come As You Are conference here in West Palm Beach. We’d love to meet each of you there!
Let’s turn to the Word, shall we? Our scripture today, as we continue our walk through the gospels, is Luke, chapter 13, verses 1-9…but before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – we come before you today, humbled at your greatness. Father, you are so magnificent, so worthy, so righteous…and yet you call US to be your own. Thank you for meeting us again and again where we are – for teaching us, leading us, guiding us, and simply loving us! We give you these next few minutes as we delve into your Word – and we ask that, through your Holy Spirit, we may walk away from today’s teaching changed – looking a little bit more like you! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week we focused on the fact that Jesus has called us to stand strong for Him, even in the midst of those who may disagree with us. We learned that we are to go to God and allow Him to teach us directly, and then we are to take those teachings and, trusting His wisdom, walk boldly where He calls us.
Today, as we continue studying Luke, we come to chapter 13, verses 1-9. In these verses, Jesus continues teaching the crowd – still exclaiming that we are to follow Him and His ways. Once again, as we’ve seen in the past, some people shout out controversial questions. And whether they were confused or trying to trap Jesus, we have to remind ourselves today that much of what Jesus taught went against the norm of society.
Luke 13, as written in the New Living Translation, begins…
About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.
Bringing up this topic placed Jesus in a precarious position. Although it is not known what historical event the crowd was referring to, it is widely known that the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, was an instigator of trouble between the Romans and the Jewish people. There are several recorded instances of Pilate killing Jews in unorthodox ways – for various reasons that amounted to simple unwarranted brutality. Everybody knew it, but bringing up this topic put Jesus in the hot seat – if he refused to address the issue, He could be accused of being pro-Roman, but if He defended the Jews, He would be in trouble with the Romans.
So the crowd asks Jesus, in essence, whose side are you on? The widely held belief was that any personal tragedy was an act of God that came about as a direct result of sin – so, wasn’t it clear that those who were killed sinful? And wasn’t Pilate doing God’s work, punishing them for their sin?
Jesus replies – and, like always, directs the people to think more deeply.
You’ve heard it said that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours? God clearly taught that in His own words in Isaiah 55:8-9 –
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
I would encourage you to really rest in that scripture for a moment. God’s thoughts are NOTHING like our thoughts – and God’s ways are beyond anything we can imagine.
And not only are God’s thoughts HIGHER than ours, they are also SO much DEEPER than ours!
And…we are called to become more and more LIKE God as we walk through this life. So…doesn’t it follow that WE should ask God to HELP US think more deeply?
Our default, as humans, is to think on the surface. Maybe this is because it is easier to accept what we are taught than to seek to understand the issues for ourselves. Or maybe, we are just too busy to think INTO an issue. Or perhaps we are so simply unaware of just how deep our thoughts can go.
Probably the reasoning behind our shallow thinking – is a combination of all of these things! But we are not called to be shallow thinkers! And if we follow Jesus’ example, we will begin to realize that every surface issue goes deeper than we usually care to address.
Jesus knows this…so Jesus goes there!
He recognizes that the issue at hand is deeper than the Romans vs the Jews. And He also recognizes that the lesson here is more about what we each WILL face than about what the poor souls who were killed by Pontius Pilate had already faced.
So Jesus says, in Luke 13, verse 2…
2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all!
He asks…were the people killed the ONLY sinners around? Obviously, they weren’t – we all sin. So, by the people’s own rationale, EVERYONE in Galilee should have been killed. Therefore, thinking deeply, the victims who were brutally killed were not being punished by God’s hand. And yet – there is a lesson to be learned in their untimely death. Jesus continues…
And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
There’s the deep thought…we are ALL called to repent of our sins and turn to God. Without His grace, we are all doomed.
Jesus goes on…
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
Jesus’ expands the lesson. The crowd asked Him about the death of those at someone else’s hand. Jesus responds, what about death that comes about by way of an accident? Does THAT kind of death point to horrific sin?
Jesus answers His own question…no…Reminding them that every single human being will die a physical death – no one can escape it.
And He repeats the DEEPER lesson! Verse 5…
I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
We are ALL sinners – and whether our sins are big or small, they all move us away from God. Each sin puts a barrier between us and God that we simply can’t overcome.
Instead of looking at others in judgment, which can be oh-so-easy to do, Jesus wants us to look at ourselves and our own relationship with God. He wants us to go deep with Him.
What if, this week, each time a judgmental thought about someone else crosses your mind, you grab that shovel and dig deep into that thought – pushing the judgment away and asking God to show you your own sin of pride, greed, selfishness, anger, or frustration? Ask God to unearth what it is that is driving you to judge someone else. Ask Him, as you dig, to fertilize YOUR soil with truth, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and even joy.
Then Jesus turns to an illustration…the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Verse 8…
6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
Many theologians will point to this story as a picture of Israel – the fig tree was not growing fruit, just as the nation of Israel was not turning to God. Yet we see God’s patience, that has endured even until today, though not without a rocky history for sure.
But, as we dig deep personally, we can also look at the fig tree as a picture of our lives. We each need to ask, does the figurative tree of my life grow fruit for Jesus?
Jesus spoke earlier of our repentance, which is necessary to allow us to scale the barrier of sin between us and God. And then He spoke of our personal responsibility to continue growing in Him. But now, He admonishes that a fully grown tree is just the beginning – our purpose is to bear fruit.
A fig tree took several years to grow mature enough to bear fruit. And the man in the story patiently awaited the fruit. But when the branches grew strong and there was still no fruit, he recognized that there was a problem. And he told the gardener that it was time for the tree to go.
God has given each of us so much! He planted us in His rich soil, and He feeds and waters us with His Word and truth. He provides for us and showers us with love. With all of that, growing fruit should be natural for each of us. And the fruit grown on the branches of our lives is meant to help others grow and thrive. If we aren’t naturally growing fruit, it can only be because we are somehow blocking God’s nutrients within us, keeping His power in our lives from doing the work it was intended to do.
Let’s face it…A tree can’t do much to create its own fruit. But by doing exactly what it was created for, God ensures the growth of fruit.
You and I are called to submit to God’s nourishment, and allow His growth to take place in our lives. We can and will grow fruit on His behalf if we are obedient to His call at each step.
So how can you be obedient today? Simply by listening to and responding to that still, small voice.
Is the Holy Spirit telling you to get out of bed and read your Bible? Do it!
Is He encouraging you to serve on a ministry team? Go for it!
Is He guiding you to listen instead of stating your case to someone you don’t agree with? Then shut your mouth and REALLY open your ears!
Is the Holy Spirit giving you a platform to share your God-story? Be brave and step out!
I guarrantee you, someone else needs the fruit God is trying to grow in your life!
Returning to the parable…We really don’t know the end of the story of the tree. Scripture simply says…
Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
Maybe this is YOUR “one more chance.” Your reminder that your fruit matters.
We serve a gracious God who will wait for us, but He won’t wait forever!
If you haven’t repented, please do so today so you can spend eternity with God in heaven.
But even if you have repented, I encourage you to dig deep into your soil and check on how your fruit is growing. Because THIS life is a unique opportunity for us to grow fruit for others who need it! Please don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – we WANT to grow – and we know that in order to grow, we need to care for our personal relationship with you. We have to dig – and ask you to fertilize and weed us with your Word and your love. God, we ask for strength and courage and wisdom to obey you, so that we, like the healthiest of fig trees, can grow ripe, luscious fruit that is suitable for feeding and nourishing others. What an amazing gift you’ve given us to serve you and serve each other. Let us NEVER take that for granted. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Some of us have been hit very hard with life's struggles and tragedies. We sometimes wonder how one can exist with joy, through all the suffering. Today's guest, Deb Hogan, shares how the "Joy of the Lord" is her strength, despite her medical prognosis. May today's Podcast give you hope in Jesus to live in peace amidst certain struggles.
There is a massive difference between "believing in God" and "believing God!". He has promises for each of us. He also has a purpose and plan that is meant to prosper us, bless us and propel us into His divine plan and purpose for our lives. But how do we do this when life is tough? Rusanne Carole will explore some things to ponder, including we have the ability to live heaven on earth with God's power and grace.
Welcome to Women World Leader’s “Celebrating God’s Grace” Podcast. Thanks for joining us today. Women World Leaders mission is to globally invest in the lives of women discovering their lifework and purpose within God’s design. And there are certainly seasons of our “life works” – whether it is being at home raising young ones or running huge corporations we, through God’s grace and power, can experience the exceeding abundance of God’s glorious work through us as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
We, at Women World Leaders, provide numerous opportunities to come together, as women of God, to love, support and encourage each other. Check out our website at www.womenworldleaders.com
Whether it’s joining our prayer team or you may have a prayer request; you may want to attend a meeting on-line or come to a live event (we happen to have one on the 11th of March at Keiser University – Palm Beach, Florida USA); check out our Voice of Truth Magazine, full of stories, testimony, poetry and art ; or become a monthly donor to help support the ministry in sharing the gospel message. There’s devotions, teaching, weekly podcasts too! Wherever God may be leading you, you are welcome. Come as you are and join women from all over the world as we honor Jesus who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20
I’m Rusanne Carole and I want to talk to you today about Believing! Believing IN GOD and actually BELIEVING GOD. There is a difference.
When did you first BELIEVE? For some, you can remember the day, the time, exactly where you were. For others, it was a gradual “knowing, believing and accepting”. There is no “right” or “better” way to accept Jesus into your heart.
OR, ARE YOU STILL QUESTIONING WHETHER THERE IS A GOD? That’s OK too, GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE YOUR HEART AND MIND IS. I think He likes the questions. He likes us to talk to Him and He is willing to answer every question if we let Him.
He is a patient God. He is a gentleman, not forcing Himself upon us but allowing us to come freely to Him. That is LOVE.
So, if we believe in God, do we also believe God? Do we believe in all His promises and that they are for us?
It is especially difficult to believe this when life hasn’t been easy and we feel we are constantly struggling? One battle after another!
Yet how do we do this, each day as the raging storm waters continue to rise,
How do we worship when not much in life is going well?
How do we praise with a broken heart?
How do we persevere with praise & worship when there doesn’t seem to be much to celebrate?
It’s a choice. It takes practice. And the practice will help make it permanent and more consistent.
It’s a lifestyle. It’s a surrender. It’s a falling down and getting back up over & over again!
It’s training (a spiritual training) & a progressive renewal of the mind to slowly and consistently know who we are in Christ.
It’s believing that we, with God’s strength and power, are becoming who we are destined to be.
It’s trusting our heavenly Father with every step of our journey –
Faith happens when believers believe. How do we do this?
READ the WORD
Heed the WORD
Test the WORD
God’s Word is the seed that grows the faith!
So I’ll ask, how is the seed in your garden of faith?
2 Timothy 4:17 –“ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me”
We don’t do this alone, we do it with the help of the Holy Spirit, the teacher of truth.
His Word tells us over & over again He stands with us, never leaving us on our own. And He strengthens us – when the roots are down deep (and embedded for a time) it’s harder for the “winds of lifes’ storms to throw us off balance.
I’d like to challenge you to ponder this Scripture, Isaiah 43:10 –
“You are my witnesses”, declares the LORD, “And my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me”. I can hear God saying, Believe me, believe me, believe me!
I love the word, ponder! Marvin Ashton taught, “By pondering we give the spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind”. Kind of like believing. We can believe in God, but unless we truly believe God and what He says we miss out on the abundant and victorious life He has for us. And it is a continual day to day of loving Him, getting to know Him, learning to trust Him and surrendering to His divine plan for our lives.
Let us pray:
Lord, help us to not just believe in You, but to believe YOU! Believe in Your Word, Your promises, Your commands. Help us to live a lifestyle of standing firm in our faith, even if the world around us seems to be going astray. Increase our faith. We know it’s impossible without faith to please You. Let us be your witnesses to everyone around us. And when things get tough send your angels and your people to minister to our hearts. We know it is a life-long path, with the number of days you give us, to meet, live and serve You. But Father strengthen us and teach us to bring heaven to earth and fulfill every little thing you have for us. Help us to bow down and receive the divine promises you have for each of us and not get stuck wandering in the wilderness like the children of Israel. Let us fall in love with Your Word, but most of all open our hearts to experience You – the lover of our soul and the giver of abundant life. Amen
We are all called to walk with Jesus, yet we each must make our own intentional decision to allow Him to lead and guide us. Don’t let anything keep you from your most merciful and powerful ally as you stand strong for Him. (Luke 12:49-59)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so glad you have joined us as we walk through scripture together, asking God to show us what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I want to welcome you and invite you to visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com, where you can learn all about the ministry. We have some great offerings coming up! We meet on the third Monday of each month on Zoom for a leadership connect – this is a time of fellowship and growth as we learn from each other. This month’s topic is Leading a Group, led by me! I have studied leadership and led groups in multiple arenas, and I am so excited to share with you some tools of leading in a group setting. We also have a 2-week prayer seminar coming up in February led by one of our esteemed leaders, Dr. Chidi Kalu, AND we have an in-person event in South Florida on March 11th. There is much to do at Women World Leaders! Our goal is to meet you where you are and empower you to take the next step toward your God-given purpose.
But now, let’s take a few minutes to slow down and breathe in as we spend time together in God’s Word. We are currently walking through the gospels, and our scripture today comes from Luke 12:49-59. Let’s begin in prayer.
Dear Most Holy God, We come to you in awe of who you are. As we open our eyes and look around, we are astounded by how you provide and care for us each day. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough. And yet you ask no more of us. It is your simple desire that we abide in you – so we are here to do just that. God, speak to us – help us understand your words – and guide us in the way you want each of us to walk today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we meet Jesus today, He has been speaking to the crowd, telling them not to worry about this life, but to prepare to serve God as He calls. Then, He turned directly to His disciples and warned them that those who know what the master wants and refuse to comply, will be deserving of punishment. Teaching them a verse you may be likely familiar with, Luke 12:48… When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
In today’s teaching, Jesus continues speaking to his disciples, giving them a clear view of what was to come. Luke 12:49 from the New Living Translation records Jesus’ words…
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
Fire in the Old Testament was a reference to both judgment and purification. When Jesus was born, even the angels declared “peace on earth” – and Jesus did indeed usher in a new era of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Jesus’ ultimate goal was to make a way for all men to be reconciled to God, but there was a fire He needed to walk through for that to occur. The cleansing we receive, God’s offer of our purification to righteousness, came at a high price for Jesus. He had to walk through the fire of hell for us, and we can get a glimpse from these two verses how difficult that was for Jesus. He says…I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning.
How many times do we wish the hard part of what we are going through was already over? The missions God sets before us are not always easy or fun – they often take work and focus – sweat and tears.
Jesus knew what He came to earth for…and it would take literal blood, sweat, and tears.
The “baptism of suffering” that Jesus is referring to is His literal physical death and all the anguish surrounding it. His statement, “I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished” should make our hearts ache and sing at the same time – we ache for the pain and suffering that Jesus went through, but at the same time, we are so grateful for His selfless act of mercy that made way for our righteous purification.
Depite the extreme agony ahead, Jesus knew His mission would usher in division, not peace. He wanted to prepare His disciples for this otherwise unexpected effect.
Verse 51…
51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’[a]”
For some of us, the division of family on account of our belief in Jesus seems hard to imagine. The picture of a perfect family is one who attends church together and trusts God through any difficulty.
But in many cases, that is not the reality. Sometimes only a small child in the middle of a godless family is open to receiving Christ. Sometimes one family member gets so mad at God that it sets him or her apart from the rest of the family. And sometimes, church doctrine puts a divide between people who would otherwise cling to each other.
The reality is that we are EACH held accountable for our own response to God’s call. We must EACH individually pray and discern Jesus’ teachings and the Holy Spirit’s leading. It is not bad to seek wise counsel, to listen to teachings, and to learn from church doctrine. But the reality is, God imparts His wisdom to EACH of us, and we are INDIVIDUALLY held repsonsible to allow God alone to form our own beliefs and guide our actions.
To make this point clear, Jesus turned to the crowd and said…
… “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.
Jesus was speaking to a farming community – who were each responsible for their own crops. Clouds forming in the west would have contained moisture from the Mediterranean Sea, and winds blowing from the southern desert would have carried heat. People knew this from awareness and experience – nobody had to teach them. Simply being aware of the sky gave the people clear direction in what they were to do to secure their livelihood.
Jesus continues…
56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?
God calls EACH of us to make our own decisions to secure our ETERNAL livelihood. And He GIVES us EVERY bit of information we need to make an accurate assessment of what we need to do.
So why don’t we all agree? Why don’t we all see Jesus as our Savior?
Perhaps we are too prideful – like the Pharisees.
Perhaps we are too self-focused – like Judas.
Perhaps we are power-hungry or scared – like those who arrested Jesus.
Perhaps we want to go along with the crowd – like those who mocked Jesus.
Perhaps we are blind and unaware – like those who went about their days, not bothering to heed the call to listen.
In our worlds and in our families, there will be division. Some will listen and follow Jesus. And for a plethora of reasons, others will go their own way.
Jesus continued with an allegory…
58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.[b]”
Like it or not, as we walk through this life, we are on our way to court with our accuser.
We think of Jesus as loving, forgiving, gracious, and merciful. But before we give our lives to Him, the reality is, Jesus is the accuser of our sin. And He is right to be so – because we are sinful. And yet He walks with us. He is there for us. And He will be there for us, waiting with His arms open, until we get to the courtroom and are dragged before the judge. Then, we will be handed over TO be judged.
The fire of judgment will be poured out on each of us. Your spouse won’t be with you. Your parent won’t carry you through. Your sister or brother who has prayed for you, counseled you, and held you up through trials on this earth will no longer be there to offer prayers to shield and protect you. You will be held accountable.
On that last day, after your time on this earth is done, and you stand before God, the ultimate judge of all – you WILL be standing alone. Completely and utterly held responsible for every sin in your entire life.
UNLESS…you made amends with your accuser along the way!
Jesus implores the crowd, and He implores us today…NOW is the time to turn to Jesus and give your life to Him. NOW is the time to make YOUR decision to accept His gift of purification.
THEN…when that judgment day comes, you won’t be standing alone – because Jesus will be standing WITH you. And He will say…she’s with me…I paid for her sins.
No one else can or will carry you through that final judgment. Only Jesus can. And He will, if you yield to Him now.
So, despite what everyone else says, despite the divisions your decision to follow Christ’s will and may cause – your number one priority in this life is to say yes to Jesus.
When you say yes to Jesus, He will grant you His kingdom today. When you daily yield to His call, He will empower you to do what He asks you to. When you take an informed stand to walk with Jesus, He will protect you and lead you and guide you.
Will it be easy? Jesus said it wouldn’t be. He said that division will come, accusations will come, and even hardships may come. But you will NEVER walk alone again. Jesus – the most powerful, loving, forgiving ally there ever was, will be by your side — for eternity.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God. I pray today that you will guide each person listening into YOUR truth. Thank you for pursuing us with your blood, sweat, and tears. Please grant us your wisdom, strength, and courage to respond to your call despite anything that may come against us. And give us boundaries, God, helping us treat others with the same love, patience, and respect you have shown us even AS we stand strong for you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Leadership begins with being a good listener. Today's guest, Nancy Sabato, is a TV and Podcast show host and producer of "The Call." Through years of God directing her path into communicating with people, Nancy shares great encouragement of stepping into a leadership role in life.
Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy that you joined with us today to listen in. And I am honored to welcome our guest today. Nancy Sebato. From the call. Welcome, Nancy,
Nancy Sabato Thank you so much for having me on this wonderful program. I'm so happy to be here to serve all the women that's in your ministry that are watching right now.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh thank you, Nancy. Nancy is going to talk today about leadership, ladies. And we're, I'm really excited. I was actually a guest on her podcast show where she interviews amazing people from around the country, famous people. And so I was just honored that you had asked me and I thought, wow, she must have a story to be able to interview so many people and guests around the world. And I asked her if she would be a guest on our show empowering lives with purpose. And she gladly accepted. So thank you, Nancy.
Nancy Sabato Wonderful to be here. Thank you so much.
Kimberly Hobbs Thank you. So ladies, it is our hopes that today and listening that you can be strengthened and encouraged to walk after the Lord leadership. Of course, in women were leaders, it's just something that we are passionate about. So whenever we have the opportunity, which is today to talk about leadership, and how important it is, we're going to seize that opportunity and hopefully, just empower you with it. And that is our hope today. The Bible says every believer has received grace gifts. So use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestries of God's grace. First, Peter 410. Ladies we can be the leaders in so many different ways in our homes in our communities, and our ministries are so many ways to be leaders. We're all created with different giftings because of different talents. So I hope that as you listen in today, as Nancy and I get to share back and forth that you will just have something in you that is sparked by the Lord because that's what we prayed for Nancy and I prayed before we began this podcast that you would be inspired by something that you hear. So I want to share a little bit about Nancy before we begin and she's just as I said pleasant, and I am tickled that we are both kind of in the same in the same passion of what we do, which is to empower others to walk after Jesus. Nancy is a TV and podcast show host and producer of the call with Nancy sabato. For over two years now, the show is an entertaining and informative program that covers a variety of topics from addiction and human trafficking, to salvation and transform lives. Nancy has interviewed a wide range of guests, including world renowned authors, Christian actors, Bible teachers and theologians. Her show is designed to help listeners find answers they need to a transformed life through seeking Jesus. So Nancy, as we get to dive into leadership today, and we know that your life has a calling, obviously, because of what you do and how you are called by God. And you do it so beautifully, Nancy, but prior to the calling by God, can you share with us a little bit about your personal story about your past before TV, and podcasting?
Nancy Sabato Of course, you know, my mother always told me be a leader, not a follower. And that stuck with me as a child. So God was just so merciful to me, because he had this plan of me being a leader. And that was my passion. And I couldn't help doing it wherever I was. So if I was going to, you know, it being in a group of people, I would have to lead. It was just a natural thing for me. And I just always, you know, wanted to step into that. But God shaped me for leading others through various roles in work and volunteer work. He's always looking for someone to step up into that and take control and I was one of those people. So he, he ended up putting me in a work position. I was working under someone and I would say in my pride this is before I knew Jesus, I would say my pride. No, I can do that job, and I can do it better. But once I stepped into it, boy, did God have a lot for me to answer because I was just I couldn't believe some of the things that I had encountered and the people that I had to lead and the people that I had to supervise. He gave me so much strength. And he put me through a lot of trials, a lot of tribulation, a lot of like trying to figure it out. And, you know, maybe even had someone mentor me because I didn't know what I was doing. But God was shaping me then. So you know, anybody out there who is, you know, in a leader, leadership position or not, you know, that it's, it's, you know, it's, it's, first of all, it's a lot of work. But the rewards are amazing, the work, the rewards are awesome. And so then I just want to let everybody know that people will fail you. It's part of training God has for you. So like I said, in that work position, I had people that would not show up, and I would have to, you know, take action. And that was a hard role to play. But then I came into my church roles, which is where the love of God really started to work on my heart yet, I was not born again. And I was taking on a lot of roles in leadership. And I don't think it was good for me. Because I was overloaded, and I burned out really quick. And that's what happens in leadership, it's easy to burn out, because you take on too much. So, but in my church roles, what I did was, I gathered people together, I God had given me the ability to, to rally people together, and to talk to them and beyond their level, because sometimes people are just, they really just need somebody to listen to them, and not to judge them. So being a leader, you need to learn how to listen. And you need to learn how to not just, you know, stop talking, right. And so, and you also need to lead. And so that's when I fast forward to a women's ministry. That was amazing, where, once a month, we would get these women together, and have a breakfast, and a woman from the church would come in, and she would tell her story. So we gathered together and fellowship, we had the speaker come up, and these women loved it. We did it every month. It was a wonderful experience. I don't know. Kimberly, do you ever do something like this before?
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, absolutely. Like I think of my past too, and in the little things that God had just sprinkled in my life that gave me the indication that I may step into a leadership role in the future. But however, you know, it wasn't on my radar whatsoever. So, but just little things that you're saying, it takes me back to think about my past. And, you know, here I am in a major leadership role, you know, but there's a scripture The Bible says, we can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps that you proverbs 69, nine, and he definitely years Nancy's mind, but he puts different things in our path ladies that he is the one that's going to determine our steps. And we need to keep looking to Him to say, Okay, God, what does this mean for my future going forward? So yeah, talk more, Nancy about now, how did God nudge you like, so you had all these indications about leadership, but you were doing things your way? Right? Like you were you were not thinking I'm gonna do this for God. One day, that was the furthest thing from your mind. But you know, ladies, just like Nancy, God works all things together for good. Absolutely. Those who love Him and those who are called according to His purpose. And so, we know God has a calling on your life, ladies that are listening. God had a call on Nancy's life, and now she is doing the call, but how did he nudged you like into serving him? Where was that point?
Nancy Sabato Okay, so now I'm serving him in this church. And I've taken on a lot of roles, too many roles, including the women's ministry, which I loved, and I love the church I was going to, but I took on too many roles, and I got burned out. And I fled the church. And I ended up sitting in a balcony and another church, just being under the teaching of someone who was in full gospel message. And he talked about the works and how we aren't we don't you know, we don't use the works to get ourselves into heaven. And I think all along I was like, I want to please God, I want to please God. I want to keep taking on these roles. I want to keep leading I want to keep doing this But doing it almost in vain, cried all the flesh, the things of the flesh. I wasn't doing the things of the Lord. I wasn't. It wasn't, it wasn't getting to my heart. As much as I loved all those ladies, they'll do everything that was going on. It wasn't getting to my heart. So all right now, I left that church. But then I also lost a job in the interim, and was got, you know, had dental work ahead, things were going on. And it was just a really bad year. But God had a purpose and all that fast forward, brings me to this woman from the church I left tells me about a Bible study that's happening locally, and women go to it. Okay, I'll go I'll try. I'd like to learn more about the Lord. While I didn't realize it's a Bible Study Fellowship, which is the biggest Bible, international big Bible study, that women and men all over the world, they study one book, and it starts in September ends in May. And everybody is studying at the same time. It's, it's amazing. So I get there. And enlist Amanda, the teaching of Moses now, right? So she did, she's the speaker is talking about Moses, I'm like, I didn't know God was that big, and literally did not realize that the Lord was working on my heart, and showing me what he really can do. So I'm doing it now I'm going every week. And of course, I'm sitting in it, my vainness I'm sitting in, I'm thinking to myself, you know, what, this group leader, this is good. But you know, I could do it too. And I could do it. I think I could do it better. This is my flesh, you know, you well, the leaders are all awesome. So, fast forward a year and a half later, they call me up, God calls me up. And you know, I did not hesitate and some people will be I'll pray for it. I'll pray about that. Let you know, you know, no, I said, okay, right away, there's no stopping me. So I go, right, I go right in and I start to train, they, you know, the following September, I'm, I'm training and, and I'm learning how to be with these women. And it's a totally different dynamic, where you are not you are you have to learn not only to be compassionate, but you have to be understanding, and you cannot, cannot overlook someone, when if they even if they said something wrong, you can't overlook them, you can't bypass them, because it breaks their heart. So many women have broken hearts to begin with, when they're walking into a women's ministry, anything like that any Bible study, there's a brokenness that we all have, and we carry, you know, that we need, we don't need to be like, pushed down any more. We need people to understand and to be open to us and to hear us. And so this is where I learned where everybody is important. And, and it just took me, like many years of like, really listening and understanding and seeing the heart of a woman during this time. So that was my, that was my biggest that was my biggest takeaway. And that's how God really led me all those years, you know, to this, but, you know, just just to backtrack, just once is that many, many years ago, I had a dream of of, you know, doing this podcast that I do that as you do. And that and God stopped that dream. And I often said, God, you know, I don't know why you stopped me from that dream. But little did I know, he had a plan. He had a plan to put God's word in my heart. And he and he had a plan to have me minister to women, and to to know them and to seek their hearts and see them. Like that's the thing. I don't see someone when I look at them physically. I see their heart. Beautiful. I love their heart. I love them when they walk in. And I know they know I see their heart because I tell them I know I know your heart today. You know what's going on with you. And I look at look at women that way.
Kimberly Hobbs And I love that about you, Nancy and that's that's beautiful and leadership because they are not going people are not going to follow you or listen to what you say. Unless they respect you unless they know that you genuinely care. You can stand up all day and tomorrow and talk talk talk talk talk and it's gonna go in one ear and out the other but until you can hear the heart. That's so important. Nancy and you touched on that is it that they have to know that you truly care. And so God took you through Bible study, fellowship, into leadership, he was pouring in His Word into your life, and you were living it and making it real. And then you had the opportunity to start to use it for His glory, where you're taking what you learned, and now you're pouring is a leader into others. So he was grooming you. And ladies, you may be on that grooming process where you can look at little things in your past that may be God's hand was moving you gently along and guiding you to where you are right now. And you're ready to take that step forward. Because we all can be leaders, right where we are, it starts where we are, absolutely. And we just need to have that heart and compassion for other people. And to know that it's not all about you getting the limelight, it is about you pouring into someone else, and them accepting that, you know, you genuinely care, and then they're going to start to follow you and they're going to trust you and you build that trust. And that doesn't happen overnight. So Nancy, so the person that's listening right now that you are sharing about different things in leadership that you felt were takeaways to you, before you got into what you do. And television and podcasting, you said, there were three three things in leadership that really stuck out in you. Can you share that with the ladies listening?
Nancy Sabato Yes, well, there's three characteristics of a good leader, lead people like Jesus, that with compassion and understanding, it's so important, because they just like I said, they just want to, they want to love they want to love on you, you know, and you want to show them, that you love them, too. And so if you if you listen, and you understand, and Kimberly was hitting on that, as well, you know, they're, they're more apt to, to want to trust you and understand them. And to know when people you know, to win, and to know when to talk and when to listen. You know, sometimes you I, you know, during Bible Study Fellowship will have such a lot of chatter going on, you know, there's just a lot of women, they just want to talk to some and I want to talk to so but sometimes I have to like, hunker back, and just let somebody talk. And then you can get the full picture of what they're trying to say, sometimes you want to jump in, jump in on what they're saying. But, you know, sometimes you gotta listen to the full thing of where they're going with what they're telling you. And so that is another good characteristic, listen. And then the third would be lead like you were bringing them to heaven. Because this is such an important task. We as believers in Jesus Christ, must lead people, as if they were going to heaven, we need to share Christ with other people. And when we lead them, we need to constantly tell them, Jesus did for them at the cross, it was so important. What he did for them at the cross was a life changer for them when they came to be the believer that they are. So even people that don't believe that you need to be the light of Christ in their life. Because if there's anybody out there that has a family, and there's many of us that do, that don't believe in Jesus, like we do, and we get, it gets really tough for us, because we really want them to know Jesus, like we do. Just be a light in their life and meet them where they are, it's important to meet them there. Okay, so those are the three things that I would say. And also that God, you know, if you if you don't think that you're a leader, you know, God will make it clear when he calls you up for leadership because like Kimberly said, there's a lot of people that are leading in their own way, it doesn't necessarily have to be in some position. It can be, you know, writing your own home, you know, you know, he calls you up for leadership, you know, in your heart, that that's the direction he wants you to go when you feel like he's leading you there. So like I said, like we were saying, like, there are many ways to lead first your children train them up in the way they must go, that's proverbs 22. Six, show them that you can lead them well, through making decisions, you know, when you're helping them through their life, the decisions that you help them make our life changers. So this is something that you that you really want to do you want to groom them in knowing who Jesus is groom him and making the right decision. surgeons and point them to the Bible, because that's the truth. If they want to know truth, go to that page, you know where it is, look it up, if you can't find it, just Google it, you will find the thing in your heart that the Holy Spirit wants you to know, to just to put that on them and to look that passage up. While so you know what, it could be as simple as being a prayer partner, leading in that way, call somebody up and say, hey, you know, how would you like to pray once a week? How about once a month, you know, you can lead in simple ways. But just you know, people look for leaders, people want to know that they can go to you, if they you know, have a problem, that's where you lead as well. Being good counsel. Right. So um, so those are some of the things that that I would say to, you know, your audience right out there.
Kimberly Hobbs I love that. And I love what you said, that really stood out to me, Nancy, because we live in a world where everybody is judging one another. And you said, meet them where they are. That is beautiful. And I know in women, world leaders, that is one of the things that we encourage our ladies as leaders, meet the person where they are, we are all sinners. And prayerfully saved by God's grace, that you've come to know Jesus as your Savior. But we all had to have that moment where we come to Jesus as we are right, those sinners, and so meet that person where they are and know that they may be in a broken place and, and then listen, like Nancy said, that was another thing of being a good leader is listening. So don't just right away, throw all your advice and think you're gonna save the world because you are just giving them all the right advice, listen and hear where their heart is at that moment, so that you can offer the right advice when they trust you. When you meet them where they are, right. There's it's all entwined together, there is so much that you have to again, learn and put into place before you jump out there and just say, I'm going to be the perfect leader. And I'm going to just stand in front of 1000s and lead, right. So yes, God has to take us all through those grooming stages. And I love your advice. And those three helpful hints, Nancy, so God says, commit everything you do to the Lord, trust Him, and He will help you. So if this is an area where you want so badly to lead, you want to lead in your home, because you have unruly kids, you want to lead outside in your business, wherever it is, if you commit those ways to the Lord ladies. God's gonna help you he says it in His Word in Psalm 37, five, just commit those things to the Lord, release the control, surrender your life to Him, and He you're going to be an amazing leader, right? Because all of those things are going to come into your life that he pours in, through the Holy Spirit leading and guiding you, Nancy, how you now are, you're in television, you are doing podcasts interviews on the call, you've written a book, you are now leading with such a voice in this world. And I love that. And I think that's why you and I connected so much because we know what it takes to be a leader in this world. And how can people find you find your book, if they want to reach out to you?
Nancy Sabato Well, you can just go to you can go to my website, which is the call with Nancy sebadoh.com. You can also go on, you know, Facebook, Instagram, or you can just google google me. And my Yeah, it's just easy. Just, and my book is day by day grace. And it's a it's a prayer journaling. And that also is on my website. So it's wonderful and I'm just happy I'm so happy to be here with you Kimberly, it's it's wonderful to just be able to sit and talk about God and talk about how God can you know work in your life and make you great because everybody out there God has put talents in your in your soul, whether it's leadership, it whether it's you know, hospitality, whatever the fruit of the Spirit gives you. Ladies don't shy back from that because it's so important. So important that you pray and ask God to lead you to serve him on Earth. We're here for short time, short time. Make it great. Be that servant to him. Be that servant.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. I love that. I love that you have a prayer journal out because it starts with prayer. Ladies, that is vital when we He founded women, world leaders. I have a team of founding leaders that came on board that saw the vision and said, Yes, I want to be part of it. Well, the first thing that we did was take it to the Lord in prayer. Every single part and aspect of this ministry we put to the Lord in prayer. And they it's not just a one time prayer, God, help this ministry grow, know, this ministry grew because of prayer, because of communication constantly, day by day by day. And so Nancy, this prayer journal, I'm sure is such a helpful tool, that it takes you through praying because you need to pray for anything you set out to do remember, commit your plans to the Lord. Well, if you're committing them to the Lord, you got to talk to him about that. Okay. So if you're talking to Him through prayer, then he says that, trust me, and I will help you. Psalm 37. Five, put it on your refrigerator. Look at that scripture, because he is he's not gonna leave you floundering. That's wrong. He's gonna move you in your gifts and talents to whatever it takes to serve him. Yeah. So is we have to close I'm scripture, ladies. Jeremiah 2911. I know the plans I have for us as the Lord. And so many people use the Scripture, but it's so true. God has a plan for you. And it's the plans I have for you says the Lord plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope, and a future. He wants you to have that hope and future but with him, not doing it on your own, like Nancy set out to do it all on her own. And she was wanting to be this great leader on her own. But God had other plans, right, Nancy, and it was so beautiful, how he honed you in to his word, and groomed you and taught you through these Bible studies that you went through which is so beautiful. Ladies, at women were leaders, we do have those tools for you. And we asked you to be part of it come in deeper with us. There are so many opportunities for you to serve God and be a leader here with us. But right where you are through zoom and technology and all the things that we have, we can be working with you encouraging you, you might want to write in our in one of our books that we have all of our books, praise God have gone to number one bestseller. And there's a reason for that. And you go on a journey. And it's a journey with some other women and God to put out books that will change the world through your stories. We also have voice of truth, we want you to be a voice in this world. That's a magazine and publication we put out every quarter. It's beautiful, ladies, you can read it digitally online for free, you can get the printed version. If you become a monthly donor to women, we're leaders have any mount it doesn't matter. We'll send you the printed version of voice of truth. It is gorgeous, 100 pages, no advertising in it, it is just pure blessing to bless the woman and so many areas of her life. So, ladies, we want you to be part of women, world leaders. And again, that's how Nancy and I connected was I was able to share my story on the call with Nancy Roboto. And I am just thrilled. And now she's here. And she hopefully dropped a little bit of encouragement to you about leadership and being a leader. So thank you again, Nancy, for being on today.
Nancy Sabato Thank you so much for having me. Ladies, listen, I'm just gonna put a little plug in, go if you want to do some leadership and here's a great place to start women, world leaders. How could you go wrong, you have someone who is going to encourage you as someone who's going to teach you so you don't have to be afraid. And even if you're not, you know, not ready for leadership. Maybe there's something in there that that's perfect for you. This is a great place to start.
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Women world leaders.com Ladies and just go through the website and see all the areas where you could plug in and and let leave us your information. We Don't bombard you with stuff all the time. It's just to let you know when things in the ministry are happening and how you can plug in and be a part. So ladies, we have to close Thank you, Nancy. Remember all copyright all content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. We thank you for joining us today. God bless you and have a beautiful day ladies
Today, Kelly Williams Hale shares tips on how to create your vision for 2023.
There is something so fresh and exciting about starting a new year. There’s a sense that God is doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19) – particularly if we have resolutions or goals we’d like to accomplish this year. The Bible says a man without vision will perish (Proverbs 29:18).
May we all begin 2023 with the vision God gives us so we can be excited about what’s to come!
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
I'm an author, speaker and coach leading women through inner healing and intimacy work.
I teach women how to get past proving their worth and step into the purpose and plan God has for them.
Hi there, and welcome to Women world leaders podcast celebrating God's grace.
It is a brand new year. And I don't know about you. But there is something so fresh and exciting about starting a new year, it just feels like it's full of possibilities.
The last few months of 2022, God was really putting on my heart that he is doing a new thing.
It seemed like everywhere I turned, I saw that scripture about God doing something new.
And so I went to His word.
Isaiah 43:19 says:
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
I felt like God was speaking to me… it was time to let go of certain things I had been doing in my life and in my coaching business. God was making a way.
I believe he was preparing my heart for what is coming this year! Isn’t that exciting?
Now, the challenge is God doesn't always let us know what's coming!
But he will give us that nudge – that quickening that is the Holy Spirit.
I was hearing that still small voice that something new is coming.
And so today, I want to talk about vision.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 29 that a man without vision will perish.
The definition of vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.
I just love that: imagination and wisdom.
As we begin a new year, I think it’s important to begin planning for the year – our future – using our imagination and wisdom.
Before I dive into that, are you one of those people that chooses a word for the year? I never used to be but a few years ago I decided to try it. It’s been interesting – and fun – to pick a pick. I’ve had Focus, Consistent. Obedience.
Last year, the word I selected was love.
I started the year so excited, with God telling me this was the year to just love… unconditional love, even when people hurt your feelings. You love them. Even when people disappoint you. Love. For me, being mindful of my word helped me navigate the year with the intention of loving – in all situations.
In Matthew 22, the Pharisees and the Sadducees as Jesus which of the commandments is the greatest, he responds (in Matthew 22:37):
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies and those who persecute us… to simply love them. I think we all know how difficult that can be!!
But if we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, we must love people. Like Jesus did.
Without judgment, just love them where they're at, and that through our love, they will know who God is.
It’s sometimes not the easiest thing to do, but our job is obedience, and we let God do the rest.
And so I just spent 2022, operating from that word, love.
This year - for 2023 - My word is trust. I am going to trust God. Trust myself. Trust the process.
As I mentioned earlier, the Scripture about God doing a new thing has really stuck with me
Isaiah 43:18
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
And Paul tells us to Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
If we lean into God and trust Him - which for me, means digging deep in the word, really believing what he says. And trusting that through it all, the good, the bad and the ugly…
he's going to work things out for my good.
Now a lot of us all start the year with resolutions or specific goals. A vision for the year.
As I was preparing for this podcast, I got curious how many people actually keep those resolutions. This is what I found:
- 38.5% of US adults set New Year’s resolutions every year.
- 59% of young adults (18-34) have New Year’s resolutions, which makes it the largest demographic that sets these goals.
- 48% want to exercise more, making it the most popular New Year’s resolution. The top 3 are all health-related.
- 23% quit in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month.
- 9% successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions.
36% make it past the first month!
And only 9% make it to the end of year – successfully keeping (or meeting) their goals.
That’s 91% who fail… fail at meeting goals they set 12 months ago.
But sister, I have some encouragement – I've learned that there really is no failure. There's no failure, just lessons.
This is where we can truly celebrate God’s grace.
How many of us grew up with parents that were disappointed if we brought home a C or D on our report card. We were graded for our performance. Our value was closely tied to our grades or how we did on a test. Failing was not an option.
Which set us up to honestly, be afraid to try new things. For fear of failing. That’s another topic for another podcast.
God in his infinite wisdom allowed me to become a mom again at the age of 44. My son Austin joined his siblings, who were 24 and 13 when I had him. Have you ever wished you could go back in time and reteach your children some of the valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way? I know I have! Thankfully, as our children become adults they begin to realize that mom and dad did the best they could!
So now I have an 11-year-old and he's getting the benefit of my wisdom at 55 years old.
I actually encourage him to fail because I believe that that's one of the ways we learn.
when we make mistakes, we learn what not to do. And how to make a better decision next time.
failing forward is really the goal.
So if you have already fallen off the wagon, so to speak, by not keeping your resolutions, I don't want you to beat yourself up.
His mercies are new, every day, Praise God for his grace.
And we can always start fresh tomorrow.
My husband likes to say today is the first day of the rest of our life. And it’s true!
Every morning we have an opportunity to start fresh. Be intentional
And if we have a vision - if we have goals or resolutions, things we want to accomplish. If we want our relationships to be stronger… if we want to start a business, if we just want to love other people better… be a better wife, be a better employee, be a better sister, a better friend.
That takes intentionality.
And when we define what we want and make a plan, I believe we’ll be more successful in keeping those resolutions.
I love this quote:
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal, a goal broken down into steps becomes a plan, a plan backed by action makes your dreams a reality
And so I invite you to think about your vision, where do you see yourself at the end of this 2023?
And a lot of times, it's helpful to go back and look at last year – not dwelling in the past - but where we’ve been can give us some clues on habits or patterns that may need to be tweaked. Or things we could have handled or done differently, again, those failures that we get to reframe into lessons.
Looking back on 2022 – identify the things you did well, the times you made progress, the goals you met. And celebrate them.
If you journal, this is the time to document those moments.
Start writing down a year end review of what 2022 looked like. Hindsight, if you will.
Hindsight is 2020 because we can see clearly – on the other side – the lessons that certain situations or circumstances taught us.
Sort of visit last year and then plan your vision for this year. If you have a goal to get healthier, consistently exercise. Spend more time with your kids, maybe you’d like to start a little side business…
Once we clearly define our vision, we can create the goals and then the actions needed to see that vision materialize. We’ll have a target to hit.
Then… when you experience those circumstances that are going to be challenging, because we're all going to face them, life happens. And you’re in a position to make a choice. Do I do this? Or that? You’ll can intentionally make the decision that supports your vision.
Say you’re invited to a girls weekend away, but your dream is to get your book started. You planned on writing a couple of chapters over that same weekend. You can make the decision NOT to go with your girlfriends, because you want to meet your goal.
As the year progresses, the choices you make are going to be better informed.
It's like that target I mentioned. You vision is the bull’s eye. You want to hit that. You don't want your arrows to go all willy nilly with the wind.
Say your dream is to run a marathon this year. And so when your friends are inviting you go out for dinner… or have ice cream… and you know tomorrow is a training day… you have to make a choice.
You've got this consistent routine of running every morning and you're invited to go have coffee with an old friend. Maybe you can reschedule to an afternoon because you want stay consistent with your running habit.
The goal… the vision… the target - helps us make choices that support what we want.
Here’s a great tip that will keep your vision top of mind during the year. Have you ever heard of a vision board? I encourage my clients to create a vision board at the beginning of each year, We do it the old fashioned way: get a posterboard from the dollar store, grab your scissors, a glue stick and some old magazines…It’s just cutting out pictures that represent your vision. Photos and word and ideas that support how you want your year to look like… it could include pictures of the beach if your goal is to go to Hawaii this year.
Anything that visually reminds you of your goals. For me, I see myself speaking at women’s event more, so I would find a picture of someone on stage. Maybe you want to be more involved with your kids, so your images will be something that shows activities and fun.
Or maybe you want to save up for you know, a new washer and dryer. If you're like me and spend a lot of time doing laundry Lol maybe one of your goals is to really save up and get a new washer and dryer or a new refrigerator or a new car or vacation or you want to take your kids on special weekends away.
Those kinds of things
Put that on your vision board so that you have a visual representation of what it is you're aiming for… what it is you desire. what it is that you want to achieve this year.
Then put your vision board somewhere you can see it every day.
Maybe you want to spend more quiet time with God, journaling and reading your Bible. You can find a picture of a quiet area in a home where, when you look at your vision board, you'll see the sofa with the blanket and the candles and the notebook so that it'll remind you to journal every day or spend time with the Lord in prayer.
Maybe you cut out pictures of nature, because you want to get outdoors more. Your vsion board is a great visual to remind you of your goals.
So again, the choices you’re faced with this year, will be made to intentionally support that vision.
And so, I just want to leave you with this scripture as we close out. And it's the scripture that women world leaders is founded on Ephesians 3:20. This is the Passion Translation, which I love so much:
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
And I just pray that God will bless you abundantly, exceedingly more than you can imagine this year!
Dear Heavenly Father, I just pray for every woman listening, Lord, that You would provide them clarity as they determine their goals and vision for 2023. I pray that you would give them the time to seek your will and what it is that you would have for them, I pray that we would all trust you, Lord, trust you in the process. Trust that when our plans align with your will for us, God, you will work it all out. You tell us that if we delight in you, you will give us the desires of our heart. And so God I just asked for blessing over each woman that's listening. I pray that you would guide them this year, and that we would all just reflect your glory in everything that we do. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
- Prepare to Jump, Ephesians 5:15-20
In Ephesians 5:15-20, Paul gives us a warning and a charge. God has so much waiting for your future – are you preparing to jump wherever He calls?
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am honored to walk with you as we open the Bible together and ask God to show us His heart.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I want to offer you a special welcome. We are a ministry that strives to help others walk in their God-given purpose. To learn more about Women World Leaders, I’d like to invite you to visit our website, womenworldleaders.com, where you can find out more about the ministry. Besides our trio of podcasts each week, we also offer a quarterly magazine, events, daily devotions, leadership training, and an opportunity to partner with us. It’s all there on the website, womenworldleaders.com. We’d love to connect with you!
I hope that whatever you are doing today, you are having a great day. Know that God is smiling as you stop for a moment to focus on His Word! Today’s study comes from Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15-20, but let me begin by praying for us…
Dear Heavenly Father – we come today to hear from you. Father, I don’t know what your precious child who is listening today is going through, but I know you do. You see her, you love her, and you have promised her that you will provide everything that she needs today. So God, I ask that you allow the weight of the world to slip away from her shoulders right now. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light – and what you have for your daughter today is more than she could ask or imagine. So I ask you to speak your words through me – that she will feel your assured presence, your gentle touch, and she will hear you softly whisper her name in love. We give you this time and we thank you for your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In the New Living Translation of Ephesians 5:15-21, the apostle Paul teaches us…
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Paul is continuing his instruction to the Ephesians, and to us today, on how to establish and keep unity in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 5:1 we heard Paul tell us to be imitators of God, because we are his dearly beloved children. Today, because of that status as God’s children and his desire for us to be holy as He is holy, we get some further instruction. I love that God NEVER gives up on us and NEVER stops teaching us. I don’t know about you, but I know that there have been some moments over the last week when I have NOT imitated God – in fact, I have failed miserably. But today I am reminded that God hasn’t given up on me – He continues to love me and instruct me – giving me His wisdom and His strength, that I might get up and try again to imitate Him. We serve a gracious and merciful God!
Paul says “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.”
What does it mean to be careful how you live? One thing it means is to prepare to keep your eyes on Christ. We can prepare by prayer, bible study, worship, and thanksgiving.
Have you ever done a home-improvement project? If you have, you know that things go MUCH better when you prepare! Making a list of the materials you will need and heading to the home improvement store may take some extra time, but in the long run, your preparation will save you SO much time AND frustration – and likely MANY trips back and forth to pick up the “one thing” you forgot. Preparing ahead will help ensure that you stay on track.
God doesn’t want us to waste our time or to get off track – there is far too much to be done in this world! And God knows that when we prepare our hearts and minds to stay in communion with Him, we will be more able to keep ourselves focused on what He has called us to do.
Living like the wise requires seeking God’s will for our lives.
Romans 12:2 tells us “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Knowing God’s will is a lifetime pursuit. God doesn’t show us all at once what He has for us – that knowledge would likely paralyze us! Our God is gracious to show us what He knows we can handle – at times, we can see quite a distance up the path, but often we see just one step.
And knowing God’s will – the path or direction He has prepared just for you – doesn’t mean that walking that path will be easy! The devil and the world will constantly try to drag you off track – by interrupting you, encouraging you to lose focus, telling you lies, and even bargaining with you. But God gave you a mind, and he expects you to use it. In prayer and thanksgiving, gather the facts, examine them, and weigh them. God doesn’t want us to jump in blindly or to react without thought – He wants us to seek, grow and understand.
Paul goes on…16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
God offers multiple opportunities for you to step toward His plan every single day. – Paul talked about this plan back in Ephesians 2:10, saying – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do THE GOOD THINGS he planned for us long ago.”
So, how do we make sure we don’t miss those opportunities that God presents us with?
Again, we must pray expectantly, and then spend every day watching for how God is revealing the workings of that plan. God teaches us constantly – but often we let His wisdom get drowned out by the busyness of the world.
One of our greatest resources for the Christian walk is teaching from Christian pastors and teachers. As a Christian, you are not to just go to church, listen to the sermon, and leave, planning on returning the following week. Your pastor prays and studies all week – seeking what God wants you to learn and to know. He or she strives to put words together that will convey the idea that the Holy Spirit is impressing on his or her spirit. The sanctuary is carefully set to create the best possible environment conducive to learning and growing. The prayer team goes to their knees, praying for YOU – that your heart may be open to whatever God wants to say to you. God…and your pastor…DO want you to pay attention to what is being said, but, more than that, they want you to put those words into practice. To make the most of every opportunity.
Verse 17 says…17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
As we walk through life, we don’t always know exactly where God is calling us next, but we CAN always know that He has a plan. He wants us to pray, seeking His plan and watching for open doors. He wants us to talk to godly friends, ask them to pray with us and give us feedback on what they see are our gifts and talents. God will guide us as we step into circumstances. We can walk steadfastly, even when those circumstances seem a little scary, knowing that we have prayed expectantly. We can walk boldly in faith, looking for God’s answer to our prayers. As we do, we will learn with each new open door and we will be challenged as we seek to take each step in obedience, letting God point the direction.
So often we pray for an opportunity or a blessing, and when it is presented to us, we find an excuse to turn away thoughtlessly, because it doesn’t look exactly like we thought it would. If you have been praying for God to reveal His plan for your life for a long time, I want you to ask yourself a question – are you really willing to follow HIS plan – the one that He created for you? Or are you blinded to the path He has put before you because you are looking for a specific path that YOU think is best? God can see from a point of view that you and I cannot. We must pray continually, overturning every stone, looking expectantly for His answer, and trusting that He will reveal the path we are to take in His perfect time. And then we must be willing to step in faith as that path is revealed.
I LOVE Colossians 1:9-10 “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
Who could ask for anything more? To produce good fruit and to grow and learn to know God better and better? Maybe those simple goals are His plan for you today.
Verse 18 says…18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Wine & drunkenness were central features of some non-Christian religious ceremonies of the day, and being drunk was often mistaken for being in a spiritual state. Paul wanted the Christians in Ephesus to understand that being filled with the Holy Spirit and being drunk were 2 completely different things. So he expanded on what it meant to be filled with the Holy Spirit by reminding them of the power that permeates our very being when we worship God in the Spirit.
The Christians of the day were not far removed from the first coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – when 3000 were brought to Christ in a single day. Maybe you have never experienced a sudden infilling of the Holy Spirit into the lives of 3000, but God’s Spirit is just as strong today as it was then, and every Christian receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we first give our lives to Christ. And the fact is that once the Holy Spirit indwells us, He will never leave us.
But here, Paul teaches Christians to keep on being filled – to continually submit, permitting the Holy Spirit’s presence to have full reign over our lives. Every day, actually every moment, we have the opportunity to be led by the Holy Spirit, to live in His power instead of our own. This doesn’t always come easily. But we can always take a step of obedient submission by “making music in our hearts,” praising God, and giving Him thanks – counting our blessings – stopping to smell the roses and thanking God for them. How we look at life DOES make a difference in what we see! I challenge you to look for those God-moments, the God-blessings this week. And react in praise – giving God the glory and giving the Spirit full reign in your life.
We can sum up today’s teaching in one sentence: Prepare yourself and be ready to jump with joy and thanksgiving into the plan that God has for you today! I guarantee, if you do, you will never look back!
Dear Heavenly Father – today, tomorrow, and this week hold such promise – because you hold them and you hold us. Father, we give ourselves to YOUR plans for our lives, knowing that your plan is exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine. Strengthen our faith and prepare our hearts so that we can submissively jump feet first into all that you have for us! With hope and joy and song we praise your name, today and always. Amen!
From a Hippie to a princess, Jane "Goldie" Winn, shares her story of being a young Jewish hippie who went through a second-trimester abortion. Goldie shares hope and encouragement of how she broke free from the stronghold of her past. Goldie's book, "Rainbow In The Night," is an inspiring 20-year redemption story that is now being made into a movie for the big screen. ** Kimberly Hobbs Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy that you tuned in today. Today I'd love to welcome our guest, Jane Goldie Winn from Delray Beach, Florida welcome, Jane.
Jane "Goldie" Winn Thank you, Kimberly, thank you for having me on your podcast today and welcome to all the listeners.
Kimberly Hobbs Yes, amen. And Goldie's is going to speak today about hope and encouragement, we all need a little bit of hope and encouragement, right? And she shares her story today. Ladies, our desire to have you here is to strengthen and encourage each other in the name of Jesus to walk together to empower one another, to find your beautiful purpose in Jesus and serving Him. God is working in you ladies. He's giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's actually a scripture verse in Philippians 213 He gives us that desire to Run after Him and serve Him with all our heart. And it's our hopes that as you listen to these podcasts, that you will be inspired by something that you hear that will allow you to move in that direction, to run after God to seek Him with all your heart and to serve Him because He is amazing. He is the God of exceedingly abundantly beyond what we could ever ask for. So as we talk with Goldie today, and she shares her incredible story about abortion, she wants to deliver that message of there is hope beyond shame and guilt and the things that we sometimes carry because of our past. So I want to tell you a little bit about Miss Goldie when. Today she is a published author. She is a client advocate in a pregnancy resource clinic in South Florida, where she counsels abortion determined clients in the throes of decision making and hoping that she can pour some love and light into their situation. She speaks at churches and congregations and shares her testimony of transformation from a hippie to a princess. When the devastation of a second trimester abortion drove this young Jewish hippie into darkness and despair. She shares about the hope and encouragement of how she broke free from the stronghold of her past. And that's exactly what we love doing here on empowering lives with purpose because we all have pasts. And how did you overcome that? How did Jesus find you where you were? And Goldie's incredible life story is titled rainbow in the night. And she has a 20 year redemption journey which is now in the process of being made into a movie. She has a book that's written on it. She's Goldie is also a Messianic Jew. She has been married to her soulmate Dave since 1974. And together they reside in South Florida. So Goldie as we begin right now, I would love for you to share a little bit about that past and abortion story and what you had gone through as a young, hippie girl, just finding her way, right and life.
Jane "Goldie" Winn Yes, well, if you watched Forrest Gump, I would have been a little bit like Jenny, what can I tell you? But anyway, just to give some backstory, I grew up in a small Midwestern town in Independence, Iowa, about 5000 people. And my father was a psychiatrist, a very renowned psychiatrists. He came he was asked to be the superintendent in 1958. And when he arrived, there were 1100 patients. And it was a very formidable structure and a very interesting childhood to grow up in this hospital setting. There were 500 employees. And I remember when we first drove up to the hospital, my father's first words were, what did I get myself into? I have to get these bars off the windows. This is terrible. And so my father ended up doing amazing things for that hospital and in the field of psychiatry, but behind closed doors, he was very different. And unfortunately, he was physically and emotionally abusive mostly to my older sister and somewhat to me, and it was very hard because, you know, we lived right in the administration building, and we would have to go down this winding beautiful winding staircase into the lobby, and every time we would go to the lobby, the entire staff would stand up and respect from my father. Wow, a patriot Americans so well respected. So it was very confusing for me growing up in two worlds feeling like I had to, you know, keep everything literally behind closed doors and try to bridge those worlds together. So unfortunately, when I went away to college, I'd never really dated anyone because, again, living in Independence, I will, there are no Jewish people. And my father didn't want me to marry outside the faith. So it kept me away from being able to date anyone. But when I arrived on campus, Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1967, I was a music major, and it was when the hippie thing was just getting off the ground. And when I was approached about it, you know, free love sex, drugs, rock and roll, I figured I had nothing to lose, because I really didn't have any identity. And I wanted to be accepted and liked by so many people. So I did get involved in it, unfortunately, and fast forwarding the story did take 20 years to complete my book, because I had to work through a lot of issues to get to the other side, before I could write about it from a place of freedom and hope. But I got embroiled in that lifestyle. And one thing led to the other and I found myself pregnant. And it was in 1970, before Roe vs. Wade, although abortion was legal in some states, and one such state was California and I was going to school in Michigan at the time, I had transferred to work in major music therapy. And I just I was living in a hippie commune. And I just thought, There's no way I could have this baby, my father would, I can't even imagine what he would do. Like he disowned my sister for marrying a Catholic. So you can only imagine him he ended up accepting her back after two and a half years. But I didn't want that kind of rejection. So I just had to have an abortion. And unfortunately, I went into denial. And I waited a little too long. They told me it was a blob of tissue. And I believed it because there was no ultrasound or anything like that. So I ended up having to go to the hospital in San Diego was which was where I went. And, and actually, I remember, at the time, you know, I just didn't know what to expect. But because I was so far along, I was well into my second trimester and had no idea because I didn't have any symptoms, I was 70 pounds heavier, mostly because I was doing drugs. But I guess the pregnancy contributed as well. But I didn't have any symptoms. So it's easy to go into denial. But I remember they did, sadly, the saline solution abortion and then I was brought into a room and I was told to just press a button when the when the baby stopped kicking. So right then and there, it dawned on me that it was a baby. So unfortunately, when I had to deliver the baby, and the nurse had said, Oh, you would have had a perfect baby boy. But because that was so traumatic. I didn't know the Lord back then it went down into denial, which is the most basic of all psychological defenses. And I did not remember it until 27 years later, when I was working in a pregnancy center as a counselor and had to go through post abortion, healing and recovery. And it was there that I got in touch with a full awareness of the abortion. And I just thought I would never stop crying. I thought, you know, that baby because I talk a little bit later about how I came to know Jesus. But at that moment, you know, just having to accept that that baby died because I made that decision was horrific. So through the Bible study, forgiven and set free, I was able to come to the other side of it. And it's hard for women who've had abortions to forgive themselves. So I had to forgive myself. And then I had to accept God's forgiveness. And at the end, we have a memorial service, we're able to name our babies. And I named my baby Samuel, which in the Jewish religion, if you have a son, you name him after your father's first initial, which was Seelig. And so I named him Samuel. And at the very end, they gave, you know, like a certificate. And when I went home, I remember my husband and I don't have children. That's part of our story. But when I came home, and I showed him the certificate, he said, I would like to adopt your baby. So that didn't happen, we will have a child together. And that's the kind of nice Yes, I know he's so special, my true soulmate. And you know, and I was just like, so that's, you know, pretty much the actual story, but the Lord has redeemed it in many ways, which we'll talk about in a minute. But I'm just to be able to share this, this story to bring hope to other women that you know, healing is possible. Forgiveness Is Possible redemption, you know, and the most uses everything in our lives, everything for his greater purposes.
Kimberly Hobbs He does everything. And that's a scripture that I just, the Lord says, I Yes, I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake, and I will never think of them again. Isaiah 4325. And even though in that moment didn't, you didn't understand you didn't know what was happening. You know it. God removes that from you and look at your story, Goldie, it is just I mean, I my ears, my eyes started tearing up, my heart was pounding and I had goosebumps at the same time like, that is just amazing how God allowed you to go through the healing process. But he tells us there is forgiveness for all of us who repent. Luke 2447 says that, right? So there is hope, ladies, there's hope for our past mistakes, yours may not be abortion, it may be something else that has been just traumatizing you for years and years and you've not been able to release it. There is hope for you. Because God says there is forgiveness of sins for all of us who repent, and then he makes a way to move forward. So Goldie, what, what it seems now that, you know, guilt would follow you forever. It didn't you said and you shared a little glimpse of that. So how did God redeem you, Goldie?
Jane "Goldie" Winn Yeah, that's a great question, Kimberly. Well, he's just so amazing, you know, because again, you know, this Jewish girl, we were taught growing up, you know, never to believe in Jesus, because it's like way the Jews and they the Gentiles, and unfortunately, many Jewish people put Hitler in the category of Christians, you know, and my father did that. So it was just like, I could never even think about believing in Jesus, but the Lord again, in His mercy, you know, when we cry out to Him, you know, he has a way of coming to us. And I was, my husband and I had been, we met, and we were musicians right away. And we were touring with this band, and we're living in the Midwest. And, and I remember, I, all of a sudden, you know, something happened in my heart. And I just thought, I don't know if I can do this for the rest of my life. And I remember going outside one day, and I just fell on my face, and I cried out to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he said, if you're real, please reveal Yourself to me. Otherwise, I want to die. And all of a sudden, I just felt this blanket of peace come over me. And it's not like I saw lightning or heard bolts of thunder, but I felt his peace. And then long story short, the Lord. I just decided I had to get out of that crazy lifestyle of singing to a bunch of drunks with a bunch of drunks, I couldn't handle it anymore. Dave stayed a little while longer. But I just felt like I wanted to do volunteer work. So I started working in a facility where there was a girl, you know, there and we were trying to help other kids not take drugs away. We did. And I was drawn to her because she had so much joy. And long story short, um, she invited Dave and I, we were living together at the time. We met in 1971. And she had invited us to this, what we now know, is a prayer meeting a Catholic charismatic prayer meeting with all kinds of denominations there, everything you can imagine from Lutheran to Presbyterian to you, you name it, they were there. And there was just I remember when we walked in, you know, we had our bell bottoms and our tie dyed shirts. And we didn't know if people would accept us, but they did immediately. And again, you know, when we were used to singing to drunks, and we saw these people who were worshipping, again, you know, their hands are raised to Jesus, and they were singing songs to Jesus, Dave and I looked at each other, like, what is this, but something was stirring in our heart. And we thought, maybe that's what we need, you know, we need God. So long story short, people came up to us and you know, just lovingly and kept inviting us back. And about the third prayer meeting, there was a priest and a nun who just basically invited Dave and I, to receive Jesus as our Messiah. And I thought, but I'm Jewish, and I don't know if I can do that. But they I thought to myself, What do I have to lose? I was just getting really depressed again, and just losing hope because of the lifestyle. So together August 4 1974, we got on our knees, we prayed to receive your shoe Oh, which is the Jewish name for Jesus. And they've been they've prayed to receive Jesus had been brought up Catholic. And at the moment, I came to pray that prayer I was filled with joy of the Lord totally filled with joy the Lord, because I was always depressed all my life. And so this was the sign that I needed in First Corinthians 122. You know, the Jew requires a sign. And I was given a word that day, Goldie, Your gift will be the gift of joy. And I was just filled with joy. And the Scripture is Second Corinthians 517. Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away and all things have become new. And that's exactly what happened. I mean, I was just flooded with joy and peace. And you know, from that moment moment on our lives were never the same Dave and I knew we were living in sin, and we got married three months later, and we've been serving the Lord ever since. And I guess the way Kimberly, he totally redeemed it as now all these years later, I'm still, I started working in 1997 After I got my master's degree in social work in a Pregnancy Clinic, and I was, you know, counseling women and helping them. And then when we moved to Florida in 2011, the Lord led me to work in a Pregnancy Clinic here. And so now after helping women heal from abortion, which has been my heart for many years now I'm on the other side, helping women who are in the process of making decisions about their pregnancy, so I can use my abortion story to help them know that it's not the quick, easy fix, they think it is that there's a dark side to abortion. So he has totally redeemed my story over and over and over again. And my Wow, touch so many women, you know, who are still feeling the pain of their abortion because if he can free me, he can free them to
Kimberly Hobbs Amen. Goldie, amen. God restored that joy to you. He gave you joy, the joy of your salvation, right? Yeah. So and also hope, hope to continue living in this world that gets us to go forward. And so you were living now beyond your shame and guilt that you carried you were redeemed is just so beautiful. And ladies, there's a scripture that says, hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows at Psalm 130, verse seven, ladies, you can be redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus Christ and inviting him into your heart, asking him for forgiveness of all of your past, your shame, your guilt, everything that you've held on to release it to him, and he is a God of forgiveness. So, Goldie, what now is God doing in your life that you have fully surrendered to Him? Which is so beautiful, and you're telling me what in our conversation prior to today that it took you 20 years to do something? So what is it in your life right now that God has moved you from, to in this life a full surrender to JESUS CHRIST share about that? Because it is pretty exciting?
Jane "Goldie" Winn It's a great question. Yeah, I guess it has been a real process. I always say it's a process, not an event. And I think you know, the most important thing for me, Kimberly, was that I had to totally surrender my painful past to the Lord. And actually, I did that, I believe it was in 2015, right before my 65th birthday, because I was still aware that I was holding on to things and I wasn't totally free. You know. And John 836 says, you know, so the sunsets is free, you will be free indeed, right. And I needed that freedom. So I totally surrendered. I talked about it more specifically in the book, my painful past to the Lord. And right after I did that the Lord brought a publisher to me, I finished writing the book, it was published in Jan, I'm sorry, December 2019. And, maybe, and then we had COVID. So nothing much happened that year, that title of that book is, is rainbow in the night, a journey of redemption. Wonderful. And, and so that's really exactly what it is. Because, you know, it was like a dark rainbow that can only be seen like through, you know, time lapse photography. And really, it is a lunar rainbow. But as I began to get better, and the Lord began healing me all of the colors of that rainbow brightened. And that's why, you know, starts out to be a rainbow in the night. And then as my life, you know, was totally redeemed by the Lord and I was free. And He healed me from so much that I've found that those colors are so much brighter. And I can say to other people, and I love this scripture and Isaiah 45 Three, which says, I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches, hidden and secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name, Isaiah 45. Three. And so I love that scripture. Isn't that powerful, whatever we have in our past, and he can just take that and redeem that. And then now currently, the book is being made into a movie rainbow in the night movie. Yay, guiding because I just feel during this time, we need hopeful, faith based movies. Yes, we do. I really know that if the Lord can do this for me, that's the vision for the movie. He can do it for you too. And that's my full purpose in doing the movie is just to bring hope and encouragement, that indeed if we will surrender the Lord will heal us from our painful past.
Kimberly Hobbs So true, so true. And even even now in As you were writing and this book was coming out, I'm sure there was so much more healing in that book. Right? Yeah. And as you put it out, and you wrote with the Lord, and that came together, because there was no coincidence that you named it what you did. God gave you that name rainbow in the night and how you arrived at that, and that scripture again? Can you share that scripture one more time?
Jane "Goldie" Winn Yes, Isaiah 45. Three, I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches, hidden and secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name, Isaiah 45, three.
Kimberly Hobbs Wow, ladies, I pray that you will write that scripture down Isaiah 45, three for your own life, He will give you those treasures, right, those treasures that we think are just we don't, we can't even grasp them. Because we can't, our brain can't go there because we're so burdened by all the hurt and all the things that we have. But that Scripture is hope. That's true hope, right? And now look what God is doing. She took that step of faith surrendered her life, to Jesus. And now Goldie has taken this book, and God took it to another level to a movie. And this movie now has been it's going I mean, right now they're in the stages. So how Goldy can people find you just to be able to look at the movie, look at what's going on with the book, and maybe be prayer partners with you and just help as this movie is still coming to fruition? Right? We want to know how can we all connect with you and pray for you and praise this through because others need to hear this amazing story of hope and encouragement?
Jane "Goldie" Winn Well, thank you, Kimberly. Yeah, if you go to my website, rainbow in the night movie.com, you will see all about my story all about the book. And there's a six minute movie demo that's been produced. And then the way it's being funded is much like the chosen the crowd funding. So the budget, because so many people are volunteering, and you know, some of them. It's amazing. So the total budget to produce the movie with reenactment scenes, and everything will be about 50,000. Well, my friends so far have raised 25,000. So we just need 25, more 1000, which is really not being in the Lord's Kingdom. And if you'd like to help right on the website, there's a button that says Donate now. And if you click on that you go to a nonprofit through the National Christian foundation, and you can give your donation and get a tax deductible receipt, and then know that you're going to be a co producer in this movie, because I believe that everybody who's given a donation, everybody who prays, and we have a huge dream team, I like to call it the Dream Team of so many people coming alongside and surrounding the whole project with love and prayers. We couldn't do that without prayer. So prayer is probably the most important. But again, you know, we would like to see it funded soon so that we can finish the production and get it out to the world, maybe, maybe by May, perhaps, of 2023. So that's our next goal. So praise the Lord.
Kimberly Hobbs We will definitely join with you in prayer, Goldie, and as women listen, and who knows what God can do. And it just through the listening portion of this and like you said, I love that we all come together as women in Jesus that can understand each other. And that's how we we glean hope and encouragement from each other stories. And you do have a powerful story. And you know what it's like to be, you know, under that blanket burden, I shouldn't even say blanket because it's not a blanket, it's a burden. It's a sack of rocks that you carry of, you know, the past and but when we can all come together as women and help to point each other to Jesus to share where our hope lies. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for our sins. And there is freedom in forgiveness, as you said, we can be free in Christ Jesus. So can you pour that hope and encouragement into the listener right now Goldie that has dealt with trauma? And maybe it's abortion in her life? Maybe it's something else? Or maybe she knows somebody who's gone through it, but she's carrying part of that burden. Can you pour into her right now? Just a word of encouragement?
Jane "Goldie" Winn Yes. And if anybody wants to reach out to me by email, it's on the website. I'd be happy to direct them if they need healing after an abortion, because that's really important. But the scripture that I really love is May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow Low with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 1513. And I think that kind of says it all. Because you know, it is all about hope. It's all about joy. It's all about knowing that only the Lord can do this. Because it can lift me up out of all that depression and bondage that I was under, he can do the same for you. And so you just have to be willing to come to the Lord and ask him, because anytime Jesus came up to anybody for healing, what did he say? He always asked the question, what do you want from me? Yes, to be able to come to him and tell him what you want? And he will answer because he did for me in a way, way beyond your Ephesians 320 Verse. exceedingly abundantly, what I could have ever hoped or imagined. So I know he can do the same for everyone who's listening right now, no matter what their situation, no
Kimberly Hobbs matter what their situation, and, you know, Goldy you just kind of mentioned your age, when you were sharing about when the book came out, and about starting your surrender it at 65. And I'm like, wait a minute, do you do not look, you know, more than 65 years old, and I so I'm kind of doing the math in my head. But I, the Scripture that comes to my mind is God says I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age, ladies, it's never too late to start what God puts on your heart when you surrender to him. I mean, look at Goldie, she starts writing her book in her 60s for 20 years, God was putting it on her heart to do this. And then when she surrendered and started and he says, I made you and I will care for you, I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4
Jane "Goldie" Winn And the latter day shall be greater than the foreman Amen. That's right.
Kimberly Hobbs That's right. And you are living that out and you are going to see this movie that God is going to bring to fruition and I will have prayer support for you and and to ever feels led to go to your website, Goldie and be part of this, it's it's a good thing. We need more of these movies that can touch the hearts of people change the hearts of people, to seek God with all their hearts, seek forgiveness, and be free from the bondage, right like began to go into the world and then be this shining light, just like coldy as this shining light for Jesus and I am so thankful to serve with you. And now Goldie is a in women world leaders, and she is writing one of her stories in Miracle mindset, a book that we have coming out through women, world leaders and, ladies, this is what it's all about. We would love for you to connect with us. You may have a story that you want to share with the world, you may be feeling nudged right now to do something, we have that opportunity in this ministry to serve the Lord with all your heart, it doesn't matter what your past is, as long as it's forgiven, right? If you've repented of what you've done, we serve a God that loves you that doesn't stop loving you forgives you, and wants to use you for your beautiful purpose that you were created, which is to glorify Him in every way. So please, ladies reach out to us, you might be a writer and one of our upcoming books will help you write. It's not that you have to be this famous author. No, you just have to give your yes to Jesus. And then we will step in and help you finish it. It's an amazing journey we go on with women together, and we have multiple books starting this year. So just reach out to us. You can reach out to me personally, at Kimberly at women world leaders.com. And just say I'm interested in sharing my story. And I will point you toward one of our books that is beginning and get you in there to start sharing with the world what God is doing in your life. And ladies, we just love you. And we just pray that if you are moved by today's podcast that you'll share this podcast. We have them available Monday, Wednesday and Friday through women world leaders podcast. Not only do we do interviews, like I just did with Goldie where she shared her story, but we have teaching podcasts on Wednesday and we go through the Gospels. We have celebrating God's grace on Friday where different women in the ministry get to share and pour into you to encourage you into the weekend. So lately there's ladies there are so many ways you can get involved in women world leaders and there is hope there is encouragement in the Lord Jesus Christ and we help each other They're by pointing them to Jesus. And I just want to thank you, Goldie, for today for being on and just sharing us with us a glimpse into your life and how God showed up and freed you from your past. to now be this amazing, Christ follower that serves Jesus with all her heart, a Messianic Jewish, saying, Amen. We are just so blessed to have you
Jane "Goldie" Winn Shalom. Allah him, means peace on to you.
Kimberly Hobbs Oh, beautiful. Thank you. Thank you and peace on to you. Ladies, God bless you. Thank you for tuning in today. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Have a wonderful day ladies
It is so important as we walk through trials and suffering to remain steadfast in who Jesus says He is. We cannot lose focus on all that Jesus does for us and how He protects us in ways we cannot imagine or even see. When we face our giants, God wants us to lock eyes with Him to see His goodness and His faithfulness. Remaining steadfast in God is when we are firmly fixed on Him in all we do.
Hello, this is Lisa Hathaway and I want to welcome you to Women World Leaders Celebrating God's Grace podcast. And today I want to talk to you about the word steadfast. Each year I just pray that God gives me a word that could center my life and the things that I do for that upcoming year. And as I was praying about the word for 2023, he so heavily put on my heart the word steadfast. And when we think of steadfast we think of something that is firmly fixed not subject to change, to be firm and believe, determination, loyal and faithful. And I know those are a lot of words mixed into what steadfast is. But when we think of our lives and the things that we go through the challenges that we face, you know, they're suffering, but this life is hard. And I don't know how 2023 is started for you all, but I do know that sometimes, it's there's a lot of questions of, you know, why is God allowing this why is there suffering? What's happening? Why is my life I have trials in it, but without the trials, we wouldn't be who God is creating us to be because we see ourselves through different lenses when we face trials. And we have to persevere so steadfast to me was something. As I've gone through some trials over the last couple of years, I was like, no matter what, in 2023, no matter what I face, I will remain steadfast, and remaining steadfast is where we look and seek only for God's approval. So many times it's so easy in the world to do things to seek approval of men to seek approval from our bosses or whatever the situation may be from even our parents and our friends. But we all have that innate need to have approval, but the only approval that matters is Jesus. That's the only one that matters. And so, I've really dug deep into looking at steadfast and truly what it looks like, and it looks like fixing our eyes when we fix our eyes on something we lock eyes with something we don't lose focus. We remained so fixed on that object. Sometimes my kids want to get in a staring contest and you just stay so fixated on their eyes like I'm not gonna let you win. That happens a lot with my boys now. Like I can beat you, mom. And I'm like, No, you can't. And you stay fixated. You don't blink. And so you have that, that look in your eye that I'm going to remain fixated and locked. And I love there's a song by Maverick city calls when I lock eyes with you. And I think that so many times is locking eyes is remaining steadfast, focused, fixed, determined on Jesus, the one who gets us through all of our struggles, all of our suffering all of our trials. And I wanted to read a verse today. First Peter 510. It says in the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. And if you think about that, who will restore you make you strong, firm and steadfast I mean, those are powerful words. When you think of restore when you think of making me strong and firm and steadfast. And so it talks about under if you read ahead of that, it talks about resisting him standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. So we know there is so much suffering in this world, we know that we face it on daily basis, we hear about it turn on the news. There's very rarely anything positive. And so when things are hard and challenging, you remain steadfast on the one true God on the one thing that is all sustaining to us day in and day out. In James 112 It says Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. So it stood the test, not past it, not, you know over not truly overcoming it, but you stood the test because Sometimes God allows us to go through the suffering and the test to allow ourselves to become stronger to prune us into who he wants us to be for us to see different sides of his character. So this life is not going to be easy, but when you go through, but when you go through, or if you go through, and I always love when I was going through my breast cancer journey in 2021. You know, I kept thinking, even if, even if, and it was the verse that a Habakkuk, which I love, even if you lost everything, even if yet I'll Rejoice in the Lord, and it's it's similar to the whole steadfast even if you face these persecutions and you face tribulations and you face trials and you think there's no end in sight. I will remain steadfast, because it there are some times in the valley. It looks like you're not going to see the mountaintop but sometimes in the valley is where God does his best work. God does His most amazing work on our lives. And so I've come to the point where I have really praised God for the valleys. I thanked him for the valleys because in those valleys I sit I feel the intimacy of God. It does not is in standing firm, when things get hard. And so I want you to remember that when we talk about looking through our circumstances looking through, seeing other people's circumstances, it will be firmly fixed, not subject to change, no matter what happens, not subject to change, to be firm and belief firm in our faith in what we believe who God is who God says He is. Who God says we are. Be firm in belief and determination. It's kind of digging deep and having that grit that comes from the Lord that we just we dig deep into our souls and say I can overcome this. The last couple of weeks I've been walking through something with a friend and it's like the David and Goliath where I keep telling her unlike girl we are David we are picking up those stones and we are throwing Goliath we are gonna remain steadfast are gonna say fixated and lock eyes with Jesus to get through this and that has been such a beautiful analogy for me. Something that's a visual for me to think about that we can pick up the tiniest rock that we have our eyes fixed on Jesus, because when that is happening, nothing can shake us. Is it hard? Absolutely. Are there going to be times where we just want to throw the rock down and say forget it. Absolutely. But then we have to take a deep breath regroup. Remember who God says He is and how he is going to overcome and remain steadfast. So I challenge you to find a word for 2023 It's not too late. And focus on that. I've done this for the last five or six years. And it's really really helped me change my mindset when things come but this word is at the forefront of my mind. So again, my word is steadfast and I hope that this has provided some hope for you that no matter what you're going through, just lock eyes with Jesus and remain steadfast in him.
As God’s children, we are called to live in love. What does that mean? Today, let’s study together the apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesians as we learn to love like Jesus. (Ephesians 5:1-14)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, a Women World Leaders’ podcast – I’m Julie Jenkins, and I am excited you have joined us today! Our prayer is that through this trio of podcasts, your intimacy with God will grow and your love for one another will flourish, enabling you to live out a courageous purpose driven life, fueled by the Word, led by the Spirit, and propelled forward into your God given destiny through fearless faith!
This is our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders’ podcast – Walking in the Word – where we study the Bible as we pray that God will show us how it applies to our lives today. Today, we are going to take a step into Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 1-14.
Let me begin by praying for us…
Dear Heavenly Father – today I thank you for your wisdom. You never fail to guide us and lead us in the path we should go. Your light always shines bright, leading us to a path that is perfect and is beyond our wildest imaginations. I ask you to shine that light right now – give us the wisdom that only you can provide as we walk through this passage together and as we carry this Word in our hearts all day. We praise you and thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I invite you to sit back and listen as I read Ephesians 5:1-14, from the New Living Translation…
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
This section of scripture is taken from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He is writing to them about unity in the body of Christ – and he is reminding us that we who are now Christians, are held to a higher standard of living than that which was expected of us before we were followers of Christ. Now, we are called to be GOD’S people – which looks VERY different than being the world’s people. Because holding ourselves to this standard doesn’t come naturally, Paul provides instruction as to how we can take steps to look more like Christ. And looking like Christ IS the ultimate goal of the Christian – both in Paul’s day and today.
First, Paul says, imitate God! I love this! I can remember growing up and getting SO frustrated when someone else would copy my ideas – and my mom always told me, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The word imitation means the action of using someone or something as a model. Ooo – I like that word picture! Still – when we think of imitations, we can have mixed feelings. An imitation diamond certainly isn’t as nice as a real diamond – unless, perhaps, you are the one paying for it!
But in this case, imitation is good – because our God is perfect in holiness, and being holy is what we long for. So Paul ENCOURAGES us to imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Notice the order – we are NOT God’s children BECAUSE we imitate Him, but we imitate Him because we are His children. And as His children with the Holy Spirit living in us, we have a front row seat to WHO God is – and His goodness and light draw us, and create a desire in US for goodness and light.
Have you ever seen a child doing everything he our she can to look like mom or dad? Maybe it’s a young child trying on high heels and lipstick like mom, or wanting to wear a tie like dad. As children grow, they see deeper into the souls of their parents, and often their longing to be like them grows deeper, too. Perhaps the daughter, as she grows, wants to reach out and help others like her mom, or to become as generous as his dad.
When we first confess our belief in Christ and give ourselves to Him, we may WANT to look like God, but often at that point we can only see God and His attributes from the surface. As we grow and mature in our Christian walk, and God opens our vision more and more as we study him from our front row seats, we long to be like God on a deeper and deeper level.
One of the deepest wells in God’s being is His unfathomable love. Paul tells us to imitate God by living a life of love. God loves YOU! Jesus loves you so much that He offered HIMSELF as a sacrifice for YOU.
Do you realize that Jesus could have called on THOUSANDS of angels to whisk Him away from the Garden of Gethsemane, to lift the cross He carried off His shoulders, and to usher Him down from the cross in glory? Just one utterance from Jesus’ mouth would have kept Him from the pain and humiliation He endured at the end of His physical life here on earth. But instead, when Jesus was in the Garden being arrested, He went willingly. He endured insults and jokes made on his behalf. He stood resolutely while people spit in his face repeatedly. He allowed his body to be beaten to within an inch of death. He withstood emotional humiliation as he was tied up and led like cattle from one leader to another – all claiming Jesus’ GUILT, but no one quite agreeing what he was guilty of. Jesus resolutely carried His cross for YOU, even when He could barely walk. And then He allowed Himself to be killed and experienced separation from God so you and I will never have to. Jesus did this all out of His love for us.
How in the world do we imitate THAT? We can’t imitate WHAT Jesus did – and we aren’t called to. But we can and should remember WHY Jesus suffered and endured for us – because He LOVES us. And by seeking to respond with LOVE for others…the Holy Spirit will guide us into the path He has for each of us.
1 Peter 4:8 teaches us “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Our love for others is our response to, and a reflection of, God’s love for us. Perhaps as you are listening, the Holy Spirit is convicting you – and you immediately KNOW where and how you can love better. If you are getting a message from the Holy Spirit now, I encourage you to turn off this podcast and tune into Him, resolutely determined to follow His will.
For those of you still with me…allow me to continue… because Paul continues, giving us instructions as to what love looks like…
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
We live in a society where sexual immorality, impurity, and greed are – at the very minimum, widely accepted. But there is nothing loving or godly about any of these actions or desires.
Sexual immorality and impurity are sins that harm others deeply and create ripple effects of pain. The hard truth is we never know how far-reaching the effects of our sin will be.
And greed, wanting more and more, threatens to undo our love for others, causing jealousy and hurt! We don’t need to have feelings of greed simply because our God is perfect – and as such, He is the perfect giver of all good gifts! He knows exactly what we need, and we can trust His perfect provision. Freeing ourselves from our greedy desires makes room in our hearts for love to grow.
Paul continues…saying stay away from obscene stories, foolish talk and course jokes.
In other words…use positive, uplifting words! God is pure, and to look like Him, our stories, speech and jokes should be pure as well. Paul says, if you don’t know where to begin, begin with giving God thanks – what a great way to use our words!
The next verse, verse 5, may be a bit of a conundrum for some, it says: 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
To understand this verse, we need to follow two guidelines to studying the Bible: First, always interpret Scripture WITH Scripture, knowing that the Bible will never contradict itself. And second, always evaluate the meaning of scripture based on the original intended audience.
So first…what does OTHER scripture say about this topic? We are taught in many places throughout the Bible that God’s forgiveness, when we give our lives to him, is complete and everlasting. 1 John 1:9 says “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” And Romans 8:16 and 17 says “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.” – so how do we reconcile that THIS verse seems to say that if we are immoral, impure or greedy, we will not inherit the Kingdom of God?
Let’s look at our 2nd guideline – what did this mean for the original, intended audience? This letter was written to the Ephesians, and some of them were arguing that believers could live in sin and get away with it – that since God offers the Christian grace, it doesn’t matter what we do, we will always be forgiven. Paul is responding to this claim, saying this is not so! He states that a TRUE Christian WILL be struck with the desire to WANT to be like and follow God – just like the child who idolizes his or her parent and wants to, at a very basic level, BE like them by dressing like them, so the true Christian WANTS to be like God. So, Paul is not saying that sin breaks the Christian’s eternal bond with God, but unchecked sin may be a sign that the individual has not given his or her life to Christ in the first place.
As Christians, we WILL still sin, but as we mature in our Christianity and yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we WILL want to sin LESS. Paul explains further…
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Child of God – our Father WANTS you to be like Him – and the overriding way that we can be like Him is to love. When we give our lives to Christ, we are infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, who gives us His light so that we can see more clearly what God’s love looks like. He gives us eyes to see Him more deeply each and every day that we walk with Him. And, the more we know, the more He holds us accountable. Like the parent who expects GREAT things from her child because she knows that God has created her to make an impact on the world, God has created you to make an impact by reflecting His love and light to a hurting and broken world. God wants YOU to be part of the solution – He has a job for you!
So, in Paul’s words…
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Let’s pray…
Dear Father God – we WANT to look like you! We want to walk in your ways and shine your light in this ever-darkening world. As we walk today, help us put our own agendas aside, and instead walk by YOUR agenda. When we are persecuted, give us the grace to show love. When we see evil, let us speak the truth in love. When we see injustice, give us wisdom to react as you would have us react. Thank you for calling us your dearly loved children. Let us never forget that that is the most important title that we hold. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The painful aftermath of abortion can be fierce. Guest Victoria Robinson - author and national speaker for over 20 years in the Pro-Life Movement - shares the need for abortion recovery in both men and women. Victoria shares her own abortion story and how her struggle with traumatic memories led her to what she does today. Called by God, Victoria became a sought-after abortion recovery speaker for men and women who battle the ongoing pain of "after abortion."
The little things in your life matter. The information you carry within your heart and mind can influence the way you see things. Grow with Robin Kirby-Gatto in your understanding of what might be hindering you from seeing the little things that you need to implement, to make your life better.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Podcast is titled, “The Little Things Matter.”
“Who [with reason] despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice when they see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. [These seven] are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:10 AMPC)
Set to the invisible clock of the New Year, our expectations rise with the hope that specific things will happen. Some people make a list in their journal, while others put it on a piece of paper held by a magnet on their fridge.
Zerubbabel knew this well, as he was now rebuilding the second Temple of the Lord. He’d already laid the foundation, but because of the distractions in his life, he, along with the rest of the Jews, put the rebuilding of the Temple to the back of his mind. The distractions continued until the Lord sent two prophets, Zechariah and Haggai, to redirect the focus of His people.
Trying to reach a goal can be daunting at first. However, more is going on than meets the eye. What’s really occurring beneath the surface, is the soul feels deficient in completing the task. Inadequacy whispers to us like a familiar friend, until we realize, it’s not a friend at all. Surely this is how Zerubbabel, the rightful governor over Judah, must have felt.
In 2003, the book of Zechariah reeled me in like a fish. I was drawn to the incredibleness of the prophet’s supernatural encounters, as well as the tasks God gave him, to redirect the people to fulfill their God given destiny. This book topped all fictional books I’d read, except this was true. I wonder if it might be how, one feels today, watching a science-fiction movie, over the top surreal, and captivating.
I read chapters one through four, over and over for years, and found myself continually pausing on Chapter 4, at the rebuilding of the Lord’s Temple, and this governor of Judah, Zerubbabel. Chapter 4 seemed like a cipher to be decoded, and I was intent to spend as much time as necessary on it, which has now turned into two decades, in deciphering bits and pieces here and there. Each time I think that I cannot get anymore revelation of this chapter, the Lord surprises me, and opens my understanding even more to His scripture.
In 2021, God had me write the book Mindfulness the Mind of Christ, which unpacks more about Zerubbabel’s struggle in Zechariah 4. He had me study Information Theory, which is basically the science of communication, such as phones, internet, conversations, and the like. Scientists from AT&T (Bell Telephone Laboratories) in the late 1920s were behind this field of science. One of them was Harry Nyquist, who was the leading scientists to contribute to what is known today as Information Theory. One of the major concepts of Information Theory, is the means by which to protect the communication of information.[i]
You and I are carriers of information. We carry it in the form of our neurons, where memories are encoded, as well as in a particular receptor in the body, the G Protein-Coupled Receptor, which stores memories at the cellular level. Amazingly enough, what you and I know to be our emotions, are what the leading research Dr. Candace Pert, along with other scientists, proved to be the “molecules of our emotions,” they are experiences of unpacked memories, or can I say “information.”
You’ve heard the saying about being in a relationship, where you don’t need to bring any “old luggage” in with you. The meaning of that saying is best understood, by not bringing in old information from past relationships, which might affect the present one.
We’re constantly bringing in old information from prior relationships, jobs or places we’ve lived, that might influence our present reality. This happened to Zerubbabel. Israel had been in captivity a long time, and now they were not only given freedom, but given the means by which to build a Temple for the Lord. Their prior information of the Babylonian captivity was interfering with their interpretation of the message of God. This is where the prophets Zechariah and Haggai come in. They were the Error Correction Code, messengers who were sent by God to protect the message.
The Error Correction Code has a special element used in protecting information, which is redundancy. You know how you usually don’t like people being redundant when they say the same thing over and over, which you might find yourself being that way, well in Information Theory, it’s a good thing. Redundancy in the Error Correction Code allows the same message to be said this way, that way, this way, and that way.
Prime examples of this are when people say two words that mean the same thing, such as “exact same,” “merge together,” and “adequate enough.” The two words used commonly together have the same meaning. Exact and same have a common meaning, you don’t need the two used together. We see the same pattern with “merge together,” and “adequate enough.” These are phrases of redundancy. Southerners aren’t the only ones guilty of this; I’ve heard it from people in the north, as well. For example, one might say, “That is the exact same shirt I bought.” You don’t need “exact and same” together, just use one or the other.
This might be easier to relate to Information Theory, with the long trips that parents take, where their children in the backseat ask, “are we there yet?” Imagine that phrase translated into different languages, said over and over an entire trip. That’s like the Error Correction Code, the same thing is being said, just in different translations. However, the whole purpose is to protect the message.
Jesus did this in the Gospel, as He would tell His disciples what He was going to teach them, and then use a parable, and later explain what the parable meant. Jesus on purpose was redundant about the message of truth He was teaching at the time.
The purpose of the Error Correction Code is to protect the message by being unequivocally redundant, so that anything contrary to the message would stick up like a sore thumb. This is what the power of the Word of God does, it comes into our mind and body as information, to protect us against the lie of the enemy, where all information that is contrary will be obvious.
The information of Zerubbabel’s prior captivity moved inside of his members, encoded in the form of memories in his neurons and receptors. He might have felt deficient and discouraged, unqualified to rebuild the Temple. However, those whispers of inadequacy were his old luggage, past information, that was now sticking up like a sore thumb, in the overwhelming task God called him. He was with the first wave of Jews led out of exile, now given the task of rebuilding the Temple of the Lord. Talk about a New Year’s goal, that tops them all!
God sent the prophet Zechariah to redirect Zerubbabel, by the simple message, “who despises the day of small beginnings.” This phrase became the Error Correction Code for Zerubbabel to build the Temple of the Lord.
Every task, no matter how small, appears like a larger task to someone else. It’s all relative. Balancing the checkbook might be easy for an eighteen-year-old but ask a four-year-old to do it. Likewise, each of us has a task, a goal, that someone else might not have, but can feel mountainous and overwhelming.
The Hebrew word for small beginnings is qâṭân pronounced kaw-tawn' and means, “least, less, little, small, etc.”[ii] I love the ancient Hebrew symbols before the Babylonian captivity, which almost look like caveman drawings. This ancient Hebrew was what the first five books of the Bible were written. Each of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet letters were a symbol, that had meaning, and when put together create a “word picture.” For me, these word pictures created by the ancient Hebrew symbols, amplify the meaning of a Hebrew word. If we peer at the ancient symbols here and their meaning, it will make this message simple, of knowing the message of God for your life, and walking in it.
The Hebrew letters that compose “small beginnings,” are Qoph, Tet and Nun. Already I’m delighted as I see the meaning of these three letters together. Qoph is the ancient symbol of a sun on the horizon, as well as the back of a head, and means “rising, follow, behind, and least.” Tet is the ancient symbol of a snake surrounding a rock and means, “to surround.” Then Nun is the ancient symbol of a fish in the water swimming and means, “life and activity.” Therefore, the Hebrew letters for “small beginnings,” compose the word picture, THE LEAST THING THAT SURROUNDS YOU IS LIFE!
Do you see the small gifts of your life, given to you by God?
Furthermore, the prophet Zechariah instructed Zerubbabel with the cipher that followed “who despises the day of small beginnings,” with “these seven shall rejoice” when they saw the plummet (plumbline) in Zerubbabel’s hands. A plumbline in the ancient days, looks like a string attached to a weight of some sort, something made of stone or metal.
Thus, the “small beginning” was for Zerubbabel to return to picking up the string with a weight on it. By holding up this string, “these seven will rejoice.” These seven here are a metaphor for the seven-fold dimension of Holy Spirit revealed in Isaiah 11:2, of the fullness of Holy Spirit that would rest on Jesus Christ. The seven-fold dimension of Holy Spirit represents the different facets of Holy Spirit that serve a purpose.
You might be a mother, wife, daughter, friend, and worker. Each one of those facets are still you, which serves a purpose for each role. Likewise, Holy Spirit is identified as The Spirit of the Lord, Wisdom, Might, Counsel, Understanding, Knowledge and The Fear of the Lord. Each facet serves a purpose. For example, the Fear of the Lord keeps us from sin.
Thus, Zechariah the prophet was encouraging Zerubbabel, with the fact that GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT WAS REJOCING, over just a little string with a weight that the governor held in his hand. It was the smallest thing that caused God to rejoice; He knows that it takes the small task to lead up to the “finishing task.”
What is it that you have as a goal for this year? Is it to grow spiritually, then read an extra verse and set more time to prayer. Is it to be better physically, then implement walking three days a week for twenty minutes and a good eating lifestyle. Is it to be a better wife, then make sure you really listen to your husband, and pray for him. Is it to be a better mother, make sure you live in the moment with your children, so you don’t regret passing those moments up. Is it to be a better daughter? Enjoy your parent while you have them, knowing that one day they won’t be here. Is it to be a better worker? Then look to where you can add God value to others in the office.
It's the little things that keep you on task, as the old information of your deficiency is removed, where you’ve made room for the truth, to recognize the Life God has given you, that surrounds you, the good and perfect gifts from the Father of Lights!
[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_theory#Information_Theory
[ii] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press. Hebrew word # 6996 “small”
The Christian life is one of being ready – standing prepared to meet our Lord and Savior – and doing what we are called to do to help others prepare, too. Join Julie Jenkins for the study of Luke 12:35-48 and Matthew 24:42-51.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, where we take a few minutes each week to study the Bible together systematically. We offer three very different podcasts each week – so I hope you have your phone set to download ALL of them regularly. We all lead very busy lives, and I LOVE having these podcasts ready to listen to when I have a few minutes alone driving the kids to school or even washing dishes. On Monday, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30 minute interview with a different woman of faith each week, meant to inspire you and empower you in your God-given walk. Sometimes Kimberly interviews someone you might recognize, and other weeks you will meet someone new, but you can be sure that EACH week she pulls a gem from the stream – someone who is walking through life’s challenges and relying on the strength of God. Then on Fridays we have the joy of Celebrating God’s Grace with one of our beautiful leaders. So download yourself a free gift of encouragement – and get in the habit of sitting in God’s lap as He grows you 3 times every week!
On Wednesdays, today, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically. If you are new to the podcast – don’t worry – you can jump in right where we are, which, today, is Luke 12:35-48 and Matthew 24:42-51.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – Thank you for who you are and for who you made us to be. God you formed each one listening in her mother’s womb, and you KNEW that she would be listening to this today. You are sovereign, always in control, and your plans are perfect. Father, we give you this time, and ask you to open our hearts to hear exactly what you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
The Christian life is one of being ready – standing prepared to meet our Lord and Savior – and doing what we are called to do to help others prepare. That is the topic of today’s teaching. Jesus has been busy speaking to the crowds. He taught His followers to be the light, to be on guard against false teachings, not to be slaves to money or possessions, and not to worry about their well-being, as God is in control. Now Jesus states quite clearly that being a Christ follower requires, well, following Christ – that is, obediently and intentionally being prepared for Christ’s return by doing all that God calls us to do.
Let’s begin reading in Luke 12, verse 35 from the New Living Translation…
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
We see several word-pictures here that all have the same meaning: be prepared.
First we read to “be dressed.” The literal interpretation of the original version means “let your waist be girded.” This referred to the long garments that were worn, which, you can imagine, could be cumbersome on a sudden journey. Imagine a line of runners waiting for the gun to go off, all dressed in long tunics. And then imagine the one runner who decides to hike his garment up around his waist and tuck it in so that his legs can move freely, unencumbered by the fabric. Not only would this runner win, but he would also be in the safest position to run without tripping over his own clothing. He would be READY!
Like a runner dressed in the appropriate clothing, ready to win the race, we are to be prepared for Jesus’ return.
The second picture is one of a burning lamp. Darkness can be REALLY dark when there is no electricity or, in this case, burning lamps. To be ready, we must hold a light against the darkness.
The third picture is of a servant waiting for his master to return from his wedding feast, which, in those days, lasted a week or more. It could be tempting, in that situation, to let your guard down, but the job of the servant was to welcome the master home in grand style.
Jesus continues…
37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[a] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
That is kind of a crazy thought…the servant must keep watch, prepared to honor the master when He arrives at any moment, only to have the master turn around and honor the servant.
Matthew 4:42 states clearly who the master is….42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
Jesus had not been shy about saying that He was going away, and here He tells them that He is coming back, they won’t know the day or the hour, so they must always be prepared. It is impossible for us to guess the day or the time of Jesus return…so we must be ready!
Luke 12:38 continues…
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
If you recall our recent teachings, sometimes Jesus spoke to the crowds, and sometimes he turned and addressed the disciples directly. He must not have been clear with His body language at this point, because Peter asks for clarification on WHO exactly should be prepared for the Lord’s arrival, saying…
“Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
Jesus didn’t answer the question directly, instead He said…
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. – Matthew reports Jesus’ words as… The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke continues…
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly.
Let’s see if we can discern the answer to Peter’s original question, which in essence was – Who must be prepared for the Lord to return?
The first thing I notice is that Jesus doesn’t say, only the leaders, only my followers, or even only my servants must be prepared. Instead, He answers by explaining what a faithful and sensible servant is – that is, a faithful servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants.
As a teacher of God’s Word, this phrase humbled me, and I hope it speaks to you regardless of your profession or calling. God has a calling for EACH and every one of us…and that calling is to reach someone else. No one in this world is on an island. No one was born into this world only to look out for him or herself. If you are walking and breathing, I can guarantee that God has a divine job for you – and though it may seem, at times, like no one is looking or noticing or even that no difference is being made through your efforts, I can guarantee that God did not give you busy-work. When you resolutely walk where God calls you and obediently do what He has called you to do, you can trust that He has a purpose in it.
We ALL have the potential and the invitation to be His servants…how it all turns out is up to us and our response.
In the parable, Jesus offers four different responses from those who are called to serve Him.
First… If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
What has God called you to do? Perhaps it is as straightforward as caring for your family or even a loved one with special or ongoing needs. Now THAT is a job where you MUST keep your lamp lit and never give up. As an aside, if you are in a caregiver role, we would love to partner with you in prayer and support. Rusanne Carole, who often hosts our Friday podcast, has an amazing group of caregivers who meet on Zoom monthly – if you want to find out more, I encourage you to email her at Australia@womenworldleaders.com. Yes, she is one of our Aussie leaders – so you get the bonus of hearing a great accent as you speak with this beautiful servant of Jesus.
No matter what God has called you to, and that often shifts throughout our lives, we can trust that He will empower you to fill your role well, but it is up to US to walk faithfully in that role.
So the servant who is doing a good job will be rewarded, but what about the one who decides NOT to fulfill their God-given purpose?
Well this is difficult to hear, but it’s in the Bible, so we can’t shy away from it. The servant who knows what is expected of him or her but thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ so he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk, will, when the master returns unannounced be cut into pieces and banished to where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth – in other words, hell.
Throughout the Bible, we are clearly taught that to spend eternity with Christ in heaven, we must simply accept the free gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ and provided to all believers by His death. So…what does it mean that if I am not doing the will of God, I will be thrown into hell?
Let me see if I can explain this. When we become followers of Jesus, when we say yes to Him and give Him our life, we receive His gift of salvation. But He gives us more than salvation. We are also gifted with the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in our hearts, guiding us and teaching us and giving us a desire to understand and follow Christ. Do we do that perfectly this side of heaven – unfortunately, the answer to that is no. We are all, quite simply, messes whom God loves and cherishes. BUT, we have ingrained in us the Holy Spirit – and as such, we are gifted with the longing to do His will, even if we don’t do it perfectly.
The servant Jesus is talking about in this parable is really not God’s servant at all, but is someone who REFUSED to give his life to Christ. This is the person who, behind closed doors, has no personal relationship with Christ. As such, he has NOT be given the gift of the Holy Spirit, and has NO longing to follow Christ. And the hard truth is that anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Christ when the Lord returns, will go to hell for eternity.
So…we have the servant who is doing the will of God and will be rewarded, and the so-called servant who has turned away from God’s call and never was His servant at all, and will be banished to hell.
But Jesus also tells of two other degrees…saying…
The servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished….and the one who does not know and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly.
In those final days, we will either be God’s children, granted access to Him for eternity by the blood of Jesus Christ, or we will be turned away at the banquet as God says, “I don’t know you.”
At the final day, all those who are granted eternal life with Christ will be clothed with His righteousness. So punishment and discipline at that time will be no more.
So…I have to believe that the discipline that comes from not following God’s will for our lives is administered to us in this lifetime. When we don’t walk with God, when we screw up, and we ALL do, God nudges us back toward the path He has for our lives. He never gives up! So it follows that if we stray a far distance and belligerently refuse to return to His path, the discipline He uses to get us back on track is going to hurt more than when we just stray a little bit. That may sound daunting – but it is a GOOD thing. Your God loves you too much to let you move away from all the good that He has purposed for your life!
And as we follow Him, not only does He heap more blessings on us, but He also entrusts us with more to do.
Luke 12:48…
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
So who is Jesus talking to when He says to be dressed for the race, keep your lamp lit to keep out the dark, and be ready for your master to return from the wedding feast? He was speaking to EVERYONE – those who were following Him, and those who weren’t. Jesus is GOING to come back – you can COUNT on it. And His coming will affect every single one of us – whether we are dutifully following His will for our lives or have given our lives to Him but are a bit off track. And for those who have never become His true servant, His true child, when Jesus returns, it will be too late.
God doesn’t want any of us to be caught off guard. So He calls and calls, He nudges and pushes, and He sends His followers to shine His light so that ALL will be saved.
If you haven’t yet accepted Christ, please do so today! You can reach out to us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com and we will walk with you! And if you have accepted Christ – please don’t stop walking in your purpose – keep running the race and holding the lamp — SO MUCH depends on your obedience.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! We thank you for never giving up on us – for telling us like it is, for disciplining us when we are off course, and for giving us the opportunity to serve with and for you. Father, give us strength and wisdom today to persevere as we walk in this beautiful life you have crafted specifically for us. Help us be ready to run the race and shine the light – not for the glory or reward you promise, but so that we might lead many into your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Women World Leader's guest Candace Kirkpatrick is a faith-based actress in television and film, but she wasn't always focused on faith as she made choices within her lifetime career. Candace shares her story of "surrendering" her choices within her achieved career, to receive God's provision of a lifetime dream. This podcast interview will inspire you and encourage you in your own journey of faith to always do what is right. * Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And we are just so happy that you are here today and I'd love to welcome our guest, Candace Kirkpatrick. Welcome, Candace.
Hello, there. Thanks for having me, Kimberly, I'm happy to be here.
And we are so happy that you've joined us. And ladies, we are happy to all come together and for a greater purpose. Our purpose here with these podcast series is to encourage you, strengthen you and empower you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So a verse that I always love to open up with is Ephesians 210, talking about us being God's masterpiece, because each one of us are his masterpiece. But today I want to open with our verse from women, world leaders, which is right there Ephesians 320 on to him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine, according to the power that's at work within us. And we truly believe ladies that when you allow that power of the Holy Spirit to work within each and every one of you, God is going to do exceedingly, abundantly above what you can imagine in your life. So to start off, today, I want to share a little bit about our guest, Candace, she is first and foremost a Christ follower. And she is a wife, a mom, she loves to serve Jesus in her calling, which is acting, she's an actress. So as a well known actress in film, and television, Candice has a story behind it all, where she is now and what she is doing in her industry, and how she is here on this podcast to encourage each and every one of you. That's what we're all about is encouraging, right? And we do that by sharing our stories. And God has given us each a story. We believe that with all of our heart. So what is your story? And hopefully you'll be thinking about that today. As Candace shares a little bit about her story. Her parents were divorced at a young age, she was only like four. And they dropped her at nursery school where she began acting in the first grade. And she loved it so much. She continued acting all throughout school, and she graduated high school valedictorian of her whole class. Then she received a full ride on to college, where she studied the arts. And she got received a bachelor's and a master's while at college and also graduated valedictorian of her college. And that's an achievement. Candace. That's amazing. We are so happy to have you, man, she started attending top acting schools. She got an agent, she moved to New York, where she started doing different things with her career. She's done shows abroad in London. And she's really, she's received recurring acting parts on soap operas. And all of this, she's done as her faith and walk in Christ continued to grow. So in her love of this industry, some of her acting brought her to various parts. And I wanted to start here and let Candace open up about this, all of the sudden change that God was speaking to her in her life through receiving some of these parts that she was auditioning for. So Candace, please share with us a little bit about that.
Hi, okay, great. Um, after I got my master's, I was at one program for my Bachelor's a different program for my masters, where I did years of Sanford Meisner training. Then I moved to New York got the agent, like you said, and I was doing a lot of work off Broadway and traveling around the world doing shows, including London, as you said, as well as Ukraine. And then I was getting small parts and TV and film these little bitty recurring roles, nothing substantial. But when I came back from my show in London, that is when I started getting more larger roles. And one of them my agent had sent me up for a role that had come from Toronto. And it was a huge success in Toronto. And he said, you know, they'd like to see you to take over one of the roles, and I went and saw it. And it was offensive. And I can't say anything nice about it. And so I spoke with my agent and said, I'm sorry, I can't do that. And he's like, Oh, you need to it's very successful. It's very popular. And I said, Have you seen it? And he said, No, I haven't. And I said, please see it. And then he said, You need to separate your religion from your work, oh, boy. And I said, What you go see it, and then we'll discuss it. But that didn't go over very well, then I was also getting some roles in now in larger roles in TV, and film. And I didn't even though my character, I didn't have a problem with the character, I was portraying the message that the audience would take away what you know, I didn't agree with. And, again, I went to my agent, and he was like, Well, if you won't do it, we'll get somebody who will somebody else who will. So at one point, I honestly thought, oh, I should go ahead and do this. And then I can take that money and use it for something that would honor the Lord. And the Lord spoke to me very clearly, to obey is better than sacrifice and in your kin. In your case, Candice. To obey is better than compromise. I don't want you to compromise. Obedience, which is interesting, that word obedience, because I hope I come back to it at the end. Because that's something you know, just radical obedience. So I just laid the script for the Lord. And I was like, Lord, I want to honor you, I want my life to honor you. And so some of the things that I was looking at, in that I was reading that before, I just thought was brilliant writing now, it was, um, causing this tension in my in my spirit. Because I saw this as, even though you could say, I mean, there are a lot of incredible writers. But unless you know who you're grounded in, in the board, what comes out May not be edifying, and will not be building up of anyone or giving you a message of hope. And so that is when I seriously, I met with pastors and others to say, Okay, I need Godly counsel right now. Because, as you said, I had I started acting when I was three before I even got into first grade. And then I had done that my entire life for, you know, through middle school, elementary school, high school, college graduates. So to say, Lord, are you calling me away from this? And that is when he surrounded me with some prayer warriors.
Wow. Well, that that's huge. Because you are at a point in your life where you are like, Okay, do I sacrifice, the love of my life, what I was doing, to walk away, like you said, and not compromise in this, you know, World of this career that I've built, and then follow after God's heart. And so I'm sure that struggle was there, and you needed women to surround you and pray for you and, and others. So, so you did you, you sacrificed, and you became a mom, you raised a family, you started doing some things through these this 20 year journey of moving away from your career at this point for just a little bit, although I think you're gonna share with us some of the things that happened through those 20 years, which are pretty cool. So let's go there.
All right. Well, after much counsel, as I said, from pastors, as well, as I had, I was leading some women's prayer, prayer ministries and Bible studies. As I was praying about exiting this industry, and two women that I was very close with came over almost every day to pray with me that I would just delight myself in the Lord that I would love what he had for me, and that I would trust him. And so I was newly married at the time, so I invested in my marriage, we decided prayed about having a family. I didn't want anyone raising my family as you stated, you know, I was four when my parents got divorced. And we went between back and forth between our parents. So I wanted to make sure that I was intentional in my children's lives that no one else was raising them. And so during that time, I just continued to pray, Lord, use me however you wish to use me. So I continued to teach, I think I have taught Bible for more than two decades, I was leading prayer ministries within their schools. And I was writing and directing place for churches, as well as like, I did this huge, musical, as well as play for churches. And I was also directing their vacation bible school during the summer and helping write scripts or rewrite scripts and direct for that.
And God was still giving you those, those desires of your heart to play them out. But it was just in a different role right now, because you are now a wife and a mom. And so you had the best of both worlds being able to do this, but doing it as a wife and a mom, but I think that's beautiful.
Yeah. And also, I do think it's important. I mean, you know, when it says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he's old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22, six, Amen. Yes. And so I think, to get the word in the child is important. And I, and I think to, for kids to have a love for the Lord. It can't be just do's and don'ts, Do this, don't do this, don't do this. But when you open up the world to them, like to me, when I read the Bible, it leaps off the page, I just embrace everything. It is a live action adventure. And so when you are doing that, and you are presenting these writing scripts, or something where you are bringing the Bible to life, then you're opening up a world for them, to hopefully fall madly in love with the Lord and with His Word. And that was, My desire is that not just my own children, but children at their schools, because I was directing for their schools as well, and for the churches and stuff like that, that they have this love for God. So
I love that about you, Candace, you are passionate about pouring into others through what you do. And you found that way to do it while you were raising your children because of the importance of pouring in. And one of the ways I know you are very passionate about studying in the Word, and being a mom and teaching your children about this. But another area that you are passionate in, in why you are where you are today, walking with the Lord talking with the Lord is because of the importance of prayer in your life, Candace. And because of that importance, I know that somebody's near and dear to you in the movie, the War Room, which again, you had your your ties in with that movie, but you, you developed your own prayer room, in your home. And I thought, wow, this is really neat, where you go to that prayer room on a regular basis, you communicate with the Lord, you have two sides of this closet set up. So I wanted you to share with the women right now the importance of prayer in our life and why it brings us to what we can do for the Lord, how we can serve Him if we're in communication with him.
Yes. My prayer closet is extremely important to me. And I need to I really want to clarify this. I have been a prayer warrior for as long as I can remember, it's it's breathing to me, I want to be in constant communion with the Lord. Because as Peter said, where else where we go, Lord, for you alone have the word of life. So there's nowhere else I can go. But a tragedy happened in my family in 2018. And it just sent me level on the floor before the Lord. And I mean, you know, I couldn't even draw breath it was and so I can't even describe it. And then I realized, you know, I was not just praying for exams and friendships and you know for my kids and safety and protection, I was praying on a far deeper level. Okay. And when you mentioned the War Room, I was not a part of that film at all. But I have done, I'm doing a TV pilot with Karen Abercrombie, who is plays Miss Claire of the War Room. So she is an incredible, amazing woman. And I need to share that she is more fiery, more passionate in real life than she is in that film. So that just gives you an idea what she has, like she's phenomenal. And her passion for the Lord is like love it.
I love it. I just have to share this because now that you brought that up in women, world leaders, we in our Facebook group every day we write empowering words to encourage and strengthen the women. And I have shown Miss Karen Abercrombie, who what is her name and the move is Clara, this Clara. I have played that that stint in the kitchen over and over I put it on women world leaders, because when when I get riled up and I'm writing, you know, and I'm passionate about something I'm saying and I'm like we are going to prayer over this or we're doing this, I put that clip on the bottom. And it just inspires the lady so I'm tickled just
you should know she's more passionate than that character. Oh my goodness. So randomly, she just calls me to send me love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love. So anyway, I love that I'm blessed because of her. But anyway, because that movie prompted me with this tragedy to make a prayer closet. And that's what I did. So I shared I don't have the luxury have a very small closet. I didn't like take out all my clothes. I just moved everything over and I have two walls. One is praying how God views work and there are hundreds of scriptures hundreds of how important work is to God. You know, the he has created work in advance for us to do you know, he has already got it. And I don't want to miss what he's called me into. You know what I mean? Right? Not all these things lined up and he's already purposed for it. I want to be Lord, I'm here. I'm here. willing vessel use me use me right here. But then on my other side is praying for loved ones. Last ones, unsaved ones, families with going through health issues, cancer, tragedies, death, rebellious children, divorces everything. And so I have each side, plastered with scriptures like almost from the floor to two thirds of the wall. That's beautiful. And then ticker tapes running. One is a prayer requests and one is a praises. And then I've got about 10 or 15 books in there. devotionals that I do along with my Bible. And I journal I want to promote this here. I'm promoting you see this? And in pew. Okay, this is a guided discipline in prayer, because it helps you because a lot of people don't know, like, where do I start? I'm overwhelmed. You know? No. And this is like, I'm just sharing it because it's the Lord's place. It all mean, what are the circumstances? It says, what are the circumstances? What just happened? And so this is, what are the lies the enemy is telling me? That's the second part. The third one is How am I feeling about this? There's an index with 200 500 how I'm feeling this because a lot of times you may be feeling like 50 different ways. This is how I'm feeling. Okay? And then it says, And this is what Jesus says about it. And the Holy Spirit just download scripture. And I just like this is what Jesus says about it. This is what Jesus says about it. And this is what he says about it. And then on the other side is adoration, confession Thanksgiving supplication, the axe prayer thing. Yep.
This those are all important parts of prayer.
They are in my prayer closet with me. Because I cannot go operate in my flesh in a world that is broken. I so much want to be filled by His Spirit, armored up like in Ephesians six that I have on the full armor of God. So that when I go into a situation I am Lord, You are speaking through me you will use me and then I will just be an instrument for your glory. I gotta constantly remind myself remove myself. It isn't him and he came About every single person I encounter, whether that person is walking with him or not, he cares. So how can I be his arms and feet and light and joy, and love if I'm not staying? You know, he says, I am the vine, you are the branch Remain in me and you will bear much fruit, but apart from me, you will do nothing. That's right, I want to be, I want to be making a lot of fruit. Remember, even is gonna happen if I am tethered, but I am anchored in the vine. And so I spend a lot of time because there's so many things I can fix and solve. And I'm like, Lord, all right, you got to take care of it, and I'm gonna rest in you, but I gotta be prayed up. So
Amen. Amen. And that. That's my point, you know, communication with God is key ladies key. And we all need to have that place where we know that we're going to go to the Lord every day. It's not just when problems come that you go to Him in prayer. No, you develop that relationship and you pray continuously. And if it means taking a designated area where you walk by in your house every day and say, I need to get in that room. I haven't been in there all day. Because we shouldn't let the day go by that we're not praying and communicating to our Heavenly Father. That is how he's going to speak to us. That is how he's going to change our life. That is how he's going to prepare us for the future for what he wants to do in and through you. So please, ladies, make it a point to get this prayer closet. Down. I go in my pantry every day. And I know it sounds funny, but I have a walk in pantry. And I can go in there and I can shut out the world. And because usually it's my kitchen being my domain, but the pantry is that place where I shut the door and block everything else out. And I just focus in there. And I go to the Lord in prayer. And I talked to him. I was in there three times already today. So it's important ladies, right? It's important to be in our prayer closet. So though, Candace, so through all of this communication with the Lord and His 20 year journey, this is so exciting to say that God brought you to now a new acting place. Now you are in faith based only and you are a voice. God's given you a voice to help tell stories to help others share their stories, and you want to be His hands and His feet. And so like I say, God has been preparing you it doesn't happen overnight. Ladies, it's a constant daily walk with the Lord. And before you know it, you're walking right into your beautiful purpose that God has prepared just for you. So Candace share about that, you know, you're now you're in faith base. I know we have to be closing up in a minute. But it's like, here we are. So talk about now you're doing what God has called you to for him?
Well, I pray that he's, I mean, he's still working on me, I you know, He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, that's Philippians, one, six, so he's still working on me. There's prayers that he hasn't answered yet, or he's answering in some phenomenal way that I can't even fathom, which I'm excited about to see how he's going to work. And in 2018, he opened the door for me to go into faith based entertainment. And I said to him, Lord, if you ever call me back into this industry, may I honor you? And that's what you know, there are people who do not do secular work, and God uses them to minister to people on those sets. Okay. So I tried to look at the content. I tried to look at the message I tried to see what is the point that they are writer is trying to get across what is the director's intent? And I read up on it, and he's opened some doors for me, that her clearly his, his not my doing that had become directly from him. And I you know, there's a saying I'm saying, sometimes I just smile and look up and go, Yeah, that was you, God, that was you God. And that's it. You know, because I go, Yeah, that was you. And so he's to
Psalm, Psalm 18, verse 30, says, God's way is perfect. Yeah. So well, maybe back 20 years ago, you were doing it the way of the world but God's way is perfect. And now you're in faith based God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. Psalm 1830. Yes.
Well, I hear you know, I'm working on the faith based crime drama, vindication. I have a recurring role on that, which is fun. It's not like the normal dramatic roles I play. It's a quirky OCD character. I love it. I got to do this TV pilot with Karen Abercrombie of the War Room, and Cameron Arnett of overcomer and and hopefully that'll get picked up. I'm supposed to be working on a film called Love one another about racism and how we deal with it in the church. So I'm thankful for that. But in the meantime, I mean, I'm not I'm not anxious, I'm not nervous. I'm just like, Lord, bring me to whatever you want to close doors, open doors. And in the meantime, I wouldn't go back to praying. That's why I pray and I flood, I don't let the world in so much. If I'm not listening to uplifting Christian music, I'm listening to my Bible app on, you know, on my head, that I'm listening to women, faith based writers who are encouraging, you know, your identity in Christ,
and you're embracing everything that God has for you. And that's what we need to do women is embrace everything that God has for us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, right? Yeah, it's a focus. It's fixed on the Lord. How do you do that? You're in His Word. You're talking to him. So yes, Candace, so we have to wrap it up. But I just want you to give that encouragement right now to the woman that's listening right now. What can you speak into her life, about moving into all the fullness that God has for her?
Well, the first thing I would say, know that the Lord loves you, intimately. He is intimately acquainted with you, He knows every hair on your head, he has your name engraved on the palm of his hands. So seek him before you turn on the television or anything else. Go to his word, before you call up a friend and want to complain about something, go to him and say, Lord, you know how that stung that hurt that bothered me. And just have him fill you up with how tremendously he loves you and wants a relationship with you. And then surround yourself with godly women who were chasing after Jesus. prayer ministry this morning with a group of women. And I am in constant prayer. Like I have time phone calls throughout the day that I pray with different women around the world because we're in different time zones. People who are pursuing Christ, because we live in a broken world, but we are to be the salt and light. And it's hard to be salt and light, if we're not being constantly filled up with him. So I have to say in saturate yourself in the word, pray, pour out your heart to Him, there's nothing he doesn't know. Just pour out your heart to Him, He will FILL you and give you tremendous joy in the midst of some very hard circumstances. And if you if you need a buddy, call, somebody you know, is a prayer warrior, who was falling hard after Christ, to say I need your help to lock arms with me. And we will go to battle together. And that's what I want to encourage.
Amen. And thank you for that encouragement, Candace. And just as Candice connected with women, world leaders, we love that God brought her to this amazing group of women. And that's why we're here ladies is to be that help to you to reach out in all these different areas. There's women walking through what you're walking through, there's women that are here, just to be helped other women. We're here as a as a way to help each other and in Canada, so wonderfully, was led by the Lord to be here doing this podcast right now as an encouragement to you. Maybe God has a story in your life that you're going to share somehow, some way in, in our magazine, and in a book that we're putting out or whatever it may be. But God has a way to use each and every one of you to do not doubt that. If your old way of living is leaving you feeling spiritually dull and dead inside, then it may be time for you to surrender everything to Jesus, just like Candace did. She knew that time that things were not going in this direction that her life was going with the world. God didn't want that for her. So she surrendered. And she changed her heart. And God gave her this passion to serve others, and now she's doing it for him. And we are so grateful that you shared. I wanted to share a scripture portion that I thought was so cool. And kind of goes right along with what we're talking about Canvas. It says our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come through then you will not become spiritually dull or indifferent. Instead, you You will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. That's Hebrews 611 and 12. So in your sphere of influence, ladies think about that. Candace is sphere of influence became her husband and family and then those that God connected her to at that time, and then he opened up her world. And now she's doing all of this faith based way of reaching the loss for Jesus. So whatever your gift that God has given you, it may not look like canvases, it's your own. A verse that I heard Candace share in a past podcast that I wanted to share too, is Colossians 317, which says, Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it for His glory. So we just want to share that with you as well and encourage you with whatever you're doing, just make sure you're doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ with the right heart and the right content. So in closing, I just want to share with you all that we have a magazine that just launched recently, it's a monthly magazine. And if you are looking for extra encouragement, and just a word from the Lord, there's scriptures in here this is put out by women, it's called voice of truth, which comes out every month, and put out by women, all kinds of wonderful nuggets inside that will inspire you encourage you in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you can receive your free monthly copy by going to women world leaders.com. And there you can go to the Contact Us section, and put all your information in and we will be happy to start sending you your copy of voice of Truth magazine. Ladies, you can also join us on our Facebook group where we interact and comments. And it is a private group so just asked to be invited in. Also we have the website, women world leaders.com, where if you need prayer, or if you need another woman to come along beside you, we can help you with that. So just put in a prayer request. And we have tools there ladies. So these are open and available to each and every one of you, wherever you are. We just love you. We want to help you and from his heart to yours. We are women moral leaders, Candace Kirkpatrick. I thank you so much for being there. And you can find Candice Kirkpatrick at...hat is your website?
candacekirkpatrick.com
Candacekirkpatrick.com There you go. So I'm sure she would love an encouraging word as well. So all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a wonderful day.
Happy New Year everyone! 2023 is here. As we may reflect on the past and look forward to what's ahead, we really only have today. And God's Word tells us again and again, He is doing "new things"! As our focus and guidance come from the Lord, may we all be joyful in the new things He has for us in this season to bring Him the glory He so deserves. God bless!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast. I’m your host, Rusanne Carole. I have the privilege of bringing you our first podcast for 2023! We, at WWL, thank you for listening and we are so grateful for all God has done in this ministry and our lives this past year, including being able to bring you a trio of podcasts each week. We encourage you to join us in studying God’s Word and learning about all the promises He has in store for us -His sons & daughters.
We are also aware we have had many challenges in this past year of 2022: including the loss of loved ones, obstacles to overcome and opportunities to continue praising and trusting God through some of the most difficult times this world brings to us and our families and friends.
Yet another year is upon us.
A new year, 2023, is here! A time to reflect. A time to ponder. A time to trust our Lord and Saviour with every day we are given here on this earth.
Shall we begin in prayer:
Lord, thank you for this past year. Thank you for the wonderful times you provided where we celebrated and enjoyed all the gifts you gave us. And help us praise and worship you even through the challenges and the things we don’t completely understand or particularly like! It’s often through the suffering we experience that we can find peace in resting and trusting in Your promises. Your promises tell us You are with us. You are a God who truly understands everything we go through! You are bringing us into a new year and with all it will bring let us first and foremost look to You in all we do.
What is it about the turning of time to a new year that makes us evaluate – re-evaluate – dream – set goals?
It’s a restart.
It’s a putting behind the past and turning toward the new.
All that is ahead.
We tend to long for the past and strive for tomorrow. But really all we have is today – so no matter the year God’s Word says all we have is TODAY.
Here are a few things to contemplate as we walk into another year:
- Our days are numbered, God knows our beginning and our end and He gives us free will to live out what many call the dash (the in-between days, the days we are called to be here at such a time as this.
What is God calling you to do in this next season? No matter where you are in your “dash” He has something for you, something to do to glorify Him.
Could it be joining a prayer team?
Could it be a new job?
Could it be learning something new or teaching someone else something new?
I encourage you to spend the time with Him and He will show you what you can partner with Him to accomplish for His Kingdom – to bring joy to yourself and others. It may also be things that stretch and grow you.
Over & over in the Word it tells us God will do “new things”. We must seek Him, rely on Him and He will assist us to accomplish what He has for us to do with our time here.
- Just as the years have seasons, our lives have seasons.
What season are you currently in?
Some of us are in a resting season? Others in a harvest season?
Whatever the season, we are to look to Him and allow for His guidance and His path to be taken. His will, His way we learn with time is so much better than anything we could come up with on our own.
Is God calling you to plant a new dream in your heart? Like a woman who may not believe she can step into that new chapter – starting a business, writing a book, taking that job SHE always wanted to take but something held her back.
Could God be calling you to water others’ dreams at this time? Like a mother staying home to look after her children or those that may be in their later seasons to really take the role of serious intercessory prayer. We often can undervalue by the world’s standards and
Or could God simply be calling you to rest, for you have had a huge year and this is a season to sit, be still and WAIT on Him to tell you what is next.
WOW! What opportunities lie ahead for those that seek what God has for them.
God is the ultimate planter of dreams in the field of our heart!
God is a builder.
- And lastly, live in the present in each day. As we seek, listen and hear His voice He will be there in the present, the still, small voice. We, as His children, know His voice. We may not get it 100% right each time but in His mercy He gives us another day to have a go until we are called home for eternity with Him. So we have this dash! Lord, help us to make the most of each minute of each day.
Lord, let my joy, my peace, my life be a mirror of You and who You are!
Lord, let this year (regardless of the circumstances) be a reflection of who You are in me.
So as we take on this coming year, let our resolution simply be God, let us be more like You each day you gift us to be here. And if you haven’t accepted Christ as your saviour, here’s an invitation. There is no better time than now! Simply say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I turn to You and ask for forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and thank you that you forgave all my sins and set me free from the power of sin in my life. Please come into my heart and life and fill me with your Spirit all the days of my life. Amen.
If you said this prayer, the Word says there is rejoicing in heaven as you accepted Jesus into your heart. A new beginning begins!
I naively believed that once I accepted Jesus in my life all would be well , that life would be easy, a bed of roses some may say. Boy, what I wrong! There are roses and there are thorns, but I give God the permission to be the gardener of my soul, my life. And all is well because God is with us – we are never alone.
Those that have said this prayer celebrate the beginning of a new life in a new year! Those of us who know God begin a new year, hopefully with him as the central focus of all we do! May we live each day for Him and continue to learn and grow and glorify Him above all else.
Happy New Year! If you have said this prayer, please reach out to someone who can walk and support you on your new journey. Everyone is invited to contact us at www.womenworldleaders.com – submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and express interest in supporting the ministry in various ways. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written content.
Welcome to 2023! However you are feeling today – energized and excited or a bit more trepidatious — Jesus has a message for you: don’t worry, I’ve got this! Join Julie Jenkins today for our study of Luke 12:22-34.
Welcome to Walking in the Word – and welcome to 2023! My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m so glad you have joined us for the start of this new year!
If your New Year’s resolution involves spending more time in the Bible, then you are in the right place. Women World Leaders has been blessed with the ability to bring you three podcasts each week. On Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose—a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her story with the goal of empowering you to walk in your God-given purpose. On Fridays, we have a team of leaders who host Celebrating God’s Grace – a short podcast designed to celebrate all that God is doing in our lives, in this ministry, and in the world. And today, Wednesdays, we are intentional about studying the Bible together on Walking in the Word. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There is so much to learn from these writers as they lay out for us the life of Jesus. Today, as many days, we get the pleasure of studying the words of Jesus Himself. We just celebrated Christmas, which was a miraculous time, but Jesus’ birth is only the beginning of all that God wants us to celebrate. Today, we celebrate Jesus’ teaching and wisdom.
A new year is an interesting time. On the one hand, we can feel like we are given a fresh start with energy and focus as we put our new year’s resolutions in place. But a new year can also be a source of anxiety and frustration as we inventory our lives and, perhaps, see a lack of past progress or are reminded that this is the first year we will live without a loved one who has passed, a relationship that has grown cold, or a dream that seems to have fizzled out.
A new year can be a springboard, launching us into the future. But if the devil has his way, your new year may feel nothing shy of painful.
So I don’t think it is a coincidence that when I opened my Bible today to our next scripture verses, I landed on Luke 12:22-34, finding Jesus’ words of warning about worry and stress and His glorious reminder that we can trust Him as we walk into 2023.
Whatever your attitude as you start this new year, I believe this scripture was written with you in mind today. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – 2023 is upon us, and we are so grateful you are with us! We give you this time today as we open your Word together. Teach us what you want us to know. Allow our minds to be attentive, our hearts to be receptive, and our wills to be obedient as you launch us forward today. Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we begin today, let’s set the scene. Jesus is speaking to the crowds, which are getting bigger each day. As Jesus’ ministry grows, we tend to think about the crowds getting more belligerent – and they did as the Pharisees and Sadducees felt increasingly threatened by Jesus and tried to trap Him in His teachings. But let’s also remember that there were many people who genuinely wanted to learn from Jesus – including His own disciples. Many had seen His miracles and had already gained from the wisdom He offered—yet they were like sponges, intentionally soaking up all He had to give.
As I go through life, I hope I can look past the grandstanders, the nay-sayers, and even those who want to steal the spotlight. I hope I can look solely to Jesus and focus on His words alone. Jesus had just criticized the religious leaders – heaping woes on them. And then He spoke about the rich fool, warning of greed to those with money. But now Jesus turns to his disciples, and as He speaks to those who had already given up all they had to follow Him, He offers wisdom that will translate directly to all his future followers. His simple message is: Don’t worry, I’ve got this.
Let’s begin at Luke 12:22 from the New Living Translation…
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
We love control, don’t we? And we want to know that we are in control of our future, which may include having a big bank account, driving a dependable car that will get us where we need to go, and owning the finest things in life.
But the devil doesn’t stop by putting the desire for control in our minds; he is a wizard at making us worry … causing us to dwell on the what if’s. What if I can’t pay my bills? What if my health plummets and I can’t earn the money I need to live? What if inflation keeps skyrocketing?
Jesus knows this – none of the devil’s tricks are new to Him. So He warns us – THIS is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life…for life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
Oh – in this tangible world we live in, this can be hard to accept. It’s hard to understand that when we do the will of God, we DON’T need to worry about material things because our God’s got this!
So Jesus graciously gives us a picture of what He means, saying…
24 Look at the ravens.
Ravens were worth nothing. They were unclean, so they could not be eaten or sacrificed. And they were stupid — they wouldn’t even return to their own nests. God provided a home for them, and they flew away from it, never to return.
Jesus continues…
(Ravens) don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.
God takes care of the ravens…who are seemingly worth nothing. And yet YOU are God’s child! If you don’t understand the important place this puts you, listen to Jesus’ words…
You are far more valuable to him than any birds!
Jesus goes on…
25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
This is a rhetorical question. It doesn’t take a PhD to know that worrying is bad for your health, your outlook, and your demeanor. Numerous studies SINCE Jesus’ time have proven true exactly Jesus’ point…so He adds..
26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that (adding time to your life), what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Then Jesus pulls on MY heartstrings as He mentions lilies – by far my favorite flower…
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
Can I be honest with you? For the past several days, I have been feeling a bit lost and forlorn. I won’t get into details…because, well, there really aren’t details to give…but I’ve been in a bit of a funk. I’m guessing you can understand. And today I opened my Bible and read THIS….Look at the lilies… So I pictured a field full of these beautiful flowers. Take a moment to imagien them with me.
I actually received a bouquet of pink and white lilies just a couple of weeks ago. And guess what…they did nothing. They just sat on my table. But their mere presence made me smile each time I walked by. They were stunning and they filled the house with a glorious scent. But all those lilies did was EXACTLY what they were made for.
It made me think – if I am more important to God than lilies, then just MY presence must make HIM smile. And all I have to do is do exactly what he created me to do — He will take care of the rest. I don’t have to worry. You don’t have to worry. About anything. Because God’s got it all under control—He loves you far more than lilies…or ravens!
Verse 29…
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Let me say that again – God ALREADY knows what you need, and when you seek Him, He will give you everything you need!
As we enter 2023 – I don’t even know what I will need! The pandemic sure took us all by surprise! In January of 2020, we certainly didn’t know that many of us would NEED Zoom to communicate with each other. My oldest daughter had already moved out – when we bought our house in 2019, we certainly didn’t know we would NEED a bedroom for her. But God did. And He provided.
Worry is the opposite of faith. We worry when we fail to put our trust in our GOOD God who loves us more than we can imagine and is in total control of EVERYTHING.
Jesus continues…
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
I love how Jesus reminds us that He is our Shepherd. We are helpless sheep who can NOT take care of ourselves no matter HOW hard we try or how much we worry. But, praise God…we have a mighty Shepherd who is totally in control, who knows exactly what we need BEFORE we need it, and whose PLEASURE it is to provide for us. We simply have to trust Him and believe that God’s got this!
Jesus then puts a ribbon on this gift of provision He is handing us: BECAUSE He is faithful and PROMISES to provide EVERYTHING we need, WE can be generous with everything we have! Jesus says…
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! (It’s a win-win!) …the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
However YOU are starting 2023 – whether you are raring to go or stepping in with trepidation, Jesus, in this passage, gives YOU permission to step forward feeling safe and secure. You may not feel in control. That’s okay…because God is! You may not know what is ahead, but He does! You most likely don’t know WHAT you will need, but He has already made provisions for you to receive exactly what you need when you need it.
And what is your duty in all of this? To simply do what you were made for. To walk in your purpose. To serve Jesus in joy.
Your job, Christian, is to trust God’s control, direction, and provision as you exude His beauty for all to see. Beauty that is more amazing than a field of lilies, by the way.
Don’t worry. God’s got this. And just by being you, you make the Creator of the universe smile.
Dear Most Holy God, We have a hard time understanding your gracious generosity because in our sinful hearts, we simply can’t understand why you give us something for nothing. Thank you for your love, which is too deep for us to comprehend. Thank you for your provision, your guidance, your wisdom, and your strength. Dear God – I thank you for giving us the courage to walk in the path you have deemed for us and ask you to instill in us unwavering faith in you. Thank you for reminding us that you are a good God and for calling us your own. In Jesus’ name, I pr
Please join Kimberly Hobbs as she interviews guest Jean Selig Wenger from Treasure Coast Talent. Jean is a Los Angeles talent agent who is a woman of faith. She shares her testimony of how God called her into the film industry and shares encouragement and faith to walk into your God-given calling.
It is our prayer that after the holiday season, you are feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically refreshed and renewed and ready to jump into 2023. If you aren't, there's still time! Join host Janet Berrong as she extols the value of refreshment and offers tips for starting 2023 by embracing self-care.
Welcome to celebrating God's grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives in ministry and around the world.
It's good to be back with you today refreshed and renewed and ready for the new year. January is always a good time to refresh and reboot, you get a whole new start to a new year. We all like a fresh start. Like this year, I started off the year with 11 day fasting and praying. For me it was really powerful, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Physically, I felt incredible and revived emotionally. I was at peace and had a sound mine. Spiritually, I drew closer to God and had many breakthroughs. I took long walks, got out in the fresh air, I worship through music, and I even danced. I filled my atmosphere with only good and nourishing things. Our heavenly Father gives us a fresh start daily. I encourage you to lean in and draw close to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to do a work in you get refreshed and renewed from the inside out. Lamentations 323 reads, great is His faithfulness His mercies begin afresh each morning. Do you know that God cares about your body? Yes, he cares about every detail about us. He cares about our body because he created it. He fashioned it so perfectly for health, not to live for health, or to make health of God of its own, but to use it to live out the purpose he has for you. He is not a God of external things. But he is personally God who resides within you. He is watching how you use your time, your money, your talents, your opportunities, your mind and yes, even your body. One of the ways we can become defeated quickly is negative thinking, fear. This is why we have to keep our mind and eyes on Christ. what His Word says about us is the only truth. What about our mind? Does God really care about that too? When we think about maintaining our health, you might not consider your mind as being part of the process. However, maintaining a healthy mind is extremely important. Furthermore, you may not consider that your relationship with God and your knowledge of His truth and his plan for your life is a part of maintaining a healthy mind. Scripture tells us in Romans 12 to do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. When you do you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good and pleasing and perfect will. As the Bible says in John 15, one through eight. We must stay connected to the vine in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and bear spiritual fruit. Maintaining a healthy mind, grow in the Lord. Trust him and his plans for your life. Stay connected to him daily through prayer and studying his Word. My prayer today is searched me God and refresh my heart right now. Please help me to surrender my expectations and transform my mind to draw nearer to you. Search me God and align my heart with yours as I pursue the plans you have for me. Let me remember what you've already helped me overcome. You have already made a way for me to know you. You have already made a way for me to experience eternal life with you. Nothing is too hard for you. Search me God and heal my heart. Whatever the future holds. I know you hold me nothing is impossible for you. Restore me God and make me new into Jesus name, amen. Be refreshed and renewed in this new year. God bless each one of you listening today. And until next time, my beautiful sisters. Thank you for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love in your courageous purpose. Visit our website www dot women world leaders.com. To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders, all content is copyrighted by women world leaders cannot be used without expressed written consent.
Paul teaches us in Ephesians 6:18-23 to pray in the spirit at all times and on all occasions. What a great reminder as we wrap up 2022! God has a plan and purpose for you in 2023, learn how you can walk in His will through prayer.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins. Thank you for joining us as we wrap up 2022 and head into 2023! Allow me to take a minute and say thank you for your involvement in Women World Leaders this year! Whether you have volunteered with the ministry, attended an in-person event, supported us through your donations, or simply listened to this podcast, please know that we value you! And more importantly, God sees and loves you!
If you’ve missed any episodes this year, we encourage you to go back and listen to them or even download them so that you can share them with anyone God may put on your heart. As we study the Bible systematically together through this Women World Leaders podcast, please know that we are ONLY scratching the surface of all that God has for you in His Scripture – which is a living, breathing work of art created especially for you! I pray that you will return again and again to scripture daily, allowing God to speak to you where you are.
We are excited to jump into 2023! If you have been around Women World Leaders for very long, you know that our ministry was founded on and is guided by prayer. Before we embark on ANY endeavor, we seek God’s will. So whether you are reading our Voice of Truth magazine or stepping into an author’s role in one of our books or anything in between, know that YOU are covered in prayer. One of our leaders recently commented that prayer is the best gift we can give anyone. I think that says it all! Prayer is so important that our first Leadership Connect of 2023 will be dedicated to learning more about prayer – I hope you will plan to join us for this time of learning and fellowship on the third Monday in January – that is January 16th at 7pm ET. You can join us from anywhere in the world – in fact, we often have leaders on from India, Australia, and Canada. To register to receive the Zoom link, visit our website – www. Womenworldleaders.com.
And…as prayer is the cornerstone of our ministry, I thought it would be appropriate to wrap up 2022 by studying scripture about prayer. So today we will be studying Ephesians 6:18-23. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Heavenly Father! Thank you for allowing us to Walk in your Word together. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to know you more and to hear your heart on a personal level as we spend time with you. Father, I ask that you would infiltrate the heart, mind, and soul of each woman listening today – teaching her what you want her to know, allowing her to hear directly from you. We praise and thank you for making this, our time together, possible. And we give all glory to you for every good and perfect gift that only you can supply. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Sit back and listen as I read the writing of the apostle Paul from Ephesians 6:18-23 from the New Living Translation.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[a]
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[b] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters,[c] and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness.
Paul begins this part of his letter by encouraging his readers to 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Prayer is part of the armor given to us by God. It is ALWAYS available to us …and God wants us to harness prayer continually! Calling on God is the means by which we can experience His PROTECTION, which enables us to stand strong against the schemes of the devil and the evil of the world.
How do we pray continuously? On ALL occasions? Is that even possible? Yes, it is! We can pray on all occasions by living our lives devoted to God and by keeping Him in mind at all times. This requires staying alert to and being aware of God’s presence. When we are, we will be more prone to offer quick prayers to God regularly throughout the day. We often condition ourselves and teach our kids to pray before meals and before bed. That is a great start! But what about the other 23 hours and 45 minutes a day? If you were side by side with someone all day every day, and they only acknowledged you for 15 minutes a day, you would just think they were downright rude! Don’t be rude to God – acknowledge His presence!
When you see a beautiful sight – thank Him! He created it! Tell Him - great job, God!
When you need guidance – ask Him! How should I respond, God? What do YOU think?
When you are worried, request His peace! He WILL carry your burden for you.
When you are bored, look around…and revel in His glory.
When you are in pain, rely on His comfort.
No prayer is too small for God! He longs for you to turn to Him every moment! To see Him. To recognize His presence. To share your life with Him! God IS with you … all – the – time! What a treasure we each have simply in His presence!
Paul goes on to say…
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Once you start recognizing God’s presence beside you, remember that He doesn’t want you only to focus on what YOU need, but He wants you to petition Him for the needs of others. We as Christians MUST lift each other up in prayer. Look around – who can you stand in the gap for?
That cranky store worker? – perhaps she needs God’s strength to get through her day.
What about teachers? Many of us entrust the care of our children into the hands of teachers every day. And teachers are usually overworked and underpaid. A teacher has to be prepared to challenge the student who may learn quickly, to patiently explain to the student who just doesn’t get it, and to deal with emotional, psychological and even physical issues. Teachers NEED our prayers.
What about our pastors and healthcare workers? They need our prayers for strength and wisdom and peace.
And how much could an overanxious child thrive if someone were to pointedly pray for him?
We all need prayer – and it is our honor to lift each other up to our Holy God. Ask God who He wants you to pray for! I used to hate waking up in the middle of the night - I would immediately think about the amount of work I had the next day and how those minutes of sleep I was losing were robbing me of needed energy and focus. But I’ve learned – I’ve learned that it isn’t all about me! Now when I wake up in the middle of the night, I thank God for nudging me and I ask Him who He wants me to pray for at that very moment.
Paul knows how important an army of prayer warriors is for each of us, that is why he says next
19 And pray for me, too. We each must be bold in asking for prayers for ourselves! Sister, what God has called you to is HUGE! He has a kingdom-purpose for your life – a mission that you were born for, gifted for, and particularly placed for! And yet, that mission that you are called to, I am here to tell you, absolutely can NOT be accomplished in your own strength – you need the strength of God Himself upholding you! And you need others around you who will petition the heavenlies on your behalf! None of us were meant to walk through this life alone, and YOUR purpose is intertwined with MY purpose. Do you have someone you can go to for prayer? We, at Women World Leaders would be honored to join with you in prayer! Please go to our website – womenworldleaders.com – and tell us how we can pray for you!
Paul asks for prayer, not just for his own walk and daily life, but so that he can do the will of God – the purpose of his life. He says…
Ask God to give me the right words so I can BOLDLY explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[b]
Paul knew how vital his mission was! He knew that telling the good news of Christ was what he was supposed to do, but he also knew that by fulfilling that calling, he was risking his own death. Even as he wrote, he reminds us that He was in prison for living out his anointing – and he asked for prayers for strength and boldness to fulfill that calling – to not be intimidated by the schemes of the devil and the darkness of the world.
My life is not in danger when I preach and teach the Word of God, so I truly can’t imagine how Paul must have felt or the empowerment that he needed. But like Paul, my struggles are real. I am not in prison, but I fight against time constraints, pride, and fear of failure – and I, too, request your prayers that I may keep on with the good fight! Even as I ask for your prayers, I lift YOU up in prayer – because we each have a calling that is significant and important, and we must band together as God’s ambassadors – as Women World Leaders – upholding each other, and most importantly, upholding the message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verse 21 tells us that Tychicus was delivering this letter to the Ephesians and that Tychicus was there to give a full update on Paul and encourage and strengthen them as Christians.
Which should lead us to ask…who do I need to encourage today? Who can I strengthen with my words and actions? Maybe even with my demeanor? A quick text or a well-timed email can mean the world to someone. Eye contact and a smile – even across Zoom – can make a difference in someone’s day and may be the encouragement she needs to just keep walking – and let’s be honest, sometimes we all need that little push to just keep walking!
As we close this year and step into a new one, let’s re-commit to prayer in a way that will make the devil want to run in the opposite direction. As Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians, so we at Women World Leaders say to you…
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters,[c] and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness.
Dear Heavenly Father – you are gracious and glorious. You are our strength and our song. You are our provider and our peace. Jesus, I am reminded today that you know what we are walking through – because you walked on this earth in human form, and because you walk beside us each and every day. Father, I pray for strength and joy for my sister as she lives so courageously the life that you have called her to live. We are an army for You, God. Today we put on our armor and we walk forth in victory – knowing that you have won the battle and that evil and death are defeated. We are unified in you, we stand together for you, and we ask that you shine forth your light into this world for all the world to see as we live as imitators of you. God, we submit to you and we take joy in your peace and your presence. I ask your blessing and protection over each one listening today, may she see and know your true presence in her life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Today's Interview is with special guest Kristen Clark, co-Founder of "Girl-Defined". This ministry has an outreach touching over one hundred thousand young women for Christ. Today Kristen will empower you by sharing some of her personal story and how she found fulfillment in Christ vs something or someone else. Kristen shares about keeping Jesus at the head of your marriage and life.
When you think of the Christmas story and Mary carrying the Son of God, I can’t help but think of how she must have felt. We all have greatness inside of us because we are carrying Jesus. He has given each of us a story and greatness within us. Dream and allow yourself to feel His love and purpose for your life.
This Christmas, run to Jesus! He has come amid the craziness of this world to bring you His peace and joy. He is calling you just like He called the shepherds on that night long ago. Peace be with you, and all glory to God in the highest. (Luke 2:8-20)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins. I hope you are enjoying our walk through the gospels as we focus on putting the four pictures from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John into one comprehensive view.
As I record this, it is Christmas week – the time when we celebrate Jesus’ birth on earth. Jesus, our Holy God, came to earth as a human so that He could die a sinner’s death and give all of humanity the opportunity to step into an eternity with Him. But our most powerful and majestic God also came to earth so that we could individually connect with Him and experience peace in our everyday lives.
Have you ever met someone you deem “important” or “famous”? I have – and no matter how prepared I am – when I meet someone “out of my league,” I often feel a bit tongue-tied, or intimidated. My head swims a bit. Do you know the feeling? Although God is, undoubtedly, in higher standing than anyone we will ever meet, He wants to relate to us on common ground. God never wants us to feel tongue-tied around Him. So Jesus came to earth as a man. He was born in a stable. And He lived a common life. He was the extraordinary amid the ordinary who went to extremes to be relatable. So on Christmas, not only do we celebrate the MAJESTY of God, but we also celebrate His HUMILITY as He descended to earth out of sheer love for us, ushering in peace and joy.
Let’s begin in prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father – today we praise and glorify your name! We know we should do that every day, but today we intentionally remember the birth of Jesus as a helpless baby, praising the fact that you saw fit to come to earth so that you could save us from our sins AND connect with us in such a loving fashion. As we study your Word, God, I ask you to teach us what you want us to know. Guide us in wisdom and joy as we open our hearts to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In today’s scripture, we are going to take a few moments to peer into the lives of the shepherds. These men were perhaps the lowliest of the low. And yet, they were seen by God, who counted them as so important that they were visited by the angels and were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. Let’s read Luke, chapter 2, verse 8-20 from the New Living Translation:
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
One of my favorite Christmas hymns, Silent Night, gives us an idyllic vision of what was happening the night of Jesus’ birth…but it seems from this text that there wasn’t much “silent” about that night.
Let’s start with the stable – the birthing room, as it was. I’ve had three children, and although each birth was beautiful, there simply wasn’t anything silent about the process. I think my husband remembers that more clearly than I do! And let’s not forget that the holy family was sharing their space with a stable full of animals. And I imagine the animals had their own chorus going on.
But maybe it was a silent night in the fields where the shepherds were?...Let’s imagine…
I envision a clear night, with the stars brighter than most of us are used to. After all, there was very little light pollution in those days. But scripture says the shepherds were guarding their flocks…and sheep are very loud animals who only sleep about 4 hours a night. Guarding sheep was a purposeful, 24-hour a day job – so much so that the shepherds had to take turns sleeping and standing guard against thieves and animals. I can picture the shepherds straining to be alert even in the darkness, listening for sounds of intrusion over and above the sound of the sheep.
The truth is that the job of the shepherds was far from glamorous – it was constant and messy, certainly not silent and peaceful. It makes me think of being a parent. I can remember sitting up those late hours with each of my newborns, just praying for a moment of PEACE. You probably know what I’m talking about. It can be hard to push through those nights, knowing in your heart that what you are doing is important, but at times, feeling alone in the struggle…like the whole rest of the world is silent, and somehow you alone are fighting to do your job in your loud and messy corner. Some theologians speculate that these shepherds were tending the sheep that were to be used as a sacrifice for the temple services – now that would have been a stressful job! The perfect lamb had to be carefully protected, raised without blemish. Then that perfect lamb would be sacrificed, allowing the high priest to enter the holy of holies to receive a word from God for the whole nation. No pressure.
And, to top it off, the shepherds themselves were not permitted to attend the temple because, due to their work, they were considered ceremonially unclean. These were honest men working hard in the trenches whose job was SO important, but they were considered lower class in every aspect. They were humble servants.
Sometimes the world seems upside down, doesn’t it? Those who give the most sometimes receive the least recognition. Teachers spend their days shaping the future, pouring into our children, our most precious commodity…and yet their pay is often low and the honor that should be given them is dismissed. Healthcare workers serve long hours, handling messes and dealing with the emotions of patients and their loved ones. The list goes on – social workers, foster parents, firefighters, and police officers—all are humble servants who often work amid chaos, caring for others and putting themselves on the back burner.
But in today’s scripture, we see an example of God’s love and acknowledgment for every person who puts themselves out there in service to another.
The humble servants in Jesus’ day — the shepherds — had no idea as they did their job, valiantly guarding their sheep, that they were about to receive a personal greeting that would blow their socks off. Across the noisy field, a baby was being born who would change the world. That baby, God made flesh, would open the door, tearing the curtain to the holy sanctuary, allowing God’s presence to fill the earth. The God of all majesty and honor had sent His only begotten son Jesus to earth as a helpless baby to be born in a messy, smelly stable. And the shepherds, hard at work in the fields, would be the first to know.
The angels were so excited to share this awesome news! In the book of Hebrews, the angels are called ministering spirits who are sent to care for God’s people. The angels had front row seats to not only the glory of God, which we in our humanity still can not quite comprehend, but also to the fact that God, the divine, the holy, was born among humans, as a human – this was quite the turn of events! This was quite the message – surely sharing this message was one of the angels most important missions ever! And the shepherds, the hardworking yet lowly servants, were the first to be invited to the party.
Imagine the shepherds on that dark, clear night. First, they saw one angel, and then a “vast host” of angels…some versions say a “multitude of angels” – the original word is plethos (PLAY – thahs) – sounds like the English word plethora. – meaning a large or excessive amount of. … all praising God…the angels NEEDED the shepherds to understand the magnitude of what was happening, this was urgent and exciting information. Entire armies of angels filled the sky.
That moment must have been thrilling beyond our imaginations. The glory of the Lord had returned to the earth, and the angels could not contain their joy. Verse 9 says that “the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.”
Of course, this site would have shocked the shepherds – it would shock you and me, that’s for sure!
The first angel said, “Don’t be afraid!” and he explained himself… “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And that wasn’t all…the angel clearly wanted the shepherds to go and see for themselves. He told them WHERE to go and how to find the newborn savior of the world.
And then the singing started! The armies of heaven started praising God. With something so miraculous happening, how could they NOT praise God? They simply weren’t about to miss the JOY and CELEBRATION of Christ’s birth.
The angels sang, GLORY TO GOD, and peace to those with whom God is pleased!
Jesus came to bring us that sometimes seemingly elusive peace! WE, like the shepherds, are meant to experience the peace of God in our daily lives! When we please God, He gives us His peace. So what is it that pleases God? Walking with God and trusting HIS care and protection, even as we care for and protect others, brings us peace beyond all understanding. As children of God, we do not need to fear – because our God is a god of love and protection and wisdom and PEACE. He is holding His umbrella out, waiting for you to take a step under it. Our God is a fierce protector, who, once you take a step toward Him in submission, will never let you go.
The shepherds were initially afraid on that crazy night, but they listened to the good news that the angels brought, and then they ran to Jesus themselves and experienced His peace. Do you remember when you first heard about Jesus and you ran to Him? If you have, you know the peace, the excitement, the joy, that the shepherds knew on that “not so silent” night. If you don’t know God’s peace, if you haven’t yet run to Him…consider this your message…and me your messenger! The Messiah has come! Your salvation is here! You never have to go it alone in this world again! God wants you to come to Him. Run to Him, just like the shepherds did.
Jesus did the hard part. He humbled Himself, stepping down from His throne to become human. In His humanity, not only did Jesus make a way for our salvation, but by becoming one of us, He also opened a path for us to communicate with Him. You never need to be intimidated to go to Jesus. You never need to become tongue-tied around Him. You never need to be afraid. This Christmas, I pray you will run to Jesus, welcome Him into your every day, and experience His peace.
Oh HOLY God! We praise you! Glory to YOU in the highest! We thank you for ushering in peace on earth! Father, I pray for each woman listening that she may experience your peace and joy today. I pray that she will RUN to your side, experience your forgiveness, rest under the umbrella of your love. Father, thank you for sending your son to us, to this very dirty, messy earthy…to save our very dirty, messy lives. We give our lives to you, O God, and ask you to lead us where you will…we will follow. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Please join us for part Two of "The Banner of Sexual Ethics" as Amber Impellizzeri and Ashley Giovannucci from Cross My Heart share about a topic pounding our world today. Is sex before marriage ok in today's world? Is LGBTQ and pornography acceptable and how does our society feed lies to us, contradictory to God's design for our bodies and His intentions to have fulfillment in sex? Find out in today's Podcast
If you feel as though your life is in limbo, it is time to know that in Christ Jesus, you won't fall apart. The little pieces that don't line up with truth will be removed from your soul, to reveal Christ.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s Podcast is titled, “Limbo.”
“I, John, your brother and companion (sharer and participator) with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance [which are] in Jesus Christ, was on the isle called Patmos, [banished] on account of [my witnessing to] the Word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) for Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 1:9 AMPC)
Sometimes we can find ourselves in limbo. Limbo means “a period of awaiting a decision or resolution.” No one knew this better than the apostle John, who was banished to the Isle of Patmos, for preaching the Gospel. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon identifies the Greek word Patmos, means “the place of my killing.” Greek scholar Alexander Cruden states that Patmos means, “I am squeezed to pieces.” This brings light to the scripture of he who throws himself upon the Stone, will be broken to pieces. (Matthew 21:44)
Sometimes we think we have things figured out. We might even believe that we know how God will do things in our life. I learned a long time ago, if I think I know how things will work out, it won’t happen that way. I’m sure John the apostle felt the same way, when he was preaching the Gospel. Although he knew it would cost him his freedom, he truly didn’t know that he would have ended up at Patmos.
If a place is named, “the place of my killing,” or “I am squeezed to pieces,” that pretty much tells me that it’s not on my list for a weekend getaway, much less living out a prison sentence. Patmos is different today, it’s a tourist site with churches erected in honor of John the apostle. However, back in John’s Day, most likely it was as close to the infamous Alcatraz penitentiary.
Imagine how loud the volume of John’s captivity must have been on the Isle of Patmos. Little did he know, is that it would be the birthplace of the book of Revelation. Patmos was the backdrop of one of the most profound books of the Bible, studied by scholars. Had John not been at Patmos, we wouldn’t have the book of Revelation. Part of the requirement for John to receive the writing of the book, was for him to be in tribulation, causing him to throw himself continually upon Christ.
Incredibly, John addresses in Revelation 1:9 that he is a sharer in the tribulations of those who are in Christ. As potent as John’s trial was at Patmos, to consider he would join the other servants of God, who were enduring affliction, blessed my heart. I thought this is a man to whom I can relate.
You and I haven’t gone through anything like John, but we go through other trials, which test our faith. This occurrence in our lives is tribulation, in which God provides grace.
Tribulation comes from the Greek word thlîpsis pronounced thlip'-sis meaning “pressure, afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, and trouble.”[i] This comes from the Greek word thlíbō pronounced thlee'-bo meaning, “to crowd, afflict, narrow, suffer tribulation and trouble.”[ii]
You know the movie scenes of someone sitting in a psychiatrist’s office, how they hold up ink blots and ask them what they see? The whole purpose of asking a patient what they see, is to get an idea of the thoughts in a person’s mind. I continually feel like that with the Word of God. I am the patient in the psychiatrist’s office, with God holding up the Hebrew and Greek words, asking me “Robin what do you see?”
When I saw the first Greek word for tribulation, I couldn’t help but see “the lips is,” I know it should be the lips are, but indulge me. Then, when I saw the primary Greek word from which tribulation comes, I couldn’t help but see “the limbo.” When you feel your life is in limbo, you must be careful what words come out of your lips. The lip is the place that keeps you in limbo. Out of the heart the mouth speaks.
Limbo is also the name of a game in which people use a stick to see how low one can go. It originated out of Trinidad, which means Trinity. People started doing the limbo under the cart shaft, which is a wood shaft that attaches the cart to the horse. I imagine that one day someone looked at the cart shaft long enough, and decided they would make a game of it, saying let’s see who can go under it the best. The limbo is about going low, a place of humility. When we go low, we know the power of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
If you’ve ever read a book, you know whether the author has head knowledge on the subject or wisdom, which is an experience within the body. A saying, “I’ve got the t-shirt and have been there,” is an inference that a person has experienced something in their life. The other day I couldn’t help but laugh, as I taught on “sifting” in the Bible and confessed that if we’re looking at this through the colloquium “I’ve got the t-shirt and been there, then I have an entire wardrobe of t-shirts on sifting.” Tribulation is the place of sifting, getting things in us, those little pieces that don’t need to be there, out of our self-image. This helps us see Christ Jesus in us, the hope of glory.
John the apostle at the Isle of Patmos was able to throw himself onto Christ Jesus, and in this act, although he might have felt he was falling to pieces or having a nervous breakdown, he was falling upon the Rock of his salvation. Little did he know that he would see the King of Glory.
42 “Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed to powder [and It will winnow him, scattering him like dust].” Matthew 21:42-44 AMPC
Jesus is referring to the prophecy of Psalm 118:22, that He would be the Chief Cornerstone on which God’s Kingdom would be built. Cornerstones are the foundation to a building, to which every other stone is aligned. In the ancient days, the instrument used to ensure placement of all the stones in a building, was a plumbline. A plumbline is a string with a weight on the bottom, which makes it easy to place against the cornerstone and line all other stones on top. The Stone represents Jesus Christ, and His righteousness, upon which our faith is built.
Thus, each person who comes into the Kingdom of Heaven, falls upon the Chief Cornerstone. We line up with truth. John was fashioned at the Isle of Patmos to throw himself upon the Rock of his salvation. Instead of falling apart and letting the prison get the best of him, he entered the place of truth, as Jesus called John higher to receive revelation that would change history.
Likewise, tribulations in our own life, open our eyes to the Word of truth, so that our heart and mind line up with what God says. During trials, we might feel like we’re falling apart. When you throw yourself upon Christ Jesus and what the Word says, the little pieces that don’t line up with truth, are taken out of your heart and mind. This leads to greater comprehension of Who Christ Jesus is. He is the Rock on which our faith rests. We can cast all our cares upon Him, and He will direct us through it. We no longer are in limbo, but instead have gone lower still.
As John the Baptist said, “I must decrease, and He must increase.” Our greatest aim in life is to see Christ Jesus in us, which is the ceaseless grace of God given to us daily. In our weakness, going low, God is strong.
[i] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 2347 “tribulation”
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Greek word # 2346 “trouble”
A fool seeks the things of this world rather than a rich relationship with God. Before we decide we are in the clear, let’s ask ourselves some tough questions. Am I really living for God? Am I willing to give my riches for His glory? Join us on this soul-searching study of Luke 12:13-21.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we study scripture together on this, the Wednesday edition of our podcast. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – seeking to see Jesus’ life on earth from all the angles God gives us and learn what He has to teach us today.
If you have been a Christ-follower for a while, I know you can attest WITH me that our learning about God and His Word is unending. The depth of His instruction is profound, and though our minds and spirits are prayerfully growing in Him, we ALL have a long way to go. So if you are new to Bible study and feel like you are “behind” or simply “don’t understand” – please have patience with yourself. None of us have arrived, we are all growing and learning together. No teacher or leader has all the answers – if they say they do, that is a strong indication that you should look to learn from someone else. Only God is the perfect guide – and we are all in this together! All that to say, I’m glad you have joined us on this imperfect journey!
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I encourage you to visit our website, womenworldleaders.com, where the newest edition of Voice of Truth magazine is there for you to enjoy for free digitally! Women World Leaders was started over four years ago, and, as the cover of this month’s magazine states, God is doing a new thing! As we enter 2023, we will have some new offerings for you, including new ways to connect, get involved, and, of course, share the gospel. Besides viewing Voice of Truth online, you can also receive a physical copy of the magazine as long as supplies last by giving a tax-deductible donation to the ministry. Or, to make sure you never miss a single edition, sign up to become a monthly donor, and we will put you on our subscription list.
Let’s dive in, shall we? Today’s scripture comes from the book of Luke, chapter 12, verses 13-21. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we give you this time today and ask you to teach us and guide our thoughts as we study your Word. Father, I ask that you forgive us of any sin, reveal to us how we have disobeyed or come against you, and soften our hearts, enabling us to clearly understand what you want us to know today. We give you this time, for your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we enter into today’s scripture, let’s remember where we are. Luke is piecing together for us Jesus’ and the disciples’ evangelical journey. As they travel, we see Jesus gaining a larger following, more staunch adversaries, and even a certain amount of respect. It was customary for people to approach a rabbi to ask him questions regarding the Mosaic law, and as we enter into today’s scene, we see one crowd-member approach Jesus as the authority.
But this man does not, in essence, ask for wisdom from Jesus. Instead, he tries to coerce Jesus into standing up for him regarding a family dispute.
Let’s begin in Luke, chapter 12 verse 13 from the New Living Translation.
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Already I want to pause and ask – how often do we go to Jesus and, instead of seeking His will and wisdom, tell Him what WE think, need, or desire?
Jesus knows EVERYTHING! He KNOWS what we need, how we operate, what will happen tomorrow, what our reactions will be to each circumstance, and He can untangle any web of personalities and motives in EVERY situation. AND…Jesus loves us more than we can imagine. So what right do WE think we have to tell Him what to do? Oh…He wants us to come to Him with everything —our needs, wants, anger and joy. But if we REALLY trust Him, doesn’t it make more sense for us to come to Him asking for His wisdom and His will to be done in our lives?
Oh…now I realize that this may be hitting on a sore point…one of those areas where we just want to look away. Because we CRAVE control, and we think WE know best. I saw a t-shirt the other day that said, "It's okay if you disagree with me.” And then, in very small type below, it said, “I can’t force you to be right.”
Isn’t that how we think? That we are right, and anyone who thinks differently than we do is wrong? I am checking myself here. Askinig…How often do I go to God in prayer and ask Him to make my situation turn out the way I want it to turn out?
That’s what this man was doing. He didn’t care what Jesus thought. He was, in fact, so self-focused that he assumed from the git-go that he was right. And he just wanted Jesus, the authority, to back him up.
No wonder Jesus answered him with a question! And then went on to teach the man a thing or two.
Verse 14…
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
The man came to Jesus over a financial dispute with his brother. Claiming inheritance was a big issue in Jesus’ day. The firstborn son had more rights and esteem than the other children in any family. So this man was fighting for money, but he was also fighting for his worth in society. On the surface, this is not a wrong thing to be concerned with, but Jesus says Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.
We live in a greedy society. And even though we, as Christians, might stand against greed, it is difficult to guard our hearts completely from greed. It’s Christmas season – the season of giving – but how many times, as we are shopping for others, do we buy for ourselves? The merchants bank on our greed by offering buy one get one free or other promotions. The other day, my daughter called to tell me that one of her favorite stores was offering a promotion. If you spent $150, you would receive a $100 gift card to spend just days before Christmas. My daughter was eager to tell me because she could, effectively, nearly double her gift. While my first thought was – yeah, I can spend $150 on you now and $100 on ME later.
We all have different perspectives. And greed threatens to seep into our souls when we aren’t even looking – Jesus warned about this. And then He gave an illustration…
Verse 16…
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
This is such a short parable that is SO rich with meaning!
The man in the story was wealthy – he had been blessed with a fruitful harvest.
But instead of lifiing his hands in praise to God – for God owns and orchestrates all things – he said to himself – “What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.”
The situation was perplexing to the man. It made him think…but it didn’t make him think of his creator.
Have you ever played the game, what would I do if I won the lottery? Oh, the dreams we can imagine – yachts, beach homes, trips, an endless wardrobe. What WOULD you do if you won the lottery? Perhaps the right answer is: Ask God what I should do with the money.
That thought didn’t cross the man’s mind in the story. Instead, he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
The man was focused on himself. And apparently, he was tired of working, because he wanted to sit back and take it easy. He wanted to eat, drink and be merry.
Let’s look at a life of leisure from a biblical perspective. Does God ever call us to do NOTHING with our lives? Oh, we are to rest, we are to be still and trust God’s provision, but are we ever to do NOTHING?
In Ephesians 4:28, we are told to do something with our own hands SO THAT we may have something to share with others.
Philippians 3:12-14 tells us that we are to press on to attain all that God has set before us.
And Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us that we are to run with perseverance.
It is the devil who wants us to be lazy, to stop achieving, to stop striving to be all that God has called us to be.
And it is also the devil who tempts us with greed, telling us that if we hold everything tightly, we can rest on our laurels and never have to work again.
There is nothing wrong with earning a good living and there is nothing wrong with being responsible with the money we have, including preparing for retirement and helping other family members achieve their dreams. But notice that the man in the story was not merely being responsible – he was heading directly toward lethargy. And he was heading there alone.
Notice, he said… What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, (this man is so alone in life that he calls HIMSELF “Friend”) you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
God did not create us to exist in a vacuum! As Christians, God calls us to community! He calls us to care for each other, to be aware of each other, to reach down and help each other up when we fall. We are the body of Christ – we were never meant to go it alone. Greed is more than hoarding finances. Greed consists of hoarding our gifts, our time, our position, and our power. Greed is an unquenchable thirst, and it guarantees that we will never be satisfied.
In verse 20…God calls the man a fool.
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
The original Greek term used here that is translated as “fool” means that not only was this man stupid, but he was also morally and spiritually deficient. This same word is used in Psalm 14:1, which says, “Only fools say in their hears, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their actions are evil.”
Oh…we struggle with greed. But if we go to God, believing HE is right and seeking His wisdom, He will continually guide us down the path of righteousness. He will continue to enrich our relationship with Him and infuse the spirit of generosity into our very beings.
Learning to know God is a slow process – because His very being is so deep! And learning to be like Him will take us more than a lifetime of steps and missteps. But although the well runs deeper than we can even know, we shouldn’t ever be afraid to dive in!
God, when we go to Him, will sanctify us, cleanse us, and refine us.
Don’t be a fool…instead of greedily holding onto money, power, or fame, let go of all those earthly treasures and ask God what you should do with them. He will use your obedience to lavish on you the riches of a relationship with Him that is greater than any kind of riches the world can ever offer.
Pray with me…
Dear Most Holy God – YOU are the treasure we seek this Christmas season and EVERY season. Father, thank you for the earthly provisions you have given us, but please NEVER let those take the place of you in our lives. Never let us hoard all you have gifted us with. Never let us rest on our laurels. Thank you, Father God, for continuing to guide as we grow closer to you. We seek you, and we humbly request your wisdom in all we do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The topic of pornography and sexual ethics is the subject of today's podcast with Amber Impellizzeri and co-sister/founder, Ashley Giovannucci of Cross My Heart. This dynamic sister team speaks out together addressing the banner of sexual ethics in today's society. Join us for Part I of a two-part podcast with two encouraging sisters in Christ who are passionate about God's GOOD design from sexuality. ** Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And we are so happy that you joined us today whether you are new to the women world leaders podcast, or you have joined us hundreds of times we are so happy you are here and we are praying that today, God will share something with you so special to your heart through our topic and what we are talking about today and it is my pleasure to introduce our guest today. I have Ashley Giovannucci. And her sister Amber Amber Impellizzeri. Welcome, ladies, so happy to have you.
Thank you for having us. We're excited to be here. Yes, we're very, very excited to talk with you today.
We are excited to have you and today is going to be stepping out of the box and being bold and courageous about what we're talking about. Today we are talking about the banner of sexual ethics. So we are excited we are prayed up, we ask God for his content that he wanted us to share. And so we pray that you will be blessed today as you listen in and hear about what God has to say. He says that he is working in you ladies giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. And it is our hope, as we said, by listening in today that God will touch your heart, maybe spark an idea for you to act upon truth and walk it out in your special purpose. And if this podcast impresses in your heart to share it with somebody we ask that you do because there are so many out there that need hope and healing in Jesus. And that's our desire to share with you today. So I want to talk to you a little bit about our guests. They are special sisters that God allowed a divine connection to happen between women world leaders, and these two ladies and their ministry. So with over 10 years of experience teaching sexual ethics, Amber and Ashley co founded a cross my heart ministry in 2010 to help the next generation navigate all the confusing messages about sexuality. They do not shy away from any topic, tackling everything from pornography to abstinence, healthy relationships and same sex attraction. Four years ago, they took their ministry online with a team of other young women who are also passionate about God's good design for sexuality. And together, they've written hundreds of blogs encouraging young women to follow God's ways. Amber is a high school science tutor teaching biology, chemistry and physics. And Ashley is a student at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary earning her master's in Biblical studies. They live in West Michigan with their husbands, and they are busy raising their toddlers and their babies together. They've had the opportunity to speak on the national level and local levels. And they host annual conferences. Last fall, they lamp launched yada yada, which is a podcast, where they get to teach the heart of Christian sexual ethics. Wow, you ladies are busy. And I am proud to serve with you as sisters in Christ. So let's dive right in. And I'm going to ask you both to share a little bit about your story of growing up and we to where God has led you now in Cross your heart ministry. So that's gonna be a lot in a short content. So listen up to how they started, ladies.
Well, growing up in Western Michigan, we grew up in a very conservative, very Christian culture. And a lot of the young women that were our friends that were our age, learning about God's design for sexuality. We're in what was called kind of the purity movement in the 1990s, early 2000s. And there was a lot of good content being taught about, you know, the gift of sex and God's design for a husband and a wife to share sexual intimacy. But oftentimes the message was presented in a way that cast a lot of shame, and that almost made it seemed like if you did all the right things, you'd be rewarded. Yeah. And then it was very much. So a list of do's and don'ts, and kind of missed the heart of why, like it was like to, you know, be able to get married and have sex. And these are all the things you don't do. And if you make it to your wedding night, then you're pure. Yeah. And it just marked miss the heart. And so what we saw was in a lot of, you know, girls our age who are learning these things, they were trying to follow all the right, the right rules, but they didn't have that love for Jesus. And so it created a lot of hypocrisy. And we were just like this, something's missing here. So in high school, I mean, we were I was a high school student, you had just started started college, we said, Okay, let's get together and do a girl's neck just like a fun girls night for the middle school girls at our church have kind of a time where we talk about love and relationships and saving sex for marriage, but cast it under the vision of this, this love for God, and really making him our number one love. And so we did it for the first time. And it was just our hearts passion. I mean, we had the greatest time with these middle school girls, that we started doing it again and again for other churches. And before we knew it, we had done this kind of overnight girls night curriculum, all biblically based for hundreds of girls in the West Michigan area, dozens of churches were getting on board, we were doing these all night retreats, and it was just a great season, that then blossomed into something more. Yeah. Because on one of those retreats, and I'll never forget it, we have these high school, young high school, late middle school girls come forward, really talking about their struggles with pornography. And it kind of turned the direction of our ministry, from just talking about, you know, saving sex for marriage, and the beauty of God's designed for relationships, to having to tackle the hard stuff, the shame, little addiction that exists in our culture, as early as you know, these middle school girls that we were getting to know. And so about three or four years ago, taking our ministry online, forming a larger team and starting to talk about things like pornography, same sex attraction, and really not being afraid to, you know, tackle maybe some of the tougher topics that that this that this generation is facing. Exactly. And we've really kind of seen it evolve in the last 10 years where, like those, those weren't things that we talked about when we first started, not because we were trying to avoid it. But even 10 years ago, it wasn't something that these girls were even really bringing up to talk about. But then eight years, seven years, five years ago, it was like, Okay, wow, yeah, the cult, like, it's changing, the environment out there is changing, and what these girls are being exposed to and taught. And just, especially with social media, we have to start engaging with these topics. And this next generation needs hope more than ever, because we grew up in a generation where, you know, it was maybe still the norm to talk about, like, Oh, you, you know, wait to have sex when you get married, or, you know, you, you know, just things that were more normal today. You know, the statistics show that only 3% of Americans even save sex for marriage. And 25% of all, search engine, you know, people on online searching for things are looking for pornography. So it's just overwhelming statistics that show our our culture, our world at large, need hope that it is possible, to walk in God's ways, even from a really young age. And that's I think, when we say what our story is, we don't have a super exciting, radical story of, you know, this just like crazy testimony of your second generation Christians, our parents are the ones that have the really exciting testimonies. We were blessed to be raised in a in a Christian home. But I think because of that, like it's a it's a rare testimony. It might not be like him, but you said it well. It's rare. It's rare. And it's not because of anything that we were able to do on our own strength. But because of the power of the Holy Spirit working in our hearts and lives a very young at a young age and also in our husbands lives that we can actually say that that's something that we were able to save for marriage. And like, I just it's exciting to be able to share that not so Congratulations, us know, a lot of things. You're weird. People out there that do that. Yeah, I know there's people out there that still do that. And you can, it's okay if you're one of those people and want to be one of those people.
Yes, absolutely, ladies, I just I am so thankful to God, how he had you raised in a Christian home, you're a second generation, daughters of the King. And I am just thrilled to have you on today talking about this topic. And he has, I think fast paced you into where you are today. Because there's so much going on, that you got a lot of training in your upbringing, about biblical truths about the the wisdom that God wants us all to carry. And we can all have that wisdom. If we ask God for it, he's tells us in giant James one, five, if any of us lack wisdom, let us ask God, and he'll give it to us generously. And in just in conversation with you ladies, he has poured out His wisdom on you. And I just so deeply admire that, you know, as you speak, and we're going to do two part podcasts, actually, because these ladies have so much to unpack here. So as you just started to talk about porn and the different wide stretch, technology and social media, porn is so rampant in our society, in our cultures, it is spread rapidly, right? And we have drifted so far from God's design for us. And that's what I'd like you to share about right now is, we have drifted far from God's design, haven't we?
Absolutely. And you know, the thing about pornography, when we're talking to the next generation to really understand that it's formative. And they're being exposed to it at younger and younger ages. I mean, the average age, a person for sees porn is now between eight to 11 years old. And 80% of those kids are stumbling upon it by accident, or someone showing it to them, they're not searching it out, you know, their innocence is being taken from them because of the world in the culture we live in, because of technology, because of social influence. And so they're exposed to something at a very young age that now is shaping their perception of others, and their perception of what a healthy relationship really should be. You know, we talk about dying, God's good design for sex. And pornography is such an assault on that, because it's really damaging to your own body, which Amber's with her science background, I can share all of that information, but it's also damaged the other person's body. Now you might think the other person who's, who's the other person, it's a screen, right? Like, how am I hurting another person? Well, when you start to look into the porn industry, a lot of these performers are really trapped in a cycle that they don't want to be in. And so to have a heart of compassion for the other, and for those performers in this entertainment industry, and realizing those are people with souls and with stories, and we're exploiting them and turning them into objects for our own enjoyment. Pornography really takes the human soul a human being made in the image of God, and turns them into an object to consume. And that is a dangerous way of looking at another person, you know, it's harmful. If someone is even because they consent, someone will say, Oh, they want to do it. They're consenting, they're making money. But just because someone you know, asks to be shot with a gun, would you do it? No, of course not. And just because someone's being asked to be shot with a camera, and a very demeaning, dehumanizing way, should you do it? Absolutely. not. Absolutely not. So it's damaging to the performers, the people in the industry, but it's, it's actually damaging to us as the viewers as well, for kids who are being exposed to these things in early age, it's changing their brains. Yeah, so So pornography actually can change the amount of brain matter. When it's an addictive cycle, it can change actually the the amount of matter that's making up your brain and cause certain parts of your brain to actually degrade when cotton and addictive cycle with it. But sexuality or sex in general, when God designed it, okay, he didn't only design it to utilize reproductive organs. But the brain is actually very, very involved in sex. And there is a wash of different chemicals that come over the brain during that encounter. And there's three key players okay, there's three chemicals oxytocin, dopamine and prolactin, there are other ones involved. Those are kind of the three driving forces and dopamine is, is released many, many times during the day and in our lives. And it's what helps us know that something is enjoyable. It is a part of like a reward circuitry. So when you hear your favorite song of joy, your favorite food, even when you complete like chocolate, that helps you like move towards a goal, like you get a dopamine release. And so it makes sense that this involved it with sex because sex feels good and does something pleasurable. And so dopamine is involved to kind of reinforce that, oh, this is something that we should do, again, because it felt good. And oxytocin is known as the bonding, the bonding chemical. And so it's very important, like with newborn babies, that moms spend that skin to skin time because mom releases oxytocin and baby releases oxytocin, and it's a part of bonding us to another human being. And so it makes sense that that also is released during sex. And then the final one is prolactin. And prolactin actually helps regulate dopamine levels. And it actually builds in the brain alongside oxytocin, and helps down regulate dopamine, so that it's known as the safe sheet satiation part and actually help someone feel satisfied after sex, because it helps bring the dopamine levels down when it's released. And with pornography, because there's not another physical body involved. You don't get that oxytocin release. And prolactin is tied to oxytocin. And so when you don't get that oxytocin release, you don't get that prolactin release, you still get the dopamine release, but the prolactin isn't there. So it doesn't down regulate the dopamine. So you just get this, this feels good, without it coming down properly. But also because that prolactin is associated with satisfaction, somebody gets in this addictive cycle because something feels good. But then they are actually satisfied, they don't have that satisfaction, feeling. And so that, that dopamine just continues to drive, drive them back in it. And it becomes a cycle, an addictive cycle. Because of that, that dopamine not being properly regulated because of the lack of the other two that aren't released properly. And what I love when we look at the brain like this, I think it really speaks to the way God created us in His image that we are created as relational beings, we were never meant to be alone. Sex is not meant to be a solo act. And we can see that as early as the garden right? God wastes no time talking about sex, he created Eve and Adam to be together. In fact, he says it is not good for man to be alone. And when he created Eve, it was this beautiful gift of love and intimacy for Adam and Eve to share with one another because God is relational. And we're relational in his image. And so pornography really shows that when we try to cut ourselves off from the relational aspects that are core to who we are, it damages our brain, it creates this addictive cycles. And we might say here less and be like, okay, yeah, porn is bad, we get it. But how is this influencing the next generation, while parents are very naive about their kids exposure, or risk owed, that 75% of parents said, My kids have never seen porn. When those same kids who were surveyed, over 50% of them have watched porn by choice. Wow. naivety with parents when it comes to this topic, and so much of our ministry is sounding the alarm about just all of these conversations, because parents need to be having the sex talks with their kids, right? Not just one talk. It needs to be something that's in the home, that they're engaging and having conversations about God's good design for sexuality, not that it's, you know, something so bad that we need to avoid sex, but something so good that we want to protect it in the right time for God's design.
Yes. And ladies, I encourage you to just super listen up because I know there's so many listeners that have young children at home and you just said something that was just mind boggling to me about it starting this as early as eight and nine and 10. So, ladies, we need to be aware of what's going on within our homes within our children's lives. So this information, I just felt needed to be shared, like I said, with boldness and courage and God has a better way. He has seen all the different things that are going on in our world today in today's society and statistics on porn and premarital sex even and living together, married, has become the normal and sin has distorted. Unfortunately, what God originally intended. So can you speak more to the women who are feeling that they're dealing with some of these site types of sexual sins right now? You know, they they've seen pornography, they, you know, maybe in premarital situations where they're living with somebody, and they're not married yet. Can you talk about that? And speak to the woman, you know, on sexual sin?
Absolutely. I think what Amber shared about the brain and science can come to sometimes really scared people, they can think, oh, my gosh, I'm an addict. Now my kid's gonna be an addict. It's too late. There's no hope. But we're saying these things shape and form our desires. And that doesn't mean you're hopeless. It means where do you turn for that hope? How are our fears shaped and formed? Where do we go? When we're angry? When we're sad when we're confused? What are we turning to? And this is a great place to invite in the Gospel, because the gospel is the best place to turn not to porn on not to sexual addictions. But where do we go when we maybe feel this hopelessness, and the brain is so fearfully and wonderfully made. And it actually has the ability to learn new paths. So you can have something feels so cemented such an addictive cycle is actually able to wire around those addictive pathways, you can form new habits, you can, you can basically, you can train your brain with the dopamine to human, like intentional, like pursuing after good things, and then being like, Oh, that was a really good choice. That helps me, you know, pursue what I know God has, has for me and almost like, not congratulating yourself in like a prideful way like, oh, yeah, me, but like recognizing, when you take a step towards what God has, and away from what you know, is destructive, you actually can train your brain to release dopamine for those things, and actually help help retrain and rewire. So, you know, being armed with this knowledge that your brain kind of, if you are an addict, addicted cycle is kind of working against you right now can actually empower you to then be like, Okay, let's make it work for me. Let's make it work for me. And knowing how to intentionally pray like God, I know these things have been wired in my brain, you know, help those things on wire? Because ultimately, like you have the power to the healing power to touch my body and help Yes, help, you know, and being able to pray specifically. Yeah,
Amber, I am so glad you just touched on that because I it, I want to share and be transparent here for a minute that in my past, I had struggled with sexual sin. And I felt there was an addiction there, I knew there was an addiction there. And I would cry out to God and cry out to God, but I wasn't ready to make the changes I needed to do. And I love how you just shared about what is important when you are praying to God when you know there's an issue going on in your life. How do you pray because there's a specific way to pray, you know, of course, God hears me cried to him for help. And but if we can be aware of the ways to pray, you know, specifically to combat these addictions that are so, so very strong and praise God, you know, he reached me, he reached right through and he helped me so I will tell you right now that there is hope, because I think there was any hope for me, I would cry and cry, God just take away all my sexual desires. I don't want to do this anymore, because I kept falling and falling. And it wasn't until I took action. And I backed up my faith and my prayers.
I think that that's, you know, humbling yourself recognizing, like, what do I actually have to do to get help? Who do I actually help and be vulnerable with because I think people so much still want to keep something a secret, they don't want to bring out some thrives in the in the dark, it thrives. Don't want to just like do the thing that's unnecessary, because we still want to like try to like have a certain level of control sometimes Right? And, and just being able to just just get it out there and be vulnerable with somebody and you know what you need in order to to move towards God's bestest like you know, the help that you need to ask for and just be willing to ask for it. Humble yourself to ask for it. And I think it's important to recognize that all of us have have bent desires. Yeah, we all have desires for something, you know, sexual stuff might not be something that you personally struggle with that might not be where your desires have been distorted by sin. But we all have distorted desires for something that God says is not good. Right? And that's, that's human. Yeah, that's the fall. We've all had this actually, you know, even in the garden, you know, it wasn't the fact that she looked at the fruit and desired it, it was the fact that she acted on it. She eats. She just looked at it and been like, you know, that's pretty that's, I want it, but I'm going to trust that God knows better. Yep, I'm going to trust that. I'm not going to act on that desire. Yeah. But instead, she did. And that's where that's where sin entered. That's what was wrong. And so to have these desires isn't wrong, but act on our desires, our desire can lead us into sin. Yeah. But it's really comes down to believing like you said that God knows best. Yep, that God knows best and that he wants what is best for us. So you know, this is hard, this is difficult. And like you said, we might not want to bring our sins struggles out into the light, and we might not want to have to deal with them. But it is, it is worth it. Because you are changing the course not only of your life, but future generations. Now we opened by Tony being second generation Christians. That's because we had parents that were willing to break some of those generational sins and generational ties and raised us in a home that we didn't have to unpack that baggage ourselves. They did that hard work. And they were very actually open with us. Yeah. About their struggle, things in their life.
Do you feel Amber and Ashley, like you just touched on that by them being open and transparent? Did that make a significant change? Absolutely. your teenage years.
They talked about their struggles, they talked about their stories, and the topic of sex was something in the home that wasn't just a one time sex talk. But something that was a conversation brought up again and again, in different ways, as we struggled through, you know, just the trials of growing up and home with open communication, where we're talking about God's ways, being the best, believing that God actually does want what's best for us. And ultimately, that God is what's best for us. Whenever we talk about purity, we want to be careful not to fall into the purity culture that we grew up in, that made it seem like the reward for your right behavior was being blessed with a happily ever after. We want to be clear that the true reward for righteousness and pursuing Jesus is just that, Jesus, we get more of God and closeness and intimacy with Him. When we follow His ways. Matthew five eight tells us that's it are the pure in heart for they will see God that you get to God clearly. And what more could you want in your life than to see God and I think, you know, we can, and we will, because like, we're gonna we still have another episode that we're we're gonna be talking about the things that are going on in our world. But at the end of the day, the only like, we can sit and we can talk about same sex attraction, we can talk about transgender identities, we can talk about all this stuff at the end of the day, you know, the all the confusion in the world, it can only be be made sense of with the clarity that God brings to our lives. Yes. Because pursuing God with your whole heart that brings clarity, it brings clarity to the confusion, it brings clarity to the confusion in the world around us and the confusion of our own desires. Yeah, yeah. Because so much of sin is not is not about just doing what's wrong. It's about adoring what's wrong. We need to and we love sin. You know, it's not just wrongdoing. It's wrong and dooring because we use what we love. And so when we fall deeper in love with God, you know, that is what really motivates us to work on some of these things in our life to kind of do the hard work and the humble work of admitting that, hey, I've got a problem and I, I need a Savior. You know, I need what God has. And when we when we grow in that love for our Lord. That's that's what's truly transformative. Wow.
When we commit to Jesus, when we surrender to Him, our thoughts, he knows our thoughts. He knows our desires, just like we were talking about, right. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to thrive in how he designed our bodies and feel good, but there is a plan of execution for that. So ladies, I am just so thrilled that you have come on today. And we have so so much more to dive into in part two, because we are going to get on to some of those touchy things that are going on in our site society right now. Like premarital sex, everybody does it right. Everybody lives with each other in why not? You know, let's just try it before we buy it. Right? And then what about LGBTQ and all the other things, we're gonna get into that in our next week's podcast. So I pray that you guys will join back in with us again, and be part and I want to thank you, Amber and Ashley, for taking your time today to come on and share the nuggets of truth that you did. And in next week, we're gonna unpack even more. So any final words that you'd like to share with the ladies before we close up this week's podcast?
Yeah, I think one of the things one of the things that we bring up a lot at our our route our retreats and our conferences, and kind of ties into what we've been talking about, you know, is that our obedience in regards to our sexuality, whether it's our obedience or our repentance, they both honor God in you been on a path of obedience and you're continuing on a path of obedience out of love for God, no, so not just out of like a fear of Pharisee like list of of doing the right thing but out of the love for God, or whether you you know, that you messed up, but you're truly repentant over it. They both honor God, our sexual jewel repentance, both bring glory to God.
That is so good and so true and so powerful and I am so glad you share that word, Amber. Amen. Amen ladies. So we are going to close for now and remember ladies next week again, Amber and Ashley will both be back sharing with us and we will look forward to that and we want to close out with saying that you are special you are you are God's masterpiece created a new and Christ Jesus to do the very good things he planned for you long ago. Ladies, he has a plan for your life. And it is his design, how he designed you that he wishes you to follow. So we're gonna get into that next week. God bless you all, and thank you for tuning in today to women world leaders podcast. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. Thank you, Ashley and Amber Have a great day and we'll tell you how you can get a hold of them after next week's podcast.
Living surrendered to God's will can be one of the hardest things we do yet one of the most rewarding. When we accept God in our lives and begin learning how to live for Him we learn God's plan is the best, better than anything we could come up with on our own. Even when life's biggest challenges come when we surrender to God, His blessings show up - exceedingly greater than we can ever imagine. Join Rusanne as she shares about being a "Forever Mom" and how we together can share how God can be glorified through it all!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast. So happy you’ve joined us today. My name is Rusanne and I love this ministry and all it represents because it’s all about Jesus. Through our podcasts each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our quarterly magazine – Voice of Truth, our conferences and communication through social media we share the gospel of Jesus Christ and are passionate about helping support men and women to share their testimony to empower others as well as introduce our Saviour to those who don’t know Him yet!
We are approaching the end of 2022. What an exciting time to be alive. I said exciting but this also means it can be a challenging one too! We, globally have many challenges to face. We, at WWL, are passionate and feel called to share the truth and goodness of our loving God. One of our outreaches involves the publishing of books where followers of Christ share their “God stories” reaching people all around the globe, glorifying all God has done in the lives of His people. This is to give hope and encouragement because we know God will continue to do as the Word says in “Ephesians 3:20 (TPT) … to never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination. He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you”
So my friends whatever you are facing, whatever the circumstances you may find yourself in, God is in our midst, in the middle of all our trials, our tribulations, our lives. And it is when we give it all over to Him, surrender it ALL that the greatest human fulfilment can be realised – we live for Him!
Today, I’d like to share with you an excerpt from one of the most recent books published by World Publishing and Productions and WWL, “Surrendered, Yielded with Purpose”.
In today’s world it is very difficult to give up what we want, we desire at times! We live in a place of instant gratification and with most people on the planet engaged in social media and selfies it’s where our self-will and comparisons can take control and overshadow what God may desire for our lives. Anyone who has walked with God for a decent amount of time and truly surrendered their lives would surely proclaim God’s plan is much better than anything they could have come up with on their own.
I hope to share with some of these beautiful stories and powerful teachings from the many amazing collections WWL has published and will publish but today I’d like to share from the chapter I wrote about being what I like to call a “forever Mom”.
What is a forever Mom?
I think most mothers would agree that no matter how old your son or daughter gets, you are still their mom and care so greatly about them and what happens to them! I know I am all grown up and on the other side of the world but as my Mom often reminds me, “it doesn’t matter how old I get she is still concerned about my well-being.
But what I am talking about is when a Mom becomes a full-time carer for their child.
Here is the opening of the chapter, “Footprints Toward Eternity in Surrendered: Yielded To Purpose”:
A MOTHER ON HER KNEES It was a warm summer day in Australia. We had been at the beach soaking up the sun and breathing in the salt air. This was our happy place, a place of freedom. Away from the busyness, away from our day-to-day responsibilities, routines and endless therapy and doctor appointments. A place you could be you, the real you. We were free to walk barefoot in the sand, you following my footprints placing your little feet in the imprints of mine. We watched and listened to the birds, one of your favourite pastimes. I’ve never quite heard someone imitate their sounds so precisely as you do! I wondered what you and those birds spoke about to each other. After our walk, we played in the park. The sun had set and said goodbye to the present day, and the darkness was approaching. You were suddenly on the other side of the road. A large patch of green grass stood in front of me. It was as if the blades of grass were tall soldiers creating a barricade preventing me from reaching you. You looked so little, my son, so far away from me. “Come, Christian, come on! We need to go home now!” I yelled out to my boy. He began to run towards me, crossing the street. From the left side of my vision, something was coming. My eyes darted to the biggest 18-wheeler truck I had ever seen in my life. It came out of nowhere. It was coming down the street at a speed that would surely plough right into my son! I was frozen in the spot my feet stood. My body could not move, yet my insides were screaming, “STOP, STOP, STOP!!” I could do nothing. It all happened so fast! Christian ran. Christian ran right THROUGH that massive truck! He made his way right into my open and waiting arms. I fell to my knees in relief and gratitude to have him safely with me. The driver of the truck, a man in his mid-30s with long dark brown, slightly curled hair, turned his head to look and wink at me with his piercing and captivating eyes as if to say, “I was never going to hit him. I was never going to hurt him.” He quickly tapped his horn twice before moving on out of my sight. I also felt the presence of someone next to me. I could not see him, but the word ‘BIG’ came to my mind. His presence was a comfort as I could feel he was there slightly to my left and behind me. As Christian ran forward and through the massive truck, the man to my left said, “Wow! What a miracle!” He began saying the Lord’s prayer, giving thanks to God, and praising His goodness and mercy. I joined him, reciting the prayer as I held Christian in my arms and fell back to my knees again in worship to the King. Christian had run right into my arms. “Thank , God! Thank you for saving him. My son. My son. Thank You, Jesus!” I had never held my son so tightly before. I did not want to let him go! My phone, vibrating on the nightstand next to me, woke me from my deep sleep. The dream was disrupted. I wanted the dream to continue. Do you know the feeling? When you want to go back to sleep and hit play after pausing a movie that you are totally engrossed in? I wanted to see more. I wanted to see how it all ended. It was like a dream, a nightmare, when my son at two years of age was diagnosed. He is totally dependent on me, but He is my earthly angel that caused me to seek God.
I’d like to invite you to check out this book and others as well as our Voice on Truth magazine which is free to read online or can be ordered with a monthly donation to the ministry. Please visit www.womenworldleaders.com
Women World Leaders is currently praying about and gathering carers from around the world that would like to share their story and glorify how God has comforted and strengthened them in their journeys of caring for a loved one.
There are other books being woven together, where men and women are called to share their story of God’s love and power. We ask you reach out to us if God is speaking to you about this.
During this time of the year, we give thanks for many things. I give thanks that God would allow me to speak into the airwaves to people all around the world about how awesome He is! And He lets me do this from the comfort of my home with my son just in the next room!
In the spirt of Giving, we at WWL would love if you would playfully consider: praying for us at WWL and all God is calling us to do, could God be calling you or someone you know to serve with us?
We love helping people discover their God-given talents and supporting them serve!
Is there a story you want to share?
And would God have you become a monthly donor so we can continue to do His work at such a time as this.
Please reach out to us at www.womenworldleaders, we’d love to hear from you.
Have a blessed end of the year and a very Merry Christmas. Hope to join again with you in the new year.
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
God knows your heart – your true heart. He loves you and longs to rid you of your sin and fill you with His grace and mercy so you can shine for Him. Will you submit to Him today? (Luke 12:1-12)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you as we open scripture and ask God what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I’m glad you have joined us! Women World Leaders is God’s ministry, and the mission He has given us is to help others walk in their God-given purpose as we all lead for Christ. Leadership can be tricky, and our leadership skills are to be honed throughout our lifetime. We are constantly amazed as God continues to bring women to this ministry who are blessed with different skills. Women World Leaders is truly a picture of the body of Christ – none of us can do everything, but together, we are perfectly equipped to empower each other to lead in God’s grace and love and accomplish all that He has ordained. The fact that we are a body means that we are incomplete without you. Will you pray about where He is calling you to jump in? Perhaps it is your mission to join with us in prayer or to grow in leadership by attending our Leadership connect. If God is nudging you, I encourage you to visit womenworldleaders.com to get a better idea of who we are.
Today, on our Wednesday podcast, we are continuing to walk through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in an effort to get a more complete picture of Jesus Christ and His teachings for us. Today’s teaching comes from Luke 12:1-12. If you are somewhere sitting quietly, I encourage you to open your Bible as we study together. Perhaps you want to have a pen handy to jot down thoughts that God might want you to pursue deeper later. But even if you are listening as you are driving, walking, or doing chores, I can’t tell you how much God is smiling at the fact that you are including Him as you go through your day. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Father God, we are in awe that you are with each person listening to this message! Thank you for meeting us each where we are. We know that you have a word for us today, and I ask that our hearts be receptive to hearing your voice. Father, even as I prepare for the honor of reading and expounding on your Word, I ask you to be with me. Guide my thoughts and let my words be pleasing to your ears and be exactly what you would have each listener know from your heart. We thank you and give you all the praise and glory as we begin. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we have been studying, Jesus has been traveling and teaching to the crowds, and his disciples have been following and watching with awe and excitement. Now the disciples were small-town guys, and they were being thrust onto a very public platform. Perhaps you have found yourself in that situation – where suddenly everyone is looking at you. If you are or have ever been in a leadership role, you likely know what I am talking about. I got my masters in Biblical Exposition because I love the Bible. But I am also very much an introvert who is happy sitting at my desk with my dogs by my side. Something funny happens when we start getting noticed. Although we may feel uncomfortable in the limelight, or maybe BECAUSE we feel uncomfortable in the limelight, it is tempting to put forth a “face” that may take off the rough edges of who we are on the inside. Jesus understood this. He understood that the disciples, who had before only watched others in charge, were now being scrutinized because of their close connection with Jesus. And Jesus understood that this “fame” and “recognition” could threaten to plunge them into the sin of hypocrisy – that is, acting like more than they were. And that this hypocrisy could very well lead to pride and be their undoing. So as the crowd presses in, stumbling over each other, Jesus draws his disciples aside and speaks directly to them.
Perhaps this is our first lesson in today’s scripture – When crowds or concerns press in, we should react by spending one-on-one time with Jesus.
Let’s begin reading in Luke, chapter 12, verse 1 from the New Living Translation:
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
The Pharisees were the authorities in the Jewish faith, and yet it is clear that their power had gone to their heads…and more importantly, infected their hearts. They were more concerned with looking like powerful leaders than being true leaders. True leadership can only stem from obedience and submission to God. Always. As we grow in leadership and people begin looking to us, the devil attacks us with a crowbar, looking for any crevice where he can insert self-righteousness and self-doubt and then use it to pry us apart until all kinds of evil can rush in.
Jesus is warning His disciples, preparing them for the day when they WILL take the lead. He teaches that hypocrisy – that is leading out of self-service and self-righteousness while acting the part of doing good for others – infects the leader in the same way that a tiny bit of yeast affects a whole batch of bread.
Further, Jesus teaches that God sees everything – even that which we think is hidden. And what is hidden in our hearts is the core of who we are.
I have often told my children, and I often remind myself, BE who you want to be. No one else holds the keys to what you have in your heart. If you harbor ugliness, and we are all confronted with feeling ugliness from time to time, confess it to God. Ask for His forgiveness and then ask Him to release you from its bondage. Ask Him to replace any sin in your heart with pure love, to erase any pride and replace it with humility. Petition Jesus to help you see others with HIS eyes, to infuse your heart with HIS compassion, to allow you to care about the things HE cares about, and to be who He has called you to be.
It can be tempting to try to “hide” our sins and impure thoughts, but while we may be successful at hiding those from others, we can never hide them from God.
What is it that tempts a leader, or any individual, to proclaim he or she is something they are not or believes something they don’t? One thing is fear. As humans, we fear the reaction and treatment of others. So, Jesus further guides His listeners that the only fear we need to bow to is the fearful respect we should feel for God Himself.
Verse 4…
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to fear.
Only God has the power to decide our eternity. Therefore, God is the one we need to be right with and the one we need to fear when we are not.
And though we should reverently acknowledge God’s wisdom and power, we should also accept His grace and mercy. Because our God, who knows the inner workings of our lives, also loves us so much that His forgiveness, when we are transparent and repentant, covers us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
Verse 6…
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins[b]? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
God loves you! And He will shout it from the mountaintop! God undoubtedly knows you better than anyone else, AND He loves you MORE than anyone else does. Take a moment to bask in that. God knows you better than anyone and He loves you more than anyone else does. I hope that gives you a jolt of joy! And I hope it empowers you to allow the good that He has put in your heart to blossom and shine for all the world to see.
Allowing our radiance to shine for Christ is NEVER bad!
God WILL shout His love for you from the mountaintop – and He wants nothing less in return. He wants us to shout our love for Him right back, for all the world to hear.
Verse 8…
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man[c] will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.
That moment, I guarantee, will be better than ANY recognition or award. …verse 9..
9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Please don’t get hung up on that last verse… Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Let’s take a moment to look at this. The first phrase says Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven. This is HUGE! When we repent, Jesus forgives us of even speaking against Him. That is grace!
But it’s easy to stumble a bit over the second part of verse 10… but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Let me explain…the Holy Spirit’s mission is to reveal God to us. The Holy Spirit alone can bring us to salvation in Christ Jesus, sealing us for an eternity in God’s presence. Our part of the equation is to listen and obediently respond to the Holy Spirit – that is what brings us salvation. The Holy Spirit guides us into repentance and empowers us to claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. But we have to take that step into salvation ourselves. When we don’t, when we refuse to listen to and be infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, God cannot and will not forgive us.
Hear me out. If you have given your life to Jesus, you are absolved of any and all sin. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.
But if you refuse the call of the Holy Spirit and do NOT give your life to Jesus, nothing else can save you. There IS no forgiveness outside of submission to the Holy Spirit.
Followers of Christ do not need to let that verse cause personal fear, although it will likely give you a burden for those around you – and that’s not a bad thing. And if you are listening and are NOT a follower of Christ, I believe that the Holy Spirit is trying to reach you right now. I pray that you will pause and take Him seriously. Hold out your hands to God, repent of your sins, and experience the freedom of salvation. If you would like someone to talk to regarding this decision, please reach out to us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com
Finally, in verses 11 and 12, Jesus tells us that when we ask God to rule in our hearts and then allow His goodness to blossom, we can trust that He will lead us through every circumstance.
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Our God is so good, and He is ever-present. He will never leave us alone or allow us to fumble for words. When we give our lives to Him, we can be sure that He will walk with us through every trial, danger, and even success.
Remember – He knows you better than you know yourself and He loves you more than anyone else will ever love you. He wants to release you from any ugliness in your heart and give you permission to shine boldly on His behalf. And then He wants to celebrate YOU with all the saints and angels.
What an amazing God!! Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! Thank you! Thank you for drawing us to you. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins and guiding us on a path of righteousness for your glory. Father, we give you today. We give you our will and ask you to guide us as we commit to lead and live for you. In Jesus’ name, I pra
Today's guest, Founder of Women World Leaders Kimberly Hobbs, is interviewed by Nancy Sabato, host of The Call podcast series. Kimberly shares her personal and transparent story of walking in sin, to full surrender, to a life of serving the Lord Jesus Christ in a worldwide ministry calling. * Nancy Sabato Kimberly, welcome to the call. Thank you, Nancy,
Kimberly Hobbs It's a pleasure to be here. Hi, everybody,
Nancy Sabato How can you encourage someone who may feel that they have been left behind in their dreams of doing something great for the kingdom of God?
Kimberly Hobbs Well, we all have a story, ladies. And we come from a past. And I just believe that through sharing our stories, through being able to be open and transparent, that God will use those stories for His purpose. And when, when you can open up and share the great and powerful things that God does through your life that in turn inspires others to think that wow, if this person can overcome this, or that, you know, I can do this. And, and it just shows that our Lord is strong, he is powerful, he can do great and mighty things. And we just show them how through sharing our testimony of how we came to know him.
Nancy Sabato And that's where I bring you into this. And so what happened to you that turned you towards a heart for Jesus and transformed your life.
Kimberly Hobbs God gave me a husband at 19 years old, we fell in love. And we had two children, we were going to church faithfully, we became very involved in church and, and we lived a simplistic life. And my dream was coming true. We built a log home out on five acres of land, we just, we just loved it. And our church life was becoming very involved. And because we built this home kind of far out, we decided to take a little break from church, and we are going to stay close to God, how many of us have good intentions, right? Like, we're gonna, oh, you know, I can handle this, I'm just going to stop going to church, and we're strong in the Lord. And we're going to just do our thing for a little while, we're going to focus on getting our house and our land and build a horse barn. And you know, I'm still, you know, searching for those dreams. And so as active as we were in this very small church, did a lot we pulled out, we took that rest period. But that's exactly when the enemy got his hooks in. And everything that was our focus, which was God and family, and church, and we did everything together as a family, and it was innocent. But we allowed outside influences to start coming in. And Romans 612 says, to beware, you know, do not let sin control the way that you live, and don't give in to sinful desires, and don't let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. And unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. And that's the beginning of the tears in my story, is that enticement of sin when we took ourselves out of that connection with God, and we didn't have that covering, you know, just going to church and just having the accountability anymore. We were left to ourselves, we're starting to spread out in our life. And we, my husband, and I became tempted in in sexual ways. And that's where the, the devil got in to destroy that Christian foundation and we had no armor for battle, because we weren't going to church. We are not reading our Bible like we should we just kind of allowed ourselves to get busy with things in the world. And that haunting memories still haunts me to this day, the pain of regret because the devil just slithered his way in. And without God's presence in our life, and just that you constantly had that struggle of temptation, you know, good and evil. We got into an entangled mess, both of us in our sanctified marriage bed became defiled. And we tried to hide from God but we really were already exposed. And it's weird when we tried to hide right, everybody like I think people can relate because you justify what you're doing. You say it's not that bad, and you try to convenience yourself, but really, you're doing wrong. And God says in Psalm 90, verse eight that all of our flaws and faults are in full view to God, everything that we want to hide God searches it out, and he exposes it by the radiance of his face. Well, he knows What we're doing right so here we are in our weakened marriage. And the enemy had a foothold. And in there was darkness all around in my life started growing into a monster of lies, deceit, wickedness. And it became like a sexual addiction. And unfortunately, our 20 year marriage began to crumble. And he went one way I went another we divorced, and all my dreams were shattered, because I truly loved him. We were married for 20 years. So the challenge is facing, you know, that perfect life and that dream were all shattered. And I was crying out to God through that time, because I'm like, God, how did this happen? You know, because everything was so beautiful. My perfect life was going perfectly, you know, until we stepped out of that, again, that covering that community. And it just seemed like God wasn't hearing my cries during that time, because I wasn't happy. I knew I was in sin. And James 22 are James 226 says that faith without works is dead, right? So I can cry out to God, but if I'm not doing anything about it, and I'm living and wallowing in that mire, and dirt and scum, what's God gonna do? That's my choice. That's our choice to stay in sin. And I knew God was there, I cried to him, but I wasn't willing to change. So my tears could have filled up buckets with that addiction of sin that weighed me down, and I cried and cried, and I wanted to be free from that sexual addiction. And I wanted my innocent life back, but it wasn't coming back. And the devil had his hooks so deeply in me. So anybody that battles addiction out there, I know what those hooks are when they get into you, because you you try and try and try and you want to escape, but you're trying on your own. So how do you get away from that, you know that the enemy is powerful, he's powerful, and he's roaming around trying to devour us. So again, I wallowed in that pity of unforeseen misery, because I didn't see it coming at all. And I tried so hard to just hold on to glimpses of my past life, and I wanted it back so bad, I wanted that happy marriage back, but I couldn't stop with that. sexual drive toward other things, now you get a taste of it, and it just wasn't coming back. And it was so intense that pain was so intense that I just wanted to die. Nothing was satisfying. I tried to go to church here and there, and but I still felt the absence of God's presence. And you might be wondering why. And again, it's because my heart wasn't willing to change or give up. I really didn't want to let go. But I kept saying, God, God, I please stop it, you know, like, like, God's the fix, I'll do all. He gives us His Word with all the instruction. But do we really look into that and make a difference with our hearts, so I wasn't willing to change and I wasn't willing to fully surrender to Him. And I wasn't obedient to God. And so the cycle continued, and there was no healing from the sin. And I was deceived one day, that my prayers might have worked. And I use that word deceived, because when you're looking, and the enemy knows you're looking for things to get you out of what you're not happy. And so I'm praying, but remember, I'm not praying the right prayers. I'm just praying, God, stop this pain, God stop all this, but I'm still going and falling back into sin. So feeling my my prayers worked, I met an extremely wealthy man. And he I started confiding in him and talking to him. And once again, the devil lured me in to another lifestyle. And this one was so strong and so intense, and the chains of bondage that had me shackled. I, before I even knew it, you know, it's like, that's how strong the lie is. Right? Nancy? Like, the devil wants us to believe that lie. So he's gonna put whatever he can in front of you to continue the misery but he's gonna mesmerized like he mesmerized me.
Nancy Sabato Yep, he will do if yes, he finds the crack. I tell people this all the time. He finds the crack in your armor, and he knows exactly where to go with it.
Kimberly Hobbs Exactly. And so I was memory mesmerized I was filled with now a complete different stimulation. And this was tantalizing to my eyes every moment my attention was a lord to money and power. Soon I was traveling to places that I only saw in movies i You couldn't even imagine in your wildest dreams. I was traveling the world, money and power places I was meeting movie stars. I was meeting presidents of the United States I met presidents dinner with presidents a breakfast with presidents. This relationship developed with this person. And before I knew it, I moved in with him and I compromised everything that I knew in God's eyes to be true because now I was being taken care of I was treated like a princess. As time progressed, I found myself being fed quantities of earthly abundance. And now it went from the sexual to now the addiction to living this lifestyle, you know that only 1% of the whole world probably gets to live I was driving Ferraris and Bentley's and Rolls Royce and I can choose from general lineup of cars in the garage of whatever car I wanted to drive. It was like I had jewels of every kind diamonds and more diamonds I had a seven carat engagement ring because he said he was going to marry me right? So all these lies, I'm just led to believe the lie and he knew enough and don't get me wrong he I believe he loved me. But the devil was going to continue to make me believe the lies I'm going to marry you here's a seven carat diamond ring you know and my goodness I had my closet was as big as people's houses. And I had every designer outfit in it you know Louie Vuitton purses, Prada, Gucci, you name it. We traveled all over the world, I had it filled. So I had magnificent show horses, you guys like I can't tell you this lifestyle because but this is going to be the power of God when I tell you the clincher. He even brought my family in and bought them everything. So that relieved a lot of my guilt that he was taking care of them too, which again held me captive in this lifestyle. But I was lonely. And the more I was given the more I started to just give to other people I was taking care of completely. So I wanted everybody else to get a taste of what I was living. So I started giving my money to everybody in need. But I still had that emptiness growing inside of me. It was like incredible, having lived through what I lived through. And I was slowly losing my identity, who I was because I belonged to somebody else. And I was so disconnected from God like you can't even imagine that disconnect. And the emptier I watched my life become I again, I just compromised everything and I became silent in this world of just opulence and festivities until one day. It was truly a miracle. Because I knew if this man just accepted Jesus will get married will live happily ever after will have a perfect life and everything's gonna be fine. So there was a church I knew that was going to Israel. And I was asked everybody I knew that was Christian to pray for my fiancee who I was living with, okay, just getting compromised everything. So I'm like, could you pray that God will touch his heart because I know if I asked him to go on this trip, he'll go because we travel everywhere in the world. I never asked him for anything. I'm gonna ask him for this one thing. And of course, he accepted. So everybody was praying for him. And I thought to myself, alright, God, you're gonna do a mighty miracle in this man's in this man's life on this trip. And so we went and as we listened every day to messages on that seven day trip. And I had been to Israel several times before, but it was in a different way. We were you know, we built an underground playground for the kids over on the Gaza Strip and but I had never been on the Christian side of it. And so he did that for me and he took me in I knew something powerful was going to happen on this trip. And I thought he's going to come to know Jesus as a savior. And as we went through message after message, God was convicting my heart. And he wanted my attention. And it was the last night of the trip. And we were in the Garden Tomb. And my fiance, was there for every message, and he gets a call, and he goes and leaves the garden. And now this was God, because God removed him. So I wouldn't sit there and think, Is he getting this? Is he hearing this? Does he understand this? God wanted my attention for that message. And that message was about surrendering your life. And we were going to take communion. And I sat there wrestling with God in that garden, the last day of the trip, because I knew everybody was watching me on that trip. And like, Who are these people that are on this trip with us? And I thought, I can't take communion God because I know what that meant. If I took communion unworthy, and I hadn't confess my sins, and what is confession mean? That we're going to turn 100%? And go the other way, right? That REPENT OF HEART, if I didn't do that, and I took that communion unworthily, what does the Bible say about all the plagues, all the damnation that's gonna come to you cannot do that. And so I had this wrestling match with God like, and God says in Psalm 37, seven, to quiet your heart, in His presence, and pray, keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And I heard God speaking to me, and he asked, Do you love me? And do you trust me. And I sat there, as the communion was going around, and I was the last one in that circle of 30 people to take communion. And it seemed like forever for it to get to me. And God said, I needed to walk away from this lifestyle and repent of all of it everything. Because my entire path needed to be confessed right now in that moment, and God said, I want your heart back. But I want all of it. And I heard his voice really clear. And I was trembling with fear, because I knew whose voice I heard. And I was faced with a choice to make. Could I surrender everything to Jesus? Where are you right now in your life? Can you surrender everything in this moment to Jesus and walk away from the sin that may be consuming you right now you have a choice to make? God's not going to make that for you. He gives us the choice. So where are you we're setting in to me right now. Because how could I do this? How can I walk away this man took care of everything, and I had everything in the world. And Philippians four, six tells us Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything and tell God what you need. I needed out of this life of disobedience. So simply put,
Kimberly Hobbs I surrendered it all to Jesus at that moment, and I trusted him inside that Garden Tomb that night. And I knew that God heard me. And I told him, I was sorry for everything. And I said, God, I don't know how I'm going to go forward, and I'm gonna trust you. And I know you have a purpose for my life. I don't know what it is. And I don't know how I'm gonna get out of this. But please, God, will you forgive me, and gives me a chance to go forward, I'm just going to trust you. And that's what we have to do people, we have to trust him completely surrender it all. Put yourself on the altar and give it all to Jesus. First, John one nine says that if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And I just knew that's what I had to do. And I did it. And God forgave me. And so I had to put action on my prayer, right? We have to put action on what we say we're going to do. So Psalm 86, seven says, I'll call out to you whenever I'm in trouble. And you will answer me he's going to answer you people just like He answered me. I called out to him in that moment. I didn't know where I was going to go. I didn't know where I was going to live. I let go of everything in my life to be calm the puppet of this man, and I had no voice, but God knew. And so I needed to trust. And God says in Psalm 138, three, as soon as I pray you answer him He, you encouraged me by giving me strength. That is such a powerful verse. And God strengthened me in that moment. And I began to pray fervently. And this prayer brought healing that I started out with, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, so I had to do both of those right, I had to seek God's face, and that garden, and I had to say, Yes, God, I'm going to turn from my wicked ways. Then he said, he would hear from heaven, and he would forgive my sins, and he was going to bring healing. And he did. So now focusing on God in His Kingdom, I had to make a change. And I had to serve Him with purpose and a plan and obedience. And God says, then you will call on me and I will come and pray, you will come and pray with me and I will listen to you. So God heard my heart that I wanted to serve Him, that I wanted to do something for him, I wanted to start my life over and be obedient to Him, in a way of service to my king. So it wasn't easy, because I had to tell somebody that I loved and that loved me and gave me a life I could only dream of he didn't do anything wrong. He didn't understand it. But I had to say, I need to go and I needed to go serve the Lord. And I need, I can't live with you anymore. I'm living in sin. And that says He will guide us, He will. So when you let go of that he's going to guide you, he's going to give you help. It wasn't easy. I'm not gonna say it was easy. It was I wanting to fall back and run back to that life of luxury that I live, you bet I was. And it was constant that I needed to rely on God. So what God told me to do was to leave Ohio, I was born and raised 45 years of my life up there. But that's where everything I knew was there. So I had to make a change. So if you're addicted to something, and you're going through something, you have to make that change, so that you're not putting yourself in that temptation over and over. So I had to get away from everything I knew. God led me to Florida. And that's where I heard his voice that he called me to write and share his story. And how important it is to start sharing our story because there is healing through it. I didn't know there was going to be healing through writing. So I left it all I came down to Florida. And I got this one bedroom, dilapidated old condo, it was my detox place, because I had to start stripping off all of the all of the stuff that I was clinging to, that I thought was my new identity. And that's not what my identity was. I knew my identity was now in Jesus and him alone. And so I had to have a completely different look of how I was living, not that I was punishing myself. Because at first when I got this little condo, and it was like from the 1950s. And everything was old in it. And I was like how am I doing? I went from a house servants and laying on iron sheets every night. No, I'm in this, this, this one bedroom place and but there is where God healed my heart. And as I started writing, my purpose started coming out. And I found so much healing and writing in writing out my story. And I encourage you, if you're listening, write your story. Talk about your story, share your story, and people will encourage you as they hear it. And Psalm 191 69 says, Oh Lord, listen to my cry. Give me the discerning mind that you promised. And during writing, I would ask him all the time, God, what do you want me to write? How do I write this? I have to be transparent for you. And so I opened the Bible one day to begin my writing and I seriously closed my eyes. I asked God, God, give me a verse that you want me to start over with that will become my life first. I had never done that before. And I closed my eyes. I opened the Bible. I was in Orlando, Florida, sitting in somebody's backyard and I looked open, I opened my eyes and it was Ephesians 320, which says unto him, who's able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine according to the power that's at work within us I circled words on that scripture in my Bible. I had never seen that verse before. This was 1214 years ago, never saw that verse before. And I kept circling words, God, what is this verse mean? So for two hours, I sat there, and that verse has now become my life verse. It's our verse for women, world leaders, the ministry I'm in. Because God said He was going to do it, he was going to do exceedingly, abundantly above what I can imagine, not by what I was doing, but by what he was going to do the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit working within me, and he will do that for you, too. It's not going to be you. It's going to be him working through you, but only when you give him that permission by full surrender. And so as I communicated with Him through prayer, morning, noon, and night for four years, four years, and I was lonely, I wanted a man in my life, I pray God, I want a man in my life. I was, I wanted to go out with friends, but I knew I had to just seclude myself with God. And I'm not saying everybody could do this, your story might be different. But that's what it took for me to get in the Word, to write my story to understand what God was speaking into my heart, all the lonely days that I would cry out to God. He was doing a new work in me and he was preparing me for that man I prayed for that I could serve and travel the world with that I could do things of God. I wanted to do all those things I was doing before that I felt so empty with because I wasn't with a believer. I wasn't with the man that God wanted me to be with. But I had known in my heart he was going to provide that if I just stayed the course and stayed obedient to Him. So fight, people fight with all you can to fight that enemy in the lies that he puts in your head and you look to God every day, morning, noon, and night, Pray be in the Word. I can't. I just can't express that enough because that is what changed my life. God brought into my life, the man of my dreams, we now serve the Lord together. He's in his ministry unite and men of honor. God brought to me a vision of just there's so many women in this world that are broken and hurting, like I was an empty and messed up in their life, and they carry the shame and the guilt and they can't release it. But God, and so I had a passion to start a ministry to help women, empower them, encourage them with my story. And that's how women world leaders started. So it took time. I'm not gonna say it happens overnight. But Isaiah 6524 This vs. Awesome. God says I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs. I will go ahead and answer their prayers. Isn't a beautiful Nancy like that?
Nancy Sabato Yes. He always goes before us. Well, since we're talking about women's world leaders, talk about that. What are you doing there? And you have the podcast talk about that a little as well.
Kimberly Hobbs So Women World Leaders is a group of women that have God has joined us together from around the world we connect on Facebook or through women world leaders.com You can find us on Facebook at women world leaders. But what we do is we provide ways for women to connect from wherever you are. We have opportunity for you to serve God with us. What are your gifts, what are your talents, we want to hear about them? We have different ways of serving which is we allow you to write your stories. We do books we do a magazine called voice of truth that comes out and it goes around the world. We are digitally in 70 countries we are nationally in the printed version. Our books have all gone to number one best seller and you can share your story by writing we come alongside of you and help you do that. We have podcasts where God has called us to do I do empowering lives with purpose every Monday and share women around the world their stories, their god stories, how God is moving because other women need to hear that. And then we have teaching podcasts on Wednesday where my co partner Julie Jenkins, in the ministry she's a teacher And she teaches through the word walking through the Word. And so then Fridays we have celebrating God's grace. And different women in the ministry give you just that inspiration that go into the weekend. And it's just tools, people, it's just tools to stay connected. Stay engaged. We have zoom meetings for leadership Connect. We have prayer groups, where we have 50, prayer warriors on a group knew that pray over the ministry, if you love to pray, come on board with us. And we'll put you in our prayer group. We need people that pray for our world, right? Yes, but we just do so much. And I just I love just working and sharing with women and meeting new women. And you can reach out to me at Kimberly, at women, world leaders with an s.com. And just send me an email and say, I want to connect with you. I want to talk to you and I would love, love, love to connect with you. Yes, actually, all of all of our books are on women world leaders.com, you can go to the shop. Thank you so much. And they are available on Amazon. So we have about eight books out right now. So one of the things the ministry is doing is this amazing magazine that goes out worldwide, digitally in 70 countries. It's called voice of truth. And it goes out to the US in printed version. And you can go to our website, women, world leaders, and you can look on the website and read it all the past editions are up, but look at how beautiful like it is full color, All scripture and different things in here to bless women. And it's just amazing. There's no advertising or anything. God provided this amazing coffee table quality magazine. And it's just beautiful. So yes, please go to women world leaders.com. And you can read it online. And if you like it, then you can request your copy in the mail. If you're in the United States.
Nancy Sabato Wonderful. And what would you like to leave the audience with today.
Kimberly Hobbs And the enemy is going to keep you as far from the Lord as He can because he knows that God has a great and mighty purpose for your life. And please follow after God get in His Word, pray, surrender, whatever it is in your life that is holding you captive. surrender that to God and allow him to take over in your life and know that he's going to do what you ask. He's not. He is a respectful guy, but he's not going to interfere where he's not welcome. So ask him in. surrender your life to him completely. And then seek Him with all your heart. Every every day in Scripture is a must walk with Him in prayer and communication. Let him be your best friend. Morning, noon, and night. That's how much you need him not just once a week when something happens. You need Him every day, every hour. So I just encourage you to seek Him with all your heart and He says he will be found.
Nancy Sabato I pray this program has strengthened and encouraged you. And in James 2:5 he says, Listen, my dear brothers and sisters, has God not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world. To be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him. You've been chosen for greatness. Pray for God to open your mind to all the great possibilities because God speaks to you every day. Are you listening to the call?
Kelly Williams Hale is our host today on Celebrating God’s Grace and shares three powerful tips on how we can navigate the pressures of the holidays and still stay focused on the reason for the season: King Jesus.
For many, Christmas time is difficult. Whether we’ve lost a loved one or are feeling overwhelmed, peace – that surpasses understanding – is always available (Philippians 4:6).
Let us be a beacon of light! It really does make a difference to other people.
We can all be beautiful examples of Jesus.
Today's episode is about healing and the holidays.
We just celebrated Thanksgiving.
And I hope each one of you enjoyed a wonderful day of Thanksgiving this year.
Thanking God for all the things he’s blessed you with, and all the things we’re so grateful for.
Counting our blessings is so important to do - not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.
And so, as we head into the Christmas season, I want to talk about all the responsibilities, all the things that are going to be happening, and all the things that you have to do.
The message today is going to be around our journey, growing, becoming all that God has planned for us.
It can be defined as a healing journey… inner healing and really becoming the best version of ourselves, acknowledging the gift that we are - that God created us to be.
And on that journey of healing and growing and really diving into God's word and believing who he says we are, the holidays can bring up a lot of struggles – in terms of our emotions, our feelings. With relationships and the people in our life.
Many of us have a to do list a mile long, wrapping presents, decorating the house, entertaining or being invited to other events and gatherings.
So today I'm going to share three tips on how to navigate that, while taking care of yourself.
This time of year can bring up feelings of overwhelm - with all the pressures, and we can lose sight of the reason for the season, which is Jesus, and celebrating his birth. And all that that means…
Our salvation as women of faith, and the promises that God gives us in the Bible.
The scripture I'd like to start with is:
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
And I can tell you during this holiday season, we can definitely feel anxious.
You might want to write this verse down, keep it by your refrigerator, and when you're feeling overwhelmed with all the things, remind yourself that Jesus is with you.
And he cares about you.
My first tip for healing and the holidays is to remember to take care of yourself.
And what that means is really protect your energy, so that you can truly enjoy this season, you can enjoy your family, you can enjoy all the nuances and all the opportunities to celebrate Jesus.
When we don't take care of ourselves, we can get overwhelmed, we may say yes to things we don’t really want to do – and then beat ourselves up… Or we can feel guilty if we say no.
I want to give you permission to take care of yourself - and that it's okay to say no.
We need to evaluate our priorities. Our emotions can get the best of us during the holidays –
We just want everyone to be happy!
We don’t want to hurt anybody's feelings by saying no.
I remember a Bible Study I did years ago about Mary and Martha.
Remember Martha got so mad because she was in the kitchen doing all the cooking, etc – and Mary was hanging out with Jesus.
Who did Jesus say was focused on the right thing?
Mary
It was during this time of this Bible Study that I found myself saying yes to all the requests. Particularly around church needs.
But I was reminded that when I always say, I am keeping a blessing from someone else.
Just imagine when you somebody ask you for help. Doesn’t it feel good to help out?
I actually get upset with friends if they don’t ask for help and they’ve ended up stressed and wore out.
Women want to help.
Part of taking care of ourselves is asking for help if we need it. Consider this another permission slip to do so!
And so, taking care of ourselves may mean saying no or asking for help.
And honestly, when you get overwhelmed, start to feel frustrated or stressed, just take a deep breath.
I encourage you to stop for a moment and take a deep breath when everything seems to be piling up and time is getting shorter and now it’s Christmas Eve and you still haven't shopped for your husband.
Take a moment to pray, breathe and center yourself.
And again, Cast your cares on God. Because God is the keeper of time.
I can’t tell you how many times I was frazzled, running late or overwhelmed – I took a moment to just to pray and breathe, there was always enough time.
It's almost as if God adds an extra 10 minutes to our 24-hour day!
Tip number two is to be mindful of your reactions.
And what I mean by that is when you're with your family, we can get caught up in different scenarios, different situations, different conversations where, you know, there's nobody like our family that knows what buttons to push.
And so being mindful of our reactions is just understanding what triggers us. What triggers our emotions.
Like, if Uncle Joe always teases you about, you know, the turkeys dry, or the mashed potatoes are lumpy or whatever, just recognize that you can control your reaction to him, we can control our reactions to the people in our life.
When we get caught up in emotional conversations - for example, politics always seems to come up at family gatherings… And if we know we can lose our cool around a particular topic, we need to be aware and also prepared with our responses.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
So tip 2 is to understand that if you're triggered by certain things, be mindful of your response.
We should also take into consideration who the comment is coming from.
For example, my response or reaction to something my mom says will be different than my brothers.
We can then understand and frame our response based on who that person is.
It might be safe and appropriate to say, “that hurt my feelings.”
Or it might be more appropriate just to say, “oh, please excuse me, I've got to step out for a minute.”
I believe all of us know that certain people and certain situations will push our buttons and so being mindful of our reactions will be helpful as we navigate the holidays and holding onto our peace.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Finally, tip number three is really about expectations.
Setting expectations for yourself and lowering expectations of others.
Determine up front what you're willing to participate in.
Now is the time to determine your schedule and what you're available for.
So that when your husband says, let's go look at Christmas lights tonight, but you've already committed to baking pies for your ladies’ group… you'll be able to say honey, let’s go look at the Christmas lights tomorrow night, because I've got to make these pies.
Setting expectations up front – so it won’t feel bad – for you and for others - when you have to say, “no, I’m sorry, I can’t…”
And then also, remember that other people are not always going to do the things that we want them to do. Or do things the way we do them.
So when I say lower your expectations of others, it will help your nervous system, when someone drops the ball or doesn’t follow through.
When we have expectations of others - and they don't meet those expectations – that can create anxious feelings as well during the holidays.
We expect Aunt Susie to bring the green bean casserole, but she totally forgot.
There’s less disappointment and more grace when we allow others to be human.
We all forget things sometimes!
We all want to have a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, love and peace. And I believe it is possible!
Let us all remember to share a kind word when we’re out and about - shopping at the grocery store, picking up presents, or even at home, wishing the Amazon delivery person a wonderful, blessed day!
So many people are hurting this holiday season, whether they've lost someone or they're feeling overwhelmed with all the things… we as believers can be a beacon of light, it really does make a difference to other people.
And so, I just want to leave you with this final scripture, John 14, verse 27, that says,
Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So, over the next few weeks, I encourage you all to take care of yourself and remember this is a time to celebrate Jesus’ birth. You get to love your family and love the people in your life.
We can all be a beautiful example of Jesus.
Jesus boldly warns us – but will we listen? We pray that this introspective look at Luke 11:37-54 will help you grow as God has ordained.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and we are honored that you have joined us today.
We are excited that this ministry continues to grow! Besides our podcasts, which come to you each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we have many other offerings that you can learn all about on our website, womenworldleaders.com. For example, in the coming weeks, our tenth edition of Voice of Truth will be mailed to our regular monthly donors, and the digital version will be made available to anyone via our website. We have also recently released two new books that are perfect for gifting this holiday season. And we continue to gather several times a month on Zoom and several times a year in person. In fact, tickets for our next in-person event to be held in South Florida on March 11, will be available as of January 1st.
But here at Women World Leaders, WHAT we do is not as important as WHY we do it. Our goal as a ministry is first and foremost to follow God in obedience. This is HIS ministry, and we are simply walking out His plan. And the plan He has shared with us is to offer a place of community and support as we empower each other to walk in our individual God-given purposes.
As a student of the Bible, I am passionate about learning from God by going to His Word. That is why we invite you to enter into a study of His Word as we unpack scripture each Wednesday on this podcast. We are currently walking through the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The verses we are studying today come from Luke 11:37-54. But please, if God is calling you to wider study, don’t feel like you have to stop with this episode. God led us to begin this podcast over 2 years ago. We are currently on episode 362, so there are 361 previous episodes that God just might be calling you to listen to today.
Before we jump into today’s study, let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
Dear Most Holy God – we give you this time as we seek to quiet our minds and hear directly from you. We know that you have provided us with your Word, and you offer us your individualized teaching every day. Father, we ask for your wisdom – that you would unstop our ears, move aside our pride and the noise of this world, and allow us to hear you clearly. Anoint the words of my mouth, that what I teach in the coming minutes would be pleasing to you. As we open the Bible, God, praise and glorify you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Although we are attempting to walk through the gospels chronologically, combining the four books by four different human authors is not an exact science. Most recently, we have been learning primarily from the book of Luke, and we are going to continue that today as we step into chapter 11, verses 37-54, but if you are following closely from one Wednesday to the next, you might notice that we are skipping a couple of chapters. The reason is that those chapters contain teachings we have studied in previous podcasts. So to catch you up on Luke’s timeline, Jesus has recently been teaching the disciples through word and action, and, in doing so, He has healed a mute, drawn larger crowds, and taught what it is to be the light. Many people were learning and growing. And others were at least hearing – but it seems they weren’t responding to Jesus – a fact that Jesus was keenly aware of. A fact that, as we will see, He doesn’t let slide by. Jesus loves us too much to allow us to operate in wrong thinking. He will bluntly and honestly tell us where our thinking is wrong – but it is up to us whether or not we choose to listen.
Let’s begin with chapter 11, verse 37 in the New Living Translation…
37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.[a] 38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.
The handwashing in this case had little to do with hygiene, but more to do with ceremonial cleansing. In the Old Testament Law, the priests were given explicit instructions on how to wash in a ceremonial fashion before receiving a sacrifice. Over the years, this teaching had been expanded to include washing ceremonially before EVERY meal to guard against being spiritually unclean, AND it had also been expanded to the belief that this cleansing had to be followed by EVERY Jew.
This was just one small example of the man-made laws that the Pharisees had instituted in every area of life. Though the Pharisees were a relatively small group, they were strict and they were revered.
But, as we will recognize, Jesus was spotlighting that there can be an extreme difference between what GOD asks of us and what religious authorities claim is necessary for us to be worthy followers of God.
So we see Jesus break tradition and sit down at the table without cleansing His hands in a ceremonial fashion.
I like to think of this as a visual parable. As His onlookers reacted with amazement, Jesus took the opportunity to teach. Verse 39...
39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
Jesus was calling out the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They were more concerned with the ceremony than with the heart. But before we sit back and become spectators to Jesus’ words to the sin-ridden Pharisees, we must remember that the Bible was written for US. Today. So as we read, we each need to ask ourselves the question, what is God saying to ME through this?
Neither society nor humanity has changed much since Luke wrote these words. We are still prideful people who like to think that WE have it all together and are here to teach OTHERS. But the reality is, we are ALL sinful and have a LONG way to go before we are the people that God wants us to be – a perfect reflection of Him and His character.
This passage is FULL of warnings for you and me. Jesus warned the Pharisees of their shortcomings, and He warns us as well.
The Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner – we don’t know their motive – but I’m willing to bet they didn’t expect a lashing. We, through our prayer earlier, invited Jesus into THIS teaching. Maybe YOU didn’t expect a lashing, but God will always tell us like it is. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Yesterday…I got a ticket while driving. I turned through a stoplight onto an onramp of a highway and immediately noticed that the whole highway was at a complete standstill. So I stopped my car. No one else turned behind me, and nobody was moving in front of me. I thought…I can just back up 100 yards and continue on my way, or I can sit in traffic for an hour. I thought about it, and I slowly started to back up. Then, from in front of me, I saw blue and red lights and paused as a police car emerged from the standstill in front of me and whipped around behind me. And I got a ticket for driving backward on a highway.
As the police officer handed me the ticket…all I could think was, he’s right. I was in the wrong. The situation was frustrating, and there were a million, yeah buts, running through my mind. But he was right. I was wrong. And he was protecting me and those around me by making me aware of what could have been a deadly situation. I had to swallow my pride.
Sometimes, opening the Bible requires us to swallow our pride. God is ALWAYS right. And He will always guide us the right way. But it is up to us to listen – and learn. And NOT make excuses.
If the Pharisees had examined themselves AND the scripture they knew by heart, they would have recognized that the external righteousness they claimed was not pure rightness with God.
So as I read, I ask myself…Am I externally righteous, putting on a good “Christian-face” while neglecting to consider and cleanse the thoughts in my head and the wrong leanings of my heart?
Jesus continues to unapologetically give warnings …verse 42
42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[b] but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
God calls for tithing. And the Pharisees were SO CAREFUL to tithe even their herbs. That is, ANYTHING that anyone else could see or measure, they were faithful to. But they were NOT faithful to justice and love. AND, Jesus warns, justice and love outweigh ritual.
So I ask myself…Do I carefully follow the teachings and rituals of the church but fail to seek individual guidance from God and respond to others in His love?
Verse 43…
43 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces. 44 Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.”
An encounter with a grave was considered to make a person spiritually unclean. Jesus is warning that by hiding our own spiritual sin, we can inadvertently corrupt others.
Do I crave a high place in society and sell my soul to get there? Years ago, I LONGED to serve God in a leadership role, but nothing I put my own hands to succeeded. I remember finally giving up one day, and saying “God…I will serve you WHEREVER you want. I will clean toilets for you if that’s what you have for me.” I was craving a high place in service to Him, but God just wanted me to serve with my heart.
Finally, a scribe spoke up, taking offense at Jesus’ words…verse 45…
45 “Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.”
46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.
Do I, as a Christian, judge other Christians, rather than helping them grow in Christ?
Jesus continues…Verse 47…
47 What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. 48 But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments! 49 This is what God in his wisdom said about you:[c] ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.’
50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world— 51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
When we turn our backs on the salvation offered by Jesus Christ through His forgiveness of our sins, we are held responsible for the collective sins of the world. This is a warning. There are no…yeah, buts… We either accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness or we will be separated from God for eternity.
Have I accepted Jesus’ forgiveness? Do I ask Him every day to lead me and do I strive to follow His instructions obediently?
Verse 52…
52 “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.”
Am I leading others to salvation by teaching that a relationship with Jesus is His call for each of us? Am I modeling being a child of Christ so that others will be drawn to Him?
Verse 53…
53 As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions. 54 They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.
The teachers and the Pharisees heard, but they didn’t listen. They didn’t recognize Jesus’ warnings He offered in love… instead they said … yeah, but …
This is a clear sign of pride and immaturity.
We’ve all had encounters with teenagers who think they can do no wrong and have all the answers. If we are honest, we can all say that we’ve BEEN that teenager.
Are you still in that frame of mind?
Have you grown?
Are you willing to heed Jesus’ warning, and take His teaching to heart?
We serve a gentle and perfect God, who reaches out to guide us and lead us each and every day.
Are my eyes open so that I can follow Him? Is my spirit teachable, willing to put myself aside? Am I willing to examine scripture MYSELF and go to God in prayer one-on-one so that I can hear exactly where He wants me to stand on issues? Am I willing to put LOVE for others over the judgment of their shortcomings?
Jesus’ warnings are written clearly for us to see. And He is always wiling to help us decipher anything we don’t understand. But we have to be willing to set ourselves and our objections aside and say – You’re right, God. I trust you.
Let’s pray.
Dear Most Heavenly Father – you are so gracious to us. You guide us and warn us in order to keep us safe and keep us in your presence. Father, I pray that we would each take this teaching with us through today, that our ears would be open to the sound of your voice, and that we will always be willing to put ourselves aside and proclaim that you alone are righteous. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Dr. Marina Hofman is a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic, author of an award-winning book, Women In the Bible, and she navigates today's challenging times as a leader with strength, character, and courage. In today's podcast, Marina shares her miracle message of survival and overcoming debilitating anxieties into a life of serving God. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with [urpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And today I'm so blessed to have our guest with us Dr. Marina Hoffman. Welcome, Marina.
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Oh, Kimberly, it's so great to be with you today and our friends around the world listening and being encouraged in the Lord.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. We're in for a wonderful day, a wonderful afternoon and can't wait to talk to you and let the ladies get to know you further and hear about your story. So ladies, this podcast is for you. And we are here to encourage you and inspire you to walk closer with Jesus. That's what we're all about it women world leaders is just a closer walk with our Savior and King. And there are so many ways just to encourage and strengthen the body of Christ together. And one of them is by sharing our stories and our personal accounts of what we've been through our walks. And many of us have had tumultuous walks, some of us have had a little bit easier walks, but when we share them and share how God moved in our life, through our walks, and storms and trials, and sometimes blessings and wonderful ways to we just see how God moves. And some of us can relate to each other and therefore be encouraged, inspired, have hope. And that's our purpose. So that's what we want to bring to you today. So God is working in you ladies giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. And we just believe that each of us have a purpose. And God is going to lead you to that purpose because he's given you gifts and talents and the power to do what he's equip you to do and his name. So let me tell you a little bit about Dr. Marina Hoffman. She has her PhD and she's a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She is the author of the award winning book, women in the Bible. And we'll talk about more about that later in the podcast. But it's a small group Bible study that she's put together and in beautiful Marina thank you for doing God's work in that way. Marina illuminates the leadership, strength and character and courage of women in the Bible to bring an inspirational message of hope and encouragement to all of us who must navigate today's challenges and uncertain times, right? Because we are all walking through some uncertain times in this world. And today's message is a story is a powerful story. It's a god miracle in marinas life. And we titled this today trust because I asked Marina, what is that word that you can equate to your story and she said trust. So it's trust and from suffering to surrender. So Marina, as we start in to your story, you survived. You are a survivor. So can you tell us and share about what God's miracle was in your life through what happened? In this story you're about to share?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Yes, you know, Kimberly, before it happened, things were going quite well in my life. I had been in school for forever. I finally graduated in September, I got in at Christmas time. I got a job over January. So I was very excited to start work in the fall. And just things were so filled with hope. And I thought, wow, I've spent my whole life in school. Finally, I'm getting out. And I can do something to honor God and to serve others. Well, would you believe we're coming home from a trip up north in the middle of February, and very suddenly, out of nowhere, the car coming toward us? His head drops, and the car plows right toward us. And the setting Kimberley is the word driving about 65 miles an hour. He's driving 60 miles an hour, and the highway is under construction. So it narrows down to one lane and there was nothing Kimberly but a few inches between us. So there was really no options. Everything happened in a split second. And Kimberly I would love to share that my life paths before me but it didn't. I simply thought Oh, I'm dead and I thought that was the end of my story. Thankfully, my husband is a much quicker thinker than I am He responded marvelously. He controlled the car as best he could. And Kimberly when he felt that All was about to fail that he would have no chance of survival. He thought at least he can do his best to save my life. So very kindly, very sacrificially. He throws his body across the, the middle of the car and leans over me and protects me from all the airbags with my own body. And you know, Kimberly, that simple act of sacrifice started off an avalanche of miracles in our lives. So in this car crash, our engine ends up getting pushed into the driver's seat where he should have been, and no one knew how he survived. Three or four days later, the detective comes and says, Sir, I can't put unexplained miracle in my report. How are you alive? And so Larry begins to unravel the story of throwing his body against me and breaking his own rib doing it because if seatbelt was still on, and how his body really wasn't fully in his seat, and that saved his life, although he had many injuries, and for me, the seatbelt gave me four lacerations. So I was you know, Bile is pouring out of my system, I'm about to die. If I had had those airbags Kimberli in a heartbeat, I would have gone on to life with Jesus in eternity. But my husband's body took all the airbags, I also had a very significant brain injury. So it was very close to you know, being a vegetable I couldn't talk I had no memories, I still suffer a bit with those implications. But my husband put my his hand on my head. And I believe Kimberly, that that really prevented me from getting any worse injury, which also could have led to my death. So here I was alive. Um, God just brought, you know, retired firefighter, empty worker EMT workers running around the car to save me to hold me in my place. So I didn't move. I get to the hospital I near dead, and the nurses doing their job. They wanted to pull me through all these tests, and that would have taken two or three hours. Again, Kimberly, another miracle through the life of the surgeon that comes to check on me and says, No, this this girl has minutes to live. We're opening her up right now. And she knew that maybe God spoke to her. She said it was just unexplainable. How she came to check on me out of order, and canceled all the tests opened me up, found all my injuries closed me up. And that was Kimberly, life saving. But I will also share with our friends today that I had a long road ahead of me with severe PTSD, severe anxiety. You know, we've shared before how the beautiful verse have no anxiety, right? We have nothing to fear in the Lord. And yet Kimberly, I feared every single thing all the time, I was shaking around the clock with fear and anxiety after all the trauma that this created in me and my brain being a mess. So I had a long road of recovery. But God was with me every step of the way.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. He sure was and just seeing that and what gave me goosebumps when we were talking. We had the privilege to have dinner last night together and we're gonna see each other again tomorrow but I'm just hearing more of this miraculous story and you were sharing how when when you were impacted you were forced to stay in your seat and the paramedic that just happened to be in one car that jumped out and then the firefighter like if you would have gotten out of that car the doctor said you would not be alive if you stood up you would have bled out and that would have been it you would have been done and so these miracles I can just blows my mind how God had everything step by step by step plant and ordained to make sure that you were okay. And I we just thank God for that. But yes, you did. You had suffered day to day about the overcoming anxiety and the the debilitating fear that you are constantly feeling like PTSD. And so the Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing. But in everything with prayer and thanksgiving. let your requests be known to God. That's Philippians four, six. Ladies, when you're suffering from fear and anxieties, God wants us to let our prayers and petitions be known to him because he's there to listen. But he says also with thankfulness. So you had a heart of thankfulness. Can you talk right now about overcoming the anxiety and fear in your day to day?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
You know, there are so many tips that professionals give us Kimberly and I think there's a place for them all. They were very helpful to me all kinds of techniques that helped me to live to start to live on the path of a normal life and to at least begin to take care of myself again, which itself was a major accomplishment just to get out of bed in the morning seemed impossible with through all that, and alongside all the things that we can do, to help ourselves as human beings, really my anchor was Christ. And I know the only reason I could get up in the morning was because I knew that Jesus Christ had a plan for my life. And I could not see it. And Kimberly, I did not feel it. I did not feel my faith in those weeks. Initially, I didn't even feel my faith really in the hospital and ICU, I thought I was all by myself, I felt utterly alone. I didn't know if my husband was alive. And none of that was true. I was surrounded by family. And they told me over and over, my husband was alive. But in my world, Kimberly, I was so utterly alone. And yet, despite the feelings of feeling isolated as a human, I knew God was with me. And Paul talks about, you know, to live as Christ. And that's my testimony. I remember very little, but I remember hour after hour laying in the bed saying, I know that right now, the power of Jesus Christ is literally pumping through my body in my house. Yes. And it was not the feeling that God had a plan for my life, but the knowledge of it. So I've been a Christian forever. I, you know, from the age of three, I was aware of the Lord, and wanted to commit my life to Him. And all those years of drilling those verses in me on some deep level, Kimberly, I really feel God used that to help me to keep going.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, yes, God says in His Word, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And that's what you had you had that peace of God, even though yes, you're in the flesh, you experience we all experience these things that we have to go through fears and anxieties and things like that, but but the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, right, it guarded your heart through that time, and it carried you through. So as God led you into, deeper into your life, there was one thing you were told when that surgery was performed, and all of this, and that was that you wouldn't have children, you know, you're impacted so severely Can you talk about that?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Yeah, the chance of having a child was more or less zero. And of all the things that happened to me, I knew God somehow the way God's Kingdom works is that suffering is never in vain. And we see that in story after story of Scripture. So I knew somehow God would use all my suffering, for His glory, whatever that meant for me. But one thing I could not accept was that someone falls asleep at the wheel. And suddenly, I can't have a family and I can't be a mom. And I just felt that that was so unjust. It was very hard to walk every day I prayed and prayed and prayed in this reality. But there was a point when I was at the doctor, and they showed me this the results of all these tests, and it was way less than, you know, 1%. It was 0.000. And I thought in that moment, you know what, it's no longer about me trying and what I had for dinner last night. And if I did a whole mile of walking or not, I can be as healthy as I can, Kimberly, but this was so major. This was in God's territory. And you know, I had prayed so hard, Kimberly. But in that moment, I felt the burden lifted off me, even the burden of prayer. And I remember on the way home, I said, God, I have prayed so much, I'm actually going to stop praying, I'm just going to leave it with you. And I'm going to leave it with a few of my close friends that promise to continue to pray every day for me. But Kimberly, I couldn't keep living my life, in a sense, obsessing over prayer for this. So I was able to trust God. And you know, there's a verse in Hannah where this happens. she bakes God for a child. And then it says, she got up she ate and drank. And her face was no longer downcast. And that spoke to me so much. I said, that's what I need to do. I need to start living life, and not where the burden of this on my face anymore. And of course, you know, in the way God works, sometimes, sure enough, in a couple of months, I did get pregnant.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. And I know that Hannah was just a so closely related to your story. And so that became special to you. And even as you wrote about women in the Bible, and you turned it into a Bible study, you know, that was somebody that really stood out to you and wow, God performed miracles in your life miracle upon miracle. So now, let's talk about the miracle that God performed with Willow.
Dr. Marina Hoffman
You know, there was so much prayer from my own heart and my husband and my Family But dear friends as well. And I think sometimes God does something really special in those circumstances. And she isn't an ordinary child. And again, um, what an answer to my prayer like Hannah, I believe she's already becoming a leader among others. And you know, Kimberly, she has been an instrument of joy and healing to so many people. And that's even when she was a little, she would say the things that would just pierce people's heart. And I remember one time a dear friend of mine who lost his daughter at 19, he was broken, he couldn't bear with his family to have Christmas up in Canada and their home. So they came down here just to change things and help them through. I remember he held her for two hours, and she slept. And he near wept. Kimberly, there was something he said about the power of healing that touched us very hard just holding her. And that has marked her whole life as well. So sometimes out of our suffering, are come something more beautiful than we could ever have imagined. And for me, as a mom, it is never a day goes by where I take her for granted. Every night, I tell a little story of how I prayed and prayed and prayed. And one day God answered my prayer, and wow, I was pregnant. And it was a girl and we call her Willow. And I say that every night and I remind my own heart, this thing that I prayed for so much, and I suffered so much with to be attuned to what God has to do in my life as a mother and to make sure that my suffering will always have a purpose. And I think that's a beautiful reminder in our lives, Kimberly, the things that we suffered with and through the trials we had, God wants to use for His glory. But I think we also have a role in continuing to be humble, and allow God to use that even if it means opening up and sharing our stories of hurt and suffering with others to bring them healing, as we testify of God's faithfulness.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And there, there are so many stories of pain in purpose, and that God teaches us through those times he he starts to equip us to go forward into the future with these amazing testimonies. And how would we do that? How would we be able to testify to others unless we walked in those steps, you know, and we suffered through it. And now we have these tremendous stories of faith and perseverance, strength, you know, honoring God, no matter what. And I praise God for your story. I praise him that you are testifying and sharing that. And Revelation 1211 says, they overcame him the enemy, he wants to take us all out, he wants to destroy our life. He he wants nothing more than to conquer somebody that is destined for a life of following Jesus. But revelation 1211 says they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, and the word of their testimony. So Marina, as you go out into the world, and you continue to share these miracles upon miracles, and the tragedy you went through is horrible, and the suffering you and your husband endured. But the faith that you had the mustard seed faith, brought you to have this precious little girl, and I met Willow and she is beautiful. And she does melt your heart, and says the most amazing things. And I know that she is going to be part of your serving as she grows in your family. And can you tell us about women in the Bible? Because you were talking about the there were certain women in the Bible that stood out to you? And I know Hannah was one of them. But how are you inspired to write this book and turn it into a Bible study?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Yes, so until this acts, and I had been studying women of the Bible academically as a scholar, and publishing articles, and it was lovely. But you know, these stories, took on a whole new meaning after my brain injury. And all this trauma I went through when I read them again, simply for personal encouragement, I felt so lonely, Kimberly, I needed someone to walk alongside me. And I didn't know where to turn. So I opened up my Bible to some of the stories that I had studied academically. And of course, as your listeners will know, I mean, the story of Hannah, she became my friend. She understood my sorrow because she had walked through, and she exemplified what it means to be faithful in the various situations I faced. And I found many women like this had gone through things just like we're going through today. It's incredible, isn't it 1000s of years ago, but we say we face the same challenges, and especially in the last few years, with the change we've undergone and culture and society. These are hard times, and what beautiful friendship and encouragement I found in women of the Bible. And as I spoke to women about it All of them kept asking me to write it down. And so that ended up in the devotional, the small group study women in the Bible. And on my website, there's a free video series where I share really how these women impacted me personally. And that video series is free women in the Bible dot info. And if the for the women who want to dive into these stories and say, what are they really about? What did these woman's struggle for? What Can God speak to me through their lives and their examples? This is a wonderful little book, you can go through it alone, eight studies, or I always say Kimberly, with a friend, because we all need friends,
Kimberly Hobbs
That's for sure. Oh, my goodness, I that just like brings joy to my heart, women in the Bible. Because, you know, we all hear about, you know, the top two or three, you know, but there are so many significant women in the Bible that had amazing purpose in their life, and God chose to put them in his word for a purpose. So what you've done Marina by drawing, you know those stories out and unpacking them in a Bible study form is just so special. And I just thank you, I thank you for not balling up in a in, balling up in a ball, curling up in a ball. And just wallowing in your fear and your anxiety. No, you, you walked forward by faith and what you knew and God led you, and then you fulfill this amazing purpose and started writing for him. And I know you you teach at a Christian college at Palm Beach Atlantic, I know you are raising a daughter with such just beauty in the Lord Jesus Christ and how you pour into her. Can you just look at the women that are here on this podcast and speak directly to their heart. And give them something from your heart today that can inspire them to walk in their beautiful purpose, to run after God with all their heart, despite those moments that they're curled up in a ball in their bed, just crying out to God, you know, like, how do they get out of that ball and just go running after God like you did?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
You know, there's a time for us to be quiet before the Lord and to just heal and to be one with God and to shut out the world to the point where sometimes we need to silence everything around us to hear from the Lord. But then I think Kimberly, and friends who are listening today as God begins to work in your life, and as Kimberly shared today, there is power when we share our testimony. And to begin with that might be just a few words. But as we begin to share our testimony more and more, and to share the faithfulness God has shown us as we walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and as we struggled, something incredible is released within us. I will say one practical example. You know, I was lonely for two years, you can imagine what two years right, we're all cut off from each other. I was so lonely that it hurt me, not just my heart, but my body was hurting with loneliness. And finally, Kimberly, I was so desperate, I began just to tell people that I'm so lonely. And you know what happened? Friends, I found community because there was all kinds of wonderful women around me who were lonely too. And I boldly invited them to come to my house, which was not the thing to do during those days, you know what they showed up. So even showing the little bit of way that I was suffering, and showing God's faithfulness to me opened up my heart for more healing from God, because I was able to expose my heart and say, Lord, heal me. And the Lord spoke such words of life to me, even from the women I will share with, but I also gained friendships. And you know, I think that happens when we open up our heart to others, to share our sorrows, and to share God's faithfulness, what happens, they open up their hearts back to us, and of course, being wise about who we share with but there are wonderful women of God all around us. And I think it's a worthy prayer to say, Lord, show me who they are. build me up that we can bless each other and grow in you together.
Kimberly Hobbs
So beautifully said so beautifully said. Community is so important. Friendships are so important and the correct ones those that love the Lord, surround yourself with those people that are going to lift you up before God that are going to pray over you that are going to speak life into you and not death and that woe is me talk but they are going to lift you up in Jesus and those are the friends that you want. And I'm so thankful that God brought community at a time where you were so just desperate for love and connection and you were just like suffocating because you didn't have it, and God provided those that he knew or not afraid and still reached out to you during that time. So I just thank him for that. I'm thankful that you and I got to meet Marina and that we were able to become friends and this just short amount of time. But when you have abandoned Christ, so deep and you're, you're just connected because of him. Things like this just happened so quickly. And ladies, that's for you to go out, go outside of your doors and reach out there are so many people out there that just want to connect with you that God is going to allow into your paths for his greater purpose, trust Him for it, and ask him for it. So I just want to thank you, Marina for sharing with us today. And how can women reach you if they want to reach out to you if they want to get your book? How can they reach you?
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Yes, please visit womenintheBible.info and you'll see my free video series, my email address, if you want to connect my testimony, if you want to share with others, and lots of resources to encourage you, I would love to hear from you. And you can get the first chapter for free as well. Or you could buy the book. It's like I think $13 on Amazon here in the US, but it's distributed internationally. So that's womenintheBible.info.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's wonderful. That's wonderful. So thank you for sharing that. Thank you for being a guest today on empowering lives with purpose and also look for Marina more because we are connected here at women, we're leaders and we're just excited to see what God has in these future friendships that are made through this amazing ministry. So ladies, I just want to leave you with the scripture that God tells us to call on me when you're in trouble, and I will receive you and you will give me glory. Oh my goodness, when we call on him, he he just encompasses us with His love, right? And he turns us around and we're going to glorify Him by trusting Him. He is amazing that Psalm 50 Verse five. So ladies, as we close out today, just know that God loves you so much. He has a purpose for your life, a plan for your life, even when things may look dark and dreary. Please don't let the enemy lie to you. God has a plan for you. From his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Thou bless you Marina thank you again for sharing today.
Dr. Marina Hoffman
Thank you so much. And ladies, just embrace the love of God today. And whatever you're suffering you know, surrender to the Lord and I'm praying that you find community as well as you're willing to share God's faithfulness with others.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. We prayed over you today ladies before we even started this podcast. Marina and I and my husband we pray before every podcast and and also you were prayed for today and we will close praying for you too. So God bless you all have a beautiful day.
Join Lisa Hathaway as she talks about having faith to touch the hem of His garment. In our circumstances, we need to focus on just reaching for God and how the faith, even if little, can change our hearts. The small gesture of touching the hem leads to complete healing.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. And I am Lisa Hathaway and I'm going to be talking to you today for a few minutes. about faith. I know we hear this a lot of times in our lives about having faith and you know, in the Scripture talks about having faith, the size of a mustard seed, but something that has just been really on my heart and something I've reread. And I'm going to read this to you out of Mark chapter five starting in verse 25. And it says, and there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for 12 years, and have suffered much under many physicians. And it's been all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his garment. For she said, If I just touch, even his garments, I will be made well, and immediately the blood, the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus perceiving in himself, that power had gone out from him immediately turned about in the crowd and said, Who touched my garments. And his disciples said to him, you see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, Who touched me. And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, and fell down before him and told him, the world told him the whole truth. And she said to her, Daughter, your faith is made, you will go in peace and be healed of your disease. When I'm reading this, I couple of things stick out to me. You know, when we go through life, sometimes we just want to be able to reach and tangibly touch Jesus, just like the hem of His garment. And I think about this thread, you know, when you have something that you're wearing, and there's a piece of thread that you pull and pull in this, the, it comes apart. And, you know, when she was crawling on the ground, I just envision her just so desperate, after 12 years, just as desperation, of just wanting a touch from Jesus to be healed from this. And all she had to do is just touch the touch the tiny him. And I think so many times we can make things so complicated as Christians, that our faith is something that we just truly inside innately have to believe in once we start seeing something and have faith that it continues to build, and it continues to build and build. And that is what is absolutely so beautiful to me. Another part of this as is when Jesus looked around, and the woman came to him fear and trembling, like came in fear, like she had done something wrong. And she hadn't, she just chooses longing to be healed. And so she just touched his garment. And because he is Jesus, the power left from him to heal her. But she fell down before him and told him the whole truth. You know, when you fall at the feet of Jesus, like so much can happen when we surrender at his feet. If something's going on in our lives, and we're, our circumstances are not like we think they should be or bad things are happening to us or we don't understand or we're suffering or things are happening in our families. And we just, you know, the world's a Hard Place life is hard. And I think that, that in those moments is when we have to clean we have to reach out and visualize just touching the hem of His garment. There's been so many times in the past two and a half years of my life of just going through a lot, a lot of hard things and just my journey that I've literally just reached out to try to touch like, I'm just like to use this. I just want to touch your home. Like I know that you're there. I know you haven't left me I just need that faith and have that faith to be able to touch and see for who you really are. Because when we can have that childlike faith And we can sit here on a daily basis. And we don't understand there's so much in this life that we do not understand. And God doesn't expect us to understand everything because he has a plan and purpose for our lives. And so when I continue to read through this, and you know, nothing takes God by surprise, hey, nothing takes them by surprise, he has it all figured out. He has it all planned out. And to me that should, that should allow us to have enough faith that itself right that he sees the end from the beginning, he knows exactly what is happening. He knows exactly what our day is going to look like. He knows the hairs on our head, he knows what's happening with our children, our spouses, relationships, friendships, whatever it may be, and, you know, sometimes you reaching out just to touch the hem of His garment. And having that amount of faith is when you just cry out and say, Jesus, you have that faith that just uttering the words, Jesus out of your mouth, when there's when you don't know what to say, is is so healing in itself. You know, I remember a time when I was going on my breast cancer journey last year, and I was sitting there and I was trying to worship, you know, there was no, I worship music, I was in just a bad mental spot. And I literally was sitting on my couch just like Jesus, Jesus, I just kept saying it. Like, I didn't have words to say, you know, people say I'm praying for you. And I appreciate all that. But I didn't have the actual words to know what to pray. I just had a double mastectomy. And I was sitting here and I'm just like, I'm not understanding all of this. I'm not understanding your plan right now. But I trust you. And so it's like, having that faith and trust in Jesus who died for us? Like there should never be a question. And so, you know, it's so encouraging to me when we're able to share the love of Jesus through our stories and through Scripture. And when, you know, I continue to read through Mark five, and it, it's just there's so many nuggets in here. You know, she had heard the reports about Jesus. So the reports about him, which means he's a healer. And healing sometimes doesn't take place in the way we think it should. But Jesus is a healer. So she's like, Okay, I've heard these reports, I'm going to try to find him, I'm going to try to touch him, I'm going to try to see him. So she had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his garment. So she literally was in the midst of I just picture this huge crowd downtown somewhere. And she's just like, I need to be healed after 12 years of this. And she came up behind him and touched his garment, not even physically touching his body, or his hair, or his face or his hand or anything, she touched his garment. And immediately, the blood dried up. And so I think it's just it's so empowering and powerful to me, you know, when you're processing it out. And sometimes we can't fathom the the greatness of God and the vastness of His love for us. But when we can sit here, and just have that childlike faith to say, God, I know that you have this plan, I know the things that you're working are for my good. I do know there's a purpose. I will call your name, no matter what I will always call your name Jesus, I will always reach for the hem of your garment. Even when I feel like I can't reach I'm going to reach for the hem of your garment because I know that you are so good. And you are so faithful to complete the work that you started. There is never a day that goes by that he hasn't thought about she loves you pursued you, he chose you. And so I just challenge you today and encourage you today that when you don't know what else to do, just take Jesus in or age just reach for him reach for the hem of His garment. It's it might be daunting, it might seem impossible, but it's not because he sees you and he knows and he wants you to call out to him. He wants you to be there. He hasn't left us sometimes we can leave him but he hasn't left us and he's just longing longing for us to say Jesus to keep calling out So, so I just thank you all for listening. I hope this encourages you continue to press in daily. And we have celebrating God's grace for one or more leaders podcast every Friday. So this is again this is Lisa Hathaway. Thank you.
Jesus’ disciples ask Him a simple question, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In today’s passage, Luke describes a scene rich with Jesus’ teaching on prayer. Join Julie Jenkins on today’s episode of Walking in the Word as we examine Luke 11:1-13.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins.
As I record this, it is Thanskgiving week in the United States – a holiday that is set aside to reflect on God’s goodness and give Him thanks and praise. We at Women World Leaders have so much to thank God for as 2022 nears a close. This year, we have met and partnered with women leaders from around the globe as we individually and collectively seek to walk in our God-given purpose. We’ve welcomed new contributors to Voice of Truth magazine, new writers to our daily devotions, and empowered women to use their voices on our podcast platform. Together, we’ve written and published two new best-selling books – congratulations to all the authors of Surrendered: Yielded with Purpose and United Men of Honor: Overcoming Adversity Through Faith – both of which are available on our website, on Amazon, and through outlets around the world. And we’ve held local events and monthly Zoom gatherings where we have worshipped and learned together. Most importantly, through 2022, we have grown closer to each other in community and developed a more intimate walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you are new or newer to the ministry, it is our prayer that you will join us wholeheartedly, serving and growing with us. God is doing a new thing in and through His people. Even as our world becomes more divided politically and socially, we can see God drawing His people together. We at Women World Leaders are certainly as diverse as they come – but we are united by our love for Jesus Christ and our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a safe place where we focus on God alone. And one more thing we are thankful for – that is that YOU have joined us today!
On this, our Wednesday podcast, we focus on opening the Word of God together and asking the Holy Spirit to guide as and teach us what it is He wants us to learn. We are currently walking through the gospels chronologically, and I think it is certainly no coincidence that today, Thanksgiving week, our Scripture itinerary has taken us to Jesus’ teaching on prayer. Today we will be reading and studying Luke 11:1-13. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Most Holy God – we come to you today with hearts filled with thanks and praise for who you are and all you have done for us throughout this past year. God, you have guided us, provided for us, and blessed us beyond measure. Father, we continue to lean on you and your Word for wisdom and direction. We thank you in advance for meeting us where we are and teaching us what we need to know today. Guide my words and guide our thoughts as we study together in your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s begin reading Luke chapter 11, verse 1 from the New Living Translation.
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
The disciples were getting to know Jesus better at this point in their journey. They had witnessed His strength, wisdom, and peace amid turmoil … and they had seen Him pray. They knew firsthand that Jesus’ relationship with God the Father was the most important relationship He had, and they wanted to learn how they could have that relationship, too.
But the way this question is asked tells us that the disciples wanted even more than a strong personal relationship with God. They also craved unification and community as followers of Christ Jesus. It was common for groups of believers to have a united way of praying – a liturgy if you will. An agreed upon practice that they could, together, offer to God. The Jews recited scripture regularly together, and, as the disciples stated, John the Baptist’s followers also had a prescribed way of worshipping and praying as a community.
It's important that, as a community, we are clear about what we believe. Companies will pay consultants thousands of dollars to help them develop a vision statement, and even churches proclaim a doctrine that they follow. The disciples wanted clarity and unity from their leader on how they should pray.
They asked…and Jesus responded. If you think about it, that, in itself, was a prayer.
This shows us that prayer can be simple. Prayer is simply going to God with an open heart and speaking to Him. God longs to have an ongoing conversation with you. He is indeed worthy of our honor and deserves all the glory and reverence we can offer, but God thinks you are pretty cool. I like to picture a parent picking up a child from preschool…can you visualize it? The child runs to the parent and the parent scoops him up in her arms. An onlooker would be hard-pressed to say if the parent or the child enjoyed the encounter more. When we go to God, He is the loving parent who scoops us up into a bear hug, making us both smile.
Jesus responded to his disciples request…because that’s what Jesus does when we go to Him…verse 2…
2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:[a]
“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
3 Give us each day the food we need,[b]
4 and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.[c]”
The first sentence of Jesus’ prayer recognized the tension that every Christian wrestles with – the fact that God is our Father who longs for a personal relationship with us, and yet is indescribably holy, requiring our reverence and awe. We must love and cling to God, but not let ourselves take His greatness and worth for granted.
Prayer is simple…and prayer requires that
God be approached with love and reverence.
Jesus prays…May your Kingdom come soon. We, too, are to pray for God’s will to be done on earth. This includes praying that OTHERS will follow and yield to God’s will, but we should also request that we, the pray-er, will have the strength and wisdom to willingly submit to following God’s will for US.
Jesus continues his prayer…Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”
We can trust God’s provision, forgiveness, and protection – but He wants us to go to Him and ask for it.
Prayer is simple and God is to be approached with love and reverence. And when handled as such, our prayers will remind us of God’s goodness.
When we ASK God to provide our needs, and then He does – the glory goes to God alone. When we sin and go to God seeking forgiveness and it is granted – God gets the glory. And when we ask God for His protection in a difficult circumstance and His power then flows through us giving us the strength to stand strong against the winds of this world – God alone gets the glory.
Prayer is simple. We are to approach God with love and reverence, and when we do, we learn to trust God in all things, and He alone gets the glory.
Jesus answered the disciples’ request, giving them words to pray as Christ-followers in community. But Jesus had more to teach His disciples about prayer. Verse 5…
5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
Let’s attempt to step into Jesus’ culture to understand this story better. The first thing to recognize is that offering hospitality to guests was of paramount importance. When someone arrived on your doorstep, they were to be treated well, including being fed after a long day’s journey. The second thing we need to understand is that there were no carry-out restaurants, pizza delivery, uber eats, or 24-hour grocery stores. Bread was baked likely every few days at each household, and it was not a quick, easy process. Those in the community would have leaned on each other in times of need. Neighbors would have known what days their neighbors baked on. This was important because how a visitor was treated reflected on the community as a whole.
So the “you” in this parable – the person with the visitor and no bread offer – was not at fault. They were just at the tail-end of their bread cycle. The respectful thing to do was to go to the neighbor who had baked that day and request some bread for their visitor. In this case, the neighbor reacts a bit grumpily, after all, he had just gotten the kids down for bed – I think many of us can relate to that! But, because of cultural expectations, he does eventually open the door and share his bread.
As we hear this story, we are not to assume that God is the surly neighbor with the bread. Instead, we are to make a correlation. If THAT neighbor, though unhappy, would share HIS bread because someone knocked on his door and asked, how much more can we depend on our God who is NOT surly, who loves us unconditionally, AND who holds ALL the bread? When we knock on GOD’S door with a request, we can trust that He will respond with a joyful heart, ready to provide exactly what we need.
Jesus continues…
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
God wants us to come to Him with everything. Our prayers are to be ongoing. We must never hesitate to knock on His door.
Our prayers can be simple, but they should be constant, full of love and reverence, and offered with an expectation to see God’s glory.
Verse 11…
11 “You fathers—if your children ask[e] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
God loves you more than you can possibly imagine!! And the God who loves you is also the all-sufficient God who created and rules the universe. When we ask our God, it is HIS DELIGHT to bestow His blessings on us! God is not a vending machine or a genie in a bottle, available to grant our wishes. He is so much more. God is PERFECT and HOLY, and when we ask Him, He will give us what we NEED. He may not pull us out of a trial, but when we ask, we can be assured that He will walk through the trial with us. God may not fix all our issues, but when we seek Him, we can trust that He will give us wisdom and strength to handle anything that comes at us. Our gracious Father may not provide everything we want and desire, but when we knock on His door, we can trust that He WILL provide us with everything we need.
We are to ask, seek, and knock on God’s door every day of our lives. We do that through prayer – corporate prayer and personal prayer, by reciting liturgy and singing songs together, and even by offering our groans to God through our pain. Our prayers can be simple and should be ongoing. They should be full of reverence and love for the only God we are to glorify and praise. And our prayers can be offered with FULL ASSURANCE that our God will respond – better than we could ask or imagine.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Precious God – we love you. We honor you, praise you, and thank you! God we offer our prayers to you – our eloquent words, our needs, and our indiscernible groans. We offer them in full assurance that you will ongoingly hear and answer us – for our good, and most importantly, for your glory. Thank you! Thank you for being our God, our Savior, and our friend. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Sara Bussard is a young entrepreneur who is ministry-minded. She has been through the waves of life and has come out on the other side as a changed individual. Sara shares her tumultuous life journey which ultimately led her to seek for God, find Him and now serve Him joyfully operating her own company/ministry. Sara cleans up the ocean environment of the sunny Palm Beaches with Through The Waves. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives With Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And today I'd like to welcome our guest, Sara Bussard. Welcome, Sara.
Sara Bussard
Hi, thank you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Sarah is here today to share with us her story, and also a little bit about what she's doing for the Lord and through the waves. So we're gonna hear about that soon. But I just wanted to welcome everybody on today and let you know how valued you are in Jesus, and that we have prayed for you. So there is no coincidence that you are listening to this podcast today. And we believe in our hearts that God has a message just for you. And it's our prayer that they're sharing with one another. So sharing stories of our lives and how God has gotten us through will help inspire you or encourage you and your walk with the Lord. God says that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another. As the faithful stewards of the many colored tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 410. And we all have grace gifts. We all have different gifts, and we're supposed to use them. God says as faithful stewards. When he gives you a gift, what do you do? Do you reject it and say, No one it? No, we use those gifts to serve one another. And that's one of the reasons that Sarah's here today is God's given her a special gift. And she just wants to share how she's walking in her purpose with Jesus. And so we're just so happy to have you, Sarah. And ladies, we hope that today will be a blessing to you. I want to tell you a little bit about Sarah Bussard. Sarah is married and she lives in Palm Beach, Florida with her husband. She grew up in Ohio. So we're both Ohio girls at heart. I spent much of my life there as well. And now she resides in South Florida. She is living, loving living with near the beach and serving God with all her might. And her company and ministry is called through the waves, which shows her love for the ocean and Christ. And she serves together with her husband. And we are just so happy to have her here in our community. And it's so cool because the way that God brought Sarah and I together was we both had the privilege of serving at a revival that was held at the amphitheater in downtown Palm Beach. And I met Sarah there, and I saw the hands and feet of Jesus and action. And one of the homeless people that I was able to lead to Jesus that day. I saw him near Sara's tent. And he had on a t shirt through the waves. And I saw that Sarah and her husband, I said, How did you get that shirt, he said, they gave it to him. And my heart was so blessed I when he when he walked away with his cart.I had to talk to Sarah and her husband and just thank them from my heart that they saw a need there. And they just so gave this man a beautiful new T shirt that he wore so proudly. And it just was such a glory to God. And then Sarah and I started talking and she asked me to be on her podcast. And I was like, Of course I will. And we just connected our hearts have connected. She's connected with some of our other leadership and women world leaders. And we're just so happy to have her onboard with us and also be able to connect with her ministry up through the waves. So before we hear a little bit about through the waves, Sarah, I know you're gonna share your heart and passion. But can you share your story and how you grew up without Jesus in your life and some of the tumultuous sufferings you went through to get to where you are today?
Sara Bussard
Yes, and thank you again for having me. I'm so excited to be here. And it was just so amazing how we met and God put us in each other's life that day. But yeah, as you said, I grew up in Ohio. I was born here in South Florida. My parents moved to Ohio when I was about five years old. So I lived there for about 20 years. My parents went to church I grew up in the church. I never really cared about it though. When I was younger, we went to a very small church right down the street from our house. I think my parents went more for convenience than really anything. So every time every week my parents wanted to go to church, I was like, Oh, do we have to go. But they did a good job at planting the mustard seed, you know, that little mustard seed of faith. And as I got older, you know, I kind of really strayed away from God. When I was 15. I got into a really serious relationship. I was like about, I think I was a sophomore in high school, I met this kid down the street at the pool that I used to go to in the summer time. And we were together for about eight years. Wow. Yeah, eight years 15 to 23. And while I was with him, I wasn't living a Christian lifestyle, you know, we were having premarital sex and doing things that we shouldn't have been doing. He actually ended up moving into my parents home, when he was about 17. Because his mom was addicted to drugs, she actually ended up leaving his father for his father's brother, which I think ended up causing some trust issues within him. Now, I think she might even currently be in jail at the moment, which is really sad, but I just pray for her and pray that she gets saved. But I think that really caused some trust issues with my ex boyfriend because of the things that he went through with his family. And so he started to kind of take that out on me. And it was just a very kind of verbally, abusive, controlling relationship. He would threaten me all the time and say, if you do this, I'm gonna break up with you. Or I remember one time I didn't even know what Snapchat was, I was probably about 20 years old, when Snapchat was really becoming a thing. It was Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. And my sister had taken a Snapchat of me just kind of like dancing, excited that the Thanksgiving food was ready. And he had saw that she posted the Snapchat me on her Snapchat. And he got so mad at me and was like, You're such a slut, and this and that. And I'm like, what, I don't even know what Snapchat is. Um, so just things like that. That's kind of how our relationship went. And everyone, so we ended up getting engaged when I was 19. And we were engaged for about four years, everyone was like, Oh, you need to just stay with him, you know, you've been together for so long, you're not going to find anybody else like him. And, and when nobody really knew what was going on in my relationship. So I wasn't even really close with God at the time. Fast forward to about 23, I just started working for a law firm. And we were finally planning this wedding. And I just felt something inside of me, which now I know, was God. But at the time, you know, I don't really know if I knew what it was that I don't need to get married. Like, this is not the one for me. So I started praying. And at this time, when I wasn't even going to church, I wasn't even really following God. for about four months, I prayed. And I said, you know, is this the guy I'm supposed to be with. And then finally, after about four months, I had like this peace come over me to where it's like, okay, you need to just end this and call this off. And I remember that day, it was one of the hardest days because he was so kind, so nice, which most of our relationship was like a lot of anger and other things and just crying, crying and begging me not to leave. But I just knew in my heart like, now I know that that was God. Just saying like, this is not where I want you. And so after that I was single for a while I started partying a lot, just going out and living life because I didn't do that at all when I was younger, because again, he was very strict and protective over me. And then about I would say about a year and a half to two years later, I met my next boyfriend, and things were going fine partying with him not living the Christian lifestyle. He was actually into Scientology, which is very interesting. And that relationship really showed me that it's not okay to be unequally yoked. So we were dating for about only six months. And then he got a job offer in Maryland. And he asked me if I wanted to move to Maryland with him. And at this time, I was an office manager at my job, my law firm that I was working at in Ohio, and I was like, I don't know if I want to leave, but I wasn't really happy there. And I kind of wanted to explore the world. And so I was like, I'll just apply and see what happens and I ended up getting the first job that I applied for. So I had made that leap of faith and I moved to Maryland with him again still not seeking the Lord still just kind of doing my own thing. And then I lived with him in Maryland for about six months and let me tell you that was the worst was some of the worst six months of my life. Just very abusive, again, verbally, physically abusive, not following God, I just remember so many days just like crying on the bathroom floor, why am I here? And that that, but that also led me to, to lean on God. Because even though I wasn't following God, there were days where I was crying on the bathroom floor saying, God, why am I here? Why are you doing this to me. And so fast forward six months, this relationship became just very abusive and bad. I was like, You know what, I am going to move to Florida, I've always wanted to move to Florida. I want to get away from here. This is so bad. I don't know what's going to happen. But I'm just going to apply for jobs down in Florida. And so I had applied for a job down in Florida, got the job. And then after that, I decided to take the leap of faith and move, move here. Wow, wow. Yeah. So God's Word is true when he says the Lord directs our steps. So why try to understand everything along the way, right, Proverbs 324. He says that, and he was directing your steps, and you were crying out to Him, you knew in your heart, but the enemy kept deceiving you. And you know how he dangles those carrots in front of us where we think, Oh, we know it all. We got it together, we're gonna go ahead and do it our way. And we're not following the steps that the Lord has ordained for us. And so you were seeing those tumultuous times rise up and it in God had to get stronger and stronger and getting your attention, right. And the abuse got stronger and stronger in that relationship, you were telling me, and it went from, you know, verbal abuse, which is horrible, that's horrible for anybody to live through. But physical abuse is awful. So God got your attention during those times, and he needed your attention. And the Bible says, Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge. So he was starting to pour into you his wisdom and knowledge how impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and His ways. Because our ways are not God's ways, right. But we have to surrender our control of our life, to his control. And that scripture was Romans 1133. So God led you to Florida. And that is fantastic, because things started to happen. And you've started to look up. So can you talk about how you found Christ, and your purpose in serving him while you were in Florida? Oh, yeah, definitely. So when I moved to Florida, I was actually still, like connected to my ex boyfriend. We were still trying the long distance relationship thing. But then eventually it got it came so bad to where I had to block him. And then we finally cut ties. And I just remember thinking, just like having a really, really dark thoughts and thinking, I'm so alone, I have no buddy, I just moved to this new state. I had, like a few family members that lived here, but wasn't really close with anyone. And all my friends were up north. And I was just like, I have no one. And I just remember feeling so dark and empty on the inside. And my cousin Amy had invited me to church with her. And so I said, okay, yeah, go, I don't have anything else going on. And I just remember listening to this pastor and just feeling so like, moved by the Holy Spirit. And I think that is the first moment where I really, really, really just, I wouldn't say like, found Christ because I knew who he was before, but I really just was like, Okay, God, I'm going to seek you. And so after that, I just, you know, started going to church more and more. And then my cousin, she knew I loved the ocean. I haven't really talked much about that. But I love the ocean so much, which is one of the reasons I want to move wanted to move back to Florida. I swim with sharks and do all these crazy things that my parents are like, Why are you doing that? That's one of the reasons why I wanted to move back to Florida, is to just be close to the ocean. And my other cousin, she was like, You need to try this church. It's called Anchor church. You know, it's anchor ocean base, you should go here and just see if you can meet people and get plugged in and do beach cleanups with them. And so I just started going to this church called Anchor church, and I just, I don't know, God, like really drew me in there. And that's when I really really surrendered everything over to him. And not long after I joined there. I was serving I'm serving on the production team. And that's where I met my husband. He just kind of chased me around. I like to joke with people that he stalked me. But it was it was really cute. We kind of just grew like a relationship while we were growing close to God. And then shortly after that, we started dating. And then like three months later, we got engaged. And then three months later, we got married. But oh, yeah. All in threes. 333. Yeah, it was, it was amazing. But also, before that time, you know, I did have like, some rough patches in between there where I was still struggling with Foley, giving my life over to God. You know, like, I had also met friends down here where they were into partying. And I was still a little bit into that and still coming out of my older relationship with the guy that I was with in Maryland. And so it took a while. But then when I did go to Angkor, and I started serving wholeheartedly there and really jumped in there. And, you know, I just really felt like, Hey, I can't be living my life halfway forgot I have to do it, like, wholeheartedly. That's when everything just kind of started to unveil. And I started to see the purpose that God had for my life. And I was going to this church with my my cousin. We were watching this series, it was called the good work. It's life church, Pastor Craig Groeschel. And he was he was like, I want to help somebody find their purpose in life. Throughout this series, it was like a four week series. And I remember, I was sitting at work one day after the series had ended. And that's where the thought of through the waves had came into my head, it was like, I carry you and everyone through their waves that they go through. And I didn't know what that meant. But I was like, wow, that's like a really great saying, through the waves. And that same week, my cousin had gotten a, like a $45,000 T shirt printer. And so I was like, Oh, this is great. Like, I just got this, like this idea for this company. You guys could print t shirts for me, I could sell them and I could donate the funds. And I can do beach cleanups, and then also use my beach cleanups as a place for fellowship and to share the Word of God. And so that's what I started doing was I started selling these T shirts, which I have one on now. And do hosting beach cleanups. And then I started doing my beach cleanups with my church and just having fellowship and using that, using my love for the ocean to show people the love of God, which at first I was like, Is this stupid? Like is are people going to enjoy this. And then, as I was doing these beach cleanup, beach cleanups, I had people come to me like, Hey, I love this so much. Like, this is just a good way to get out and like, have fellowship and meet new people. And for me, I was like, wow, this is crazy. This is just like picking up trash, you know. And then later on, I really felt like God had put it on my heart to start the podcast that I do. And he brought me back to the whole through the waves thing, which is, you know, he carries us through our waves. And so many of us go through waves even me, you know, I, I have faced a lot of waves just even this past year with like, anxiety or, or self doubt, or, or whatever it may be, to actually share that with other people through my podcast, and not just me, but having other people come on and share the waves that they go through. So people who are going through those waves know that they're not alone.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. Wow, wow, what God is doing and how he restored your joy, right? Sarah, I mean, you were crying on that bathroom floor you knew in your heart. There was more to life than what when you were living at that point, ladies. You may be crying on the bathroom floor or crying in your bed or crying on the street. Wherever you are, you know that there is more to this life. And Sara was just showing how God had to get a hold of her life. But she had to take that first step of faith forward and trust Him and follow Him. And then he restored her joys and the Bible says those who look to him for help, will be radiant with joy. This young woman is radiant with joy. no shadow of shame will darken their faces. She's not carrying shame from what she went through and all the mistakes she made. She is running after Jesus, taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him that Psalm 34 Five and eight and Sara, that is what you're doing right now. And you have started this amazing outreach for the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that is helping the environment. You are cleaning up beaches, you are meeting people all the time and sharing the love of Christ. And God allowed you to reach your husband and you grew with him. I love that in threes right? Three months to date him, three months to be engaged and three months to be married. And that's a complete 333. And I love that. And so God bless you with what you're doing. And we are just so proud of you. And I'm so grateful to connect with you, she's going to be writing in our next voice of truth, ladies, which is going to come out in 2023. It's going to be the next edition are actually we have an edition coming out in December of 2022. So depending on when you listen to this podcast, but we're just excited to connect. And that's what we do in the kingdom of God. We're all working together and serving for God's glory, right, Sarah is so and that's what we have to do. And we want you to come along with us. We need more women of faith, more women that are running after God and serving Him with all their might, because our world is going to help quickly. And we are here to be that light, and love of Jesus to a lost and dying world. So ladies, get connected with us because things are happening. And we got a lot going on. So Sarah, I just want you to take a couple minutes and just just really speak your heart right now to the woman who's listening, that is in that place that maybe she is crying on the bathroom floor like God, I don't know what to do with my life. Why doesn't this, this nonsense? And already, you know, we're looking to God to fix our problems that we put ourselves into. What would you pour into her as wisdom that God has given you that you can just give her some inspiration and hope right now?
Sara Bussard
Yeah, I would say, before I came on the podcast, I kept hearing the word Trust, that is one of my biggest and hardest things to do is to fully trust God through situations. And I think in those moments, like, for me, where I was crying on the bathroom floor, you know, we can tend to blame God, like why am I here, God. But if you think about it, like I made those choices, I wasn't seeking Him. Because I wasn't trusting him with my life. I wanted to have the full control of my life. And I was like, no, no, no, you know what once I feel like it all come around to you. But I think the most important thing to do is to just fully and wholeheartedly serve God and trust God and lean on God. Because we can't control the things around us. We can't control what happens to us. But God is always there for us, and God loves us. And even for me, every situation that I have gone through looking back on it, God has been able to use it for his good that that bad relationship that I want went through. God has been able to use it for his good to share with other women who might have experienced the same thing. Or even just teach me lessons where it's like, okay, I don't want to do this again. You know, not saying everything that we go through in life should be taken lightly. Because a lot of people's journeys are darker or harder than others. But you can and you can get through it with God, and God is always there for you. And, and people will always disappoint you and people will always hurt you. But if you focus on God, if you focus on his truth, in His love, that hurt becomes a little bit lighter.
Kimberly Hobbs
Sara, I had goosebumps as you were talking goosebumps because ladies in car just this morning. And I'm sure this sister in Christ is watching this podcast right now. But just this morning, we had a two hour conversation which I don't usually have that much of a window of time, but God permitted it. And she's getting ready to take that leap of faith. And I told her, what I kept hearing from the Lord was when you get afraid, you keep saying God, I trust you, God, I trust you. God, I trust a mu and you walk forward in that faith and that confidence knowing that you've surrendered to God and He is going to take care of you. You've released your control. Everything's gonna be okay. It might not be pretty for a little while because you know, we suffer consequences because of the sinful choices sometimes we make and unfortunately those of others, but God will be there He will never leave us or forsake us. And remember God's word ladies that says trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He will direct your paths. Just as he did for Sarah. He directed her paths. He knew her husband was waiting for her down here in Florida. She felt that pulling to come down here with her love for the waves. That's how God drew her in. And now look at she's serving Him in something that looked at her smile, if those that are watching on YouTube, she has this joy of the Lord, which has now become her strength, because she's serving him where she is happy, which is by the beach by the waves. God knew that. And God brought her there. So I praise God for your testimony. Sara, that is so beautiful. How can women reach out to you if they want to connect with you?
Sara Bussard
Yes, so if anyone wants to connect with me, you can reach me on our Instagram page. It's through the waves Lorda. Or you can reach out to me through our website or my email, which is through the waves FL at Gmail. So any of those platforms if you want to send me a message and reach out I would be so so happy to connect with you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Awesome, sweetie, awesome. And just, I feel in my heart that Sarah is definitely going to become part of us that women were a leader. So look for her and like for some of her writing, because we know it's coming in voice of truth. So I am so excited to to have you on board with us too. We could serve God wherever we are, wherever he calls us to serve ladies. And I just want to leave with a verse that says this vision is for a future time. It describes the end and it will be fulfilled. If it is slow incoming, wait patiently for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed Habakkuk two, three. Know that ladies trust that wait patiently in the Lord. If things don't look like they're getting better right away you that's when dust like Sarah said, Trust, she heard that word strong. And for whatever reasons God had me pour that into somebody else this morning to trust. Lord, I trust you, Lord, I trust you. And just keep saying those words to him. And he's going to bring you through and you have to do what you say, trust Him, and go to his word, go to sources that are going to help you and strengthen you in the Lord, go to church, be around community, it's so important when you're sitting alone, you're sitting duck to the enemy, and he's gonna pounce on you. So we don't want that. So trust in the Lord, follow what he's telling you inside to do get to church, go to people that are going to help you and pour life and truth into you through God's word. So you don't want to hear what the world has to say, trust me, because again, you're going in the wrong direction. And ladies, we have tools at women, world leaders that are here to help you. And one of them is our beautiful voice of truth magazine, there's the printed and digital copy. If you would like to receive this, it is free on our website at womenworldleaders.com. And you can look at all the past editions. We've been doing this now for two years and 1000s of women read Voice of Truth. We also send it out to the United States inside the United States, I say but you can get this beautiful copy it's color. It's about 100 pages, it's coffee table quality, if you become a monthly donor to the Ministry of Women, world leaders, and we would be happy to have you on board giving, and even any small amount $5 A month $10 Whatever you can give, you'll get every edition of voice of truth sent to you in the mail. And again, these are beautiful, and they will bless you. They have inspirational stories, scriptures, all kinds of things, no advertisements, and we are so grateful about that, that God has provided this magazine to go out in entirety and excellence with just voices of truth inside women from all over the world. Put this together for you ladies. So we are excited to share that with you. So as we close I want to thank Sarah. Thank you Sarah for being part of this podcast today and speaking to the ladies, thank you so much for having me. This was amazing. I'm so happy to be on here and just be able to share my testimony with you guys. Amen. While you're delightful and we just thank you for giving hope and inspiration to those that are watching. Ladies. We are just so happy that you joined us today and hope that you were encouraged by what you heard and as we close from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. Remember all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for these podcasts as they go out into the world in the name of Jesus. We love you ladies. God bless you and have a beautiful day.
Learn with host Robin Kirby-Gatto, how your mountains can be flattened as you grow strong in spirit. The grace of God is made known within the soul as you face your obstacles and see leadership opportunities.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, A Women World Leader’s Podcast, I’m your host Robin Kirby-Gatto.
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God’s grace, in our lives, in our ministry, and around the world.
Today’s message is titled “The Mountain Shall Become a Plain.”
God’s grace flattens our mountain into a molehill, a plain.
“For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it.” (Zechariah 4:7 AMPC)
Zerubbabel, the rightful governor of God’s people, was released with the first wave of exiles from captivity to return to Jerusalem. The task given to him by God was the rebuilding of the temple. He had a ginormous undertaking. Resistance surrounded Zerubbabel on every end, as others opposed him. Moreover, the people of Jerusalem were so distracted by building their own houses, that they disregarded the rebuilding of God’s house. No different from Nehemiah, who rebuilt the wall, Zerubbabel had to be both a leader and builder.
Many of our mountains are leadership opportunities, as well as building moments. We’re given the gift of leading, as we allow God’s grace to bring freedom to our self-image, thereby building others up.
What does this process of being built up in our self-image look like? It’s maturing in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, which is known as growing stronger in spirit. John the Baptist grew strong in the spirit in Luke 1:80, and Jesus Christ grew strong in the spirit in Luke 2:40.
Growing strong in spirit means that we understand God’s truth by grace, and not through our own works. God’s grace is His ability that shows us our need for Him, whereby we receive supernatural sufficiency.
As I mentioned in my last broadcast # 345, I had a world of hurt in my soul from my prior marriage. It shook my world, and I had to deal with tough questions about who I was. What is it that I wanted to do for a career, as a parent, and what were my dreams in life?
Hard times will do this to you, taking you to a microscopic level of the soul, assessing your ability to move forward and to walk in the impossible dreams of God for your life. If everything was easy, we wouldn’t need God. It takes the hard moments in life, to wake us up to who we really are.
This is what Zerubbabel was experiencing, a hard moment in life, to wake him up to the fact that he was the rightful ruler of God’s people. He had to lead God’s people and rebuild the temple.
It was already a difficult task to lead a massive group of people, much less inspire them to rebuild the temple. It’s the impossible assignments that God calls us to, during the times we feel so insufficient, that He gets us past our quit so that we grow strong in spirit. Before you begin an assignment, without realizing it, God has already gotten you past the place where you would totally quit it, by preparing you in the former place you’ve been, to face your mountain. This is a picture of obtaining grace. Grace flattens your mountain like a pancake into a plain.
The Hebrew word for plain is mîyshôwr pronounced mee-shore' meaning, “a level, a plain, equity, even place, right, righteously, made straight and uprightness.”[i] This word might be difficult to comprehend in relation to Zerubbabel’s circumstance, so I want to introduce you to the ancient Hebrew symbols, in which the original first five books of the Bible were written. There are twenty-two Hebrew Aleph-Bet letters, beginning with Aleph, where we get our A from, and the Greek gets Alpha. It was during the time of captivity that the ancient symbols were modernized to the squared-off Hebrew letters we know today.
Each of the Hebrew letters in the ancient symbols has a meaning, which when brought together with other Hebrew letters, composes a word picture. You know the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” that’s what the word picture does with the ancient symbols, providing us with a richer understanding. Jesus taught in parables because it gave His hearers a picture, as the Word of Truth was amplified within the soul, to understand God’s ways. Proverbs 25:2 says that it is the “glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out.”
Let’s look at the ancient symbols for the word plain, which means “to make something level.” I’ve used ancient Hebrew symbols, in my messages and books, for a decade, which many readers have thoroughly enjoyed. The Hebrew letters for plain are Mem, Yood, Sheen, Vav, and Resh. The ancient symbol for Mem is a picture of water, like our “M” with three humps instead of two, and means, massive in the positive, as well as flooding, and chaos in the negative. Yood is the ancient symbol of an arm at work and means works, make, and deed. Sheen is the ancient symbol of jagged teeth, like a “W,” and means consume in the positive and devour in the negative. Vav is the ancient symbol of a tent peg or nail and means to add and secure. Finally, Resh is the ancient symbol of a man’s face and means, head, highest, and person. If we put all these letters together for plain, we get the word picture THE WORKS THAT MASSIVELY CONSUME US ARE ADDED TO OUR PERSON.
Think about this for a moment. It is a different viewpoint from which to look at the meaning of God’s grace. God’s grace levels every mountain in our life, as we are flooded with His works, knowing that He has called us to His hope and future, where we do the task at hand in His strength and ability. Therefore, grace is God’s strength added to our soul, to see and do the impossible. Sometimes, forgiveness seems impossible, but by God’s grace, we can forgive. Doing a new job to which we feel overwhelmed and deficient seems impossible, but with God’s strength, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
The mountain that must be conquered, is within the human soul. As you conquer the mountain inside of your soul, which is the way you see yourself, everything is made straight and clear before you. You can see and enter what God has called you to do in this life.
Zerubbabel was familiar with being governor over God’s people while in captivity, but to lead them to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, was a whole other level of leadership. Each mountain that we face in life, makes us better leaders. Zerubbabel had different mountains while in captivity, before going to Jerusalem. It was the mountains in his captivity that prepared him for Jerusalem.
The mountains we face in this life come down by the grace of God that we experience within the soul. The Hebrew word for grace is chên pronounced khane meaning, “graciousness, beauty, favor, grace, pleasant, precious and well-favored.”[ii] We obtain God’s favor beyond our personal endeavors, as He cloaks us in the right standing of Christ Jesus, obtaining and doing that, which we don’t deserve. Grace is not the result of our goodness, but the knowledge we have of our insufficiency and weakness, it is us knowing our needs and getting His help.
As a parent, I did things for my sons, that they couldn’t do for themselves. I dressed them when they were babies, drove them to daycare and school, bought and cooked their meals, and so forth. I gave them a life they couldn’t get on their own. This is what grace is a picture of. We see this in the ancient Hebrew letters that compose the word for grace, which are Chet and Nun. Chet is the ancient symbol of a fence as well as a chamber and means to separate and secret place. Nun is the ancient symbol of a fish swimming through the water and means life and activities. Therefore, the word picture for grace is BEING SEPARATED IN THE SECRET PLACE TO THE ACTIVITIES OF LIFE. The secret place of the heart is where we’re navigated into the abundant life that Christ Jesus came to bring. This is grace.
Like a mother dressing her infant, driving them to the daycare, or getting food to cook a meal, God’s grace is where we grow strong in spirit. We let God be God. This is what Zerubbabel came to know when he began rebuilding the temple.
In Zechariah 4:6 Holy Scripture states
“Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 AMPC)
The prophet Zechariah proclaimed the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, which was, the work at hand would be finished by the Spirit of God. Zerubbabel would be able to rest in the fact that his insufficiency, was merely the opportunity for God to show Himself as the All-Sufficient One.
What things are you doing in your own strength? What weaknesses do you need to acknowledge? Where is it that you need to grow in leadership in the present trial? Growing strong in spirit removes the mountain that’s in your soul and makes your path straight into your destiny, as you go in grace.
Join me on the next broadcast, to see the power of mountain-moving faith.
The assignment of the impossible was the mountain before Zerubbabel. He couldn’t do the lead and build in his own strength, but only i
[i] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 4334 “plain”
[ii] Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word # 2580 “grace”
As we continue our walk through the gospels, let’s take a step back and be reminded of who Luke, one of the writers of the gospels was. Be inspired to step into your own God-given calling as you learn about Dr. Luke with host Julie Jenkins. (Luke 1:1-4)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the Biblical teaching arm of our Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it is my honor to walk with you through the Bible each Wednesday! If you have been with us for awhile, you know that we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we ask God to teach us and give us a clearer picture of His time here on earth.
Have you ever heard someone’s name who sounds very familiar to you, and, in an effort to jog your memory, looked them up on social media? Sometimes it is not their profile picture that connects the dots in your head, but in scrolling through their photos, you begin to remember that you DID know this person at one time; It always helps complete the picture when we have more than one view.
If you are a Christ follower, you, like me, long to see Jesus completely. To know everything about Him – including His life, His family and His culture while here on earth. You hang on every word that He has said, craving to learn from His wisdom and His very being. It has been such a blessing to walk through the life of Jesus with you over these past months – to glean truths as we put the four pictures of Him together into one – to the best of our ability and by the power of the Holy Spirit. John tells us in verse 25 of chapter 21 in his gospel that “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” On this side of heaven, we simply cannot know all there is to know about our Lord and Savior – but that shouldn’t keep us from trying! As we walk together, I pray that God is releasing a greater vision of Himself to each of us.
Most recently, we have been studying from the book of Luke, so I thought that today would be a great time to go back to the beginning of Luke, and be reminded of who he was, his giftings, and why he worte his gospel. So our study today is centered on Luke, chapter 1, verses 1-4. Before we begin, allow me to pray for us:
Father God – We give you this time. And we thank you for making yourself known to us, in your Word, through prayer, and by the Holy Spirit. We ask you to speak to us in these minutes ahead. Jesus – we long to see you! We know that until the day of our glorification when we stand face to face with you, we will not see the whole picture. But I pray that today, and every day, you will open the curtains a little wider, so that we may know you a little deeper. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Luke, chapter 1, verses 1-4 as written in the New Living Translation:
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.[a] 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
All the gospels are historical documents – that is, they were written to convey accurate historical information, and historians, archeological findings, and even science have verified their accuracy throughout the years. The gospels have much in common with biographies that were written to preserve the teachings and lives of philosophers, statesmen, and rulers. But the gospels are more than factual historical documents – they are also theological in nature. Besides giving historical information, they were also written to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ – that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, fully human and fully God. That He lived a sinless life of compassionate miracle-working, and teaching of repentance, right living, freedom in and honor to God; and then this same Jesus died a horrific death on a cross, preceded by beatings and torture and humiliation; all to give us, as sinners who still go against Him daily, the opportunity to spend eternity by His side, living in God’s presence, free of our own chains of suffering and sin.
Luke, the writer of this gospel of Luke, was a medical doctor. He was a Greek and a Gentile who was a close friend and traveling companion of Paul – and as such, had ample time and access to other disciples. Not only was Luke an eyewitness to the growth of the early church, but he had a formal education which he used as he undoubtedly questioned, interviewed, and just plain picked the brains of those he traveled with and met. His was gifted with an organized and analytical mind, and was able to keep track of facts and information long before he had a computer or smartphone to help him. As a doctor, Luke was on the front lines as Paul and other Christians were physically persecuted for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Luke wrote about this in the other book he wrote – the Acts of the Apostles. He witnessed God’s healing power as the Holy Spirit enabled the growth of the church despite whips, chains, boat wrecks, snake bites, stonings, and other near-catastrophes that his writings bring to life for us so many years later. He was the physician on call when God’s disciples were physically harmed – but as a true follower of Christ, he himself never took the title as their healer, knowing that God Himself, Jehovah Rapha, is the only source of true healing.
Before Dr. Luke wrote about the growth of the church in Acts, he wrote to us about Jesus Himself, THE good news, in the Gospel of Luke, arguably the most detailed of the four gospels, which stresses Jesus’ relationship with people, including an emphasis on his relationship with and care for women. Much of what is in Luke is not found in any other gospel – which makes studying his writings so fun. In his book, Luke affirms Jesus divinity, but he also strives to show us Jesus’ humanity.
Luke begins his book by detailing his method of writing as a man of science and detail – sent by God to report the facts as a thorough, humble historian and man of God. He knows, per his words, that many others had written of the events of Jesus’ life, but he is sure of his calling – he says he has “carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you…so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”
What do we learn about God in these first 4 verses of Luke? What can you and I walk away with today? That, by the way, is always a great question to ask yourself as you read any scripture!
I can’t help but notice that God puts the right people in the right place at the right time – for His glory!
Luke was positioned to experience, study, interview, organize, and write the words in his book so that you and I can study his words today – so that we can see Jesus more clearly and learn more accurately from a time period that is so foreign to us. Despite time, distance, and culture, God made a way for us to know the Jesus who walked the earth.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things that he planned for us long ago.”
Luke was God’s masterpiece, created on purpose, for a purpose. And you can take it to the bank that God has a purpose for you, too! YOU, like Luke, are positioned to complete a picture for someone else – but it is only through your obedience to His daily commands for you that you can fulfill that purpose. Women World Leaders strives to walk beside you and empower you as you fulfil your God-given purpose. Just this week, we are releasing a new book, written by women just like you from around the globe who have stories to tell of God’s glory working in their lives. Many of these women did not start out as writers, but God impressed on their hearts that they had a story that the world needed to hear. So they stepped forward and partnered with Women World Leaders to create the book Surrendered: Yielded With Purpose. I’d encourage you to go to our website, www.womenworldleaders.com, and check out that book or one of our many other best-selling books. Maybe God is even calling you to write your story.
Back to Luke. Luke was not an eyewitness to the accounts of Jesus’ life, becoming a Christ-follower after Jesus’ death. At times, I bet Luke must’ve felt like he missed out. Do you ever feel like that? Like you came late to the party? I’m the youngest of seven, and also, live far from each of my siblings – I certainly understand the feeling of being left out. I know we all do. But we can be assured that God sees things in a different way than we see things in this world and He has a purpose specifically designed for you right where He has placed you!
Luke was perfectly positioned to gather information about the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he was perfectly gifted to accurately record the information so that generations to come, you and me included, could close our eyes, and feel like we are there – beside Mary and Elizabeth as they each received news of their children to come; singing amongst the shepherds at the birth of Jesus; celebrating with Simeon as he praised God for seeing the Messiah with his own eyes as He was dedicated at the temple; catching a glimpse of 12-year-old Jesus sitting with the teachers in his father’s house; …I could go on and on! It would be impossible to list out all the ways that Luke’s gospel has allowed individuals throughout the years to relive the life of Jesus Christ. And it would be impossible to list all the ways that God has pre-ordained for you to impact the world.
Will you humbly submit today to where God has called you? Will you use your gifts, as Luke did, to step into your calling? You likely won’t know, this side of heaven, exactly who you will impact or what lives you will change – but that’s ok – because God knows. He has called you for a specific purpose. When you sit with God, ask Him to reveal to you what He wants you to do today. And then walk in obedience, trusting that He alone will provide the fruit of your actions. I know I, for one, am glad that Luke obeyed!
Dear Most Holy God! We thank you for positioning us, like you positioned Dr. Luke, for your glory. Father, I ask you to come into each listener’s heart right now and give her a divine assignment from you. Grant her your power to step into her God-given assignment with purpose and grace – knowing in her heart what you want her to do, and trusting that you will walk with her every step of the way. Father, will you give us each a humble excitement right now – that we may spend our days in search of your glory, and on a mission to shine your glory for all the world to see? In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
We all have very important men in our lives. Today's guest, Ken Hobbs - author, speaker, and coach - shares the importance of being a Man of Honor and how to encourage the man in your life. Ken shares his story about the influence of a man in his life and what value it had in his own life as well as some of the joys of writing with other men in the Amazon #1 Best Seller United Men of Honor: Overcoming Adversity Through Faith, published by World Publishing and Productions. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives With Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And ladies, we are so happy that you joined with us today. And today we're going to talk about United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith. And it's my pleasure to introduce our guest today, Ken Hobbs. And Ken is my husband.
Ken Hobbs
Well, I, I'm excited to be able to do this, I've been looking from the background, and now it's kind of neat to do this ladies.
Kimberly Hobbs
Well, we're happy to have you and, and ladies, we all have men in our lives, whether it be our husbands, fathers, sons, nephews, friends, we all have men that we love very much. And we are happy to announce that women, world leaders and world publishing, work together with United men of honor, and put out this amazing book, United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith. And throughout this book is tools for men, to help them be those men of honor that God has called them to be. And we believe that this book will be an inspiration, a hope, help and healing to many, many men, it already has proven so this book has gone to number one best seller, and actually four Times best seller. And we're going to talk a little bit today about the content of this book, so that it might inspire you to get the book for your man in your life that you really want to reach in touch with a helpful message. So I would like to talk to you a little bit today about Ken Hobbs. And before we get into his story and why he he chose to write about United mandhana, overcoming adversity through faith, I want to share a little bit about him. Not only is he my husband, he is a Christ follower, a wonderful man that has dedicated his life to impacting others in paratroop parachurch ministries, missions, and his business as well, which is a marketplace ministry. He's the founder of United men of honor leading coaching and motivating men to become men have God in their homes and in their businesses and communities. He's part of a leadership team, which is Band of Brothers. He strongly passionate about bootcamps and believes they are needed in this world so that men don't have to fight their struggles alone. Ken is also a Senior Vice President and financial coach to multiple brokerages, and he operates he owns and operates them in South Florida, but they're far reaching across the country. So he's married to me, and has wonderful children. And he works in reaches around the world in multiple multiple ministries. So we are very happy and honored to have you today. I love and I want to open up by sharing a little bit about the book. And there was a paragraph I wanted to share with you ladies about the book before Ken shares about his particular story within the book. As the enemy does his best to take out men off of their mission, the war He instigates rages on in men's lives around the world, where have all the mighty men gone? This world needs more men to step up, step out and be men of honor. Isn't that the truth. They need to be warriors for their faith, their family, their community and their country. And they need to be strong for the week leading them with courage to be overcomers. And this book has been written to proclaim the stories of God, his overwhelming provision and his care and share his word with you and with the world. So we're all a work in progress trying to accomplish great and mighty things in our lifetime. And this book can definitely be an inspiration to many who are just trying to find their way in life. Because these stories that all these men that have come together to write are transparent, and they all focus on how God got them through adversities through faith. So Babe, you talk about in your chapter, the influence of a man and why why did you choose to write on the influence of a Man, and why is it so important to be an influence in this world?
Ken Hobbs
Well, I think one of the things that I talked about is, is that men, you know, that having men are influenced by other men, just like women are influenced by other women. That's why women world leaders, and that's why we have united men of honor and man, two brothers, because men, you know, made a difference. You could be your father, your grandfather, a coach, all everybody has been influenced, you know, by somebody else. And I was fortunate, and I wrote my chapter, the influence of a man is that there is a positive and there's negative influences that we've known that we've seen generationally, some of you know that somebody has had bad fathering, or that you know, was had a bad coach or a bad leader. And you know, that that turned out to be goes goes on, because that happens, you know, one of the things that the influence of a man can also have a huge power effect. And what I saw is in my life is where my dad wasn't there, I had two grandfather's that were pillars for me. And so it can be passed on for generations, it can happen, and it can make a deal. One of the things I opened up my chapter with, and it talks about, it says, you know, your dictionary.com says, influence can be defined as the ability to affect the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. And it requires developing strong emotional connection with each, excuse me, with yourself, and others, those who master the art of influence are often skilled at tapping into emotions that drive people's actions. And, you know, that's one of the things that I'm that I hope that I have been able to do as far as with my ministries, because you know, we're here not to push not to pull not to, you know, not to force people. But we're here to, you know, all of us have influence. And one of the reasons I wrote this chapter is to talk about how different people can influence you, and can teach you and how you can make a difference. You know, just like what you've done with, you know, women, world leaders, the influences that you've had on your books and sharing those things. It really makes an impact in today.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. And you talk about in there, the different ways that men can influence their, their followers, you know, like, how they can pour into lives. And I think that's so important. You know, us women, were supposed to teach the younger women and it talks about that, and in God's word, so how do you feel that men can pour into other men to be an influence in their life?
Ken Hobbs
Well, one of the things is, I'll take the takeaways for me, you know that, you know, one of the scriptures that my dad and we use in Vanda brothers, you know, when my dad taught me, and we use a band of brothers is First Corinthians 1613 through 14, it says, Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, let all you do be in love. And so there's almost a contradiction there. In today's society, if a man is strong, and he is that testosterone guy, they say that testosterone, if he's strong, is toxic in today's thing, but then the Scripture says, Be strong. But then it says, In all things, too, in love. And that was one of the things I was actually modeled, I can say that with my, with my four influences in my life, I was modeled that my father taught me what the definition of forgiveness was, which probably was the single most important thing that happened to me, is to learn that because I could then understand, not how God forgives us. But then also I could be able to relate to other people. And I could go and separate. And so what my dad, and my grandfather taught me, is that true forgiveness is when you can remember the hurt or the incident, and not feel the pain, or the emotions. And that's what God does for us. He remembers everything's written down. But you know what, it doesn't matter because it's not counted against us anymore. So I use the analogy. It's sort of like pleading, no contest, you're guilty as charged, but you're not adjudication is withheld. It's covered. And that's what we do when we forgive. That's why people ask for mercy. Mercy is unmerited grace is unmarried. That means you didn't do anything to deserve it. You're actually you're guilty. You have nothing but we give you mercy because we choose to love you. And I think that's what being strong and that was so important. What I learned from the men that I had in my in my book, and then if you read the rest of the chapters, there are some very, very strong influences that went on through that, how they were able to navigate their walk. So we have pastors that that are pastors today. But when they started out that some of them had addiction problems, some of them had insecurity problems. And in fact, the co founder of our banner brothers with us in Florida, you know, he actually was second grade a teacher, he tested it in test well, so the teachers had called his parents in and said, Well, he's got a problem. He's got a learning deficiency, you better gear him towards sports, because he has a learning deficiency. And really, all he did is he added attention to some deficiency, he was actually so smart. And he now has master's degrees and has all that, but his parents believed what that teacher said, and that and he believed that for so many years, and that's why he wants to go out for sports and stuff. But then he found out now today, his master's degrees, he leads organizations, he's got 100, brokerages in his financial coaching business, all because that lie what other people say isn't necessarily true. And that's what these stories can do. It can expand you what you've been told the agreements that you've been, that you've made, that other people or the world is telling you, insecurities, all those things are not that important that God can overcome adversities through your faith.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. While the influence of a man is so very important in lives, right? And how, how do we become that man of honor, and you know, who you have prayerfully spoke to many men, that you feel that God put on your heart to be a part of this book. And these men didn't just come into this book, by chance, each one of them have an incredible, powerful story that will truly inspire, I mean, people will read it and say, Wow, if this person can be transparent, and share this, and get through this, with God's help, there's hope for me. And that was the purpose that you wanted those people that God's strategically placed into this book, to write. And so can you share a little bit about stories and how influencing these stories out how important it is, I know, when you go to Band of Brothers, you share stories, because they have impact on people. And they teach people and all through this book, there's teaching, but we'll get into that in a minute. But talk about all the different people that God called to write in this book, and influence others.
Ken Hobbs
Well, you know, one of the things that you know, the scripture that we use, and I know you've used it many times, and it's been the pillar of why you use testimonies, why you've been able to be so successful with women, world leaders and, and be able to rally women around because they, you know, Revelations 1211. And I actually have it in the book here. And I think I don't want to open the answer the question, first of all, by reading that Scripture, the passion translation says that the best says, They conquered him, that means the enemy completely through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony. And he may triumph, because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death. See, what happens is, is that because of our insecurities, because of our pride, we don't share our stories. We don't tell those, those intimate things. And it's one of the things that it's so appealing to choose such an amazing, amazing servant leader, and that you share your story and how you started the copulation books by sharing your story and tears to triumphant and how you serve the story of the turtle faith of the university. We've had with some people in our family and all those things that have gone through as it and that's what we did, and we unified it and Banner brothers 10 years ago started with this where we have responders that deal with each of the four pillars, you know, the adventure to live, the, the princess to, to love, right, the the children to Father, you know, and how important it is because what we're playing for is that according to Barna stats that we quote, a lot of times that they say that when a man comes to the Lord first 93% of the time, the rest of the family will follow. When the woman comes first, it's 37% of the time the rest of the family will follow. And when the child comes first, it's 17% of the time. So if we one of the reasons why we are so aggressive, you know why we are so pushing for this, we're men because men are hard to get to men have caught up into their own things. And this world is trying to isolate men, where we're talking about their strength in a band of brothers. If we unite we can truly be united men together. And so we want to teach people how to do that so that they can father because you understand this generation has been not fathered not parented, mothered is not been coached, it's not been mentored. And that's one of the things that the millennials and the generation X's Z's are having as they've been left to technology, and the media, so much more influence than on an actual parent or coach or a leader of them to be able to do it. That's why I believe these two in these two ministries that we run are so important in this book, the different stories and the last thing I'll talk about, we have a gentleman here that wrote, called did differently abled, and he wrote the story about his son, and what he went through that his son was born not not a normal birth, it had some issues and became differently abled. And how he turned that into a ministry and save souls today, by doing triathlons with carrying him and pushing him by going across, he just went across the from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, on a on a boat, in pulling a paddling, paddleboard paddling his son behind them. And that story was just so amazing, because some of the ladies can understand that, that feel what their child, you know, is going through that we have another gentleman who was a Jewish American brought up there and had real father wounds and never knew what forgiveness was. And he writes his forgiving forward story, and how that work and how he was able to get restoration, we have a father and son team that are in the book, and we are so excited about them. And you know what happened and their stories, how they were able to relate to each other, but also a for the kingdom, you know, and to, they all had their own processes they had to go through, but they were so genuine to share it how a person that owned a construction company that felt the Lord calling him to donate the construction, so you need to and not for profit. And now to do that he writes his story in there. And then the last I can, there's so many there's over 20 stories that I want to leave anybody out, just giving you some highlights you really need to read it is that, you know, we had a gentleman that was in COVID ICU, that went through that whole COVID process with his family, and then nobody at that, that was in that COVID ICU with him, walked out of there except for him. That's the mighty man of God, you know, we're able to do and then are closed with the chapter of agenda on basically a job story, a doctor who lost everything, he still has a trachea and lost his family lost, you know, his health and couldn't walk with thought he was going to be told he was going to suppose to die many, many times, and how God is now using him to tell his testimony and tell his thing. And then his life is still process. But he's walking through it and telling the testimony as it is.
Kimberly Hobbs
It's amazing, truly amazing, the men that have come forward to be transparent with the world. And ladies, you could read this book for yourselves and be influenced and moved by what you read. And then I'm sure you're going to want to pass it to those men in your life that you love so much. Because when they can sit down and really read the stories of another man and they can identify with these because these men talk openly about things that they have had to deal with in their life. You know, but God and God helped them through so it gives hope, help healing to others that may be looking in and glimpsing in at these stories, I'm telling you, it's a powerful book, it's already gone to a four times bestseller. So it has sweep the categories and categories as number one bestseller. And again, that's God because He knows these messages need to get out to the world. So the other thing that this book supplies, which is a fantastic is the teaching the teaching with within the book in between each chapter, there are different teachings, you know, face to the subtitle is overcoming adversity through faith. Well, it takes faith to overcome insecurities. It takes faith to overcome temptation. It takes faith to overcome addictions. Each of these are spelled out and how to deal with these things that men face continuously that they're bombarded with. So, um, my love, can you talk about some of these teachings that you have decided to put in between the chapters that are powerful?
Ken Hobbs
Well, you know, one of the things was is, this was my first time writing I've spoken in front of 1000s and I have been in public speaking now almost 30 years. And but writing is a different challenge that I have never done because when you transfer what you think and what you say, and you put it down into writing, it changes everything because it actually becomes more real. First off is they always talk about that but the second thing is is that it really made you deal with things that When you're just speaking about it and sharing about it, you don't always deal or think or go back to those times that you had. And so writing about that, in order to write that, you know, you had to actually go back to those times and analyze where it was. So one of the things I dealt with is I kind of felt or dealt with an abandonment issue that I was my parents got divorced when I was very young, and they fought over me for custody and for you know, everything and, and I actually was, when they both got remarried, it was a huge, huge transition. I know probably, you're really you know, your followers are probably have some of the same situations and dealing with that. So I went from the father over child, to the abandoned child, I felt like in you know, one of the things so I talked about how I dealt with abandonment and what Scriptures helped me through but more importantly, is having one of the toughest times of my life, you know, that I've felt more abandoned than I ever felt when I was eight years old, turned out to be the greatest memory that I childhood memory I had when my grandfather pop scene went and got a Winnebago and we went across country and, and went to the Mount Rushmore and Tetons and all the different areas across the country and, and just had an amazing, amazing time. And now with, with my, my aunt, and we just had an amazing time, it turned into a great, great memory, my best childhood memory, I could say, one of my best, and that here is but that was when I was dealing with the biggest issues of abandonment. So God allows people to come into your life. And that's where a man can go and be there for another man. And that's one of the things we talked about. Insecurities is a big thing for a man. I mean, especially in this technology world, we got Facebook, Instagram, we've got all kinds of social media, everything is broadcast out there everything is you're on video camera, everywhere you go everywhere you drive, you're on video, you understand life is is a showcase. And so what ends up happening is is how do you deal with those insecurities? How do you deal with it? How do you man up in this world, right? We talk about how do you navigate yourself and when though even society doesn't even want you to be a man, you know, where a man of God or a Christian man is looked at as Mr. Rogers, whereas God wants you to be David or be Braveheart or be Gladiator. He wants you to fight for what's right, fight for your princess, fight for your children fight for your community, and how do you fight, he fight by putting on the armor, the spiritual armor, you know, the helmet of salvation, we carry around the military coin, that the end of our band of brothers when in fact, we had a band of brothers bootcamp with a record breaking over 450 guys that were there we went through the whole, you know, four day workshop on how to don't call the Wild at Heart, how to deal with all the adversities that you're dealing with, and really breaks down everything that coaching and teaching has never really done in churches and other groups. And we've actually have a coin that when you go through the the bootcamp, they give you this coin and it has on there, put it on Ephesians six, Put on the whole armor of God talking about is is when you feel stressed, you feel depressed. You feel, you know, unworthy, you feel unappreciated men, really I hear more and more that men feel unappreciated today than they ever did because of just the way society you know works and the way society is going right now and and that really is a problem. So they care for this court that you've got to make sure an armor up. We call it fit to fight. We got to look to the other guys and say are you fit to fight? Did you put on your helmet this morning? Did you wash your brain? Did you got your righteousness on your breastplate so everybody can see it that what God has done for you? How big is your sword? Like Oh, guys like the compare how big their fish are? You know, and they always had their fish stories? Well, we want to talk about how big is your sword? And that's how much you know of the Word of God. And then also how big is your shield? How big is your faith? I think that could be the greatest security that a man can give their family, their community that they could do is their faith is so big, that the shield becomes a force field around their families, their communities, their churches. So those are some of the highlights of some that changing, but you got to read the book to get more.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, absolutely. The teaching is fabulous. And there's so much helpful in there. And we just know that it is just it's going to rock the reader and they are going to just be so moved by what they read and what is poured into them. And I just want to share one more thing at the close of this book. And you had written that God has a plan for your future but so does the enemy and that is so true. His intentions are not good. The devil's plan cannot succeed if you're walking and talking with God living in obedience honoring him and standing firm in His Word that your sword and you speak in Teach of that all throughout this book through the men stories through the teaching. So despite what is happening around you, your enemy, the devil will be defeated. But he's going to try to wreak havoc on you until he is. So ask God for strength and endurance to continue in what you must do, don't give up or give in. Remember, if you start getting consumed by present battles in your life, and feel like you're going nowhere, God has your back. And one of the ways is through a book like this, because you will get so much learning so much teaching so much and for in SPIRATION, that God is preparing you for what's next. So don't lose heart. So as we close in the next minute or two, can you please just speak into the listener right now, which is mainly women right now. And talk to them about how this book can even make a difference in their life?
Ken Hobbs
Well, first off is is that all of you one of the things i i love about this, because I read, you know, all the women were leaders books, okay, just so you know, there it is. I have a signed copy from, from the publishers and the authors. So I make sure and do that. But I read the women's stories, and I do their I actually read the women's devotionals that are put out every day, because it gives me a better insight into the women in my life. Obviously, my my love, you know, but I also into my mom, my stepmother, the other women that I'm interacting with that it really, really helps you. So I would first recommend that if you have men in your life, and you would like to have a better relationship, understanding them, so that you can though and maybe have a little bit more influence or, or direction if they needed that this book would be a great read for you. So if you understand what other men have gone through, and how they overcome it, the you can then go and encourage and guide and and do that. The second thing is is that you can actually use this book and have it around and have it well. And try to encourage your man your father, your your husband, your son, your steps on your uncle's any man that you have in your life, or any man in need. There is a story in here that everybody needs to hear. Okay, and it all comes back to the Lord. We're talking to Jesus in His Word is what we direction everything is in the end, I want you to understand that we don't want to get churchy. But we are going to direction where our, our faith and our strength comes through. And, and that happens. And the second thing, the third thing I thought was really cool. And this was something that Kimberly did for me the day that was actually launched that it's a really neat thing, if you order the Kindle version, is that you can actually have Alexa read the Kindle version. So Kimberly went in the head at when I came home that day, and she said Alexa, play United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith or to read it. And it actually read everything that it just went through. And it was so almost brought me to tears hearing it done. Well that's maybe something you could do while you're getting your dishes. While you're doing other things that are going on that you could be listening to it, but guess what other people are listening to. And that happens a lot. And then for your unsaved man that you might have or your unsaved person, you know, obviously pray, okay, but utilize, try to encourage the book. And if they're not open to that, that's okay, too. But you model what some of the things you're going to learn how to deal with the man in your life by this book and be able to utilize it and go forward.
Kimberly Hobbs
Thank you. Thank you great word. And so yes, it is not just for the men, it is for everybody. So in there is something that we can all take away from this. I mean, I can't even tell you the flooding of ladies that have already read this that have been coming back with tears. Everybody's saying tears powerful, like they can't even get through this book without crying through all the chapters because these men like I said, I can't say it enough. They are transparent. And they wrote from their heart and they revealed a lot of junk. And there's like four pastures in this book as well. And you know what's so amazing is that they had to go through something we all have a past right? To get to where they are now and how God brought them there is truly remarkable. So when you hear these kinds of stories, ladies to it will rock your world. So as I close, God is awakening warriors to step up and be heard as they live with valiant and courageous faith. With the stories and teachings United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith will help you armor up, become fit to fight and move forward with what it takes to be an honorable leader and kindness as we close out right now. There are going to be those that want to reach out to you and get more information about Band of Brothers or can you give out a way they can reach you in the last 30 seconds?
Ken Hobbs
Got it. No problem that first off is is that my bio is in the front of the book. And I do list all our websites that are there that you can access their band of brothers fl.com www dot band or brothers fl.com is for the bootcamps. United men of honor United men of honor.com is another way, my direct email and I'll have any problem with that if somebody wants to contact me direct 10 Hobbs number two@yahoo.com Ken Hobbs, number two Yahoo, we would love to be able to pray. We're also on social media have your man or if you want to follow us on Facebook group, we have a group called United Men of Honor, we all just like you ladies have one. And we also have an Instagram and a telegram chat. I do want to close with one quick scripture one, I really encourage you ladies that if you are pursuing your man's and your man's heart, see that's what you need to do. Don't pursue your man or their actions pursue their heart that the last scripture was his revelations 319 through 21. All those I love I unmask and trained. So repent and be Eagle eager to pursue what is right. Behold, I am standing at the door knocking, if your heart is open to hear my voice, and you hear the door and you open the door within I will come in to you and will feast with you. And to the one who conquers I will give you the privilege of sitting with me at the throne. That's what the stakes were paying for. stand at the door don't give up.
Kimberly Hobbs
Beautiful, wonderful word. Yes. And I just have one more scripture to add to because God says Call on me when you're in trouble, and I will rescue you and you will give me glory. And that's exactly what this book is about is all the men that God has rescued from all the garbage that has been in their life. And now they are glorifying him sharing their stories, that Psalm 50 Verse five, if you'd like to know. So God will work everything together in his time. So don't give up. Ladies, this is such a helpful tool, United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith, which is available on Amazon, and also many other different avenues. It's available at Barnes and Nobles. But we have a favor to ask if you are going to order this book for Christmas birthdays, whatever God puts on your heart, would you please order through World publishing and productions.com Because all proceeds of this book go to support the ministries and we are very grateful that God has provided that opportunity. So again, we asked you to go to World publishing and productions.com to the shop and you can order United men of honor overcoming adversity through faith. God bless you all, we are so thankful that you joined in today and pray that you will enjoy the book and please reach out please give us messages of how it impacted you because we placed those on social media we placed them in our world publishing and productions. Lines and we and also on Amazon, please write reviews on Amazon. It's so so important when other people looking to see if maybe they should get this book, they read those and we God can use you in an impactful way to pour into the person saying should I read this book or not? So those would be helpful. So we have to close and again I thank you my love for being on today Ken Hobbs. He is one special man and I am thankful that God brought him into my life and I get to serve the Lord with him. So thank you for being on today babe.
Ken Hobbs
Oh, love being here. I love being Mr. Women World Leaders, too.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen So from his heart to yours, ladies, we are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent, but reached out to us. We want to hear from you. God bless you all have a beautiful and wonderful day.
Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes we feel like we are on the top of the mountain, and other times we are in the deepest valley. No matter where we are, we can know for certain that God is God. And He will always be with us! Join Rusanne Carole today and be inspired, no matter where you are in life.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a WWL’s podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole, born in Louisiana- living in Australia. Thank you for joining us today as we look at how we, as sisters in Christ, we can
live and experience the good times and the challenging times - overcome adversity & challenges we face in this world.
God is our God of the times we are on top of the mountain as well as when we find ourselves in the deepest of valleys.
But as followers of Christ we are called & equipped to battle on, & we’re not alone… we put on the full armour of God, becoming Spirit-led, Spirit-filled Warriors, we are Women of God, we are Women World Leaders.
*God is God and He is with us whether we are on top of a mountain in life – celebrating the wonderful things this life has to offer… ***
The Bible shares many glorious experiences that happened on mountains… Moses received the 10 commandments, God, on the mountain, wrote these commandments on tablets of stone with His finger! Jesus appeared in his heavenly form during the Transformation atop a mountain. The happenings on top of a mountain represent the magnificent. The highs. The celebrations. Maybe that’s where we get the saying, “ I feel like I’m on top of the world” As a young girl, I took a trip with my high school and we climbed a mountain in Colorado. As we finally reached the top it was absolutely gorgeous and you did feel like you were on top of the world. Elated.. Like nothing could touch you.
Yet as we grow up… experience life we realise those moments don’t last forever… Changes comes. Challenges come. Circumstances we’d rather not experience present themselves
Much suffering happens in the valleys as God’s ppl struggle with life’s disappointments, trials, temptation. Our faith is tested..
The dichotomy of LIFE – such beauty and happy times yet such devastation can occur too!
Even the biblical Promise Land that God led His ppl to included both hills and valleys alike… Deut 11:11… “But the land you are crossing the Jordan River to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from the heaven. In Matthew 5 Jesus tells us God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
But how do we drink rain from heaven in the lowest of our times in the valleys we find ourselves in?
What God asks the Israelites for during their 40 year journey that could have been travelled in 11 days was TRUST.. It’s what He asked of them and it’s what He asks of us now.
We don’t know what tomorrow holds but as believers and followers of Christ, we know who holds tomorrow.
Our hope is in the Lord. – not in this life but the life that awaits.
So practically – how can we drink that heavenly rain as we walk thru the valleys. Here are some things to ponder:
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Our feelings during this time can take over… We mustn’t ignore or suppress the feelings but we cannot allow ourselves to stay there.. I had a friend tell me, it’s ok to have a bad day just try not to have 2 in a row. I believe it’s important to pay attention to the pain, acknowledge it, allow it… then the tough part comes in the waiting in the confusing “in-between time when finally the birth of something new comes… For God is good… Nahum 1:7 says The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. He has us and He never leaves us.
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We can quench our spiritual thirst by getting in His Word. Yet I know there have been times in the deepest of valleys it was hard to read or concentrate. This is where it’s important to have a few life verses planted – embedded deep in your heart that you can meditate and ponder on throughout the tough days. And worship music can be most beneficial at this time too.
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And of course PRAYER. I recently read: Her secret is simple. On her worst days she prays, and on her best days she prays. God even knew there would be seasons in which we wouldn’t even have the words. Romans 8:26-27 tells us the Spirit makes intercession for us for HE knows. What a merciful, beautiful God we serve.
So as believers, we will be discouraged , but not despaired for our God is with us always – A beautiful worship song by Tauren Hills (hills & valleys) Says:
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I love visualisations and we know how powerful they can be:
I like to picture myself dancing with Jesus on top of the mountain (Him singing over me) when I am being blessed to experience the goodness of God. ISIAH 52:7 declares “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaimed peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!
IS 55:12 describes worshipping God during a hill time of celebration
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands”
In valleys, we can choose to see our obstacles as opportunities to grow stronger in our faith.
Peter 4 verse 12 and 13 tells us, ‘Dear friends don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through as if something strange is happening to you. Instead be very glad - for these trials make your partners with Christ in his suffering so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. Our valley times are temporary. This is the time I’m not dancing on a mountaintop but I am resting in His arms – with my head on his chest so close I can feel his breath on my face and hear his heartbeat beating in sink with mine, like a lullaby allowing be to be still and sit with HIM
Let us pray
Lord, I hope that every ear that has tuned into this teaching will experience more and more of Your love for us whether we are currently celebrating on a mountaintop or struggling through getting through a valley. In this world, the only constant is change. But Your word tells us You do not change. You are our constant. You are our Rock. Help us to lean into you each day, each moment no matter what our circumstances are. You give us the peace beyond all understanding. And until we reach that final mountaintop where eternity is our home, help us in Your strength to persevere in the race that is set out for each of us.
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
Oh, Martha and Mary! The sisters who both love Jesus but react so differently to His presence! Who is right? Are either of them “wrong”? Let’s discover together what we can learn as we study Luke 10:38-42.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am honored to walk with you as we open the Bible together and ask God to show us His heart.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I want to offer you a special welcome. We are a ministry that strives to help others walk in their God-given purpose. As the ministry has grown, one of the things God has led us to is helping women become authors by helping them write and publish their God-stories. The resulting books shine the spotlight on Jesus so others can look to Him as they go through life. To date, each of our books has become a best-seller – people just can’t get enough of God. And rightly so!
This year, along with working with women, we have been blessed to partner with United Men of Honor to publish a book of God-stories written by men. The book—United Men of Honor: Overcoming Adversity Through Faith—was recently released and also became an #1 Amazon best-seller. I’m telling you, this book is amazing. I would encourage you to visit womenworldleaders.com to purchase a copy for the man in your life…but you may want to actually purchase two…because you will want one for yourself!
While you are on the website, make sure to check out our teachings and devotions and sign up to attend our monthly leadership connection on Zoom.
On this, the Wednesday editon of the Women World Leaders’ podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we examine the life of Jesus. Today’s teaching is from Luke, chapter 10, verses 38-42. Before we dive into scripture, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy and ever-present God, we thank you for guiding us through this lesson today. God, the scripture we are studying today is short, but it is SO packed with meaning. God, I pray that you guide my words. You know what we each need to hear from you today, and I ask that you use this time to speak to us. Guide each of our thoughts as we listen. Help us to hear YOUR heart, YOUR instruction, YOUR wisdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's scripture is just 5 verses, but as I prayed, it is chock full of lessons for us.
Luke has grouped this teaching with two other teachings, which we have already studied. Luke 10, verses 1-24 give the lesson that, as Christians, we are to be ambassadors of and for Christ. In these verses, Luke tells of Jesus sending out the 72 messengers, and then he tells of their return – and that the ambassadors are filled with joy because they saw how God faithfully worked through them on their mission. Then, in Luke 10, verses 25-37, we learn the importance of being a good neighbor through the story of the good Samaritan.
So we’ve seen the importance, as Christ-followers, of being an ambassador for Christ and of being a good neighbor – the importance of working for the Kingdom.
With that in mind, let’s step forward into Luke 10:38-42 to see what our third lesson is. The New Living Translation states…
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem, and they come to Bethany, just a few miles east of the city, where three siblings, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, live. Jesus was good friends with this family and often stayed with them. It seems that they were known for their hospitality. And I don’t know if the house was very crowded or extremely large, but let’s get the picture that there were at least 16 people there.
If you have ever hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas for your family, you know how much work it is to feed a large group. When my family gets together, we do it potluck style – everyone is responsible for bringing one or two items. This helps alleviate the burden on the host and hostess, for sure. But in this case, and in this culture, Martha, as the homeowner and hostess, was responsible for doing all the food preparation. And Jesus was a very important guest. Later, scripture clearly tells us that Martha knew exactly who Jesus was, the Messiah, so of course she was going to go all out to serve Him and His disciples. Not only was there food to prepare, there were also beds to be made up, water to be brought in, and lamps to fill with oil. There is no doubt that Martha had been working for days before Jesus’ arrival.
And, we are told, she welcomed Jesus and His disciples into her home. She was pleased they were there, ready to enjoy their presence. But before she could rest, she needed to make sure that the food for the next meal was prepared.
Martha had obviously hoped that her sister, Mary, would help her. Culturally, this WAS the woman’s job…and we can guess that Mary DID help, but when it came to putting on the finishing touches, Mary went and sat at the feet of Jesus, leaving the remainder of the work to Martha.
Let’s focus on Mary for a moment.
Sitting at the feet of a rabbi, soaking in the learning, was an honorable and esteemed place to be. And culturally, it was meant as a place for men. Women and girls were not allowed to receive any type of formal education. Society was quite segregated between men and women. Women were responsible for birthing babies, raising children, and preparing food. And that is where they gained their honor.
But Mary stopped her work to sit at the feet of her beloved Jesus. And Jesus welcomed her.
One of the biggest takeaways of this passage is that Jesus’ teachings are not intended for a select group—all are welcome to sit at Jesus’ feet. Today we don’t have the literal feet of Jesus to sit at, but we do have individual and corporate Bible study, prayer, church offerings, Bible schools and seminaries, and, most importantly, the voice of the Holy Spirit. Jesus welcomes everyone to come and sit at His feet in whatever way His feet are available to them. He wants us all to come and learn and enjoy a relationship with Him.
A second takeaway is that we are all different. God doesn’t judge us according to our abilities and gifts, so we shouldn’t judge each other either.
Martha got frustrated with Mary because she wasn’t helping her. But Mary was exactly where Jesus wanted her to be.
We are all given different gifts and talents to be used in the body of Christ. Some indeed have the gift of hospitality and service, others lean more toward teaching and preaching. The gift you receive is up to God. And God doesn’t make mistakes.
Mary and Martha were different. Martha thrived on being a hospitable hostess. Mary had a bent for learning. Both were giftings from God – and both were good.
Besides the lessons that Jesus’ teachings are for all of us, and that we are not to judge others’ gifts and abilities, we also learn that even good work can be distracting.
We are all called to do and go for Christ – that simply can’t be denied. There IS much work to be done, including sharing the gospel across the world AND with our neighbors, as Luke has taught us, but we must always be on guard against elevating the work we are called to ABOVE spending time with Jesus.
What Martha was doing was important. She was serving Jesus!! What an amazing honor to prepare a meal for our Lord! It is no wonder that she wanted everything to be just right. But getting it all just right, in this instance, consumed her. We see that because frustration arose within her when Mary went and sat at Jesus’ feet – leaving Martha with the work.
When we are serving Christ in answer to His call and find ourselves frustrated with the way others on our team are serving, our hearts are no longer in the right place.
So what do we do? Martha went to Jesus – which WAS the RIGHT thing to do! She said “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?” If Martha would have stopped right there and listened for a response from Jesus, she would have been golden. I imagine Jesus would have said, “Martha, why don’t you come and sit down, too. We can have dinner later.” And what a different ending THAT would have been!
But after Martha went to Jesus with her frustration, she didn’t pause to let Jesus speak. Instead, she told Jesus what to do, saying…”Tell her to come and help me.”
When our work for the Lord leads us into territory that is frought with frustration, we should absolutely take our concerns to Him, but we should approach Him with an open, teachable heart that is ready to pause and listen to His instructions. We CAN trust that God has everything in His control. The work WILL get done. The dinner, literally or figuratively, WILL be a success—if we respond in obedience with each step.
Even work done FOR Jesus can distract us from spending time WITH Jesus.
Jesus does respond, because Martha takes a breath, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The primary takeaway from this scriputre is that despite the work we are called to, our relationship with the Lord should always be our primary focus.
Martha was busy doing, and she became frustrated. Still, when she went to Jesus, He kindly and graciously pulled her into a deeper relationship with Him.
When we go to Jesus, He will always pull us into a deeper relationship with Him, and no one can take that from us.
Jesus will never stop trying to reach us. He reached Mary where she was, and He reached Martha where she was. And if you pause and listen, He will meet you, wherever you are.
The Christian life requires balance. It requires us to go, be ambassadors for Christ and care for our neighbors—sometimes cooking a meal for many, but it also begs us to pause and allow the Lord to speak to our hearts.
Jesus’ teachings ARE intended for YOU – whether you are a man or woman, a pastor or a prostitute. Jesus’ wants YOU to sit at HIS feet.
Jesus gifting for each of us is different; therefore, the best we can do is do what WE are called to and not judge others.
Jesus doesn’t EVER want our work FOR Him to distract us from our relationship WITH Him.
But most of all, Jesus wants us to pause and listen to Him, trusting He will ALWAYS be there to graciously lead and guide us. As Christians, nothing can take that away from us.
It is clear from this passage just how much Jesus LOVED Martha and Mary. His patient care is almost palpable. I can just envision the kindness in His eyes that entranced Mary and melted Martha’s frustrations. I’m sure glad Martha took a breath long enough to let Jesus speak. I pray that you and I will do the same today.
Let’s pray…
Dear Jesus…how kind you are. Your kindness is beyond what we can fathom. We just seem to get off course sometimes, intent on going and doing. Let us each rest in your kind presence today. Help us hear your melodious voice and see your eyes running deep with peace and love. Thank you for always pursuing us and loving us. We give you today and thank you for giving us eternity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Join us for Part II of Brandie Reader's interview. Brandie is a 22-year-old with a powerful story of a broken life, shattered into a million pieces. The incredible work God is doing to restore her with His healing love will bring unspeakable joy to your soul. You'll hear the battle of lies Brandie has dealt with and overcome because of God's unfailing promises of Truth. Brandie shares that this transparent story isn't just for her but hopes to encourage others with the hope and miracle of God which He brought to her precisely when she needed it. Brandie titled this 2-part podcast: "Hope Is Colorful, Overcoming Darkness With Light" * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives With Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And ladies, we are so grateful that you've joined us today. And I'd like to welcome back for part two, our guest, Miss brandy reader, welcome, Brandie.
Brandie Reader
Hey, ladies, I'm so excited to be back again,
Kimberly Hobbs
We are so excited to have you. And, ladies, if you were listening in to last week, you will know that this young lady has a powerful, powerful testimony of what God has healed her from. And you are now going to hear the way that God had healed her through what she went through. And ladies, we're here and hopes that we can strengthen you, encourage you and empower you to walk in your beautiful purpose just as Brandie is. And despite all the past and trials and tribulations that a lot of us have endured through our lives. God gives us a solution and he has a plan for each of our lives. He says in Ephesians 210 that we are His masterpiece created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And I know that he had a plan for brandies life long ago. And she is walking that out right now. And it is amazing to hear her testify and share openly and transparently of her past and now what God's doing in her future. And we pray that this can be you as well, that we all have stories. And those stories belong to God when we are believers, because it's God that brings us through those trials and tribulations in our life and allow us to live so that we can testify of the amazing things that he has done in our lives. So we are hoping today that in part two of this amazing story and testimony that you are going to see the power of God come alive in brandies life, I want to share a little bit about brandy for those of you that have missed last week and may only be tuning into part two and that's okay. We'll just fill you in on what this is about. So brandy reader is 22 years old. She is from West Palm Beach, Florida. She's active in her church, which is bound church in South Florida. And Brandi did a program through her church called 516, where she learned how to truly be a disciple of Christ and how the Lord changed her life through this. Brandi is passionate about God, healing, deliverance, and also prayer. I love to hear that especially from a young lady like yourself 22 years old and you have passions about the things of the Lord. She aspires to bring people closer to God and healing through sharing her story. And I asked brandy of what did you want to title this brandy? Like what do you think is a good title for sharing your story? And she said how about hope is colorful, overcoming darkness with light. And I said I love that. And that's what she used to wear dark clothes when she was walking in that darkness. And now she likes to wear brighter things and colorful things. She has a rainbow earrings on and she is just so happy to be able to walk in the freedom because she has battled those lies that the enemy threw at her. And now she walks in this newness of life. And just to recap a little bit and Brandy is going to tell you a little bit more but God has brought her through. She overcame rejection in her life when she was little paranoia, abuse, painful abuse from a stepdad. And now she's had to go through a lot of things to get to where she is now. But a lot of lies that the enemy fed over these years of brandies life so Brandi Do you want to recap about your life before we go into what now God is miraculously doing through you because it is powerful. Ladies get ready and just take down maybe a pen and paper and jot some of the things down but Brandy is going to share with you because it really truly as inspiring. So go ahead brandy talk about how you're you are broken in a million pieces. And how God webbed into your pain The whole Christ that needed to be found and how he wants the whole Brandie.
Brandie Reader
Yeah. So during capital a little bit, you know, I grew up in abuse of all forms that you can imagine just feeling abandoned and neglected and not wanted from a young age, getting put in. My mom losing her rights, my stepdad giving us our toys, being put in a home with someone I didn't really know who didn't love me who didn't want me. And then growing up from that abusive home, to finally meeting God, and still battling hopelessness to overdosing, when I was $15, saving me from that. But still walking around with this feeling of no loss of home, like loss of family, from the Lord putting me in different homes and then battling rejection when I was moved. believing the lie, you know, God's word says he puts a lonely in families, and then being put in families in that being taken away. So they're not believing God's truth. His Word says, For I know, the plans I have you declares the LORD Plans to prosper, not to harm plan to give you hope in the future, not believing that truth. So feeling as if my life was the exact opposite of what God's word said, and how can I believe His truth when my life is saying something different. And so, battling that, but then finally going to college, getting introduced to my church and experiencing a lot of healing. And so through being introduced to my church, I began a program through my church called Project 516. And I remember, you know, I said, and I mentioned this in our other video, that I told people, I was this broken vase that had been shattered, and those pieces had been stepped on. And there was no way that anyone could put me back together. I don't know if God can even put me back together. And so it's interesting, because one of the first things the Lord said to me, when I started this program was brandy, or not remodeling your foundation. I'm demolishing it. And it's crazy. Because if anyone would have asked me, I would have said that God was my foundation, you know, but the Lord revealed that he wasn't. And so that really started to happen. With unforgiveness, I realize his word says, if, for if, For if you forgive others, their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you. I wasn't forgiving others their trespasses against me, I was actually holding them in contempt, thinking that me holding on to it was getting justice. In reality, I was just putting myself in a prison. And so the Lord started to avail and forgiveness, but that unforgiveness revealed trauma and brokenness. And His Word says, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. And so as this unforgiveness as trauma started to come up, though, or was healing me, but I know because Thor was setting me free, the enemy was trying everything he can to take me out. And so I'm getting set free. But then this darkness is just overtaking me. And I was learning how to replace lies with truth. But in the beginning of learning that, you know, a fear would come and I'd like, His Word says that he's not giving me a sound mind. And then I still feel afraid. And so I was like, this isn't working for me. And I wasn't, I didn't really know how to contend in that space. I was just like, this doesn't work. And so the enemy was just having a playground with my mind. And as I'm an inner healing, and as I'm in counseling, and these things are getting brought up, it's kind of retriggering me and the enemy is using those things to keep me in bondage. And so I remember how I was, as I was going through the program, and I was being healed. My depression was getting worse, like, and I don't even think I would have called myself depressed, but I didn't want to get out of bed, and I didn't want to live. And I remember, one time, I stopped by the inner healing office, and I was talking to the person who does some inner healing. And I said, Katie, I don't want to live today. And she's like, I want you to renounce death and hopelessness off of your life. And I renounce it and then she tells me to renounce control. And as I go to renounce control, I feel someone choking my throat, like, I cannot get the words out of my mouth. And finally, I'm able to like say, I renounce control. And through her discernment, she's like, there's something more going on. So we go into the inner healing room, bring a second person in, and through a lot of prayer. I start I'm out of my chair on the ground, screaming I mean, there's these animal like noises coming on my mouth. And I realized I was experiencing a manifestation. And this brought so much fear, so much fear to me, and so much shame. I couldn't even rejoice that I was being set free and I was being delivered. Because I was so afraid, because I've never experienced that before. And I was, the enemy made me believe that he was more powerful than God. And he used that to, like, create just this fear. And so this fear started to overtake me. And Katie kept saying to me, Brandy, Greater is He that is the new then he that is in the world. But it was so cool because that fear led me to God. And His Word says, There is no fear in love. but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. And so this year, drew me closer to the Lord and helped me learn how to fight against the enemy. And so this starts to happen, I go to another inner healing session. And I, this a manifestation starts to happen. And she Kay looks me in the eye. And she says, In the name of Jesus, you will not throw her out of that chair. And I was stuck to my chair. And it was in that moment that I realized, but graders, he that is in me than he that is in the world, because he cannot hear me. And so that was the moment that I began to walk in my authority. So fast forward, I'm still on this program and getting set free. I'm starting to walk in my authority. But the enemy comes even stronger, just with darkness with depression. And I'm like, I'm fighting like, why am Why is this still happening. And this led to one day, I locked myself in the bathroom with pills, my community had a beat on the door. And finally, get me out of there and lay on the floor till three or 4am with me while I'm crying. And I'm like, I don't want to live and I'm just I feel so defeated, because I'm fighting so hard. But the enemy is fighting so much stronger to take my life. And so about a week later, as I went through some really intense healing, the enemy came in when it became silent. And he started to whisper the lies to me that you're going to be like this forever. You know, God's word says he's able to complete what he starts, he started saying he's not going to complete what he started a new UN. So I was ready to work one day, and I heard the light, you know, you're going to be like this forever. He's never going to heal you. And I'm like, No, in the name of Jesus. God is faithful to complete what he starts. And it didn't work. And then I played worship music. And the sorrow just gripped me, because I'm like, I partnered with the enemy by saying, Yeah, you're right. And that was the most dangerous thing that I did. And that's the most dangerous thing we can do is when we partner with the enemy, and say that what he's saying is true. So I partnered with that lie, that I was going to be like this forever. And I pulled into a parking lot in a Walgreens, and I got the biggest bottle of aspirin. And I pulled into a park parking lot. And I started taking a handful of pills. And I had Christian radio playing on my car. I had scriptures all over my car. But because I had partnered with the enemy, there was no like, no receiving, because I'm like, Yeah, this is true. And when I said that was true, it's like I just allowed him into my mind. And I allowed the darkness to take over. And so I take 200 and over 250 pills. And I call a couple of people and they didn't answer. And finally my pastor's wife picks up and she's like, Brandy, I see I was to call. And I'm weeping. And I said, Colleen, I took pills. And she was like, Brandy, what did you do? And I'm like, I took pills. And she's like, You need to make yourself throw up right now. And I know that this was the award, because I think if anyone would else would have picked up the phone, they would have just called the ambulance. But she for some reason, she told me to make myself throw up and she's like, you stay on the phone while you throw up. And so I'm throwing up, you have this white powder, liquid powder, just all over me all over my car. And she runs to come her and my pastor get in the car to run, run and get me I start to feel better. But then by the time they arrive, I'm like out of it. You know, I'm like, I'm dying. And so they pick me up. And they literally have to like get me out of the car and get me to the hospital. And by the time I get to the hospital, I'm like going downhill. And I remember so distinctly when I got there and I got in the wheelchair, my pastor kiss my head and he said I love you. And I know that Ozora because that's what I needed to hear. I needed to hear that I was Love in that I was accepted. And I was in the hospital for days. And I was left alone with myself. And it was in this moment that I realized, people were fighting for me. But I had to fight for myself. Yes. And I think sometimes we want people to be able to fix us. But God is the only one who can. But God doesn't just want to fix us, he wants to heal us. And so it was in at the end of myself that I say, I found God. It was when I was laying in the hospital bed. And I was like, I have nothing. I'm I have nothing left. But God, God was the only one there. You know, of course, my community was definitely but when I'm all alone, I was left with God. And so I went to a behavioral health hospital, I got stabilized. And I came out. And I remember there was just one day, I was in the prayer room at my church. And I asked the Lord, Lord, why did you save me? And he said to me, bring it because I'm faithful to complete what I start, and I keep my promises. And that moment, changed me. It changed my life, because I realized that God saved me for a purpose. I have this vision of the Lord coming into the car and breathing life into me. And that's what he did. When I couldn't breathe for myself. God came into that car, and he breathed for me. And so, through that, you know, I remember there was this one day that I was driving past the hospital. And I felt shame, because I thought back to the overdose. And I heard in my brain, I heard the Lord say, shame is not your inheritance, it's the enemies. And I have coined that phrase, every time I've done so with shame, I'm like that, and shame, was despised on the cross in the Lord showed me. He told me like, His scripture says on Isaiah, instead of your shame, there will be double portion, instead of dishonor, they shall rejoice, and their lot, therefore in their land, they shall possess a double portion, they shall have everlasting joy. And I held on to that, I hold on to that promise. And then finally, I was faced with like, Hey, I just stopped this depression diagnosis, like, what do I do with that, like, I'm supposed to be joyful and happy, and have this depression, diagnosis, but in his word, and Philippians, and 14, it says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure, lovely, whatever is commendable. The if there's any excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things. And I realized, sometimes, we may see something may not be gone. But I thanked God for what he had not done, because I know that it was going to be done. So I was thanking God, for freedom from depression, even though I hadn't seen it. And so I was holding on I talk about often, we have a reality in this natural world, but there's a reality in the heavenly realm. And the reality in the heavenly realm is that I don't have depression. And so I decided to partner with the reality of heaven, instead of this world to reality, and declare over myself freedom even before I had received it yet. And so it was cool, because as I slowly started to break these things down, you know, he started to heal me from rejection and abandonment, which His Word says, Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb, even these may forget, but I may not forget you. And so as a word, and the beginning said, you know, he had to, he wasn't remodeling, he was demolishing. And all these things started to tear down, it came to the root of i like i There is $1 tree, you know, like, I have put other gods before him and those gods honestly, it was wanting a family more than I wanted him. You know, because of that rejection, abandonment, I saw a family was going to heal me. And the reality is this. It wasn't the only one who could heal me was God. And I had to realize that God was not for me, you know. And so as we dealt with the idolatry, I started to realize I had control. And I had to give up that control to trust God. And it was so cool, because as I realized this, the Lord revealed to me that the foundation that I had created was founded on me, you know, and that is an idol to. And His Word says, If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. And it also says in Galatians, I have been crucified with Christ. It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh. I live by faith in the Son of God. God, who loved me and gave himself for me. So I realized that I had in that hospital room, I thought I was dying. But there was something dying, I was dying spiritually, so Christ could live with me. And I, like I said, I had to come to the end of myself, to realize God, you know, and once I was able to rise that I was like, God, I don't want to be my foundation, I want you to be my foundation. And so, through that, God, I truly began living my life for God. You know, I love to Lord before this, but I love the Lord, way more than I ever could through this because I started to realize once that I brought these things to the Lord, he started to heal me and replace those things with the truth. You know, and I, I became big, became, I become to fall in love with the Lord and in love with his word. And as I become begin to fall in love with him in his word, he brought home to me. And His Word says that we don't we not only rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. It's cool also, because, you know, His Word says, He gives us a sound mind, you know, he says, he's going to keep us in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on him. He gave me identity, like, I learned and knowing who God was, I learned who I was, and I am a daughter of the king. And there's purpose in my life, when I didn't believe that his word that says, I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper, not to harm plans to give you hope, in future, I believe that, because when I look back at that car, and I see him breathing life in me, I know that I'm alive today, because there's so purpose in me, you know, two times, you know, I should be dead, the amount of pills that I took, even the doctor was like, It's a miracle that she's not paralyzed, or that she doesn't have liver damage. I'm a miracle. And I'm a testament of God's faithfulness, because he had a purpose and a plan for my life, when the enemy was trying to take me out. And so what's really cool is, a couple months later, I began to walk in freedom. And I begin to walk and healing which I never thought was possible, which the enemy told me wasn't possible. And what's so crazy as on the other side of the enemy's lies, is God's true. The enemy was saying to me, he wasn't going to complete me because God was going to bring complete what he started, because God was going to complete what he started. And so few months later, I'm in my room. And I remember seeing when the depression was happening. I'm like, I just want to laugh. I just want joy. I just want to see light one day. And a few months later, I had this realization, I was laying in bed, I'm like, wow, life feels so light. And it feels like so joyful, and it's brighter. And I heard the word say, to me, hope is colorful. And I've held on to that ever since then. Because, like, Kimberly shared, you know, I was wearing dark colors and wanting to hide, and now I'm like, I wear Ray, I love the rainbow. Because it's hooked. For me, it tells me that there's purpose, and there's joy, you know, there's freedom. And I never thought that I was going to walk in freedom. And so it's just been so amazing, you know, to see the Lord what he can do when we truly surrendered to Him. And what's so cool is that, you know, I look back to, you know, the deliverance I experiencing, I know that the enemy was wanting to take me out, and he wanted to take me out, because my healing is a weapon. And it's, and the word is going to use my healing, not It's not only for me, I'm going to help other woman heal, and our healing is going to be a weapon. And I want to be end because I know our time is coming up with Isaiah 61. Because this is something that the Lord has spoken over me and it says, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring the news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison door to those who are bound to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of the minions of our God to come for all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of badness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the painting of the Lord that He may be horrified. They shall burn up ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations, they shall repair the ruin cities, the devastation of many generations. And I love this. And I know that this is what the Lord has called me to do. But because he's done it inside of me, the only way I can do it for others is because he's done it inside of me. The reality is, I haven't hit complete healing. I'm not fully healed. But I know now how to fight for it. I know how to contend in it. And my response to life is so much different than what it used to be when I thought no one wanted me, because I know who God is, I know what he can do. And I know that he loves me. And when you're so sure of that, it doesn't matter what the enemy says to you, because you know, who's who's your, and the enemy still, whispers lies to me, he still comes in. But now I don't just repeat it once. I don't just say, he's able to complete what it starts, I say it over and over and over and over and over again, until it becomes true. And so...
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes... Brandie, he gave you your identity. And you know what truth is now and you walk in that you are chosen. And obviously you you walk it out in your life and he has created you and knew that verse that scripture I shared in the beginning that For we are His masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things he planned for us long ago that identity in Christ has come alive. And like you said, you don't just speak at once you speak it again and again and again. Because until you believe it, okay? Those lies that just come at us, ladies, constantly, every day. There's our lies coming in coming and coming. And we have to combat those lies with truth, just as brandy shared her testimony over and over, he gave brandy authority. And she talks about this. And the scripture says, Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents, and the power of the enemy shall not hurt you like, ladies, you realize the authority that God gives you in the name of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus, you have that authority to stomp on the heads of serpents. And just like brandy stomped on the heads of that serpent, you know, God showed up. God is showing up for you to ladies, and he is going to do that he has predestined us to himself, right? We belong to Him. Do you think he's going to leave you alone? No, he is going to send help for you when you need it. He gave brandy that joy, the joy of the Lord is her strength. Now, ladies, please understand that you don't walk around in a depressed state. God, you belong to the God of the galaxies. And he is going to give you strength through the joy that you carry in the name of Jesus. So brandy, one more thing I'm going to ask you to share is to look into that camera. And that hurting broken crying sobbing woman on the other end, that totally knows where you have been. All the pills. I think you said 280 pills you swallowed. Do you realize that was the power of God that showed up? It was truly a miracle that saved you. Look into the lady's eyes that need that miracle today. And just pour your heart into her for the next minute of whatever God puts on your, on your heart, even pray with her whatever you feel led to do, but talk to her right now.
Brandie Reader
Yeah, what I would say is anyone listening to this, and you're like, I am there right now I'd say you have purpose. I would say that the enemy wants to take you up because you have purpose. And if you're struggling, and if you're battling and if you're in that pit, I say to you rise up, I say to your spirit rise up and I say right now in the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, the enemy has no place in your life. I say enemy you have to go off her mind. I say enemy you have to go off of her body. And I speak right now a sound mind over her. I speak joy. I say right now that morning comes off and that garment of praise is being put on you right now. And I say right now that you have the Lord inside of you, who is life and because of that your life you are full of life and not death. And I see too, that he knows the plans he has for you and they're good plans. And right now it may not seem like that. The His word says he works all things together for good. And I know we're in that moment that it feels hopeless. But one day, you're going to meet someone like me where I was at, and you're going to be able to say, rise up and lift your head up. Because you may, it may look like darkness right now. But the but God is with you, he's going to use your story. He is going to use your story. It is not hopeless. There is hope. And one day, you're going to see the color. It may seem dark right now, but it's going to you're going to see the color. And my last encouragement to you is to declare color in your life, even when it seems dark, to declare light, and joy, even when it seems those things I promise you that as you start to declare the opposite of what's being spoken over you right now, you're going to start to walk in it. And you're going to be like, when did this happen? And you're going to be able to look back and say I declared it over myself when I didn't believe it. And that's where the healing took place. So that will be my encouragement, you know, keep fighting. He wants to take you out. But God has a plan. And if there's anything that I've learned through my story is that the enemy wants to take me out, but it's because he has a plan. Because God has a plan for my life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, yes. Oh, praise God, what a word, Brandy, you are precious, you are precious in his sight. God has His anointing over you. And you are sharing your story with the world in hopes that God will use your story to bring others closer to him. And that's for you, ladies, he wants to bring you closer to him and your walk with Him. And ladies, we're here as a ministry to help you to walk beside you to encourage you we remember we talked brandy talked about community how important that is to come around those of like faith that are going to point you toward Jesus that are going to be there for you. So ladies, we encourage you to join in with us at women world leaders reach out to us reach out to me at Kimberly at women world leaders.com. And I will just talk to you, I will put you in the right direction of who to talk to or how we can help you. Also, if you want to talk with brandy, I'll be happy to give her the message. So just reach out to me again at Kimberly at women world leaders.com. And if you have anything that you identified with with brandy story, I'm sure she wants to hear from you. So please don't be afraid to reach out to us. And we will put the connections together so that she can help you if she can and encourage you important to you. But that's what we do as a ministry for women here is we just want to pour into you and love on you and let you know that there is hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are not alone. We will pray with you. We have a team of over 50 prayer warriors that faithfully pray for the prayer requests that come in. So please let us know. Go to our website, go to the prayer, the prayer station. Again, reach out to us through women, world leaders, there's devotions for you, there's help for you. So as we have to close out, I just want to thank you Brandy from our hearts for just sharing with us and pouring in. And prayerfully this will not be the last that we hear from our sister brandy, because I believe God has big plans for her to do great and mighty things in the name of Jesus. So please pray for her. As you see there is a beautiful anointing over her. She carries this with the Lord Jesus Christ and just goes out into the world and shares the gospel message of Jesus. Thank you, Brandie.
Brandie Reader
Thank you,
Kimberly Hobbs
Ladies. God bless you and as we close remember, we have our podcasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please share them. Women need to hear these podcasts lives need to be changed and impacted for Jesus. People need help. They're broken. So we just asked you to just please be part of these podcasts, download them, pass them on to others in the name of Jesus. Remember all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. We do want you to share, but please just remember contact us if you need further help. God bless you and have a beautiful day. Bye brandy. Thank you sweetheart.
Join Kelly Williams Hale to hear her personal story about grace and forgiveness. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called
according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)
God wants us to live an abundant life and can use our story to provide hope for others. We will defeat the enemy by the blood of the Lamb AND the power of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
So today is my second podcast with women world leaders. And I'm so honored today to share with you what's on my heart and a continuation from last month, where I talked about shame.
You can find that episode on womenworldleaders.com, click the Resources tab. Episode 339. Trading shame for significance.
It was a powerful message. And today I wanted to share something very personal.
And what's interesting is I'm sharing this two days after the 6th anniversary of losing my brother in a tragic, obviously unexpected car accident on Halloween, 2016
My brother was a policeman, he loved being a cop, however, he was the brother that out of four of us… he was the one that got into all the trouble. So it’s very ironic that he got into law enforcement.
I'm the oldest of 4. Growing up with three younger brothers. Side note, I believe God was preparing me to be a leader way back then!
Scott was the middle brother, And so just another reminder of how important our words are. If you’re a mom, we have such a responsibility to Speak life into and over our children.
Scott was the middle boy.
Like I mentioned, there were 4 of us kids. It was me and Tim for a while and then Scott came along.
My parents were young parents, my dad served in Vietnam and didn’t meet me until I was six months old!
So when Scott came along, there were 3 and then 18 mos. later my youngest brother was born. At this point, I was 4 years old. So my folks were like 25-26 with 4 young children. I’m not sure how they did it!
Scott was a handful. When Scott would misbehave or push the envelope or just be a kid, really, it was A LOT.
I know my mom got tired! And so he sort of became that kid who got into trouble or was trying to get attention…
When we got older, he didn't really know what he wanted to do. Growing up, my dad drank. And home life just felt uncertain and unsafe at times, from a child's perspective.
But as adults, praise God, we all came back home. I know for me, I always said when I turned 18, I was going to leave home and never come back!
But God is so wise and so good. And my family is such a blessing to me, my dad quit drinking when he turned 50.
All of us kids tended to gather back home during holidays.
And it was a beautiful thing.
We did sort of revert to our childhood shenanigans, when we got together. I think that happens with all siblings.
And it was always an adventure, always fun, especially when we started having children. And then all the cousins got together. It was a loud house. We had fun. We enjoyed each other's company. We loved each other.
And loved our mom and dad, they were such a precious blessing.
My dad went to heaven in December of 2021. But prior to that Scott - who had finally found his direction at 33, when he attended the police academy.
He served in law enforcement in our hometown for about 10 years. And then went to another department and made such an impact in that city, he loved the people, he was a big tease, but he just had such a genuine way about him that other people were drawn to him.
He loved the Lord. And I know I'm gonna see him again in heaven.
But it was a tragic, horrible day.
And so the anniversary of him leaving was just a couple of days ago as I'm recording this now. My second podcast - just know God had a plan all along.
He has a plan for all of us in tragedy.
If we can just surrender to him and trust.
And be grateful. I’m so very grateful for the time we had together.
And so with that said, My message today is a follow up from last month around shame.
And shame can really paralyze us… shame around our decisions, shame around mistakes we've made. But God is so much bigger about that.
And he tells us that there is no shame.
There is no condemnation in Christ.
He wants us to live a full abundant life, knowing that we're forgiven, knowing that we walk in freedom, knowing that he has a purpose for us.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 says: We are ambassadors for Christ.
Approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel.
We are to model what Jesus did when he was here on earth. Sharing hope with other people.
And so today, sweet sisters, I wanted to share that, first of all, his grace is sufficient. Jesus died for our sins. The small ones, the big ones, all of them.
The definition of Sin is simply falling short.
And Satan would have would love nothing more than for us to be separated from God.
And what happens is when we make mistakes, and we feel like we've disappointed God, then we sort of separate ourself from him.
But God wants us to run to him when we mess up…
Run to him when we fall short.
Run to him when we feel like we’ve disappointed him.
I made a decision 27 years ago, well, it was 28 years ago now.
And last summer, I was blessed to be a co-author in a book published by women world leaders.
I was originally going to write about obedience.
The title of the book is victories claiming freedom in Christ. And I found such freedom in Christ when I began to really obey, and really know – and believe who God was and what Jesus did for me.
And I began to obey the Lord - not out of any sense of fear or judgment, but rather out of this sense of joy and love.
And so I was gonna write this chapter, but the Lord reminded me of revelation 12:11, that says, We overcame him, which is Satan, by the blood of the Lamb, and the power of our testimony.
And God reminded me that I needed to share this story.
Precious friend, I pray this encourages you, because God will use our story.
I terminated a pregnancy, I had an abortion. And there was so much shame around that, that took me 27 years to release. I knew Jesus forgave me, I knew God forgave me. But I, very deeply, unconsciously felt shame and I realized I hadn't quite forgiven myself. And I realized too that the enemy was holding that over me.
And so when I wrote this chapter, and I encourage you to go find the book on women world leaders.com, you can click the shop button.
It’s a compilation of women sharing their stories of victory, and freedom in Christ.
And so my entire story around this decision is in that book.
But I wanted to follow up from last month, because shame will keep us hidden. shame will keep us from accepting the abundant love that God has for us. As if we are unworthy to receiv it.
I'm going to read a small excerpt from this book.
...
The man asked, “If I am to love my neighbor, who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ answer was not just for the one who asked; His answer is for each of us. As you listen to Julie Jenkins’ teaching on the Good Samaritan, will you take to heart God’s words of wisdom for you? (Luke 10:25-37)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins. If this is your first time listening, welcome! We have three different podcast offerings for you each week, so make sure you check out each one every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
You have happened on Walking in the Word, where we take a few minutes each Wednesday to open our Bibles together and study God’s Word. I grew up knowing Jesus, but for a long time I thought the Bible was meant for others. It was an honor in our church to stand up and read scripture, and my dad read to us from the Bible on special occasions, so I always assumed that you had to be credentialed to even open the sacred book.
I’m not sure when my attitude changed, but when I became an adult and was feeling far from God, a friend suggested I read the Bible. My response was, I don’t know how to read the Bible. In retrospect, that seems like a silly statement for someone who graduated from college with honors in the field of communications. I didn’t see the irony. But per my friend’s suggestion, I joined a Bible study, and I quickly questioned how I had ever gotten through life WITHOUT reading the Bible!
The Bible is our guide for life, and it is meant for everyone! No matter where you are on your walk with Jesus, I encourage you to simply open the Bible and read it! If you are new to reading and studying the Word, a great place to begin are the gospels, specifically the book of John, which was written to tell of who Jesus is – the foundation of our Christian faith.
On this study, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically, combining the teachings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in order to get a more complete picture of Jesus’ life on earth. I’m glad you’ve joined us!
Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, We are intentionally taking time to pause our busy lives to spend time in your Word. Thank you for always being present and available. We confess that we do not recognize your presence nearly as much as we should, nor do we acknowledge what a miraculous gift you are to us. Please forgive us for our shortsightedness. Holy Spirit, we ask that you be with us as we read and study your Word today. Help us put everything else aside and cleanse our minds so we may focus solely on you. Allow our hearts to be opened so we may clearly hear your instruction and wisdom for each of us today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If you have your Bibles, open with me to Luke chapter 10. Our reading today is Luke 10:25-37. Allow me to begin reading from the New Living Translation…
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[a]
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
Over the course of our study, we have seen many come to Jesus seeking answers. We’ve also seen many come to Jesus seeking to trip him up. Whether this man had an open heart to learn is not ours to judge. The fact is that the man was an expert in religious law, and the question he asked COULD have been meant as a trap. Jesus had told his followers that He would lead them to eternal life, but the Scripture available at the time, remember, stated that perfectly adhering to the Old Testament law would lead to eternal life.
Instead of going on the defensive, Jesus met the man where he was by first asking what he knew.
Oh how I love Jesus! He will always meet us where we are – without judgment! Sometimes His questions to us are difficult, and often, they make us think. In fact, if you have a truly open conversation with God, I guarantee you will walk away thinking – and you may walk away with even more questions than answers. It is often in contemplating the answers and meanings in the presence of the Holy Spirit that God grows us into His image over time. Sometimes, our growth is an arduous process, but it is always worth it!
So the man asked… “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
And Jesus responded…“What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
The man responded with part of the Shema, from Deueteronomy 6:5 – which the Jews recited daily. He knew the words by heart. He was to love the Lord God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. And, ‘Love his neighbor as himself.’” Where many scholars believe the man was trying to trip up Jesus was that he was showcasing that the law said nothing about following Jesus leading to eternal life.
But, using scripture to interpret scripture, we understand that when you love God with your whole heart, soul, strength, and mind – the Holy Spirit will ensure that you will hear and have the opportunity to follow Jesus. So, as we’ve often seen, Jesus stepped over the intended stumbling stone with grace, agreeing with the man, saying …“Right!... Do this and you will live!”
But though the man knew and could recite the words by heart, he had not allowed the words to infiltrate his heart.
I wonder how many of us can relate? Actually, I don’t wonder at all – because if we are honest – there are times that we ALL can relate.
I myself have completed Bible studies just to complete them. Saying, “I made a commitment, and I’m going to push through.” I’m also ashamed to say that there are times when praying becomes an exercise for me rather than a true conversation with God. We must always fight against allowing a habit to become habitual and a commitment to God from becoming common. Stay true to your godly habits and commitments, but each day, ask God to open your heart and mind to what HE wants to tell you.
The man may have truly been seeking, but it seems more likely that he was trying to limit his own responsibility…verse 29
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
You most likely have heard this story before. Most people have. We even have a “Good Samaritan Law” in many parts of the United States that legally protects those who administer emergency care in good faith. But let’s try to look at it with fresh eyes.
A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho – a seventeen-mile journey through dangerous country. The road was lined with caves where thieves would hide so they could jump upon unsuspecting victims at any time. Picture walking through a rough part of a big city late at night. You would be wise to keep your head down and walk quickly, not drawing any attention to yourself.
Perhaps that’s what the Jewish man was doing when he was jumped. He was mugged, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. And the thieves likely ran back to a cave to wait for another victim.
A priest was traveling the same path, head down, merely trying to get where he was going. He sees the Jewish man left for dead and keeps walking. We don’t know why. Perhaps he didn’t want to bring attention to himself, putting himself in danger. All we know is he kept walking.
And then a temple assistant came along. I wonder if he saw the priest ahead of him and followed his example of inaction.
When we neglect to serve as God calls us to, we can be assured of one thing: someone is always watching and using us as an example or justification for not following God. Think about that. Your actions have a ripple effect. It can be fun to think that the positive we are doing in the world will have effects that we cannot even imagine – I often hear it said, “You won’t know all the good you’ve done until you get to heaven.” That is so true – and positive reinforcement often inspires us to keep up the good fight. But the hard reality is that our negative actions, or lack of action, also gives OTHERS the justification to NOT ACT. Luke 12:48 tells us When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. The priest was set apart as an example in the religious community, and what he did mattered. Others watched. He ignored the hurting man, giving others the justification to do the same.
Finally, a Samaritan came by. I imagine the crowd gasped…or maybe groaned when Jesus said this. Jews and Samaritans hated each other, surely HE wouldn’t help this man whom he had absolutely no loyalty towards. And yet, the listeners were surprised.
The Samaritan man felt compassion. He went to the victim, soothed his wounds, and took him to a place of safety, even paying for his care. This Samaritan man probably feared for his own safety as much as the others did, but he recognized and loved the hurt man as a fellow human.
This story just grips me. In this world of big government and judgment and claiming our own rights in society, how many times have I walked by a victim, not wanting to mess up my own day? How do I respond to the person from another country fleeing from a war-torn or gang-infested country? How do I treat the addict begging for money on the street? What compassion do I have for the child who lived a life of neglect and, now mentally unstable, lashes out in violent anger?
These are NOT easy questions, and there is no easy answer, but that doesn’t mean we should put our heads down and keep walking, ignoring the victims around us.
Verse 36…
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
Go and do the same. Go and show mercy to the undeserving. Reach out to those who look like nothing can help. Cross the barrier of racism and hatred, offering compassion and care.
Go and do the same.
I don’t know what that means for you. If I’m being honest, I don’t know what it means for me. That is why we must search God’s heart. We must lean on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. And when He calls us to a specific task, we must go obediently and immediately.
There are those who are Big Brothers and Big Sisters – they make a lasting difference in a single life. There are women who rock babies who have been born with an addiction. There are prison ministries that reach the lost for Jesus. There are doctors and nurses who have fought through a pandemic, caring for one patient at a time. There are preschool teachers and daycare workers who make it possible for other moms to go to work to provide for their families. There are military personel who fight for freedom and equality.
The list goes on and on. Not one of us can do it all, and we aren’t called to. But we are EACH called to something. We EACH are called to make a difference, to make an impact, and to set an example.
Make no mistake, God called you to this podcast for a reason. There is a hurting soul waiting on the side of the road for you. Don’t keep your head down. Don’t walk by. Don’t justify your inaction. Remember…
Go…and do the same.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! Your words are good, and your words are sometimes difficult to hear. Father, I know that many are walking away from this teaching with more questions than answers. There is no doubt you are calling each of us to show compassion to others, compassion for our neighbors who may not even look like us. Will you show each of us our exact calling for today? Please make it so clear that we don’t even WANT to put our heads down and walk by. Give us eyes to see, hearts full of compassion, courage against fear, and excitement to follow your call in obedience. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Brandie Reader is a 22-year-old with a powerful story of a broken life shattered into a million pieces. The incredible work God is doing to restore her with His healing love will bring unspeakable joy to your soul. You'll hear the battle of lies Brandie has dealt with and overcome because of God's unfailing promises of truth. Brandie shares that this transparent story isn't just for her but hopes to encourage others with the hope and miracle of God which He brought to her precisely when she needed it. Brandie titled this 2 part podcast: "Hope Is Colorful, Overcoming Darkness With Light" * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives With Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs, I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And it's my privilege to welcome our guest today, Brandie Reader, welcome, Brandie.
Brandie Reader
Hi, I'm so excited to be here with you today.
Kimberly Hobbs
We're so excited to have you she is a young, delightful precious woman of God. And it's just such an honor to be able to interview you today brandy and, and just hear about this amazing story that God has given to you, ladies, we are all about sharing here and just being open together and transparent with the unbelievable God's stories that he has given to some of us. And we all have a story, right? And how we get through our lives is what we pray that you will have, which is a god story in your life. And we know that brandy has an amazing God story that he's given to her. And one of the scriptures I love to share on this podcast is they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, that's revelation 1211. And they overcame him which is the enemy by sharing by sharing by the word of their testimony. So there is power in what we do through the power of the Holy Spirit as He leads and guides us to share these unbelievable stories. So it is our hope today that through listening to brandy share about her past and some of what she's had to walk through and endure, that you might be able to relate with her. And something inside of you is going to be stirred. And we pray that it's hope and inspiration as God moves and speaks to you through this most amazing story. And we are going to do it in two parts, because it's pretty intense. Brandy has a lot that she'd like to share with you today. And we just don't want to rush through anything because there's so much amazing what God has done in her life through through this testimony. So we believe that all of you ladies have a purpose. And so we hope that you will maybe find that purpose through listening through these podcasts each week. So a little bit about brandy. Brandy is 22 years old, and she's from West Palm Beach, Florida. And I love it that she's so close to me. And I got to hear her speak and I was so moved by what I heard. And I felt God just nudging me to go talk to her and I kept praying Well, God, I mean, this church was packed with people, how am I gonna ever find her? And God led us to the bathroom. We both come out of the styles together. And there she was. And I just blurted out really quick, like, Brandy, you know, like, I just felt you know that that nudge to say, Would you be willing to share with you know, women were leaders. And what's really interesting is, she said, you know, she was going to pray about it too. And I didn't hear from her didn't hear from her. And somebody gave her a tears to triumph book. And I don't know who that person was because I asked her the name. But through in the world leaders we do these amazing anthologies with women who share their stories, and somebody placed this book tears to triumph in brandies hand and to her it was a confirmation that she was supposed to do this podcast today. So we are praying that it blesses you. Brandy goes to bow down church, and that's where she was speaking and I heard her testimony. She did a program through her church called 516 where she learned how to truly be a disciple of Christ, and how the Lord changed her life. Brandi is passionate about God healing deliverance and prayer. And she aspires to bring people closer to God and healing through her story and I love that. And I had asked her what do you think would be a good title for what we're going to share about today brandy and she said she came back with hope is colorful, overcoming darkness with light and I love that because now she is wearing color and it's color that Jesus has brought into her life. And brandy learned the meaning of God breathing life into her life and she is a daughter of have the most high God. And she handed her pain to Jesus. But he had to tear down to build up. And brandy talks about this in her testimony how he had to pull up to plant. And going through it was how. But Brandi loves God more than she ever has loved him in her life. And now she's ready to share about the hell she went through to get where she is today. So brandy, can you take us back and share some of your past so we know where you came from?
Brandie Reader
Yes, definitely. So my mom, I have two older sisters. And my mom got pregnant with me. She was not expecting to get pregnant with me. My biological dad, he's not in my life. But they met kind of in a club one night, and I happen. So my mum was young, I don't believe she was ready to have kids. So there was a lot of just feelings of reduction at a young age, you know, I have learned that the things you speak over yourself, even when you're pregnant, goes into that baby. And so from the time at birth, they were just rejection being spoken over me. And so my mom, she lost her rights when I was two for abandonment and neglect. And my biological dad gave him the right to a when I was two because he was not ready for children. And so I was moved my two older sisters, they shared the same dad, I DCF removed me into their home because they didn't want to be split up. And I just remember feeling as a child, so alone, because my sisters were full sisters, they were my half sisters. They had a better relationship. And my stepdad it just seemed like there was a lot of anger or Yes, not love for me. And so I grew up without a mom and then with a stepdad who really didn't want me. And so starting off, it was a lot of verbal abuse. But then as I grew up returning to physical abuse, and that could range from calling me a fat ESS to physically putting his hands on me and so a lot of insecurity at a young age about myself how I looked. But one of the memories I often share that I remember, an example of the abuse was I was eating macaroni at the dinner table one time, and I remember at the dinner table, we couldn't talk and if we talked, an ashtray would be thrown out of our head, remote, anything you could think of would just get thrown at us. But one day, I was at a dinner table eating and I did not like the macaroni and I threw it up and I was forced to eat it. And so just abuse of all kinds. And later on in life, I will find out that I was sexually abused as well. And so just growing up feeling so alone, I didn't live in a Christian household and my stepdad was actually anti God. Anything God he was against. And so I was never really exposed to face or God. But as I grew up still, you know, just dealing with rejection, abandonment and feeling like, honestly, I think I often just felt like I'd be better off dead like no one wants me. No one cares about me. No one loves me. And so I didn't even really know what love was. And as I walked through a lot of healing, I was able, I've been able to identify that Mike concept of love was actually very for sorted. And so as I grew up, I remember in middle school, there's a teacher who introduced me to a youth group. And I started going to that youth group and just remember feeling at home, and like, I don't know what it is about this place, but like I just feel at home. And I was sponsored to go to summer camp when summer and I met the Lord and it changed my life. You know, I think people sometimes share about how their relationship first becoming a Christian. It's kind of a slow process. For me. It was this quick process, I was still on fire for the Lord. But I was able to see that as I grew closer to the Lord and I met the Lord. The abuse got worse at home. And I'm able to see now that it was the Holy Spirit inside of me and me working in my stepdad. And there was just this clash, you know. And so the abuse got worse. And there's this one day where, you know, I just kind of felt like I had the Lord. But, you know, I was going to church on Sunday, I was reading my scripture, I was praying, but I just still felt like there's hopelessness. And I remember, there's this one night that it just kind of all got the best of me and this darkness really just be in the cloud me. And we had this huge bottle of aspirin at the house I was with with my stepdad. And I started taking the pills and just chewing up these white aspirin pills and laying on the floor and outs crying, and I'm begging the Lord to forgive me, like we're Forgive me, for what I just said, and my sister who was visiting at that time, open the door, and she saw me saw the empty bottle on the ground and called 911. And I was rushed to the hospital. And I actually remember while I was in the hospital, they gave me something for me to pair up, but I had already digested the pills, that none of the pills were coming up until they had to put a tube down my nose and pump my stomach to get the aspirin out. And I remember just thinking like, I'm dying, you know, and remembering like, my stepdad was so angry at me. And just thinking like, right now I need to know that I'm loved. But just there's this anger towards me and so discontinued to confirm the belief that I wasn't wanted to convert the belief that no one cared. And so coming out of the overdose, I was able to realize that, you know, I had accepted God on my heart. But I didn't know that a relationship was possible like that. He actually, I can actually talk to him. And he talks to me, like I was doing all the right things, going to church reading my Bible, but I didn't really have that relationship aspect. And so once I was able to identify that it's like, again, my relationship with the Lord just took off. But again, there are still about reductions, that abandonment. And so there was one day that things were really bad at home. And it was like, to the point where the only place I could go to a school, like I'd be locked in my bedroom, no food to eat, you know, just pure like neglect and abandonment. And I had asked to go to church and my stepdad refused to let me go to church. But I knew that I, I was such in a dark place that I needed community, like I needed people to come around me and encouraged me and give me some hope. And so he left for work that morning, and I left for church. And I laughed, because that was like, the most disobedient thing I've done in my life was leave for church when I wasn't supposed to. So I went to church that morning. And when I went to lunch with some ladies from my church afterwards, and he was calling my phone and cussing me out and told me that he's calling the cops. And I came back to the house after church, and he had called the police on me and told them that I hadn't run away. And I talked to the police. And they're like, We know you're a good girl, like, we know that. You're doing dual enrollment, like you're doing the right things, like just be a good girl. And so to their mind, I was just being a bad girl. They didn't really know what was truly going on. And so I went inside the house, and he came to my bedroom. And he said, Give me your phone. And I refuse because I know for me, my phone was my only source of protection. And he would leave the room and I pull up my devotional and I start reading because I knew like, the Lord was all that I had, you know, I just My Spirit knew that something wasn't right. You know, support my devotional, he comes back into the room, give me your phone, and refusing and he says to me, if I come into this room again, it's not going to be pretty. Here's the room, he comes into the room a third time, give me your phone, and I shake my head, I don't have my phone. He starts be like punching the wall like ripping stuff off of my wall. Come in a flip over then that says that I'm on a mattress on the floor, flips over the mattress and starts putting his weight on me and like suffocating me, and I'm terrified and finally he gets off the mattress and he does if I come in here again and you don't give me your phone. It's not going to be good. And so as soon as he left the room, my bedroom was in a place where like it was just right across From the front door, and I knew that if I did not leave that room, he was going to kill me, you know, for he was going to beat me to pulp. And so I run up my room out the front door. Next thing I know, I look behind me and he's running behind me, and he catches up to me. He's on top of me. And I'm fighting, like trying to get him off of me rolling around in the grass, like trying to wiggle my way out. And then finally he gets on top of me, and he puts his hands on my throat. And he says, This is what you wanted. You want me to go to jail, this is what you wanted. And I'm laying down in this grass. And I'm like, Lord, this is it. You know, this is the end, like, he's going to kill me, I'm gonna die today. And I know, this was only the word, he took his hands off of my throat. And he got up. And he got up and I ran to liquor store, and I called the police. And, you know, this was such a God thing, because it was the same police who had showed up earlier that day when he said I had to run away. And I was in the same outfit. And so they were able to see the before and after wear it with grass stains all over my pants and our marks on my hands and on my, on my throat. Wow. So they saw this Yes, was called. And then I was placed into another family's house, which I had kind of already had a relationship with. And, you know, when this happened, you know, I was going through a lot of PTSD from this. I was because I still lived in the same town. And a restraining order had been given but had this fear of like, is he gonna come find me and told me is he gonna see me in public, he had been arrested. But just as Pharaoh who took me but given in the midst of the fear, there's just this like excitement because I'm like, Wow, Lord, like, I've been praying for so long for family, and I finally received this family. And you know, they were going to adopt me, but DCF had to close the case, too soon. So they weren't able to adopt me. But I'm like, Yay, I finally have a family. And then I was moved to another home. And it just devastated me because, and so on. In Psalms, it says he puts the lonely in families. And I was like, how can that be true, you know, you have put me in a family. And then I was moved, you know. And so I knew at this moment is when I started to mistrust the Lord. I didn't trust that his plans were good. I didn't trust that. I didn't trust His word and that it was true. So I'm moving to the next family. And when I moved to them, I remember telling the Lord like, Lord, if I move again, I don't know if I'm going to be able to survive it, like the pain was just so much. And it just confirmed those beliefs that no one wanted me, no one cared, and then I'd be better off dead. So then when I moved to the spirit home, I think that I was just so heartbroken that even if they did love me, I couldn't have received it because I was so broken by what had happened to me that I like, my eyes were just like, all I could see was people didn't want me people didn't care.
Kimberly Hobbs
And that's where you started believing the lies. And the battle of the lies came in brandy. And just like our audience, there's I know there's women out there right now that are living your story, Brandy, or they have lived your story, and they continue battling those lies. So this story isn't just your story. And so continue on because there's so much more but these battles of lies that the enemy was feeding you are horrific. And...
Brandie Reader
Yeah, the reality is, is when you believe life for so long, they were my truth. Like they were my truth. No one wanted me it just to me, it just wasn't a lie. This became my truth. And so this family, they had given me their last name. And I'm like, wow, this is so amazing. Because I remember feeling like with my stuff that I had given, I had been given his last name at birth, and I just felt so much shame because I'm like, have a last name of this man who just who hates me? And then I received a new last name and then I moved into a new home I'm like, What in the world with I finally received this gift and then now I carry this name of like, another family, you know, and so just, I was there's so much time meant so many lies that I, the enemy had just made truth in my life that I honestly didn't know what love was. And so I moved into this new family's house. And, you know, that was a gift from the Lord, because they just created this space for me to heal. And I remember, I started going to counseling, and that's when I found out I had been sexually abused. And it devastated me because I'm like, How could How could this you know what I was like, Lord, anything you can think of happened to me. And now this. And I remember coming home one day after a counseling session when I had found out about this, and I was so heartbroken. I was so like, because when you have trauma, often you block out memories, and then you find out and it's almost like you're reliving the trauma for the first time. So I come home, I'm so devastated. And I'm walking in the house. And I heard the Lord say to me, there's joy to be found. And I'm like, I kind of like, okay, I know, whatever. And I take another step. And I hear, there's joy to be found in that. And then I'm like, Okay, now I don't know who he was talking to. Because I know that it's not me. And then I hear a third time, there's joy to be found in this. And I'm just so thankful because I needed to hear it three times. And the Lord has always been so kind and gracious to me. And he doesn't mind repeating himself. And I just break down on that third time that I'm like, How can there be joy found in this, and I remember, I put on some worship music and raise a hallelujah, by Bethel music. And there's this part in it where he says, Now I can't sing the song for you, you have to sing it for yourself. And I start singing in the middle of tears. I am clean, and I am whole. And I'm Clint, which in reality, and in this reality wasn't true. I had been defiled, I had felt dirty. But God was beckoning me to partner with his reality, what his reality is, I'm clean, and I am home. And I just begin to see this over me even though I didn't believe it. But I knew that I, in order to believe it, I had to start declaring his truth over me to combat the lives of what was around me. And so I got accepted to a private Christian College in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Atlantic University was, which was a miracle, because my biggest goal growing up was to work at McDonald's, because I'm like, that's what's gonna get me out of this house. And then I get accepted. I graduate college, which I'm the first one out of my ancestry to like, do that. And then I get accepted to college. I'm like, Bob, that is terrible Lord and a Christian college at that. And so I go to college as a really good first year. And then my second year, I get a knee injury. And I just fall into a depression. And I don't think at the time, I would have called it depression, because I didn't really know too much about it. And I realize now depression was just so much of my life, that it was normal. And I get into this depression. And I'm burned out because of this belief that in order to be loved, I serve. So I served from a place of wanting love. And I would try to buy people's love. And so I'm burned out, I get invited to a local church bow down. And remember, the first day I showed up, they literally said everything that I wanted to church was said the first day and so I'm like, Okay, Lord, this is my church. And I just get wrapped up in this community. And I am invited to do this program through my church called 516. And I pray about it. And I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna do this. And so I enter 516. And I remember thinking, and Tom the words, I poured it 516 doesn't heal me. I don't know what can like, I am just so broken. And I often would tell people, I'm just broken base that has been shattered, and the chars have been stepped on into this tiny little dust. And there's no way that I can be put back together. I don't even know if God can put me back together. And so, through this program, I started doing inner healing. And I just began to be like, things that I never thought like, I needed to heal him from like forgiveness, forgiving people. I never thought that that was possible. And I started to experience healing and breakthrough as I did this program, and the Lord started telling me from the lies that I didn't even know that I believed.
Join host Janet Berrong as she guides you into Spiritual Wellness in this, the last of her three-part series on Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness. Listen and learn how to allow God to lead you into a health-filled balance in your spirit, soul, and body.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Crace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives in ministry and around the world. It is good to be back with you today sharing about health, wellness, beauty and Jesus. Yes, they do go hand in hand. Today we're going to focus on the spiritual well-being. It's a three-part of the series where we touch base on being healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. Create spiritual balance by loving God with all your heart. Matthew 2237 reads, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind and all thy soul. When we surrender our troubles to God, we are able to live in abundance of faith, hope and love that only come from him. First Corinthians 1313 reads, now these three remain, faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. Sounds simple right? Love God with all three parts of your creation, and you will walk in freedom. Unfortunately, balance seems to be one of the hardest things to achieve. The heart carries a heavy load. Loving God with your entire heart is an intentional act, and not something that has been done randomly. Love is a choice. This means that you have to take action by making the choice to love. God reminds his children of his restorations and redemptions, and he wants nothing more for us to be a part of that plan. Being involved with God's plan of restoration will help you stay spiritually aligned with the whole heart and allow you to achieve balance of physical, spiritual and emotional health. Our spiritual health will have a significant impact on our emotional health, which will have a major influence on our physical health. The interconnection between the spirit, the soul and the body is certainly a complex connection. Nevertheless, that connection is real. The apostle John was inspired by God to write Third John one two. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. This is an indication of the importance of attending to the matters of the soul, as it relates to being healthy, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, impacts everything we do, and everything we are. Starting first with our spiritual health makes balancing the wheel much easier because we know who's we are in a culture that encourages us to rely on different kinds of specialties, for different dimensions of our lives, is easy to forget to see our lives as a whole, the way God sees us. You are a new creation in Christ, mind, body, spirit. But until Jesus returns, we are still a work in progress. If you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can do so today. Start by trusting Him for His ways, in his timing, get connected and aligned through His Word of God, and having that personal relationship with God Himself, our Creator, Savior, the Holy One. If this is you today, please email us at prayer at women world leaders.com. drop us a note. We would love to pray with you and celebrate with you and your decision. As you continue to place your trust in God. He will continue to fill your heart with joy, peace and hope that overflows into the lives of people around you. Romans 1513 reads, may God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him. My dear sisters, as I close out our time together. I want to share a poem with you that I felt so appropriate for this time, drinking from my saucer by John Paul Moore. I've never made a fortune. It's probably too late now, but I don't worry about that much. I'm happy anyhow and as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. I don't have a lot of riches, and sometimes the going gets tough, but I've loved ones around me and that makes me rich enough. I thank God for His blessings and His mercy he's bestowed. I'm drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. I remember times when things went wrong, my faith were somewhat thin. But at once the dark clouds broke, the sun peed through again. So God helped me not to gripe about the tough rose i have heard. I'm drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. If God gives me the strength and courage when the waves grow steep and rough, I not ask for other blessings. I am blessed enough. In May I never be too busy to help others bear their loads. I will keep drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. Thank you for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love in your courageous progress. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com. To submit a prayer request register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent.
On today’s podcast, host Julie Jenkins continues walking through the Beatitudes, taught by Jesus and recorded in Matthew and Luke. Jesus is always forthright with us – revealing the blessings or sorrows we will encounter based on our obedience. As you listen, ask God to open your heart to His teaching. (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:20-26)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the women world leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. If this is your first time joining us. welcome. I encourage you to check out our previous podcasts as well as visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com. Our goal at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Some of the ways we do that are through teachings, devotions, prayer books, and the voice of Truth magazine. But one of the best ways you can grow in your God-given purpose is to get involved. God has a place for you in this ministry. We often say that we are reaching over 60 countries but did you know that we also have leaders in our ministry from several different countries? The devil certainly knows how to use technology but so does God. COVID pushed us into a digital platform and what the devil meant for evil, God used for good. One example is that we meet the fourth Monday of every month for a zoom prayer call. We gather and pray for specific needs for those on the call as well as for the needs of the ministry. If you would like to be involved, no matter where you are, send us an email at info at women world leaders.com.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast we have the opportunity to walk through the Word of God together. And currently we are walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Before we begin, let's pray.
Dear Most Holy God, as we dive into your teaching today, I ask that you be with us and show us clearly what it is that you want us to learn today. God Your Word is living and active and we know that it will meet us where we are and it is you Holy Spirit that allows us to hear your thoughts, direction, and love for us as we read Scripture. God cleanse us of all unrighteousness that we may hear your voice clearly. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Last week, we began our study of the Beatitudes, the blessings that Jesus presented to his disciples and others listening on that mountain so many years ago. We learned that God blesses those who with humility, put God first in their lives. And the blessing is that they will be granted eternity with God Himself. We learn that God blesses those who mourn. Jesus knew how hard this life was how heartbreaking things of this world can be. Yet he promised that he has overcome this world. And though we mourn, we will receive the comfort of God Himself.
We learned that God blesses those who are humble, who are gentle, who put others and their welfare above themselves. To me, this sounds a lot like a lot of parents out there. The reward he promises you who put others first, you will inherit the whole earth.
And we learned that God will bless those who hunger and thirst for justice. God promises that when we work for justice in his strength tirelessly and obediently, justice will come to pass.
So let's continue with our study and see what else Jesus has up his sleeve. Matthew five verses seven through 12. In the New Living Translation says, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right and the kingdom for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers, be happy about it. Be very glad, for a great reward awaits you in Heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
In these verses, we continue to see God's rhythm those who walk in obedience to God's call on their lives, will receive a reward that only God can give. It's important to note that these rewards are not typically a treasure that would be cherished by worldly standards, but they are actually greater than anything that the world could offer. Remember the age old question, if you could have your three best wishes, what would they be, and you're not allowed to say all the wishes in the world.
As a child, you might wish for $100, a new bike and your brother to stop bothering you all the time. As an adult, maybe your wishes more along the lines of a million dollars, a new boat, and a trip of a lifetime that you could take your whole family on, including that formerly pesky brother.
Well, as we grow in Christ, we begin to get glimpses of even more mature dreams, dreams that God wants for us, that are exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we could ever hope or imagine, dreams of hope and joy and the deepest form of happiness ever, despite what is happening around us. Those rewards often come from a place of growth, and sometimes even a place of suffering. As we look at these attributes that God calls us to, it's important to note that Jesus exhibited each of these perfectly as he walked this earth in human form.
Let's continue examining each action that we are called to as Christians, and the reward that God promises to bless us with when we walk in obedience.
Verse seven, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Mercy also means compassion. The only other time this specific word is used in the Bible is in Hebrews 217, which says, Therefore, it was necessary for him talking about Jesus to be made in every respect, like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful high priest before God, then He could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
That is how Jesus exhibited perfect mercy, perfect compassion by giving his life for us. That is a compassion that is really difficult to wrap our heads around, it goes a bit beyond making a casserole for someone or giving up a prime a parking space. And yet, that is perfect compassion.
Don't get discouraged by this thinking, I could never be that merciful, and throw in the towel. God grows us degree by degree, and he is patient, and he will never stop encouraging or teaching us.
So Jesus, while the greatest example of Mercy also is an example of being the recipient of the greatest mercy, he was brutally killed, exhibiting the greatest mercy, and then he was mercifully resurrected and seated at the right hand of God the Father.
This is a lot to comprehend. And perhaps I should just confess here in now that God's ways are higher than I can understand or adequately explain. But I do know that I can live by faith, and that I can trust His promises. When I am wronged, I am instructed to show mercy and I can trust that God's mercy will return to me.
When I am in a position to show compassion, I must remember that God is asking me to show compassion, and I can trust His compassion on the other end, even when it feels like I am getting the raw end of the bargain.
Verse eight says God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God
I've got to be honest, I have a love hate relationship with this beatitude it sounds beautiful. I want nothing more than to see God honestly, it's a great reward. But the criteria, well, that requires me to have a pure heart. The word pure means clean, blameless, innocent, free from corrupt desire, sin, and guilt. Well, that's not me.
And I'm guessing it isn't you either. But there is hope. One of the sub definitions of pure is purified by fire. Fire is cleansing. By it, a metal worker is able to clean the impurities out of the metal. But fire isn't fun. It burns and it hurts the flesh.
You and I alone can't make our heart pure. But if we ask, we can trust our God to do it for us. And remember, we serve a gentle God. If we take responsibility for our sin and gives give ourselves to Him for cleansing, he will make our hearts pure.
First, John 189 says if we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
If we ask, confess and submit, God will cleanse our hearts and make them pure. And then we get to reward we will see the face of God.
Verse nine, God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
We all recognize the benefits of peace. But what is interesting here is that Jesus notes that on this earth, peace requires work. Some translations say blessed are the peacemakers, the word peacemaker, also connotates action.
We have a picture of peace from the 1960s that calm disconnectedness or people can think of peace as you don't bother me, and I won't bother you. But true peace indicates a wholeness, a completeness. We are created to be one family of God together. And that takes work.
God will bless our work for peace.
Jesus closes this section according to Matthew with these words, God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right for the kingdom of heaven as their got theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it. Be very glad for a great reward awaits you in Heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Throughout history, and throughout the Bible, God's followers have been persecuted and mistreated. The truth is that the devil does not want God's name to be proclaimed. If you are in a position where you are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, know that God is wrapping his loving arms around you right now. And that he is holding a place of great honor for you in Heaven. Stay strong, and cling to God, he will see you through.
Luke records a bit more as a warning to those who are relying only on what the world can offer. Beginning in Luke 624, what sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have only happiness now? What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now? For a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn into mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
I think it is telling that we often focus on the blessings the What's In It For Me, but we forget about the sorrows that I just read.
I asked you today to pay attention to the sorrows. If your focus on monetary wealth in the here and now? If it is no that that is not God's will for you.
Do you turn away from the responsibility the that God has given you and focus your attention only on the pleasures of life? If you do, you're missing out on God's best for you.
Is your time spent lauding yourself at that others will see and remember your name? If so, will you pray about how you can shine Jesus name instead of your own?
The Beatitudes show us that God has blessings beyond her wildest imaginations, just waiting to rain down on us. But they also tell us that we are to carry out our end of the bargain, to be obedient to his calling. We are called to be humble, gentle, compassionate, merciful peacemakers, to work for justice, to allow God to purify our hearts, and to do right by God. Let's not give up the fight, stay strong, for your reward is great in heaven.
Dear most holy God, you are so gracious and giving to us. You only ask that we put you first and obediently follow your call.
God. empower us in Your strength to be obedient. Thank you for reminding us that the rewards you offer are greater than we could possibly ask or imagine and certainly better than the rewards of the world. Help us keep our eyes on the best prize of all eternity in your presence as we walk the path that you have called us. In Jesus name, I pray
Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
God orchestrates our steps. Today's guest shares how her steps with God led her to what she does now. Please join us as Women World Leader's Worship leader, writer, and editor for Voice of Truth magazine, Kerri Walker Bridges shares her steps of faith journey and the calling God has on her life. May Kerri's story be an inspiration of what God can do with a young life of 8 years old in preparation for a lifetime of service to Him. Please be encouraged as you listen in. (Original podcast from May 3, 2021) ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose, and I am your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so happy that you decided to join us today. And we are in for a special treat because we have one of our founding leaders here from Women World Leaders, Kerri Bridges. Welcome, Kerri.
Kerri Bridges
Hi, ladies, glad to be here and share with you all today.
Kimberly Hobbs
We are so happy that you came. So God says every believer has received gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestries of God's grace. First, Peter 410. Ladies, we believe at women world leaders that each and every one of us have a special purpose. And we have been given gifts from the Lord to us for His purpose. And it's our hopes through you listening today and us sharing stories of other women, that we can inspire each other, encourage each other to walk out those special gifts that God has given to us. And we want to encourage you and empower you to also act upon things that God is moving and sharing with you to do in your life. So, before we start with a little bit about Carrie and how God has called her, I want to share with you about who she is, Kerri Bridges, where do I start? Because you are an amazing woman of God in so many ways. Kerri is, as I shared a founding leader of Women, World Leaders. she is one of our original, I believe we had 12 leaders when we started out and now we're at like 27. It's amazing what God is doing. Kerri is our worship leader. If many of you tune into our Facebook Lives every month, you will hear her singing and playing and worshiping and leading us. And she's also an editor in our Voice of Truth magazine. She writes for Voice of Truth as well. And she is also a songwriter, and a lyric writer. And if you listened from the beginning and listen to the end, you will hear the Women World Leaders jingle. That jingle was written and sung by Kerri Bridges. And we are just so thrilled about that because it really has become a little jingle in everybody's heart and mind as they listen. It's so fun. Kerri is married and resides in South Florida with her family and God has blessed Kerri with six children. And I know she looks so young, but it is incredible to hear how old some of her kids are. I'm not going to share that with you. But um, yeah, she has been gifted with youth. Wow, Kerri, and we just rejoice that now you are a grandmother. And you have her grandmother for the first time to baby Ezra who was just born a few weeks ago is a little preemie. But we are so happy to say that he is doing healthy. He's well and thriving. And Kerri's daughter Allison gave birth to a healthy baby boy, just a couple of weeks ago. And Alison also plays on our worship team. And we are so grateful for this mother-daughter duo. So, we begin. Again, you are a plethora of talent, and you are truly a treasure to Women World Leaders. So maybe I thought that you can give us some insight to how God was molding and shaping your life even at a young age of eight years old. And you shared with me a little bit about a gift that you received when you were eight years old. Can you share about how God moved at a young age?
Kerri Bridges
Yes. So I come from a very large family. There are 10 of us. And I think I was around eight years old and my mom bought a Kindle Oregon for all of the children for the whole family. And it was the kind where it had the two levels on it. And it came with these instruction books that had the staff on it with the letter of the note on it. And I had never even thought about it. But I would just sit down at this organ every day and just became fascinated with learning this and started teaching myself how to read the music. I didn't even realize what I was doing. I was just fascinated by it. And so next thing I know, as the years went by, I could play the piano, I had never, I'd never had a lesson at all. But this gift was definitely something that God ordained to put that within me. And ultimately, my, my brother, also he later on in life, I started teaching him how to play and now he is a worship leader in Richmond, Virginia for a very large church. So yeah,
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so cool how God moves, ladies, so you never know what your children are going to do and how God is going to move in and through things by this by your mom, getting that organ. Oh my goodness, that was just the beginning of what God was doing in your young life. The Bible says, oh, Lord, you do such wonderful things. You plan them long ago. And now you have accomplished them. That's Isaiah 25. One. And we can clearly see how he had this planned long ago and Kerry's life. And he's accomplished them now in women, world leaders in how she serves worldwide. It's just mind boggling when you see God Scripture come to life in your own life. So listen to this now, at 17 years old, Carrie, you were ready to step out in faith. And you move to a new place, a new church, youth group. And all of these things are new in your life. But God began to use you for His purpose. At that time in your life. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Kerri Bridges
Yes. So I grew up in a really small church and all of us siblings, we were all part of the choir, we basically were the choir pretty much. And so as we I would play little songs here and there at the church and on the on the piano and sing and then when we moved to a new place, the youth group there that I got involved with the lead keyboardist got married, and suddenly they had a void to be filled. And I don't remember if I offered myself up to play. I can't imagine myself doing that because I'm shy. But either way, I was suddenly thrust into a position of the lead keyboardist for this youth group. And I was singing as well singing backup and leading songs. And that was the next step that God brought me to in this life of worship ministry.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, that is so incredible. The Bible says to commit everything that you do to the Lord and trust Him and He will help you, and Kerri, that is what you did, like you didn't feel that you were...you knew enough yet to step into that role, but you walked forward in faith, right? You trusted him. And just like the Scripture says, Trust Him and He will help you. That's Psalm 939. Five. So ladies, if you are contemplating something that is right in front of you, God is opening the door in one way or another, but you're afraid and you're kind of stepping back. This verse says, Trust Him, and He will help you. And remember, God's Word is true. He puts it there for us to look at and glean from. So this is exactly what Carrie did. And before she knew it, she was walking out what that purpose was for what were what God had intended for her life. So Carrie, you got married, you started having children. Oh my goodness, and you didn't stop...you are the mom of six children that it's like that blows my mind still. But on top of having six children ladies, she homeschooled every single one of them all the way all the way till their graduation and that just blows my mind because I can't imagine that, Kerri, but Kerri you must be a whiz like in all subjects. My gosh, no wonder you're editing and writing and singing and writing music and I just unbelievable. But during this time, Kerri, you cried out to God, there was something really heavy on your heart at this time. And there was a miracle that was answered. So can you share with us a little bit about, about that crying out to God moment?
Kerri Bridges
Yeah, I, at this point, I had been involved in the adult choirs and worshiping with the adult worship teams. And we had family bands with my sister and brother in law, my dad was the drummer and my sister and her husband, they were the lead singers. And so and my husband even got involved in that at one point. So then we have all these kids back to back to back and I we chose to homeschool them. And I, my kids were a little bit old. At this point, my oldest had wanted to play drums when he was young. So he was around four years old. And he showed interest in that. So we got to junior set for him. And he started learning how to play the drums and my dad, who was a drummer would give him lessons here and there. But here I was at this point where I had all six of my children, homeschooling them from high school all the way down to grade school. And it's overwhelming enough just to teach them the four basic subjects for school. So I had realized at this poignant moment that I had never put into them, that knowledge and understanding of music like I would have wanted to, like my heart had always wanted to. And I had no idea how I was going to even incorporate that into my schooling that was already overwhelming. So I cried out to the Lord, I really did. Because this was genuinely a desire of my heart for my kids to learn if they had that desire themselves for them to learn music, so I cried out to the Lord and I prayed helped me figure out how to incorporate this. And within a couple of months, suddenly, my son Maddie, he came to me and he's saying, Look what I picked up on the guitar mom, and he's just kind of picking this phenomenal guitar lick. And I said, How did you how did you figure that out? My husband's a guitarist too, and but he had just decided to pick it up kind of like the same way with me with the piano. And within a few months, he was playing incredible stuff like you would see someone after years of playing. He's picking up after months. And so I saw that this gifting was passed on to him. And then my daughter, Allison started picking up the guitar and the piano and singing and writing music. And then my youngest son Jaden, he is 16 now and he started picking up guitar, drums, piano. And at this point, he is basically a piano prodigy level, he sits down, he listens to a classical song that he wants to learn. And within 15 to 3030 minutes, he has learned the song, he listens to it, and he plays it. And so God answered the cry of my heart. In the same way that I learned, basically, without any lessons God just like downloaded into them the music. So it was incredible
Kimberly Hobbs
If you have heard Kerri sing and play, it still blows my mind that she has never had a piano lesson in her life. She can read music, and she is so gifted in that area. And then God rewarded her by her prayer and crying out to Him about the burden for her children. She wanted her children to know and understand and love music and be able to worship God the way she did. And he did. Ladies, there's a verse again, this could be on any anything that God puts on your heart, you know, the desire for your children, the you know, desire for future of what they're going to do. God says in Second Chronicles 15, seven, Be strong and courageous, your work will be rewarded. So hold that promise to that God promises you be strong and courageous. Do the work. God will reward you and he shared it he answered that cried to carry and through her children now what's going on? It's just it's a god phenomenon, you know, because this family is so gifted in music. So as we continue on now, now God has led you to women, world leaders. So how did you get here? Kerri, let's talk about that because you're a founding leader, my dear
Kerri Bridges
Yeah. Well, you and I had met through Sean Loomis, our friend, our mutual friend who was a worship leader. And he asked us to help him out with leading worship at the tiki life group that you guys had held at your house. And next thing I know, I think one of the meetings, I had gone to the piano, because if there's a piano, my husband's always saying, let's go to the piano, let's play, let's sing some worship. And so I was sitting down, you didn't even know at that point that I can play the piano. And I was just playing and you came in, and you were, you know, and that I could play the piano. And then...
Kimberly Hobbs
So beautifully.
Kerri Bridges
Thank you...
Kimberly Hobbs
...and without music.
Kerri Bridges
So then, when you go and God birthed inside of you that the calling for women, world leaders, you asked me if I would like to be involved, and I knew that I wanted to be involved, because that was another thing that I had. We I had moved to Florida several years back, and my sisters and I are all very close, actually, my all of us siblings, but my sisters are my best friends. And I missed that friendship that I had with them close up. And I actually I had prayed that God would lead me to some women, I don't easily make friends because I can be so shy. But I prayed that God would lead me to some women that I could develop the friendships with. And so when you offered this opportunity to me, I immediately knew the answer was yes. I don't know if you remember that. That was my answer. I don't even have to pray about it. Because I already prayed about it. And this is an answer to that prayer.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right. Do you hear how God works? Ladies, I mean, this is incredible. So he had already put that desire and curious heart. And He fulfilled that desire, as again, he put the desire in my heart to start a group for women, and which turned into in the vision was huge ladies. God gave me that vision from the beginning that this would go worldwide. So carry you are just part of that vision. When he told me to gather leaders Little did I know I'm gathering so many of them. But God knew what was ahead of us. Right? He knew was going to come down the right but you stepped out of your comfort zone. Praise God. Because you are more of an introvert. And yeah, I am. Yeah. But God's given me the grace for each step of the way. So Amen. Amen. So let's share a little bit about what is going on now that women were a leader. So you started off as we met inside of a home ladies, she was playing the piano, and we were just doing worship before we would get into our message. And so she started off there, and then God expanded it so huge. We were busting out of the home to two days a month, because we couldn't even contain all the women that were coming. Our neighborhood couldn't contain the cars that came. And God provided us a fellowship hall. And so Carrie, we got a keyboard for women, world leaders, and we became traveling and carry was our worship leader at the fellowship hall. And then we we were like busting out of that. And, and so we went from the fellowship hall and COVID hit. So we had no choice but to go to plan C. And God was already providing. And we had our traveling keyboard and our our guitars because Allison at that point had come your daughter to share in worship on the worship team. And so Mother and daughter piano guitar, we were all set to go right to Facebook Live and start our meetings that way. And that's how that began. Yeah. And so you were serving so faithfully, Carrie, so faithfully. I mean, this woman, I think, in all of the years, since we've started has only missed one meeting that I can think of, well now too, because of your daughter being in the hospital a couple weeks ago giving birth to as but you are so faithful Kerri, and you have answered the call. Amazing. And now you're an editor for our magazine for women, world leaders voice of truth magazine, can you share a little bit about a purpose creation, which is your column that you write for inside this magazine?
Kerri Bridges
Yes, so my column is Everything Worship. And my first article that I wrote was called A Purposed Creation because there's a scripture verse that says we were created to give God glory. And that was a sermon that the youth pastor that the same youth group that I was talking about earlier, that he had given this beautiful message about, we were created to give God glory. And it was in that moment that I realized that this is more than music that God had put inside of me was not about me, it was about God's glory. And so that birthed in me the desire for taking that gift that God had given me and using it for his glory in His glory alone. And so the art, the column is called A Purposed Creation because we were purposed, created to give God glory. And that's what the column is about.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, Kerri, and it is such a wonderful column. And for those viewers that are watching on YouTube, Here's a glimpse from one of the magazines of purpose creation, her column, and it is reaching around the world because not only are we on YouTube, but God has given us the ability to be on five different platforms around the country, we're on. Not only YouTube, but SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes, Apple podcast, Libsyn. So 1000s of women are able to listen to these interviews, not just watch them. And so you can be walking, you can be out doing things you could be cooking in the kitchen and listen to these podcasts on any of the platforms. So at the, at the gym, as Carrie does.
Kerri Bridges
That's where I listen to it.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. So there's a verse again, I want to share, it reminds me so much of you and me, our listeners gleaned from this verse also. It's First Corinthians 1558. And it says, always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is Ever useless. And carry that is that is so true of you. You work enthusiastically and everything you do, because you're following your dream that God put in your heart. I love it. I love that you are working for him. And now you're encouraging other women through writing in this article to walk into their calling in music, and it's inspiring. So ladies, if you're not receiving this magazine yet voice of truth, please contact us at info at women world leaders.com, you can email us there. And it just give us your mailing address if you're here in the United States, and you'll get your free copy. But if you're outside the country, we give it out digitally. And again, it's free. So just go to email us at info at women world leaders.com. So that takes me to the soul healing Summit. Last year, we put out a soul healing Summit, and Kerri had been serving the Lord back at home and not only serving in ministries, but she was writing music and singing music. And she had this passion to do that. And God provided the perfect opportunity at our soul healing Summit, which was a sold out event at Keiser University in Palm Beach, Florida. And Kerri got to debut her beautiful song that she wrote. And Kerri, can you share a little bit about that moment in time? Because that went over amazing. Everybody loved that song.
Kerri Bridges
Yeah. Well, I'm, again, quite shy with these kinds of things. But you had asked me if I would be willing to do a song that I had written. And this was a special song to me because it was God gave it to me at a very low time in my life. And I it was a rare moment of being alone at home without any of the kids or even my husband and my mother in law happened to call me that day and she she knew what was going on in our lives. And she told me put it in a song. And so I got off the phone. And within 10 minutes that song was written and done. Oh, that song came.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. And I wish we can play it for you ladies but it doesn't transfer well over zoom which we're recording through right now. So the great news is, Carrie is now going to start singing the songs that she's written and the lyrics she's going to start singing them every month at women world leaders, and we meet for Facebook Live the first Monday of every month at 7pm. Eastern time. So Monday, May 3, which will be the same day this podcast is released, will be the day that Carrie will debut that song for Facebook Live. And you'll all be able to hear the song that she wrote for the Lord Jesus Christ from her heart from a place that God spoke to her so deeply. And I promise you, wait until you hear the song, it will move you to tears. It is so beautiful. And then Carrie has agreed and we are so thrilled to start playing some of the music and worship that she has written. And as well you have your daughter, right, Carrie that she's going to be doing the same thing. She's an amazing songwriter as well. Yeah, she'll so she'll be sharing some in the future off. Yes, Alison bridges, we cannot wait to hear your music as well, honey. And we just encourage you just keep going and serving in the way that God has equipped you. So Oh, my goodness, Carrie, as the Apostle Paul says, I am certain that God will be done the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished. On the day when Christ returns. That's Philippians one, six, and ladies for you, God has begun a work in you and He promises to complete that work. So believe that and trust it, whatever it is, that is in your heart, just believe and trust that God will perfect it in you just walk in it and just start doing it just as Carrie did. She had that enthusiasm and in desire and dream. And now here she is serving in a worldwide ministry. All Glory to God and it's so beautiful. So Kerrie, and close. As you stepped out of that comfort zone, and you walked into God's calling for your life, can you share with our listeners, just a word of encouragement that if they're afraid of they're afraid to move from that place in their life that they are right now or they're not feeling worthy to be called by the Lord or whatever could be their their hang up? Can you just encourage them in the way that you will?
Outstanding word, sister, thank you. Thank you, thank you, Carrie bridges, you are a delight. James four eight says, come close to God and He will come close to you. So ladies, remember that just start drawing close to him. Be in the scriptures, you know, beat put yourself around believers that are going to encourage you and lift you up to follow after God's heart. And before you know it as the closer you get to him, you are going to be walking with him hand in hand. We promise we promise. You thrill me, Lord with all you have done for me. I will sing for joy because of what you have done that Psalm 92 four and we know that Carrie sings her heart out for the Lord because of all he has done in and through her life. And ladies, we want that to be you. We want you to sing your heart out because of all God has done for you. And he'll carry you the rest of the way. So this is exactly what we'd like to do is just encourage you and inspire just as Carrie has done. So, let us all just testify of the wonderful things that God has done in our life, whatever way he has called us to do that. So in closing, again, I want to say thank you to our wonderful guests, Carrie bridges. Don't forget ladies, May 3, which is tonight. 2021. And in case you're listening to this podcast at another time, you can also look up our Facebook live meetings. And you can hear Kerri sharing her song that she wrote, and now, every month following, she'll be sharing music that she wrote, For the Lord her and her daughter, Allison. So we're so excited about that. Ladies, if you're looking for a place to plug in, we invite you to plug into women, world leaders, God is equipping us with women from all over the world who want to help you and walk alongside of you. One way you can do that, ladies is tune into the podcast each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Every Monday, we have these interviews with women from around the world sharing and inspiring you On Wednesdays we have walking in the word with Julie Jenkins where she will teach from the Word of God and I'm telling you she is a powerful teacher and you can just listen and glean truths, as she brings stories from Scripture to life. And then on Friday, we have celebrating God's grace with Lauren dean. And she Lauren has a heart for God and just will encourage you and inspire you with her stories through women, world leaders and through just stories in life. And it's amazing to hear this young woman share from her heart what God is doing. Ladies, we also invite you to go to our website, women world leaders.com where you can share your prayer requests. You can interact and you can pray for others there. And there's all sorts of things for you to plug into. But we want to make sure that you are receiving voice of truth magazine which comes out by monthly and the way that you can get your free copies are to go to info at women world leaders.com with an email and leave us your name, your address and your email address and we will get that out to you. As soon as the next edition comes. God bless you everybody. And remember from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent.
encouraging, empowering, inspiring each other on this journey of faith
Kerri Bridges
Yes,
Yes, one of my favorite verses is Psalm 37 Four. And it says Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. And when I was a teenager, reading that verse, it leapt out on the page to me that this verse means that God will place inside of you the desires for that which has created you to do for His glory. And God had put that desire in me. And if you have a passion or desire in your heart for something, God has placed that in you to use it for His glory. And then that can look different from one person to another. But we have to believe and step out in faith that God has called us to do this. And it's not about us. And even though I get moments of anxiety that those few seconds before that video starts, I get that moment of anxiety. But that is a tension on me. And I need to I always pray to push that away from me and remember that that it's about God's glory in that mind, because we were created to give God glory in that ourselves. And so I just encourage you to move forward to give God the glory that He is do.
What is a mountain? A problem larger than ourselves, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that makes us aware of our inability. Jesus used the mountain as a metaphor for the difficulties we will face in this life, to prove that nothing was too big for God to handle. Be encouraged in your life today through listening as Robin Kirby Gatto shares about her own mountain and God's Words of healing. * Jesus Christ explains in the parable about the mountain, that we will have difficulties in this life, which will challenge our faith.
22”And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].” Mark 11:22-24 AMPC
What is a mountain? A problem larger than ourselves, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that makes us aware of our inability. Jesus used the mountain as a metaphor for the difficulties we will face in this life, to prove that nothing was too big for God to handle.
Mountain climbers train for months to get to the highest mountain peaks. It requires strength and cardiovascular conditioning. Likewise, overcoming our difficulties requires the strength of God’s Word, which stirs our hearts with faith. This is a picture of grace.
The Greek word mountain comes from is óros pronounced or'-os and means, “to rise or rear, a mountain, mount, and hill.”[1] The mountain represents what the soul wrestles with, a person’s inner struggles, that which rises against the Word of Truth.
I remember in my late twenties and early thirties how insecure I felt. I became a single mother in the fall of 1997, to one-year-old and six-year-old boys. Up to this point, I really hadn’t known any single mothers. There were no divorced individuals in my family; I was the first one.
Parenting my young boys, as well as finishing my master’s degree was top on my list. I received the news of the divorce the week before my first-semester mid-terms and had difficulty studying. The stress of it all, as well as the inability to cope, led me to seek professional help, and see a psychiatrist. I was put on antidepressants and in the meantime got counseling, so that I could gain my footing again, having had the carpet pulled from under my feet.
Prior to the divorce, everything had been planned. We put a contract on my dream home and were to move in a few months. I would finish my master’s degree at the University of Alabama and commute for the last year of my degree. Then I would have it made, being a social worker, my husband a doctor, and having two amazing sons. Who could ask for more?
It seemed I had life all planned out until the mountain of divorce rose in my face, the unexpected life crisis that would send my world spiraling. Like an adventurist training to climb to the highest peak, I had to get into the Word of God to receive the strength to conquer the mountain that was in the way of me moving forward in life.
Having been a social worker, I did what I knew, and found support groups in which other divorced single parents were facing their own mountain. I went to one group on Sunday mornings at a Baptist church, and another one each Tuesday evening at a Catholic church. Within those support groups, I came to know two women, with whom I grew close.
They invited me to a mom’s night out, at which I was offered a glass of wine. I wasn’t a drinker but thought it might be enjoyable to have a glass of wine and blow off some steam. Before I knew it, one glass of wine turned into another glass, and so forth. Weeks turned into months and instead of conquering my mountain, I found myself in the mire of alcoholism at the foot of the mountain.
Alcoholism was pain medicine for my soul. I longed to forget my mountain was there. Inept at being a successful single mother, I hadn’t realized that what I was experiencing at the base of the mountain, was merely a “learning curve.” I graduated with honors from high school, as well as with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, so you can imagine how hard it was for me to believe that I had hit a learning curve in life.
The learning curve means “the rate of a person’s progress at gaining a new skill.”[2]
I had difficulty grasping what my new world would look like. Deep fog surrounded me at the mountain base, and I sat there fearing it as if it could hurt me. I could barely see my hand in front of my face. It felt impossible to begin the climb, much less conquer. The word failure loomed within the thick fog, bathing my self-image in negative messages, which led to a nervous breakdown.
In time, I surrendered to God, and He showed me that my real issue was that I didn’t trust Him. Trust is the spark to faith. I knew that as I continued to submit my life to God, no matter how messed up I was, He would stir me with hope and strengthen my faith. I continued going to church and seeking the Lord, the fog lifted a little. I had somewhat of a routine and finished my master’s degree, went to work, and took care of my sons. Things begin to get a little normal and bit by bit, I had the ability to cope and recreate a new world in which I was climbing my mountain. The higher I went, made it seem smaller.
Jesus tells us in Mark 11 to speak to our mountain. Speak in Greek is épō pronounced ep'-o meaning, “to speak or say (by word or writing); answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say, and tell.”[3] We speak the Word of God to every obstacle in our life, by opening our mouth or writing it down.
Daily devotional journals helped me put pen to paper, as my heart wrote what I couldn’t put into words. The grime upon my soul, washed away a little at a time, as I read the scripture for the day, and wrote from my inner man. Slowly but surely, I was succeeding, and the learning curve I had, began to fade away. No longer at the base of the mountain but halfway up, I kept my eyes on scaling its peak.
Speaking to the mountain represents the faith in the Word of truth within our inner man that is larger than any obstacle in our lives. Jesus taught the disciples that anything was possible to the person who believes. The Greek word for faith is pístis pronounced pis'-tis meaning, “persuasion, assurance, believe, belief and faith.”[4] Our faith turns into an invisible mountain upon which we scale, as we keep our eyes on the Kingdom of God.
It’s not God that has to be persuaded of our victory, because He already knows the end from the beginning and the power of His Word. He sent Jesus Christ, to the earth to tell all who would hear about the Kingdom of Heaven. That was the message Jesus brought to this world, which was at the bottom of faith’s invisible mountain, that’s peak is hidden above the clouds. Those who would hear and be willing to perceive that there was something greater than this world offered, were given the skill of the Word of Truth to scale the invisible mountain of faith to heaven’s blessings, knowing the Father’s will and praying it to be made known in the earth.
This was where I had come. The obstacle that had been before me, turned into my opportunity to go higher than I ever could have before. Sometimes the obstacles are what lend to our increased faith, persuaded that no matter how bad the circumstances look, God is greater. This is Grace!
Shortly after the divorce, the boys and I were in the car as I was doing a Saturday run to get donuts. While out and about I was stopped at a red light in front of this mountain in Pelham, Alabama. God then spoke to my heart and said “Robin, speak to that mountain and tell it to be cast into the sea.” Without a moment to think, I blurted out, “Mountain be uprooted and cast into the sea, in Jesus’ Name.” I could hear my two sons giggle in the back seat.
Two years later, on top of the small mountain was a bulldozer, bit by bit digging into it. Within a few months, that mountain was gone and is where Home Depot now sits today. Even more amazing is the name of the street that runs through that place where the mountain was removed, which is WORD STREET.
Similarly, the mountain of enormous human obstacles before me slowly became a plane, as the Word of truth rose within my heart as an invisible mountain of faith, giving me the ability to hope again, and trust God. I was willing to risk loving again and consider marrying. It was then that God led me down a certain path, in which I met my husband Rich, whom I wed in 2001. He was the man of my dreams! I had reached the peak of heaven’s plan, God’s plan, and discovered it, as He laid it forth in my life, drawing me down a road I wouldn’t have known. I have been happier than ever and couldn’t have thanked God enough for leading me up the mountain that at first seem so formidable.
Time healed the wounds with God’s Word, giving me the strength to believe in the impossible. Moreover, my ex-husband and I are good friends, and Rich and I have had coffee with him and his wife. My boys have a great relationship with their dad. We’re a unique family where everyone has a gift to help one another out.
The mountain of human obstacles inside of my soul was that I would never be whole again or know “normal,” much less be happy. God’s grace speaks to the mountain in everyone’s life and causes faith to arise when there’s a need. Many times, we run ahead of God, before we realize our needs.
I needed to know I could receive help and feel love, not by a man but by God. As I came to know God’s love, I became refreshed and renewed.
What mountain of human obstacles do you face? Where do you need faith to arise? Join me on this journey of Mountain Moving Faith, as God unfolds scripture about the power of His grace.
[1] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press Greek word # 3735 “mountain”
[2] “Learning-curve” Oxford University Press. The Oxford American College Dictionary. Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2002
[3] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press Greek word # 2036 “speak”
[4] Strong J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press Greek word # 4102 “faith”
- The Beatitudes Part I (Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26)
Join us for Part I of this two-part series on the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” means “blessing.” Jesus offers many blessings to His followers. Dive into The Beatitudes and learn about God’s Kingdom and the blessings that come with it as we study Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins, and I'm so glad you are here.
I want to encourage you to join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our trio of podcasts. On Mondays Kimberly Hobbs the founder and executive director of Women World Leaders hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, a 30-minute podcast where she interviews a different woman of faith each week, showcasing how God has worked in her life. Kimberly is a master connector with the gift of encouragement. And you will be blessed when you tune in and listen to her Monday podcast as she encourages you to walk in your God given purpose.
Then on Fridays, we have a team of leaders who host Celebrating God's Grace — a short, power-filled podcast that will launch you into the weekend with joy and excitement about all that God is doing in our world today.
And here on Wednesdays, we have the privilege of walking through the Word of God together. We are currently walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we learn from the life of Jesus, I pray that the series is blessing you and that you are finding many treasures along the way to get you through the day.
You know, I heard a story somewhere that has stuck with me for many years, a young seminarian learned about how little a listener of sermons actually retains, which led him to question his calling. He went to his mentor and asked, Well, why would I spend this much time and put in this much effort to learn to teach the Word of God if people aren't going to be able to recall most of what I say? The mentor replied, people have to eat every day, despite what they ate the day before.
Our words are meant to illuminate the Word of God on a daily basis, because people need to nourish their spirits every day. If you can nourish someone for a single day, for a single minute, even then all your work will be worth it. Amen?
My prayer for you is that God would speak to you through this podcast today. I don't care if you remember my name or even the name Women World Leaders. If my words encourage you to think about God for even a single moment, to ponder his words, then my work is worth it. Let's pray before we begin.
Dear Heavenly Father, it is your name we seek to glorify today it is your glory that we want to see. It is your word and instruction that matter. God, I ask that you teach us today reach into the spirit of each listener and let her feel your presence and know your thoughts. Allow her to let go and let you guide her on the path that you have prepared for her for today, tomorrow, and always, no matter what may come her way. We give you this time and we thank you in advance for the teaching that you are about to give us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Well, today on our journey, we will be looking at Matthew chapter five verses one through 12 and Luke chapter six, verses 20 through 26. From the New Living Translation, as we begin our walk through the Sermon on the Mount. This is actually just part one of our teaching on the Beatitudes. So you will have to come back next week to hear part two. Listen as I read the Beatitudes as written in Matthew.
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him and He began to teach them. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. If God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right. For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you, because you are my followers. Be happy about it. Be very glad for a great reward awaits you in Heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets are persecuted in the same way.
Well, we know this teaching as the Beatitudes, which means blessing in Latin. You may be familiar with other translations, where each phrase begins, blessed is the one or happy is the one. The original Greek word that starts each phrase is Makarios and carries with it the connotation of divine joy, and perfect happiness and inner satisfaction or sufficiency. That doesn't depend on outward circumstances. This word was reserved for the gods, not for humans, and certainly not for humans who are currently living. But Jesus offers this blessedness the secure happiness to his listeners to the living, even mentioning the worldly circumstances that they were currently enduring, drawing them in to the realization that they could be blessed Now, despite their circumstances. Now, Jesus had already announced that the kingdom of heaven was near as recorded in Matthew 417. So it's likely that he was hearing questions along the way, like, what is the kingdom of heaven? And how do we get there? So he begins his teaching with God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. For the kingdom of heaven is there's this verse, often translated as blessed are the poor in spirit means blessing are those with humility.
Humility is a necessary requirement to get into heaven. We need humility, meaning that we must recognize our own sinfulness and our own need for God, it's God's kingdom, we seek to enter. So to enter his kingdom, we must put him first and become subservient to him. It makes sense. You don't walk into someone's house without their invitation. And in order to receive the invitation, we must put God the owner of the kingdom, first in our lives. These blessings then go on to describe what it means to be a follower of Jesus, what we can expect from this world and what we can expect from our God. It showcases a character traits that true children of God will exhibit in a world that throws curveballs at us, trying to confuse us and pull us off the path that God intends. One of those curveballs was that the people had been taught for years, that righteousness was following the letter of the law, even man made laws, as the Pharisees taught and enforced. Jesus is teaching that there is a better way, and that there are better rewards that haven't even been told about yet.
As he teaches Jesus falls into a rhythm. Our God is very organized. He first gives the requirement then teaches about the reward. The rewards themselves are telling before you enter a contest, it's human nature to ask, what is my reward? What is the payoff? Is it worth it? Jesus says, Here are the rewards. And to sum to those who are looking at the rewards through a worldly lens. The rewards may not look so great. But when you look at the rewards through Kingdom eyes, they are better than any rewards we could dream up. My husband and I are in a walking competition right now through his work. We are on teams of five people each made up of employees and their spouses. And we are walking from Nashville, Tennessee to Portland, Oregon. Well, not really. I I live in Florida. And no matter how many miles I walk, I'm still in Florida. But theoretically, Portland is our destination. When we walk 1900 miles, we will have made it to Portland. This is a three month challenge, and I'll let you in on a little secret. I am a crazy competitor. The best way to get me to do something is to challenge me. So I am walking and walking and walking. What's the payoff you might ask? Well, the reward for the team who gets to Portland first is two extra days off work for a company that I don't work for. You'd think I wouldn't want to walk through the blisters. But for me, there is a greater payoff, my health. Ultimately, the price I am working toward is not the price that is being offered by those who are running the competition. But it's better. The blessings that Jesus offered may seem a bit strange, but they are the best prizes. If we look at them with Kingdom eyes, verse four, God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. This must have caught the crowds attention right off the bat, who doesn't mourn on Earth. This earth is not our home, the kingdom of the kingdom of God is our home. In this world, we will have trouble but God has overcome this world. The kingdom of heaven is an already and not yet phenomenon, something that is very difficult to understand. Once you have confessed your sin and given Jesus reign over your life as Lord, you become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and receive all the rights and privileges do a citizen. And yet you still live and breathe and walk on this earth. And on this earth, you will mourn. You will mourn the death of a loved one, the loss of health, the loss of a job, even a dream. But as a citizen of heaven, you will be blessed as you receive God's comfort. And when you look at that reward through Kingdom eyes, nothing could be better than the comfort of God. Verse five, God blesses those who are humble for thy will inherit the whole earth. The word humble can be translated as meek or gentle. God blesses those who do not assert themselves at the expense of others. This is one of those upside down teachings of Jesus, you would think that those who scrape and tackle their way to the top would ultimately claim their ground. But Jesus teaches the opposite. It is by gentleness guided only by the Holy Spirit, that the children of God become the victors. That Gentle, gentle will inherit the earth. Verse six, God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. The words hunger and thirst indicate a need, we all need to eat and drink. And we will work tirelessly to make sure that we and our loved ones have enough to eat and drink. Jesus is saying when the need for justice is so great within you that you are willing to work for justice, as you work for food and water, you will be satisfied justice will prevail.
Only God can bring justice. So what is our role when we see an injustice? The answer to that question is highly personal, and one that is too vague to answer in a short podcast. But what Jesus does teach us in this passage is that he does not want us to sit back in our easy chair and watch injustice happen around us. If you are being faced with an injustice, or if you are aware of an injustice, I beg you to go to God on your knees and ask him what he would have you do. In your quest, read the Word of God and go to a trusted Christian source. God may be calling you to stand up against that and injustice in a practical way. Or he may be calling you to stand in prayer against that injustice. Or perhaps he will give you his wisdom on how he wants you personally, to offer relief to the persecuted. When you seek God's answer as you would seek water on a hot day you He will give you the answer. And when you answer his call obediently, you will be satisfied. We are so quickly running out of time. So we will continue with this teaching on the Beatitudes. And next week in the meantime, you have some homework to do. Have you received your invitation to the kingdom of heaven? If you have Have you answered, in order to receive the kingdom of heaven or to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, we must be poor in spirit wrapped in humility. We must put God first. And we must put ourselves last. Will you ask God to show you how are you in mourning? If you are Will you allow God to comfort you? And if you are not in a season of mourning? Will you take a moment to look around at who in your circle may be morning and offer them the comfort of God? Say a prayer on their behalf or text a Bible verse to your neighbor in the kingdom? Is someone or something coming against you tempting you to rear up and defend yourself at the expense of another? Will you pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to empower you to be gentle in your dealings? trusting Jesus that by being gentle, you will inherit the earth? And will you pray for God to open your eyes to the injustice is going on around you? There are plenty. Ask God to personally grant you wisdom for the path that he would have you take to stand against that injustice. If you are a child of God, the kingdom of heaven is yours. Will you take ownership? To Heavenly father I pray for every listener that she will enter into your kingdom and will take ownership in the very personal way that you have commanded her. Give her a moment today to sit quietly and listen to your voice. Give her courage and wisdom to step out where you call her. Give her a humble heart and a gentle spirit to do Your will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
As we prepare to launch our newest book, Surrendered: Yielded With Purpose through Women World Leaders, join us to hear one of the powerful stories within the soon to be released book. Ellie McGraw from British Columbia shares how to Let Go and Let God. Ellie McGraw received freedom from a painful past as she learned to surrender one by one, things that held her captive to her past. She openly shares her God-given story to glorify God and inspire others. Ellie is using a pen name in order to protect people within her story. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy that you have joined in with us today for our podcast. And it's always a pleasure to welcome our guests and today I'd like to welcome our guest, Ellie McGraw from British Columbia. Welcome, Ellie.
Ellie McGraw
Thank you. awesome to be here. It's a privilege.
Kimberly Hobbs
And we're glad to have you Thank you. Ladies, I'm, I'm really excited because in women, world leaders, as many of our followers know we have books that God has allowed us to put out. And every year, our books have gone to number one best sellers. In fact, our book, one of our books last year, victories and victories, claiming freedom in Christ went to number one best seller last year. And this year, God is giving us several books that are going to be put out through the Ministry of Women, world leaders, world published productions. And we are excited about these books. And we decided that we are going to share some of these stories with you some of the stories that are in these amazing books that God has allowed us to present. So this book, surrendered, yielded with purpose for 2022 is going to be launching in November. And God has brought forward some of the authors and writers in these books, to do some podcast interviews with us. So today, Ellie, as one of our guests, is one of the writers in the book surrendered, and you get to hear her story that she is sharing. And God tells us in His Word, and Revelation 1211, they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, they overcame him Who is him, that is the devil, the enemy, and we overcome by sharing, sharing about what God has done in and through our hearts in some of the stories that he has given us in our life. And God has given Miss Mrs. Ellie McGraw wonderful story, and it's one of healing and restoration, but she went through a journey to get through it. And we're hoping that today this will inspire you and encourage you, as you are on your own journey through your walks of life, whatever it is that you are going through, but sometimes we can identify with other stories. And that is our hope today that you might be able to relate and to Ellie's story that she's going to share with you. So let me share a little bit about Ellie McGraw, Ellie is actually going under a pen name, to protect the identity of those that were written about in her past through her story. So she is from British Columbia. And again, we are just privileged to know her she is a wonderful woman of God loves the Lord with all of her heart. She is a dynamic, fiery, passionate, prophetic voice, who loves the presence of God in her life. And from a young age Ellie heard the voice of God. And because of the freedom she herself has received from the Lord, she loves to see the body of Christ set free. And I love that she loves to see them set free, healed and delivered. She has a passion for equipping leaders and raising up champions through giving sound biblical keys to the kingdom of God. Ali speaks at churches and various nations. And since 2000, she has a counseling healing and deliverance ministry called freedom to soar. She leads many groups including a 24 hour prayer line called the Canadian firewall. I love that. I love that because we at women, world leaders believe in the power of prayer and that is the only way this ministry is flourishing in the name of Jesus. So prayer is vital. And I love that you are doing a 24 hour prayer line in Canada. That's amazing. She's a mom, she's a grandma. She's living in British Columbia with her husband, and she's a woman world leader. or soon to be published author in the book by women world leaders called surrendered, yielded with purpose. And that is what we're talking about today is one of the stories in this book soon to be launched in November, end of November, beginning of December 2022. So, Holly, as we get started with your story, you have a story of surrendering brokenness to the Lord surrendering homelessness. In fact, you titled it, let go and let God and it's a painful story. It started off that way. But we know it doesn't end that way. And God says, Colin, to me, and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know Jeremiah 33, three. And when you are going through that pain, and that brokenness, God knew what was coming ahead. He says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight that that's proverbs three, five and six. So as we start out, we're gonna ask Ellie to share a little bit about that painful brokenness that she felt. Pat, take it away, Ellie.
Ellie McGraw
Well, thank you so much. I, it's you know, it's an honor to share about the pain and the brokenness, because it's in that place, where we begin to see a glimpse of God that we never would have imagined. But it's my story starts out with my husband, who was in a rage, which seemed to be quite often, in fact, it it got to be more and more all the time. But he was in a rage, and he began to choke me from behind. While he was doing this, there was so many lies that I began to, you know, that were going in my head, like, see, you deserve this, you don't have any value, you're unworthy, you don't measure up, you're nothing, all those things began to just go round and round in my head. See, it's your fault. And I, I was trying to sort through as you're fighting for your life, you know, and, of course, as I'm doing that, I'm covered in shame. It's like, it's like a blanket that just sort of goes over top of you to snuff the life out of you. And the whole world was literally closing in on me. I struggled. I struggled, you know, with the hands i but because he had come from behind, it was very hard for me to to get those hands away. And of course, as he's doing this, there was a lot of cussing that that was deafening to my ears. And I just kept ripping away at those fingers. While this was all happening, my four and five year old little girls, they I remember looking over and I and I saw them. And I was like, Oh my gosh, my kids are seeing this you know, and it was like they were like shocked they were just staring there. Their eyes were huge because they couldn't even believe what was going on. They had heard some of this kind of stuff before but not to this extent. And so when when I felt like I was going down, you know for the sort of the last time and as I was trying to rip away I just thought God I'm not gonna make it i i don't know what to do. And I looked at the one and she was just like staring or she was just like huge hurt. She has big brown eyes anyways, but they were just huge. And then the other one all of a sudden she looked at me right at the point where I thought okay, this is it. I'm passing out I'm I don't know what else to do. And it was almost at that very second that she screamed. And it was like this pierce it was like, you know, I mean I can't even explain what it sounded like but it was like stop your she actually said You're killing mommy. And when she said that the group it was almost like that shock stopped the the fight and he loosened and as soon as I felt the loosening course i i was Coming to again. And I remember, I was sputtering and like, oh God, and I'm gasping, and I'm coughing and then trying to strangle up to my feet. And as I do it, my, I'm thinking, I've got to get the kids, I gotta get them out of here. So I'm, I'm sort of doing that. And he's still, I think, in shock from the screen. And so I grabbed them, and I grabbed the dog, and we go running into the night, and just I shoved them in the car, and I just kept praying, you know, God, I pray this car works, because it wasn't the newest car, you know, but and that's playing for your life. I was and I did not know where to go what to do, who to call, it was late. And I'm thinking well, now what? So, but I knew a woman and her husband that had always sort of been been like, a grandma and grandpa almost to the children. And they had always said, you know, if ever anything happens, you just know, you can come here. So we died. We did. That's where I went. And, and as I went there, and I remember laying on the bed, and I just cried and cried. This was after the police came and they took pictures of me because I was a mess. And all of that. And then I laid on the bed and I just cried. I cried and cried and cried. And I as I was sobbing, I was wondering, you know, like God, I thought I was supposed to be the bride of Christ. Like, what kind of what kind of bride of Christ is this? I'm a mess. I'm confused. I'm wounded and broken. I'm literally like grieving. But he just was silent at that point. He just was quiet and sort of comforting me with peace. And I was in a ball curled on the bed and he just kept saying it's okay. So I thought, Okay, well, God. Now what do I do? What do I do? I'm homeless. I don't have a home. I don't have which we had a beautiful home. Like we had a swimming pool, we had a boat, we had all the nice thing. They've done a river. Not a river, a bank in the mountain. And so we didn't have anybody behind us. It was nice place. But God kept saying, you know, his sheep follow him. For they know His voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow. So I began to pray. Okay, God, I need your voice. I need you to speak and I need to know that it's your voice and no other voice. Because you say a voice of a stranger. I won't follow. So it's like, Okay, God, shut off all the other voices. I just want you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. I can't even imagine living through that trauma or living through that pain. And you you had nothing nobody. But you had God to cry out to. And that is what you did. And your first surrender as you share in your chapter in the book surrendered is brokenness. You surrendered and you let go and you let God and then the second surrender was your home you were homeless, you had no place else to go and use had to surrender that beautiful home that you had back to the Lord. And now this is going to be very tragic ladies. But she incurred another horrific painful experience in her life was she lost her father to a massive heart attack. God cares, Lady about ladies about every detail we go through. And he saw that that was coming and again, she would have to endure that pain, more pain. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me Your mercy oh lord endures forever. Psalm 138 Eight, and you began embracing God, le by reading the scriptures. You surrendered your homelessness you let go of pride to reach out for assistance to God. God says whether you turn to the left or to the right, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk in it. That's Isaiah 3021. So can you now share with the ladies after your father has this massive heart attack? How did you find strength now to let go and let God
Ellie McGraw
Well, more than ever, it was the word. I just kept running into the Word and going okay God, I'm going to begin to speak it out and declare it because there's power when we say make out the word especially. And the breath of God comes out of us. You know, and it's not just dead religion of just saying a bunch of words. It's like, Okay, God, I want your breath to speak through me. And I began to speak those very words, you know, your word is a lamp unto my feet. Your word is a light unto my path. Okay, God, you're going to show me I don't know where to put my feet, but you're going to show me and another one in in Psalm 91. You know, the Lord is my shepherd, I will not want. Well, I, I wanted to argue there was a part of me that wanted to argue, oh, yeah, you know, I'm wanting Lord. But you say I won't want. So I will not lack Okay, God, I'm going to take you at your word. And you know, His Word will perform what it's meant to do, as we decree it. As we speak it out as we pray it. It's like, it's like, something comes underneath us and then begins to carry us in his arms. Your word says, you know, in in Isaiah 30, it says, Your ears shall hear the word behind you. This is the way walk a walk in it. Yes.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that scripture. That is one of my scriptures, too. Oh, my goodness. And ladies that are listening. You may be able to identify with Ellie and in something horrific in your life that you've gone to and where does that assistance come from? Our our help comes from the Lord, we just call out to Him. We read the scriptures. And God's gonna provide a way when there seems to be no way. And Ally, as we continue on. God gave you strength. He gave you grace, He gave you faith. And he gave you wisdom when you needed it. And ladies, again, I love to share the Scripture wisdom. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God and he will give it to you generously to any of us who asked. That's James one five. Holly was praying, God, give me your wisdom. Ladies, pray that to the Lord. Lord, give me your wisdom and whatever it is right now that you're going through that may allow you to identify here with what Ellie's going through, or went through. Pray for that wisdom. God brought you grandma Gerda le and you were able to surrender your control to God. You also had that was the third thing you had to surrender to Him. And when grammar Gerda came into your life, can you explain how you learned about forgiveness and the ability to forgive as Jesus forgave you?
Ellie McGraw
Well, um, you know, there was one time when we were running because the police had come to my door and they'd said, Look, your husband's out of jail and he is on the rampage. So flee your home. So we went we've we fled and she drama kurta picked us up, and we just were driving around. And as she's driving around, she just finally she stops and she says to me, Holly, or Ellie, you have to let go of your girls. You've got to literally lay them on, on you know, just lay them down. Because she says if you don't you're going to be a mess. Always. You're going to be worried you're going to be fearful you won't be able to you know get what he wants you to get. You can't live at peace that way. And I let I remember I surrendered them. I just said okay, God here I give you my children. And that was the hardest thing. I just again cried and cried and cried and sobbed because it was breaking a stronghold that Okay, God, you, you might not do it. And then as she kept coaching us, it led us to forgiveness where I began to forgive. And I began to see this man almost separated from the power that was influencing him. And it's that's a very hard thing to say. But it's the only way sometimes you can forgive is when you separate the person from the rage or the influence that is controlling them. Because if if you keep picturing them like that, that's the thing that will you know, it'll try to hold you but if you can say okay, that was him under the influence of wicked things, wicked spirits and rage. Now, he this here is actually a person who God you love. And you forgive. And you you cherish. And I had to I had to separate the two Do because sometimes that's the only way we can forgive is if we separate the two. Yes. So that was one of the things that I had to do as I forgave. But of course, as I forgave, I had to also let go the trauma. And many times I pictured trauma and pain and losses and disappointments, just by saying here, Jesus, you drank a cup of suffering. Oh, and so I pour these into your cup of suffering. And you will, you've drank that cup, you've read me. So I don't know, I don't have to carry this any longer. That was another piece of my healing is that part where I can finally let it go in that cup, and watch him? Take it, there was much forgiveness that I had to do, I had to go through each each particular in incident that had happened in my life and begin to say, Okay, God, I give you this one. And I gave you this one. And I gave you this one. And then I had to ask forgiveness for carrying it has, sometimes when we carry things like that, it's actually idolatry. And what it is saying is, Jesus, your death wasn't enough. So I'm just going to carry this, I'm going to carry this unforgiveness and hatred all my days. But one wants is to say, hey, you need to tear that altar down. You don't take it, I take it. And so, yeah, so that's another part of the puzzle in forgiving, you know, we don't forgive because of our own self, or because of that next person, we forgive because to free ourselves. And, you know, by forgiving, and by letting go, the amazing thing is, as I did all those things, God worked it out that we became friends. I mean, wow. You know, you know, celebrate, like the kids is birthdays and, and their weddings. And they're, you know, we went through the grad and we went through the, the weddings. I mean, this was my ex husband, he obviously became my ex husband. Right, all those things, we just finished celebrating Thanksgiving together. My husband now and my x and all our kids and all our grandkids. So I think if I could end by saying, you know, it's a bigger picture, we must see the legacy we're leaving on the earth. Like, what is the legacy we're leaving? Is it the trauma, the brokenness, the pain, the disappointments, the betrayals, the shame, the depression? Or if you know what, God you look bigger, you look into the generations, you look into the kids, you look into the grandkids, and so on, what can I leave them that will continue to ripple, and be in effect, forgive for Christ?
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Good word, good word. It is something we all need to think about. What are you leaving for the children and the power of forgiveness when they see that in an example, such as they saw it in you, Ally, as an example to your children, is powerful. It's powerful, because it's not easy. We're not saying forgiveness is easy. But we have the most beautiful example of Jesus and how he forgives us. Who are we we are sinners, saved by His grace. And we just thank you, Jesus, for your forgiveness. And when we can see ourselves as that sinner, and that God had to come and die for us. And we ask him for that for that forgiveness. That's powerful, because he says, How much does he forgive us? As far as Easton is from West and he remembers those sins no more. And ladies, we're not saying that we're God. We're not saying again, that this is easy, but we're able to follow the example in Jesus because He loved us so much that he forgave. And how many times did he forgive us? He forgave it talks about forgiveness in the Bible. 70 times seven. Wow. So ladies, just practice the word surrender in your life and surrender those things that are holding you captive, that you can't let go of that are holding Just like Ali said, they become idols. When you don't release that to the Lord, you have to release it in full surrender to God and allow him to come over and take full control of your life. And then you're going to start walking in those blessings and freedom with the power to forgive the power to overcome control, brokenness, homelessness, all of these things that the enemy just wants to take us out with. And allow us to wallow in that mire. And in brokenness, you want you there forever. But no, no. We have Jesus and His forgiveness. And just remember that ladies, that is what is gonna get you through is the power of forgiveness. It's powerful. So ally in our clothes, can you just in one minute or less, just give that woman listening that identified with this story that has gone through tremendous heartache and brokenness, maybe it's from a spouse, maybe it's from another past abuser in her life, or I don't know what kind of brokenness she's going through, but, but just give her that word of encouragement that you would that would just give her hope to go on.
Ellie McGraw
I think what I would say of course, is let go and let God like, until she lets go. She's going to strangle herself in a stronghold of hatred and anger and unbelief and all kinds of things. But when she just like full surrenders, like Okay, God, here I am. And it's almost like, Here I am, I lay on your and I always picture it as a hammock. I lay back in the hammock of God. And I just say, God, I do not know what we're going to do. But I'm trusting in you. I can trust in you, you know, we T is faithful, why? His word is faithful. Amen. We can take that word. We can take that word, because it's faithful. It's true. And that's all we got. We got everything. You know, Jesus, well, right. He's faithful. He won't disappoint us, we think, oh, you know, but No, he won't disappoint. So as we let go, we can trust God to carry us and He will bring us through. I even think of these days now, when we're almost like in a boat, and all the waves are tossing and turning. And we're like, God, what's happening in the world and what's happening everywhere, like everything's out of whack. And meanwhile, we're just like, there's one onslaught after another after another, the only place of freedom is to let go and let God
Kimberly Hobbs
Praise God, praise God. Ladies, I hope that you heard that final word, let go and like God, and know that he's going to carry you he is going to carry you in. That's what faith is. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen, we can't see what God's gonna do. But ladies, he knows the beginning to the end. So we need to trust him. Trust that he loves you ladies, that he's got you. And he's not letting go of you. So voice that to him, Lord, I know, I know you have me, I trust you. I can't see what's coming. But I trust you. And you hold on to that faith, ladies. And you go and you go with God, and you let that word strengthen your heart. It's going to strengthen you there is power in the Word. So our encouragement, Ellie, and I's encouragement to you is stay grounded in the Word of God, ladies. And that, again, is one of these purposes of these books that we put out by women, world leaders and the book coming out surrendered, yielded with purpose is going to be fantastic. I can't even tell you, and we ask you to get this book, be part of it. And then read this book for yourself and then pass it on to whoever God speaks to you and puts on your heart and you be part of this team that is going to help spread the word of God into the world because these books contain the word of God every chapter contains the powerful word of God and how these amazing women of God used that word in in our Bibles to show glory to God of how he used those scriptures to get them through a horrible time. And so again, ladies we just encourage you to look for this book surrendered, yielded with Purpose, it's coming late fall, November of 2022. So I'm not sure when you're going to listen to this podcast. But even if you hear it in 2023, you know, this book will have already launched out into the world and prayerfully, it will become a number one best seller, as our past books have. And ladies, you can be part of that to helping us achieve number one bestseller with this book, because that just means more people in the world are going to hear these stories. And that's what's so important, ladies, and let's do this as a team effort from women, world leaders and make sure these books get out into the world. So I just want to thank you, Ellie macdon. And you can look for her story and surrendered yielded with purpose. And she's also given permission for you to reach out to her at Freedom to soar.me. Write me Oh at me, freedom to soar@me.com Thank you for that correction. And as we close again, I want to thank you, Ellie McGraw for being our guest today and speaking to the hearts of the women that are listening, and ladies, and we love you. And we appreciate you every week faithfully coming to listen to empowering lives with purpose. And we invite you to go to our website where we have the shop, and you can look at the different tools that God has allowed us to put on there the books that we have produced through women, world leaders, and you can also join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for more podcasts from women, world leaders. And also we have voice of truth magazine that goes out into the world 1000s of women digitally it is reaching and we are so so just blessed by all of those that are reading and growing and becoming part of women, world leaders through reaching out to us. So we encourage you to reach out to us too. If you are moved and inspired to do so or maybe you want to share your story. We give you the ability to do that through women world leaders. So God bless you all have a wonderful day. And remember from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent.
In today's podcast, Rusanne Carole speaks honestly about when we "feel" God isn't there and we have difficulty hearing Him or seeing Him at work in our lives. We all have times of joy and laughter and times of discouragement and questioning. It is normal for doubt to enter our minds, but we mustn't be led by our these thoughts that cause doubt that God is always present desiring the best for us. As women of God, we are called to persevere! Run the race of faith knowing God is there even if we can't "feel" it. He promises this and it's a promise we must cling to for when we are weak, He is strong!
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole.
Thank you for joining us today and we hope you can join us each week as every Monday in “Empowering Lives with Purpose” with, Kimberly Hobbs, our founder, she shares with us a beautiful time of chatting with women of God who give part of their testimony, their “God story” - giving God the glory. It is so encouraging when we hear others’ stories of overcoming and celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness. The Word tells us there is power in the testimony. This 30-minute interview inspires and lets us know we are not alone in our challenges, but God is always with us and never leaves us!
And each Wednesday, our very own Julie Jenkins in Walking in the Word shares a study where she is currently looking at and teaching from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 20 minutes where she teaches verse by verse and delves into the life of Jesus that fills and feeds the soul.
And on Fridays, we have a team of podcasters I am honoured to be a part of where we celebrate God’s goodness and all He has for us to live the abundant life He desires for each of us.
I want to be very open and honest with you today. I didn’t “feel” like working on a podcast for this month’s message and recording. I’m currently going through one of the most challenging seasons of my life. This is not about sharing every detail of what is happening, we are all going through things. And if we aren’t currently life has a way of presenting things for us (or our loved ones) to deal with! And the enemy has reminded me often – “Is this really the best it’s gonna get?” “Where is your God? I don’t see him helping you and it’s been months, where do you think He could be? Is He really for you? Is He really real?”
I am reminded of a song that the lyrics say, The world will say, “Where is your God” and we will say, “He’s right here with me!” But what about the times that you just can’t see Him or you are not hearing from Him?
I recently read and contemplated a statement a pastor wrote: When we are in the perfect will of God, we hear and feel nothing.
What? What do you mean? I’ve always pictured I’m in His will when I “see” Him at work in my life, when I am hearing from Him - loud and clear. Oh, what a joyous time those have been when I just knew it was God directing me, guiding me. It felt safe and secure – knowing He was there helping me down the path of life and it’s many decisions.
But as I have gotten older and having spent more time in relationship with my heavenly Father He is showing me more and more about faith! Believing, even when I don’t “feel” Him at work.
2 Cor 5:7 says for we walk by faith, not by sight. Can we be an unbelieving believer? I think yes. We are called to believe in the Lord Jesus with our whole being. MIND, BODY and SOUL. Our minds can receive and even believe all that we learn in His Holy Word, yet our emotions can be unbelieving!
Our mind can run to Him.
And our emotions can run away from Him.
A negative emotional perception of God will hinder the attempts to look at Christ as the WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
So back to getting in His will for us? Do we honestly believe He has a better plan for our lives than we could pursue for ourselves. When everything in us is screaming, “NO!!! I want my life to be different!” We must pray, “Lord, I want your will, not mine.” It involves dying to the self that drives us daily. God truly does have the best plan for our lives. We must believe!
And when God is quiet it requires trust, perseverance in our walk (whether we are hearing and seeing Him at work – the Word promises us that He is). Same as my boys. When they were young and suppose I told them not to drive their bikes in the street. If I saw them riding in the street, I would yell at them to get out of the street – and if they didn’t hear me I would run outside to get close where they could hear me or even retrieve them out of harm’s way. However, if I looked out the window and found them doing what they were supposed to they would hear nothing from me. The same is true with the Lord.
We must be careful not to compare, especially in this world where we “share” so much on the spinning reel of social media. God will speak to us all differently and in His time – not ours. I know God has spoken to me in the most amazing times when I least expected it. I had not asked for it but He in his wisdom spoke when He decided to speak. He doesn’t have to speak to know He is there. His promises tell me so!
So sisters, my prayer for all of you and myself is we KNOW God is there working for us, loving us, directing us – even when we don’t “feel” it.
Regardless of our worldly circumstances, for there is a “heavenly home” that awaits.
Regardless of our feelings, for they are like a yo-yo, up one moment and down the next!
Regardless of what the world may say about where our God is, as Christians – Christ lives in us!
And as I come to an end of writing this and speaking this out I already feel better for it is His Holy Spirit that comes to minister to our heart, mind and soul and ask him – COME, even if we have to ask over and over and over again. Our Lord understands.
The 72 disciples returned from their mission with amazing stories. Jesus celebrated with them, saying, “I saw Satan fall like lightning.” As ambassadors for Jesus, He gives us His power to defeat evil in this world. Let’s take a stand together! (Luke 10:17-24)
Thanks for joining us today for Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am the host for this, our Wednesday edition of the podcast.
If you are new to Women World Leaders – we offer three different podcast episodes on this one feed each week. On Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs host Empowering Lives with Porupose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her God story in the hopes of empowering you to walk in your God-given purpose. On Fridays, we have a team of leaders who present Celebrating God’s Grace – a joyful and instructive podcast about God’s grace in our world today. And, of course, you’ve happened on Walking in the Word, where we take a few minutes each Wednesday to open and study scripture together.
There is SO much going on at Women World Leaders! If you have been around the ministry for any length of time, you are likely aware that God continues to bring us writers who are eager to share their God stories. We are continually building and coaching teams to work together to write books filled with individual one-on-one encounters with and teachings from God. We are SO excited to announce that we have TWO new books soon to be PUBLISHED! So keep an eye out on social media and through our newsletter to find out how you can purchase these soon-to-be-released books! Also, we ask you to pray with us! By God’s grace, each of our previously-released books has hit best-seller status within days of their release, and we are praying for the same for each of these books — because the more books that sell, the more God’s glory will be revealed to our world!
To receive the newsletter in your email to ensure you don’t miss out on anything God is doing in and through this ministry, please visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com
Let’s get to the teaching, shall we? As we dive into our walk through the Word, we continue learning from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John verse by verse, asking God to show us what He wants us to learn from each step. Today our study comes from Luke 10:17-25. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we come to you today, first, seeking your forgiveness for the wrongs we have done. Father, we don’t want anything to impede the Holy Spirit’s power and wisdom within us as we seek to understand your Word. So we say we are sorry for the recent moments when we have offended you, and we thank you for your mercy. God – lead us today as we read and study your Word. Help us understand what you want us to know. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week, we studied Luke, chapter 10, verses 1-16. We saw Jesus send out 72 disciples in pairs to prepare the cities where He Himself would soon be going. He instructed the disciples that first, they were to pray for others to come alongside them as helpers, because there was much work to be done. Then He instructed them to be aware, because they wouldn’t always be walking into friendly territory. Jesus told them they shouldn’t take any money or provisions, instead trusting God’s provisions along the way. They were told that as they entered homes, they should declare God’s peace and not hesitate to accept hospitality. When they were welcomed, they were to heal the sick in God’s power and declare that the Kingdom of God had come. If it happened that they were not welcomed, they were to shake the dust from their feet and move on.
The 72 disciples were sent as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, with the power of Jesus Christ to heal and proclaim His name.
If you listened to last week’s podcast, you may remember that I gave you a charge – to go out and be an ambassador for Christ. I wonder how your week went? It’s always important for us to take a look at how we are doing – to hold ourselves accountable. One way to do that is to be involved in a group that cares about your walk with Jesus.
My favorite thing about Women World Leaders is that, through this ministry, God facilitates community, fellowship, and accountability. I am very much an introvert – I gotta’ tell you, I was just fine with the pandemic forcing me to work from home. So I understand if you are a person who doesn’t want to “get out there” – trust me, I do! But my commitment to my fellow sisters in this ministry helps me stay on the right track. Each time we meet, whether it be in a leaders connection, a writers’ meeting, a prayer Zoom, or any of the many other meetings that we have – that you are also invited to attend, by the way - I feel a resurgence in my spirit. And I’m reminded that despite the sins I commit, God still considers me His daughter, and, as His daughter, He has given me the gift of sisters who hold me up and hold me accountable. These ladies remind me daily of God’s glory working in and through this ministry and the world.
I believe that is how the 72 disciples who Jesus sent out felt. Because, though they each had a very individualized mission, they were not going it alone. They were part of a community of believers. And today, as we read forward in Luke, we get to peak in on the return of the 72 – what happened when they came together in community to share their individual experiences with their peeps?
Let’s begin reading in Luke 10:17 from the New Living Translation…
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
I wish Luke had spent more than one sentence on this reunion! I love that they all returned together – I’m not even sure how God orchestrated that without cell phones. And I love their joy – even though they were probably dog-tired. I know when I return from a trip, I am spent. And I don’t ever have to walk to my called destination!
But these 72 were clearly energized by the fact that THEY were used by God! Have you ever been there? I sure hope so! The devil works hard to mask the miraculous that God does in and through us. That’s exactly WHY it is important for us to reflect on our days and weeks. Think about your prayers – who have you prayed for that God has healed? We tend to not think in those terms, but I assure you that God DOES hear you when you pray. And He does respond.
How have you seen God give His peace to someone dear to you in the last week? Is it possible He used YOUR words to bring a momentary smile to someone’s face? That’s being an ambassador. And I know there are plenty of ways we’ve affected others that we won’t even know about until we get to heaven. I know our magazine contributors and book authors pray for their readers all the time – that God would speak a word of encouragement, empowerment, comfort, or grace to the one who happens to be holding the writing in his or her hands. But we may never hear all those stories. And that’s okay, because we know that when we go for God, in God’s power, we can trust that He will use every word and every step and every bit of strength we muster to serve Him.
Though Luke doesn’t record too much of the celebration of the returning 72, he does record Jesus’ response.
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!
This was the BEGINNING of Satan’s downfall on earth! That fight rages on even today, but the disciples won THAT battle – and Jesus celebrated with them. We have battles we walk into every day, too. But when we give ourselves fully to God’s plan, we can be assured that Satan falls far and fast – like lightning! Jesus continues…
19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
This is GOOD NEWS – it was for them, and it was for us. We, with the power of Jesus coursing through us, have the power to conquer evil in this world. The disciples had already seen this first-hand, but Jesus is now telling them that their power wouldn’t stop with that one mission trip, but was meant to be harnessed every day of their lives.
Carrying God’s power is both a blessing AND a responsibility. There is a job to be done on earth, and God has called you and me to do it. Jesus continues, saying that as exciting as all this is, it isn’t the best part. Verse 20…
20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
Cities of the day kept a book, a registry of their citizens’ names. Though we may live temporarily on earth, our true home is in God’s Kingdom. If you have given your life to Christ, YOUR name is registered in heaven. THAT is the true celebration.
And with that thought, Jesus broke into prayer…verse 21…
21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Jesus praised and honored God the Father – who made a way for us ALL to understand the depths of His teachings no matter what education or background we have. Holy, unfathomable, righteous, omniscient, and omnipresent God Almighty sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to reveal to US His magnificent secrets and promises and power. I don’t know about you, but that is just TOO MUCH for me to even take in. I imagine the disciples with eyes wide and brimming with tears at the wonder of it all. But Jesus wasn’t done teaching them…verse 23…
23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”
Jesus’ arrival on earth was heavily anticipated for a long time. Through the years, MANY prophesied of His coming. Many MORE believed and waited, yearning for His arrival. And these individuals, the 72, were honored to receive the blessing of serving Jesus’ as He walked in the flesh.
Since Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, we have been waiting again. This time, for Jesus’ return. But we, too, are blessed beyond measure because we have been given so much – we have the Holy Bible—God’s own Word translated into hundreds of languages. We have teachers and preachers who have studied and taught and shed light on God’s teachings. And, most importantly, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we submit our lives to Jesus Christ, we are infused with the Holy Spirit Himself, who comes to live within us, giving us full access to His power, joy, and wisdom. This is simply remarkable and should cause us to break out in our own song of praise and thanksgiving.
God sent Jesus. And Jesus called His disciples, revealing the glory of the Father, and sent them on a mission for Him. And He has done the same for us. We DO walk among snakes and scorpions—the path is not easy. And the more we learn, the more responsibility we are given. It’s essential to remember that we have God’s power in us, and as we walk, to stop and take notice of all God is doing in and through us. And we should never forget to celebrate with others—because God didn’t call us to walk alone. We all need each other – we were created to hold each other up and hold each other accountable. So let’s stand together in His presence! We are going to know each other for eternity, so we might as well start relying on each other in friendship now! Let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – what an amazing family you have called us to be part of! You have given us gifts and joyful responsibilities beyond our wildest imaginations. God, sometimes the road is tough, but you warned us of that in advance, and assured us of your power to overcome the world, Satan, and evil of every kind. God, we stand as your army, in your power, ready and willing to fight the good fight for you. Thank you for bringing us along for the ride. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God has given each of us as believers a story to share with the world. Today's guest, Janet Whisnant Harllee, talk show host of "Faith In An Ever Changing World," discusses the importance of sharing your faith story with others to bring about encouragement, Inspiration, and hope while sharing the love of Jesus. Please join us to hear examples of why YOUR story might make a difference in another's life. * Welcome to Empowering Lives With Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy that you have joined us today. Today. Let's welcome our guest, Janet Harllee. Welcome, Janet, we are so happy to have you.
Janet Harllee
Thank you, Kimberly, thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Kimberly Hobbs
Of course, of course and ladies today. This is really fun because Janet has a program where others are invited on to share their stories. And I'm going to introduce her in just a moment. But I just wanted to say a little bit about who we are women, world leaders, the name of our podcast today is empowering lives with purpose. And it is our desire ladies to inspire you encourage you in the Word of God, and also to walk out that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. God tells us in His word that we are a masterpiece Ephesians 210 says we are God's masterpiece, we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do that very good things that he has planned for us long ago. And ladies, we know that you have a beautiful purpose. And whether you're walking it out now, or you have those reservations of walking it out, we want to help you we want to propel you forward in your faith, to walk out that purpose and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. And so as we have some of our guests on that is our purpose that they can help inspire you through sharing their stories of how they came to walk with Jesus and share their purpose. And when they share with you. Hopefully that will just jog something inside of you to say, Okay, Lord, if they can do it, I can do it. Right. So, Janet, I just want to share a little bit about our guest, Janet Harley today. She is a storyteller, and she's a speaker, a broadcaster and an author. And she has a passion to share God's truth and deliver it to her audiences, where she encourages, inspires and entertains with messages of faith in an ever changing world. Her other experiences include theater, radio, television, and she's currently the host of her broadcast, which is faith in an ever changing world, which gives encouragement and hope, as she interviews with others to share their faith story. And also pastors who share various faith topics with faith focus. She enjoys encouraging people through coffee breaks, and she loves making new friends. And Janet Harley is available on YouTube. So Janet, again, we welcome you. And thank you for being here. We, you're so welcome. We each have a story to tell ladies. And the stories could be ranging from how we give birth and pains and trials that we've had, you know, we all have different stories that we share with people. But as Christ followers, ladies, those stories are of the utmost important, what has he done in your life? What are our Faith Journeys? What is your faith journey, and the goal of our faith journey is to deepen our relationship with God. Right. And by sharing our faith story, and telling our story, we encourage others to share their stories. And God says in Revelation 1211, And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, we overcome the enemy, and all that he's trying to do in our life. When we proclaim our testimony to the world. God says that in his word, and that is how important it is. Janet, you have a story. So how did you get started in encouraging others to share their story? Let's hear a little bit about your story.
Janet Harllee
Well, I retired a couple of years ago at the age of 70 and And I've never really thought about retiring, Kimberly, I enjoy what I was doing. And the Lord has blessed me with good health. And so, but at 70, I thought, well, it's just time. But you know, you never retire because God's work never stops. So I wondered what was going to be next? My next chapter, what, what, Lord, what do you have for me? Now, what can I do? And one of my speaker topics was faith in an ever changing world. And I added encouragement and hope. Because for the broadcast, he put on my heart to, to do a Facebook page. And it's really his Facebook page, not mine. And he wanted me to help others or to get other people to share their stories, because in how faith, either how faith had gotten them through a certain situation in their life, or their testimony, that we each have a testimony a story. And when we tell our story, we tell HEDIS. Amen. So I started the PageRank. So just let it go around in my head for a while, you know, and in September last year, and this September will be a year that the broadcast has been going on Facebook. And so I've just pray every day that the Lord will use me will show me what he wants me to do. Because when you retire, when I retired, I repurposed. I retired to repurpose. And I just think that the Lord has says he has put this on my heart, that this is what he wants me to do at this particular time.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, Janet, you are so delightful. And I love that when you retired, you said you repurposed? Yeah. How awesome. Is that? Right? That? I said, I want to be like you when I. When I'm at that age to retire, I'm gonna say no, Lord, let me repurpose it, because serving Him is amazing, right?
Janet Harllee
That's right. That's right. And we are, we are to do that. That certainly is our purpose is to encourage and empower each other, especially as women,
Kimberly Hobbs
especially right as older women. And so ladies, your job on earth here is never done. Don't you think about retiring? Because God says no, he's gonna use you. You're here for a purpose. Remember that? If anything in this podcast today, you're here for a purpose, ladies. And by sharing your faith story, it touches it touches other people's hearts and helps them see their story through your story. Okay, so as they're seeing and listening to you, they identify with what you're saying. That's the importance of sharing the story. They can have compassion, they can be inspired. But they can also say, Wow, if she did it, I can do it. Right. Right. So it's through sharing these stories that also brings us closer to God, ladies, and I think God for Janet hardly that she saw a purpose in this. And she decided, You know what, she's going to go and gather those stories that God brings across her path to share with the world. So thank you, Janet, so much for doing that. So much. So I have another question for you. So tell us how you would encourage someone else to share their God's story.
Janet Harllee
Well, stories connect us on so many levels, Kimberly, they are inspirational to to us. They encourage, they are empowering. And it's important for us to share those stories because we can certainly apply as you have said help other women. Women because we go through a lot of the same kinds of trials. And I'm a member of a group testimony Tuesdays on Facebook. And so we Every Tuesday we share testimony. Well, I shared a testimony Yesterday, it was a testimony of obedience because my sister and I became caregivers for my parents. And you know, when when the roles switch and you become the parent, it's, it's difficult, it's emotional. It's tiring, but it's also the most rewarding of anything I ever do. And my parents were such godly parents. And so it was just so in sharing that through the other comments you see, of other people, they can relate. Maybe they've been a caregiver too, and they knew what I was talking about. And so, in our stories in our storytelling, we certainly want to share this. And a lot of times, women think that they don't have a story. And they, but you do, yes. Um, now my story about how I came to know the Lord. I don't have a heart wrenching story to share as Sunday because I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home. But I do, it's my story. And I enjoy telling you, and as I've gotten older, and in this stage of life, where I am right now, in my last quarter of life, I am more closer to God than I ever have been. And each day, I just seem to be even closer to him.
Kimberly Hobbs
So is that saying true that your later days are your glory days?
Janet Harllee
Oh, yes, I tell you, he has just been another can look back and see how faithful and how he has worked in my life. From the pit pitfalls and consequences that could have happened. And
Kimberly Hobbs
he prepared you for such a time as this, he prepared you, that you you know, you may have not had like you said that heart wrenching story. But yet he knew that you were going to be compassionate. And you are going to encourage others that we have those crazy, you know, stories of what they've been through those heart wrenching moments, you know, that are and you encourage them, to talk about it, to share it to express it to others, in hopes that it will draw them closer to our Lord and Savior. And that is one of the best ways to share your story as you are you're drawing others closer to God by letting them listen into your life being vulnerable being open, right? Be a friend. Yes, it'd be kind of godly examples. That's what we're called to do. And you talked about obedience to, you know, you were obedient to take care of your parents, like, you know, you can be doing a lot of other things in your retirement years. Right.
Janet Harllee
Absolutely. Still working. This was while I was still working. Wow. So yeah, we had to move. And, of course, I needed a job and a place to live. Me and my husband. So Robert found an apartment that was brand new, nobody had lived in it. So we we got to got a place to live. I called a lifelong friend. And she was taking a new position and needed someone. So I had a job. I mean, it's just things like that how things fall together. When we obey.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, that is so true. That did you hear that? Ladies? When you walk in obedience with the Lord, He's going to guide your steps, things are going to come together for you. If you think everything's in array right now, check your obedience to the Word of God. Put it up against the scriptures. Are you walking in obedience to Him? Are you doing your own thing? Yeah. So Janet, you said it right. Obedience is key to unlocking the blessings that God has in our lives. And he blesses. That's right. That's right. He sure does. So God gives us examples, ladies all over his word about how we should share our testimonies and why we should share our testimonies. And one of those is John 439, where it talks about the Samaritan woman, and she had an encounter with Jesus. And then she went out and she shared that encounter. She shared that story of how it transformed her life. She was an AHA of this wonderful Savior that forgave her for what she was doing knew everything about her. And so she ran out and told all of her fellow neighbors her story. And in that the town believed in Jesus. And it's all because of this woman testifying lives were transformed. So that's what we're called to do
Janet Harllee
I love that story. Amen. It's just and that's what we should do. And with joy,
Kimberly Hobbs
with joy. So one more verse I want to share is First Chronicles 16, eight, where it says, Oh, give thanks to the Lord call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Does he say, keep quiet about everything God did in his word? No, it says, Make known his deeds among the peoples. So ladies, we have a job to do. Janet, I know that through interviewing all of these women and men that you interviewed, because you do both you do men and women, you've heard some amazing stories. Yeah. So can you encourage the women by sharing maybe some of those that have had an impact on not only you, but others that have really made a difference and why they made a difference?
Janet Harllee
Absolutely. There are many, but there are a couple of women that come to my mind right away. One woman had three boys, and they of course, her husband. And one night they were awakened with fire in their home. And so they were trying to get out and get the children out. And I she was badly burned. And still have scars today, but of the burn. But she passed out during a while she was in the ambulance, and didn't wake up for six weeks. And but God healed her it took a long time. But the the very, very another sad part of it was she did lose, they could not get her youngest son out. So he did perish in the fire. So she speaks to women today about losing those who have lost a child, and all you know the emotions, and she has a podcast and called Purple thoughts. And if any women listening wants to know about it, and to know more about it, please, we'll give you the information to get in touch with me a little while. But she is just such a wonderful, inspirational woman and speaks a testimony all the time, into the halls of how God has been so faithful and good and how he still is being faithful and good. The other day, I noticed she showed a picture of her getting in there taking her into the ambulance, and then a picture of her today. How alive she is and how beautiful she is. And
Kimberly Hobbs
She had to take a step forward to faith right? Yeah, absolutely. And not be in that place. I mean, because we all know if we've gone through sickness, you know, we can wallow in our pity of woe is me for a long time. Yeah. And it took a lot to overcome what she did, but she stepped down and shared her faith story and what she's doing now and I know you have more, share some more of that story.
Janet Harllee
Oh, one more, one more real quick, about a lady who was kidnapped at the age of five, and found at the age of 10. And during those five years, she was abused every day, by her kidnapper. She now has has turned her life around. Of course there's so much that can be said about her because of his She was so young. And to have this happen to her. At such a young age, that's all she knew was the behavior and the the language that she heard from this man. And so that's all she knew. And when she was found at the age of 10. She was so relieved she was Happy to be away from that environment. But social services took over and so forth. And at some point they they did it to her into school. And in the fifth in the fifth grade, she had never been to school at all. And so she didn't know how to act didn't know how to react, to interact with other children, and the teachers, but she, she got through. And then later a lady came in her life that introduced her to the Lord. And so her life, of course changed. And her faith every day now is spent helping other women who have been in similar situations, and how they can come to know the Lord and how she forgave her kidnapper, and how she brought him to the Lord. And didn't get to meet her mother. And I didn't say this, but she was abandoned at the hospital by her mother. So she was abandoned, kidnapped. It's just amazing how God got her through this situation. And now, how her how he's using her life to help other women. Wow, wow, is just amazing. So these are encouraging stories, amazing stories. And I can't imagine being in this situation, because it nothing like that has ever happened to me. But it just, it just inspires me to, to be more grateful, and more thankful to God about house so faithful and good in my life. And how I can help other women and men to share their stories to encourage and bring hope to others.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right. Wow, Janet, and thank you, thank you for encouraging this woman to come forward and share that story. And even you sharing it today, how many lives are being touched, just listening to this. And knowing that when she came to know Jesus, she took her whole life story, and she put it into purpose in serving Him. And how powerful is it because others listening may have just come out of something tragic, just like that. They can identify with the pain and the hurt and the suffering. And then you get their ear because they'll listen to you because they relate to you. And you can share with them, you know, the overcoming that when we know Jesus, and we're following Him in His steps. So we have a story to tell of turn to Jesus and give him all your hurts and pains. They'll listen to you at that moment because they're identifying with you. Yes. So don't you doubt ladies for a moment that your story isn't important. Just like Janet said. She didn't grow up with a unbelievable story. She grew up and God was preparing her life for such a time as this to help others share their stories. Do you see this? Like, it just goes on and on and on. And we don't know what time in our lives God is going to use us or when he wants to use us every day of our life, by the way. So honestly, we are so appreciative of what you do Janet and encouraging others to share their story. Yes. And so tell me how I you know we have to close again wrapping up. It's just like our time with alive. It does it goes so fast. But I would like for you to share a couple of closing words to encourage the woman to share her story. And also tell us how ladies can get a hold of you Janet.
Janet Harllee
Okay. First of all, I'd like to share my life scripture is found in Proverbs 356. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. No matter what age you are women, no matter what age we are, that he shall direct our paths and one other one. Which is it At this particular time in my life, it's how he is going to be with us, even when our hairs turn gray. And my now is turning gray. And I love it
Kimberly Hobbs
With age comes wisdom, Janet.
Janet Harllee
That's right. That's exactly right. Kimberly is wisdom. And but I just pray every day for his wisdom, and discernment. And just stay true to God, trust God, in all things.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, that that Scripture is so special to me too, because that's my mom's verse. And you know, I always hear or, you know, I can hear her with her little finger up in the year, Trust the Lord with all your heart. You know, like that's always saying that, so it's a great one. So how can ladies get in touch with you, Janet?
Janet Harllee
All right. Of course, I have a YouTube and you just type in my name, Janet Harley. And the email that I have is Janet storyteller@gmail.com.
Kimberly Hobbs
Hey, man, I love that. Okay. And Janet is also a woman world leader, we are so grateful that she has come on board to serving and just being a part of just a unity of women that are going out into the world with their special purposes, doing what God has called them to do. And I thank you for that. Janet again, to serve with you is a pleasure.
Janet Harllee
Oh, it's been a pleasure with us. Well, thank you so much.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, you're so welcome. Ladies, I just in closing, want to share Luke 839, which says return to your home and declare how much God has done for you. Proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus has done. Oh, my goodness, right. He tells us go out into the city ladies proclaim it. It doesn't mean just be quiet and just tell somebody here on the corner, you know, in secret? No, it says proclaim it that means be loud about it. Proclaim what he has done with for you ladies share your story. It's so important that is the purpose of empowering lives with purpose is to get women on here to share their stories. So others can be inspired. And we hope that we're doing that for you. And another way that women world leaders loves to inspire is we do some books each year. And one of the books that we put out is tears to triumph. And it is releasing pain to receive God's restoration. So by some of the women that have shared in this amazing book, their stories of pain of suffering, it has inspired others to find Jesus. And we are so this book went to number one best seller. And number one international best seller, tears to triumph. It's available on our website, women world leaders.com. It's also available on Amazon, but we'd prefer you get it through women, world leaders. Ladies, this is a book that you will just you will cry through this book, but you will be inspired. And also we have another amazing tool for you ladies. And this is voice of truth women were leaders puts out a publication by monthly magazine. I see Janet is holding up hers. For those watching on YouTube. Yes, yay. Well, voice of truth is your tool ladies to inspire you encourage you strengthen you in the Lord filled with the gospel message of Jesus and every addition. Also, we have many ways that you can get involved with women were a leader as you can find us through voice of truth, of course, and be inspired to share your story somehow, someway, maybe, right? Maybe do a podcast with us. Whatever it it is that God's putting on your heart. We give opportunities here in this ministry, for you to get involved and share your beautiful purpose with the world just as God has asked you to do as to all of us to do some ladies and close. Again, I want to say thank you to our guests, Janet. I love you Janet, you are just beautiful treasure. Thank you so much. God bless you ladies each and every one of you and again I just pray that something today touched your heart and that you will go out into the world and proclaim what God has done share your story flames there is a world out there that is hurting and needs to be inspired through Jesus Christ live The good side. So ladies, from our heart, from his heart to yours, we are women, world leaders and all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written. I bless you all and have a wonderful day.
Join Kelly Williams Hale today to hear what God’s Word has to say about shame. Shame can often lead to self-sabotage in our lives, God’s grace covers our pain and shortcoming. His grace frees us to become who He says we are.
We can trade our pain for purpose.
Our fear for courage.
Our shame for significance.
"Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore, in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy." (Isaiah 61:7 ESV)
Hi there, and welcome to the Women World Leaders Podcast.
My name is Kelly Williams Hale and I'm your host today on Celebrating God's Grace.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I'm an author, speaker and coach leading women through inner healing and intimacy work.
I teach women how to get past proving their worth and step into the purpose and plan God has for them.
And so today, I want to share a message that the Lord gave me around shame.
It is a loaded topic.
To be clear, shame is an emotion.
Like fear, guilt, anger, overwhelm and happiness.
Shame is simple a feeling.
I found this definition by Brene Brown, the author of Dare to be brave:
Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.
The roots of shame often come from our childhood.
It's the feeling we get when we do something that disappoints the people we love.
Have you ever heard the words, “shame on you?”
Parents often use this phrase to correct their children when they’ve made a mistake.
If you're a mom listening, it’s super important for us to be mindful of the words we speak.
Proverbs 18:21 says: Life and death are in the power of the tongue.
We obvious don't want to speak words of shame on our children.
And speaking of shame, mama’s please release any feelings of shame that you may have spoken. I have an 11-year-old and understand the frustration when our kids misbehave or don’t follow instruction.
My point is our words are so powerful.
A better way to correct, is to let them know that WHAT they did is not okay.
We separate and support WHO they are from the behavior.
We can often feel ashamed when we mess up, our behavior.
But praise God that we can go to him and repent – ask forgiveness and remember WHO we are.
Psalm 139:14 says “we are fearfully and wonderfully made”
God knows we’re going to make mistakes.
He knows I’ve made a lot of mistakes. And the enemy would like nothing more than for me to feel ashamed. Feel the shame that I’ve disappointed God and how could he love me.
But sisters, God loves us so much!
Romans 8:37-39 NIV
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 NIV
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Satan uses the feelings of shame to make us question our value and worth.
When we feel unloved or not belonging, we can often undermine our own success.
By believing we’re undeserving of rewards, celebration, or accolades.
Have you ever said, I’m going to start my diet tomorrow?
And you have all the best intentions to “be good” – but your coworker brought donuts and just one won’t hurt…
So, you have the donut – but beat yourself up for failing again, feeling shame that you can’t stick to anything, etc. etc.
Sisters, we all do this!
So how do we release shame?
Before I share, I’d like to tell you a story.
It’s about Will Smith.
Do you remember the Academy Awards ceremony back in March of this year, which is 2022 –
Will Smith was expected to win his very first Oscar for King Richard, the story of Serena and Venus Williams and their dad’s influence on their tennis career.
And if you recall, Chris Rock was the host and made a joke about Jada, Will’s wife, starring in GI Jane 2. Because of her bald head.
So, Will Smith walks up - onto the stage - and slapped Chris Rock.
It was SHOCKING.
Will Smith is widely known as a likeable guy and this reaction from him was totally out of character.
When I watched the replay the next morning – I immediately recognized what happened.
It was self-sabotage.
Will Smith didn't feel like he was worthy of that ultimate achievement.
We can sabotage our own success because deep down, we don't believe we deserve it.
Shame can be a trauma-response.
I believe Will Smith’s response to Chris Rock’s joke, subconsciously, was deep-seated shame for unresolved trauma that he experienced in life.
Many of us struggle with unresolved trauma.
This is why we all need Jesus.
His grace covers our pain and shortcoming.
His grace FREES us to become who we ARE in Christ.
We can trade our pain for purpose.
Our fear for courage.
Our shame for significance.
A sidebar. If somebody acts out of character, it’s usually because something’s going on in their life.
Let’s strive to be more curious and empathetic before we go to judgement.
Ok, so how do we deal with shame.
First of all, we recognize who we are. Who God says we are.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When the enemy’s lies begin to creep up like, who do you think you are? OR remember what you did?
We must ACTIVATE the authority that Jesus gave us with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
When I was young and didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, it felt like God was just waiting for me to mess up.
When we are in Christ, His grace is sufficient.
And we can release those shameful feelings we have when we've messed up.
Satan who would like nothing better than for us to be separated from God.
We tend to want to hide from the Lord when we sin. We isolate.
And that makes the enemy so happy.
Let’s choose to run to God.
He’s not surprised. He knows and wants us to remember who we are.
Romans 8:1 ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
I’m going to close in prayer.
Jesus’ ministry on earth expanded as He appointed 72 followers to prepare the path ahead of Him. As we examine Jesus’ instructions to the 72, let’s prayerfully seek His lessons for us today. (Luke 10:1-16)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m honored that you have chosen to listen today and pray that as we open God’s Word together, He will infuse you with insight and joy.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I invite you to check out our website, www.womenworldleaders.com. We are a ministry on mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Everything we do is geared toward those two aims. When visionary and founder Kimberly Hobbs started this ministry in her living room four years ago, she never dreamed that we would be podcasting three times a week, creating a quarterly magazine, or publishing books to showcase God’s glory. She DID, however, foresee us reaching the world – and today, we reach over 60 countries. If you would like to jump in deeper, we’d love to help you grow and serve in your specific gifting. A great place to start is to attend our monthly Zoom leadership meeting on the third Monday of the month at 7pm ET. Our next meeting is on October 17th. You can receive the link by signing up at womenworldleaders.com.
And just a reminder – the deadline to subscribe to Voice of Truth magazine before the next edition comes out is quickly approaching. Voice of Truth is still free digitally, but to receive the magazine physically in your mailbox, we are asking that you become a regular monthly donor. Your regular monthly donation of any amount will allow us to budget for the ministry AND pay for or offset the cost of producing and publishing Voice of Truth. So don’t forget to go to our website, click on the donate tab, and register to give a recurring monthly tax-deductible gift. We so appreciate you and the way you are all pitching in. Your gifts enable us to continue providing quality content to help you grow in your God-given purpose!
Let’s get to today’s teaching! If you are familiar with this, the Wednesday edition of our podcast, you likely know we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – looking at the life of Jesus chronologically as the Holy Spirit guides us. Today’s reading takes us to the book of Luke, chapter 10, verses 1-16. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – we give you this day and we give you these next few minutes. Father, we ask you to guide us through this teaching that Luke wrote so many years ago. God, we thank you for the education and the divine wisdom you infused into Luke, allowing him to write the words we will study today. We thank you for preserving your Word for us. And we thank you for the translators you spoke to as they carefully put these words into the English language. God, you have already ordained, overseen, and coordinated so much just so we can open our Bibles today and hear from you, and we don’t want to ever take any of that for granted. The least we can do, God, is give you our undivided attention as we study this glorious gift you have provided us. So it is with great expectation and joy that we open your Word, and it is with great confidence and faith that we ask you to speak directly to us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today we move from Jesus’ teaching in Jerusalem to the preparation for His return to His teaching tour, so-to-speak. Yes…Jesus went on a teaching tour. Although God calls us to come to Him, He will go to great lengths to meet US where WE are. I’ve heard it said that if there are 100 steps between you and God, you can count on Him to take 99, but you have to take at least one.
So Jesus was preparing to take the 99 steps toward those who did not come to Jerusalem for the Festival of Tabernacles. But since, as He was fully human, He could only be in one place at one time, He sent a group of His followers before Him to prepare the hearts of those He would meet.
Let’s begin in Luke 10:1 from the New Living Translation…
10 The Lord now chose seventy-two[a] other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
Do you see that Jesus is empowering His disciples to walk in their God-given purpose??
I just noted that Jesus was fully human and could only be in one place at one time, and that’s correct. But Jesus was also fully God – and God can do whatever He wants to do! But God CHOSE to use humans – sinful, messed up, unqualified humans – to prepare the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of others.
I don’t know about you – but that makes me feel pretty good! In fact, it kind of makes me awe-struck. It can be easy to think, in our Christian walk, that we are not good enough or qualified enough to serve our almighty God, let alone serve other people! I felt called to be a leader for Christ from the time I was very young. But I grew up the youngest of seven children. And as the youngest of seven children, it can be hard to seen or recognized. My place became hanging out in the background, allowing everyone else to have center stage, because, in my heart of hearts, I felt like I was not as important as everyone else around me. I still carry some of that, but through the years, God has empowered me by assuring me of my importance in His sight, and by reminding me that He created ME on purpose, for a purpose.
Dear Friend! You were created ON PURPOSE for a purpose! And we ALL, as believers in Jesus Christ, have the purpose of sharing the glorious news of Jesus Christ with others! Just yesterday, I was in a meeting with some leaders in our ministry, and one of our leaders said, “I used to be the person that was being led and poured into, and now I find that I am the one leading and pouring into others.”
THAT is what the Christian community is about! It is about rising to our God-given purpose, and then empowering others to rise to theirs.
That is what Jesus was doing – He was elevating those 72 individuals He called to go before Him to share His name. And just listen to the instructions He gave them…
First, Jesus told them where to go and that they wouldn’t be alone. Oh, I don’t mean that God was with them. Of course, He WAS, but Jesus also partnered them up and sent them out two by two! Isn’t that just like God to give us people we can do ministry together with?? If you don’t have someone to work with in ministry in this season of your life, will you ask God to send you someone? And then, will you partner up? That can be the hard part!! Because we are selfish, willful human beings, and sometimes, we would rather work by ourselves. But trust me, we all need someone to hold us up and hold us accountable to all that God has called us to.
So first…Jesus told them where to go and who to go with.
The second instruction was to PRAY for others to join in the work! In ministry, the work sometimes seems to multiply as God brings more and more to do! But God never intended for ANY of us to do it all and certainly not for us to do it alone! His plan is for us to work together. That might mean that YOU, like the leader I mentioned above, will be tasked with leading and encouraging others! Now, that’s exciting!!
Next, Jesus instructed them to expect issues…saying… remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. When we go for God, we should EXPECT opposition. Remember, Satan rules this world, so we are in enemy territory. BUT, God promised HIS provision, saying…
Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
In other words, they were to walk in obedience, fully trusting God’s path. And Jesus told them not to greet anyone on the way because their destination was to be their focus. It can be easy, when God calls us on a mission, to get sidetracked.
Let’s read further and see what Jesus’ next instructions to the 72 were…verse 5…
5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
It is always our responsibility, as Christians, to declare God’s peace over an environment or situation. And we can be assured that if hearts are open to Jesus, the peace will remain and grow. And if the hearts are NOT receptive, the blessing of peace we declare on others will return to us. Isn’t that a freeing thought? We don’t have to force peace on a situation. Ever. We offer it, and if we are turned away, we keep the peace in our own hearts, despite what is going on around us or elsewhere.
Jesus also told the 72 to be patient and stay in one place. They were to not cause confusion in the community but remain where God sends them, accepting His provision.
This is a word for us, of course. We can always trust God’s leading.
Verse 8 continues…
8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’
The 72 were given God’s power to heal for the same reason Jesus healed – to showcase God’s glory and turn people toward Jesus. Verse 10…
10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’
God stands with open arms – welcoming all to become His children. And He sends those children to proclaim to others that they, too, are being called into the Father’s arms. What a GREAT purpose we all have!!
But not all will listen to God or to us. In fact, MOST will not listen, but it is still our duty to speak! To share what we know. But when we are not welcome, God gives us the permission to walk away…to shake the dust from our feet.
Some people are surrounded by such a thick wall of unbelief and distrust – it’s as if layers have grown up around them. Imagine, if you will, that each Christian who approaches an unbeliever has the power to remove someone’s outer layer of unbelief. If we obediently remove just that top layer in 10,000 people in our lifetime, that’s 10,000 layers! If we all walk in obedience, God will use us ALL to strip off those layers, and together and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can wear out the devil and destroy his purposes.
And yet…here’s the warning…some will consistently refuse to see the power of Jesus and accept His life-giving salvation. To that, Jesus says, beginning in verse 12…
12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.
13 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 14 Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. 15 And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.[b]”
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
God is rejected by many. Jesus is rejected by many. So we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we are rejected just because we bring the message of joy and peace on behalf of Jesus Christ.
I don’t know where God is calling you to walk. I don’t know what enemy territory He is leading you into, but I want to encourage you to stand strong for Him.
Partner up with someone – we’d love to partner with you at Women World Leaders.
Pray that as the work increases, God will send more people to work with you on His behalf.
Walk purposefully and with urgency to your destination, expecting opposition.
Be the first to reach out with the peace of God and remain where God has placed you until He calls you elsewhere.
If His peace is not received, don’t take it personally, but move on, trusting you have made a difference even if you can’t see it.
And finally, showcase God’s glory with whatever gifting God has given you.
Next week, we get to see the return of the 72, and I think you will be amazed. But this week, will you commit to being God’s servant? Will you go where He leads you today? I can assure you if you do, you will have a story to tell as we check back in on the 72 next week!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! Yes…we will go for you!! We will walk obediently and with urgency where you lead us. We will offer others YOUR peace by your power alone. We just need you to show us where to go and how long to remain, and we trust that your power will rain down on us. We give you this week, dear God, and we trust you to go with us always. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Obedience and God's timing are two things of importance when it comes to walking out the plans God has in our lives. In today's podcast, Kayla Follin shares her story of following after God's heart as a college student waiting on His divine timing. Kayla is now the graphic artist for Voice of Truth magazine. May her story inspire you to seek God for your empowered life and beautiful purpose. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. And we are so happy that you decided to join us today. I'm so excited to welcome our guest today, which is Kayla Follin. Kayla, welcome.
Kayla Follin
Hello. It's so wonderful to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs
And we're so glad you are here. Ladies, we're in for a treat from this young lady from Liberty college. And we just cannot wait to get into today's content. But first, we want to tell you why we are here. Empowering lives with purpose is here to encourage you, inspire you on your walk with Jesus. And we know that God is going to make an impact in some significant way if he has led you today to listen in and join us. So Ephesians 210 says that we are God's masterpiece. We are created a new in Christ Jesus to do the good things that he planned for us long ago. And so ladies, we believe that each and every one of us have a purpose and a plan. And God knows what that plan is. And he's working daily to talk to us about that to guide us and direct us to walk in that plan that he has executed over our life. So this is exciting to hear about Kayla and how amazing God is using her in this ministry and women world leaders and I'm going to share a little bit right now about who she is. Kayla is a brilliant student who is studying at Liberty University right now in Lynchburg, Virginia. And her current studies are studio and digital arts with a focus in graphic design. That's so interesting. And you are going to see ladies how this unfolds today. And Kayla is a woman world leader and she is currently serving on the leadership team now at women world leaders and wow what what a blessing. She has been to this group of women that serve on the leadership team. She's a joy and just a Pleasant, Pleasant girl to be around. She is the graphic design artist for voice of Truth magazine. And we could not do this without her and we are just so grateful for her part in this magazine. So she loves serving God with all her heart. And some of her loves include photography, she she loves to do photography she loves to hike, and her heart is just sold out to Jesus. So Kayla, today, Kayla and I are going to talk and share a little bit about obedience and God's perfect timing right because we have to be obedient to God. He's called us to obedience and the life that we live through Jesus Christ. And there is a verse I wanted to share before I asked Kayla, the first question that we're going to ask her. And that verse is as we dream about things in our lives, ladies, and may not know what it is that God is going to bring us to and I know Kayla, as a young student in college probably had those dreams and visions of what is my life going to be like, you know, I'm going to college. What am I going to do there? God says show me the right path. Oh, Lord, point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me. All day long. I put my hope in you that Psalm 25, four and five. So Kayla, God says show me the right path. Oh Lord, point out the road for me to follow. And he did that. And he brought you to Liberty University. Can you talk about how and what led you to go to you Liberty University?
Kayla Follin
Yeah. Well, I am I always wanted to be a veterinarian and ever since I was like eight years old. And so I knew I wanted to go study something and so Finance, actually, and I loved science and math, they were my best subjects. And chemistry was my favorite class. And so going in, I was thinking about majors. And I always knew I wanted to go to college and actually hadn't heard of liberty until later on in my high school years. And I think I actually found out about it from somebody at church, and they were a little bit older than me. And they were going to be coming to Liberty that next year.
Kimberly Hobbs
And Liberty, by the way, is a a Christian college.
Kayla Follin
Yes, yeah. And so, of course, when you're a junior in high school, you do all of your your college tours, and I went to a few different schools in Virginia. And it came down to liberty, or Virginia Tech, and I finally came to visit and you walk on campus, and you can feel the Holy Spirit here, you really can. And I remember leaving thinking, wow, everybody was so friendly to me. Because as a freshman in college, usually it's like, you've kind of the young one, and everybody kind of picks on you, and especially upperclassmen. And professors are always kind of mean, and you just have this idea that college isn't going to be a warm and fuzzy place, it's going to be like fend for yourself. And I remember coming on campus, and everybody was just talking and talking about their gods stories, and how God brought them here, and what he had done in their lives. And I was like, Okay, Lord, like this place is different. And this is where I want to be. And I have that peace moving forward. Like, if I have the chance to go to a school that's gonna support me in my walk with Christ, then why would I not like, and and yes, maybe another school would have brought different opportunities. I mean, of course it would. But the chance to be surrounded by Christians that are like minded and support one another and have this amazing community of young people who are just passionate about God, it that's what sold me. And
Kimberly Hobbs
that is so good, Kayla, because there are I'm sure some that are listening that may be younger than you that are now contemplating college. And, and that's a scary thing, when like you said, you are used to having to fend for yourself in the real world and you know, in schools and things like that. But being able to go to a Christian college is different because the focus is different. Correct?
Kayla Follin
Definitely, um, our school's motto is Training Champions for Christ. And I think I think that sentence in itself just shines because every professor here, no matter what you're studying, is going to tie it back to your face, and how are you going to use your career to share the gospel? And how, how does science combined with creation? And it's not that they don't like teach things like evolution and, and teach World theories, but we take it down to the core level and say, Well, how does this compare to what God's Word says and what he's done? And how can we take the knowledge and then take it out into the world to to share that with, with people? Yeah, so it's a great place to be. And I think college is hard, and you become who you're going to be most of the time. And it shapes a lot of how you think. And if you can choose to go to a Christian Christian College, then that just is it's setting you up for continuing in your faith and growing in your faith and not feeling so alone and, and having to search for that community.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, that's such a good point. And I just I love that you already had that desire to follow after God's heart, you know, as a young lady, and you were really seeking and God protected you and leading you to a Christian college in you know, he put a whole hedge of protection around you from your emotions and your feelings and everything in the moment that you got there. So it's important, it's so important to really look to God and ask Him, anybody out there that is, you know, listening in and making a big decision about choosing a college. And again, this today, we're talking about obedience and God's perfect timing. You know, when you look to Him, and you really trust him to direct each step, you know, he will, he's going to direct you and Kayla, you were exactly where God wanted you to Be at Liberty college walking in that door. And you knew that you may not have known what it was that you were going to take. But that's all part of the story, right? Because you said, you started in you were going there thinking you wanted to be a veterinary or veterinary assistant. And let's talk about that here for a minute. Yeah. started to talk to you a little bit more.
Kayla Follin
Yeah, he made it very clear where he wanted me. And very clear, that's very clear. And but yeah, I wanted to be a vet my entire life, I loved animals, I was riding horses and wanted to kind of go into that realm of things. And then I think my senior year of high school, before coming into college, I realized, well, maybe four years of grad school isn't going to be my thing and started looking a little bit more into human medicine. And one that really stood out to me was to be a physician's assistant. And you practically get to work as a doctor under under a doctor's supervision, but you get to do everything they would without the paperwork. So I was like, Okay, two years of grad school versus four, that sounds good. So I, I switched over to being a physician's assistant and came into Liberty studying biomedical sciences. And I think, as you heard earlier, can really said that is not what I'm studying right now studying studio and digital arts. So that was a big switch. And, and God really took me on a journey to make that switch.
Kimberly Hobbs
Can you talk about that a little bit, Kayla, because that's like, pretty incredible how that happened.
Kayla Follin
Yeah. Yeah, it was, it was a, it was crazy. It was only through God. And my first year, here, I was just not happy. I mean, I was I was happy with the school, I love the school. But when it came to my classes, and what I was studying, I didn't have a passion for it. And like my whole life, I've been good at science and math. So it was like, You need to use that and go in the medical field. And that's what people who are good at science do. And I really did love it. But the passion wasn't there. And I realized that very quickly into my classes, and I kind of had a heart check with God, like, Am I doing this out of my own pride because I, I want people to know that I am smart. And I am able to do these things. And it was always what I led with when I met people like Oh, I'm studying biomedical sciences. And I really do think it was a thing of pride for me to, to leave that major and say that, you know, maybe I'm not good enough for it. It was a big claim for me to make, and it was a big step. But in that unsatisfied heart of mine, and not being secure, and what I was studying the Lord led me through some dark times. And I had to really claim to him and say, Well, what it felt like everything was spinning around me like, What is going on right now. I, I thought this is what I wanted to do. I thought this is what I'm passionate about. But I'm so unhappy. And one night, I was just laying in my bed in my dorm room and 2am and I couldn't sleep. And I was like, Okay, well, let me just scroll through the list of majors on Liberty's website. And so I'm scrolling through and I'm just reading them and nothing was standing out. And I got to the bottom and it said, studio and digital arts graphic design. And I saw graphic design. Wow, what like, what is that I didn't even know what it was. But it was when I say it was as if every other word on the page was blurred out. I'm not exaggerating that it was like there was a shining light on studio and digital arts graphic design. And I have
Kimberly Hobbs
And I have goosebumps. Goosebumps, like this is incrediblie
Kayla Follin
It's crazy. I was just too am and I was bursting with energy. Like, what is this floor? Like? Why do you want me to do with this? I don't even know what graphic design is. And so on over the next few days, I started learning more about it and talking with friends who are a little bit older than me at school and saying, Well, what is graphic design? Like do you know anybody who's studying it? And so through a chain of people, I got connected with some upperclassmen that were studying and had meetings with them and it was felt like a huge decision for me to make this change to a different major. So I was really trying to educate myself as much as I could, but I knew that that That's where the Lord wanted me and I had that peace about it. And so the middle of my spring semester, I made the switch to from a science major to an art major.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, that you believed God. And you believe that he had a good plan for your future? You know, you trusted him. You didn't understand what was going on in that moment. But you started to sense that something because you said everything else was blurred. that stood out on the page, you were bursting with excitement, right? Ladies, these are all signs as God speaks to us all in different ways. Kayla was knowing something unique and different was going on in that moment, right, Kayla? Yeah. And then look at how he just took you. Some are proverbs 20 says that the Lord directs our steps, right? We literally took you by the hand directing those steps.
Kayla Follin
Yeah. And he was preparing my heart for that change. Because I, I needed to kind of rely on him. And it took that unsettled feeling. And that just, and I don't know, I just wasn't happy, you know, and I didn't have peace about it. And when you don't have the peace of God, like, there's something missing there. And it I needed to kind of cling to him and what he had, and he revealed it to me after much prayer and, and struggle, he revealed it to me. So..
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that I love that. Psalm 139 says, God goes before us, and follows us. So he not only goes before us in in the plans that He has for us, but he says in Psalms 139 Five that he follows after us to, you know, that is so comforting, right? And this story that Kayla is walking us through, is quite remarkable, because how she started out in college with one thing on her mind, God changed those directions put that desire and fuel in her heart for something he was preparing her to do, which is global, which is major. And it's all God's timing, and acts of obedience, because we have to follow and be obedient to what God is saying and speaking into her heart. And Kayla, you had a vision while you're at school, you started to visualize Wow, can I really see myself doing this line of that you started to study in and graphic design. So there's another scripture I wanted to share, which is, this vision is for a future time. Listen to this verse. Ladies, this is so exciting. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. God says it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow and coming wait patiently for it will surely take place. Ladies, how many of us think about things dream about things. God has a plan. But we give up way too soon, because things aren't happening in our timing. It's not our timing. It's God's timing. And Kayla was in school already studying something she wasn't even sure about. She thought that's what she wanted to do. But God says wait patiently for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed because it's God's timing. That's Habakkuk 2:3. So
Kayla Follin
I love that verse, especially because to jump forward in the story even more. I you know, was getting settled in my new classes. And then God ignited this dream and my heart of working for a publication and a nonprofit women's ministry. Oh my goodness. I knew in my heart, I was like, this is definitely something I want to do. But in my mind, it was like, Okay, maybe when I'm like 30 or 40. And I have, you know, my career setup, and it can be something that I start up on the side. Well, little did I know that he would bring this opportunity, my senior year of college. So I didn't know you were going to talk a little bit more about the process of how I got here, but
Kimberly Hobbs
I'm just covered here in goosebumps too, because, again, I'm finding all these little details out about UK law. And you know, even though Kayla and I are privileged to work together in this ministry, I'm still learning about Kayla. And so this interview is exciting to me too, and just knowing that God put that desire in her to work for a ministry to work for a publication. And it just goes to show that your obedient heart honey that God was honoring that and he was blessing you by opening doors. So this is really exciting ladies I've got to share this with you. So that you can see that this truly is a god story of how he led this young lady to this women's ministry and this publication. So follow this, okay, because it took literally two and a half years as Kayla was in school, all of God, God's doings were in the making. And it took eight other people that had to take steps of obedience for Kayla to be here today. And so I just, I'm gonna go through them quickly. But I just want you to see how God was working all the way through this to bring Kayla to where and what she is doing right now, which is the amazing graphic artists, this entire publication voice of truth. All right, so it started out two and a half years ago, with actually our stepson, we were up in Ohio visiting him, and he wanted us to go to church. It was around Christmas time. And in honestly, sometimes, you know, you you step away on vacation, and it was like it wasn't the first thing that that we were going to do. But Jonathan wanted us to, you know, go to church with him and see the church he was going to so we again, Jonathan step of obedience to go to church. We went to church with him. And then we get to church. All right, that's two people involved. Then we're walking through the the hallway, and we meet a little boy, seven years old, eight years old, comes up to us, and greets us. And he particularly says a very beautiful compliment to me, which all right, that's the fourth person I looked down at him. I'm just amazed at, you know, how kind of this little boy was doesn't know me from Adam. I look up and I see his mom standing there. And I said, Wow, you raise such an amazing son, you know, to just to be so kind and loving to a stranger. And, and so we had a few words. And then we went into for the message. And afterwards, this woman, there's a lot more to the story. But this woman seeks me out. To pray with me after she felt led. God led her to pray with me, because she was going through cancer. And she was a young woman. She had two small children, obviously one of them that contacted me, and, and so I prayed with her there in the in the entrance of that church. And then I felt compelled to tell her about women, world leaders. As the story continues on, she gets involved in women world leaders. And she has a sister that was also battling cancer, who lived in England, and she felt burdened. This was about six months later, she felt burdened, and asked if women world leaders would put together a zoom prayer meeting because this was during the beginning of COVID. So nobody was able to go out anywhere. So we pulled together this Zoom meeting, and I meet this woman who is this lady sister, and we meet her over zoom. Well, we had opened it up to other women to come in to pray for her. And in the prayer Zoom Room was another woman by the name of Connie, who was praying for Liz in England. Connie hears about this women's ministry women world leaders and reaches out to us separately, and says she would love to talk about possibly writing or doing something with her writings for women, world leaders. Well, women were a leaders had been praying about starting voice of Truth magazine. So we looked at her writings, and we were like, wow, we can use this woman in as a contributor to voice of Truth magazine. So we started to put together through that year magazine meetings and prayer meetings and everything to put together this publication that was going to come out in January of 2021. But we needed a graphic artist, and we didn't know where this graphic artist would come from. But we knew that God had a plan. We couldn't do this without a graphic artist. So we went to prayer. And in one of the meetings, the magazine meetings which Connie had sat in on again she was on staff at Liberty University. Connie has an amazing idea to contact one of the teachers that had students in the graphic artists department and see if one of them would be interested in doing an internship. Oh, my goodness. Kayla comes forward. And as you see ladies this took, how many acts of obedience? How many years of time in God's perfect timing, that person after person did what they were called to do walked in the steps of obedience, eight people, two and a half years later. And here we have Kayla fallin, who is now the graphic artist for women, world leaders. And through her talents and what she has done. Over 16,000 viewers have been looking at voice of truth magazine, have been receiving this incredible publication. I mean, this is something only God can do. We have over 60 contributors in this magazine. And Kayla is the graphic artist who is putting all of this together from day one. So God's perfect timing, Kayla, I'm going to ask you just God will accomplish His plan in your life. You just need to take the steps to do it. Right. Jeremiah 2911 says, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Kayla, what do you like best about this ministry?
Kayla Follin
I will. The community I think every single person I've met here has is so on fire for the Lord. And it's unlike anything I've seen before. It's like you took every person who is just the most passionate out of so many churches across the world, and you combine them into one group. And that has been what's so inspiring for me is because I've never had a strong community of people, you know, a little bit older than me who can pour into me from their life experiences and, and show how passionate they are about their faith. And when I remember the first meeting that I had with you guys, and I was listening to the way you prayed. And I was like, specifically you can really because you you and Carrie would just pour out so much faith or you had so much faith in that God was going to do what he said he was going to do. And I had this take a step back afterwards. I was like, do I do I believe like they do like in my passionate enough that God is going to do what he says he's going to do. And you guys just constantly push me in the best way God uses you to push me to trust him more. And to believe big God dreams and have those things ignite in your heart that only he can do and know that he will do them if it's if it's meant in his will. So that's what I love about you guys.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Well, and there is that verse that we have for women, world leaders unto him who's able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine according to the power that's at work within us. So if we're each of us, exuding that power that's at work within us. God is going to do the rest of the exceedingly abundantly beyond. And so we were all just doing our part. And then as God brought you in, Kayla, now you are doing your part honey. And this whole world is being impacted because of everybody steps of obedience, to execute a mission that God put on our hearts to do. And that's our purpose here ladies with Kayla and I here talking is just to encourage you into your steps of obedience encourage you into knowing that God's timing is the right timing. And so Kayla, I just want to ask you, how do you think this ministry could affect young women? Like as we're talking right now, what would you say to maybe the mom out there that has a daughter that is ready to take that step and go to college? What would you say to that mom? Encouraging her daughter?
Kayla Follin
Yeah, I think you know it It is just encouragement. And it's, it's being there and being vulnerable about the lessons that you've learned through your life, and how that can be a testimony to her. Because I think the greatest encouragement that people have poured out on me is, you know, sharing in the same struggles that, you know, they might have already been through, and they are on the other side of it, but I might be in the midst of it. And when you have faith to be vulnerable with people and share those deep struggles and what impacted you and what you learned, and maybe even your faults and what you should have done better, that's where I think true encouragement comes from. And it develops a sense of trust to you know, like, I can trust what you're saying and your advice because you are being open with me. So specifically for college like I would say, just encourage them to chase after the Lord because if they're chasing after the Lord, their heart is going to want to be where he is. And, and that's the best place to be.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that Kayla. So transparency ladies, be transparent with your children be transparent with your your nieces and nephews are those that are facing you know, these life decisions that they're making. Share your, like Kayla said, Be vulnerable and open up. It's so important when they're making their decisions. They know that they need to know the realities of life and what you have been through and that you are pointing them in the right direction. So that they'll trust you. And Kayla, I'm so what would you speak into the student you're talking to? That person graduating from from high school right now? Or or somebody that may have been wandering out of high school and not in college yet or going into a future? What would you recommend to them?
Kayla Follin
Yeah, I would say the most important thing you can do right now is to seek after God's heart. And He reveals so much about yourself, and so much of the plans that He has for you when you just take time to rest and, and who he is and focus on developing that relationship above all. And a verse that comes to mind, I think it's Psalm 46, five, and it's God is within her, she will not fall, something like that, that might be a good paraphrase. But I actually had that on a poster above my, above my bed in my dorm room. So it's funny that that is just coming up right now. But it's true. When we're walking with Christ. He protects us from anything, and we are covered by him. And he, he's closer than our very breath. So we can we can trust him. And when we're near with him, he gives us those urges in our heart and this, you know, pray for our passions to align with his passions were like, Lord, what do you want for me to do? Would you ignite that in me? So being open and ready for whatever he's got, and, and don't think that just because you're young, that you can't, you can't be impactful in a ministry. Because you you maybe don't have as many life experiences. But God uses us in every stage of life. We don't have to wait until we're grown adults to share what he's doing.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And you your life. Kayla, to this point is a prime example of that, you know that God will accomplish what he's going to accomplish through you. If you are willing, if you're willing, ladies, and you young women just hold that tight, God is going to accomplish it through you. It's not what you're gonna do on your own. You just need to be obedient. I have another verse I have to share. God says, oh, Lord, I will honor and praise your name. For you are my God. You do such wonderful things. You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. Isaiah 25 One. So ladies, he's the one that plan this long ago in your life. He's the one who's going to accomplish it. You don't need to worry or fret about what it's going to be you need just need to follow in the Acts of obedience and just walk it out. Have that peace in your heart that you know that you're walking in the right direction. Just like Kayla got that peace. It came after she went to college when she wasn't sure of what she was going to do in her one area focus of study, and she changed it. And then she said, Everything blurred out around those words. And graphic design just popped out like a bright light. And immediately she got excited. And she knew in her heart because there was that burst of joy, that this is what she's supposed to do. And two years later, how God has opened the door now to what she is doing. So we need to close and I just want to say thank you, Kayla, thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for sharing your time in this ministry and women world leaders. There is a place for everybody here ladies, and we are in so encouraging you to step out in faith, whatever it is that you do. As you saw, it took eight people in steps of obedience to get Kayla, to women, world leaders and doing the graphic design for voice of Truth magazine. So ladies, we don't know what it is that you do you have giftings your giftings are welcome here in this ministry, and we're asking you to come forward with them. So if you want to receive your free copy of this publication, and we said free, we just asked you to go to info at women world leaders.com You can email us there info at women world leaders.com. And leave us your name, your address. And be sure to leave us your email address if you are outside of the United States, because we will send it to you digitally and those that are inside the United States will get their free printed copy. And we are working on printing copies outside the United States. And it's all in God's timing things are coming together. So just walk with us and know that God has a plan a perfect plan for all of us. So as we close today, I just again want to say thank yous precious Kayla. And please go to our website at women world leaders.com where you can catch us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for other podcasts. We have teaching podcasts on Wednesdays we have grace podcasts on Friday. And of course the interviews come out on Monday. So we're on five different platforms. We asked you to search us out and you can pray with us. If you have a prayer request. We asked you to share it on our prayer wall at women world leaders.com Where we have prayer warriors that are so happy to pray for you. And if you are a prayer warrior and you want to pray for some women and women, world leaders and just look for us and our prayer wall tell us you want to come in and be a prayer partner love to have you. So ladies from his heart to yours. We are women we're a leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all. Thank you, Kayla. Thank you. Have a beautiful and blessed day.
Join host Janet Berrong from Part 2 of her three-part series on Wellness as she discusses emotional and mental wellness, sharing that in life's ups and downs, Jesus is the solid rock and refuge we can count on.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in ministry and around the world. It is so good to be back with you today. Sharing about health, wellness, beauty and Jesus. Yes, they do go hand in hand. Today we're going to focus on the emotional and mental well being. It's a three-part series where we touch base on being healthy, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Proverbs 17:22 reads, a joyful heart is good medicine. But a crushed spirit dries up the bones. How many of us have experienced heaviness in a lifetime that literally feels like you have a crush spirit? I can tell you it's happened to me more than once in my lifetime, through suicide of loved ones, rape, emotional abuse and trauma. I have felt that crushed spirit. Life's different ups and downs can affect our emotions and mental health. We are all have experienced a lot of ups and downs this past two years with the pandemic, the unknown, isolation from our loved ones, sickness and disease and some even death. Psalms 18 to reads, The Lord is my rock, my refuge in my deliver. My God is my rock and I whom I take refuge, my shield in the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I can say it's been true for me that God has been my rock and my refuge. If you're a woman listening today that needs that solid rock and refuge. I encourage you to call on the name of Jesus and let him come into your heart and be that refuge for you. In this season of life, give others a little extra grace. Focus on healthy things, like turning off the TV and going outside getting some fresh air being around people who lift you up, be with community. Here are a few other things that will help you mentally in emotional wellness. learn a new skill, give to others, pay attention and be present in the moment. Get Physical Touch. Yes, I said it. As a therapist. I'm a big advocate for healthy touch. Studies show this touch signals safety trust and it soothes basic warm touch calms the cardiovascular stress, it activates the body's vagus nerve, which are intimately involved with our compassionate response. And a simple touch can trigger release of the oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. So a single massage or touch can have a positive influence on our psychological health. And research findings show that it can improve anxiety, negative mood, and experience of physical pain. So get out and hug someone, it's for your good health. I don't think God intended that we would never experience anxiety or sadness. He created the emotion. What I do believe he desires for us is that we are not consumed by it. Instead, he wants us to depend on him for our peace. A certain amount of anxiety can actually be a good thing. It can fuel us and give us the energy we need to accomplish certain tasks and goals. And anxiety becomes a negative when we're overwhelmed by it. And it causes distress affecting our psychological and physical well being Philippians four, six and seven read. Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. You are loved. You are cherished my beautiful sisters. Until next time, stay thankful, grateful and be blessed. Dear Lord, we come before your throne of grace to say thank you for uniting us women, so we can serve you and accomplish your plans in this world. Let's eat slavery listening today. Feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit in and on their lives, heal the emotions and mental well being of anyone that is suffering. I asked for complete healing in the name of Jesus. Lord, we love you. We honor you In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
What does it mean to have Spiritual Vision? Join us for the study of John 8:48-59 as we seek to understand Jesus' teachings His way instead of the world’s way.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and I am honored to walk with you as we open God’s Word and continue our study of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, I want to take a moment to welcome you to our podcast and invite you to step into this ministry. I first encountered Women World Leaders over three years ago when I attended a monthly meeting, which at that time, was held in person in South Florida. As I sat in the back, I clearly heard the voice of the Holy Spirit telling me to help with an upcoming event. So I very carefully dipped my toe in the water – and I found out that the water was more than fine! I want to encourage you today that no matter where you are in your walk with Christ or how you foresee your involvement with Women World Leaders – you are welcome here! We have women around the world who simply listen to our podcast or soak in the teaching from our magazine, Voice of Truth, and we have others who have followed God’s call to dive in. Our goal is to simply to meet you where you are and empower you to walk in your God-given calling and purpose – no matter what that is!! To find out more about the ministry, please visit us on Facebook or our website – www.womenworldleaders.com.
As for our podcasts, we have three offerings for you each week. Besides this, our Wednesday walk through the Bible, on Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her story of God’s empowerment in her life. And on Fridays, we have a team of our women who host Celebrating God’s Grace – a short, joyful opportunity to celebrate all that God is doing in this world.
Before we begin with today’s teaching from John 8:48-59, let’s pray…
Dear most holy and gracious God – We give you all the praise and honor from all the ends of the earth as we gather together around your Holy Scripture. God, we thank you for teaching us and leading us every minute of every day, but we especially thank you for the Bible – your love letter and book of instruction and wisdom written specifically to us. God, it is simply impossible for us to understand that you hold us each in your hand and that you had us each individually on your mind even as these words were inspired and penned. I humbly ask that you go before us in this teaching today – let my words be your words and allow our thoughts to be infused in us from you, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
As we have been walking through Jesus’ teaching on the temple grounds during the Festival of the Tabernacles over the last couple of weeks as recorded in John chapter 8, we have witnessed the temperature rise a bit. The Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law challenged Jesus, and He continued to unapologetically lay out the truth.
In sharing His true identity, Jesus didn’t shy away from giving his listeners “tough love” – that is – explaining exactly why many of them didn’t believe in Him. He didn’t mince words when he told them they were sinners, unable to understand His teachings because they were children of the devil who wished to carry out their father’s desires. You can imagine that that was tough pill to swallow.
We finished last week with John 8, verse 47 with Jesus’ words: Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
The unbelievers were clearly taken aback and even personally offended by these statements. Today we pick up in verse 48 from the New Living Translation…
48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
This statement could have been meant as a theological dig, or as a name-calling lash out.
“Samaritan” in some senses meant someone who knew scripture but didn’t study under a Rabbi. But more likely, the use of the word Samaritan was meant in this case as a racist insult.
Regardless of the motive behind the slander, we see Jesus’ grace as He totally ignores the comment, and instead, refutes the more significant claim that He is possessed by a demon. Verse 49…
49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.
This is an amazing statement, and one that we should each take to heart. “I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me.”
This world teaches us, above all else, to glorify ourselves. We are lured by wealth, fame, and prestige. As we climb the ladder of success, it is tempting to look down on others, even thinking, “I used to be there.” We see with our physical vision well-dressed, perfectly groomed individuals, and sometimes become envious. We dye our hair and wear make-up and the best clothes. I am certainly not immune to this allure, and we could have quite an interesting discussion about whether some of these things are sinful in God’s eyes, but that is not the point. The point is that God wants us to obediently do what HE calls us to do, and then to let HIM do the glorifying, rather than seek to be glorified through our own efforts. This can be a paradigm shift, but trust me, God can glorify us better than we could EVER glorify ourselves! Jesus’ next statement is a testament to this…
51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
I can’t imagine how difficult a concept this was for the people to hear. I have been a Christian all my life. When I go to funerals, though I am sad for those left behind, I am filled with JOY for the one whose life is being celebrated, because, if he or she was a believer in Christ, the struggle is over and their true reward has begun!
On the surface, and with our human vision, we all die. What’s the old saying? The only thing sure in life is death and taxes, right? But what is death? Death is a separation. When we physically die, which yes, we all will – even Jesus did – our spirit is separated from our body. But in spiritual death – what I would call “real” death – our spirit is separated from GOD. We will ALL be separated from our bodies. As I get older and my body gets achier and more cantankerous, being separated from my body looks better and better! But to be separated from GOD? That is a darkness and a pain that we can’t even begin to imagine.
Jesus Himself, upon His death on a cross, was separated from God His Father for a time. That’s a fact we can’t really wrap our head around. But what is an even more daunting thought is that Jesus WILLINGLY CHOSE to be separated from God so that you and I would not have to be! Separation from God is THE TRUE death that Jesus overcame FOR us by His death on the cross. We will not live on this earth forever, attached to our failing bodies – we WILL die, experiencing a separation of body and spirit. But Jesus promises that if we obey Him, we will NEVER experience true death – that is, we will never experience a separation from God. I don’t know about you, but that thought brings relief and joy to me. The fact that I NEVER have to be apart from God? That gives me the courage and strength to get through ANYTHING this world can throw at me!
THAT is the point Jesus is trying to get across to His listeners. But they had to choose to see through spiritual eyes rather than trusting their limited human vision to understand this. And their response shows that they clearly weren’t seeing through spiritual eyes…verse 52…
52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’[a] 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
Now THAT confused the people! How did Abraham SEE Jesus? They said…
“You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?[b]”
We may ask the same questions – if we are still intent on seeing with our earthly vision instead of with our spiritual vision.
It would have been impossible, with eyes of flesh, for Abraham to “see” Jesus, who died long before Jesus was born. But Abraham saw with spiritual eyes. Abraham believed that God was calling him and he left his home without physically being able to see the land he was promised. Then Abraham saw his future family with spiritual eyes despite his physical body being simply too old to father children. And then in the ultimate test of faith, Abraham committed to the physical sacrifice of his own son even while seeing spiritually that God was doing something greater. Throughout his lifetime, Abraham developed his spiritual vision – he stopped seeing with his limited human vision and, instead, began to see and understand through God’s eyes.
Have we developed our spiritual vision? If you are a believer in Christ, your eyes have been opened, and you only have God to thank for that! Still, we must continue to pray that God will sharpen our vision so that we can see from His perspective even more clearly.
When we see clearly spiritually, we can begin to understand Jesus’ next statement…verse 58…
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am![c]”
I tell you the truth – also translated “verily, verily” – means hear and understand me! Or, to follow our analogy - look with your spiritual eyes rather than your physical eyes, and rely on me to see that which you can’t see in your own flesh.
Jesus told his listeners that in His being, He predated Abraham. But then He dropped the bombshell – Jesus claimed the name “I am.” I am is actually the name Jehovah in Hebrew. ‘I am,’ or Jehovah, was the divine name that God called himself when Moses, who was beckoned by God to lead the Israelites out of captivity, said to the burning bush that God spoke from… “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
God instructed Moses that he should respond, “’I am’ has sent me to you.” Jehovah had released the Israelites from the chains of slavery in Egypt, and now Jehovah – Jesus – was there to set all of humanity free from the chains of death.
This was too much for the listeners who could only see with their limited human vision. Verse 59…
59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him.
You see, the law stated that if anyone should claim to be God, he should be stoned. And through their human vision, Jesus claimed to be God. But had the people filtered Jesus’ statement through a spiritual lens, they would have realized that Jesus’ statement was not a claim, but a statement of fact. A statement of truth.
When we ask God to allow us to see from His perspective, we can be assured that He will. When we ask for His wisdom, we can trust He will grant it. That’s not a Christian-trick. It’s a blessing and a power that we can claim in EVERY area of our lives. But it requires our humility. It requires us to NOT strive to glorify ourselves, but to walk in obedience as we aim to glorify God alone. Verse 59 goes on to state that after the people reached down to pick up stones to throw at Jesus, they were simply left holding the stones, dismayed…as
Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
Yet again we see God’s protection, as the time for Jesus’ death had not yet come. Reminding us that we can always trust that God IS in control!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – We thank you for claiming us as your children. God, we ask you to sharpen our spiritual vision – allowing us to see every circumstance from your perspective. We know that our physical vision does not always give us the whole story, and when we come to you, we know you will always reveal the truth to us. God, we commit to walking in faith, trusting your vision and perspective, as we seek to glorify you alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Re-set. Lifted out of the pit of despair to a new direction of life, guest author, speaker, and founder of Bold University, Latoya Rattery shares her God story as inspiration and motivation to our audience. Latoya offers some great tips with prayer on how to re-set from a past of broken pieces.
Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so happy that you decided to join with us today. And can we all welcome our guest, Mrs. Latoya Rattery welcome, Latoya.
Latoya Rattery
Thank you for having me, Kimberly. Hello, everyone who's out there watching tonight. Or in the morning.
Kimberly Hobbs
I know all over the world. We don't know what they're tuning in. And Latoya, where are you from?
Latoya Rattery
Yes, I was originally I was born in Jamaica. Actually. I came to the US when I was nine years old. And I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. And after high school, I moved to Orlando. And so I've been in Orlando for almost eight or 10 years after college. And so I'm here now just really enjoying Orlando, and open to move if God said so. Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs
Well, Orlando is awesome, the home of Disney World. And I'm sure everybody that lives in Orlando is so used to people identifying Orlando with Disney. So we are so happy ladies that you joined with us today. And we are going to be talking about reset. And we are hoping that today's podcast interview is going to inspire you and encourage you and strengthen you and empower you in the Lord Jesus Christ to walk out your beautiful purpose that God has just for you. God says that they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. That's revelation 1211. And ladies, Latoya is going to share her story in just a moment. But first I want to introduce a little bit about who she is. And Latoya is a speaker. She is an ordained evangelists and our business coach. She's a transformation leader who is compassionate about seeing individuals live a life of enjoyment, growth and freedom. Latoya has worked developing programs around the world with empowering women and youth. She has experience in health, social behavior, case management, program development and education. Latoya is the founder of bold University of faith based wellness and business network that educates and empowers and engages women to advance their spiritual, personal and professional development. Latoya helps women in leadership establish wellness roadmaps to improve their standards in life and business. Latoya has her degree in psychology and is pursuing right now her master's in leadership. She's been featured in magazines, and on podcasts on TV shows and also a top five finalists in the 2020 Coca Cola pitch competition, and a member of the Christian coaches Alliance. And we're happy to welcome Latoya here today with us as our guest and she is one busy woman. Let me tell you, my goodness, this girl. So I am so happy again to be able to share this time with you Latoya and with our audience. So can you talk to us a little bit, we're going to talk about reset today and you have a lot of goodies in store for us. But you have a story, Latoya, we all have a story. And you had some brokenness, and God brought you from brokenness to reset. So can you share with us a little bit about your story before we get started?
Latoya Rattery
Yes, I love, Kimberly, I love the fact that you said we all have a story. That bio, that BIOS my story, but it's just it sounds like it's confetti ease. But never the pain have been highlighted in it. And so when God brought me from brokenness to reset was everything because it started there. A couple of years ago, before I was at University of Central Florida. That's when I really met Christ. And I grew up in a family, a Christian family that had Christian values took me to church and was church but never really had a relationship with God never really had an encounter with God, but feared Heaven and Hell, in some aspect, because it was taught in some way. So when I got off to college, it was like party time. Let's go out let's have fun. I went to the club. I had funded everything that was not price like and there came a time in my turning life while I was in college, that the Lord was pulling on me, but I didn't really know. And so after that I went through a time period of disbelief about heaven and hell, and so mind you that month reminding you that I went to church when I was younger, but never really had that encounter with God. And so I really cried out to God one night after I broke up a relationship with a guy that I used to talk to. And I said to God, I, you know, after God start pulling on you, everything that you used to do, don't feel the same. And the things that you used to say doesn't, you know, be the same, because God is now ready for that always been ready for you, but he's tugging at you. And so that was my situation. And so I remember that and knocked down on my knees, and I said, God, if you are real, you're gonna have to show me that you're real. I became like, the doubting Thomas like, because I was dealing with this disbelief, if this heavenly father that I was going to church clapping for singing on the choir, is he really real because I never really had an encounter with them. And so long story short, I came into a time where I surrendered my life to God. And that's begin and openness of my brokenness where God started to open up and unlock in the hurt and the things that he was ready to deal with me with. And so that started the broken area, in in me where God started breaking those things. And so later on, I started looking at my life rejection and different things like that, that I've been through and how God wanting to use it. And so it leading into so many things have fallen my pathway based on generational stuff, some things consequences, or things or decisions that I've made. And so all of this God of wanting to take, and so I can recall and and, and I can recall a time when I was moving in college, and I remember moving, like I was moving something downstairs like the third floor. And it was, I believe it was like a glass and I remember the glass broke from the third floor. And guess what happened when glass broke, it shatters. So the glass is everywhere. And what Revelation that brought to my mind in order for God, and it is something that always embedded in from in order for God to to use you, he has to break you. And so what happened, when you look at the glass, the glasses were able to be distributed everywhere. And so that is the process of God has given me an example of Latoya, what it means to truly be broken, is that you are going to be broken. But one thing about broken glass, that you can use those as making it in beautiful, beautiful masterpieces. And that's where the reset start.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh my goodness, amen. Amen to that. And when you just said that I always love sharing this verse, but Ephesians 210, so that we are God's masterpiece, right? We're created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And I am so thankful that he took all your broken pieces and reset them onto a new path in life. And God's Word also says that as soon as I pray, you answer me, you encourage me by giving me strength. And this is really beautiful. Because that's Psalm 138. Three, God took everything he formed you back gave you strength, and he reset. So reset was in your belief, your image and your purpose, which you were telling me about earlier, when we were able to share together, Latoya. So can you talk to us a little bit about some of these things, the belief, the image, the purpose and what you can do to reset?
Latoya Rattery
Year, so reset started for me, reset has been an echo. Honestly, with the bold University, we have a reset club. And is really for women who have dealt with burnout or those individuals are high achievers and not resetting. And so reset is everywhere. But with my personal life when I really created and courageous space. For a professional working woman, I wanted the corporate woman to know that you bleed too. And you hurt too. And just because you have an education, and you have an amazing bio, there is scars on the inside of you that you probably work over, you might have went into relationship with the same scar, but you cannot unpack the old you to think that you can get your new you the Bible that is no god that in order for us to, to live again is to be born again. And the Bible also flutters in the know that God wants everything new, but he doesn't put new wine in old wine skin. And so when I remember that I understand that God is not going to patch you up with all new things. He's ready to kind of make you over. And so for me, I began to see how God was not so much of a call to ministry. But God is more concerned. He's so concerned about the man internally than even the man's ministry. Because what profits for man to gain the whole world and lose it lose our soul. So as I begin to see that God wanted to go internally, and deal with Latoya, and heal me, in order for me to be called, and continue to do the work that he has called me to do. And so that deals with my image. So for a long time, God, I knew that God has called me and we were talking about how do you reset, the first thing is your image, I want you to know that I dealt with low self esteem, I dealt with issue for those ladies who are Listen, listen, and now you are those are the things that you you might be dealing with. And those are the images of the enemies goal is to allow you to feel as if you're not beautiful, you're not confident that the scar that you have is the thing that makes you feel guilty and shameful. And I look at your image to be even your your story as well, there's some story that we're not happy about. There's some things that I wasn't happy about and even share it. And so with that, I realized that God has a way to allow us to look at him in his image and his likeness, because we were created in His image and his likeness. And so as I understand those things, I realized that I have to first get into know my imaging God. And that started helping my belief a little bit. Because when I realized that I was transforming, and the image of God and in the likeness of God, it has nothing, the best way to change my mindset, how was looking at myself the belief, what am I? How am I thinking, what am I doing with my time? How am I building my mindset? What am I doing to change my mental state, because I know that it's going to change someone else. And so as I went deeper and realize that God wanted to heal trauma and things that I didn't know, that was trauma. And so as I begin to move into those things, in my belief start changing, I realized that God is ready to talk purpose to me, because oftentimes, we move into purpose and thing, our purpose will, it will, it has a way to change your image, and it has a way to change your belief. But many women today has taken their careers as purpose. Yeah, and just because you're doing a role, and or they have even allow themselves to be confined in certain position, because that's what the image, that's the mindset, you can't go around the block. You know, that's what you're thinking, you're not passing any milestones. And so we cannot box ourselves in, when it comes to our belief. God wants us to expand our mind, and I had to get there to a place where I start saying, God, no longer I start thinking little of myself, but it's time for me to see me the way that God sees me.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Wow, you really touched on a lot of things there. That is amazing. And and God says that is soon as, as soon as you pray, he hears our prayers, right? That scripture I shared just before you started and and there were so many things you were trying to do in your life, that it it's useless for you. But God's word says it's useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat, when God will give you rest he's gonna give rest to his loved ones, right? And he gave you that rest LaToya and allowed you to put the broken pieces back together and show you what he can do with your life and give you purpose is which is what he did. And ladies, that Scripture is found found in Psalms 127. To that he will give you rest, he will put those pieces back together, he's going to heal those broken pieces of your past. And then he's going to reset your life into a new purpose. And as LaToya and I were talking about a little bit about her sharing her story and the broken pieces and everything she was telling me about prayer therapy, and freedom and deliverance in prayer therapy. Can you talk about that a little bit for our audience?
Latoya Rattery
Yes. This has been and this has been a journey with God when it comes to ministry and everything that prayer therapy started was that I was praying, I was praying about God, deliver God save God, renew my belief. God renewed my purpose, God in my image, and I and I was pushing towards Jesus and I was pushing towards the community, of having a church family, which I still do today and have the privilege to serve with my leaders. But God brought up something that I think we have made an option and not a requirement, a part of our DNA, to change our DNA and to be a part of our life and the Word is therapy. Many of us are shun it, some of us have shun it, some of us don't have a therapist, I'm a life coach. But I truly believe that you need a therapist as well. And so when I started looking at the way of, of looking at, you know, just really serving the Lord, and going after God, there is trauma in itself or anything with pain is on process at times. And so it's important with prayer therapy, it is really a spiritual intervention. And I'm looking so forward to doing retreats on prayer therapy, because there's a lot of things when it comes to deliverance and freedom, freedom from mental illness, freedom, from the abuse, those things that you might be going to therapy for, but there's not any prayer that's connected to it. Not all says this, do pray. And it depends on what type of therapist that you're going through your sin. But I truly believe in the power of prayer as well. And it's so important to integrate those things. And so I want to create spaces for women who have undergone trauma or mental illnesses. And we are in a society today. And when you look around it, many woman, especially in the church, don't know what wellness look like, for us. What are some things that we can do, and then it becomes this do and don'ts. But there's something that God wants us to get back to is the power of prayer, and the power of communication. And prayer don't have to always be you, Warren and prayer prayer to be you're going in therapy for prayer with God as well. And so the communication with God has to be embedded, and really teach a woman the power of prayer and the principles of prayer, but also backing it up with a clinical psychologist, or clinical personnel to be able to help facilitate that session. And so prayer therapy, I do yearly prayer therapy Summit, where I invite out cycles, therapists, and we'll have a pastoral counselor in the mix. And also social worker, we talk about the community. We also talk about what's happening in the church and what the church is doing for mental health. And we talk about what's actually going on in the offices when psychotherapist are seeing clients. And the goal is to advocate for that. And so each and every year, I get the privilege to do that. But the great thing that I'm doing in Orlando is that I call I started a walk called Walk with bold, and we are going to be having different therapists being highlighted to come on these walks with us, because the goal is to get women into a place of freedom and health.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Yes, I mean, it's so important, so important. But I love that you are integrating prayer and you are trying to get others to come along with you because there is so much power in prayer, right? That's where everything begins our communication with the Lord and only he is the one that he says for us to bring all our cares to Him because He cares for us and, and we do need to pray about everything. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Yes, yeah, pray without ceasing. So God's Word says, I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished. On the day when Christ Jesus returns. That's Philippians one, six. And we believe truly that God has begun a good work and all of us he has, and he's going to complete it until the end of the age it we're a work in progress, all those broken pieces take time to come back together. But God is not going to give up on you not whatsoever, and we need to trust Him. We need to walk it out. We need to seek that help. That we need. You know, mentors, like she like Latoya was talking about therapists. But everything needs to be coupled with prayer, because that's what God tells us all the time. Throughout his word, go to the Lord in prayer. So, Latoya, I have asked Latoya, if she would pray over you are sisters, those of you that are listening that are broken like she was, and has all these broken pieces. Can you please just pray a powerful prayer over that listener that is thinking How are my pieces of my life ever gonna come back together?
Latoya Rattery
Yes, and for those for that woman that's listening right now. I want you to stop everything that you're doing. And I want us I want you to reset and what that mean is to stop, reset, it really means to recalibrate, to rethink and to realize, and what prayer does it has the ability to do that. And when God in the Holy Spirit, it he wants to visit you right now and he wants to come where you Are because he's concerned about your, your scars. We can't heal without God. And many of us have tried our self healing and it's not working, because we need a savior to do that. So just close your eyes and let the Holy Spirit come in. God, I thank you for that woman that is listening, listening right now. God, I decree and declare that you are healing every scars, and that every broken places are becoming straight God, God, I thank you that you're mending. Oh, God, every stories and everything that she has left behind. God, I pray that you're resetting her today. I pray that you are given her the ability to soar among everything and above everything that will try to hinder her growth, God's decree and declare that the healing and anointing is coming now. And I pray that you will continue to use that woman and use her for your glory. I decree and declare that there isn't a trauma. Is there any abuse and anything and places and phobias and fears and any type of disorders God that they're battling with God, I decree and declare that the peace of God will become peaceful upon them now, and I decree and declare that every curses is broken. In the name of Jesus God, I pray deliverance now and I pray the power of Jesus over their lives, I pray that they will never be the same. And they will prophesy and they will call your name great. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray I plead the blood of Jesus now, and I decree and declare that God there's a peace that is happening after this prayer. In Jesus name I pray, amen. And amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, wow. Amen. Oh, my goodness. Yes. I decree and declare with you and all of us that were praying together, we just decree and declare over one another ladies that God is doing something powerful he is he is in you and, and just as Latoya was praying the scripture that says, Call on me, when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. And just as God rescued Latoya, with all the brokenness that was in her life, she is now giving him glory. And it's so beautiful that Psalm 50 Verse five, there's so much power in God's word, ladies, it just look for the scriptures that give you promises. Now Latoya is serving him wholeheartedly. She's walking out her life, she's able to share all of these different things that were in her life as broken pieces. But behind each of those is a story, a story how God stepped in and rescued her and reset her life. And he can do that for you, ladies, you just have to trust him. You have to seek Him with all your heart. God says if you seek Him, you will find him. So I just encourage you ladies to dig deep go into his word. Ask him God, I know you're there God, you can help me pick up these broken pieces of my life. And I want to give you glory, I want to give you glory with my body with all that I am. And ladies, he'll hear that prayer and He will guide you and direct you to the Word of His scriptures. And before you know it, you're just going to start walking those out by faith every single day. And here we have a precious beautiful sister that came in to just share and pour into you she's doing and if you were moved in any way and one of reach out to Latoya to just know about her further and know about bold University know about some of the things she's doing. She has welcomed us to get in touch with her. So how can they do that? Latoya? How can they reach out to you? They want more?
Latoya Rattery
Yeah, there's several ways I'm on social media at coach Latoya if you look me up on IG, or Instagram, which is Instagram IG or Facebook is Coach Latoya. Also you can find me at WWI bold University dot club. That is where our community for our corporate woman normally have different events, VIP day and wellness and we're taking woman back into getting in tune with themselves and retreats and you name it. I also have an upcoming sisterhood circle. starting very soon with a great friend of mine and I'm so excited business. It's a lot of things going on. But one of the things when I dealt with burnout that I've learned is to make sure that I'm leveraging in order to do what I'm doing today. So I'm just so grateful to be here but if you need me, you can contact me at BoldUniversity.club.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. Okay ladies, so she gave it to you how to reach out to her and she is one excited woman she is just full have the joy of the Lord. That's why she's so strong in the Lord. So I'm sure she's willing to pour into anybody that wants to reach out to her and Latoya as we close out today, I'd like to ask you if in in a minute or so can you just give that woman right now that's thinking about resetting her life, what is one word of encouragement to leave her with right now, the first thing she should do when she wants to reset her life?
Latoya Rattery
First thing that you need to do is, let it go, seem so simple, but let it go. You know, I remember when I dealt with burnout, and I lost my car and my apartment, and that was hard. And I remember saying something to myself that I can't go with what left me. And that was a wake up call for me to know that whatever, left your life, let it go, and whatever needs to be all get away from your life, let that go as well, because there's time that we're holding on to things, and God wants to release something new in your life. But before he can do that, he has to allow you to let the old go so that the new can come in. And so I want to let you know, again, let the old go so that the new can go come in. And that's when your reset began with the realignment and the rethinking of how you view life and how you do your story and how you do your healing. And take your healing very seriously. Let nothing come between you and your healing. Because it's very, it's a priority.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Very important. Very important words. Include God in everything, and I so appreciate your good word. Latoya. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for being our guest today.
Latoya Rattery
Yeah, I'm excited ladies. Thank you again.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, we're so excited to have you guys and have a new plug in and women were a leaders it's so beautiful just to connect with women around the world. i We are just so grateful how God has just opened up this ministry and and ladies, there are so many women within this ministry that are just here. They've they've come in through connections such as these podcasts such as the books that we're writing, and voice of truth magazine that we're doing. And ladies, you all have gifts, right? And so we want to hear from you. We want to know how can you serve the Lord here in this amazing, worldwide ministry with us because we can't do it alone. We are an army of women of all shapes, sizes, colors, races, we just come together to serve our Lord together. We're going to live together forever in Heaven, right? So we just want to serve him together. If you have a gift, and you just want to connect with some women around the world, we have a new leadership, we're well it's not new. We've been doing this a couple of years. But we are going to open our leadership meeting to the whole world. So ladies, every third Monday, it's a standing meeting on Zoom, you can connect with us for more ever you are you can ask, I'm gonna put a link on this podcast where you can sign up, give us your email, let us know that you want to come to our monthly once a month leadership connect Zoom meeting, and you are welcome in and then you can hear more about the ministry more of what we're doing opportunities that you can use your gift here, because we believe that everybody has a gift. And why not use it for Jesus right? He's given you the gift to us to glorify Him. So and there's many other opportunities and ways you can serve. And ladies, we also have these podcasts available to you each Monday, Wednesday, where we have teaching podcasts walking in the world, walking in the Word. We're all walking in the word world, but lacking in the word and you can glean some amazing teaching from this podcast and we also have celebrating God's grace every Friday ladies, so there are tools for you here in this amazing ministry. So ladies, again, thank you for joining us today. Thank you Latoya Ratterree you are an amazing powerful woman of God continue walking out your purpose sister are glad to have you today.
Latoya Rattery
Likewise, thank you for having me.
Kimberly Hobbs
All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a fantastic beautiful day.
Latoya Rattery
Bye bye
God's grace and healing power are so present in our world today! Enjoy this reading of "Miraculous Manna" by Rusanne Carole from Voice of Truth.
I lay in a hospital bed only a couple of kilometers from my home, but it felt like I was a world away - alone with my thoughts, fears, and yes, so many soul churning and burning questions.
So many looming questions sneaking up like an unexpected visitor at the front door of my heart and mind!
And with the battle of words in my head - more questions, more concerns, more potential for my mind to go to places I did not wish it to go! Wandering worry came against me like a thunderous cloud of darkness, tempting me to receive or reject the spewed false claims.
But I believed God was saying to me, “Rusanne, you have known me well now for a time and learned much. What would I ask you to do if I were sitting right here with you in this hospital room?”
I knew He was saying, “I am here. I will never leave you. We will walk through this together.” His great, mighty love brought me the comfort I was longing for and spoke to the worry and fret-filled enemy of fear. Additionally, the Holy Spirit's boldness was swelling up deep inside my heart. His very presence was preparing me to witness to those around me. Here I was, lying in a hospital bed yet still on mission for the cause and glory of Christ.
It began August 11, 2020 when, like most mornings, I woke early to make my coffee and sneak back to bed to have my quiet time before my boys woke up. But that morning was different. I could not walk to the kitchen. My legs felt weighted down like someone was pulling me down through the polished concrete floor, and the pain in the lower right side of my abdomen took my breath away. I slowly made it back to my bed and, when I lay on my left side, the pain eventually subsided enough to allow me to try again. I attempted this short walk from the bedroom to the kitchen five times. Each time with no success.
It was 4 am, in the spring in Queensland, Australia, just the right time for the sun and the birds to present themselves as if to say, “Wake up and rise with us! Another day awaits!”
I waited until 5:50 am and then rang my son to come to my room. Two of my four sons live at home with me, and the other two older boys live locally. I teasingly said to him, “I don’t want to worry you, but I am not well, and I need you to make your first call to 000 for an ambulance.” Suddenly, he was in front of me as if he had catapulted from his room to mine. I also asked him to ring the carer that comes to assist me in supporting my son to get ready for school. He has special needs and requires assistance with day-to-day tasks. I knew I wasn’t going into work that day, but that I would be going to a hospital.
I was finally able to walk to the ambulance waiting in my driveway after several attempts at “sucking the green whistle” – taking the pain medication that the ambulance driver provided. Once in the back of the ambulance, I remember being asked where I wanted to go. I replied, “Hawaii.” They chuckled and said, “No, what hospital?”
And immediately I knew I had a choice to make, but I also knew God was right there with me. I have beautiful friends here in the land I chose to move to over twenty years ago, but I do not have any family other than my children. I am a single mother raising two boys and, whenever I have been unwell, the enemy has taken advantage and attempted to do his dirtiest work in my life, each time trying to place me in a state of fear and despair. I was familiar with the enemy’s tactics and schemes, and knew that I must always be on alert and ready for his surprise attacks and be adorned in God’s armour and have my total focus on Him. I knew this, but it is an entirely different thing to practice it - especially when extreme waves of pain are coming at you full force like a train of testing and trial. Focus was needed. Focus on Jesus. But the battle began in my mind yet again.
Worry, fret, and fear lured me into their cycles of destruction. Arrows flying straight into my heart.
Who will look after my boys if I can’t?
What if something happens to me?
No one can look after my sons like I can, especially my son who requires care for all of his needs.
Lord, please let me be ok.
I was first misdiagnosed with kidney stones. Then, two days later, my appendix was removed. And yet my pain persisted. An MRI was scheduled. All the while, unrelenting circles of confusion afflicted my heart and mind.
When I was in the tunnel of the MRI machine, I found it very difficult to breathe and relax. I was on a lot of pain medication, which made me feel very frightened and panicked. While I was lying there, a vision landed in my mind. I closed my eyes and saw purple wings enclosing me, rather than the beige walls that sloped around me eating me up with the loud, clanking, beating sound of the MRI machine. The wings reminded me of God’s presence and protection. Immediately the Lord brought my mind to Psalm 91:4 “Lord, you will cover me with Your feathers. Under Your wings I find my refuge. Your faithfulness will be my shield and protection.”
Then the contrary words were spoken by the doctor, “You have a mass and we will phone the oncologist.”
It was as if I was thrust by force off the rock of Christ. I knew I had to jump back on and gather myself. I had a choice right then and there - allow my mind, heart, and body to fall off the rock into a sea of distress and despair; or fight to stand again by the power of His Holy Spirit, on His rock. He was calling me to plant my feet back on His rock of refuge, to be soothed and protected by His strength. It was there that He reminded me He had carried me through so much in the past eleven years - ever since I had given my life to Him.
There was a piercing scream inside of me that only I could hear. Armed by His power, I sensed the Lord’s soul-piercing hope. “No! This is not how it ends! The enemy had come again to kill, steal and destroy, but my God and I say No!”
After eleven days in the hospital, I was discharged. The doctors wanted me to have time to recover from the surgery before I would have another MRI to determine if the tumour had changed at all in size. After that there would be an appointment to discuss the next steps of my treatment, but that treatment would definitely include a biopsy. My doctor, the fifth one who looked after me in my eleven days in the hospital, said the diagnosis was a one in one million, and the mass was located in my hip/buttocks area. My beautiful pastor and friend came to visit and anoint me with oil. As we visited and ate green apples with peanut butter and drank peppermint tea, he jokingly said, “I always knew you were one in a million and a pain in the butt!” To find laughter in a time such as this was medicine for my soul, and I was so thankful to have him with me praying for healing. I was saved in his little Uniting Church on December 13th, 2009. Another story for another time.
I returned home. I had never seen the results or pictures from the MRI.
One day, God gave me an impression of a white snowball melting in the snow. By His presence, I knew. I began telling everyone that my tumour was gone, including the surgeon that I had my follow up visit with that operated and removed my appendix. He kind of brushed it off, and asked me to let the doctor contact him after the biopsy was scheduled and the results were in. Because he was a teaching doctor at the university, he was very curious about the diagnosis and how we would proceed.
I had many prayer warriors and friends fighting for me in combat prayer. I was so grateful for the many friends that prayed, phoned, and dropped food at my home for my boys. It was a real witness of the love and support of the body of Christ in time of need.
Sometime after the revelation with the Lord, my beautiful friend and sister in Christ, Lynne, phoned to check on me. She said she had been praying for me and God prompted her to paint. During our conversation she shared and sent a picture of the purple wings she had painted. These were the SAME purple wings God had given me a vision of the day I was having the MRI. We both took the time to praise and thank God, and I had confirmation in my heart that God had this.
This painting that linked us at that moment is the beautiful and anointed painting that God placed on the cover of the first edition of “Voice of Truth” in January 2021. Isn’t our God amazing how He weaves and orchestrates beauty and connections in a tapestry of love and testimony for those who love, seek and serve Him?
The time came for the follow up MRI and the next appointment with the surgeon. The young man who greeted me at the clinic to conduct the test was named Adam. I giggled at this. I often experience God’s sense of humour present in a situation. When he introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Adam,” I think I even replied laughing, “Of course it is!” He kept sliding me in and out of the machine, time after time. He finally asked about the diagnosis and inquired if I was given any medicine, because he couldn’t find anything!
This time I had taken a sleeping mask to place over my eyes to help me keep my eyes closed, which would, hopefully, help me stay relaxed. As he slid me into the machine one more time after sharing the news he could not find any mass, the soft fabric on the mask caught the tears that flowed from my eyes in gratitude that the snowball (tumour) had actually melted. It had melted in the mighty Hand of God. He did what no man ever could, He had miraculously healed me.
The following day I sat in my doctor’s office. The doctor sat at his desk in front of his laptop, while I leaned across his desk with my chin in my hands watching him flip from the results taken in the hospital to those from the previous day’s test. He kept pushing the computer buttons with the tip of his bright yellow pencil and, looking at me above the rim of his silver framed glasses then looking at the computer, saying, “this is unexplainable!”
I spoke with God-given confidence, “It is explainable. It is the power of prayer, and God has healed me.”
You see my friend, this topic of healing was near and dear to my heart, for to this very day as I write this, I am awaiting God to heal my son. God had me name my precious boy Christian, even before I became a Christian. And just months prior, I had been studying the topic of healing.
I had asked God, “Lord, show me a healing!” I had no idea it would be me.
To those of you reading this, I don’t have all the answers, but God does. I don’t know why He healed me and removed the tumour, but I am grateful that He did. He is a loving God and wants the best for all of His children. I have never been good at waiting. But God has shown me it is all in His way, His timing, in His grace and goodness.
I’m still believing in healing for my son.
I’m still believing in all He has for me and my family and friends…and humanity.
I’m still believing in Jesus who came to save and who prepares an eternal home for His children.
I’m still believing in God’s ways that protect me. And I’m still believing that He loves me and He loves you.
I’m still believing…I pray you are too!
And for those who have lost loved ones to death and disease, none of us can wholly comprehend the faithful and just plans of God, or why we hear of some being healed and others not. I am praying that in those moments of the lack of our earthly understanding, God’s love and provision will meet you here on this earth giving you strength to continue running to Him, no matter the loss and cost. I am trusting that in heaven one day we will understand God’s perfect timing, and we will all experience the comfort of God himself wiping every tear from our face.
What does Jesus mean when He says we will be set free? And how do we achieve freedom status? Dive into Scripture today with Julie Jenkins as we study John 8:31-47.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and it’s my honor to be your host as we study Scripture together.
I hope that you had the opportunity to join us for our leadership meeting Monday. We heard from one of our leaders, Michele Hughes, who taught us and led a discussion on how we can be physically heart-healthy. The Bible teaches us that our bodies are God’s temple, and as Christians, we can attest to the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in us. There is no doubt God has work for us to do, and the means by which we get around this world are our bodies! These bodies certainly won’t last forever – can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah? – but they are what we have while we are here, and God DOES call us to take care of ourselves so that we can serve Him and others. If you weren’t able to join us, I do invite you to mark your calendar for the third Monday of each month at 7pm ET to join us for our leadership meeting. Next month, October 17th, we will continue our teaching and discussion on healthy leadership. To join us, sign up on our website, www.womenworldleaders.com.
While you are on the website, I do hope you will consider becoming a monthly donor to the ministry. Your donations are tax-deductible and will allow us to continue providing excellent Christian guidance and empowerment. AND, when you become a monthly donor, we will, as a thank you, make sure you receive a physical copy of Voice of Truth magazine in your mailbox.
Well, let’s dive into today’s Scripture, which comes from John 8:31-47. But before we do, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – we come to you today in total submission, asking you to teach us what you want us to know. Father, as we open your Word each day, we are blown away by your wisdom and the relevance of your teaching in our lives. These words were written so many years ago, but you breathe new life into them each time we study and read. God, help us know your thoughts as we study today and help us walk away with you on our minds, allowing you to reach deeper into our hearts. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
You likely recall from our recent Wednesday podcasts, that we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John studying the life of Jesus as chronologically as the Holy Spirit guides. For the last few weeks, we have been listening in on Jesus’ teachings to the crowds on the temple grounds in the days around the Festival of Tabernacles. We have seen many question him, but we can’t ignore the fact that many also came to a saving belief in Jesus. Last week, in fact, we wrapped up with John 8:30 which says, “Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.”
In the very next verse, where we begin today, Jesus continues his teaching. We haven’t spoken on this podcast about different Bible translations recently, so hopefully, you will indulge me for a minute. For this podcast, I tend to read out of the New Living Translation because I find its language clear and its phrasing understandable. But sometimes questions can arise from how something is worded – in any translation. All scripture was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. So ANY other translation, is, well a translation. When questions arise regarding specific words, it is best to go back to the original language, or, at the very least, look at other translations and see what we can learn. The NLT tells us that many people believed IN Jesus, and then, in the following verse, says that Jesus spoke to those who believed IN Him. But if we look at other translations of the same verse, verse 31, it is clearer that Jesus was not responding to those who believed IN Him, but turning and speaking to those who merely BELIEVED Him.
I bring this up because WHO Jesus is talking TO in this set of verses is important. Many theologians and scholars think that Jesus was NOT, at this point, speaking to those who had put their faith in Him, but instead, He was speaking to those who believed all that He was saying, but weren’t ready to accept Him as their Lord.
Do you know anyone like that? Perhaps you are like that. Perhaps you see nothing wrong with believing that Jesus IS God, but that fact has never made a difference in how you live your life. The distinction is kind of like going to the doctor for a physical health issue and having the doctor prescribe medicine that will help your condition. You walk away with the prescription in hand, but that prescription will do you no good unless you ingest it into your body and let it do its work. Those who BELIEVED IN Jesus, took the medicine – they consciously choose to receive Jesus into their lives. While those who BELIEVED Jesus, simply held the medication in their hands. As we read today, we can imagine Jesus saying – TAKE THE MEDICINE ALREADY!
With that thought in mind, let’s begin by reading beginning in John 8:31 out of the New Living Translation…
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus is giving his listeners who believe, instructions on what to do with that belief. He instructs: remain faithful to my teachings. And He says the result of remaining faithful to His teachings is that the believer will know the TRUTH, and will be set free by the truth.
Notice the order. The listener had to understand, and then, by faith, follow Jesus’ teachings. THEN he or she would know the truth, and THEN they would be set free. Back to our medication analogy. They held the medicine in their hands. But they HAD to ingest the medicine, in FAITH, that it would affect their bodies the way Jesus said it would. And THEN, they would get better. And THEN, they would be empowered to live their best lives for God.
I keep saying they, but again, Jesus was talking to US. To you and me. There comes a time – whether it has been in your past, your present, or your future – when YOU are holding the medicine to life in YOUR hand. God makes SURE that we each hear and know about Jesus – that’s a miracle in and of itself. But what we EACH do with that information is up to us.
If you don’t yet get it…keep listening…verse 33…
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
These listeners were Jews. They were part of God’s chosen people. They were the children of Abraham. And they assumed, in their pride, they were automatically free.
Maybe you can relate to this statement. Many people grow up in the Christian faith. They might even go to church with their families every week and attend Sunday school. But until the individual CHOOSES to put his or her faith in Jesus, they are simply holding on to the medicine. And holding onto the medicine gets you nowhere. Verse 34…
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.
Sin is a deadly disease. And in this life, it carries the symptom of enslavement.
The Jewish people considered themselves one big family, and Jesus teaches them that as sinners, they are actually slaves to God’s family, not sons of God’s family. The slaves in that time often enjoyed the benefits of the family they were serving, so from the outside, who truly belonged and who didn’t may not have been readily apparent. But at ANY time, the slave could be cut off from the family, and indeed, would DEFINITELY be cut off at some point. But a son of the family would enjoy the family and the benefits of the family for life.
Remember the prodigal son that Jesus had taught about? He ran off and squandered his inheritance, and yet, he was invited back with a party, because he belonged.
As children of God, we will always be invited back; God will search for you and forgive you NO MATTER WHAT you do. Because you belong; you are a part of His forever-family. But before you can move from slave to child status, you have to CHOOSE to. God is waiting with open arms for each of us to CHOOSE to become a member of His forever family.
Jesus continues, making the point to His listeners that though they have BELIEVED Him, they have not yet put their belief IN HIM…verse 38…
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”
This went all over them – see if you recognize their pride. Verse 39…
39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.[a] 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!
Did you hear the pride? The people couldn’t put their pride aside to listen and learn from Jesus. They were like entitled children who thought that they knew everything there was to know and they had everything under control.
I’m willing to bet that as you listen to this, you can think of a circumstance when someone dismissed your knowledge – when they simply didn’t understand what you were trying to tell them and went their own way. In fact, I KNOW this has happened to you, because it is such a common occurrence that humans swell up with pride and close their ears to others.
Even as you think about that person or instance, however, I want you to intentionally wipe that out of your mind. And instead, ask God to show you your OWN pride. Where have YOU steadfastly turned the teaching of someone else away because it ruffled your feathers? Maybe the words came from a boss or a relative. Or maybe, the words and teachings you didn’t want to hear came directly from God’s Word.
Love your neighbor – yeah, the one who parks his big RV and boat in the street making it difficult to pull out of your driveway.
Give to the poor – yes, perhaps that surprise bonus in your paycheck wasn’t meant for you.
Or maybe you are ignoring the teaching to put your faith in Jesus Christ. To say yes to Him. If that is you, will you pray for God to help your unbelief and give you the courage to take the medicine – so He can set you free. Not just to live for eternity, but to live EMPOWERED to serve Him in JOY today.
Maybe it’s US who need to let go of OUR pride and give ourselves FULLY to God’s call on our lives. We say He is righteous, we say He is perfect, we say He cares for us and loves us and will always take care of us – but are we willing to put ourselves in His hands, and like a child held swaddled in her mother’s arms, completely and peacefully rest in His provision and protection?
Jesus continues to his listeners…
46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
Do you listen to God? Do you belong to God? Are you healed, forgiven, accepted as a child into His forever family? You can be! You just have to choose it. And He will set you free. Let’s pray.
Father God…we believe you and we want to be in your forever family! Jesus, we seek today to be faithful to your teaching. Give each listener a special word right now – a teaching to follow today. Whether you are guiding the one listening into a freedom-filled relationship with you or moving her deeper into a life of obedience as you empower her to walk in your will and your way is personal, just between you and her. God, I ask you to guide her clearly – what is it that you want her to do for you today? …. Thank you for your Word to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Mellisa Lambert - speaker, author, and CEO of Women Emerge Network - shares her story and what it takes to live out her motto; Live on Purpose. Melissa shares with you Five Destiny Helpers God has shown her that help her and others to live on purpose. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose and I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders, and we want to welcome you on to empowering lives with purpose as well as our guest today, Mellisa Lambert. Welcome me, Lisa.
Mellisa Lambert
Wow. Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here on today. Thank you, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs
You're so welcome in Mill. Lisa is from what part of Florida
Mellisa Lambert
I'm from Lake Mary, Florida.
Kimberly Hobbs
Lake Mary, Florida. That's up near Orlando, right?
Mellisa Lambert
Yes, absolutely. We're in the central part of Florida right? About 50 minutes away from Disney.
Kimberly Hobbs
Awesome. Yes. Love it up there. Well, ladies, we are happy to have you. And today we are hoping to inspire you and encouraging you to live on purpose. That is the title of our podcast today. That is a tagline that meal Lisa came up with. And she stands by it live on purpose. And we believe Ephesians 210 in the Bible where God says that we are God's masterpiece we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And ladies, God has a plan for your life and He wants you to live with purpose. We believe that wholeheartedly. So as we get into today's podcast, I just want to share a little bit about Melissa and she is a beautiful woman after God's heart who passionately helps others find their purpose. Her enthusiasm for helping people realize their goals is contagious. And when you listen to Melissa speak today, you are gonna see that she is just contagious with her joy. And I love that I love being around joyful people. Melissa is adept when it comes to bringing out the best in people and beliefs totally in them. Over the years she has helped people as a life and health coach, a business coach, and she's helped them to meet their dreams and excel in lives and businesses. Women eMERGE network is Melissa's ministry and mission and her company where she uses that to impact people, the community and the world where she brings together resources, education and opportunities in business that will help make a difference in many mill Lisa is the speaker. She's a prolific author of books, children's books and beauty and me inspired by her lovely daughter Chelsea. Melissa has lost a son and a sibling. And they too inspired her to write her son Caleb Malisa is a has humble servant of God who is dedicated to the service of her community at large and the world and she is ready to serve God each day and live life on purpose. So the tagline that Melissa came up with live on purpose said it spoke volumes to me because I'm all about that. In fact, that's the title of our podcast here empowering lives with purpose. So I said, Wow, that is a great title for today's podcast. And she agreed. So God's word says in Philippians 312 to 14, not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect. But I press on to make it my own because Jesus Christ has made me his own. But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. And if that's not living on purpose, I don't know what is right, Mellisa.
Mellisa Lambert
That's right. That's right.
Kimberly Hobbs
Well, my sweetie, you had a defining moment. And when we were talking on the phone prior to this podcast and getting to know each other, you had a relationship built with God at a young age. However, you had a surrendering moment. Can you open up by telling us a little bit about you and your growing up and then that surrender moment with God?
Mellisa Lambert
Thank you so much, Kimberly, I truly honored to be here today. And I grew up in a Christian home. My mom was the quiet director. And my dad, to this day is still a deacon of the church I grew up in. So all my life all I knew and had an experiences was experienced was with God like I knew God for myself. I am at the age of 12 I be, I gave my heart to the Lord at the age of 13, I was filled with the Holy Spirit. So all I knew was God. But as you age, you got to now not just know God, but have a relationship with God. So as an adult, I began to grow into who I am in God. And my MO, the moment when I really have to surrender to God came like in 2018. But I had my first miscarriage. And I never knew about having a miscarriage because my mom never had it. My sister, no one in my family had that. So I didn't understand why would God take my babies, and the second miscarriage was again in March of 2019. And at that time, I'm like, Oh, my God, what is going on? Lord? Why are Why are my babies being taken from me? Why is my body failing me, and I begin to cry out to God. Then the third baby, you know, I had was Caleb, that same year, and I waited till about 13 weeks to go to the doctor and kind of get my I got my checkup, eight weeks, and everything looks okay, when it can at 13 weeks and come to find out my son had as a 70, which mean his skull was informed. And I'm like, God, you don't make imperfection, you are perfect God, why is this happening to my son. And that moment, you know, was when I really began to see God the more and had to build a secure relationship, because my faith was tested. And I had to lean not on not on my own understanding, but the understanding of God because He knows all and he knows how to give you stuff, but he can also take away. So I knew that that was my moment, when I had to pull my strength together and say, Lord, my hands, my life is in your hands. So that was my moment where I had to fully surrender all to God, in those time periods of my life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. And I'm sure there's some ladies out there that can totally relate to you. And in when these things happen in our life, I mean, there's so many different situations, but it is it sad. And then you wonder even how are you going to go forward and live, you know, let alone live with purpose? You feel like, you know, you felt I'm sure, like motherhood was taken away from you. How do I live? What what do I do with my life? And what we're going to talk about is living on purpose. God is our source. He is our comfort. He is the one who helps sustain us. He is the one who gives us a purpose and a plan for our life. He is what we're going to talk about today is our destiny helper. He's the ultimate destiny helper. Right? And that's the Bible talks about that in Deuteronomy 3326, as he is our helper. So can you talk about a destiny helper and how you cried out to God in a time when you needed him? And you started to look toward Him as your destiny helper, but also realized that there are other Destiny helpers? Can you talk about what a destiny helper is,
Mellisa Lambert
I love the word Destiny helper. And I always use that to the point where when I wake up in the morning, I will say a statement to God, I will say Lord, I call my destiny helpers forth from the east, west, north and south of this land. Let my destiny helpers find me. Because God allow our angel, his angel to account around us. He says, I will give my angel charge over you. So that's what His Word says. His Word also says that goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. So why wouldn't Destiny helpers his own creation God, a man and a woman? Why can they be our helpmates on this earth? So Destiny helpers are people that are coming to that God will use to come into your life to help you forward into your destiny. So God sent down in different areas. There are five different ones I call forth. And I will go into details with the five Destiny helpers, but those are charging Angel that's on this earth, like you and I, that God will send in our lives like a Candice Candice. Candice was one of my destiny helper because of Candice, I met Kimberly and that's how we have connected so our destiny helper is around us each and every day.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that. I love that middle Lisa and until I met you, I never heard of that term Destiny helper. But wow, as I started to talk to you further and deeper, I thought, wow, God, you do you provide Destiny helpers in so many areas and especially think about it, ladies, when we're going through some tough and difficult times, think about all the ways that God is as our provider is there to help us. So I had asked Melissa, if she can go through some detail of Destiny helpers, and what we can look around about at us, when we go through some of these storms in our life. We don't want to go through those alone. We want to find our purpose, and we're struggling, and we're hurting, and the enemy wants nothing more than to stop us dead in our tracks, right? But no God, God gives us helpers along the way that are going to provide different things. So let's talk about those Malisa what are some of the Destiny helpers?
Mellisa Lambert
So as we begin our journey to live on purpose, you know, just like Kimberly says, let's ask God, send me my destiny helpers, so they can help me live on purpose. So the first Destiny helper you want to call for is an introducer. So your destiny helper first is an introducer. Someone like a Candace, who introduced me to Kimberly, that brought me on this show, you always need somebody to introduce you to somebody that's going to help you open up doors into your destiny. The second Destiny helper is a lifter, he always needs somebody to lift you up to get you to that place where when you are strong, and God will find somebody to come into your life, to be that lifter to lift you up, because you're going to need the strength to get through your destiny each and every day. And the third, Destiny helpless is a provider, just like God is our source. God is our provider, but God will send people along your path, your path, to be a financial provider, of physical provider, a emotional provider, a spiritual provider, you just need somebody that's going to help provide the provision, you need to walk into your destiny. And the fourth, Destiny helpless is an interpreter of dreams. Sometimes you have dreams, you have ideas, you have business, but you don't know how to put it together. You're gonna need a Kimberli in your life, you're going to need a canvas in your life, to kind of say, tell me what you have in your hands. And let me interpret that for you. So you can live on purpose. And the last and the fifth Destiny helper is an encourager. You always need someone to say, I'm going to encourage you, I'm going to say that God is your source and he's your strength. You shall lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your health, because your health coming from the Lord seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things will be added on to you that encourage a will tell you the word of truth that encourage will say Go girl, you got this, get up off your feet, you can do this. They're gonna say you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. So all these five, Destiny helpers are necessary, your introducer your lifter, your provider, your interpreter of dream, and yes, your destiny helpful, who will encourage you into your destiny. So those are the five Destiny helpers that we all need to live on purpose.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that, Mellisa, I'm never gonna look at this the same destiny helpers because God is our ultimate destiny helper. He ultimately will say, okay, to whisper in one of our ears go and help this person, I need you to be my hands and feet. And he provides all these helpers in these different areas. And I'm sure ladies as you're thinking about different trials in your life, different ways that people have showed up, and God has used them significantly to help you. You know what, pray for those people. When you are asking God in your prayer life when tragedy hits, it stinks to go through it alone, and get asked God to help and in means of provision for you in the ways that you need it and he knows exactly what that is. He knows what ways you need to be provided for. But maybe you've not sought him out. You're on your own. And that's important because God says that, and you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. He says that in his word, that's Jeremiah 2913. So ladies, we encourage you seek God out with all your heart, and he says that you will find Him and He will provide you everything you need to exist to live on purpose, with purpose. So, Melissa, talk to us too, about living on purpose. And what? What does that mean to you? And why? Why did you hold on to that as your tagline?
Mellisa Lambert
Wow, I've always feel that we are destined for greatness. But sometimes we don't realize that because all we do is work. And we actually some, you know, it's okay, because we got to pay the bills. We got to work, what in the process of working, don't forget, you have a God given purpose. And God reminded me that years ago, I would say, actually, it started for me when it began to form after my left mind in 2019, when I lost my son, I remember 2020. In March, God says, daughter arise, it's your time. And I said, God, why? I don't want to get up, that he said, daughter, arise. It's your time when he said that to me. He was telling me, You're just floating. You're just working, but should not live in and serving me on purpose. So each and every one of us were planted on this earth for such a time as this, we're on this earth to serve God were planted as his angel as his hands, as his feet as his eyes for us to serve on purpose. So we got to awaken our spirit man, and ask God, God, why do you have me on this earth? And, and once you begin to Acts, he will begin to open your eyes, so you can see what he needs of you. So you can begin the journey of walking out your God given purpose. So I had to ask him, I had to seek Him. And when I asked, and I see God, Kimberly, I was able to find what he wants me to do. And in that moment, it was define that, Melissa, don't sit here and work your purpose away. live out your God given purpose.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, sister, amen. And you know, ladies, again, you can be one of those Destiny helpers, God will use you if you are willing. And just like he's using Mellisa, she never probably never thought of walking out her dreams with passion. And the God of the universe giving his stamp of approval. He is using her as a destiny helper. It's so beautiful. So now you started this. I think it's a business. Right? Melissa, what you do and tell us a little bit about that, because that's so exciting.
Mellisa Lambert
Woman emerged network, oh, my goodness, God had, this is his baby. I'm just he's the captain. And I'm just his, um, his hands and feet. And he told me to bring forth women from all walks of life, to take their rightful place in business, and emerge. Because each and every one of us have something great inside of us that the world needs. And in the process, he says, As you emerge with woman eMERGE network, you're going to create categories, you're going to embody a woman from every walks of life, that are coming together, to support each other, to educate each other, to give to each other, to equip each other, and allow the light of Christ to shine through each and every one of them. So women eMERGE network comes together to help each and every one of us to take our rightful place, and emerge and do what God has called us to do, and serve and help each and every one in our cities in our states, and all around the world.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, sister, amen. And there's that woman that is listening right now. Mellisa and she needs to emerge from where she is right and ladies, you know who you are and you're just sitting there, and you're stifled in your own your own little shell of a world. But God wants so much more. He has created you with the beautiful purpose, the most precious purpose. So how do you get from where you are right now in that shell to emerge out? So, Melissa, speak into that woman right now with all the encouragement you have, and then pray over her police right now where she is,
Mellisa Lambert
Wow. First, I want to say to you, where are you stuck where you are, and take a deep breath. And know that the break that you're taking gives you an understanding that you are above the earth and not beneath. And because you are still above the earth, you have purpose. There's greatness in you, and it's time for you to arise. It's time for you to emerge. And it's time for you to take your rightful place. Just like the general the to the guys that was in the Bible that God gave talent that he gave the example of the talents. You have some talents in your hands, X God. I said, God, I have some stuff in my hands and I don't know how to use it. accent to show you first your talents. What does he have in your hands? And secondly, ask God, Lord, send me my destiny helper. I call them forth from the east, west, north and south of this land. Let all my destiny helpers, let my introducer let my lifter let my provider let my interpreter of dreams. Let my encourager Destiny help refine me. So I can No my god given purpose. And when you do that, when you have X God, open your heart, open your mind, and open your will to do and fulfill the purpose that God has for you. So I'm going to pray over you that whatever spirit that is blocking your ear gates, your eye gate and your mouth gate, it shall be opened unto you now and that God will you allow the Holy Spirit to get to be your guide to be your comforter to be your your teacher on this journey and living on purpose. So Lord, we thank you, thank you for our listeners lower, we thank you that they are willing to know why they are here. We think that you have taken off the the blindfold off their eyes, you have unblocked their ears, you are your unblock their mouth so they can hear you God. They can see you and they can speak about you. I pray that you will stir up the gift in them right now. Allow them to see you the more and hear you the more and be hungry, to go forth and do your will and begin to serve on purpose. I pray God that you will reveal their destiny revealed their purpose and let them begin to serve on purpose. Thank you for their destiny helpers, which I call forth from the east, west, north and south of this land. Let their destiny helpers find them. And as they find them, they will be open to receive them well. I pray that you will always make provision for them to go forth, to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to allow their business their dreams, their ideas, to also be fulfilled by you. Be thou glorified God, now and forevermore, let your will be done this day, be in their lives today. Each and every listener they will be a walk in today. And that will be emerge, they will emerge God to take their rightful place. Thank you, Lord for waking them up right now. And let them be calm. World leaders, world changers, and God movers on this earth. Thank you, Jesus, for what you're doing right now. In this season. now and forevermore, we will never fail to give you the glory, the honor and the praise. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
In Jesus name, amen. Awesome, beautiful prayer. Thank you Melisa, thank you. Thank you, ladies, the verse the scripture verse, that is women world leaders verse Ephesians, 320 I speak that over you, in the name of Jesus now unto him who's able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or imagine, according to the power that's at work within you, you And ladies, as you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and surrender your life to Him, He gives you that power through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within you to do great and mighty things to live your life with purpose, like we were talking about. And again, Melissa, that prayer was so beautiful as you prayed it over these ladies, thank you so much. So how can they reach out to you if they want to get in touch with you? Mellisa or maybe even purchase some of your books? How would they find you?
Mellisa Lambert
Wow, you can find me on social media at Mellissa m e l l i s a Lambert, as Mellisa Lambert L A M B E R T on Facebook and Instagram. You can also email me at info at woman emerge network.com That's info and woman emerge. network.com you can also even go to coach Mellissa that's coach M E L L I S A.com To just book a time just to have a conversation. So I thank you so much, Kimberly, for allowing me to be able to serve you today. And every woman has listened to him. Every woman we're a leader that's less than on purpose. So thank you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Well, we are sisters Mellisa. And we're all serving God together, at least I hope we're all serving God together. And we're living with purpose living on purpose. And ladies, we at women, we're leaders have tools for you. So we just want to share some of those tools. We have books that you can get on our, on our website, women world leaders.com that are available to you where you will hear so many different stories of different women overcoming different things and challenges that you may be able to identify. So we encourage you to check out some of those books, all of our books have gone to number one best seller. And we are so grateful that God is soaring those books into the world. You can also find them on Amazon as well to ladies, we have the podcasts available to you each Monday, Wednesday and Friday through women world leaders podcast. So please check out all of our podcasts, teaching podcasts and powering podcasts or interviews. They're all on there for you to enjoy. Ladies, we also have voice of truth magazine, which you can go to our website, you can read all of the past editions, as well as every edition that comes out. And those are available to you for free digitally, through the website. Or if you would like to get your hardcopy, which would come in the mail, we are now offering that if you become a monthly donor to the Ministry of any amount, we will send you every edition that comes out in the mail, a voice of truth and these are amazing, beautiful, beautiful coffee table quality magazines, 100 pages of full color, they're gorgeous. And ladies, if you give a one time gift to the ministry, as we are exploding, we need to get this gospel message into the world. And you can be a destiny helper by helping us and giving a one time donation and we will send you the current edition of voice of Truth magazine. And we so appreciate all of those who give, because otherwise this ministry wouldn't be possible. So we're a team ladies, we do this together, right? And we want you to be part of this team. We want you to be a destiny helper in whatever way God is calling you. So again, I thank my sister, my Lisa, for being on with us today and sharing. Ladies, thank you for your time today. And we're always blessed to connect with you. And if you want to reach out to us in any other way, we invite you to do so at info at women world leaders.com. We also are inviting you to our once a month leadership connection group that is meeting on Zoom women from all over the world. And we are opening it up for the first time this month. It's always the third Monday of every month. We've been doing this for two years with just our leaders. But now God has placed it on our heart to go ahead and open this up to all of our sisters who desire connection and desire to learn what it means to be a leader where ever they are in this world. So you may want to think about that. And we will have a link that you can click on where we need your name and address and email address and we will send you the Zoom invitation. So you can join us every third Monday of each month. Always is the third Monday at 7pm. Eastern Time, we would love to have you ladies, we need to close. God bless you have a beautiful day. Remember all comp content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Have a beautiful day. God bless you
Today, Rusanne Carole looks at how women can overcome adversities and challenges we may face in today's world and to look forward and not back, for God has a good plan for all of us! We must adorn the armour of God and trust His plan.
Welcome to God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carol. Born in Louisiana and now living in Australia. I'm a single mom of four boys and I'm currently working as a school chaplain at a local public Primary School. I want to thank the leadership team at women, world leaders, for giving me this opportunity and platform to share about the love and grace of our Lord. I hope you enjoy the podcast and are encouraged. Thank you so much for joining us today as we look at how women overcome the many adversities and challenges we may face in this world that we live in. We persevere and battle on. By putting on the full armor of God, becoming spirit, lead, and spirit field women of God, I get the opportunity to talk and walk through life with lots of women and young girls. And what God placed on my heart to share with you today is what many of us may feel inside. But often we don't want to share with others.
As Christian women, we might even be tempted to give the impression that all is well when it's really not. We wear a mask that gives the impression that we've got it all together. Or we might be feeling ashamed about some of our mistakes or bad decisions. We may even occasionally fall into a pit of comparing ourselves to others. This really steals our joy and prevents us from receiving all God has for us. I don't know about you. But I can relate to sometimes feeling like really god, this is what you've got for me. This is it. This is my life. Will things ever get better? Will things ever change. We may feel or have even been taught we have to hold it together and make it appear. That all is well when on the inside. Inside. We may be screaming really god this is it. As little girls we dream and we're supposed to dream. But what about when our dreams don't come true? What about if our marriage didn't work out like we wanted, our kids might be struggling in a wayward lifestyle. Sometimes it may even be family members or people we really love who haven't met and then the Lord yet. And this puts a real burden on our heart. It may even be watching people we love and care for and extreme pain. Whether that be mentally, emotionally or physically. We might experience the unexpected loss of someone we love deeply. Or it could be watching someone you love walk through a long and excruciating illness. And you may have been thrusted into a caring role for someone. These last couple of years, the entire world has shown that things can change in an instant, what is constant? And where can we put our trust.
I'd like to encourage you that no matter what is happening around us, there is a God who loves you, no matter what is happening around us, even if it feels like the whole world itself. And our personal world is falling apart. God is there. He's watching. He's listening. And he's guiding us through it all. Often we want the outcomes, the good outcomes without the conditions needed to manifest the outcome. Because God has a good outcome always. Jeremiah 29, verses 10 and 11. In the message translation translation puts it like this. This is God's word on the subject. I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out. plans to take care of you not to abandon you plans to give you the future you hope for
sister I want to encourage you today that no matter what you've been through or going through, maybe even at the time you are listening to my words. God is a God of hope, and he has a good plan. Our job is to develop an intimate relationship with Him and trust his plan. How do we do this? We spend time with him. Getting to know him really know Him through prayer, quiet time, reading His word, and praising and worshiping Him even in the suffering
In preparing for today's message, I was reminded of a woman in the Bible, Lot's wife, we aren't given her name. Sometimes I feel like I'm in such a heap of mess and challenges surrounding me. I feel like I don't even know my name or what day it is. But the story in Genesis 19 tells us as she and her family were being rescued by God from the burning city of Sodom. she disobeyed and looked back, turning into a pillar of salt. Regret, disappointment, guilt, over the past can keep us from looking ahead to a better future. God stands in front of us waiting for us to take his hand in surrender and trust. Oh, he has something wonderful waiting just for you. Even Jesus referenced her recorded in Luke 17, verse 32. He says, Remember Lot's wife. I think our Jesus might be saying, Look to Me, not behind you at things that may have happened. But look into my eyes and at me with me, we will take this journey together. We are told in Second Corinthians 517. If anyone is in Christ, she's a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun. We often want things instantaneously. But this dance in life is where God leads and we follow.
In John 16, verse 33, Jesus reminds us we will experience trouble and sorrows in this world, but be of good cheer and be courageous. Our Lord has conquered this world. If you haven't received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. I invite you to say this simple prayer inviting him into your heart. A new life will begin at this moment in time.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. A turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust you as my Lord and Savior.
If you said that prayer angels are rejoicing because the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are rejoicing to up pray that you will be surrounded by brothers and sisters that will disciple you and teach you the word in the ways of God. We're all on an adventure with many mountains and valleys to travel. But God is there every step of the way.
Be blessed till next time we chat. And feel free to email me at Australia at women world leaders.com. Thank you for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love in your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event. And please consider supporting the ministry from his heart to yours we are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent.
Jesus IS the light of the world! What does that mean for us today? Join Julie Jenkins as we study John 8:12-30 together.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host Julie Jenkins.
We have an exciting new offering for you at Women World Leaders! We would love to welcome all ladies, no matter where you live, to join us for our monthly leadership meetings on Zoom. We meet the third Monday of each month at 7pm ET. So, if you are listening to this soon after it is released, our next meeting is Monday, September 19th. You will have to do the math to figure out what time 7pm ET is in your time zone – or, if you’re like me, you’ll just Google it! We do recognize that some of you may have to stay up late or get up early, and we are sorry about that! All I can say is that in heaven, we will surely all be on the same time zone – that isn’t biblical at all – just my hope! At our Leadership meetings, our dear Kimberly Hobbs gives updates on what is going on in the ministry, and we receive a teaching geared toward Christian leaders in today’s world. You will also have the opportunity to meet other ladies from around the world who are involved in the ministry and see how you can connect. To get the Zoom link, register at womenworldleaders.com and we will email you the link. And then set your calendar alarm for the third Monday of every month at 7pm ET.
If you are new to the podcast, I want to welcome you – we do offer three different podcasts in one. This is our Wednesday edition, where we take a few minutes to open the Bible together, study the Scripture, and ask God to show us what He wants us to know today. We are currently walking through the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – as we look at Jesus’ life in a chronological fashion. Today’s teaching comes from John, chapter 8:12-30. I invite you to open your Bible if you are able, but if you driving, walking, or even doing dishes as you listen, we simply ask you to open your hearts.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father – we do open our hearts to you as we open your Word. God, I ask that you speak through me, I long for you to be pleased with this teaching, so I ask you to take control of my thoughts and my tongue. God, we also pray for each listener – no matter where she is or what she is going through. We trust that you will speak directly to her and that she will receive a revelation of your glory. Thank you in advance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
If you are a regular listener, you might have noticed that last week we veered off our path a bit. We returned to an earlier teaching where Jesus’ gave us the wonderful instruction that we are to be light and salt. That was done purposefully as this week we return to Jesus’ teaching in the temple courts after the Festival of the Tabernacles when He tells the people that HE is THE light of the world.
Let’s begin in John chapter 8, verse 12 from the New Living Translation.
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
As we look at this statement, let’s attempt to transport ourselves back in time. It may be difficult to imagine, in today’s world, a time without electricity. We have to think really hard to imagine total darkness. I don’t know about you, but in my bedroom with my blackout curtains which prevent the neighbor’s floodlight from lighting my room at night, we have multiple sources of light – even in the supposed dark of night. The clock from the bathroom light spills into my room and the blue light from the phone charger on my nightstand glows…not to mention the light from the kitchen that randomly appears under my door as my teenage son decides to raid the cupboard for a midnight snack. In today’s day, we are rarely in total darkness.
But back in Jesus’ day? The darkness was DARK. And remember, the people were at the temple just finishing up their celebration of the feast of tabernacles – remembering the Israelite’s trek through the desert! Now, THAT must have been DARK being in the middle of the desert at night.
But if you remember the story from the Old Testament, it wasn’t dark, because God lit the way by showing His presence in a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud during the day. We often think of these pillars as guiding the Israelites, when the pillar moved, the people moved. When it stopped moving, the people set up camp. But not only was the pillar a visual reminder of God’s presence and a practical GPS, but it also offered protection. Remember – they were in a desert, where, in the day, it would reach 140 or 150 degrees, and at night, it could fall below freezing. The Israelites NEEDED the cloud to shade them from the sun, and they NEEDED the fire to give them heat at night.
This would have been top of mind for those listening to Jesus’ words as they had JUST celebrated the Festival and had golden lamps burning brightly reminding them of God’s glorious presence among their ancestors – a presence that they themselves longed for.
So, Jesus announces – I AM the light – the One you have been waiting for. If you follow me, I will light your path and lead you to life.
Verse 13…
13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
Remember the mindset of the Pharisees – they had tried everything to get Jesus to be quiet and to get the people to stop listening to Him, but nothing had worked. So they stoop even lower, and begin to ridicule Him.
This kind of reminds me of a schoolyard fight, when the bully has nothing credible to attack with, and says something unintelligible, like, “I know you are, but what am I?” – that never made sense to me!
Anyway…Jesus responds…
… “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father[a] who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.[b] 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
Jesus and God the Father agreed. That makes a credible consensus.
As Christians, we should go to our Father with EVERY decision and step we take. We have such a limited view from our earthly bodies – but God can see it all. And He knows all. Not only should we go to Him with every decision, but we can trust His answer! Let’s think about the Israelites in the desert again for a minute. They trusted God’s visible presence in the cloud and the fire. When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stayed still, they stayed still. On the surface, we can think – wow…they were REALLY obedient…and they were. But the truth is…they HAD to follow God’s leading in ORDER to live. If they didn’t follow under the shade of the cloud, it wouldn’t be long before the scorching sun killed them. And if the pillar of fire got too far away, they would freeze to death in the desert nights. God WAS their key to them LIVING. And much the same way, JESUS is our key to life. By not following Him, we WILL die.
This time, the Pharisees responded with a dirty, nasty question…
19 “Where IS your father?” they asked.
This was a dig at Jesus. Nothing more and nothing less. They knew Jesus was the son of Joseph…at the very minimum, this question was reminding Jesus that his father, Joseph, was dead. At the worst, they were reminding Jesus that Joseph was NOT his father and Mary, Jesus’ mother, had gotten pregnant out of wedlock. Truly a disgusting dig if it had any merit, but in reality, it was quite a foolish question.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time[c] had not yet come.
God was STILL protecting Jesus…and Jesus kept teaching…verse 21…
21 Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”
22 The people[d] asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”
We can wonder here if the people were trying to understand, but when we look at their question, we uncover their pride. The Jewish people had a firm belief that those who committed suicide would go to hell. Today, we know that Jesus’ death and resurrection covers ALL our sins – and that when we give our lives to Christ, NOTHING can separate us from eternity in heaven. But the listeners that day were living under the law – they were trying REALLY HARD to get to God – by following every law and completing every sacrifice to a T. And apparently, they assumed that they were doing a pretty awesome job, because they thought that if they couldn’t go where Jesus was going, that must mean that He was going to commit suicide and go to hell, because SURELY, THEY were going to heaven.
Seriously – how is Jesus so patient with them? How is he so patient with us?? Verse 23…
23 Jesus continued, “YOU are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. 24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be,[e] you will die in your sins.”
25 “Who are you?” they demanded.
Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be.[f] 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” 27 But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he.[g] I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” 30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
Jesus IS the light of the world. He is God with us. He is our guide. And He is our ever-present protection. Beyond that, Jesus is the one who was lifted up, killed on a cross, descended to hell for three days as He paid for OUR sins, and rose again, overcoming death, once for all time.
We can trust Jesus – with our daily decisions. We can trust Jesus to lead us where we should go. We can trust Jesus to protect us. And when we give our lives to Him, when we believe in our hearts that He IS God and we profess that with our mouths, we can trust Him with our lives. Because He will lead us to our TRUE promised land – an eternity with God in the heavenly realms. Let’s confess together shall we?
Dear Jesus – we give our lives and ourselves to you right now! You are LORD and we are honored to serve you and follow you wherever you lead. We know that we are sinners, and without you and your saving grace, we are doomed to live in darkness for eternity, apart from you. Thank you for being our light in the dark, our protection, and most importantly, our Lord and Savior. Thank you for coming to earth to bring us home to you. We love you and we give you our hearts. And all God’s people said, Amen!
Have a beautiful day!
Today's guest, best-selling author, wife, mom, and Mompreneur Candice Daniel shares her story about "The Ripple Effect." We all need to believe God's good plans for our future. Ephesians1:9-10 The Ripple Effect includes YOU! * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hubbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy that you've decided to join in with us today. And I would love to welcome our guest today, Candice Daniel. Candice, welcome.
Candice Daniel
Hi, Kimberly, such an honor to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs
We are so happy to have you. And she is coming to us from Sanford, Florida up near Orlando Disneyland. So ladies, it is a treat when we have these wonderful women of God on this podcast. And Candice is one of our leaders and women are a leader. So this is really a treat for me to get to interview her and talk to her about the Lord. She is just precious to us at women, we're a leaders. Our hope today is that we can encourage you and strengthen and inspire you to walk with Jesus closer to talk with him have a daily relationship with Him. And God says that we are His masterpiece created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe that each of you are here because he has a purpose and a plan for you. And there is, again, I feel no coincidence that you are listening to this podcast today. And God is just going to pour into you some encouragement that you need. So as we get to share a little bit today, Candace, I want to share a little bit with our audience about you. So Candice is a wife and she's a mom of four. And she also has an angel baby. And she is mompreneur part owner of three successful companies and a district leader for her own financial services company. And she is educating others and on how to control their finances and equips them with tools that they need to be successful. Candice his passion is encouraging and inspiring women to use their God given talents to courageously walk out their purpose. Her heart's desire is to know Christ deeper and share His love with the world. Candace, you are amazing at that. God is still writing her story through the challenges and trials and she knows that with Christ, all things are possible. As I said, she's a leader within women, world leaders. We all love Candace so much. She's a best selling author and some of the books I'll share with you later. She's a volunteer in her church. She's a huge advocate for human trafficking. And she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and connecting with others. And today ladies, we are going to be talking about the ripple effect. And that leads me into a personal experience with Candice. I call Candace the connector. This woman of God is amazing how she brings people together. And she has brought so many fascinating women into this ministry with such amazing gifts and talents that possibly if you're involved in women, world leaders, you have seen some of the women that Candice has connected us with because they read right in voice of Truth magazine. They head up our prayer teams they are they are just powerful women for the Lord. They're working with the our next gen team. I mean, the connections you have made Candace are just just God divine connections. Thank you, honey. So when I began discussing with Candace about being a guest today, on the podcast interview, believe it or not, we weren't quite sure where God was gonna take us and what it was going to be about. But as we started talking together, God revealed it to both of us that we were going to title this the ripple effect. And I'd love it when God speaks and we get it right. So Jesus says, I am giving you a new commandment, love each other. Just as I have loved you. You should love each other. You love for one another. Your love for one another will provide to the world that you are my disciples. That's John 1334 to 35 One of the things here Canvas as we open up I love how you love on people you just see right inside to that heart. And in our conversations. You had said to me Can I read you something Kimberly that I wrote and I set up course you know, like, of course, Candace, I'm going to tell you no. So you started reading this to me. And I just knew I just knew right there that God says, This is what we're going to do this podcast about. So Candice, can you please read, Ready Yourself and about Pieces of the Heart?
Candice Daniel
Yes. So I'm going to read you straight from a journal that I journal in. And this was given to me by God, middle of the night, actually, as I was praying over being on the podcast. So this is straight from my journal. This morning, with ready yourself stuck in my head. I was spoken over several times this week, and I'm told that I'm a light, and I shine bright for others to see the love of Jesus Christ. Kimberly asked me to do a podcast yet again. And I truly know that it is something that God's calling me to do. I have no idea exactly what I'm going to share with the world. But I know that I need to ready myself to be the light for all to see. Those are the words that God has given me, I truly know that everyone has a story. And I feel that that story is actually God's love letter to us. And as sometimes we have the honor and privilege of having the opportunity to read our love letter while we're still here, and know what kind of impact it has on the world. And sometimes, it's not found until we're no longer seeking it or looking for it. Like a memoir that you come across in a loved one's personal things and belongings when they've passed on and gone to view with God. Love Letters are representations of that person's thoughts. They are a collection of their most treasured memories, their hopes, their dreams, their trials that were overcome with victory. There are tears that were shed in silence, trials that were overcome with victory. That their tears that were shed and silenced in their private most sacred conversations with their Heavenly Father, their innermost feelings, their the pieces of their hearts spelled out black and white. And when they are written and read, we begin to truly understand that individual and who they were, who they truly are, and begin to realize who's they are. I have the honor of being blessed enough to have others read their and share their love letters with me. This is such an incredible gift. There are no words to describe it. It's something I hold so very dear and sacred, it's something that I have maybe even taken a bit for granted through the years. I am so incredibly humbled, God has given me a gift of being that love letter reader, the acceptor deliver, if you will, or American Mail Carrier of love letters, I have a heart that opens up and is vulnerable enough to listen to be obedient enough to encourage to inspire them to share their love letter with the world. Every single person has the right to be loved. And to know that they are loved. They have the God given right to open and receive their own personal love letter from God to write their love letter, and to share it with the world.
Kimberly Hobbs
I just thought that was so beautiful. And when Candace was reading that, to me, just God spoke into my heart, you know just about every person's love letter, you know, and just, they're all just so amazing and so beautiful. And Candice has this gift when she meets somebody up just pulling out that love letter. And so I just find it interesting, Candace that you have brought so many women to this ministry because you reach into their life and you just kind of have that gift of pulling out of them. What is that love letter? You know, what is that beautiful, beautiful writing that they have that the world needs to hear about? Right? And just as you do that with others, somebody did that with you. And you came to women were leaders. Can you talk about that for a minute?
Candice Daniel
Yes. So I was introduced to you Kimberly, by my RVP Monica through primerica and she mentioned women were leaders to me when I accepted the opportunity for the business. And and she said you should really meet Kimberly says she mentioned women were leaders to me, but it wasn't until actually I went to a women's leadership conference over a weekend. And it wasn't until months later when I went to this conference that I actually God spoke to me at this conference. And I came back and I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to reach out to you Kimberly to find out just what women world leaders was and what it was all about in God really spoke to me and just wanted me to meet you. And so I had that phone call. I've reached out, I got that phone call with you. And I knew immediately when I talked to you and that conversation we cried. We laughed. Yes. We just shared in like an hour's time. And I also know, I remember you telling me, Wow, because I we've actually been praying for a leader to rise up in the Orlando area. So I know this is a, an answer to prayer. And I knew right away, it was an answer to prayer for me. So, honestly, for years, I had several people tell me that I was going to be a writer one day, and all these things. And it just all came together in that conversation that I knew that this was somewhere where I could really serve and use my gifts and talents in a way like I had never dreamed before. And so that definitely was something I could have never imagined would have taken place. But it's come around and come into full circle fruition.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. And I remember I remember that conversation when I first met you, and God has kept telling me pour life into her speak life into her, you know, give her that encouragement and empowerment. And that's what we do here at women were leaders with each other is just empower and encourage. And from that conversation, God just exploded inside of Canvas, because she had that a belief that yes, she could do it. And yes, she could use her God given gifts and talents here. And you went right to work. God allowed you to use those here and you started writing with us remember you, you just you've always wanted to be a writer. So God gave you these amazing abilities to do within this ministry. And you start you just went right to work and started doing it. You're like, Yes, Lord, here I am, son me. And he did. He just hand selected you. And so maybe now you can share a little bit about you being in women were leaders in the other lives that it is impacted, like your family, and some of the people that women were leaders has touched because of you being in this ministry.
Candice Daniel
Oh, yes, wow. I have been so humbled and blessed to be given the opportunity to be able to meet some of the most incredible, amazing women, with this ministry and in through this ministry and being in this, this arena, this platform, and using this ministry as a vessel to do that. There are so many love letters, if you will, testimonies and stories that I could share. But the one that really stands out the most for me, is about one of our leaders, or she's now one of our leaders, a long time ago, is a friend that I knew from a really long time ago, and I worked with her many, many years ago. And I remember when I stepped out in faith, and I wrote in courageous steps of faith. And she kind of reconnected with me on social media. And she saw when I posted about that book being launched, and she shared with me that she too, had always had a god dream, to write her testimony and her story. And because I was willing to step out with courageous steps of faith, and do just that and share my story and my testimony, it inspired and encouraged her to do the same. And so I had no idea that that friendship from that long ago. And the friendship that God created that long ago, would literally come back around full circle and allow the opportunity for her to do just that. And so now coming around full circle, she's now a part of the ministry. She's one of our leaders, she's helping us with the next gen project that we're working on. And she's so fired up and excited about that. And honestly, that's just been just such a blessing to my heart, such a gift. So humbled by that to be able to see that and even now her daughter is now stepping up and stepping into her God given purposes and using her gifts and talents and sharing her testimony with the world. And so it's just been an incredible gift. And that just is one of the main the the big ones that I'm thinking of, on my personal note, my children, what this has done for my children. And what they've seen through this ministry is huge. My nine year old is now an aspiring author. He is aspiring to be an author because mommy stepped out and wrote for the very first time ever, my footsteps, my 13 year old wants to be a praise and worship leader and travel the world and share the love of Christ through music, and all of these things because they've watched them done this ministry. So just a few just a few things that I needed to share with you and how much this has grown their faith and their testimony again, that ripple effect and how it's happening through my family through the families of others and next generations to come.
Kimberly Hobbs
Prais God, I love it. I love it. I love it. So Candace, let's go back now you were Believe it or not, you were an introverted child. And none of us and women world leaders would have ever guessed that. But, but you were. And we all need to believe that God has plans for our future because the Bible tells us that so even as you were this introverted child, God says, show me the right path. Oh, Lord, point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me all day long. I put my hope in you that Psalm 25, four to five. So Candace, God began leading you and you journaled as a kid. And now the ripple effect through that journaling. God was doing something in your writing in between you and him in those moments with him. Ladies, listening, journaling is so incredible. It is so important. And Candace is going to show up our share about the ripple effect right now and how it kept you hanging on. So can you share a little bit about that?
Candice Daniel
Absolutely. So I as a child, I know you would never believe it, I was very introverted, I actually had a lot of difficulties with socially, because I, I actually went through a lot of trauma as a child, and had a lot of turmoil and just miscommunication and relational type things in my household that I lit that I lived with on a daily basis. And so I had a best friend who lived across the street from me and the neighborhood we lived in, there was this beautiful lake, in the middle of our neighborhood. And I remember, I would journal that was my quiet time with God. And I truly felt like that is what grounded me and became my anchor for my fate was when I was able to sit alone and just be with God in the moment and just listen to him and what he had for me and his heart for me. So I would walk across the street, and sometimes they were home. Sometimes they weren't. But I would walk out to the end of the dock, and I would put my feet in the water. And that was just my quiet time. It's just me and God. And I would cry out to Him, you just cry out to Him. And I remember, the tears would fall down. And I remember specifically one day I was looking down, I was in deep thought and just sharing things with God from my heart. And he's speaking back to me through the tears falling down, every single one of them would make a ripple effect. You know, when you drop water? Yes, when you drop water, it makes a ripple effect. And I just knew in that moment that every single one of my tears had a purpose. There was a purpose behind the pain, there was a purpose behind what I was feeling. Because God was telling me through what he was speaking to me in those moments that I have you and there's a purpose for what you're going through. And so as the ripple effects just grew, it was a confirmation and affirmation to me, it became it became my love letters to me from God. His his love letters to me. And I was speaking out my love letters to him through journaling and through those quiet times. And so as the ripples would form, I just gotten to deep thought of there is purpose. There's purpose there. All of this hurt all of these things I'm going through, I've just always have this unshakable faith. And I also want to share, I went through a family of divorce, and I actually took myself to church. And so that has been probably one of the biggest things in my life, just knowing that God has always been seeking after me. He's always had, he's always been right there. And he's always been seeking after and looking after me and coming after me. And so those ripples, and that so then a few a month ago, a good dear friend of mine, I was having coffee with her. And she again calls me Kansas, the connector. I think everybody's kind of labeled me that name. Yes, I knew that was a gift and talent. And so being and women, world leaders and all of the confirmations and affirmations that I've had with that, that name that, that calling of that name, and she said, Candace, I want to I want to show you something, and she pulled out a napkin as she began to draw out this diagram and she said, Candace, this is how I see your spiritual walk. This is how I see your life. You are Candice the connector and she put my name in the middle of the napkin. And from the middle of the of my name, she started drawing these ripples these connections out from my name and she said Candice the connector. It actually says Candice, the connector. it like ripples in the water. Let go and let God Wow. And she had no idea. The story behind that. And I had no idea that all the things in that specific moment in my life as a young girl, how that would come around full circle, and that somebody would confirm and affirm in me exactly what God was telling me back then. That's right. And it's I'm taking this with me wherever I go, ever since she drew it out. This napkin is right here. It goes with me to all of my appointments. And every time I meet someone, I shared a story with them. Because it's powerful. And it's so meaningful. And it's so meaningful to me. And she didn't even know that but God knew. God knew how he would speak to me once again, years later, as an adult, and how that all comes around full circle. So it's got the date on it exactly where we were the diagram and you can't see it on this podcast, but it literally is here is here. Wow. Yes. And so I just that kind of brought everything together as to even what this podcast would be called the ripple effect.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And ladies that are listening. Don't you doubt for a second, that God has a plan for you, your life. And what has happened within that life can have a ripple effect to others, if you would just step out in faith, and share, share what God's doing in your life, encourage others. It's not all about us and our stories. But those stories are there for a purpose and a plan. Like Candace said, that there are ripple effects happening by God's power, and he's going to reach others by His power. And using you just like Candice, she just became this amazing connector. And God was able to use her to reach others, to bring them in to use the talents that He's poured out on them to do mighty things in the world. And he's going to use you to be that connector, that ripple effect. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan. He says this in his word. Listen to the Scripture, ladies, God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. God wants to use you ladies to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan. At the right time, he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, everything in Heaven and Earth Ephesians, one nine to 10. In Kansas honey, you should be just smiling from ear to ear and glowing because all of those tears that dropped in that lake and you saw the rippling going out and out and out. They were for a purpose, honey, and God is now used your life to pour hope and joy, and you can do it into others which you aren't doing. That's exactly what we do here. At women, we're leaders and ladies, this includes you to that ripple effect of those he loves allows others to reach out with encouragement and hope, right? Are you one of those people that God can use? We believe you are, we believe you are, he has given you a place here to serve. Ladies, please reach out to us at women, world leaders, we want you to be part of it. In fact, we are now I am so excited about this. Every third Monday in women, world leaders ladies, something powerful is happening. We have a leadership meeting, you want to learn how to be a leader, where you are, wherever you are in the world. We're inviting you to connect in with us at women world leaders and be part of this team of women that are going out into the world wherever they are. So you can join us I'm gonna put a link on and then we just need your email and we'll send you the Zoom link. Because we all are coming together the third Monday of every month at 7pm Eastern time. So wherever you are in the world at that time 7pm Eastern time you can join in. If you just let us know what your email is and that you want to be part of it. We'll send you a link and invite you in and you can join us now and let us grow this community of women who we are raising up leaders ladies and you can be one of them. So Candace as we close out here, and we are just so grateful again, for what you do within this ministry, how you give your gifts and talents for the Lord Jesus Christ here is just beautiful, beautiful. Can you give our listener that one inspirational word that will just inspire her where she is?
Candice Daniel
Wow, the biggest thing that comes to mind is there's purpose in your pain. So every single tear that you have ever shed, God sees them. He sees them, he collects them, he knows them. Yes, he knows you. And he has a purpose for every single pain that you have ever been through every single trauma, every single thing that you've ever been through in your life. Don't ever doubt that. And really just hold on to that truth. And I just encourage you to take all of that, and use it to make weights, make waves in the world, make those ripples, create those ripple effects, and reach out and touch the hearts of people because that's what God called us to do cause to love others, love others. And his love letter to you is through your testimony and how your testimony is going to absolutely reach others, and inspire them to listen to their love letters that God has for them. Not only listen to their love letters that God has for them, but to share their love letters with the rest of the world.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And ladies, as I was saying earlier, we believe in you we we know that God has a plan and you're listening right now and to sitting on the edge of your seat knowing that God, you can use me. Yes, he can ladies. And just as he brought Candace forward and she again that she just had to have that life breathed into her that yes, she can. And she became part of, as I said, the books that we do through women, we're a leaders that are amazing tools. And ladies, they are available to you on our website. And to the ones that have gone to best seller with Candice in it was courageous steps of faith and embrace the journey your path to spiritual growth. And ladies, right now, we still have some openings for the books that we're going to be doing in 2023 are pretty filled for our books that are going to be finalized for this year. But we have openings now that you can share your story here. We want to hear your story The world needs to hear your story. So come on and just come on board with us and reach out to us at women world leaders.com. All through our website. There are ways you can reach out to us. And just tell us you want to be part and maybe you have a story. And you can be a chapter in one of these books coming up. We need to hear from you. God wants to use you believe that and we will help you through it. You don't have to be a seasoned writer. You can become a bustling writer just by walking this journey with us. And we'll hold your hand through it all. It is amazing what God does when you surrender and give him your Yes. So Candace, thank you for that word. Honey, thank you so much for being our guest today. Ladies, we are so excited again, just what's going on and women world leaders and we want to invite you to be a part of it. We also have our voice of truth magazines that ladies, we have all of our editions all the way back to 2021. When we first came out, they are available to you digitally online for free. And you can read those. Also the new ones coming out ladies, if you choose to be a monthly donor to this ministry, we have a growing ministry there are needs in the ministry. If you believe and can support this ministry by being a monthly donor, we will send you the printed copies every addition to you in your mailbox. They are amazing. They become amazing tools to minister to hurting and broken women to. So please think about that. Please become a donor to women, world leaders and reach out to us. And even if you send in a one time gift, we will send you a copy of the current voice of truth. So we are so grateful to you and for you listening to our podcasts. We have them every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And we invite you to listen in and join in with have us for the new ones that are coming up as well. Lots going on in this ministry. And we need you to jump in and say Yes, Lord, here I am. Send me and be part of this ministry as we are going out into the world for Jesus Christ. So ladies, all content is copyrighted by women were leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. We thank you for joining us today. Once again, thank you, Candice Daniel for being here and being part of this amazing one ministry. Amen. God bless you all have a beautiful and blessed day. Bye ladies.
Rachel Dube is a busy mom of five, an author, editor, and Christ-follower. Be blessed today as we listen to a reading of one of Rachel's poems from Voice of Truth, "These Broken Bones Will Rejoice."
Become a monthly donor at www.womenworldleaders.com to receive a copy of Voice of Truth as our thank you!
These Broken Bones Will Rejoice
by Rachel Dube
Crushed.
Dreams are crushed.
Paint the sky black and turn the flowers to dust.
I don’t want to see the sky glimmer in gold at sunset.
I don’t want even familiar faces, much less those I haven’t met.
The laughter of my heart that sang and danced
Like the grass of the field when the wind sweeps by
Is quiet, except when I have to fake it.
And as soon as I’m alone, all I can do is cry.
Make me the wind
Without feeling or home or connections.
Set me free in the world to run in all directions.
I was once a fresh apple,
But I rolled out into the sun.
Days ago, I was lively, luscious red,
Shouting, “Life is delicious!”
But now I am dead.
And because I am withered and my color is gone,
I don’t want color in any part of the world.
I want every hum to be my sad song.
I have my black and white piles of paint
And I mix them together furiously.
I paint scores of life’s most beautiful things,
But they all turn out as gray monotony.
But somehow amidst the darkness,
Just when I’ve decided to lay down and let life beat me,
Bright colors, full life and deep love,
Though seemingly distant, still pursue and entreat me.
Because Jesus himself, God who became man
Died on a cross on the darkest of days,
So that when I say I can’t wake up
He tells me I can.
He reminds me that He didn’t die
And come up from the dead
For me, who has His power as my strength,
To be a withered, hardened heart who won’t get out of bed.
He tells me that when there isn’t a note
Of music anywhere around,
To listen to His promises, a symphony of hope,
Sweeter than any sound.
I feel Him in my heart
Breaking down its walls,
Building windows and doors,
Letting light pour into its halls.
My creator, who knows me,
Knows every detail of my days.
He holds me in His hand
And tells me to trust His ways.
I am a jar of clay
On His spinning wheel.
I sometimes ask Him to stop the molding,
But He refuses to make that kind of deal.
He tells me I am a special jar
Made for a purpose very specific.
He says that the things He’s working in me
Are not projects that are quick.
They often require the clay to be crushed.
I tell Him, “That one sounds familiar.”
He says He wants me to look like His perfect Son,
And I am nowhere near there.
So here I am in this world
Of dark grays and tears and pain,
With light pouring in me from my Savior
Whose life and love are the hope for mine
Because He has no shadow due to change.
His promises are for my soul: water, bread and blood.
His life in me gives life color
And an ark above this flood.
Lord, teach me in this very moment
To lean on Your grace and trust in Your love.
Transform my hours of worry and tears
To hours and days of time well spent.
I need You to hold me together
Because I can’t stop falling apart.
Show me that You can walk on water
And calm the storms raging in my heart.
Put new life in me
With every new day’s sunrise.
Whether it peers through my blinds in the morning,
Or hides behind cloudy skies.
Satisfy me.
Fill me up to the brim.
So that every small joy
Makes my cup spill over.
And whether blessing or trial,
These broken bones will rejoice in Him.
As we continue on our journey with Jesus, we are reminded of our calling to be salt and light. Let’s discover what that means together as we study Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:49-50, 4:21; and Luke 14:34-35, 8:16.
Welcome to Walking in the Word. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. Thank you for joining us as we walk through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Our goal for these few minutes together is that we would take our eyes off ourselves in the busyness of our own lives, agendas to do lists and responsibilities.
I know that here in South Florida, we are busy ramping up for the start of the school year. And with the start of school comes new schedules and time constraints, as well as other worldly pressures. I pray that as you take time out today to listen to God, that He will speak to your heart and guide you as only he can. If you need prayer support in this busy season, please reach out to us at women world leaders.com and post a prayer request on our prayer wall. We're here to hold you up.
Before we begin our study, let's pause for prayer.
Most Holy God, thank you, thank you for being our all in all our Abba Father, our provider, sustainer healer, and our salvation. God we come to you today from so many walks of life. And yet you intimately know where we each are in what we each need. God we rest in your presence. And thank you in advance for the care teaching and guidance that you will provide for us. God, I pray for any parent, student, teacher or school worker who is entering this new school year that you will cover her in your care and fill her with your strength and your wisdom that she may fulfill the role well, that you have called her to. We give you these next few minutes and we ask that you have your way with us and guide us into your truth. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
I'm going to read Matthew 5 verses 13 and 16. From the New Living Translation.
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it's lost its flavor. Can you make it salty again, it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden, hidden. No one likes a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We know that, from Matthew 5:2, that in this passage, Jesus was teaching the disciples, he had told them about the kingdom of heaven and the attributes and rewards God offers to his children as they walk in obedience to Him. Now Jesus gives the disciples two descriptions of who they are. And he tells us by extension who we are. And we know that what God says about us is true. Sometimes we think less of ourselves than God does. And it is in those moments that we have to listen especially hard to what God says. Because he knows us better than we know ourselves in what he says is true.
So in today's reading, God calls you the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. Let's take this apart.
First you are the salt of the earth. What do you suppose is the meaning behind this? While you're likely familiar with salt as a preservative, which would have been top of mind in a society void of refrigeration. Salt keeps food fresh and edible for a longer period of time than it would be without it. Salt accomplishes this feat by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, which in other words means salt allows food to remain as God made it to be and to be used As God created it to be used.
When God says that we are the salt of the earth, He is saying that we have a job to do to preserve the world as God intended it. When God created the world, everything was perfect, peaceful, joyful, and meaningful. But sin entered into the world and sin was like a bacteria that began to grow and was infectious.
God empowers us, his children, to stand against sin, and to inhibit sins growth, by our actions and reactions. By allowing God's power to operate in us, we are salt preserving life, the way God intended it to be. You are the salt of the earth, you have a responsibility to live life on behalf of God.
Salt in the Bible was also a symbol of covenant. This also has to do with its attribute as a preservative. A covenant was not to be broken, God will never break his covenant with His children. Once we give our lives to Him, we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and we belong to God forever. If you have given your life to Christ, you are the salt of the earth, carrying his covenant promises nothing and nobody can change that. Salt in biblical times was a symbol of friendship and loyalty.
Salt is salt no matter what you do to it, you put it in your food and your food tastes salty. You put it in water and allow the water to evaporate, the salt remains behind. Our God is loyal. And as Christians we are called to carry on that loyalty. You are the salt of the earth. Though the world will test you, you have the power within to remain loyal to the one who saved you. Salt is a necessary source of nourishment. It's an important element in a person's diet. And as such salt is highly valuable. In the Old Testament when God required sacrifices he required that the offering be seasoned with salt. It was necessary and it was valuable. You are the salt of the earth. You are necessary and you are valuable. And let's face it, salt makes food worth eating. Who doesn't love a little salty sweet action and their taste buds. In my opinion, nothing beats chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt on top. Salt brings out the true flavor of the food and makes eating a joy and a pleasure. You are the salt of the earth You were created to bring joy and pleasure to God himself. But Matthew records that Jesus continues what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again, it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Salt can lose its flavor the era Baker's at the time used salt blocks to line their ovens. After a time the high and prolonged heat of the oven caused the salt to crystallize and become useless. It had to be thrown out. Luke says in 1435 flavorless salt is good neither for the soil, nor for the manure pile, it is thrown away. The heat of the world is intense, more intense at times than that of a baker's oven. But as Jesus disciples, you and I are called to stay under God's protection and to keep our saltiness intact so that we can stand against the spread of sin. Live the life that God intended for us to live out our lives in covenant with him. claim our high value in a world filled with imposters and bring joy and pleasure to God. Don't let the heat of the world claim the saltiness that God has gifted you. Mark 949 through 50 gives this guidance for every one will be tested with fire. Can I get an amen on that one? Salt is good for seasoning, but if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again, you must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.
The next thing that Jesus tells His disciples is not only are they the salt of the earth, but in Matthew 514. You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Have you ever flown into a city at night seeing the pinpoints of light from high above is one of my favorite sights. At night, the Earth is blanketed in darkness. But the lights of a city are unmistakable. There weren't airplanes in Jesus day and the world didn't move quite as fast as it does today. A traveler who saw the lights of the city in the distance, would see safety and protection at the end of a long journey. Or at the very least lodging and food in other words, rest and sustenance. Jesus is indeed our lighthouse in a dark harbor. Our protection and safety are rest and sustenance. And we as his followers reflect God's light into this dark world. And we too, are a light for others who are searching in the dark. Jesus says You are the light of the world and he continues, No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. The light we shine is to lead others to God to show them the way to get to the kingdom of heaven. God wants us to welcome everyone we know to his city. We can shine the light of God by sharing the gospel message with others and by encouraging others to walk in there God given purposes. That is our goal at women, world leaders to shine our lights that you might shine yours. One of my main jobs that women were leaders is editing, I edit the voice of truth magazine and I edit the books put out by the by World publishing and productions. We are currently working on two books that will be released in just a couple of months. These books are compilations of stories of victories and spiritual growth that women have walked through in their lives, and how they have allowed Jesus even through their turmoil, to keep their lamps lit, that they might hold them high to shine for His glory. These women are truly the light of the world. Even though they have walked through abuse, abandonment, shame and temptation. Their lights are shining brightly. If you feel your light dimming, know that God is guiding you even need only to follow his light. And he will purposefully use everything that you are going through to strengthen you and give you the honor of bringing others to him. Mark says in for 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open and every secret will be brought to light. The Bible tells us that anything the devil meant for evil in your world, God can use for good. When we allow God to shine his light on us. He gives us the honor and privilege of shining that light to beckon others into the kingdom. Luke concludes his account of this teaching in Luke 818. So pay attention to how you hear to those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand, will be taken away from them. You were created to be salt and light. There is no doubt about that. But what you do with your salt and light is up to you. Jesus warns us to pay attention and not take his teaching lightly. The more we obediently walk in the wisdom that God guides us with, the more wisdom he will provide. Don't hold the Holy Spirit back in your life. unleash his presence by your our obedience and your light will shine brighter than you can possibly imagine. Let's pray.
Father, we thank you for making us who we are and forgiving us the experiences you have given us. God I thank you for the privilege of being salt in this sinful world and light in this dark world. God, I ask that you empower us by your presence and strength to shine so brightly on your behalf, that the whole world will see your work Laurie. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot the women world leaders.com To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Guest Cindy Arevalo is a survivor. She is an "Ally and Advocate" for other survivors in her community. She is an Author, Entrepreneur, Wife, and Mom. Cindy speaks of living in silence, breaking free from her thoughts, and what redemption means to her as she walks in a new life since she's been redeemed. WARNING: Graphic details when Cindy shares her story. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. And ladies, we are glad to have you today and also our guest, who is Cindy Arevalo. From California. Cindy, thank you so much for being with us today.
Cindy Arevalo
Thank you so much for having me on Kimberly. It's my honor. Thank you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Awesome. And today lady, we are going to talk about Cindy's story storey living in silence and a word she chose today that is special to her as redeemed. So we will be talking about that today. And it's our hope that through listening ladies that you will be inspired and encouraged to walk closer to Jesus when you hear some of these amazing life stories of how other women have overcome. It helps us to relate, to have compassion to spark ideas in our own life of how we can walk closer with our Lord and Savior. And so that again, the name of our podcast empowering lives with purpose. And God's word says they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, that's revelation 1211. And that really is a scripture that's awesome to even Cindy because she testifies of her story, God's story that he has given her and she's going to share that today, but I want to share a little bit about who she is. And before we get into this story,
Cindy Arevalo is an entrepreneur and works in financial services with her husband, she is also the author of living in silence where she shares her story of being a survivor.
She reveals the torment and abuse that she battled in secret at the hands of one of her teachers. Cindy found her voice and claimed her freedom, and now works serving as an ally and an advocate for other survivors in her community. And through her book and breaking the silence, she has created a larger network of support and hope for survivors of sexual assault across the globe. Cindy and Juan live in California with their children, and she loves answers Jesus now passionately. And today, she wanted to come on to empower you ladies with purpose and share what God is now doing in her life since she has found Jesus. Amen to that.
So Cindy, you chose the word redeemed today. And before we get into sharing about why that word is so important to you. Could you please share a little bit about your story about the tragedy of it? You were raped. And it caused you through the years to run away from God. So let's begin there.
Cindy Arevalo
Yes, so I actually was 14 at the time when I met my abuser. He was a former substitute teacher of mine. And how he started grooming me was because he saw an insight of pretty much who I was at the time and at the time, I was very naive, very insecure. I was just very shy. And I was looking in him what I was not getting at home. I don't know if that makes sense. So my parents worked long hours. My dad worked great night shifts. My mother cleaned houses for a living. She didn't drive had to commute on the bus or on the train. So she leaves the house about 5am come home at 7pm She was tired. My dad was working. And my sister who is much older than me was busy in her own life. So I pretty much felt alone in the house. And anytime I tried talking to any of them, it felt like too much for them because they were just so exhausted from work. And here comes this man. And he gives me attention, which is something I was not getting at home he gives me attention he tells me I'm pretty that I'm smart that I'm more mature for my age that my jewelry looks nice. He started complimenting me on jewelry, just simple things. And he made me feel special. So I at the time felt so far behind from
I'm the curveball when it came to boys. I liked boys, but I felt like they didn't like me. I had really bad acne on my forehead. My hair was super puffy, just unruly. It was going through its own phase, my teeth were crooked at the time. And I didn't feel beautiful. I was ashamed to show my arms because I thought they were funny looking, they were skinny. And how that ended up happening was because one time when I was 11, I was my first spaghetti structure. And they felt like I was like growing up wearing my first spaghetti strap and my, my dad saw me and one of my aunts, and they looked at me in horror and in disgust. And I felt ashamed. I felt like I did something bad. And the way that they looked at me, they even pretended to gag and they said, What are you wearing? You're not wearing any clothes, you're naked, you're disgusting, I felt that that I did something wrong. So since then, I used to wear even sweaters and the summer, anything was better I would I was more comfortable being sweaty, and hot during the summer then to show my arms and feel exposed. So he would compliment me on my arms, which is the opposite of what I was taught as a child. And I thought, well, you know, maybe he's right, my arms are pretty nice. So then I started wearing just my, my regular uniform shirt without a sweater over anymore. And he slowly started asking me more about who lives with me, who am I around? What are their work hours, like, and I thought, he really cares about me. But what I didn't know was that he was just figuring out my surroundings and my insights, to have more access to me. And he knew how insecure and shy I was, he knew that I had no experience with boys. He was aware that my parents were so busy that they were not around, let alone my sister. So he found it as the perfect opportunity to just take a hold over me. He started telling me that he liked me. And by like, I couldn't process like yet. I thought, okay, he likes me as a person. And then he meant no, romantically. So he's he started telling me that I was beautiful, that one day we were going to get married, and I was going to live with him on his boat. And he just painted this whole idea in my mind. And I believed it because I actually had a crush on him at the time, not knowing that it was unhealthy that it was not right, that it was a secret to begin with. Because he told me, you can't tell anybody about this. Because if you tell somebody, I'm gonna get in trouble. And so where are you? And you don't want that, do you? And I said, No, absolutely not. And let me just say you were little you were like 12 or 13. Right when this started, I was 14 when this started. Just very naive. My parents ever spoke to me about sex about boys, it was always a taboo subject and don't touch it. And if we don't touch it, it doesn't happen. It doesn't exist. And I wish my parents would have been a little more vocal, just so I would have been aware. And I would have avoided situations like that.
Kimberly Hobbs
Mm hmm. Wow. So how then did the start that was how he started to
zone in on you? And then it actually became where he physically raped you?
Cindy Arevalo
Yes. So he first started, of course, grooming me complimenting me. And then he led it to bone sex. So he started in steps, he started gaining my trust, building a friendship with me, telling me that I'm beautiful, telling me that he likes me romantically. And now he's teaching me he's educating me on what it is to have a boyfriend and what do boyfriend and girlfriends do and what do people and love do with each other? So he starts teaching me about phone sex first, and then he starts moving on from that. So prior to moving on from that one of the conversations that I had with him, I had just hung up the phone with him, but my sister picked up the other line before we hung up the phone. It was a two story apartment. And she heard him just say bye. That's all she heard. And she comes up to me and she goes, who was that? And I said, oh a friend. She said no, that that did not sound like the boy that sounded like a man who was that? I said, Oh, it was a friend. She goes no, that sounded like a man. And I said no, it was
friend, she didn't believe me. She went to my mother. She said, I don't know what she's up to. I don't know what she's doing. She's being gross and disgusting. She's talking to an older man, you need to discipline her, you need to talk to her. So my mom called me over, but instead of asking me, who are you talking to? Who is that? Why is it so wrong to be talking to an older man? She just, she just hit me in the face. She called me a slut. She said, I was wrong. I was disgusting. What was I up to? What was I doing? And that felt like she did enough to just discipline me. It was a subject that became untouched in the moment. And then my sister, dialed I believe was Star 69. Back then to call back the number. And he picked up thinking it was me. And she went off on the phone with him, she cussed him out. She told him that if he ever got near me again, if he ever contacted me again, if he ever was around me again, she would report him to the police. And she felt like that was that was enough. And she didn't explain to me why it was bad. Nobody explained to me why they were afraid in that moment, or why it seemed alarming. So she went off back to her room. My mom was watching a soap opera back like nothing happened. And I'm sitting there confused. of what's going on. Why is this bad? What did I do something bad? What's what's happening? I'm confused. So then my mother in the night, asked me who was that man? I said, He's the, he's a teacher. He got hired to teach Pe by then at a permanent capacity. And she goes, Oh, okay, a teacher. And what does he look like? And I said, Oh, he's white. He's tall. He's big. And she's like, Oh, okay, he's white. And does he drive a nice car? And like, I think so she's like, what is that? I said, I think it's a Land Rover. She goes, Oh, okay. Those are expensive cars. Then you said he's a teacher, right? I said, Yeah. She goes, so teachers make good money, right? And I said, I don't know. I mean, I'm 14. I don't know. And she goes, Okay. Well, I had a friend who actually married an older man when she was of age. And now they live happily ever after. So who knows? Maybe, maybe when you're older, and you're of age, you know, it might turn into something.
She's like, Oh, my goodness, he must be so afraid. You know, just give him a call. He's probably scared. Give them a call and let them know that, that it's okay.
So I'm thinking and my mom thinks there's nothing wrong. Okay, then it's fine. And nothing else came to my mind. So I called him. He's not answering the phone. I call him again, I leave on my voicemail saying My mom says it's okay to talk to you. And he doesn't believe me, but he does call me back. And he says, No, I can't talk to you anymore. Your sister threatened me and no, I'm not going to lose my my job over this. And I said, But my mom said it's okay. And you said what? I sent my mom said, It's okay for me to talk to you. And he said, I don't believe you. He's like, put her on the phone. I said she doesn't speak English. He said whatever he was, she knows that's basic enough for me to understand. I need to hear it from her. So I gave my mom the phone and I told her to just say whatever she could, letting him know that it was okay. And all she said was it's okay. That's all she said. And from there, that was the greenlight that was where he felt like he had more than a foot in through the door now. He felt my mom's aware mom's aware of who I am. What I do. I'm in school. I have a romantic interest in her daughter, and she's okay with it.
And from that moment, he started planning. So he planned the first attack.
After I came out of middle school, starting high school, I was in a summer break of two months. So he started the first attack there saying, I missed you so much, but we can be seen in public. Let's meet up in a hotel room, somewhere where you can walk because again, we can be seen in public. And I'm thinking we're gonna hang out, we're gonna watch movies. We're gonna order pizza, because he said he missed me. That's what I'm thinking. And it was the opposite of what I was found with in that moment. He pushed me against the wall. The room was dark. I was frightened. Everything was so new to me. He was like on this frenzy of just uncontrollable lust. He started undressing me he pushed me
swimming against the bed. He starts pulling my pants down my underwear and he starts giving me oral sex and I tense up, I close my legs, I clenched, and he's upset because he said, If only you were to enjoy this, you would understand how good it feels. And I was crying, I'm scared. I said, I don't feel comfortable. He said, You just need to relax. If you relax, it's going to feel good. So he switched tactics trying to relax me. He started fingering me. And it just, it hurts so much. And I was crying even more letting him know, it just hurts. And he was frustrated, he was angry. He felt like he was not getting what he imagined in that moment. So he tried penetrating me there in that moment, and I was crying because I hurt so much. And he was unsuccessful of penetrating me in that moment. And I cried, I couldn't believe what was happening. I was confused. I knew something wasn't right. I was afraid to tell him something doesn't feel right, because I did not want to upset him more.
And he said, Okay,
I'm not leaving here.
Like this. In other words, he's pretty much letting me know, I didn't come here to spend my time like this. So he says, I'm gonna teach you to give me a blow job.
So he teaches me how to give him a blowjob. And once he finishes, I'm confused, I'm disgusted. And he is mad. He looks upset, because he didn't get what he wanted to get at the end of the day. But it was enough. And he cannot just dispose of me. He's like, okay, you can go now, type of thing. And as I'm walking home, I'm confused somewhat, what just happened? Did I upset him? I'm not ever thinking he did something wrong. I think I'm in the wrong. I'm like, Did I do something to upset him? But if this is what people do, when they're in love, why do I feel this way? Why, why am I being this way? Why does it not feel natural? I have a lot of questions.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes. And that is why I believe that as you were sharing with me earlier, Cindy, that again, you started seeking, you started looking for things in all the wrong places because you didn't know what to do with this. And the cycle continued, right? Like you were just you were wandering and at this time, you didn't know Jesus, your family. I mean, it just was
all of all of what happened in that place and forming you and in it was just horrific. You got involved in anything that you could find to help you heal from this, which was, again, you were left to your own. And so can you talk about right now,
as we see all that happened, okay. And I don't want to take away from anything that you had experienced through that time. But
dealing with going to all these different things to satisfy the healing that didn't work. Let's fast forward years ahead. To you meet this man.
You meet another man. And let's talk about what happened there. Because that changed the direction of your life.
Cindy Arevalo
Yes, so actually, it was me and my husband, who met him. He's a good friend of ours now. And at the time, we it's the first time we meet him. He says, Hi, I'm and he says his name. And we introduce ourselves. He says, Hey, by any chance, have you accepted Christ in your life? And we said, No. And he said, Would you like to? I said, Sure. My husband also agreed. So in that moment, he prayed for us. And for so, so long, I ran away from Christ because I thought I was so unworthy. I thought I was so full of baggage and shame and guilt and anxiety and depression and suicide and so many, so many things, so much baggage, and I thought, Who am I to come to Christ as to ask him for help. When I've done all of this, who am I? I'm not worthy. And I thought I was going to face an angry Christ at me. And it was the opposite. And that moment when I accepted Christ, I started crying because I could not believe with what I was found with I was found in
that moment with His grace with his love.
Oh, just a beautiful, warm, letting me know, I'm here. I've been here, man. And in that moment, I couldn't believe it that somebody like him would want somebody as broken as me. But here he was letting me know that it was, it was not anything for him that it wasn't too heavy for him that it wasn't too dirty for him, that it wasn't too much of anything for him that he could redeem me that he could set me free.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And I'm sure that there are ladies out there listening that can relate to finding Jesus and feeling that moment of release that now Jesus is here, you don't ever have to be alone again. And just knowing that you have now met your Creator, personally, and that you are free from all of the shame and guilt that you are carrying through these years. Because that incident and what happened in the in between and ladies, you can read Cindy's book, Keeping the Silence and are living in silence, to find out that in between but
but now she has Jesus and your life was changing. Cindy, and you couldn't believe that God wanted someone like you, you said, you were forgiven. But you couldn't forgive your abuser. Even at this moment, even though you knew that you were forgiven. And you loved that, that moment in that time in your life with Jesus and you were learning. But you were still a judge. And you you told me about this and you wished you wished the best for this perpetrator as they sent him to prison, because you went through all of that too, and he did go to prison.
But you're like you wish him the best. So long farewell. But God says that we're not to hold a grudge. And when you and this is a scripture verse, ladies, when you are praying first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. That's Mark 1125. So can you share here, Cindy, about what you went through when you had to face? That? You're not a judge?
Cindy Arevalo
Yes, it actually took a movie. For me to have that moment. I don't know if you're familiar with the movie, the shack, it's a book also. And I was watching the shack and there's a scene in there, where it shows a father and his two children there, a son and a daughter, and he has to convict one and save one. And then that moment, he realizes he can't do that no matter what each of them has done. They've all done something. But he can't do that. Because he loves them so much. And in that moment, that was what hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought that's, that's our father, who am I to? to literally just say, Father, please forgive me. You know what I've done. But please forgive me. I'm so sorry for what I've done. But no, you know what he has done? And no, he's really bad, some mean person to not forgive him? Who am I to say that we are all his creations? At the end of the day, we are his creations we are His children. And
who am I to tell him Lord, do not forgive him? I've been a really good judge and judging him for what he has done to me and the other girls. And I thought, No, I can't do that. And in that moment, I felt
where I told myself, Lord,
please soften up my heart because my heart was so hard towards them. So cold, so bitter, so dark towards him. And I thought, Lord, please soften up my heart.
And I said, I give him to you. I lay him at your feet. I don't want to take it back. Because there was a lot of times where I thought, okay, forgive him, leave it at his feet, but then I would take it back and then I'm bitter again. I'm angry and all the emotions would just come up and that no, Lord, I'm leaving him to you. I'm giving him to you. And I felt freedom in that moment, where now I can talk about him. I can talk about the abuse and it doesn't hurt me anymore. I remember everything very vividly. But it doesn't hurt me anymore because I feel healed by God. And that's only something that Jesus Christ can do. Nobody else can do.
knew that I was looking into the New Age stuff, the stones, the chakras, the meditation, the sound, bath, the stage, the palo santo all these things that they sell you on, and it was all just temporary peace and Christ gave me my everlasting peace, especially women from my abuser. Praise God. And you saw that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. God tells us that in his words. So, like you said, Who am I to be judge? I mean, God looks at all sin, and all sinners and praise God for movies in our life that can show us things like this that we can understand and get a clearer picture. So the word redeemed that you claimed as your word, Cindy, is found 147 times in God's word, and I love the Scripture Galatians 220 It says, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh. I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me, and that is a beautiful picture of redemption. So Cindy, now you live in freedom since you've been redeemed and you've been forgiven yourself, and you forgave your perpetrator. And Psalm 1072 says, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so whom He has redeemed from trouble. And you could have gone the opposite way, honey, and you could have held on to all the anger and the bitterness which ladies listening some of us do we hang on to that ugliness when we've been wronged in our life. And so this redemption word, can you talk about this redemption word you did a little bit. But let's, before we close, because we only have a couple minutes, but talk about your redemption. Yes, I felt set free. I didn't have any more chains attached to any more bondage. I didn't have my abuser anymore attached to me in any shape way or form emotionally. Because that's where I had the attachment with him was emotionally in my heart, I could not forgive I couldn't not let go of the hurt because of what he said and did to me. And that was an attachment that I had with him even though I claimed I did not have any more attached to him. That was one that was really big that was keeping us binded together. And the moment that I forgave him, that attachment broke off of me, and I found my freedom. So it's not something that happened overnight. It didn't happen in a couple of months, it took years. But more than anything, it took a lot of intimacy with the Lord spending a lot of time with him, because they were moments that just felt really difficult and the idea of forgiving, was almost an impossible idea and in my flesh, yes, completely impossible but but by the grace and the strength of God, not impossible at all.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, honey, amen. That's so true. You had every right in the world's eyes, right to be furious with somebody who wrecked your life. But God right God showed up. He says Don't let sin are don't sin by letting anger control you, or give a foothold to the devil. That's Ephesians 626 to 27. Don't let anger control you ladies are the bitterness that comes because somebody else has sinned. Don't give into that. No more bondage, right? God freed you, Sunday and by God's grace, you can have redemption. Through the blood of Jesus, that word redeemed is so beautiful. God gave himself for us to redeem us all ladies. So I'm asking Cindy as we close right now, what is one piece of advice, honey that the listener who has identified to you with you as you have shared bit by bit that ugliness I know there's women out there that have been through what you have been through, and it brings up all these thoughts for them and they're hurting? What is that way that you can or give us something that you can leave with them that gives them hope?
And something that they can take to their heart?
Cindy Arevalo
Yes. Well, first of all, I do want to tell the ladies that they are not alone, that they are believed they are heard, they are seen. They are loved. They are the daughters of the King. And I want to say that above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. That's proverbs 423. And, therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation
has come, the old has gone, the new is here.
And I want to I want to just say that you're not too much, you're not too broken. You're not too dirty, you're not too full of sin and shame. You're not too much of anything for our Lord, He gave His life for us, he already took care of that price for you on the cross. And I want to tell you that he loves you. He wants to redeem you. He wants to set you free and make a new creation in you. But you need to be willing to just open up your heart and fully surrender it all. To him, Give it all to him, lay it all at his feet. And I like this verse from Ecclesiastes 311, that says he has made everything beautiful in its time. And I really do believe that I believe that what I went through was not something in vain. I believe that that is something that the Lord is now using for a testimony because, unfortunately, sexual abuse happens far too often and far more often than we would like to imagine, especially nowadays, and there are a lot of communities out there that offer a lot of help and resources.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, there are and, ladies, one way is you can reach out to us at women world leaders info@womenworldleaders.com. And just let us know that you want to speak with us and and we can there are women that will just pray with you and listen. And also I know Cindy that you have made yourself available and your book available. And if you want to receive a copy of Cindy's book living in silence, can you tell the ladies how they can get that? Yes. So if you go on Amazon, you type in living in silence by Cindy Arevalo, it'll come right back up. And then I also have an audio version of it. For the ones that like to hear audible. There is an audible version of the book as well.
Thank you. And then if they want to reach you personally, you have made yourself available as well. And how can they reach you personally?
Cindy Arevalo
The best way for me it's actually through Instagram. So if you type in
_Cindy_Arevalo. You're able to find me on Instagram to send me a message.
Kimberly Hobbs
And Arevalo is spelled
Arevalo. And Cindy, we are just so grateful again that you would come on and you would just share with the listener and I just feel really compelled right now to close out praying over the listener that right now maybe processing because of that word picture that you started out with in your story. It may have brought up so much for that person that is listening right now. And I just want to pray a covering over them. So can we pray together for our sisters? Yes.
Dear Lord Jesus, we just come before you right now God and we just pray over our listeners. Lord, we just pray that that one particular woman right now, that one particular girl right now that this has triggered some things in her past that she has not released to you God that she is holding on to so tightly that that hurt that brokenness, that anger that bitterness and and we understand that but God, please just open her heart to you right now and speak into her heart. And she knows who she is right now as she's listening God. And please just hear her heart, hear her brokenness, hear her need for you, Lord, and we ask that you would reach her where she is God that you would allow her to step out and find help Lord, whether it be through women world leaders.com And she reaches out to us or whether it be to Cindy and she reaches out to Cindy, God whoever let her find the resources she needs Lord, and only you know who that is and that each individual person that you would equip them, you would give them a word you would give them a confirmation at this very moment, Lord, that you are with her right now. And that you don't want her to hurt Lord and you never leave any of us alone. You tell us that in your word and your promises are true. And Lord you are near to the brokenhearted. So God as you are near to each of these ladies, we just pray again God that you would just pour into her through the power of
your word there is healing in the word, there's restoration in the Word, and there is redemption, as Cindy has chosen the word redeemed, and she is proclaiming it God to the world. We pray that that person today that needs your redemption, we just trust in Jesus as her own personal Lord and Savior, Lord, and she would trust that that is the only way that she is going to be free from all of this bondage in her life. And we pray right now that she surrenders her knee to what Jesus did on the cross for her sins and says, Yes, Lord Jesus, I accept you in my heart. Yes, Jesus, I want to make you Lord of my life. Please forgive me, Lord. And please come into my heart and be my savior, guide me and direct me into the truths that you have from my life. So I can be set free from all the pain and suffering that I have been doing. Lord, we pray that over the woman listening right now that need you so desperately, God, speak to her heart in every way that only you can. And again, we thank you, I thank you for sending my sister who's come forward to share her story so that others can find healing. And God we know that you are going to do a mighty work through this podcast. We know right now that you are working in the hearts of women. And maybe it's the woman who's listening that knows a sister that is hurting and holding all this deep inside and she can't reach her but God maybe this podcast can, and she can share this podcast with her. And so we pray over that right now to or whatever way that you see getting this podcast into the world. We pray it be done and we just thank you God for who you are in our lives and that you love us so much as your perfect creation. Just as Cindy said she felt so ugly and so ashamed and carried guilt and carried so much for so long. But God you look at Cindy has beautiful God she is your creation created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that you planned for her long ago, that your word and Ephesians 210 You created each of these beautiful women. God was a purpose and a plan and they are beautiful in your sight. So God we just pray that you pour into them right now however you will and we thank you again. Thank you for this podcast. Thank you for Cindy our valo card. Thank you for women, world leaders and the ability to be here today. And we love you and we praise you in Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you Cindy. Thank you ladies we are going to close out because we are over our time but again, please reach out to us we have so many tools for you at women world leaders.com We have books we have voice of truth magazine that brings hope and healing to your to your soul. Please check us out you can read it for free on women world leaders.com That's voice of truth and just go through this this unbelievable magazine that is filled with the gospel message of Jesus scriptures that will touch your heart. Ladies, we are here for you. So as we close, God bless you remember all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. Have a beautiful day. Thank you, Cindy.
God bless you
Join host Janet Berrong, an expert in the health and wellness industry, as she shares about being physically fit God's way.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in ministry, and around the world. It's an honor for me to be here sharing with you today. Some of the things that are near and dear to my heart, health, wellness beauty in Jesus. Wow, what a combo, right? While they really do go hand in hand. For many years, I've worked in the health and wellness industry. And I've witnessed the restoration, transformation in healings with the application of these principles, eating fresh living foods, getting enough physical exercise, and spiritually being in alignment with the Word of God. God made us to be healthy and whole, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Today I want to focus on the physical health. Have you ever heard this saying, If I knew I'd lived this long, I would have taken better care of myself? Well, in a sense, it's funny, but in reality, it's the truth. Physical health has three key elements, which include the physical activity, rest and nutrition. To have a good standing on physical health. We need a balance of these three elements. God teaches us that our bodies are the temple. In first Corinthians 316 through 17 says, Don't you know that yourselves are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is sacred. And you together are that temple. It is found once again in First Corinthians 619 through 20. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, you are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. Not only do we want to take care of our temples for our own physical well being, but we are physical representation of God. Recently, I attended some local American college football games, it reminded me of how much they have to train to be in and win the game. They have to be physically fit, and emotionally and mentally focused. I see that for my daily life as well. If I'm not fit for the day, I get tired and weary physically, then it starts to affect me mentally. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, ward off anxiety and feelings of depression, boosts self esteem, improve sleep. Exercise also has the added benefits of strengthening your heart, increasing your energy level. It lowers the blood pressure. It improves muscle tone and strength. It strengthens and builds bones. It helps reduce body fat. It makes you look fit and healthy. If you're anything like me, you have to have a plan. And my plan is taking time for self care works best in the morning. And that means nothing else gets in the way that day. If it's meal, prep, exercise, and quiet time with the Lord. I know he wants only the best for you my beautiful sisters. Until next time, keep your shoulders back your eyes on him standing tall and confident. Philippians one six reads. I am certain that God who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Father, so many things happen to end up intimidating women who have committed themselves to serve you. the busyness of life and the attacks from the enemy, cause many women to second guess themselves and some of them even give up on the desires to serve you in ministry. Father God, let your divine power be upon these women who are devoted to serving you in different capacities all over the world. Remind them to be encouraged when the storms of life are against them in the name of Jesus,
I believe in pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love in your courageous group. Visit our website www dot women world leaders.com. To submit a prayer requests or register for an upcoming event and support the ministry, from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. Our content is copyrighted by women world leaders should not be used without expressed written consent.
A woman stands before Jesus in her sin. Accusers look on with condemnation. Then, the power of Jesus’ voice rings through the crowd, and the atmosphere changes. We, too, are invited to stand before Jesus – fully forgiven. (John 7:53-8:11)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins. I am honored to walk with you today as we open Scripture and ask God to teach us what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to our podcast, this is one of three offerings we have for you each week. On Monday, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares the story of her life, struggles, or ministry. But what is important about each of these interviews is that they are truly not about the woman who so bravely steps out and shares her story, but each one is about shining the light on the glory of God. That kind of makes me smile, even as I say it – because God’s glory is SO bright that He certainly doesn’t need US to shine a light on HIM. But you know what? We GET to!! God is so present in each of our lives, but that doesn’t stop the devil from trying to hide Him from us. So Kimberly’s podcast is about looking beyond the schemes of the devil so we can truly see God’s purpose. It’s kind of like a game of hide and seek – the devil is trying to hide God’s glory, and we are seeking to uncover it! And God always wins the game!
On Fridays, we have a team of podcasters who host Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a short podcast full of nuggets and wisdom of the goodness of God that will launch you into the weekend!
And today you’ve happened on Walking in the Word, where we take 20 minutes to open God’s Word and learn together from it – verse by verse. We are currently studying the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as we mesh them together and look at the life of Jesus as chronologically and as fully as the Holy Spirit enables us.
If you are new to Women World Leaders, you can find out more about the ministry at our website, womenworldleaders.com, where you post on our prayer wall, purchase resources, and get involved in our worldwide ministry.
Today’s scripture comes from John 7:53-8:11. If you have your Bible opened to John chapter 7, verse 53, you likely see a notation that says that most ancient Greek manuscripts do not include this section of scripture. I do want to briefly address this. This text was passed down orally and discovered in written form as early as the third century AD, and is true to Christ’s nature of compassion, love, and forgiveness – so biblical theologians throughout the years have opted to include it as part of John’s writing. And I think you will see, as we study, that this narrative is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ saving grace given to us through His death on the cross. Some researchers believe that this story may have originally been included in John’s writings but was taken out along the way due to a discussion on paganism and a belief that this could be used to incorrectly substantiate Jesus’ dismissal of fornication and adultery.
Despite the background of these particular verses, as part of the Bible, they are worthy of our study and learning. But, as with all things, we should ask for wisdom from the Holy Spirit. So, as always, before we begin our study, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we thank you for meeting us where we are today and for giving us this particular scripture to study today. No matter its origins, we know you are a God of complete control, and you have made a way for us to read and study this narrative today – so we know you have a reason for it and something you want us each to learn. You know exactly what each of us is going through, when and where we are listening to this, and you are prepared to teach us what you want us to know. So Father, I personally give you free rein over my words and ask you to use me as you will. Please guide each listener’s heart and allow her to hear directly from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As Jesus continues to walk toward the cross, we see his enemies, the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law, ramp up their efforts against Him. Yet, because it is not yet God’s ordained time, Jesus continues teaching and preaching.
Let’s begin in chapter 7, verse 53 from the New Living Translation…
53 Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.
8 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple.
Where this story has been inserted, Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts during the Festival of the Tabernacles. I think it is telling that the scripture says, everybody went home, and Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives – only to return again in the morning.
Have you ever been in a busy season of ministry? Maybe even the ministry of being a parent or being a caretaker for a loved one? If you have, you understand what it is like to sleep in an unusual and perhaps, uncomfortable spot, and then to wake up only to be faced with the reality of your mission again. When someone is counting on you, you have little choice but to respond. And yet, despite the difficulty of taking care of someone we love dearly, we find fulfillment in that calling – knowing that we are carrying out a purpose that God placed us on this earth to accomplish. And despite our flesh crying out and our emotions reeling, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This is how Jesus lived His life on earth. Caring for a loved one – times millions! Each of us is so valuable and loved by Jesus, that despite the persecution, the exhaustion, and the fore-knowledge of upcoming pain and suffering, Jesus wouldn’t have had it any other way. Because He loves YOU that much, and He knew that by getting up each morning to face the growing animosity of the people, He was accomplishing for YOU what He was sent to earth to do. So He slept on the Mount of Olives, and got up early the next morning to continue His purpose as He returned to the Temple.
John 8:1 continues…
A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
Make no mistake, this situation was an elaborate trap set up for the sake of tripping up Jesus. It was planned and calculated – all with disregard for the woman. Verse 4 says that the woman was “caught” in the act of adultery, but the original Greek word means that she was seized or apprehended WHILE in the act of adultery. Let’s dissect this for a moment.
Under Jewish law, it was necessary to have multiple witnesses before someone could be accused of adultery, and the witnesses had to agree to have seen the exact same event without question. I think we can all agree that sex, especially when it could get you in trouble with the law, would not be executed where several people could witness it.
The other part of the story is that, in the case of adultery, Jewish law, according to Deuteronomy 22:22 called for the death of BOTH the man and the woman. So where was the man? Why was the woman seized and the man let go? Could the man, perhaps, have been in on the plan?
It seems that that Pharisees and the teachers of the law were SO intent on trapping Jesus that they themselves had total disregard for the law AND for the nature of the woman as a human being. She was merely a pawn in their hands. Expendable, as long as they got what they wanted.
So they took her to Jesus and stood her before the crowds at the Temple. This was nothing but a vain attempt to discredit Jesus in front of His listeners.
Jesus preached compassion. In their minds, if He had compassion on the woman, they could accuse Him of going against the Law of Moses. And if He called for her death, He would not only be seen in a different light by His followers, but He could be reported to the Romans.
And all the while, she stood there in humiliation. An object of wrath and convenience.
Verse 6 continues…
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
Jesus spoke – and then He looked away. Can you imagine the power that Jesus’ words carried? It is simply unimaginable to me. I remember my dad stating a word of warning and then tilting his head down and looking at me over his glasses. You know, giving me “that look.” That look that made me feel about 2 inches tall, convicting me to my core. His eyes would lock with mine, and I could tell no lies.
But Jesus? Jesus didn’t even have to look. His words alone were so powerful as they cut through the air that He simply went back to writing in the dust. And I bet you could’ve heard a pin drop in that dust. He wasn’t watching – any one of the men standing there could have cast a stone. In fact, law dictated that the witnesses of the sin should be the ones to throw the first stones. But it was not to be…
Verse 9…
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Jesus spoke, and then He looked away. And each listener had a choice to make as conviction rang through the air.
This is a picture of the cross that was to come. Jesus was about to bow His head in death, to say His last words as fully God and fully man, and to close His eyes, giving us each a choice. Do we focus on the sin of others, accuse them and hold them accountable as we throw stones at them? Do we acknowledge our own sin and guilt and simply slip away? Or do we stand in our sin, trusting Jesus, in His compassion and care, to offer us forgiveness as only He can?
Who are you in the story?
The woman was not in the right – although she was entrapped, she was in no way sinless. Yet she stood there, transfixed by the power of Jesus – ready to accept her punishment. But instead of punishment and death, she received Jesus’ grace and compassion. Her struggles were likely not over, Jesus told her to go and sin no more. I can understand that calling. And I can also understand that I mess that up every day. But Jesus told her, and He tells us, if you stand by me, if you give yourself to me, I will not condemn you.
Despite their elaborate plan, the Pharisees and teachers of the law sure didn’t trick Jesus. And the woman’s day went maybe from her worst ever, to her best ever.
That’s the power and compassion of the cross that only Jesus can give. Jesus fulfilled His purpose on earth – through the exhaustion and the pain of His calling – He gave His life so that you and I can stand transfixed by His power and receive His grace and enter eternity in the presence of God. Because He loves you that much.
Let’s pray…
Dear Jesus – thank you. Thank you for your never-ending love and grace and compassion. Thank you for giving it all – even to death – so that we can live. Jesus, we do stand transfixed in your presence, longing to serve you and live for you. We humble ourselves before you as we offer you our lives. Guide us and lead us, directly into your arms. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Guest Speaker, Boy Mom, and Christian Mompreneaur, Beth Vazquez is the Founder of Recess and Results and shares how she teaches moms and kids how to be "Strong Not Shaken." Beth is an "anxiety overcomer" and shares her story of strength and surrender in all God has called her to do. Beth has been featured in Oprah magazine, Entrepreneur and Authority magazine, and teaches strong-not-shaken wellness systems which allow moms and kids to step into God's power as they go after their God-sized dreams. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so happy ladies that you have joined us today for empowering lives with purpose. And I'd like to welcome our guest Beth Vazquez. Welcome, Beth.
Beth Vazquez
Thank you. Hi, everyone. I'm so happy to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs
Hey, hon, we are happy to have you. And today we're talking about strong, not shaken. And you are in for a real treat today to hear Beth and what God has called her to do in this world. Ladies, we know that you are here for a purpose. God called you here and you're listening until we are praying God today you are strengthened, encouraged and empowered to run after Jesus in your life. And God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. And we believe that God is working in and through you, if he led you here today, then you're in for a treat. And we just pray that God will speak to your heart the way he will, as he does through these podcasts. And these women, these amazing women of God that come on. So today I want to share a little bit about Beth before we start and she is an amazing woman. And she has written curriculum called strong and not shaken. And that's what we decided that we were going to title today's podcast is strong, not shaken. That there's a wife. She's a boy mom, a Christian mompreneur and founder of recess and results. Beth is on a mission to help shape moms and kids who are strong and help them chase their god sized dreams. Beth has been featured in Entrepreneur, Oprah Magazine, authority magazine, and a contestant on Season Five of entrepreneurs elevator pitch, as anxiety had overtaken her bath understands how important God's strength and surrender is to achieving all God has her to do she's an overcomer. Praise God. Her signature strong not shaken wellness system shapes, strong mompreneurs mentally, physically and spiritually allowing them to step into God's power as they go after their own god sized dreams. So I know so many listeners today are going to benefit from what Beth shares with us as she gives some examples later on. And how she teaches shares and shapes strong but not shaken activities. So Beth, before we begin, you grew up with anxiety and pressures in your life, and you had to overcome some of these. Can you share a little bit about your story and how you grew up? Strong? Independent? How it went to your head as well?
Beth Vazquez
That yeah, yeah, so I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, I was one of six kids. Number five. And you know, farm life, I mean, maybe you know, maybe you don't know. But I grew up on a farm. My, my father struggled with alcohol. And so it just brought, it brought a lot of chaos, it could cause a lot of chaos in life. And when I was young, I didn't realize that I had so much anxiety, but I did. And it came out in various ways. I remember having stomach aches a lot of times just feeling that sort of uncertainty. And I think so many moms can relate today to that feeling of anxiety and how it can manifest differently and all of us. But I felt that even as a as a young child, although I learned to kind of push it away to become to kind of ignore it and to just be strong, you know, and very independent early on. Like I sort of learned to just take care of myself and to count on myself. And in some ways, I guess that can be helpful, but in a lot of ways it's detrimental to life, right? But I was praised for it. I was praised for it. I remember my mom specifically telling me like, Oh, you're super independent, you always have things under control. We never have to worry about you. And that I kind of just hung on to that and I was like, okay, so I guess it's a good thing. I'll just keep pushing this off. I'll do my best to take care of myself to rely on myself to not need anyone else because I don't want that to be a burden to people right And so, as you can imagine, you know, growing up and leaving home and going to college, that sort of mindset and mentality really played a big role in a lot of decisions that were made. And I lost my way I grew up as a Christian, we went to church every Sunday, I grew up learning the Bible, and abiding by, you know, Bible commandments. And I went to college and just really lost my way I was living for myself, I made a lot of bad decisions. I ended up living with a boyfriend at one point during grad school, who I thought, you know, was the one and we were gonna get married and have this wonderful life and all the things, all the while still believing that I didn't need a man, I didn't need anybody. I only relied on myself. And so clearly, this is a very unhealthy relationship from the start, but I always prided myself in that independence. And even in my friend groups, I felt like I was sort of ahead of the game. I prided myself in career I prided myself in taking only needing myself and, and, and those sorts of things. Well, there was a point that I came in, kind of to a breaking point, my anxiety got worse and worse. I was seeing a therapist, I was having panic attacks, I didn't really understand what was happening. And I was like, What is going on, I felt like I was sort of like losing control of everything. And I didn't know what to do about it. And one day, I did really lose everything I had lost my job, I was laid off from my job, the relationship, horrible relationship that I was in, fell apart, we broke up, he moved out the whole thing, I felt like I didn't really have a lot of friends. Because I had moved away, I was living with this, this guy. And you know that and myself were like, the my whole world. And so I felt like I had lost everything. And I was down to nothing. And I remember laying in my room one day, and just laying on the bed, and I was depressed. And I didn't really know what that was like, because I had never let myself really feel those things. Because I was strong, and independent and strong and independent. People don't get depressed, and they don't have anxiety, right. So like, I had never really let myself feel those things. And that day, it just all came crashing down. And it was overwhelming. And I was like, just so broken. And I remember
just crying and just calling out to God and just saying, like, help me like, I don't know what to do. You know, I was scared. Because I've never felt these things before. And I remember through the window of my room that the sun kind of shown in through the window, and on the wall distinctly made the picture of the image of a cross. And I just remember like, like this sigh of relief, like a break in the sobs and just like, Okay, I'm not alone, you know, like, I'm not alone. God is still with me, thank God, because I had basically just pushed him away, you know, push them away all of these years. And it was that moment of my life that was the lowest, and also the absolute best because it started a relationship with Jesus that I didn't know that you needed. I knew the Bible. I knew what the Bible said. But I didn't understand the difference between believing in God and having a relationship with Jesus. And that was the start of it. And it changed my life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Beth, amen. Amen. And praise God, how he reaches us at those defining moments, and we all can just hear what you're saying and think Have I ever had one of those defining moments where Jesus reached me right where I was. And, ladies, if any of you are identifying with that anxiety that builds up over time, you know, we all go through things in our life, that that shape and and start to define who we are. And God intervenes at just the right time. And he did with you that moment where he showed up on the wall, and that shape of a cross that there was no denying that he was getting your attention.
Beth Vazquez
And the peace that came over me was just indescribable, a peace that passes all understanding.
Kimberly Hobbs
Overwhelming peace came on you. Board gives his people strength. Ladies, when this is a scripture, the Lord gives his people strength and blesses them with peace. Psalm 2911. Remember that? And God also says he will keep you in perfect peace, all who trust in Him all those whose thoughts are fixed on you, God that psalm or no, that's Isaiah 26 worry. So God will keep you in perfect peace, ladies and that peace that came over you, Beth. So for the first time, God has this pivotal part in your life, and you decided to do this 40 Day Challenge. And you drew circle, a group of girls that you came together with. And in that time to you had wanted to get pregnant. Okay, now you're married? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So it's time to talk about that. And how, how did God speak to you through this time in this dream that you had?
Beth Vazquez
Yeah. So like I said, the relationship with Jesus really started in that moment, but in that moment alone in my room, but we know that a relationship builds and grows over time, right. And God has done such a work and just pulling me closer to him and letting me release myself. And so yes, he blessed me with my my greatest gift in life, my husband, who was amazing, and such a great supporter of me and a great leader, godly leader for our family. And we were praying about having a baby. And it was difficult for us for a lot of reasons, which is a whole nother podcast. We'll talk about that another time. But we were having struggles getting pregnant. And so we were praying about it together, you know, obviously, my husband and I was praying about it, I was doing all the things, the ovulation sticks to the stress. And I felt that anxiety coming up again, of me trying to control something. And so there was a few friends that I knew that were also moms are not mom mompreneurs yet at that point, but entrepreneurs, and we were Christian entrepreneurs. And we started to do a Bible study together. And one of the girls recommended the draw the circle prayer challenge. It's a prayer challenge written by Mark Patterson. And so we did this 40 Day prayer challenge together as a group, and there were many women in the group. But there were three of us specifically that were praying for healthy babies, as well as other things in this group. And this prayer challenge changed my life. It was the first time that I heard God speak to me clearly. And that I knew it was him. Like, without a doubt, this is God speaking to me, telling me, you know, basically, what's going to happen with my life. And when I say this, everyone, please know that when people would say before they heard God speak to them, I kind of questioned whether they were like, I had just never experienced it. So when people would say, Oh, yes, God told me this, I'd be like, did that really tell you that? Or is that like what you want to do kind of thing, you know, and I'm telling you now, for anyone that might be skeptical, God will speak to you, if you stop to listen, he will fake to you if you stop to listen. And when I heard God's voice the first time, it was through a dream. And it was not a profound dream. It was nothing crazy. It was a very simple dream that I was walking to the car, I had one baby on my hip, like I was holding a baby on my hip. And I was holding one by the hand. And we were just walking to the car. And I was putting them in the car, like putting them in car seats. And that was it. Oh, and I woke up it was at it was at a specific house, you know where we lived. It wasn't even the house that we lived in at the time. That's what's so crazy. It was the house that we ended up moving into in the stream. And so anyway, I had this dream, and I woke up and I was like, again, that overwhelming peace. That indescribable peace that passes all understanding that you were just certain, and you just know that everything is going to be fine in the midst of all the chaos and in the midst of what you feel like you can't control. But it's that peace that's like, Okay, I don't have to worry about this. This is already handled, you know. And so we stopped ovulation tests, we stopped all the things and I just told my husband, I'm like, we're gonna we're gonna have a baby, we're gonna have not just one but two babies. So we don't even have to worry about it, you know. And six months later, I was pregnant. And today we have two amazing baby boys. And I of course also have my bonus son who's away in college, but God fulfills those desires on your heart, and they're planted there for a purpose that is far bigger than you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my heart's beating like that is so beautiful and so true. God's purpose and plan. You know, ladies, we are all a masterpiece. God tells us that and he's planned things for us long ago, and he wants to fulfill them through you. You are his masterpiece ladies. So and now, Beth, the Lord of Heaven's Armies has spoken, and he can change his plans. When his hand is raised, who can stop him? That's Isaiah. 1427 and leading scripture to heart, please, when the Lord of Heaven's Armies has spoken to you, who can change his plans, ladies, and when his hand is raised, as God's Word says, Who can stop him, and his hand was raised over you that getting your attention, he spoke to you, you heard his voice. And now the desires of your heart are moving towards serving Him. So it wasn't about yourself anymore. You got that pride out of the way, and you surrendered. And God developed a love for families in your heart, and faith, family fitness began. And God God, He called you to do this for him. So can you talk about that part of your life now and how God led you into this?
Beth Vazquez
Yeah, so it was at that moment, you know, that I heard God speaking to me. And I realized that he cares. He doesn't just love the world, which he does. But he loves me, personally, he cares about me personally, you know, like, enough to be in the details of my life, enough to come to me in a dream and enough to continue to speak personally to me about things that I pray for. Uniquely, right, like me, my life, not just the world. And so that was another kind of profound understanding and short of sort of like, shift in the relationship. Because when you really realize that about someone, imagine when you, you know, you see that in your husband, you see that in your kids. And when you see it in God, that he's like, they're in the midst, and like, so powerful, and all knowing it changes the way that you live, it changes the way that you live. And so for me, he gave me the, the desire of my heart, we strongly desired kids, right? And he gave me that desire. But in that he also taught me that that desire was not just for me, that he had planted that desire in my heart, because he has big plans for my kids, because they're prophets of their time, because they will go and make disciples of all the nations, right, and that is a very strong call to be a mother. It's not just a desire of my heart, right? Like it is a strong desire that he placed in me for His glory. And so when I started to understand that, and again, take myself out of things, and really just look to Him for guidance and understanding, I learned that he placed other passions on my heart, too, that were not just about me. And I had always had a love for fitness and staying active. I had always had a love for kids. And now this newfound love, not just for kids, but for the family units. And I saw families just being torn apart, you know, and really broken in today's world. And there was just such a strong pole in my heart to help build strong bonds and strong families. And we know that many times moms really start that right, like moms are the center of that bond for families. Men are the leaders of our homes, but moms are the nurturers, right. Like, they're really powerful in their homes. And so God put this these passions showed me how those passions were meant for something so much bigger than myself, meant to serve other people for His glory. And in that he put recess and results and the program that we have to teach moms How to Start profitable faith and fitness clubs in their communities. He put that on my heart to help other people have a way to serve him to bless families to bring revivals to communities. And in that, he showed me that, again, many people are broken, many people are hurting, many families are hurting many kids are hurting the world is hard. You know, the world throws a lot of light bombards us with lies every day. And it's hard to be a Christian, right, like we will be persecuted for being Christian in today's world. And so in my stress and my anxiety and my overwhelm, I cried out to God and just asked him for something to help me stay strong and him and not shaken by the world and all these things that are being thrown at me and he gave me a very specific program that we now teach through recess and results both to moms and to kids, to help them stay strong and not shaken in the world that we live in today.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, Beth, and it is phenomenal what you are doing and as we Beth and I were able to talk on the side and through phone conversations. Beth was sharing a little bit about what she pours in to, to children and also to the moms and how she teaches and it was God's perfect timing to use You have the way he has bath in such powerful ways. So. So let's talk about how you shape strong and not shaken. Leaders mom's for tomorrow. And this is going to be fun because I asked Beth, if she would give some examples. And the Bible, the Bible says, oh, Lord, I will honor you. And praise your name for you are my God, you do such wonderful things you plan them long ago, and now you accomplish them. Isaiah 25. One, and he uses you both to accomplish some of that within these kids and these young moms. So some of the ones I had asked Beth to share the examples of how she teaches and trains these kids to look at God and how they're playing in their activities. You play freeze tag with them. Can you talk about freeze tag and the talk some of these examples?
Beth Vazquez
Yeah, we play with we teach kids through play and families through play, because it's this innate thing that God placed in us. And it's the best way for them to learn. And there's a Bible verse that says, this, the city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there. And it's in Zachariah, and God talking about this image of, of a prosperous city, right. And so when we think about bringing revival to cities and revival to families, we think about helping kids play and really using that spirit that God placed in them, to draw them closer to Him. And so one of the ways that we teach is through a game everybody loves to play tag, it's an age old game, right, timeless classic, that all kids love, and know how to play and always brings laughter and fun and of course, also helps us condition ourselves physically, as well as spiritually and mentally when we add our little spin to it. So freeze tag becomes cross tag at recess and results. And we teach kids that when they're tagged, right, when they're when they're touched in the tag game, instead of just being out or standing frozen. They freeze like a cross with their arms straight out, feet together, and they make the shape of a cross and we teach kids. You know, John 316, For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. And so they're frozen, and they're in the in the game. But if they say Jesus saves, and they're proclaiming that Jesus saved them died on the cross to save them from their sins, then they can be free. And they can run around and they can play again. And so in that we're embedding the foundation of truth, right? We're embedding the foundation of truth, through movement through play in a way that they're not going to forget. So when they go on about their life, you know, they remember that verse. They remember that, that Jesus, that's great.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. That is so wonderful, so powerful. I loved that. And I'm sure that the listeners are never gonna forget that either the next time they go to play tag with their kids, and wow, what a teachable moment. Right. Can you also talk about the, the the talk? I think it was, yeah, right.
Beth Vazquez
Yes. So in strong that shaken strong is actually, I think it's called acronym right, where every letter stands for something. So the T in strong, the it's it's six, habit formula for staying strong, not shaken in today's world for stepping into God's power, and moving closer towards what He has called you to do. And the T and that is taught, and the premises that the world is full of lies, the world will bombard you with lies or what we call trash. And a lot of us grow up with a lie on repeat inside of our mind. And the enemy loves this little lie, and he planted it there on purpose, to deter you from the plans that God has for you. The Bible tells us that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, right, but that Jesus came that we may have life and enjoy it abundantly. And so we need to take what the devil is doing to try to steal, kill and destroy by putting these trash thoughts in our mind and replace them with the truth of God, which gives us life and life abundance. Right? And so we we need to think about what we're thinking about. And we teach moms and we teach kids how to do that, how to think about what they're thinking about. What is a thought that maybe slowed you down today or made you feel bad about yourself or made you think that you couldn't do something? And even all of the listeners here today, you can probably identify a lie that has been on replay inside of your mind a common theme that has been a replay on set on replay inside of your mind, and I'll tell you what it was for me, and it was no matter how hard I try, it's never enough. No matter how hard I try, it's never enough and this life sprouted out of that, that reliance on Self, that independent attitude that I was praised for right? So I thought I had to keep trying harder and harder and harder when really, that's not what the Bible says, that's not the truth of God, the Word of God is that I am God's masterpiece, and that he has good works prepared for me in advance to do that I am far more precious than rubies, that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength than the truth. And so when you can recognize that trash thought in your mind, and it's super powerful, when you can recognize that it's on replay, and then you can share that thought, or you can write it down in your journal and cross it out and replace it with the truth of God, it loses its power, and the enemy has to flee, where where we pour in truth, where Jesus is when Jesus is in us, right? When we rely on that Holy Spirit power, the enemy has to flee, it no longer has a hold on our life, or our decisions or the actions that we make. And this is a powerful truth that we need to teach our kids because the world is going to fill them with lies at every single turn through social media, through friends at school through society standards that they feel like they have to live up to. And so we need to pour truth into kids. And we do this little exercise with moms. And we also do it with kids in a game. So we will pull lies out of a hat, and we will just read them. Things that kids say to themselves all the time. This is too hard. I could never do this. They don't like me. Nobody loves me. I feel unimportant. You know, things like that. And we replaced it with the truth of God, I could do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I was born with a purpose. He has plans for me and they are good. I am strong and courageous. Right. And we teach them these truths. So that is what is on replay inside of their mind and not the trash. And we make a fun game of it when we pull out a trash talk. So it's a thought that's no good. They literally run and throw it away. And they like tumble on on a little tag on a on a mat and they love it. They're laughing. They're having the best time. And really what they're doing is battling the enemy. Right, they are fighting the enemy. And they are soaking up the truth of God and just like growing stronger and stronger and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love it. I love it and wow.
Beth Vazquez
So hopefully no, no, but I get excited about this stuff.
Kimberly Hobbs
this is what you just again, ladies, I hope you're gleaning from these things, these truths and how important and how important it is to pour into our children, you know, to be strong and not shaken by what the world is feeding them lies. It lies upon lies, and God's Word is truth. And we can stand strong on that truth and not be shaken. So no, Beth, I am so grateful that you poured into the ladies in this little bit of time that we have. But now we have to close. And so the Bible says the knowledge of the one result in good judgment. So this is all about good judgment, ladies, Proverbs, Proverbs 910. And also the Bible says, come and listen to my counsel, I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. And I appreciate both what you're doing. That's proverbs 123. By the way, I appreciate what you're doing, pouring into them, making them wise through the word of God through the truths of God's Word. You teach good judgment, bath and skills in tough situations, right. And these young kids, they're facing tough situations. So as you teach kids and moms how to be strong, not shaken. Ladies, there's a way that you can search out some of this curriculum. So Beth as we close right now, can you just tell them how they can find you, hon.
Beth Vazquez
Yeah, of course, so you can learn more about recess and results in the strong not shaken program. Just go to recess and results.com You'll have all of the information there. You can follow me on instagram also and message me anytime I would love to pray with you for you here to support you any way that I can help. It's at Beth Vasquez. twosies Beth Vasquez 00 you'll find me on Instagram so I would love to get to know you and all that God's doing in your life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. We are so thankful thankful for you for being that woman or a leader that we all should be striving to be in our place and our community in our homes wherever God has called us ladies, we all have that purpose. Remember that he can use you where you are. And ladies that women world leaders we have tools for you. We have ways ladies that you can grow and walk in God's purpose just for you and one of those is voice of truth magazine and it comes out we have editions that are coming out quarterly now. Voice of truth, it's beautiful. And you can read those online digitally at women world leaders.com, we have all the editions for the previous years online available to you for free. And you can also receive voice of truth by becoming a monthly donor of any amount $5 $10, whatever it is, and we will send voice of truth to you every addition to your home. So we are so grateful what God is doing within this ministry, we also have other tools of books that are coming out. And we have meetings that you can be part of, in fact, we are opening up our leadership meetings now to zoom where the teachings can go, and you can become part of that. And our next one, if you would like to become part of our zoom meetings where we meet once a month, our next meeting is going to be September 19, at 7pm, Eastern Time on Zoom, where we connect with women from all over the world. And this is one going to be one of our first ones that we are opening up to ladies. So if you are interested, please reach out to me personally at Kimberly, at women world leaders.com. And I will be happy to send you the Zoom link. So you can join us in that meeting. And also Beth, I want to thank you for what you have poured into the hearts of women today. And ladies, I pray that you will share this podcast and share these truths that are within Beth, you are a blessing.
Beth Vazquez
Thank you. Can I just say one more thing, of course, I just want to encourage everyone because I think sometimes we can feel like we need to have it all together. Or we need to be perfect or we need to have this or that in order to do great things for God or to serve God in a big way. And I just want to encourage you and remind you that God does not call for you to be perfect. He just calls for you to be obedient. So if you're feeling God pull you in one direction, or maybe you had this idea on your heart and it just stays there. Even though you keep trying to push it away. I would encourage you to just really pray and ask God to help you take steps in obedience, because it will bless you in ways and it will bless others in ways far beyond what you could ask or imagine. So I just wanted to leave you with.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that powerful word powerful word. It's all about obedience. Ladies, you watch when you step out in faith and obedience to what God calls you to do, but just blessings that just pour out and that again Ephesians 320 are lifers, right? Yeah, God will do exceedingly, abundantly above what you can ask or imagined. So, thank you. Again, we appreciate you. Thank you, ladies for joining in with us today. And we just pray that God touched your heart in the way that he would and all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. But please do share the podcast ladies, we ask you that. So until next time, every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays you could join us on these podcasts ladies and women world leaders podcast. Goodbye and have a great day. Thanks bye
Today's Podcast is "Gospel Grace" taken from Voice of Truth January 2022 edition 7, titled "Is This It?" by author Anita Setran. May you know the meaning of Jesus in your life and that there is way more to life than what you see right now. ** I wonder what I am going to be when I grow up.
Did you ever think or say this when you were young? Or maybe, like me, you have continued to say it year after year, through your teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and now, for me, knocking on fifty’s door.
Jesus has always been the center of my world. At the age of 16, I dedicated my life to full-time ministry and have now served in full-time missions for 24 years. I brought up my children in full-time ministry. Very similar to how I was raised. I’ve had the privilege of leading young men and women, training and sending people on outreaches, and investing in new ministries. I am grateful for the life I’ve lived, and yet through it all, I still found myself thinking, I wonder what I am going to be when I grow up. So, I prayed, God, have your way in my life.
It’s not that I haven’t lived a full life. I got married at 20 to my best friend, and we will celebrate our 30th anniversary in September. We have three beautiful children. Our eldest son is now married to a beautiful, Christian young lady. Our middle daughter has just graduated from college, making the Dean’s List every semester. And our youngest daughter, Kiersten, is our very special gift that we get to keep forever! Our precious baby girl just turned 18, and she has Down Syndrome.
In the depths of my heart, I always knew, yet also feared, that I would have a child with special needs. You see, I had three precious uncles who each had special needs and learning disabilities. They were not diagnosed during their childhood, but it was evident that they were different. However, they were special. And they were mine. They loved me unconditionally, and I loved them. I knew that my childhood years of living near them, caring for them, and protecting them had prepared me for this divine task of special needs motherhood.
Kiersten needed open-heart surgery at nine weeks old to repair a very large hole in her heart. Just days after the surgery, while still in the hospital, she split open her sternum bone due to severe vomiting, requiring a second surgery to open her chest and repair the sternum. In the months to come, her heart healed perfectly. Over the next eight years, however, Kiersten would require seven additional surgeries for her hearing and other needs. It felt like the doctor appointments, lab work, and hospital visits would never end. Eventually, however, things settled down, and life continued. I wondered, Is this it? Is this my calling, my purpose?? We prayed, God’s will be done.
Years later, we marched as a family in Washington DC at the March For Life with a group called KIDS, Keep Infants With Down Syndrome. It was wonderful and fulfilling. We participated in this event a few consecutive years, and I wondered, Is this it? Is this what I have been waiting for? We prayed and trusted God with each open door.
In 1992, my father, Nick Savoca, founded a new ministry called Prayer Stations. It is a profoundly simple concept. A red and white banner printed with the words “Prayer Station” is hung above a white table and displayed on a sidewalk so that pedestrians approaching from either direction can see it. We started this ministry in New York City to provide free prayer to anyone in need. It’s disarming - who doesn’t need prayer? After all, prayer and God’s faithfulness were the themes of our lives.
Immediately following the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City by terrorists on 9/11/2001, Prayer Stations expanded its ministry to rally Christians from around the country and the world to come and pray for our fellow New Yorkers. We set up as many as 14 Prayer Stations around the perimeter of Ground Zero and had them available six days a week for a full year following the devastating events. As a ministry, we prayed for over 50,000 people in that year alone and saw more than 3,000 individuals give their lives to Christ. Miracles happened on the streets. Prayer really does change things.
In the years that followed, we continued to use this amazing tool of Prayer Stations in New York City, praying for the needs of people and witnessing salvations and other miracles that happened before our very own eyes. In addition, churches and ministries that had served with us during the year following 9/11 began to reach out and ask if they could purchase a Prayer Station for their own communities. At that point, we began to manufacture Prayer Stations to send around the country. We also had the banners translated into 12 different languages as requests came in from around the world.
As a leader in our ministry, I trained young people and sent them out on the mission field all over the globe. It was beautiful, yet often challenging. I was honored to mentor young men and women and see lives transformed. And I wondered, Is this it? Is this my life’s calling? So I prayed and asked the Lord, Is this the thing? Is this what I have been praying for?
Then this past summer, 2021, my husband and I almost lost our lives to Covid. People were praying for us all over the world. It’s a long and miraculous story, which you can read about by going to our website, www.sparknewlife.com. Through it, God opened more doors for ministry - only this time, instead of asking my usual question (Is this it?), I finally began to see how it was ALL IT! I saw how God had woven this beautiful pattern of lessons and experiences into my life. I had been fulfilling my purpose all along.
He carried me when I was weak. He opened new doors of opportunities when I least expected it. He healed our daughter’s heart. He challenged us to trust His faithfulness and step out into new avenues of ministry. He gave us back our lives, and in turn, we will spend every day to our last breath living for Him and doing whatever the next assignment happens to be. We have been living out His purposes every single day!
This is what I know: God has a purpose for your life. My favorite life scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” (NIV)
The Bible also says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (NIV)
Wow! The God of the universe loves you so much and has a purpose for your life - whether you have been aware of Him throughout your life or have been running from Him for as long as you can remember. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)
Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that God created us in His image and likeness. Webster’s Dictionary says that an image is a duplicate of something else, and that to be made in the likeness of someone else means you possess many, but not all, the characteristics of that person. Only humans are created in God’s image and likeness. We are daughters of the creator of the universe, and we possess His characteristics. He has given us a soul, a spirit, the desire for relationship, free will, reign over the earth, wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to discern between right and wrong. He’s given us hearts of love and compassion.
It’s easy to look around our world today and wonder whether or not these giftings are really given to everyone. The truth is that they are, but unfortunately, people have chosen, with their God-given free will, to turn from God and His purpose for their life. We have an enemy, and his name is Satan. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (NIV) Our enemy desires to destroy us, to take us off course from God’s beautiful purpose for our lives. But don’t forget about the end of that verse, which says that He came that we might have life - abundant life!!
I have good news! It’s never too late for you - whether you are young or have been around for a while - God is a loving and redemptive God. He loves His kids, and you are welcome into His family because of the gift of His perfect and precious son, Jesus, who laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins. We are told in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV) We only need to accept His love and forgiveness, and He will make us whole and set us on a path of true purpose, one where you will never have to ask again, Is this it? Isn’t our God awesome?!
If our world seems divided and in chaos, that’s because it is! But look closer, Jesus gives His peace to all who come to Him. He offers calming, living water to quench our thirst and soothe our souls, and then He gives us a job to do. Are you up for the mission? (John 7:32-52)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so glad you have joined us as we walk through Scripture together, asking God to teach us what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to the podcast, we hope you will join us at womenworldleaders.com and check out all we have going on. We are a group of women who are sold out to God and on a mission to share the gospel and empower you to live out your God-given calling. We believe that as followers of Christ, we each are called to lead with purpose, and we want to walk with you as you step out for Jesus. Besides our podcasts, magazine, books, and events, we are poised to offer you yet one more way to grow.
Before Covid hit, we were meeting monthly in person, which God turned into a Facebook Live during the lock-down of the pandemic. As the world got back to normal, we stopped Facebook Live, as many began to crave interaction. We are pleased to announce that we are now opening our monthly leadership Zoom calls – which are full of leadership instruction and interaction, as well as Women World Leaders news and updates – to YOU. We meet on the third Monday of the month at 7 pm ET. If you would like to join us, drop us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com, and we will make sure you get the Zoom link.
Let’s jump into our study, shall we? We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Today’s Scripture comes from John 7:32-52. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Father God, we open our Bibles today with one goal – that is to hear your voice. We thank and praise you that you always have and always will speak through your scriptures. We know that when we quiet our spirits and open your Word, we WILL have an encounter with you, our sovereign Lord, Creator, Sustainer, and might King. We give you this time and we come to you with no preconceived ideas – simply trusting you Holy Spirit, to impart wisdom to each of us. Open our ears that we might hear, and open our hearts that we might be receptive to what you have to say. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When we left Jesus last week, he was at the Feast of the Tabernacles, teaching in the temple courts. We heard Him say that His teaching was directly from God and give reasons that His healing of a man on the Sabbath was done by the will and power of God.
We often think of Jesus as a conduit of peace, but that didn’t seem to be the case in this instance. At least not looking at the crowd from a bird’s eye view. Jesus’ words, in fact, were divisive. Causing an array of feelings and emotions to erupt from the festival-going crowd. Some stated outright that Jesus was a good man, others said, “No, he deceives people.” Some were amazed and wondered how He had acquired such wisdom without having been formally taught, some said He was demon-possessed. Then some recognized that this was the man that the authorities were trying to kill, and they wondered why He was being allowed to speak in public. From an onlooker’s perspective, there was certainly more disarray and division than peace that day.
John 7:32 from the New Living Translation begins….
32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. 33 But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. 34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”
We have highlighted God’s perfect timing often – that Jesus was aware of what would happen when.
Now, the Pharisees, who had been after Jesus for a while but had not been successful at stopping or arresting Him, sent the Temple guards after Him. Although the Romans ruled the area politically, they gave the Jews much autonomy when it came to managing their own events and people. These temple guards were Levites who had been given the responsibility to keep order in the temple precincts. Remember God had chosen and appointed the Levites – those from the tribe of Levi - from among the Jews to maintain the temple and perform priestly duties.
So the temple guards, these so-called holy men, were dispatched to arrest Jesus, but they were stopped in their tracks by Jesus’ words. “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. 34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”
Again…let me bring up God’s perfect timing. Jesus announced to the guards, in essence, that it wasn’t yet His time. Jesus knew He still had six months before his crucifixion. And He intended to use every moment.
Don’t you think we would please God to follow Jesus’ example here? How many times do we write off time? It’s 4:00…I can’t do much more before 5, I might as well call it a day. Or…it’s Friday…I’m done. Or maybe … there’s only a week left before my vacation, I’ll wait till after to start this project….or perhaps… It’s December – I know…I’ll start a New Year’s Resolution on January 1st. …Or even… I’m too old, my best days are behind me.
One of my regular prayers is to offer God my time…my minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and that includes many God-appointments along the way. Jesus only had six months left on earth. And if anyone was tired, He was! But He made use of each moment.
Don’t ever wish away your time. Although I can’t imagine how difficult Jesus’ life was, knowing with each step he was walking closer to his painful death, it was also an amazing time that God granted Him to walk in the flesh among His own people! And Jesus clearly didn’t want to waste a minute – because He understood what a blessing it was to bring people to the Father for eternity. You and I also have that privilege and honor. Let’s not waste a moment!
Verse 35…
35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands?[a] Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! 36 What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”
Not only did Jesus bring division. He also brought confusion! If you have been a follower of Christ for any length of time, you probably understand! The more I learn about the Bible, the more questions I have! God is so gracious to pull back the veil of His glory just one inch at a time. As painstaking as that can feel, I know it is by perfect design! If God were to suddenly pull back the curtain so that we could see Him in ALL His glory, we would fall to the ground, speechless and unable to move a single muscle or take a single breath. But God won’t do that, because He has work for us to do and words for us to share with others!
Verse 37…
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”[b] 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given,[c] because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
The Scripture says that this was the last day of the festival – so let me give you a picture of what was happening in the background. Jewish traditions were chock full of ceremonies, and the ceremonies on this last day of the festival would have been impressive. The priests and worshippers would have paraded outside the city to the pool of Siloam where they would fill golden pitchers with water. Then they would return and march seven times around the altar before they poured the water on it – commemorating God’s provision of water to their ancestors who had wandered in the desert for 40 years. People need water to quench their thirst and live, and God provided water for the Israelites to live in the desert.
Amid this commemorative ceremony, Jesus stood and SHOUTED to the crowds walking by…“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”
God provided water in the desert, now God was providing the LIVING WATER to ANYONE who would come to Jesus. And not only would Jesus provide water, but He would perform a miracle in the life of anyone who came to Him, allowing RIVERS of LIVING WATER to flow FROM him.
This is so incredible! Many years and Bible studies later, we understand that Jesus was talking about quenching our spiritual thirst - that emptiness inside us that can only be filled by God. That emptiness that, not filled by God, manifests itself in destruction, depression, and meaninglessness. Jesus ALONE can fill that thirst! If you are not a Christian, if you have not given God control of your life, if you are still thirsty, wandering and wanting – not even knowing WHAT you are wanting – then I encourage you, go to Jesus – give Him your heart and your life – your minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. I guarantee you that if you do, you will feel a satisfaction that you have never felt before!
And if you have already given your life to Christ, please don’t miss that now, RIVERS of LIVING WATER are flowing from you! And make no mistake, that water coming from you, is not FOR you! When God allows His water, His Spirit to flow FROM you – that is purely meant as a gift for someone else. He has a divine appointment for you to share Jesus with others! He has a calling and a purpose for your life. Don’t waste the water! Don’t waste the gift that He has given you to share with someone else!
Verse 40…
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.”[d] 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.”[e] 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
Confusion and division remained in the air. But God’s perfect control and timing was even more prevalent. The guards, sent to arrest Jesus, simply couldn’t. Because it was not yet in God’s plan.
If you are a follower of Christ, know that you can walk wherever God calls you completely surrounded by His plan. Oh it’s true that our God is our protector, but that doesn’t mean that He won’t allow us to be affected by evil. I guess that isn’t something you expect to hear in a Bible teaching, but the truth is, that sometimes we ARE hit by evil, by illness, by strife that comes our way. In those times, we may be tempted to ask, Where is God, now? I’ll tell you where He is…He is right with you!! He is allowing forces to come against you…but He is holding you and has a plan to see you through to glory. And likely, that plan involves using your attitude and love toward Him to get the attention of others, giving you the HONOR to lead others to Him. To share that Living Water.
Verse 45…
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.
Hallelujah! Our God SPOKE the universe into existence. His Word is more powerful than we can even imagine. No…there has never been, nor will ever be, one who speaks like our God.
Verse 47…
47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. 48 “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes[f] from Galilee!”
In our Scripture today…there is division from beginning to end. We saw it in the crowd throughout, and now we see it in individuals. The Pharisees mocked the Temple guards, who were stopped in their tracks by the holiness of Jesus, and then Nicodemus stood strong, asking, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?”
God calls his believers to stand strong for Him. No matter what the cost.
I said at the beginning that, from a bird’s eye view, Jesus brought divisiveness and confusion. But if we look closer, we see that Jesus did indeed bring peace.
Take a look into the heart of Nicodemus. Oh…his heart may have been thumping as he stood his ground for Jesus, but I’m willing to bet that our God, the God of love, joy, and peace, filled Nicodemus’ heart with an overflowing peace as he stood for his Lord and Savior. And, we know that from the heart of Nicodemus came streams of living water, ready to quench the thirsty, as he pointed others to the glory of Jesus.
Don’t ever let the divisiveness and the confusion of the crowd pull you from the plan and purpose God has for you. There will always be nay-sayers and grumblers who demean you or tell you your time, background, and knowledge are worthless. Your responsibility, Christian, is to answer to God alone. He has given you a calling and a purpose, When you seek Him, you will find Him. When you follow Him, He will grant you peace amid turmoil. When you ask for His wisdom, He will grant it. He IS the living water, and He wants His water to flow from you. Let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy and Loving God, Thank you for calling us to come to you. Thank you for always being there to give us all we need. And thank you for letting us partner with you – to share your living water with others who are thirsty. God, you are our audience of one, and we give you our minutes,hours, days, weeks, months, and years to do with as you will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Prostitute. Addict. Homeless. Criminal. Today's guest Christine C. MacDonald teaches about what she shares in her book, The Same Kind of Human. Christine uses stories of her own lived experiences, scripture, and practical resources to equip and teach people of faith how to serve others with the love of Jesus. Despite her blindness, Christine see's "who" the person is and loves them "where" they are as Jesus did. She helps us to see the humanity of those we often judge or shun with arms of love and a message of hope. **** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose and I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so glad that you joined in with us today and I would love to welcome our guest Christine McDonald. welcome Christine. Where are you from?
Christine McDonald
Hi, Kimberly. It's thanks for having me. Um, I am from Oklahoma, but I consider Missouri home.
Kimberly Hobbs
Missouri is your home. Okay, but you're from Oklahoma. Yes, great to have you and, and ladies, ha this woman is a bundle of joy. I if as you can see, by her beautiful smile, she is just precious. And we are so thrilled that God allowed us to connect for this purpose today to do this podcast. So it is our desire ladies at empowering lives with purpose to encourage you and empower you to a closer walk with our Savior. And we believe that each of you are a masterpiece. God says in Ephesians 210 that we are God's masterpiece created a new and Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe he has a plan for you. As you're listening today. Just listen and see what God may be speaking to your heart as we get to talk to Christine today and hear a little bit about her story and her life and what she's doing for Jesus. So I want to share a little bit about who Christine MacDonald is. Christine is a beautiful woman of God. She's sold out to serve him wholeheartedly. She was a prostitute addict, homeless and a criminal. And Christine clarity McDonald is a survivor of human trafficking. She is the author of the memoir cry purple, and the book which is now out and you can you can find this book. It's called the same kind of human which we are going to talk about today, which addresses the biases and assumptions that we commonly hold about exploited and marginalized populations. She is She shares her stories of her own life's experiences her scripture and thought provoking commentary and practical resources. And she equips and teaches people of faith, to encourage and serve others and connect them to Jesus with them, seeing who they are, and loving them where they are with the eyes of grace. She helps us see the humanity of those we often judge or Shawn, and Christina empowers us to instead reach out to those people with arms of love and a message of hope. And as you get to hear Christine's heart, you're going to see like how beautiful she truly is to care so much about the individual. So there's a scripture that I always ask God, God gives me something when I do these podcasts that's going to speak to the people. And we said that the title of this podcast is going to be the same kind of human and what does that mean? And Christine is going to expound on that. But the scripture God gave me to talk about was God makes everything beautiful for its own time. And he has planted eternity in the human heart. But even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. That's Ecclesiastes 311. And again, this scripture I felt just so goes with what Christina is going to teach on. But Christine, can you share a little bit about your story which led you today for what you're doing for God's Kingdom glory?
Christine McDonald
Sure, it's it's actually God's story not mine.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen, sister. Right, right.
Christine McDonald
I love the Scripture, that's beautiful. Um, so um, I. So we all have a story, right? And that is so amazing and taking our story and using it for His glory. And in you know, I kind of came from a messy past I grew up in the foster care system. I didn't have a father and mother didn't know who that was, you know, I kind of had that hole in my soul, if you will, longing for that. That father figure and that family unit, my mother struggled with mental illness and alcoholism. I was in and out of the foster care system. We moved around a lot. So it wasn't a lot of time for connection relationship. And then at 15, I ended up as a runaway, just 21 different tools 15 different foster care, you know, homes. Yeah. And so I, as a runaway, I have an abandoned house in the middle of winter just thinking as any 18 year old, those of you moms of teenagers know, everybody. Myself included as a kid, I thought I knew everything. And I've been through sexual abuse, you know, I've witnessed domestic violence into a lot of things, but you know, in my 15 years of life, right, and I had been in this abandoned house and a guy befriended me, offered me a place to stay and actually offered me a job, right? I thought my my individual survival skills are better than anything these grown ups got for me. And because you know, 15 and no everything and in that guy gave me a place to stay. He offered me a job, I gave him a fake name. I said I was AC car. I said, I was spacey because every school I went to everywhere Stacy was like that popular pretty girl. Everything I wasn't car because I was picked up in a car and I was fifth Catering and I couldn't think of anything better. Wow. And I said I was 19 I was growing up, right? And I was like, and and so kind of looking for work. And he said, Well, you're in luck. I got you. I'm like what he's like yeah, he's like, I own this business. I have the help wanted in the newspaper. You know? Yeah, I'll give you a job. I've been paying you cash for a couple of days for you make a covenant. And if you hate it that's a lost you have a few bucks in your pocket and I'll drop you back off for a pink jet. I'm like, okay, sure...
Kimberly Hobbs
oh, boy,
Christine McDonald
I was selling flowers and hockey tongs and and in the neighborhood and trinkets and things in, in adult entertainment, like strip clubs. Go Go Back then it was go go. You know, go go dancing was the thing because homos girl I'm old. Wow. And what he did is what we would call the grooming process. He befriended me. He gave me a place to stay. I had to catch my packet. I would go in and do this. And he didn't ask me any questions. And no, this was so much safer than anything I had experienced. He wasn't put his hands on me. You know, there was no violence. There was no sexual abuse. He wasn't trying to be sexual. There was none of that right. But what he ended up doing was selling me to a guy that yeah, for $2,500 he sold me to the man that owned those adult entertainment centers $2,500 I was sold. And then I was sold in the back rooms. That night, the exchange of the $2,500 medi had to test the goods the guy that he sold me to to test the goods the goods of course for me. Um, so we would call that breaking me in so the first guy would have been what we would call a groomer. The second person did what we call breaking them breaking new egg, right? The segregation, the humiliation, the violence, the fear, all of that. And I spent then they would, they were selling me in and out of the backroom, to these gentlemen clubs in Oklahoma City, Coffeyville, Kansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. And I was introduced into drugs. And in that drugs actually became like that coping mechanism, right, it became the thing I would do because I knew what they were fixing to do. And then it became the thing I would do after because I didn't have to think about what it just happened. All that minutia, I became a full blown addict. And eventually at 17, I was escorted off property at gunpoint. I mean, I had nobody to call I was wasn't even allowed to go the bathroom. I mean, what do you do? And I was escorted off property at gunpoint, didn't even know what city I was in. And I said, if we ever see you again, we'll kill you. Again. When I was escorted off the property. I'm walking down the street guy pulls up and says, hey, you need a lift. I said, I don't know where I'm going. And he's like, Well, I'm heading to Iowa. Like, I don't know about Iowa. He's like, Well, I'll stop in Kansas City to gas up and grab dinner. It's the halfway point. I said, Kansas City that's like Chicago. Can I go? And I did. I wrote all the way to Kansas City. I was about a five hour drive. I got off in Kansas City in downtown in the middle. He dropped me off in the heart of downtown where the games prostitution and the pimps and drug there's all of this mess is going on around me like oh my gosh, and I had basically been held captive for two and a half years and may made a decision on my own in two and a half years. Wow. Really traumatic and overwhelming. I didn't know what to do. I tried to get into the shelter. I didn't have an ID, right. I didn't know how to do these processes again. I mean, this was such a culture shock for me. They told me I had to come back at a certain time. And while I'm standing, these people are all around me. And all these things have guys like, hey, blondie. You don't look like you belong here. He's like, can I give you a list somewhere? And I'm like, I don't know where I'm going. And he's like, Girl, you're not safe down here. Let me let me help you out. Right? Why not know was he was a pimp. And that he would I would spend the next 17 years being bought and sold. Yeah. And then I finally, you know, got Brandon that there was a lot of arrest, a lot of violence, just a whole lot of things. Yeah. So that that was kind of my pathway. Until the last day I was on the streets when I almost took a life at gunpoint, and I said, I can't do this, I can't be a monster. And I know I have the capacity and me. I don't care if he finds me and kills me. I will not be responsible for taking her life. And that that started my pathway out. So that that was my freedom gate is what I call it. So wow, wow.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, like it's a little bit even much to take in listening to all that in a short amount of time. It's it's could be overwhelming and you lived it. Christine, you lived that life. And and I know the audience because we didn't even mention it yet. But Christine is blind. Christine, can you talk about that portion of your life as well?
Christine McDonald
Yeah, that's actually where I found my faith. Right. So now I'm tell us about that, please. Yes. So my faith, and this is where God pierced my heart for my calling is like, it's funny. Everybody tells me I'll tell us a story about us. And I'm not there was a pivotal moment in my life that God utilizes to catapult my faith and to teach me how the body of Christ operates. Right. And so I've been out for a couple years, and I met a guy. And we were I had not really had had a really tainted understanding of Jesus. And God, I had pastors that had paid for me, right, I had gone to churches that said, you can't eat unless, unless you, you know, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you're gonna burn in hell. And I just heard all these awful things. It was so Genji, if so, and I am the quarter that my pimp had me work, there were three churches, and he would make all these things right. And not once if any of these people have faith, right? They're supposed to be the good guys you think, come to my rescue or intervene, you know, you know, and so like, like, I have to say that the whole Jesus people that didn't feel so great set so well with me because of a lot of experiences I talked about. And same kind of human. And then I got pregnant, there were some complications in that pregnancy. And I was forced to choose between the life of my unborn child and my own eyesight, I went blind, in three days, wow, there was medication that would have saved my eyesight, and the inflammation in my brain that was causing the blindness, but it would have taken the life of my unborn child and, and I chose my baby. And when my baby was old, I had to have both of my eyes medically removed to so that's really where my faith really, really like that transformational piece, right? We can go to church and we can like, get into some Bible study and memorize some scripture, but that's not the same as having that moment where you are truly transformed by the Spirit. And this is where that part of my journey started. I had been going to church I'd been going to Bible study and I was Piven and go into church I was listening and learning right. And yet I had yet had that spiritual awakening that transformation until that blindness happened.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, wow. Christine. And so your faith was solidified through that time because your walk began your trust and your your reliance on Jesus truly took form right and not not visible with what your eyes could see but the trust of what you could not see. And that's incredible. And so then, I am just amazed again, I I've been able to talk to Christine on on the side a lot which is beautiful. But Christine, you you develop this passion of serving God and your heart became pierced for people. And you wanted to understand people and love them in their humaneness and love them to Jesus. Right. So why why was that such a passion for you? Because you were on the other side of it. Right? Right knew what it was like and people were not.
Okay, so tell us about that. Tell us about that.
Unknown Speaker
I remember my first started going to church to people would be like, Oh, she's like, dress like a prostitute. You can't do that. But I hadn't accepted Christ yet. Right? I had not yet. I was coming to church, and I was speaking, I was showing up but people were just like, really? judgy. And I dealt with a lot of that. Well, I was a prosecutor. I've been a prostitute for 21 years. So better God, I couldn't pierce my heart to do differently if he wasn't in my heart yet. So I was seeking and so they were pushing me away, right? And I was trying to find my place but yet I still have that yearning and that drawing and I felt odd and I was trying to learn I had been through the things well, you can't have a sandwich unless you accept Jesus in your heart and I think well, so you want me to lie to you and tell you I believe something I don't even understand. So I can have a sandwich Well, that's like asking me to commit perjury right. To in order to get food I want to get this he met the human needs in the moment right he'll blabber he met these people in those moments with in their mess, right. And those humanities were met a little off the bat God, Jesus. Um, but in that there was that spiritual transformation. And so how do we how do I use my experiences where I've gone to church, and they're talking about purity in the women's Bible study and purity events and things like that, and I'm like, Hold on, I was trafficked. I mean, I was sexually abused that at at eight, you know, um, how do how does somebody like me find period? Right? And because I did not yet have that biblical foundational understanding. And so thank you. Well, but the conversations were things that people like me would feel are unobtainable. I'm never going to Mass Spec patients, right. And so what do you do you go find another church, because you're still sick. And right. So I thought, Well, gosh, after I wrote my book, cried purple, which is for people that have experienced substance use disorders, people that have been in prison, people that have done these things, so they can have hope. God really pierced my heart. Well, you know, the Bible really tells us why Jesus example you know, he was hanging out with the leper who was hanging out with the prostitutes. He was finding equity for the homeless, right making sure hey, man, how do we use I don't know what the Bible tells us. It Real Life practical application.
Kimberly Hobbs
And so can I can I say right here I was so moved Christine. When you told me how you put that into action? Yeah, reaching people where they were when you sat on that curb next to a prostitute can you share with the audience about how you did that you just because of where you were you were able to meet someone where they were and love them to Jesus?
Christine McDonald
Yeah so um, samples of things that I give in same kind of human when I come into churches are go to organizations and facilitate trainings with real life practical application is I too, I walk my walk, I don't just teach people how to do this and love like Jesus and break our own biases and help us on thread those so that they keep us from seeing these vulnerable people. But I live that out in my everyday life, man. One day, there was this gal and I heard her cry in from my apartment, and I'm like, open my door. Now. Like I said, I'm totally blind. But guys, when I hear somebody sobbing, and I go outside of my colo, is there somebody out there? And I still hear a cry. And so I just start walking towards the sound. I got my little cane. And I'm like, Can I sit here and she's like, you don't want to sit here. I'm a prostitute. And I'm like, I think it'll be okay darlin. And so I sit there and I'm like, What's your name? And she says, doesn't matter. You don't have to tell me right? Um, and I said, are you hungry? And I ran up and I grabbed some stuff out of my fridge and put some stuff together for to keep coke go bags handy because I can teach people and equip people to serve these people. But I've got to practice what I preach, if you will. So I live that out too, in my day to day, so I give her this food and I sit back down and at a car comes and she's like, I don't want to go and I'm like, It's okay. And she's like, she's like, so why are you here? And I said, well, there was a time If I worked this corner that I was paid for, that I was beaten up on this corner and cars passed me, I was hungry and I was cold. For years I've been arrested on this corner, I've been through some stuff on these corners. And nobody saw me. And nobody intervened. I was invisible my pain, all my longing for that rescuer. And I made a commitment to my heart to make sure that people can feel seen. And so that's why I teach people how to people. By my commitment, God pierced my heart and equip me to help people see those people in their own communities. And then how do you connect with people that their trust has been violated in so many ways? And how do you reach those people that are a little more challenging?
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, exactly. And that, that same girl, you were able to develop a relationship because you invested time, Christine, you took time to know who she was, as God sees her? And not just try to push your agenda on her? Right? Yes. And that's what we have to learn, ladies says that. There, everybody's busy and you God provides moments in time for us to reach people where they are. And this is the beauty of Christine's life. That this is what she does now is she has the ability to teach people to love people where they are, and not just judge them or shun them for what they're doing.
Christine McDonald
Right?
Kimberly Hobbs
Exactly. Because they don't even know right? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. So we all have so much busyness going on in our lives. So we need to look around at people and be still long enough to see them as God sees them and be wise to their surroundings and their life. You know, like you, you told me when you were a prostitute, you know, and, and you got into this truck and, and some guy was trying to push a tract on you and tell you about Jesus. But you're like, wait a minute, wait a minute, unless you give me money, I'm gonna be in big trouble. I gotta get out of here. And instead of being sensitive, he drove off pushing his agenda on you not hearing
Christine McDonald
And I got beat you with broken bones, right?
Kimberly Hobbs
You got beat up for it when you got out of that truck without money to give to your pimp. And that man cause a lot of pain in your life. Of course, you were turned off to Jesus at that point, like how could this guy be so insensitive, right. But this is what this whole podcast is about ladies and why Christine is investing her time to be here today is to share. We have to take moments to look at the life that we are talking to about Jesus. God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As an all the meetings of God's holy people. So ladies, right, we have to bring our life into order and look in the moment that God has put us in at the heart that he has put in front of us to share Jesus with. So So Christine, how do you teach people to be honorable to other people?
Christine McDonald
Well, I think we have to examine our own motives. Sometimes we do it for our own hearts to feel good. Okay, that of the person that we're serving. And we feel like well, if I bring them to Jesus, that's a win for me. Well, you can't bring somebody I mean, we can even go on to to the psychology behind this, the people that have been impacted by trauma people that have this whole messy mess. Number one, we can't decide when they feel safe. And we can start building that trust relationship. So consistency and being okay, being a safe plan or what you might not see the reward. Look, we are supposed to surrender and submit. And that means that we become selfless. And that means that we're not doing this for our own rewards. And I see it happen a lot. Wait. So ask yourself, why are you doing this? This isn't because it makes you feel bad because you did something good for somebody? Are you really doing it to draw people into God's kingdom, right? It has to be that motivation. And that may mean you're just that seed cleaner to change the way if that guy would have just said, Hey, here's here's a track and I stuck it in my back pocket. He kept on going. Who knows? I might have read it one day. Amen. Right? He wanted to like, I want you to be saved, and I need you to do this. And that was all about his own agenda, right? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And so when we can, we have these moments of time and you gotta be okay, like I use this analogy, like, a blind girl is going to try to get sighted people on analogy. Litter. If you have one little piece of glitter in the floor, you're not going to see it. But if there's several little pieces of glitter and the light shines on that shiny thing on the universe, oh, it's just a little pile of glitter. You can be okay. So think of your state planning as like are building that little bit of hope. Right? And, and build on that instead of looking for your own Marisa and and I've learned, you know I've been I've been I've been speaking and doing these kinds of things since about 2007 teaching people how to do effective outreach today to find new churches and communities, what's going to be the best population that you guys are really led to be in, and it's practical in your community, that's a need. But I've been you know, when we do this, I've been doing this for a really long time. But I think so often what I see is you have to examine your own heart and your own motive. I have seen people start up programs, and they'll ask me to come in and consult with them and how to strengthen how to do better because people aren't saying, I don't like you're making them sign a statement of faith in order to have a place to eat and sleep for the next 30 days. Oh,
Kimberly Hobbs
my gosh, right.
Christine McDonald
a Bible study for six hours a day. And they don't even know who this is, you're asking to sign a statement of fact about for you to give him a place.
Kimberly Hobbs
Christine, Christine, I have to read this verse again, that I read as we started off, because it's so appropriate here. God makes everything beautiful for its own time, he has planted eternity in the in the human heart. But even so people cannot see the whole scope of God's word from beginning to end. So again, we
Christine McDonald
So again we love them like Jesus by giving him that bed. And those meals, and inviting them to church have been learn about God, big enough to be God and their heart on their own. You don't need say, in order for us to help you for the next six months, you sign the statement of faith, right, except Jesus in your heart and will take care of your ex. facilitate a safe space and being good people will take care of their humanity. Create the space for God to God.
Kimberly Hobbs
Hey, man, let God be God. Right. God may be using you ladies to do his work. So he's put this life or person in front of you and their their life might be different than Christine's we don't know what their life is. But let God do the work. And you just love them. And you just spent the time and put them and serve be a servant. And have a servant's heart. And that takes time. It doesn't just happen quickly, right? People? You're exactly right. Yeah. So we have to wrap it up, Christine. And I just want to share with the ladies though that there is unbelievable, Christine. She teaches she's a she teaches at churches, she speaks all over and you can reach Christine and Christine dot cry purple@gmail.com. She has her books available the same kind of human. She also has cried purple. She loves to speak at churches and events. She also has a movie out. And you tell them about the movie. Christine, like this is so exciting.
Christine McDonald
I have a docu drama. So I called it a documentary. And I was corrected as Tokyo drama. And so it's all about trafficking and the intersection between pornography, and how that fuels sexual exploitation. It has snapshots of my story and some of my work and ministry. So but it really gives us a call to action. So it's in a festival run won a bunch of awards. It's so exciting. It'll be available this spring. But if you go to Christie speaks ministry, or if you find me on YouTube, or our Facebook, you know, you can kind of follow that journey and what is inspired from this whole thing, which I'm excited to start showing in churches and having conversations in communities is it's it's we've been, you know, we're in conversations now about like, a full episodic series that really like walks through the different chapters of my life. Wow, wow. It's just crazy.
Kimberly Hobbs
So it is not out yet. It'll be out in the spring. It will. Okay, so fantastic. So ladies, please look for that. And look Christina up on her website. So you have that so when the movie does come out, you can watch it but you know, I heard Christine speak at the faith and Film Festival in Orlando, Florida. She spoke there and shared and it she was just such you can hear her heart just pour out to people and I just again, if you have any wants or inclination to bring Christine to your church or to call on her, please please go to her website again. She's also available on YouTube at Christine speaks ministry. Her website is Christine's beaks ministry.com or.org There's so many places you could find her and also, Christine C. McDonald on Facebook. I just want them to find you, Christine because what you're doing for God's Kingdom you are busy, busy, busy at work, and you could have taken all the adversity thrown your way and had a pity party the rest of your life because my gosh, or life, but God right, but God, and so you are an inspiration, my sister, I am so grateful that you came on. And I know that you would just reach out to anybody who tried to reach out to you. So thank you, thank you for being a guest today. We love you and appreciate you, Christine, and what you're doing for God's kingdom. You're beautiful. And, ladies, we are so grateful that you tuned in today. And this is what we do at women, world leaders. We empower women with purpose to walk in their beautiful plan that God has just for them. Remember, ladies, you're a masterpiece you're created anew in Christ Jesus, to do the things that he planned for you Long, long ago. So think about that. Pray with Jesus, and take those opportunities of that precious life that he puts in your path, to share His love with others and get to know them where they are. So as we close out our podcast today, remember that we have tools for you at women, we're leaders, we have books. We have podcasts available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday teaching podcasts we have encouraging podcasts, and we just want you to be part of all of it. So from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.
Have you ever been so wiped out that you feel you can't go on and you are hanging on by a thread? A thread that is about to break at any time. Please join Rusanne Carole in this week's podcast as we travel to visit the woman the Bible speaks of in the book of Luke. We chat about pressing in to touch His garment, allowing us to "press in" and "persevere" and get through the many challenges we face in life.
Welcome everyone to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s weekly podcast. We welcome you and are so happy you’ve joined us. My name is Rusanne Carole and I’ll be your host today. Today we will chat about look how can we persevere, push through each day even when we may feel broken, exhausted, and barely hanging on!
When you live enough life you realise that life has seasons where the sun shines, life seems like it couldn’t get any better. I think of times of falling in love, having a baby and holding them in your arms for the first time, accomplishing a long fought after goal to name a few. Then we have the hurricanes of life; a diagnosis and a fight to live, constant caring of a loved one and our exhaustion is overwhelming; our whole life given take care of another, the death of a loved one. The dichotomy of life itself. Seasons where it is warm and cozy and seasons where it is bitterly cold and you feel you are walking against the storm with icy water being thrown at your face over and over again.
I recently heard someone say they felt like they were hanging on by a thread, not sure if they could go on anymore. Someone responded, well if you feel you are hanging on by a thread, let it be onto the thread of the hem of the garment of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
It’s easy to love God and enter His presence when life is going well. Oh, worship comes easy. Singing at the top of your lungs, even jumping up and down a bit booging to the rhythm of the holy songs we sing. But have you ever tried to dance when your heart is hurting so badly it feels like its in such pain it may never beat again. And those around you are happy and you wonder, Lord, what’s happening to me. Why? I love you. I serve you. I want You and life is so terribly difficult.
If we are honest I believe we have all felt like this. In our quietest moments all alone when the storm hits we have those thoughts of self pity. Why Lord? Why? We cry out and wait on a response, but there may be complete silence. Waiting. Trying to hear Him.
The consistency of the earth’s seasons is a reflection of its Maker and the steadiness of His character. They come and go with each passing of time. But the seasons of life come with at times uncertainty. We don’t know what each day may bring. Wonderful or challenging. This is where we face the days either with God, seeking Him with all our heart or not. We have a daily choice. It’s not about surrendering, it’s about living surrendered. Every day. At times, every moment of a day where we find ourselves in raging waters.
I’m reminded of the story in the Bible in Luke, Chapter 8, where there was a woman who had been suffering for twelve years. She had a medical issue and had spent all she had on trying to get help and no one could help her. Being her condition was one of haemorrhaging she would have been considered unclean, should have never been out in public.
But she had heard of this Jesus and heard of the miracles He had performed. Someone had said he would be coming to Galiliee. But the crowds were huge and many had been waiting for him to arrive.
Should I go and try to see Him?
Could He, would He see me?
I have heard of the huge crowds that come. I’m not even supposed to be out in public.
But what if I could just get close to Him? What if I could make my way to get close to Him.
I wonder where she was and who she was with when she learned this Jesus was on His way, on His way to her town.
I wonder what the conversation might have been in her head. The thoughts tumbling around.
Should I go? Or should I just stay at home? That would certainly be safer. What would people think? How silly of me to think that this Miracle Worker, this man they say is the Son of God would even notice me?
I wonder how she may of slept at night thinking He is on His way. Will I see Him? Will I be able to receive the healing like so many I have heard of? What was it she was feeling as she prepared and got dressed to go out in the streets to try to see Him?
Verse 44 in the Passion translation says “pressing in through the crowd, she came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment”. The fringe was the corner of the prayer shawl and the tassel was meant to symbolize all of the commandments and promises of God. This woman was laying hold of a promise of healing.
Pressing in. Pressing in.
What does this mean for us to press in?
I believe it means for us to grab hold of the promises of God. They are for each of us. The work Jesus did on the Cross tells us of His love and sacrifice for us. We are healed by the stripes He took as He was beaten on our behalf. When we accept Him as our Saviour we are in Him. We may feel in life’s trials and tribulation, in the center of a storm, that we can’t pick ourselves up to press on and press in to Him. But we can. In His strength. In our minds eye, even when our body is weak. We can picture reaching out to Him and letting His healing balm flow over us.
It is in His presence we find rest.
I invite you to close your eyes if you are somewhere you can.
Take a few breaths and breathe in His love He has just for you.
IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
In Your Arms Lord
The only place I am truly safe
Your Arms, with scars in the palm of your hands from the nails that pierced them, held You on that Cross where You gave Your life just for me
Your Arms hold me Lord
Always, but especially tight
When I feel alone
When I feel confused
When I am hurting from trouble and tribulation I continually face in this world
Your Arms hold me Lord
As the thorn adorned crown rest upon Your head
Your head on my shoulder
Leaving marks from the dried blood that flowed from the thorns that pierced Your Holy Head
Your Arms hold me Lord
And I hold onto You with all my might
Your Arms hold me Lord
Each day and especially at night
Sometimes the days are easier with the busyness and sounds of the day
It’s when the darkness comes and the moon suddenly appears in the night sky
There is quietness, inwardness, introspectiveness
Sleep, slumber and stillness call us to rest and recharge
Come and hold me Lord
Wrap Your Arms around me
Hold me close
It’s only in Your Arms I want to be
Rock your child to sleep Lord
You are my Rock upon which I stand
But it’s in Your mighty Arms Lord
I find strength to go on
I find the love to have for myself and for others and the security in this temporary world in which I now live
In Your Arms Lord
I always desire to be!
So like the Galileen woman in Luke 8 may we press in and press on. And has she declared so humbly and I picture confidently and with overwhelming joy she declared, “I was desparate to touch you, Jesus, for I knew if I could just touch even the fringe of your garment I would be healed.”
May we know the same. Jesus responded and He responds to us today, “Beloved daughter, your faith in me released your healing. You may go with my peace.”
May we all press into Him, be in His Word daily and get to know Him more and more each day. Amen
At the Festival of the Tabernacles, Jesus teaches in the temple. His message is surprising, convicting, meaningful, infuriating to some, but most of all, life-giving. Will you listen with an open mind and an open heart, seeking God’s wisdom for the path He has for you today? (John 7:14-31)
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am honored to walk with you as we open God’s Word and ask Him to teach us what He wants us to know today.
In today’s passage, I believe that God is issuing a charge to each of us. There is SO much unfolding in our world and I believe this message to us is urgent and necessary. I also believe that He is bringing YOU this message at the exact moment that you need to hear it. So strap in – because we are diving right in!
Our scripture today comes from John 7:14-31. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God. Thank you for guiding us today as we study your Word. God, we know that each time we open your Scripture, there is something specific that you want us each to know – and we don’t want to miss it! So Father, we ask that you cleanse of our sins that we may be clean vessels, ready to hear directly from you. God, may the words that come out of my mouth not be my words, but may they come directly from you. As we gather today, we all have different things going on in our lives, but you know each of them, your care for us is astounding, and we trust you. So we give you this time and ask that you do with it as you will. We love you and we trust you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we join Jesus today in John chapter 7, He is in Judea at the Festival of the Tabernacles. You may recall that Jesus has been there in “secret” as it was not yet time, in God’s perfect timing, for Jesus to make known His presence. That didn’t keep people from talking about Jesus, however. He had quite the reputation. And, like the news we see on our phones and on television today, the news that people knew about Jesus was likely not the whole story – instead, MOST of the Jewish people relied on what they heard from others instead of seeking to experience and understand the truth.
But now, as John records, the time came for more people to get that opportunity to experience Jesus for themselves and draw their own conclusions as to His identity.
John 7:14 from the New Living Translation states..
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The people[a] were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
I love that phrase, “the people were surprised when they heard him.” – Again, the verses before this clearly tell us that Jesus was the buzz around town. Everyone had an opinion. And yet…when they listened for themselves to Jesus, they were surprised. They wondered how He knew so much – this man who had not followed a Rabbi or been taught by one. For many, this was their first contact with the man about whom the rumors had flown.
When we hear rumors, do we go to the source? Do we check out things for ourselves – seeking the truth – before we make a judgment?
The people were surprised by Jesus, but Jesus was not surprised by the people. Verse 16…
16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
Wow…there is so much in these few sentences!
In a time of memorization and regurgitation, teaching, and especially scriptural teaching, was handed down word for word from the teacher to the student. Until the student became the teacher. But as time went by, God’s Word, passed on from flawed human to flawed human, became warped. But THIS teaching, Jesus’ teaching, was different. And Jesus tells the crowd, that’s because HIS teaching, came directly from God Himself.
Today, we often hear people say, “I heard from God…” That hearing comes from the Holy Spirit who speaks directly to all of God’s children. But this was not the case before Jesus went to the cross. People could not, at that time, hear directly from God, as sin had created a barrier between God and His people.
In fact, the Old Testament is chock full of rituals that had to be followed to the T in order for the people to hear from God at all. And yet this man, Jesus, is professing that HIS Words are God’s Words – and that God, in fact, sent Him to speak the Words.
I imagine the murmurs…what did He say? This man is from God? How are we supposed to believe that?
Jesus answers the murmurs, whether they were spoken audibly or just thought in the hearts of the listeners – because Jesus can hear and will answer what is in our hearts – we just need to listen.
Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
I want you to notice the order of this sentence… We must determine to do the will of God before we get the answers we are craving.
There are many things that have changed since Jesus walked the earth, this is not one of them. God calls us to listen to Him in unbridled obedience before He imparts His understanding to us.
That is called faith. And it can be difficult.
Do you ever pray for wisdom from God? The Bible says we can, and we should, and when we do, God will lavish us with His wisdom. But, we have to resolve in our hearts that we WILL act in faith BEFORE we can experience God’s wisdom for our lives. Let me say that again…
We have to resolve in our hearts that we WILL act in faith BEFORE we can experience God’s wisdom for our lives.
Kimberly Hobbs started Women World Leaders 4 years ago on a word from God. And in God’s perfect timing, He continues to build this ministry step by step. I pursued my Masters of Biblical Exposition upon God’s call long before I knew what He intended me to do with it. Maybe you are seeking answers – should you start a family, begin that business, or make that move? Seek God’s wisdom, certainly. But seek it with a steadfast heart, poised and ready to be obedient to His call. If you are asking if it is time to start a family and you want God’s guidance, be ready to obey – whether that be to start a family the natural way, to adopt, foster, or wait on His timing. He will guide you – but only if you prepare yourself to be obedient no matter what He says!
Jesus continues in vs 18, giving concrete guidance of whom they should follow and listen to…
18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. 19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”
Have you ever played 20 questions? It’s a game where one person thinks of a person, place, or object and the other players try to guess what it is. The players ask 20 yes or no questions trying to narrow down the field. Is it a person? Is it a man? Is he living? The point is to listen carefully to the clues and thoughtfully consider the answer.
Jesus teaches the crowd that if we want to know if someone is speaking the truth, we should ask questions and consider the answers. And the first questions should be – Is the speaker looking for his or her own glory? Is the speaker seeking to honor God? Jesus doesn’t tell the listeners to put their stock in Him or the Pharisees, but instead, Jesus asks them to discern wisely whom they will follow.
And then Jesus gives them more to chew on – stating point blank that every person listening is flawed. He says that although they are well aware that they are to follow the law, none of them do. In fact, he states that many were targeting him for murder – and murder is clearly against the Ten Commandments. Today we would say that calling out someone’s sin isn’t a good way to Win Friends and Influence People. People want to be supported, to be honored, to hear how good they are. But sometimes, the truth hurts…and Jesus’ goal was to speak the truth, teaching his listeners, and us, to use their God-given wisdom to each take their own stand in God’s presence.
Verse 28…
20 The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”
21 Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. 22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses’ law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) 23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Jesus was referring back to his healing of the paralyzed man on the Sabbath a year before. Because of that miracle of healing, the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law were still plotting Jesus’ death a whole year later. Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of the situation. It was considered lawful to “work” on the Sabbath if the work meant performing a circumcision, but it was UNlawful for Jesus to heal a man on the Sabbath.
I love the sentence… Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.
The murmurs and the speculations continued…
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? 27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.”
Jesus GAVE the people exactly what they needed so they could know exactly who He was. He offered miraculous teachings, healings, and guidance on how to discern truth. But still, they murmured amongst themselves and relied on the speculation of the so-called authorities.
What a lesson for us today! Our world is in peril! Divisions are growing in every sector of society every day. God made you individually. He spent time creating each of our brains, planning out our days, and He provides for each of us and gives us each a mission. Our job as individuals is to ask the questions, to listen for the answers, and to respond in obedience ONLY to God – no matter what He says. Sometimes, when we are standing for God, it will feel like we are standing alone. At those moments, check yourself. And check back in with God, making sure you are hearing Him correctly. He WILL guide you. And you can be assured that when you are following God, you will NEVER by standing alone, because He will always have your back.
Say YES to God! Before you even know what you are saying yes to! He will NEVER lead you astray. People WILL lead you astray, that is for certain, but God will ALWAYS guide you.
Verse 28…
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. 29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” 30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time[b] had not yet come.
31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”
Jesus determined to obediently follow God’s call, even when the chips seemed down.
And “many” in the crowd finally got it. They realized, THIS IS the Messiah AFTER they asked the questions and considered the answers. God granted them His wisdom that pointed to the truth.
We all have MANY choices to make in our lives – we make decisions many times a day. The most important choice is who you will follow. You can trust that Jesus IS God. But if you still don’t know, if you still aren’t there, try an experiment. Say a prayer to God – ask Him to show you if He is real, and determine in your heart that you will respond based on His answer. God doesn’t want you to believe in Him in a vacuum. Or just because I said to. Not at all. Jesus wants you to believe in Him based on the brains He put in your head and the evidence that He will give when you ask Him for it.
And if you DO believe in Jesus, you already know what it is like to be obedient to Him. You know the joy and simplicity and power that comes with following His call. God is asking you to take that belief a step further – to intentionally obey Him, and only Him, with each decision you make. He’s asking you to go DIRECTLY to Him and ask who you should support, follow, or trust; what path you should pursue; and when you should speak out for a cause. When you do, Jesus will give you the wisdom to follow the path He has ordained for you. With each decision you are presented, God wants you to decide in advance to faithfully obey Him, then ask Him the questions and listen for His discerning and guiding answer.
Oh…if I sound passionate about this, I am! God has created you to be strong and take a stance many times every day of your life. We are in the middle of a war of good versus evil. Satan is on the prowl, and he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy ANY good that God has accomplished in and through His people. He deceives, he tricks, and he positions even Christians against each other in an effort to get his way and thwart God’s plan. Let’s not let him! Let’s stand together, yes, but let’s EACH be accountable to GOD! THAT is the only way we can truly accomplish His plans!
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God! You are righteous, perfect, and on the throne! We come to you this minute and we come to you every minute of every day, seeking your wisdom. We ask you to guide us and lead us to walk in your will and your way. God, we give you our lives to do with as you will – and we pledge our obedience, to walk and stand tall in obedience to you – no matter what that looks like. We ask for and trust that you will give us your strength and endurance to do ALL that you have called us to do – one, single step at a time! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Would you consider yourself uncommon? God created you - you are unique and wonderfully made. Today's guest, young and vibrant Coach Caitlyn Benedik, shares her story of how God created her to be different. She stepped out of the "box" into a fun career and shares her 4 uncommon reasons to live by as Christ has led her. **** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. It is our privilege to come to you today and ask you to join us as we welcome our guest today, which is Caitlyn Benedik. Welcome, Caitlin. Glad to have you.
Caitlyn Benedik
I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for having me on.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, and today we are talking to you ladies about uncommon and that's a word that is very special to Caitlyn. And as we talk a little bit about her story, you're gonna see why and hopefully that word will speak to you today. And it's our our hopes that in you listening today, ladies that this podcast will strengthen you and encourage you to walk in that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. We believe that all of us are created uniquely by our Creator, our Lord, our God. And every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as the faithful stewards of the many colored tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 4:10. So as we go into our podcast today, I always love to share a little bit about our guests. So today I want to share a little bit about Caitlyn and who she is and where she came from, before we get into her story, so Caitlyn is a graduate of Pensacola Christian cap College where she was part of the Lady Eagles basketball team during her tenure there. And during her time at Pensacola, she discovered her passion for coaching men's basketball, which led her to Maryland. And that's where she's now an assistant coach for the Salisbury men's basketball program. She's also pursuing her master's degree in Health and Human Performance. And when she is in coaching, she loves to read, spend time outside and serve in her church. So today, as we go into this interview about being uncommon, it's something that really resonates with Caitlyn. And I usually ask some of the women who I have the privilege of interviewing what's a word that would describe you in your life and in what you want to share with the world. And in Caitlyn chose the word uncommon. And I said, Okay, that's really interesting. We've never talked about that before. So she's going to explain more on this as we get into today's podcast. But I wanted to start off with a scripture about being unique. And I just always, if any of you are following us, women, world leaders on these podcasts, scripture, scripture, scripture, it's so important because there's power in the Word of God. And I chose Psalm 139 14, which says, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, my soul knows it very well. And I love that because each of us are unique. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. That's what the Bible says about us. Caitlin, god, did you with a distinct purpose and a beautiful heart to walk out that purpose? So let's start here by sharing your story because you were sharing with me. As we were discussing, prior to this podcast, some of the struggles you had growing up and wanting to be an athlete. So can you talk about your growing up years?
Caitlyn Benedik
Yep. So when I was a young kid, I was a gymnast. And that sport is very demanding, you have to be in the gym 24 hours a week, you know, and it's a year round sport. So there's never really any time off. And it's it was a perfectionist environment. So you're judged on how perfect you can do a skill or a routine and growing up also, my family was and they had their own struggles and my parents got divorced and they're both remarried and through that, like the environments weren't very, very loving for a while and I just never felt like I was valued or, or I was good enough. And to add that home situation to my gymnastics mentality and perfectionism. I struggled a lot with my worth and knowing who I was and who's I was and My value and I desire to be a college athlete. I you know, I did gymnastics for 12 years, and my Oh, was, I'm gonna do this in college, I'm gonna get a scholarship doing this. And then about my freshman year in high school, I started getting this feeling like, I'm not really sure if I want to do this anymore. And I didn't really vocalize that for a while it was about a year that I felt that way. And then I started getting scared to do skills I've been doing for a long time. And for all that I've seen gymnastics on TV or participate in the sport, you can't have fear in that sport. Because you're flipping around a bar or you're tumbling over a four inch beam, you have to be fearless. If you're if you have any type of scared feeling in you, then it's very dangerous. And so about my sophomore year in high school, early fall, so late July, early August, I decided for good, it was time for me to be done. And that was very challenging for me, because my whole life, I'd been a gymnast, all my friends knew it. Everybody that known me growing up knew it. That's kind of what they labeled me as was you are a gymnast, and you're really good at it. And so when I told people I was done, and I was gonna walk away from the sport, they, they couldn't believe it, and they couldn't comprehend it. But I knew that's what God was, was calling for me to do. It was time for me to let it go a time for me to move forward and, and experience something new. So I had these friends that lived down the street from me, we used to shoot hoops on the outside goal or walk over to to the park and play some games. And they convinced me to try out for the basketball team. They said have you try out and make it we'll come to every game. Well, they never showed up to one game, but I did make the team ever since then I fall in love with the sport. And so I had this crazy idea. Well, I'm not gonna be a college in this I might as well be a college basketball player. And so I just let somebody in my corner know that that was my goal and my dream and he necessarily didn't believe was going to happen, but he was willing to help me get there. And at least open the gym, provide the opportunity open the weight room, helped train me and helped me actually have not accomplished but work towards that goal and the Lord blessing with two opportunities to college programs and I ended up choosing to go to Pensacola Christian College.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yay. Which brings us into our our next little bit about learning about you. Because this is just this young woman of God has truly captured my heart and talking to her outside of this podcast. And so just getting to know her I want you all to know her too, as as I was getting to know her and she went to college at a Christian College, which was Pensacola Christian College. So Caitlin, can you talk to us a little bit about that it was a strict college, you were saying? And you were not used to strict nor were you used to being surrounded by people of faith, such as that. So can you talk about what that meant being around strong believers?
Caitlyn Benedik
Yeah, so PCC is a they call it independent fundamental Baptists. That's the conference that they're a part of. And so they're very conservative, extremely conservative, like I had to wear a skirt to class every day. And that was tough for me, because I'm a tomboy. So I never, you know, wear skirts or dress up and be super girly. And though my parents had had standards and rules that we were required to follow. This environment was extremely different from what I was used to growing up in. Like I grew up with three brothers and a sister. So I was used to being in the crowd of all men and at PCC there is very strict rules on when and where and how you can hang out with guys. So I was surrounded by a bunch of girls and I didn't really know how to, to navigate that as that wasn't really something that I had always been a part of. But through my time there it was the first time I'd been, you know, I grew up in church and I that was a big part of my life. And I always made sure that I was a youth on Wednesdays and church on Sundays and being mentored by some of the older women in my church. If I ever needed anything. I went to counseling there and stuff like that, but I never been surrounded by all Christian environment academically. So to go to a university where like, I have to take Bible class we have chapel attend every day. We have church on Sunday, Sunday school on Sunday evening church on Wednesday and Sunday night so like I'm constantly surrounded by the word. And not only that, I'm a part of a basketball program where all my teammates are Christian. All my teammates study that word. All my teammates profess to live my life on track change. Seeing God and so that was pretty cool because even though I felt very uncomfortable in that environment, the Lord used it to teach me discipline teach me how to respect authority that I didn't necessarily agree with, teach me how to the importance of having a good female community around me, like now that I moved to Maryland, My Dang, I really need some strong Christian women in my life, whether they're my age, whether they're a little bit older than me, because it's important to be able to have those you can relate to that are going through the same circumstances as you to be able to draw wisdom from there and be able to be turned back to the Lord. So that is, that is why I ended up going there. I didn't know the Lord's purpose. At first I just said, Okay, I'm, I'm gonna go there. That's where I feel weird because I went on to campus visits. I said, I feel peace and PGC. I don't know why. But that's how I know God is telling me that's where he needs me to be. So I just followed the peace and follow where he was leading me. And I can see now why he might.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And, boy, you know, some of the Navy, the moms listening in, that are at that have children that age, you know, trying to guide them into what colleges to look at. That was really, that was really inspiring to you, and a lot of fundamentals taught at that college for your faith life. So Christian colleges are very, very important. And we're just glad that that was a memorable time in your life. Caitlin, so you were on your way to focusing on playing basketball, but you had another struggle in your life. And this is where God had showed up in your life huge, because you had to have knee surgery. And unfortunately, for a whole year, you were kind of taken out. But while you were dealing with that, God called you to the inner city. And so if you can take this moment and describe to us that time, and how it actually, God had a plan and a purpose already set out and how that led you into what you are doing now as your profession, which is unbelievable. It's uncommon.
Caitlyn Benedik
Yeah, so I had a feeling when I went to college that I was going to want to stay around athletics, and I thought I was going to be in a strength and conditioning standpoint, but then I fell in love with basketball. And so by my sophomore year in college, I had seen this AAU team play. And it was a traveling basketball team. And it was based out of Pensacola. And I'm like, Well, I'm going to school in Pensacola. So let me reach out and see if I can sit in some practices or, or learn from some people. And so I got connected with the community center in Pensacola, which is an inner city, and I volunteered my time for a year. And then by the time I had knee surgery, they offered me a job. So I was full time staff there. And because of my knee surgery, I was able to devote a lot of my time to the community center because I wasn't traveling for games. And then there are days like I wouldn't be able to practice so I could go to work instead. And so I really focus my time on that. And the inner city guy just cold call me there. Because like that's my heart is to help love people where they're broken. Because that's what God has done for me. Like no matter how broken I've always felt the Lord has always been right there to love me, right in my brokenness. And so that's kind of why I love the inner cities, I have ability to shine light in a dark place. And to the point of now I get to be transformational in lives of young men and women. And so I wanted to coach and because I grew up with three brothers, I was always around. I have one biological brother, and he's almost exactly your report. So I was grew up being in class with him. And I always watched him play football, he was a wrestler, he played baseball ran track. So I was always heavily involved in all of his sports. And because of that, you know, I was a part of the boys club. And that's kind of how I grew my passion for men's athletics, and then even more so working in the inner city. Those are very hard young men to reach. And a lot of people say there's not a good young man in the world anymore. Well, okay, if that's the problem, how can we present a solution and I want to be a solution. And he kind of gave me that heart for those that are tough to reach and even more so an ability to reach them. It's one thing like a passion but for God's we equip you with the tools you need. It was it's just been cool to see how it unfolded. And right in front of my eyes.
Kimberly Hobbs
Absolutely honey, and here is where you're at uncommon part of why I've started I, it just seems like, you know what, what happened through that year of transition and your knee surgery and God giving you this heart and passion to do something out of the box that isn't the ordinary of what a young woman would be doing. And so he led you to your career right now, which is so beautiful. And the scripture says right here, but now Oh, Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our Potter. We are all the work of your hands. That's Isaiah 64, eight. And that's exactly what he was doing. He was molding you. And he was making you the way he had purposed and planned for your life. And it was something along the desires of your heart already, which is so beautiful, Caitlin, so you belong, you started becoming molded in an uncommon way as a woman at a young age. So can you talk about the boundaries, because now all of a sudden, you're working in a man's world? You are coaching men's basketball at a college? So how did God set you up in that place? Each day, you had four uncommon points, you said that you want to share with the listeners today that were special to you. So can you talk about those uncommon points.
Caitlyn Benedik
So for me, the reason why I chose the word uncommon is, you know, the scripture of like, we're supposed to be salt for the world, we're supposed to be set apart from the world and different. And so for me, like that, is summed up in the word uncommon. And, like, that means to me, I want to be uncommon in four areas in my life, and especially in my job in coaching. And the first one is leading people to accountability and coaching all the time, we have to tell kids, hey, you're not doing this right, need to get better at this. How are we working to grow here, and it's hard for them a lot of times to accept it, like they're always in a defensive standpoint. But if I build a relationship, and get them to paint for me a picture what they want it to look like, now I can lead them to accountability lead them to what they said they want it to be. And so it goes from a conflict driven state to now like an ownership driven state. And they're able to accept Oh, coach is telling me this because I said I wanted to be, let's say, an All American, but I'm not working hard enough to get there. And now she's just leading me to that to what I said I want it to be. So that's one way for me to be uncommon. The other one is loving others Well, for me, like loving my guys know that when I say I love you, it's not this romantic, crazy, awkward thing. It's like when I say I love you, they know I'm committed to your well being. So I love you, and I'll see you be successful, no matter what that looks like. And when I say love you, they know that, like I'm committed to their well being. And being able to walk that out through my actions, allows my words to hold a lot of weight in their life. And then I want to serve them like a waiter. We see a restaurant and and we have a waiter, but they don't expect anything in return. They're just here to get us the drink, get us our food, take our order, whatever else we might need for that meal to go well, and for us to have a great experience there. And so that's what I want my life to be like, That's what Jesus was he got down, he washed our feet, you never expect anything in return. And so I just want to serve like a waiter without expecting anything in return. And the last thing is gonna be an elite question asker in coaching, especially in sports, like our guys have to be able to make decisions, and then even raising kids like we want our children to be able to make decisions when they leave our care. But if we're always giving them the right answers, how are they going to ever be able to make their own decision? So I want to ask the questions, I want them the questions I asked to foster a learning environment, and an autonomy of learning. So now they can figure it out. I'm just sparking, thought I'm just sparking the wheels turning so they can come to the conclusion that they need to be successful. And when they do that, it gives them ownership of their learning. Instead of giving them the right directions, I'm asking them the right questions. So that's what I'm common means to me, it's leading them to accountability, serving like a waiter, loving them, well, then asking them only questions.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, that is so beautiful, Coach Caitlin, that God has called you to be so unique in an environment that he set up just for you to serve in and it goes along with your personality. Its goes along with how God created you growing up all the experiences that you had experience. And again, all of us are uncommon in different ways, right? We're each created unique like the scripture I opened up, you know, we are fearfully and wonderfully made each and our own purpose. So the women that are listening in are thinking oh my goodness, you know, my daughter needs to listen to this and as we go into our are closing in this is where I kind of wanted to rest a little bit and you to take some time is that listener right now that is just kind of gleaning from what you've learned at a young age and how you've processed this. You value scripture, Caitlin and I asked you what is some of the scripture that God gave to you your favorite scriptures, and one you shared with me was proverbs three, five, and six, which a lot of us love and have claimed, which is trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. And then there was another scripture that is special to you. And that's in Jeremiah, where Jeremiah and the potter, there's a, there's a whole story there. So I just want you to take off and inspire these listeners about why this passage is an is so important and how it can help them in their life, too.
Caitlyn Benedik
So one of the biggest struggles for me is just the value piece, like knowing my worth, and being confident in that I'm not looking for outside affirmation, finding it in the Lord. And so this summer, I really been kind of working on healing through that. And God gave me Jeremiah 18, which is, he has Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house, he said, I'll speak to you there. And so when Jeremiah got there, the Potter was working on a vessel. And when he was finished making it, the potter realized it was marred in his hand. So it wasn't made correctly. If he fired it, it probably would have broken so instead of throwing the clay away and getting new clay to make something different, he then crushed it down, remoulded it, reshaped it to where it was as good as him. And then God told Jeremiah like, this is what I can do for Israel, you know, and it really spoke to me because instead of tossing what he thought was broken, the what the potter thought was broken away, he then remoulded it, took it down, tore it down, built it back up, to make it something beautiful for him, and God does the same thing for us. He's really shown me through this scripture that our brokenness is not something to hide. The world wants us to put on this perfect mentality and like, we're fine. There's nothing wrong with us. Not to share our stories, because if we do and show where our imperfections lie, then we're not good enough. But that's not what this scripture is telling us. It's saying that even though we're broken, God will build us back up to where it is good in his eyes, you know, like were created beautifully and wonderfully in his eyes. And he also spoke to me and said, like, we're so busy comparing ourselves to others, that we're now going to be replicas of those people. Instead, why don't we allow the Lord to build us up to shape us to mold us and now we're going to be unique and marvelous, and a masterpiece for the Lord? Why would you want to be a replica when we can be a masterpiece, and we all need to be masterpieces. Because if I'm trying to be a rebel, I'm never going to be 100% When God needs me to be. And so this scripture is really been speaking to me and even more so to the fact that like, there's this ancient Japanese art, and they take broken pottery, and they piece it back together with gold, and it becomes more valuable, broken than it ever was whole. And that's kind of how we are, the more broken we are, the more the Lord can work in our lives, the more we can experience His grace and His strength. And it says in Scripture, where we are weak, then he is strong. So we have to find strength in our weakness, because even though we might be broken, even though we might feel down in the pit, like we have hope in the Lord, because he said that he's going to lift us up and bring us out of it. And even though we can't see the good right now, like eventually, we're going to understand that we needed to weather that storm. So now we can reach other people through that we have a newfound endurance in God.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Wow, I told you ladies like she is just what God has taught her at such a young age. And it's just valuable information and, and we are just so thankful, you know, that you would just come and share from your heart. And it just gives so many hope, you know, just hope of what God can do with a life When you surrender to Him. And you, coach Caitlin are uncommon for Jesus, and it's a beautiful thing. So the Bible tells us that as each of us have received a gift to us to serve one another, as stewards of God's varied grace. And again, that's first Peter 410 and a different version as I opened up with but ladies God has created you each unique and Different in Romans 12 Two says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. And as we learned, just hearing Katelyn share her story, she was tested. And she had to discern about what is the will of God for my life, she had it planned out, she had it mapped out of what she wanted to do. But God gently guided her to where he wanted and what he prepared, which was so unique to who she is and who he created her to be. It's the beauty of God, ladies, when we surrender our hearts and open it up to him and his will for our life. He's never gonna steer you wrong. And Caitlin, if I asked you right now, can I offer you $200,000 to come and dig dirt in my backyard? Because I really need somebody, would you leave what you're doing? No, I don't think so. Because God called you to this, because he knew that he created you with this amazing purpose to pour into these men that are at this college, you know, and that are learning from you. So we are grateful for what you do. And ladies, each of you can do anything that God is calling you to anything, you just need to trust Him and step out of the box and do those uncommon things. With his strength, not yours, just like Caitlin had to rely on God every step through this. And he was giving her all the signs and strengthening her to prepare her for what she's doing. And Philippians 413 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which is amazing, because all is all and that's all like we we can do anything and everything. That's powerful. So it was God who set you apart, Caitlin, before you were born to do this uncommon thing. And ladies, another scripture you can read on your own is Galatians 115. And again, nothing is impossible with God. So one more 32nd. Caitlin, what is that shot in the arm that you want to leave for the women listening in that will just empower her today to just walk out there and be uncommon for Jesus? What can you tell her?
Caitlyn Benedik
My life motto is don't discount your value. So just like you buy a shirt, depending on what logo has on it depends its value, or your logo is the Lord and you your value is immense. He loves you so much. And never discount your value because you're the one who gets to set it and everybody else has to follow. So whatever you set it as that is what it is. So find it in the Lord and trust that He will be with you every step of the way.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And you didn't even know I was gonna ask you that question. And that's just huge, just huge. So thank you. Thank you so much Dream Big ladies, because you are extraordinary. And we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. So in closing, I just want to say thank you coach, Caitlin, for being with us today and just you are a breath of air as a young woman out of college coaching men's basketball at another college like yay, go coach Caitlin, and go team Salisbury, Salisbury, what are they called? What are their What's your seagulls, the seagulls, Salisbury seagulls? So go team and ladies, we are just glad you have made your way to women, world leaders to listen to these podcasts. And as we close out today, we want to invite you to be part of this amazing, amazing global ministry for women of all ages. And we believe with all our hearts, there is a place for you here if you want to serve Jesus. Come serve Him with us. There is so many opportunities for you to be part of this ministry. Just as when Caitlin and I were introduced. We didn't know what God had planned for us to meet. But this whole podcast unfolded as we got to know each other and her willing yes to God to say, I'll serve you however you want. Let us to be on this podcast together. So ladies, the same for you. Whatever God is stirring in your heart to serve Him. We have opportunity to do that. Here. You can write your story. We have voice of truth magazine, which is a quarter The publication it's beautiful. There's so many gifts and talents inside of that magazine that are used for Jesus Christ, you can be a part of that we have books that go out into the world with, oh my goodness, such amazing God stories. Maybe God gave you an incredible story that needs to be shared to give others hope, and inspiration, whatever it may be, ladies, we have a place for you. Please reach out to us. You can reach out to me personally at Kimberly at women world leaders.com Send me an email about how I can get in touch with you to see what you can possibly be a part of here in this ministry. And like I said, so many things. So please pray about it. Please join us please just be part of this amazing, amazing mission for God. Thank you, Caitlin Benedick for being our guest today. Thank you ladies for being here and empowering lives with purpose and from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. Remember every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we bring to you these podcasts for your learning and inspiration and in growth in Jesus. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a beautiful day.
Today's Voice of Truth reading is titled: Gospel Grace by Best selling Author Lillian Cucuzza. Please listen and be inspired to fully surrender your life to the Savior of this world and all mankind; Jesus Christ. ** Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I'm Kimberly Hobbs, I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And it is my honor to bring to you today, a reading from Voice of Truth magazine. God has called Women World Leaders to produce this publication throughout each year. And I'm excited to share that this is our second year of publishing. We work with artists and writers, authors and helpers to showcase God's glory. Please visit womenworldleaders.com where you can read every edition that has come out since day one, we are certain it will encourage you and empower you to a closer walk with Jesus Christ. Please register for a free digital subscription going forward. And if you become a monthly contributor of any size donation, we will make certain you receive a beautiful magazine coffee table quality sent to your mailbox. We are a 501 C three and all donations are tax-deductible. Maybe you'd like to pay it forward and provide the printed copies as gifts to someone who could use the encouragement and the word of God through messages and stories. Whatever way you choose, it is our heart that you will be blessed by hearing and reading Voice of Truth. Today's reading is from our fifth edition, September October of 2021. The article is gospel grace and it was written by Best Selling Author Lillian Cuzuzza. Lillian is a leader in women world leaders and she's the founder of his creations. She is a professional photographer, and some of her spectacular artistry work is found in every edition of voice of truth magazine with a story that goes with her work and it relates from God's Word. Lillian is an encourager, and lover of Jesus and His creations, and she uses her gifts and talents to serve him. Please enjoy today's message nestled in Gospel grace. I spell grace by Lillian Kusa. I grew up in a family that attended church regularly. I did the readings during church services when I was 14 years old. I was raised to believe there was a God and a heaven. But I did not know God personally. Even though I was involved in a church, I worried about dying, because I did not know if I would qualify for heaven. I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders, that all the activities I was doing are just never enough. Secretly, my big question was, how would I know if I had done enough or was good enough to get into heaven? I avoided conversations with others about religion and church. I did not own and had never read the Bible. So I did not have enough information to know whether someone was telling me the truth, or just giving me their opinion. I certainly did not want to come across as ignorant. So I just avoided those conversations as much as possible. Does this sound familiar? One day, I was sent a, an accompany business trip to Minnesota. Since my new brother in law, Tom and his family lived in Minnesota. I decided to go a few days early to get to know them better. He was a Bible teaching pastor. And I knew I would not be able to avoid that dreaded conversation much longer. However, I knew I could trust and learn from him. Tom picked me up at the airport. And it wasn't long before we got into the conversation, the conversation. He asked me two questions. If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain you are going to heaven? Well, my immediate response was No. His second question was, if you did die tonight, and you are standing before God at the gates of heaven, and he were to ask you, why should I let you into heaven? What would you say? And I answered, well,
I've tried to be a good person. Do all the right things, go to church, be active in the church, but I don't know if that's good enough. Then Tom gave me a little checklist to find out what I thought was necessary to get into heaven. The list included things like obey God's laws. Try to do your best. Give money to the church, do good deeds. and receive water baptism and Holy Communion. Wow. After I checked off most of the list, he explained that none of these things can help you get to heaven. There is nothing you can do to earn eternal life. The Bible says there's only one way to enter heaven. Jesus answered, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14, six, Tom shared that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That's Romans 323 in the NIV. And the payment for sin is death. Romans 623. feeling queasy? I told Tom, I always thought the death penalty was for the worst of criminal criminals. And I was not a criminal. I never broke the law. He asked me if I had ever lied to anyone. Sure, I answered. But they were just little white lies. He replied that it does not matter how big or small the lie or the sin. God counts it all is sin. He continued to explain that because heaven is a perfect place. Nothing impure or imperfect will ever enter it. Revelation 2127. If we sinned, just once in our life, no matter how small we think that sin is, it corrupts in defiles us making us impure and unable to enter heaven. So far, it sounded quite bad and hopeless. We are all sinners, and we deserve to go to hell. Heaven is a perfect place. And nothing we can do makes us perfect. I was getting depressed. All my life I heard how God is love. Now I was wondering how a loving God can be so cruel, and send us to hell for being a sinner. Then Tom shared the good news. God is love and he loves us. The Bible says For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. That's John 316. God sent His Son Jesus Christ, to shed his blood and die in the cross to pay for all of our sins. And three days later, he rose from the dead. He died for us. By trusting in Jesus Christ as the one who died for our sins, we can have eternal life. That is a loving God. Nothing we do can make us perfect or sinless. No deeds, charity, contribution, contribution to churches, going to church, being baptized, taking Holy Communion, trying to obey God's laws, nor any good work can take away our sins or save us. Heaven is a free gift, we do not deserve it, and we cannot earn it.
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast Ephesians two, eight and nine in the NIV He saved us not because of the righteous things we have done. But because of His mercy. Titus three, five NIV mercy means not getting what we deserve death and separation from God for ever, as the penalty for our sins. Grace is getting what we do not deserve total forgiveness for our sins, making us perfect in God's eyes, and allowing us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Grace is an acronym for God's riches at Christ's expense. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins by shedding His blood and dying on the cross. We get to partake in God's riches for eternity. Wow. That is grace. Tom told me that moment I trust Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my sins would be forgiven, and I would receive God's righteousness perfection. As it says in Romans 10 Nine, if you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. This righteousness allows me to enter into heaven. I finally had the answer to my big question. How would I know I did enough or was good enough to get into heaven? It was not because of anything I did. It was because of what Jesus did for me. I also learned that you can do nothing more to add to the finished work of Christ. It is not trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior. plus.dot.it is putting your trust only in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. And it is a one time decision in your life. You can never lose it, nor can you forfeit it. God's unconditional promise is that he will never take it away from you. Jesus said, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand, John 1028 NIV. I was so excited to learn this good news. Then I made the decision right there to to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. At that very moment, the burden was totally lifted off my shoulders, and whether I could do enough or be good enough to enter heaven. It was because of Jesus. And I knew that I now have eternal security. Friend, I cannot make you believe in heaven or hell. You may not believe in it because you cannot see it. But you cannot see the air you breathe either. Yet without it, you would die. Heaven and hell are real. If you have not yet trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You can do it right now with a simple prayer, and he will save you from all eternity. The prayer is Dear God, thank you for loving me. I admit that I'm a sinner and in need of a Savior. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross as payment for all of my sins and was buried and raised from the dead, and is now in heaven. I understand that the good deeds I do will not help me get to heaven. Right now I confess that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him as my Savior. Thank you, Jesus for saving me so that I can live forever with you. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You, Lord, in Jesus name, amen.
If this is your prayer today, welcome to the family of God. Let us know about your decision so that we can encourage you and help you on your journey of faith and to Jesus Christ. You can contact us at voice of truth by reaching out to info at women world leaders.com You can find a list of churches in your area we will reach out to you. There are also many learning opportunities available at www dot women world leaders.com. To help you grow in your faith, knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ. You can have the assurance that your sins are forgiven, past, present and future. God has said it and he cannot lie. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. First John 513 NIV. hallelujah and Amen. One final thought. As we remember the victims of 911 in 2001. I cannot help but think of what their last thoughts words, or even prayers were besides agonizing about their predicament. And if they would ever see their loved ones again. I wonder how many cried and prayed to God to save them in that very moment. I also wonder how many did not have the opportunity to pray. Because the end came with no warning. We cannot change what has happened to them. But we can change what happens to us and where we will spend eternity. If we pray for salvation now. Before we don't get another chance. The choice is spending eternity in heaven with God or in hell separated forever from God. The choice is yours. I say this with nothing but a heart full of love. Please choose widely As we close out today, I will reinstate what Lillian just wrote. The Bible teaches us that heaven and hell are real. If you'd like to pray right now, I can lead you in that same prayer that Lillian wrote. And all you have to do is just say this in your own heart to God. Just follow after what I say, and mean it with all of your being. Let's pray it again together. Dear God, thank you for loving me. I admit that I'm in sinner, and I'm in need of You as my Savior. I believe Jesus, that you are the Son of God, that You died on the cross as a payment for my sin. And I believe that you were buried and raised from the dead. And now you're in heaven, and I want to live in heaven with you. I understand that the good deeds that I do here on earth aren't what's going to get me to heaven. I believe it's you God in the blood that Jesus shed for my sins. So right now, I confess Jesus as Lord, and I receive Him as my own personal Savior. Thank you, Jesus for saving me so that I can live forever with you. Please help me to live a life that is pleasing to You, Lord, in Jesus name, I pray this. Amen. Dear ladies, dear listeners, we would love for you to contact us at women world leaders.com. If you have made a decision to follow Jesus today, we are here to help you with many ways we have daily devotions on the website. And we have many tools that can help you in your walk and coming closer to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to women world leaders podcast. Please join us each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at w w w. Dot women world leaders.com And submit a prayer request, read a devotion or make a donation in the name of Jesus. today's podcast is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Thank you for joining us and have a blessed day.
Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart – but it is oh so glorious! Today’s teaching gives us guidance on what we can expect as we take those first steps into God’s calling for our lives. (Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:51-62)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins.
It is August, 2022 as I record this podcast, and I am just bursting with excitement for all that God is doing in Women World Leaders. Our mission is to empower others to walk in their God-given purpose. We are named Women World Leaders because when God calls you as His child, He also sets you on a mission to lead for Him. So, whether you are in business, a servant in your church, a mom – or maybe all three – God has a unique calling for you to lead others, and we want to walk beside you as you do!
Besides this podcast, which comes to you each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a bit of a different flair each day, we also offer daily devotionals through email or FaceBook, community through Facebook and our Prayer Wall, encouragement through Voice of Truth magazine, fellowship and growth through events, and opportunities to grow and serve through writing, music, art, and utilizing leadership skills in finance, social media, organization, and coaching. Our God is endless and miraculous, and He has given us an endless and miraculous mission to reach and include you.
I saw a meme the other day that said, “Be the girl who always tells another girl there is room for one more.” We are God’s girls – but in truth, we are fierce women on a mission directed by God to include, empower, and support one another.
We have some AMAZING new opportunities for you, which we will be unveiling in the coming months, but one of our newest endeavors is being spearheaded by one of our Australian leaders, Rusanne Carole, who is coaching and authoring a book about being a caregiver. If you are or have been a caregiver, we want to invite you to share your story with the world as you shine the spotlight on God’s glory. To find out more about this opportunity or learn more about Women World Leaders, visit our website at womenworldleaders.com or drop us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast, we take time to put down our pens, agendas, struggles, and strivings and simply rest in God’s presence as we learn from His Word. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically as we ask God to teach us all that He wants us to know today. Today’s teaching comes from Matthew 8:18-22 and Luke 9:51-62 from the New Living Translation.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, we come before you humbly, in awe of who you are and the fact that you speak directly to each of us – all you ask is that we quiet our hearts and listen. As we open your Word today, God, I ask that you be my mouthpiece. God, you know I have studied and prayed over this teaching, and now I give it all to you. You know what you want each listener to hear, and I ask that you allow those precise words to flow from my mouth. We thank you for your Word, your presence, and this teaching. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s jump right in…beginning in Luke 9:51 from the New Living Translation
51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
We have been walking with Jesus for a while now – He was born, grew, began teaching, and called His disciples one by one. Last week in our study, Jesus was encouraged by His brothers to head to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles, but He replied that it wasn’t yet His time.
Now we read that His time has come…and He set out RESOLUTELY for Jerusalem. This word means that Jesus set His mind on his goal and walked steadfastly toward it, decisively, no doubt calling on God’s strength. Jesus knew what was coming. He had been attacked verbally, pursued, and was very aware of what lay ahead. He had told His disciples that He would be killed. Yet He stepped out faithfully into His future.
I’m guessing you don’t know what it is like to step out to your death on God’s command, but you might have an inkling of what it feels like to walk toward something resolutely at God’s command.
I can remember the first time I preached in a church for a Sunday service. I was prepared and knew I had been called, but someone should have shared that news with my flip-flopping stomach and my swimming head. I remember sitting there as the service began thinking, “I could just get up and leave right now. No one would stop me. Someone would figure out what to do. The service will go on.”
That is, admittedly, a very horrible comparison of Jesus walking to His death, but the point is, we are ALL called to a unique role in the kingdom, and sometimes, we just have to overcome our fear and insecurities and focus on the greatness of God as we resolutely step forward into our callings.
Listening and obeying God is not for the faint of heart. The good news is, when our hearts and resolve feel faint, that’s okay, because we can rely and call on God’s strength to get us through.
As if to illustrate His peril, Jesus’ first stop on his three-day trip to Jerusalem was in Samaria, whose people were well known to be adversaries of the Jews. Verse 52…
52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.
The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans was long-running. We can read in the Old Testament about Assyrians settling in Samaria and the intermingling of the two cultures. Then, when the Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple, they resisted the Samaritans’ help, so the Samaritans built their own temple and worshipped in their own way.
As a result of this feud, many Jewish people took the long way to Jerusalem from Galilee, not wanting to travel through Samaria. But Jesus and His disciples when straight through this forbidden, even expecting to spend the night. But, as we read, they were not welcome.
Now James and John, remember, had been with Jesus during the transfiguration and actually saw, with their own eyes, both Elijah and Moses. No doubt, both disciples thought a lot about those very important historical figures that had miraculously appeared before them. James and John knew Moses and Elijah’s stories. They knew that Elijah had called down fire from heaven on two occasions – once even to consume the troops sent against him by the king of Samaria. So their next statement is not truly unwarranted as the Samaritans were unwelcoming to them….verse 54…
54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up[a]?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.[b]
You see, though it was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem, the time of judgment had not yet come – and it still hasn’t. We are living in an era of God’s grace. A time when God is gathering His people, and giving us chance upon chance to come to Him. As individuals, we thank God for that. I am well aware that if it were not for God’s patience, care, and grace – I myself would be burned in a consuming fire.
But, unfortunately, as humans, we don’t often exemplify the patience and care and grace of God toward others. When someone comes against US, we would rather call down the fire.
Notice the next verse, though…instead of allowing the disciples to call down the fire, Jesus led his disciples …
… on to another village.
Wow! We could do a whole teaching around that!! When someone comes against us, in hostility and even vengeance, we are to move on. Go somewhere else. You see – the world is huge. The whole world needs to hear about Jesus. But some will turn away. Some will even become hostile and unwelcoming. Our job, in those instances, is to go on to another village. That’s what Jesus did.
As we continue reading, we see Jesus come across three people who wish to follow Him. Jesus knows each of them intimately, and His response is tailored to each individual – and each response teaches us something about our own calling.
Verse 57…
57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Matthew 8:19 identifies this man as a teacher of religious law. This is important, because students of religious law often studied for the purpose of scholarly learning rather than becoming a disciple. Normally a student in this vein would be trying to earn a degree of sorts, and with it, prestige. And as we know, Jesus taught that the first would be last and the last would be first. Verse 58…
58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
In other words, Jesus knew that this man was looking for an easy entrance into leadership, he was not looking for a relationship with or a way to serve God.
So what does this say to us? If you have followed Jesus for any length of time, you probably recognize that when we follow Him, we must trust HIS terms and conditions. We must go where He leads and trust His provision as we serve for His glory alone.
The next person we see is one whom Jesus calls…verse 59…
59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead![c] Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
This sounds harsh, and there are various interpretations. Some theologians say that the man’s father had surely not even died yet, or the burial would already be occurring. So the man was stalling – not knowing if his father would die next week or next year.
Other theologians point out that the command, Honor your Father and Mother, had, like many Old Testament laws, gotten blown out of proportion as time went by. It had gotten to the point where a person’s mother and father took precedence OVER their allegiance to God Himself, and, with this response, Jesus was turning the tables back upright.
So what can we learn today? Simply put, following Jesus requires putting Jesus first, and trusting God’s care. This also can be misconstrued. The ministry worker who serves others to the detriment of her personal family is not putting God first. Truth be told, God doesn’t need our help – He can run this world on His own. But He gives us the privilege and joy to work with Him, and, if we listen to Him and respond obediently, He WILL orchestrate your service to His glory in ALL areas. We must follow and serve God, but if that is leading to burn-out or stress-induced illness, there is a kink in our hearing, because that is not what God calls us to. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Verse 61…
61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Again, it is not that Jesus wanted this man to neglect his family, but Jesus knew his heart, and that he was using his family as an excuse to delay following God’s call.
So to us, Jesus, says, when I call you, keep your eyes forward and keep plowing!
Woe…that can be difficult!! I don’t know about you, but for me, it sure is easy to get distracted by the world. I LOVE having my Bible app on my phone, but man, the temptation to play Wordle instead of reading the Word can be great!! When God calls us, He wants us to put our hands on the plow, focus on Him, and keep moving forward!
Wrapping this up, what does it take to follow Jesus? We are to walk resolutely as Jesus did to Jerusalem, trusting God’s guidance, care, and provision. We are to extend grace to those who come against us like Jesus did to the Samaritans, and instead of wishing ill on others, move on to those who are receptive to our call. And like the three who were called to follow Him, we are to prepare to give God the glory as we trust His guidance and enjoy our relationship with Him, we are not to put anything above Jesus, and we are not to delay as we keep our focus on what He has called us to do.
Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart. Jesus’ walk was not easy, and neither is ours. But, you, servant of God, ARE protected and each step is already provided for…and the outcome of your journey is more glorious than you can begin to imagine.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – how incredibly honored we are to be called by you and to be given our marching orders step by step. God, we know we can trust you! I pray for each listener, light the path that you have ordained for her and give her the courage to take that next step, knowing that you are beside her. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Eating disorders and self harm are struggles of the flesh that many in this world deal with. Today's guest, our sister Woman World Leader Donna Clare from the UK, shares her personal testimony about battling a dependency, which God has so graciously freed her from. May Donna's spoken testimony be an inspiration of hope and encouragement to others who face life's challenges and who are looking for a way to overcome. With God all things are possible! *** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose, and I am your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so happy that you decided to join us today. And I'd like to welcome our guest today. Donna Claire.
Donna Clare
Hi. Good to be with you all.
Kimberly Hobbs
Hi, Donna, we are so glad that you've joined us all the way from the UK, the United Kingdom. Ooh. So, ladies, what we like to do here and empowering lives with purpose is just that we are here to strengthen, inspire and encourage you and your walked with with the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are here to help with stories and different things that some of the guests come on and share. God says every believer has received grace gifts. So use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestry of God's grace. That's First Peter 4:10. And I thought that was such a beautiful verse to share that we all have different gifts, and we're encouraged by the Lord to share those grace gifts that he has so graciously given. So ladies, you have a purpose. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. We are glad you're here. And we're hoping that through sharing, sharing different stories from different women around the world, that you can be sparked into thinking about what it is that God has ordained for your life. So I want to share a little bit about our guest today, Donna, she's single, she works as a teaching and learning assistant in a primary school. And her degree is in theatre studies and writing performances, which is super exciting. Her passion is to write plays and scripts and bring glory to God. I admire that that's beautiful. We can do it for all other reasons. But you do it to bring glory to God, Donna, she sings in the worship team and is in Gospel Choir. She loves nature. And when she isn't singing, acting and dancing, she loves walking in nature. So ladies, before we begin, please remember that we're all women who are known by our Creator, God knows each of us in our own beautiful way because He created us or his masterpiece. And some of us have overcome tremendous challenges, heavy struggles, and some of us are still in the midst of pain and struggling and suffering. And then there are those of us who will speak life into others and empower them. We are all just ordinary women. And we are called by God to do extraordinary things. And each of us has the ability to do extraordinary things. So our guest today from the UK is a woman world leader. In fact, she is part of her women World Leaders Group. And God put a nudge in Donna's heart to share with us so she reached out to me and asking if it would be possible to share her story. So as I got to know Donna a little bit, I felt God's prompting to allow her to share her story today. And Donald's Dona has struggled with eating disorder with an eating disorder and also self harm. And God says Colin, me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory that song 5015 And you know what, as I got to know Donna, I thought wow, God, this verse is amazing because you rescue Donna from self harm you rescue Donna from this eating disorder. And now she wants to declare that she wants to give God the glory. And I said yes, please come on and share. Let's talk about this. So I'm Donna, can you share a bit about you and who you are and your story with the ladies?
Donna Clare
Yes, of course. So I from a very young age, I was bullied at school and at primary school and then when I went to secondary school, I was also bullied. And then when I got to secondary school, it was more than one person. So I started to think well There's got to be something wrong with me. Because all these people can't be wrong. And there's something wrong with me there's got to be an I just started to really hate who I was, I hated everything about myself. I, I really just, I was feeling sad, I didn't share a lot of the time with anyone that I was being bullied, I kept it all inside. And I, I then it was, I think I was in about year eight, which is like 12 year olds 12 to 13 year olds, and my friend lent me a pair of her jeans to go to a disco with, but they didn't fit me. And in my head, that was I'm fat, I need to lose weight, not I'm a different body shape to her, which now in hindsight, I can see we were just different body shapes, I wasn't going to fit in those jeans. But in my head, it was I'm fat, I need to lose weight. So and at the roundabout at the same time, I had some family issues going on. And there was like family arguments. And I blame myself and I know that was one of the triggers to get in the eating disorder. So I then started to cut out things like chocolate crisps, chips, the things that you know, like with fattening and then gradually, I started to skip meals, so I became anorexic, I will try and avoid food as much as, excuse me as much as I could. I, I just I had this relationship with food that I didn't deserve it I didn't deserve to eat, I wasn't good enough, I was a waste of space, what was the point of me being on this planet, I, I had all these thoughts swirling around in my head that I shouldn't eat, I didn't deserve it, I was bad. And then some people started to see that I was not eating as much. So they decided that they would try and help me by force feeding me, which was one of the worst things they could have done because then I started to make myself sick. So because they were making me when I didn't want to because they were controlling me and my eating disorder, the eating disorder was about control. So I wanted to control something because everything, I couldn't control the bullies, I couldn't control what was happening in my family. I couldn't control anything else, but I could control what I ate. So I decided that I would control my food. So when these people they were trying to help. And I don't begrudge them that they were worried about me, but they sort of made it worse because they made I didn't have the control anymore. And I really couldn't handle having food. If I felt full I couldn't handle it. I just felt disgusting inside. So I then started to make myself sick. And then yeah, I just felt like I needed punishment that I was wrong. There's got to be something wrong with me if I lose weight, maybe people are like me more. And and also I did like not just the the the eating disorder it was I would cut myself I would pull my hair, I would hit myself, I would bite myself, I would take my nails and anything I could do to hurt me. And I would do like I really, I was hurting inside had so much pain inside. I didn't know how to express that. And the only thing I could do was to hurt myself. And when I hurt myself, like all the frustration and anger went away, he sort of helped me to
Yeah, just helped me to get all the feelings inside because I just used to stuff all the feelings inside. And so that's why I used to hurt myself as well. And yeah, I just I tried to avoid food whenever I could, I'd say oh, I've eaten I don't need to have dinner, I've already had something to eat. I would go in even going out for me it was traumatic because I felt like everyone was looking at me. So I would think everyone was looking at me saying why is she eating she's big enough. She doesn't need to eat. And, and I wasn't I obviously wasn't big at all. But in my head I was so it's like a distorted image. What Pete other people would see and what is in the mirror is not what I see, or what I saw. I just saw this really massive person. So yeah, I just I really hated myself. That's all I can say. I just felt disgusting. I didn't feel like I was loved. I didn't feel like I felt like if I wasn't here nor there. It wouldn't matter to anyone. They wouldn't care if I wasn't here. And I just felt really like alone. And on my own and like I couldn't share it with only one and and like, like the voices in my head would tell me I wasn't good enough. And then they would say oh, you can't eat so like for an example it would be like oh, you can't eat that food if you eat that you need to get rid of it. And then when when I did if I did get rid of it by making myself sick, the voice would then say You're disgusting. You can't show anyone with that. Look at you now you're even worse than you were before. And it was just like these tormenting thoughts all the time that would like invade my mind and would really Yeah, just make me feel really horrible. I just hated everything about myself. Every single thing I couldn't give you a positive at that point in my life. Because it just felt I was so wrong and like I needed punishment. So yeah,
Kimberly Hobbs
This was through your childhood years into your teen years.
Donna Clare
Yeah, to and then to my early 20s. So when I was at university as well, so it was So, yeah, it was from about, I started with the eating disorder when I was about 13. And but the other sort of self harm stuff I'd been doing from probably the age of 910. Just because I just, I felt shame, I felt disgusting. And I was abused as a child by other children as well. So that's a factor. So I was I had, I didn't know it was shame at the time, as a child, I just had this just felt wrong. I just felt like, everything was everything was wrong about me, and I was hideous, is the way I can describe it. If I just hated everything about myself, I had no self worth, or anything, I just hated who I was. And I controlled everything by my food, because I wanted control because I felt everything. And everyone was controlling me. And I needed control. So I will say when I when I won't eat, and no one can take that control away from me. So that was yeah, that was that was that was my, my childhood. But in another sense, it sounds really, really bad. All of that. But in another sense, I had, like, I did have friends who were good friends. And then you know, there's some of my childhood was good in the sense. But inside, I just hated myself, I was good at wearing a mask. So a lot of people wouldn't know, there was anything wrong, because I could I could turn it on if that makes sense. I could. Yes, yeah. I'm fine. Nothing wrong with me. I'm fine.
Kimberly Hobbs
The counterfeit Donna. Yes, you're pleasing everyone else. And but inside, this was your way of controlling what what happened with you and what you did and what you allowed and not allowed in those quiet places. So, you know, I I know your story. And I just want you to share with the listeners how, as you developed into, you know, a teenager and then into your young 20s This had such a clench on you this this horrible addiction, you know, like, we're gonna call that that addiction where your mind you know, you you were controlled in your mind by something else other than the Spirit of the Lord, and letting our sinful nature control our mind leads to death, and you are on that path to death. But letting the spirit control your mind leads to life in peace. That's Romans eight, verse six. So let loose and let us know how God freed you. Because the Lord says, Who the sun sets free is free indeed, if you if the sun sets you free, you are truly free. That's John 836. Donna, I know dear that you are free. Let's hear how that happened.
Donna Clare
So in my final year at university, I met a lady who was on a teacher training for the theater course. And I would choose to ask him to get poorly. So she got ill. And so she took over and invited me on a holiday. So I went to Italy with 30 people I didn't know. And I said yes, because I've never flown on a plane before at this point. And I just thought this would be my graduation presents for myself. And unbeknown to me at the time, probably about 70% of those people were Christians. And I didn't know. And so I was on the holiday, everything was fine. Then when we came back, we had a post holiday get together. And it was on a Sunday. And the couple he was driving, we said you don't have to come to church, you know, we're not gonna force you to come to church, you can sit in Barbara's house, if you like. And I was like, Barbara had a lot of animals at the time. So I said, No, I'll come to church. It's okay. So the only way I can describe it is the moment I walked through the doors of the church, I felt like I've gone home. And I, to this day, I don't know what the people just loved me. People were hugging me, which I was like, Who are these people? And they will they loved me and accepted me. So I went on a journey of asking questions. And then in the February 2003, I remember it very well. I decided that I believe this Jesus is real. So I took communion for the first time. And then in the June 2003, I got baptized, first of June 2003. That will be 18 years ago, in June this year, best decision I ever made in my whole life. So I was still struggling. And some of the people because on the holiday I'd actually collapsed twice. I'd collapsed on the holiday twice as some of them had an idea because one of them was a nurse and she was like you need to get help. And I was like, I'm fine. But then so I started my journey and God took me out of my church actually in the September and I got a job with a Christian Theatre Company. Wow. And I told primary schools around the country and I I remember this well, we will perform and part of the show in the church service. And they had to in the morning because it was a big church. And in the second in the first service, the agenda, the pastor said, there are people in this room with strongholds in their life. And God is saying to you that today, you need to give him those strongholds. And I just went back to me, I need to give the eating disorder to God and said, You need to clench your fist. And when you let go, you've given the stronghold to God. So I did. And I clench my fist, and I went, you can have it and I had, I was running up and down the aisles, because I just felt this weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Yeah, it was amazing. And then some of my church family have come to support me in the second one. So I was like, I've given the eating disorder to God, I've given the eating disorder to God, and they were like, hallelujah, we've been praying for this is so good. And then obviously, it was a journey. So it took, it was a long journey took probably about 655, or six years for me to be completely free. And maybe maybe less than that, actually. But I went on a journey. And I had to trust God. So one of the scriptures, one of one of the psalms that really helped me was Psalm 139. That wherever I go, whatever I'm doing, God is with me, that even when I go like into when I feel like I'm in the darkness, darkness isn't dark to God, it's still light. And I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. And God knows when I stand when I sit is fashion to me in my mother's womb, He knows every detail of my life. And it really helped me to know actually, God sees me, God knows me, I do matter. Because obviously, at that point, I felt like I was worthless. And these people in my church family are so loving and caring, I just felt so accepted by them, which was unknown to me before then, because I've been rejected so many times and bullied, I just, that's what drew me to the church because they loved me and accepting me for who I was. And then obviously, Jesus because He saved me, He died for me. Yeah, and I was journeying through, and I it was, it was difficult. It helped to actually been away from home because I was away from home initially, because I was with the theater company for a couple of months. And my church when they were praying for me at home, I, it was like, once, one step forward, two steps back, because I just started the journey. And there were good days and bad days, but I kept focusing on God, I kept crying out to him praying and spending time with him, you know, worshipping Him because there's power in worship because I felt bad and worship. And, and then I remember, I was just so struggling. And I had fear in my life as well, because I was afraid to eat, you know, I had all this fear. And I remember my one of my friends speaking down the phone to me, Joshua one, verse nine, have I not commanded you? Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go. And I was like, okay, where I need to be.
Unknown Speaker
So we do not need to fear. So yeah, I did. I did. It was it was it was crazy. It was like a crazy time, but it was a good time. And I was so like, on fire for God. So I wanted to share and I wanted to help everybody. But I wasn't at that point, I realized I wasn't ready. So I, I worked with another group in the theatre company the next year. So in 2004, and it was, there was another girl who was in my team, and she was actually struggling to she had an eating disorder. And she was talking to me and I was trying to help her. And the family I live with actually said to me, I don't know, I've never seen you so stressed before. And I went backwards. It was dragging me back because I was only on my recovery journey. Like knew it was only six months, so I wasn't ready to help someone else I needed to get me Well, first I needed to be healed work fully for like healed and restored before I could help someone else and that and that was hard. That was one of the hardest times it was like God, have you left? And he's like, No, I told you I would never leave you and one of the verses, a key verse that I still have uneasy, particularly in the Amplified Version I love it is Hebrews 13 Verse five, and it's the second part and I will not in any way fail, you know, give up on you know, I'll leave you without support I will not and he says this three times, I will not I will not in any degree leave you without help, or forsake, you know, let you down or release my hold on you. And that's been one of the key verses as well, like God is not going to fail me. It's okay that if I make mistakes, or something else I've learned it's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to have blips as long as I run to God, and not anybody else. I run away from him, but run to him and just calmly say, God, I'm sorry, please help me. Help me cope. I know. Oh, yeah. So that was a tough section. But then I just I just kept going. We've got I just I had to trust I had to learn to trust God and another verse that has come that has been a key was proverbs three verse five, trusting the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will make your paths straight. I took I took deep into into God and I, yeah, he freed me freed me. You freed me from some of the self harm was straight away, like I stopped cutting myself straight away when I became a Christian because I felt like I was quoting Jesus. Yeah, the other stuff like that hurt to myself by hitting myself. I, because it was a habit, because I've done it for so long. It took it took years to like, become free from that. God did it in layers. And this is this is something God had to do it in layers. God couldn't take the eating disorder and the self harm away from me, just like that. He had to do it. Layer by layer, like an onion is a layer like layer by layer, because it was my whole identity was on centered around the anorexia and the self harm. So we had to do it layer by layer. So we do a layer, I'd become free and it was amazing. And then when I was ready, and strongly go right now we need to deal with this. It'll be like once I thought we've done everything. He's like, No, we've got you've got to go deeper. So we eat just he's been doing it layer by layer by layer, and I can honestly tell you today, I love who God's made me. I'm free, completely free. And God did it. Oh, it was nothing to do with me. He did it all. And I'm free. I love him. He's made me to be I'm not a people pleaser anymore. I please God and God alone, I've learned. I've learned to not be a perfectionist, because of part of the journey. I was a perfectionist. And if it wasn't the best, it was not good enough. And so God has taught me that actually, my best is good enough if I do my best for him. And if I give everything is good, you know, and it doesn't have to be perfect, because Jesus is the only one who's perfect. So I don't need Yeah, I don't. I don't need.
Kimberly Hobbs
Then I love I love how you're testifying. And one of those verses that you when you were sharing, and Hebrews, I wanted to just tagline on that. Ladies, when you are afraid when you are struggling, and you're so intense in the midst of that struggle, and fear takes over. God says don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither fail you or abandon you. And just like you said, Donna, and your scripture, he said it three times that he's never going to leave you. So ladies, you are never alone through your struggle, you have to understand that and the way that you will is by getting in the Word of God and reading his truth in that word. Donna, one thing that you shared with me in one of our other conversations prior to today was you said that, you know, when people think that they're trying to help you by trying to force you to eat, you know, like, they're, they want to help, they just want to help, but they don't necessarily know what the best help is. Can you talk about some of your feelings during that time when people were saying, you know, trying to force food on you? And what were you going through then?
Donna Clare
What was happening was that what are you doing, you shouldn't be eating this is I've told you, it's better not to eat. Otherwise, you've got consequences that you'll have to pay. So I just I felt I felt disgusting. I felt like they were trying to hurt me in a way because they were taking the control away from me. So I felt like I felt like in despair like you, you don't understand what's going on. In my mind. You can't hear what's going on in my mind. If I if I eat, I'm gonna have to punish myself later. That's basically what was going to happen. So it was just a complete despair. It was complete. I was like, screaming inside. But for me, because I was before I was a Christian. I was quite shy and timid as well. So I wouldn't really speak up for myself in certain situations, I would just accept what was going on and be quiet because I felt that was better because if I spoke I didn't feel like my words. Were good enough. You know, I mean, so I so I just I just accepted, but I was screaming inside I tried to run away. And I couldn't do that. So the only way you think I could do was like, go off and make myself sick. Oh, like I probably wouldn't. I think I would have hurt myself later on. Like, because I had all the feelings inside. Like, I was angry because they were taking control away from me. I felt hurt because they didn't understand me. It was just really emphasizing that actually. Nobody gets me nobody understands me. I am on my own. I'm all alone, and no one's gonna help me. But that's what I was feeling. Right.
Kimberly Hobbs
So those that are listening may you know that because they're they're feeling sympathetic right now. And of course, you know those that loved you, Donna, they just wanted to get you to eat because they they felt you needed that nutrition that would help you that you know, but they weren't being sensitive to what you were going through. But the Bible just tells us, you know what we need to do. When we sense there's a problem. You know, the apostle Paul says, I urge you, first of all, to pray, to pray for all people, and to ask God to help them and intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. The power of prayer is huge. And so when we see these issues, yes, you know, we need to be aware of them. And we need to know that there are places to go for help. But start praying, asking God for wisdom to point them in the right direction for help. Don't necessarily try to take the bull by the horns and do it yourself, you know, do what God tells us to do, do our part and pray for that person, and start looking for places that they can get help.
Donna Clare
Definitely power of prayer. People were praying for me even I didn't know at the time because I've just become a Christian, but people were praying for me. So yeah, it's something I just want to say as well. an eating disorder is not about food. That's a symptom. There's lots of root issues and causes why someone has an eating disorder. So trying to make the me interested, always eat that you only have to wait. And that's fine, because that's not the main issue. Really, there's other underlying issues that may be going on for you. Just to get them help and pray what they need, and you can't help someone with an eating disorder until they accept that they need help themselves as well. So that's where you need to pray. Because when you pray, finally, they will see that and God will help them to see that. That's right.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's right. And if you are one that is struggling in this area, it is so important to stay in the presence of God because He tells us in His Word, he's never going to leave you or forsake you. We share those Scriptures with you. But he says that, remember, I will be your God throughout your lifetime. He's, he's there for you all the time. You want to keep him in your presence. You want to talk to him. And don't ever question His promises to you. Because God's ways are perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. And he is a shield for all who looked to him for protection. So when you are afraid, you look to the Lord for your protection and know that he's there searching the scriptures. Ask him for scriptures that's going to help you right just like you did, Donna, he gave you tremendous scriptures that you can, that you can rely on the Word of God is alive and powerful. It's sharper than any two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit between joint and Morrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and dreams. That's Hebrews 412. The word of God is powerful ladies, it is so important. And I know that Donna through talking with her, she has relied on so many scriptures. And can you share your very special verse with us the one that you relied on most through your struggles? Donna?
Donna Clare
I think well what I shared earlier, Hebrews 13, verse five is one. But then the other one is two Timothy one, verse seven, For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. And that was another one that was given to me. And I was like, Yes, God didn't give me a spirit of prayer. I can do this. Be confident in the Lord.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. So ladies, God knows your name. He's never gonna abandon those who search for him. And he understands your pain. So just as Donna has expressed a desire to come on and share her story and bring it out in the open, a revelation 1211 says that they have defeated him, defeated him which is the enemy by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony. And so Donna is here to testify of what the Lord has done in her life and know that the enemy is defeated. He sent back to the pit of hell where he belongs. And she can share this and declare this by the word of her testimony and we are so grateful that you have decided to come on share today about your testimony Donna which is fabulous and God is using you exceedingly abundantly beyond And I know and what you're doing right now in you're acting, and you're writing, and you're performing. And I know you're doing some videos on, on Facebook. And you can find Donna and Donna Claire. And that's clear C L A. R E, and she talks about this on her Facebook page, she's creating awareness, and she's pushing people to the Lord Jesus Christ, you know, because that is where our true help is going to come from. And Don, I know you wanted to leave the ladies, just with that just shot in the arm, that encouragement of what they can do, you know? So what is that that one, as we close up here that one? Helpful, you know, leave them with this memory is going to be
Donna Clare
That you're fearfully and wonderfully made. You're not a mistake, you were fashioned by God just to be who you are. So embrace who you are, love yourself for who God has made you. And know that he doesn't make mistakes that he's fashioned you perfectly of how he wanted to make you. So love yourself and know that you are not wrong, that you are right, and just embrace who you are, and go and glorify God and be who was created because
Kimberly Hobbs
That's beautiful. Amen. And you are doing just that. And we are just so proud of you. We are so thankful that we have done a Claire's in this world that could share openly sometimes it's difficult, you know, to be transparent about the things that you deal with in your life. But there's others out there that will relate that well know that you know, wow, somebody else is going through something I'm going through or has been through something I've been through, and how important it is to verbalize God tells us to do that. You know that we defeat the enemy, by the blood of the lamb which Donna has accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Amen. And by the word of her testimony, she is sharing loud and clear that it wasn't anything of her control that allowed her to get better. It was releasing and surrendering all to Jesus. And by doing that, and allowing him to come in, through all the ways that God will come to your rescue if we allow him if we allow him entrance, he comes in. So I am just feeling that at this moment that if there is anybody out there that's listening, that doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus, Donna and I, we just encourage you to surrender it all to him. Give your your hearts give your pain, give it all to Jesus. And the way you can ask Him into your heart is through confessing with your mouth that says, confession is made unto salvation. So if you confess the Lord Jesus and believe in his heart, your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. So I'd like to just pray really quick. And if you would like to pray along with Donna and I, and accept Jesus into your heart, that would be wonderful. That's where it starts. And then you're gonna just start reading the Word of God because there is power, transforming power in the Word. So let's pray. Ladies, Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner. And I know that there is no other way to heaven, but by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for my sins. Lord, I believe that I can't do anything by my own power God, but it's going to be by the power of the blood of the lamb that saves my soul. So right now, I confess my sins to you, Lord Jesus, and I know I'm not perfect and I know I fall short. Please, God, forgive my sins, cleanse me from all of my unrighteous behavior, Lord, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I trust you, God, I release all other control over my life. Any chains that have held me down God, anything that has bound me, I release it all by the blood of Jesus Christ who died for my sins. Please come into my heart. Please be my Lord and Savior. Please show me scriptures God that will help me that will put me on the right path to follow you and surrender my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus. I trust in you right now with all my heart in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.
Amen. If you have prayed that prayer ladies along with us for the first time, we want to hear from you too. We want to encourage you and I know Donna is available her. Her Facebook page is Donna Claire CLA R E. Or you can go to our website, women world leaders.com. We have areas there where you can pray, submit a prayer request, and we'll pray with you. We have all kinds of helpful tools at women world leaders where we would love to share them with you. One of them is courageous steps of faith. Ladies, this book is phenomenal. It is so many women that have taken those courageous steps of faith, to walk away from something like addiction or unforgiveness or there's so many things in this book, and they have walked toward the Lord Jesus Christ by those courageous steps of faith similar to Diana's story. And so ladies, you can get this courageous steps of faith on our women world leaders website or on Amazon. It's available Barnes and Noble. Another tool that we have to encourage you, strengthen you and your walk is voice of truth magazine, ladies, it's a free magazine that comes out every other month. It's amazing what God is doing. Women are sharing their stories, women are encouraging you and empowering you to walk in the name of Jesus, walk with us ladies, if you want your free copy of voice of truth magazine, go to info at women world leaders info at women world leaders.com And leave us your name, your address and your email address because we send it out digitally. And we send it out printed copy in the United States. So if you're outside the US, it's going to be digital only. So be sure to leave us your email info at women world leaders.com. And ladies take advantage please have the the tools that we have at women world leaders visit our website women world leaders.com And just skim through that and see all that's available to you know that we have podcasts Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. And you can get those access them by women world leaders podcast, women world leaders podcast. So Donna, thank you so much honey for sharing, saying hello to the ladies and sharing your story. Ladies, we have to close right now. So from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all and have a wonderful day.
Join us as host Janet Berrong shares summertime tips to keep you grounded in the Spirit amidst the business and chaos of the summer season.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives in this ministry and the world. Please join us every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for our podcast Monday with Kimberly Hobbs Empowering Lives with Purpose. Wednesday with Julie Jenkins Walking in the Word and Friday with a variety of different hosts Celebrating God's Grace. I am happy to be back with you. It is summertime here and it offers a great change of pace. Summer is crazy season of sunning and running right? We go from the beach to the pool if we're lucky. Or we're toting a winter coat to our freezing office space and dreaming about going to the beach to the pool. The kids are out of school, they're either loving all their homework free time, or you're crying over the piles of junk they leave and every room they occupy. But despite all the sunshine and the struggles that summer can bring, we still need to connect with God. But how can we get closer to God when our normal routine has already gone by the wayside? I'm going to give you five summertime soul care tips that you can help you tend to your inner being and keep you grounded in the spirit immense the busyness and the chaos of the summer season.
1) read and or memorize a psalm. 2) Spend time in God's word. 3) Open up your home to fellowship with others. 4) Go to a Christian concert. 5) Build a summertime worship playlist.
As we spend our time caring for our souls and spiritual well-being through the contemplating or spending time with the Spirit. We are slowly transformed into His image resting, reflecting, and renewing. Resting in the Lord refers to the spiritual rest from confusion, worry, stress, useless human effort and break free from all the internal external mortal and spiritual enemies. As believers we are not granted immunity from the life storms. But we have a choice about how we react to the storms. Jesus said, Come to me all of you who are weary and carry burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you find rest in your souls. For my sake it is easy to bear and the burdens I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-30 personal reflection on my own life and sometimes I'm prompted by the Holy Spirit to take a look inside my heart and mind for the purpose of examining my recent actions and thoughts. Psalm 16:11 reads you make known to me the path of life. In the presence there is a fullness of joy at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Nature summer is a season of growth and production in the plant life cycle. flowers and fruits bring fragrance beauty and delicious sweetness. It is time of warmth, extended light slowing down, taking a breath from our usual schedules and the refreshment in our everyday lives. We also need rest in spiritual renewal day to day, just like our bodies need physical rest. This soul care can only happen when we focus on God and rely on his strength to sustain us. Surely God is my help and the Lord who sustains me. Psalm 54 for renewal is always available. When we sin we have we can receive forgiveness. First John one nine. When we lose joy we can pray and have it restored. Psalm 51:12 The joy of the Lord which is the gladness of the heart comes from knowing God abiding in Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 reads, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Pray these words with me. Search me O God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139 23 through 24. Ladies have a fun filled summer and joyful hearts. Until next time, bye.
Today as we study John 7:1-13, ask yourself if you trust God’s perfect timing. Jesus did – and what a glorious outcome!
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy that you have joined us today as we open God’s Word together and ask Him to teach us what He wants us to know today.
It is August 2022 as I record this, and our 9th edition of Voice of Truth is making its way to mailboxes! If you are not yet familiar with Voice of Truth – I encourage you to visit our website – www.womenworldleaders.com, where you can check out our back issues digitally. Voice of Truth is truly a labor of love. It was birthed during the pandemic when God brought together writers, artists, and editors from around the world. For nearly two years now, these incredible women have worked together on a voluntary basis to produce a magazine that shines a light on and for God’s glory. We have had so much fun creating this publication, and we have rejoiced as God has made a way for it to be distributed worldwide! Voice of Truth has become in such great demand, however, that we need to change gears a bit regarding the distribution. In the future, although the digital version will still be free of charge to anyone who requests it, we will only be sending out a printed version as a thank you to each of our financial donors. So if you want to ensure that you will receive the NEXT edition of Voice of Truth, make sure you go to our website and register to give a recurring monthly donation of any amount. Women World Leaders is a 501c3 non-profit ministry, and our goal is to empower others to walk in their God-given purpose. We offer events, teachings, books, and leadership-growth opportunities, including a monthly Zoom meeting full of fellowship, empowerment, and fun. To find out how you can get involved, connect with us on our website – womenworldleaders.com, or send us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. So as we dive in, I invite you to open your Bibles, or, if you are driving or walking or even doing dishes, simply open your heart as we allow God to teach and guide us. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God! We thank you for always meeting us where we are and teaching us exactly what we need to know. I pray for each listener today, that you will speak directly to her – as only you can. God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today’s reading comes from John 7:1-13 from the New Living Translation.
7 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.
Scholars believe that at this time, Jesus had spent many months in Galilee. His opposition had grown feistier and more vocal. Jesus clearly knew WHY He had been sent to earth and HOW His life would end. He had told the disciples time and again that He would be killed and raised on the third day, and in today’s passage, we see it clearly delineated that Jesus was committed to following God’s perfect timeline – even knowing it would end in His fleshly demise. Jesus walked God’s timeline in faith.
As we listen today, I want you and I to consider whether we walk God’s timeline in faith. Do I really trust that God is using all I am going through today for His purpose? Do I believe that my seemingly insignificant work is contributing to God’s perfect plan in a way I can’t quite comprehend? Can I put my faith completely in a God whose timing is beyond my scope of understanding? Do I walk God’s timeline in faith?
My second daughter graduated from college yesterday. She is twenty years old, and as I took my morning walk before going to the ceremony yesterday, I reflected on the last twenty years. Emily began preschool when she was 2. We went to meet her teacher before the year began, and, let’s just say, I knew from the moment I walked in the door that her assigned teacher was NOT a good fit. When we left an hour later, I knew we wouldn’t be back, and I am NOT one to change plans easily. I had previously put my daughter’s name on several preschool wait lists, so I knew there were no openings anywhere. But God had a plan, and His timing was perfect. That afternoon, I received a call from a different school – a spot had opened up. We went right over and met Ms. Theresa – a beautiful woman who helped shape my two-year-old Emily into the twenty-year-old college graduate that God knew she would be. I cannot BEGIN to tell you the marvels of God’s perfect provision and timing that made a way for Emily to walk across that stage yesterday and receive her diploma. If you are a parent, I know you understand. But you don’t have to be a parent to see God at work.
When significant milestones happen in your life, I encourage you to look back on God’s provision and timing. And you don’t even have to wait for a milestone. Simply think about how God brought you to where you are today. As you do, you will be amazed at how God orchestrated things to make sure they turned out EXACTLY as they were supposed to. We serve a faithful God whose timeline we can trust. We simply need to walk God’s timeline in faith.
Jesus knew the Jewish leaders were plotting His death, but He trusted God’s timeline, and He walked in faith. Even when it wasn’t comfortable and He had little support around Him. Verse 2…
2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
The Jewish Festival of Shelters – also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths – was a time of joyous celebration! It occurred in October and was a time for Jewish people to travel to Jerusalem together in large family groups. They went for a week to give food offerings to God and to celebrate how God released their ancestors into freedom from slavery in Egypt. In Deuteronomy 16, the Jewish people are commanded to “Be joyful” at the festival, “For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
It was a festival of remembering the goodness of God and celebrating that which was to come in God’s perfect timing and provision. It was a festival where they received encouragement and resolve to walk God’s timeline in faith for the coming year.
Jesus’ brothers, who after His death and resurrection, by the way, became some of His greatest advocates, at this time were kind of making fun of Jesus. They were following the world – saying, ‘Jesus – you think you’re all that. Come on with us to Jerusalem where people will see you and you can put your money where your mouth is!’
Verse 6…
6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going[a] to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
These verses make me sad for Jesus. These were His people from birth, His family, and yet they were belittling Him and laughing at Him. They didn’t understand who He was, nor did they want to. They were going to Jerusalem for a party, a Festival, to honor and praise God … but before they went they teased God Himself, their true Messiah.
But Jesus didn’t let this stop Him from following God’s timeline in faith. “Now is not the right time for me to go…” – what He was really saying was, it was not in God’s timeline at that moment for Him to show Himself publicly in Jerusalem.
Verse 10 continues…
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.
It is ALWAYS time to honor God! And it is always the right time to declare our faith in His perfect timeline. So Jesus went to celebrate and honor God – while He put Himself in the background.
God sees you, and He knows everything that you are going through.
God created time for us so that our minds can understand sequences and see His glorious unfolding provision set before us. But God’s ways are higher than our ways and His vision is perfect. We see and experience things in a linear fashion, with the passing of time, but God already knows the ending and can see all of time in His single vision.
I’ve heard it described that we are like a canoer going down a stream. We see the scenery as it passes by us. But God is like the airplane pilot flying above – able to look down and see the whole stream and all the river in one shot.
God saw Jesus waiting, alone; and He saw His upcoming suffering and death on a cross; but God also saw Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His payment for sins; AND God saw what WE have not yet experienced – our eternal joy as we live with God unhindered by sin, and in complete harmony with all His children. For us – that salvation is at the end of the stream, but in God’s sight, our salvation is NOW, because Jesus’ work is finished.
Jesus’ life was hard! And sometimes lonely. But there was a purpose – God had the perfect plan. Jesus just had to walk God’s timeline in faith.
Neither my daughter Emily nor I understood HOW God would perfectly piece together her many teachers and experiences over the years, but God had the perfect plan for her to end up walking across that stage and receiving her diploma yesterday. She just had to walk God’s timeline in faith.
You may not be able to see the other side of the mountain you are up against. But God does! And He is faithfully leading you down each path full of accomplishments for His glory. Trust God, and walk His timeline for you in faith AND in joy!
By faith, keep your eyes on the glorious outcome God has for you, even though it may likely get harder before it gets easier…Verse 11 continues…
11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. 12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
That’s not a very happy ending to our reading today. But thankfully, that isn’t the end of the story. And whatever chapter you are in isn’t the end either. God’s ways ARE higher than our ways, His sight is crisper than our sight, and His love, provision, and guidance are perfect. You WILL walk across that stage. You WILL cross the finish line. You CAN trust in faith God’s perfect timing. Jesus did! And He did it for you!
Let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God – thank you for your perfect timing and provision. We are awed that all we have to do is obediently trust you and take the next step. Father, we are so blessed that you love us so much. Yours is a love that we cannot begin to comprehend. And we are so grateful that you consider it your joy to lavish your love on us each and every day. Father – we hold out our arms, and we accept your shower of grace and love. And we walk your perfect timeline in perseverance and joy, knowing in our hearts that the ending is more glorious than we could possibly imagine. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We can all use some happiness in our lives and a happy heart comes from inner joy. Faith-based comedian, actress, and writer, DeAnn Alaine shares of her struggle along with a "Joyful Remedy" which has led her to a strong desire to serve Jesus. As a comedian, she helps others through their tough times in a cheerful way for God's Kingdom glory. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. And we are so grateful to have you with us today. And I would like to welcome our guest today, Miss DeAnn Alaine, welcome, DeAnn.
DeAnn Alaine
Woo-hoo! Thank you baby. I'm so glad to be here!
Kimberly Hobbs
She is a bundle of joy. And we are so excited about what is going to be shared today. So be prepared ladies, this this woman is such a woman of God. And I am just so grateful to call her friend. And she is actually one of our leaders and women are leaders. So we are happy to do this broadcast today, this podcast. So ladies, it is our hope that through what you listen to today will inspire you and encourage you and just bring you closer to your walk with Jesus. And Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's masterpiece we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe that each of us have a purpose on this planet. And that is to walk and glorify God in everything that we do. And our hope is that by listening today that you might be empowered to walk in your purpose, and serve God wherever it is that you are. The Bible also says that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many colored cat tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 410 So today we're gonna share some of the gifting that this amazing woman of God has. And she is a comedian and I just again just love Deanne. So let me share a little bit about who she is. Deanna Elaine met the Lord as a child. She knew him as her healer before she knew him as her Savior. born with a rare disease that affected her mental and physical development, and made her unique from day one. She was called into the ministry as a young person, she eventually went to Bible college because the expectation of those around her was to be the pastor's wife and to play piano. That was going to be her testimony. Did the Colin her life change? No. Did the method of ministry Yes, not only is Deanna comedian, but she is also an award winning TV show host of Maude wash moments with Dan Elaine, and is the creator and director for fade away coming to TV and cell phones soon. So we are so again happy to have you and today we're going to hear about Dan's story a little bit of joyful remedy brought to you with a happy face from a happy heart. The Bible says you will show me the way of life granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever that Psalm 1611. I love talking about joy. It just makes me happy. But first let's glance into Dan's younger years. Dan, you said that you were called at a young age and both parents instilled in you that the church should be the most joyful group of people on the planet, right? Your mom was a silly fun strong and and she had many enhance talents. So can you talk about your childhood with us a little bit and share a little bit about you growing up?
DeAnn Alaine
Sure.
Well, what a woman my mother, just a phenomenal chick. I remember before she met my dad and they got married, she would sew puppets called whosits. I mean, she was a single mom with three girls. And so we would go to different places and try and sell these puppets. She worked with a friend named Jackie like why do I remember that out of all these years and so even from a young age when you don't have money you get really creative and and she as it as it as a young person herself, really wanted to go into acting and she's just a beautiful charming human being it came to the Lord late in her 20s And so now that part of that excitement and and fun through hard work being a single mom until I was nine I got to see firsthand what joy looks like through great trial through great challenge and my older sisters they didn't quite get the picture of of her as a mom that I did because I was the youngest but then we had someone Just when she was teaching Sunday school and set up like this missions airplane and pretended fly us in different places, and we tried to recruit from different places, and, and then she met and married my dad, and what a guy and he's, he's the one that said the church should be the most joyful people on the planet like, and he's so right. And this is coming from a guy who, who became a husband and a dad all all at once. And we had never experienced the kind of life that he brought into the house. Like he would do try and taste what is in this. And he made eggs one time that looked like gray brain. Because he made him like licorice, like licorice flavored pancakes, it looks so awful. But we would gains and it would bring joy around the table with something that used to be a lot more common than it is today sitting at the table and enjoying each other having fellowship around food. I mean, my parents worked, my dad was in the Air Force. And my mom worked even after I married my dad work, work, work, work, work. And so to have two parents who love the Lord, who have that joy foundation really led me into into that season and finding joy around people who also loved Jesus. And when I was born, I was born with a terminal illness. And doctors would tell my mother, she's not going to live past this, this time. And this time, and this time, it happened several times. I was like, on this wing back then in the 70s. They didn't have this. They didn't have a decorum that they have today. I'm not PC, I'm a comic I'm not PC, but they didn't have decorum. And so they have this wing, they call the the, the the point of no return. And it was for terminally ill kids. And I was I was there a few different times in the state of Oregon, their university, and university Med Center. So all throughout that here's the enemy trying to take me out and having a mother who is now a believer praying, having elders of the church come over and pray. But still to have that joy like infused in into our life, we lived in a single wide trailer until I was nine. So I mean, we had frozen pipes. And I remember my mom getting my sister's like crawl under the trailer trying to fall pipes and stuff like that. It was like crazy. But then we'd come in and she would draw characters that she created on our lunch bags, because we didn't have like the 10 are really cool plastic lunchbox. So she would start drawing characters. And last year, she became a published author with her characters in a in a precious book. And so she's still living out what she started with me when I was little little. And she's still living that joyful testimony out.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, that is so beautiful. So wow, that gives me a little bit of insight to and to your childhood with a mom that was creative and did things to just bring smiles to faces of her children. That's beautiful. So Dan, part of your joy you told me is to fix a problem. And the joy of the Lord was your strength, especially while school was extremely difficult for you. You also said church was the only place that you felt loved and accepted. So can you talk about school and why it was so difficult for you.
DeAnn Alaine
So what I was mentioning with having this illness, the problem was my organs were growing, but my bones weren't. And like that's just there's nothing normal about that. And so what it lent itself to was developmental delays, physical delays and so academics I was six years academically behind my peers and oh my goodness, did that make it a struggle and I have this condition called seek amnesia. And what it means is mirrored image so all the muscles in my right from my shoulders all the way through my arms move exactly in mirrored image. So if I needed to write a paper, my right hand would right and my left hand and all the muscles in my left arm would move in the same exact Wow method but opposite. So everything with writing with school I academics was such a challenge I did terrible in school like, terrible. It's like, so going to church was like the place where I was accepted. I was surrounded by so many wonderful elderly people like the church, we went to Hood River Assembly of God in Hood River, Oregon. And I'm surrounded by a lot of elderly people that love to me would love holding me. And so from from being itty bitty, like I knew that my safe place was, was there because I didn't even expect to go to college. And the Lord delivered me from having feeling stupid, and having to overcome great challenges. Even through college. No one expected me to go to college. And so the fact that God really saw me through, and I have a degree in science and a degree in Biblical Studies and a degree it like, like, Who would have thought this, this, this stupid kid,
like, would do this.
And so, and the Lord, he saw me through, he saw me through and having that, again, that testimony from my mother really aided me in saying you can do this, you can do this. Through Christ, all things are possible.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. You are such a joy. And wow, I had no idea even some of these challenges you were saying that you went through Deann. And, and even knowing how you are and the beauty of your your soul that radiates the joy of Jesus, you can tell it's your strength, because I would never have guessed any of you know, the difficulties that you went through. So Deanne, Utah talked about when we were talking previously about a piece of chocolate. Hmm, you know, like, what, what about this piece of chocolate? You married your first husband, and you found yourself in harm's way you were talking about that too? Mental and physical? Abuse. And you called on the Lord in 2007, and started talking about a piece of chocolate. So can you share a little bit about this? This piece of chocolate?
DeAnn Alaine
Oh, gosh, yeah, I listen, if you want to, if you want to find out who not to marry, or who to marry, have haven't listened, be willing to listen to the Lord. I didn't do that. I marry this sweet guy. He was a Christian going to church. And, and wow, after 18 months of marriage, things really started to take a turn for the worst and and so in the midst of that very challenging time. The Lord did speak to my heart, and He knows that I love chocolate. Like I know it's not for every chick, or for every person, but but for me, like chocolate scratches an itch. And he's like, What about a piece of chocolate? Like, what piece of like, where I started looking for wrappers? Like where's where he's like, no, no. Write, write about some of the joyful times you have when you were a kid. And growing up in these pieces of chocolate and, and like, oh my gosh, so I started writing blogging, like way back in 2007. And it started to grow and it started to change and more women started to like, come in, because our stories are funny. And even even through that very dark time. Here's the Lord saying, I am keeping you but I'm keeping you my way. I'm not keeping you away. I'm keeping you my way and a piece of chocolate kept, kept going and kept growing. Until until the Lord said, okay, that season is done. And then I was done. Like when he says done, I'm done. Yeah, wow.
Kimberly Hobbs
So that definitely satisfied for a time you were blogging, and it all came from a piece of chocolate and God gave you that creative mind again to take from that piece of chocolate and bloom something there that was able to get you through a period of time and others to because others read your blogs and so Dan, you needed your joy restored. The Bible says the commandments of the Lord, I write bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for the living. Psalm 19 verse eight. Sadly, your marriage didn't last and it took strength to get through that time and the strength to do the right thing something right you needed the right source of strength and that's today what we want to pour in to these women that are listening, we all need our strength from the Lord at different times. And we may be all battling different things as you battled a lot of emotional difficulty in your life, you battled physical difficulty, and let loose Deanne. And let's talk to these ladies that are listening in about where your joy comes from, and how they can just harness that joy, the way that you did and the way that you do now in your life.
DeAnn Alaine
Oh,
This is my wheelhouse, like, I'm so happy to share this because I, okay, here's the thing. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord and I want to slow this down, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Amen. But listen, joy, or like any muscle that needs to be strengthened has to be worked out. It's, it's not like, oh, the joy of the Lord is my strength. And then you're grasping for straws, like desperately trying to like Where? Where is it? Where's the joy? Where's the joy? You we have to allow Jesus to, to, we need to give him space in our lives to strengthen us. So joy is a strength that has to be developed. So you may not have you may not go through, like everyone's lives gets touched with dramatic situations and horrible situations. So So can Jesus keep you during that time? Yes, if you will let Jesus keep you. Right, the Bible says that Jesus can keep your mind in perfect peace, your heart and perfect peace. So if you'll give him room to bring that peace factor in the midst of that those storms. And in the midst of what seems like drowning, like sometimes it's not just as nice as a storm. Sometimes it's a hurricane. And sometimes you you're under the water and debris is flowing past you. And it's it's it's there's nothing pretty like life is hard. However, if you if we can give Jesus the space, to keep our minds to get in the Word, to keep our minds as we are in Christ Jesus, then that will give him a chance to develop joy as a strength. Because joy has to be developed. It has to be a choice. It has to be a choice. Like I was looking in Psalm, chapter 100, verse two, which is serve the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes the only song that I can get out of my mouth is like like, that's the all these song I have is it it doesn't even sound like a song. Like sometimes I just, I need to have like a song that sounds like a meltdown just to release that hot the harboring mental challenges and thought bonds that the enemy tries to throw my way. And sometimes I have to fake it. Because here's the thing, okay. I was also a nurse for a season, and I was an LPN. And I learned that even by saying, My joy is complete, well change the hormones that are released into your bloodstream and change the effect of how you actually feel a change to affect God knows how he made us he he's so he knows it all. He knows the hormones that he put in us crazy women like he knows. He's there with us in the story he understands. But in but in that, do you know that just smiling even when you're like, angry, if you'll smile, it releases a chemical in your bloodstream, that changes the effect of the hormones in your in your body it Amen to that change your mind. So but it has to be chosen. This way that I have, it didn't start today. It has been brewing and growing and strengthening for a long time. But the best test of where you know that your joy is getting strong is always in the Valley. It's never on the mountaintop. It's always in those challenges. So I also want to read from Psalm 51 Psalms 51 Verse 12, and that verse is Is restore the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
That willingness to say, I'd rather wig out, I'd rather get my flesh. It's all way I'd rather do that. I want my own remedy. Rather than a joyful remedy. I want to, I want to tell my husband what I think of him. I want to tell it like, ah, you know, it's okay to scream. It's okay. Like, it's okay. Seriously, if you're listening to this right now and you feel like you're gonna first go into your closet, shut the door, if you don't have that golf suck, okay? Even if you like, whatever you need to do to scream, get, get that, that stress out of your body, and just start singing, just sing a song. joy of the Lord is my strength. Right? I learned that Sunday School is a little
thing that today, like I could be having a meltdown and crying. And I sing, the joy of the Lord is my strength.
But it changes my brain it changes I feel my body. But it has to be a decision much like how we choose Jesus. Right? He calls us by name he calling out to us. But we're the ones that take that step by faith. You know, to say, I believe you. I believe what you say is true. If you're if right, Jesus was the Word made flesh. So if he came to Earth, look what he endured. But look how he was so victorious, like Jesus is the remedy is the remedy of joy. Right? If Jesus wasn't in heaven, it wouldn't be heaven. Thing about right. So if Jesus wasn't in my life, and an active part and an active decision that I make every day, my joy would not be complete. Because he's the remedy. He's worse. He's the only one that I can say, Jesus, I got myself into this. But I need you to get me out of this what it looks like. And guess what he does. Every time I give him room and space. To my own conclusions is sort of jumping to my like, I just want to, like, I don't want to kill my husband. He is an amazing man of God, but the wife, I just want to go.
Unknown Speaker
I have a 16 year old son. I don't have daughters.
DeAnn Alaine
And so I think about that, I have to choose to give Jesus room to say, Okay, you beat you in this and then just trust that he's got me covered.
Kimberly Hobbs
He does. He does. have you covered DeAnn. He has all of us covered. And I still wanted to jump in with a scripture but I'll read it now. If you weren't talking as you were talking, because it's just this is so good. Those who look to him for help. Ladies, when we look to Jesus for help, he doesn't leave us floundering around and flapping in our tears and crying about those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy. Just as Dan shared about the joy of the Lord is our strength it is and in the Bible says no shadow of shame will darken their faces Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him. Psalm 34, five and eight, Psalm 34, five and eight ladies. So take refuge right, Dan? Like you just gave your life to taking refuge in him under the shadow of his wings. And you have been in complete joy. In fact, Deanna has made a career out of that and just bringing joy to the hearts of women now and men and women. She has been a faith based comedian and just shares just the joy that exudes out of her soul because she does have Jesus residing there every single day, every single moment share about how and what you do for a living Diem because it's so fun. It's so interesting. And you get to be happy every day and what you do
DeAnn Alaine
I think you overstated that a little bit. She's like, joy in every moment, every second. I'm like Oh, okay.
You You can't see it if you're listening to the broadcast, but I have a cookie monster bubble machine that like my husband and I like we love SeaWorld. We live in the Orlando area and so like, so sometimes I need this guy to just like help me out. He blinks and he blows bubbles outside of his lid. And I'm like, what? I rather blow bubbles out of my lid or for heart like of course now he's not blowing bubbles right now, but he's cute. I is any cue? Of course, you know, cooking chocolate and all that good stuff. I do. I did not call myself into comedy. Like I really thought I was going to be a crazy worshiper. I mean, I am but like, as a leader, and write music and sing in church and stuff. And then it was only like two and a half years ago, the Lord's like, hey, silly. I want you to bring joy to the world. I want you to do comedy. I'm like, what? Oh my gosh, this sounds like so much fun. And so through 2020 I learned the skill of comedy. So I oh my gosh, he's blowing. He's blowing his bubbles like here. Here we are, ladies and gentlemen
Kimberly Hobbs
See the bubbles going around. Most everybody's listening to podcasts, but those who are watching on YouTube.
DeAnn Alaine
And check this out. You guys..
Kimberly Hobbs
see the bubbles all over?
DeAnn Alaine
Isn't it so much fun. I'm such a kid.
Kimberly Hobbs
Bubbles make you happy.
Unknown Speaker
They do. That's why I have a comedy carwash show on Roku TV. Yes. We go through a carwash I have guests and we play games and and we sing songs and and it's just bananas. It's on creative motion network. So if you ever pay TV or the Roku stick, or you can go to the their site online and watch mouthwash moments with the analyte. And and we have the most fun going through a carwash and sometimes we'll go through two times and and sometimes we'll go through three times just because we're having so much fun. And the Lord is bringing that to the surface on like a carwash. Like this is so much fun.
Kimberly Hobbs
I know. Who would ever think about going through a carwash and making a comedy show out of it. But God gave you that vision to do it. And also Dan, talk about fade away as you are getting ready to film and share a little bit about that too.
DeAnn Alaine
Well, Fade Away is a sitcom based off of the best third rate funeral in Polk County, which is the county where I live in Florida. And we start filming on August 5, so be praying for us in that. And then we finish the rest of the filming on September 3 and fourth, we've got our camera guys in place our actors in place and I'm like Jesus, what are you doing?
He's like, it's still comedy, but
I want you to do television. I'm calling you into a bigger a bigger place, I need more. I have had to I learned joy and and you know, everyone's life is touched with death, everyone. And so here's the Lord saying I need I need people to have permission to be able to laugh and have joy about some of the biggest heart aches they've experienced. And so it's really like his hand is on this and that it's all come together. It's a miracle because I've never done anything like this before. But the when the Lord says do this, I'm hits so I'm gonna say yes. So yes, adventure.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, yes, you are on a huge adventure. And we are just so blessed Dan to be able to come alongside of you. And now that she is in women, world leaders, God is using her and amazing ways here as well. And she has spoke at our last event at Kaiser University and just brought joy to the audience of women that laughed and laughed and laughed and and you can tell again, the joy of the Lord is your strength and nobody would know what was happening in your life growing up and how God would use all of those situations to bring you to where you are today and how you're able to serve Him with that joy. So ladies, we just really we know all of us like Dan sided go through struggles day to day but we need to just look to the Lord for our strength. As Dan said, shout out loud you know, turn your screams into songs of praise to the Lord and just be joyful with a joyful heart and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. You can visit DeAnn at WWW dot DeAnn Alaine - Alaine is a l a i n e.com If you'd like to hear her speak or perform comedy at your next event And and the name of her show mod wash moments with Deanna lien can be seen on Roku TV. Just add creative motion network to your streaming channels and find comedy presentations. And you can like and follow fadeaway on the Facebook page and find Deanne on Instagram at Dianna lean three to seven. She is also ladies and this month voice of truth magazine through women world leaders where she shares some joy in the magazine and look for her in the future with some really exciting future things that she's going to be writing. And we are just so grateful to have her on our leadership team. And in just in future things with women, we're leaders, we're working on some fun things to bring joy into the ministry. And Deann Can you leave the ladies with a just a word to that they could carry with them through the day just maybe that shot in the arm? That would just give them some joy?
DeAnn Alaine
Yeah, absolutely. The shot in the arm is just confess with your mouth, Jesus,
I will give you room today to work.
I will give you room. Because if you if you give him room to work things out instead of you work trying to work them out yourself. He will do such a better job I promise you. So just say I promise to give you room today.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, that's
powerful, powerful. Give him room. So Jesus, we give you room to work in our life today. And for everybody listening, let's just pray that together. Daniel, you just cover the the women in prayer, just a short prayer to
cover them.
DeAnn Alaine
In the name of Jesus become before you indeed whether struggling or, or with buckets of joy, we just come at your feet and we declare that you are Lord, we thank You Jesus that you truly are the source. You are the remedy. Yes, joy, like you are the remedy for a joyful lifestyle. And, and for any of the ladies for all of the ladies listening, I just speak joy in abundance. In that moment. Today. I speak joy, even just a tiny bit, just meet them where they're at with, with the joy that they are they can receive in this moment. Jesus, you know that some are listening and their kids are driving them bananas or or they make they you might be single, and you're a single rose, but just know that Jesus has you covered and give him room like Jesus, thank you for these beautiful women. Thank you that they'll say today what I give you room to to, to work. Instead of me trying to fix this. Your joy will be manifested by me watching what you do. So Laurie, thank you for giving the women courage to say I won't settle for my flesh. I just I just want Jesus and to sit back and give him room to do what you love to do. I honor these ladies and bless them in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And remember ladies, Jesus is the joy of our salvation. His banner over us is love. And that was a song that we used to sing growing up in Sunday school so we just know Jesus is the joy of our salvation carry him with you ladies give him room. Thank you Deanna lane, we love you so much. And ladies, please remember join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we bring you these podcasts and each and every week. Ladies, we have to close but from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you and have a beautiful fantastic day the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Sometimes, we all need to be “set right” with the Lord. Enjoy this beautiful Voice of Truth article, written by Kim Meeder, Tiny Bird.
Welcome to celebrating God's grace, a women world leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and it is my honor today to bring you a greeting from Voice of Truth magazine. God has called women world leaders who produce and distribute voice of truth four times each year. We work with artists and writers from around the world to showcase God's glory. Visit women world leaders.com where you can see our back issues and register for a digital subscription. And if you live within the United States and become a monthly donor to women, world leaders, a 501c3 ministry. To thank you we will make sure you receive a physical copy of the upcoming editions delivered right to your mailbox.
Today's reading is from our very first edition of Voice of Truth, which was published in January 2021.
The article Tiny Bird was written by author Kim Meder. Kim Meder is the co-founder and CCO of crystal peaks youth ranch a unique ministry that rescues mistreated horses and pairs them with hurting children, encouraging all toward the healing hope of Jesus Christ. The ranch was founded in 1995 and serves 1000s of kids a year all free of charge. Kim's first book hope arising inspired the ranch to win the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis award and launch her inspirational speaking ministry. Kim remains passionate to share complete freedom and wholeness in Christ by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Together, Kim and her husband Troy have helped to establish over 200 other similar ranch ministries throughout the United States, Canada, and a dozen in foreign countries.
She and her husband have been married since 1981 and live in Bendm Oregon. Together they enjoy deep wilderness adventuring.
Enjoy my reading of Tiny Bird by Kim Meder.
Those who know me well are aware of my passion for the outdoors. For the times when I must be inside I've strategically stationed bird feeders to draw the beautiful activity of the wild into my view.
Not long ago, I nestled into my office with a hot cup of coffee and hand and an old beloved quilt across my lap. outside my window I had just scattered bird seed across a downy blanket of new fallen snow.
Unable to access their usual fare through the frozen white. The birds showed their pure gratitude by gliding down into the yard in great numbers. Soon the entire scene was filled with the delightful chatter of happy birds enjoying breakfast.
Suddenly, there was a worrying storm of wings as the panic flock took flight. a zillion birds darted a zillion different directions as a large Cooper's Hawk swooped through the yard. In the frenzy to escape, a small bird smashed into my office window only inches from my face. The impact knocked the bird unconscious and it fell upside down onto the woodpile below the window cell.
Looking at it intently, I studied the tiny bird. It was a Junko known in this region as a snowbird.
The slightly muted coloration told me it was a female. She was still on her back when her tiny legs began to move.
She appeared to be searching for something to grasp to write herself.
Finding nothing but cold. I watched the perfect legs struggle less and less, then, not at all. She was dying.
"Lord!
How can this be right? How can this be your will? This is a meaningless death. Why?" I searched.
Then in the stillness I heard, "Look at her. Look at her."
I did. The beautiful slender legs were slowly sliding apart as she was leaving this life. She has been knocked out of balance she was not created to live in this position set her right.
The old quilt flew off my lap as I dashed out of the office toward the back door. When I reached the bird, a single thought crossed my mind, "How?"
What followed was more image than phrase, but the words I sensed were, "Gentle, gentle, gentle."
Using two fingers from my left hand and the index finger on my right eye, I carefully lifted the bird only high enough to rotate her back onto her feet. In doing so, I watched the tiny bird's head slide deeply to the side. Her neck appeared broken. The rescue attempt was futile.
My "But God, this is hopeless" was crushed before I even finished the thought. "Do it. Don't trust what you think, you know, trust no one you know, trust me."
In obedience, I gently propped the tiny bird against a piece of firewood and quietly made my way back into the office.
Once the frayed quilt was replaced on my lap, I rotated my chair back toward the window and moved up as close as I could get cheeses I gasped at all. The little snowbirds head was now a top her shoulders right where it should be captured by this tiny miracle I watched completely transfixed.
held fast within the power of this transformation. It occurred to me that horses are similar in reaction when cast on their back. They'll try to write themselves for a while but once they believe that they cannot rise, they stop trying.
Left in this upside-down position. Death is Imminent.
Soon the snowbird's beautiful black eyes began to blink her thought process was returning. After several long moments, she shook once and then flew away. "Wow,Lord! Speak!"
Through the quiet of dawn, I could hear deep within, "Gentle, gentle, gentle this is what I am calling you to do for those around you. Help them regain their balance in my love. Some will accept being rebalanced and will immediately take flight soaring deeper into my presence. Others will not accept being rebalanced and will choose to return to an upside-down existence of self-imposed pain and bitterness. Beloved, yours is not to make such a call for them. Yours is to listen closely and simply do what I say.
To secure those around you with my love. This is what I'm calling all my people to do."
Recently, I traveled to northern California to visit some dear family friends. They were my childhood neighbors when I still lived with my parents. Katie, a woman of my mother's age was a new believer when she heard the tragic news of how my distraught father had murdered my mother and then taken his own life. Left behind were three orphaned girls. In her young faith, she did what mattered most she started to pray for the daughters.
All Katie knew was that the girls had been taken away. She prayed for them for years decades, never knowing what happened. She just kept praying that somehow through the pain, they would meet Jesus.
...
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 18:15-35 how to respond when we are sinned against by a Christian brother or sister. We are taught the process for holding each other accountable and, through the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor, to always offer forgiveness.
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m so glad that you have joined us for our Wednesday edition!
I had the pleasure of spending this last weekend at the beach. I am a worker-bee, and to keep balance in my life, I have to intentionally step away from work periodically. It sounds crazy, but that is a really difficult thing for me to do. Some friends of ours graciously shared their 8th floor beach condo with us for the weekend, so we took off for three days with no agenda except to NOT work. My mornings were spent sitting in the surf, while my afternoons were spent sitting on the shaded balcony overlooking the water. Let me tell you, you can see a LONG way from an 8th floor balcony. And as I looked out over the water, it was striking to me how big God must be if He created an ocean that was so big it mesmerized me. Have you ever thought about that?
And then, when I contemplated the beauty and majesty of the ocean even more deeply, I thought about God looking down – He said in Genesis that His creation was good, but He said that the children He created were VERY good. When God looks at the earth, despite His amazing view, which is far better than that from an 8th floor balcony, it isn’t the majesty of the ocean He focuses on – it is the majesty of you and me. His children.
I want us to keep that in mind as we study today’s scripture: the majesty of God’s people. Today we are talking about holding our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable for their sin against us. Yet even as we hold them accountable, we are to forgive them and work purposefully to bring them into restoration with the community of Christ rather than to condemn them. Because they, like us, are God’s treasured creation. Together, WE are God’s treasured creation – His masterpiece – and we are here at this time in this space to hold each other up and love each other, even WHILE we hold each other accountable.
With that in mind, let’s pray before we delve into today’s Scripture, Matthew 18:15-35…
Dear Most Holy and Amazing Creator God! We come to you in awe of you as we think about your majestic creation. God – with the power of your voice, you created the universe and everything in it; and yet you are a personal God who cares for each of us with a depth and focus we can’t even begin to understand. You never give up teaching us and helping us grow into the people you have created us to be. Father, forgive us and cleanse us as we delve into your Word. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with understanding and wisdom as we read and study. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronologically, in an effort to not miss a single moment of Jesus’ teaching as He walked the earth. We recently heard Jesus teach the disciples that humility leads to greatness in the Kingdom of God and that we have a responsibility to newer believers.
We can all attest to the fact that living in community can be difficult, and you’d better believe that the disciples knew this struggle well. Although they were all devout followers of Jesus, they all had very different backgrounds and personalities – and they were not without sin. Just as we are not without sin. And even as we soul-search and ask God to reveal our own sin AGAINST others, we each also experience being sinned against BY others. So it is in this vein that Jesus now teaches His community of believers what to do when a fellow Christian sins against us.
Allow me to read Jesus’ words beginning in Matthew 18:15 from the New Living Translation…
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
What a great place to begin! Plain and simple – go to the individual who has wronged you – have a conversation. Tell him or her that you are hurt and why. We ALL mess up…and when we do…how beautiful it is to be spoken to and respected on an individual level!
Jesus continues…
16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Jesus instructs us to widen the circle when the first conversation doesn’t go well. While ganging up on someone is not the point, working together to uncover the root of sin is. When we are dealing with sin that could influence and spread in a Christian community, it is important to not let that sin fester and spread.
We have a fruit bowl that we keep on our kitchen counter, and I am always so bummed when I pick up an apple with a rotten spot – because usually, that means that the rot has spread to the other fruit. It is the same within our communities. If you are wronged by an individual, chances are that you aren’t the only one who was wronged, and it is the responsibility of each of us to make sure that sin’s rottenness doesn’t spread throughout the Christian community.
Verse 17...
17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
This is a hard verse to digest – but just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean we should gloss over it. If a Christian brother or sister’s heart is so hard that he or she refuses to take guidance that was offered with prayer and biblical wisdom, it is time for tough love. For the good of the whole.
Jesus continues…
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid[c] on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit[d] on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
It’s important that we read these two verses in tandem with each other…Jesus is telling us that when we come to Him in communion with other believers, seeking His will and guidance, He will be there and will not lead us astray. And when we act with the wisdom that God alone can grant, we can trust that we are acting in accordance with the laws of heaven. Let me read verses 18 and 19 one more time…this time from the ERV…
18 “I can assure you that when you speak judgment here on earth, it will be God’s judgment. And when you promise forgiveness here on earth, it will be God’s forgiveness.[a] 19 To say it another way, if two of you on earth agree on anything you pray for, my Father in heaven will do what you ask.
As Jesus taught about holding others accountable, Peter was listening and processing – he understood the need for personal forgiveness that would go along with holding a brother accountable, but he had questions…verse 21 from the NLT…
“Lord, how often should I forgive someone[f] who sins against me? Seven times?”
Seven times was generous in Peter’s mind as the rabbis taught that an individual should forgive another person who sins against him three times.
So, Jesus’ answer was probably a bit shocking…
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Seven was the perfect number, so it is less about being able to do math and keep a tally of the number of times we forgive, and more about forgiving endlessly, to infinity, to perfection. As long as we live on earth and have given our lives to Christ, we can trust God’s infinite forgiveness. And as Christians, one to another, God expects us to forgive those who sin against us, as well.
Jesus breaks it down to story form…often called the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor…
23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.[h] 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
It sounds harsh – for a human life, actually several human lives, to be sold to pay a debt. When we get deep into monetary debt, we just expect extra finance charges, not to pay with our freedom. But it was an accepted practice at that time. Not only would the man be punished for his debt, but so would the man’s family! It’s no wonder that the man begged for mercy before he and his family were whisked into slavery. Verse 27…
26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27
Then the unthinkable happened…
… his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
This man was saved from a life of slavery – and so were his wife and children – all because of the generosity of another! You’d think he’d have run home in celebration and thanksgiving, but no. The story continues to unfold…
28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars.[i] He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
Jesus then gives the take away…
35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Wow! While we can see the undeniable lack of balance in the man’s life, it may take a leap for us to apply this story to ourselves.
The man was forgiven his insurmountable debt – he and his family were let go scot-free. And then the man turned around and had another man thrown in prison for his much smaller debt.
Let’s equate this to our own lives. We are all sinners, and the price for sin is death, removal from God’s Holy presence. And yet, when we come before our Lord asking for forgiveness for our sins, God grants us forgiveness – reconciling us to Himself and saving us from shame and guilt.
And what is our response? We praise and thank God. But when another Christian, made in God’s image and DEARLY loved by God, sins against us and asks for forgiveness, we often turn away in pride.
So is Jesus saying if we don’t forgive others, all bets are off the table and He won’t forgive us?
Sort of…not forgiving is a sin, and when we have truly given our lives to Christ, He forgives us of ALL sin. Once you are sealed to Christ, nothing can rip you out of His arms or His presence.
BUT…when we TRULY give our lives to Christ, we will, by virtue of the Holy Spirit residing in us, grow as we try to become more like Christ every day. God is like a magnet, pulling us toward Him! And while messing up is unavoidable for all of us in this lifetime, simply refusing to grow in our forgiveness of others is a sign that we never really gave ourselves over to Christ in the first place.
And never giving our lives to Jesus in the first place will definitely result in eternity apart from our loving and Holy God.
So let’s look back on this teaching on what to do if a Christian sins against us…
First – go to them one on one with truth.
Then, if necessary, widen the circle, and bring of few others to also offer truth to the offender.
Then, if still necessary, involve the church. If the individual turns away, the body should also turn away from the individual, so the rot of sin doesn’t spread throughout the community.
But, this must all be done with forgiveness and for the purpose of restoring the individual rather than condemning the individual. It is NEVER up to us to judge – our job is to love. God’s job is to judge. But it is up to us to not gloss over another’s sin that affects us, but to carefully bring it into the light with a heart that is full of forgiveness.
Accountability and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive. When we follow Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, accountability and forgiveness work in tandem with each other – pulling each of us to a higher level of service to our Lord.
Remember the amazing awe with which God looks at each of us, His beautiful creations? His masterpieces? Let’s strive to look at each other with that same awe! We are all made in the image of God, and we have been placed here, in this place and time, together purposefully. To uphold each other and to grow together. Living in godly community isn’t always easy, but if we let Him, God will always be with us, guiding us through.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – I am so thankful for the community that you have placed around me! Help me to treat each of your beautiful creations with the dignity, love, respect, and forgiveness that you offer each of us. Give us each wisdom to know when to speak and how to respond when we are spoken to. We confess that we are all sinners in need of grace, help us accept Your grace and offer that same grace to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How do you respond when difficult events happen in your life? Today's guest, Lisa Hathaway, had multiple tragic events happen to her in a very short period of time in her life and she lives to tell of them. Where was God? She was faced with a choice and shares her miraculous story today: Wallow or worship? ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so glad that you joined us today. And I would love to welcome our guest Lisa Hathaway. Welcome, Lisa,
Lisa Hathaway
Thank you so much for having me, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs
It's our pleasure. And we are excited to introduce her to you is who she is. And like you get to know Lisa a little bit. And God says in His word that they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony, Revelation 12:11. And ladies, today, Lisa is going to share a little bit about her story, and the miracles that God did in her life to get her through. And we hope that through listening to these stories, ladies that you will be inspired, and encouraged to walk out your beautiful purpose that something you might hear today will spark something in your life that you will connect dots and see what God may be speaking to your heart today. So that is our prayer as well as we go into these podcasts that God would speak to you through these words that we share today and through Of course, His scriptures, because there's power in the Word and we know that the word is life changing. So I want to introduce Lisa with a little bit about who she is. Lisa is a lover of Jesus, and has passion for the least of these. Her heartbeat is to see those who need a second chance and help them experience the tangible love of Jesus. Lisa has learned to worship through suffering as a special needs mom. She's a recent breast cancer survivor and also a survivor of a tragic car accident within a two year span. Suffering has been intertwined in her story, and she wants others to experience the sweetness of God through some of the most difficult things in life. She resides in Lexington, North Carolina with her amazing husband and three precious children. She's a youth leader. And Lisa has an MBA and is currently attending Liberty University Graduate School where she's pursuing her master's degree in clinical and mental health counseling. So today we titled this podcast wallow, or worship, wallow or worship we all have choices to make. How do you respond when difficult events happen in your life? Think about that. You have a choice and how you respond? Have you questioned God during your suffering? Today, Lisa, you chose to come on and be real with us and be authentic and share about some of the suffering that you endured. You had some choices to make, which we're going to talk about those choices in a little bit. But Lisa, you stated you had a choice that you could choose to wall up, wallow, or worship. So Lisa, can you open up today by sharing some of the trauma and grief of your story and a place that you were at prior to making a choice?
Lisa Hathaway
Yes, thank you so much, Kimberly, even hearing you talk through that. It's like, wow, you know, we all have, we all have stories, we all have testimonies, and we have to choose what to do with those stories, and choose what to do with suffering. And mine started back in the year of 2020. Obviously, the COVID year, everybody was you know, identifies that as COVID. And, you know, God gives me a word every year and my word for 2020 was rest. And I was like, you know, I'm a very active person. And so it was just like, okay, you know, we're gonna rest and then the end of February, I found out my mom had a genetic mutation of lung cancer. And a week later, I found out my dad had bladder cancer. And after those two, they're divorced, that you know, so they weren't live, you're not living together, obviously. But after those two diagnosis, I hit a low point just from that. And I was like, alright, God, you told me um, I heard this she was rest. So I'm like, a little stressful. And so I hit a really low point, just processing all that in my brain and then I was was a high school teacher teaching special education And our assistant principal and I, during COVID, we went virtual. So we had a little extra time. And so we decided we wanted to go hiking and mill the day at a local park. And it was the best day was just the best day. And she opened up to me and shared and on our way back was a ride around noon. I saw a car coming from a distance, and I was like, Wait, they're swerving all over the road. They're swerving all over the road. And the next thing I know, we were hit head on, and he was a drunk driver. And, um, she died right beside me. And, you know, I knew, in that moment that something wasn't right. Like, I could just steal it. In my spirit, I don't remember a lot about some details. But God has brought things back to memory, I think, for healing. And I saw her posture of saw the blood splattered all over me, I felt it. Um, I don't know, like how I got out of a car, I don't know any of that, like, I really shouldn't survive, he hit us about 65 miles an hour. Um, and so that, that day, I went to hospital. And from that point on, I didn't dry for two months, I suffered from, you know, PTSD, pretty severe in that timeframe. And I really started experiencing, I've been a Christian since I was eight years old, but I really start experiencing a whole new level of who God is. And and I say it was, but you know, he always has been. But when you are going through something, you start you are open to see we have a choice. Like we can get bitter and angry. And yes, I asked why, why, why, why, why, why, and then I stopped because I wasn't getting the answer that I wanted. And, um, you know, looking back on that, I'm now starting to understand the why. So I went to counseling immediately after the car accident because my brain couldn't process the trauma and grief. And then, you know, went through that I went back to teach in August, I had a pass for office every day, how to deal with all of that. And then we're coming up on 2021. And April 28 was the actual day it happened in 2020. And April 29 is my birthday. So I birthdays a little obviously bittersweet because I had to wake up the next day, knowing that she was not here. And you feel the feelings of guilt and all those things I've had to work through.
And so April 28 of this of 2021, I, my mom, I took the day off work and we went and bought flowers. And I just love fresh flowers. And we went and so I could do it from my deck and I had my OB visit. So I did that and got my mammogram and all that good stuff. And we had lunch and then I get a call in May of 2021 May 24 And my doctor's like, um, I don't know what happened, but something just kind of got misplaced. And we found something on your mammogram that you're very sisty. So we probably just assume that it's that I'm like, okay, that's fine, whatever, I'm good. I don't take things real serious sometimes. And so we fast forward, and I went and got ultrasound. And after the sixth time of going in and out of the radiology room. I was like, huh, and God just started to prepare me. And I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on June 11 of 2021. So, I was like, wow, God, like, what now? My word for 2021 was courage. And so I had risk for 2020 I had courage for 2021 Courage to to fight courage to walk through things i like how appropriate Lord, I'm and he has such a sense of humor. So I fast forward I had a double mastectomy on August 12 of 2021. And you know, going through everything happened so fast, like appointments and what treatment and all this stuff and you know, I was 44 when I was diagnosed. I'm 45 obviously now but um and so I was like oh my gosh, you got three kids or what? You know your mind can go and then because I I saw so much of God's faithfulness after the accident. I was like, Okay, God, like, I can't worry about this, like, you're gonna work this out because I saw his, his kindness and gentleness and the, how he never left me. And so did I think, does your mind go places? Absolutely. We're human. You know, my Armand goes like, oh, gosh, I'm just gonna die tomorrow. You know, I mean, I'm just, you know, that's the truth. And so I'm going through all of this, and, you know, we're going through the treatment and what to do, and I was like, double mastectomy, you know? Well, then yeah, I'm a very was a very large chested woman. And that to vary. I mean, we're all women here, suddenly, it's a very, it's a very physical part, it's a very sexual part, you know, all these things go through your mind, you're like, oh, my gosh, my whole entire body is gonna change. So when I had my double mastectomy, they propose things for you to have reconstruction. And so I decided to get implants. And in that process, they put tissue expanders in, and of course, my body rejects the tissue expanders. Um, and I had originally told my husband now I'm going to be before the mastectomy. So I'm going to be content with where I'm at. God spoke to me. And I'm going to be content with no reconstruction. Well, you know, then the flesh takes over, then people start talking to you, and you hear all these things. And so I was like, Oh, well, I've got to have implants and perky boobs, right. So I was like, Okay, I'm gonna do the tissue expanders, my body completely rejected him, I got a massive infection, heavy in the hospital for five days on T round to IV antibiotics, just because I wouldn't become septic. So I had three surgeries within six weeks. And then, um, you know, the healing process and the emotional process and all of that stuff. But I was able to go back to work October 25. So mad woman said to me was August 12, men back to work. And that's when it kind of started hitting me like, this has been real, you know, and then I'm in the middle, they forced me into menopause. So we all know about that. So hot flashes, all that so I wallowed. I mean, I'm gonna be honest, I went through very many, you know, many stages of wobbling, and many, like, my husband would come and say, Get off the couch. Come on, let's go, go on wall, get up, get up, you know, like you, you're not gonna stay in this place. And I realized through both of those that, you know, everything's a choice and that I had to I had to choose not to wallow. So...
Kimberly Hobbs
In the world, the world would say you have every reason to wallow. I mean, look at what happened in your life. Right? You had, oh, you know, poorly saw. And wow, you went through a lot hunting, you went through a lot. So but there's more to this story. Because Lisa, you did see Beauty from Ashes, right? But how so? The Bible says, our present troubles are small, and they're not going to last very long, yet they produce for us, glory that vastly outweighs them, and will last forever. That's kind of like a capsule of your life. All of this time that you could have been wallowing and you had that choice, and you did wallow for a while. First Corinthians 417 Is that verse that God was producing a glory that is going to far outweigh what you went through. So you emphasize the choice because of the past two years of your life. You saw God's hand moving? How did you choose to follow God after the accident? What specifics? Can you share with the audience that allowed you to choose not to while into follow? God?
Lisa Hathaway
I mean, yeah, that's a very it's a very good question. I, I think after the accident, my when you have nothing left, and when you hit that rock bottom, I mean, of course, I had my family and, you know, but there was so many times they had no idea what to do. They had no idea what to say. Because you don't know what to say. Sometimes when someone is at that place where you have nothing left like I couldn't even walk to get out to walk towards a vehicle. Like it was so traumatic. And I started I set on my deck, and it's so crazy how God works and moves because right before the accident literally two days before the accident, we had just like refinish our deck. And I got all these fresh flowers and all this stuff. God knew he sees the end from the beginning, he knew that was going to be my safe haven of healing. And I said on that deck, and I would I would wash it, because you can't wallow and worship at the same time. Right? So I had to sit there and go, I know my God is faithful. I don't understand this. But he is so faithful. I have to choose to see his faithfulness in the situation. So I would find worship songs. And I doubt I had I created my own playlist called Soul lifter. And because it all lived my soul, and it spoke to the deepest parts of my heart. And it was like, it was like, God's just like, I'm here. I haven't left you. And so I started just to build on that. And it's like the joy and sorrow dance together. I was it was this the joy of the Lord that's unexplainable to the human eye. Because I had such joy. My husband told me, we've been married 20 years and he goes in those two moments. I've never seen you at so much peace. And I thought, what, why, what after all this happened? Because I pressed in so hard to Jesus, like I've never done before. Amen. When you do that, it it's a sweetness that you can't even can't even describe. So my level with the Lord, my intimacy with the Lord got so deep that I could not wallow. Like I could not wallow, because I was like, God's like I'm taking you. I'm allowing that truth. Yes, I'm allowing you. And it reminds me of like one of my scriptures that have spoke so much to me Habakkuk 317 through 18, even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the all of crop fails, and the fields like empty and barren, even though the flop sat in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation, Yet I will rejoice. So, regardless of anything that happens when all the fields are gone, when everything is is just falling apart in your life. Yet I will rejoice.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. I love that. I love that. And we pray that that Scripture speaks to you ladies as well, if you're in the midst of something right now, and when you're on that slippery slope, and you might fall off of it, oh, God instructs us in His Word, give your burdens to the Lord and he's going to take care of you ladies. He's he's going to and that's what Lisa chose to do. She gave everything over to the Lord and chose not to wallow, but to worship God. And Psalm 5522 says he will not permit the godly to slip and fall. So when you're on that slope, ladies, and you're you're just trying to balance everything because the pain is so intense, or the the trial that you're going through is so burdensome. God says right here in Psalm 5522, to give your burdens to him. So Lisa, you found your value in God and praise God, you did. You lived to through two things where realistically the arrows were pointing that your life should be over. But God, by God, he chose and you saw that. So you started worshiping Him and you started thanking him for the good and what you saw you lived. So when you found your value in God by choosing him, Lisa, you didn't allow yourself to wallow anymore you chose and you chose well, God opened the door to give you a passion to work for him, which is this is the exciting part of the story, ladies is because now Lisa turned her life around through this and she chose to work for Jesus and serve Him with all of her heart. She helps the homeless she is working with the youth at church and she showed a way to articulate to others about their suffering in the valley. So God allowed her to turn all this for good. And Lisa, can you explain in your own way about how God doesn't leave us ever? There's ladies listening right now that feels so alone. In their hurting world, please share with them how he never leaves us.
Lisa Hathaway
Yes, I, you know, I think that you hit on a good point. I mean, we all, no matter how close you are to the Lord, or what our backgrounds are, there's times where we feel lonely as women. I mean, that's just, that's just human nature and the flesh part. And we're like, I'm lonely. I feel like I'm walking through whatever journey by myself. And, you know, God has spoke to me in a lot of ways. And I've journal a lot. And it was a visual that he gave me and I hold so tight to this. And I'm so thankful that he gave it to me that we're in a valley. And, you know, I've got kids and work in school. So he is I'm sitting on the bottom of the valley floor. It's like lay mud it but it is solid, that foundation, the bottom of the valley is solid. And I'm sitting, as I say, crisscross applesauce or Indian style. And Jesus is right beside me. crisscross applesauce. I'm like, Hey, Jesus, how you doing? He's like, I'm doing I'm doing good. I'm right here with you. Okay, well, you can go if you want to, because I'm gonna be here a while. It's been pretty dark the last couple of years. He's like, no, no, I'm not leaving you. But he's like, No, I'm not leaving you. I will sit with you, as long as I need to here to show you that I have never left you and I'm never going to forsake you. And he just sat there. And we're just carrying on conversation. And then all of a sudden, he looks over at me. And he goes, It's time. Let's go is Tom, you've been here long enough. You said grabbed my hand. I was like, Oh, we're gonna climb up that we're gonna climb to the top of that mountain, or the top of this humongous Valley? You said, yeah. So I grabbed his hand, he keeps looking at me and goes, I've got you, my daughter. I've got you, my daughter. I haven't left you. I haven't left you. I'm like, Jesus, this is tough. Come on. Because what I have for you, on the top of this is far greater than this valley floor. And so it is something that in our suffering, there is beauty. But you have to open your eyes to see it. We get so laser focused on what's wrong in our lives. And we got to open our eyes to see that God is in the smallest of things. You know, feathers are a big thing for me. I saw 91 for and it's a huge thing for me. And I would walk downtown where I live and feathers were just falling. And I'm like, Where are these coming from? And God's like, I see you. I've got you. And this is what when I wasn't driving and I was walking because I needed I had my worship music on. I'm sobbing my eyes out and working through the grief and trauma and like, why is this happening? And God just like his promises are so true. And he is so faithful, and the kindness and the gentleness. So whatever story you have whatever you're walking through, even when I was walking through the breast cancer, God has taken the scales off my eyes to even see myself differently. Because this is a battle and God chose to save me from this says stories are different. But I cannot like doorman not to worship Him. Because He faced he saved me twice. So God's like I have something so much greater for you. And so I have to speak I have to use it for His glory. And I'm just I'm so excited to challenge because suffering is beautiful. I know it sounds really weird. But suffering can be so beautiful because I wouldn't be where I'm at today. If I didn't have suffering. I wouldn't have the intimacy if I didn't have suffering. So yes, you can choose not to wallow, but you get up each day and go I'm gonna make a choice to worship the God in Jesus who died for me.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that. I love that and you did you chose to worship and you looked for God to show you to show you that way and he did and ladies, when you are wishing that someone would just be there to show you the way you know we all look for our help in different ways. You know, some look to Doctor some look to different people. Ladies look up and worship the Lord just as Lisa was sharing from her heart her life changed when she chose worship. So when you're looking for someone to show you the way A God's word is there to do so he will show you the way through His Word. The Lord says, I will give you along the best pathway for your life I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise and walk watch over you. He says that to us, ladies. So if you open the Word and you worship Him through the word, he's going to advise you through the word he's going to watch over you and tell you how to get out of the wallowing in the situation that you're in at Psalms 32 Eight, God is our God forever. And just like Lisa was sharing about crisscross applesauce, God was there and said, No, I'm never leaving you. I'm never leaving you as she sat there on the ground. He is our God forever, ladies, forever and ever. He will guide us until we die. That's Psalm 4814. All the scriptures are right there in his word for us to grab hold up. So are you going to allow him? Are you going to allow him access into your heart and not block him by wallowing in your pity? Will you choose him Ladies, don't choose pity choose to worship him as we were just praying for all of you ladies listening in today, Lisa and I both had that on our prayer heart that you are going to choose well. And when you want to recognize God's presence, ladies, worship Him, worship him. Come let us worship him out, bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our God our maker, because He is our God. And we are the people he watches over. We are the flock under his care that Psalm 9095, six and seven. I don't know about you, but I can't even contain the joy. And if you hear in Lisa's voice, she can contain the Joy because she chose correctly ladies. So come close to God and He is going to come close to you. That's James for eight. So I just asked Lisa. Lisa, do you have a word that you just want to share? In the last 30 seconds? With the ladies? What can you just give them to take away today as your final word to them?
Lisa Hathaway
I think I would just have to say, you know, God is a God of redemption. He's a God of kindness, a God of love. And I just challenge you to just look to Him. And you will absolutely see the beauty coming from the ashes of whatever your story is. Because he is so good.
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so wonderful. He is so good lady so good. One more verse to leave you with. I love just pouring scripture out. But God says Call me when you're in trouble. And I will rescue you. And you will give me glory that Psalm 55 Don't we all want to glorify God. And look at Lisa right now all of what she experienced in her life. And this verse is so true in her life too, because now she's given all the glory to God. She's here sharing her story of how God brought her through because she didn't choose to wallow, she chose to worship Him. And we just pray that you'll choose worship ladies worship God, and you will give Him the glory. He says that in his word. So as we close out, ladies, we are a ministry of women here. You may have a story that you want to share that God is just prompting you to share with the world. We have an opportunity here in so many ways for you to be used by the Lord. Or maybe you just need to be comforted around other women who would love you and encourage you to walk closer with Jesus. We want to be here for you. So reach out to us on our website, info at women world leaders.com. And we'll give you further information. We have social media, where we give daily devotions that you can plug in and comment we can interact with you in the comments. That's the Facebook group. It's called Women, world leaders. So go to your group groups on Facebook and just type in women world leaders, you'll see a little girl holding a tilted crown, please ladies request to come in. It's a private group. It's just growing unbelievable. And we would love you to be part of it. We have other tools like voice of truth. That is an encouraging magazine, and we put it out every quarter ladies, it's free. You can go on our website, you can flip through the pages. It's beautiful and every page is filled with encouragement from God's word, and women around the world who are right thing to encourage you through God's word. There's so many tools please check out our website at women world leaders.com. And, and Lisa, how can the ladies reach out to you if they would like to contact you?
Lisa Hathaway
You could just email me at LTHathaway77@gmail.com. And I'll be happy to talk with anybody who emails me.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's awesome. So ladies, you There you go. Lisa is willing to speak with you. And sometimes you just need that live person to pray with you or speak with you and she has a willing heart. And that's the beauty of the women and women world leaders is we are here for one another as God called us to be. So reach out as you feel, lad. We hope to see you and we hope for you to become part of women world leaders join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for these podcasts in many different ways. So ladies from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. We thank you Lisa Hathaway for joining us today and sharing your God's story with us. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Ladies, have a beautiful and blessed day. Remember, Don't wallow, worship the Lord and see your life change. God bless you.
Today’s message discusses faith, the course in faith we take when we radically love and trust God. No matter what circumstances we are surrounded by, no matter what obstacles come our way, no matter what happens, we can CHOOSE to love, trust and serve the founder and perfector of our FAITH. We must believe in Him and know great faith is shown as we wait for the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leader’s Podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole, born in Louisiana, USA ,now living in Australia. This is a podcast that comes to you through a women’s global ministry, Women World Leaders. The WWL ministry began 4 years ago with people gathering in a home studying and discussing the Word of God. As followers of Jesus Christ we are commissioned with the call to go out into all the world, and share the gospel to the entire human race! We may be called to GO and influence our friends, families, our children. We may be called to GO into our communities. And we may be called to GO into other nations. God’s power and desire to reach the ends of the earth is evident in what He has done through the beautiful women of God who serve in WWL and the supporters who give, whether in donations, love gifts and prayer. We are privileged here at WWL that He has called us to be His army in sharing the love and grace message of our Lord Jesus Christ and we celebrate and are constantly amazed that He is allowing us to reach the globe. Thanks to all of you that listen and support us!
I hope you are well & blessed and enjoy this time we have together and if you believe this message will speak to someone you know and help support and encourage them we ask that you share it. We are called in the body of Christ to uplift and support our brothers and sisters. Each week we bring you podcasts where we share women’s testimonies, have teaching in the Word and today in our segment of “Celebrating God’s Grace” I’d like to speak to you about FAITH. A big subject and so much could delve into but for today I want to look at:
How we are never alone and we have supernatural support.
We must believe, even when we are walking through the most horrific trials.
I didn’t say it’s easy, but it is possible… WITH GOD!
Hebrews 11:6 (TPT) tells us that “without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek Him.” Verse 7 says “faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming”. Even things that hadn’t been seen, for rain had not yet even come upon the earth. WOW! He worked diligently for several decades building what God had told him without really knowing what exactly for. How many people would have possibly ridiculed him or even made fun of him? “What in the world is this guy doing building this HUGE construction? What a waste of time and effort?”I’m sure he might have had moments he may of questioned, what am I doing? But he focused on God and was obedient to what God had asked of him. Will we be?
He was FAITHFUL. Genesis 6:22 says Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Sometimes it may be difficult to hear what God is telling us to do. This is where it is important to be in God’s Word every day. He is always speaking to us. We must often take time to be still to hear and trust His timing to bring us what He wants to tell us.
The greatness of faith is not to be judged on how many of God’s promises you receive or great wealth or health you experience. The greatness of faith is shown in proportion to how long you can wait for the fulfillment of a promise. Greatness of faith is not proven in what is received, but in how long a person can wait without wavering to receive.
Many things in our lives have not come to pass that our heart so desperately desires! It may be healing for a loved one or for ourselves, it may be a healing for a broken relationship or marriage, or seeing those we love and care about being saved and living a life for Christ.
Waiting…. Wanting… Wishing.. things would happen!
How do we still passionately seek Him?
How do we ride the COURSE OF FAITH, especially when “things” aren’t going as we would desire and life’s battles continue to come.
How do we remain faithful servants?
Faith seems to come easy when “things” are going well. It’s when life gets tough and challenging and our faith is tested that can be really trying.
This year, 2022, it seems to me that for a lot of people I know things are “heavy”. Many I talk to are dealing with quite difficult things in their life and the lives of their loved ones, including myself.
As you get older and experience life as a follower of Christ I believe you start to see it’s about faith, yes, but it’s really about remaining FAITHFUL NO MATTER WHAT THE WORLD THROWS AT YOU! Nothing in life remains the same and there are seasons of many highs and lows. It’s about:
Keeping our eyes on the FOUNDER AND PERFECTOR of our faith.
It’s a COURSE IN FAITH we take every day.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (TPT) tells us:
1As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. 2We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! 3So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.
God will NEVER abandon YOU!
We are to be hopeful while waiting
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses
I recently attended some biblical training, and the pastor/teacher (over 40 years in ministry) shared lots of stories. One story he shared has stuck with me and I continue to reflect on it.
He was in his office one early morning making last minute preparations to his notes for a wedding that he would perform later that day. A wedding, a glorious and happy celebration of two people very much in love. Not many things are more beautiful then celebrating the union of two people in love and embarking on life together!
The phone rang with the devasting news of the death of a young man, a member of the church he pastored. It was the young son of a dear friend. He was devasted but he knew he had to be the one to tell the family. He got in the car and drove to his friends’ home. His friends’ wife opened the door welcomed him in, “What are you doing here? You should be preparing your message? He smiled and received the invitation to take a seat and wait on her husband who would return any minute. When his friend walked in the door, he greeted the pastor, his friend, and said something similar that his wife said to him, “What are you doing here? You’ve got a wedding at the church tonight, right?”
He looked at him and said, “I have some very sad news, your son was in a car accident a few hours ago and died.” What happened next the pastor said would stay with him forever. His friend, the father of the son who had unexpectantly died that day, dropped to his knees and said, ‘You are a faithful God and I will choose to trust you and praise You through it all.”
In today’s scripture, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. As Julie Jenkins leads this teaching, ask God to share His heart with yours. (Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:1-10)
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins, and I am so glad that you have joined us.
This is episode 305 of the Women World Leaders podcast. We are coming up on our 2-year anniversary of bringing you new episodes 3 times a week. And we want to thank you – for loyally listening and sharing and contributing to Women World Leaders! When God first called us to develop the Women World Leaders podcast in 2020, we did so without hesitation, and we believe and pray that God has blessed many through both our and your efforts. If you are new or have been listening for a while, we would love to hear how Women World Leaders has impacted you. Connect with us on Facebook or our website, womenworldleaders.com, or drop us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com. We want to connect with you! We believe that all of God’s children are called for a specific purpose, and together, we can help each other as we walk in the gifting that God has given each of us.
On this, our Wednesday edition of the podcast, we take a few minutes to open God’s Word and study scripture verse by verse. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Our study today is from Matthew 18:1—14 and Luke 15:1-10. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Father God – we thank you for this ministry and for this podcast. God, we love to come together to learn about you, encourage each other, and celebrate all that you are doing in our lives, in this ministry, and in our world. In the last two years, our world has continued to struggle, but you are clearly on the throne. Thank you for always giving us tools that lead and guide us into your presence – and Father, let us never take you or those tools for granted. We praise your name even as we work for you, give financially to further your reach in the world, and rely on you for everything we do. Be with us now as we open your Word together. Teach us what you want us to know and inspire us to live our lives to your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we study today, we see Jesus’ heart as it focuses on His search for His lost sons and daughters, as told in two different parables from two different gospel writers.
In recent weeks, we have been witnesses as the disciples learned that it takes a servant’s heart to be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Through Jesus’ teachings and illustrations, we have come to better understand the importance of ministering to those whom the world would consider the “least” in the kingdom – that is, children and new believers.
It is from this vantage that Matthew records Jesus’ launch into the parable of the lost sheep, warning the disciples in Matthew 18:10 from the New Living Translation:
10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father
Theologians disagree as to whether this verse means that each of God’s children has an individual guardian angel or whether it means that angels, in the general sense, look out after God’s children. Whatever your particular belief, it cannot be denied that God and His army of angels are constantly taking care of all of us.
I often wonder what my day would look like without the unseen angels around me doing their job. Would the car that narrowly missed me have hit me? Would I have breathed in germs that were floating my way instead of turning my head? Would I have missed getting that important message?
Thinking about the “what if’s” from this perspective can certainly anchor us in gratefulness for God’s care. Matthew goes on to share, in the parable of the lost sheep, just how much God DOES care for each of us.
Luke’s intro into the same parable is a bit different. Luke 15:15 says…
15 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story:
A different take – a different intro, isn’t it? Although the situation is a bit different, the teaching is the same. Luke tells us that Jesus is teaching the tax collectors, notorious sinners, AND the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law about His care and love for each individual.
I do want to take this opportunity to point out that someone who is intent on highlighting inconsistencies in the Bible could very well point to what we just looked at and say, the Bible is NOT without error. Two different gospel writers wrote about Jesus’ teaching of the same parable, giving two different scenarios in which the parable was shared. Does that mean that either Matthew or Luke was mistaken, and, therefore, the Bible is not infallible? Not without error?
Or could a simple explanation be that Jesus told the same parable more than one time?
I point this out because, as Christians, it is important to know what we believe. And stand for it. And as a Christian, I believe that the Bible IS without error. Anything that I don’t understand, or any error I think I see, comes from the limited understanding of my own mind. So, when I don’t understand a teaching or a seeming inconsistency in the Word, I ask God for wisdom to understand. Sometimes He whispers something simple, like “maybe I told the same story on two different occasions.” And sometimes, because I am not a great theologian, in fact, nine times out of ten, God’s answer to me is, “Don’t worry about it. Focus on the meaning of the scripture, not the minutiae.” But if you notice something that could be perceived as an error, you too should go to Him for guidance. He may actually be calling YOU to dig further…because we all have different giftings and purposes. My point is, don’t be afraid to ask God questions so that you can share with others where you stand.
Okay…all that is an aside…but an important aside. Let’s get back to the parable…which both gospel writers record very similarly!
Luke writes…
4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
In this day and age, most of us aren’t too familiar with sheep and shepherds, so let’s dig into this.
Sheep are not the smartest animals. They like to wander. But they need to be taken care of – in fact, I’ve heard it said that sheep require more care than any other class of livestock. On top of care, a sheep, to live a full life, needs to be protected.
And yet sheep are valuable. So if a shepherd were to lose a sheep, his reputation would be in danger.
So Jesus’ listeners would have heartily agreed that the shepherd would do everything he could to go after that one, missing sheep.
Picture a vast field full of rolling hills, and shepherds with hundreds of sheep – shepherds often worked in teams. Each shepherd knew each of his sheep, and an attentive and caring shepherd would notice one missing out of the 100 he is caring for. So he leaves his other 99 sheep in a safe place with his fellow shepherds, and heads out across the hills, looking for the one endangered, and stupid, lost sheep.
And when at last he finds him, a celebration breaks out! The joyful shepherd doesn’t leave it to chance that the sheep will follow him back to the flock. Instead, he PICKS him up, puts him on his shoulders, and carries him home. In joy.
When they arrive, the shepherd announces his find, calling together his friends and celebrating again.
Jesus is our shepherd. We are the stupid sheep.
Whether we are little children, new believers, or stubborn Pharisees, we are all sinners – just stupid sheep.
We cannot exist on our own. We can’t take care of ourselves, we are in danger, and yet we, at different times in our journey, willingly wander from God – our shepherd. The only one who can guide us and protect us. But God doesn’t ever let us walk away. He knows when we’ve wandered, and He searches the hills and the valleys, looking under every bush and behind every rock until He finds us. And when He does, He rejoices – and picks us up and carries us home. On His shoulders.
And when He arrives home with us in tow, He calls everyone together to rejoice with Him.
And then the residents of heaven rejoice, too. Over one sheep. Because every sheep is valuable. Every sheep has a purpose. And every sheep is loved.
Luke records a 2nd parable…verse 8…
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Who wouldn’t search for a coin? A silver coin was worth a day’s wages – certainly worth a good housecleaning to find.
But the silver coin may have had even more significance. It was customary for a Jewish woman, when she married, to wear a headband or chain with ten silver coins. So the coin may have been one of those ten – with far deeper meaning than a simple, though valuable, coin would carry.
I can remember one time losing a diamond out of my wedding ring. I was crushed! While I knew, in my head, that the diamond could be replaced, I held in my heart that the ring that symbolized the vows I made with my husband would never be the same. I searched high and low for that diamond!
Whether the coin that the woman searched for was meant to pay for food or symbolized her marriage is less important than the understanding that the coin was important.
So the woman searched, and she rejoiced when she found it!
We have all been created on purpose for a purpose. And our most important purpose is to be loved and to love God and others within His family.
God needs and wants you in His family! You belong! He will search every mountain and valley to find you and carry you home. He will light every lamp and clean every floor until He holds you in the palm of His hand.
And then He will rejoice! And His whole family will rejoice! And the angels will rejoice!
Matthew tells us that Jesus ended this particular teaching by saying in 18:14…
It is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Are you feeling “little”? Unimportant? Or are you feeling unworthy because of your own sin or the fact that you willingly wandered away?
Let me assure you, God still treasures you! He wants you to come home. And He will do anything to bring you to the celebration that He has prepared and waiting!
Dear Most Holy God! Thank you for being our Good Shepherd! Thank you for never giving up on us – no matter how many times we stubbornly wander. God, forgive us for our sins and wandering hearts. Forgive us for the judgments we hold about others and keep at arm’s length. Help us to reach out and welcome EVERYONE into the family that you have so lovingly and painstakingly prepared for our enjoyment. Give us your tenacity to search high and low for any missing sheep. Give us your strength to carry each one into the flock on our shoulders. And give us unselfish hearts, that we may REJOICE at each one’s return. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When tragedy happened, our guest Hope Tally - wife, mother, and Christ follower - made a choice. Please join us as Hope shares her surrender story. From a near-death experience, Hope allowed her thoughts and actions to become fluid with God as she fully depended on Him. Hope encourages us to walk in freedom by surrendering control to God and sharing the love of God with others. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. Ladies, we are so grateful that you have joined in with us today. And I would love to welcome our guest, Miss Hope, Mrs. Hope, Tally, hope, welcome.
Hope Tally
Thank you, Kimberly, I'm so blessed and excited to be here with you today.
Kimberly Hobbs
And we're so excited to have you. And today, ladies, and we are just here to encourage you and empower you. We all have a beautiful purpose that God has just for us. And it is our hope that through hearing some of the stories of the women that we have on as guests, that you would be empowered to walk further into your beautiful purpose. And I want to share scripture with you I love to share some of these inspiring scriptures that show us that we have purpose. But God says in Philippians 213 That he is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him that should make all of his excited because he's putting that in you ladies giving you that desire, giving you that power and strength to do it. So just trust Him, just trust Him. And as you listen to some of these stories, and you hear some of the words, the focal words, like today, we're gonna focus on the word surrendered. You may start to think about your own life and how and what can you surrender to the Lord? How can you walk forward into that beautiful purpose. So today, our guests, I'd love to share a little bit about our guests before we get started. And today, our guest hope Talley she's from Asheboro, North Carolina. And she is I'm excited to say part of our women, world leaders team. And hope is coming on board with us to serve with her gifts and talents for the Lord. And we are just so just blessed to have you hope. So today's story, as I said is one of surrender. And hope was raised in a Christian home. She learned about God in church. And she was called at a very early age to serve Him. As Christians, we're all supposed to submit to the will of God and do what pleases Him pursuing truth and righteousness above everything else. Hope as we open up here with your story, you have shared with me about being married, you're happily married, you have two small children. And we got we get to talk ladies before we do these interviews, and I get to know the women and some of their story. And so she's hope is married. She has two children and her story is one of tragedy, something happened in her life. And that's where she's gonna start here with sharing a little bit about her story. So hope do you want to open up with your story?
Hope Tally
Sure, Kimberly. And the the tragic part of the story starts on back in August of 2014. I was driving my children to their first day of school, when another driver made a decision that just in a few seconds time completely changed and altered our labs. I was air flighted to a local Trauma Center and our children followed by ambulance, I really don't remember a whole lot I remember bits and pieces and voices was kept fairly well sedated for a few days for a host of reasons. My skull had been fractured in six different places. My spine was fractured in five places, had an open wound fracture to my left femur and a whole host of other fractures and sprains. And basically, the the open fracture to my skull was concerning because the swelling that it was causing, if it continued would disrupt your my carotid artery. And the ER doctor told my husband that this is as bad as it gets without additional internal organ damage. And so in the beginning, no one knew if I would survive the brain trauma. And I know without a doubt that God performed a miracle or protection and healing in my body that they are while I was going through that in the beginning. But I think sometimes it's The aftermath of that, then, is the hard part. And he taught me so much about surrender during that time. It included physical, mental, mental, and emotional, hard stuff. And we all have that in our lives. That's the part that took the courage in the middle of the fear. And that's the part that took strength in the middle of what felt like overwhelming defeat. And that's the part that took endurance that I didn't have on my arm. And so it took, basically, about two and a half weeks in the hospital one week in intensive rehab and 24 hour care lined up to get me home. We had, basically, they were having to treat me as a stroke victim, because I was broken from head to toe, on the left side of my body. And when you can't do anything for yourself, it really changes your outlook on a lot of a lot of things. It took on three surgeries, and two different types of fitted braces. So once we got past, the, I guess, survived the brain trauma. And then it was while I walk again. And I was told by some of the medical professionals that even 10 years prior, I probably would have lost my leg altogether. So it took three surgeries, two fitted braces, but I'm now walking the Lord. So all of that is, you know, his healing? Absolutely. But he taught me so much. Through the aftermath of that it took two years just to heal my brain, basically. And in the beginning, I remember I knew people by their voices more than anything, I couldn't see very well, I'm just moving my head was very dizzying. for months on end, I don't even know how to describe what effort it took just to comprehend what people were saying to me. And my memory became almost non existent. And no multitasking had to relearn how to do things in a different perspective. And it took about two years sort of battling back what felt a little bit like a mental breakdown, because I really was broken. And, you know, it's, it was hard to even describe what I was going through. So that
to even get help from another person. But I learned and the Lord taught me over and overthrow this whole thing that you know, her Jesus is more than fluent in brokenness. And he knows he's been there. He isn't just, you know, far off, he's right here with us. He was became a manual, so you could walk along and walk among us. He knows what it's like to be broken. And he just showed me so many ways to surrender to him and how he would just help me overcome in the middle of that battle. So that's the start of the tragic story.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, yes, you went through so much in that period, as we talked earlier, and God taught you so much as well. And you were telling me, I think it was 1111 months after the surgery, there was this shard of glass that had to work its way out of your skin and you have a little story about that. But that last piece of glass you know, think about this lady's she was in a major car accident, you know, glass, everything flying all over the place, and her body was broken and all these pieces and all these places. It was broken. And through that period of time. You don't you didn't know it then but you know what now there was this teachable time as your body had to heal as you had to relearn things in your life. You had to learn to depend on God rather than yourself. You know, you were no longer in control you had to surrender. So Many things like we can't even comprehend. She couldn't walk. She couldn't even think she couldn't speak, right. She couldn't talk. I mean, she was like out, she was out of it. And when she came back to and the swelling of the brain started, all these things had to be relearned and reworked in her body. And she's still suffering, you know, from things. So the word surrender has stayed with you hope and back when, when I first met her, and I said, You know what, what word reverberates in you that, you know, you feel that this podcast would be talked about, and she said the word surrendered. And I laugh because I'm like, wow, God, this word just doesn't leave women world leaders this year. And there is no coincidence that our book being written this year is titled surrendered. So many women are writing and voice of truth, our magazine, talk about the word surrendered. And here we are, again, and another podcast talking about the word surrendered. So ladies out there, and must have a message for you today, because here we are on this word surrender, and again, so as I was saying that 11 months, that last chart of class was working its way out of your body, and, and this word surrendered, is being taught to you over and over and surrendered ladies means accepting the battle has been won, not on your terms, not on our terms, that you are willingly giving your life over to the authority of the winning side, you are taking the humble position and embracing what is over how you would have it right. So you're surrendering that to God, because God is the winning side. Galatians 220 says, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me, the life I now live in the body. I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Hope, how did God teach you over this time that followed?
Hope Tally
Oh, wow, so many ways can really the another verse that that is very similar to that that come always comes to mind during this time is Second Corinthians 515. And it says, And he died for all that those who live should know, should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again. And I think, you know, my pride was completely stripped from me because you can't do anything for yourself. And you either, I guess you could hold on to it, it just doesn't work very well. And so I had to learn to let that go. And allow God in so many humbling ways. But you know, I think if we get when we allow our pride to come to the forefront it erodes away that humility that he needs to further his kingdom, you know, and and it were so many times I did not in any way form or fashion walk this through the storm perfectly. I was so human through all of this. But um, you know, there were times when the weight was just felt in, just like it would never end. And there were times when the hard and the painful stuff just got to me. But I think one of the things that he taught me to surrender was in the middle of the weight and in the middle of the heart, and the pain and the suffering. I think a lot of times when we're walking in the middle of anything, but especially something hard. God wants him to be my answer first. Wow. Yeah, he taught me that. That, you know, do I crave him more than the pain. I crave him more this stuff more than the suffering enough to say, Lord, if this suffering fulfills your will in someone else's life, then don't take the suffering away. But let me overcome. Let me bear through it with you with your strength. And I think that's one of the things he taught me the most. And that's one of the things I tried to keep in mind. And I journaled a lot of stuff throughout this just so I can remember because we will I'm talking about myself here we we are very forgetful creatures, or I am at least and I think I always need so many reminders just to remember what he's done and what hMaene's taught us. So I can continue in that. But,
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. You did you had to survive. under so many things, and one of the things was, you know, physically, yeah, you had brain injuries, you suffered a lot. And you were used to doing things of your own accord, and on your own and just going because you know, that's how God created you and designed you, you, you did a lot of things. But now things are different, they look different. And so you have to write things down, you have to journal things to remember them, you have to just rely on God. So you'd surrendered things over to him. And you told me to the more you read the word that the more you saturated yourself in reading it over and over and over the power, God was able to work through you and you were able to release things to him that you couldn't control anymore. You just couldn't do it. And ladies listening, there are things in your life right now. That you you just can't control anymore. And you've tried to hold it all together, you've tried and tried and tried. But you know what God is saying? Give it to me, release it to me, surrender that word needs to. It's not on your terms anymore. You know what? God can do this. And you can do all things through Him who gives you the strength, but three surgeries later, my dear hope, every part of your body needed strengthening. And you talked about going through that period of time where you had to have surgery upon surgery. And you needed that strength. You asked God, God, how strong Do you want me to be? You know, like, you seriously just cried out to him? How strong Do you want me to be? You talk about that.
Hope Tally
And, you know, he taught me through this time as well. He can handle what we throw at him. If was frustrated, if we're angry, and we're weary, and we're worn out, he can handle it. And he knows that, in fact, I think he'd rather just be honest about it and be upfront and him work on it with us then to just pretend like it's not going on. And that's one thing I did, I cried out. And I said just how strong Do you want me to be? It was after a day of grueling physical therapy, it didn't seem like anything was working. And I just didn't have much of a good outlook. And he whispered back to me through His scripture. And it was Second Corinthians 12 Nine, and it says, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness. And he was heard back, and he pretty much just said, I don't my strength is made perfect in your weakness, not the other way around. And so um, and, you know, I've seen, I think it's through my weaknesses that I've seen, the Lord reveals his power and reveal his sufficiency to me.
And he's taught me our savior is has always promised and promises to lead, strengthen and guide us.
And sometimes when the disappointments and the hard stuff and the darkness closes in, and it sort of feels like you're suffocating. He says, Give it to me. And it's back to that surrender thing. Give it to me. And when I would surrender it to him, and put Him first, he always provided everything I needed to overcome right in the middle of that battle. You know, it might just be that battle. But that's all it needed to be. It doesn't have to be all the battles that I've got to fight for the next two years. It just needs to be this one step this one battle. And he always showed up and he always provided everything I needed right then
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And that scripture James for 10 says, humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. And think about that word surrendered. You surrendered yourself before the Lord. And He lifted you up hope. Absolutely. Ladies, think about that. Think about that scripture. That's again, James for 10 humbling yourself before the Lord and it's not easy to do. It's not easy to do when you're fighting against your flesh. Right, right. And we want to take all that control but that's why it's so important. Ladies, saturate yourself in the word keep words on index cards, if you can't remember them, you know, look up these words and scriptures that have to do with what you battle in the flesh. And put those scriptures around your house. They are so important. There's power in the Word, it will change your life. So hope again, in closing now. We want to just really pour into these women You said something to me. I want to give another scripture here before I share this, but James 122 says, Do not merely listen to the word. And so deceive yourselves, do what it says, right? Don't just listen to God's word, ladies, you have to do what it says you have to put action on your faith, your reading, hoping to find these nuggets of truth in there. You can't just what James 122 says, Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves, right? The enemy wants to deceive you with everything going on around you. But do what the Word says put action on your faith. So you said to me hope as a wife and a mom, we often control because we women want to take that control you we often control the House, which becomes a trap. So can you talk about that? Can you talk about how it traps you?
Hope Tally
For me, I think before the accident, and I'm going to I mean, just totally honest, I mean, I still battle this today, you know, this is not something I think, you know, we have to give it over every day. It's a surrender every day. It's not just a surrender once and we're done. But I think because we you know, a lot most of the time, a lot of times, as women, we control the schedules, we control what we eat, we control how everyone gets to where they need to go, we, you know, it's sort of like we were the master of the rail. Right, but not not exactly, but just just a little bit. And I think in a way that sometimes becomes a trap for wanting to control most things, instead of and I think, sometimes too, when we're fighting so hard, just to make it through the day, or fighting in the middle of something that's hard, that we ended up being chained by that control. And it's the surrender that brings freedom, he taught me that through that accident is that there's such freedom and surrendering because when we surrender, we handed the reins over to the one who has all the resources that we could never comprehend. And and I think it another verse that comes to mind, just like the one that you said, is Luke 646. And it says, Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes.
Hope Tally
And so he was so many times taught me through the aftermath of that accident, that he's also saying, you know, follow me just like he told the disciples lay down whatever it is lay down your nets, if it's the control, if that's the thing that you need to lay down, lay it down. If it's comfort, I mean, I had to get over that to comfort is not necessarily, you know, that can be something I need to lay down because I might need to get outside of my comfort zone to do what he's asked me to do. But lay it down and drop those nets and just surrender it to him. And he taught me to do this each day. And I think sometimes as mothers and women, we're so busy trying to juggle all the balls in the air, and things get crazy. And I've had some say to me before, you don't know how crazy my life is. I have a little bit of an idea. And I think whatever season you're in, though, however it looks you put him first. It may not mean that every morning you can do a full out Bible study, but pull up one or two scriptures and just meditate on those all day and do that, like you said, do them put them into practice during the day and you will see him show up in ways you never expected when you actually do what he says. And I think a lot of times our obedience is the key to us experience Him experiencing him here on earth. It is when he shows he he's always here, but it's when he really manifests and we see his work. We see him working when we obey Him and do what he's called us to do. And so he taught me to look at each day and just say with open hands, Lord, I'm here. I'm opening my hands. You fill it up with what you need to fill it up with instead of an Yes, there are very important things we need to get done during the day. But Lord of that means that I have to take a break in the middle of something because I see a need that needs to be met. Or I see someone who seems to be not having a great day and needs a word from you, then I stop and do it. Help me to listen to your voice. And just just to do that in a way that furthers your kingdom, you know, and I think that's part of being surrendered again, you know? And absolutely, it's just a daily step by step thing that we just, we commit to every day, every step,
Kimberly Hobbs
Every day, every day. Yeah, beautiful, powerful words hope that you just shared. And ladies, there is surrendering. There's freedom and surrendering to the Lord and hope, just share that, you know, through really relinquishing our control, and it allowed you to be fluid with God instead of controlling, you know that. And now you can help others like you said throughout the day, and and you can help others in this world. And that's what it's all about ladies as just releasing our own control. It's all about Jesus. And Jeremiah 1023 says that Jeremiah speaks and says, Lord, I know that people's lives are not their own. He's confirming that it is not for them to direct their steps. Wow. That's powerful, right? Yes, not for them. Were to surrender to God. All. All of our health needs to come from him. When you can't do it on your own ladies, and you may be facing a problem right now, you may be going through something horrible in your life right now. And you can't do it on your own surrender to God. Matthew 633 says to seek first his kingdom, and His righteousness, just like hope was sharing in that and teachable moment. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So we need to rest ladies in God's love. Surrender is such an important word in our life. Matthew 1128 I just love to share scriptures, you know, because again, I said, there's power in the Word ladies, power, power, power. Matthew 1128, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. Do you think hope was a little weary and burdened in that time to follow those accident? You know, she had to take care of two small children, thank god who lived and survived this accident. Oh, my gosh. God says Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burden, and I will give you rest. Think about that ladies for your own life right now, as you're listening to this. God tells us to give him your whole heart surrender it to him, and let your eyes delight in his ways, ladies. That's proverbs 910. Like I said, Put the scriptures all around your house, all around your house because they speak life back into you, and the life that God has intended for you. Your life isn't your own Ladies, you're bought with a price, glorify God and what you're doing, glorify Him. Psalm 5015, call on Him in your day of trouble. Call on Him. And of course, we all love this scripture, Proverbs three, five, and six that says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, ladies, lean not unto your own understanding. Don't take that control when you are tempted to take it over. Lean, not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways. God says, acknowledge Him, surrender to Him, and He will direct your path, he will. So hope to have a final word to say to the ladies before we close.
Hope Tally
I think I just want to encourage anyone who's going through anything that you know, surrendering to His will, there's nothing that our God cannot handle, and there's nothing that he can't over help you overcome. And, you know, he taught me a whole lot to about choices, because we all have a choice to surrender or not to surrender. But he also told me that every time I chose my way, it was the harder way it was the way that didn't usually end up quite as quite as good. So I just want to encourage everyone to choose him and choose his way to focus on our Savior and gain his eternal view on whatever's going on around you whatever circumstance you might be facing.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Good word, hope. Good word. Thank you so much for sharing today for being our guest here. And you know what God is doing in hopes life is just incredible. And in she doesn't want any focus on herself. But it's amazing when you surrender to God, and he just takes over and he's doing amazing things in her life. And God says, when, when you're in trouble, call on me when you're in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. Psalm 50, verse five, and that's what hope is doing with her life. God gets the glory for all this. She doesn't want glory for what she's doing. And let me tell you, she's doing some amazing things. And I'm not sharing because she didn't give me permission to share. But just what I know what she does in her job is pretty powerful. And she can do that if she didn't surrender everything to the Lord. What she does in her ministry is again, Glory to God. She gives all the glory to Him and ladies, that your life to That's what God wants, you will give me the glory, he said. So think about that. surrender it to him, surrender your life to Him. As we close, just know ladies that we are here for you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, through these podcasts through teaching through encouraging you through sharing stories like we do every Monday. We are just wanting to help you and empower you to walk with the Lord. So please don't forget to tune in each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We have other helpful tools through the website, please check out our website. Ladies. We have an amazing magazine that comes out that will encourage you. It's all about encouraging and scriptures it's called voice of truth. We also put out books every year through women world leaders. One of the books hope story reminded me of one of the you know a few of the stories here and courageous steps of faith which is one of the books that we put out by women world leaders. Do you need to take that courageous, courageous step of faith ladies, this book might be with for you with lots of helpful tools in it. So think about that. And go to our website and check out some of the tools that God has allowed us to share with you. So from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders, all content is copyrighted by women were leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Hope. Thank you for joining us today. And God bless you and each of you that have tuned in to listen have a beautiful and surrendered day.
Today’s reading of “Lost and Found in Tinseltown,” an article from the First Edition of Voice of Truth, tells the story of Tina Gallo’s step into acting and showcases God’s glory in her life.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and it's my honor today to share with you reading from Voice of Truth. Many of you know the name Tina Gallo. Tina is an award-winning actress, a best-selling author, speaker, and acting coach. She's best known for her role as DiDi on the soap opera General Hospital. She's the founder of the National Studio of Method Acting, and she traveled with Frank Sinatra, selling his merchandise for two and a half years. Tina is currently writing her next book, Unfiltered, and has made appearances in the Christian Broadcast Network and Daystar television, sharing her testimony of God's faithfulness.
What you may not know about Tina is that she is currently battling an illness and she needs our prayers. Tina is fighting a yet unknown infection. And we are asking that you join us as we storm the heavens for God's healing and provision for her.
Dear Heavenly Father, we love our sister Tina so much, but we know that you love her even more. We lift her to you today God give her strength and fuse her with your healing power as only you can. Father give her doctors wisdom as they treat her. We thank you in advance for your complete provision and protection of Tina and Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.
Well, Tina Gallo has been a huge part of Women World Leaders for several years and she's been a writer in Voice of Truth since the very first edition. Today I'd like to read her first article, “Lost and Found in Tinseltown.” This appeared in our January 2021 edition of Voice of Truth.
The Lord plants dreams in our hearts at a very early age fearfully and wonderfully creating every detail of our lives with plans for redemption in all things, in all our ways at all times, even if we don't profess faith in him just yet.
These dreams are like fitted garments of clothing tailored uniquely to us carefully spun and wrapped upon us, dressing us in colorful visions for the future. The desires that the Lord birthed into my life as a young girl were promises he was already planning for my future. I just didn't know it yet.
The early age of three years old, my whole hearts vast dream was a one-way ticket to Hollywood. My tiny blueish green eyes were set upon acting and Hollywood movies firmly fixed on an ambition that seemed unobtainable, yet written in my deemed a destiny. Although the shifting sands of family instability made it seem like an impossibility, deeply embedded in my heart was the will of determination. My heart was screaming an epic dialogue. I can do this.
My mother was much younger than my dad and came from a very unstable childhood with a family of 12 brothers and sisters. Alcoholism was a vehicle of destruction that ran rampant in her family basked in constant affliction my mom and her siblings were responsible to care for one another. I have no idea if my mom knew that what ravaged her childhood would be what would ravage my own.
During my mother's child-rearing years, she carried that same generational alcoholism right into our very home. It seemed at least once a month routinely, my mom would binge on beer until she couldn't see straight, numbing her inner turmoil. She was running from her past into a sea of alcoholism. All the while my aching heart needed her
Are the core of my childhood yearned for a mother's love. Stolen was my mother her absence in my life left me with words that cut deep. My tiny little heart could never comprehend why my brothers and I, her children, weren't important enough to care for and invest in. Gnarling from the ashes of addictions, seeded lies of abandonment grew wildly into my hungry heart.
On the contrary, my dad was Italian and most of his family came from Calabria. They loved each other and were very close to one another, depicting what a stable family should look like. He did not drink alcohol except on special occasions and only then he might take a sip as a salute of goodwill. He was a good provider, a faithful dad, and I knew that he loved me.
We were raised in a nice middle-class suburban neighborhood and a lovely home with an in-ground pool. In the 1960s and early 70s, divorce was an abnormality. There certainly weren't any families that I knew of who are divorced except mine. inwardly I longed to be cherished and nurtured the same way I saw all of the other little girls were by their moms who always seem to adore and fuss over them.
My eyes peered into the lives of my friends with desires to grasp a mother's love such as this.
The absence of my mother harbored feelings of inadequacy that had planted its deep, ugly roots deep within the filters that I saw myself through irradiated unprocessed pain, blurring the truth as my reality now framed with lies of distorted images that were marked upon my soul.
In my teens, my dad decided to move us to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I was extremely upset because I didn't want to go, nor did I want to leave my friends. Even though they weren't the best crowd I was accepted and comfortable in friendships with them. Little that I know how that move would change my life and eventually put me on the path to fulfilling my Hollywood acting dream.
Internally, I was a lost soul and very skilled at putting on the right mask to hide behind when I needed to. Or so I thought. The truth is, there was a war raging inside of me between God's truth in the devil's lies. The Bible teaches us that the thief the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus came that they may have life and have it in abundance John 1010.
Daily I battled internally against the negatives that distorted my perception with an illusion of false truths. I desperately needed validation and affirmation. And mostly I was in search of simple, unconditional love.
At 18 years of age, I took a job as a cocktail waitress in Sunrise musical theater in Sunrise, Florida. Just so happened that Frank Sinatra was performing there the same weekend, I began. I was extremely excited about that. You see, as a child, I was always compared to Shirley Temple, probably because I was always performing and my hair was blonde and curly just like hers. I loved adorable Shirley, but Nancy Sinatra is who I wanted to be. So I'd put a towel on my head and make believe my hair was long. Put on my little red shimmy dress and wait, go-go boots. Hold a hairbrush in my hand as my microphone and wallah, all jazzed up. singing these boots are made to walk in.
I'd put on a show all day long for anyone who would endure and watch. Somehow as a gift for my sixth birthday. My dad arranged a phone call from Nancy Sinatra to sing happy birthday to me. I was elated. It was the most special present I've ever received.
The new job of waiting tables revealed a distant dream that was waiting for me. In fact, I can remember the weekend that marked the momentum of the opportunity of bright and shining lights that was coming to fruition. I was given a private table of 20 to service that evening. I did my very best as I waited on them before and after the show
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and I was astonished at how large of a tip I received from my table. It was a great first night.
When I came back to work the next night, I was given the same table with the same exact people. I thought this was strange because who comes to the same show a second night. My manager then called me to the side to inform me that I had been waiting on Mr. Sinatra's personal friends, and that they were so pleased with my service that they requested me as their server again, while fear and pure excitement rushed through my veins with anticipation.
Later that evening, Bobby Marks, Mr. Sinatra’s stepson, and Lester Lewis approached me and asked me if I would like to travel on the road with a Sinatra entourage to sell his merchandise before and after his shows. Well, with no hesitation, of course, I said yes. I couldn't wait to tell my dad I knew I was about to embark on a big adventure. And maybe this was my answer to my big dream of making it as a Hollywood star.
In my mind, I thought who I knew is all that it would take.
Indeed, it was a fabulous two and a half years journeying on the road with some of the world's best, I traveled all over, first-class, and stayed in top-notch fancy hotels.
Rapidly my new life consisted of lavish events and parties, meeting and entertaining with some of the world's finest in the entertainment industry. Even got to thank Nancy in person for that very wonderful birthday gift so many years before, yet I wasn't any closer to my own acting dream being fulfilled. Hungry for more I asked Mr. Sinatra's best friend, Julie Rizzo the big question, how do I become an actress? What do I need to do?
I told him I thought getting to know all these famous people would be my ticket in. His response was, you need to go to school to study acting and find out if you have any talent kid
Who you know can help open doors but only talent will sustain.
At that time, I didn't even know that there were schools that concentrated on teaching acting. This was all new to me. I was excited to begin researching schools and finally decided to make my move to New York City to study with some of the best teachers in the industry. Now I had a solid plan. Lights Camera Action.
I studied in acting school for years while waiting tables at night, pounding the pavement with a workload I'd been given.
Avidly I began to get some acting gigs some under five work on soap operas and landed a few commercials. When I felt I had enough experience under my belt I decided it was time to head to Los Angeles with my sights on getting a role on the most popular soap opera at the time. General Hospital. I did just that when I was offered the role of DD
So here I was, I had landed in the vision of my dreams. I had arrived despite the opposition that riddled and streamed through my life. Now I was living my dream on the mountaintop as an actress in Hollywood. I made decent money and lived in a cute little cottage right on the beach and Marina del Rey. Can't get any better than that right.
Except the battle of unworthiness still raged inside of me, leaving an empty, gaping hole. unresolved pain still resting inwardly, and the absence of God in my life.
Nothing was ever enough. My need to seek more success only led me into a state of anxiety that was utterly discouraging and exhausting. The more I achieved, the more peace I thought I would have. Boy was I wrong. All the glitz, Glamour, wealth and famous friends didn't have the power to change the inward war raging in my heart.
I would find myself often in the acting role, carefully putting on my Hollywood mask, giving way to another cocktail drink until I felt the uncomfortable feelings in my heart fade away. I was escaping the reality of it all, I was becoming easily swept up in the Hollywood happenings.
In the 1980s, cocaine was considered to be a glamorous drug, promising the movie industry that it would shed camera pounds and boost energy.
My heart spiraled downward into the experimental claws of cocaine, believing it may help me, too. Shallow promises swarmed the sets and scenes of the Hollywood industry all buttoned up pretty on the outside, primped and ready for the best shot, yet dying and decaying on the inside.
Everything was about outward appearances and Tinseltown and my identity was all wrapped up and what I did and what I had, if it were all taken away, I would have crumbled, glamour and glitz fashion wealth accolades, achievements, all were hidden in the masks we willingly wore to hide the prevailing laments internally.
All those feelings of shame, guilt, fear and unworthiness that I buried deep inside were pushing through harder and faster than ever to the surface of my soul. The lens I was seeing through was marred by all the acting to muddle to see through any more, filtering the lies through the beauty of the world. My days were doomed to be derailed. Lies of constant approval and rejection flooded me continually igniting more and more downward spirals. In circling me the lies spoke over and over on the movie reel that I often listened to, you're only as good as your last show. You don't have the right look for the part. You're too heavy, too small, too short, too tall. You didn't get the audition, we need someone with more credits, and so on.
I needed a new lens to focus through. One that wasn't distorted by the lies that caused me to have a constant need for approval from people.
The Lord had a better plan for my life and he does for you too. God tells us in His Word, I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope, and a future. (Jeremiah 2911, NIV)
He was going to provide me with a new lens illuminated by truth and bring me out of confusion into clarity. Zooming into his heart, I had no knowledge that a few people were praying for me. I was raised Catholic and believed in God, but I never really had a true personal relationship with him. And honestly, didn't know that I could.
There were intercessors crying out for my very life. I couldn't remember vividly when I was awakened to the fact that I was surrounded by Christians. Everywhere I turned God would place another one before me that one day I received a card from a distant aunt who mentioned that she saw me on TV and gave me a lovely compliment. She signed the card. God bless you. Aunt Frannie
I've heard those words my whole life but this time, there was life in them. God bless you. It jumped right off the page and pierced into my heart. Those words ignited a spark of hope in me like never before. I was searching for something solid and I wanted answers. I dabbled in some new age and read Shirley MacLaine and the power of positive thinking books which always left me feeling just as empty and lost as I was before reading them. After all, if I'm a God with all this power in me, which is the basis of their teaching, then I'm really in trouble. The application of this teaching was draining self-centered and made no sense to me.
Thankfully, it didn't bear witness to my spirit. I always knew that God was my Creator and He was so much more powerful and larger than I was.
Depression was crushing me and I walked around with sadness wrapped inward. Grasping for newfound freedom. The tyranny of Tinseltown left me thinking I had everything that everyone else would want fame, fortune, acting and outward beauty. But none of it brought true joy.
When my contract came to an end, I decided to head back home to my dad's to take a break and process some things.
One night while I was wrestling to sleep, I turned on the TV. There was an actress talking on a show and sharing about her relationship with God and all that he had done in her life.
There I was in the literal and spiritual dark, wrapped up in a throw blanket intently listening to every word hanging from this woman's testimony. I wanted what she had.
When they put the number up on the screen to call for prayer. I started dialing, my fingers moved before I could even process what was happening. An hour passed, and I was about to hang up the phone when a gentleman answered. His trusting, soothing and compassionate voice led me into a prayer to accept Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior.
I was now a born-again Christian, saved by grace and by making a phone call to the 700 Club hallelujah. What God did that night was a miracle.
The next morning I woke up with an unexplained joy and renewed hope. I was on fire and hungry to learn about God, His teachings and all the things that the actress was talking about the night before. I was a new creature in Christ with a passionate desire to be deeply rooted in him.
I knew I finally had the answer to what I so desperately was searching for. And I was ready for the journey. My dear sisters, God has a plan for each of us. He wants us to prosper, and he wants to give us an abundant life.
We must come out of hiding behind our own masks that we cower under, we must come forward from our own acting and pretending to truly receive what He has for us, adjusting and repositioning our lenses to focus on Jesus, not ourselves.
When we seek His plan for our lives and not ours, we will find real peace and true contentment.
The Lord gives us the gifts and the talents we need to fulfill our purpose in him. We are called to serve and bring glory to Him. We learn in his word to delight ourselves in the Lord. And He will give us the desires of our hearts, Psalm 37:4 NIV.
You see, through so much of my story, the Lord was pursuing me and leading me even when I wasn't following him. He allowed me to taste the riches of success. So I can see clearly the things of this world that will never satisfy my appetite
When we wholeheartedly seek the Lord and His will for us. He cultivates our understanding and guides the way for us to see through a lens of truth that will provide us clarity and direction. Ultimately bringing us into a life of freedom, whom the sun sets free is free indeed. John 8:36, NIV
My acting days are not over or wasted or lost. I now use all the preparatory gifts, talents and treasures for His glory. I get to act in love in purity, and in truth in the movies for him now.
All is redeemed and his hope carries me forward into Victory. Join me in imitating Christ, the star of the show, the center stage of our lives.
We are all on Team Jesus! And though we each have a role to play, we are all equal in God’s eyes. Today’s teaching is full of hard truths AND the unimaginable glory of God’s goodness. (Matthew 18:6-9, Mark 9:38-50, Luke 9:49-50)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast.
If you are joining us for the first time, I’m so glad you are here. My name is Julie Jenkins and I am privileged to work with this amazing team of women who are striving together to empower everyone we can to walk in their God-given purpose. We all have a purpose that God designed specifically for us, and the devil would like nothing more than to sway each of us from that purpose. So we are fighting against that! When God calls us to walk by His side, He has a leadership job for each of us – we are here to help you find that leadership role, that purpose, that drive that gets you out of bed each morning. God continues to fashion this ministry, Women World Leaders, by the gifts of the women He brings to us – so we don’t know exactly what tomorrow will hold, because God holds the blueprint for Women World Leaders! What we do know is that we are centered on prayer and biblical teachings, and along the way, God has called us to present podcasts, write books, create and distribute a worldwide magazine, hold each other up in prayer, and join together in fellowship as we lead events. If you would like to join us on our mission, we would LOVE to have you. Send us an email at info@womenworldleaders.com, visit our website (womenworldleaders.com), or find us on social media…you guessed it…at Women World Leaders.
Part of our current mission is to present you with podcasts that, we pray, will enrich your week. On Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares HER God-story, with the intention of inspiring you to live out your God-story. On Fridays, Celebrating God’s Grace is a time of joy, wisdom, and … well, celebration presented by various women in the ministry. And today, Wednesday, you have landed on Walking in the Word – a time when we open our Bibles together and ask God to teach us. We are currently walking through the gospels, looking at the life of Jesus and His disciples chronologically.
Before we begin…let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we humbly come before you asking you to cleanse us of any impurities as we open your Word. Father, we want to hear directly from you, and we know that we can hear most clearly when we empty ourselves of sin and self-thoughts. So we ask for your help. Forgive us of our sins, allow your thoughts to become our thoughts, and help us be teachable – willing to listen to all that you have for us today. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today’s study comes from Matthew 18:6-9, Mark 9:38-50, and Luke 9:49-50
Recently, we studied how Peter, James, and John had gone to the mountaintop to see Jesus transformed from His human body to His glorified body. That was a blessing that I’m sure those three disciples were still pondering in their minds. When they reunited with the other 9 disciples, we saw that those disciples were distraught because a man had brought his demon-possessed son to them to be healed, but the 9 could not rid the boy of the demon. When Jesus returned, however, HE was able to heal the boy, setting up a teaching opportunity for all 12 disciples on the necessity of using God’s power through prayer to do all that God has called us to do.
Then, last week we saw the disciples arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God – this likely stemmed from the fact that, while three disciples had seen Jesus’ transfiguration, the other 9 had been unable to successfully harness God’s power to heal the boy. To teach them, Jesus brought before them a small child, telling His disciples that to be the greatest, they must humble themselves like a small child. With this teaching, Jesus put all twelve disciples back on the same playing field.
But even though they, hopefully, now understood the message that they were all equal partners on the same team, somehow the disciples got the idea that THEIR playing field was a little more high-brow than others who were playing the same game. And instead of going after each other, they started going after others, who were doing things a little differently.
Mark 9:38 from the New Living Translation begins…
38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
I can almost see Jesus rolling His eyes, can’t you? What’s it that Proverbs 15:18 says?
Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.
But how many times have I been reprimanded by God and proceeded to pick myself up and, in my own strength, stand a little taller? Only to get knocked off my high horse, as my mom would say? Thank goodness we serve a LOVING God who will NEVER give up on us – and never stop teaching us.
Verse 39…
39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
There are ONLY two teams on this earth! Those who are FOR Jesus and those who are AGAINST Him. And if you are on Team Jesus, there is no hierarchy! That is such a difficult concept for us to understand!
In school, we are graded from A to F. In our jobs, we have bosses, and in our communities, we have political leaders. I even went to church one time and was told I couldn’t sit up front – that those seats were reserved for the big donors. We have rules about qualifications and degrees. Society in this world is segmented and organized and orchestrated.
But in the Kingdom of God, on Team Jesus – we ALL count. And we ALL count equally! I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t have grandchildren – we are all His children. New believers and trusted theologians alike are loved the same by God.
As He teaches the disciples, Jesus underscores His message with an illustration.
42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.
The words “little ones” here are not necessarily referring to children, but to those who are young in their faith.
And a millstone was a large rounded stone used for crushing grain into flour or pressing olives into oil. It was moved in a circular fashion by a donkey and weighed dozens, if not hundreds, of pounds.
if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.
Jesus teaches that as you and I grow in our faith, we have a RESPONSIBILITY to care for, lead, and guide the newer believers who come behind us. That’s our job! That’s our purpose! Not to judge them or to show them how great we are, but to wrap our arms around them in love, to grasp them by the shoulders and turn them toward the glory of God, and then be there to applaud when their faces glow and their lives shine with the glory of God!
Matthew 18:7 records Jesus’ words…
7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.
When we, as believers, do not put our arms around those who are seeking God, we block them from seeing and reflecting God’s glory. When we turn a new believer away from being on the BEST TEAM EVER – Team Jesus - because they don’t measure up to the standards that WE put in place for God’s people, we are telling them to find somewhere else to fit in.
Like the child who can’t find love at home turns to the acceptance of a gang, when we fail to embrace someone into God’s Kingdom, we point them in the devil’s direction.
That’s a hard truth. But it is truth, none-the-less.
So Jesus admonishes the body of Christ to be HIS body…continuing on with the words written beginning in Mark 9:43…
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell[a] with two hands.[b] 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.[c] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’[d]
This teaching is two-fold.
First – to the body of Christ, Jesus teaches that we must welcome and not harm new believers, and we must protect the body from pride or malice toward others that can infiltrate our culture and cause others to stumble.
Second – to the individual believer, we each must protect ourselves from the same infiltration of pride and malice that can cause us to act disobediently and take us out of the mainstream of the power of God. And though this is an illustration and God is not instructing us to physically maim ourselves, we must take this warning seriously and work relentlessly to cut out any individual heart problems that the world or the devil are trying to inflict on us. Simply put, we must destroy our wrong thinking before our wrong thinking destroys us.
Mark 9:49 and 50 records…
49 “For everyone will be tested with fire.[e] 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
Even as Christians, we WILL be tested with fire again and again. And just when we think we’ve got it going on, chances are we will get knocked right down again. Just ask the disciples! But praise God, He will always be there to lift us back to our feet!
Salt brings to mind goodness and purity – it was used in the establishment of covenants. But salt, in Jesus’ day, could become flavorless if it was infiltrated by impurities. Jesus warns His disciples – don’t lose your goodness – you must hold tightly to all that God has called you to – to love and peace and equality of all in the body. We are Team Jesus! Remember, anyone who is not against us is for us.
Don’t harm your teammates. It is better to be thrown into the depths of the sea with a millstone around your neck than to face the consequences of causing someone to stumble.
And rid yourself of anything that threatens to infect you with that which is less than God’s instruction and for God’s glory.
Today’s teaching is so deep, and am sure speaks to each of us on at least one level. I know it does to me! But we must not be afraid of these words of truth. Jesus said them for a reason, God made sure they were recorded for a reason, and I can guarantee that there is a reason that God is bringing them to light for you and me today. Let’s lean into Him, thanking Him for pruning us as He makes us stronger.
Dear Most Holy God – we confess the times that we have hurt you by pitting ourselves against others or causing others to stumble. Father, we thank you for your grace. For picking us up, dusting us off, and helping us stand taller in your power. God, give us your guidance and wisdom and courage as we turn from our own desires for greatness and look to YOUR greatness. Help us always to turn our face to your glory and, in love, to help others do the same. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We welcome back today's guest, Robin Kirby Gatto, who continues to encourage us about breaking free with deliverance from various shackles of strongholds that hold us captive. Through The Power at work within us and the Word of God, Robin, a best-selling author, doctor, and social worker, shares about freedom. Robin serves in full-time ministry, teaching and sharing the Word of Truth to bring powerful healing to the soul. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host Kimberly have so I'm the founder of Women world leaders and today we are back for part two of deliverance with our guest, Robin Kirby Gatto. Welcome, Robin, glad to have you back.
Robin Kirby Gatto
I am so excited to be here, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs
Well, we're excited to have you and ladies, if you didn't tune in to last week's podcast, please, please go back and listen. And you will hear as Robin shared her story about deliverance, and how she had been bound to chains that were binding her in many different ways in her life, which I think a lot of us can relate to. and empowering lives with purpose here. And why we do this podcast is because we can relate to each other through sharing stories through sharing wisdom that God pours into us over the years and how we come out of these things that God delivers us from victories in our lives that he shares with us are all part of God's plan that we help each other to empower each other, and support one another through these, these challenges that we are thrown all throughout our life. And Ephesians 210 says that we are God's masterpiece we are created and new and Christ Jesus to do that very good things that he has planned for us long ago. And ladies, we believe that he has a purpose and plan for your life. And as we talk about today, in part two, of this podcast about deliverance, that there may be some things that are holding you bound and shackled from being able to walk out that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. There could be those things just hidden in your life, that need to be brought out and exposed. And there's ways that God will do that in our life if we allow him to. And the beauty is that our sister here has gone through many things. She was an alcoholic, she was addicted. She had different things in her life that she needed to be freed from before God was able to use her in the beautiful calling that he has on her life, which is in ministry. So I want to share a little bit about our guest again, before we get back into part two. For those of you may just be tuning in for the first time. Robin is a prolific author with a Bachelor and Master's degree in social work and a Juris juris doctorate. She has been in full time ministry since February 2011, where God enlarged the curtains ever habitation, lengthened her steaks, and sent her out, not by man, by himself by God. She has written many teaching books, which include two series of Gods firewall School of the prophets, and also God's firewall healing of the soul, as well as some fictional series of the ancient language seekers. And her latest book is mindfulness of the mind of Christ, which many of you may want to look into after hearing this podcast. And that shows the Christian how to walk out their deliverance by the consecration of the body through the word of truth that sets them free. And as we were talking last week, it's all about the power in the Word of God that will set the captives free, it will set our hearts free, free in so many ways, ladies from the shackles that bind you. Robin has been married to rich got toe since 2001, and has two sons, a daughter and grace and twin grandchildren. She's from Birmingham, Alabama, and taught and preached in other nations including the Philippines and Nicaragua. So last week, I just want to bring some of the listeners up to where we are today. Robin was sharing how she had made some mistakes in her life and and she had walked in and out of some marriages and there was a lot there. And again, a powerful of what God showed her in those beginning stages. But God delivered her she had a defining moment one time in church as he spoke to her heart, and she felt that deliverance come upon her. And when I asked her to expound on that, well, she took off and she He knows her stuff. And I just want and pray and hope that she will pour into you. Just truths that God has given her about that word. And let's take up where we left off last week Robin, about this word deliverance.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Yes, oh my goodness, it is my favorite subject. My heart is for the cell. And one of the things that God showed me my biggest go to scriptures for deliverance about what that means is John 832, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. And that word truth in Greek is Allah Thea. And it means something's no longer hidden, it's uncovered. And the way to understand this better are the two Greek words that compose it, Kimberly, it's alpha, and lantana. A, whenever alpha is in front of another word, it negates it. So it's the opposite. So alpha is in front of lantana. And lantana, means that was just concealed, that was just hidden. And so we see in the core parable of mark four of the sower of seed, where afterward, Jesus goes immediately into another parable. And all of this is about the subject about the seed, and what the seed does, and the power of that, Steve. And so he talks about bringing a lamp into a room, verse 2325, we start seeing this transition, you bring a lamp into your room, not to hide it, but to put it on top of the table on the lamp stand, and that the light is to be brought on top of that lamp stand. And he talks about measuring measurements, and all of a sudden, we see, be careful what you hear, or whatever you hear will be what added. And he and then immediately we see another shift, and he talks about a seed being planted, and how it grows, it starts to sprout, and no one knows how it does that. And then all of a sudden, it is a standing grain harvest. So all of these concepts together, are showing you the power of the truth. And the way that God began to shift me into understanding this at a greater way in teaching it because I want to understand it's not sufficient enough just to hear a scripture, because it's not in the body. If you just hear it, you want a scripture to be experienced in your body. And what that means is, it's an experienced thought. So that is believed. Whatever you believe in, are experienced thoughts. So if you believe you're a failure, your experience experiencing failure in the body. And this is where the self image the soul is, this is where Holy Spirit and our spirit man are. And so God began to talk to me and he said, Robin, make it simple so people can understand. And so we see Scripture say, work out your own salvation, Philippians 212 it fear and trembling. And God said, robbing your soul is your self image. So what you're really working out is your self image. And what that means is the way that we think about ourselves, you can't love others, if you don't love yourself. And so God began to show me the power of the truth. And how light in Scripture is a metaphor for truth, that whenever you see light in Scripture, that is a metaphor for revealed truth. And so what Jesus is saying about bringing a lamp into your room bringing a light into a room, did they put on a lamp stand? Is that the truth of that seed that's been planted in the ground? The sower is Jesus, and he says, the seed in the cell in the self image, and it grows and it sprouts. And so as we are faithful and committed to the word, and to let God by the Holy Spirit, because see, I had a lot of seed in my body before but I didn't know the power. That's right. And so it was claimed in my members, but I hadn't tasted the power of her Holy Spirit of the Spirit of Truth of the Spirit of the Lord. And so God began to show me, John one, five, how the light pierces the darkness in our soul. And that just as I was fragmented from that first marriage, and my members, because what is what's the real issue is this pruning process of areas of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, all the way back to the garden. And as the enemy attacked Eve, by this suggestion, oh, come on, take a taste of this fruit. That power of suggestion was the first thought that was trying to reach to Eve's body to experience a desire for that fruit. And that's what Satan knows. All a stronghold is, is hypnosis, it is the power of a suggestion. And if that suggestion can get to your body, that's where unclean spirits attached to those areas of evil stored up, even if you didn't introduce it, right, if you were just put around it not because of your volunteer volition, your own volition, but it was in up around your person. We see this lot. I saw this a lot as a psychotherapist with children who were taken advantage of during a younger age and an evil way. And they did it the listening volitionally agree to it. But their body has knowledge of it. It's store. And so God is gracious. He's merciful, because I used to work with a lot of people that had areas of dissociative disorder, which used to be known as multiple personality disorder. And I was very much drawn to that as a young little girl when I watched Sybil, and the movie was Sally Fields in it. And I was drawn to that true story of how this woman as a child dissociated, and I had a lot of clients. And I wanted to understand what does the word say about that. And it Nehemiah one, we find that Nehemiah, he is the son of Nun, and he is the son of Hector Elia, the son of Pecola. Josh was the son of Nun. Nehemiah is the son of Hekla. And it's the time of Tesla, which is the time of light, it is Hanukkah. It is the time of Hanukkah is the time of light. And then all of a sudden, we see where God speaks to Nehemiah, and he brings to remembrance if you transgress me, I will scatter you abroad. But if you return to me, even though you have parts as far as outerspace, I will bring every part to that place where my name dwells. And what's interesting is Nehemiah is dad's name, Hakka. laga means y'all have darkness. And it means that God will not leave your darkness. He brings light to your darkness.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And then oh my goodness, that I know this is overwhelming. I know. It Well, it is and I just I'm praying as you're you're speaking that the women are following because ladies, this is powerful. This is so powerful. So yes, God is never going to leave you alone. You feel that you are shackled to all of these different things in your life that you just can't get rid of. You can't seem to get them out, because they're in all these parts of your life. Well, we have news for you you can and through the power of the of God, the Holy Spirit working in you, you can be delivered from these things. So yes, please continue.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Oh, good, good, because I know sometimes it helps to just have that little pause and understand that these y'all who are watching this scripture says in first Corinthians 213 and 14 that the Word of God is spiritually discerned. It is not from the mind, it is not up here. And so what I tell a lot of people when I preach or teach or write, because we're so used to Kimberly going at it, like, let me understand this like that. When we go into school, when we go to college, we go into a subject or high school we're like, Okay, I got my pen and pencils, I got my notebooks. Let me take notes. You cannot do that with God in the place. It is From our mind, it is not about our power, it is by His spirit.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And one thing I want to add right here, ladies, and we talk, I've talked about this with you before Robin is that ladies? Well, there's different, there's different forms of knowledge here that we were talking about, okay? Because we can all have the worldly knowledge that we need filled with the sciences and all of the things that were taught all through school, okay. But when you become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you want to desire, the wisdom of the word, the wisdom that God wants you to have, which is completely different than the wisdom of the world. So pray for that wisdom right now that God would just deliver that wisdom into your heart. And there is a scripture that says, if you ask for it, ladies, he will give that to you. And that's why James one five is such an important scripture. And I have prayed that for years, because I constantly daily, ask God for his wisdom, if any of us lack wisdom, let us ask God, and He will give it to us generously to any of us who asked, Have that scripture memorized. And this is what Robin is talking about right now is the Godly wisdom coming out of scriptures that he has given her to share with you.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Praise God. And so that's what helps because we've so been taught just about the mind in so many areas, and about Second Corinthians 10, four through eight, taking thought captive thoughts captive, but we've not really understood the concentration of the body, and the importance and the potency of that consecration. And so God began to show me areas of my deliverances and of my freedom, and maintaining that freedom, and in walking in that freedom, is the power of consecration, and that he pours his spider out of Holy Spirit on the consecrated altar on the consecrated place. And so God began to just deal with my members and tell me, Robin, your freedom of every one of those deliverances, it came from the body up to the mind, that as the body was consecrated unto me, as you sat at my word, and you ate of me, he said, I came, and I brought freedom in your soul in your self image. And so what we don't realize about this receptor, and this is what's blowing people away. And in my opinion, it is the greatest discovery since DNA, and it was discovered about in the 70s. And so it's still the new kid on the block. And there's a lot of studies and research that have been done. But it is like a universe, a cosmos unto itself, just like DNA is huge, this receptor called the G protein coupled receptor. And the abbreviation is GPCR, which in my book is God's power in Christ's resurrection, then I know, everything's always about God and Jesus and the spirit of it. And even the way that this receptor, causes the intracellular activity of your sales, literally shows you Jesus leaving glory coming to earth, as a man, son of God's done a man and bringing the message of covenant. I mean, it is just powerful, how intricately God has designed us. And so this receptor has so many different with different areas in our person in which things operate, such as the area of addictions, the area of addictions is at this receptor. Also, you have senses, not on your head, but as you're looking at this video right now are listening to it. And if you have some hot coffee or hot tea, that's or you're eating your lunch, and say you have that taste and that smell, literally all of that stimuli of your regular senses are going into your body and hitting this receptor of G protein coupled receptor in your body. And it is encoding memory. This receptor actually helps encode neurons and the memories stored in neurons. And so God began to show me he said, Robin, notice in the Garden of Eden, he said, Adam was perfect. I said, Oh, yes, he was perfect. You made it. And he said he had eyes. He had ears. I said, Yes, Lord. If he said, So, why does it say his the senses would be open? Recall that Hebrew word. And I said, Oh Lord, I don't know why he said, Because you have eyes in your body Ephesians 118, that the spirit of understanding calm and that the light of truth come upon the eyes of your heart. So you have understanding. And so this truth comes to the body, the consecration, this is the place of conviction, you're not up here, and victims were shins and when there's passion, and so for my deliverance, I was already experiencing it in my body. The gifts of faith just start up hope in me. And I was like the drop bones and God breeds that word is Ezekiel 37 1011. Say they still have a great army, but they said, our hope our Tikva is cut all. And that Tikva actually means a chord in Hebrew, and it means hope. And none of the words dawn, I need a connection in my body to you. I don't want to just know you go into church up here, I want to know you in this temple. And God began to show me he said, Robin, when Adam and Eve had a change in what the body in the Garden of Eden, when they ate the fruit, he said, the eyes of their body was opened up to the knowledge of evil. And it would be like opening up your computer and having the all of Wikipedia downloaded, then all of that information was added to their member. So just imagine, if all you've done is God, and all of a sudden, you've taken a body of this fruit, and something has changed. And you look at your body that used to be holy. And now you see it as this evil thing. It is because the senses of their body had been perverted by the enemy. And that's what the enemy does, is he perverts truth. And God by the word, brains, the light of truth, to our body. John 15, to where we are praying those that bear what fruit fruit, he prays to bear what more abundant fruit and right phrase, that word praying is Cathar raise. As soon as I saw that word, Kimberly, I went. That's catharsis. And sure enough, I looked up catharsis where Aristotle came up with catharsis. And it comes from the Greek word Cathar. Rose, the same word that Jesus uses. And it means to purge, it means to parkgate it means to cleanse. So every one of my deliverances I would feel this tangible, cleansing, like when I had pain, hurt in my members, that deliverance was so beautiful. And that release, were all of a sudden, I just went into this uncontrollable crying.
Just I could not stop it. And I did not know what was wrong with me. And I just cried and cried and cried and it was uncontrollable. And it was a released, my members were purged a pain. Yes, were gone. It was cathartic. It was not seen enjoyable release of that emotion, where it could no longer stay in my body. Because it had been consecrated. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. That is so powerful, so powerful. And ladies, if you have not had that moment with God that released that, you know, pray, God knows your heart, He will hear those words you pray and ask him for that deliverance. He's not going to hold it from you. You truly want that inner purging to come out. It will and I'm relating with you, Robin because I was at that moment to where I had that and I experienced that and that uncontrollable crying. Yes, because God allows your eyes to be opened and you see and it's like that deliverance is powerful, right? Powerful. So oh my gosh, here we are again, like Robin like I can't even believe this like Time just flies so fast. But I want to ask you right now there's that woman that is listening right now. I'm just on the tip edge of her seat, just hearing these words that God has provided today through your tongue. And I'm just asking Robin pour into that woman right now. walk her through what to do. She's addicted to alcoholism, like you were She's addicted to drugs, she's addicted to sex. She's addicted to anger, whatever it is that wells up inside of her that she's cannot seem to control. What is your word of truth to her from God's Word today?
Robin Kirby Gatto
The word of truth is the power of the still small voice of God, that even Elijah the prophet had witnessed God's power, but he brought him back at Mount Horeb. To that still small voice to God. And I would tell you to shut off the voice of the enemy, to shut off the voice of the world. And that anything that is not in God's Word, you have to be committed, that if it's not in the word, that's not who you are, you have to be committed and eat the word. And some of the most profound scriptures I would tell you are Jeremiah 2911, did 13 John one one through 18 of Asians 117 through 23 seasons 316 through 21. Hey, man, those scriptures and you hold on and you wait for your deliverance because it draws NDI in Jesus name, amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And ladies, she gave those to you rewind this, write those down, and police police look them up. Because there is power in the Word. You have expectations on God to deliver you from these addictions that are binding you, oh, my goodness, you pray, pray the scripture that she just gave for you to read back to God, when you're praying, you watch what's going to happen ladies in your life. You watch it, I'm living proof God will deliver you from these things. I promise you in Jesus name, we claim it with you, Robin, I think of a great way for us to close. Just last week and this week, because you know, we came to an end so quickly last week and jumped right into this week. But I'm going to ask you to just pray over the sisters that are listening right now that are battling in their heart and the devil does not want them to hear this. He hasn't. And he wants him to just jump off. But no, we need to pray a prayer over them a covering for them that they are solidifying that they are going to go to God with us. And so can you pray over them, right?
Robin Kirby Gatto
That's my favorite thing. I just pray that spirit of the Lord is upon you and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, every assignment of heaviness, cloak of heaviness, be lifted off in the name of Jesus Christ, the synagogue, and every line serpent be lifted all in Jesus name, and ash Bray, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you. And then you will come out of dungeons and the cat tivity, which has kept you it will fall off. It will be destroyed by the anointing by a young destroying anointing. And I pray that the garment of expressive praise is upon your members. I pray that you're on that highway of holiness, Isaiah 35 Eight, where no unclean day no BS can come on that highway. And I'll pray a hunger and thirst be in your soul for the righteousness of God, and it be made known to your members, and that God's light pierces your darkness. And it causes all the attacks of the enemy, to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed. And the power of the truth hallelujah John 1717, that you are consecrated by that word of truth and God's word, in Jesus name. And I pray that God is a wall of fire around about you, and the glory in the midst of you in Jesus name, amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen.
What does God's Word say? Call me when you are in trouble? And I will rescue you that Psalm 55 And thank you. Thank you, Robin, as we call out to Jesus on behalf of these women, we pray for you ladies. We will continue to pray for you and we pray that we get to hear more from Robin Gatto. And Robin, can you tell the ladies how they can get your books because the amazing what you have done for God's great kingdom, please tell them. Thank you.
Robin Kirby Gatto
I've got mindfulness the mind of Christ, which looks like this with the bee on it. And it's on Amazon and a journal that is 100 day journal that is called the self just be the self image journal. And you can find both of those on Amazon. And I am just so excited. I know I've got book coaching in there, I do book coaching, where I expand because it's so much. And so anybody that's interested, I have women that do it for free, because I can't afford it. And I'm not about people paying, I'm about people getting it. And so if they really want that book coaching and they can't afford it, just tell them to contact me. And I will get them hooked up with book coaching. Because of all the science that talked about and stuff in helps explain it and expound on it. Appreciate it, Kimberly. Oh, amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Well, you know what you my dear i, this was an anointing over these podcasts. God has used you in a powerful way. And of course, we want you to share, you know, the, the wisdom that He's poured out of you, Robin, and you put it into books so that we can all glean those truths that God has, thank you. We are so grateful. And then so grateful that you would come to women, world leaders and share with us and be part of this amazing ministry. Because we know that God is doing exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can imagine through this ministry. And he is bringing people as yourself, Robin, and maybe some of you listening, have these gifts that you need to share with the world. Please don't hold back. If God is gifting you in certain ways. Come to us, let us know and we will, again, give you the opportunity to serve God here in this place. It's amazing to serve together right and learn all this together. I love it. Love it. Love it. So God bless you, Robin, thank you again for coming on board with us. And ladies, we have these podcasts each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for you to be able to tune in so please utilize them every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Share them with everybody that you know that can benefit from the truth that God brings through women around the world. So God bless each and every one of you, from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. Remember all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all have a fabulous day. Thank you again, Robin. Thank you
Enjoy this live teaching from the Women World Leaders' Gathering - RENEW. Recorded in West Palm Beach, Florida on June 6th, Julie teaches a three-step method to being renewed in Christ. The full recording of the event can be viewed on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfi3NJAMicqo8AQtwxQ6RRw
Join Janet Berrong on today's episode of Celebrating God's Grace as she discusses the freedom through Christ which allows us to live in the fullness of love, joy, and peace.
Welcome to Celebrating God's grace, a women world leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace, in ministry, and around the world. Please join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our podcast series, Monday with Kimberly Hobbs and empowering lives with purpose. Wednesday with Julie Jenkins walking in the Word, and Friday we have a variety of women sharing and celebrating God's grace. I enjoy our time here together. And I am honored to share with you today the message of freedom in Christ. The definition of freedom is the power or the right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or resistance. In life, we have freedom to choose a lot of things. And here in the United States, I am grateful for our freedoms. And today I want to expand on the freedom in Christ. The freedom we have in Christ is the freedom to live in faith, to put our hope and trust that God welcomes us through His son into His kingdom. freedom in Christ is not the right to do what we want. It's the ability to do what we ought. Without Christ, we are slaves to sin, unable to do what is right. Christ's death on the cross has set us free from the penalty and the power of sin. Galatians five one reads, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. We are delivered from the bondage of sin and its punishment and have new life in Christ. Christian freedom is for enjoying what we are made for who we were made for, and that's God in Christ. Christ made us to live abundant full lives. In John 1010 reads, The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly. God created humanity in the image of God and called them to partner with him expanding his creation. But partnership requires trust. So God gave humanity the freedom to make their own choices. Sadly, the first humans made a choice to trust your own wisdom over gods. This began a downward spiral of selfishness, violence and pain for humanity. But God intervened with a plan to restore humans to their place of true partnership. The consequences that humans face for neglecting God's warnings are difficult. But God's promises have hope. In Jeremiah 2911 reads, For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord their plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. The Holy Spirit longs to make us joyful people He longs to lead us away from which will steal our joy and guide us to green pastures and still waters. But a choice remains constant before us. Will we choose the stress, burdens and insecurities of this world? Or will we follow God into the more abundant life of his joy filled presents. We have a very real enemy tempting us every day to choose a world that will never fulfill us. Galatians 513 reads For we were called to freedom brothers only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. One of our reasons it's so important to understand that you are free from the bondage, penalty and guilt of sin is because now it increases your capacity through Jesus to love to have joy to experience peace and enjoy life. He wants us to increase our capacity to have the relationship with your heavenly Father. John 836 reads so if the sun set you free, you are free indeed. What is Christ freed you from? Can you identify a specific area in your life where you sent you need of redemption. With that in mind? How does this promise specifically impact you today? Dear sisters, if you're wanting more freedom today, I encourage you to get hungry for the Word, God's word the living word. Father, only your word can feed our deepest hunger for our souls. It is such a blessing today to have access to the Bible. Give us wisdom, humility, as we listen to you in Jesus name. Amen.
After the disciples get a little full of themselves and begin arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus gently teaches them. As you listen to and visualize this lesson from Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48, open your heart and ask God how this applies to your life.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins – I hope that you consider me your walking partner as we take this stroll together through the Bible, uncovering all that God wants to teach us today. I appreciate YOU for holding ME accountable to spending time in the Word! As I study, write and record these podcasts, I am always amazed at how much God teaches ME through the process. I hope you feel the same as you listen!
Let me wish you a Happy July! I’m always amazed at how fast the summer goes! With that in mind, I want to take a moment to remind you that if you are not a current subscriber to Voice of Truth, there is still time to sign up before our August edition comes out. Subscriptions are free – just visit our website at womenworldleaders.com. We are awed at God’s provision as we put together each edition, both from the contributor standpoint and from the donation side. If you are involved in writing, editing, producing, or giving financially for Voice of Truth, we want you to know how grateful we are! And if you are a recipient, we would love to hear how the magazine is ministering in your life. Please drop us a note at info@womenworldleaders.com!
Today’s Scripture, as we go along our journey, is Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, We come to you today with open hearts, ready to learn whatever you have for us. God, as we walk through your Word together, we recognize that bit by bit, we are getting a clearer picture of you and developing a closer walk with you. You promise us that if we ask for wisdom, you will grant it. And God, I know that you often give your wisdom through the reading and understanding of Scripture. So as we read and study today, will you shower us with your wisdom? We ask this in Jesus’ almighty name, Amen.
As we walk with Jesus through the Bible, we do indeed see Him clearer with each step. And, as the disciples literally walked with Jesus, they saw Him clearer as well. Peter, James, and John had just seen Jesus in all His glory at the transfiguration, and Peter received a personal miracle when Jesus provided him a coin from a fish’s mouth meant to pay the temple tax.
All of this personal attention, however, turned the disciples’ thoughts to themselves. They were recently filled with grief at the news that Jesus would be killed, but apparently, they quickly forgot that grief about Jesus’ upcoming pain as they each focused on themselves and began to wonder, “what’s in this for me?”
Luke 9:46 from the New Living Translation sets the scene…
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.
This may be perplexing to us, but I bet, if we think about it, we can all personally relate. There were 12 men, after all, and our logical minds tell us that SOMEONE had to be the favorite.
We don’t know who or exactly what instigated the argument, but one thing is certain: a lot of feelings likely played into the scenario. It is possible that Peter, James, and John were feeling prideful – because they were definitely emerging as Jesus’ inner circle. They saw it, and so did the other nine disciples. And let’s remember that in Jesus’ absence (while He was out gallivanting with Peter, James, and John), the other disciples had been unable to heal the demon-possessed boy – which may have led to a lack of self-esteem and feelings of inferiority. And then there was Judas, who we later learn wasn’t about following Jesus at all, but was likely in it only for himself anyway.
In most situations, there is a web of feelings and circumstances that can lead us to sin. And this was no different. Their argument was about status – which the world honors.
And it makes worldly sense that the more people who are below us – no matter how they got there – the higher we climb. The world teaches us to claim our place at the top of the heap, even if that means stepping on or over other people to get there.
We may look down on the disciples for arguing their case about who was the greatest in words, but we often argue the case for our own superiority in actions. For example, it is all too common for us to amass ridiculous stores of riches rather than use what God has given us to serve others. We often use our time to get degrees for the purpose of putting a lot of letters after our name to impress others, rather than for gaining knowledge to serve others. And it is commonplace for us to look sideways … and down … at those who may be living a sinful lifestyle, instead of reaching out a loving hand to help them.
Before we judge the disciples for foolishly arguing who was greater, we owe it to ourselves to look at ourselves and our own lifestyles and assess where we claim greatness over someone else. If you are feeling really brave, ask JESUS to show you where YOU are claiming greatness. But when you do, get ready, because Jesus knows…and you might be surprised as He takes off your blinders.
Jesus knows. He knows our thoughts, our actions, and our words.
But when we ask, we don’t have to be afraid, because we can trust Jesus’ gentle guidance to help us grow.
In Mark 9:33, we see that gentle guidance…
33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
As I read this, I had to ask myself, how often have I closed my ears to what Jesus was asking me? How many times have I refused to answer a question that I KNOW He already has the answer to?
If you read through the Bible, you will begin to notice that Jesus’ style of teaching often involves questions. Lots of questions! There is a truth in teaching that says that when someone figures out something rather than being told it, they develop a deeper understanding.
Jesus asked the disciples what they were discussing to make them think and to help them understand their sin of pridefully leapfrogging each other to greatness.
Then Jesus answered the question THEY had…who IS the greatest in the Kingdom? Mark 9:35…
35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
This is so different from the world’s teaching, and something we must each take to heart. While there is nothing wrong with ambition or success, Jesus teaches us that HIS WAY to success and authentic leadership is through personal humility and service to others.
Jesus is a master at teaching through questions, and also through stories and illustrations. So next, He does something very memorable…Matthew 18:1…
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. (Mark tells us He took the child in His arms…I love that visual) 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let’s talk about a child’s place in the first century. We tend to elevate our children, to craft our family culture around the needs and desires of our children. But that was not the case in Jesus’ day, when children had no power, status, or rights. A child was often seen only in terms of adding to the family work structure and carrying on the family trade. Children were expected to be obedient and submissive and were completely dependent on their father’s goodwill.
So Jesus welcomes this child into the conversation and holds him in His arms. A picture of love and protection and acceptance. And then He tells the disciples that even to ENTER the kingdom of heaven, they must become like this insignificant child, serving in humble submission and becoming completely dependent on the Father’s goodwill. And then He drops the bombshell, the MOST humble will become the greatest.
What a paradigm shift – for the disciples AND for us!
I read a devotion today by Rick Renner that I want to share the gist of – it is based on 1 Corinthians 4:1, in which the apostle Paul calls himself a “mere servant of Christ.” The word Paul uses in the original Greek is huperetas (hu pair EH tays), which means “the essential attitude necessary to get a job done.”
Renner wrote that the original word hearkened back to the very lowest class of criminals who were often assigned to the galleys of the ship to row the ship – to keep it moving. Picture a ship powered by oars below, with the passengers and even workers up above in the sunlight moving swiftly across the sea. The reality is that the boat would not be moving at all without the power of the workers below, covered in sweat, working hard, hidden from glory.
That’s the kind of minister Paul was. That is who we are called to be.
To be great in the kingdom, and I can’t think of a better place to be great, we must humbly submit to our Father and depend on Him for wisdom, guidance, protection, and peace. We must serve those we are given the honor to serve. We must be the helping hands to pull others up when they fall. We must be the shoulders hoisting others to greatness. We must sit in the bottom of the ship and row our hearts out in the shadows, understanding that if we don’t do what we are called to do, the ship will become stagnant in the water.
Luke 9:48 assures us…
Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
While that is an amazing thought, being the greatest should never be our focus, because God is the greatest!
In my home growing up we had a hanging that said J.O.Y …joy…Jesus. Other. You. Our first duty as Christians is to Jesus. Our second duty as Christians is to others.
When we raise up Jesus and Others, our status will automatically get upgraded! We are called to be like the children of the first century. Obedient. Submissive. Willing to listen in complete dependence to our Heavenly Father. THAT is being the greatest in the Kingdom.
Let’s pray…
Dear Loving Father! Your teaching is SO clear. We are to serve in humble obedience. We are honored to do so! For you are the best father ever. God, we give you our service, and we ask that you empower us to follow your call every step of every day. Show us who you would have us serve today. Give each listener a practical step to take, and remind her of your teaching today as she rows the boat. Always for your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Robin Kirby Gatto holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work and Juris Doctorate. She has many published teaching books and is a best-selling author. Today Robin shares her personal story of deliverance from many strongholds. God has moved Robin into sharing His Truths on Freedom through Wisdom and the Power of His Word. Please join us today as Robin shares about this powerful word of DELIVERANCE coming alive in her life through Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior and the Word of God. Part One of Two. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so grateful that you've joined us today on empowering lives with purpose. And that is our hope today ladies that we get to empower you and encourage you to walk and that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. And one of our guests today that is wanting to just pour in some encouragement to you is our guest Robin Kirby Gatto. Welcome, Robin.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Thank you. I am super excited, and I cannot wait to see what the Spirit of the Lord does. Kimberly, God bless you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, God bless you. Ladies. Today we are in for a great topic. Today we're talking about deliverance. And there are so many things as we think about our lives, whether God has delivered you from something already, something that has held you captive or shackled. That feeling of not being free. While today we want to talk about what that freedom feels like. And we want all of us to be able to be able to experience that true freedom that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that's what we're going to talk about in our podcast today. And ladies, God tells us in His Word, that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 410. So we've all received different gifts. And today's guest today Robin is so amazing, and I just being able to get to know her as a woman of God. God truly has entrusted her with beautiful gifts. And I believe as she starts to speak, you're gonna hear about what God has entrusted her with. So we believe each of you have a purpose, ladies. And it's our hope today that through listening to this podcast, you're going to hear a little bit about what your purpose might be. Ask God for that right now as we begin this podcast today, I want to share a little bit about who Robin Kirby Gatto is before we get going. She is a prolific author with a Bachelor and Master's degree in social work, and a juris doctorate. She has been in full time ministry since February 2011, where God in large the curtains of her habitations, he lengthened her steaks, and he sent her out, not by man, but by him, God sent her out. She has written many teaching books, which include two series of Gods firewall School of the prophets, and God's firewall, healing of the soul, as well as fictional series of the ancient language seekers. Her latest book, mindfulness of the mind of Christ shows the Christian how to walk out their deliverance by the consecration of the body through the word of truth that sets them free. The word of truth, we hear that ladies, that's God's word, is the word of truth. Robin has been married to rich Gatto since 2001, and has two sons, and a daughter and grace and two grandchildren. That's beautiful. You've got your surroundings of love. She's from Birmingham, Alabama, and has taught and preached in other nations including the Philippines and Nicaragua. Robin loves to minister wherever God calls her. And prior to finding her calling, Robin has had a pretty tumultuous life. Right, Robin, we got to share and talk about that a little bit. Until God delivered her ladies. Robin, can you take a few minutes and share with us some of the trials and struggles you went through prior to the time that God brought his power through his word into your life?
Robin Kirby Gatto
Yes, and thank you for that intro. Kimberly, I am so blessed to be here and I'm super excited. Because I know that God has a plan and there's such a power in the testimony. There is a yoke destroying anointing, and I know that this is for someone out there specifically that's watching the day and said So, early on, God drew me to himself. When I was six years old, he would wake me up on Sunday mornings while everybody else was asleep. And he would tell me to get up and get that little handmade dress my grandmother made all the way to the floor. And he would say, go across the street and go to the church. And I sat on the third P on the inside, so I could see the pasture. And the only way that I can describe it, Kimberly is it was like this Amber, honey gold was coming down on this pasture. And my mouth was like this. And I just took in every word that this pastor preached, and taught in that particular service in every service thereafter. And so I asked them what to do. And they led me to get a Sunday school. And church was part of an escape for me, I actually have a brother that's a year older. And we were latchkey kids back in the late 60s, and 70s, early 70s. And he had met massive anger issues massive. And so I was there every day, all through school, all the way through high school dealing with that anger that he had, and I was the recipient of that anger every single day. And so charge was an escape for me and so many avenues. And I love the Lord, my family started going to church, my family started the Lord. But at the same time, nobody really wanted to deal with these anger issues. Because I was the only person that had to see them, mainly, while we were latchkey kids. And so one thing led to another, and I served the Lord through elementary served the Lord through middle school, I would get teased, or we get persecuted in high school in middle school, because I just really loved the Lord. And I would date a couple of guys. And because I wanted to protect my purity, they ended up leaving me with young ladies that would give them their desires and what they wanted. And so my senior year of high school, I just kind of went into rebellion. I was just so mad at God. And I was thinking, God, I'm doing all these things, right. And all of these bad things keep happening. And I just wanted to flat out rebel again, I was also very much in a protected zone by my parents, which is good. And so when I went to college, I just went party animal crazy, and that rebellion. And of course, I didn't do well in my first semester of college, because I hardly attended any classes. And the next thing I do is I find myself back home. And I go to a local junior college, and I get connected to the wrong man. And my mother warns me and she's a Baptist, but she has such a gift to discerning of spirits. And she warns me she said, Robin, he is demon possessed, do not marry him. But I was in rebellion. I was just angry with God angry with my parents, and that there was this undercurrent of anger is all I can tell you, and so on marry this man. And the next thing I know is he ends up being this drug dealer and he was actually from a narc pulling me aside on the road, right before I had a way of escape from that marriage. The narc told me that he was number two in the state of Mississippi on the entire narc list that he was number two in the state. And he warns me and God will always send you warnings. And he will, he will provide a written submission on web scape. And so, this man after we got married against obesity severely, He locked the door with deadbolt locks. He starts the and he beat me he would put guns to my head knives to mouth right. And so it was very intense. And I had been a cheerleader. I was overall girl I was class favorite. You would have never known this was me. But that undercurrent of anger I believe towards my brother. Growing up with constant, being the recipient of that anger and just having to tolerate it. It just really took me down a place that I didn't want to go. And after nine months of being married to this man and he was demon possessed. After nine months, God provided a way of escape and a ram in the bush and at 2pm to 8am in the morning. I was able to get the key out of his pocket because he kept it in his pocket. And I was able to grab that key and just hightail it up the street. And with him running behind me, I knew I was dead. And at this point I was about 82 pounds, I had been so starved and so beaten. And God had a policeman right at the top of that street. And I was able to leave that marriage. But the damage that that did to my self esteem was beyond measure. And it took over just a decade to be able to see it in a room without my stomach and knots and having panic attacks. Well, shortly after that, three years later, I married a doctor, a pre med student, and helped him get through med school. And at the same time was getting my bachelor's in social work. And my internship at the Baptist children's village with severe Lee hurt children. My supervisor called me in for what I thought was just going to be a regular meeting. And it wasn't just a regular meeting, she was confronting the fact that I was abused. And there I found out I disassociated. And it was at that point that God began to work on my person.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Wow. Wow. And he did. He did. And you went through that marriage as well. And you were telling me about how you went from not only? Well, there were some struggles within? Which Yes, you out of that marriage? Yes. into a place where alcoholism started taking over talk about that a little bit, you got into this unbelievably sad, depressed state, because you felt that you were making mistake after mistake is despite the time that you were learning all of this worldly knowledge that got you had your bachelor's, and then you got your masters. And then the things were happening in your life talk about that really quick?
Robin Kirby Gatto
Yes. In fact, I married the doctor, I put him through medical school after going through residency, and it was my turn to go back and get my master's in social work. And I thought things were great. But how, how many times does God give you something in your network, that you just know that something's going to happen, and that you don't see yourself somewhere where someone else would see you. And so God showed me that I was not going to leave the house that I was in, and the doctor and I put a contract on my dream home. I put them through medical school, it was time for us to get our margerine home. And the next thing I know is I'm standing at that house with his family. And they asked me Are you excited about this house and I said, I don't see myself here. I don't see myself here. And Holy Spirit was speaking to me. And it was shortly after that, that I found out who was actually trying to move me out of the home with the two boys of one and six year old boys. Because he was having an affair, Kimberly and I had no clue. But God protected me and our house never sold. And he kept me in this house. And at that time, I was serving God, I was hungry, I would. I didn't have the power of Holy Spirit. I was hungry and thirsty for righteousness. But I did not know the power. I hadn't tasted the power at that time. And then the next thing I know is I'm a single mom, trying to pursue God, I've been going to church, I've been taking my voice to church, I'm always there. And the next thing on a thing shift. And I just happened to go to the divorce recovery group with two ladies. And it's in the church. But these two ladies were drinking wine. And all it took was one night with those ladies at their house. And I just drunk a sip of wine. And the next thing I know is it became my medication for my pain. Because I kept looking for my painting counselors to be resolved for my pain and friends to be resolved. And I kept looking to people to help me with my pain. But there was only one that could help me with my pain. Instead, God began to transition me and show me areas of my soul that were in such captivity. And this was right before I married my husband rich. I had actually been engaged. I was a single mother four and a half years, and I went into alcoholism. medomak medicated my pain through alcoholism. That was my medication. Antidepressants didn't work. So my only anti really depressant and which made me more depressed was alcohol. And so it was the most horrific thing that I could have ever done. But God knew that my lineage the family generations had alcoholism in it. And I didn't know that alcoholism was in my family, and that it just came up in my members. And it just became this Strong call that I could not find my way out of. And I began by the Holy Spirit, God began to speak to me, he brought me back to the simple place of the Word, and the power of the word, John 832, you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. And God began to say, Robin, you are not a drunk, and I said, Hello, God, I'm drinking. He said, but were in my word, does it say your job. He said, You are the righteousness of Christ Jesus, you are seated in heavenly places, I have a plan to give you a hope and a future and not to harm me. And the gift of faith was deposited in me. And God began to speak to me. And he said, Robin, I want you to start speaking this word. Now this is as I'm still an alcoholic, I'm still in bondage. And then I meet my soon to be husband and I marry in 2001. Rich, who doesn't want anything to do with alcohol? Who doesn't want anything to do with someone in bondage, but God drew this man to me. And he watched this entire transformation, as the Holy Spirit's stirred me up in the day, to where I would just speak the word and only the word. And he would even mention sometimes will Robin, you just drank the night before? I said, but I'm not an alcoholic. Nowhere in the Word of God.
Does it say that I'm an alcoholic, and Jesus wasn't a drunk. And so if Jesus wasn't a drawl, and nowhere in the war, does it say I got just started this day. And I just spoke it. And on Resurrection Sunday, 2001, my husband and was a 2002, Resurrection Sunday, my husband's there. I feel the power of Holy Spirit, and it is offertory that you're passing the offering around, wanting that offertory Tom, and my heart is beating 100 miles an hour. And I look down at my heart and I'm thinking what is going on with me. And that amber color honey that I saw was a six year old girl. It came on matar person. And I heard God say stand Oh, and a call see Mullins, my Redeemer lives was playing. And I stood up. And the power board came on me. And I'm shaking, and my mind is going what is going on with my body. And my knees are weak, and my husband stands behind me. And the power of God came on me and in one moment just broke chains off on 2002 Resurrection Day.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And you know, ladies are hearing that and sometimes we hear stories in various different ways. But that's the power of the Lord. He is a limitless God that can do the most amazing things in our life. And he delivered you that day. And John a 32, you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. That's the scripture you use. And God used his word of truth as you were sitting there in church, and it's permeating you and he was preparing you. And he was doing a mighty work in you. And that day you were delivered, chains broke off. And you were free. You were delivered from alcoholism. you repented you taught you were talking to me about this Robin and ladies, this gets good. This woman is full of the wisdom of God because He has just poured into her. You had a heart change as you checked out that that sin and you repented that enslaved you and you were delivered that day. Then I said were you delivered from everything Robin, you know, and you started to tell me, you started getting deliverances from different things coming up in your life like the rage of anger. Can you talk about this with?
Robin Kirby Gatto
Yes. And just to let you know, I've not shared much ever publicly or even privately except for my husband, about my brother. So a lot of people don't know that. But for some reason, Kimberly, there's someone that needs to hear this because you have lived this. And so I had the resurrection, Sendai. 2002 And just a few months later, and Holy Spirit accelerated me on the Isaiah 35 Eight Highway of Holiness. And God was Redeeming the time because he knew his schedule. I didn't know God's schedule. He knew his schedule. And so he was catching me up. And he put me on that as a 358 highway of holiness where there's no unclean thing. There's no beast, and he just started giving me this hunger and thirst for the word. And I just read the Word and the power of God was just bringing truth and joy just accelerating it in my members to where I could just know the power, the truth. And so God began to speak with me just a few months after the alcoholism that he said, Robin, you have got issues. And so I thought, this deliverance was all new to me. I've never say this. I've just grown up this Baptist girl. All I know is I love the Lord. And so all of this was very new to me. And so a few months later, after the alcoholism, deliverance, on, on the phone was rich a year he lives in, he lives in Connecticut, New York, working out his contract, he worked for non West corporate, which I really love because I like my wish. And I was down here at Alabama steel. So a year of our marriage, he was up there working, I was down here. And so my insecurity, I was jealous at the moment, and there was no reason to be jealous, but there was just insecurities. And it was just time. And so this anger came up in my person. And it just started rising up and God did some supernatural work in that deliverance. And he showed me he said Robin recant of your of the anger towards your brother. He said, You have been angry with him all of this time, repent of anything towards your parents. And that that was the lynch pin. Because if you would have asked, you know, the way that I am right now, I'm doubly that's how I've always been, okay, this is, this is my personality. My personality hasn't changed. It's just been amplified. Okay. So as Robin Kirby Gatto, steroids, after the Lord brings freedom. And so I if you would have told me I had raged, I would have told you, you are crazy. Because I didn't know as they are, but because of the supernatural encounter. And God had me on the floor. And it was like this big thumb on my back and my knees are under my belly, and my arms are out, like in prayer position. And I heard repent, and I began to repent. And it felt like chains broke off of me. And it felt like I was lifted up Kimberly and I could run a mess. That's what I tell everybody after every single one of these deliverances it feels like I was running on air, like the root word, Give us this day, our daily bread elrow It means to lift dog. And that's what happens when you get freedom,
Kimberly Hobbs
freedom. Same time, that's the freedom and I have to just share the scripture really quick that God gave me Romans 612 to 14 says do not let sin control the way you live. Do not give into sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were but now you have new life. That's you. I mean, like that's why you're like lifted up on the air because you are so excited of the freedom that God gives. Yes. So use your whole body is an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the Freedom of God's grace. And now you're living in grace Robin. And this is so exciting because God delivered you from your fear of even going into full time ministry. But he had to break away all those chains that were holding you down, right? Because you've had all those things you needed to be delivered from his deliverance through the power of His Word. Yes, that's how we find our deliverance. We read the word it convicts our heart, we go to God and repentance and he delivers. So Robin now here you are he's given you and wait. I've just got to say let loose Robin, and to share what God has taught you about deliverance, and to just share with us.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Praise God. Well, God began to take the ministry and the first thing I did was go to the Philippines when I was in full time ministry. And over there he said, Robin, I want you to start doing God's bible school the prophets which is nothing but the Navy Seals of discipleship. It is the word, the word the word, just like the old day school the prophets with Elijah and Samuel, because the only people that could do the word and study the Word and have it in there around amongst them. Were the priest or the school, the prophets, those that hung around this prophets. And so God said, Robin, I will do the study the word study the word just like law school, just like you studied every one of those subjects. And God began to bring the wisdom through law school to be able to know those subject matters. He said, I want you to go in every direction in your life, and it is about the word. And as First Corinthians two says, Holy Spirit combines different scriptures, and Holy Spirit shows us things that are fenced in and hidden by the mind of God, the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and gives us that through the mind of Christ. And so, in those writings, I just began to bring in not my favorite subjects, it was what I resisted in it was the sciences, it was physiology, it was biology was chemistry, it was anatomy, it was astronomy, because God had me unpack the word, Romans 120, says, The God of the invisible shows himself through the visible nature he created. And he just began showing me himself through a flower or through a tree, through a through hit the galaxy, and I just was like, Oh, my goodness, this is absolutely, obviously my own fantastical place. And the next thing I know is I tell everybody, I'm VODs Jerry Rice, for those of y'all who are older out there, he's a wide receiver. And so he would say, Robin study this, and it was like I was going long on fake. And he would just give me subject matter to study with his word. And it would just blow my mind because it would bring understanding to my members. And that is where faith comes. It comes in understanding the word and hearing the Word and understanding the word. And so God began to have me teach the sciences, which were my weakest subject in school, I even though I got honors, and I graduated with honors in all of my schooling, and even college, it was still my weakest subject. I was not a fan of science. But God just gave me his grace. And he brought things together. And I've been doing that for about a decade, over a decade, Kimberly, and everything came together. And God didn't shed me. He said, Robin, the new book you're gonna write is mindfulness, the mind of Christ. And I said, Glory to God. I cannot write to write that book, hallelujah, Holy Spirit. And he said, and I'm going to show you how you were delivered at the receptor level of your body, to show you what printing looks like, and why you had the supernatural encounters. And I delivered to you and I was like, well, glory to God, it is about Tom because he wants to give us wisdom. If we ask, he wants to give us
Kimberly Hobbs
James 1:5.
Robin Kirby Gatto
Yep. And said these this whole decade as I was teaching all the different sciences, and even some doctors were some of the students at our schools would go to the doctor with a loved one like a parent, they would say, are you in nursing school? And she would say, No, I'm not in nursing school. But I'm in another school, I just happened in a, an ad, getting detailed anatomy of the heart, the anatomy of the lungs, the anatomy of the brain. I mean, it was just it amplifies when you take it and couple it with Scripture. And so God said, which is one of my favorite scriptures, Romans 12, one and two, he says in Romans 12, one, that we are to consecrate the body as holy as until gone, which is it's reasonable or reasonable worship to God or reasonable service. And then after that, it says, Romans 12, two, that we're not to be conformed to this world, but the world to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, to prove what is the acceptable of God, what is good and pleasing in His sight, by the Spirit of the Lord. And so, about two years ago, God began to speak to me about the mind and body connection, because every time I'd get delivered, my mind would say, what is going on? In this body, and the power of God would come on me by the Spirit of the Lord, because Romans 317 says, Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And so God began to show me that the body has its own language, which is the nations and the mind has its own language, which is thoughts, but it's mainly what is my condition? Am I good? Am I okay? Am I happy? Am I satisfied? Am I bad? The mind is always that's what order to take thoughts captive, and where not to let it get into the body. Because when it gets into the body, it becomes an experienced adult and every single one of our deliverances Kimberly, we're not from the brain down to the body. Just like in law school, having been in social work, and switched to law school, which there are many social workers who do that, but it's a whole different way to study. It's a whole different school. It's Socratic method. It's totally different and they Give me these textbooks that really don't have the answers in the textbooks. So you have to buy study aids to go along with the textbooks. And so it was just difficult for me to grasp law. But I just kept putting my members and when I say members I'm talking about, I allowed my mind to be present. But I wasn't trying to grab it by my mind, I was just allowing my entire presence to be in for that material. And after a month, Holy Spirit would bring me the spirit of understanding, and start connecting the dots. And it would just all of a sudden just come out just so incredible. And I would understand the law completely. And that is how it is with every subject matter of science. And I will be studying such high levels of science that I keep arguing with God, please God, don't let me study this. And then all of a sudden, the spirit of understanding connects everything, and I totally understand what's going on. And so he began to show me he said, Robin, your body has the language of emotion. And your mind has the language of thoughts, he said, but those two connect in the spirit realm and the language of fruit, and your fruit is seen in the spirit realm. And God began to have me and it's all this is all in mindfulness, the mind of Christ. And I write three chapters on the language of fruit and about the mind body connection. And God said, Robin, where does it say in my word to consecrate your mind first, he said, so many people are trying to get free from the mind down to the body, and the body is not consecrated, and they're not going to get free. He said, All you did is you put your entire person in front of the word, and you just kept reading the Word, and you weren't trying to understand it, you're trying to make anything out of it, you just did it on eBay. And as I was committed, I do it like a 401 K plan, you put so much in, and the company puts them at gym, but God puts above that, right, and he wants to know your commitment. And then his return is the power of Holy Spirit. And so God began to bring understanding about the concentration of the body at the receptor level, where particularly memories are stored in the body, not in neurons, but at this particular receptor, called the G protein coupled receptor, which scientists have articulated, is responsible for our behavior, and for our perception. And so we don't realize that we're perceiving through our emotions, and that your emotions are literally neuro peptides hitting this receptor, unpacking memories, and what God did in that first marriage without abuser. And even through the anger of my brother, as he brought in Exodus 1019, where he sins Holy Spirit, He sends a strong west wind to remove all the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea. And this is the foundation of John Deere ting to which is pruning and it is pruning these memories in your body, that are stored up that are behind your perception behind your behavior. And then God brought in greater understanding as even as I mentioned to you the other day, as we see natural supplements that he says in His word like Isaiah 714 and 15, with a prophecy of a manual, where those natural supplements of a bitter thing, and honey, that sweet thing, and these two tastes, but it's happened to hit this receptor in your body. And I seen and heard praise reports left and right, where people with nicotine addiction, smoking three packs a day for years, they start doing the consecration of the body, and they start doing this bittersweet taste test that I talked about with scripture, and they're seeing deliverance. And so it's about seeing because unclean spirits what God showed me attached to the body, and they attached to the receptor, they're not going to attach to Holy. They're not attached to the clean. They're going to attach to the unclean, and the unclean, are those memories that are stored in the body. Oh, is that not powerful?
Kimberly Hobbs
It is so powerful, so powerful. Like ladies, gee, I hope and pray that you are getting there. And I knew there was going to be so much here, but even like, it's crazy. So we're going to this is part one ladies. And I'm just encouraging you to tune into next week when we have part two where Robin will finish this because there is so much here. And this is so powerful. And there's so many of us that are holding on to these addictions, these things that are controlling us. And it's all going back to like Robin said, you know, like with, well, again, biblically, we got to go back to what God's Word says. And that's where we're gonna get the freedom. So she's gonna expound on this a little bit more next week. But we have to cut here. And I just want to thank you, but she is going to completely empower you next week at the end with those words, but let us just thank God for what you have brought to us today and sharing your story, Robin. And ladies, if you're feeling the Holy Spirit moving, and you've got to tune in next week, please do so because she's gonna bring it home with all of what God has given her. This was this woman is full of Godly wisdom. She's got all of the book smarts, as you know, by her degrees and everything God has given her but now you get a chance to hear the Godly wisdom that he has poured in because she asked her James one, five, if any of us lack wisdom, let us ask God and he'll give it to us generously to any of us who asked. So tune in next week and we're going to hear a little bit about that. Ladies, I pray you are blessed today from what you've received so far. And from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. Thank you ladies and Thank you Robin. We are so happy to have you. Have a great day.
How is the rescue of a muddy puppy like God's grace? Enjoy this special reading of Lisa Morrison's article, Muddy Puppy.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins and I am pleased to be with you as we celebrate God's grace in our lives in the ministry and in our world.
If you've been around Women World Leaders for any length of time, you're no doubt familiar with our quarterly magazine, Voice of Truth. Voice of Truth is a compilation of stories and art presentations from writers and artists from around the world. All intended to point the reader to the Lord. You can check out any of our previous editions digitally at www.womenworldleaders.com. And while you're on our website, you can sign up to receive a physical copy of the magazine if you live within the United States, or a digital copy of the magazine no matter where you live. And the best news is subscriptions to Voice of Truth are currently free, and will remain that way for as long as funding is available. That's where we need your help. However, women world leaders is a 501c3 ministry which allows your donations to be tax-deductible within the United States. I bring up Voice of Truth today because on celebrating God's grace, we have a special treat for you. Going forward we are going to be sprinkling in articles from Voice of Truth for you to enjoy audibly.
Today I have the pleasure of reading muddy puppy by Reverend Lisa Morrison. Muddy Puppy was originally written for the sixth edition of Voice of Truth, which was printed in November December of 2021. And let me tell you a little bit about Lisa Morrison. Reverend Lisa Morrison is an ordained minister who has served as pastor and staff pastor in several positions in the local church, as well as in District ministerial and educational leadership positions. Lisa also has been an adjunct instructor at various educational institutions of higher learning. She teaches in the religious religion department. She holds two master's degree and a postgraduate degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She's also an editor in Voice of Truth magazine. I hope you enjoy my reading of Muddy Puppy by Reverend Lisa Morrison.
I went for a walk at a public park that meandered along the edge of what is called Billington Sea. I'm not sure why it is called a sea since it really is a pond. As the trail veered off the main road into the woods, I encountered a puppy running wild. He was having a grand old time not being tethered, running as fast as his little legs could carry him. I was concerned because I didn't see his owner. The woods were thick where we were and we were off the beaten path. His owner would never know where he was not being a dog lover. Don't hate me. I found myself in a quandary. Should I go after the pup or try to find the owner and let him know where he was. I thought it best to look for the owner since the puppy was never going to come to me. As I headed back to the main road, I hoped the pup would follow me that the owner would be at the trailhead, and they would be happily reunited, and I could continue my walk with no further interruption. But the Puppy didn't follow and no one not one person not even a car was at the trailhead. With no desperate owner in sight I realized I had to choose the path I did not want to travel. Catch the pup back down the trail I went and tried to reason with him to come to me he was not having it. Running Wild was much more exciting than coming to a non dog-lover who was He's going to take away his freedom.
His newfound freedom was costly though it led him down embankment entangled in pricker bushes and eventually plopped him into the murky waters of an inlet that led into the sea. Not only am I not a dog lover, but I also can't stand the getting muddy, especially from a wet, smelly, dirty dog. I know Please don't hate me. As I stared at his predicament, I knew I was going to have to sacrifice my feelings about dogs being clean, and my uninterrupted walk to rescue this puppy. He'd gotten himself so far in that no way out existed except to be saved. down the embankment and tangled in pricker bushes I went, struggling to make it to the edge of the water to complete the rescue. Like it or not. I had to trek into the murky water and pick him up. holding him tightly I battled my way back up the pricker Bush embankment. We then embarked on a search for the owner. We wandered down the main road for a span when a little boy jumped out of a car running as fast as he could toward us. His eyes filled with tears and joy exuded from his face. As he was reunited with his muddy puppy. He hugged him tight, not caring one bit, how wet, smelly and muddy his puppy was. As I saw the joy on the boy's face, I sense the Lord speak to my spirit. This is a picture of what Jesus has done for humanity. Jesus sacrificed himself for us when He died on the cross. He died for those who think running untethered in sin is the courageous thing. He died for those who have headed over the embankment becoming entangled in the pucker bushes and ending up in the depths of the muddy water with no way out. Only one way out of sin exists, it is to be rescued by the Savior. Unlike me, Jesus willingly comes to the rescue, not begrudging, the pricker bushes and the dirt from our sinful filth. He has also liked the little boy, happy to be reunited with his puppy. It doesn't matter how dirty and wet he has to get. Jesus represents both me the sacrificial rescuer and the boy, a happy owner being reunited with what was lost to him. If you find yourself today, like our muddy puppy, separated from your owner, our Savior because of your sin, Jesus is ready to rescue you and wants to welcome you back into his loving arms. No matter how entangled or murky your life has become. Will you be like the muddy puppy? Will you willingly accept the arms of the one who loves you? And who more than anything else wants to be reunited with you?
Let's pray. To Heavenly Father, we thank you for being our Savior. We thank you for loving us even though we are filthy, filthy er than the muddy puppy. We give our lives to you and ask you to carry us to safety to our God and Father. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Thanks for listening to women world leaders podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at WWW dot women world leaders.com. To submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event and support the ministry from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
We can learn a lot from a fish! It’s not odd that Jesus provided for Peter, the fisherman, through a fish. But, come on! The details of the plan WERE a bit crazy! Together, let’s discover what God has to teach us today as we study Matthew 17:22-27, Mark 9:30-32, and Luke 9:43-45.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you are with us!
If you are new to the podcast, please know that we bring you a new edition of the podcast every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
You’ve happened on our Wednesday Edition, Walking in the Word, where we take time to study God’s Word together verse by verse, unpacking what it is that He has for us today. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
On Fridays, our team of leaders hosts Celebrating God’s Grace, where they showcase God’s glory in ministry, health, marriage, and everyday life!
And on Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose, a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her story with the intent of inspiring you to walk in your God-given purpose. If you are new to the podcast, I encourage you to listen to some of our previous podcasts. You will be awed as you see that sometimes God calls us to climb a literal mountain, like Tina Rains, and other times He meets us when we are thrown into the literal fire, like Justina Page. Sometimes He calls us to do something unexpected for Him, like Tina Kadolph, and sometimes He pulls us out of unimaginable circumstances, like Dana Cryer. One thing the stories of these women all have in common is that our amazing God, who has dominion over even the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, will always provide all that His children need. We can trust Him!
The world encourages us to compete with each other and even beat each other down as we climb toward our dreams. But we here at Women World Leaders follow God’s call to help raise each other up in His name. That’s why we exist – to meet you where you are and to empower you on your walk. Because we know that God calls us ALL to lead for HIS cause, we know that the more we can equip leaders, the more we can do together to bring others to Him. So we invite you to join us! You can find out more about the ministry at www.womenworldleaders.com.
As we study today, we will be looking at Matthew 17:22-27, Mark 9:30-32, and Luke 9:43-45. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we give you this precious time. Father, we thank you for your wisdom and guidance given us in black and white in your Word, and we thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to allow us to interpret and understand all that you want us to know. Holy Spirit, we lean into you, and trust you to teach us exactly what it is you want us to know today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
As we have followed Jesus’ life, we have seen the disciples learn and grow, and we’ve also seen them fail. Despite this Jesus never stops loving and guiding them and He never stops revealing more and more about Himself. Sometimes they listen. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they learn and sometimes they mess up. Does that sound familiar to you? It sure does to me!
We have already heard Jesus tell His disciples that He will be killed and then resurrected, and today we hear Him repeat that, because it seems the disciples didn’t get it the first time. Let’s begin by reading from Mark chapter 9, beginning in verse 30 from the New Living Translation, where it is emphasized that Jesus was not holding back this important information from His disciples…in fact, He was trying to block out all distractions so that they would really hear what He was saying…
30 Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, 31 for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” Then Mark records… 32 They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him
It seems each of the gospel writers remembering this event reports from His own personal point of view. Luke agrees that the disciples were afraid, but he records…
…they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
While Matthew records simply…
…the disciples were filled with grief.
We all have different reactions and emotions associated with truth and events, don’t we?
Emotions aren’t wrong. Emotions just are. They are beautiful, devastating, painful, and exhilarating. Emotions are complex, and sometimes difficult to understand.
Emotions aren’t righteous or sinful. Though what we do in response to our emotions CAN be righteous or sinful. So God calls us to process – to go to Him seeking wisdom. He wants us to step away from the noise and spend time with Him, just as He did with His disciples. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the LORD, and to not lean on our OWN understanding.
Psalm 37:7-8 tells us to be still in the presence of the Lord and control our anger, which, uncontrolled can lead to harm.
In this day filled with issues and strife – and social media – being still in God’s presence and trusting His control is something we should each do every day. We have the ability to choose our actions despite our emotions and what is happening around us.
At times, God calls us to step out and speak with wisdom and care; and to do so we may need to push beyond our fear.
Other times, God calls us to be silent; and to do that we may have to overcome our anger and trust God’s control of the situation.
Just like the disciples, devout Christians will experience different emotions triggered by the same situation. This may be even more true when it comes to topics that are headlining the news today. Let’s not forget, even as our emotions rise, that God calls us first to be still in His presence, to ask for His wisdom, to listen to His words, and then, above all, to react in love.
Matthew 17:22 continues…
24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax[a] came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.
The temple tax was a bit controversial. Moses originally ordered this tax as is recorded in Exodus 30:11-16, but the controversy was whether this tax was to be paid every year or once during a man’s lifetime, and who was exempt from paying – namely the rabbis and the priests. Different groups followed different teachings on the matter. So the collector may have been not just trying to collect the tax, but trying to entrap Jesus, to see what He claimed about Himself and where His loyalties lied.
Peter replied, ‘Yes, my teacher pays the tax.’ What Peter really knew to be true regarding Jesus and the tax is up for debate, but it seems he answered without thinking or without having complete knowledge or perhaps to keep Jesus from being entrapped.
What I love here is that Jesus didn’t call out Peter. Although we don’t understand Peter’s heart, we can be sure that Jesus did – and Jesus COULD have called Peter out for not being truthful, whatever the reason. But instead, Jesus approached Peter with a question…verse 25…
But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter?[b] Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?[c]”
26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!
Other translations record this question as “From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” To which Peter replies, “From strangers.” And Jesus makes the point that sons do not pay taxes.
Whether the analogy is about sons or citizens, it is clear that by this analogy, Jesus is proclaiming Himself as God, saying that the temple tax due to God, need not be paid by God Himself.
But then Jesus says something we should all take to heart…verse 27…
27 However, we don’t want to offend them,
Jesus…the Son of God…did something He was NOT required to do by any law, because He didn’t want to offend someone else, causing an issue that could detract from His purpose.
My mom used to warn me to not make a mountain out of a molehill. There is a once-popular book titled, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. The devil wants to put stumbling blocks in our way to keep us from walking in the purpose that God has for us. He wants us to fixate on things that are unimportant to keep us from getting to the important work that God has ordained for us.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between the mountain and the molehill – that is, again, where we need to be still in God’s presence, and ask Him for wisdom. And then we are to trust Him as He leads, guides, and provides, because He always will! Jesus gave Peter instructions…
…go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin.[d] Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Ok…let’s break this down...
First…Jesus, the Son of God, who didn’t NEED to pay the temple tax, didn’t even have a half-shekel – equal to about 2 day’s wages – to pay the tax. BUT He didn’t want to take anyone’s focus off what He was there to do, so He provided for Peter, who spoke out of turn, to FIND a coin that would be the perfect amount to pay both their tax.
So…Jesus tells Peter to use His gifting in a most unusual way. Remember, Peter was a fisherman. He knew that the best way to catch fish was with a net, which could bring in MANY fish at one time. But instead, Jesus tells Peter to use a line and a hook – cutting out Peter’s chances of catching many fish, and giving him the opportunity to catch just one, single fish.
Then, Jesus tells Peter to take that fish, open it’s mouth, and there will be a silver coin. The perfect payment for the tax for both men.
Now, we know that God is sovereign. He has complete control over all creation. So think about the plan that He had already been working on. Someone had to earn that coin. Then, he had to be walking by the water or fishing on the water when he lost that coin. He may have jumped after it – it was 4 days’ wages. But somehow, the silver coin sunk to the bottom where the light could no longer glisten off it. THEN, a fish had to come along – likely a bottom-feeder, hungry and looking for food, and scoop up the coin with its mouth, but not swallow it. Somehow it got stuck in his mouth. It wouldn’t go down and it wouldn’t come out. I wonder how long the fish swam around with the coin in it’s mouth. But then, this bottom-feeder saw a small morsel, a piece of bait in reality, floating in the water, and decided it would try a little something different. So the bottom-feeder goes after the floating delicacy, opening its mouth wide enough to be snagged by the hook, but not lose the coin. And then Peter pulls up the line, and wallah! Jesus made Peter’s unthinking response – Yes, my teacher pays the tax – truth.
This is a short Bible story that teaches us so much! It teaches us that…
Jesus loves us! He goes out of His way to make the absurd possible for our protection.
Jesus guides us! He will always give us the direction we should go, if we are still in His presence and ask for His wisdom.
Jesus provides for us! He supplies for our needs, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. But often, He asks us to use our gifts and abilities, just like He asked Peter, the fisherman, to fish.
Jesus wants us to trust Him! We don’t need to make a scene with every grievance we encounter. We don’t need to worry and take control of all that is going on around us. Instead, we can rest in God’s presence, asking for His wisdom about what we are called to do, and then focusing on making intentional choices that will not offend others and inadvertently push THEM off the path that God has created for them.
God has a plan and purpose for your life – and Jesus is with you every step of the way to ensure that you arrive safely. Your responsibility is to listen to Him, to trust His wisdom, protection, and provision, and to obey obediently. God doesn’t do things haphazardly – but He orchestrates all creation to degree that we can’t even begin to imagine!
Let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father – we submit our plans to you, knowing that YOUR plans are better. And God we thank you! Although we make mistakes along the way, you never stop leading us and instructing us in the way we should go. We thank you that you have been working since the beginning of time to bring all your children home, and we thank you that you are allowing us to partner with you in that endeavor. Give us the courage to obediently walk where you call us and do EXACTLY what you call us to do – trusting your care, provision, protection, wisdom, and guidance. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid." (Psalm 23:4 NLT) Today's guest, Amanda Jackman, walked through one of the darkest valleys of a lifetime that anyone can face. God's presence as she walked in the moments of death, fear, and fighting for life is why Amanda is now able to testify of victory in such a way that encourages others. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are happy that you have joined with us today. And I would love to welcome our guests who is also joined with us. Amanda Jackman, from Michigan. Welcome, Amanda.
Amanda Jackman
Hello, ladies. And Kimberly, thank you so much for having me.
Kimberly Hobbs
I'm so happy that you decided to join with us today. And we're just excited with the content of today's podcast is going to be intense. But we pray that you feel God's presence in this podcast because that was one of the words that we prayed over today was presence, not not the presence that you're getting as a gift at Christmas, but the presence of our Lord. And Amanda's story is quite remarkable. And she has so willingly come on to share this miraculous story with you in hopes that it's going to help encourage you to add the words as they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the word of their testimony. That's revelation 1211. And home My goodness, by sharing the story in what God has done in Amanda's life through her story is a powerful God has worked exceedingly abundantly beyond I think what she has even ever imagined. So we are excited to share that with you ladies. And our hope and purpose is that through sharing these stories, that it helps you to overcome the enemy when you know other people are going through similar situations, trials, tragedies, that they need to overcome that you can relate that to your own life. And just understand that God never leaves us or forsakes us and He gives us each other so that we can encourage each other and empower each other to run after him during some of these times in our life that we just shouldn't be going through alone. So before I start into interviewing Amanda, I just want to tell you a little bit about this precious woman of God. She is a lifetime resident of a small town in MLA City, Michigan. Her and her husband have four children. And she is a proud mom of these four children. She is a paralegal and enjoys reading and writing.
And today we're going to talk about God's presence, God's presence that he gave to Amanda at a time when she needed him the most. One of Amanda's favorite scriptures is Psalm 23. And that is even though it's Psalm 23, four, even though I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid of evil. You are always with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me. The scriptures means so much to you, Amanda and it is a reminder of God's presence when you needed him most. So today, I'm just going to ask if you can begin by sharing the tragedy that came upon you, yourself and the darkest valley of your life.
Amanda Jackman
Well, thank you again, so much for allowing me to share. It was Labor Day weekend, this past Labor Day. So September 5 2021. We were at a family get together at my father in law's there were 10 children, including my four. And there were 11 adults. So there was a ton of people there. We had people inside the house outside the house. We had gone swimming, and then we stopped swimming. We ate dinner and had dessert together. And it was a really special day with our family. And I was inside with my my youngest, my baby and I was talking with my two sister in laws. And God told me to find Walter, my son. He said, Where's Walter? And I stood up mid conversation. And I walked outside and I looked at my husband I said babe, where's Walter? He's like, he's not in there with you. And I said, No, where is he? My my My Sorry, there was a scream. And everybody knew what that scream meant. My father in law's house has a pool. And so my son was at the bottom of the pool. My husband immediately dove in, pulled him out. And he, he was not there, and I will spare details. But he wasn't, he was no longer living at that point. Um, so my husband passed him off to Cindy. And she played them on the deck, and my brother and sister in law started CPR. And I'm CPR certified. But that was my baby. And I just stood there screaming, my husband said, You need to leave, walk away, please, please walk away. Don't, don't watch, just go. So I went to the end of the driveway, and I cried out and I prayed, I said, God, you can't do this. That's my baby like you, you don't get to take him from me. And I pray to the boldest prayer that I've ever prayed. And I said, Lord, You are bringing him back to me, you are restoring him fully, he will have no brain damage. And you're going to perform this miracle for us. And I'm going to tell the world about it, I'm going to get people to pray for him that have never prayed in their life, I'm going to get people to pray for him down on their knees, who haven't prayed in months or years. And I'm going to do that because you're bringing him back. And so it was it was totally unlike anything. I'm, I've been a Christian for many years. But this was very outside of the box, and very bold. And so the officer arrived, the paramedics arrived, and we loaded them up. My brother and sister in law had him breathing before the ambulance arrived, which was huge in his recovery. But then we were in the ambulance. And the paramedic, I asked him if there was anything I could do. And he said, No, Your presence is enough for your son. And I told them, I need to petition prayer, I need to call upon the people in my life who are going to pray fervently for my baby. And so that's that's what I did. I took a moment and I started texting people. And I said, I need you. This is what happened. And I I let go of the shame of the accident. And I just begged for prayer from people I knew were incredible Christ followers.
Kimberly Hobbs
AMEN At that moment, and you said that you'd let go of the shame at that moment, which I think if you can just share with the listeners right away, because, again, you think about it, think about it. She's the mom, of course. So people are going to be like, Why weren't you watching your chick, your child? Why weren't you this way? You know, and there is shame involved. People might say What do you mean shame? Why did you have to let go of shame start telling people but can you describe that a little bit?
Amanda Jackman
Yeah, absolutely. The the enemy likes to work against you. And I think he works the hardest with shame and guilt. And in the moment, he could tell me that I was a bad mom. And he could tell me Oh, my husband or Oh my family. And the reality of the situation is it was a tragic accident. There were a ton of people there. And when everybody's watching the pool, nobody's watching the pool. And it was just it was a lot of commotion. My son is a curious was a curious two year old and he he snuck over that side, he snuck over the side into the pool. I mean, it was not like the gate was open, it was very end even if it were it was an accident, there was no intention and and everybody experiences different trials and struggles and that was that was hard to to be the parent of a tragic accident like this that you feel like could have been prevented. And we you know, we it's not like we were negligent in the situation. We were all there and we were all very present but we all have lapses where we can't fully commit 100% of our time. We all have lapses and some kids right on the wall and and mine snuck into the pool.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right? And that battle started right away with you Amanda because the enemy is telling you bad mom bad mom and you're hearing that but you're like, I need help. I need prayer I need people to and so you pushed through those voices in your head when you just described that shame and guilt and praise God you did because there's power in prayer there is power when people come in numbers and pray together. So remember that do not isolate the enemy wants to keep us isolated and alone when tragedy hits. And so he can poison our minds with lies in their lives from the pit of hell. So all my good so you push through and that ambulance and thank God you did Amanda and also some other things happened in that ambulance and on the way to the hospital and things that started showing you that God was there. His presence was with you. And I know you shared with me that the paramedic you know, you had gone to school with her. And she was comforting to you. She was putting her arms around you at a time when there was nobody else there to comfort you. God was showing you comfort in that moment. And ladies listening, when things are happening around us, we have to look for God in every situation. So Amanda has comfort she had comfort in the ER when she got to the hospital and I know the first hospital you went to, they intubated Walter there. And then they couldn't help him any further and they had to move him to another hospital or another transport. And more people were showing up that God put in your path that knew you that were substantial people in your life that all of a sudden they're they're helping you. And when your husband was Iraq and he was falling apart, you had some confidence because God wish had shown up there. So let's talk about right now, how you had that confidence. But then all of a sudden, something switched. You told me about that. Can you talk about those two weeks in the hospital?
Amanda Jackman
Yes. So when we when we arrived to the hospital, actually, it was COVID. So you're only allowed mom and dad. And they actually made an exception and allowed our children's pastor who met us at the hospital because of praying and seeking out that. And he was able to lay his hands on Walter and he was able to pray for him when he was first intubated there, which was huge and so special. And it was a struggle at first the first 24 hours and they husband, he was a mess until they did an EEG I want to say is an EEG, and they determined he did not have any rain damage. And so my husband, okay, and because he felt he felt this huge burden of guilt because he was the one outside with Walter. And that released the guilt from him. And, and so we, we knew we were going to be there for a little while that he was going to be intubated. So he's sedated, fully sedated, there was nurse 24 hours in the room with him. So if we left it was okay. So I actually stopped home, to grab some fresh clothes, because we knew it was going to be a while and to say hi to my other children to let them know things were okay. And I just grabbed my mail, and I grabbed clothes, and I stopped up at the hospital. And we already had blessings pouring on us like gift cards for food, all of that just so I just brought everything with me to the hospital. And I sat down in the room, and I had my voice of Truth magazine. And my dear friend Jessica, she writes a column. She's actually the reason why I have the magazine. And so every day, I honor her every time I get the magazine, I honor her by opening up, and I look in the table of contents. And I find where she's at. And I read her first, because she's the reason that I have this magazine. So I honor her in that way.
Kimberly Hobbs
And her her column is titled A Beautiful Mess in Voice of Truth in case anybody is wondering. Yeah, go ahead.
Amanda Jackman
So Jessica's columns, she was her article, she was on the right side of the page. And when you look, we've trained our brains to read left to right. So I looked over to the left page, and there was this incredible drawing of a mama bear with her two cubs on her back. And it was titled carried. And underneath there was the verse that I had been leaning into for four days at that point, Isaiah 43 Two, when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. And that's not your everyday Bible verse. It's a very specific verse. And I had been praying that when I was in the end of the driveway, I knew it and my heart was praying it like God, you are with him. He wasn't alone in the water. You were with him. And you're gonna be with us now you're going to be with us through this trial. And there was this picture it right there on the other side of justice column and it was like, Okay, God, I see you. I see you, I feel you're here. You're here with us. And it was cached. It was just such a special moment. And one other really, really powerful moment that we had we had gone outside for the first time. And it was beautiful. It was September it was beautiful day we stand on a picnic table. and all of our pastors were on a retreat together. And they all took turns praying over our son and an over us. And my dear friend, Pastor Steve, he is very into looking up the meaning of words. And Walter means commander of the army. And so he said, we're going to wave this as a banner over Walters life. And I believe that in that moment, I was so full of hope, and understanding that my little two year old boy, he was going to come in armies for Jesus through this. And that if if a baby can flood the gates of heaven, what a remarkable way to use this tragedy. And any dead we had people telling us that they hadn't prayed in months, they showed up and said, we've been on our knees praying and, and, and how special that this little boy in this tragic story could could touch somebody in that way.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, that's so beautiful. That's so beautiful. And the beauty too, is the confirmations that God was giving you in that hospital stay through different ways. And he again was showing his presence, Amanda to you. And, again, ladies, as you listen to what Amanda was just sharing in your may be going through something, it's again, look for God's presence and how he's showing up in your trial and tragedy. And he's always going to let you know in little whispers that he's the hair. And this gave, like Amanda said, the confidence to her heart, she knew there was no coincidence that that scripture and voice of truth was firmly planted there by the Lord Himself. For that moment that Amanda was going to pick it up from the mail, gather her mail, go to the hospital and sit down and read it. He already knew that he already had it planned. And he already has something planned for you, ladies, whatever you're going through that is going to be significant enough to get your attention and let you know that he is there, he will always let us know because he never leaves us or forsakes. Us. So Amanda, we know, you know that God works miracles, Walter is going to Command armies God has told you that he has shown you that. And he has a quip us to know the ways that he moves. And you as a mom are going to be watching this. I know for sure and encouraging him in that way. God works miracles, and we read about so many miracles throughout his word. But do you ladies do you really believe that God wants to work a miracle for you? I know, the Bible tells us God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And Amanda, God started showing you that He is God, and He is important in your life. So please take this time and just pour into how the different ways that he showed the importance of himself his presence in your life?
Amanda Jackman
Yeah, I think that one of the most important things is that we restore our minds daily. Even if you don't memorize scripture, if you don't sit down and you go word by word, you still have it in your heart. And sitting in a hospital with my husband. And my two year old boy, I knew enough scripture in my heart to combat anything that the enemy came against me with. You know, that verse in Isaiah that I shared with you. The enemy tried to tell me that, that nobody was there with my son in the water, that he was all alone and that he was waiting for me and that is a lie. Because in Isaiah 43 To the Lord says, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. So my son had had Jesus's arms wrapped around him, and what better place for him to be? What better place for him to be right. And the Lord, he shows us in so many different scriptures, his presence, you know, Isaiah 53, by his stripes we are healed. That was one that I leaned into also that that the Lord has the capacity to heal us of anything that we just have to have the power to believe that he can you know cast your worries onto him first Peter five seven, Joshua one nine The Lord is with you wherever you go in that I think the first part of that versus the be strong courageous that everybody talks about. But the second part, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. If you're in the waters if you're in The valley if you're in the hospital, God didn't leave you. He's right there. The Lord is near to those who call on him Psalm 145 18, Psalm 3480, and the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, Psalm 23:4
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Keep going, girl, this is beautiful! All this scripture.
Amanda Jackman
It's all throughout Scripture, I don't know if there's a book you could open in the Bible that doesn't have God is with you. And his presence, he is for you. He, he will use anything that you go through for good, what the enemy meant for evil, he'll use it for good. And, and I just am blown away with his presence through every area of, of the tragedy that we had occur. And even afterwards, the the remarkable things that he's done in our son's lives and in our lives. Gosh, he still answers prayer, we just have to be bold enough to ask him, we just have to be bold enough to petition the throne, and just say, God, this is, this is your will. And I'm going to believe that it's your will. And even if it's not, you're still good. You know, I I remember sitting in the hospital saying, Lord, even if he doesn't come back, you're still good. Lord, even if he comes back and he has brain damage, you are still good, because he'd still be here. Who cares, you know? And then even if he restored and fully, he's still great. It didn't matter, the way that he worked in the situation for us, because we knew ultimately that he would it would be used for good.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Yeah. Beautiful. Oh, my gosh. And I just have to ask you, Amanda, you probably weren't knowing I was gonna say this. But just this morning, Amanda was texting back and forth with me and we were praying for each other and it was just so exciting what God was just filling with her but she had a huge prayer, prayer, praise report to share with me that blew me out of the water and brought me to tears. And I sat there reading it like God, you are so good. Even now even as we're preparing this podcast, you are showing your presence there with Amanda and as she steps out and obedience God you did this Amanda shear please with the ladies what he did just today.
Amanda Jackman
So Walter, my son has been speech delayed for probably eight months prior to the accident was when we first started getting him help. COVID everybody wearing masks, it was hard for him to read lips. It was just a lot. He really struggled with developing speech. And so we've been trying, I've been trying, I should say, I've been trying to get him to say I love you. And I have been trying for a year and a half, maybe a year and three quarters of a year. Pretty much since we started giving him help. I've been going I love you every day, trying to get him to say it and he will not say it and he'll say sing Baa Baa Black Sheep, but he won't say I love you. And then this morning, I got out of the shower. And he looked at me and he said I love you. I love you. And I just stared at him. Like, did you just say that? Oh, yeah. It was amazing.
Kimberly Hobbs
When you cried happy tears that you had said, you know, you said, God, if he ever tells me I love you, it will be the happiest day of my life. And so ladies, we get to share in this with Amanda today because God again. She kept saying God, I'm gonna serve you God, I'm gonna trust you, God, I'm gonna push through. And sometimes we know ladies, it's hard to serve the Lord. And they're, you know, it takes time to and then Amanda when I asked her would you be willing to do a podcast interview because she right away? She said she would write and voice of truth and share her testimony. That was like, right away. Yes. But so how would you feel about sharing a podcast about this? And she said, Yes, right away. And so again, an act of obedience. Until there's no coincidence today is Amanda stepped out in faith to share on this podcast with you today. She's never done a podcast before and it's like wow, you know, like she said, Yes, God, I'll do whatever you call me to do. And I just think that God is showing he's working. Look at the power of God at work. How long have you waited for your child to say I love you those three words that would be so easy to me. Buddy else right? But God waited for just the right time. Just the right time. That's so beautiful. Are you okay, Hon?
Amanda Jackman
Yeah, I didn't I didn't prepare for you to say. So you're right.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh no, I know. And then when we rejoice with you, we So rejoice with you and how precious is that. And again, ladies, God knows what you're going through, look to Him in every situation, he's going to walk you through it, he's going to be right there with you. And he's giving you blessings along the way, as you honor him, and you are obedient to Him through life's challenges, because they're not easy. They're not easy. So in close, Amanda, you shared with me, a favorite scripture that God gave you, which is James 112, that says, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. And wow, you persevered, honey, even when people were saying you were doing this wrong, or doing that wrong through walking through it, you persevered, and you looked to God for your guidance in what he told you to do. And so now God is using you, Amanda, to speak life and love into others. His presence is ever encompassing us constantly surrounding us, he surrounded you and your family. So please, right now, there's the woman listening, that is struggling, oh, my goodness. And she is going through trial and tragedy right now. And it may be somebody listening to this podcast knows of somebody struggling and in need to just know God's presence is with them. And we pray that you'll share these podcasts ladies, Amanda, can you speak a word of hope to that person?
Amanda Jackman
I, I fully felt even on my heart this morning, that God allows suffering, to radically change our lives for him. That to realize that the comfortable Christianity, that we can't do it without him, we get comfortable, and we, you know, we make moves for our lives, but we really can't do it without him. I think we get comfortable and complacent in that. And, and wow, the valley is the place for you to reach up. And to allow for the most intimate moments for you to petition our Lord, for blessing for requests. In these moments, where you're in the valley, the world slows. And sometimes it stops for us. We were in a hospital for two weeks away from our other three wild children. And it stopped for us so we could just be in prayer with the Lord and petition him and feel the closeness in the presence of him. And I just hope to encourage you that if you just pause in the valley, and in your struggle to just reach up and to just pray and to just pray, the Lord's will be done in your life and and the valley is there for a reason. Even though we don't see it. We know he's working. Even though sometimes we don't feel it. We know that he's working and he's working on things for His glory and for His goodness.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, that is such a good word, sweetheart, such a good word. And I have another scripture and I I just love sharing Scripture. God says ladies call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you. And you will give me glory. Psalm 50 Verse five, and wow, Amanda, God rescued you when you were in trouble. And he let you know his presence was ever surrounding you. And you are now giving him glory. And Walter's giving him glory, through his life through how you're raising your children, you and your husband. There's been so much learning through this time. And ladies, our prayers that you will just turn to God's word. It's filled filled with promises for you. There's over 3000 promises in His Word, His Word is truth and you can count on His Word and if he led you to a scripture in His Word, you better be sure that his promises are true. And that you can hold on to that. Okay, so we just encourage you go back to his word and we are just so grateful that you tuned in today and Amanda, I just want to thank you for sharing and encouraging Seeing the listener and thank you for just again, the story that you have been so willing to process and put together. And now I know that God is putting other things on your heart to do, such as writing, and, oh, we're just gonna keep praying that through that God continues to use your life, your testimony of him in your life, to help pour into others. And ladies, we pray that for you to God is working in you, giving you the desire. Do you understand that? That's a scripture verse, ladies, he's working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. So ladies, that's exactly what we do here. We want to encourage you, that we will come alongside of you, to help you to help you help others in the name of Jesus. And that's what we are called to do. All right, we need to show love, we need to show encouragement to one another. We need to come together as women running after Jesus's heart. So if you feel glad we asked you and invite you into women or leaders into this ministry, to be a deeper part of it, and use your gifting where God has placed you. God's using Amanda right where she is in Michigan. He is using other of our leaders in different parts of the world in different countries. But we're all coming together in the name of Jesus in a ministry that we're able to help others. So ladies, one of the ways we do that, and as Amanda and this is how I met her was because she opened the page as a voice of truth. And there is a beautiful, beautiful amount of encouragement for you in this magazine that contains scriptures that contains so much in the way that you can get this you can read it if you're outside of the United States, you can read it digitally for free. And you can go to www dot women world leaders.com. And if you are inside the United States, you can get the beautiful printed version for free mailed to your home to sign up on our website for that. And ladies, we also have other tools of writing. We have books available. And one of the books I thought that might be helpful to you would that women are sharing their stories this one is courageous steps of faith with God, all things are possible. Ladies, take that step of faith read some of these other stories of women that stepped out of their uncomfortable zone. And they stepped into being bold and faithful. Just like Amanda's spoke and prayed those bold prayers. Ladies, we encourage you to do so too. And here's a tool, courageous steps of faith. It's available on Amazon but we would prefer you get it through our women world leaders website as well. So many tools available for you here. So in close again, thank you Amanda for being our guest today. Thank you ladies for joining us. You're welcome on and we hope you come back again. So remember to register Lord ladies up on women moral leaders for our events. So check our website out for daily devotions. And all content today is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. So we say goodbye to each of you. God bless you and have a wonderful week.
Bye everybody.
How do we live this abundant life God’s Word talks about in John 10:10 when we are, quite frankly, often so tired – on the verge of burnout. We, as women, wear so many hats.
We desperately need time to rest, to rest in Him. To breathe and reset – to gather strength, His strength, and allow His power to work through us.
Just like our bodies need sleep and rest – our souls need rest too!
Rusanne Carole, our host, takes us on a Christian meditation to spend time with Jesus. Take a "Mini-Sabbath" and step into His presence to refresh and renew your soul.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a WWL’s podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole. Thank you for joining us today and we invite you join us each week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where a variety of interviews, teachings and sharing of God’s grace helps uplift us and support us in our walk with God. Today I thought we would look at how to live the abundant - a life of resting in God knowing He has all things under control. We can feel anything but abundance when we are exhausted, overwhelmed and the battles keep coming…how do we live this abundant life God’s Word talks about in John 10:10 when we are quite frankly often so tired – on the verge of burnout. We, as women, wear so many hats. Some of us are carrying quite a bit – You may be:
Caring for a loved one who is totally dependent on you
Looking after an elderly parent
Trying to juggle work and home duties – which may even include home schooling young children and many women are doing this alone without the support of family or a husband
We may have health issues we are facing – financial problems to try to work through
The list goes on.
and we desperately need time out, to rest, to rest in Him. To breathe and reset – to gather strength, His strength and His power to work through us.
Just like our bodies need sleep and rest – our souls need rest too!
Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. And Psalm 23:1-2 tells us the Lord is our shepherd and we lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
Our soul is defined as our mind, thoughts and feelings.
How do we turn the unhealthy thoughts of the mind and unhelpful feelings felt in the heart over to Him – to be restored, refreshed, and renewed enabling us to move through each day with courage, strength and operate with the perseverance needed to persevere in this world! By being in His presence! By allowing Him to take us to lie our souls down in those green pastures, to lead us beside the quiet waters where all we see is His face, all we hear is His voice.
I am presently going through one of the most difficult times in my life and what sustains me is Him. I cannot get through this tunnel I feel I am in without looking to Him and His Word constantly – knowing who He is and His promises are for me no matter what I am facing in the natural.
The Bible talks of two women who were very close to Jesus. They and their brother, Lazurus, were friends with Jesus. Any of us who have studied the Word know that Martha is described as the “doer” and Mary as the women who sits at Jesus’ feet – some might say she is able to simply “be”.
But we need a balance of both!
We are called to pray on all things, do what we can and then leave everything else to God!
I don’t know about you but I can pray, do what I can, give it to God then keep picking it back up!
Worrying thoughts, the what ifs! The confusion! The fear!
How do you sit? Sit still when there is so much to be done. Globally, women are now working outside the home & this is on the increase year after year. So there’s work to be done to pay the bills then work to be done to be there for our children or husband or family.
I just love the Word of God. It really does have all the answers to life’s questions… and challenges we face. One thing it tells us is in Hebrews 4 – we must MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER REST!
We were given a gift called the SABBATH. Mark 2:27 says the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. Yes, God rested on the 7th day and looked at everything he had made and said, “It is good”. He didn’t need to rest! I think He was modeling what a good and abundant life looked like for His children – just as we are called to do the same. The little ones are watching us – how we live, what we say…
So it is intentional – on purpose -that we take the time to rest. Rest our body and our soul to renew and reset with more strength and focus. It’s easy to seek the “other things” – the “worldy things”. God tells us these are the idols in our heart that need to be cleansed.
Where do you go to get rest and comfort?
I know I’ve turned first to the phone vs the throne. Girls like to chat it out! God wants us to bring it all to Him. Food, shopping, gambling, drugs, alcohol, a relationship– all kind of things we can turn to, to make us feel better when often we need to sit, be still and hear from God.
I have found that when I need rest the most is when I cannot hear from my Father. The enemy will use busyness to keep us from the best God has for us. Satan is good at distracting us – and we keep going rather than spending that quality time that our Lord loves to have with us.
I like to take a day to “spend with God”. Sometimes it’s a walk on the beach or sitting with my journal and writing to Him and with Him. I admit it is hard to simply sit and listen but that is what His heart desires. We often do all the talking and forget the waiting and listening part.
Life can get busy. So I like to take what I call “mini Sabbaths”.
Just little moments throughout the day to breath, rest, reset.. Have my mind, my heart, my thoughts, my focus on Him.
We know the mind is the battlefield.
“I don’t have time for this now.”
“I can do it later.”
“How much good can it really do?”
All the lies and unhelpful thoughts come. I teach young people and one of the superpowers I teach is “the unhealthy thought zapper”. We zap the unhealthy thoughts and replace it with a helpful thought”
“I will make the time to spend in God’s presence. He loves me and loves when I hang out with Him.”
“I will do it right now, even if it’s for a few moments.”
“I know it’s good for me for my Father tells me we lack nothing in Him”
So I had an idea to take us for a Christian meditation. God gave us an imagination and I believe we can use it to close our eyes and be with Him, whether it’s for 5 mins or longer if you can carve out the time. Just to sit and be with Him. Go into His presence and imagine you are with Him. My hope and prayer is that it will refresh you and encourage you to take these mini-Sabbaths with Him daily.
So hit pause if you can (or you can do at a later time) grab a coffee or tea if you wish, find a comfortable place, put some instrumental worship music on and let’s together go to a quiet, peaceful place and be with our loving Jesus.
Take a few deep breaths in through the nose.
Pause for a moment and out slowly through the mouth. Even as you exhale imagine all the worry, the fears, the tiredness of your soul being released.
Let your shoulders relax. Let your whole body relax. Keep taking slow, deep breaths.
Keeping your eyes closed, imagine you are walking through a large green grassed pasture. You are barefoot and the grass feels like a soft carpet under your feet. You see every colour of flowers: purple ones, red ones, yellow and white ones. It is a spectacular sight. The hot sun beats down on your face and shoulders and you can feel the warmth on your face. You have been here before and you look for Him. He meets you here.
You look up to the sky and it is the most beautiful blue with fluffy, white clouds dispersed amongst the blue background. You are so relaxed and all is calm and peaceful. You see the biggest oak tree by the still waters of the lake that is nearby so you walk toward the swing that is hanging by the large, sturdy trunk of the tree. You hop on and begin swinging like you did as a little girl. Your white cotton dress is swaying and flapping in the wind – just like the green leaves are in the tree.
Then you see Him. Jesus is walking toward you up and over a big hill. He has the sweetest smile on His face and He is looking right into your eyes as if to say I am here, I have been waiting for you. I love when you come to spend time with me.
I know you are tired.
I know your heart is aching with the troubles of the world.
But you are here with me now. So let’s make the most of the time we have.
You jump off the swing and run through the grass to meet Him.
To look closer in His face, to meet His glance and to look deeply into His eyes.
And He says in the most tranquil, soft, loving voice:
You are beautiful.
You are loved.
You are my masterpiece.
My most beloved child.
As you hold His hand you feel a peace only He can offer
No words are even needed. His holy presence is all that is needed in the moment.
You just know He can read your every thought.
You just know He has caught and stored each tear that has travelled down your cheeks
You know He cares so deeply for you and all that you go through each day, He sees it all.
He sweeps you up and twirls you around and it’s as if the wind and the blades of grass are playing a magical tune that you’ve never heard before but it brings a joy and laughter from you both and you are dizzy with love, a love like no other.
He places you to rest upon a soft blanket He has prepared for you by the still waters in the green pasture. He gently kisses you on your forehead and leaves you to rest and reflect on Him and your time with your Father. He begins His walk back over the hill, but you know you will see Him again when you take the time for He is always there, waiting just over the hill, waiting just for you!
Let us pray:
Lord, I pray we can know the power of Your presence and take the time to spend with You. Alone with You. To bring all our concerns, burdens and worries to You. To visualize you holding our hand and our heart. And that all will be well. You are all we need, and You have us in the palm of Your Hand and shelter us under Your mighty wings. May we all be prompted to spend time getting to know You through Your Word as well as simply stopping through our busy days to sit with You so we can see You and hear You.
We love you Jesus. Amen
God’s power can indeed move mountains. But He uses it for so much more! As you listen to this podcast, ask God to speak to your heart, and then rest in submission as He guides you deeper into His presence – in His power. (Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host, Julie Jenkins, and I’m so glad you have taken time out to spend with God in His Word today.
This past week, members of my household have been struck with covid for the first time. Thankfully, no one’s symptoms are life-threatening, but it has changed the structure of our days. I have been living and sleeping in my office and sharing my daughter’s bathroom, while my husband and son – both infected – are staying in their parts of the house.
But life has gone on – I continue to work via the internet, as does my husband – and I have been struck by just how much just the existence of covid in the world has changed how we live over the last couple of years. In Deuteronomy 11:11-12, God promises the Israelites that the land they will enter will be full of hills and valleys, and there will be plenty of rain, but God will care and watch over us in every season of the year.
Doesn’t that hold so true for us today? Our lives are full of hills and valleys, and there IS plenty of rain – meant to keep us from being parched but sometimes causing distress. But most importantly, it is certain that God DOES watch over us in EVERY season of every year.
I hope that you have experienced God’s care over the recent years. We at Women World Leaders continue to see God work through the hills and the valleys, opening for us doors of opportunities to serve others and shout His name even as the world continues to be attacked by illness, violence, and hate.
In today’s Scripture reading, we see the disciples experience the hills and valleys of life, too, and we see Jesus’ constant care as He leads and instructs them. Today we will study Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, and Luke 9:37-43. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Father God, We thank you for always being with us through the hills and the valleys – and for caring for and teaching us along the way. We give you this time as we open your Word and learn from you. Help us be teachable, willing to listen, and excited to walk even closer to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week, we saw Peter, John, and James marvel at seeing the transfigured Jesus in His glory on the mountain top. They were awestruck and didn’t know how to react. God then covered them in a cloud, commanding them to listen to Jesus.
They then descended to the valley to meet back up with the other nine disciples. As they did, Jesus instructed the trio not to share what they had seen until after His resurrection. Their thoughts of glory and awe were abruptly interrupted when they came upon a large crowd in chaos, including a man begging for help, a child in torment, and the teachers of the religious law arguing with the nine disciples.
Mark 9:14, from the New Living Translation begins…
14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.
16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.
17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.[a] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
The other gospels give us some additional details that we shouldn’t miss.
Matthew tells us that that the man came to Jesus, kneeled before Him, and then begged Jesus to have mercy on his son.
What a beautiful picture of humility. We can learn so much from this man who, simply put, was desperate for help. He sought out Jesus. He kneeled before Him. And He begged Jesus for mercy.
We serve a merciful God who WANTS us to come to Him – when we are in the valley AND when we are on the mountaintop. No single act is more powerful than our own submission to Jesus.
Jesus, remember, had just been talking with Elijah and Moses about what was to come – Jesus’ “exodus” as they called it – His upcoming death on a cross followed by the glory of His resurrection. Jesus knew that He was entering into very precarious times, and He knew that the disciples would soon become responsible for spreading the gospel and serving in His name…so we can understand His frustration that their attempts at overcoming the evil in this boy had failed.
Mark 9:19 continues…
19 Jesus said to them,[b] “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
Can you picture the scene? Jesus then asked the boy’s father..
21 “How long has this been happening?” to which he replies
“Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him.
Luke records that the father said that the spirit hardly ever left the boy alone.
Can you imagine the heartbreak of this man? His son, Luke tells us his ONLY son, has been demon possessed since birth. The father has spent this boys’ WHOLE life caring for him and trying to keep him alive.
He must’ve been exhausted – mentally, physically, and emotionally. Maybe you can relate. Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you are beating your head against a wall and nothing helps? The man, obviously, was able to deal with the repercussions of the issue – he was able to muster the strength he needed to keep the boy alive. But he knew he was powerless against the source of the problem.
And I do wonder where the mother was. Had she thrown in the towel? Perhaps you’ve been through something horribly trying in your life and can kinda, sorta understand if she had indeed given up.
Recognizing the extent of the father’s torment helps us understand his next words to Jesus… Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
Then Jesus used this distraught man’s words to teach us all something that we can hold in our hearts forever. Mark 19:23…
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Our God can do ANYTHING! His power is limitless! His reach unending! God, who spoke the world into existence and who knit us together out of nothing can do anything. And He will – if we believe.
24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Can I be honest and say that, personally, this is my most often prayed prayer? That’s a bit embarrassing to admit. But I breathe this prayer several times a week if not more.
You see, I study the Bible regularly. I go to church. I watch and am marveled by the signs of God. I thank Him nearly continuously as He works in my life. But deep within, I recognize that God is SO MUCH BIGGER than the picture of Him I have in my head.
I had loving parents who spoke the Word of God to me. My children are growing up strong in the Lord. My husband is faithful both to me and to God. And I live in a sweet little house in a beautiful community.
But, still. God is so much bigger than I can imagine!
My own view is tainted by the world. I see evil. I see sickness. I see death. I see jealousy and greed and pain. And if I let them, those things can begin to diminish my view of our great big God.
So I pray – Help my unbelief! Help me to remember, God, that you are for me and not against me. Help me see your glory in the mundane. Help me feel your power as I serve you.
And what I’ve learned, is that when I pray this prayer, Jesus will NEVER let me down! He opens my heart a little wider, He helps me to see a little clearer, and He puts a spring in my step that can only come from Him. Jesus has always answered that prayer, and He always will. Beginning with the first time it was prayed.
Verse 25…
25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil[c] spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”
26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him.
After YEARS of striving to help his son, the father learned that he didn’t need to know the right words to say or the right thing to do, he only needed to know the right place to go. To our Lord and Savior.
And then, with the demon released, we see the devastating effects of the boy who had never lived his life as a boy…verse 26…
The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 BUT JESUS took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.
It can look like we have lost, like we are dead – BUT JESUS. Jesus WILL, if you let Him, take you by the hand and give you a new life. No matter how down and out you are. If you ask Him…Help my unbelief.
As always, Jesus’ power impacted far more people than the recipient of the miracle, more than the boy and his father that day. Luke 9:43 says…
43 Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.
When was the last time you allowed the majestic display of God’s power to grip you in awe? If that hasn’t happened recently, ask God to help your unbelief, and He might just take you from your valley to His mountaintop!
Mark 9:28 continues…
28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”
29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.[d]”
In other words…it wasn’t about saying the right words or doing the right thing, it was about being connected to the right source. No matter what credentials or experience or background we have, our power is limited. But God’s power is endless. This is tricky, even for Christians. After a series of “wins” based in prayer and obedience to God, it can be tempting to start believing in ourselves rather than in God. We must always keep ourselves grounded in Christ. One of my favorite word pictures comes from Psalm 1 – we flourish and grow when we depend on God, just like a tree planted by a river bank.
Matthew 17:20 gives a deeper explanation of why the disciples were powerless against the demon…
20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[a]”
For God – NOTHING is impossible. And our God is the same LOVING Father who wants to nurture you, protect you, and bring you and every single one of His children into His Kingdom forever. EVERYTHING He does is with that single purpose in mind. We can trust His goodness, His love, and His power.
God’s power CAN move mountains, but He has a much better use for His resources. God will always use His power to bring each of us closer to Him. Indeed, helping our unbelief.
Dear God…I love you even more at this moment than I did this morning. Thank you for opening our eyes to your care, protection, and power. Thank you for always using your power for our good. Thank you for helping our unbelief. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Dr. Jada Daves, best-selling author, motivational speaker, trainer, and mother of 5, shares her tragic, faith-over-fear story of her newborn son, which led her to a God-ordained reconciliation of a friendship that had been snuffed out for over 21 years. Forgiveness and reconciliation were just the beginning of many miracles that came through the story that Jada shares from her heart. ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are so thankful that you decided to join us today. Today we're going to be talking about a special word reconciliation. And our guest today is Miss Jada Dave's Jada, Welcome, and thanks for coming on.
Jada Daves
Hey, Kimberly, thank you so much. It's an honor to be here. I'm so excited about this interview.
Kimberly Hobbs
I am too and you are lovely. And Jada has an amazing story. And I ensure that this is going to bless hearts of everybody listening today. So ladies, we know that God is working in each of you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. And so our hope is that by you tuning in today that we can help strengthen you and inspire you and encourage you to walk in the beautiful purpose that God has just for you. And sometimes when we I can identify with one another stories and no other people have the same struggles and different things that we have gone through in life. It helps to take away some of the burden and know that we can relate to people and also that God may be speaking through that story of how they overcame certain things in their life. So we know that there is a purpose for you being on here today and you listening and Ephesians 210 says that we are God's masterpiece created a new and Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. So we believe that God has a plan for your life. And we just pray that as you act upon the things you hear and the scriptures you hear that God will move in your heart today. I want to tell you a little bit about Dr. J to Dave's before we get into our podcast. Today. She is a motivational speaker, a trainer and a coach based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She's dedicated to improve the lives of others by professionally and personally share sharing her inspirational messages. She shares them to corporations, churches, educational systems and other nonprofit organizations. Jada earned her doctorate from Vanderbilt University and human resource development and she has 30 years of experience in training and education. She has served as a missionary in several countries teaching children and adults in the local church. And she's directed family youth and women's ministries. Wow. Dr. Jada, Dr. J to Dave's is also an author and a former talk show radio host. Jada loves being a mom to her five children, uninterrupted quiet time with God don't we all offer that and long for that. She loves unlimited shopping at TJ Maxx. And she likes to have lunch and her favorite tea room. She likes to surprise strangers with acts of kindness. And she also loves playing some competitive games of cornhole with her husband she sounds like a very well rounded fun, loving person and Jada and I are getting to know each other and I am just so blessed to have her on. Jada wrote a film and said the theme of it was reconciliation, what she felt about it. And the story is about the miracle of God's saving her son Schaefer, Jada, you said that your story is only valid when it moves someone else in their story. I love that because that's why we're here to share stories and encourage each other. So May your story, sweetie today, pray in the hearts of those that are in a struggle. The Bible says even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me and your rod and staff protect and comfort me with Psalm 23 for faith over fear. You teach Jada. But hearing your story about Schaefer. You were not walking what you taught. So can you tell us about that story with Schaefer?
Jada Daves
Well, yes, Kimberly. Every time I reminisce about this, I'm just brought to such a place in my heart where I think you know, it's easier to teach this stuff than it is to live it as a motivational speaker. I do a lot of women's conferences and I you know, as I was writing the script for this film that has yet to be done, but as I look back over that script, I think about, you know, in one of the opening scenes on like faith over fear, you know, we've got to trust the Lord. work when the bottom falls out of our dreams or, you know, when that job we thought we were gonna get doesn't happen or that relationship crumbles. And we had had four children and we had suffered a miscarriage and, and that was a really hard place for me in my life. But I felt like wow, if I can get through that I can get through anything. And then we have this very tumultuous situation happened with our son, fifth child, we went into an emergency situation, they lost all vitals, they rushed us to the emergency room, it's that scene in the film where everybody's going, you know, holding your breath, not knowing if mom's gonna make if baby's gonna make it, believe it or not, miraculously, I hear that cry. And we survive. And we think that's the story so many times in our life, we think that's the story. And we took him home and at day 10, he began to have labored breathing and could not latch on to a nurse, and we got him back into the emergency room. And through a series of testing and hours later, we realized that our our son was dying. And we were critical situation and and all of a sudden, all of my faith over fear and trust the Lord when the boats rocking, you know, I put myself in the boat with the disciples when they're like, you know, your asleep,
do you not care about us? You know, like, wake up? Where are you, Lord? You know, I'm in trauma here. And I think, you know, regardless of what you're
going through if it's a divorce, or if it's financial ruin, or if it's your children or estranged, or drug and alcohol addiction, or anxiety and depression, or whatever you may be feeling. You think, God, where are you? And so there I was, in complete tears going, God, have you forsaken me?
Kimberly Hobbs
Hmm. I, I can't say I can relate to that. But the pain that you must have felt just giving birth to a son, and knowing having four other children, and how beautiful and loving that bond is with that child when you're pregnant. And then all of a sudden here you deliver a child alive, and it's dying. So you clung to every morsel of faith that you could grab. And you told me that you did ask God, God, where are you? And you also told me that your husband started singing you know it as well with my soul over your son, but this mom has broken heart wasn't having it. And you couldn't join in with him. Can you talk about this time because that was like very crucial.
Jada Daves
Yeah, it was a time that I'm I really felt like that I had failed the Lord during this time. He's singing sweetly over Schaefer and for those of you that have been in ICU and you're on life support with a baby you understand there's literally millions it looks like of tubes, it's really a few dozen, probably. And he's just huddled over him. You know, when when peace like a river and he starts this alarm thing and peace, like a river, there's no peace, there's no river, there's no anything. I mean, I am crushed, shattered. And they had provided a rocking chair, Kimberly in the room, and I'm literally in the fetal position, just kind of doing this number, and he's going data, could you join me? And I'm like, No, I thought join you. It is not well with my soul. And I'm not going to sing something that is the furthest thing from my heart right now. And in that moment of anger and rage, I'm thinking, how can you? How can you? And it was broken beyond words to think here I'm in a rage. And I teach this stuff, Kimberly, faith over fear. And I'm thinking, I've been put to the ultimate test. And I just received an F. And as the team began to flow and my husband kept Sanjay to get it. It's not that you're failing God, I was so broken us that I can't believe these these reactions and interactions and you're, you're over here praying. And he said, Jada. It's really like you said, Kimberly, it's a mama's broken heart. It's a unique time, give yourself time, give yourself space. And I want to encourage listeners out there, Kimberly, we think that we just kind of a microwave reaction to death or divorce, or our kids being estranged or going through something like anxiety or depression or all those things that I talked about earlier. It takes time. And the time that we need, but women is as women, you know, you're here with women, world leaders, and women across the country, I think could agree that as women, we were caretakers, and we take the world on our hearts and we think we can hold it all and do it all in the Lord says no, you know, he brought to me Psalm 4610 and said, you know, JD, you've got To Be still and know that I'm god, you're and it's really hard for Type A women like myself that are in control. I want to have kids we have them, we want to build a business, we build it, we want to build a house, we build it, go get graduate degrees, you do it. You know, you just kind of feel like you are this meanie God, and you're not. And we do have to strong to lead our families. But he took me on a journey of your need to see striving Jada. B instead of do. And boy chamberlayne. That was a hard journey, a rope head that I struggled with and still do to this day. But he began a beautiful journey for me.
Kimberly Hobbs
And I do know that because I know how the story plays out. And ladies, that faith over fear that Jade is talking about you know, I believe that God was teaching you to about faith. And the Bible says that faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen if he was building your faith. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see. That's Hebrews 11 One. Though Jaden, that complete surrender. The medical team came in. And they were starting to say they are done with all that they can do and they were unplugging your son from the life support that he was on and saying now that he has to go into hospice, and they tell you that you have like three days to plan a funeral, like I can't even comprehend what you were going through at that time. And you needed to call your pastor. So when you were pushed to the limit Jada and you needed God, to take it from here. I just got to share this verse really quick. The Bible says that each one of you will put up to put to flight 1000 of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised. That's Joshua 2310. And as you were calling on your pastor, some things happened in that time. Can you talk about that period of time when all this was going on?
Jada Daves
Oh, wow. Yes. And I wrote down some scriptures here that really came to me, James, one, two and three states counted all joy, when you fall in various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces patience and jump to 10 also says shall we accept good from God, but not adversity. And so instead of questioning God in this time, because I couldn't believe it, the doctors are plugging him. And they said, God gives special babies to special families. And I'm thinking but you're unplugging him like you're finished, but we're not. So we went to work. We started we call people we got on prayer chains. We were like in 40 countries. We had people lining the halls of the hospital. I got on the phone and I said you know we're going to find a hospital that will take him had gone to graduate school at Vanderbilt. We had a hospitalist that went to battle for us and we got Vandy to receive Shaffer. So instead of going on to hospice, we were waiting on the ambulance to go to Vandy. So in this period of time, they said it could be you know, a couple of hours, eight hours, I'm trying to eat the kind of rubber eggs that they bring you and take a bite at the bacon and the Lord's clearly had laid on my heart that, you know, even though I'm Baptists, and I really haven't seen this done a lot, that we should anoint him with oil, and pray for halen. And James 514. And 15 says, is anyone among you sick, let him call the elders of the church to pray over them, anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise them up. If they have sin, they will be forgiven. And in this moment where I said we need to do this, of course, I didn't have any holy oil. I didn't know that bit of the holy lands. I thought I've got this vitamin E oil for a C section. I guess that's good enough. Um, I don't know if our pastor wants to do this or not. In the minutes. My husband gets a text while I'm sharing this with him. I'm getting ready to share this. I've got my Bible open. I'm getting ready to tell him that this is what God's laid on my heart. And he goes, Wait, I mean, I've got to take us again. I don't care who this text is from. We've got to do this. We've got to we got to make this happen because the ambulance could be here any moment. And he said Wait, wait, and his he scans the text. I knew something really weird was happening. Kimberly. He read the words from a lady in my life. That was a 21 year friend that had turned to be a thorn in my side. We had tried to get it right over and over and it was ugly. And this happens among women even in the church, sometimes it's horrible. And this text was from this individual. And she said, I don't know if this is a good time. I have begged God, I have tried to avoid this. And he has said, No, you are to go. She is a director at our church and at a church in town, not at the church we were at but at our church, and said, You are to go and see if you can anoint baby Shaffer with oil. Wow. God could have chosen anyone, Kimberly. But he chose the person that would break and shatter my heart in a million pieces, because there was unforgiveness embedded right here. Oh, I have goosebumps. Kevin reads this to me. And I went. This can't be right. And I knew the Lord was doing incredible work. And I said, how fast can she get here? She contacts her pastor, she's on the road. And he had just been to the holy lands and he had a bottle of oil and it's not in the oil. Please don't misunderstand me. But when I wanted to tell you that because we did not use my volume and the Lord provided. And she intercepted and got this all rushed in and when she walked into the room, I can't explain it. But the years of bitterness, the ugliness melted off of me. My heart was transformed. Forgiveness came and as I handed baby Schaefer into her arms.
The miracles started happening. Wow. We all gathered she brought her husband and we gathered in prayer and prayed in faith. As she anointed she said, Can I touch him? And I said, Yes, ma'am. Is she know wanted him with oil. We prayed over him. And the minute we finished here rushed in the paramedics or whatever you call those guys that transport you by ambulance was just in time. Kimberly, it was a god wink it was my friend writes a series of books calls when God winks at you. It's when those things that are too coincidental to be coincidences, it's Lord. You know, it was God divinely orchestrating this beautiful story. In the midst of our son dying in the midst of us fighting for him, we had no idea that the real healing and the real reconciliation, or a huge part of that, that would be intertwined into the story of this baby dying, was that Mama was going to be healed. Mother field. And so get that moment we load to that ambulance, and we go, and God begins to he went from wincon to Blinken. I mean, the god winks are going so fast. We get loaded up our pastors behind us traveling in the ambulance, and he's a JD, could you see out that back window and as I was praying over Schaefer the whole way, and he's gonna let you know what happened about 2025 miles into the trip, we almost got ran off the road by when a transfer comes quickly on you. And I looked over and it was a Shaffer truck. And I went, there's no way and he goes, Oh, it gets bad. He didn't pass. He just kind of hung up about, I don't know, five or six miles later, we kind of whoosh on the other side. And we look over and it's another Shaffer truck. I didn't know there were Shaffer Trucking trucks. But looking out there out there. We see them all the time. So they didn't pass they find the ambulance. To Vandy, like to angelic wings, taking baby Shaffer safely to the research hospital to the experts that we're going to be his next leg of the journey.
Kimberly Hobbs
Conformation from God, wow.
Jada Daves
It was crazy. His just keeps going. He goes and goes and goes about the doctor comes in the next morning and goes, this doesn't look like the baby we thought we were going to receive and then we go for weeks and weeks and we get transplant eligible. With 20 pounds he had to be 20 pounds. So we go on and on and on in the story, the miracles. The doctor that put my kidney I became the kidney donor perfect six antigen match mama millions, 1 million chances was that put my kidney in Schaefer Dave's was Dave Schaefer was the surgeon. You didn't even tell me that part. There's so much there's so much the miracles, the miracles in it, you know, the Lord doesn't have to show us those beautiful pieces. He doesn't have to, but he didn't lie. You He did it. And you know that bitterness and forgiveness. He said, Jada I want to put a cherry on top now you've you've come into this forgiveness and I've wanted to see for so long. I'm gonna blow your mind with what's next. And so the story continues there's so much more that I don't have time to share. But it's an encouragement to all of us that we have to press in we have to believe God you know, the Scriptures say ask believing. And I think many times Camberley, we kind of just go, Well, God, this and that. And we have this big laundry list of asking, but we don't really believe it. In it's almost like II and no, come boldly to the throne, amen. People that say, you know, what can we really do? You know, like, all we can do is pray. And I'm like, What, oh, you can do is pray we say it in the wrong way. Oh, we need to be doing is praise. God, believing and seeing what the Lord has for us. And you know, it has been a marvelous journey. I'm telling you, so hard to believe he is now 12 years old. Amen. His diagnosis and his prognosis hasn't changed. We are living in a miracle story. They Andy told us we don't use the the N word here. And I say we don't use the what the miracle is referred to as the M word. As it well we use it. We're a family of faith. And about I guess it was our surgery was in June, what six June of 2011. August of 2011. They did a seven page feature story. And the editor said, are you ready for the title of this? I said I'm ready. Days of Miracle and Wonder. And Schaefer was the cover. And she said in 30 years, we've never been able to use the word miracle in a story. Wow.
Kimberly Hobbs
And you know, again, I just want to emphasize going back because this is so powerful, and I pray that you listeners really get this that you Jada. At that moment. You had a defining moment of obedience to God. You had to humble yourself, when your friend of having you hadn't talked to her, you'd been in a 21 year battle. Think about that lady's 21 years to be at a battle of your best friend and you're not talking to them. And all of a sudden they want to show up and anoint your child with oil. And you had a decision to make. Do you allow that bitterness to continue? But yet you expect God to answer your prayers, when he clear tells us to forgive? How many times do we forgive what the Bible says, in so Jada. In that moment, you allowed God to step in and restore that relationship. And that's the point of reconciliation, powerful, powerful, important word. And that is what we want to emphasize that Ephesians 432 says, Be kind to one another tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. Do you think reconciliation is important? I would say. So. God says it's important. So Jada, you allowed God to step in and allow this act of kindness and your obedience and your forgiveness allowed God, you had that complete line of communication with God because of your obedient heart. Now God's here in you, when we have sinned in between us, ladies. And that sin is harboring us from communicating with God yet we're asking God to do all the stuff but yet you're not obedient to what His Word says. You need to be careful and reexamine your life. So make sure that you know God's gonna bring these things to your mind just like he did to Jada. That was probably the furthest thing from her mind when her son was dying about a friend she hadn't reconciled with. But God brought it to her attention because he said, You are going to deal with this Jada. I'm so thankful that you did and you are walking in the blessing. So in close and close some of the women out there that are listening, I believe are battling something inside and things like we're talking about right now are triggering in their own mind. They have somebody in their life that they need reconciliation with they need that complete reconciliation, Jada, how can you encourage her so that she can walk I can the blessing that you did after experiencing such trauma. Right?
Jada Daves
Well, I think in general, we have to accept the life that God's given us is what He has for us. I think in the the age that we're in, in culture, with comparisons. With social media, and even at church, we can easily look to the left or to the right, and I'm gonna tell you ladies comparisons kill, you think their kids are smarter, their kids are cuter, or they have more money, and they're in a different financial state. You know, she's smarter, she has more education, her business is doing better, you know, we can get tangled up. Also, in the past mistakes, you know, this situation with this person, we had tried to get it right, there had been so much ugly, and I could not, I'm going to encourage you don't focus on the ugly, really believe God for the beautiful that can come. Because we all have a past, we all have stories, we all have ugly things that we wish we would have responded differently to things. You can't make somebody come to the table. So I will say that we had tried a few times to have conversations and it just was like oil and water. It was like sandpaper equal responsibility on each side, to not be able to work this out. And the Lord did it in his timing, but boy, did we lose some beautiful years together. And, and not that friendships, you know, the whole thing. Sometimes friendships are for a reason for a season or sometimes for a lifetime. Not that you have to be very close to people all the time, or there's different seasons, but really press in and ask God to give you the ability to approach this person, it may be softly through a card in the mail a text, but try to think of, you know, if tonight, this person was no longer here, would I have complete peace in my heart? Have I done everything possible to try to reconcile? Because what happens in reconciliation, Kimberly is it it opens up a beautiful world for you. So even if the other person is still not there yet, it's okay. It might be your mother in law, it might be one of your children, it might be a neighbor, or it might be someone in the church that you serve with. But I will say in closing, Kimberly, that true contentment is truly when you don't want to switch lives with anyone. You don't look to the left or the right, you say you know what, God, my young, my mess, my baggage has been a part of your divine plan. And I know as a believer, you promise that you're going to work it all for my good. And sometimes we didn't have to be patient, it goes back to we have to have time to grieve. We have to have time sometimes to grow. We're in a different season in life. And I just want to encourage you that we get to live this beautiful life. And I have a say and change your o 20. A lot of times it's like, oh, we've got to do this, or oh, I've got to go try to talk to her. No, you get, you have this marvelous chance to go and share the love of Christ. And it will make you better and hopefully will reconcile with someone that could be a beautiful part of your life that you would not otherwise have known. So I'm going to be praying Kimberly, as we close that women will see that it's just not worth it. Most of the petty things that we've gone through and that build walls, let that open a door and see what beautiful things God may have for both of you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh amen. In fact, why don't you close us in prayer and pray over the woman right now that you have in your heart and on your mind? Let's pray for her.
Jada Daves
Dear God, I just thank you right now for this beautiful opportunity, Lord, to share this story of Shaffer and how his beautiful life in this extension through almost losing him, brought healing to my heart. And I pray now that this testimony goes forth, Lord, that the woman listening today that still struggling with that angst in her heart over something petty or if it's something really big and severe and ugly, God that you would begin to work on her right now that you would let her know God that it's just not worth it. Lay it at the altar God leave it let you crumble that ugliness. Help her to walk in forgiveness Lord and knowing that she only has partial responsibility that she reaches out to see if there would be a welcoming spirit because many times there is we're just not willing to take that first step. I pray that you would cleanse any woman out here of unforgiveness that you would help her come to the table, Lord, that You would help her to be bold and to be brave, that You would help her to remember Lord than in Proverbs, you say in Proverbs three, five and six to two trusting you with all of our heart and lean not into our own understanding of all of our ways, let you direct and guide our steps God. And I pray for anyone listening today. If they're unsure just to claim to that promise in Proverbs, and to know that you're going to take them on a beautiful journey of newness God, and I can't wait to hear. Hopefully that through Kimberly, there will be testimonies of people that have used my testimony and my ugliness to bring beauty into their lives. Lord, we love you. We praise You and thank You for women, world leaders. And for this message to go for today. In your divine name we pray, Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Praise God, and I trust that he has reaching the hearts of women today and that is how we're going to close this out. Thank you Jada. From our heart. We are just so blessed that you would come on and share this powerful story of reconciliation with us today. Ladies, thank you for joining us. God bless you. From his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. God bless you have a beautiful day. Thank you Jada.
In this four-part series, Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship Coach with Breakwater Ministries, explores the positive impact that self-care can have on a marriage relationship. In Part 1 she focuses on the things that promote healthy physical self-care, and ways that couples can support one another in exercising those healthy habits.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about why self-care is so important in marriage, but first let’s go to God in prayer.
Heavenly Father, your word tells us that you care about every hair on our head and every movement we make, that you will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Give us your wisdom as we seek to find ways to improve our own self- care, and help us to see the impact that will have on our marriage relationship. We love you Lord and we want to fulfill the purpose that you have for us here on earth. In Jesus’s precious name we pray, Amen.
Why is Self-Care so important in marriage? In this series, we will explore the different aspects of self-care and see the impact it can have on your marriage. But first, let’s go to God in prayer:
Self-Care is a very important aspect of the marriage relationship, and is often overlooked until it gets waaaaayyyy out of balance. When each spouse is healthier and has a balance in the four areas of self-care, they will have a healthier relationship because they will be more fully present and able to invest more into the relationship. Many people share that when their health gets better, their marriage improves. Why is this?
Well, let’s take a look at the different aspects of self-care. I have broken them down into four categories: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual.
First, let’s take a look at the physical aspects of self-care. Taking care of ourselves physically means to make healthy food choices, exercise, have healthy sleep patterns, and maintain a balance in work and personal life.
Making decisions about our food choices can sometimes be a source of trouble for the couple who isn’t on the same page. When one spouse is committed to a healthy eating lifestyle, and the other spouse wants to frequent the fast-food drive-ins, this can be a conflict both physically and financially. If we fuel our bodies with junk, eventually our bodies will start operating like junk. In a year, the average American may eat roughly 3 pounds of sugar each week, totaling around 130 pounds annually. Americans also rely heavily on processed foods, to the point that these make up nearly 70% of their diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 35.7% of Americans are obese. In 2008, it was estimated that $147 billion dollars were spent on medical costs due to diseases caused by obesity, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
So food choices are important to keep ourselves physically healthy. It can be beneficial to your marriage for the two of you to plan your meals and spend time in food preparation together. You can have fun in the kitchen and take turns with clean-up or even do it together.
Exercise is also an important aspect of self-care. Many couples enjoy time at the gym together, taking walks, finding sports activities they can do together. You are taking care of your own body and doing something fun with your spouse at the same time.
Developing a healthy sleep pattern is also important for your self-care. There is a reason why God designed our bodies to spend 1/3 of our life in an unconscious state. It’s during this state that our bodies recover from the daily activity and our immune systems recharge. When people do not have healthy sleep patterns, the result is physical sickness, overweight, forgetfulness, and depression.
Your smartphone begins the day with 5 bars and 100% battery, but throughout the day, that battery starts to get depleted and by the end of the day it’s two bars and 8% battery. It’s time for a recharge.
It’s the same with our bodies. Eventually, our batteries are depleted and can only be recharged with sleep and relaxation. Talk with your spouse about how you can develop better sleep habits so that you can optimize your personal health and have more energy and focus for your marriage.
A fourth aspect of physical self-care is to maintain a balance between your work life and your personal life. Many couples complain that there isn’t enough time for each other because their spouse is constantly on their phone, tablet, or computer. Long after the work day has ended, they are still working. There is a belief that their value comes from their work, and this negatively affects the marriage relationship. The other spouse complains about feeling lonely in the relationship, and resents the amount of attention their spouse is giving to the company, the organization, or the church. Make sure you evaluate the amount of time you are working and allocate time for self-care and your marriage.
To sum it up, spend some time making a list of changes that you need to personally make to improve your physical self-care in the areas of food choices, exercise, rest, sleep, and a balance of work and personal life. Then sit down with your spouse and discuss how you can support and encourage one another as you make these changes.
On my next podcast, I will discuss the importance of mental self-care and how it impacts your marriage relationship.
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice. What would you like to hear about on this podcast that has to do with marriage? Send me your questions.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. Check out upcoming events in south Florida. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Peter had proclaimed Jesus as Lord, but it seems He still didn’t fully understand. Today, let’s travel up to the mountaintop with Jesus and see His glory is revealed, discovering what God wants us to learn as we study from Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36.
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders’ podcast, we are currently walking through the Gospels, studying the life of Jesus’ systematically and chronologically, combining the teachings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Recently, we’ve seen the religious authorities come against Jesus even as crowds’ gathered from all around to hear Him teach and to receive His miraculous healings. Then the eyes of the disciples were slowly opened as they began to realize that their Rabbi was more than they even imagined, until Peter recognized and voiced that Jesus is the Messiah that the Jewish people had been waiting for. And then, as we studied last week, Jesus shared that His destiny was death on a cross, but that it would be followed up by His own resurrection.
The disciples have now had a week to contemplate this – to let it sink in. But little did Peter, John and James know that they were about see something that would completely blow their minds – something they would contemplate for the rest of their lives. Something we still contemplate today. Today’s teaching comes from Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36
Let’s begin with Matthew 17:1 from the New Living Translation…
Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
This had the foreshadowing of being a special time. Jesus, alone with His inner circle of disciples, went up a mountain to pray. We read often about Jesus heading off alone to pray, but this time, He clearly wanted Peter, James and John with Him.
Hindsight is always 20/20 though, because Luke tells us that when they got to the top of the mountain, the three disciples fell asleep. And they woke up to a glorious sight!
Matthew 17:2 continues…
As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Mark expands on this, saying that Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.
Put yourself in the disciples’ place for a moment. It’s nearly impossible to imagine the scene, isn’t it? They woke up, and Jesus was glowing. He was as bright as the sun – I’m guessing it was hard to look at him with their sleepy eyes. Maybe they thought they were dreaming. But what they were seeing was the glory of God Himself. They disciples had gotten used to see Jesus as a man – but now His physical being was unveiled before their eyes as they saw Jesus as God.
The word used here is often translated as transfiguration. It is the same description used in Revelation 1 that tells of Jesus in all His glory, standing triumphant in the end days. And, it is the same word used in Romans 12:2, that describes how WE are transformed when we offer ourselves to God.
Using the description of light for God is nothing new – we contrast the light and the darkness, we know that God met Moses in a burning bush and that a pillar of light led the Israelites out of Egypt. But I don’t think we can fully comprehend this scene. And I don’t think the disciples could either.
Verse 3 continues…
Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Luke adds…
They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about Jesus’ exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.
Moses and Elijah. First, I want to know HOW the disciples knew that this was Moses and Elijah! Oh my goodness, this event is so far out of my realm of understanding – I feel almost silly doing a “teaching” on it! I highly doubt that Moses and Elijah introduced themselves to Jesus! So…maybe the disciples pulled out their smartphones and asked google to pull up a picture of Moses. That’s what I would do! I jest, but the reasonable Christian in me says that when God wants us to know something, He gives us wisdom via the Holy Spirit. We only need to listen to that still small voice that speaks inside us! And what’s more, we can request wisdom and information FROM the Holy Spirit whenever we want! We don’t need google!
So why were Moses and Elijah there? Talking to Jesus? Here’s my own take – Jesus was entering into a rough patch of His journey, and He knew it. And Jesus as man needed a community to psych Him up. Jesus had revealed His destiny to His disciples, given them a week to contemplate this, and then He took them up a mountain to pray with Him. And they fell asleep. And God loved Jesus SO MUCH that He sent Moses and Elijah to be with Him. To discuss what was coming and give Jesus, the man, a pep talk. And as they spoke together, Jesus as God was revealed and unleashed on that mountaintop.
Theologians have much to say about why Moses and Elijah were there, including that Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the prophets. Additionally, both had suffered because of their obedience to God, were rejected by many but given honor by God, and experienced unorthodox endings to their lives on earth.
All that is certainly true and worthy of further study – but I personally believe that God knew that Jesus needed community at that moment, and God always provides what we need.
One thing is certain, the disciples didn’t know what to think. Luke tells us…
Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Original translations state Peter’s exclamation stating that it is wonderful to be here more as a question asking, Jesus – should we be here? This was indeed a holy moment, and they weren’t sure they were qualified to witness it.
But Peter offers to make shelters for each, putting Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on equal footing. Which seems odd to us today, but remember, Moses and Elijah were HIGHLY revered and looked up to. Jesus was, seemingly to many, a mere Rabbi. But Peter should have known better. And instead of being reprimanded by Jesus, Peter is reprimanded by God Himself.
Matthew 17, verse 5…
5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
God is serious! God sent His SON to earth to DIE a painful death for our sins. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. There is NO ONE above Him. God implores Peter, and He implores us to LISTEN TO JESUS!
This is like a father coming behind a mom who is reprimanding their children – saying, Listen to your Mother! Every child knows they better abide by THAT voice!
Do we fully realize that GOD commands us to listen to Jesus? Verse 7…
7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.
The moment was over – but it certainly wasn’t one the disciples would ever forget. The glory of God shining through Jesus. The appearance of Moses and Elijah as confirmed to them via the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The voice of God proclaiming Jesus’ true identity as God’s dearly loved son, and commanding them to listen to Him. And Jesus’ gentle touch – bidding them to get up and not be afraid.
Verse 9…
9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man[b] has been raised from the dead.”
The world was not yet ready to know. Heck, the disciples weren’t yet ready to know, as proven by their next question…
“Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?[c]”
11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” 13 Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
We see in this passage that the disciples still had a long way to go in their understanding of what was happening. Jesus took them to the mountain, and they fell asleep. When they woke up, they tried to put Jesus on an even playing field with Moses and Elijah. And then they showed that they didn’t understand that John the Baptist HAD come to prepare the way for GOD, JESUS, the TRUE MESSIAH.
We can sit in judgement, but the truth is, we have a long way to go to understand what is happening in our world and in the heavenlies, too. Instead, let’s take away from this passage what God wanted the disciples to know – because I believe it is what He wants us to know today:
Jesus IS God, and we are called to listen to Him.
The Holy Spirit is always there to teach and guide us.
No matter how much we think we know, God will always amaze and astound us.
And despite how much we misunderstand and blurt out the wrong thing, Jesus’ gentle hand will always be there to guide and instruct us, and His steady voice will always remind us to not be afraid. God’s got this.
Let’s pray…
Oh most amazing God! We can’t even begin to imagine the sight that day. We can’t even begin to imagine the wonder of you, that we as your children will one day witness with our very eyes. Thank you for always counting us as your inner circle, for never shying away from commanding us and reprimanding us, and for always being there with your gentle touch – pulling us closer to you. God we give you this day, and ask you to use us as you will. For your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Speaker, Author, and Podcast Host of the "Connection Show," Jill Reynolds, shares 4 parts of her story with us in today's Podcast. From a traumatic upbringing, which led her into a tumultuous lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, God never let her go. He brought her into the saving arms of Jesus. Through resilience and not letting go or giving up on living, God is now using her life for His glory. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And we are so happy that you decided to join in with us today. And I would like to welcome our guest, Jill Reynolds. Jill, thank you for coming on with us today. Jill Reynolds
Oh, it's my privilege. I'm so grateful to be here with you, Kimberly.
Kimberly Hobbs
Jill is an awesome woman of God. And I had the privilege of being interviewed on her show. And so we are so happy to have you. And what you're gonna share with us today are our word is resilience, ladies. So God says in His Word that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestries of God's grace. First Peter 410. And one of the things we like to do here at empowering lives with purpose is use the gifts that God has given us. And we all have different gifts and different ways to share and encourage one another. And Jill is going to share with one to share with the stories in her life that have allowed her to have victory in Jesus and hoping that this will inspire you as well, if you can relate to some of the things in her story that that have helped her overcome. Jill, I want to share a little bit about our guest, Jill Reynolds is the host of the connection show, where she is known for inspiring hope, health and healing and moving guest stories from victim to victory. Jill also uses her background in meeting and event planning to create amazing conferences, weaving authentic up close stories. She's a number one best selling author, and fiercely faithful, where she shares her story called The essence of humility. And at 28 Joe's life was a train wreck. She was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol. And she was down to 97 pounds. She knew her life was hopeless. Her health was a disaster. Everything felt impossible to her. And she prayed and asked God to give her the resiliency to recover. Believing doing the hard work and connecting the dots is what helped her get through her traumatic childhood. And it brought her hope, health and healing her hard work had paid off. Never give up ladies, connect the dots in your story that will move you from being a victim to having victory in your life through Jesus. And that's one of the things that Joe would like to share with you today. She's from Branson, Missouri. She is a survivor with multiple spiritual awakenings. And today she has decided to share four of those with you in hopes that it is going to encourage you and inspire you as well. So some of those four stories that she's going to share. One of them is called her wanted story. And I just want to share a Scripture before we start out. And that says for you created my inmost Being You knit me together in my mother's womb, Psalm 139 13. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Jill, can you share your wanted story with us today?
Jill Reynolds
I'd be grateful to do that. Thank you so much for the introduction. And so I want to begin because I really truly believe that when God created us, He created us in His image. And so my story begins I have to share first on my mom. My mother was raised in a really sad environment. Her parents divorced when she was little. And she went to visit her mom at the home she lived at that had an elevator building. And as my mom was there she was in the elevator kicking her foot at the elevator and her toes got caught in the gate and got cut off. So she was in a wheelchair at only seven years old. And my grandfather owned a restaurant so they hurt my mom lived in a boarding home with my uncle. And the man in the boarding home picked her up out of the wheelchair. And he raped her at seven and told her never to tell anyone. So my mom grew up with very much disassociation, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. And so she went off and married my dad had my sister right away, and within six months was pregnant with me. It was just too much for her to bear and so from the moment of conception, my mother did not want me she did not want this baby. And so from the moment I was born, I have memories of her never picking me up, even holding the bottle out on the bed just to feed me, and being in the crib for hours crying that ever been held, or picked up or loved or unwanted. And so as I continued to grow up, my mom and I ended, it caused me Kimberly to be nonverbal. And I was really shy and quiet. And my mom would yell at me and say, Would you talk and I look at her petrified. And she would just say, There's nothing good about you who would ever want you, you're so ugly. The only thing good about you is you ever cute nose. And that's all she would say. And so I grew up with this horrific feeling that I just should never ever have been born. And so that permeated through most of my childhood, all of my childhood and into my adult life. And so after becoming a Christian, and I would go to get some body work, occasionally I was getting a massage. And I'd always pray that the hands of the massage therapist would be the hands of guide. So as she she was working on me in this room that just was It was dark, who was candles in the room, she was not a Christian, she even had a Buddha in the room. As she worked on me, all of a sudden my body turned to the left. And I got into a fetal position and started to suck my thumb. And all of a sudden, in my mind's eye, Kimberly, I could see the sperm and the egg going to meet. And at that moment, the entire room turned bright white is white as you can imagine. And then the corner of the room I could see the essence of God. And he put his hands out. And as he put his hands out, he picked up the sperm, he picked up the egg, and he began forming it. And he said I am the great I Am I am forming you in your mother's womb. And I'm breathing life into you because you are wanted and all of a sudden he just went
like this. And the biggest breath of air permeate permeated the massage room. And I could just feel him forming the in my mother's womb in this divine light coming in. Well, the amazing part of the story is again, the massage therapist was not a Christian. And at that moment, she turned on the light saying that the therapy session was over. And she looked at me and said, What just happened in here. I've never seen anything like this. And then the guy that worked in her building, he was getting on the elevator. And he looked at me and said, Jill, you must have had the best session ever. You look divine. And it was amazing. It was just so amazing. And so from that moment on, I could really feel in my heart that I was wanted. And another piece of the story that I never knew is that when a baby is born, the moment it comes out of the womb, the doctors have to cut the umbilical cord. Because if they don't, a baby living on the outside of the womb with the umbilical cord will die because it needs to take its first breath of life. So if you envision cutting an umbilical cord away from your mother, it's because at that moment, you need your own breath of life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. And so God gave you in that massage room, a breath of life. And maybe in your life you had heard that Scripture somewhere for you created me and my inmost being and you knit me together in my mother's womb. God was allowing you to get a vision in that room that he was your daddy, he was your father. He wanted you and he loved you. And he totally breathed that life into you that new life that breath of fresh air that he was your dad and he was never going to leave you.
Jill Reynolds
And for the audience to if you've ever experienced a feeling of napping wanted you know sit quietly and envision Jesus or God breathing life into you, informing you and telling you how much you're loved and wanted because everyone that's listening could do this exercise themselves and just envision guide breathing life into you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And I know that there's a lot of people that struggle with issues of feeling unwanted and and all triggers from childhood when they feel you know that they have been left alone. They weren't a One two child. There's all different kinds of stories of why we feel that. But remember, please remember that our Father in Heaven loves you, and He will never leave you or forsake you and he will, he will get to you some way or another. And we'd like to know it's through the power of His word, just like he reached you that day in that massage room with that message, that you are fearfully and wonderfully, wonderfully made, and he knit you together, you will always be wanted in his eyes. And ladies, when you feel that God has left you alone, there's another scripture those who know your name trust in you for you, oh, Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. That's Psalm 910. Which brings us into our next story that you're going to share part of your life. Gel is your train Wilson's story can you share about that? And how the Scripture might come into the play there?
Jill Reynolds
Yes, the train whistle story is a story that permeate it just fills my heart to this day. And so as I said, you know, my mother did not want me and so by the time my mom got pregnant, the third time with my brother, who's three years younger than me, she began having marital affairs. And she fell in love with a man who was married. And one day when my my lovely father, who was just the love of my life, who took me to church every Sunday, and he gave me hugs and tucked me in bed and read to me. One day, while my poor dad was at work, she packed up our stuff. And she abandoned my father and deserted him and moved us to in a little apartment, close to this man, she was having the affair with. Well, the apartment was next to the metro train. And so as I went to bed every night, as a little five year old, I'd lay in bed and she was crying because my dad's the one who typed me in bed and prayed with me, and I missed him so much. And at night, I hear that train go by and the whistle would blow and I'd be so mad, I'd say, I just want to go home to my daddy, I just want to go home to my daddy. And so you know, we eventually the funny part of the story, that funny part, but weird how the Lord works. The man she was cheating with my dad, he died of a heart attack five weeks later. And so the court ordered us to move back home, but my parents divorced. So I got to see my dad just on Sunday. And as I said, early, I was nonverbal. And the only day I would talk would be on Sundays when I'd be with my dad. So he had a big impact in my life. So fast forward the story. And what then developed is years later, I had to go into treatment for codependency. And I was at a codependent treatment center at a little Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma. And every day, I'd go to the prayer chapel and do my prayer and meditation before the day began. So this one day, I was in the prayer chapel praying. And at that moment, a train goes by and I hear a whistle. And I got really angry. And I, I put my hands up to the heavens, and I just said, God, I am so sick of feeling deserted and abandon, and I just can't handle those train whistles.
And so it's so at that moment, right in the middle of the chapel, I could feel God's saying, you know, Jill, I know you invited me into your heart. But you, it's hard for you to turn your will over to me because you just don't trust that I'll stay with you. And so I kept struggling. And he said, By the way, I have never left you, I never will leave you and your dad never left you in he never will. He just couldn't be there because your mother left him. And so at that moment, right in the middle of the chapel, I put up my hands and said, I surrender all I'm turning my will over to you because I had invited in my heart. But I still wanted. I wanted the control. I needed the control. And so at that moment, I surrendered my will. And so from that point of my life, all the way to today, every step along the way when I've had to deal with trauma, or connecting the dots of my story in Christian therapy, a train has gone by so the first one was a treatment center from eating disorders in Arizona was in the desert, right in the middle of trauma therapy. The train would go by and here it's I'm in the desert in the middle of nowhere we're with this train come from and Then another treatment center I went to for an eating disorder was on 500 acres in the castle wood. Forest of St. Louis, right in the middle of trauma therapy, a train went by with the whistle. Then coming home from treatment, I went to a see a therapist I pulled up to her office is right on the corner of the metro train. Every time we press this trauma, the train would go by. And so then my husband and I needed to retire and we went and looked for homes in different cities couldn't find anything. So we decided to look for lots. We came to Branson, and we stepped onto this one lap, and the minute we stepped down to it and be at a sin like it's in a subdivision with 600, homes, condos, villas, lakes pools, we stepped foot and the minute we did a train whistle went by. And so we built our home here. And now, between one and 3am every day, the train goes by, and I smile. Now instead of getting angry, I says, I know you're trying to tell me something that you're here, what message do you want me to know? And believe it or not, that's the by when God gave me the vision, to tag by podcast show hope, health and healing. So he tells me prophetic things. That night when the train whistle goes by,
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that. I will say to me, those are confirmations. You know, God speaks to all of us in different ways. And you took that as something that God was telling you to trust in Him, and that he was never going to leave you he was not going to abandon you. You searched for him and he was there. And that verse that scripture, Psalm 910, comes alive. And I think some women out there can relate to this when you know we have things in our life that we know are not a coincidence, that show up over and over. And God's trying to get our attention. He's speaking to us in different ways.
Jill Reynolds
And if you and I want to share it for anyone out there who's ever felt abandoned by God, to remember that he's never abandon us, or left us we may have shifted and moved away from him. And sometimes if you can just connect the dots, many people don't realize that any issues around their dad, generally that are dealing with feeling abandoned, then permeate where you think that Gods abandon you too, because they're so closely aligned. And and I'm going to just help you out. Kimberly got this horrible cold. So I'm talking more than her even though she's the host, because this tickle keeps happening in her throat. So I don't want to cause you to Yeah, go ahead.
Kimberly Hobbs
Thank you. No, I appreciate that. Thank you. And I'm so sorry. And we did try to start the podcast and stopped it one time because I had a coughing fit. So this is very unusual. So I do appreciate that. And I don't want to I don't want to stop. I just want to keep going and I feel like we just pushed through it. But I want you to take us into your your next part of your story, which is the lost innocence story. And when you have been harmed and I think a lot of women will be able to relate to this too. So you've been harmed at different times in our life, right? And God's Word says that we're hunted down but never abandoned by God. We're knocked down but we are not destroyed. And you're going to see this in that second Corinthians four nine and you're gonna see that in Jill's lost innocence part of her story.
Jill Reynolds
Yeah, so again, I so again, when my mom divorced my dad, she ended up remarrying again, twice. The first stepfather She remarried, ended up being a bisexual, bigamous married to several different women, and then alcoholic. And so there was a lot of physical emotional sexual abuse going on in our home. And then they of course, and then I witness him trying to actually murder my mom. So he went to jail. And when she married the third time, this man turned out to be a passive aggressive alcoholic, and I got a pop up, I'll turn it off there and, and alcoholic, and he he would have rage fits. So anyway, our house was pretty insane. And so again, as I had mentioned earlier, as a result of my feelings of not being unwanted, and being nonverbal and being so quiet If I was the one who never got invited to prams or homecomings where my sister was homecoming queen, and she was really popular, and so I just didn't have boyfriends. So I had met a boy at a at a dance club, and he was 17. And I was 14. And they invited me one Saturday to his home, I was really excited. I don't remember how I got there. But I remember walking in and he had hardwood floors and a floor of floral couch that was under a window, we sat down, and we began to talk. And I was really excited. And as we began to talk, the next thing I knew, is he kind of pushed me down and started to kiss me. And it was like one of my first kisses from a boy. And as he did, and I laid there, and he laid on top of me, and he was pretty muscular. And I was only like, very little, like 97, 98 pounds, I didn't weigh much at all.
He pulled my pants down, and he penetrated me and he raped me. And as he did this, afterwards, he pulled his pants up. And he said, I broke your cherry, I made you a woman, you can now leave. And I remember getting up completely and just totally traumatized. But I remember walking back home five miles on the side of the road, crying and bleeding. And it seems like it took forever to get home. And as I as I continue taking those steps, I remember turning on that last block to my home and the moment I got home running into my house, taking a shower and hiding. And I remembered after that sometimes I would sit on the couch with my legs up, and my mother would pull them down and say sit like a lady. And I remember just being so freaked out Kimberly because I needed to protect myself. But I never told a soul because I felt my mom would tell me if it was your fault. And I thought my dad would kill him. So I kept it a secret until I got into my 40s. So that was my lost innocence. And it really affected me and i i would say within within a month or so of that I started to take white and feta means so that I wouldn't eat. And I kept taking those by the handful. So I would starve because I thought the more I starved, I wouldn't form my body. And so I started to wear flannel shirts, blue jeans and chick kicker boots. And I tried to look as on feminine as I possibly could. And after that I kind of lost my body. I didn't even know it was part of me anymore. I felt like I was outside of it. And at 18 I had an opportunity to get an interview at the Chicago Playboy Club, I put on the bunny outfit get hired, took it home. And two days later, I returned it. Because I wasn't ready to be that feminine. I could wear the outfit, it was weird. But what I couldn't do is wear fake eyelashes or nails or stiletto heels, because it made me feel too much like a woman. And so I kept trying to mask my femininity. And later on in life when I was in treatment for my eating disorder. I asked the therapist I said I don't understand why all these girls have all these body image issues, what's with their body image issues. And the therapist looked at me and said, I said I have a problem with body image, I could put a bathing suit on and go swimming, and I'm overweight and it doesn't bother me at all. And the therapist goes, chill, that's because you don't even know you have a body. It's so severe. And I was like, really. And so that's where I started my healing of my body image issues. If any of you out there struggle from it, I was able to start doing work and healing from that lost image and the loss of my body.
Kimberly Hobbs
So let's talk about that for a moment because there are women that are identifying with you that have been through similar situations. So in order to heal from that place of severe image issues. How did God come into the picture at that time? What was he doing that allowed you to know that he was trying to move you on a certain path?
Jill Reynolds
Well, it took a while before that came in because I still I still and so I wouldn't say from the time I got raped, but when I started to go into treatment by that time when I got into treatment, I had already invited Jesus into my life so he was doing so work in me. So I would say the healing he started to do in me was to put me into the finest treatment centers in the country. And some of the exercises that we did in treatment was we'd say, we would sit in front of a mirror. And we'd look into and stare at ourselves and say, I love your eyes, because they help you to see, you know, and I could say, help me to see God's glory. They helped me to see God's beauty. They helped me to see others. I love my arms, because God's given me these amazing arms, so that I can touch things and hug others. And I love my legs, because God's given me these amazing legs, the legs that helped me to get from place to place, and I love my torso, because it holds my vital organs that keep me alive and give me the breath of life, my lungs and all these things. So he started to show me how I can manifest and see my body in a different light.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's beautiful. That's beautiful, back to that verse at the beginning that you created me and my inmost beings and You knit me together in my mother's wombs with excellence, God created you in a beautiful way, and you had a thankful heart, to, to give back to him. And you said, how you loved all these different parts that God created. That was giving him that acknowledgement of how he created you and seeing you for his beautiful creation. God's Word says that, you know, we are our masterpiece, he created a masterpiece and all of us. And we are created in the new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things he planned for us long ago. And so that was part of your healing was to acknowledge,
Jill Reynolds
One verse is He who began a good work and you will be faithful to completed until the return of Christ. And so he began this great work in me. And then, you know, I guess we'll lead it to my last story, because that kind of brings it home, which was in my book, fiercely faithful that I wrote, and that was the essence of humility. And so the spiritual awakening then that took place as I, as I progressed into heaven, from the time I got raped, and then left home at 18, I ended up becoming a crack cocaine addict and alcoholic, I became a sex addict sleeping with everyone that gave me cocaine. I, my eating disorder got crazy, I would just live on one bowl of cereal for seven years, I should have been dead. And so God took ahold of me in 1980, where I found him in San Diego, and invited him into my heart and I hit a spiritual awakening where he completely delivered me if my crack cocaine and alcoholism told me to move back to Chicago, I began going to a large church in Chicago. And I was involved in the single's ministry, and the desire to use drugs completely left me. The desire to sleep around completely left me I became celibate. And I was very active in my church, and then one day, but right before that I had had met a one guy slept with him one time. And one day, seven months later, he called me and said, Joe, I have some good coke. Can I come over? And I says, Well, Joey, I don't do drugs anymore. And I'm not sleeping around. He said, why? And I said, Because I found God. And so he said, Well, can I come over so you can tell me about God? So I let him come over that snowing it was Satan coming over. And within five minutes, he pulled out a violent Coke, and I got high. And my background was when people turned to me and I thought I had to give them sex. And so I said, Well, I can't have sex because I'm not on birth control. He said, Oh, don't worry, I've had a vasectomy. So I slept with them. And four weeks later was pregnant. And before I became a Christian, Kimberly, while I was very active in my addictions, I got pregnant with my boyfriend twice and had two abortions. So I tried to reason with God and said, God, there's only one sin that none of us can hide behind. And that's the sin of fornicating and getting pregnant outside of marriage, and then, and then the pregnancy the whole world knows because you're pregnant. And so I felt very embarrassed and very humiliated and ashamed that all my Christian friends would know. And I couldn't hide behind my sin. So I said to Catholic well help me just have one more abortion, just one more. And so I planned to have the abortion and three days before I felt God was telling me to take a hot bath. I always took showers so I I went into the bathroom, turned off the lights, put on some candles and I cried out to God, God, please forgive me. I gotta have this abortion. And as I did, I could see Jesus walking down the path here. During the cross, and as he was falling to the ground as he was being beaten, mocked, spat out and ridiculed. He looked at me and he said, looked up and said, Jill, why do you care what BAM thinks of you, when I suffered more embarrassment, humiliation and shame than any anyone in the world will ever face. And for that moment, he shared that with me, Kimberly, this feeling came over me that I shouldn't care what my friends at church thought about me, or with anyone ever thought about me there, that moment forward, and I cancelled my abortion. And my son, Jeremy is 39. And I have three grandkids and and that became my essence of humility. And so for the listeners, if any of you have ever felt embarrassed, humiliated, or shamed and felt like you couldn't face another day of what people would think of you, just close your eyes and see Jesus falling to the ground on the cross bleeding and suffering for you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. We need to be aware that God is always moving. He's always moving in our life and moving us along the path. And I know, Jill, that you talked about resiliency when we talked about your life, in our conversation prior to this. And resiliency is important in recovering in the challenges that life throws our way. So another word for resilience in the Bible could be perseverance. And we need to develop that core of beliefs that nothing can shake us. It's so very important, the Bible says, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove that which is good and acceptable in the perfect will of God. That's Romans 12 to two and know that God has a plan for your life. Ladies, he has a plan, he had a plan for Jill's life. It's amazing how he brought her through all of these traumatic experiences in her life. And she was able to overcome and he was with her every step of the way. Can you leave a final word with the women that may be identifying with the four stories of you know, just what is your your word of encouragement when it comes to the word resiliency? Because you told me that was an important word for you?
Jill Reynolds
Yeah, well, one of my life verses is no condemnation has seized you except with his common demand. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out. And so that life first has to do with perseverance and resiliency, because temptation, and he says, In this world, there will be trouble. And so those people listening today in your life, there's going to be trouble, there's going to be temptation, and there's going to be testing. And so I pray that she'll turn to God, and have him hold you up, and give you the strength to persevere, and to have resiliency in your life. So that you can see the glory of God and what he's got for you ahead. When you just turned to him, instead of feeling like it's hopeless and that there's nothing and that life's not worth living. He's got a plan for you.
Kimberly Hobbs
He does have a plan for each and every one of us that says, Call me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. Psalm 50, verse five, and I know that is true of your life, Jill, and that God rescued you from each of those situations in your life. And now you are giving him glory and what you are doing with your life. And I am just so grateful to call you a sister in Christ. I'm grateful for what you're doing, sharing the stories and connecting the god dots with other women so that they can relate. Romans 828 says God causes everything to work together for good. So ladies, God gives us these stories. And, and he does work everything together for good.
Jill Reynolds
I want to I want to leave this audience to if I could, if you don't mind, with two songs, two songs. The one song is by the Christian artist, Dara McLean, MC L E A N and she's got a song called wanted. Listen to that. It's amazing. The other one was Tommy Walker. He had a song years ago called he's turned my morning, M O U RN into dancing. And when I finally met my husband we dated seven years got married 21 years ago, that was the song I played as they pronounced as husband and wife, and we danced down the aisle, he's turned my mourning into dancing again. And it's like, you know, you can go through all this trauma. But he turns that morning into joy and dancing. So I'm the, the low note of all my pain and struggles, I had to end with a high note of turning your mourning into dancing. And I also wanted to end with letting the ladies know that we're going to be doing an Esther's rising conference in Branson, October 27, to 29. And for all of you to come and hear amazing stories of Esther's rising.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, thank you for that invitation. So he, Jill and you can listen to Jill and her podcasts. How can they find you, Jill?
Jill Reynolds
Well, the best way to find me is to go to my website, which is braveheartworkshops.com. And I'm there you can click on all my icons that have my links to my YouTube channel, my rumble channel, my tic tac, my Facebook, and it also has the event page. So you can register for the Esther's rising conference in Branson, and come be with us in Branson.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Well, thank you for that invitation again. And thank you for carrying some of the weight because my voice has gone and I didn't want to start coughing again. But I do appreciate you, Jill, and that you took some time to come on with us. And ladies, thank you for the time that you gave to share with us today. And I pray that God blesses each and every one of you through the stories that are shared, and that you can find something to take to heart that God would have just for you. So remember, ladies hat. We have so many things available women, world leaders. If you are looking to get involved in ministry or serve God where He has called you, we have a place for you here where you can use your gifts and talents for him. Or maybe you want to share your story so that others can be inspired with hope and healing and identify with what you've gone through. So just remember, we are here for you every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with these podcasts. From his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. Thank you to our guests Joel Reynolds for joining us today. And remember all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless each and every one of you and have a wonderful day.
Oh, how we long for our father's love. Our Heavenly Father's love for us is unconditional and not based on our lovability. He longs to have a personal relationship with you.
Welcome to celebrating God's grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in ministry and around the world. I enjoy our time here together sharing health, beauty and Jesus.
Today I want to share about knowing the Father's love. The Father's love, oh how we desire to have our Father's love. No matter what road we walked with our earthly father, we desire that connection, love and affection and validation.
I remember as a child growing up, I could freely play, laugh and receive love from my father. I have a beautiful memory of me as a very small girl, dancing with my father, I would place my very small feet on his very large feet as he held my arms, and we danced around the living room. I loved I felt loved and nurtured in that special moment in time. The safety of being in the arms of my father was a place I love to be. At home, I felt free to play, talk, laugh and authentically be myself. I had wonderful memories growing up in my younger years, our family going to church and being in the community with fellow believers. It seemed our family was there at church every time the doors were open. My mother was a church organist, and my dad was a deacon in the church. And me and my brother were off about our business, playing with our friends and learning about Jesus. This is just the way our life was. Little did I know how important that this foundation was going to be for the rest of my life. The father's role in the child's life is to establish that unconditional love for their children to provide safety protection, and that they learn to trust their own earthly father, so that they also would honor their Heavenly Father. Well, my story didn't end there. years later, the enemy crept into our family and ultimately tore us apart. Divorced separated us 600 miles from each other. Our lives were filled with disappointment, fear, hurt, pain and feeling abandoned. In our pain. God was always by our side. I could feel his presence even as a 10-year-old little girl. God loves us and hears our cries. God says He is near to the brokenhearted. In Psalms 46. One through two reads, God is our refuge in our strength, always ready there to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when the earthquakes come in the mountains crumble into the sea. I would like to say that life got easier. But that wasn't how it went. It was a rough road for all of us for many, many years.
Each one of our lives has crazy twists and turns, more pain, fear, disappointment and brokenness. Our paths, even as Christians are not promised to be perfect and pain-free. Maybe you can relate to my story. John 16:33 reads, I have told you all this, that you may have peace in me. Here on Earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart because I have overcome the world.
Our relationship breakdowns are nothing new. It may have traveled down from generation to generation. The Bible says that our battle is not against the flesh and blood. It's against the enemy of our souls. In Ephesians 6:12 reads, For we wrestle not with the flesh and blood, but is it against principalities, against the powers against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This is why we need to keep our eyes focused on our Heavenly Father. I am forever grateful for that foundation of salvation through Jesus Christ that was offered to me long ago. In any situation, God can use our brokenness, what the enemy meant for evil, God will use it for good. And Genesis 50:20 reads, You intended to harm me but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save lives of many people. John 10:10 reads, A thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
God loves you. His love no way is conditioned on our love ability, which means there is nothing we can do to earn his love. He loves you because of who He is. Our Heavenly Father's heart is that you know how precious you are to Him. And that He longs to have that personal relationship with you. If you want to have that personal relationship with your heavenly Father, that unconditional love that only He gives, I invite you to make this decision today. It will change your destiny forever. Will you pray this with me? Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I'm a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. You turn from my sins. I repent for my sins, I invite you to come into my heart and in my life. I want to trust and follow you as my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Now, if you sincerely prayed this prayer, I welcome you into the body of Christ. We here at Women World Leaders would love to rejoice with you. If you would, please send us an email at prayer@womenworldleaders.com. I encourage you to get plugged into a Bible-teaching church, join the community of federal fellow believers and get baptized in the Holy Spirit. We always welcome you here at women, world leaders to join our community. We help you walk through your God-given purpose, finding a place for you to serve here within the Ministry to use your God-given gifts and talents. Ephesians 3:20 reads now All Glory to God who is able through the mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we can think or imagine. God Bless you dear sisters. It's my honor and privilege to share with you today. Go and be beacons of light into this world. Until next time.
Following Jesus can be difficult. Even heartbreaking. In one sitting, the disciples learned of Jesus’ upcoming death and that to follow Him, they, too, must endure a cross. What does carrying our cross entail? And how can such a task lead to glory? Today we will study Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-9:1, and Luke 9:22-27. *
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and we are so thrilled that you have joined us!
If you are new to the podcast, we have three offerings for you each week. On Mondays, founder Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose: a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her God story in hopes of giving you courage and excitement to walk out the purpose that God has ordained for you. On Fridays, our team of leaders hosts Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a time of joy, reflection, and teaching – focusing on God’s continuous blessings that He pours out on our lives. And today, Wednesdays, we take time to open the Bible and walk through scripture, verse by verse, asking God to speak His truth with us. We are currently studying the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
I sure hope you were able to join us last week for our in-person event titled Renew! We had such a great time. There was a tropical storm dropping buckets of rain here in South Florida on the day of the event, but God provided, as He always does – and together, we enjoyed awesome worship, fellowship, teaching, and a whole lot of laughs and in-person hugs! If you missed it, stay tuned! We will be posting segments on YouTube and uploading them as episodes to this podcast. You can also visit our Facebook page, Women World Leaders, where you can watch what was the live feed! And we will be planning our next event soon, so go to our website, womenworldleaders.com, and be sure to connect with us so you don’t miss out!
Before we jump into our study, let’s go to the Lord in prayer…
Dear Most Holy God – you are SO good. And we love you SO much. God, thank you for giving us your Word, so that we can open it to find courage when we are scared, strength when we are tired, encouragement when we are feeling low, and joy and peace every single day. Most importantly, thank you that we find YOU in the pages and that, as we read, you speak to each of us so clearly, revealing yourself in the most mysterious and magnificent ways. Father, I ask you to be with me as I speak, and be with each listener. Allow your Word to fall afresh on each of us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We have been following Jesus and His disciples in recent months. If you have been with us, you have likely noticed Jesus’ gentle way of teaching His disciples, one nugget at a time – never giving them more than they are ready to handle. Today, we reach a turning point. The truth that Jesus proclaims today is a bit tough to comprehend and lays out the rocky journey that was ahead. But because of His previous teachings, miracles, and gentle leading, and the disciples own recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus now trusts that his disciples and followers are ready to face two very difficult truths: following Jesus involves recognizing HIS submission to death and releasing our OWN hold on life as we know it.
Today’s scripture lesson comes from Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-9:1, and Luke 9:22-27. Allow me to begin reading from the New Living Translation. Mark 8:31…
31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man[a] must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
Jesus called Himself the Son of Man – a name that came from the prophet Daniel’s description of the heavenly figure who holds all power and authority in the end times. Peter had rightly stated that Jesus was the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for. And Jesus is confirming that He is God, born as a son of man, come to earth to live among humanity. And now He reveals the real reason for His birth here on earth – a shocking revelation of what was to come. Their beloved Messiah, Rabbi, and friend was destined to suffer, be rejected, and be killed.
It seems the disciples stopped listening at the word “killed,” unable to comprehend the ending – that Jesus would rise from the dead. It was too much information. Matthew begins this section by saying that Jesus explained these things “from then on” – this was not an easy pill to swallow and would take time to digest.
I think we can all relate on some level. Hearing horrifying news can put us in a state of shock and unbelief, causing us to question if we really heard what we thought we heard, and causing us to miss some of the facts.
Peter had heard the disturbing news, and his own reaction was unthinkable insubordination as he took Jesus, his respected Rabbi, aside and reprimanded Him, saying, in Matthew 16:22…“Heaven forbid, Lord,… This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Satan had come against Jesus at the beginning of His ministry by offering Jesus the whole world for only the cost of bowing to evil, attempting to keep Him from fulfilling His mission on earth. But Jesus knew that the rightful cost for the world was His own life. Jesus knew that He must follow His Father’s will, which was to live a perfect, sinless life, and then freely offer that perfect life in payment for the sins of all of humanity. By His death and resurrection, Jesus would overcome death once for all, allowing a divine restoration between God and sinful man. THIS was why Jesus came to earth. THIS was His mission.
Peter, although out of pure love, was trying to keep Jesus from completing His mission as well. He simply didn’t want Jesus to suffer.
As humans – we crave the easy way. We look for loopholes. We want to skip the vegetables and get to the dessert! But our God is a God of order. His way is perfect, and there are no shortcuts. Jesus knew that only His own atrocious death could overcome our egregious sin. And He would not let the devil or Peter keep Him from enduring this painful process that would lead to glory beyond our imaginations.
Having spoken to the disciples and reprimanded Peter for his words, Jesus was now ready to unveil this hard lesson to His other followers.
Mark 8:34…
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, (Jesus) said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Today, we bat the phrase “take up your cross” around freely, without recognizing the true weight of its meaning.
The people of Jesus’ day were acutely aware of what the cross was. Carrying your cross meant being sentenced to death – it meant being beaten, scorned, humiliated, tortured, and killed. It was the worst death imaginable. Jesus announced that He was headed that way – and then He announced that His followers must, well, follow.
God has a calling for you. And Christian, it will not always be easy. That’s why Jesus says we must take up our cross.
If you are a parent – you know the pain of giving up yourself for another. It begins with a woman literally sharing her body, nutrients, and energy with a growing fetus. And it continues in the pain of childbirth. Then, the newborn is entirely dependent on others for his survival. And if you are a parent of teens, you know what it is like to pour out yourself, even while being unappreciated and disappointed…wondering if all the work is worth it.
If you are Christian, you are called to give yourself for others in the kingdom of God. That is your cross. To use your giftings for the good of others, that they might grow and become who God called them to be. It’s a responsibility that, though rewarding, is not always easy.
Can you walk away from your cross? Can you walk away from caring for your children and caring for others in the world and in your community? Yes. It is your choice to pick up and carry your cross, or to let others carry the load.
But if you do walk away from the work God has entrusted to you – you will lose out on a spectacular happening that God is orchestrating and is allowing you to be part of! And what you will gain will be fleeting, insubstantial, and unimportant.
Verse 35…
35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
Jesus gave up His life, He willingly carried His cross, so that we can live a resurrected, glorious life with God. All we have to do is accept that gift.
But Jesus goes a step further and invites us to join Him on this earth – to willingly carry our own cross. To give up what we THINK the world has to offer us – to let go of the glitz and glamour and control that Satan offers, and intentionally carry the responsibility that God has given each of us, doing our part to guide OTHERS to salvation.
Verse 36…
36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?[c] 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Luke tells us that carrying our cross is a daily responsibility. When we truly recognize who Jesus is, we will long to please Him daily! We will consider it our honor and privilege to serve the mighty King.
I once had the opportunity to set up a banquet for a former president of the United States. I went early and worked outside in my tennis shoes and jeans, and then I went home and put on my fanciest clothes to go back and to do my part to make sure the evening went smoothly. It was a lot of work – but what a joy and honor that I was chosen to serve at the pleasure of the president!
You are called to serve at the pleasure of our Lord and Savior. And He has given you specific gifts and talents to do just what He has prepared for you!
How has God gifted you? What is He counting on you to do?
If you are a parent of young children, your call is obvious. Love those children! Protect them, guide them, lead them, provide for them, and then…yes…let them go when the time is right. Because that is your job, too.
Are you called to serve in your church? Our church leaders cannot take care of the whole flock themselves! We are all given the privilege of helping take care of the whole.
Are you called into missions or ministry? That is not an easy lifestyle, but as you give up the lifestyle the world tells you is best, God will show you an even better one.
In a family, everyone has a position. In the family of God, we all have a call to serve each other. It takes intentionality and perseverance to carry our cross, but don’t let the devil rob you of its glory!
Verse 9…
9 Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”
What a great word that is! It is debated what Jesus meant exactly by this. Most theologians believe that it points to the transfiguration or Pentecost, when the glory of the Lord was on display. But we can be assured that when we give our lives to Christ, recognizing HIS submission to death and releasing our OWN hold on life as we know it, choosing to carry our cross for the good of God’s people, we, too, will see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!
Dear Most Holy God! Jesus, we turn the corner with you as we look toward the cross. We have relished in your teaching and the miracles you have shown us in your Word, and we mourn with the disciples as we think of the pain you endured. Thank you doesn’t seem enough for all you have done, yet it is all you require. Jesus, we recognize that although our gift of salvation is free, you do long for us to take up the cross – to use the gifting that you have given us to shout your name on this earth as we care for others. We praise you for the opportunity to work with and for you, and we humbly submit our lives in service to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Once crippled by a spirit of fear, Dr. Dana shares her story of what hindered her from walking into her God given calling over her life. By overcoming what the enemy tried to immobilize her with, FEAR, Dr. Dana, Senior Pastor and life and business coach, now empowers you with what helped her. May scripture and prayer within this podcast help you to move beyond your limitations into a life of purpose. ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. And it's my privilege today to welcome you to this podcast and also our guest today, which is Dr. Dana Cameron from Suffolk Virginia. Welcome, Dana, Dr. Dana
How are you?
Kimberly Hobbs
We are great, we are great. And we're just happy that you are here. And ladies, we are going to be talking about the spirit of fear today. So you are in for an awesome podcast. And it's our desire ladies that by sharing these personal stories of women who have walked through these different adversities in their life, that it will encourage you and empower you and strengthen you in your walk with the Lord. We all face things and when we can come together and just unite together and know that we can overcome the enemy. Oh my goodness, it is with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is just the best feeling just to group together and just share, share these stories. So ladies, this is for you. Scripture verse I love to share is they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And by the words of their testimony, that's a revelation 12 812 11 I'm sorry. So ladies, again, we are hoping that you will just join in feel at home and be blessed. As Dr. Dana shares a little bit about her story. Let me tell you a little bit about our guest, Dr. Dana, and she is just an amazing woman of God. I've known her for several years. She is a Christian visionary leader who is passionate about empowering others to positive change. She's married with children and grandchildren, and she's the senior pastor of the life changing ministry in Suffolk, Virginia. She's also a radio host of the five minute word of empowerment, and praise the ultimate experience 92.5 FM. Dr. Dana is the CEO of Dr. Dana coaching, which she started to help business minded individuals overcome fears, launch their businesses and create financial wealth. Dr. Dana and her team provide business coaching as well as facilitating conferences, seminars and workshops. This woman is a busy woman of God. And today is Dr. Dana coaches, other people about something she is passionate about. Because this woman is passionate about overcoming fears. There are so many different kinds of fears that we face in life, right on a day to day basis. And so she was moved, we were both moved to say let's talk about this very topic that just seems to prison, so many of our precious women. So God did not give us a spirit of fear. He didn't. We all battle fear at moments in our lives. But when fear immobilizes you ladies, God's word tells us don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you. And that's Deuteronomy 31, eight. So ladies, God never leaves us and we can hold on to that truth. So whenever we're fearful, we look to the Lord right away and cast down those fears. Dana, you never wanted to do ministry because of limitations in your life. Fear was a mobilizing new and you told me that the spirit of fear came over you and the closer you came to your calling God had a calling on your life and you knew that. So the more that you came closer to that calling to figure it out, like God, what do you want? Me too? Do that fear began to creep up inside of you. Can you share about that in your personal story?
Dr. Dana
Yes, yes. Thank you so much, Kimberly. I want everyone to know that when I began to face fear, I noticed that it came when the Lord had began to call me into ministry, and I had to step out of something called my comfort zone. I felt that when when he called me out of ministry I was a person Like anyone else in the church, I was a musician. I enjoyed playing music. I was comfortable playing music. I didn't want to move from that position. And then I heard Kimberly, the voice of the Lord began to move me and call me into a greater calling. And as he began to do that, I begin to feel this feeling. And I just was like, Oh, God, I don't know why me. Are you sure you're calling me? Are you sure that this is what you want me to do? You know, almost had like a Moses moment.
Kimberly Hobbs
Of course.
Dr. Dana
I can relate me out of all the people you want meat? What is so great about me? What about my neighbor? God, can you choose somebody else? I didn't want to do that many people are in things that they rejected, they don't want to do. And that's what ended up happening for me. God began to call me in the ministry. I was surrounded sister Kim live with a bunch of Prophets, people begin to prophesy to me about God taking me to another level. And I was so comfortable in where I was, because of fear. I didn't quite know what it was initially. But then I begin to feel that feeling. I said, What is this and and that's when I begin to know that I'm battling with fear. Fear that's causing me that's blocking me. It's fear that prompting me it's fear that is, and I believe you said something in prison in me. Yes. immobilizing. You? Yes. And mobilizing me, and just stopping me from getting to that next level. And so then I had to realize that me and fear gonna have to wrestle. And so that's what ended up happening. I had to wrestle with something. And that was called. Wow.
Kimberly Hobbs
And that's what I was just going to ask you, you know, to share with the lady. So, how did you know that fear was crippling you, you You began, or you've been in fearful places before we talked about that. And so why was this different, and maybe identify for all of us the type of fear it was.
Dr. Dana
I believe, for me personally, first of all, I want to say that fear does have a feeling to it. Just like happiness has a feeling to it, there's a feeling of fear, there's a presence to fear. I stated this before you can be in a room by yourself. And when fear comes in, there's something different about that room. And so the fear for me was the fear of rejection, which can feel different than the fear of abandonment, which can feel different than the fear of failure. But I as a woman, I was like, God, I'm going to be rejected by people. Wow, that it would be a fear of rejection was on me. And so what I ended up doing, I had to begin the process. What what feared was because initially, I knew it was a feeling to fear because I felt that before, I didn't know what type of fear it was, why am I fearful for going into ministry? What is it about me going into ministry that causes me to stop and not want to go forward? And so for me, it was a fear of rejection, I had to label that thing to figure out exactly what it was. And I believe a lot of women know it's something there, but they haven't really pinpoint exactly why they keep getting to a certain point, and then stopping.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right, right. Wow. And do you think it's important to label that fear like to, but you gotta identify it, right?
Dr. Dana
Yes, you have to know exactly what it is. You have to know exactly what type of fear it is. And the reason why you have to know that is and we're going to talk about that. It's because you need to know what to go to God and pray about.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. That's right. That's right.
Dr. Dana
Your prayer sister Kimberly, playing before the Lord and clear what the pray about if you don't know what you battling with, amen, amen. So at the label it
Kimberly Hobbs
so you labeled your fear. The Bible tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear in any in anything. That's good. But of power, and love, and self discipline, He's given us a spirit of power. Yes, Spirit of Love of self, discipline, sound mind. That's Second Timothy, one, seven. Dana, let's talk about some of the great women of the Bible here because we were just talking about different types of fear and just putting, you know, identify what kind of fear you had. We can relate ladies listening right now that we've all experienced different types of fears in our life. So let's identify with some of the women of the Bible and what kind of fears that they faced.
Dr. Dana
You know, you find people in the Bible you find like Esther, you know Esther had before, you know a king, you think about she had the battle with the fear of possibly death. You're going in before a king and before you're cold back then could cost you your life. It's been you find people maybe like Abigail. You know, Abigail also could have had that fear of death as well, because she came and ran down Dave. And I said, Wait a minute, David. I know what you're planning on doing because of my husband's ignorance. I know what you're planning on doing. But can you just not do this? Here's the offering. He didn't know he didn't know any better. Can you not kill every all of our sons? She cheated. She felt that fear of death. She could have been with you. At that point. Then you also find in the Bible people like Mary, being pregnant. Yes. She didn't need I mean, just think about carrying a baby and the father that the person you're gonna marry a saying that's not my baby. So I want to put you aside secretly, because I will set you aside secretly because I love you. And I don't want what usually happens when this happens to you because of the culture we're in. And the fear of that, of people looking at her being abandoned by him. The fear of the shame in that issue, experience. Yes, carrying Jesus, you know, as one now we experienced certain fears ourselves. We many of us in relationships are rejected. Many of us when we're going have fear success. That's the reason why are we not going to the next level fear of failure. So it's a lot of people. And not just the people in the Bible, but women today, that fear has become a barrier to getting to the next level. Candidly, level, just stopping them there.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's right. That's right. So the different women of the Bible have been able to overcome that. And that's why we have such amazing stories that God gave us in the Bible to look to these women of faith. How did some of them overcome their fears?
Dr. Dana
You know, the Bible tells you that Esther prayed. You know, sometimes, and these people fast it when you have what I call a stronghold. What God was a stronghold, that's what it's called. You got something on you that won't let you go. Almost like a bulldog. When it bites onto a piece of meat, that Bulldog has a strong grip on the need. We have demonic influences that have a stronghold over our lives. And the only person who can break that stronghold is the Lord, His anointing destroys the yoke. So we got to go to God's fasted and prayed
Kimberly Hobbs
and seek sister. Amen. That's right.
Dr. Dana
We go to God with that thing. You know, and what else can you do? But go to the Lord, when you've identified that fear? What else can you do? What are you recognize that fear? Then you pray about that fear, then you have to speak the word over that fear. And the last thing you have to do is move out and faith. Amen. You have to do once you know what it is, you pray about it, you have to move out in faith and believe that the Lord is going to be with you and he'll never leave you. And He will help you overcome as you go and faith believing that he's already going to do it, and it's already done.
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so good. That is so good. And you take that first step of faith, because that's what it is. It's an action. Faith is an action word. So you have to put feet on your faith like Danna just said, step out, step out on that action. Action word, action word. Remember that ladies? So we don't want to be immobilized in that fear that we are faced with whatever it be you know, jobless situation you just got a bad report from the doctor that oh my goodness, your your earth is shattering that it's a doctor's prognosis. Okay? We have a God. Don't you be immobilized in fear that you're on your deathbed? Because you got you got a bad report from the doctor? Absolutely not. Just like you said, Dana, you step out and you pray you give it to God. And you put feet on those prayers and you walk forward by faith. And you don't look back and you trust God. Oh my god loves that's a good word. That's a good word. Yeah. So Gina, as you you allow God to rule in your life rather than fear. You. You you chose victory victory. I You didn't stay stagnant in that that situation but that our victory we know our victory comes from God. So listen to this verse I thought, oh my gosh, this verse is so good. You can claim victory when you say we have. We can say this with confidence. The Lord is my helper. So I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Right? That's Hebrews 13. Six, what are you fearing? Ladies? What are we fearing? What can mere people do to us? Okay, we, we are daughters of the Most High King. He's our father, he's not going to let our foot stumble and hit against a rock. No, he's going to take care of us. So didn't factor Deanna before I because I'm going to ask you to pray over these women before we close out but I just asked you to just pour into them right now and let loose on them. And take five minutes here and just give them those you know, just just be Dr. Danna, Dr. Dana, Dr. Dana, in their life right now saying God can do this.
Dr. Dana
Yes, thank you. I want to tell you anyone that's listening to the sound of my voice right now. If you know you battling with fear, I'm gonna call it a booger man. Can I call it that? My mom was she will call it a fear little booger bear, you know, you battling with fear. You know, it's fear. You're not mistaking what it is, I want to encourage you as a woman that has faced fear. When you make one foot and step out in faith, I promise you, God will make away just like he did for the children of Israel at the Red Sea. You may have to go out and step out and not know how he's gonna do it. But faith will always open the door, you be encouraged. Don't stand there and allow fear to intimidate you. When the Lord has spoken a word over your life. Don't look at people's faces. Don't worry about their opinions. Nobody opinion, opinion matters. But God, if He tells you to do something, and you know that you feel like fear has you all tied up, and you recognize it begin to speak that word over your life. She says, wonderful scriptures today. God has not given us the spirit of fear. That means that don't come from God. But it says power. We have power overcoming love, and a sound mind. And as you speak the word of God of your life, I promise you, oh, if I be a woman of God, and I know who I am, I promise you, the word is gonna do it. It's gonna do it don't need no help. And God will allow you to do and step out in faith and do what he's called you to do. So I just wanted to speak that I feel excited about everyone that's gonna hear this message. It's all ready done.
Kimberly Hobbs
As you've done, ladies, is done.
Dr. Dana
Thank you so much. Yeah, all right.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, no matter, ladies, whatever it is you're facing. And I love this. The verse that we have in women world leaders is Ephesians 320. That says unto Him, who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine, if you're fearful? Would God put that scripture in his word that he is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask her imagine, know, if he wants you to be crippled and fear because it's not going to happen? Or somebody's telling you something that's false evidence appearing real. That's what fear stands for, right? It's a lie from the pit of hell. It's a lie unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine, according to the power that's at work within us. All right, Danna. Dana, I keep saying, Dana, Dana just talked about that power, that power that is at work within us, ladies is the power of the Holy Spirit. God, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, that you believe that he came and died on the cross for your sins alone. And you have accepted Him and confessed by faith, that he is the Son of God. And you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved, you have the power of the Holy Spirit that works within you that no fear can come against. So as soon as you start to feel those things come up from whatever it is you're walking through. You just remember, you have the power at work within you. Ephesians 320, write it down, underline it, whatever you're walking through right now, God does not want you to walk it alone. He will never leave you or forsake you. Dear sister, Dana, I just again, I thank you for just even sharing that testimony that you walked through it. You you felt a calling on your life. The Devil was trying to hold you back and immobilize you. And he did not want you to move into that calling that God had over you. And there's ladies out there listening to this right now whether they lost their job and they are crippled and feel they can't move on. Whether they have that bad report from the doctor and they said, I'm done. I'm done. He told me I have eight weeks to live. What what are you going to believe that God has an appointed time over all our lives? God says in Ephesians 210 We are His masterpiece we are created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. So ladies, when that fear hits you in the face, he planned to do good things for you long ago. You keep going because that he's not done with you yet. He has not done Deena Will you please pray over the woman listening right now that is just starting to feel that encouragement I can do this I can get through this I can I can look to God I can pray to Him I can release it pray right now over this sister. Please.
Dr. Dana
Oh Heavenly Father God I just thank you for everyone God that's going to tune in God to this god podcast God in the future God I pray that you would got anoint them God, as they hear the sounds of the word that have been released from there, our mouths today God but they will fill in divine freedom, god, oh god from anything to do with fear God made they will boldly into their future God knowing that you are with them. God, oh, Heavenly Father, we thank you for doing it acts according to the power that working within them God, you've already given them what they need to succeed God, we decree it today. We declare it today over their livestock. We speak it today God's and it is already sold, and no greater name than the name of Jesus. I pray and we pray, or I feel a freedom from a woman on this desk. Listen to this in Jesus name. I pray again a man and a man says to Kimberly, we believe as all.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. That sounds right. We do. We claim it we claim freedom from fear right this moment, ladies. And if you're listening, you claim that freedom over your life. You have freedom from fear, you are not trapped in a prison of fear. Give it to God. Give it to Jesus, release it to him, surrender it to him, and stop being held back by that fear. And you walk forward. Put those shoes on, run to Jesus, you are free from fear, claim it claim it claim it in Jesus name. I just want you to just take this verse to and hold it. Don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged. For I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. That's Isaiah 4110. Wow, what more can we ask for God, the Creator of the universe of you of me. He's gonna withhold us with his victorious right hand, right? It's not us holding us up. It's not anybody else holding us up. It's God. It's God. Go to him. Ladies, get these scriptures memorized. Get them under your belt so that when when these things hit you because we're hit with them every day, we're faced with all different kinds of fears. Just remember that we are approved by our Holy Father, to get us through anything, hold tight, and reread all these scriptures because honestly, ladies, they're going to be the strength to get you through. There is power in the Word of God. Right? Dina, you turn to the Word of God. And I know you read those scriptures over your life when when fear was holding you down.
Dr. Dana
Do you have a closing word? Walk go and walk by faith and pursue the things that God has called you to do because he's with you. God is with all of them and he's with us. And we know that with him there is no failure in God. So we know we're going to succeed I'm so excited about that. They got
Kimberly Hobbs
excited, all excited to remember Victory. Victory and Jesus ladies okay, you keep going if you are called out by God, and we believe if you are on this podcast and you are watching this podcast right now there is no coincidence. By God he had you here to listen in, to hear this word, to claim victory over your life over the fears that fail you over The fears that keep you captive, claim it claim victory and Jesus ladies, and we're here to just encourage you and empower you to do so. So as we close, which is always I feel so sad because me and when God just starts going and giving us words and helping us just empower you, there's there's no wanting to stop. But we always do have to come to an end, and I get to share some of the things about this amazing ministry with you ladies, we want all of you to be part of it. And if you're feeling this calling on your life, and you want to serve here with us and women, world leaders, we have a place for everybody. Reach out to me personally at Kimberly at women world leaders.com. I would love to hear from you. I would love to know that you feel that calling on your life and you want to step out in faith. And you don't want fear to hold you back. And you want to say yes, God, I can serve you somehow, some way. Oh, my goodness, we have places for you. Here we have so many things we have opportunities. With right within this voice of Truth magazine. Maybe you write and share your story, and a voice of truth story. This magazine is an amazing publication that's free to the world. Outside of the United States, you have the digital copy, which is available on our website, women world leaders.com. Or if you are in the United States, you can get this amazing beautiful copy 100 pages, we come out with it every quarter sent to your home ladies. And you just go on to our website and request it. Ladies, this will bless you, this will encourage you and it's a way that you can get involved in women, world leaders. We need prayer warriors, if you want to come on board as part of the prayer team. We invite you to contact us and say I want to serve in praying. You can pray wherever you are in the world. But you can be connected to part of our prayer team. We have a prayer group me where we have so many women I can't even tell you in different countries that come together. And we put the specific requests on there. And we pray, we pray it is an active group, let me tell you, but not only that, there's so many other ways ladies that you can be used here. Don't let fear mobilize you and mobilize you step out. And ladies, we also want to invite you to our other podcasts, which will you have podcasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at women world leaders. And on Wednesday, we have our beautiful co CEO of women world leaders, Julie Jenkins, and she takes you through the teaching podcasts of the Gospels and it's wonderful. So please don't miss out on Wednesdays. And then on Fridays we have celebrating God's grace for different women of the ministry. Just pour into you joy and happiness and different things to talk about going into your weekend. And we know that it is a blessing because we we listen to them and we don't miss any of the podcasts. Ladies, we love you. And we thank you for being here. And we asked you to share these podcasts with anybody that would need them need to hear the content. Dr. Dana, I thank you for being on today. You're a blessing You're a sweetheart. And Dr. Dina is coming into the women world leaders ministry and we are so blessed to have her. So we pray as God moves in her life that you will see more of Dr. Dana in women world leaders. So ladies from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Ladies, we love you be blessed and have a glorious day
Is your marriage on autopilot? In today's podcast, Cindy Jacob Southworth addresses the things that cause us to put our marriage on the “back burner” and ways to reconnect so that we can keep our marriage the priority that God intended it to be.
Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about getting your marriage out of auto-pilot, but first let’s go to God in prayer.
Father God, we all have busy seasons in our lives, and your word reminds us of the different seasons. You also have much to share with us about the value of our marriage, and how you desire that marriage to glorify you. Speak to our hearts today, and guide us in a new direction that will bring glory and honor to you, Heavenly Father. In Jesus’s precious name we pray, Amen.
Is Your Marriage on Auto-Pilot?
Sometimes we find ourselves in a busy season. People become entrepreneurs, and there is a lot of focus on building their business. Some get that dream job and devote hours and hours to climbing the corporate ladder of success. Many have service jobs, and their passion for serving goes above and beyond the regular call of duty, even taking them away from their spouses for extended periods of time. Some enter the ministry, and their love for spreading God’s love and serving others takes a front seat in their lives. Many people find when they have kids, the kids take a lot of priority, especially in the early years. Many adjustments take place to go from being a couple to being a family of three, four, five, or more.
And then we wake up and realize our marriage has been on auto-pilot. We can’t remember the last time we had a kid-free date night. Staying up late just to look at the stars and snuggle or staying in bed and spending time having pillow talk seems like a distant memory. We realize that time we packed an overnight bag and jumped in the car for an romantic getaway was ……. Oh my so many years ago, I can’t remember the year. We wake up and look at that person sleeping next to us, and ask ourselves, who is this person? How did we get so disconnected from each other?
If your marriage is on auto-pilot, you need a pause. What’s so sad is that we would quickly take a day off work if we had a medical appointment, our child had a sports event, or mom needed help, but rarely do we take a day because our marriage needs attention. Sometimes we have to decide to put the marriage on the front burner and take a pause from everything else.
What are some ways you can reconnect? You can begin by praying for your marriage. God created marriages to reflect His unconditional love for His people. Your marriage is a beautiful reminder of the love that God has for a lost world. Pray that God will help you find a way to bring oneness, or unity of purpose, back into your marriage.
Clear the calendar and spend some quality time together, disconnecting from all the technology that keeps you connected to everyone else, yes! I’m talking about that smartphone! and decide to connect with each other. Do something together you both enjoy. Find some common ground that will bring you together.
Have a heart to heart rtalk. Start by affirming each other in the things that you appreciate. Build each other up in love, and apologize to each other for not making the marriage the relationship priority that it deserves. If there is unresolved conflict between you, take the time to talk it through and wipe the slate clean with each other.
Many times we say, “I just don’t have time.” Everyone has 168 hours a week, and you get to decide how you are going to use those 168 hours. Determine how much of those 168 hours you are going to give to your most important relationship – your marriage. Discuss your other priorities, and talk about how your marriage can take more precedence in your lives.
If one of you is experiencing a difficult time, take the time to listen with empathy and ask if your spouse needs something from you to make the journey easier. Remind your spouse that you are a team, and two are better than one. Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us that we can work so hard, giving up so much pleasure that it becomes meaningless and depressing. Two people together can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help, but someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ask the Lord to knit the two of you together to fight whatever battle you might be facing.
If you find that you can’t reconnect on your own, reach out for professional help. Sometimes an objective third party can help you discover the blind spots, and help you see the problem from another perspective. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Psalms 37:30 reminds us that the Godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. We all need help from others from time to time, and God puts people in our path who can help us shed light on the darkness in our lives.
Remember that love covers a multitude of sins, and God’s unconditional love will keep you together. Sometimes we just have to take our marriages off auto-pilot and let God steer us in a new direction.
Reach out and build a web of resources. Find people who will support you. We at Women World Leaders have an amazing team who would love to help you, and you can go to www.womenworldleaders.com for prayer support and other resources.
You can also drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
We can be aware of deception by holding close to Jesus, who doesn’t give up on us! Hear Jesus’ heart for His followers today as we study Matthew 16:1-12 and Mark 8:11-25.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host Julie Jenkins. June 2022 is upon us, which means that our June event is happening this Saturday, June 4th! I hope that you are planning on joining us for a morning of worship, teaching, fellowship, and just plain fun. This free event is at Keiser University in West Palm Beach and will begin at 9:00am. If you are coming to the event, make sure you bring some cash, because have some great raffle items. And if you can’t make it in person, you can join us on Facebook Live at 9:30am! As we all learned during covid, community CAN be built via technology. We have leaders from around the world who will be joining you on chat during the event. To find out more or register to attend in person, please visit our website – womenworldleaders.com
Today, on Walking in the Word, we will continue our systematic walk through the gospels as we ask God to reveal what He wants us to know and put into practice. Today’s scripture includes Matthew 16:1-12 and Mark 8:11-25.
Let’s pray before we begin…
Dear Most Gracious and Loving God – as we come before you today, we ask that you cleanse our hearts and our minds that we might hear directly from you as we study and share. God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you. I thank you for always reaching each of us where we are, and it is with anticipation that we will hear from you that we delve into this study. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we have been traveling with Jesus and His disciples, we have most recently seen Jesus’ ministry to the Gentile world. We pick up today on their travels back into Jewish territory when they are met with BOTH the Pharisees and the Sadducees – working together to come against Jesus’ and His ministry.
I don’t think we, in this modern era, can fully grasp what it meant to have these two groups team up, who under ordinary circumstances were rivals.
The name Pharisee actually means “separated” and was appropriate because the Pharisees separated themselves from the ordinary Jewish person by strictly observing laws and manmade traditions. We often think of the Jewish people as spiritual – the Pharisees were ultra-spiritual. They set themselves on a pedestal. They clung to the teachings of the God, believing in the Old Testament, miracles, the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and God’s final judgement – and their error was in making the pathway to God full of legal ramifications.
The Sadducees, on the other hand, were the modernists of the day. The did not believe in miracles or resurrections. They did believe in a Messiah to come, but only as a political giant, not a spiritual manifestation of God.
We’ve all seen groups of people with completely different motives and beliefs side together against a common enemy throughout history, and this was a perfect example. The Pharisees and the Sadducees joined forces to confront Jesus.
With that in mind, let’s begin in Matthew 16, verse 1, from the New Living Translation…
16 One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
If you’ve read the Bible, been to Sunday School, or have been listening to this podcast, you know that Jesus had already performed MANY miracles. You also know that this is not the first time these leaders demanded a sign. The wording here says that they demanded a “miraculous sign from heaven.” They were looking for an apocalyptic sign – a blessing from heaven on Jesus signaling that He was the answer to Israel for their political deliverance.
One theologian equated this demand with the devil’s temptation in the desert before Jesus began His ministry. Could Jesus have taken over right then and there? Finally and completely delivering the Jewish people and destroying their enemies. Of course He could have! But that was not the plan. And Jesus knew that if anyone was truly sold out to God, they would not need this “proof” of who He was, but they would see all the unmistakable miraculous events that had already occurred and would have realized their significance. These individuals had CHOSEN not to believe, and they were trying to set a trap for Jesus. Verse 2…
2 Jesus replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; 3 red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times![a] 4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.[b]” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Jesus promised a sign to come…that of the prophet Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of a whale for three days. Left for dead. But God had work for Jonah to do, and after three days, he emerged. This was foreshadowing THE biggest miracle – Jesus’ resurrection from the dead by which He would conquer the power of death for all those who believed in Him – once and forever more.
Mark 8:12 tells us that as Jesus answered, “he sighed deeply in his spirit.” If you are a parent who has watched your children make poor decisions, you may understand the heartbreak behind Jesus’ sigh.
The fact that Jesus turned from them and went away is, to me, the scariest part of this whole interaction. God has bent over backwards to reveal Himself to EVERY human on earth. He has dotted every I and crossed every T. He has left no stone unturned. When we call to God, He is there. Wherever we go, He is there. In all of creation, He is there. But there can come a point when we have chosen over and over again NOT to see Jesus, that we will be unable to see Him. When we have hardened our hearts so strongly against Him, that our hearts can no longer receive Him.
If you want to hear from Jesus, let me encourage you to PRACTICE hearing from Him. Practice listening and obeying!
I was lying in bed at 4:30 this morning, and I heard God tell me to get up and write. I questioned Him. God do you really want me to get up and write now? He said, yes, I really want you to get up and write now. And so I did. Not because I wanted to write…I actually REALLY wanted to sleep. But I also really do want to hear from God – and I don’t EVER want to put up a barrier that stops me from hearing Him. I don’t ever want to intentionally not listen, causing my hearing to no longer acute. So when God says jump – I jump. Even if that means to jump out of bed when I am really tired.
“Jesus left them and went away.” – There will come a time when Jesus will turn away from unbelievers. If you have given your life to Christ, you can be assured that Jesus will NEVER turn away from you – the best is yet to come! But if you haven’t yet given your life to Christ, please do so, because we never know when Jesus WILL turn away and it will be too late. Giving your life to Christ is as easy as admitting that you are a sinner, accepting God’s gift of forgiveness, and following Him to the best of your ability in His power. If you would like someone to walk through this process with you, please email us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com
As we continue reading Matthew 16, verse 5 is an aside that sets the scene.
5 Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread.
But while the disciples are discussing their hunger, Jesus is still focused on the interaction with the Pharisees and the Sadducees…and He warns the disciples…
6 “Watch out!” … “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
The disciples, still entrenched in their own conversation about bread, think Jesus’ mention of yeast is referring to their lack of food…verse 7…
7 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. 8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? 9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? 10 Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? 11 Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
You may know that yeast in the Bible is often a symbol of evil or wrong teaching, signifying that a little bit of evil or wrong teaching can take root and spread among many. But until my preparations for today’s teaching, I didn’t understand this fully. I’ve made bread…I’ve ripped open the tiny yeast packet and put a bit into the dough and then watched the dough rise nice and fluffy, ready for baking. So I recognized the correlation that a little bit of yeast can effect a whole loaf of bread. But I didn’t realize the significance of the yeasts ability to spread from a cultural and historical perspective.
You may not be surprised to learn that in Jesus’ time, they didn’t have little packets of yeast in their kitchen cabinet. I honestly had never considered this. Instead, this necessary ingredient was grown by holding back a portion of the dough before they baked it. The piece of dough would be stored appropriately and treated with juices to enhance fermentation, and then used as a base to prepare dough for the following week. Then the process would continue…a small part of THAT dough would be reserved to grow the leaven for the next week. This process was full of opportunities to spread illness. If the dough EVER got tainted, it would infect much more than a single loaf of bread.
The effects of evil and wrong teaching extend far beyond ourselves and our families, and they extend beyond today. We all can point back to an incident of wrongdoing in our lives that changed us forever. Such is the danger of evil.
Mark records Jesus’ words to the disciples in chapter 8:17-18 … “Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’[a] Don’t you remember anything at all?
In our Christian walk, Jesus implores us to seek understanding, to watch for what God is doing, to look for His miracles, to listen for His wonders, and to remember His blessings.
As if to underscore this, although Jesus would not perform a miracle for the Pharisees and Sadducees who had hardened their hearts against Him, Jesus’ love and care continued to exude to those who came to Him with an open heart. Mark continues in verse 22…
22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. 23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”
24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”
25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.
Sometimes it takes awhile for us to see Jesus clearly! At first healing, the blind man could see only figures. But as he held close to Jesus, his sight was completely restored.
Even after Jesus fed thousands in front of their eyes, the disciples still argued about who forgot the bread in a panic that they might not have food to eat on their journey. But as they held close to Jesus, he showed them that He IS our complete sustenance who will provide for us in all ways.
If you are having a difficult time understanding all that Jesus is, that is ok. Keep seeking Him, and He will overwhelm you with His character and love. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, to give you wisdom, to open your eyes and your heart and to make you teachable. Respond to His call, and His voice will get louder and clearer as He calls you away from evil and wrong teaching and calls you to embrace Him, God’s only Son, our pure source of truth and strength.
Let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – we thank you for your warnings, your wisdom, and your love. As we walk through our day, meet us where we are. Make your voice loud and give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and courage to respond. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God is the source of our comfort. Today's guest, life coach, marriage coach, and mental health coach Christina Hjort shares her story about living in a world of discomfort. What does it take to release shame and guilt from your past, allowing the true source of comfort that only God gives to enter your life? Please join us for today's podcast to find out. * Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are so grateful for every time you join with us on our podcast. Today, I have the privilege to introduce you to our guest today. Christina Hjort. Christina is from Winter Haven, Florida. Thank you, Christina, for joining us.
Christina Hjort
Thank you, Kimberly. It's an honor to be here. I'm excited about the word that God is bringing through this message today.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And we're excited to hear. Ladies, God is working in you. He's working in me, Christina, he's lurking in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 2:13. So today, ladies, we believe that God will strengthen and encourage each of us as we walk through this podcast together. And just listen to the story shared by Christina. We're going to talk about comfort today. So our it's our hopes that we can encourage you to be comforted in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because that is where our ultimate comfort comes from. I want to share a little bit about our guests Christina York today. Christina served honorably as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps for five years. Thank you so much, Christina for your service. God bless you. Thanks. She served in Operation Desert Storm and I am sure you have stories to share with that. But Chris has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida. And she has been a small business owner for seven years and she is an AA certified professional life coach. She's a break water professional ministry, marriage coach, and currently studying to be a Board Certified Master mental health coach. Wow. Chris has a passion for serving in this part of the welcome team at High Point church and Lake Wales. She's been married to Matt since 2015, and has a blended family with four children and three grandchildren. And together they believe that the Christ Church relationship provides us with a model for our own marriage. And through the husband wife relationship, we have the opportunity to mirror God's love and His will for mankind and the world. We believe that today ladies, as we talk about comfort, the word comfort, I want to start off with sharing some scripture that I believe is going to carry us into Christina's story. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, I'm reading from the Passion Translation says that all praises belong to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial, we can bring them the same comfort that God has poured out upon us. And ladies, those of you that walk with Jesus know, the beautiful comfort that we come that we can have that only comes from Him. And it's here that I want to have Christina, introduce her story to you that starts off with growing up with a very abusive father. Good times from a mother with love. But she was not comfortable in her home life. And Christina, can you share a little bit about the brokenness?
Christina Hjort
Yes, so the only memory I have of my father Jerry and mother Peggy together with them arguing. Remember one time in the kitchen they were arguing fiercely and my father threw my mother against the refrigerator out of anger. My father had been severely abused as a child, and now he had become the abuser. My mother left that relationship at five years old. My mother and my father were divorced. I don't remember a lot from those days that I do remember some good times with my mom and I do remember some weekends with my father. My father he, he called me his princess. I mean, when I was at my father's house, he would take me for doughnuts and ice cream. He liked the finer things of life. But for my brother, life was just how on earth it was filled with abuse and pain. He was physically abused by my father. So when I was eight years old and my mother, she met Ronnie Ashley's, the master sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, he was being reassigned to a military base in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is a long way from San Diego, California, where I was born and raised. My mom and Ron, they had a whirlwind romance. They got married in January of 1980, and relocated to Virginia. Rod was a good man, he was willing to take responsibility for a single mom, two children. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a very strong protective way about him. But over the years, I found out that he suffered with PTSD from being a Vietnam veteran, excuse me and suffered and struggled with alcoholism. He could be a very hard man to please. That summer in 1980, after they were wed, my brother was flown out to visit us. One evening, shortly after my brother had arrived, we were sitting at the dinner table. So sorry, my mother, my mother, she had handed my brother a plate of food, which she just commenced to shoveling down as fast as he could. My mom said to Jeremy, you don't have to eat so fast. No one's going to take your plate from you. Apparently, I pulled my mom aside and politely advised her that Jeremy regularly had his food taken from him as a form of punishment at my father's house. My mother, she was shocked and heartbroken. She contacted our father and informed him that their son was not leaving Virginia, and that she would be assuming full parental custody. After that day, I did not hear from my father for another 21 years. Wow. Yeah. Even at the early age of 10 years old. It was just it was too late for my brother and he was so broken from the abuse of our father. As years passed, he was in and out of counseling. He struggled in school, he used marijuana to ease the pain from the past. He was broken and manic depressive. I was not aware of any of this at the time to me, my brother was the most amazing person. I knew he was funny. He was popular. He was athletic. He was a brilliant artist. He did everything right in my eyes. He used to wake me up in the morning tickling me until I couldn't breathe. He was the first person to tell me about Jesus. So for a while, I thought things were gonna be okay. You know, we were trying to make it work as a family. After high school, Jeremy went into the Army and I went to the Marine Corps. Of course, I was trying to live up to my stepdads standard. I'll never forget getting a phone call from my brother Jeremy. For Thanksgiving, it was 1990 I was on duty. He called me and he told me to resolve any issues or disputes that I had with my mom and my stepdad and to take care of them. He told me that he loved me something that he rarely said. And then on December 6 of 1990, I got the news that would change my life forever. My brother was dead from suicide. My world just came crashing down. I'm so sorry.
Kimberly Hobbs
I'm so sorry. And I know you're even struggling in this moment to share, to share but your pain started right there. Like you said it changed your life. And because of that pain, you act it out. And you are even sharing with me, Christina and I'm sure ladies you can relate to this pain. If you've lost somebody so dear to you and you don't understand why and then all of the things that created this perfect storm in her life for her to act out. She was uncomfortable. She wasn't comfortable in her life. There was no comfort around her know where to turn. So Christina, you You told me that you started acting out in different ways alcoholism, men in your life divorce, different things started happening. You said at one time that you the woman in the well, at the Bible, we are in the Bible. We know that story about the woman in the well. You said that she looked like a saint compared to your life. So we know that there was acting out in this pain, this horrible pain and understandably that you were going through rough times rough years. But you told me that you experienced shame and guilt. And I'm thinking, Okay, you experience shame and guilt. Why is that? Can you explain the shame and guilt that you felt?
Christina Hjort
Yeah, I think that the the abandonment from my, my father, and then the inadequacy that I felt for my stepdad. And then, you know, the loss of my brother, it just broke me. I had so many questions. I was wondering, Was it my fault and lied and blame? What can I do differently to be worthy of love? I just had so many questions and no answers. I spent the next 20 years going from relationship to relationship and religion to religion trying to fill that hole in my heart I was I was in relationship with the alcoholic and the addict, the abuser. The adults are trying to fill the emptiness that only God can fill each relationship ending in disaster. I was baptized three times in three different denominations trying to just wash off. The shame and guilt of my life only did come up out of those baptismal waters just feeling dirty than dirtier than before. I went to counseling for five years trying to put the puzzle pieces of self destruction and shattered heart back together. I just I didn't believe that I deserve goodness and peace. I just wanted to read out of limitations. Chapter one lamentation Chapter One Two says she leaves bed early in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks. She has no one to comfort her among all of her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her they have become her enemies. And lamentation is when nine says her uncleanness was in her skirts, and she did not consider her future. Therefore she has fallen in Astonishingly, she has no comforter, see, oh Lord, my affliction for the enemy as the enemy this magnified himself. I just love this because Jeremiah was calling God's people to repentance. After this, but years ago of disobedience. We see God's compassion and comfort. In this, you know, and how he experiences people. I mean, no matter how bad or how devastating our sin is, our father invites us to repent, and to be healed by the blood of Jesus. So somewhere through all of this, even deep down, I knew that God was always there. He was watching over me. He was walking before me and he would make a way I love in Jeremiah 2911, where he says that vein is the status works for I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you a hope and future.
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so good. Oh my goodness, that is so good and so powerful. And yes, those words. God doesn't want to leave you where you are ladies, none of you. He doesn't want you in that uncomfortable. Self Destruction feeling like, like Christina was experiencing. It's a horrible place to be. And especially when we're struggling there with shame and guilt. It's like the enemy just heaps it on us more and more and more. So, Christina, again, as you described, you know, there was no comfort around you, you are all alone. By God key had a plan. But the enemy was trying to keep you from being comforted, right because he knew you were going to be this powerful force for the Lord Jesus Christ because look at your life now But God kept trying to get your attention while the enemy kept pounding, the discomfort, the misery everything that you were experiencing, which made you go to alcoholism and all of this. It's not an excuse, ladies. It's just it's that reality. When you don't know where to turn, you turn to these things hoping to find comfort. Bert, there. So ladies, please, please listen closely right now is we're going to share, don't find your comfort in other things, men. Alcoholism, yep, blaming it on everything else. But look to God, He is the only source of your comfort. So God kept trying to get your attention, Christina, and he wanted to comfort you. So he used your daughter in the car, which you're going to share about and he also used your friend Lisa. So tell the ladies just how God loved you where you were. He loves you in your guilt and shame. And he used these two incidents powerfully.
Christina Hjort
He did. He absolutely did. So in 2012, I had just bought a house in Winter Haven, Florida. I was divorced yet again. And I had three children Austin, was 13 Ryan, who's 10 and Maggie who's nine. I, I was trying to fresh start, even though I was still stuck in my ways and and blind to God's will for my life. One day while driving to school, my daughter said, Well, why don't why don't you stop listening to this kind of music on the radio and turn on the joy of them, which is our local Christian station. Jesus tells us in Matthew I love this out of the mouths of babes you have perfected praise. And how true is that? He used my daughter to to, to change the direction of my life. So she reached over at that moment, she changed the station and she started saying...
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen daughter. Yeah, you go girl.
Christina Hjort
She started singing the next Christian song. I just remember that morning being so amazing. Just filled with just words of hope and joy and love. I vowed to leave that station on in my car. Psalms 118 14 says the Lord is my strength And my song in victory. So that was a life changing moment for me. But in my life, I always struggled with right versus wrong, good versus evil. I love when Paul says in Romans four, I do not do the good I want but the evil I do not is what I keep doing. I mean, how do we relate to that? I know I do. I wanted to be holy, but I didn't understand how to get there. I still imagine the God of the universe in heaven ready and waiting for me to screw up again. So he could rain down as rats like something that I certainly felt like I believed I had such a wretched life. I mean, I love Jesus. But did I really believe that I deserved the gift of His death, His burial in his resurrection? I didn't. Oh goodness. How could How could a good God love a person like me? It was just a struggle until 2013. I had a dear friend Lisa. Oh, I love her. She pulled me aside and told me something I just needed to hear my soul needed to hear. She told me that God is not like my earthly father, who fell short. And at the end of me. She told me that God is the best father a girl can ask for a daddy was his daughter more than words, consenting. He's the Papa who will never leave me. He will never abandon me. He will always take care of me. I mean, he's the father I can trust. I can have a personal and intimate relationship with him. And the light bulb came on that day. It's, it's a day I'll never forget that. My father was not condemning me. I was condemning me. And then Isaiah 4110 This is my life. Verse. God says, so do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God, I will see you and I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. So from that day, little by little things started to change. I remember when they in 2015 I found myself just spaced down weeping on the floor of my bedroom. I was just I was alone, worn out from years of self abandoned innocent and I cried out to God and I told him that I fully surrendered my life to him. I had been, you know, a religious Christian for many years, but now I wanted a relationship with him. And I felt like he wanted to relationship with me. Yes, yes. I made a commitment to him that day to get to know him better. I made a commitment to wait on Him and to obey him i That verse in John three, He must increase but I must decrease I would say less of me and more of you God. I believe in that omit that I felt his arms wrapped around me while I was laying there just completely broken. And I ultimate comfort, the ultimate comforter. And somehow I just knew that day that things were going to be different. So it Nehemiah he says, Do not greed for the Lord, or for the joy of the Lord is your strength. And then Paul, he writes in Corinthians and says, our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share our suffering, so also you share in our comfort. Yes, yes, ladies, all of us have difficult days where we are struggling, and we're stressed, but do not lose hope. Share your stories, sharing your suffering, and ask your father in heaven to be the god of comfort for you today.
Kimberly Hobbs
What a good word, what a good word, Christina, God loved you where you were, in that guilt and shame. Ladies, if you are there, if you can relate to anything this precious woman of God is saying, you know what it's like to be in that discomfort, and hurt and pain. But God says when the eight when the enemy is aiming his arrows at you, ladies, when you are feeling that, and you're feeling right now that oh my gosh, I hurts so bad, and nothing, nothing is making me feel better. The Lord is my strength and shield, I trust him with all my heart, he helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst in songs of Thanksgiving, Psalm 28, seven, God knew what He was doing when he provided your daughter Christina, to turn that radio station to worship music, which you never changed again. And you started changing through that music. God was comforting you with his words with his love. And that was only the beginning until Lisa came into your life and introduced you to the loving father that was going to comfort you permanently. And again, your heart burst into joy of song and thanksgiving. It's a total new way to walk in freedom, right? Because God wasn't condemning you, Christina, you were condemning you, ladies, God doesn't condemn you. Don't be stuck in that guilt and shame. We bring that upon ourselves. So just like some of you are carrying that, know that in his love in his grace, He brings you out of that life and into everything that He has for you. And that's what we're here trying to comfort you with, is that God loves you, He will never abandon you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Christina, there's a listener out there who's hurting, and she's full of discomfort from a wound that just won't heal. And we all know those wounds that just won't stop. So what can you offer her in the form of hope, honey,
Christina Hjort
I'm going to encourage her to step out in victory, that there's a God who loves us in, in everything that we are, all the past hurts all the sense. Everything that we've been through, there's a guide, a daddy in heaven, who, who loves us and wants us to be victorious. And he's bigger, with his arms wide open, ready to comfort us and to give us a joy and a peace that does pass all all understanding. It's true. It's true. And I encourage you if you don't know, if you don't know that Jesus, I would be happy to introduce you to him.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And I know you had some scripture that was so important to you about comfort in 2 Corinthians. Can you share that scripture?
I have it right here actually I do. Because it was so when when we talked about it in our conversation, Christina, it just got me right in the heart. And ladies, listen to this. It is just beautiful. If trouble weighs us down. That just means that we will receive even more comfort to pass on to you for your deliverance for the comfort pouring into us empowers us to bring comfort to you. You can endure victoriously the same suffering that we experienced Now, our hope for you is unshakable, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings you will also share in God's comforting strength. And again, that's Second Corinthians 1627. That's the passion translation. And I'm sorry, Christina, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. But you know what, thankfully God said, Kimberly, prepare that that Scripture because I wanted to emphasize it again, hoping that you would share it. That yes,
Christina Hjort
That when we were talking about this upcoming event, God had brought those to my attention, and how, you know, he really does want to come for us and how He wants us to live victorious. And I love that I love that he's there for us, and he's ready to receive us. We just have to surrender our will. And I love it. I love it so much. I love our Father God.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And you know, ladies, beauty of how he has changed her life, Christina and this woman is such a joy and we are so grateful that you are part of women world leaders and and as we were sharing and preparing for this podcast, wow, God came in powerfully did he not Christina. And through her sharing the story, my heart was pounding. We at women were leaders are putting together a book this year called surrendered, yielded with purpose. And her story was a beautiful story of surrendered. And so I get to share with you that Christina York is going to be one of the authors in surrendered, yielded with purpose, and you're going to hear her full story or read her full story when that book comes out, hopefully by the end of 2022. So please be praying, ladies as we do these writings with amazing women of God that he brings. And you may be one of those women that are listening in right now that have a story that you want to share. And through coming on these podcasts, ladies, you're just helping others to relate to you and identify with you. On the internet. Let them have compassion and hope through your story of finding Jesus that they could to and all of our stories are different, right? Yours doesn't look like Christina's nor does it look like mine. But God gave you a story. So I pray that as you've listened to today, and you have found comfort, even if you are in that uncomfortable place, we pray that Christina sharing her story has allowed God to bring comfort into your heart through the scriptures that she shared. Oh my goodness, ladies, you each carry powerful testimonies, and you may not even know it. And God wants to use you an incredibly powerful ways to serve and glorify Him. That's what we do here at women. We're leaders, we're here to come together and help each other and encourage each other to Jesus, right? So please, if you're listening ladies, jot down women world leaders.com Go to our website, search us out, you can email me like Christina said, if you want to know Jesus, and you don't please contact Christina. Christina how do they contact you?
Christina Hjort
You can email me at CHJORT15@Gmail. I'd love to hear from you. If you want to write I'd be happy to be your pen pal.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's so beautiful sweetie. And you can always reach Christina through womenworldleaders.com as well. And ladies if you want to.
Christina Hjort
Also I'm so sorry Kimberly but through Breakwater Ministries, we I can be reached through Breakwater Ministries as well where my husband and I are serving, you know, a mission marriage for or other marriages.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's right. She is healed. She's comforted. She's serving in a ministry ladies if you need marriage coaching if you need life coaching, that's why she is so open to have you contact her reach out to her. She's a beautiful woman of God and she's here to help to help. That's what we're all here to do. So ladies, we love you. We pray that you were encouraged today, strengthened by this podcast and you can tune in each Monday, Wednesday and Friday to our podcasts and be uplifted in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and ladies, we also want to invite you to receive voice of truth publication that's the magazine that comes out every quarter. And ladies, it's available digitally on our website, as well as if you are in the United States, you can get your free copy every quarter and it's beautiful table top quality. And you can be uplifted and encouraged by other women in the ministry that right from their heart and share scripture that God has laid on their hearts to share with you. I also would love to invite you ladies we have a an event coming up. And it's coming up this week. So please, please, you don't have to live in Palm Beach County, but we June 4, at nine o'clock at Kaiser University, the flagship campus. We are having our first Renu event where we are gathering together with women that can come and just be blessed. And listen for three and a half hours to praise and worship prayer, encouragement, speakers fun, we've got everything and ladies that are listening from other countries because we've got you listening and over 70 countries now. We are not leaving you out because you are women, world leaders. And you know what, we are live streaming. So the live streaming will start after the praise and worship because of copyright. But we want to include each and every one of you into this event. And let you know that you can join right in with us from wherever you are, get a party together, have a watch party, whenever you can watch, we just pray that you'll join in. Because we know that God has called us to gather again for a purpose and we're including all of our listeners from around the world. Ladies, catch us on Facebook, that's where it's going to be live streamed to the women world leaders Facebook group. And if you're not already on it, please ask or request to come in women world leaders. It's a private group. So you have to request to come in and we will see you on Saturday June 4 at 9am. Eastern in person or 930 if you're joining us for live stream. thank our guests today Christina hort. We are so grateful that you came on to share your story today. God bless you all.
Unknown Speaker
God bless you.
Kimberly Hobbs
God bless you all and have a beautiful and blessed day.
Today’s focus is going to be around navigating this life through its battles and challenges and celebrating God’s goodness no matter what is happening in our lives! Join Rusanne Carole as she courageously shares this teaching.
- How do we celebrate God’s GOODNESS no matter what happens to us or our loved ones?
- How do we praise when our heart is hurting and in pain?
- How do we navigate the GRIEF & LOSS that we experience in life?
All really big questions! There are gigantic questions, especially as you live long enough to see the battles and the war that is sometimes wagged in this life. What about when you pray for years and you don’t get the answer you wanted or desired so strongly in your heart?
Most of you know by now that bad things happen to good people. Affliction, disease, torment, illness, and evil are all around us. It is a fallen world we live in. BUT GOD… In His WORD He has given us the answer to every dilemma we may face.
He has empowered the church with the power to come against what comes against us to kill, steal & destroy.
When we face something so painful- so hurtful- we may question * Why God? * Where are you God? * How can a good God allow this to happen to me or someone I love?
And for those that have loved and served God, seen the workings of the LORD, seen transformation, seen healing, seen prayer so amazingly answered – exposed to the amazing hope of what Jesus can do on the earth – these are the people that can potentially be the most “rocked” when something happens or doesn’t work out like they thought it would or “should”.
For the believer, JESUS is the example.
What is GOD’S MANDATE to His people? Goodness knows we’ve had a recent introduction of mandates to live with but what is the mandate for believers, followers of CHRIST, not worldly ones.
As we meet and get to know JESUS we see He confronted every disease that came to Him – every oppressive sprit tormenting a life He healed; If they came to Him, He took care of them. We believe healing is possible. It is mandated. It is possible in every situation.
There truly is to be a cancer free zone. There truly is to be people freed from addiction, marriages restored, bodies, minds, and lives healed!
The mandate is not changed just because we haven’t seen it yet!
We are called to live in HOPE. To persevere, to endure, to BELIEVE that God is capable of the impossible!
So what do we do when we are currently in the battle? War is waging all around us.
- Our kids have made choices that have landed them in a lifestyle we are praying for changes to occur
- Our marriage or our relationships are not in a healthy condition
- Life has not turned out as we had hoped
- Our loved one is ill – either fighting for their life or living with a disease or condition that has stolen quality of life from them
The list can go on & on..
I have had times in my life where I have questioned GOD. Why GOD? I thought God certainly allowed this to happen. Afterall, HE is sovereign.
I remember sitting in a women’s Bible Study years ago and a women spoke about her cancer. She was being treated at the time but believed it was something God brought upon her and thought God would use to teach her things and teach others around her. I was a new Christian, just learning about Jesus, but everything in me screamed “NO, this can’t be something GOD causes!” I know now it was the HOLY SPIRIT speaking to me.
GOD IS GOOD.
He sent His son, JESUS, to take every sickness, every affliction, every sin upon Him.
He paid the price.
God doesn’t allow or give permission in the sense of disease or sickness to come upon us – to strike someone’s body. What He does allow is the process of living in a sin-filled world. Evil things happen. God has given us the answers to every dilemma we may face. He has allowed the “process” of living in a world that has injustice, sickness, affliction, heartache and loss.
BUT HE EQUIPS US WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED TO GET THROUGH IT.
We are to recognise that:
- Jesus has ALL the power. We, as believers, must rest in the fact that Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT have the power, the ability, and the desire to help us walk the Christian walk through whatever comes our way.
The book of Matthew promises us that we are not alone and to confess our weariness to the Lord and He will send us comfort. It is not always a change of circumstances, but it could be a supernatural peace that helps us forge ahead.
I’m not a boxer but I like equating it to being in the ring – the ring of life! If I get hit in an attempt to be knocked out, I may fall. I may even hit the canvass. The enemy might be counting down till I’m out but by the power of the Holy Spirit I hop back up and keep going. We are called to fight the good fight of faith and persevere in the race – endure until we are called home, our eternal home where God will greet us.
When I can turn to Him, surrender whatever I am dealing with to Him and turn my WHY into WHAT this is where the power begins. HIS POWER, MY OBEDIENCE.
WE truly have the power to party continuously in the middle of every storm!
We walk through each valley, we rest and keep walking, but not by ourself.
WITH HIM HOLDING OUR HAND OR SOMETIMES HOLDING US WHEN WE CAN’T PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER. HE KNOWS. HE SEES.
- How do we navigate the pain, the loss, the challenges without ever saying, It was His will?
- How do we celebrate His goodness no matter what happens in our lives while on the Earth?
- How do we keep going when we experience a loss, even a huge one, even after years of praying?
WE TRUST HIM THROUGH IT ALL.
OUR LIFE IS HIS. WE ARE IN HIM.
ETERNITY AWAITS.
At times, we are dealt with some heavy blows. But God!
I am reminded in Judges 20 where God refined His people through difficult trials. He made them more dependent upon Himself. The process has it’s place whether we can see it yet or not, whether we like it or not. He is a supreme, sovereign God who knows the beginning to end- and as the WORD says in Isiah 55:8, “His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways.” But Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. In Matthew 11, Jesus asked, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.”
So no matter what you are going through, have gone through or may go through I pray you sit with Him every day. Sit in His presence and see what great revelation He has just for you. And no matter what the circumstances, may you know and taste HIS GOODNESS.
Let us pray:
Lord, we love you. Life can certainly throw some things our way that rock our world. Thank you that you are good. You have a good plan for us – plans to prosper us, protect us, provide for us.
You also do work in us that is:
REFINING
ELEVATING
SHARPENING
AND
PERFECTING
We give our life to you. Thank you for giving Your life for us that day on the Cross. It is finished. And until that day you call us home let us walk in the Great Commission. No matter where you have or what we are going through we can imitate Your love, Your example you set for us when You walked the earth. Our hope is in You and You alone.
Amen
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.
Jesus’ love and power have no borders. And we, His disciples, are called to serve in God’s power to every nation and tongue. As we study Matthew 15:21-39 and Mark 7:24-8:10, we will uncover the lessons that underlie Jesus’ miracles of healing and provision to both the Jew and the Gentile.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins. I have the privilege of being the Teaching Leader for Women World Leaders. I’ve spent years studying the Bible – diving into God’s Word, seeking to know Him better and to hear His voice more clearly. Shortly after I graduated from college I had a conversation with a friend, lamenting to her that I was feeling far from Jesus. Her advice was to spend time reading the Bible, to which I responded, I don’t know how to read the Bible. That began my journey of attempting to quench my thirst for knowing Jesus…and after many classes, studies, and even a obtaining a masters degree in Biblical Exposition, I’ve come to the realization that the more I know Jesus, the more I want to know Him deeper. So I keep studying, and I keep growing.
It is my honor and joy to share with you what I have learned along the way, and to keep learning even as I prepare these podcasts. I am thrilled you have come alongside me in this quest, and I hope you will join us on Saturday, June 4th from 9:30-12:30 et as we host our first Women World Leaders gathering since the onset of covid! This free event, appropriately titled Renew, will be held in South Florida, but will also be broadcast on Facebook Live. We will have teaching, worship, and will be blessed by DeAnn Alaine, a hysterical comedian, who you can learn more about at deannalaine.com (d e a n n a l a i n e .com). You can register for the event and find out more information on our website, womenworldleaders.com. And if you can’t attend in person, find us on Facebook under the name Women World Leaders.
On this, the Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically as we study the life of Jesus. Today, we will focus on Matthew 15:21-39 and Mark 7:24-8:10. Before we begin, let’s pray.
Dear Most Holy God, we come to you today seeking your presence and yearning to know you more. Guide our minds and our hearts as we study. We invite you to not only teach and bless us, but to convict and refine us. Sharpen our rough edges, help our unbelief, and heighten our understanding of who you are. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we walk with Jesus, we learn from both His actions and His teaching to the crowds, His disciples, and individuals. This isn’t different from what we have been studying, but what IS different in today’s reading, is that Jesus has moved away from Jewish territory, and is ministering among the Gentiles, in their land. In fact, the people we encounter today have a reputation for being godless and controlled by a desire for wealth and power. The renown Jewish historian Josephus, called the people from this area ‘bitter enemies’ of the Jews. And yet, Jesus led His disciples there, and by looking at Jesus in these unique surroundings, we realize that His love and power have no borders – that He indeed came for the salvation of all.
In this passage, we see a trio of events unfold – the freeing of a Gentile girl from demon control, physical healing of Gentile individuals, and a miracle of provision as Jesus feeds well over 4000 Gentile people. Let’s begin in Matthew, chapter 15, verse 21 from the New Living Translation.
21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
The Gentile woman approaches Jesus, full of faith in Jesus, whom she calls Lord, Son of David – clearly a tribute to the fact that He is the Jewish Messiah – far outside of her own race and her culture’s beliefs. Strikingly, Verse 23 says…
23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
Maybe you’ve been there. I bet you can remember a time in your life when you sought out Jesus and cried out to Him – “Have mercy on me Lord, I need you.” And then you heard…nothing. Silence.
It’s tempting to think all sorts of things in those moments of silence – whether they be mere seconds or if they stretch into years. Is God there? Did He hear me? Does He care? Is God even real?
But Jesus’ silence didn’t sway the Gentile woman…
Finally, Jesus DOES reply…but it surely isn’t what we would expect…
“I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
Wow. Still, this faithful non-Jew doesn’t give up, because she knows what Jesus can do. So she chose to worship Him.
When we are at our lowest, and God seems silent, the best thing we can do is hold onto our faith, and worship God! Proclaim Him as our Lord out loud, letting the devil and the world know exactly where we stand and exactly who we belong to! Verse 25…
25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
26 Jesus responded, (again, NOT how we would expect) “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
That’s harsh! Was Jesus calling this woman a dog? The Jewish people DID call their Gentile neighbors dogs, in a very derogatory way. They considered them low-life, scroungers, wild, and unrefined. But for Jesus to say this? Upon looking at the structure of word usage in the original text, many theologians believe that Jesus was creatively playing off this customary derogatory name-calling. But, rather than use the word for mangy stray dog, as was the norm, Jesus used the word for beloved family pet. And the woman caught on, responding…
“That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”
A very funny aside: I was studying these particular verses this morning when my sweet puppy jumped up on me and curled up in my lap. As I pet my Marlo and thought about how much I loved him, I laughed at God’s real-time illustration to me of this passage!
Oh…how I love my puppy! And to think, my love for him doesn’t even BEGIN to compare with how much God loves me. And how much He loves you.
You see, Jesus DID come for the Israelites. We’ve seen that. The Old Testament tells their story, and here, in the New Testament, we see Jesus as the obvious fulfillment of the Jewish law and the prophets. But the deeper reality is that Jesus didn’t come JUST for the Jewish people. He’s just too big to be a God of only one nation. He is God of all the nations – every tribe and tongue, throughout all of history. In this passage we see that it was time for the world…and the disciples…to recognize that Jesus is a God for all people for all time. This Gentile woman may not have understood the depth of Jesus’ reign, but she KNEW that Jesus was there FOR her and her daughter. And Jesus put HER faith on display for the world – and the disciples – to learn from.
Verse 28..
28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Mark 7:30 says… 30 And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.
Jesus’ love and power have no borders!
Matthew continues…
29 Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30 A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.
As if to emphasize that Jesus is the God of the many AND the God of the one, Mark’s version focuses in on the healing of one individual deaf man…Mark 7:33…
33 Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” ( eh FAH thah) which means, “Be opened!” 35 Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!
Jesus’ power and love have no borders.
Next we read a story that sounds oh-so-familiar. Remember when Jesus fed the crowd of 5000 Jews with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? Well, here He is again, in the midst of another crowd. This one a little smaller – there were only 4000 Gentile men along with women and children in this crowd. And instead of being there for a day listening to Jesus teach, these non-Jews had been in this remote area learning from the best for three days!
Matthew 15:32…
32 Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.”
33 The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?”
34 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”
They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.”
35 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.
37 They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 38 There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children. 39 Then Jesus sent the people home, and he got into a boat and crossed over to the region of Magadan. (MEAH gah dan)
Several things we can learn from feeding of the 2nd crowd:
First, when we remember what God has done, our faith will grow. Jesus used this opportunity to remind the disciples of what He was capable of. I can recall as a young Christian remembering that I could pray about something. I don’t know why, but I was stressed, up against something that felt impossible. And the Holy Spirit reminded me to pray. It was so freeing, to remember how amazing our God is! God isn’t like lightning – He can strike twice in the same spot! When we remember His miracles in our lives, our faith will grow.
Second, Jesus cares and will always provide what we need. I love that Jesus recognized that these Gentiles were so hungry that they were in danger of fainting on the way home. And after all, He knew they had stories to share about what they had seen! Jesus recognized their need and gave them nourishment to share what they had learned with others. Jesus cares and will always provide what we need.
And the third thing we can learn…you can probably guess…Jesus’ love and power have no borders..
Jesus may have been come to earth as the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the Jewish forefathers. And He certainly fulfilled what the Jewish prophets foretold of their Messiah. But Jesus came for every person – and He gave His life for every person – and He lives for every person.
Jesus performed miracles and taught among the Jews. And THEN He performed miracles and taught among the Gentiles.
Jesus blessed the bread and fish, and give it to the disciples to feed the hungry crowd of Jewish men, women and children. The disciples then gathered 12 baskets of leftovers. As you study the Bible, you will begin to recognize that 12 is a significant number that occurs often, leading us back to the 12 tribes of Israel.
And then Jesus blessed some bread and fish AGAIN, giving it to the disciples for them to feed the crowd of Gentiles. This time, they collected 7 baskets of leftovers. Seven is the number of completion in the Bible. God’s is gathering His complete family. He began with the Jewish people, but He has welcomed in every tribe and tongue and nation.
Jesus multiplied the bread and fish as the disciples passed it out to both the Jews and the Gentiles. But Jesus had far more for the disciples to give to the world on His behalf. Jesus taught and cared for the disciples that they might teach and care for the world.
If you have given your life to Christ, you, too, are a disciple – tasked with teaching and caring for God’s people. Those from every nation. God has provided for you, and through His blessing and the work of your hands, His following will continue to grow on this earth. We all have a calling. And it is only when we each do what we are called to do that every nation will be reached.
Let’s pray…
Dear Jesus…thank you for coming for the crowd and for the one. Thank you for coming for the Jew and the Gentile. Thank you for your provision that we all might be here today, leaning into your teaching. Thank you for the opportunity you give each of us to share your blessings with a world in need. God, help us to remember that your power has no borders, and that you call each of us to harness that power to spread your name throughout this earth. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
You will be completely inspired by today's God story. College student Mathapelo (Thapi) Tabele was called by God to leave her native country of South Africa to come to the USA. Hear about the struggles and lessons this young woman endured as she learned what surrendering her life meant. She walks completely by faith with the love of her life, Jesus Christ. (This podcast originally aired in November 2020.) ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. And we are so happy that you joined us today. And today I have our guest Tapi from South Africa. And in Lisa Morrison who is returning from last week to say hi. Hi, ladies. Hi. Nice to have both of you. Thank you so much for being on. Ladies, God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. That's Philippians 213. And we believe that women were leaders by women sharing stories with each other that are inspiring and encouraging and empowering. It will help you the listener to just maybe spark something in you that God is birthing or calling you to. And we are just hoping that we can help you in this journey. It's a journey of, of Jesus and living our life for him. So this is such an amazing South African young story of Tapi. And we are just so excited to share it with you today. The God calling on her life. God did something amazing. And this young woman's life he spoke to her. And she answered saying I will go wherever you send me. And so this is part of part two of an interview that took place last week with Lisa Morrison, and who is tabbies adopted mom here in America. And it is a guide journey of a mother from the United States and a South African daughter, and how they came together in God's calling for their life. So Thapi, can you share how you pronounce your South African name? Thapi Table
My real name is Mathapelo. Kimberly Hobbs
Mathapelo? Yes. Amen. And what is the meaning of your name?
Thapi Table
Oh, it means women have prayer.
Kimberly Hobbs
Awesome. And Thapi is a woman of prayer to be where she is today. We know that took an amazing amount of prayer. Thapi is an ambassador of Christ and completely sold out to him. And she was born and raised in South Africa. And as I said, she now resides here in America with her God given mother, Lisa Morrison. So we just wanted to say hi to Lisa again today. And you can hear Lisa's part of the story. If you go back a week in a podcast and you can hear Lisa's story today is going to be Tapi story. So thank you ladies for saying hi.
So Thapi is currently earning her master's in theological studies at the Nazarene Theological Seminary. And she is also an author and you can hear her story are read her story and courageous steps of faith, which I'll share a little bit more about that at the end of this podcast. But Thapi's greatest desire is to serve the Lord by being a witness to his people in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and carry out his purpose to the ends of the world. So to happy, let's talk to our our audience today and just talk about your calling before you even came into your calling. You grew up in South Africa and you had a grandmother that really spoke into your life growing up, do you want to share a little bit about her?
Thapi Table
Yes, I'd love to. So I was brought up in a Christian home Christian family. And I was brought up by this phenomenal, amazing woman of God, my grandmother because my dad passed away when I was three years old. So we lived with my grandmother and she's the one that brought us up. And it was through her obedience honestly to God and her faithfulness to God that she trained us up in a godly way. And we followed it and I personally followed it and it made a huge difference. And in a way it was like God us Seeing her to shape and mold what he has put in my life. So that's how I look at it. And so I'm grateful that she was obedient to actually carry that out, carry her purpose out in training us in a way that we should go. Yeah,
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes. And some of our older audience if you're a grandmother, Johnson, that your life is significant in that the lives of your grandchildren. The impact is so important, right, Thapi, you will love that she poured into your life as a young as a young woman, I mean, filed as a child. And they were, you said it like age 10, you felt the calling on your life. I was like, wow. And I was reading your story. courageous steps of faith. I was like, blown away. But that was at age 10. You knew there was a calling on your life and you carry that through. But later in your teen years, you spoke of how you audibly heard from God. Wow, can you talk about that extraordinary moment where you heard God's voice, and how you had to exercise obedience and what you heard.
Thapi Table
Right? So that actually that moment, that experience where I heard God is tied back to when I was 10 years old. So I knew, or I didn't fully know what was going on. All I knew was I just had this burning desire to serve God, I just wanted to work for him. Sometimes I would wake up and just feel like I want to climb the highest mountain and just share with people about this loving and caring God. And so you know, when you grow up, the desires that you have the love that you have for God, it starts fading away, and you want to do your own thing, right. So I wanted to become a geologist, I wanted to become a journalist. And you know, that desire slowly but surely, faded away. It was not as strong as when I was 10 years old. And one day when I was 18 years old. We had a college promotion, Nazarene Theological College, came to my church to do a college promotion. And it was in their moment, and they were talking about God's call in one's life. And before the preacher finished preaching his sermon, I knew that God was doing something in my heart. And I was fighting. I was fighting it. I remember sitting down and telling him in my mind, I'm like, God, I cannot do this. I will be anything you want me to be not a preacher. Because you know how preachers have that stigma of, you know, they don't get paid, they're poor, and all those things. And so in my mind was like what I can do, I will be anything, anything you want me to be, but I don't want to be a pastor. I don't want to be a preacher. And I remember when the pastor was done preaching. You know, he said, if you feel that God is calling you, come forward. I just couldn't, I couldn't sit still. I found myself forward, crying, crying so deeply. I was weeping. And I was begging God, I'm like, why now? Why me? And God being God being the faithful God that he is. He actually took me back at that moment. It was like a film playing right in front of my eyes. He took me back to when I was 10 years old. And he reminded me he said, Remember, remember when you had that burning desire to serve me? Remember, when you wanted to preach my word to the whole world? Remember, when you wanted to serve me? And he said, now's the time that I am calling you to go into ministry. So it was just an amazing, and yet scary experience for me at that time, because God had to take me back to when he gave me that desire. It did not come from Me. It was his. Yeah. For him. Yeah, definitely. Wow. Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs
Well, I know that you loved your country very much. And the Bible says that By faith Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land Hebrews 11, eight. Well, you left a country that you loved so much, a family that loved you and you love them. And a grandmother you so deeply love. Your Yes. was huge to God, your yes to leave all that and go to another land. You laid your life down Thapi to serve God in a calling that he had placed on your life. So can you talk about that, that calling where you had to let go of everything you knew in South Africa at a young age? You are you are 2021 Right, I called you out of that of your homeland to go to a far away land. Explain how he called you to America.
Thapi Table
So I'll just try and cut it short. So what happened is, I always knew that God would call me to a foreign country for in place. But it did not cross my mind that that place would be America, I thought it would be somewhere in Africa. Because my heart's desire, or the desire that God had put in my heart is kind of like some mission work. So I knew I was going to be outside Africa, but not necessarily America. So how I came, how it came for me to be here in America was through my mom, who you met earlier on how God has put us together, how God has put this amazing love in her heart for me. And so that's how God had called us together to come into ministry. Now, did I know how it was gonna look like did I know why God had to do it that way. I had no idea why God had called me to come to America way. We also have a lot of, you know, seminaries, we have a lot of colleges and universities in South Africa. But he specifically made it clear for me to come here and to live with my American vanilla mom. And it was really hard because I lived, I left South Africa, I didn't want to come to America. I have a loving family that is very supportive. And it was also hard for them. And I'm the last one. So my mum was really worried for me to come here. But I had to obey God, even though I did not know the end, or why he had asked me to come here, I had to obey, leave everything behind and just follow him.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, and you did that honey, and you came over. And you called her your vanilla mom,
Thapi Table
My vanilla mom
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that. We have eboin, ivory, chocolate and vanilla - it's beautiful and you two make the most amazing couple together. Clearly just a God ordained union. I've tried this so beautiful. But But Thapi. Again, you while you were in America, going to seminary, and all of the struggles that you you two are facing. And now you know, Lisa had to take care of a 21 year old when she lived a single life serving God, just being in charge of herself. Now all the sudden God gives her a daughter, you know, the day before you were to, you know, make that decision to come. It's like what God did in that moment. But while you were here, you had some some issues going on. And you were pulled back home, you had some significant losses in your life that brought you back to South Africa. And you could have ended up staying there. I know you've made several trips back to South Africa since you've been here in a mirror. But it was truly obedience to God that led you back here again. Can you talk about that back and forth and that struggle? Because it's something you wrote in your book, and courageous steps of faith is that God asked you Will you still go wherever I send you tapping? Because you struggled. You got back home and you did not necessarily want to come back to America? For a moment.
Thapi Table
Oh, Miss Kimberly, there was a struggle. The going back and forth was a struggle for me. Because once I landed in South Africa, and I had to come back to America, everything in me. Everything in me shouted, screamed. No, I didn't want to come back. I honestly I didn't want to come back. I had I had to fight. I had my family. You know, they had to say okay, fine, you only left with two months or three months or so. But it was really difficult for me honestly, to actually come back when I went home to visit. And because I don't want to be here. I'm gonna be honest, I didn't want to be here. Not that my mom is a bad person or that Americans are bad people. It's just that I wanted to be home and safeguard at home. And obviously you have the cultural differences as well. But one significant travel for me was when my grandmother passed away, which you know, when you serve God, you don't know what you're gonna get. And you serve him fully trusting and believing that he's got He, you don't put terms and conditions when you follow God. You don't say God, if I follow you, you must do 12345 For me, no, you just do it because you love him. And you are being obedient to Him. And one of the things that I knew that I was going to face was, Okay, what if somebody pass passes away back at home? Right? Like, what if my grandmother dies, or somebody close to me dies. And unfortunately, it happened, she passed away. And it was the most painful thing. It was on the Fourth of July. And she was doing some a ministry. It was, it felt like a dream. To me, it was the most painful thing ever, in knowing that, you know, she was the love of my life, I looked forward to going back home to her. Right, she was the reason why. And so when I lost her, it was really painful. But there were a lot of lessons learned, where God had to say, I am your God. I am your provider, I am your support, I am you everything you should be. You should only love me I should come first in life, not your grandmother, not anyone. So there were a lot of lessons learned even when my grandmother passed away. Because I know headship in alive, I would not be in America today, I would still be home because I would want I told God straightforward that I want to take care of my grandmother, I want to be with my grandmother. So passing away was a word of God saying that I still have a lot of things for you to do. You cannot be held up by you know, loving your grandmother so much. So
Kimberly Hobbs
That's right. And I'm sure we can all listen, learn from this lesson. Like I had goosebumps when you said that, because sometimes we hold on to things are so tight in our life, that they can almost become like an idle, idle. Just, you just love so desperately, you know, and sometimes, you know, it's not that it's a bad thing. But God gently removes those things. Because he knows it could eventually be a stumbling block holding you from your purpose. So you know, if there's anybody listening in, it's like, when you see God's hand move in a story such as yours. Thapi, you know that God has gently been moving you forward, you know, when faith and you see doors opening, and you see Doors closing? Because ladies, when you answer the call, when God has a call on your life, you see you clearly see doors open, you clearly are as close as well as Thapi. Dead, something's happy that you said in your book, I, again, where he leads, I will follow because home is wherever he is. That was like powerful. And I wrote that down because I wanted to share that with the ladies that home is wherever he is. And that's huge. Because you developed a love relationship with Jesus and you knew to me that he became your all in all, he became your first love. And so now you were free to serve Him with all your heart, all your mind, all your body, everything that's in you, can you share with the women? Because I know we're gonna close it up, but just share with them some encouragement, if they are on that road going forward. They may have hit a roadblock of you know, God, I'm afraid to serve you Lord. I don't know what that looks like, you know, this is crashing down all around me. How do I move forward? Can you share? Because you were at that point? You didn't want to move forward to your calling.
Thapi Table
Yeah. Actually, the wherever you are, wherever God is. Home is where wherever God is, was actually inspired after my grandmother passed away. Because then when I went home, it did not feel the same anymore, right? Because my grandmother was not there. And I realized that actually, God has been everywhere I've been. And I cannot define home by a place. A certain place I can define home by a certain country. Home is where God is where God is. That's where I'm gonna build my home, right? Because he is there. And so my encouragement to women out there would be another scripture verse for me is tonight pick up the cross, deny yourself to Capri cross and follow Him. And He says that if you're not worth it, if you don't, if you're not willing to let go of your mother, your father, your brothers and sisters, then you're not worth it to be caught his disciple, right. He's not saying God is not saying that To be mean and spiteful for to us, but he knows that when we let go of what we are holding on to his going to take care of it, right, I let go of my family, I let go of myself, my interests, my everything. And I focused on him and I held on to him. The thing is, when you hold on to God, then He takes care of everything. When you let go, he takes care of it, he takes care of your family, whatever it is that you love, he knows that he's going to take, you cannot take care of it on your own. So that's why he says we should cling to him, let go of all these things, because he know, he knows that he's got it. He's got it. He's got you in your budget, and your worries. And so with that, I have this like special song that I would like to share. And seeing it basically says that, you know, God has made a way he has made a way where there seemed to be no way for me. God had has opened up the doors, not only for me, but for me and my mom, I mean, please buy the book, you will read our story. Everything is in the book, because we have a limited time. And so God has made tons and tons of like ways for us when we thought okay, this is it. We you know, what do we do next? God he just has come through for us all the time
You made a way Oh, you You made a way. When our backs were against the wall and it looked as if it was so far, you made a way. Lord, you, you made a way. And we're standing here humbly because you made a way. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh sweetheart, that is just beautiful. And you you sing to the Lord from your heart, which is beautiful in itself. And he surely made a way and he's still making a way for you. And ladies, we just feel that God is making a way for you to know he is because he doesn't he won't leave you where you are. And he wants you to come and that verse Luke, it's Luke 9:23 that Thapi shared that if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross. And follow me. And ladies, we just pray that over your life right now, if you you are feeling led into a calling, don't doubt that calling. Don't let the enemy put things into your mind that shouldn't be there. Take up your cross and be obedient and follow him. He wants you He loves you. And boy, again, Thapi, thank you for sharing your story of obedience, and the calling that you had on your life. And as we spoke about Tapi stories and courageous steps of faith, as is Lisa Morrison story. They're side by side in this book. And this book is put out by Women World Leaders and will be available in November of 2020. Through womenworldleaders.com or on Amazon, I believe it comes out on ebook on November 12. And then it'll be available paperback on November 26. But we do a prefer if you would go through womenworldleaders.com To get your copy of Courageous Steps of Faith. And we're just so excited about this book and the fact that we know it is going to inspire and give hope for those of you out there that just need that courage. And all of these gods stories of how these amazing women like Tapi herself at such a young age, took a courageous step of faith to go into her God calling on her life. And now look at her She's almost done with seminary and we just can't wait to see what God is going to do. He is going to change the world through you Thapi. Thank you honey for answering that call. And we will continue to pray for you Thapi so please, ladies, pray for Thapi, pray for Lisa as this as a journey of faith and trust. We all know what it's like to be in those positions. So we will pray for you, hon. So ladies, if you enjoyed what you heard, we're asking you to please share the podcast with those of you with those that you love. And just invite them to hear more about God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Again, you can visit our website at women world leaders.com. It's there, you can register for Upcoming Events, you can submit a prayer request because we have a whole team of prayer warriors that are willing to pray for you. And then also, we have a Facebook group, women, world leaders, it's private, we would love to invite you in. And it's there that you can interact with other women in the comment sections after you read a daily devotional and interesting. So please request us for the women world leaders private group and we'll let you in and we would love to meet you and know how God has touched your life and his walking in your life. So from his heart to yours, we are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without written expressed written consent. Ladies, I also want to share that we do have these podcasts available for you to tune into every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So listen for walking in Lord on Wednesdays and journey into joy every Friday. God bless you have a great day.
Join host Janet Berrong as she shares about being renewed and living out your God-given purpose.
Welcome to Celebrating God's Grace, a Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. It's an honor for me to be back with you today sharing health, beauty and Jesus. Thank you for joining as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in this ministry, and in the world. Please join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our podcast, Monday with Empowering Lives with Purpose. Wednesday's the biblical teaching arm of Walking in the Word, and Friday with Celebrating God's Grace. As we here at Women World Leaders gear up for our in person event titled Renew. Just the word renew makes me happy. I think of it as a fresh start. So today I want to talk about being renewed and living out our God given purpose. When we say renew, it means to replace. So renewing our mind means replacing the old way of thinking with a new way. So when you hear renew your mind with the Word of God, it means to replace the old way of thinking with that the Bible says in Romans 12:2 says, "Don't copy the behavior and the customs of this world. But let God transform you into a new person. By changing the way you think. Then you can learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." I feel this is a great topic and timing for me. It's my birthday month. And it's always a good time for me to evaluate and reflect on life. It might be a good time for you to if you needed to be renewed. I or encourage you today to spend quality time with Jesus. Let Him renew your hearts and minds with his word. A dear loved one reminded me that we will never be as young as we are right now. That time is a valuable commodity that you'll never get back. And to spend it wisely. Wow, how true that is. When you think of it that way. It really makes us think about our purpose and what really matters in life. Every single one of us has a purpose to fulfill in life, something unique that we can only we can accomplish. Sometimes that we if we use our talents and God given gifts to fulfill it will make this world a better place. It is our mark to leave upon this earth in our legacy to live by leave behind for those who follow us. And it is up to us to figure out what the purpose is. The Bible tells us in Psalms 139:13 through 16 that God created in innermost being he knit us together in our mother's womb. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. His works are wonderful. And all the days ordained for us were written in his book before one of them came to be also in Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The fact that we are breathing and living on this planet tells us that we have a purpose. The Lord has prepared us in advance to do good works. He is not done with you yet if you're still alive. We have been made with a purpose and each one of us have a reason for living. It is our ultimate purpose to bring Him glory with various aspects of our life. Following Christ is the greatest adventure that each one of us will ever have in it's an adventure of life's purpose. The question is, in what way and through what location? Will you live your purpose? Let us pray. Father, we thank you for your love, grace and mercy that you called us to live a full and purposeful life. I pray for everyone listening, that they will have the peace that only you give me your Holy Spirit fall on them today in a special way. In Jesus name I pray, amen. God bless you. Until next time, dear sisters
We each have ultimate control of our destiny. God has given us that gift through His son Jesus Christ. So how do we seize control and end up on the right path? Listen as Julie Jenkins unfolds this important teaching from Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23.
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m you host, Julie Jenkins. I’m so happy you have joined us today as we study scripture together.
If you are new to our podcast, besides this, our Wednesday Bible teaching, we have two other weekly offerings for you. On Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who boldly shares her story with the hope of empowering you to live as God has called you. And on Fridays, we have a team of leaders who share their wisdom and joy from a life spent in pursuit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Celebrating God’s Grace.
If you are new to Women World Leaders’ ministry, our podcast is just a small part of what we do. We also offer prayer for the ups and downs of life, support through social media, fellowship through events, growth through daily devotions, empowerment through leadership development, encouragement through Voice of Truth – our free quarterly magazine, and creative growth and healing through coaching and writing. At Women World Leaders we offer a place to be served and to serve others. We believe that all Christians make up the body of Christ, and together, we can do what God has called us to today. We walk in faith knowing that God will guide us into projects of His creating and bring us the people He has called to grow together as we take on those projects. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you – and we know that God has a place waiting just for you. We are a 501c3 ministry, and as such we are sustained by donations from all over the world. If you would like to find out more about Women World Leaders or to help support the ministry financially, please visit womenworldleaders.com
But, before you do, you have something more important to do than going to a website. God has called you to this podcast for a purpose. There is something He wants to teach you – so please don’t put Him off. Allow me to pray before we begin that He will guide our learning…
Dear Most Holy God…we give you this time and we thank you for walking with us as we open the Bible together. Father, we know that every time we open the Bible you have something more to reveal to us, and today is no exception. You have called us together for this time because there is something you want us to know – so I ask that you allow our hearts to be teachable. Holy Spirit, cleanse us of any sin and of any strongholds or beliefs that are not from you, shine a light on YOUR meaning, and let us each leave this teaching with the clarity that we have heard directly from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. As we view Jesus’ words, actions, and life, we are asking God to show us what He wants us to learn today. Today’s teaching comes from Matthew chapter 15, verses 1-20 and Mark, chapter 7, verses 1-23.
When we see Jesus in today’s passage, He is in the throes of ministry. He has gathered His disciples, and as they travel together, He teaches the crowds, the twelve disciples themselves, and groups or individuals that He encounters. We’ve seen people amazed and awed by His teaching, and we’ve seen them turn away. In today’s passage, we see the Pharisees and the teachers of the law band together to come against Jesus as they travel to Him from their home base in Jerusalem. They are on a mission to discredit Jesus. But what they accuse Him of this time, might make us scratch our heads. Let’s begin with Matthew 15:1 from the New Living Translation.
15 Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”
Unlike during covid times – the lack of handwashing that they were complaining about had nothing to do with hygiene.
Mark chapter 7 verses 3 and 4 explains a little more in depth…
3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands,[a] as required by their ancient traditions. 4 Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands[b] in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.[c])
To give you some background, the Israelites were God’s holy people, and were set apart for purity. The problem was, they couldn’t be pure of their own volition any more than you and I can. So they set about making rules, or traditions, and these ideas became more and more entrenched in society. In Exodus, we can read God’s law, which included water purification for the priests before they offered a sacrifice in the temple. It is VERY clearly laid out. But the religious rulers extended these teachings saying that any time any Jew ate, they needed to follow the ritualistic hand washing that was, by God’s law, given for only the priest to follow. This was just one of MANY man-created rules that the religious leaders enforced, and, for the most part, the Jews followed without question.
In that time, it was considered the teacher’s responsibility to make sure his disciples were doing the right thing, so the Pharisees accused Jesus on account of the disciples’ actions – or inactions in this case. They didn’t pour water over their hands before they ate.
But Jesus KNEW the law. And what’s more, He knew the difference between God’s law and man-made law, and He knew which one was more important. So He used this as a teaching moment for all those listening, saying in Matthew 15:3
“And why do you, by your traditions, violate the DIRECT commandments of GOD?
That question must have caused a stir. Jesus called out the leaders for violating God’s commandments. And before there was an uprising, He explained further…
4 For instance, GOD says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’[b] 5 But YOU say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 6 In this way, YOU say they don’t NEED to honor their parents.[c] And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.
Jesus was referring to a well-know practice of formally vowing one’s wealth for spiritual purposes alone. When an individual made this vow, his money would be dedicated to the temple, and he would no longer be bound by the fifth commandment – Honor your father and mother – which carried with it the responsibility to care for one’s aging parents. So the individual could neglect God’s commandment in lieu of a man-made vow, and in fact, would be, according to the religious leaders, bound to that man-made vow OVER God’s commandment.
This is an example of living life by the standards of the world instead of by God’s standards. Of mindlessly bowing to human authority over godly authority. Of crying innocence due to ignorance of the law.
I can remember studying for my drivers test MANY years ago, and asking my mom, what if I get stopped for breaking a law and just say I didn’t know it was a law? She quickly and forcefully responded that if I was going to drive, it was my responsibility to know the law. You cannot claim innocence due to ignorance of the law when it comes to driving, or when it comes to God’s laws.
It is OUR responsibility to know God’s laws. We do that by reading the Bible for OURSELVES and asking God to reveal His teaching to us. Going to a Bible-teaching church is important, listening to sermons and podcasts is helpful, but we each must control our own destiny by going to God ourselves. By going to the Bible ourselves. And by not taking someone else’s word about what God teaches.
Our God is personal! He wants to speak directly to YOU. He made sure that the Bible was written in YOUR language. He gave you wisdom and the ability to think, reason, understand, and choose which path you will follow. God wants YOU to choose YOUR destiny. Oh, He has a path for you to follow. One that’s better than you or I could dream up. But He wants us to choose the path that HE has for us, not the path that any pastor, teacher, mentor, or best-selling author tells you to take.
Many of the Jews were obediently washing their hands, and many were obediently pledging their money to the temple while neglecting God’s TRUE law of taking care of their parents. Our job is to know and follow God’s true law. Jesus continues emphatically in verse 7, evoking the law and the prophets…
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
8 ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9 Their worship is a farce,
for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’[d]”
Mark 7:8-9 puts it bluntly… 8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” …“You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition.
This was such an important point, that Jesus moves from speaking to the pharisees and addresses the crowd, Matthew 15:10…
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
Those man-made laws that required handwashing also regulated what could and could not be eaten. Jesus was teaching that God’s ways overrule man’s ways…and He was teaching the people to think for themselves. He wanted them to understand that what we say and how we act, the attitude of our hearts, is far more important than following the regulations of eating given to us by someone who is not even following God’s leading. I think this was a pointed attack at the religious leaders as nothing but nonsense was coming out of their mouths and their allegiance was clearly to their own self-made rules and regulations and not to God.
I’m thinking the Pharisees must have reacted visibly, because next we see the disciples caution Jesus. But Jesus was fully aware of the Pharisee’s response, and He did not shy away from speaking truth to them…verse 12…
12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”
13 Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”
Jesus wants us to open our eyes, and to be careful to not allow ourselves to be led by those whose eyes are closed.
Next, PETER asks for further explanation, and Jesus turns to Peter…to the one…because Jesus will ALWAYS answer every individual directly…and responds…
“Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.
This is about as direct as I’ve ever heard Jesus speak! Even so-called holy food becomes waste. God has more important fish to fry. He cares that our hearts are pure! Not that we follow some man-made law…especially not one that goes AGAINST God’s own law and desire! …verse 18…
18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
First, the pharisees approached Jesus about hand washing. Jesus discussed honoring your parents, and now He is talking about what we eat verses what comes out of our heart.
The common thread is that Jesus is extoling the fact that God’s laws, God’s desires, will always trump man-made laws. We, as Christians, are always to put God first. And to put God first, we have to know what He says.
The Jewish leaders had made laws about washing, and working, and giving, and eating…there isn’t much they didn’t make laws about. They were trying to build their staircase to heaven – one law at a time. And should an individual miss a single step, they would fall headfirst into the abyss.
But Jesus is teaching that ONLY God can show us the way to the kingdom. God’s way is to have our hearts right. And how do we have our hearts right? By entering into a relationship with Jesus Himself. When we do, we will feel the pull of the Holy Spirit and we will understand where He is calling us to walk and what He is calling us to do. We CAN control our own destiny, by giving God the reins of our life instead of blindly following someone else, who may be leading us in the complete wrong direction.
Dear Most Holy God – YOU know the way. Open our eyes that we might follow you. Give us a will to open your Word daily so that we will never be ignorant of what you want us to know. Give us the desire to meet with you individually. Give us the wisdom to listen for your voice in all that we do. Help us always remember that Your heart is for the one, and that you love us each as if no one else exists in the world. God, we claim control of our destiny by giving the reins of our life to only you, and never placing them in the hands of a someone who may be leading us blindly. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Mary Smit, is not only a Women World Leader, she is a professional film industry Make-Up Artist, Set Designer, and an Actress in many well-known films. Her work is displayed in films such as "Mom's Night Out," "War Room," "Fireproof," and "Courageous" to name a few. She has worked with the Erwin Brothers and Kendrick brothers for many years in the Christian faith-based film industry. Join us as Mary shares encouragement for YOU! Please don't miss this interview. (Originally aired in January 2021) ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And we are so glad you decided to join us today, I would love to welcome our guest speaker today, which is Mary Smith. Mary is from Daphne, Alabama. Hi, Mary.
Mary Smit
Hi, ladies. I'm so happy and just blessed to be here with you guys.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yay! And we're blessed to have you. So today, ladies on this podcast interview, it's our desire to share with you encouragement, stories, and empowerment that will help you to walk into your God given purpose, and dream and think about the things that God has planned for you. He says in Ephesians 210, that we are God's masterpiece. We are created in new and Christ Jesus to do the things that he planned for us long ago. And Philippians 213 says God is working in you. And he's giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. We are just so excited about that, because it's something to be excited about that the God of the universe wants to use us to do the work that he has called us to do. And that's a privilege and honor, and it's a privilege and honor to be here with you. Ladies, I also want to share that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Women world leaders brings podcast interviews, not interviews, but we have walking in the word on Wednesday with Julie Jenkins. And we also have journey into joy every Friday with Carrie Christopher. So please join us on those days as well and be blessed. So today a little bit about Mary. Mary is a professional makeup artist. She's a hair stylist wardrobe and set designer as well. And she has worked in over 30 feature films, including mom's night out the War Room, like arrows, and even over calmer. She has been in faith based industry for 15 years. And she believes in helping raise up the next generation to further the gospel. I think that's awesome. And we get to see the end result of movies. But Mary gets to live through the making of these movies, and being on location and working with actors and actresses and these faith based films. Mary, I know you've seen a lot of things. So you've seen spiritual battles. You've seen miracles take place, and many astounding things that are happening on the set of these movies. So let's start here with possibly maybe sharing a story about some of the astounding things that have taken place, maybe one that sticks out in your mind. And you are sharing with me about beauty and brokenness and how that just draws you to to talk about some of these things. Maybe can you share that mixed in this god story that you're going to share with us today?
Mary Smit
Yes, I think it's very appropriate, especially today. I mean, 2020 has just been so hard on so many people. And I think there's a lot of brokenness out in the world. And I was sharing with you earlier that it's something that's kind of been on my mind more than just this year, but this year has been exceptionally hard for me. There's been a lot of brokenness in my life, which I'm sure a lot of ladies can relate to that. There is a beauty and brokenness. I've always kind of been gravitated toward the broken things in this world, whether it's photography and pictures of things that are not perfect, that are broken. Just stories from people that I gravitate toward that are doing, you know great things for God that have these ministries and different things that I you know, I'm interested in, when you get to talk to those people. There is usually some brokenness that has occurred in their life that has brought them to that place of ministry. It's it's all scripture, how God uses broken people. You don't read Scripture and see these perfect lives, you see broken people. And even Jesus was broken on the cross for us, God's most precious, perfect son was broken. And he was broken so that we could have lived. So I think God has a value that he places in brokenness. And just as something that I read recently, and maybe even popped up on some of you guys, Facebook feeds and things, but there's a Japanese art form, and I don't dare try to pronounce it and just blow that. But it takes broken pottery, it's been around for centuries. And the way that they do, they don't throw away this brokenness, God doesn't throw us away in our brokenness. But they take the pieces, and they take gold. And they put these pieces back together. And it forms this beautiful, beautiful piece of art, where it's more beautiful than it was before it was broken. And just like the Scripture, you read, where we are God's masterpiece, that's what he's doing in our lives. He's taking our broken pieces, and he's putting them back together. And he's delicately lovingly doing that, because he's the potter and we're the clay. And we are getting those, those pieces put back together so that we're usable in his kingdom. And we come out on the other side more beautiful than we started. And I think that attracts people to his people are not attracted to somebody who's perfect. People are not attracted to those, hey, I'm great and wonderful and all things is that, you know, what are people attracted to? They're attracted to authenticity, they're attracted to you. They're attracted to transparency. You know, we live in a hurting in a broken world, and they are looking saying, Hey, I'm hurting, I'm broken. How do you do this? Well, we do this through Jesus, Jesus, He is our resource he is our mentor. A repair of the breach is what one scripture says that I read this morning, he is the one that we look to. He is the one that lifts us up. So that is, that's what has been on my mind lately. And I think a lot of people too, but just 2020 and moving forward into 2021. With our brokenness, I think we need to look to Jesus, and we need to move forward. Take that with us and use that for the Kingdom.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Mary, and God says, Behold, I will make all things new. And that when you have a broken life, you know, praise God, that he's there for you. And he will take you from that brokenness and make all things new.
Mary Smit
Yes, so never leaves us he never forsake. And you'd ask me for just an example of some cool things I've seen on set there. There are numerous, numerous, but I know we're short on time, I've tried to just like make little blurbs. But I can't really say the country that I was working in, because the gospel is not allowed in that country. Okay. And we were there. And basically teaching believers under the radar how to do film how to do the craft, so that they in turn, could turn around and share the gospel within their own countries, whether it be with their iPhones, they make film or whatever they do, but they could do what we cannot, they can share the gospel there where we cannot go. And so I was in country doing this. And we were threatened with rain on multiple days. We didn't know it when we got there. But it was the rainy season. And every day, you could see walls of rain around us. And we would pray and ask God to hold back the rain. And it was like we had these pockets of sunshine little like, like if you took a circle and just kind of cut it out. And when we film, and literally the moment, we would get all the gear on the buses and we'd load everything in, then the rain would start. And it was like this daily thing. And then we had one day where we were praying to hold the rain. And God didn't hold the rain. And we're like, what is up with this? God, you felt the rain the whole time. And all of a sudden, we cannot film this day. We have to make an entire day of filming up which, you know, we can't stay later in country. There's no way to do these things. It presented a problem because it made the only day we could film on Sunday. So that's an issue because in that country, you know, you can't really explain sometimes with language barriers and things of why the necessity would be there. And this is the day for church. This is the day that you have all of that. So we came up with a plan that we would have church on site. We invited several churches, it was a day that we had to have extras, and we would do church right there. And we would film and they would be our extras but we would hold services right there on set. So that's what we did. And in the process of doing that because we did that we had had some extras that came that weren't parts of those local churches. One of those ladies had we not done what we did have we filmed the original day would not have been there. This lady got saved. Oh, wow, that's it never been in a church. So for her to then it was like this perfect orchestration to get her there to hear the gospel, that and I was like, Lord, now we know now we know why you didn't hold the rain. Because one person is so important. It's just so important to Jesus. You know, we have the stories of, you know, the lost lamb, you know, and like, leaving the nine for the one. And obviously, it just really illustrated to me how God loves each and every one of us, He sees us, we're not forgotten. He, He loves us, and he searches for each person. And he did that for that one beautiful lady.
Kimberly Hobbs
That is so precious. And thank you for sharing that story. And that is our God. That is how much he loves. Each of you, ladies, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter what you have done. God loves you, and He will seek you out and find you. And he that same story. I mean, that can happen to any one of us. Yeah, that, that God of our galaxies loves us.
Mary Smit
Yeah, so one names is the God who sees that is one of his names he sees you never think you're forgotten. Never think that you're alone. He sees you. He knows right where you are. And he loves you, just as you are.
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, that is so important, too. Amen. Thank you, Mary, for sharing that. And, and as you're sharing this, you know what God saw you right where you were in your life. And he singled you out and chose you to do what you are doing now working in faith based films, working on the sets with all of these amazing people around the world? How did he lead you into this industry? Can you share that with us?
Mary Smit
Well, it's kind of an interesting, interesting story there. To start with that preface it with this, I felt a calling in my young married life to be a missionary that my husband did not. So I'm like, Okay, God, how does this work? Because normally you call both. So it was it did not make sense to me. And I really just kind of, you know, had that hovering within me for quite a while I would do short term missions, things like that. But I couldn't quite grasp, you know how how this calling would work itself out? Well, then I was living in Albany, Georgia, a lot of people are familiar with the Kendrick Brothers that Did you know, overcome or war room fireproof courageous Facing the Giants, all of those. Alright, maybe I was going to go into that church when they started. And I didn't even know about the first one. It kind of went under the radar flywheel. Nobody really knew about that one. But once Facing the Giants kind of hit, I volunteered just to help out. So I was helping out in the makeup area, I apprenticed under a professional makeup artist, curry Bushnell, who was there. And by the time fireproof rolled around, he thought I was pretty good and said, Hey, you're gonna be killing this. And I was like, what does that mean? I didn't even know what the term meant, which meant I was him until he could get on set. I was in charge, basically, you know, had no clue even what I was even doing. But God trained me through all of this. And every it just doors kept opening doors kept opening, I kept stepping through doors, and I kind of ended up here. So it's kind of funny in a way, but I was going to a church after we moved to Alabama, and the pastor that was there. I told him, Hey, I'm fixing to be gone for you know, about six weeks didn't want you to think I'd quit the church. But you know, I'm going to a movie set and he goes, Godspeed missionary. And I said, Wait, what? I said, You're a missionary. And I was like, that is very interesting that you tell me why you're saying that. And he said, Well, you're going out and you're telling the gospel through film, aren't you? And I said, Yes, I am. And all of a sudden my brain was click, click, click, you know, because I felt that call to missions, didn't understand how that panned out. And I thought, wow, okay, I am a missionary, you know, and that's what I'm doing. So he literally said this, what you're doing, you're sharing the gospel through what you do. You're a missionary.
Kimberly Hobbs
One of the questions I was going to ask you is how did you hear God's voice and kind of you just revealed That is, you know, because ladies, we can go through our life every day wondering, oh, how is going to God gonna use me? And you know, what is it going to say? Is it going to drop something just right on top of my head so I can notice that he's calling me. And so I wanted you to expound on that a little bit about how did you hear God's voice so that you knew he specifically called you to this role? I mean, because it's a calling what you are doing?
Mary Smit
Yeah, it is a calling. And I think too, that we make callings out to be something almost elusive at times, like we I just want to know what my calling is. I just want to know, what the will of God is for my life. I think sometimes we overcomplicate it. I think if we simply do the next thing, you know, where's God opening doors? Where is God working? How can we join him in what he is already doing? Or maybe something is in your world that you're seeing God's moving in this? Well? How can you join him in that? How can you you know, assist him in that, you know, just it's the little steps. And I think if you're seeking God, and you're praying, and you're asking, God, Hey, show me, and you're doing those things, doors open, and all of a sudden, you realize, hey, this is this is it? You know, look what God is doing? Look where he is placed me, There's a scripture, everybody wants to ask a lot, because I get asked a lot. You know, what is your life first? What is your life? And I don't really know so much that I have a life verse. But there's one that I've always kind of gone back to when I'm asked that, because it just makes sense for me. And it is Second Samuel 718. It's who who am I, oh, Sovereign Lord. And what is my family that you have brought me this far? And I think that pretty much sums it up. Because if I had to say, How did I get here, I really don't know. Other thing is literally little doors, little doors, little doors, little doors, and I just keep going through the little doors. However that may be, and I ended up here. So I just think we make it harder than what it truly is. And that if we're just obedient in the little things, if we just take those little baby steps, that, you know, God takes you where he wants to take you. And I don't think you have to even get stuck in like, this is my specific itty bitty calling here. Because God can branch that out and move that he controls it. We don't. So don't even get stuck in this little bitty whatever. Because I started out makeup, I got thrown into doing a little hair, I went into wardrobe. It's like this moving of things, you know, and I do some acting too. So it's, it's like this ever evolving thing at every part of it is still furthering the gospel, every part of it even. I recently worked on a set that was not faith based. And I really pray over everything I do. So God told me to do this particular one, and I could not for the life of me understand why I was feeling go do this. Because I'm like, I don't know about this. But then I got on that set. And I ran across other believers and some young ones that just they needed some support. They needed some guidance, they needed some help as to how to even get into doing what we do and faith based world. And I expressed to them I didn't know how I ended up in this thing, you know, and stuff and he and they said, You're here for us. I know why you're here. You're here for us. And God can use you wherever he places you need to pray and you need to be obedient and those other things kind of shake out on their own.
Kimberly Hobbs
You said two key words there right there which is praying, ladies pray pray every day you know God, how are you going to use me in whatever situation you are in your life right now ladies you and like Mary just said you're walking in obedience. If you're walking in obedience with a prayerful heart, God is going to lead you right into what he will have you to do in that moment of promise. He will and you will, you will start to see it because you're going to have that prayerful heart and you're going to be focused on it. You're going to be walking in obedience to what His Word says and you're going to know it. It's so amazing. So I want to lead in into a verse that I felt very strongly to share that this world is fading away along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. That's first on to 17 and ladies, we need to dream with God in another verses Ecclesiastes six nine. Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things. beans is meaningless, like chasing the wind. That's what the Bible says. So do what you're doing right now, just like Mary said, and dream with God go after the dream that God put in your heart. And if you don't feel like you know what that dream is, ask God about it. And I've asked Mary, if she could just share some words of encouragement, empowerment, about listening to that voice of God to find what your purpose is. And because we know that God has one just for you, so Mary, let's encourage these women that are listening, how they can just right where they are, start doing what God has called them to do.
Mary Smit
Well, I just said, it popped into my head while you were talking. And I was thinking, you know, it's the little things we as women, sometimes we try to think, you know, oh, I need to do these big world changer kind of deals. When, you know, sometimes the world changing things are little, they're tiny. Maybe you're a mom right now, and you've got littles? Well, you're not going to go out and do what I do every day, because you've got those littles. But think about it this way. What about Billy Graham's mom? What was she doing? You know? Yeah, she was pouring into him, she was pouring into the other kids never take the little what we consider as women sometimes as being little, never take it that way. Because you don't know the impact for the kingdom that you're having. While you're washing those dishes, while you're assisting your husband, while you're, you know, taking care of those babies and changing those diapers. Whether you're single, and you're serving in a ministry at the church, whether you're in a secular type job and the people around you, you know, that you're interacting with. You don't know what those God moments are in the impact that those little tiny events happen to have those ripple effects. So that is my encouragement to you is to live every moment, seek God's face by praying, ask him to feel you ask him to give you opportunities to share with others every day, he will honor that prayer because that is his will. So ask for those opportunities. And when they come, you know, you don't have to know all the answers just speak from your heart. And sometimes just telling somebody and listening to them. So you know, what, can I pray for you? Or I'm going to pray for it? What if they won't let you pray for them? Then pray for them on your own. Either way, you know, but I'm just saying, it's those little things and you see God and you do and a little and you'd be surprised what those little things turn into.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right. Amen. Wow, that is such a great word. Oh my goodness. Ask and you will find and seek and you will find knock and the door will be open to you. It God is there for us ladies, he is all around us. He is He never leaves or forsakes us. So whenever you have that thought, you know just go to him and say Lord, what am I supposed to be doing in this moment? Like Mary said, when you're feeling like you're you're worthless, you know that my life can't be like her life can be God doesn't want want it to be. He has your life planned out for you, precious woman of God, exactly. For you. And so just ask him what is that Lord? And what can you do in that moment, praying with God to find joy in that moment in serving Him, be obedient to what He has called you to do now, and before you know it, if you are obedient, step by step you're gonna walk right into your beautiful purpose. God will lead you right there. Oh, Mary, I am so thrilled just to share this time with you and just develop this new friendship that we have Mary is part of women world leaders, and we are so excited that she is going to be in and out and helping and working in different areas upcoming so Mary Is there any way that women can follow you? Do you have a
Mary Smit
I'm on Facebook Instagram, but my name is spelled Mary like Merry Christmas on Instagram because apparently someone had my name. So you know, I'm out there and you can track me down and find me I'm not that difficult to find. But yeah, they can follow me on those and I guess eventually I probably need to set up something official. It's one of those things that I'm just like, you know, it hasn't been on my radar. I'm just just me. But yeah, they can track me and follow me there.
Kimberly Hobbs
Awesome. Thank you. I didn't mean to put you on the spot there but again, are just You're such a delight and so interesting, and we're just so grateful to have you and women were a leaders as well. out and grateful that God brought our paths together to connect. And thank you so much for sharing with the women, your heart. And ladies, I hope this encouraged you and inspired you and just gave you that, those little nuggets, whatever it is that God was speaking right to your heart during Mary talking. So thank you, Mary. So in closing, Lindsay, yes, thank you so much. In closing, I would just like to remind you that you can tune in each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the podcast. Also, starting in January of 2021. Women world leaders has a new magazine that's coming out, and it is free. And we are so excited because this is for women. And we believe in our hearts that this magazine is just going to pour even more into your lives, about stories that could impact your life. It's going to contain the gospel of Jesus, it is going to be for women of all ages, from the teen, the young mom all the way into the career woman, the married woman, all the way to the end of Age woman who can pour wisdom into us, This magazine is going to have it all. And we would love for you to receive this magazine. And the way you can do that is go to our website at women world leaders.com. And go to contact us. And you can leave your name, your address and your email address. And if you are out of the country of the United States, which a lot of our women listen from around the world, then you can leave us your email address and you'll receive the magazine digitally. We are so excited about this. And again, it's free. And we just ask that you share it with everybody that you can think and let's just spread the gospel of Jesus into the whole world. And we also would love to invite you to get our new book which is has become a number one bestseller. It's available on Amazon and through our women world leaders website. And that is courageous steps of faith with God all things are possible. And you talk about inspiration, ladies, these stories in this book will inspire you to again walk into that purpose that God has just for you. So I am so grateful that you've been here today listening and sharing with us. We invite you to come into our private Facebook group. You're all invited, where we share daily devotions in the morning and you can interact with us there or visit our website and leave a prayer request. We want to be here for you ladies. So however we can help you please reach out to us all love to hear from you, from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you and have a beautiful day.
This podcast by Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship Coach and part of the Women World Leaders Leadership team, teaches us about why boundaries are important and the symptoms we may suffer when we don’t set and keep boundaries in our relationships.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about why boundaries are so important, but first, let’s go to God in prayer.
Father God, you are a good good Father. Speak to our hearts today about identifying our gifts and talents and using them in a way that is pleasing to you dear Lord. Help us to overcome the roadblocks that keep us from setting boundaries in our relaitonships. Show us your way today Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
On my previous podcast I talked about setting and keeping Boundaries in Relationships. I want to continue that conversation today to help you understand why boundaries are so important. I want to help you identify symptoms you may be having because you are not setting and keeping healthy boundaries.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
God will set us on a path according to our gifts and talents. When we know what those gifts and talents are, we don’t have to conform to the pressures around us. We can say “No” to the things that aren’t utilizing our gifts and talents and say “Yes” to the things that do.
When we have boundary problems, it conflicts with the path God has for us for our gifts and talents. A God-given desire becomes our passion.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
Functional Symptoms when Boundaries are not kept (check all that apply):
We will often see the following symptoms in a person who is not utilizing their gifts appropriately or setting boundaries so that they can operate in their gifts:
_____ The inability of someone to complete a goal, or task. I lack follow-through.
_____ Extreme disorganization. Boundaries have to do with internal structure. If I don’t have good limits in my life, then I will become very unstructured.
_____ Low energy. This leads to burnout. I’m doing what I’m compelled to do, and not doing what I feel called to do.
_____ Problems of concentration. An intrusion in my mind – I start to focus, and I just can’t stay there. So many things are taking up space on the inside. There’s no mental space to work.
Perhaps you are doing too many things; this limits your ability to do a few things well. We have to say “no” to the busy so we can say “yes” to our passions.
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)
You have to say “no” to the good things, so you can do the best things.
Clinical Symptoms of Boundary Problems (check all that apply):
_____ Depression. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
_____ A state of loss. We lose a sense of self and we actually feel grief.
_____ A feeling of resentment. We experience toxic physical symptoms.
_____ Feelings of rage. We explode because we feel cornered.
_____ Obsessive-compulsive problems.
_____ Compulsive behaviors (over-eating, drinking, etc).
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
What does a boundary do?
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Boundaries keep good things in, and bad things out. Boundaries keep the love of God in and keeps out what people may want to take away from you.
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Boundaries help us to withdraw. In some situations, you may be overwhelmed. Boundaries help us to know when something is wrong or evil.
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Boundaries function as a protection of freedom. The person who feels controlled by others feels like a slave. They don’t make the choices that are right for them for fear of letting someone else down.
What does a boundary look like?
There are different kinds of boundaries.
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Personal boundaries. These boundaries focus on your personal space, and physical safety. It includes your preferences for touch, like who gets to hold your hand, or hug you, who gets to be physically intimate with you and how much. It includes how much time we will spend with others vs. with ourselves, taking care of ourselves.
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Emotional boundaries. This is your ability to empathize with others without being consumed. It requires us to have boundaries with our time. It’s ok to walk in another person’s shoes, but we must know when to step out of their shoes. We can’t allow their emotional stuff to affect our emotions, so we have to learn how to detach. Also included here are topics that you decide you don’t want to talk about regarding your own personal relationships. Some things that are talked about between husband and wife need to remain between husband and wife.
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Cognitive boundaries. This is your ability to hold on to your own beliefs and thoughts, without changing them for other people. As Christians, this means that we don’t compromise what we know the word of God is telling us about maintaining our principles. Included here are conversational boundaries – we get to decide what topics we will discuss with others and which ones we won’t. Hot topics are those that center around religion, politics, and sexuality. It is ok to refrain from topics that you don’t feel comfortable talking about.
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Environmental boundaries. This is our ability to share our physical space with others. We determine who gets to go into our drawers, use our hairbrush, get something from our purse, or use our cell phone. We decide who we might share our passwords with or have access to our personal information.
Why is a boundary important?
If you want to accomplish the BIG MISSION in your life, you are going to have to say NO to people.
We need to say NO to protect the stewardship of our time, talents, and resources. People who have good boundaries say NO when they need to say NO. Sometimes we have to say NO to the good so we can say YES to what’s best.
“I’m so busy” is heard frequently by those who do not keep boundaries. They are giving themselves away to “empty calorie” people. In the meantime, they are not reaching their personal or professional goals. They often can’t define their mission… but they are BUSY.
What are the obstacles that keep us from having boundaries?
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The fear of loss of relationship. If I set limits or disappoint you, then I will lose the relationship. “As long as you stay around, I’ll never tell you no.”
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The fear of conflict. We engage in “conflict avoidance.” We fear their anger. We are people pleasers. We want people to be happy with us, so we choose their happiness over our own. We allow them to guilt-trip us and manipulate us so we don’t have to fear their disappointment or rejection.
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Guilt is the gift that keeps on giving. We don’t set boundaries because we don’t want to feel the guilt. “I’m afraid I will damage you if I say no”. “I’ll discourage you if I say No.” “If I say no, they will get depressed.”
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
The most essential tool that you have is the ability to say Yes and No. Remember that when you are saying YES to something, you are saying NO to something else. Make sure that you aren’t always saying NO to your own personal needs in favor of other people.
People will get disappointed and even angry when you don’t do what they want you to do. That’s because they have their own agenda. You can’t allow their anger to control you.
Boundaries are designed to take care of you. They are designed for you to exercise self-care. When we think of self-care, the first thing that comes to mind is our eating habits and exercise, but self-care is much more than that. Self-care is how you treat yourself. It includes balance in your life, rest, relaxation, and companionship.
Self-care can be really hard, and often we don’t exercise healthy self-care until something pushes our limits to the breaking point. Our inner compass will keep saying NO so we can say YES to ourselves. We just need to listen to our inner compass - The Holy Spirit. We discover that other people can take care of the things that we thought only we could take care of, but there is only one person who can take care of me – and that is me.
Focus on choosing your responsibilities and limit your time. Ask yourself: Is this really my responsibility? Can someone else do this? Am I about to say Yes to something that the person is fully capable of doing themselves?
Do you do something you love each day? Make a list of the things you love to do, and make sure you are making time to do those things. We all have things that we must do, things we want to do, and then things we love to do. Make sure you keep a balance of the three.
Reach out and build a web of resources. Find people who will support you.
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. Check out upcoming events in June 2022 in south Florida. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
The crowds had gathered - because the show that Jesus offered was exciting! But with the explanation, the crowd began to thin. You, too, have a choice. How will you respond? (John 6:60-71, Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-21)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m thrilled that you have joined me for our systematic walk through the Bible.
If you are signed up to receive our Voice of Truth magazine, you should have received the 2nd quarter edition this past week! Although I work on the magazine nearly every day, it is always such a sweet surprise to open my mailbox and see it! A Voice of Truth subscription is free within the continental United States…and we also offer a free digital version for those of you who are not in the United States of for those who prefer to read on your digital device. If you don’t yet receive the magazine, visit our website at womenworldleaders.com where you can subscribe and download this issue or any back issues. There are so many articles I love in Voice of Truth, but one that is near and dear to my heart is Holy Hush by Deborah Watson. Holy Hush is an allegorical story that actually began in the January 2021 edition of Voice of Truth. There are only 3 more installments of this story of young Rebeka…and let me tell you, it is hitting the good part! If you need to catch up, you can “binge read” the story by downloading each edition of the magazine. Trust me, it will be worth it. And as the managing editor of Voice of Truth, I already know the end of the story…and I can tell you that you won’t want to miss it!
Well…back to the podcast! On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders Podcast, we are currently walking through the gospels chronologically as we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what He wants us to know today. Today we will be looking at John 6:60-71, Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, and Luke 9:18-21. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we thank you as always for meeting us where we are. God, we know that you see each of us and you love each of us with a pure love that we can’t begin to comprehend. But God…we are here to say that we love you back, and we want to grow and learn from you. Please open our minds and hearts today that we can understand what you have to teach us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When we left off with our last teaching from the gospels, Jesus taught the difficult to understand truth that He is the Bread of Life – sent from heaven. You may recall that the crowds gathering around Jesus had been growing bigger and bigger – that was primarily because of what Jesus did – He healed the sick and He fed the masses. He drove out demons. But now He has begun to not just do, but to tell who He is – and His revelation, as we will see, begins to drive people away. Suddenly being a follower of Jesus is not just all fun and games, but it requires something.
If you are familiar with the Christian faith, you know that what Jesus offers us – life eternal with God – is a FREE gift. That is, it is not something we can earn. But eternal life with God doesn’t just float down on us like rain in a storm. To receive our free gift, we are required to choose to receive it.
Jesus said He was the Bread of Life – but that bread must be chosen from the world’s smorgasbord that is on laid out in front of us. We must choose the Bread of Life and ingest it into our lives in order to reap its benefits.
That seems simple. It seems like we would be ridiculous to not accept the stipulation that God requires.
Here…you can have this house…but you need to take these keys and unlock the door…oh gosh, no, that’s too much work.
Here…you can have this car…but you have to get in and drive it. … oh, I don’t think so, my foot kind of hurts.
HERE is your perfect husband…but you have to show up at the altar. … You know…I have something more important to do today. I think I need to clean my house.
Jesus has done all the hard work and He is offering us all the rewards. Jesus came down from heaven to live with us – but we have to listen to His teaching. Jesus gave Himself up that we might live, but we have to choose to believe. Jesus promises to guide and lead and love us – but we have to let Him. We have to choose Jesus as Lord to receive the gift of eternal life.
The people had flocked to Jesus, to receive what He had to offer, but when it came to them trusting that He was the bread from heaven, following His teaching, and relying on Him for their very eternity – they were out.
John 6:60 begins…
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[a]”
Many say that Peter was impetuous – he acted without thought or care. But I would argue that Peter was true to himself. Peter had a heart that was as deep as a well – he loved, he cared, and he strived to do right, but one thing was sure, he was always true to himself. He said what was on his mind and he learned and he grew.
Peter answered Jesus’ question of whether they were going to leave by saying “Lord, to whom would we go?” Have you ever felt like that?
I have had ups and downs in life, like we all have. There are times I’ve felt so beat up by life that I just drive or walk, simply not knowing what else to do. Without fail, God reminds me that He is there. I think of the words of Psalm 139:7-12, which say…
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
The truth is, that Jesus’ teachings CAN be difficult. His is a free gift, for certain, but it is still a gift we must choose. We must choose to believe that Jesus is Lord, we must put our own selves aside as we surrender to His glory, we must fall with trust into His arms. And if we let the world and the devil’s thoughts infiltrate our minds, we will allow those simple choices to morph into what looks like an insurmountable mountain. But it is an illusion! What looks like an insurmountable mountain is really a mirage that, by simply holding Jesus’ hand, we can walk right through.
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks the disciples…
“Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[b] the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,[c] because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
God the Father has YOU in His sights – He is waiting to reveal Himself to you. He has something to teach you that no human being could ever teach you. Jesus continued speaking to Peter…
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),[d] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[e] will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid[f] on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit[g] on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
Jesus continued speaking to Peter…and Peter CHOSE to listen! Jesus called Peter the rock…and gave him a mission to build the church. But Peter had to follow in faith.
Jesus offers Himself to each of us. And He offers each of us a mission on earth. And WE have the choice – to turn away, like the crowd, or to listen and obey in faith.
Jesus isn’t a rainstorm – His blessings don’t automatically soak whoever happens to be around. We, even as God’s children, have to choose to hold out our hands and catch the raindrops.
Jesus drew the crowd in…but when it came their turn hold their hands out to receive the Bread of Life, they turned and walked away. Perhaps they figured that ANY price was too high of a price to pay. Perhaps they were blinded by the mirage of the seemingly insurmountable mountain ahead of them. Or perhaps they just didn’t’ want to be bothered.
Only the twelve stuck around…and Jesus then warns that even one of them, Judas, would betray Jesus…choosing the world and himself over the God who created him, pursued him, and would die in order to spend eternity with him.
If you are having trouble choosing God today, ask yourself the question, where else could I possibly go? Who else could ever love you as much as Jesus? Who else has the power to give you eternal life and to lead you, guide you, strengthen you, and protect you today? Who else can bring you unbridled joy? Who else will hold you as you weep and then promises to dry your tears? Who else has a mission for your life and will walk with you through any mountain as you fulfill that mission?
Jesus Himself is our gift. But we must choose that gift and give up ourselves to follow Him. Trust me. Every step is worth it!
Dear Most Holy God…we cannot run from your presence…and for that we thank you! Thank you for pursuing us to the ends of the earth. And for goodness sake, help us stop running! God, you yearn to hold our hands and walk with us, to guide us, to lead us, giving us your wisdom, protection, strength, and joy. Today we look to you. We trust you. And we give you our lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Guest speaker Erin Jeffreys, marriage coach, fitness coach, and successful entrepreneur, shares her story of grace, restoration, and God's love. Erin boldly shares about her young marriage in Bible college with two babies, which ended in divorce because of sin. Through eight years of wandering, Erin found God's beautiful path leading her back to restoration to reunite with the husband of her youth who forgave her. They now have a powerful Christ-centered family and minister together. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. Ladies, we are so glad you are here today. I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And I am so happy to have our guests with us today. Erin Jefferys, Erin is from North Carolina. Welcome, Erin. Erin Jeffreys
Hey, Kimberly, I'm so excited to be here and just share a little bit of my heart and my story. I'm so glad that God connected us just a few weeks ago, I think it's been recent and so honored to be here. Yeah, Kimberly Hobbs
We're honored to have you and just the ladies her story. It's incredible what God has done in this woman's life. So we're talking about restoration today, and God's grace and His love. So we are super, super excited to share this with you today. Our hope ladies through these podcasts is that we are able to strengthen you and encourage you on your walk as you seek out Jesus every day of your life. And Ephesians 2:10 says that we are all a masterpiece we are God's masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus, to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe ladies that each and every one of you have a beautiful purpose. And it's our hope that through listening to these podcasts, that something inside of it is going to touch your heart deeply. And just allow you to act upon what you heard and find out that truth and purpose of what God has for your life. So I want to share a little bit about Erin before we get started. Erin is a world leader. And she helps others to pursue better health physically, spiritually, and relationally. Like she's very successful, and entrepreneurship and she holds certifications as a health coach, as a marriage coach and a former personal trainer. She's getting healthy in every area of her life. And she calls it her jam. Erin and her husband are the founders of family fit ministries, and they're highly requested speakers in the area of marriage, which you're going to hear about today a little about, she's going to bring you into her life a little bit. Aaron speaks boldly regarding the choices that she made to leave her marriage and the church in pursuit of the world. Can any of you relate to that? I know I can't in my life. Yeah, some of us make choices, not always the right choices. But eight years later, God would begin to write a different story in Aaron's life, one of forgiveness and restoration praise him for that. And Aaron is an inspiration to 1000s through her speaking and social media platforms. And we are so happy to have her here today to share what God has done in his grace, restoration in his love for Aaron. So many of us can relate to straying from that steadfast life of obedience, which we once lived. As I said, I, I can relate to that too. I was on the path and feeling like I was that great Christian person until I veered away. And when we talk about restoration, which we're going to talk about today, in God's word, it's synonymous with healing, and repairing or returning to a previous state of being. Psalm 5112 says, Restore to me the joy of my salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Aaron, you wandered far from God and your young life at Bible College and as a wife and mom of two sweet little girls who I know you love so much. So can you take us back to those college years when you were that young wife and young mom, what was going on?
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah, so back it up even a little bit further. I was raised in a wonderful home Christian home. I had great values around me. And so I just expected that's how my life would be. I went to Bible college, I met my husband as a lot of my friends were doing and we got married in the midst of college. And a couple years after that, we started a family we started ministry that was our desire. That was our heartbeat. And so it wasn't like this was a surprise is something we had prayed for. We knew God wanted us in essence, we started ministry together. And then shortly after we had two little girls and everything great, wonderful. You know, I was not at the time was not serving as heavily in the ministry with him, I was more at home. And so it was during that season, that I began to feel a little bit alone. He was here ministering and and I was just at home, I did not see my children as my ministry at that time. And when you're alone, and you're not in the Word, and you're not in prayer, Satan begins to come in. And he began to come into my life and into my heart, and say things that weren't true about my husband, that he doesn't love you. He's not paying enough attention to you, you know, and I will look for nitpicky things around the home that all of us are not perfect in, but I would look for and those things will began to fester. And Satan will say, we'll see he's not doing this. And he's not doing these things. And so he really doesn't love you. And so this anger, and this bitterness began to fester in my heart before anything else ever started or became an issue. It started within my own heart. And I didn't, you know, I didn't communicate those things to my husband, like, we weren't communicating. And so it's, that's where the breakdown started to happen. So if you're listening, the and communication with you with your husband or your spouse. And so that's where it started. bitterness and anger. And within that time, Satan brought someone that looks so much better than my husband, because he had all these wonderful qualities. So I stepped out of my marriage, I had an affair. And when my husband found out, he found out without me telling him I did not leave for the other person, I we just decided to end it, I figured I was done. Again, Satan feeding you lies within your heart in your mind that there's got to be something better than what is here right now. And so I did, I, I left my marriage looking for that thing, that thing that would make me feel good inside that the the, the Christian world that I was in the Bible, I just felt like was not offering me. So I'd be seven years. I was apart from my husband. And during that first half of those seven to eight years, I was seeking whatever the world could give to me in all different avenues. And it was, you know, you hear those things. Well, why did you do that Satan presents it as a fun time. And it was I, you know, you look back at those things, and it appeared fun, and I was enjoying that moment. But then after you have that guilt, and that shame, especially me stepping into those things, being a believer, I knew that's not what God had for me. And so we did we separated, then we finally divorced. And I just decided that, okay, we're apart, we're divorced, this is my life now, and I've got to gotta figure it out. And that's kind of where I just, I didn't even during that time, I even questioned whether God was real. You know, I grew up believing that and knowing that, but in this season, I thought, Is God even real? How is he real? If all of this is happening to me? And all these bad things are going on now? Like, how is God even real? Why did he allow me to even get married? Or? And I just began to question so I, you know, just decided that maybe God wasn't real, and that I would just have to figure life out on my own. So I, that's where I started. I said, Well, I'm getting divorced, final, and I'm just going to move forward and figure it out. And that's kind of where, where I started after that. About three and a half years of just, you know, Satan really taking his toll on my life, my mind and my heart.
Kimberly Hobbs
Right, and you open that door to the devil having that rain in your life. And you soured against things of the Lord, because of the lies that you believed. And so you started into that prison, the of just being trapped into where the enemy wanted you to be trapped. And that's a scary place to be ladies, I'm sure you can relate to it. When are you just you fall into temptation? You know, you shouldn't be going there. And then the next thing you do is you wake up and you're in this this misery you're in that pit that you seem like you can't get out of and that's where Aaron was, I mean, she just started she was just so wandered so far. But God, when you belong to him, he is not going to let you wander far from him. He'll he'll let you go to a certain point but he's going to bring you back and Aaron He brought you back through people that did not judge you. They loved you. They wrap their arms around you, they showed you God's love, without judgment. And think about this, ladies, if you're in that place where you know somebody that's wandered away from, you know where they're supposed to be, and you know that you can condemn them all day long. They know what they're doing God's convicting them, but it takes a special person that can show the love of God, and the forgiveness to bring them back. So God softens your heart to come back to even step foot in a church again, and I want to share this verse. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. That's Galatians six, one. Can you talk about how important that was to you, Erin, that people loved you back in?
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah, that was really pivotal. And a key time in my life. I had really sworn off the church, like, I'm not going to church anymore. I felt like it. It felt like the church destroyed my life at that time. That was what I was blaming it on. And so I really wanted nothing to do with it. But God began to use people in my life. And they initially came to where I was, it wasn't like they were pulling me in their direction of where they were with God, they came and met me at my place. With love and without judgment. And just invited me would invite me to church not beating me over the head, or maybe just send me an encouraging word or a text or, Hey, look at this IRA. This is pretty cool. Or sometimes not even always about a Bible verse just loving me as a friend, because a lot of these people were my friends before. And so he continued to love me, in spite of what I knew was wrong, what they knew was wrong. And then God soften my heart enough. Someone asked me one day, just come, come and sit, come and sit with me. Come late, leave early. Just Just come with me. I want you to come in. And I mean, and so that's what I did. And God began, I just remember that service, God began to say, like, what are you doing? What are you doing with your life now? Didn't change in an instant. But that's where I remember God, just saying, like, what's going on? Who are you? At Did you for a purpose and a plan and you're not listening to me, and I'm not but why like what is going on. So God began to use that even in that moment, on that very first service that I stepped back, and it can happen outside of a service. So anybody listening, don't feel like you have to be in church to, to forgot to speak to you. But that's where...
Kimberly Hobbs
And praise God for that friend that just loved you enough to love you to come back to church with her and offer that. And then God did the rest. Right? He did. And in just like urine said, ladies, he can reach us all in different ways. Whatever we're going through, it could be a person that reaches out to you, you might step foot in somewhere and see a sign. And that speaks to you. God's going to get your attention in ways that he will. And you're going to know it. You're going to if you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, he's not going to let you wander far. You're going to know it, and he's going to bring you back to the fold. And he did that with Aaron, praise God for that. And ladies, remember, again, you might be that person or that one that God's going to say he's going to use you in someone else's life to bring them back to him. We don't want to have judging spirits. We want to embrace them with love, just like our father does so beautifully for us. So Aaron, as you got stronger, things became very clear to you and God began and pressing things on your heart. I want to share another scripture because as we know there is power in the Word. And this Scripture has come. Let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us. He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. You learned a lot through those years. Aaron, when you were by yourself and you were in that prison. That's what was he a six one Aeron chair about David coming back into your thoughts how when you started to seek God out again, for your life. God started putting David back into your thoughts and your children. Were asking you pivotal questions at that time that got your attention. focus back on David. Can you bring nose up and share with us?
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah. You know, initially, it wasn't David, when I began to really seek out God and get in alignment with his word. I said, I want to be married again, like, I want to have a husband, I want to have a good father for my I have to I had two young daughters at the time. And so that's what I began praying about. I began seeking that out praying for that. And during that time, towards the end of that season, as I was praying, I would receive text messages from David Orr. In reaching out, he was the one honestly in pursuit of me. And I remember oftentimes, like pushing that aside, and then saying, God, I'm praying for a husband like, why is he messaging me wise? I could feel him in pursuit of me. And then God said, it's David. And that's how Oh, no, it can't be like that's, that's over. That's done. There's too much past there's too much history that's not restorable. And at that point, and not bathe, and that could even be possible. But he, David stayed in constant pursuit. And he used him. And then he also use my children. We share this a lot that we don't know. I mean, God can do great things. But they were a pivotal piece and David and mines restoration, they would constantly ask questions like, What is it like to be in a house with with a mom and a dad because they were little like, my no one when we not even one when we separated. And so they didn't know that. And then you know, they would, later on, we would find out notes that they had written of where they had been praying for us to get back together this something that they gave us after things were restored. So God used them. And it also kept me in alignment with with him. He said, If you're going to be the mom that I want you to be, then you've got to do these things, Aaron, whether you're single, or whether you're restore your marriage. And so I didn't, when we began to pursue I still didn't know was God's going to restore. But that in the end, that necessarily didn't matter. It was about my relationship with God pursuing him being where I was the best at that moment. How was created in that moment in that season as a single mom, having the faith that he would restore, but But what if God chose something different? Would I be okay with that I'm really learning to understand, Okay, I'm going to be satisfied and pleased with what God what God's plan is for, for my life. So,
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, wow, wow, you had to really reunite with God again, you had to get that relationship with Him solidified. And then he can do the work and restore what the locusts have stolen. And oh, my goodness, you have this life together now with your husband, Aaron, after so many years, you were divorced for eight years. And God began showing you as a couple now many ways, which the enemy meant for harm, you guys were able to see that and see how God turned it around to restore to restore it. And now you're this power couple. And God restored. Also the shame and guilt because I know Aaron, you are here to sharing with me that you experience extreme shame and guilt when you were first re united with David, can you talk about that shame and guilt? Because I know others could probably really relate to this part.
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah. Yeah. You know, you said, God can restore what the locust has eaten. And those were key verses that David and I claimed for our marriage when we got remarried on day one. And if you look at that, that those verses is actually Joel 225 through 32. And it talks about God restoring the years, which we had eight years of when it was taken away. But then it goes into if you read that whole passage, he talks about at the end, how you will be able to eat plenty you will be satisfied and about how your life can be abundant in Christ. And so that we claim those verses Amen. Me an easy road. And, you know, I was the one who stepped out. So for me, I was dealing with a lot more shame and guilt. And my husband was, he said, from day one, God is going to use this we have a ministry like, you know, we got back from our honeymoon. He's like, let's go. And I brought in a lot of shame and a lot of guilt. For so many years, I was able to almost set that aside because I wasn't with the person who I had offended. And so then when we were reunited it just came back full right in front of my face. Like I was with David. I woke up to him every day. And, you know, the devil would say, Look, you know, you did this to him. So, yeah, God restored our marriage. But then God said, Well, if I've restored our marriage, and she, this is reunited, I'm gonna work in the way that I can keep her defeated. And so it was with shame, and guilt. Wow. Yeah. And so it took me probably, I would say, about a year and a half to really, really let that go and let Christ take dominion over that in my life. It was through, you know, prayer scripture, I, I did counseling as well. I worked at it. It wasn't like it just automatically poof went away. God gave me the tools and I applied those tools to my life.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. I have to share this verse. Because this is like so cool. Ladies, if you're listening in and you are feeling that shame and guilt in a situation because of your past sin, Okay, God, God doesn't want you trapped there and that shame and guilt, and Aaron can identify with you because she was waking up to that man, and she felt horrible about what she was doing to him, you know, and also God, so shame and guilt is real. But the Bible says, instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion and instead of disgrace, you will receive your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land and everlasting joy will be yours, Isaiah 61. Seven, how beautiful is that scripture about restoration, God will take away that that shame and that guilt, he's going to give you a double portion for keep looking to him when you're feeling those pings of shame and guilt, because they still come over all of us, they still come over me like God, how did I hurt you so bad in my life? I mean, it makes me want to vomit. You know, when I think about what I did, to God and others, you know, that love to me, but it's like, Oh, my goodness, the through His scriptures, there's healing it, just like I know, you feel that healing to Aaron. So now God's placed both of you, in a way to minister to the world as a beautiful restored couple. The Scripture says, for everyone born of God overcomes the world, that sin that enticed you, you were able to overcome it, because you had the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, Aaron. And then he says, this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. First John five, four. So God gave both of you and David restoration and your faith was restored back in, in the Lord. So how did he bring you back into a new way as a married couple to serve him together again?
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah, so like I said, David had a vision from the very beginning. He he knew he's, he is a visionary, I will just say that. And so he sees things. And I said, Well, you know, I was at that time, I was dealing with the shame and the guilt, and Satan was using that. But even during that time, David was praying because he knew God didn't create, bring us back together and go through all that just to, here we are, we're married again. He knew God had a purpose for us. And as a married woman, I thought, you know, the first time I was married, I thought I was just to be a wife. Not that that's a bad thing that has a purpose, we're called to. But we're also an individual, God created us, each woman for a purpose. And so when I let go of that shame and guilt, and knew that Christ accepted me as I was, in that moment, no matter what I had done in my past, I was able to really love David, the way a wife should. And then we began to unite, I was able to let that shame and guilt go and we began to share our story publicly. And God has began to use that so mightily, in ways that I just never even thought thought were possible.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. And now, the two of you have come together as not only you know, physical coaches because you are coaching in in faith fit which Aaron's going to share with you her website, but spiritually as marriage coaches Now God has called you to this position in our world where you are able to help coach and direct other marriages that may be struggling. And God says He works things all together for Are his purpose to those who are called according to His purpose. And you both had a calling on your life, when you were in Bible college, God knew that. And you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Now look at what he's doing, you went through all of that learning, and you are able to pour into others about what you went through what to share, not to do, but what to share restored you and that's so beautiful. And that's God's grace, and his love for each and every one of us. He's gonna give us the tools. And Aaron and her husband are beautiful marriage coaches, and that's the beauty and women world leaders as God has given us. Such beautiful women that could coach and counsel and things that we need here. So we encourage you definitely to utilize some of these women that are powerful in the Word of God. And so Aaron, what advice can you leave with the listeners who may be in a broken relationship, or a broken marriage, or the hurting woman who might be divorced already and think there's no hope for her? What? What advice can you give, I want to share one more verse, Because the Scripture says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. And the old has gone and the new is here. That's Second Corinthians 517. So as this new creation, Erin, speak to the woman that's hurting right now.
Erin Jeffreys
So first of all, do not listen to the world, that will be my first piece of advice. If you are hurting, you can get exactly what you need from your unsaved friends from the world from you can get the advice you need to make a decision that you can feel comfortable with in your own self. That's what I did. And that's why one of the reasons why I divorced David, because everyone said that I was listening to this is what people do. This is what the world does. So don't listen to the world get alone with God. What is he telling me to do? What is he telling you to pray for? That's first second, don't lose hope. First Peter, one, three and four says in his great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. So if you're a believer, you have that hope that he's given you. He's created you a new creature, you're going to be in Heaven with Him one day. But what about the hope for your marriage? Are you praying for that hope that restored marriage do you have hope that God can restore that, so pray for that. And then love, like God tells you to love and Colossians 312 And Ephesians 432 Love with a tender heart or forgiving spirit? That's hard to do if you've been hurt or offended. But that only comes from the Spirit of God. Through prayer, reading His word, I, when I was going through those periods of shame and guilt, I would say scripture out loud, letting my ears hear it, letting Satan hear it, claiming those over my life. That that is there's power there. And so many times As believers, we have that initial, you know, we become a believer, we're excited. And then we lose hope and faith in the things that we need for God to restore in our lives specifically, right now we're talking about marriage, but he can, he can do mighty things, and I've seen him do it in my life. So don't and don't listen to the world. Listen to what what what's God telling you to do?
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And you know, on the other side of this, that was a good word, Aaron, hope and restoration and the power of the Word of God. The other side of it is you know, David, David forgave, he forgave you, you know, that's hard to do. Ladies, when you think about that, you know, she was she had an affair in her relationship. And those of you out there that are listening that can relate to being wounded. From something so devastating as an affair, David forgave and he continued to love her. For all those years that she was wandering in the wilderness, they were already divorced. But he remained faithful and true to the Lord. And he prayed and he just, he continued with what God was calling him to do. And wow, you know, think about that. I don't know what side of the fence you are on ladies that are listening. You could be the wounded one or you could be the one that offended but think about the forgiving heart that it takes to have the restoration. And because we have a forgiving God who forgives us, ladies, we have to forgive as well. It's all about forgiveness. If We can't forgive how do we expect God to forgive us when we mess up? So think about that. And thank God, thank God for this power couple that has been restored through the power of forgiveness. You know God's grace and love the love of others that didn't judge that welcomed Aaron back into the family of God and loved her back into the family of God there. There's so much in this whole podcast ladies of forgiveness, love restoration on all sides, all of us who are listening can learn from this. So thank you, Aaron, you are restored, you have been given grace by God and loved so much by him. And I am so grateful that you took the time to share with our listeners, can you tell them if they want to reach out to you as a marriage coach now with your husband? You're doing coaching all over the United States? Thank the Lord for zoom and, and also some other things with your fitness and how do they reach you?
Erin Jeffreys
Yeah, so if you want to reach me, you can go to family fit ministries.com. Or you can find family fit ministries on Facebook, or you can search me out personally, Erin Jeffries on Facebook. So, yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Thank you. Thank you. And so again, we just love having guests on ladies. And we just pray that if you have been touched by this podcast that you will share it that you will tell others about it. Hey, listen in, it's not gonna hurt to listen in, right. So as we close, I just want you to know that these powerful podcasts are available to you every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We have teaching through the word of God on Wednesdays with one of our teaching leaders, Julie Jenkins. And we also have celebrating God's grace every Friday. And we have different women in the ministry that share their gifts and talents to encourage you into the weekend. And then of course, every Monday we have the interviews that we do with different women from around the world that that God brings in with their stories, and you might have a story. Reach out to us if you do, you can reach out to me personally at Kimberly at women world leaders.com If you feel God prompting you to share your story on these podcasts, because women can relate when they hear other women share about stories. And this is a safe place. And God has given us this ability to speak to the world through these podcasts. So please reach out to us if you feel God prompting you to share your story. We'd love to hear from you. And one other thing I want to share with you is our voice of Truth magazine. Ladies, you can reach this honor. And and through our website anywhere around the world, it's available digitally. And if you're in the United States, it's available free. We just need your name, address and email address and that you can sign up through our website at women world leaders.com. So we would love you to have this amazing tool of voice of Truth magazine. It's beautiful, filled with Scripture and inspiration. And we're sure that this will touch your hearts ladies to amazing heights because it contains the power of the Word of God and that scripture throughout the ladies as we close from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders all content is copyrighted by women world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you all. Thank you again Aaron Jeffries for joining us and hopefully ladies you'll join us on Wednesday for our teaching podcast have a beautiful and blessed day.
Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries and part of our women’s leadership team, talks to us about the benefits of setting and keeping healthy boundaries in relationships. It is important to guard our hearts.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about spiritual blindness, but first let’s go to God in prayer.
Father God, you are a good good Father. Speak to our hearts today about how to set and keep healthy boundaries so we can stay healthy, giving us more time and energy to serve you in your kingdom with the gifts that you have given to us. Show us your way today Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’m going to begin today’s podcast by telling you a story.
It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Sherry woke up excited because it was her first free day in… well she really couldn’t remember when. Sherry was a school teacher and she had planned to spend some time at the beach with her kids. Sherry loves the beach – that’s where she goes to connect with God and enjoy His creation. The kids were all packed and looking forward to the day. Just as they were preparing to leave, the phone rang. It was her sister. She was crying because she and her husband had been fighting. She was distraught and needed someone to talk to. This wasn’t anything new – he battled alcoholism, and these conflicts were predictable, but she really needed Sherry to lean on. The kids went back into the house, and Sherry stayed on the phone with her for over an hour – listening to every detail of their dysfunctional relationship. She asked Sherry to take her daughter for the day so she could put herself back together. Her daughter needed a ride to soccer practice. Sherry got off the phone and now the kids were fighting because they got bored waiting. Sherry told them to find some things to do while she took care of her niece. Next, Sherry’s girlfriend called and pleaded with her to take her two kids for the afternoon because she couldn’t find a sitter. Sherry spent the afternoon entertaining six kids, while looking at the mound of laundry that still needed to be done and the stack of papers that would need to be graded before Monday morning. Sherry fixed dinner for her sister. The church music director called, and they had someone call in sick, so would Sherry please fill in at the piano tomorrow. Sherry said Yes, knowing she would need to practice the hymns before she went to bed. It was now evening, and the house was a disaster from the six kids playing throughout the day. Maybe next week Sherry would make it to the beach.
Sherry would have received a gold medal for having no boundaries! She was frequently doing for people, and constantly feeling taken advantage of until she enrolled in a codependency group and discovered that she was teaching people how to treat her. It was Sherry that needed to learn healthy boundaries. Once she learned how to set and keep boundaries, Sherry no longer had to feel the resentment that one feels when they overextend themselves. When she first started setting boundaries, she was told by a few family members that she was being selfish, and that would hurt Sherry’s feelings. Sherry came to understand that when her response doesn’t fit their agenda, they will often try to guilt trip her into saying Yes. However, making and keeping boundaries, gained self-respect, her health was restored, and she had peace of mind. When you can be generous with your time, energy, and resources, it is appreciated by the people who really do love you.
Ladies, Your story is being shaped by what you are saying Yes to and what you are saying No to.
Remember this: Someone else’s crisis is not YOUR crisis, it is THEIR crisis. Sometimes God calls you to help others through their crisis, but he’s not calling you to help every crisis. You have to put boundaries on your own time and resources because they are limited, and you have to know that God has chosen you at this place, at this time, to know when to help and when to let go.
People who exercise healthy boundaries can think more clearly, experience better health, have a good immune system, are less anxious or depressed, feel safe, and have the energy and desire to engage with other people, and nurture relationships.
So, what is a boundary?
A boundary is something we set to guard our heart.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
What do we need to guard?
Heart means our inner self. There are seven things to guard. As I list these precious gifts that you are to guard, list any that you know you need help in setting boundaries with:
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Your core values. There are hundreds of core values, but they center around trust, honesty, loyalty, reliability, responsibility, ethics, respect, and integrity. This constitutes our belief system and these should never be compromised.
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Your thoughts. Our thoughts determine our actions, and our actions determine our feelings, so we need to guard our thoughts. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Your heart is extremely valuable.
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Your emotions. Emotional boundaries involve separating your feelings from another's feelings. Violations include, taking responsibility for another's feelings, letting another's feelings dictate your own, sacrificing your own needs to please another, blaming others for your problems, and accepting responsibility for theirs.
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Your passions. Your passions lead to living out your mission, and if you don’t protect your passions, you will likely not fulfill your mission. This requires us to “stay in our lane” and not let ourselves using our time with activities that are outside our lane.
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Your sins and weaknesses. If we don’t set boundaries, we might repeat our mistakes.
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Your history. If nothing changes, history will repeat itself. How many times have we tried to “save” someone from their addiction? Did it ever work? A boundary might look like, “I will not post bail for you.” I will not give you cash. I will not lie for you. You can bet that if nothing changes, nothing changes. So protect your history.
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Your strengths, gifts. These were given to you by God to be used for His glory. Don’t give them away to “empty calorie” people. Don’t spend time volunteering for things that are outside your area of strengths. For example: If you don’t like kids, don’t take on a Sunday school class to make the pastor happy. Instead, talk to the pastor about volunteering in a space in which your gifts are used wisely.
For those of us who are generous with our time, talents, and resources, this may seem selfish, but think that you are being a steward of all these gifts that God has bestowed upon you.
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice. What would you like to hear about on this podcast that has to do with marriage? Send me your questions.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. Check out upcoming events in June 2022 in south Florida. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
You were dead in your sins, but God has raised you up to life! Let's celebrate our new life together as we revisit Ephesians 2:1-10. (Originally aired in 2020)
Most holy God – we come to you today seeking your wisdom, your guidance, and your blessing on our lives. Father, I pray that as we open your Word together, that you would pour out understanding and enlightenment on each of us. Open our eyes to see what you would have us see today – allow us to be teachable – allow us to grow closer to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 1-10
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
In this passage we see our own transition, as children of God, from defeat, to victory, to exaltation.
Have you ever had one of those days when it just feels like you can’t get anything right? Even though you try desperately to ‘right the ship’ so-to-speak? One day I was running a mom-errand - driving 40 minutes off my usual route to pick up a special-ordered, dearly desired items for one of my young children. A noble cause – I was being a good mom.
As I drove with my three young children, it began pouring down rain – one of those relentless Florida afternoon downpours. All of the sudden, as I was driving, one of my windshield wipers stuck straight up in the air – I’ve never seen anything like it. The kids thought it was hysterical. I pulled over, got out on the side of road, in the pouring down rain, and fixed the wiper. We eventually got to where we were going – I got all three kids in through the rain (which is no small feat in and of itself – still being the good mom), only to find out that our special-ordered, very expensive, HAD-to-have TODAY purchase – wasn’t going to be ready until the following week.
I know that you have your own version of what seemed at the time to be my ‘Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’ … because the fact of the matter is – due to our sinful nature, our disobedience, and the devil’s constant battle against our hearts - in THIS world we WILL have trouble. We will feel defeat in many ways.
The first 4 words Paul writes in this chapter are “Once, you were dead.” That’s not a phrase we hear every day – the regular connotation of death indicates an ending – finality. Once we are dead, there is NOTHING we can do of our own accord to wake up.
A deaf person cannot hear a beautiful symphony, no matter how hard he tries. A blind person cannot see the majestic view from a mountaintop, no matter how wide she opens her eyes … a dead person, simply can’t get up…
And a spiritually dead person cannot see the glory of God’s goodness and love no matter how she tries to look on the bright side. See Paul isn’t talking about death as we normally think of it – the death of flesh, but he is talking about the death of the spirit. He says, at one time, you were spiritually dead.
Imagine – a world without hope. Darkness without any pinprick of light. Misery without comfort. Because of our sin … THAT is the world that we were born into. We as, humans, drove our holy and perfect God away with our propensity to sin – causing us to be in a spiritual state of death – separated from all that is good and right. Separated from God. And there was nothing we could do of our own accord to bring Him back, or to make things better.
Then the transition.
Verse 4 begins ‘BUT GOD.”
As you read carefully through the Bible, you will begin to notice that the Biblical writers never shy away from teaching about our Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad existence. However, the two words that often follow these descriptions can change our very life trajectory, taking us from defeat to victory.
BUT…GOD!
The verse continues… “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
Our God is merciful. Mercy is that quality that only comes from God and means compassion, kindness, pity. Because of God’s mercy, and through His power, He took what once was dead and without hope – our very spiritual lives – and gave us life in Him. God did this amazing act in tandem with another amazing act – He resurrected Jesus Christ from physical death so that we could be resurrected from our spiritual death. Only God’s mercy, and His power enacted through that mercy, could allow us as the deaf to hear that beautiful symphony, could open our blind eyes to see the majestic view, and could enable us, the dead, to get up.
But as the infomercial says…But wait…there’s more! God loves us so much that taking us from defeat to victory wasn’t enough. No – as only God can, He takes it a step further, and exalts us! In verse 6, we are reminded “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms!”
We’ve all likely seen video of a survivor pulled from the rubble of an earthquake, carried on a stretcher through a crowd of cheering first responders. WE are the survivors! GOD is our first rescuer! And all the saints and angels are cheering YOUR revival. God is SO EXCITED by YOUR spiritual awakening that it is no longer enough to return you to the Garden of Paradise – no, He is going to keep His eye on you by exalting you and keeping you RIGHT BESIDE HIM in the heavenly realms!
Our merciful God has taken us from defeat, to victory, to exaltation!
Verse 8 gives us a bit of the background – first telling us WHEN this transition occurred in the life of the Christian: “God saved you by his grace WHEN you believed.” This is a WHEN statement, not a BECAUSE statement – Paul quickly underlines this fact by stating “YOU can’t take credit for this; it is a GIFT from God…not a REWARD…therefore, you can’t BOAST!”
Like the survivor pulled from the rubble, we are completely dependent on our rescuer – all glory to our merciful God!
And finally, verse 10 – one of my favorites – gives us the why: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
You are God’s MASTERPIECE!! His treasured possession. His work of art!
Throughout the years, I have received many homemade gifts that I treasure. My mom made me a quilt when I left for college. That quilt was made for a purpose - to keep me warm, to help me rest, to comfort me, and to remind me of home when I was navigating the world on my own. That quilt was my mom’s work of art – and while it brightened my college dorm room, it still had a practical purpose.
Ladies – you are beautiful! And what’s more, you were created ON purpose FOR a purpose.
The devil had his way and left us for dead because of our sin. But God, in His mercy, pulled you from the rubble, seated you in the heavenly realms, and all creation cheered! So now you can live like the masterpiece that you were created to be! Not to be set aside in a museum, shielded from the light or from handprints; but you are a GIFT that has been given to the world, from God. Like my mom gave me my quilt, God has shared you, His masterpiece, with a world that He loves – to brighten their day by your beauty, to comfort and protect others, and to remind others of THEIR rightful home in heaven!
When others see you, do they see God? Do they see THEIR Creator and THEIR first responder as a light in you? Are you reaching into the rubble with God to help the helpless out of their darkness?
You were created anew in Christ Jesus, in order to do the good things GOD planned for you long ago. So no matter how Terrible, Horrible, No Good, and Very Bad today may feel, know that God has reached through the rubble to save you, has exalted you in the heavenly realms, and He wants you to LIVE LIKE THE MASTERPIECE THAT HE CREATED YOU TO BE!
Dear Heavenly Father – thank you for your mercy, for reaching down into the rubble of our lives and for saving us. Thank you for bringing us from defeat to victory to exaltation. Empower us today to live like the masterpiece that you created us to be – to live life ON PURPOSE. Open our ears to hear what you want us to know, our eyes to see where you want us to go, and our hearts to respond to others with the power that only you can provide. We claim our place in the heavenly realms today, and we praise you for counting us worthy as your children. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Best-selling author of "Hope Rising" and "Encountering Your Wild God," international speaker Kim Meeder shares her personal story of how her dad murdered her mom and then killed himself. Orphaned at a young age, Kim found Jesus through pain and tragedy. She is now helping thousands of children and others each year to find Jesus through their pain and troubled life. * Kimberly Hobbs
Hi, ladies, welcome everybody to empowering lives with purpose brought to you by women world leaders. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbes, I'm the founder of Women, world leaders. And we are so happy that you decided to join us today. And our desire through this podcast series is to strengthen you, and courage you and just build you up in the name of Jesus. And we are just ordinary women, doing extraordinary things for our Lord and Savior. And we're hoping that through sharing some of the stories and the interviews that we bring to you that your life can be touched in the way that God wants it to that you will hear that special word from him through this interview series. So we hope that this will also spark you into finding your beautiful purpose that God has just for you. So we are God's masterpiece. He's created us a new in Christ Jesus to do the things that he planned for us long ago. He says that in Ephesians, 210. So we are all here for a reason or purpose, God has given us the whole world at our fingertips. So we just have to know how to use that power within us that he's given to us. So we have had different guests that have been willing to come and share with you. And today, I'm so excited, because God has given us a special woman. Her name is Kim meter. And she's brought her to this podcast for such a time as this, I have had just the last hour of just interacting with her and enjoying her. And I am just so excited about our interview today. And we're gonna just see how God leads us today. And, you know, I had Kim send me her bio, and I was going to read it and but we were just like, let's just see how the Holy Spirit leads today. Because it's so important to be just led by the Spirit. And it's not our words, it's God's words. And that's what our hearts are. both Kim and I, we want God's words to come out today. So actually, I'm gonna let her say a little bit about herself and welcome Kim meter, we are just so happy to have you here. Kim Meeder
You can really it's so awesome to have an opportunity to meet a like minded woman who, when we know who we are in Jesus. And when we know who Jesus is in us. Everything changes. Everything changes. Everyone comes from somewhere, every woman has been through something. And Jesus Christ will use every minute of what you and I have endured for His glory, when we give it to him. You are so right and fusions 210 is true that we were created to do do do you work for him that if you're a woman, and you have breath in your lungs, you are created to do right, what you're doing look alike will be unique to you. There's no other you in all the world, there's only one you and you were strategically placed in history, and in this nation and abroad for his
Kimberly Hobbs
moment of time, right? For such a time as this. He's used your life ladies to create you for such a time as this. So
Kim Meeder
and oftentimes women think that the focus bends inward in that Oh, but you don't know me you don't know my circumstances you don't know my past. You don't know where I'm from. You don't know, the pain that I've endured. And the bottom line is, that is true. But I serve the one who does and if you call yourself by Jesus beautiful name, he does know. All of our journeys are so unique and separate. And Jesus will heal and redeem and fill and lead every day of what you have endured and survived. Some journeys look like this. I came to know the truth of Jesus Christ at a very young age. I was nine years old and at nine years of age, I would look at my mom and think, oh my goodness, I want to grow up and be just like her and my dad was this wild child of the wilderness and he was a downhill ski instructor on a VA Okay, no and the Pacific Northwest and in in my mind, there was nothing that he couldn't do and in the poor cape and flew, and, and I grew up in the castle of their combined love. And it was during that season of time that my dad's best friend came to my little grade school and picked me up and put me in the backseat of his car. And he gathered my two older sisters, I'm the youngest of three girls. And he wouldn't speak to us. And I just had that choking feeling that something terrible has happened, and no one will tell me what it is, no one will speak. And we just started to drive in silence this very familiar road out to my grandparents house and, and I felt like I was choking. And I looked at my oldest sister who was sitting next to me. And without words, she was just streaming silent tears. And she knew too. And we drove down the long driveway to my grandparents home, and there were cars parked all over. And, and for the first time in my young life, I did not want to go into a home where I only ever felt love. Because I was afraid. And I'm taken by my shoulders and just pushed into this home. And it was full of all these breathing, wailing people and, and just to hear grief, rising and mixing in this room. And I was pushed into the arms of a woman that I recognized. I didn't know her name, and she was crying so hard. She could almost not speak. And she just kept going around and around and this nauseating cycle of I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to tell you this. I'm so sorry. And I'm just leaning away from her thinking whatever you're about to say, I don't want to hear it. And finally she said, I don't know how to tell you that your dad has just murdered your mother. And he's taking his own life. And I'm sorry. I know. You're thinking you're a liar. My dad loves my mom, and he loves me, he would never do that lie er. And I just pushed off her chest and ran out the back door in this nine year olds effort to outrun the unthinkable and just ran and ran and ran until there was nothing left and and it wasn't even a far distance. And I remember I had been running through an orchard and the ground had been plowed. And I just fell down in the dirt. And I was inhaling dirt and gagging and choking and retching and screaming. And then I could hear what I thought were animal sounds. And I didn't even recognize the sound of my own voice. And I could hear myself saying, Jesus helped me. Jesus helped me I need you now. And Kimberly, I didn't even know who Jesus was. In the church, I think I'd been to church twice in my life. And all I knew about Jesus is I think he might be the guy on the cross. And wow, I didn't know the power of God's word were in Romans chapter one, it declares that every one intuitively knows God through what he's made. It doesn't matter who you are, how you were raised to believe what culture you're from what religion you were taught, when your heart is being crushed by pain, we know intuitively to turn to the one who made that heart, because we know on some level that he is the only one who can heal and redeem it. I did not know the power of verses like Romans 1013 that say, every one, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved in that moment, is that there was a poem in my heart of hope. And a little flame of hope ignited the moment that I said His name..
Kimberly Hobbs
His name, the power in the name of Jesus
Kim Meeder
Yes..Jesus, will you help me and all I knew is in that moment, I knew that I was not alone anymore. And something had started in this heart that said, everything's gonna be alright. You will survive, you will survive. Beginning of knowing and coming face to face with Jesus Christ in the midst of unspeakable violence and tragedy. And in Jesus His Word is true in in Psalms 23, he calls us to walk through that valley of the shadow of darkness. He doesn't tell us to camp out and live there. Right Galatians five one declares it is for freedom, freedom that Jesus Christ has set us free, that when Jesus Christ left heaven, he came to this earth, He lived a perfect life, he laid that life down in my place. And when he rose again, he broke the lock on the prison door of suffering and sin and that door can never be locked again. And it's a fact that we're all going to spend time in that place of suffering and pain. And men listening today are there right now. And sisters, I'm telling you right now that that prison that you think you're locked in, it only has three doors, that door can never be shut again. That's right need to do is reach for the hand of hope that has always been reaching for you and step out into the freedom that already purchased for you. Boom, Jesus love wins every time!
Kimberly Hobbs
Yes, every time. And ladies, I just want to say this excitement and enthusiasm and Kim's voice right now. Oh, my goodness bless is because Jesus reached in at that moment, and he saw her in her place of need, he will see you in your place of yes, all in the power of the name of Jesus, he comes, ladies, it doesn't matter what you're going through or what you've done. You call on the name of the Lord Jesus, and He will be there. And ladies, this is probably we didn't know how this interview was going to open up. We just said, Lord, you're going to take over. And you know, to start off with something so tragic and painful. As cam I can't even I can't even imagine somebody that was your world, your parents, you loved your mom, you talked about how your mom taught you, you how to do things, to make blankets and amazing things. And you talk about how your dad was that influence and taught you things about the wilderness. You know, all of a sudden, they're gone. They're gone out of your life. And it's such you're an orphan at such a young age, but God, but God, and from the moment, the moment that you were conceived, he knew you he knew what you what your life was going to become. And I haven't even started into this interview yet to tell you how God is using this life that called upon his name and a moment of weakness and a moment of pain and a moment of tragedy in her life. She called out to the one and only person that could save her that could rescue her from what she was going through. And boy he did. And boy, does she have a voice in this world now and what she is using that pain and tragedy from that has now just I just have to tell you what this woman is doing. She has authored now, I think seven books is that right? Kim? Six, almost seven, six, almost seven, She's halfway through her seventh book. She is an author that speaks that speaks God has led her to speak around the world. She is she's opened up a ranch, I'm gonna let her tell you about this, but where she can share these stories about her life and identify with broken hurting children who have no hope in their life. And she can bring them hope now because she was rescued by the one and only that could help change her life forever. So we have a woman here that is going to judge to share from her heart. What she does best. I tell you this book that she read, wrote, I don't know let me see. Encountering our wild God is sharing stories from her heart life stories that will impact the reader of how to encounter our wild God from things she has experienced in her life. And ladies, I'm telling you this book is incredible. And if if I can recommend any book that it's this one right here, I couldn't put it down when I started reading. I seriously read this book and three days and I don't have a lot of time, but I just couldn't put it down. So Kim, we need to talk about some of these things that God has done in your life how he has opened your life to do now ministering to broken hurting children on a ranch that you live in Oregon Bend Oregon. And she has opened up 200 ranches all over the world. Right because of the one ranch that you guys are running right now for our Lord Jesus Christ. Yeah,
Kim Meeder
This is what Jesus can do with pain that is given to him. And here's what I want women to hear today is that Jesus Christ, your journey, your unique journey is unique to you. And He will heal and transform every day of what you have walked through and use it for His glory. He'll do that Genesis 5020, what the enemy meant to destroy you by Jesus pours His love over in and through, and allows that to be the very thing that gives us life and not only us. But everyone we give it to second Corinthians one three and four is true where God says, don't, you know, paraphrase, that I'm going to comfort you and your time of need. So when others around you go through something similar, you can give them the comfort that I've given you that God's comfort is so powerful, that it not only heals us, it heals everyone we give it to, and in a nutshell, to finish the the encounter. I moved in with my grandparents on that day, they had the wisdom to buy a little horse for me, through the friendship of a little horse and the love of Jesus Christ, this wild child's life was redeemed, and oh of all those years of working through my grief in the presence of a horse, that Jesus was at work, and he was doing something beautiful and powerful. And he was creating that masterpiece. I didn't know any of that. I didn't know that every day of that he was fashioning into what he was calling this life toward. And that was to, to open a ranch that that rescues horses in need, and then combines those horses with children in need for free. Because what Jesus Christ did on the gospel, what he offers, the world is free, how dare we charge anybody for what Jesus Christ gives freely, everyone can afford free. So now this ranch has rescued over 300 horses and counting, and we visit to see about maybe around 5000 visitors a year because everyone can afford free. And we've helped to shoulder into existence, about 220 similar ranch ministries in the United States and Canada and it doesn't inform ladies, that's what God can tell with pain given to him, yes, here there's one pain let me say this quickly. And then I have something I feel strongly that I need to share. There is one pain, one that God cannot heal and redeem and use for His glory. One. And that is the pain you will not release to him. And Fred that is just pain that kills
in that in that prison of pain and suffering and guilt and depression and bitterness and fear and unforgiveness, you want to be in hell on earth. Just don't forgive someone you'll get there like that. Absolutely prison place of suffering. If you are there, and any of those things exist in your life, guess who's holding on to the bars and holding the door shut. That would be you and me. Because what Jesus Christ did on the cross was complete. We have his freedom, every minute of every day. And if we're not free, it's because we're focused more on what hurts than more on the one who feels that that works. Right now, you can open your fingers on that prison door of suffering in sin and step out into the freedom and the the ministry that he's calling you toward and it doesn't have to be a big thing. That's right. Every single human being needs hope. Here's what the Lord is teaching me and this is what I want to speak over every single person who's listening today. In Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. His Spirit lives in you. Spirit of Jesus said about the Holy Spirit in John 1613. He's the one who leads into all truth. He does. You want to know all truth. You want to know what you should do with your life. Follow Him, follow Him, follow Him. He's the one who knows the way and in every single situation. Every shoe can lay. Your life is too broken. You're too messed up, you're too wounded, you can't be healed. You are unsaved you are and valuable. All of that is a lie from the enemy. All of its ally, Asians one if you want to know who you are actually read the whole book of Ephesians that six chapters that will change your life. Right? He is Ephesians one says that you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing. You are loved. and loaded for the King of kings, and he's put His Spirit in you. So here's what I'm learning. And here's what I what I want to speak over women today. I'm so excited.
Kimberly Hobbs
I'm so excited, you are amazing.
Kim Meeder
So, we serve an amazing God, since we carry His Spirit, we are these vessels of flesh, that carry the living spirit of heaven, we carry the Holy Spirit. And here's what I'm learning that because we carry his spirit, every human interaction that we have, is an opportunity to release everything that He is love, hope, peace, joy, his patience, his kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, every single one of those things we can release all day long. And so I'm learning ladies to simply say, Holy Spirit, lead me. Spirit lead me, and then He does...
Kimberly Hobbs
That verse...whether you turn to the left or to the right, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk in it, he will lead you. That's an Isaiah.
Kim Meeder
Right, John 10 is work that Jesus calls us His sheep and my sheep don't listen to anybody else. They know my voice, and they follow Me. Amen. So I'm learning how to follow his voice. And recently, I'm learning to invite him the Holy Spirit has an opinion on everything, everything. And I've lived so much of my life on autopilot. I know how to do this. I know how to do that. I know how to run a ministry, I know how to go grocery shopping. I know how to be a wife and to be a leader and to be a counselor a little Oh, wait, your spiritual partner better pray about that. And the Lord and His kindness is letting me know, honey, every moment that you're breathing. That's the spiritual part. That's the part that I want you to invite me into. And so I've been asking him, I need to go buy picture frames today. Where do you want me to go? Seriously, you're gonna ask the the Holy Spirit that and I'm learning Yes. Because he has an opinion. And so on this particular day, he said quickly, Goodwill was like, sweet, I love goodwill. It's like a giant yard sale, and I can afford this stuff. And instantly, I'm shopping the affordable aisles of the Goodwill store in that little tiny town in Central Oregon. And so I have my little blue basket and I find some picture frames, and I start to go to the one checkout counter that was open. And I sensed the Holy Spirit say, No, not yet. So I backed up. And I said, What else and I was redirected. I was getting ready to go do a big speaking tour in a really hot climate. And I was redirected to go buy some things for that climates, like board shorts and flip flops, and Oh, sweet. They're expensive random things, random things. So I go to the checkout counter a second time, and again, felt no, not yet. backed up. And I'm creeping around the Goodwill store. And I feel led to go back, I find one more frame I put it in. So now I'm creeping up to the counter. Like,
Kimberly Hobbs
Ladies, there's a purpose for this. So please listen carefully. There's a reason God prompted her to go back into the store again.
Kim Meeder
...and to wait for his timing for his timing. So the third time, I felt nothing but release. So I step in line. And I hear the one little checkout counter woman say to the man, she was serving, I'm sorry, I don't know how to do this. I need to call for help. She calls for help. And another employee comes to help. And she cuts in front of me, she hits my basket, she almost knocks it out of my hands. And she's mad. And she opens up this cash register and she's just fuming. And she doesn't look at me. She said, Did you find everything you need? And I said, Yes, I did. And actually I found things I didn't even know I needed and, and I told her about the things that I was getting ready to do a speaking tour. And I didn't even know I needed those things. And she's like, Oh, that's great. So what do you speak on, and I shared just a little vignette of crystal peaks youth ranch and this ranch that rescues horses and serves kids and, and creates an environment where all can find the healing hope of Jesus Christ. And I get to speak about hope. And she's like, Oh, that's great. And she hasn't even looked at me. And finally she rocks back on her heels. And she leans forward and she starts to yell in my face. I'm so glad that you talk to people about hope, because I'm sick and tired. Nobody takes responsibility for anything anymore. And I'm sick of it. I'm just shouting in my face. And I'm looking at this little woman and thinking Lord Jesus, what do I do with that? And she's shouting in my face and like a bell on a clear more Morning, I heard the Holy Spirit's say, I want you to point blank her with what I've done for you. And my first thought, I gotta be honest, was a board a board. She's mad. The guy behind me is mad. Everybody's mad Lord, she's not gonna listen to that time. Jesus, it's really bad time. She's not going to hear it, God. Okay, I'm going in Lord and Lord
Kimberly Hobbs
She's got her armor on. She's on a mission.
Kim Meeder
Holy Spirit lead me. And so I look at her little blue smock, and I look at her little name tag, and I kid you not it said, Angel. And I said, Angel, honey, you're right. I'm glad that I get a chance to talk to people about hope. Hope is so vitally important to the human heart that I remember, not only the day, but the moment that genuine hope came into my heart. And that was the day that my dad murdered my mom. It was the day that my dad took his life. And that was the day that genuine hope came into my heart. And that was the day that Jesus Christ came in. And he's never left. Not then not now. Not ever. But God. This girl, she looked like I had shot her with an arrow. She just went, Oh. She didn't move. She didn't breathe. She stood like a statue of stone staring at the floor. After what felt like a day. She finally exhales and this beautiful laser blue eyes red hair, this little biscuit who just yelled in my face. exhales and as her eyes start to raise to meet mine. She streaking with giant tears. And in this teeny tiny little girl voice. I hear her squeak. I've never told this to anybody. When I was 12, my mom killed herself right in front of me. Oh my gosh. And Kim, really all I did was just open my arms in this gesture that Oh baby, this hug is for you. And that life ring of Hope was so vital. She didn't even go around the counter. Her knees came up on the counter, and she buried her face in the neck of a total stranger. And in a goodwill line in a little mountain town in Central Oregon. One orphan was met by a former orphan and she was adopted into the kingdom of Jesus Christ because of love. Ladies, if you don't think you have a purpose, you as the one who knows the way. James one five says that you need wisdom. Ask God he'll be glad to tell you follow the Holy Spirit. There's only one of you in all the world needs you now more than ever, ever follow the Holy Spirit in only the ways that you can and release the love and the hope and the salvation that this world is desperate and dying for. Ladies, it's time to stand up for the King of kings. mission in a job to do. You are his masterpiece. God's Word is true. Ephesians 210 You are his masterpiece Kim shows to do the good works that he chose for you you long ago. Come on ladies.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's right. That's right. And ladies, what you're going through now you may not may not be Kim story. But let let us both tell you as somebody who has backgrounds who has stories of pain and tragedy, that God can turn anything around right him God can take you right where you are. It just takes faith that faith that God talks about in his word that's as small as a little mustard seed that mustard seed faith, that he can take you where you are, he will rescue you and he will do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or imagine according to the power that's at work within you. When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. You have the Holy Spirit that comes to live inside of you. He will never leave you He will never forsake you never promises that God's word is truth. God is truth. He cannot go back on what he says ladies. So why don't you call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. He says whoever calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. So once you call on his name, just like Kim did, she didn't know him. She had heard little things about a person on the cross. But there's power in the name she Hold on the name of the Lord Jesus, Jesus came and rescued her where she was, he will rescue you right where you are. And he will take this story that he is building in your life right now. And ladies, you are going to be used for a magnificent purpose, there will be a person behind the counter that needs you one day that needs to hear your story and you are boldly going to speak that story of life into that person, you will be walking down the street and you are going to see something that is going to happen and you are boldly going to move in that direction. Because as God calls you to His purpose, he's going to use you and you are going to move as he calls you. And you will be used for great and mighty things that you have no idea yet. But you have to do the first step which is call on the name of the Lord Jesus. Let him rescue you from your pain and your hurt. Right, Kim, I'm going on a rant.
Kim Meeder
We're paying ladies has a purpose. It has a purpose, and he will heal and redeem every ounce of what you give him. And revelations 1210 and 11 is true. Satan is defeated by two things, two things what Jesus Christ did on the cross, it's already happened. It's already done, Satan's already defeated and the spoken word of your testimony...
Kimberly Hobbs
Your testimony.
Kim Meeder
...deteats the power of the enemy, when you speak out what Jesus Christ has done for you. The enemy is absolutely defeated. Why do you think he attacks your words so much? He wants you to remain silent, who are you to share anything, just be silent. They don't listen to that lie. You have been deemed that you have an every time you speak out what Jesus Christ has done for you. The enemy is completely defeated. And you've released the love and the hope, the joy, the peace, and everything that you have in Jesus Christ into the heart of another person. It's like throwing a life ring to someone who's drowning. Don't walk by again, if Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior so undid that for you, and I know who did it for me, and I will live 1000 lifetimes of gratitude that they stood in that gap and said, Kimmy, do you know how much Jesus loves you. And now I know. And now that baton of faith has been handed to me. If you could call yourself a Christian, it's handed to you. And now it is your time to run it forward, sister. The day it begins today. ipcn. With you, as you run for the King of Kings read Hebrews 112, one through three, it's true. It's time for us to run this race with our eyes focused on Him, not what hurts that's already been dealt with. Focus on him and what he's done and the healing and the redemption in the salvation. You already have. Now, run that forward for His glory. Sisters, it's time.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's it your time is now the time is now. Obviously, Kim meter, we are so grateful. Just so grateful this this time has gone by in a flash, I can't even believe it. But Kim has promised that she would come back again, ladies. And we are going to talk to her in more depth and what God has shared and what God has done with this life of just just incredible what she's doing to encourage people. So ladies, we are so grateful that you stepped in today to listen to this podcast, we just want to tell you that yes, God is doing exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can ask or imagine. And you know, we are just so grateful for this group of women that's come together to encourage each other. In the body of Christ, we are encouraging one another to press on through all the difficulties like that love that life throws at us, and to just reach for Jesus because that's where all the answers are ladies, it's in the name of Jesus. Yes. And so know that your life has purpose and plan and here at women were leaders you can use that in just ways. There's so many doors that God is opening up through this ministry. That ladies if you believe with all your heart that God has called you to a purpose and a plan and you just don't know where to use it call us. You come here and we'll we'll use your testimony women need to hear from other women. This encourages them they can identify with you what you've been through, you can have compassion. So we just encourage you both ladies to get involved and women were leaders and we also would like to announce to you that we have the podcast theories Monday, Wednesday and Friday that you can join us each week. And we'd also encourage you to visit our website at women world leaders dot Calm, that's women world leaders.com. And leave us a message there. Or if you need prayer, you can reach out to us there and we would be happy to have one of our prayer warriors contact you, they will pray with you. They will walk you through the word of God, whatever you need, we do not want you to sit there with no help and no place to go. We are here for you, we love you. And we're reaching out to you and by podcast is one of the ways we can do this. We encourage you to please share this podcast with those that may need some hope and some healing and feel like they need to be inspired. So we just thank you for listening to us. And again, join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God's extravagant love, and your create courageous purpose. Ladies, if if you want to contact us on Facebook as well, we have a private group on Facebook where we share daily devotions. We'd also like to encourage you to come on facebook and join us there for some of the devotions, you can enter, connect with the comment section. So there's always a place for you to be used to be heard, and from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders, all content is copyrighted. And women, by women were leaders and cannot be used without express written consent. So we just say goodbye, good night, and we hope you'll tune in again. God bless you
Today's podcast, "Taking Control Of Our Emotions," delves into what God says about our emotions. Many of us may say, "I'm just so emotional! I can't help it!". Yet we were created in the image of God and have the power of choice. We have been given authority over our emotions through Jesus Christ, and it is time to walk in that authority and take control of our feelings to live the abundant life God desires for each of us.
Today we are going to discuss
Taking Control of Our Emotions and Living an Emotionally Stable Life.
What does God’s Word say about our emotions? Many of us will say, “I’m just so emotional. I can’t help it!” Yet we were created in the image of God who have the power of choice. and we have been given authority over our emotions through Jesus Christ, and it is time to walk in that authority and take control of our feelings. We walk by faith not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)
Emotions can get the best of us. And how reliable are they really? I know myself, they can be like a roller coaster – up and down throughout a day or even the hour sometimes. Life can throw curve balls and sometimes we can hit a home run and other times we feel we just can’t get off the bench.
We won’t get into a discussion about if women are more emotionally than men, but I do believe whether we show it or not that we all have emotions and feeling them is healthy - controlling them is another matter & is something we can do! If we can “harness” them rather than be led by them it is a healthy way to live the abundant life God desires for us.
God created us with emotions and it’s wrong to become emotionless, to withdraw to a place that we believe nothing can bother us or we work hard at not showing our emotions. The Bible tells us God has emotions. Scripture shows God displaying a wide range of emotions. Our emotions and feelings are normal and natural because they come from God. They are meant for enjoyment, created to be good and they can be controlled by each individual.
One of my favourite Scriptures is Ecclesiastes 3 where God’s Word tells us there is a time and a season for every activity under the heavens, including verse 4 which says there is:
4A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
God laughed, mourned, hated, loved, rejoiced. (Psalm 37:13, John 11:35, Proverbs 6:6-19, John 3:16, Ps 104:31). He felt pleased and displeased. He felt anger. He felt jealous. And multiple places in Scripture show us His outward illustration of compassion.
God has emotions and feelings. He understands our tears and our joy. We should not be ashamed of our emotions. We can go to Him in prayer when we feel led by our emotions rather than relying on His truth and promises.
The difference between the Lord and ourselves is our emotions can lead us to sin while God’s emotions/feelings are righteous and come from a place of love for His people.
We can easily be led by our emotions, whether good or bad but especially when life is not as we would like it to be. Earlier I mentioned harnessing our emotions. The word “harness” according to the American Heritage Dictionary means “to bring under control and direct force of.” May I suggest that this is what our Lord desires of us. That we have control of our emotions and continually bring them into alignment with the WORD of God.
Every emotion begins with a thought. It is easy to feel defeated when our emotional baskets are continually filled and overflowing.
Two Scriptures come to mind:
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
We must over & over again fix our thoughts on God and what He says, not what this world tells us.
God has created an amazing relationship between our mind and our bodies, so that the renewal of the mind strengthens our relationship with God but it also improves our emotional sense of well-being. It strengthens our brains and bodies for his service.
Romans 12:2 teaches us to let God transform us into a new person. How does this happen? By changing the way we think! Thinking in alignment with God’s WORD and PROMISES. This is easy when things in life are going well. It is more challenging and difficult – some may say nearly impossible when things are really bad! But God’s Word also tells us All things are possible with God. They aren’t possible in our own strength but they are possible with Him. This is where we call out to God. He hears us and He WILL help us. HIS WAY! HIS TIMING! Our job is to trust.
As we mature spiritually, we’ll also see a maturing take place in the natural. One of the most obvious areas will be in the area of our emotions and the ability to control them. Galatians 5 tells us one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. The Holy Spirit will help us to maintain this control over our emotions when we seek His help.
I remember as a little girl my favourite animal was a horse. I would often try to draw them or picture in my imagination ~ me riding one, a beautiful horse. Different times I would picture a different coloured horse, but they were always strong, always fast, always beautiful, and always able to jump over anything in their way. There would be me and my horse riding through this bit field with the strong wind blowing my long brown hair back and me riding full throttle – just me and my horse alone against the terrain.
I don’t know a great deal about horses and I did get thrown a couple of times growing up in Louisiana. I have since learned a bit about them and know they are a very powerful force. They’ve even played a very important part in history and in the development of civilization. They’ve enabled armies to win battles. They have given people more power, more mobility, and more strength than they could have had on their own. And even with their strength and power they can be managed. A horse out of control can cause a great deal of destruction – so can emotions that are out of control. So like a horse, emotions are powerful. They can be so beneficial, or they can be very destructive, even deadly. That is why they must be bridled.
James 3:3 says:
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
In the physical, I can’t control a horse with my strength, but I can control it through my knowledge. I can lead the horse by placing a bit in his mouth which will turn his whole body. This is the way God make a horse. If a horse is lying down, you can sit on its head and hold a two-thousand-pound animal on the ground. A horse cannot get up unless it throws its head up first. If you can hold a horse’s head down, you can hold it’s whole body down.
Um, what does that say about where our head and thoughts need to be?
God’s Word is the bit, bridle and reins that give us control over our emotions. It takes time and practice, but it is possible when we live by God’s WORD, faith comes, and it grows with passing experiences where we lean on and trust on and in HIM.
FAITH (Knowing GOD) will override and neutralise any negative emotions.
Controlling emotions will be the result of spiritual maturity. We can learn to manage and harness our emotions, with knowledge, with spiritual growth and with practice and time.
Let us pray:
Father, we are made with emotions and there is a time to feel them. Help us when our emotions get out of control, and they are leading us away from Your truth and the best life you have designed for us. Yes, there are seasons that are tough, and we can fall into a trap of “What if’s? or “Why this, why me or my family?” It is a lie of the enemy’s that our emotions are in control. We are in control, and we thank you that YOU have given us authority over our thinking. Give us the desire to study Your WORD, Your truths, Your promises and share it with others. Let our life be a witness to Your Power that comes to live in us when we BELIEVE in YOU Lord. Amen
Jesus said in John 6:41-59 “I am the bread of life.” The crowd murmured in disagreement. But that didn’t stop Jesus from teaching truth. What did this statement mean to the Jewish people and what does it mean for us today? Let’s unpack this together.
Last week we focused on the blessing after the miracle – that is, Jesus using the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 to point to the glory of God. Now Jesus moves from the area of Genessaret to teach in Capernaum, his home base and a prosperous town of about 1000 people. The lesson He shared is difficult for us to understand TODAY, but if we put ourselves in the shoes of the Jewish people who were contemporaries of Jesus, we can barely begin to imagine the difficulty they would have had with His words.
Which is why John states in chapter 6 verse 41 as written in the New Living Translation…
41 Then the people[a] began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
I can hear it now…What was that He said? Some translations say that the people “grumbled” which can give us a different picture…my dad would have called that “belly aching” … and that can make us think that the crowd may have even been speaking belligerently; but the correct interpretation, I believe, is that they were all kind of whispering to each other, a bit shocked and in unbelief, not knowing what to make of this statement that was said openly in the synagogue. “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
To give you some background, after the Israelites left Egypt, and as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, God provided them manna every single day. The actual word manna means “what is it?” – because the people didn’t know what it was! They quickly learned that manna was bread from heaven that would keep them alive if eaten daily but would only last for a single day. They were to gather what would sustain them for the upcoming 24 hours – or 48 hours if it was the day prior to the Sabbath. If they collected more than that, it would rot in a disgusting way. So they had to trust that God would provide more for them every single day. Later, the Jews were taught that when the Messiah came, He would also bring manna, or bread, that was capable of giving them life.
So now Jesus said, not “I BRING the bread of life,” – which is what they would have been expecting from the Messiah… but “I AM the bread of life – sent down FROM heaven.”
What could this mean?
Instead of trying to understand Jesus’ words, however, they simply dismissed Him by attacking His character. Verse 42…
42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
They didn’t understand what Jesus said, so their response was to dismiss His authority. As WE study the Bible and apply it to our lives, there are certainly going to be things we don’t understand. Our job is to keep seeking God’s answer and to trust Him AS the authority even when we don’t understand.
Have you ever heard a word from God, and then questioned whether you heard it at all? Any relationship counselor will tell you that the key to a good relationship is listening. If something confuses you about God or the Bible, keep seeking…keep listening…keep asking questions. Our God is not a God of confusion, and He knows better than we do how we learn and grow. We can always trust His timing and revelation to us.
Jesus didn’t answer their murmurs that dismissed His authority. Instead, He told them to focus in…He wasn’t done explaining. Verse 43…
43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
Anyone who hears about Jesus or feels the pull of faith in Jesus, does so because God has had them in His sight since the beginning of time. We cannot draw ourselves to God – that is one of the reasons we marvel at how gracious and loving He is! Just like the Israelites could do NOTHING to make the manna that would sustain them fall from the sky, we cannot bring God closer to us. On the contrary, God has positioned HIMSELF in our lives – He has OFFERED Himself – our job is to say yes. To accept the manna and ingest it…to receive Jesus, THE bread of life, into our very lives. But unlike manna, which lasted only 24-48 hours, the one who openly receives Jesus, receives life eternal. Jesus is THE bread that will sustain us for ETERNITY.
Jesus backs up this bombshell with the news that He is now their direct access to God the Father. Isaiah and Jeremiah both had prophesied that a time would come when the people would have a direct connection with God … something they had always had to rely on the high priest for…and Jesus is saying that HE is now that direct contact…verse 45
45 As it is written in the Scriptures,[b] ‘They will ALL be taught BY God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
And Jesus gives them further revelation, saying…
46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
This was huge! The process of meeting with God prior to Jesus was extreme. God is so holy that a strict prescribed protocol had to be followed for the high priest to enter the holy of holies, where the ark of the covenant was kept and God resided. And that could only happen one time a year. And yet Jesus states that not only is He the Bread of Life sent from God, but He has actually seen God.
I imagine the murmuring was hushed as He underscored this revelation…vs 47
47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.
53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
There is little doubt in my mind that the Jewish people did not understand these puzzling statements. I say that because it is difficult for us to understand, and we’ve had 2000 years to digest and analyze them. In hindsight and in view of history and the rest of the Bible, it is evident that Jesus was referencing His upcoming death and crucifixion as an offering of His body and blood. Life was considered to be in the blood, and flesh represented humanity. Jesus, as a human, died, giving up His flesh and His blood.
We assume that death is a part of life – what’s that saying…the only sure things in life are death and taxes, right? But death is only a given because of sin. When God created humankind, His purpose was that we would spend eternity with Him. Life was perfect. The earth was perfect. But then man sinned, and the effects of sin ushered in not only death, but disease, corrosion, pain, suffering, rain … I could go on and on. The penalty for our sin is our death. We sin. So our death IS sure.
But JESUS lived a perfect, sinless life, and should have never died. He gave up HIS life, in payment for ours. And He rose again, that we might be resurrected if we accept the gift of salvation that He offers us.
Remember that I said that like manna that fell from the sky through no effort of the Israelites, God comes to us through no effort of our own? God CHOOSES to come to us. Jesus CHOSE to come to us. Though no effort of ours, Jesus died for us. Our role is to believe – to accept the gift of His body and blood as a sin offering. Jesus’ body is our true food, that can bring us eternal life. Jesus’ blood is our true drink that will keep us from thirsting for eternity.
Jesus reiterates beginning in verse 56…
56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
We must receive Jesus to live. As complicated as it seems, it really is that simple. There have been theologians throughout the years who use this passage to say that to receive salvation, Christians must literally eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus via communion where the bread and wine miraculously become the flesh and blood of Jesus.
There are others who also believe that salvation hinges on communion, but consider communion as a symbolic ingesting of the flesh and blood of Jesus.
But there are many, and I am in this camp, who believe that this teaching is separate from the teaching of communion. At the last Passover supper, Jesus told His disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of Him, but nowhere linked the physical eating and drinking to attaining salvation. Instead, receiving communion is an act of worship and praise as we remember all that Jesus has done for us.
In this passage, however, Jesus was teaching that to receive the true bread of life, we must repent and surrender our lives to Jesus. We must live by faith, believing that Jesus died for our sins. To eat the bread of life is to accept Jesus into your life and to live with the Holy Spirit inside – guiding you, directing you and sustaining you.
We live in a sinful world, and our bodies will die. But when we yes to Jesus, we begin living a life that will last forever – just as God originally intended. Our commitment seals us to Him as wedding vows seal a bride to her groom. And Jesus will walk us into God’s presence on His arm – from now until eternity. Jesus is the Bread of Life. The only sustenance our souls will ever need.
Will you pray with me…
Dear Most Holy Jesus…we come to you today repenting of our sins and giving our life to you. You are the Bread of Life – your promise to sustain us into eternity is sure – we just need to hold out our hands to you. God help us to surrender. Help us to listen in faith when we don’t understand. Help us to trust your perfect timing when we think we know the best way. Help us to always cling to you. Quiet our murmurs and help whatever unbelief we still hold in our hearts. We give you our lives and trust in your ways. In Jesus mighty name, I pray. Amen.
From the ashes of fire, a new hope has emerged. Please join us as burn-victim, best-selling author, actress, and speaker Justina Page shares her story of hope. "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." Psalm 25:4 So much recovery can be produced with a spirit of hope. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are so blessed that you decide to join us today. Thank you and I would love to welcome our guest today which is Justino page she is from Richmond, Texas. Welcome Justina.
Justina Page
It is my delight to be here. Kimberly. Thank you.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Well, we are truly honored to have you here. You are an amazing woman of God. And ladies, you are in for a treat today just to talk and hear about hope from this woman is wow, what she's been through. Just wait till you hear the story. And again, we are just honored to be able to share today Justina. So God's word says they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. When by the word of their testimony, that's revelation 1211. Ladies, it's so important that when God gives us these stories of our lives, that we share them with the world, there is so much power in these testimonies, God's word says so inside and we are just grateful to be able to share these times and on empowering lives with purpose. That is what we do. So God says that we are His masterpiece that we are created a new in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. Ladies, each of our lives has meaning each of our lives has purpose. God planned good things for you very long ago. And despite some of the things that can happen in our lives, there's purpose and we cannot give up hope in the midst of the storms that we're going through. And so we are going to talk about that a little bit today and I'm going to share about Justine on who she is before we get started on talking about hope. Justina Paige, is an international speaker and a national storyteller who speaks with boldness and refreshing honesty and touches the hearts of her audiences. Just Dina is a woman of faith whose faith was tested by fire seriously tested by fire. She now inspires audiences with a powerful message of hope and triumph. She is the author of the award winning book the circle of fire, which tells the story of how Justine this life was changed forever. She is the author of 17 other literary works. And from the ashes of fire, A New Hope has emerged and Justine this life. She is the founder and executive director of the Amis house of faith, a nonprofit organization established to provide provide post burn support to children as well as families that are affected by burn trauma. She's a podcaster, a lyricist, and a supporting actress in the award winning faith based movie. We are stronger. And also the TV series Breaking strongholds. Wow. You are a superstar for Christ Justyna you are also a survivor honey. And today's story is about hope. It's a story of survival. And Justina it's your heartbeat of survival. Many of us can relate ladies to tragedies in our lives, and how sometimes our hope is squashed in those tragedies. But we don't have hope. If we don't have hope we don't have anything right. Nothing to hold on to. So just Steena share with us a little bit about your story and how your hope was squashed.
Justina Page
I'll be glad to share. Kimberly, first of all, I came to the Lord on the college campus, met my husband, who was the Bible study teacher, he became my friend. He became my teacher. He asked me to marry him. And then we moved to Houston, Texas, and we started getting busy. We had six months. Life was good. I was over the children's ministry. He was a deacon in the church. And I remember going to a big window in my home because everyone said I was such a woman of faith. And I asked God a question and I will like, Lord, if something happened in my life, would I be able to stand? And I wanted to know what I was made up. I advise, don't ask God, those kinds of questions. Just believe you can do that. Anyway. I asked that question. It was two weeks later, I woke up to explosions. TVs, Poppins, complete darkness, not the stuff you hear in Hollywood see on TV in Hollywood, you can't see a thing in the heat. My skin just melting off of me. And my husband just threw me out just a natural reaction. And my boys were homeschooled. So they knew to go to the window. We had the point inside the house, we had the point outside of the house. Anyway, the whole house in full flourishing, I tried to go back in and save the children. And I could not I got trapped, the longest story. And up it was I personally was burned over 55% of my body. My other twin son was burned severely. We lost amis, tragically at the very end, and we lost everything we had.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, I can't even imagine. I mean, your whole house went up in flames. And you watched it. And tragically, you lost your son through that time. I just can't imagine. So. At that moment, your hope was shattered. You saw everything disappear before your eyes, not to mention the pain and trauma that you are in. You are in.
That's right.
When we feel hopeless, ladies, God, God's word tells us why. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God, I will praise him again, my Savior and my god, Psalm 4211. Justina God stepped in, he stepped inside of your life at that time. And you told me on our conversations, before that, you started to learn that it wasn't about you. through all that pain, which is understandable, your focus is on all of your grief, all of what you're going through. That's all you can see. And I'm sure there's ladies out there that are real relating to this right now. Because when you're going through something so tragic, and I can't even I can't even fathom what the loss of your son the pain on your body, the pain of your children that you're taking care of. Because of the burns. You're focused on you. But you told me you learned something through that time, which was life revolved around God's world, and not your will. And it all hinges on his will for our lives. Just you know what gave you hope and brought you from pain to that point, because it's kind of difficult to even understand or wrap your head around how you can even get from saying that life doesn't revolve around you. Can you share with us about that?
Justina Page
Absolutely. I'll never forget it. I was in a car in front of my best friend's house for my first fellowship. After a year of recovery. I saw women walking in with their little children, who happened to be at the age where I lost my son, Amos went into a complete temper tantrum with God, why me? Why me? Oh, God, why me? Why they have their children. Why don't I have mine? And I'll never forget what he spoke to me. And he told me this, this is not about you. And I was like, Well, it sure involved a lot of me for it not to be about me. Could you please expand on that, please? And he let me know that. We mistakenly feel like Jesus revolves around on nothing. But it doesn't work that way. We revolve around and all things work together for good, ugly things, bad things, tragic things. He's working them for our booth in his for his glory. And the one thing that I learned that is powerful, and it guides me to this day, is that instead of asking God, why He gave me a better question to ask, and that's what now because even if you know why, it's not going to change a thing, but if you know what now you can make a step out of grief, out of disturbance, and you can step toward that hope in that peace that you so need
Kimberly Hobbs
Thats right. And that's maybe that's you ladies maybe right now you're going through something so tragic that you can't even talk about it. But what will get you through that? And we're gonna go into that a little bit right now because on God's Word says, show me the right path Oh Lord, point out the road for me to follow, lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you that Psalm 25, four through five ladies, we need to put our hope in God, we can't look around us and think that the world is going to solve our problems where we are. We need to look to God who gives us the hope that we need to sustain us to get us through. So let's talk right now about the fruit of hope. Justyna you said to me in our conversations, you were talking about this fruit of hope, Justina recovered hope, ladies, so much can be produced from a spirit of hope. All we need is just that glimmer of hope. And it gives us something to hold on to right? So just can you be transparent with the ladies about what you did in your life from the ashes of tragedy to where he has brought you now. And hopefully you can bring some of these other ladies that are listening. That mean may need some help at this moment?
Justina Page
Sure. First of all I want to start off with hope is the heartbeat of survival. When any medical emergency happens, if you call the paramedics, the first thing they're going to do is check for a pulse. And we have to have some kind of spiritual pulse. They don't you when the medic show up, it doesn't mean that you're totally well. They just want to make sure you're alive. Or check out challenge is to keep our communication lines open with God to not shut down to not and I did that I got depressed. I got discouraged. I got even angry. But
Kimberly Hobbs
Rightfully so, you went through a lot. Oh my goodness.
Justina Page
Yeah. But, um unrightfully because God's character doesn't change with our tragedies. He's the same today. Yesterday, it'll be the same tomorrow. He's still a Good Good Father, even when we're having a tragic bad day. So we just need a pulse. We just need an ember of hope, just a flicker, something to hold on to anything you can grab on, that you know about your God. Hold on to that. And then you'll get better and better and better and better.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Look for that glimmer of hope, ladies, and you can find it and you could find it. In the Lord Jesus Christ. You could find it in His Word, you know, turn to his word when you are hurting so bad and nothing around you seems to be satisfying your soul. That hope will come when you open up God's word and let that pour into your life. I love all the time to just share scripture and the place you're in now Justina didn't just happen, you didn't go from I mean, I'm I'm looking at your arms and the burns. Visually ladies, if you can see Justine is covered with scarring from burns. And where you were then in all of that time and pain and suffering, we can't even imagine. But God brought you to a place it didn't just happened. But you were reassured that eternity is real through Jesus Christ, right? That's right. It didn't just poof you know, it happened and all of a sudden, oh, God is here and he's gonna solve all my problems. He brought you to a place the Bible says, Listen, ladies, this is a great verse. When you're in the midst of pain and you can't think about anything else except dwell on your pain, you don't have hope. You have nothing and you're just wallowing in that pity and that depression that you get into this is what the Bible says. Think clearly. Exercise self control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world First Peter 113. Ladies there is hope in Jesus Christ there is hope he gives us something to hold on to and God gave gave you hope, just Steena. And now you're serving Him. This is years later, as you have moved through all of the pain that you had to deal with day after day after day, month after month, year after year, he moved you to a place that he is now using you to reveal hope to the world. You're the author of 18 books, the big one circle of fire that you have written has impacted lives because of its content. But God gave you something to hold on to. He gave you that hope. He knew that he was going to use this story. And you were going to write about it and share with the world that glimmer of hope that he gave you. So can you talk about these books that you're writing and circle of fear? Or of circle of fire? Yes, sure.
Justina Page
And I want to say first that God cares. He's touched with the feeling of our infirmities, he is our comfort. And then in Ecclesiastes, this says God makes everything beautiful in his time. And in time, God walked me right up to the book. Personally, I wasn't thinking about writing books, I had started a nonprofit, that was my work, I was excited, I was going all over the states, trying to prevent tragedies like mine, and then on the backside, help those who experienced the tragedies. But people begin to say you need to share your wisdom. I'm like, I don't have time to share my wisdom. There's like, well, if you write the book, the proceeds can go to your nonprofit. And guess what, Kim? I found time, I'm like, That's a great idea. And so I wrote that first book. And I think the reason why the book did well, first of all, it was transparent. And it was honest, I didn't just share my glory side of the story. I shared the trouble, and just showed how God can get you through it. And after that books kept coming, of course, I've always written but it was a season to publish. So that's what transpired with the books.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, so then you just started writing for the Lord. And he used you in such a powerful way, ladies, as the Bible said that God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. I love sharing this verse Philippians 213, God is working in all of us, right? And he started working in Justina she didn't think she was a writer. She was like, why me God, you know, but he gave her that desire and that power to do what pleases him just like that scripture says Philippians 213. And ladies, he could do the same for you. And now she is able to use what the devil meant for harm. And that tragic fire. God, as she said, in her scripture that she uses, had works everything together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose, right? We know Justine, that he called you, with your life, and we are so grateful. And now you speak all over, you share your story. And we are so thankful that you decided to come on today and share your story with us, ladies, it's our hope that by listening that God touches your heart two, we all just, you know, we need those glimmers of hope, when we have tragedy or storms that hit our life. And sometimes it's hard to come out of that world that we get stuck in, when we can get depressed or when we are, you know, just weary from the storm that has hit us. And I just want to encourage you that we have many tools that women were leaders because we want to encourage you. We want to encourage you in your walk with Jesus, to look up to look to His scriptures follow after Him because that's where your hope lies. Your hope lies in Jesus Christ. One of the books that we had put out a few years ago by women world leaders, it's tears to triumph. It's releasing pain to receive God's restoration. Ladies, there are so many stories of hope in here. This is an amazing tool that you can use to give you some glimmers of hope through other women's stories of sharing what they have overcome tears to triumph. It's available through our website at women world leaders.com And you can also get it on Amazon this book I went to number one best seller and also international best seller so we are So grateful for the lives that it's impacting. And ladies, I also want to share about our voice of Truth magazine. This magazine comes out quarterly now. It's beautiful. It's done with excellence. There are authors, writers from all over the world that God has gathered together and put into one magazine with their writings. And these writings are inspirational, they do give you hope. They're full of scriptures full of inspirational stories, all just for you, and it's for free. The way that you can receive voice of truth in the mail is if you are a US resident, you just go to our website, women world leaders.com. And look up the voice of Truth magazine. And if you scroll down, there's a place for you to subscribe for free. And then if you are outside of the United States, this is available digitally, ladies. So we would encourage you to go to our website. Again, I keep saying that, women world leaders.com. And look up voice of truth. And you can read it online digitally as well. It is filled with beautiful pictures, lots of photography, but amazing God stories that are sure to uplift you. So I would like to ask you, just Steena as we are getting ready to close out, can you please share with the ladies? Just something from your heart to encourage them think about the lady right now that is tuned in that is going through a horrific tragedy in her life right now. Can you give her that hope to cling to?
Justina Page
Absolutely. So here's the thing. We mistakenly think that bad things happen to bad people, and only good things will happen to good people and that we're good. Well, here's the thing. It's a thing called life. And it just happens. And what our challenge is, is to deal with it with our Lord and Savior. As it happens. He's for us. He's with us. He never leaves us. And he knows what he's doing. trust his character. Don't worry about a situation. Don't let the enemy make your situation. The Lord Jesus is Lord.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Jesus is Lord. Thank you so much and Justina again, we are just so, so grateful to have you with us maybe share a little bit about your movie that they can tune into. I thought that was so interesting. And Justine is an actress and share a little bit about that.
Justina Page
Absolutely. Sure, so there's a movie that my first movie that was in, it's called we are stronger. It was through reflective media production. And it is a faith based film that deals with PTSD and hope that's in Christ. So how you can find hope. And it was any PTSD, not just military, but it was the story of a bit that it came home and how it affected his family and all. It's powerful. You can find it on Pure Flix, you can find it on Amazon Prime. You can also now find it on YouTube. And it got picked up about by 26. Array big countries. Yes, wow is translated over there. So we thought that was just the power of God, God just having to wait in that area, because the message is about Jesus. So on April 30, we are super excited. The TV series Breaking strongholds will launch and it will launch first on YouTube TV. So if you go to reflective media.org, you can learn all that information. You can maybe even host a watch party, which is free. Just gather a bunch of friends. So we have people watching it together all over the world. So super excited about that. And that deals with this first season is dealing with teenage suicide. And yeah, it's some powerful stuff. And it's just a great TV series. I mean, I know I'm in it, but just standing back and looking. Whoa, this is really good. Yeah.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Wow. And that just makes me so happy just knowing that we have some content for some of our teen viewers that is faith based. Exactly.
Justina Page
Wow. And that's why we chose YouTube TV, because that's where that that demographic is right there in the millions. So we want to put it where everyone can get Get to it. Free.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, so that's April of 2022. And what is the title of it?
Justina Page
Breaking Strongholds
Kimberly Hobbs
Breaking strongholds - what content. Oh, my goodness. Yes. We know we know there are strongholds that need to be broken, right? Oh, my goodness. And so Justina also share with us how, if any of our viewers would like to reach out to you with questions or you know, further information, how can they reach you Justina?
Justina Page
The easiest way to reach me is simply my email. Justina@Justinapage.com. Or my website, www.Justinapage.com.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Well, you are a treasure and I am so grateful that God turned this whole mess into a message and you are beautiful inside and out just Cena. You wear those beautiful scars with Jesus all over. I mean, your smile is contagious. It just shines. And I am just so proud of you just going beyond and sharing your story. And we are all blessed to be able to hear and listen and ladies, we just asked you if these podcasts have impressed on your heart anything or made an impact that you would share them, share them with those that you know are going through something and they just really need some encouragement and uplifting content. And we would love for you to share these podcasts. Also every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays women world leaders brings these podcasts to you we have teaching podcasts on Wednesday by Julie Jenkins and they are powerful. She's going through the Gospels and the teaching that comes through the Gospels, ladies is just every one is broken down and it's just beautiful. Every Friday we have celebrating God's grace by women of the ministry and the teaching and the encouragement that you receive through celebrating God's grace is phenomenal. So please tune in every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to these podcasts. Ladies, we are so grateful that you turned in tuned in today and from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders we want to welcome you back every time we're here. All content is copyrighted by women real leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Thank you Justina page. We are so happy to have you.
Justina Page
Oh God, it was my honor.
Kimberly Hobbs
Ah, amen. Amen. God bless you all and till next week, have a blessed week.
Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship Coach, is sharing what the Word says about spiritual blindness in our relationships, and what the Word says about overcoming that spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness keeps us from the abundance that God has for us. The next time you are feeling criticized, ask yourself if this perceived criticism can be helpful in removing your own spiritual blindness.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about spiritual blindness, but first let’s go to God in prayer.
Father I am so grateful that you sent your son Jesus, and because of your humanity. You suffered in being tempted. Through that, you understand my suffering and your holy spirit gives me immediate assistance when I am being tempted and exposed to that same kind of suffering. Thank you for your counsel over me Father, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Is it Criticism, or am I spiritually blind?
One of the common complaints that I hear among husbands and wives is “he’s always criticizing me” or “she doesn’t listen; she just wants to mother me.”
It’s easier to look at someone else’s flaws instead of our own, and if it isn’t delivered in the right tone, it comes across as criticism. However, we have much to learn from Jesus’ teachings and apply them to our present relationships.
In Hebrews 2:18 we are reminded that 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Even though Jesus himself did not sin, he knew what the temptation of sin can do to an individual as he himself experienced the suffering that comes from that temptation. He then showed us loving ways to help others steer away from temptation. In Hebrews 3:12-13 we read:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
So, let’s take a second look at what our spouse is trying to say to us. When we hear something that sounds like a criticism, take a step back. Instead of getting defensive, ask yourself: Is he possibly revealing a blind spot I might have in this situation? Is she trying to keep me from the suffering that will come if I act on what I believe to be true? Am I hearing criticism, or a plea to look at my behavior and see if it is possibly causing damage to myself or others?
Let’s look at some real-life situations: Brad and Emily are married. Emily complains that Brad criticizes the amount of time that she spends with her extended family. He describes her family as “being all up in each other’s business” and Emily is often irritable and frustrated that certain family members are making bad choices. She thinks Brad is being critical of her, and is “jealous” of the time she is with her family. However, coaching reveals that Emily sees herself as the family hero – what would they do without her? Coaching reveals that Emily is spending her time trying to help people who don’t want to be helped. Brad isn’t in fact being critical, he is trying to spare her from the angst that comes from being in a codependent relationship. Emily decides to believe that her husband wants the best for her, and she starts focusing her energy on relationships that are healthier for her, including her own marriage.
Bob and Sandy are also married and Bob complains that Sandy is always nagging him about his drinking. He feels attacked and judged because he just wants to relax in the evenings and have a couple drinks, even though he admits it is habitual and becoming excessive. Bob has a blind spot about the effects that his habitual drinking has on ther marriage, and when he decides to stop drinking, he discovers that he can have a stronger emotional connection with his wife. She wasn’t being critical – she was pointing out a roadblock that was leading him down a path of suffering.
These are just two examples of Hebrews 3:12-13 in action: we are to encourage one another that we not get caught up in sin’s deceitfulness. The temptation of sin blinds me to me, and as long as sin is in me, it will blind me to my view of myself. Spiritual blindness keeps us from the abundance that God has for us.
As husbands and wives, as best friends, as loving parents, the most loving thing we can do is help each other see our own roadblocks, those things that are preventing us from being all that God has called us to be.
So the next time you are feeling criticized by your spouse, or your best friend, or your parent, take a step back and ask yourself, “are they criticizing me, or are they revealing a roadblock in my life?” Maybe they are being critical, but if there is one element of truth in that criticism, it can help set you free from your own spiritual blindness.
Jesus was brilliant at showing us how these relationships can work. We are called to be salt and light to each other – so we can live out the divine calling that God has on our lives.
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice. What would you like to hear about on this podcast that has to do with marriage? Send me your questions.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. Check out upcoming events in June 2022 in south Florida. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Miracles happen every day in our world, just as they did in the Bible. But even as we recognize the miracles in our lives, God wants us to look for the blessing beyond! Join Julie Jenkins as she teaches from Matthew 14:34-36, Mark 6:53-56, and John 6:21-40.
Welcome to Walking in the Word – the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so pleased that you have joined us.
As I record this, it is April of 2022 – we just celebrated Easter – as my daughter likes to call it, the Christian’s Super Bowl, and we are marching quickly toward May. For us at Women World Leaders, that means a few things.
First, the May edition of Voice of Truth magazine will soon be printed! So remember to go to our website – womenworldleaders.com – to register for your free printed version if you live in the United States, and for your free digital version if you live outside of the United States or you’d prefer to read the magazine on your digital device!
Second, our 2022 books are coming to life! We have teams of coaches and editors who are guiding both new and seasoned writers who are courageously stepping forward to share their God-story with the world. If God is calling you to share your story, please contact us at info@womenworldleaders.com, we’d love for you to join us.
And third – our next live event is just around the corner! Our team is planning an amazing gathering called Renew, that will springboard us into our post-pandemic world! If you are or plan to be in South Florida, be sure to register to join us in person on June 4th, OR you can join us virtually. All information can be found on our website: womenworldleaders.com
But now…we want to quiet our minds for the next few minutes as we focus on the Word of God. Each Wednesday, we intentionally take time to study the Bible together, asking God what He wants us to learn today. We are currently walking chronologically through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Today, our teaching comes from Matthew 14:34-36, Mark 6:53-56, and John 6:21-40. Before we begin, will you pray with me?
Dear Most Holy God! We are honored to come to you today as we open your Holy Scripture together. Thank you for meeting with us and for guiding us into your truth. We ask you to speak clearly to us and give us a deeper understanding of who you are and who you are calling us to be. God, thank you for knowing and supplying what we each need today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As we study the Bible, it is so important to understand the context of the scripture we are reading. That means, in part, seeking to understand the full story – asking, what led us to where we are?
So let’s quickly look back at where we have come from. Jesus had been teaching the disciples when a crowd of over 5000 gathered. As evening drew near, not wanting to send the people away hungry, Jesus performed a miracle by multiplying the food that was available – 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish – into more than enough food to feed the hungry crowd.
The people were grateful and, in response, wanted to make Jesus their earthly king. Jesus reacted to this temptation by first, removing the disciples from the situation by sending them, by boat, to cross the Sea of Galilee; next, by sending the crowds away; and finally, retreating by Himself to pray.
As Jesus prayed, a storm formed over the water, threatening the lives of the disciples. Jesus lovingly took a stroll across the water to remind the disciples of His presence. John 6:21 from the New Living Translation reports, that the disciples were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
I always feel like I kind of missed something when I read that verse. It seems that one minute they were in a storm, and the next, they were at their destination. Fearing that I misinterpreted this, I looked up the word ‘immediately,’ wondering if this was like a magician’s act. Did Jesus suddenly transport them from one location to another? Well…what I found was that the word translated as ‘immediately,’ means immediately, directly, at once, or soon. That being said, if you compare the 80 times it is used in the Bible, it almost always seems to mean ‘instantaneously.’ That’s crazy to imagine, right? There are a lot of questions I’m going to ask God when I get to heaven, and that is going to be one!
But regardless of the timing of the trip…the boat lands exactly WHERE it is supposed to. It is interesting, however, that it doesn’t land where the disciples THOUGHT they were going! They were trying to get to Capernaum, but they ended up at Gennesaret. (geh-NEH-sir-eht)
I think that most of us can attest to the fact that sometimes things don’t look exactly like we think they should when we come out of a storm. We probably have all, at one time or another, ended up in a different place than we were expecting. But when we invite Jesus into the boat with us, we can always trust that we will end up exactly where we are supposed to be!
As we read on, we see clearly that Jesus WAS where He was supposed to be. He had work to do.
Matthew 14:35 states…. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.
And Mark 6:55-56 records that the people 55 ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard (Jesus) was. 56 Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed
Wherever He went, Jesus continued to showcase His glory and His dominion over sickness, disease, and physical needs.
Today, Jesus no longer walks around the earth in bodily form…if He did, can you just imagine the crowds that would flock to Him?
Instead, we are blessed to live in a time when God is everywhere via the Holy Spirit, who knows no physical or spatial barriers. And we can be assured that just as Jesus touched people everywhere He went, God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, continues doing miraculous works via the Holy Spirit… only now those miracles happen everywhere, every single day!
And if God is working everywhere, every day, you can be assured that He is constantly working in YOUR life. Sometimes we have to open our eyes and ask God to show us His work to recognize those miracles. But God’s miracles are not the endgame…they always have a purpose beyond the obvious.
When God works in our lives, He wants us to look BEYOND the miraculous circumstance, because He has something greater to show or teach us…and if we spend time with Him and ask Him what He wants us to know or learn, He WILL tell us!
John 6:22-25 reintroduces us to the crowd who saw Jesus’ glory the day before – remember the crowd of over 5000 from the other side of the lake who got the free meal. They were back, and Jesus had something for them to learn! The night had passed, and, having traveled across the lake in search of Jesus, the people were hungry… again. It was time for breakfast, and they wanted Jesus to provide another meal for them!
But Jesus had something far more valuable for them than breakfast. He offered them the lesson beyond the miracle.
John 6:26…
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man[a] can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
They were in danger of seeing Jesus as a vending machine. Put a quarter in and hit the right button, receive healing. Put another quarter in and hit the other button, receive food.
And although Jesus CAN supply our every need, the glory of Jesus is who He is, not what He can do. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is the beginning and the end, the Almighty. He is LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. Jesus is more than we can ask or imagine. Simply being in His presence is life-changing and life-fulfilling. And when we look beyond the miracle, we will get a glimpse of His glory.
The people loved God and appreciated His goodness. But instead of recognizing the blessing of Jesus Himself, they decided that they wanted to be able to do what Jesus did.
The people said…
“We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
To which Jesus replied with a verse all should commit to memory…John 6:29…
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
Did you catch that? All God wants from us is for us to believe in Jesus!
One of the devil’s greatest tricks is to instill pride in our spirits. We may start out in humble service TO Jesus, but when it goes well, and WE get the kudos, the devil tries to tempt us into believing that OUR WORKS make us worthy of being God’s children.
We are just a few days past Easter, as I record this. My kids are 22, 20, and 16. So, we are far removed from Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies. With one daughter away at school and the other working for a church, waking up on Easter morning is not what it used to be in our house. But taking my eyes off those “things” that a mom must “do” to celebrate a holiday, allowed me to simply rest in our risen Savior’s presence. And it was glorious!
Doing what we are called to do for God’s glory – mom duties, work duties, or even ministry duties – are not wrong. They are worthy. But we must always remember that we can never replace the glory of being with Jesus with anything we do for Jesus – no matter how worthy the calling.
John 6:29 – The only work God wants from you is to believe in the one he has sent.
The people still weren’t quite getting it…verse 30…
30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[b]”
32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
The people were still thinking of their bread from the day before. In their minds, THAT was miraculous! And Jewish teaching had instilled in them that the TRUE Messiah would offer them bread every day, just as the Israelites had received manna every day. It was a new day…and they were hungry. So they asked again for the miracle, instead of looking beyond the miracle and recognizing that Jesus Himself embodied something even greater than the miracle…Verse 34…
34 “Sir…give us that bread every day.”
And being as clear as human language would allow, Jesus replied…
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.
And even though the people had not fully turned their hearts to Jesus, and they still couldn’t quite understand what He was saying, Jesus then gave some of His most encouraging teaching ever. Continuing on in verse 37…
37 However, those the Father has given me WILL come to me, and I will NEVER reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
Every miracle of Jesus points to the glory of God Himself. And in His glory, we are promised that when we submit to Him, He will never leave us nor forsake us. THAT is what Jesus wants us to see. Jesus offers us Himself. Not only did He give His life on a cross to overcome death for each of us so that we would not die, but He offers us Himself every single day that we may live exceedingly and abundantly beyond our very imaginations.
So look for the miracles of Jesus…they are all around you! Expect the unexpected. Rejoice in the impossible. But always remember to look beyond the miracle to the true teaching. The Creator is greater than the created, the Giver is greater than the gift, the Miracle Worker is greater than the miracle…and He has chosen YOU to spend eternity with Him.
Dear Most Holy and Righteous God! Thank you for the miracles that you surround us with every day: for allowing us to land exactly where we are supposed to be after the storm, healing us, feeding us, and supplying our every need. But most importantly, thank you for being you and for choosing us. Jesus, you never give up on us and you never leave us. We do give you all the praise and glory as we seek YOU…the blessing beyond the miracle. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Our guest today, Shelia Erwin, raised two amazing children. You may know them as the Erwin Brothers who went on to produce box office films such as I Can Only Imagine and Mom's Night Out. Shelia speaks to moms and grandmothers about what it is like to parent two dreamers and raise them up God's way. ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs, and I am the founder of Women world leaders. We are so grateful to have you here today, ladies, and I'm just thrilled to talk with our guests today. Miss Mrs. Sheila Erwin. Shelia Erwin
Well, thank you. It's great to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, it's great to have you. Ladies, you're going to hear about this woman and who she is. I'm really excited about today's podcast, we're going to be talking to moms and grandmothers. Proverbs 22. Six says, Train up a child in the way they should go. And when they are old, they will not depart from it. We're gonna talk more about that and her two special boys that she raised up. So today, ladies, podcast is for you. We're here to inspire you encourage you to walk after Jesus to run after Jesus with all of your heart. And if we could be there to put smiles on your faces while doing it, we want to do that. Ephesians 210 says that we are God's masterpiece we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. And we believe that you have a beautiful purpose, ladies. And if you are moms and grandmothers today. Just be prepared to be blessed to hear from this special woman of God. We are just so honored to have her. Sheila Irwin, who is she? Well, she's from Alabama. And Sheila is passionate about pointing other women to Jesus, especially moms and grandmothers. And she served in the women women's ministry as a director. She speaks at retreats, and she leads Bible study groups across the country. Sheila manages a successful travel company, but her greatest joy is being a wife, a mother, a mother in law and grandmother. And that's so beautiful to hear that you cherish that Sheila she loves the mother to well known filmmakers Andy and John Irwin of the Irwin brothers and kingdom story company, you may know of some of their movies like I can only imagine. And moms night out. Sheila Irwin is also the author of the book raising up dreamers find and grow your children's God given talents. We'll talk about that later and how you can get her book. She heads up a women's ministry, which is called Raising dreamer ministry at WWW dot raising Dreamers ministry.org And today we get to hear more from her about being a mom and a grandmother and raising up these children. But God ladies, right? How do we raise children in today's society, but God? So again, I shared that scripture starting out of Proverbs 22 Six that says Train up a child in the way they should go. And when they are old, they will not depart from it. The Bible is so full of truths, especially in Proverbs and training of children is so important. Sheila, you raised up two very special boys who have become world changers in what they do. But they had to begin somewhere. And they had to be taught right? So parenting is such an important tool ladies at home, you know that. And if you have children running around how important it is to teach and train them instead of leaving them to their own. You say in your book, Sheila that the pressure doesn't need to be on us though. We need to follow the leading of the Lord. So how did you raise two boys to be dreamers in their reach and give us a glimpse of life inside the Erwin household?
Shelia Erwin
Well, to start with my husband is a dreamer. He's been in radio and television for a long, long time, had a talk show for many many years over 25 years. And and then was a state senator for eight years but so he started he was just he was the dreamer in the household and the creative one I was an art major. And so that combination, I guess was kind of good for our boys as well but to know our family, we followed heart after God as a family. We taught our children that Jesus Christ could be there all in all that he could do anything, and that. And so when they were 12 and 16, that came to their daddy. And they said that we really believe that God wants us to make Christian movies. And heighten did not discourage that at all. He said, Well, that's great guys. But there's some things you need to know. The first thing is, it's going to take 20 years to build a company, where you can really make good movies. So you know, you got some time. The other thing is, is you're going to have to do the wow factor. If somebody looks at your work, and they say, that's good. You say, I'm not done yet. Go back to the drawing board. And you work more until they look at your work and go, Wow, you're doing everything with excellence. And so at that point, our boys were already, Hank was already letting them be a hit on live TV show, but that time, and they were he was allowing them to, to run a camera, each of them run on one of the cameras at 12 and 16. They were running in camera. And then they started working around the studio, they're doing some football games and working in this in it, they just kind of like ducks to water, we just that it was just there we homeschool. So they have plenty of time to pursue this. And plus they're four years apart. And they had time to develop their relationship. I don't think there would be Irwin brothers, if it had not been for the fact that we did homeschool. And they had time to develop those relationships and those things. And so, um, so that was kind of what our home like I, I homeschool them, you know, so I was having input that way as well. We homeschooled. Our John is add. And so homes, he says homeschool and saved his life in school and, and he was doing okay. He wasn't doing poorly, by any stretch of the imagination is extremely high key both of my boys do. But he was really struggling in the classroom. So after we came home to homeschool, he will actually in second grade from reading he was reading second grade fifth month, which is on you know, that's okay, average. But by the end of the second grade just by homeschooling he's then really eighth grade eighth month. He just needed the stability of being where there weren't a lot of people and a lot of things going on so he could really learn. So we didn't we had our challenges that way. But they began to create and slowly but surely Andy went off to to Bible college. And while he was gone, John turned his room into a studio, Hank bought him his own camera. He had another homeschool guy that worked for free, or at least John said it was for free. He ate me at a house and home. And they began to do commercials and missionary videos and just learning the craft learning what to do and how to do it. And slowly but surely, it came time where John asked me if he wanted to come home and join him in he did. He came home and joined. That's quite a story there. You can read that in the book. But he came home and joined his brother. They started doing they started doing music videos. By that time Michael W. Smith gave them their big break your ask them to do a video for him. And after that it was just smooth sailing as far as others asking them to do it. And then their big break came when Casting Crowns asked them to do their video. And they won their first double award. They won many double awards after that time for Best Video of the Year. And then eventually made the first movie which was on top of baby so that's kind of in a nutshell. Mainly we followed after God we did not set out to make movie makers. That was not our dream and it wasn't our dream in the first place. It was their dream. And so we supported them in that and tell them but God could do anything.
Kimberly Hobbs
But he can That's right. Yeah. Same man. Amen. So that's that's so interesting how you are sharing that you saw a need and in one of your children to hone in because he had that what they labeled as add it but through homeschooling you said you were able to really nurture him in that area so that he could pay attention and I love that that you were very in tune to what was going on within his person. So let's narrow this down a little bit and talk about cultivating their gifts your their specific gifts. Sheila and so what did that look like when they were really young? How did you cultivate them? You had to have little indications of what they were moving to. And I'm sure you wanted them to follow after God while they were young. How did you cultivate the gifts that they had as human beings?
Shelia Erwin
My boys wrote the foreword to my book, okay. Andy wrote about a something that happened in our home, that that I was just doing for fun. Like I said, I'm an art major. So I was just doing for fun, but it changed the trajectory of his life. But they love Star Wars. And the Christmas before we had been able, even though we were the ministry, God had provided Star Wars stuff for 80% off, so we bought everything they had. And so the boys had all the Star Wars things. And I decided that would be fun, because we had a garage we couldn't use because our driveway was straight down, I mean, straight down. And so we didn't really, you know, go up and down that driveway very much. So we didn't use the garage except for storage. And so I thought, wouldn't it be fun to make a set of Star Wars. So we also I got sawhorses. And I got plywood, and we went out there. And we, we started working, I think it was an old ping pong table, maybe even. But anyway, we started working on an ester working on it. And then the boys joined in, and we made a Star Wars set. And, and Andrew said that that changed his life. Because it was his first first adventure, he was sick, he was six years old. His first venture into telling stories, and he would play at the hinge on will play out there forever, and changing the characters around and telling stories together. And he said that, and I said, Well, what was so special about that, as an adult, I asked him that, and he said, you entered into my world. I think sometimes we don't do that. Or maybe we have a dream. And we want a doctor or lawyer or an Indian chief, whatever it is that you want. And we set out to develop that I didn't do that. I set out to know my children, and to help them be who they were, and who they are. And they're totally different, totally, totally different. And so I helped to help them learn and to nurture that another story would be with John. He was about three or four, maybe four, I don't know. And I had somebody over. And so I said, I need to get John busy. Because it's not good at John's not Dan's not busy while we're talking. So I'll win and I got a shoebox and some all kinds of just art supplies. And I put him over in the corner and said, make me something, make me something. Well, about an hour later, he comes back with a robot, that that these arms and legs go up and down. You know, not bad for five girls. But that was it his own creativity, gave them the tools to be able to cultivate and the time I gave them time to be able to cultivate that thing that they loved. And to nurture that as the as we went along. I didn't set out to conform them to the image. I thought they aren't debate. I set out to discover them. I think we make mistakes as Mom's doing that, to discover my children was just so amazing to me, because they had such incredible things going on in their their little brains that if we take the time, we can it's transformative.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Wow, that is just That's powerful. Because again, you know, we can be selfish as parents, because you know, we wouldn't be proud of these kids. And then everybody gravitates toward their, you know, dream job or something, and they point their kids, but that's not necessarily the gifts that God has given them. We need to look ladies for those special gifts that God has planted in your child and your grandchildren and honing in on those. And just like Sheila said, you know, she got into their world, what made them happy, where were they excelling? And then she developed with them, where they were doing their best thing because we can push our agenda on them. But they're not necessarily going to be happy children when they're not comfortable in that agenda. But when we can get into their world and what makes them happy, then we're going to be able to have their ear as we go through their life with them because we know they're in their happy place. They know that they're comfortable with mom because she's moving with them and she gets it what makes them happy. So really be a good listener to your child and ask God to show you what What those gifts are in your children. And that's beautiful. That was great advice. Thank you, Sheila.
Shelia Erwin
One more little story. Because you mentioned grandson's, I have seven grandchildren. They're the most amazing people. But anyway, and of course, of course they are. That's what they call them, Grant. But my Isaac, he's 13, almost 14 right now. But when he was about six or seven, I was writing my book. I was starting to write my book. And he knew Nene was a writer. And, and so he came to, he came to me and and he said, Maybe I want to write a book. And I've written a book. I said, you have he said, Yes, ma'am. He said, it can I bring it in short to you. So he had taken animals. He's very creative as well. He can you take an animal's and he told something that had a picture of that animal tell something about those animals. And I said, let's put it into a book form. So I had an app, we put it into a format, edit it down, I got it all ready. I sent it to the person that could I got a, I had a person that can make it into a book. I had, I think it was 10 copies made. There were probably $20 apiece, I don't know it's ridiculous. But but he got he had one for all the grandparents in the parents. And he actually took one to his school. And he took it to his teacher. And she they put it in the library at the school.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, my goodness, wow. Look in the library at school. And he's a published author. And a beautiful, I love it. I love it. Oh, my goodness. And those are just like, you had to share that. Because those are those proud memories, those moments that you know that you invested well, right? Like you can still say to this day that that memory of investing into the happiness of your child by cultivating those gifts. And you did so well with that, Sheila. So I want to share a scripture. Right now, Isaiah 815, which says, Many will stumble over the stone in the rock and will fall and be seriously injured and be ensnared and captured. Today's world, we know it's easy to get ensnared. And the enemy is all about his schemes, ladies, right for our children, he wants our kids he is after our children. And it's a scary thing. So Sheila, how did you guide your children to chase those God given dreams and channel their talents to glorify God and not be gripped by the world not feel like they were doing things to impress the world? How did you bring them back? to channel those gifts? And do it for God?
Shelia Erwin
Oh, wow, that's a great question. That's a fantastic question. A lifetime it takes the lifetime of the child. I mean, you know, you start very young, you don't start at 13 or 16, to try to do those things you're talking to me, you know, I always tell moms, your battle with your child is not one at 16. It's one to two. And so realizing that and cultivating, you know those things, but we cultivated our home. And what I mean by that our our house was the fun house. Everybody knew there was restrict, and if you went over to their house, you had to obey the rules. You know, we were fortunate to have a swimming pool. So we were the place everybody wanted to be but but we cultivated our home. And we brought children into our home more than our children went out into other homes. Okay. There were very few homes they were allowed to actually go out into. But we would bring the children into our home and we would, you know, our neighborhood children have actually been known to knock on the door and say Can Can Mr. r1 come in and play? You know, and so that's my husband just came in, and our Mr. Hunt was what they were calling. And so we cultivated a home of joy and fun and activity and all those things. We did a lot of things together as families, we met other families. And so we cultivated that where they they really had a refuge. Your children need for home to be the safest place on the face of this earth. That they know that world's going crazy and that mom and dad are going to give me a safe refuge. And because peer pressure is the most damning thing on the face of this loss, appear dependencies what it is nowadays, and so Okay, so we use the book of Daniel, one of the things I tell my boys was the Book of Enoch. And in the book of Daniel, we say that that some young man from Israel were taken captive. These were the cream of the crop the best of the best. They were the prince of Egypt, appearance of Israel, they were they were the smartest and most handsome they were, you know, they're good looking. They were He accomplished all of it, all of it. And out of that group, there were four young men that would stand alone. And then there was one and his name was standing. And so we teach our boys that we taught our boys that we are to set the standard not be pulled by the standard, we need in the group, we need to be that one that Daniel, dare to be a Daniel. And so, you know, so that helped our boys to know, you know, we talked to them about peer pressure, we talked to them about what to do, we talked to the fact that they get in a sticky wicket that they can call and we'll come get them right away, no condemnation, and no judgment will get them and bring them home. You know, so we were there for them, I think there for them would be the thing. And now you think you've got all these years and years and years, and you're gonna be a parent, it's hard, and you know, all this kind of stuff. But I'm going to tell you something, it goes by in a heartbeat. It does. The enemy does want our children. Now my children went to a very, that they worked for ESPN for a long time, they were the top two cameraman they travel all over the US that was their paying job while they develop their, their movie studios. And, and, and as my boys say, you know, the movie crew, or they're all pirates. And my boys love those guys, and they love them. But at night, when everybody would maybe go to the bar, the boys stayed, you know, in their hotel room together, you know, alone. There were things that they had to do to stand alone, but you teach them to stand alone, they teach them that, that Jesus Christ really will stand with them. They don't stand alone belong. But there are things that you have to you just have to teach them those things that I think a lot of parents think that kids are just getting get it. Right, somehow I don't know where they think they're gonna get it. They don't, they don't take time to teach and to talk. And it's such a joy to watch my boys now with their own children and, and listening to them instruct and teach. And especially now, you know, they both have a teenager, almost 14 years old, both John has a girl in me as a boy and watching them, cultivate those relationships has been a joy as well. So it's, it's, it's that thing that you're going to let them know that they are going to struggle at times, but you're there for them.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And I love that I love that you taught out of the book of Daniel on the Bible, and, and you taught them to stand alone. And I just remember a song that I was taught as a young child. And it was dared to be a Daniel, be a Daniel dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose truth there to make it known. So that that you teach them in standing alone, that are standing alone for a purpose. They have a truth, a truth that they need to hold on too tightly. And make that truth known of why they're being alone. And in you parents are the ones that need to pour into your child to teach them that to have that confidence that they can stand alone because they're standing on truth, not what the world is trying to, to trap them in. Right. So we want to I love that you brought up Daniel, that's so cool, and see how God just brings those things to mind when they're instilled in you as a child. Absolutely, yes, amen. So in closing, dear Sheila, it's not always easy to raise our children with circumstances in this world that have worn us down. And we need an attitude adjustments sometimes. And when those attitude adjustments need to be made, they're not just for our children, right? They're for ourselves. Because things happen in raising our children. We can get really just pulling our hair out sometimes and our attitude can turn sour really quick. But the Bible tells us be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord. God is with you. That's first Corinth Chronicles 2820 God will never fail you or forsake you as a mom. And Sheila knows that. But God she said, I said Sheila, what's a good title for this? And she's like, how about but God and I said, Yeah, so but God when he's never gonna leave you alone. So God will see to it that all the work is finished correctly. All his work that he started is finished correctly. So again, remember that verse first Chronicles 2820. Ladies, you can go back to that. Sheila's reclosing out, please weigh into that scripture of how God never leaves us alone during the difficult moments, and especially your difficult moments of raising two dreamers, because I'm sure there were plenty of those.
Shelia Erwin
Absolutely. You know, somebody asked me one time, would you have done anything different? I said, Oh, only two things. And I said, only two. And I said, Yeah, I want to be the perfect mother. And they would have been the perfect children. That didn't happen. And so there's no such thing. There's only one perfect, perfect person, and that's the Lord Jesus Christ. But when my when my Andy was about nine months old, I remember he was sleeping in the crib. And, and I hadn't, I am an only child. I had been, I had been a principal of school, but I had never had little children. I mean, around except for a cousin that lived next door, and I kind of have raised her. But I remember going to the Lord that day. And because I heard my mentor did say that she'd done the same thing. But as I looked at him laying in the crib, I said, Lord, would you protect my child from my flesh? Would you parent, my child through me, I make available to you, my mouth, my ears, my eyes, my heart, my hands, my feet, you parent, and he had been faithful to that cry of that little 29, almost 30 year old woman.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh my goodness, repeat those again, Shelia. Those are beautiful. Wow.
Shelia Erwin
I just said, would you protect these babies from my flesh? You know, the first thing. And then the second thing was, would you parent, my child through me, and here's my, here's my mouth, my hands, my eyes, my heart, my feet, everything I give it aren't yours. I give it all to you. And you show me what to do. And he has been faithful. I'm teaching the book of James right now. You know, and it says, Let him who lacks wisdom, asking he gives it...
Kimberly Hobbs
James 1:5!
Shelia Erwin
...he gives it an abundance, but he also gives it without reproach. He doesn't say Do you not know that yet? I can't believe you're asking me that. No, is without reproach. So he will he is always ever there for us. And remembering this, God didn't give you the wrong children. And he didn't give them the wrong mother, either. And so I think sometimes we begin to feel like you know, we're not doing it right. Satan loves to whisper that in their ear. And if I just had children, like that lady over there, look at her children, you know, then I could do whatever. But he's asked you to parent the ones he's given you. And He will teach you. I think parenting is probably the biggest sanctification tool that God has in his arsenal for we moms and dads do. But he uses it uses it to sanctify us. Then sanctified means to make us holy. And it's progressive. And he's doing that, as he's teaching us what real love looks like, what real sacrifice looks like, what going the extra mile looks like? What, whatever that thing is that you need for that moment. He is Ever, ever there and ever teaching us those wonderful truths that we're going to need not only for our children, but for our own lives as well. And so seeing this process of parenting is God's tool for sanctification for me, and at the same time, hopefully the children will be enslaved by it as well. But God never leaves us nor forsake says he's always always there for us. And he's always available to us. If we if we've come to Christ, if we've understood the sin payment, if we've understood that we're sinners, and this is Easter weekend, isn't going to Easter, if we've understood that he died on the cross, and it was raised from the grave, and we accept that sin payment as our very own. The Holy Spirit comes in to dwell in us permanently. And He will never leave you nor forsake you. And he's the instructor. He's our counselor. He's our teacher. And he's everything that we need for godliness and holiness. And he's everything we need to be godly moms and grandmothers, as well. Amen.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. That is so beautiful, and how just beautiful advice to these ladies and grandmothers moms and grandmothers alike. And Sheila, I just can't thank you enough and just how beautiful the way you said it. I just That's why I asked you to repeat it about praying to God and not allowing our flesh to get in the way as moms and grandmothers. What a prayer I know I will be praying that especially and I love that prayer. So, and go through all of your all of your senses, like Sheila did pray over them specifically because some of us, you know, can let our mouths get in the way some of us can let our tempers flare up in our extremities get in the way, you know, we have to be very careful. So it's important to pray for our flesh and all from head to toe. I love, love. Love that, Sheila, thank you. Thank you, you have been a treasure to have on this empowering lives with purpose podcast, I am so grateful. And Sheila, before I share about our women, world leaders voice of truth magazine, I would like you to share about your book that you have out and how our ladies could get that book.
Shelia Erwin
Oh, absolutely. It is. It's a book that's easy to read. It's broken down into small segments. And you can have women who use it even for their devotional time as well. But, but it's our journey, but it's the things that God taught me along the way, about parenting my children. And, you know, please don't read it thinking if I do this, I'll have my sons will be movie directors, or my daughters will be actresses or you know, remember, it's their dream, if that's what God calls them to. Absolutely. But I think I think it's a book of encouragement. To follow heart after God to know him and make him known is what it is you can get it on Amazon, you can get it you can get it it Focus on the Family, they're my they're my distributor, the the actual, the answer, you can get it on their, their website as well. Most places, sell books, Barnes and Nobles, you know, all of those, but it's raising up dreamers, especially when or when, and I would love for you to get a copy and read it. And then we've talked a lot about grandmother's and I haven't been I didn't think about it. But I've got a little Tin Tin. I mean, it's a little handwritten pages is, but it's it's actually a prayer guide for grand moms and moms and grandmothers to pray together 30 days of prayer, and you can kind of sit it up somewhere. And you'll just go in and it tells you about different ways to pray for your your grandchildren and your children. You can do it together. I've got moms and grandmothers that are actually doing the 30 days together. You can you can email me, and I'll tell you how to get a copy. But it's just raising dreamers ministries, it's plural ministries@gmail.com and ask for a copy and I'll tell you how you can get it and I'll mail it out to you that way. But yeah, we got a website. Our website is raising dreamers ministries, plural.org. We're on Facebook or on YouTube. So come see us.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow, lots of ways that they can reach out to you Sheila and we are just so again, honored to have the privilege to interview you today and just talk and, and just get to know you, Sheila these last conversations I've had with you you have been nothing but a blessing. And I am so grateful again that you came to be part of women world leaders. And ladies, we are happy that you joined us today. I just want to say again, remember, we have our voice of truth magazine that is available to you for free. If you're in the United States, you can get the printed version and it's gorgeous. Just like Sheila said it's like coffee table quality. So there you are going to want to put it out on your coffee table for everybody to pick up and read because it is filled with scriptures encouragement and empowerment. And of course the gospel message of Jesus in every edition. Ladies, if you want your free copy, all you need to do is go to women world leaders.com And just request your copy. You can read it online digitally as well. Outside of the country. It's available every time we put out in addition it is available through our website again women world leaders.com. Ladies again, we are so grateful that you tuned in today and hope that you gleaned some good nuggets here because I know I have and ladies we are here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with podcasts and we have our teaching podcasts on Wednesday and celebrating God's grace on Friday. So please ladies and of course every Monday are the interviews. We are grateful Sheila Erwin, thank you once again for being Our guest today, ladies, all content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders and we love you. God bless you and have a great day.
Let God heal the innermost parts of your heart as you keep your eyes on Him.
Welcome to celebrating God's grace, a Women
World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Janet Berrong. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in this ministry, and in the world. It's an honor for me to be back with you today sharing health, beauty, and Jesus. I want to talk about heart healing as we keep our eyes on Jesus. Recently, I've been doing some heart healing to be the best version of myself. While doing this, it requires me to keep my eyes on Jesus to be intentional and focused allowing him to heal my inner parts of my heart. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it." Scientists have recently discovered some interesting facts about your physical heart. For example, they now believe that the heart has its own way of thinking and feeling. They have also found that the thoughts and feelings of your physical heart exert tremendous and measurable control over how you interpret life's experiences. In other words, they have discovered what you believe in your heart determines the course of your life. Wounded hearts cause blind spots that keep people from walking in the fullness of who God created them to be. You can help people connect with Jesus, receiving healing from emotional pain and trauma and make space for God to uncover the lies that keep them from living from what the whole heart that he paid for on the cross. Psalm 76:23 reads, "My flesh and my heart may fail. But God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever." What does it mean to keep your eyes on Jesus, we surely know that the world is filled with so many temptations. Oftentimes, these appear to be brilliant enough trying to lure us to keep our focus on them. But as Christians, our loyalty must belong to Jesus alone. As what the Bible has taught us, we have a jealous God. And this we have to give him only our attention. Also, as we are traveling on the road of uncertainties, and too many distractions, keeping our eyes on Jesus would safely lead us to our right destination. Otherwise, we'd be lost wandering in the wilderness. fixing your eyes on Jesus is not a form of denial or abstract belief. Keeping your eyes on Jesus doesn't require us ignoring the problem, or pretending it does not exist. Just the opposite. leaning on God empowers us right within the battle. What is distracting you today from keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus? Can you identify what it is this distracting you call it out and go to battle against the lie. But when you are tempted to look down at the storm around you, look up. Keep your eyes and heart focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, who set the joy before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12, one through two, friend, there's joy coming. Don't focus on the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is there in the storm. Matthew 14:25 through 31 reads, shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake. They were terrified. It's a ghost they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them, Take courage. It is I don't be afraid, Lord, if it's up to replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the winds, he was afraid and began to sink cried out, Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You have little faith. He said, Why did you doubt? Lord, thank you for your saving grace. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.
I pray right now for anyone needing a heart healing today that you will meet them where they are. Speak to them now Lord, give them ears. to hear and eyes to see what you are revealing. Let no other voice speak to them but you Lord Jesus, and you alone. Help them to keep their eyes on you and receive your healing. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Be blessed
Jesus sent His disciples into a storm. Really! There was a storm coming, Jesus knew it, and He told His disciples to get in the boat and go without Him. Do you ever feel like you are in a storm and Jesus has abandoned you? He didn’t abandon His disciples, and He will never abandon you! If you let Him, He will use the storm to open your eyes to His glory and wonder – just like He did for the disciples! (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark, 6:45-52, John 6:16-21)
Welcome to Walking in the Word…the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I’m so happy that you have committed the next few minutes to focusing your mind on the teaching that God has for us today.
God wants to meet you where you are and longs to empower you to work together with Him and His people to showcase His glory. That is our goal at Women World Leaders, to use our gifting to share Jesus with the world, and to help empower you to do the same as you walk in your God-given calling. Wherever you are in your walk, we are glad that you have joined us. When I came to this ministry, I felt called to simply put my toe in the water. I wanted to find out what Women World Leaders was all about and spend some time in prayer with God, asking Him to lead me in only as deep as He wanted me to go. And that’s what we want for you! Think of Women World Leaders as a stream of God’s love that you can access in an as big or small way as God calls. We are thrilled that you are listening to our podcasts – and maybe that is exactly where you are supposed to be right now. But don’t ever discount God’s movement for you as He calls you deeper – to grow, to serve, to give, and to experience His love in community. When you are ready, check us out at womenworldleaders.com and ask God where and when He wants you to step deeper into the stream.
On this, our Wednesday edition of the Women World Leaders podcast, we have the joy of studying Scripture together as we ask God what He wants us to learn from Him today. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Before we jump into our scripture today from Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy and Ever-Present God! We thank you for meeting us where we are today and always being ready to share your heart with us as we open your Word. God, your Word is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, and as we study today, we ask that you not spare us the blade. God, prune us as you teach us, that we may develop a deeper relationship with you. Open our hearts and our minds that we might truly grow and learn from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Last week we learned about Jesus turning five loaves of bread and two fish into a satisfying meal for well over 5000 hungry people. There is no doubt that that miracle amazed all who were present, and John 6:15 tells us that, as a result, the people were ready to make Jesus their king by force. King Jesus…sounds pretty appropriate. But, not to Jesus, not at that time or for that reason. Jesus knew the hearts of the people, and they weren’t looking for an eternal King who would forgive their sins and lead them to life everlasting with God…they were looking for a worldly king. Their offer of kingship was akin to Satan’s offer to Jesus to rule all the kingdoms of the world when he tempted Him in the desert. Jesus understood this temptation, and He separated Himself from the tempter…and He separated His disciples from the tempter as well. Matthew 14:22 in the New Living translation states…
Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Jesus knew that the devil was up to his tricks, and He knew that the temptation to turn away from all that God had planned for Him was going to get increasingly more difficult with each step. So He retreated to pray – to spend time alone with His Father. In fact, He probably spent about six hours alone with God, while the disciples did what He told them to do. They got into the boat, only to encounter a dangerous storm.
What the disciples didn’t know was that even by sending them into the storm, Jesus was protecting them. We often note that Jesus was fully human, well, the disciples were fully flawed humans. Like us. If they had gotten wind of the fact that the people wanted JESUS to become KING…there’s no telling where their imaginations would have gone. They were, after all, Jesus’ right-hand men. Surely, if Jesus was to become king, their own positions would be elevated as they became members of the King’s court! There is no telling how pride could have crept in and stolen their allegiance to God. Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He sent His disciples by boat into a literal storm…He was protecting them from a storm of pride and greed that could have permanently sunk and destroyed them.
How often do we nay-say the position we are in…wondering why our finances, position, or even relationships aren’t all we wished they could be? Perhaps by placing us where we are, even placing us in the middle of a storm, God is protecting US from a danger that we don’t even recognize.
So…Jesus was with God, praying…and the disciples were boating into a storm.
Did I mention that Jesus was WITH God?
As the disciples were sailing into a storm, it likely crossed their minds…where is Jesus when we need Him? He knows how to calm the storm!
But Jesus was with God…and He knew EXACTLY what the disciples were up against…and He knew EXACTLY what they needed.
See…the disciples, whether they knew it or not, were in an intense learning period. First, they participated in one of the biggest miracles ever, then, maybe feeling a bit prideful, they got on a boat with their 12 baskets of leftovers…and steered right into a vicious storm.
John 6:18 says…18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.
Mark writes…they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves
And Matthew records…a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
Jesus knew. Matthew 14:25…
25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
The disciples did not recognize Jesus, likely because they weren’t looking for Him. In their minds, He was on the shore praying.
But Jesus was there…because Jesus is ALWAYS there for His children. And the fact that Jesus was walking on water was a clear demonstration of His deity. Job is recorded as extolling the virtues and attributes of God, and says in Job chapter 9, verse 8, “He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.”
The word the disciples used for ghost demonstrated that instead of looking for Jesus, they were most likely thinking that an evil spirit was coming toward them.
Mark records in chapter 6 verse 48 that Jesus intended to walk BY the boat…He was simply reminding them of His deity and control, as when God appeared in many instances throughout the Old Testament…but when Jesus recognized the disciples’ utter terror…He spoke..
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”
Jesus’ presence should have been enough! But the disciples were still learning! And Jesus was SO gracious!
Matthew, 14:28 continues…
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
This is remarkable to me…
Jesus’ intent was to walk BY the boat…but when Peter called to Him, Jesus didn’t HESITATE to stop and respond. We’ve read over and over about Jesus’ compassion for the people – healing them, freeing them from demons, even feeding them. In this case, Jesus was there to comfort the disciples. And Peter wanted nothing more than to be close to Jesus, so he asked Jesus to call him. And Jesus didn’t hesitate.
Jesus is always near us. He is always aware of what we need, and He certainly has the power to handle anything that is going on in our lives. But we must be aware, ask Him for His instruction, and then bravely follow His voice.
Verse 29 continues…
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
The lesson could end there. Jesus called to Peter to come, walk through a storm, across the water, defying logic and circumstance. And Peter obeyed.
When has Jesus called you to get out of the boat? To draw near to Him? To trust the sound of His voice? Did you follow? Did you obey? Or are you still sitting in the boat?
Peter followed. He stepped out. That could have been the end of an amazing story of faith. BUT…we are human…and in our humanity, even strong faith wavers when the world comes against us…
Verse 30…
30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
Again…THAT could have been the end of the story! Peter got out of the boat with his gaze fixed on Jesus, got distracted, and sank. The end.
But it isn’t the end! Because God DOES NOT give up on us…or on our wavering faith! Instead, Peter looked back at Jesus and managed to grasp that wavering faith inside and shouted…
“Save me, Lord!” and
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
So few words from Jesus, when He could have, by all rights, given Peter a complete lecture. Every time I hear this verse, I picture my children when they were tiny. I picture them coming to me with tears and big eyes…seeking forgiveness and feeling bad…I picture hugging them and kissing their head…and saying…its okay…but why did you doubt me?
Jesus’ reaction to Peter is one of pure and utter love and devotion. It is compassion for Peter’s hurting, and wet, heart. Peter was gung ho…none of the other disciples asked if THEY could come to Jesus in the middle of the storm…but Peter asked! And Peter stepped out! And Peter wavered … and he sank. But then he called out to Jesus, who IMMEDIATELY reached out and grabbed him, and I like to imagine, kissed Him on the head in reassurance.
Matthew 14:32 continues…
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
This was the first time the Bible records that the disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. And do you see why they did?
Because they were in a storm, and Jesus calmed it.
Jesus will always protect us…when we let Him.
Because God who was passing by in a display of His sovereignty and peace, didn’t hesitate to invite Peter to come to Him and then He stuck around and saved Peter even through his wavering faith.
Jesus will always honor our faith in Him…even when it is flawed.
Because Jesus, who had sent them out in a boat to encounter a storm, used that same storm to meet them where they were and to guide them into the knowledge that He is God.
Jesus will always show us who He is…and His works will always point us to God.
Our lives on this earth will not always go as we would like them to…but God is in control and God will always show up! When we call to Him, He will use every storm for His glory.
If you are in a storm, or have been brought out of a storm, perhaps God is now calling you to share your story…so that others will see His glory and will worship Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Call to Him. Obediently step out of the boat. And then shout His praise! He will never let you down. I promise!
Dear Most Holy God…Thank you for bearing with us despite our wavering faith. We know you have a purpose and a plan for us and you are calling us to get out of the boat. Help us keep our eyes on you even as we walk on the water through the storms of this life. With you, we can. With you, we will. We put all our trust in you as we step bravely, for the purpose of your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Faith and Business. Today's guest, Tina Rains from Masterpiece Women, is a successful businesswoman who has combined her success as an entrepreneurial woman of faith with her business leadership skills and ministry in an Ephesians 2:10 way. Be encouraged today to share your faith within the business world. ** Kimberly Hobbs 0:06
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. And I am so happy to introduce to you our guest today, who is Tina rains. And she also runs a ministry called masterpiece women. And today we get to talk about faith in business. Welcome, Tina. Tina Rains 0:30
Thank you, Kimberly, for having me. I'm so excited to be here with you.
Kimberly Hobbs 0:35
We are so excited to have you. And ladies, we're hoping today that it is our prayer to strengthen you, encourage you, and empower you to share stories with others about how God has moved within your life. And we're going to hear today from Tina a little bit about how God has empowered her to move forward into ministry but also incorporate business into that. So we're hoping that by her sharing her story, this will encourage you to share your sometime as you just see what Tina is doing within her business. Ephesians 210 says we are God's masterpiece, we are created anew in Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he has planned for us long ago. And as those of you that follow empowering lives with purpose podcast, know that I use that scripture. Often when I open up, and I just am giggling because that is actually Tina and masterpiece women's verse for the ministry. And I love that. So you're gonna hear more about that in just a little bit. And I want to introduce to you Tina, and read a little bit about who Tina is. Tina is an RN. She's the founder of masterpiece women driven to help women know that they are a masterpiece based on Ephesians 210. The verse that I just read. She has a driving passion to help women understand who they are in Christ, build authentic community and give them tools to succeed in business. And in ministry. Tina is married to Monty and together they have seven children. And she's now a meanie to seven grandbabies. And Tina and Monty serve as couple chose for bi annual J H Outback marriage retreats. And I've heard about those retreats and they're supposed to be phenomenal. Tina started her career as an entrepreneur at the age of 25 and started her first healthcare staffing office. And in 1995, she was operating out of her garage. Within a few short years, she had eight offices around the country and was making millions of dollars per year. Yet, she still had a void in her heart. So her done, identity was not completely in Christ. She didn't except when a masterpiece woman she was. And Tina came from a childhood of poverty and abuse. And so now we're going to talk about some of Tina's story which led her into our topic today, which is faith in business. So Tina from a childhood, you came from a childhood of sexual and physical abuse, but you had to get healthy again in many ways, and you were sharing that with me. God took you on a journey to complete surrender and prepares you for the area of ministry He's called you to which is faith in business with masterpiece women. So knowing the old way of living left you feeling solid and spiritually dial into that inside, you rebuilt the brokenness of your life by climbing a mountain ladies, this woman has climbed a mountain in India and not just any mountain. So I'm going to ask her to share about this. But as I read this verse, Hebrews 611, and then 12 promises us, then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. And God called you to go climb a mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro and India. How in the world did you get there?
Tina Rains 4:36
Oh, my goodness. Yes, it was quite the it was quite the climb, to say the least. But I do. I do correlate it many times to my spiritual climb because as a woman, young woman, I was still very broken. And I put a lot of energy and a lot of my passions into building business because that made me feel good put on quote about myself. And I realized that there was still something missing. And I knew that and I had made some choices because I was still broken in my younger days of relationships that weren't healthy for me things in my life that weren't healthy for me. And I realized, something has to change. And the patterns that I'm making in my personal life, are just not working from a spiritual perspective. And so I went on a journey of really seeking the Lord, I went through a divorce, and I was devastated and went through a very difficult time in my life. And so I just said, Okay, Lord, it's you and me the next couple of years, I'm just gonna dig in deep and I surrendered. I went through some, some programs, including, you know, inner healing and broke some strongholds, just really navigating with the Lord going, what do I need to do to be completely intimate with you and surrender to you? What what are those strongholds that are still holding me back. And I recognize that I still had many that I had to work through, even though I'd gone to, you know, counseling, etc. And I believe in counseling, but I believe that when you really surrender your life to the Lord, and you say, and here I am, us, me, he just transforms your life completely. And so, in that season, I did that. And I went on my first mission trip to India, where he spoke to me very clearly, I was to come back, and I was to do something, but I had no idea what that meant. And so I had transitioned that already sold a large portion of my business, I had a small portion left, I was on all kinds of Board of Directors for many people, you know, many great organizations, but he said, I want to use your gifts and talents for me. And I said, Okay, so I thought, Okay, I'll get on Christian boards, instead of, instead of, you know, business boards and other, you know, Board of Directors, I just get on some Christian boards. He's like, no, no, that's not what I mean. Well, fast forward, I was invited to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the largest freestanding mountain in Africa won the world, but, and so I'm, like, climb me, I've never climbed a day in my life. Like, literally, that was not my passion. And so I said, Yes, after asking him for days to show me for sure. Very similar to this mission trip to India, because I didn't really want to go on the mission trip to India. But I believed he told me to do it. So I did and all came together. And one thing led to another, I'd met this amazing woman there that I loved. And we ended up going as tentmakers to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together. And in that journey, he showed me that I was to come back and lead that movement. And so then I went on to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a second time base, camp, Everest, the Alps, all these climbs. And what I saw all over the world, as I spoke, though, is so many women were just like me, they were still held back by bondage, and brokenness, and there's so much abuse. And what's beautiful about that, though, Kimberly, is that even though the enemy meant it for our destruction, God then was able to use it, to bring glory to Him to help others. And so I could look back and reflect on all that pain and all that suffering. And know that as I was dealing with these women who to or dealing with these issues, gave me such a compassion for him. It gave me such a passion to help them. And so as we built that ministry wasn't just about climbing on behalf of the women, children, we were being voices for it was also very intentional to provide retreat type training at all of our climbs where they could just get real and raw with the Lord and break some of those strongholds themselves. And so it was both for the women coming, and the women that we were serving, and it was just such a powerful opportunity to watch God redeem what the enemy meant for destruction. So it was a very, I
Kimberly Hobbs 9:04
love that. I love that Tina, and you were sharing with me that just the impact that you were having, when you were able to get raw and transparent. Lady sometimes that's difficult for us to do as expose our own our own weaknesses in front of others. But sometimes when we do that, we can allow others inside and let them know that it's okay. You're a safe place because you've been through some things. And just because you're in leadership, it doesn't mean that you have to hide everything. I mean, women need to know they need to trust you, and before that they can learn from you. So talk about how, Tina how you climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but God took You on other climbs now. And you were getting raw and transparent with others? And can you talk about some of those moments of getting raw and transparent with some of the women?
Tina Rains 10:09
Absolutely. So one of the most powerful things for me in our community specifically was in when you climb these mountains, there was a fundraising aspect to it. So you're doing these events. And I shared my vulnerability and my childhood with hundreds of people that I had invited to a fundraiser. And it transformed not only my life, but the so many people's lives that were at that event, because they had this picture of this business woman who had it all together, I think some of them thought that I had been spoon fed. I don't know what they thought exactly. But they'd been in my home. And they had just, you know, they thought of me in one perspective. And when I was real and transparent with them, it's a no, look, this is what I suffered. And this is what I still have to do on a daily basis, oftentimes, when the enemy tries to use a trigger and deal with it. And that's what these victims of human trafficking and repression also experienced, and I correlated it, they were able to then be raw, authentic and transparent themselves. And I think as leaders on a daily basis, whether it's in business or ministry, as being real, with our weaknesses, gives permission to those around us to be real and raw and authentic. And that's one of our key pillars and masterpiece women, because I see such great value, and as being real and transparent, because it brings freedom, and then others are free to do it as well, because oftentimes, leaders are isolated, they feel like they can't be real and authentic and transparent, because it shows them as being weak. And I don't believe vulnerability and authenticity shows you to be weak. I think it actually shows you to be a great leader, when you're willing to do that.
Kimberly Hobbs 11:57
Amen. Amen. And I know one of the things we talked about was when you're in a key role like this, and you're an example in leadership, you give permission to the women to when you are vulnerable, right permission for them to open up and share. And Galatians 522 expresses how, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. And the absolute best type of leadership is a type where someone demonstrates these nine traits listed in the Scriptures. And I know you Tina, putting ministry and business together as God has called you to do you have to show your example in leadership and in share these nine traits. And how do you do that if you're not open and vulnerable with somebody if you're not allowing them to see into your own life, and those things that you have learned from? So being raw and exposing your past? Sometimes it's so helpful in leadership. And we're hoping that you understand that ladies, the Bible is a great business guide to us. So these fruits of the spirit that I read through God called you teen into the ministry, to be authentic with others, so that they can hear and have breakthrough also. So can you share how the power of the Holy Spirit worked in and through you to deliver some of these fruits of the Spirit to others.
Tina Rains 13:46
I love that. And it's so key when you talk about the Bible being it's like the best book for leadership you can ever find. If you don't know what to do go to Proverbs, like its leadership has written the wisdom in there, I always tell him, it's really your very best leadership book. You can spend all day long reading leadership books, but if you don't get in that word, and really delve into it, so he can lead you, you're kind of wasting your time. So I tell I really start there every morning. That's where your wisdom comes from. But, you know, I would say that joy, one of the greatest things was when I've been through the most difficult times, and this is something that you know, I've shared with many women in the past is how I led many people to Christ that were in my circle of influence. When I went through this difficult time wasn't on my successes. It was actually the fact that I was going through a divorce. And I was struggling in other areas of my life, even you know, there was the recession in 2008, with the economy and all that went with it. And I was having some of the most difficult times in my life personally, but yet I had more joy than I'd ever had because I had finally surrendered. In my life to Christ, and so being them, seeing that not me preaching at them, not me hitting them over the head with the Bible, or like some people like want to do, but just them seeing that. And seeing that I still had the joy, and was still able to serve others and love others, was actually how a few of my friends that I was had the privilege actually lead to Christ moving forward, that were business women in my community that I was very close to you, but they weren't Christians at the time. But they were a great human beings. And so it was a real privilege to watch that. And as I, you know, climb these mountains. And as we, we worked with the women all over the world, I would say, the love and in our ministry, I think that's really what it all amounts to is the love of Christ coming out and being exposed to the women that came to give you an example, my greatest memory, of climbing all these mountains was when I had the privilege of sharing Christ with one of the women that came, we knew she wasn't a Christian, she climbed on behalf of the women and children. And I said, How are you doing? Because I knew she wasn't a Christian. And here we are all these Christians around her were worshipping we're doing all these things, right? She was I've never felt I said, Are you feeling comfortable on she goes, I've never felt more comfortable than this ever. And I thought, that's the love. And so one thing, you know, so we had a conversation about what that meant. And we were able to actually, as a team of women on the side of a mountain leader to Christ, like, that's my favorite memory, not all the other things that we can sit, that's my, my top memory. And then we came off of Mount Kilimanjaro, we have the same experience with the guy that was our head guide, I was having a conversation with the mascot. And Murphy knew Jesus. And you know, we'd built a relationship during that week. And he didn't know who Jesus was. And so we as a team had the privilege of leading him to Christ on the way back from the mountain, like, those are my two favorite memories of the whole all those years. And it's because the people around him, showed him love. And in return, he wanted what they had. And that's really why we're here, right?
Kimberly Hobbs 17:16
That's exactly why we're here and our number one commandment to love one another. And you did you you showed that love, and you took that time for those that didn't know Jesus that saw that difference in your life, which is so beautiful. So So transitioning into now you are a boss in your business. And there are a lot of bad bosses in the world today. And no one ever wants to be one of those bad bosses, or the ones that are talked about, you know, on on the quiet amongst the employees. So how would you encourage the listener today to be a leader for Jesus in their work environment.
Tina Rains 18:05
I think most importantly, it goes back to abiding in him, you have to spend the time to buy it in him to really have that intimate relationship with him. So that every step of every day is really Holy Spirit lead the prayer time during the day even you know, as as we make decisions on an email, for instance, if we pray before an email that most of those emails won't even get sent. Right, think about it. Right?
Kimberly Hobbs 18:39
I, I agree. I pray before I send anything out. And there's so many times delete, delete, or rewrite, rewrite? Yes.
Tina Rains 18:47
It's you know, it's so important because as people work with us, and as they see how we behave, I remember you, I told so when I said, I'm like a bipolar person, if I don't have Jesus in the morning.
Kimberly Hobbs 19:03
Exactly. Right. Yeah. I know, ladies, we need to start our day early. Because when we do when we open our eyes, if that's the first thing that is on our heart is Jesus and you talking to him and you're giving him the whole day to take control? Right, take it out of our hands, but give it to him first thing in the morning. He's going to take us through those days. Do you agree? Absolutely.
Tina Rains 19:29
100%. I mean, the when you talk to most teams, and as I've done consulting for businesses, and even for ministries, and you go in you, you listen to the staff, if they're having difficulties with the team 90% of what I've experienced in the workplace has been I don't feel heard. I don't feel valued. And so as a leader is It's imperative that we listen that we'd be good listeners that we know who our employees are, what are they going through in their lives, and really show them compassion, because it's really difficult for an employee to see someone says, Oh, I'm a godly leader, and I'm donating to all these things. I'm doing all these good works. But yet, you don't even know who I am. And the fact that my husband is suffering from cancer, and my teenage son is run away, because you haven't taken the time to know me. And those are the kinds of things that matter to employees and to people that work for you, as a leader. They want to be known, they want to be heard. So I believe we can do our greatest value in the workplace in the marketplace, of just loving others well, and having compassion for them, and being generous, having spirits of generosity, and seeing how we can affect them.
Kimberly Hobbs 21:00
Wow. So true. Good advice. Good advice, being a good listener, right? That's what you're just talking about. Because, you know, if you just overlook, and you just are pushing your agenda constantly and telling people what to do, they're not gonna listen to you. They want to know that you're engaged. And you know, they're, they're on the same level with you. So, ladies, be a good listener, be a good listener, to be that good leader.
Tina Rains 21:30
And John Maxwell says, People don't care what you know, unless they know how much you care.
Kimberly Hobbs 21:36
Right. Amen. That is great. Yeah, that's a great word, John, thank you. Yeah, speaking Oh, I have another scripture. John 1715 says, My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. So ladies, we don't want to take you out of that work environment, we want to keep you in that work environment, so that you can be that light that's shining light, and God wants to protect you while you're doing that. Tina is going to close out and just share something from her heart, like a word of encouragement to the business woman out there, that has a heart for ministry, that sometimes keeps a mouth closed in the workplace. And it's sometimes it's so hard, because you might be one of those shy people or people that aren't easily ready to open your mouth and say something. But Tina, what's your word of encouragement to that person who keeps her mouth closed? In the workplace?
Tina Rains 22:43
You know what I would say, be bold, not necessarily bold with, you know, hitting people over the head with Jesus, because they don't really want that they want it and actions. But I would say if you, you just share little tidbits where there's something small of you know, what you learned at church or whatever, just just share the wisdom, if you're adding value to others, they see it, it reflects beautifully of who God is, because Christ is always adding value to us. And I would say just add value to others. And the more you do that, the more you love others, while the more you listen, you know, they're, they're gonna see Jesus in you, and they're gonna ask you questions, and that's when you have the opportunity to be more bold, and share who he is to you and what it means to you. And, you know, the best thing we can do is live our lives, emulating him.
Kimberly Hobbs 23:38
So I was just gonna say that. I mean, that's just what what Tina is saying, you know, living out like the fruits of the spirit that we talked about, right? And so ladies, if you don't open your mouth, necessarily, just remember, live it out, live out your life, having the fruits of the Spirit, which I can read them again, love. Do you display love, where you are working? Think about yourself in that work environment. Are you displaying love to those that you don't even like working with? It's difficult to do? Do you have joy about it? Do you have joy about you, ladies? Our prayer is that we all know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. And when we do we have something to be joyful about Apsos Do you agree to you know, like we don't want to walk into the workforce. We want to share our faith in business and we want to be joyful about our faith because we have a God that died for our sins and we don't have to stay bound to that that sin anymore that drag us down that goddess into trouble, right? We have
Tina Rains 24:50
a really, and we fall. Exactly. And you know what, there's nothing worse to us than to see a miserable Christian. Oh, well, if you're what a Christian is, and I'm really, I'm okay, because I'm happier than you are. And I do, I do encourage everyone as well is, if you have struggles, which we all do, right? Get to a place where you are free. And what does that mean? Just spend more time with Jesus praising him learning his word, letting him speak to you. Because when you're free, then you have those fruits of the Spirit bubbling out from you. And if you're not, and you find yourself grumpy ALL the time at work, and you're frustrated, you're this and you're that step back and take a little, you know, self evaluation, what in me, is still in bondage? And how do I need to allow the Lord to cleanse it to heal it and let go of the past and move forward? Because we can't be good replications of the Lord, if we have all this stuff going on, that is then spewing out to the people that we work with, because we're not doing the Lord. Any. We're not doing justice to you know who God called Mercy.
Kimberly Hobbs 26:12
Exact Exactly. That's right. Right. And we're called to serve wherever we are ladies. And that includes the workplace if you're you're working for the Lord, but you know, even if you don't have a full time job, or part time job, and you are in your home, or your environment in the neighborhood, or whatever you're doing, we have to remember to put this into our everyday life that we are in positions where people are looking at us because we do call ourselves Christians and and I just love just hearing some of the nuggets that you learned along the way, Tina, because you know, now you've incorporated ministry into the business world. That's what you do, and masterpiece women. And I just wanted to finish some of these, again, fruits of the Spirit, patience, kindness or again, remember, as you're in your day to day life, ladies, and this may seem Elementary, but it's not. It's again, this is what God's called us to do as believers to just carry this within our person. patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control, that is huge ladies, we constantly have to have ourselves in check of all of our emotions. If people frustrate us to no end, we need to have that self control. Right, Tina?
Tina Rains 27:34
Absolutely. That can be one of the toughest ones honestly, especially if you have a justice person you want to you want to see justice and someone's in the workplace not doing what you think is right. Having self control and reacting in love is so valuable.
Kimberly Hobbs 27:55
So valuable, so valuable. Tina has so many good nuggets and what she does is amazing and masterpiece women can you share with the women your website in case they want to look you up and look up the ministry and and I just know that in the future women were leaders and masterpiece women may be doing some things together which I'm really excited about because I love love what Tina is doing for the Lord. So please Tina, share your your website. Absolutely.
Tina Rains 28:28
It's masterpiece women dot O R G. And I am super excited Kimberly about this relationship because I know that God is doing something great. And we have monthly luncheons in South Florida and those are for all women. Because every woman is a leader you do not have to be in business to come to our luncheons. And then we have a program where we actually empower women who are interested in building business or online businesses. We have tools and a whole membership platform to help them actually do that as well. So check out our website. It's masterpiece women, dot o RG and you know we're here to serve you. So that's what the Lord has called us to do is help women everywhere know they're a masterpiece, and renewed him in him, and then help them with the plans that God has given them. So thanks for having us again. I love what you're doing your ministry.
Kimberly Hobbs 29:28
Thank you Well, and that's what's so beautiful is together. We are empowering women, ladies out there. We love you. And we have a passion because God has called us and this is what Tina and I do together and all of those that are in our ministry serving. We have passion to empower one another and point them to Jesus to be the best leader that you could be wherever you are. Tina happens to specialize in taking those business women and bringing them to another level and incorporating ministry. together with it. And I love that. And that's why I want to continue this relationship. And ladies and women, we're leaders, we have tools for you. And I just want to be certain to remind you, one of the most amazing tools that God has given us to share with the world is voice of truth. It is a publication that comes out every quarter now, and it is free, and it's beautiful. Inside the United States, you can get your color copy of voice of truth magazine, it's like table top quality magazine. And it's 100 pages, full color, all color, all beautiful, but filled with scripture, filled with encouraging you wherever you are in your walk. Whatever struggles you may encounter, it's inside of this. And we are just so happy. Oh, are you you're holding your background. Yeah. For those of you watching on YouTube, Tina is holding up a her color copy of voice of Truth magazine. And we are just so excited.
Unknown Speaker 31:08
I love it
Kimberly Hobbs 31:09
you with a yes, he's doing so much in and through this. Also, ladies, if you would like your to receive your free copy, if you're not getting it yet, and you are inside the United States, you can email us for your free copy at women world leaders.com. And there's a place in there where you can click on voice of truth and give us your name, address an email address that will not be shared ladies, it is just for women world leaders. And, and then again, we will send it to you and outside the US. You can look up on our website voice of truth and you can read it online as well. As well as all of the past copies of voice of truth. There is so much information in there to help you and encourage you on your daily walk with Jesus. And that's what we're all about ladies. So we'd like to thank you for your time today. I'd love to thank you again Tina Raines for being with us. God bless you in what you do at masterpiece women. God bless you the listener ladies and please join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for our different podcasts that we have available through women world leaders, we're here to help you encourage you reach out to us at women world leaders.com And in ways that we might be able to help you further. God bless you all, just remember that it is from his heart to yours that we are here. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you and have a beautiful week. Thank you. Thank you, Tina.
Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship coach, and part of our Women World Leaders leadership team, shares with us ten secrets from couples who have successfully navigated through marriage and are still happy after 25 years or more. How do they do it? Listen to what matters most in these marriages. ****
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about the secrets I have learned from Happy Couples, but first let’s go to God in prayer.
Father, you created marriage, and you desire for us to live in harmony with one another. Help us to learn from your word today, how to maintain a harmonious relationship. We thank you and praise you, in Jesus name, Amen.
As a marriage coach, I am frequently searching the internet for information on marriages. In my most recent search, I found so many blogs, and most of them were negative. “Five Symptoms of a Failing Marriage.” “How to tell if you marriage is going south,” and even worse, “How to survive an intimacy-free marriage.”
What?? Really?? What about the positive side of marriage??
A couple years ago my husband and I bought a car. That is a stressor that can test your relationship! By the way, we survived it quite well. The sales rep that sold us the car shared with us that he has been happily married for 32 years! Amazing! He started telling us some things that they have done that “keep their marriage happy,” and they are worth passing on ....... along with some other nuggets we have heard from other “happy marriages.” See how many fit into your relationship.
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Happy couples have a date night once a month (some once a week ..... but the key is that it is a regular commitment!) Now even this commitment can cause some conflict, but this is what happy couples do: they commit to the same night each week (or month), they take turns deciding what they are going to do on the date, and some even put their favorite ideas in a jar, and pull one out when they are planning their next date. The most creative couples steer away from dinner and a movie, and use their creative ideas to keep it fun and fresh.
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Happy couples learned early on how to resolve conflict in the relationship. This is vitally important as many couples tell us they don’t know how to solve conflicts. As if they are magically going to go away! There is actually a conflict resolution tool that you can learn so that when conflicts arise, they can be settled amicably and avoid building resentment between you. Happy couples have learned how to use their conflict resolution tool wisely.
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Happy couples value each other’s careers and became each other’s cheerleaders at reaching our potential. This is so important as each person has equal value in the relationship, and both husband and wife need to know that their partner is as invested in their career as they are. One doesn’t have more or less value because of the amount of money they provide. This is true even if one spouse stays home to take care of the children or home-school. That is a career that doesn’t bring in income, but invests time in the family unit. It is important to have conversations to find out what your partner might need from you as they continue on the career path they have chosen. Work towards solutions that are best for the entire family.
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Happy couples worship together on a regular basis at an agreed upon place of worship, and invited God into their relationship. Ecc. 4:12 says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. It is so important to seek God first in your relationship. Happy couples worship together. Many couples who have come to us for help in the past admitted that either one did not go to church, or they went to separate churches, and eventually this caused a problem in their relationship. Find a place that you can worship together, and spend some time cultivating a spiritual connection with one another through prayer and devotional times.
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Happy couples partner together to raise the children, and show a united front with them. A happy home has parents who are on the same team, and the children know they cannot pit one parent against the other. Take some time away from the children and develop a parenting plan that both of you can agree on. Children get great security knowing that their parents love each other and are working together harmoniously.
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Happy couples got assistance for setting financial goals and were able to set boundaries in our finances. In today’s world, it is not difficult to find a financial coach, and they can be very valuable in helping you to make choices for your future. Planning when you are young will help you have great stability and security in the future. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
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In the relationship, She said, “My husband knows he is respected.” And He said, “My wife knows she is loved.” This is straight out of Ephesians 5 that commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and commands wives to respect their husbands.” Since we know that both men and women seek to be both loved and respected, why was this command given in this way? Well, according to Dr. Eggerich, the author of Love and Respect, men naturally know how to respect, but they have to focus effort on learning how to love their wife well. Likewise, women know how to love naturally, but they have to focus their effort at showing respect. So there you have it. Happy spouses focus their efforts where they know their spouse needs it the most, both in love and respect.
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Happy couples occasionally participate in a “marriage check-up,” whether it is a marriage retreat, encounter, or small group accountability. We ask ourselves, “How are we doing?” Happy couples attend weekend workshops where they can put their complete focus on their marriage. They have crucial conversations with each other that they normally don’t have at home, and they focus on the areas that need attention to make their marriage stronger.
10 Happy couples learned how to laugh at the small stuff. And most of it is small stuff. The more time passes, the more you come to realize that even in the most stressful situations, “this too shall pass.” God will see you through the most difficult of times, and Happy Spouses tough it out together. They know that God is sovereign and He will give them the strength and endurance to love and to cherish until death us do part!
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice. What would you like to hear about on this podcast that has to do with marriage? Send me your questions about marriage.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
What began as five loaves of bread and two fish from a boy’s lunch fed well over 5000 people – with leftovers to spare! We’ve all heard this story. Let’s look at this passage with fresh eyes as we study Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15.
Dear Most Holy God…we are indeed privileged to come before you and to sit at your feet. Thank you for meeting us each where we are and for guiding us as we study your Word. God, I pray that you would forgive me of all my sins so that I may be a clean vessel to hear your voice clearly. We know that there is something specific that you want us each to learn and know today, and we humbly ask you to open our ears and hearts to receive your teaching. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If you’ve been around the Christian faith for very long, you likely know the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand that is chronicled in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15. Maybe that is even how you happened upon today’s podcast! But even if you know the story by heart, we should go back to the Bible and look at it with fresh eyes.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to turn our brains off when we “know something so well”? That is precisely why we need to remind ourselves that God’s Word is living and active…meaning that there is something new for us to discover EVERY time we read it. God’s news is never old news. We will never, on this earth, come to understand EVERYTHING God has to teach us, even from a single passage.
So let me encourage you today to engage your mind and imagination as I read this story…especially if it is familiar to you. I know I often tout this podcast as one you can listen to as you are driving or walking or doing chores…but…if it is possible, I encourage you to stop for a moment and really concentrate and imagine the scene as I read Mark 6:30-44 from the New Living Translation.
Mark 6:30-44
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”
37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money[a] to buy food for all these people!”
38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. 42 They all ate as much as they wanted, 43 and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.[b]
I’ve heard so many teachings on this passage.
I’ve learned how God used this day to grow the faith of the disciples as they were given the opportunity to actually hand out the food as it was multiplied. And then walk away with a basket full of leftovers each.
I’ve learned how the people must have viewed the event as they realized that Jesus would always have time for them and would never send them away hungry.
And I’ve looked at this story from the little boy’s viewpoint – imagining how he felt as he gave his lunch away, only to see a crowd of people filled by his own unselfish act.
But today, I couldn’t help but read this story from the viewpoint of Jesus himself.
The disciples had returned from their mission and were telling Jesus of their adventures, but there was so much more happening. Matthew 14:13 begins this passage with As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. Other translations make it clear that the news that Jesus heard that sent him to seek solace was the death of His friend, cousin, and ministry co-worker, John the Baptist - who had been disgustingly beheaded by a crazed ruler.
King Jesus had stepped down from heaven…forsaking His glory and riches and reign….into a world riddled with sin and evil. He was born in a stable, grew up in a poor family in a country that was persecuted by Roman rule, and had his life on the line several times. But He had John. John and Jesus met while they were both still in the womb. The Bible is silent on the days of their youth, but we know that, culturally, families stuck together. And we know that John was there to prepare the way for Jesus. He taught of Him, and then stepped out of the way when Jesus was ready to step into His ministry. And Jesus LOVED John…He said there was no one born who was greater than John.
Jesus was surely heartbroken at John’s death. And He needed to be alone.
We’ve all been there…when ALL we need is for God to take care of us.
And God did take care of Jesus…by way of a boat. Our God is so creative. We can trust that when we walk in God’s will, He will always give us exactly what we need. Jesus…the Son of God…had a moment in His humanity where He needed to be alone with God…and God made sure He had that moment … by giving Him a boat.
God will always give us what we need.
The crowd didn’t know Jesus needed to alone though, and they found out where He was going and they followed Him.
When Jesus saw the crowd, He had compassion on them. Luke says in chapter 9 verse 11 He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.
The text says that Jesus had compassion on the people and He taught them and healed them…but looking from Jesus’ perspective, I can see how God was AGAIN taking care of Jesus by giving Him exactly what He needed – the opportunity to operate in His ordained purpose.
Have you ever stepped into your calling? Really stepped into it? I can remember when our dear worship leader lost her mother. After handling and attending the funeral, she made her way back home to Florida, where she proceeded to lead worship for one of our gatherings. As she led, she told us that leading worship is what she was put on this earth to do.
When we step into our calling, we certainly bless others, but God blesses the one who is obedient even more! When we step into our calling, we may think we are being obedient to God…and we are…but it is really God who is taking care of us, giving us exactly what WE need.
A writer who writes, a healthcare worker who cares for the sick, and a mother who cheers on her child all have one thing in common. They all get energized and fulfilled when they are doing what they are called to do. God knows that operating in our God-given gifting propels us forward like nothing else can – and He gives us the opportunity to use the gifts He has given us, because He knows that is what we need.
Jesus’ gift was to love. His purpose that day was to teach and to heal. And God gave Jesus what He needed.
Jesus’ further calling was to showcase God’s power and to teach others to do the same. And God gave Him THAT opportunity.
The disciples noticed that the crowd was hungry. The disciples thought that good leadership would be to allow the people to go eat. But Jesus taught them that true leadership hinges on a dependence of God’s power.
So Jesus harnessed that power…and God faithfully provided what Jesus needed.
Jesus took the five small loaves and the two fish and offered them to God, who miraculously multiplied them – giving them the power to nourish the bodies of well over 5000 people.
We can trust that God will always give us what we need …
Jesus needed to be alone in a time of grief…and God provided the boat.
Jesus needed to serve…and God gave Him the opportunity to heal and teach.
Jesus needed to showcase God’s power, so He lifted His hands to heaven in total dependence on God…and God provided a multiplication of His power.
Do you ever wonder if walking in the flesh was difficult for Jesus? We tend to dismiss that thought – because Jesus is God. But Jesus was also fully human. And what He was asked to do was a lot!
But He went to God…in solitude…in His calling…and in total dependence on His power. And God never let Him down.
God gave Jesus exactly what He needed to do what He was called to do. And when we go to Him and walk in OUR calling, He will give US what we need.
Even when Jesus was tired and what was ahead of Him looked impossible, He thrived, because He relied on God. And God provided exceedingly and abundantly beyond.
Let’s pray…
Father God…thank you for this new perspective on the feeding of the 5000. Thank you for teaching us that YOU are enough, and that you will always provide us with what we need. God, I thank you for always being there and for allowing us to meet you in the one-on-one. I thank you for giving us each a ministry – a calling – a job to do for you, and for reminding us that when we step into that calling, you bless us and those we minister to. And I thank you for always being willing to send your power. God, Women World Leaders would not be in existence if not for your power. Nor would we each be walking individually without the strength that you so graciously give us on a daily basis. We thank you, and we recognize that you have called us, you are walking with us, and you will continue to empower us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
From misplaced to placed in the hands of God. Our guest today comes to us from Australia. Danielle Gibbons speaks out about what led her to become an atheist - feeling she was misplaced in life and God was nowhere to be found. Hear how God reached Danielle and loved her when she needed Him most. This story is powerful and will touch your heart. * Kimberly Hobbs
Thank you Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. We are so happy that you have decided to tune in today and listen to this podcast with our special guest today. Danielle Gibbons welcome, Danielle.
Danielle Gibbons
Yes, thank you for having me. Thank you. Thank you.
Kimberly Hobbs
We're so glad to have you sweetie. So our our purpose in being here and empowering lives with purpose is to do just what it says to empower you the listener to help strengthen you inspire you encourage you through some of the stories of some of the guests that we have on and Danielle has a very interesting story and it's going to be powerful at the end. And the title that we chose for it is misplaced to placed in the hands of God. Ladies, we feel that each and every one of us are a masterpiece because God's Word says that we are Ephesians 210 says For we are God's masterpiece created a new and Christ Jesus to do the very good things that he planned for us long ago. He has a plan for each and every one of our lives. We believe that wholeheartedly. And through hearing Danielle's story today, we're going to hear a little bit even though she felt misplaced. She was placed in the hands of God because he had a plan for her life. So I want to tell you a little bit about Danielle before we get started. Danielle is the owner of cherished and found which is an online mentoring practice that helps women overcome the negative beliefs that they tell themselves in order to take action on a god prompting in their life. With her background and customer service and film, and Assistant work. She's able to provide Christ like care for her following on social media and having her own past struggles of life chaos, and her hope found in Christ. It has shaped her passion for helping women that have been in broken situations to know that their identity is rooted in Christ alone and not their past or present circumstances. I love that Danielle. Danielle is an American and married to her wonderful husband Luke who is an Aussie and for five wonderful years. They currently both reside on the Gold Coast of Australia. And she is active in her local church. She enjoys bike rides to the beach and to catch sunrise. I love sunrises and I love God's creation so we share that commonality they're so misplaced to placed in the hands of God. What does that look like? Well, Danielle had a rough childhood and at the age of three, her parents were divorced. They are two completely different parents, a mom who struggled while her father drove fast cars and had access to money and both had influence on her life by Danielle felt felt misplaced because of such differences in their lives. Danielle, can you share a little bit about your story which led up to where you actually denounced Christ and became an atheist.
Danielle Gibbons
Sure, thank you for letting me share. So when I was when I was three years old, my parents got divorced on the youngest of four and we moved to Michigan and into a trailer park. And growing up we were the Christian kids to the trailer park kids and the Christian church we were the trailer park kids in the church kids and I never felt I never felt connected to either so I had different personas different personalities for each the church kid and the trailer park kid and we had a movie theater nearby our home and back then I don't know if it's still the same now but back then you can go and collect bottles for 10 cents in Michigan and collect those and return them to get money so anytime life got hard and life did get hard i for any eviction notice that we got any power shut off because my mom couldn't keep up with a bill she was doing three or four jobs trying to take care of for kids. And we it seemed like we're always struggling always asking for the handout. Always that charity case. And I remember anytime things got rough Another eviction notice. Family disruptions, we would go my brother and I, my older brother than I would go around, collect bottles, go get money and go to the movies. Because that was our escape. We, I wanted so much to be in Fantasyland. Anytime things got tough, I needed an escape, I needed to be in someone else's story, because I didn't like mine. So I just remember, in my teens in my early teens, 13, is when I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. And that really separated me more and more more from my church, friends from church and making me feel more of an outcast, because I practiced in a lot of sin. And I remember, I remember age 16, just, you know, from 13, to 16, my, my drinking got worse, the partying got worse, my older sister, she was in college. So I go to college parties with her as being a freshman in high school, I was going to college parties at age 14. And so I started to really hang around people that didn't believe in Christ. And I started to wonder if he's real, why do bad things happen? Why are we living the way we're living? Because I see my mother and her faith and her walk with Jesus. And yet she is tore down every single turn. She can't catch a break it just and as a child, I didn't know any different. That's that's the witness I saw. That's, I didn't see anything different. So I remember we're driving down the road, going 70 miles an hour, on the highway, my sister's driving and a friend of mine in the back who was an atheist and questioning my god, at the time. And her point seems so valid, why why do these? Why do bad things happen? If if we really were living for Christ? Wouldn't our situation be different? So at that moment, I said, you know, I don't believe in God. He doesn't exist, because if he did, he would bring me out of the situation. And I remember so well, because at that moment, one of our tires blew. And we had to pull over and from age 16 to 22. Did everything so Oh, oh,
Kimberly Hobbs
that is I actually had chills when you said that. You know, it is such a scary time. But we know, so many young people face that, you know, they put there's questions constantly as they look around this world of Is God real? Is he really there? I mean, that movie they put out God's Not Dead. Oh, my goodness, you know, because so many struggle with this. So you denounce Christ. I mean, as shocking as that is, you know, you you said I'm going to become an atheist and you, you started walking down that road and things got worse. And, ladies, maybe you can relate to this. Maybe you were there at one point in your life. But the Bible tells us about whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. This is a serious situation here. But God was getting your attention even through that. Danielle you are his from the time you were born. Ladies, we are all we belong to God from the time we are born. And but we have choices to make, right? So you started to smoke, you started to drink. You tried to escape from movies, and you were living that masquerade life. You told me like in our private conversations, you you were all about the Masquerade. And then one day, you go to church in LA, and you start searching for God again. Can you talk about now like what that looked like? Because you were misplaced? You still weren't back but you started searching for God. And so let's talk about being misplaced and searching for God.
Danielle Gibbons
Sure, so at this part of my story, I have to fast or rewind a bit. I had placed my hope and becoming big in Hollywood. I wanted to become a famous movie star. So I had the opportunity to move out to LA and do the starving artists life. I'd sold everything real big hippie, but my roommate. He was gonna do hair. I was gonna do makeup. He was highly against drugs. So I had to quit my drugs for a season. And in that season, coming off of drugs, moving and having nothing and starting over. That's a lot So I did whatever anyone growing up in church would do to go back to church. And so I, my roommate would take me to reality LA and I think it was Pastor Tim chaddock At the time, and he was preaching on a class, Ecclesiastes 217. And it says this. So I hated life. Because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless a chasing after the wind. And I just remember sitting there and worship started and I just sat there is, is my hope in becoming a makeup artists and making it big in Hollywood, Hollywood, is that chasing after the wind? Is this really meaningless? So really start to wonder, is this what I meant to be doing? And yeah, what a it's not very much hope in that passage. Is it chasing after the wind? But what it led me to was starting to question and starting to research starting to ask my mother who had been praying for me this whole time. Wow. And she was so excited anytime I called and said, I need prayer or because my mother's prayers worked. I didn't know how to pray myself. Yeah, I asked my mother to pray for me. And she would point me to Scripture, even though we're hard pressed on all the sides, you know, just all of the scripture that really spoke to me because it was I was in this I had finally gotten my dream. And it wasn't what I thought it was, because the hope was misplaced.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Wow. Ladies, those of you that are moms with maybe teen kids, or even young adults are those that have children wandering that are wayward? Did you hear Danielle's voice? I mean, she almost got choked up because she remembers the prayers of a mother's heart. And she knew that her mom was just so excited when she would call her back saying, you know, please pray for me, mom. So there's hope for your kids. If you're praying, God is not gonna let go of them. And even though Danielle again was denouncing the Lord, he was trying to get her attention. And your hope became restore Danielle, Romans 829, ladies and 30 says, For we, for those whom he for new, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son so that the firstborn among many brothers and sisters, and these whom He predestined, he also called he also justified and these whom He justified, he also glorified. God had you Danielle, from the beginning. ladies who are listening that are wandering God has you from the beginning before you even born and ladies, listen to this verse. As I described, God has you Jeremiah one five says, I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb, before you were born, I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nation's Danielle, here you are speaking sharing your testimony God appointed you. And hope is the most practical power in the world, and to be placed in the hands of Jesus through seeking Him gave you hope, Danielle? So you went from that misplace child back and forth from two different types of parents wondering where do I go? What am I running after? am I chasing the wind? God gave you hope. And knowing he forgives ladies, when we know the God of the universe will forgive you for everything. It gives us hope. And hope is found in true forgiveness. And you can overcome anything discouragement and depression and erodibility. And all the things that Danielle was facing, she was able to overcome with with that hope. So, Danielle, when you were alone and misplaced, and you were full of grief, let's go back to that moment. Okay, you felt oppression? And can you describe leaving the desert that you were wandering in for so long to the faith in Jesus that you now have as your Savior? Can you talk about that?
Danielle Gibbons
Sure. So I immediately as soon as I went to LA it seemed like I immediately left LA and I moved back to Florida. And my hope was crushed because that is what I truly put my hope in was the the thought of of being making it big the big artist and in house Would, silly as it is, but that was the hope. So because I was shattered, I had moved in to a friend's house who she was helping her mother at the time. So I was completely alone. I was in a different part of the area, so I wasn't around any family. And it seemed like, I had taken five steps forward when I moved out to LA, and 20 steps backwards when I moved back to Florida. So I started picking up drugs again. And I'm going over the cycle and I, I'm feeling a lot of shame and grief, why can't I break this cycle? It seemed like everyone had their lives figured out. And here I am age 22. And I'm ready, I'm ready to, I'm ready to give up. The thought of going through another day seemed too hard. I was still paying rent in LA and trying to rebuild a life in Florida and I needed money. So I don't you probably don't know this. But a lot of times, it's courtesy to smoke out with your drug dealer as they deal to you. So the drug dealers over at my place, and we get high and I start just unloading all of my problems to him, like any good girl would. And I'm telling him how I just need money. And so he had a solution. He said, You know what, Daniel, I have a lot of girls working for me, you can be one of my girls, you can start dealing for me. And I said, That's a great idea. I need extra cash, I'm still paying rent in LA, I'm trying to, because I had sold everything. I went did the hippie thing. And I sold everything and I moved out there. And it was shattered. And so the drug dealer left,
Unknown Speaker
and I just broke. I was broke. I remember going to the kitchen floor,
Danielle Gibbons
in fetal position and just crying, the big, biggest ugliest cry, you can imagine I just start crying. I said God, I said God, or Jesus, I think as a Jesus, I obviously don't know what I'm doing with my life. Word obviously, I remember I obviously don't know what I'm doing with my life. So I surrender it. I give it all to you, whatever you want me to do, I will do it. And after I said those words, and I've heard this because I grew up in church, I've heard the testimony before I've heard it just clicked. Never, ever had it just click than it did in that moment. As soon as I said those words, it was like a head to toe piece of feeling a sensation. And that's when I truly felt like I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Because I stopped crying in that moment I got up I dusted myself off. And that's it was like a new purpose. A new mission was placed on mine heart, A New Hope. I no longer needed hope in what the world had to offer. I had the hope and Christ that no matter what I'm doing what he wants me to do.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. And, and that is when you bowed your knee to the Lord Jesus Christ, and accepted him as your personal Lord and Savior. And wow, what a story and again, he knew you before you were born, and he was not letting go of you. And that moment, I mean, that gave me chills when it got so close to almost selling yourself to that drug dealer and just, you know, accepting that, but God said no. And at that moment, something happened that you cried out to Him praise God. And ladies out there listening, you may be reliving something in your life right now because you're identifying with Danielle and you know that again, is that purpose that we want to share and empower you don't give up. You know, God is getting your attention whether it be even listening to this podcast right now. He's getting your attention. Danielle, you are now healed and restored and renewed in Jesus Christ. And that is like the best news ever. And ladies out there, he wants you healed in his name. He wants you renewed in the name of Jesus. God is not going to let go of you ladies. And he tells us when we need help to come back to him. He is the only way. And Danielle you knew that from a praying mother's heart. And one that was taking you to church and Proverbs. What is it 22 Six that says Train up a child and the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. So those of you that have those children that are floundering guys It says train them up. Young women out there train your child up right now because he's gonna face she's gonna face things in this world. We don't know what, but God will bring them back just like he brought Danielle back. And he says come back to the place of safety, all you who still have hope. I promise this very day I pay two blessings for each of your troubles that Zechariah 912. He lifts you out of the pit of despair that Psalm 42 He lifted you out of that pit that you were in Danielle, Psalm 40 Verse two ladies as a good one. He set your feet on solid ground and studies at you as you walk along. And that's what Danielle is going through. Now he studies her she's surrendered her life to Jesus and He is studying her feet as she walks along. Does God say it's always going to be easy? No, we all face struggles. As we go through life, even those of us that know Jesus, because there's things in our path constantly that the devil is trying to trip us up with. But God is the source of your hope. Danielle, God is the source of your hope to your listener and will fill you with joy and peace as you complete. He will fill you with joy and peace completely as you trust in Him. That's Romans 1513. So Danielle, all these ladies that are listening right now they need hope they need that hope restored. So can you please leave these women with a word of encouragement when they're feeling misplaced? How they can be placed back in the hands of Jesus.
Danielle Gibbons
Feeling very grateful right now. My encouragement to you is to continue to pray. Just continue to pray. He hears you. You are not too far from him. He hears you in your room crying at night, he hears you in the empty parking lot. The empty church parking lot. He hears you. He hears you every moment. Jeremiah 2920 13 says, then you will call on me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will see. Find me when you seek me with all your heart. John 1027 through 28 says, My sheep, My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me. Verse 28 says, I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. He was for 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time in time of need. He hears you. i If you're wondering right now, if you're praying empty prayers, if you're wondering right now will Will I ever see the fruit of my toil? What is this? Why am I feeling like this is meaningless. It's not meaning he hears you. And what you're going through right now, if it's a season of wandering, if it's dry, like the desert, he hears you, he's preparing you he's sending you out, you are called and he's sending you out. But you need that time of preparation. So I just want to encourage you continue to see Kim and continue to pray.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Oh, beautifully said Danielle and those scriptures that you chose to share. God says, When you seek me, with all your heart, you will find me. God is there. And he wants you to seek him out. And those scriptures again, I pray that if those touched your heart where you were listening, that you will replay this podcast again, listen to those scriptures and write them down. Put them up around your house so that you don't lose sight of what God's speaking to you right now. Because he won't let you go. If you're feeling misplaced. He will place you back in his arms of love. And he will hold you there. He's not going to let you go ladies. So oh my goodness, Danielle, that's powerful. And your story again, Praise God. Praise God that he took you where you were. And he brought you to where you are now and look at this lovely young woman that loves the Lord with all of her heart is sold out to serving Him. We are just so grateful that you would come and share your testimony with the world Danielle and I am just so thrilled that this young woman down in faith to write and share her story with the world and she is going to be writing in the book this year by women world leaders which is called surrendered, yielded with purpose and We are so grateful we are so grateful for testimonies like this. And ladies, God may you may be listening and you may be have gone through something like Danielle or something completely different. And you are sitting there just chomping at the bit to share your God's story. We want to hear from you. We need these stories to encourage others that are listening. Do you realize that women are listening to these podcasts around the world we are in over 60 countries we are listened to by over 55 platforms around the world. These podcasts are far reaching, and God may be tugging at your heart right now saying share my story with the world because, ladies, it isn't your story. It's a story God has given you. And He wants you to share it. So please pray about that. And reach out to us at women world leaders.com. Or info at women world leaders.com. And leave us your name and address and email address. And we'll get back to you for sure. We want to hear your story. We want you to be a part of what God is doing here. And again, I want to just say thank you to Danielle for sharing what God put on your heart today. And is there any final word you'd like to say to the ladies before we close out?
Danielle Gibbons
Just approach. Write down everything that he's done for you thus far, and go back to the heroes of faith. And know you can be comforted that fellow Christians around the world are feeling or maybe feeling the same way you feel in this moment. And then we can look to the heroes of faith. So just continue, continue to have the faith and write down what he's done for you and just be gracious and have that heart of gratitude. Because that's how I feel almost every day. I'm just so grateful.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen, amen. And I want to just confirm that that is something that I do every day to even when I get tired and I start to grumble about things. I turn it into praise and gratitude. And God turns my day around, I thank him and think of all the things that you're thankful for. It will turn your day around your heart around. And just remember those words, have a grateful heart, praise him in the storm. Praise Him in the storm of your life. Ladies, one more thing I'd love to share with you is that those that may be watching or listening for the first time to this podcast. Women world leaders put out event a magazine every quarter called the voice of truth outside of the United States, it goes digitally but inside of the USA, you can get your printed copy. And it is beautiful. It's over 100 pages of encouragement to you written from other women around the world. There is scripture in here there are stories in here there is enough to read that will take you a quarter to read each. Each article that's in here, it's beautiful, but it is for free. If you want to go to our website, you can read it digitally at women world leaders.com voice of truth is the magazine. And then if you want to sign up if you're inside the United States, and you would like to receive this in your mailbox, we will send you the free copies by you leaving us your address, your email address, and your name. We do not share it with anybody. This is strictly for you and for us to send this to you. So ladies, we want to help you in whatever ways we can women, world leaders to come alongside you and encourage you and just walk with you. So there are many ways that you can get involved within this ministry please just reach out to us and we are grateful to have this time together and we're gonna close it out and I just again want to thank our guests Danielle Gibbons, and Danielle Do you want to share your Facebook group that people could find you?
Danielle Gibbons
Sure sure. So you can find me at cherished and found on Instagram and Facebook. I mainly use my platform by Instagram and that ch e r i s h e d a n d f o u n d cherished and found because you are so cherished and you were found by him.
Kimberly Hobbs
He man there you go. Thank you so much Danielle and we are so grateful that you are now part of women world leaders that you are joining the journey with us and look for her ladies. She is going to be in the next edition the second quarter of voice of truth. And we're excited about that and then look for the upcoming books around yielded yielded with purpose. God bless you all. Thank you for joining us. And just remember that women world leaders, podcasts are copyrighted. All the content is copyrighted by women, world leaders and cannot be used without expressed written consent. Have a nice day. God bless you and we will see you next Monday.
God's Word tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. But what does that really mean? Learning that our identity and self-worth are in Him is a life-long lesson and journey. And what we are going through is exactly that, what we are going through. We are children of God, loved and adored by HIm. No matter what we are going through in life, God is ever-present and aware of our problems and needs even when we can't "feel" it. The world needs you to be who you were meant to be!
John the Baptist was beheaded. Does that mean that Herod won? This scripture is full of evil plots, sin, and power-hungry moves. Let’s walk through this and unravel it step by step as we seek to uncover the lesson that God has for us. (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 3:19-20)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, a Women World Leaders’ Podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am so happy you have joined us!
Women World Leaders is a worldwide ministry whose mission is to empower YOU to walk in your God-given purpose. Kimberly Hobbs started this ministry as a Bible Study in her home, but God had bigger plans! As the number of women involved in the ministry increased, God continued to empower us to reach even more for Him. Besides this three-tiered podcast, which focuses on teaching, inspiration, and encouragement, we also offer an array of tools to help you grow. Please visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com or our Facebook page under the name Women World Leaders to find out more about how God may be calling you to be empowered and to use the gifts He has given you to empower others. We have leaders from around the world and offer opportunities to grow as a writer, artist, musician, speaker, event-coordinator, prayer-warrior, financial consultant, … the list goes on and on. Our biggest endeavor, however, is growing together as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today, you have landed on Walking in the Word. This is our 15-20 minute Bible Study podcast. Each Wednesday, we take a deep dive into a few Scripture verses, and we take a deep breath as we ask God to guide us through and teach us what He wants us to know today from His Word. We are currently walking through the gospels chronologically. Please know that once we put up a podcast, your donations allow us to keep it available to you. So no matter what platform you are listening on, you can always go back and relisten to a particular teaching that God may be calling you to. These podcasts can be a great tool to help you start your own Bible study! Some of the best discussions I have been involved in throughout my life have centered around Scripture. We would LOVE to hear how you are using the podcast! Drop me a note at julie@womenworldleaders.com and let me know.
Today’s scripture reads much like a soap opera. There are steamy characters, betrayal, thwarted love, and even murder. Who ever said that the Bible is boring has simply never read it. Today we are talking about John the Baptist’s death as we study Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, and Luke 3:19-20.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…thank you for giving us your Word to study together. God, we know that the Bible is living and active, meaning that though it was written years ago, it’s teachings are relevant to us today, and will always be relevant to those who read and study it. We acknowledge that the words we are reading today were breathed by You and that, as we read, you will unveil the lessons that you want us to learn. God, I pray that you take my own thoughts out of this teaching and allow me to present only Your thoughts. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Matthew 14 in the New Living Translation begins…
14 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[a] heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”
We just finished reading about Jesus sending out His disciples, giving them His power to preach as well as to heal and cast out evil. As they traveled, we can surmise that news of Jesus and His followers reached Herod Antipas, who was the ruler over the area where Jesus ministered. And this news scared Herod – sending him into a guilt-induced speculation that Jesus was actually John the Baptist resurrected. This kind of makes no sense…because Herod was a Sadducee, so he didn’t even believe in resurrection…and WE know that John the Baptist and Jesus were born nearly at the same time, that John foretold of Jesus’ ministry, and even had baptized Him. But truly…there isn’t much about Herod Antipas that makes sense.
Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, who had 10 wives and many sons…all named Herod! Herod the Great was notoriously evil and had no problem killing his wives or children. You may remember Herod the Great as the Herod who, fearing he would lose his power, ordered all the babies in Bethlehem to be killed after he learned that the new King of the Jews had been born. God protected baby Jesus by sending an angel to Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, and telling him to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt.
So Herod Antipas, who we are reading about today, had clearly come from a long line of evil and power-hungry egotism.
When Herod the Great had died, his kingdom was divided among three of his sons. Herod Antipas, being one of them, became a “tetrarch”- which meant a ruler over a fourth of the kingdom, at the age of 17. Throughout his reign of 30 years, Herod Antipas craved more and more power. As part of that craving, he married his first wife, the daughter of an Arabian King, to gain a political advantage.
But fifteen years later, while visiting his brother Herod Philip, a civilian in Rome, Herod Antipas fell in love with Herod Philip’s wife, his own sister-in-law who also happened be his half-niece and was named…wait for it…Herodias!
Herodias, who was also power-hungry and conniving, was game for the new marriage with her brother-in-law, but on the condition that Herod Antipas divorce his current wife.
So now we have a NEW power-couple, so-to-speak…Herod Antipas and Herodias. And their conniving and evil ways fed into each other.
Remembering that our scripture began with Herod Antipas succumbing to a guilt-induced speculation that Jesus is the resurrected John the Baptist? As we read on, we see where that guilt comes from. What is recorded next is a flashback…and it had been festering in Herod Antipas’ conscience.
Matthew 14:3…
3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.”
Mark 6:19-20 fill in some of the details for us…
Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, 20 for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him
This is fascinating to me! We just uncovered the evil and confusion that existed in this family, and yet, Mark writes that Herod Antipas RESPECTED John the Baptist and he protected him because he knew that he was a GOOD and HOLY man. And even though what John had to say disturbed Herod…He still LIKED to listen to him!
Luke tells us that John publicly warned the people of Herod’s sin of marrying his brother’s wife, which displayed John’s own loyalty as a prophet of God. But John also courageously spoke truth directly to Herod AFTER he was imprisoned for speaking truth PUBLICLY. John advised Herod that marrying his brother’s wife was against scripture. Herod WAS a Jew, so it should have mattered. And he listened. God was working on Herod. Despite Herod’s evil ancestry and his worldly sins, God did not give up on him. And our God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, hasn’t given up on you either.
Herod listened, but he turned away without response.
It isn’t enough to listen to God, and then turn away. God calls us each to respond.
What is God trying to tell you today? How is He asking YOU to respond?
Matthew continues in 14:5…
5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
So Herod CONTINUED to listen to John…who was speaking for God…but he also continued living his life as usual. Herod had built a royal palace meant for lavish entertaining, and then he proceeded to use it for a lavish pagan celebration – his own birthday party. Mark tells us this party was full of high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. This was no doubt a raucous event with plenty of alcohol to go around.
It was normal, at a party such as this, to put slave girls on display as they danced sensually for the pleasure of the men.
But as we have seen, the Herodian family was not quite normal, and they certainly lacked family values. And as Herodias was seeking power…she sent her daughter out to be the entertainment. Her likely pre-teen daughter. And the men were indeed entertained. And Herod gave her great praise.
Matthew 14:6 continues…
6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.
Mark records that Herod said to the young girl…“Ask me for anything you like, and I will give it to you.” 23 He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!”
24 She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?”
Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!”
25 So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!”
Herodias was seeking power herself. She saw the relationship building between John the Baptist and Herod. John had actually been imprisoned for two years by this time. Herod had plenty of time to listen to John’s teaching and respond. He listened. But he didn’t respond.
And then, through a string of bad decisions, Herod’s path was determined.
Herod gave into his desire for power and control and married his first wife for political reasons.
Then he gave into his lust and married his brother’s wife.
Next, Herod heard John’s public warning, and, as a favor to his wife, had John imprisoned.
He then sat and listened to John, a man he respected as good and holy – but Herod refused to respond and, instead, allowed his heart to continue to harden.
Then Herod threw a raucous pagan party, and promised the young, promiscuous dancer, who was also his wife’s daughter, anything she wanted.
And she asked for John’s head. In front of the government officials, army officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
From the depths of his hard heart, he now had no choice. Mark continues in 6:26…
26 Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison, 28 brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother. 29 When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.
Matthew ends this section with…
Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.
John was a good, upstanding man. A righteous prophet who was courageous and faithful. And he was beheaded.
Herod Antipas was a wicked, weak, and confused man who had every opportunity to listen and respond to John’s teaching. He did listen. But he refused to respond and enjoyed his fun in the sun.
Who won?
History tells us that Herod Antipas’ divorce from his first wife led to a border war and serious military losses. And Herodias continued to cajole him into attempting to gain more power; but instead of becoming king, in the end he was removed from power and banished to Gaul, where he died.
But more importantly than that, we saw Herod’s heart harden. It is never up to us to say that someone is with or without an eternity in heaven. But we don’t have any record that Herod did turn to Jesus. And that is the biggest loss of all. God gave Herod EVERY opportunity, and he turned away again and again.
God DOES pursue each of us. But it is up to each individual to not only listen, but to respond. And make no doubt about it, although our God is patient, there will be a time when it will be too late to respond.
If you refuse to listen to God, your heart will grow harder day by day, until you can no longer hear His call.
AND the fact is that God can simply close the door at any moment – because the end times are coming and none of us know when our last breath on this earth will be. And then, no matter how ready you are, if you haven’t already responded, it will be too late.
So in this twisted drama, who won? John was beheaded – but he is spending his eternity with God in heaven.
Herod Antipas enjoyed the party and the power – but he died alone, and to our knowledge without turning to God.
Are you on the winning track? Have YOU listened and responded to Jesus’ call? If not…will you now? Before it is too late?
Oh most gracious Lord and Savior…we come to you today with humble hearts asking you to break the strongholds in our lives. Asking you to allow us to hear You and giving us the courage to respond. God, we confess that we are sinners in a broken world. We confess that without you, we are alone and our lives are empty. Jesus, enter our hearts. Forgive our sins. And set us on a path of resolution with you. We thank you for your guidance and for giving each of us the next steps to respond to your grace with courage. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
From self-centered to more of a self-less life through God's direction, our guest Stacy Thomas has learned to be bold and courageous in sharing her faith. Step out of your comfort zone and step into an ability to share your faith as Joshua 1:9 commands. Be bold and courageous. * Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women world leaders. Ladies, we are so grateful that you have decided to join us today. And we would love to welcome our guests today. Who is Stacy Thomas from? Where are you from stays in my city Beach, Florida Animos city, I knew it was Florida. I just forgot this the city. So welcome, Stacy.
Stacy Thomas
Thank you for inviting me. I'm really appreciative.
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, you're appreciative that you're here. So, ladies, it's all about sharing our stories to encourage each other what God has done in and through our lives. That is who we are at women, world leaders, we want to come beside you encourage you empower you, strengthen, strengthen you through the power of the Word of God. We believe that he is working in you giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. That's actually a scripture from Philippians 213. And what does God say in Revelations 1211, he says that they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And we believe that by sharing our testimonies that we can overcome him which is the enemy of our lives, and we share our testimonies and oh my goodness, what comes out of it is just amazing. And others can relate and, and help you know draw their relationship closer to the Lord as well. So, so ladies, we are so happy to have you and I just want to share a little bit about Stacey before. She shares a little bit about her story with you because today we're going to talk about being bold and courageous. And Stacey is a wife and a mother of three and she's been a pediatric occupational therapist for 27 years and is currently serving in the level three NICU unit. Stacy served as the ministry leader at her local Celebrate Recovery for seven years. She has assisted with establishing community based nonprofit ministries such as backport blessings and protect our preemies. Stacy has multiple publications in a local Christian magazine ad and has co published in the APTA professional research journal. Stacey enjoys spending time traveling with her husband visiting her children hiking and outdoor activities. And one of her scripture verses that is special to her is Psalm 91 Two, which says He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in him will I trust. So as I was sharing, ladies, today, we're going to talk about being bold and courageous. And if you're anything like me, I had a difficult time because I have always felt unworthy and worthy to talk out and share about my faith. Because of my past. And I know in speaking with Stacey, her and I shared some of the same past and that just lacking confidence. But Joshua one nine says, Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, be bold, do not be afraid. And Tracy was an only child growing up. So she was in this kind of self absorbed place. But after growing in the Lord in him intervening in her life, he has taken her from this self centered place to now being more selfless. It's this growth process that we all need to go through. And she is learning how to be a selfless human being. And today Stacey is going to share a little bit about in her story about how God has drawn her closer to him. Stacey, can you share about that a little bit?
Stacy Thomas
Thank you, Kimberly. Yeah, just to give you a little background, I, like Kimberly said was born and only child to very young parents who were on their way to college and life changed quickly for them because of that decision. And through a difficult delivery. Long story short, I ended up having some difficulties and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. So mild case but still have some challenges with my physical abilities. I always did well in school, and really learn to overcompensate there with my grades trying to meet the demands of fitting in. So over the years of being an only child and my parents were working and going to school, I learned to become more self sufficient. And I never really had to be challenged in any way with confrontation because there were no siblings to have confrontation with. And I guess I could say I was probably a fairly easy child, I didn't have much conflict with my parents growing up. So I grew up believing that I was in control, and that I was independent, and that I could do whatever needed to be done. And I carried that into my adulthood. I knew who Jesus was, but I did not have a relationship with him growing up in high school friends, who went to church would invite me I would go, but honestly speaking, it was more for the socialization, and just being able to fit in somewhere than it truly was about making myself a relationship with Jesus. went away to college, five hours away, no cell phones, and I was large and in charge of my own life and not doing it very well. Really kind of let go of some morals that my parents had instilled in me and being a number one party school, University of Florida, tended to hang up those morals and just do everything I could to fit in with the people around me. So over time, after marriage, and having kids and my children really were the gifts that God gave me, that made me want to have a closer relationship with God, because I wanted them to. And that's what really kind of led me to start going to church and pursuing God a little bit more. But even on the Wednesdays, and Sundays that I was there and serving, I still kept a
Unknown Speaker
wall up
Stacy Thomas
between me and had a lot of expectation on others had a fairly critical spirit on me and, and didn't give a lot of grace at that time. And so God began talking to me about that in my late 30s. So that's kind of in a nutshell. And
Kimberly Hobbs
and I know through our conversation, Stacy and talking to you, you are sharing about that time where God started speaking to you and listening to podcasts, which we know are very helpful. Ladies, these podcasts are so helpful to us, aren't they, and I am just so grateful for them. Please pray for us as we do these podcasts. But you were listening to podcasts in your life, Stacy, and God was speaking to you. And then you are also sharing how you did a study in the zekiel. And one of the words that was jumping out at you as the word telling. And Ezekiel was talking about that in his book about being telling to be bold, and stand up and speak up, instead of being full of pride and talking from a self centered place. How did you do that? Stacy? How did he do this through you?
Stacy Thomas
Well, God led me to a ministry called Celebrate Recovery about 10 years ago, and my church had started it. I was one of those people that said, I'm not one of those people. And finally, God just led me there really, truly with a desire to fix my marriage and fix my husband. But God showed me that that was not my job. And hey, let's look at these things in your heart a little bit. So after some time doing the steps there and realizing that I had some hurts that I needed to deal with, and some anger to deal with. The Lord led me through that and to a much healthier place. And since then, my studies have included podcasts have included small groups. And recently, last year, he said, I want you to study zekiel And I said, God, what? And so I kind of pushed back in my old Stacy way of pushing back from things and sat on it for a bit. And then this past month podcast that I listened to started a lit study on a zekiel. And I realized, Okay, God, you put me up this put this before me again. So I was obedient and began to study on the podcast. And yes, I had no idea what Ezekiel looked like for my life, but he has opened my eyes to realizing that he's not putting me out into the world to fix people, like I have done in my job that's been a requirement as an occupational therapist is to fix the injury, fix the development of the child, whatever it may be, but that my role as a Christian is not to fix people, but to tell people who he is and the love that He has for others. And for me And so I'm learning a new habit of just being able to go out and share and not have to be a scholar in the word not have to be a Theo theology, but use my testimony, use my story, use my experiences, to show people how much God loves us, and how much his purpose for us is for good, but also for the kingdom and helping others come to know who he is.
Kimberly Hobbs
That's so true, so true. And thank you, I am so grateful that God impressed upon your heart, that you needed to turn things around and to start to speak truth into people in the place that God has brought you. And you are now doing that inside the NICU unit. And God brings you to women that are there. There's reasons why some of these babies are born. So premature, and there are problems associated with those children. And sometimes the the pregnancies and it gives you the ability to speak truth into their lives. And I'm just very grateful for that. So out of your place of rejection and different things that you've had to deal with in your life of fear that you can now speak truth into these women who are rejected and afraid. And God gives you these opportunities. So the Bible says when fear a mobilizes us, ladies, like when you are afraid to do something, just as I believe Stacey, in hearing her testimony, was afraid to step out in that faith and to be bold. And to be courageous. The Bible says when fear a mobilizes you to do something, ladies, don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you and He will be with you. And he will neither fail you nor abandon you. And that's Deuteronomy 31. Eight. Stacy, can you give us some examples how God embolden you in your career? Like maybe in the NICU? Like do you have a story you could share with us about God giving you that boldness at a certain moment to step out and share about him?
Stacy Thomas
Oh, wow, there's so many opportunities. First, I want to share a scripture. Second Corinthians one four is kind of the scripture that I stand on now for my work. And it says, who comforts us in all our tribulations so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. And to me that says that he's calling us to use our testimony to help people understand and have hope that they are not alone. In the NICU, I come across mothers who, you know, most women, you know, have an expectation of I'm going to get pregnant, I'm going to carry this baby for 40 weeks, and there's going to be a baby shower, and there's going to be a now there's these baby reveals, and you know, all these fun things that are supposed to happen along the way and pictures and whatnot. And when that baby comes, we're going to spend a couple of days in the hospital, we're going to take them home to the nursery and things are going to be grand, our moms, whether it be because of prematurity or some other medical issue with the babies tend to have to have go to the NICU and have a different experience. And it's an experience where they absolutely have no control over the circumstances that they're facing this little human being that, that we that we take gratefully from God, and in some ways own in our own minds, is has to be at the mercy of the people who were taking care of it at that point. And so we have to bring to them a place of knowing that they can trust us. And how many women and men dads that I've talked to have trust issues. And so it's a very difficult time. So I've been able to use in so many ways, my experience of having cerebral palsy myself and having a developmental delay in my physical ability, being able to tell parents who are facing those worst case scenarios and say, hey, my parents face this too. And they were told I'd never walk. Or I might never walk. But look at me now. And so I'm able to use my visually use and show them that though this looks really grim right now, God took what happened to me, and he turned that into something good. So a perfect example was we had a baby who was born extremely premature. 24 weeks, her biological mother signed her rights away and she became a word of the state who was adopted. She was not doing well. She had a lot of difficulties. She was at the age where she was able to start learning to eat by mouth. And she just had no desire, she really didn't wake up much. And adoptive family was assigned to her, they came up and they immediately wanted to hold her. within 24 hours, we saw that baby turn around. Within eight hours, we saw that babies start to eat. And we were able to talk about how the love and affection that that family gave her. And the trust that they had for the process allowed them to be able to turn that baby around. And isn't that just the way that Jesus does with us?
Kimberly Hobbs
Oh, yes, yes, that his arms
Stacy Thomas
and he loves us. And all of the circumstances that we are in all of the tribulations that we are facing, just melt away. And we're able to surrender it all to him. And he turns it around in our life.
Kimberly Hobbs
He does. He does. It's all about love. It is all about love. And I just I was flooded with goosebumps when you said that. And I can just imagine that scenario, because that's how God created us, we need to be loved. And we need to show love. And that little baby felt that love that human touch that genuine love for it. And look at what God did in that situation. Wow. Wow, that's beautiful. And to take it
Stacy Thomas
further that is to have moderate to severe cerebral palsy based on the medical findings of her brain that we had seen on scans. And before she left, all evidence of brain damage was gone. Wow. And those parents embrace that as a miracle from God. And, and you know, and so not only do we have the opportunity to talk about God and His love for us and connect those dots, but then there's, you know, people that come to us that have the same ability to minister into our lives. And that's what I love about the kingdom is that we have opportunities outside where people who may not know Jesus, we have opportunities, to boldly bring it to them, but also within our own community of Christians, we need to be encouraging each other and loving on one another and accepting one another right where we are, instead of expecting another to be somewhere or doing something a certain way.
Kimberly Hobbs
It's so true, we cannot have a judgmental attitude or anything, it's all about loving one another and having that boldness, again, encouraged to step out and just embrace another with love, speak the truth into their life. It's so important. You know, we see it from the moment we're born, obviously, with what you see Stacy in your career and, and you see it all through life, you see it through the mothers lives who are giving birth, you know, that maybe feel so broken, you know, delivering this child and, and rejected and whoever, you know, who knows what that woman is going through, but you have the ability, Stacy to love on them, God has put you in a place where he is using you and all of your past things in your life. To now speak love and truth into other women. And ladies, that's what we need to look for is in our own life. What are you doing? Where are you right now in your life, that God can allow you to open your mouth and speak love and truth from his word into others lives, that's what will change their lives. That's what will impact them and turn their situations around. It's his love. It's the power through his word that will do that. And we are just so grateful, Stacy for you doing that? And do you have any other examples maybe that you want to share? Because these examples again, just give such a profound? Ah, you know, like, wow, you know, I get it. I see it. I see what God's doing in that situation. About speaking boldness and to somebody.
Stacy Thomas
Yeah. So one of the scriptures that I really have held on to for a long time, as James 122 says, Don't just be hearers of the word but be doers of the word. And just like an zekiel zekiel was tasked not with going in and fixing the broken nation, but he was tasked with going in and telling about God and what God's promises were and and God muted him for that purpose. He was only allowed to speak when he was sharing what God wanted share. And for me that that stood very tall for me because I've always you know, my profession requires me to People, whether it be their injury or whatever, are these babies. And so, I take that seriously, because now my new habit is to go and tell, go tell it up upon the mountain, right. So, but you know, one of the things we have to remember is that we are loved and he forgives us. And he gives a second chances. He shows us mercy and compassion and his heart is softened towards us. And that's something that we have to remember to do as well. You know, there are women that come through the unit, who have been doing drugs, and for a long time in their life, they may have been shunned, and they may have been judged and, and when they come to the unit, we have to know that they didn't, they weren't little girls that grew up thinking, Oh, when I grow up, I want to be a drug addict. They something happened in their life that created this for them. And we have an opportunity to help them become the women that God has purposed them to be. And that baby might be the reason why they are there to hear from us that they are loved, and that they are accepted, and they are forgiven. We can empower these women to have a purpose beyond that drug that they're addicted to. And we can help them. And so that's that's a big part of my heart after being involved in Celebrate Recovery as a ministry leader is that just letting people know whether it be a man or a woman that they have such great value in this world, beyond the circumstances are in the moment. And so that asked us to be those people who come alongside others who are downtrodden, and who are hurting. And they let them know that they are loved spite what has happened in their past.
Kimberly Hobbs
As ladies, I believe, that's a calling on all of us, that we need to step out in prayer. And if you're not a bold person, if you're tend to be quiet, and you let others just, you know, no step out and ask God to help you be bold and courageous. And that you would step out of that comfort zone for Jesus cuz it is our it's our job, I guess you'd say, you know, as believers as those in relationships with Jesus, that we talk to somebody that we normally may not talk to, you know, our pray with a family member, a friend or a co worker such as Stacey does, she's bold, and she steps out where God has her right now, in that Nick unit and with boldness, she's praying with others, she is loving them and loving them to Jesus. And true boldness, ladies is centered in Christ, not ourselves. And sometimes we're so focused on ourselves, or what are people gonna think of us are, you know, I'm not a speaker, or I don't know, a whole lot of Scripture what, but just take that first step and just ask God to go with you, and speak out about him. And you're going to watch how he's going to be right there with you. He's going to give you our triggers something in your mind that you're going to say, because you prayed about it, and you asked him for that boldness. So the CC Can you just give us a give these ladies an encouraging word from your heart, how they can step out in that boldness just like you are you are in a place where you were, you were afraid to do that, because all the focus was on yourself. You grew up that way. But God turned it around. So how can you encourage our listening audience to step out in that boldness?
Stacy Thomas
Um, I think the main thing that we have to remember is that God is never going to lead us into anything that is for to hurt us. So start feeling afraid, I realized that is from the enemy, and the enemy loves to distract us with fear. Yeah, yes. So if you know if God is calling if the Holy Spirit is putting it on my heart to talk to somebody or to say something in particular, the first thing I do is I pray about it. Because I want to be sure that my words are helpful and not hurtful, and that they come across with the right motives. And so I checked my heart, and I asked God to show me the way that would be a way to, to enlighten him in this person's life. And then I have to take that step. And, and that step is is sometimes very hard, and sometimes it's very easy, and I will be honest, sometimes it's the people that I'm the closest with that I have the hardest time being bold with. I come from a place of not wanting to disrupt the applecart, you know, and I come from a place of wanting that accepted And, and needing to know that people are happy with me. But God is really leading me out of that. And, and And ladies, if you if you wonder how I got here, it's been through just really listening to God and learning how to be obedient. And sometimes I thought, am I even hearing him. But there was always a time that he would come alongside me and make it clear in some way, even through telling me to read the book of Ezekiel, which I did not understand whole lot of before the surgery, and I still don't, but being able to just say, You know what, I'm going to take a chance on God, because what else do I what do I have to lose there? Because he's always for me, he's never against me, always. And I spent too many years living in fear and living afraid of what might happen. And now knowing that that fear comes from the enemy. It's just a matter of taking a deep breath, thanking God, loving God and saying, God, my life is surrendered for you and your will test and that word, and those 100 Steps come in baby steps. He's not going to require us to jump off the cliff into some sort of ministry or jump off the cliff into some sort of evangelism. He's just asking us to have conversations and share our story.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. Amen. Yes, ladies, and thank you. Thank you so much, Stacy for sharing that and encouraging and it does, it requires humility, again, ladies rather than pride. And realize that you can be bold in your faith, be bold in your faith, and I just have a couple scriptures I wanted to share as we close here, the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. And that's proverbs 28. One, be bold, as a lion, ladies, God will give you that confidence, you can do it, you just need to step out and be courageous. Acts for 31 reminds us that after they pray, they were shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly. So one thing that Stacy and I were both sharing was pray, pray about it, as she is there in the NICU, and things are right in front of her situations that she doesn't have any control over, she goes to God and prayer and ask God to how is he going to use me here? What am I going to say, Lord, and then God speaks through her, he will do that for you too, if you ask him to. So remember that ladies, that's our duty, we need to be bold and courageous, and share our faith wherever we are, where ever we are in this world. And this is a tool that I hope might help you. Two years ago, we women world leaders put put out a book called courageous steps of faith. And these women, there's many women in this book that have shared their stories of being bold, and courageous and stepping out in faith and doing something amazing for the Lord. And we believe that all of us, all of us have that ability to do it. If you would like to get this book to encourage you and inspire you. It is available through our website at women, world leaders calm and it and we ask that you get it through our website, it is available on Amazon as well. But it has become a number one bestseller. And we are very grateful for that. But that's because God has shown favor and this book has been prayed over and we believe it will be a very useful tool tool to you if you need that little encouragement to step out and be bold, courageous steps of faith. And that's with God. All things are possible. We do believe that with all of our heart, ladies. And one other thing that we have for you that would be a great inspiration. And again, full of Scripture full of encouragement is our magazine that comes out once a quarter now. And it is called voice of truth. It is available digitally outside of the United States around the world, through women world leaders.com. And you can get your free copy if you are within the United States. And that is by going to women world leaders.com voice of truth and then there's a place where you can sign up leave us your name, address and email address which we do not share. But please ladies also if you receive Voice of Truth last year, this year, we need to have you re submit your name and address and email to continue receiving it. And our next edition is coming out in May. So please ladies, make sure that you get yourself Rhys re signed up for Voice of Truth or if you want it Please go to our website at women world leaders calm. So in closing again, thank you so much Stacy Thomas for joining us. And Stacy is going to be one of the authors and the upcoming book for this year which is called surrendered, yielded with purpose. So we are so excited that chair, Stacey is going to share her story. So thank you, Stacey, for your willingness to say yes to Jesus and to serve. Lady desires a place for you to serve here within this ministry and we invite each and every one of you to join us at women world leaders.com Or join us in our Facebook group. And just look for women world leaders on Facebook and asked to come into the group and we will gladly let you in. Ladies, we are so happy to have you and again from his heart to yours. We are women world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed written consent. God bless you each Thank you for listening. And please don't forget we have our teaching podcasts every Wednesday by Julie Jenkins. And we also have encouraging podcasts every Friday and Celebrating God's Grace. So ladies, please we have podcasts for you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays please be sure to join us at Women World Leaders podcast. Thank you and God bless you
Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified Relationship Coach, shares about the impact that betrayal has on your life personally and relationally, and how understanding forgiveness can set you free from the consequences of betrayal.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast.
I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and today I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. I want to talk to you about the consequences of betrayal and it’s antidote, but first, let’s go to God in prayer.
Father God, betrayal is a heavy topic, and it is one we know you know a lot about. Help us today to trust in your word and understand the impact that forgiveness can have on our lives and on the lives of the people who are part of our every day life. We praise you and thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Trust is at the heart of every relationship. It forms a solid foundation for the relationship to grow. However, when trust is broken, a person feels betrayed. They become vulnerable and feel the need to protect themselves.
Psalm 55:12-14 says: “If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God, as we walked about
among the worshipers.”
It’s difficult enough to be hurt by someone, but when it is someone you have trusted your heart with in some way, it leaves a feeling of betrayal. We believe that those we love are in our lives to nourish our soul, and when they do something that defies the intimacy we thought we shared with them, the result is betrayal.
I had a series of betrayals from childhood into my early thirties. I was raised in a dysfunctional home. My mother suffered with mental illness, and my father traveled for several months at a time in his career, so I was left behind at an early age to care for my mom without any skills to know how to dodge her constant contempt towards me. In hindsight, she wasn’t mad at me; she was angry at her inability to cope with life, but I was the easy target.
I left home as soon as I was able, into the arms of a man who physically abused me. With spiritual counsel, I left that relationship, and within a short period of time, I was married to my high school sweetheart and raising a family. Thirteen years later, he ended the marriage and left me a single mother with three children. Desperate, I remarried quickly only to discover I married a man with multiple addictions and mental illness. Our relationship was like a roller coaster.
With each breakup, another layer of mistrust was added to my broken heart. The price of betrayal is high: it left me feeling anxious, insecure, and unsure about my ability to discern who to let into my inner circle – which relationships would be safe for me?
What happens when we experience betrayal?
One of the things that can happen is HYPERVIGILANCE. We are on the alert for anyone who might stab us in the back, we become self-conscious of what others think of us, and we doubt our ability to discern relationships.
A second thing that happens is we become SUSPICIOUSNESS OF GOD, OURSELF, AND OTHERS.
We mistrust others when they give us compliments, even feeling vulnerable when they do. We don’t trust others, and we especially don’t trust ourselves. Sometimes we even have difficulty trusting God.
A third thing that can happen is we have a lot of DISTORTON AND DENIAL. We lack the ability to read other people. We do not trust our own intuition, and we allow others to tell us what we are feeling instead of adequately verbalizing our own feelings. We excuse other people’s behaviors, even protect them when they are wrong, and often are very judgmental about our own.
Another consequence of betrayal is that we have LOST HOPE FOR INTIMACY.
WE conclude that relationships cannot really be trusted or enjoyed, and we expect them to be temporary. WE might have many friends, but that doesn’t mean we let them know our true feelings. We may keep relationships on a surface level because we are afraid if we get close again, we will be betrayed again. We may struggle with having a deep intimate relationship with God.
The fifth consequence of betrayal is a LOST HOPE FOR STRENGTH AND JUSTICE. We sometimes think because of what happened to us that God is unjust. We beat ourselves up for trusting the person who turned out to be untrustworthy. We protect ourselves instead of depending on someone else to help protect us.
When we have been deeply betrayed, we are in danger of any of these until we exercise the antidote to betrayal.
Does God understand betrayal?
God has experienced rejection and betrayal since time began. Starting with Genesis, He was first betrayed in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to disobey him in favor of the serpent. They didn’t disobey God because they didn’t like God – they disobeyed God because they believed a lie.
In Hosea, God asks Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman. She leaves him and becomes a prostitute, but because of his redeeming love for her, he buys her back. The unfaithful wife didn’t have anything against Hosea – she didn’t know her worth and so she went back to the only life she thought she deserved.
God did not pour out His wrath on us when we were disobedient. Instead, he sent his Son – God came down in human form to heal, forgive, and embrace humanity. While he was here, there were twelve disciples who became his intimate friends, but one would surely betray him. Jesus himself understands betrayal – and what was his response: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
What is the antidote: The antidote is FORGIVENESS.
One of the things to remember when you are betrayed is that while it was done to YOU, it was never about YOU. The person did what they did because they were thinking more about themselves than they were about you. They had a need to operate in their own sin of self-protective behaviors, greed, threats, physical or emotional harmful behaviors, instead of choosing you. This often leaves you feeling worthless, helpless, and unlovable.
It is really difficult, almost impossible, to forgive the person for their actions. Forgiving my father, for example, doesn’t change the fact that he left me over and over again in one of the most vulnerable times of my childhood. Forgiving my mother for being mentally ill doesn’t change the fact that she suffered from schizophrenia. And forgiving my husband who beat me mentally and physically doesn’t change his actions towards me.
You see forgiveness is not about their actions. Forgiveness never changes the story. Forgiveness does not let them off the hook for what they did to you. AND forgiveness does not mean you have to reconcile the relationship. That is a different topic for another day.
In order to exercise forgiveness, it’s important that you understand what forgiveness really is, and what you are forgiving.
Matthew 6:14 (NAS)
14 For if you forgive other people for their [a]offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NAS)
32 Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven [a]you.
Forgiveness is a command by our Heavenly Father to forgive others because He has forgiven us. The first thing that walking in forgiveness does is it keeps us in right relationship with God. Having a forgiving heart opens the channels of God’s mercy and grace to flow through us to others.
When you forgive someone, you are not forgiving them for their action. Forgiving them doesn’t change what they did. You are forgiving them for the consequences that you experienced because of their action. I forgave my dad for the abandonment I felt because of his constant departure from his family responsibilities. I forgave my mother for the anxiety and insecurity I experienced because of her wrath towards me. I forgave my ex-husband for the trauma I experienced and distrust I was about to carry into my next relationship.
I also had to forgive myself for acting codependently, feeling responsible for other people’s choices, and lacking boundaries that healthy relationships possess.
You see, forgiveness is more for you than the other person. It changes your heart and mind. When I forgave my dad for the abandonment I felt, I didn’t carry feelings of abandonment into my next relationship. When I forgave my mom, I was able to have trusting, intimate relationships with other women. When I forgave my ex for the lack of trust it caused me to experience, I began to trust again.
I learned that forgiveness is for me – not them. Forgiveness breaks the chain that binds me to the individual that hurt me, and they stop living rent free in my head. Forgiveness allows me to set them free to find their own relationship with God and allow Him to change their heart and mind. I’m not responsible for what happens in their lives; that’s between them and God. Their judgment will come from Him – not me.
In order to properly forgive, you have to take the time to assess what happened to you because of their actions, and then you can step through the forgiveness process, knowing what you are forgiving.
Unforgiveness weaved a tangled web in our lives and relationships. Forgiveness was designed by God to set us free us from those entanglements.
Forgiveness releases you from the desire to get revenge on the person who hurt you.
Releasing betrayal and embracing forgiveness changed my life. It helped me to live authentically, free from condemnation of the past, free to embrace vulnerability in new relationships. Releasing betrayal and embracing forgiveness allowed me to love again. My husband of 22 years has been the light of my life, and we have been on a journey of letting Jesus be the constant thread in our marriage. The result has been a life of love, and a life of serving others in ministry. It’s amazing what God can do when you surrender your will to His.
If you have experienced any kind of betrayal in your past, take the time to assess the damage, and take the steps of forgiveness to keep your heart and mind free. Take the time to receive the free gift that God has given you – the gift of forgiveness.
I would love to hear from you – drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com and let me know your ideas for future podcasts.
Thanks for listening to Celebrating God’s Grace. Join us for podcasts each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
Do you ever feel like you are up against a brick wall and nobody knows? That nobody sees or cares what you are going through? Jesus knows, and Jesus cares! He sent you on a mission and gave you a purpose. And He knew it wouldn’t be easy. That’s why He assured us of His presence and told us not to be afraid! (Matthew 10:16-42)
Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for loving us and for guiding us through this study today. Father, we confess that we are flawed and sinful, and we ask you now to cleanse us of any sin, that there may not be a barrier between us as you teach and guide us. Lord, we want to hear from you! And we thank you for always meeting us where we are. I ask you to take over this teaching and allow us to hear directly from you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
If you were with us last week, you might remember that we saw Jesus entrust His disciples with His authority as He sent them out into the world to cast out evil spirits, heal diseases and illness, and tell the world of the Kingdom of God.
We learned that Jesus had a plan – for His disciples then and for us today.
And although His disciples might have walked away sure-footed and ready to bless the world, Jesus knew that they would have days when that feeling of empowerment waned, and the world came against them. And He wanted to prepare them for those rough times…the times they were tired…weary even…and for those times when they wondered if they were, indeed, doing the right thing.
Who of us hasn’t asked, even if not out loud, “If I’m doing what God wants me to, why is this so hard? And why do all the cards seem stacked against me?” If you have been walking with Jesus for more than a single season, you have, no doubt, had ups and downs in your faith life. There are days when I feel like I can conquer the world in Jesus’ name, and there are days when it feels like no matter how hard I work, the world seems to crash against me, and no one seems to notice. I bet you can relate.
If you are in one of those rough times – then today’s scripture lesson is for you! And if you happen to be standing on the mountaintop today…listen anyway. And as you listen, I encourage you to think about those people in your life who may be battling and need an encouraging word. If God puts someone on your heart, perhaps you are being called to send them a link to this podcast or to womenworldleaders.com where they can find this podcast. You might just be the answer to someone’s prayer today.
So, Jesus gave instructions for his disciples to go into the world, but even as He did, He knew what was ahead for them.
Jesus knows that when we step out to follow Him, we will have troubles…BUT He also knows there is a light at the end brighter than we can imagine.
Jesus knows the going will be rough, BUT he knows that glimmers of bright light will shine through along the way…
He knows that there is wickedness in the world, BUT He also knows that God’s glory will outshine the darkness.
So Jesus warned His disciples, gave them instructions, and reminded them to look for the roses, even when there was an abundance of thorns.
Today’s teaching comes from Matthew chapter 10, verses 16-42…let’s begin with verse 16 from the New Living Translation…Jesus said…
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.
…there’s the warning…Jesus knew what His disciples would be up against…and He makes no apologies…but He does give instruction as to how to take those wolves head on…He says…
So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
…but even when we follow His instructions, Jesus warns us…
17 But beware! For you WILL be handed over to the courts and WILL be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.
It’s not starting off so good is it? Jesus says go…but be prepared…because you ARE going to be among wolves and you will be persecuted by the government and even by established religion. That’s NOT good news.
Enter a ray of sunshine…Jesus’ first “but” for us…verse 18…
But THIS will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.[a] 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
When we become followers of God and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we WILL be persecuted…in all walks of life.
Now…this teaching and guidance was given directly to the disciples, but like many of Jesus’ teachings, it can be extrapolated to us today, and even to the end times. The disciples didn’t step into their calling and immediately become persecuted by the government and the religious establishment. And neither will we necessarily. But over the course of history, true followers of Christ have been and WILL be persecuted for speaking the name of Jesus … they have been and will be persecuted by the government AND by established religion.
So we need to be prepared by ALWAYS seeking that PERSONAL one-on-one relationship with Jesus. We can NOT depend on even preachers and teachers to be dialed into the heart of Jesus, but we must test everything we learn by being dialed into Jesus ourselves.
And when we ARE dialed into Jesus, even though we may be persecuted, WE will have the opportunity to tell and teach truth. To those in our government, and even to those in our churches. But, Jesus says it is not just the government and established religion that will turn against truth…it is also our own families… verse 21…
21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.[b] But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
Another ray of hope…another rose among the thorns…When we stay strongly connected to Jesus…He will give us the strength to endure in relationship with Him to the end. And it is that relationship with Jesus that will save us and outlast any earthly relationship. So, Jesus instructs…
23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man[c] will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
In other words…the light will come, even while the followers of Jesus are still battling persecution to shout His name. The fight will go on…and Jesus will win!
Jesus goes on to teach that He knows and understands our persecution, our exhaustion, our just plain bad days. Because He Himself has gone through them…verse 24…
24 “Students[d] are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons,[e] the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
Yet another warning… but also another ray of light…
26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
Jesus instructs us to NOT be afraid, but to take the “secret” of who He is and what a relationship with Him means, and share it with the world…
27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell
WE have the privilege and honor of sharing what a relationship with Jesus means, and we can do so in total confidence that nothing can ever harm our eternal life and relationship with the God of the Universe.
Jesus then encourages us by sharing how very important WE are to GOD…He has numbered every hair on our heads…and when we acknowledge Jesus on earth, HE will acknowledge us in heaven.
Jesus loves US more than anything! And He wants us to love HIM more than anything…more than our own father and mother, more than our own sons and daughters, and CERTAINLY more than ourselves and our own comforts…saying in verse 38…
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; BUT if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
There are many “buts” to being a Christian!
We will walk as sheep among wolves and we will stand trial before kings and governors…BUT as we do, the Holy Spirit will be with us and will give us the words to speak on behalf of Jesus.
We will be betrayed by family and hated by nations, BUT God will be with us and will give us the strength to endure, and He will save us.
We will be called names and threatened, BUT God will be with us and will give us the secret that enables us to walk through the darkness.
We will be forced to choose between those we love and God…BUT, God will be with us, and when we acknowledge God, He will acknowledge us.
There IS going to be a fight and there will be struggles, whether we stand for ourselves or we stand with God. BUT…if we stand with God, in the end HE will overcome our struggles. HE will fight ahead of us. And HE will win.
If we are going to have to be in a battle anyway, we might as well be on the winning team and allow God to fight for us.
Beginning in verse 40, Jesus leaves behind the “buts” and switches to the “ands”…
40 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God,[i] you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
As followers of Christ, we WILL have troubles. But EVERYONE has troubles! The difference we have when we are obedient to Christ is that we are GUARRANTEED to be shown the right path. We are GUARRANTEED that the battles we fight will be WORTHWHILE. We are GUARRANTEED that God is fighting for us. And we are GUARRANTEED to win. Because God wins.
There will be thorns…but when we follow Christ…we are guaranteed the roses.
There will be darkness…but when we follow Christ…we are guaranteed the light!
Let’s pray…
Dear God…thank you for choosing us to be on your team. Thank you for your warnings, your wisdom, your guidance, and your protection. And thank you for giving us the HONOR to fight alongside you. God, I am sorry for those times when I have complained that MY load is too heavy and that I am tired. Thank you for always giving me another chance to serve you with all my heart, mind, and soul. I DO give you this day – lead me where you will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Women World Leaders' Candace Kirkpatrick is a faith-based actress in television and film, but her career wasn't always focused on faith-based films. Candace shares her story of surrendering her career choices and receiving God's provision of a lifetime dream. This podcast interview will inspire you and encourage you in your own journey of faith to always do what is right. (Originally aired Feb. 2021) ** Kimberly Hobbs
Welcome to empowering lives with purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I'm the founder of Women world leaders. And we are just so happy that you are here today and I'd love to welcome our guest, Candace Kirkpatrick. Welcome, Candace.
Candace Kirkpatrick
Hello there. Thanks for having me, Kimberly, I'm happy to be here.
Kimberly Hobbs
And we are so happy that you've joined us. And ladies, we are happy to all come together and for a greater purpose. Our purpose here with these podcast series is to encourage you, strengthen you and empower you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So a verse that I always love to open up with is Ephesians 210, talking about us being God's masterpiece, because each one of us are his masterpiece. But today I want to open with our verse from women, world leaders, which is right there. Ephesians 320, unto him, who's able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine, according to the power that's at work within us. And we truly believe ladies that when you allow that power of the Holy Spirit to work within each and every one of you, God is going to do exceedingly, abundantly above what you can imagine in your life. So to start off, today, I want to share a little bit about our guest, Candace, she is first and foremost a Christ follower. And she is a wife, a mom, she loves to serve Jesus in her calling, which is acting, she's an actress. So as a well known actress in film, and television, Candice has a story behind it all, where she is now in what she is doing in her industry, and how she is here on this podcast to encourage each and every one of you. That's what we're all about is encouraging, right? And we do that by sharing our stories. And God has given us each a story. We believe that with all of our heart, so what is your story? And hopefully you'll be thinking about that today. As Candace shares a little bit about her story. Her parents were divorced at a young age, she was only like four. And they dropped her at nursery school where she began acting in the first grade. And she loved it so much. She continued acting all throughout school, and she graduated high school valedictorian of her whole class. Then she received a full ride on to college, where she studied the arts. And she got received a bachelor's and a master's while at college, and also graduated valedictorian of her college. And that's an achievement. Candace. That's amazing. We are so happy to have you. Man, she started attending top acting schools. She got an agent, she moved to New York, where she started doing different things with her career. She's done shows abroad in London. And she's really, she's received recurring acting parts on soap operas. And all of this, she's done as her faith and walk in Christ continued to grow. So in her love of this industry, some of her acting brought her to various parts. And I wanted to start here and let Candace open up about this. All of the sudden change that God was speaking to her in her life through receiving some of these parts that she was auditioning for. So Candace, please share with us a little bit about that.
Candace Kirkpatrick
Hi, okay, great. Um, after I got my master's, I was at one program for my Bachelor's a different program for my master's, where I did years of Sanford Meisner training. Then I moved to New York got the agent, like you said, and I was doing a lot of work off Broadway and traveling around the world doing shows, including London, as you said, as well as Ukraine. And then I was getting small parts and TV and film these little bitty recurring roles, nothing substantial. But when I came back from my show in London, that is when I started getting more larger roles. And one of them my agent had set me up for a role that had come from Toronto. And it was a huge success in Toronto. And he said, you know, they'd like to see you do take over one of the roles, and I went and saw it. And it was offensive. And I can't say anything nice about it. And so I spoke with my agent and said, I'm sorry, I can't do that. And he's like, Oh, you need to it's very successful. It's very popular. And I said, Have you seen it? And he said, No, I haven't. And I said, please see it. And then he said, You need to separate your religion from your work, oh, boy hurt. And I said, What you go see it, and then we'll discuss it. But that didn't go over very well, then I was also getting some roles, and now in larger roles in TV, and film. And I didn't even know my character, I didn't have a problem with the the character I was portraying the message that the audience would take away what you know, I didn't agree with. And, again, I went to my agent, and he was like, Well, if you won't do it, we'll get somebody who will somebody else who will. So at one point, I honestly thought, oh, I should go ahead and do this. And then I can take that money and use it for something that would honor the Lord. And the Lord spoke to me very clearly, to obey is better than sacrifice and in your can, in your case, Candace, to obey is better than compromise. I don't want you to compromise. Obedience, which is interesting, that word obedience, because I hope I come back to it at the end. Because that's something you know, just radical obedience. So I just laid this script before the Lord and I was like, Lord, I want to honor you, I want my life to honor you. And so some of the things that I was looking at, in that I was reading that before I had just thought was brilliant writing. Now, it was, um, I'm causing this tension in my in my spirit. Because I saw this as even though you could say, I mean, there are a lot of incredible writers. But unless you know who you're grounded in, in the bore, what comes out May not be edifying, and will not be building up of anyone or giving you a message of hope. And so that is when I seriously, I met with pastors and others to say, Okay, I need Godly counsel right now. Because, as you said, I had I started acting when I was three before I even got into first grade. And then I had done that my entire life for, you know, through middle school, elementary school, high school, college graduates. So to say, Lord, are you calling me away from this? And that is when he surrounded me with some prayer warriors.
Kimberly Hobbs
Wow. Well, that that's huge. Because you are at a point in your life where you are like, Okay, do I sacrifice, the love of my life, what I was doing, to walk away, like you said, and not compromise in this, you know, World of this career that I've built, and then follow after God's heart. And so I'm sure that struggle was there, and you needed women to surround you and pray for you and, and others. So, so you did you, you sacrificed, and you became a mom, you raised a family, you started doing some things through these this 20 year journey of moving away from your career at this point for just a little bit, although I think you're going to share with us some of the things that happened through those 20 years, which are pretty cool. So let's go there.
Candace Kirkpatrick
All right. Well, I am sure much counsel, as I said, from pastors, as well, as I had, I was leading some women's prayer, prayer ministries and Bible studies. As I was praying about exiting this industry, and two women that I was very close with came over almost every day to pray with me that I would just delight myself in the Lord that I would love what he had for me, and then I would trust him. And so I was newly married at the time, so I invested in my marriage, we decided worried about having a family, I didn't want anyone raising my family as you stated, you know, I was four when my parents got divorced. And we went between back and forth between our parents. So I wanted to make sure that I was intentional in my children's lives that no one else was raising them. And so during that time, I just continued to pray, Lord, use me however you wish to use me. So I continue to teach. I think I have taught Bible for more than two decades, I was leading prayer ministries within their schools. And I was writing and directing place for searches, as well as like, I did this huge, musical, as well as play for churches. And I was also directing their vacation bible school during the summer and helping write scripts or rewrite scripts and direct for that God was
Kimberly Hobbs
still giving you those, those desires of your heart to play them out. But it was just in a different role right now, because you were now a wife and a mom. And so you had the best of both worlds being able to do this, but doing it as a wife and a mom, but I think that's beautiful.
Candace Kirkpatrick
Yeah. And, and also, I do think it's important. I mean, you know, when he says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he's old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22, six, Amen. Yes. And so I think, to get the word in the child is important. Mm hmm. And I, and I think to, for kids to have a love for the Lord. They can't be just do's and don'ts, Do this, don't do this, don't do this. But when you open up the world to them, like to me, when I read the Bible, it leaps off the page, I just invade everything. It is a live action adventure. And so when you are doing that, and you're presenting these writing scripts, or something where you're bringing the Bible to life, then you're opening up a world for them, to hopefully fall madly in love with the Lord and with His Word. And that was, My desire is that not just my own children, but children at their schools, because I was directing for their schools as well, and for the churches and stuff like that, that they have this love for God. So
Kimberly Hobbs
I love that about you, Candace, you are passionate about pouring into others through what you do. And you found that way to do it while you were raising your children because of the importance of pouring in. And one of the ways I know you are very passionate about studying in the Word, and being a mom in teaching your children about this. But another area that you are passionate in, in why you are where you are today, walking with the Lord talking with the Lord, is because of the importance of prayer in your life, Candace. And because of that importance, I know that somebody's near and dear to you in the movie, the War Room, which, again, you had your ties in with that movie, but you, you developed your own prayer room, in your home. And I thought, wow, this is really neat, where you go to that prayer room on a regular basis, you communicate with the Lord, you have two sides of this closet set up. So I wanted you to share with the women right now the importance of prayer in our life and why it brings us on to what we can do for the Lord, how we can serve Him if we're in communication with him.
Candace Kirkpatrick
Yes. My prayer closet is extremely important to me. And I need to I really want to clarify this. I have been a prayer warrior for as long as I can remember, it's it's breathing to me, I want to be in constant communion with the Lord. Because as Peter said, where else where we go, Lord, for you alone have the word of life. So there's nowhere else I can go. But a tragedy happened in my family in 2018. And it just sent me level on the floor before the Lord. And I mean, you know, I couldn't even draw breath it was and so I can't even describe it. And then I realized, you know, I was not just praying for exams and friendships and you know, for my kids and safety and protection, I was praying on a far deeper level. Okay. And when you mentioned the War Room, I was not a part of that film at all. But I have done. I'm doing a TV pilot with Karen Abercrombie, who is plays Miss Claire of the War Room. So she is an incredible, amazing woman. And I need to share that she is more fiery more passionate in real life than she is in that film. So that just gives you an idea what she is like she's phenomenal. And her passion for the Lord is line love it.
Kimberly Hobbs
I love it. I just have to share this because now that you brought that up in women, world leaders, we in our Facebook group every day we write empowering words to encourage and strengthen the women. And I have shown Miss Karen Abercrombie, who what is her name and the move is Clara, this Clara. I have played that that stint in the kitchen over and over I put it on women world leaders, because when when I get riled up and I'm writing, you know, and I'm passionate about something I'm saying and I'm like we are going to prayer over this or we're doing this, I put that clip on the bottom. And it just inspires the lady. So I'm tickled just like
Candace Kirkpatrick
you should know she's more passionate than that character. Oh my goodness. And so randomly, she just calls me to send me love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love. So anyway, I love that I'm blessed because of her. But anyway, because that movie prompted me with this tragedy to make a prayer closet. And that's what I did. So I shared I don't have a luxury have a very small closet. I didn't like take out all my clothes. I just moved everything over. And I have two walls. One is praying how God views work. And there are hundreds of scriptures hundreds of how important work is to God. You know, the he has created work in advance for us to do you know, he has already got it. And I don't want to miss what he's called me into. You know what I mean? Right? All these things lined up and he's already purposed for it. I want to be Lord, I'm here. I'm here. willing vessel use me use me right here. But then my other side is praying for loved ones. Last ones, unsaved ones, families with going through health issues, cancer, tragedies, death, rebellious children, divorces everything. And so I have each side, plastered with scriptures like almost from the floor to two thirds of the wall. That's beautiful. And then I have ticker tapes running. One is a prayer request and one is a praises. And then I've got about 10 or 15 books in there devotionals that I do along with my Bible. And I journal I want to promote this here. I'm promoting you see this. And in pew. This is a guided discipline in prayer. Because it helps you because a lot of people don't know, like, where do I start? I'm overwhelmed. You know? This is like, I'm just sharing it because it's the Lord's placed on me. What are the circumstances? It says, what are the circumstances? What just happened? And so this is, what are the lies the enemy is telling me? That's the second part. The third one is How am I feeling about this? There's an index with 200 500 I'm feeling this because a lot of times you may be feeling like 50 different ways. This is how I'm feeling. Okay. And then it says, And this is what Jesus says about it. And the Holy Spirit just download scripture. And I just like this is what Jesus says about it. This is what Jesus says about it. And this is what he says about it. And then on the other side is adoration, confession, thanksgiving supper, supplication, the axe prayer thing. Yep.
Those are all important parts of prayer. And
they are in my prayer closet with me. Because I cannot go operate in my flesh in a world that is broken. I so much want to be filled by His Spirit, armored up like in Ephesians six that I have on the full armor of God. So that when I go into a situation I am Lord, You are speaking through me you will use me and then I will just be an instrument for your glory. Because ladies about me, I gotta constantly remind myself remove myself. Get him and he cares About every single person I encounter, whether that person is walking with him or not. He cares. So how can I be his arms and feet and light and joy? And love? If I'm not staying? You know, he says, I am the vine, you are the branch Remain in me and you will bear much fruit but apart from me, you will do nothing. That's right. I want to be I want to be making a lot of fruit. Man, girl, am I gonna happen if I am tethered by him anchor in the vine. And so I spend a lot of time because there's so many things I can't fix them solve. And I'm like, Lord, alright, you got to take care of it. And I'm gonna rest in you, but I got to be prayed up. So
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And that. That's my point. You know, communication with God is key ladies key. And we all need to have that place where we know that we're going to go to the Lord every day. It's not just when problems come that you go to Him in prayer. No, you develop that relationship, and you pray continuously. And if it means taking a designated area where you walk by in your house every day and say, I need to get in that room. I haven't been in there all day. Because we shouldn't let a day go by that we're not praying and communicating to our Heavenly Father. That is how he's going to speak to us. That is how he's going to change our life. That is how he's going to prepare us for the future for what he wants to do in and through you. So please, ladies, make it a point to get this prayer closet. Down. I go in my pantry every day. And I know it sounds funny, but I have a walk in pantry. And I can go in there and I can shut out the world. And because usually it's my kitchen being my domain, but the pantry is that place where I shut the door and block everything else out. And I just focus in there. And I go to the Lord in prayer. And I talked to him. I was in there three times already today. So it's corny ladies, right? It's important to be in our prayer closet. So though, Candace, so through all of this communication with the Lord in His 20 year journey, this is so exciting to say that God brought you to now a new acting place. Now you are in faith based only and you are a voice. God's given you a voice to help tell stories to help others share their stories, and you want to be His hands and His feet. And so like I said, God's been preparing you it doesn't happen overnight. Ladies, it's a constant daily walk with the Lord. And before you know it, you're walking right into your beautiful purpose that God has prepared just for you. So Candace share about that, you know, you're now you're in faith base. I know we have to be closing up in a minute. But it's like, here we are. So let's talk about now you're doing what God has called you to for him?
Candace Kirkpatrick
Well, I pray that he's, I mean, he's still working on me, I you know, He who began a good work and us well carried on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, that's Philippians, one, six, so he's still working on me. There's prayers that he hasn't answered yet. Or he's answering in some phenomenal way that I can't even fathom, which I'm excited about to see how he's going to work. And in 2018, he opened the door for me to go into faith based entertainment. And I said to him, Lord, if you ever call me back into this industry, may I honor you? And that's what, you know, there are people who do not do secular work, and God uses them to minister to people on those sets. Okay. So I look, I did look at the content, I tried to look at the message I tried to see what is the point that the writer is trying to get across what is the director's intent, and I read up on it, and he's opened some doors for me, that her clearly his, his not my doing, that had become directly from him. And I you know, there's a saying, sometimes I just smile and look up and go, Yeah, that was you. God knows you God. And that's it. You know, because I go, Yeah, that was you. And so he's to
Kimberly Hobbs
do it. Psalm. Psalm 18, verse 30, says, God's way is perfect. Yeah. So maybe back 20 years ago, you were doing it the way of the world but God's way is perfect. And now you're in faith based Godwin's perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. Psalm 1830. Yes.
Candace Kirkpatrick
Well, I he, you know, I'm working on the faith based crime drama, vindication. I have a recurring role on that, which is fun. It's not like the normal dramatic roles I play. It's a quirky OCD character. I love it. I got to do this TV pilot with Karen Abercrombie of the War Room, and Cameron Arnett of overcomer. Hopefully that'll get picked up. I'm supposed to be working on a film called Love one another about racism and how we deal with it in the church. So I'm thankful for that. But in the meantime, I mean, I'm not I'm not anxious, I'm not nervous. I'm just like, Lord, bring me to whatever you want to close doors, open doors. And in the meantime, I wouldn't go back to praying. That's what I pray. And I fled. I don't let the world in so much. If I'm not listening to uplifting Christian music, I'm listening to my Bible app on, you know, on my head, that I'm listening to women, faith based writers who are encouraging, you know, your identity in Christ,
Kimberly Hobbs
and you're embracing everything that God has for you. And that's what we need to do women is embrace everything that God has for us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, right? Yeah, it's a focus. It's fixed on the Lord. How do you do that? You're in His Word. You're talking to him. So yes, Candice. So we have to wrap it up. But I just want you to give that encouragement right now to the woman that's listening right now. What can you speak into her life, about moving into all the fullness that God has for her?
Candace Kirkpatrick
Well, the first thing I would say, know that the Lord loves you, intimately. He is intimately acquainted with you, He knows every hair on your head, he has your name engraved on the palm of your hands. So seek him before you turn on the television or anything else. Go to his word before you call up a friend and want to complain about something, go to him and say, Lord, you know how that stung that hurt that bothered me. And just have him fill you up with how tremendously he loves you and wants a relationship with you. And then surround yourself with godly women who were chasing after Jesus, and have a prayer ministry this morning with a group of women. And I am in constant prayer. Like I have time phone calls throughout the day that I pray with different women around the world because we're in different time zones. People who are pursuing Christ, because we live in a broken world, but we are be the salt and light. And it's hard to be salt and light, if we're not being constantly filled up with him. So at the same saturate yourself in the world, pray, pour out your heart to Him, there's nothing he doesn't know. Just pour out your heart to Him, He will FILL you and give you tremendous joy in the midst of some very hard circumstances. And if you if you need a buddy, call it somebody you know, is a prayer warrior, who was following hard after Christ, to say I need your help to lock arms with me. And we will go to battle together. And that's what I want to encourage.
Kimberly Hobbs
Amen. And thank you for that encouragement, Candace. And just as Candice connected with women, world leaders, we love that God brought her to this amazing group of women. And that's why we're here ladies is to be that help to you to reach out in all these different areas. There's women walking through what you're walking through, there's women that are here, just to be helped other women. We're here as a as a way to help each other and in Canada, so wonderfully, was led by the Lord to be here doing this podcast right now as an encouragement to you. Maybe God has a story in your life that you're going to share somehow, some way in, in our magazine in a book that we're putting out, or whatever it may be. But God has a way to use each and every one of you to do not doubt that. If your old way of living is leaving you feeling spiritually dull and dead inside, then it may be time for you to surrender everything to Jesus, just like Candace did. She knew that time that things were not going in this direction that her life was going with the world. God didn't want that for her. So she surrendered. And she changed her heart. And God gave her this passion to serve others, and now she's doing it for him. And we are so grateful that you shared. I wanted to share a scripture portion that I thought was so cool. And kind of goes right along with what we're talking about Canvas. It says our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true, then you will not become spiritually dull or indifferent. Instead, you We'll follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. That's Hebrews 611 and 12. So in your sphere of influence, ladies think about that. Candace is spheres of influence became her husband and family and then those that God connected her to at that time, and then he opened up her world. And now she's doing all of this faith based way of reaching the loss for Jesus. So whatever your gift that God has given you, it may not look like canvases, it's your own. A verse that I heard Candace share in a past podcast that I wanted to share too, is Colossians 317, which says, Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it for His glory. So we just want to share that with you as well and encourage you with whatever you're doing, just make sure you're doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ with the right heart and the right content. So in closing, I just want to share with you all that we have a magazine that just launched recently, it's a monthly magazine. And if you are looking for extra encouragement, and just a word from the Lord, there's scriptures in here, this is put out by women, it's called voice of truth, which comes out every month, and put out by women, all kinds of wonderful nuggets inside that will inspire you encourage you in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you can receive your free monthly copy by going to women world leaders.com. And there you can go to the Contact Us section, and put all your information in and we will be happy to start sending you your copy of voice of Truth magazine. Ladies, you can also join us on our Facebook group where we interact and comments. And it is a private group. So just ask to be invited in. Also we have the website, women world leaders.com, where if you need prayer, or if you need another woman to come along beside you, we can help you with that. So just put in a prayer request. And we have tools there ladies. So these are open and available to each and every one of you, wherever you are. We just love you. We want to help you and from his heart to yours. We are women moral leaders, Candace Kirkpatrick, I thank you so much for being here. And you can find Candice Kirkpatrick at what is your website?
Join host Janet Berrong as she shares the benefits of music and worship on good health.
Jesus commissioned the twelve disciples. He empowered them, informed them of their duties, and gave them specific instructions on how to carry out their responsibilities. You can be assured that God has a job for you as well. If you allow Him, He will commission you, lay out your duties, and instruct every step you take from here forward. (Matthew 10:1-15, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, a Women World Leaders’ podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins, and I am your host as we walk through scripture together, asking God to guide us as we learn what He wants us to know today.
If you are new to our podcast, we have three different offerings for you. On Mondays, Kimberly Hobbs hosts Empowering Lives with Purpose – a 30-minute interview with a different woman of faith who shares her story. These podcasts are incredible – and I’m telling you, you never know what you are going to get! Although the topics range from movie production to overcoming abuse to being a loving parent, these podcasts have one common thread. That is that each of the women who are interviewed has seen God’s glory and power at work in their lives. And as you listen, you can’t help but begin to understand more fully how God may be at work in YOUR life.
On Fridays, our team of hosts catapults us into the weekend with Celebrating God’s Grace. This is a glorious time to celebrate and learn from all that God is doing not only in this ministry but in the world.
And today…on Wednesdays, we open the Word of God as we walk systematically through scripture. We are currently walking through the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – chronologically, as we strive to uncover what God wants us to know from each chapter of Jesus’ life here on earth.
Last week we highlighted the fact that there is plenty in this world for us to do! And when we answer that call, there is also plenty of joy to go around. Because when we follow God’s call and do the work that He has commissioned us for, we will receive the ultimate satisfaction that only following God can give.
So how do we know WHAT God calls us to do? I can’t tell you the what…that is between you and God.
But as we study Matthew 10:1-15, Mark 6:7-13, and Luke 9:1-6 from the New Living Translation, I believe you will walk away with the HOW…HOW you can follow God’s commissioning for your life. God does have a job for you, one that He is just waiting to reveal. He wants to commission you, lay out your duties, and instruct your every step. Let’s look at HOW we can each allow Him to do just that.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we are here because we want to follow you. We want that tangible connection with you. We want our lives to be worthwhile – and we know that doing what you have called us to is the key. But what is it that you have called us each to? Will you open our ears today to your instruction, open our minds so that we may understand your will, and open our hearts to be willing to go where you call? Help us, in these next few minutes, to hear and understand your scripture and to apply it to our lives in a way that is honoring to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Matthew chapter 10 begins…
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil[a] spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
This must have been a surprise for the disciples! They had followed Jesus and had learned from Him…I imagine they still felt like they had SO MUCH to learn! And yet, here was Jesus, giving them HIS authority to do the work HE had been doing!
I think we have all felt like this at one time or another – simply not qualified to do the work that was ahead of us. My oldest daughter is about to graduate from college. She has been well-prepared! She has taken her classes and leadership opportunities seriously, and she has a great job offer. And now it’s time to fly! But that can be a little scary!
One friend I was speaking to recently said, “I remember when I began my first real job. A big problem came up. And I thought…I need to find an adult to help…and then I realized…I AM the adult!”
Life has a cyclical upward spiral to it. … We are first taken care of, then we begin to watch others, are instructed, and then we practice…and suddenly it is our time to perform. Then WE become the ones in charge…and later, we are actually the ones to instruct and guide others. It all kind of sounds like a common-sense approach to life…until, perhaps, you are the one being handed the reins.
Matthew goes on to remind us in the next verses WHO the disciples were that Jesus was granting this authority to…and the bottom line is that they were NOBODY SPECIAL! They were not super-educated, wealthy, or of royal blood. They were normal – your average Joe’s. Some would say they weren’t qualified to be doing what Jesus was telling them to do. And yet they were granted the authority of GOD…to cast out evil spirits and heal EVERY kind of disease!
Jesus gave them HIS authority, and then, He gave them instructions.
First, He told them WHERE to go “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.
And then He told them WHAT to do…
7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[d] 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
It was as if they had a playbook. Some steps may have seemed easy. They were to go to their own people – the Jews. The theological reasoning behind this instruction is that Jesus came first to the Jews and THEN to the Gentiles…and this was still the beginning, so the Gentiles weren’t intentionally brought in yet. This instruction could have been considered simple – the disciples understood the culture, and the Jews were WAITING for the Messiah – so this news of the kingdom should have been welcomed. In some places, it was…in others, not so much. But the kicker was, the disciples had no foreknowledge of how they would be received in each place.
They did, however, know what they were to do. They were to announce that the kingdom of heaven had come and then show the power, care, and concern of the kingdom of heaven by healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. Surely this would make the welcome mat more accessible to the disciples as they followed Jesus’ instructions. BUT…they HAD seen what Jesus had gone through…the persecution by the Pharisees…even the accusations that He was accessing Satan’s powers.
So while there was no doubt WHAT Jesus was instructing the disciples to do…and that the adventure He was offering them was exciting…it was also true that this adventure didn’t come without risk. As a result, there must have been quite the mix of feelings among the 12.
SO… they knew WHERE they were to go, and WHAT they were to do, and their heads were likely swimming. But there were further instructions…
Matthew 10:9 records Jesus’ words…
9 “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick.
Mark 6 instructs them to bring “no food, no traveler’s bag, and no money”…but makes a note…9 He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.
Well, that was nice. I’m glad I wasn’t one of the 12…I just might have rolled my eyes…oh gee, thanks Jesus…I’m allowed to wear shoes!...Yay..
Jesus knows our shortcomings…
Nevertheless, I bet the disciples were a bit confounded as to HOW this was all going to work...so, graciously, Jesus answered their questions BEFORE they could voice them…saying…
Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
So they were expected to work, and they WOULD be fed…if they accepted the help that God was prepared to send…and Jesus told them step by step how it would work…Matthew 10:11…
11 “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. 12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing.
But Jesus also provided them with instructions should things go wrong…verse 13…
13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. 14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. Mark says… 11 But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
AND, Jesus reminds them that God’s protection is greater than ANYTHING they will encounter…
15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
Finally, Luke 9:6 tells us that the 12 obeyed…
6 So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
Wow! As I read this and take it apart, my thoughts begin to swim at the complexity of the situation!
The disciples were FOLLOWING Jesus…learning from Him…HE was the teacher. And suddenly, they were being thrust into the drivers’ seat. The path seemed exciting…but the instructions were overwhelming! And following God’s call took faith and courage.
Faith that they were truly entrusted with the power of Jesus to do what He had called them to do.
Courage to step out and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven had come.
Faith to believe in the kingdom of heaven despite human doubts that surely crept in.
Courage to travel without any provisions and very little plan.
Faith that God would provide for them and protect them along the way.
We can see that, for the disciples at this juncture, it wasn’t knowing what they were called to that was the problem. Their biggest obstacle was having the faith to look to God in every situation and having the courage to step into the unknown as they followed that call.
Remember at the beginning I asked the question …. HOW do we know what God calls us to do?
The answer to that comes in the very first line of this section of scripture…”Jesus called his twelve disciples”…
God has a different calling for each of us…a calling that we can only hear when we go to Him regularly. See…the disciples had gotten in the habit of following Jesus, of watching Him, and learning from Him.
And one day…He called them to something HUGE. We read the instructions, and our minds spin. But they answered obediently – because they had spent so much time watching and learning from Jesus and taking small steps of obedience which allowed their faith and courage to grow. They were prepared.
Each of us is going to have a different calling…and when you spend time with God, He will prepare you for that calling. He will build the faith and the courage you need, step by step, until He is ready to reveal His plan.
God is SMOOTH! Just like the loving parent or teacher who prepares you for adulthood until you are, undoubtedly ready to fly, God will prepare you with each step of obedience you take.
The problem for most of us is not knowing WHAT we are called to, but having the courage and faith to step out WHEN we are called. We are called to take a step of obedience every day! The question is…do we have the faith and courage to respond even when the step seems trivial and we can’t see the point, or, on the contrary, when the leap seems daunting or the outcome looks exciting, but scary?
We can trust that God’s timing is always perfect. His provision and protection are always perfect. And His preparation and leading are always perfect.
The disciples were called to COME to Jesus before they were called to GO for Jesus. They were called to learn and walk in obedience …taking what may have felt like small steps, strengthening their legs for the leaps of faith God was yet to call them to. You too are called to give your yes in humble obedience as God places stepping stones in front of you. The path He is creating IS your calling! And it is more significant than you can BEGIN to imagine! Take the one step He is calling you to today – in faith and with courage. He WILL instruct you all along the way, and He will lead you to a lifetime full of exciting adventures and victories that will point, always, to His glory.
Dear God…you know just how to meet each one of us. And we thank you, for letting us be a part of your plan, and for tailoring that plan for each of us. God, help us always trust your call on our lives. Give us the courage and the faith to step out in obedience! Thank you for always calling us TO YOU even as you ask us to go FOR you. We love you, and we give you this day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Deborah Watson from Studio 222 Productions, shares encouragement to help you find your God-given purpose despite shattered or broken dreams. Deborah has written, produced, and directed movies focusing on young women who need direction, love, and a Savior. (Originally aired 11/23/2020)
This podcast featuring Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC Certified relationship coach, shares about the destructive aspects of approval-seeking behaviors and how God’s Word helps us overcome these behaviors. We have to stop believing the lie that we need others’ approval in order to feel good about ourselves and walk in His truth that tells us we are righteous because He is righteous. We are holy, flawless, and restored.
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a Women World Leaders Podcast. I am your host Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach with Breakwater Ministries, and part of the Women World Leaders leadership team, and I am coming to you from Cindy’s Porch. Today I want to talk to you about the destructive nature of approval seeking behaviors, but first, let’s go to God in prayer.
Father, you created us to be in relationship with one another. Your word clearly teaches us how you see us as your children and how you desire that we relate to others. You are Our Counselor, Redeemer, and Friend. May we glean from your word today. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
How much time are you spending trying to get someone else’s approval?
I spent the first half of my life trying to get people’s approval. I spent a lot of time wondering and worrying about what people thought of me. Looking to gain other people’s approval can lead us to approval addiction, and the consequences can be costly.
A fear of disapproval can lead to a fear of rejection. In my younger years I just wanted to fit in. I wanted to fit into a certain group of people so badly that I started to compromise my standards to fit in with that group. I found myself engaging in activities that in the past I wouldn’t dream of doing. I was betraying myself in favor of their approval, and as a result, I started disliking myself. Changes would need to be made to start accepting myself again.
Sometimes we find ourselves praising other people just to get them to like us. This is another form of manipulation and will not get us the results we are looking for. Sometimes we can exaggerate the truth to get someone’s approval. We change our looks, our dress code, and a multitude of other things just to get people to like us. The result is we have betrayed ourselves in favor of the other person.
My friend Barbie called me in desperation one day. She said she felt like a soda bottle with six straws sucking out of her, all at the same time. Barbie was an approval addict. She looked like a suffering saint, meeting everyone’s needs and neglecting her own. Barbie’s motivation was to get people to like her, to be everyone’s hero. In the process, she lost herself and lost the ability to take care of her own needs. Barbie thought it was a sign of selfishness to take care of herself. She would need to learn that taking care of oneself is loving herself and it’s okay to love herself.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Often, we love our neighbor so much more than we love ourselves, but it’s because we are seeking their approval. We want and need them to like us so we can feel good about ourselves.
Not only do we do this to ourselves, but the world is full of those who demand our attention in exchange for their acceptance of us. Some have learned the art of manipulation and use it to their advantage. If we don’t learn how to set boundaries in relationships, we will begin to feel used and abused by those around us whose approval we have been seeking.
In my coaching practice I encounter people every day who struggle with loneliness. While we thought that engaging in social media would bring us closer together, the results show quite the opposite. Despite social media, people today experience more loneliness than ever before. People today struggle more than ever with feeling unloved and a fear of being unwanted or unaccepted. Can it be that they are feeling judged by their peers?
We are wanting people to fill a void that can only be filled by God. We are believing the lie that I must be approved by other people in order to feel good about myself.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you avoid certain types of people?
Do certain types of people make you feel uncomfortable?
Do you become fearful and anxious if you think you might be rejected by someone?
Are you greatly bothered when someone is unfriendly to you?
Are you critical of other people?
Do you find yourself trying to impress people when you are with people you don’t know?
Do you pre-determine what people may think of you?
Do you find yourself not understanding what motivates others?
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, you may be suffering from approval addiction. Our fear of rejection begins to affect our behavior, and we discover that we are not living our authentic calling. We are trying to “fit in” because of our insatiable need for others to like us.
We soon discover that the person we are betraying is ourselves. Our spouse, our children, our inner circle of friends are not getting the real “me,” they are getting the me that is adapting to my environment out of fear of being rejected.
We have to be willing to look at the root of this fear of rejection and allow God to pluck out this bitter root. If we don’t address the real issue, this fear can lead us to behaviors that will ultimately be destructive. We will find ourselves being easily manipulated, being defensive, reacting with hostility when others disagree with us, engaging only in superficial relationships, exaggerating the truth to impress others, becoming passive, and eventually having a nervous breakdown.
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”
Romans 12:2 (TPT) “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”
In order to change the way we feel about ourselves, we have to change our thinking. We must tell ourselves the truth of who we are.
Colossians 1:21-22 (TPT) “Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored.”
If God Himself sees me as holy, flawless, and restored, why do I need the approval of anyone else? His word tells me that I am His Child, that I have been redeemed, I am forever free from condemnation, there is nothing that can separate me from Christ, that all things work together for my good, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I am His workmanship.
Knowing that all these things are true, I already have God’s approval. I don’t need anyone else to tell me I am significant. My significance lies in who God says I am, and He delights in me. He delights in you. He is everything you will ever need.
Romans 5:8-11 (TPT) “But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly! And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, ‘You are now righteous in my sight.’ And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion! And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God - all because of Jesus Christ!”
We have been granted this righteousness. Once we begin to see ourselves the way God sees us, we no longer need to feed that old seed of approval. We can make decisions that are right for us, and those who really love us will see us and encourage us to live authentically. We stop allowing others to manipulate us and we set boundaries that protect our health and well-being. Those who love you will respect your boundaries and your own limitations without judgment. There is great freedom in being able to live authentically without fear of rejection.
If you suffer from approval of others, ask God today to help you remove this bitter root that leads to a fear of rejection, and accept His love and acceptance of you.
I would love to hear from you, so drop me an email at Cindysporch@gmail.com Send me your ideas for relationship advice. What would you like to hear about on this podcast that has to do with marriage? Send me your questions about marriage.
Thank you so much for joining us today—as we celebrate God’s grace in our lives, in this ministry, and the world!
Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. Don’t forget to sign up for a free subscription to our Voice Of Truth Magazine. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.
There is plenty – plenty of heartbreak, destruction, and death happening in our world today. But God’s plan is perfect, and when we answer His call, there is plenty of joy to go around! Mark 6:31-34, Matthew 9:36-38, Luke 8:1-3)
Today as we study, we will read about Jesus’ compassion and mission. What a focus, right? We will be reading from Mark 6:31-34, Matthew 9:36-38, and Luke 8:1-3
Let’s begin with Mark 6:31-34 from the New Living Translation which records Jesus speaking to His disciples…
31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
When I read this, I thought of the masses of people I have seen in my life. Prior to Covid, it was not unusual for many of us to see “masses” of people. Sporting events, concerts, and amusement parks were full of people. Highways and even church parking lots abounded with people. Humanity.
And then Covid hit. And we all got more accustomed to living in our smaller bubbles. We would remember back, nostalgically, to the days of community. For many of us, our only “window to the world” was news reports and Zoom meetings. I can remember, several months into covid, going to the grocery store and seeing a mom with her baby – and I couldn’t stop staring. Because I hadn’t seen a baby in months! I didn’t have any babies, or even young children, in my own bubble, so it was a novelty to see a child in the flesh.
Then the world began opening up. My family has again been stepping out – attending concerts and events – but it's still a little odd. And the masses aren’t quite as big.
But just because the masses aren’t grouped into one location, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. There are still babies in the world who are growing, learning to eat solid food, and use their own legs to walk – even though I may not see them. There are still people grieving because they have lost a loved one or themselves are battling illness or even depression – even though they are hidden in their homes. There are still those who are worrying about their finances, battling addictions, and celebrating life events – even though I can’t see them through my own window to the world.
Maybe that is why this scripture so impacted me. Jesus was with His disciples. And He knew the value of one-on-one connection, of pouring into His disciples individually. Our God is personal and loves and cherishes His one-on-one time with EACH of us! So He took His disciples by boat to go to a quiet place so they could be alone. But the people, the others, the whole of humanity, was still there. And they came from many towns and ran ahead of Him … and He saw them… and He had compassion on them … and He taught them. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, and He became a shepherd TO them. Because He is the God of the one AND the God of the many. When Jesus sees the many, He doesn’t see a mass, He sees every single individual. He sees into each soul. He knows the needs of each person, and He meets that need.
But Jesus was one person – though a mighty and perfect person because He was God in the flesh. As a person, He must have been EXHAUSTED. He saw and fulfilled every need as God, but He was one man. But His plan was perfect…He told His disciples in John 16:17 that it was BEST for Him to go away…saying “…if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. For though Jesus walked the earth as a single human being who was limited in the flesh, unable to be everywhere at once, the Holy Spirit is unlimited. God the Holy Spirit came to dwell in each one of us – making that personal connection to every single individual more feasible.
But the Holy Spirit doesn’t have a physical body. HIS glory is that He empowers those He indwells to do His work. He empowers us – you and me – to touch and aid people who need His help. He empowers us to use our voices to share about God Himself. He guides us into action and gives us each a plan – because it takes the masses to care for the masses! None of us can do it alone, but we are called and equipped, as a body, to each do our part – and there is Plenty of Work for All!
In Matthew 9:36-38 we are told that when Jesus…
… saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. And it goes on…37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Jesus KNEW what a big job meeting the masses was – He knew what the needs were and He knew the scope of those needs was far too much for one person to handle. Jesus knew that it would take us all. And He told His disciples to begin in prayer.
Today…we see a different “mass” of people than those who are happily attending a sporting event or a concert. We can’t turn on the news without seeing the masses of homeless and persecuted, fleeing for their lives from Ukraine. The sight is devastating. The young moms who are bravely holding their heads high for the sake of their children – not knowing where they are going to lay their head to rest or get their next meal. The kids who are struggling to walk long distances, wondering, with tears streaming down their faces, why their dog couldn’t come with them and when they will see their father again. The faces of the older men and women, knowing their bodies are too weak to fight a cause that they so deeply believe in for a country they dearly love.
Masses of people. Too many for us to wrap our heads around. Too many for us each to help – to reach – to comfort.
But it isn’t too many. Because God sees each and every one – and what’s more – He knows exactly who He is sending to help each individual!
And you’d better believe that He has a mission for you in all this!
Jesus said to his disciples, the harvest IS great, but the workers are few. Many teach on this verse and refer only to bringing people into the Christian faith – and that is appropriate. But Jesus always sees our whole need – and He knows that we can reach the spiritual needs of people by first taking care of their physical needs. And right now, the masses are in need. So we, first, must pray, that God will send more workers. But then we need to step out and do the work.
God has a plan to heal this catastrophe! God has a plan to reach every single hurting person. And His plan is to use OUR hands and feet! His many workers. Whom He sent here on purpose, for a purpose, for such a time as this!
We’ve all worked with people who don’t hold up their end of the bargain – people who don’t do the work they’ve been asked to do. It’s maddening, isn’t it? And what happens when someone neglects to do their job? Either someone else ends up doing the work, or the work doesn’t get done.
Let’s look at these outcomes. If you don’t do the work you are called to do, the work may not get done.
When we are talking about sweeping floors or cleaning bathrooms…it’s easy to say…oh well! Right? But THIS work…the work of bringing comfort and aid and yes, even the good news of Jesus Christ to these hurting masses…can you lay your head on your own comfortable pillow and rest peacefully knowing that the person that God created YOU to help is going without? If you are a child of God – if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has sent His Holy Spirit to live inside you and to guide and empower you to be His hands and feet! YOU have a job to do – YOU are one of His workers in the field.
So the first outcome if we refuse to do God’s work is that it won’t get done. Well, that simply is not going to happen – because our God is faithful and will never let us down. So…guilt alleviated…we move on to the second outcome of not doing as we are called…
Someone else picks up the slack.
The thing about that is, the one who picks up the slack, is also the one who gets the joy in fulfilling the need they were created to fill! Because God will always honor and grow and teach the one who works for Him doing His work!
This crisis – these masses that we see fleeing in desperation, all made up of individuals with needs – may be one of the greatest opportunities in our lifetime to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Our first step is to pray – God, send the workers! Our second step is to stop and ask – if I am your worker, God, what is my job? What do I have the honor of doing for the masses? What do I have the honor of doing for the one – in your name?
Am I called to financially sponsor a refugee? Am I called to reach out to friends who are closer to the destruction and ask how I can assist them in helping? Am I called to contact my local church and see how I can support them as they reach out? Can I ask God to entrust me as I pray for an individual family? You don’t have to know their name or their exact situation – God will match up your prayers!
We at Women World Leaders don’t know all the people who listen to our podcasts, or read devotions and free magazines that are distributed worldwide. But we faithfully walk on – knowing that we are doing as God calls, and He will do the rest. Maybe you are being called to donate towards these efforts. If you are, you can do so at our website – www.womenworldleaders.com
In Luke 8:1-3, we are given a peek into who some of the workers were that Jesus was grooming for the harvest…
8 Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza (KOOza), Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
The workers that Jesus called were not just men – they were women. And they weren’t just women, they were previously broken women whom Jesus had pulled close to Himself.
Maybe you can relate! Are you a woman who was previously broken and is now held together by the superglue of God’s love? If you are, He has a purpose for your pain. He wants you to remember His grace and He wants you to see, not the masses, but the individuals. He wants you to join Him as He reaches every single individual, filling their needs and pulling them close to Him. And He wants you to get the joy and satisfaction that only comes when we do His will, for His glory alone.
We can certainly see by the masses being broadcast into our homes, that the need is extreme. But God has put together an army of compassion and care for such a time as this. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit and He has called us to be His hands and feet. We must all claim our position and prepare for the work.
There IS Plenty for All – plenty of opportunities to give, to grow, and be part of His glory as it abounds through this hurting world.
Let’s pray…Dear Most Holy, Gracious, and Compassionate Lord. Thank you for seeing us each individually. And thank you for giving us EACH the incredible opportunity to reach the masses by reaching the individual as we become your hands and feet. God – your provision for such a time as this is remarkable. We wonder at your plan, and we thank you for counting us worthy to serve in your name. Guide us into our calling, that we may canvass this world with your love, compassion, and practical provision for those in need. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Listen today to hear how tragedy birthed a ministry. Kristy Furlow shares about the devastation that came to her young life as a wife and mom of 3. But because of her surrender to the POWER of God, He brought a ministry for Kristy. God is weaving a tapestry through the ministry of "Cloth and Clay." God brought beauty from ashes and now Kristy shares her story with you, showing evidence of a truly miraculous way of healing from the unthinkable. www.womenworldleaders.com www.clothandclay.org
Sometimes we walk through major storms in our life, and at times they present themselves "suddenly." God is the God of suddenly. As followers, we live in the hope and expectancy that God is near us and with us in any storm we face. And we are victorious in Him! Psalm 34:18 tells us, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." God quickens and renews us by the Living Word, through and by Jesus Himself.
Jesus has stated that He is God – now hear the evidence and witnesses that support His claim! (John 5:31-47)
Let’s get into our study, shall we? We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John…and in the last couple of weeks we have been focused on John chapter 5. At the beginning of the chapter, we saw Jesus bring healing to a disabled man who didn’t even think it was possible that he be healed. In this, Jesus showcased His grace and power – He is so much more than we deserve! And then, last week, we studied as Jesus followed up that healing by making a claim that set Him on the trajectory of His own crucifixion – Jesus stated His own deity in no uncertain terms. He claimed Himself equal with God, one with God, the giver of all life, the judge, and the one who can grant eternal life with God the Father. That’s a big claim! Remember, this was on the Sabbath, in the Temple. Talk about an enlightening sermon! But who was this Jesus – and why should anyone believe His claims?
Today, as we study John 5:31-47, Jesus gives His closing arguments, telling His listeners, and us, WHY we should believe Him. Why He is the real deal. Why His teaching is not “fake news” – but something more real than anything any of us have ever experienced. And…if we read between the lines, we will begin to understand HOW we CAN believe, even when those doubts creep in.
Before we begin…let’s do the REAL work of a Bible scholar, and pray…
Dear Most Holy God…we come to you today in humble submission, asking you to enlighten our hearts as we read your Word. God, you knew when these words were written, inspired by your Spirit, that we would be reading them today – and in these words you have a purpose and truth that you want each of us to see. Open our eyes that we might see, open our ears that we might hear, and soften our Spirits in humble submission that we might grow. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Jesus opens His closing arguments in John 5:31, where He states as recorded in the New Living Translation…
31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.
As believers, this statement might throw us off…after all, if we can’t believe Jesus, who can we believe? But remember, Jesus is stating the arguments for the case that He is Lord and Savior .. .and He is likely addressing many who DON’T believe. So He had to ground His claims in logic and facts. The “why” of faith is REAL – it is not some ethereal, mystical reasoning. True faith is grounded in facts, science, logic, and sound reasoning.
And because Jewish tradition said that “None may be believed when he testifies of himself” and “No individual can be deemed trustworthy in himself” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p 60) – in order to make His case, Jesus stated that of His own accord, His testimony is not valid…BUT, He continued…the evidence is still clear…and he states an opening overview…verse 32…
32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true.
This “someone” who was testifying about Jesus, was God. Jesus pulled out the big guns right off the bat…and then He backs up His statement, saying that God has testified to the deity of Christ by many means… verse 33…
33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
John the Baptist was God’s witness to the world of Jesus’ deity. John had a great following. He was the lamp, sent by God to shine the light on the Messiah. John the Baptist said, as is recorded in John 3:23 “You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’”
This evidence of John’s testimony might have swayed some of Jesus’ listeners…but this was basic information…so Jesus builds His case in verse 36…
36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.
By now, many had seen the signs and miracles of Jesus…He had turned water into wine, showcasing His creative power and His care for His children as He brought joy to the wedding feast. He had calmed the sea, demonstrating His sovereignty over nature. He had healed many proving that He is the giver of life. He had driven out demons, proving that even evil listened to Him.
You see, Jesus’ signs and miracles are meant for more than the face value of the individual miracle, their purpose is to point all to the glory of God. That is no different today! There are miracles happening every single day in our world that many of us degrade to coincidence or happenstance. Will you ask God today to open your eyes to the miracles around you?
You see, the undertone of today’s lesson is letting go of our pride and strongholds so that we can experience, through consideration and wonder, the reality of Jesus Himself. It is SO easy to assume we know it all! It is in our nature to want to figure things out and, thereby, be able to control them. But the wonder of God is so much more than our human minds can comprehend. We just have to let go of our pride to see the wonder of the reality of Jesus.
How many times have you prayed to get over an illness, and you do, and then you forget all about your prayer…and figure your body or the medicine was just doing its job? If we open our eyes, we WILL see God’s hand at work all around us! In Ukraine, Russian vehicles are running out of gas! THAT is a miracle! Every day, young children are being saved from human trafficking – THAT is a miracle! Get in the habit of noticing the wonder of God’s miracles. And get in the habit of thanking Him. Because THAT is what His miracles are all about…pointing us to God and bringing us into closer communication with Him!
Jesus’ miracles testify to who He is and point us all to God…if we choose to notice.
But not only did John the Baptist and Jesus’ own miracles substantiate Jesus’ claim as God…Verse 37…
37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself.
Likely Jesus is talking about God’s audible voice claiming Jesus as His Son at Jesus’ baptism…but Jesus tells His listeners that they must listen and look for God’s voice…He continues…
You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
And this next one must have stung…
39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
The Pharisees and the Jews prided themselves in knowing every word of scripture, yet they couldn’t see the forest for the trees…they couldn’t see that ALL scripture was meant to point us to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Simply put, their pride blinded them. They refused to read and study in humble submission, looking for the wonder of God.
What about you? When you read scripture that stings, when God calls out a fault in you, do you turn away and dismiss His guidance? You, Bible scholar, are called to read and study scripture with an open and contrite heart, asking God to shine you up so you can more accurately reflect His glory and then YOU can point others to Him.
Jesus tells His stubborn listeners, beginning in verse 41…
41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God
Let me ask you one of those hard questions…Where does your honor really lie? Do you truly honor Jesus as your LORD – the one to whom you bow? Or do you honor things of this world. It is easy to stand for good against evil …until evil tries to push you down, or offer you fame or fortune.
Well, then Jesus puts a final exclamation mark on why they should believe that He is Lord by bringing another witness to the table…one that His direct listeners would have understood better in that day than we do today…Moses. See, many saw Moses as their pathway to God…HE was the one who had direct communication with God, and even after His death, many claimed Moses as their intercessor…but Jesus declares Moses as His witness…verse 45…
45 “Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. 46 If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
We CAN believe that Jesus is God! Not just because He says so, but because we have concrete evidence.
John the Baptist was sent to pave the path for the Messiah…and He paved the path to Jesus. We just have to logically connect the dots.
Jesus’ teachings and miracles are infused with the power of God. We just have to take our blinders off and wonder at the miracles that are right in front of us.
God Himself SPOKE audible words claiming Jesus as His Son. We just have to listen.
Scripture testifies and points us to the deity of Christ. We just have to humble ourselves and consider the fact that God’s Word is truth.
Moses and the prophets all give undeniable prophecies fulfilled only by Jesus Christ Himself. And yes…if we discipline ourselves to daily Bible study…we will begin to be amazed by those prophesies that turned to truth!
When we seek to know God through prayer, He will always guide us into Jesus arms. But we have to be willing to be embraced.
And there is more…this was all just a precursor to the big closing argument…Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, where He now sits at the Father’s right hand. History doesn’t deny that Jesus was killed, or that His tomb was empty. And hundreds saw the risen Christ and gave their testimony - many even lost their lives rather than changing the facts of their story. Our faith is not built on the ethereal, it is built on facts and logic and expert witnesses.
Oh…the devil will always give us excuses and reasons NOT to believe…but the facts simply cannot be denied. And God will remind us of these facts as we return to Him again and again through prayer and Scripture.
I rest my case.
Dear Most Holy and Gracious God…thank you for never giving up on us - for showing us again and again that you are Lord. Open our eyes so that we simply can’t deny your signs, miracles, wonders, prophecies, and blessings! We praise and bless your name. Thank you teaching us today that we may better reflect your glory – and give each of us today the opportunity to shine for and be a testimony to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Imagine a mom's worst nightmare - discovering your child is missing. And yet, knowing God and leaning on Him can bring peace in the midst of this unthinkable storm. Jessica Morneault shares her story so that others who are going through a crisis situation can receive the hope that she experienced.
Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, setting Himself up for persecution. But It was all in His plan! The message He shared when He was given the stage is the most important message of all! (John 5:16-30) *** TRANSCRIPT
Dear Most Holy God, we come to you today in awe of who you are. You are the God who sees us and who knows every last detail of our lives – and yet you love us anyway. In fact, Jesus, you loved us enough to die for us. We often glibly say, “I would die for that” – but you said it and meant it. You were persecuted and killed, unjustly and unfairly. You allowed your life to be taken in a painful and inhumane way so that you could take death on for each of us, coming back to life three days later, and conquering death once for all time – that we ALL might have the opportunity to spend eternity with you. God, as we delve into today’s scripture, I ask that you be more real to us than ever. Help us see and understand your heart more than we have before. Guide my words and guide our understanding. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
I mentioned at the beginning that this is an important lesson, and I cannot state that strongly enough. It’s also deep…so I’m going to ask you to really focus as you listen.
Last week, we saw Jesus heal a man who had been ill for 38 years. Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well…and he gave an excuse that getting well was not a possibility. But Jesus healed him anyway. Because Jesus has the power to heal and to choose whom He will heal.
Today, as we continue our study into John 5:16-30, we hear Jesus, in His own words, proclaim the sheer magnificence of His healing power and explain where that power comes from.
John 5:16 from the New Living Translation begins…
16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing[a] Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.
Ugh…Jesus!! You knew the Jewish leaders would come after you for healing on the Sabbath! Why couldn’t you have healed the man on a different day!
I’ve gotta admit…sometimes I feel like Peter – questioning God! But c’mon…! In a Bible study recently we were exploring the question – would you rather have the resurrected Jesus who has gone to heaven and left the Holy Spirit to dwell in you – as we have now? Or would you rather walk with Jesus in the flesh on this earth – able to touch Him and have a one-on-one conversation with Him?
That’s a hard question! I like the Holy Spirit…but how cool would it be to take a walk with Jesus? To call Him on the phone when you are having a hard day and ask Him to go for coffee? To be able to say – I’m going to spend the afternoon with Jesus – He always helps me through things.
Did Jesus HAVE set the wheels in motion to lead to His death?? He was God…why didn’t He stick around for us!
Hmmm…we will explore that later…
But for right now, I want to recognize that by healing that man on the Sabbath, Jesus knew EXACTLY what He was doing! He WAS opening a can of worms, giving the Pharisees ammunition to take Him to His death. But He was also setting the stage for an incredible teaching opportunity….
Verse 17…
17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
With that one statement, Jesus proclaimed HIMSELF equal with God! You see, Jesus didn’t say…my Father in Heaven…nor did He use the acceptable formal term “OUR” Father…no – Jesus claimed familiarity with God. One definition of the term ‘my Father’ that Jesus used states, “one who has infused his own spirit into others.”
So Jesus claimed familiarity with God…And THEN He put Himself on equal footing with God saying…”He is always working, and so am I.”
The Pharisees had added strict and ridiculous rules to what constituted prohibited-work on the Sabbath, BUT they also acknowledged that GOD works on the Sabbath – in fact He works constantly. And they reasoned that it was okay for God to work on the Sabbath.
Instead of proclaiming that healing and caring for others is beyond the Sabbath rules of work, Jesus stated that since it was ok for GOD to work on the Sabbath, it was ok for Him as well.
You can see how this was blaspheme in the eyes of the Pharisees. Jesus was first, proclaiming familiarity with God, and then, He was putting HIMSELF on equal footing with God…
Verse 18…
18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
Now that He had their attention, Jesus further explained His own identity…proclaiming that He and God are inseparable, and His power is greater than they could imagine. He continued in verse 19…
… “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.
Building the tension or the excitement, depending on how you look at it… Jesus reveals that not only is He familiar with God, on equal footing with Him, and the two are inseparable…but He now proclaims Himself as the life-giver…verse 21…
21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.
Only God can give life. Jesus agrees and acknowledges this. But in the same breath, He states that He Himself has the power to give life to anyone He wants. This is where we begin to see that Jesus IS God. You see, our God is a Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in one. A fact that is simply too much for our minds to comprehend – but is truth, nonetheless. For if God is the source of life, yet Jesus is also the life-giver who chooses who He gives life to, not only is Jesus familiar with, on equal footing with, and inseparable from God, Jesus IS God.
And Jesus substantiates this fact further… not only is He the life-giver, but Jesus explains that He is also the judge…again…a role reserved for God alone.
Verse 22…
22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
Let me repeat that…
Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
To honor God, we MUST honor Jesus … as the Son of God, and as God Himself. We must respect His power and authority…His power and authority that comes from God and IS God’s…
And Jesus teaches, there are ramifications involved in choosing to honor Jesus as God…
Verse 24…
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
When we choose to honor Jesus, believing that He IS God, even though we sin – which we all inevitably do and will do – we will NOT be condemned – or sentenced to death – but we will enter into eternal life WITH God. Because Jesus has chosen to give us life.
Allow me to simplify this: When we believe in Jesus as God, Jesus, who has the power, will give us eternal life.
That’s a pretty good deal! All we have to do is believe and honor Jesus as God!
Jesus explains this power further…verse 25…
25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.[b] 28 Don’t be so surprised! (I love that! I imagine Jesus was responding to the shocked look on their faces…) Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life,
But it IS an all-or-nothing proposition. Jesus continues, in verse 29..
and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. 30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
Whew! Do you see why this is an important teaching? Jesus had set the scene…
He had healed a man who didn’t even believe He could be healed. Jesus alone made the choice and gifted the man with healing. And He did it on the Sabbath…in front of the Pharisees…whom He knew would question and attack Him. He did it all so that He could share the truth of who He was.
Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is God. Jesus is the life-giver who not only offers eternal life, but who offers ABUNDANT eternal life to all those who proclaim Him as Lord. And Jesus is also the judge, who will NOT accept as holy those who do NOT come to Him in obedience and submission.
So back to that Bible-study question…would I rather have Jesus beside me in the flesh or have the Holy Spirit always with me. Does it matter? Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both God! Even though Jesus is currently not available in the flesh for a phone call or a cup of coffee, He IS always available, via a whisper or a thought. We CAN have a discussion with Him in prayer and hear His voice as we read scripture. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to reach out to each other on God’s behalf – to comfort, guide, teach, and love. One day I WILL hug Jesus…my life-giver, my judge, my friend…my GOD! But until that time, I can hold onto His hands, close my eyes and gaze into His eyes, and listen for His voice, because I HAVE accepted Jesus as my God and He has welcomed me into eternal life. Let’s pray…
Dear Most Precious Holy God…how can we say thank you enough? God I ask that you open the eyes and hearts of each individual listening so that we all may recognize and claim Jesus as our God, our Lord and Savior, our judge and life-giver. I thank you for this teaching today. I thank you for your life and your resurrection that brings us into your presence. Guide us and lead us as we walk through this day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Dealing with tragic pain and suffering involving our children is a heavy load for any parent to carry. In today's interview, Ann Marie Brezina shares faith over fear, and courage through the storm as she walked with God through multiple tragic experiences involving her children. Today, we conclude the 2-part podcast with encouragement for you, offering hope in crises from God's Word. (Originally aired February 2021)
Out of all types of love, God's love is the most amazing and sustaining. Celebrate with us as Janet Berrong extols the virtues of God's redeeming love.
Are you weary? Walking hopelessly through the mundane? Jesus has so much more for you and is calling you to get up and walk in obedience. Pick up your mat and let God, in His grace, supply the strength you need every step of the way. (John 5:1-15)
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Thanks for listening to the Women World Leaders’ podcast! This is our Wednesday edition, Walking in the Word, where we take time out of our busy week to sink into God’s Word and ask Him to reveal His truth and teaching to us. My name is Julie Jenkins. I’m the teaching and curriculum leader for Women World Leaders, and I am pleased to be your host. We are currently walking through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John together as we study the life of Jesus Christ.
If you are enjoying our study, I’d like to ask you to take a moment to share it with someone else. My reasoning is simple. See…this podcast was started because a friend came to me in need of Biblical teaching. She is a nurse, and her team of associates had been gathering at lunch and listening to a limited Easter teaching. When they completed the series, she reached out to me looking for a podcast to empower them to stand strong together during the height of the covid pandemic. After searching and praying for an appropriate podcast for her, God spoke to me that He was calling Women World Leaders to begin this podcast series, and I thought, if He is calling, there must be a need. So we are asking you now, to help us fill that need. For us, it isn’t about download numbers, but about reaching those whom God intends to reach. Will you pray and ask Him who in your life would benefit from a weekly bible teaching that they can access anywhere at any time? And then will you share it with them? Your outreach will likely have a ripple effect that will extend further than you can now imagine. Sometimes we just have to respond obediently, even if we don’t fully understand.
That thought leads us into our teaching today as we study John’s account of the healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda from John 5:1-15. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, I thank you for each person who is listening, wherever they may be. Lord, I don’t know how you drew each individual to this podcast today, nor do I know what they are going through. But you do. You see each listener individually and there is something that you have called them to hear today. God, may the words that come from my mouth not be my words, but yours. Allow this teaching to come from you alone. We give you this time and ask you to infiltrate our thoughts, Holy Spirit, as we read and study your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
John 5 from the New Living Translation begins…
5 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days
We have seen Jesus heal many people as we have been walking through the gospels. We have seen Him step out time and again, but today we see Him intentionally step into the territory of the Jewish religious leaders whom He knew would seek His death. He traveled straight into Jerusalem. Scripture says He traveled there for a Jewish festival, although we don’t know which one. And it appears that He was alone as He visited the Temple area.
Verse 2 continues…
2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.[b]
The Sheep Gate was not an obscure name of an entry into the temple, it was the actual opening in the Temple wall through which the sacrificial sheep were brought. From the Sheep Gate, the sheep would have been taken directly to the pool that John mentions, where they would have been washed before being taken into the sanctuary.
Heading through the Sheep Gate, you could walk down a pathway to the pool of Bethesda, a set of twin pools that has now been identified by archeologists and is currently known as the pool of St. Anne. These twin pools were surrounded by four colonnades with an additional colonnade going between the two halves of the pool. I am far from being an expert in architecture, so to get a picture in my mind, I had to look up what a colonnade is. So now I can report that the pool was surrounded by an open hallway made of large columns and covered by a roof. This is where the sick people would lay…under the colonnade that both surrounded the pool and cut through the middle, separating the two parts of the pool. Many translations say that those who lay there were disabled, using the generic term for those who were too weak to help themselves. John further describes them as the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. This must not have been a pretty sight…it was probably actually quite heart-wrenching, pathetic, or even disgusting – depending on your outlook. Perhaps needless to say, this was an area that the upper class and those considering themselves purified for worship, would avoid.
But not Jesus. He walked right down the colonnade, among those who were hurting. Those who couldn’t see. Those who couldn’t walk. And those who, in fact, couldn’t move. He walked among those who were there because they didn’t know what else to do or where else to go.
There was a superstition surrounding this pool that said that when the angels randomly caused the water to stir, the next person into the water would be cured. But in reality, the people were hopeless. The blind – they would not have been able to see the water stirring. The lame could see the water stirring, but they couldn’t get to it. And the paralyzed, they were unable to move altogether. And the Jewish officials surely looked down on the gathering as the belief of the powers of the water mirrored the belief bestowed upon many of the healing shrines and pagan cults of the area. It was an area full of disgrace.
Those who gathered where the animals were cleansed were unable to get help themselves – and yet they waited.
And their waiting was not in vain. Not because of the stirring of the water, but because Jesus, God in the flesh, stepped in among them.
John narrows down our vision from a crowd of people to a single man who lay on his mat without a purpose, no different than the others. Verse 5…
5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.
We don’t know anything about this man except that he had been afflicted for 38 years. That is nearly as long the average life expectancy at the time! And he had given up. He may have been lying beside a pool that was said to have healing powers, but it was a formality.
Verse 6…
6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
I can understand the man’s state of hopelessness. He had been living with a debilitating illness for 38 years and was lying, day in and day out, among others who had no hope. We tend to get acclimated to where we are and to accept the situation we are in after a period of time. While that is a normal human defense mechanism, if you are stuck in a situation that feels hopeless, I want you to know that our God is a God of hope and renewal and restoration. God wants to light a fire in your soul and remind you that with Him, nothing is impossible. You may feel that you have nothing left to give and absolutely no way to make your bad situation better. And do know what? You may be right! You may have no power AT ALL to walk out of the situation you are in. But what God wants you to know is that you don’t need to rely on YOUR power or on YOUR plan. We were not created to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to use an American colloquialism. We were created to trust Jesus. We don’t know if this disabled man was blind or lame or paralyzed … or all three. What we do know is that he was beyond hope. And as Jesus, the Son of God, walked beside his mat, the man couldn’t see Jesus for who He was, he couldn’t walk to Jesus, and he couldn’t even reach out to him…and he didn’t have to. Because JESUS spoke into the life of the man and healed Him with His word … without even a drop of the stirring water hitting his skin.
Verse 8…
8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!
THAT is how God works!
Remember our previous teachings on God’s sovereignty? Jesus’ power is above nature, demons, illness, and even death. But there is so much more. Jesus’ power is personal and will reach into your soul giving you hope where there is no hope, peace where there is despair, and salvation where there is sin. Nothing we can do in our lives can wipe the mud from our eyes so that we can see. Nothing we can do can empower our legs to run the race that God has for us. We can do nothing to move from a paralyzed life to one full of movement and purpose for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But with a single word, Jesus, who walks among our sick mats strewn about, can raise us to a life that we can only imagine. We need only believe and obey.
Continuing in verse 9…
But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”
11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”
12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded.
13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
The man picked up his mat and walked without even realizing who had healed him. And he walked into a controversy…and all he knew to do was to say what had happened. And wait. And Jesus confirmed that He would not leave him alone in his newfound healing. Jesus was there. Jesus guided the newly healed man into his next steps. Jesus first healed the man, and then he walked with him. This man who had just a short time ago been without hope and without anyone to help him, through no action of his own, now had Jesus beside him.
If you are listening to this, you need to know that JESUS is walking beside your mat. He is calling your name. Telling you to get up – He has a mission for you. You can trust His power, His strength, His love, guidance, and protection. You are His. And He will never leave you alone.
It was the Sabbath…which turned the religious leaders against Jesus and against the man who was now carrying his mat. Jesus knew it would. Jesus knew the tide was turning against him, but that didn’t stop Him from loving and caring for the man on the mat. We don’t know what happened to that man, but I’d like to think that he became a stalwart follower of Jesus Christ. I’d like to think that he used the power in His legs to run after Jesus and the strength in his muscles to go wherever He was called to share the good news.
And I’d like to think that I, too, will harness that power that Jesus infuses into my own cells daily to share who He is. I pray you will, too. Let’s get up and walk together in obedience. Wherever God calls.
Dear Most Holy God…I simply can’t thank you enough for rescuing ME from beside the pool…for giving me eyes to see, feet to walk, and muscles to respond to your call. For infusing me with your power and strength to walk through this life. God, I confess there are days I am weary. There are days when I come up with excuses. Thank you for never giving up on me, and for never leaving my side. Thank you for calling to me and for commanding me to get up. Thank you giving your life for my weakness – that I may run in your presence forever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Pain is tragic when it comes to hurts of our children. This young mother of 5, Ann Marie Brezina, was hit with tragedy upon tragedy...but God. Despite all she endured, even her child being afflicted with cancer, she will encourage YOU through God's Word as she offers hope and healing even in the midst of pain and suffering. Join us for part one of a 2-part podcast. (Originally aired February 2021)
Don’t let contempt ruin your marriage. Explore the effect of contempt on your marriage and understand that empathy is the antidote.
In the Bible, many came to Jesus for healing. And today, we still need Jesus’ healing in our lives – physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. What can we learn from the biblical stories of those who were healed that we can put into practice in our lives? Julie Jenkins explores this question in today’s Walking in the Word as, together, we study Matthew 9:27-31 and 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35-43.
TRANSCRIPT
As we walk through the Word together, we are currently studying the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronologically. Today’s episode is bit different as I want to focus on Jesus’ healing in the lives of those who were His physical contemporaries when he walked this earth as fully man. Many people need healing in their lives – whether that be physically, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally. In fact, we ALL need healing at some point, and we all often have many people on our prayer list who need healing. As I read through the scripture for today, it was so clear that through His many healings, Jesus gave us a blueprint for how WE can approach and receive God’s healing touch in our lives today. As we uncover this “guide,” we will be studying Matthew 9:27-31 and 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35:43.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God – you are Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals all our diseases. God, you knit us together in our mother’s womb, knowing what each day of our lives held in store. You knew our ups and downs, our joys and trials to come. God, we thank you that you not only prepared us for each event but that you continually walk with us as we journey. You tell us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made – and God, we believe you! Teach us today, and help us remember this teaching as we walk through any valley craving your healing touch.
If you have been with us for our recent episodes of this podcast, you will recall that we have learned of God’s sovereignty through Jesus’ control over nature, demons, disease, and even death. And yes, God is sovereign, but that means far more than we can even imagine as we walk this earth. We are each but a speck, a grain of sand in all of eternity, and we serve a God who is in control of it all! But not only is God sovereign beyond our imaginations, He is also personal beyond our imaginations. The God of the universe and all creation cares enough about you to number the hairs on your head!
As we read about Jesus’ healing the multitudes in the Bible we should certainly be in awe, but we should also take it personally. Because just as Jesus saw each individual in the Bible and provided exactly what he or she needed, He also sees and provides for each of us individually. And while he heals and provides for us, His reasoning for this care goes far beyond the fact that He wants us to be comfortable in this life. Jesus healed many as He walked on this earth and made certain that the stories were recorded knowing that His actions would point many – you and me included – to the greatness of God. You see…God, who works all things together for the good of those who love Him, orchestrates everything perfectly so that we will end up in His arms for eternity. Our perfect God is able to use pain, illness, and strife to complete His perfect plan.
So what does He want US to do? Our natural inclination when we are sick is to want to get better. And as Christians, our hearts yearn for the comfort, peace, and healing for those we see suffering. How can we follow God’s blueprint for us as we walk through difficult times in need of His healing touch?
Let’s begin with Luke 18:35-37 from the New Living Translation…
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene[a] was going by.
Did you notice that the man who was in need of healing and was hanging out on the side of the road couldn’t even see Jesus passing by? And yet, he was acutely aware that something was out of the ordinary.
The first point is that God wants to be aware of His presence. If you are in need of healing, comfort, provision, guidance, or the loving touch of God, the first thing you must do is be aware that God is always with you.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He ascended into heaven. Many were grief-stricken to see Him go, but Jesus forewarned of His departure and taught that it was not without purpose, for when He left, He would leave behind the Holy Spirit – fully God – who would come to indwell all those who follow Christ. As Jesus walked this earth, the crowds flocked to Him – they dug through roofs and pushed through crowds to be near Him. All you and I have to do is invite Him into our hearts – and then recognize His presence. If you have already prayed for Jesus to be in your life, you can trust that His presence is always with you – you simply need to be aware of Him. If you haven’t yet accepted Jesus into your life, it is as simple as breathing a prayer of invitation…”Jesus…I give my life to you…and I ask you to come into my heart.”
That’s it! In order to receive Jesus’ healing, we must invite Him in, and then we have the privilege of being aware of His presence.
Step two, after being aware of Jesus’ presence, we must ask for His healing…
Matthew tells us of two blind men shouting to Jesus as recorded in Matthew 20:32-33…
32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”
Not only does Jesus want us to recognize His presence, He wants us to recognize His power. God wants us to name our need, and come to Him in humility, trusting in His power. See, when we pray for our own healing or the healing of someone else, and God heals, we get to be a part of the miracle! And we then have a testimony! Through our prayer and God’s response, we are given a story to share with others to point THEM to God!
If you are seeking God’s healing power, remember His constant presence, and ask for His healing.
When you do this, however, scripture warns that the world will come against you…and God teaches us Point #3 to put ourselves in a posture for receiving God’s healing – Stand strong against the world. Mark gives us this teaching when he tells the story of blind Bartimeaus who called out for healing and was greeted with an unfriendly crowd…Mark 10:48 in the NIV records…
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Can I just say – Go Bartimeaus! As followers of Christ, we can be assured that the world WILL come against us when we reach for God. Because what people don’t understand, they write off as “weird.” But as Christ-followers, we can stand on the fact that God is with us and we can go to Him requesting healing despite what the world says, thinks, or does.
The amazing thing is that as the world sees God working in tandem with your prayers, others WILL come to you and ask you to cry out for THEM. When that happens, do it! Because Jesus point in healing is always to point ALL to God.
Thankfully, even when the world comes against us, we don’t have to stand alone…which leads us to point 4 – When we seek God’s healing, we must recognize His presence, ask Him for that which we seek, tune out the nay-sayers of the world, and allow other Christians to hold us up.
Just after Bartimeaus was chastised by some, Mark continues in verse 49…
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
We are all put on this earth together to support each other and lead each other to Jesus. We have the privilege and joy of standing together! If you do not have a prayer group in your life – I would encourage you to join one. It is an honor and privilege to seek God’s healing on behalf of others, and it is a gift to have others lift us up. If you don’t have a prayer group, reach out to us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com so we can connect you. Or, spend time daily on our prayer wall at www.womenworldleaders.com.
The fifth step in receiving God’s healing to believe that God can heal!
Matthew records a conversation that Jesus had before healing two men…Matthew 9:28-30 from the New Living Translation…
28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”
“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!
To be healed by God, we must be aware of His presence, ask for His healing, tune out the world while relishing in the support of other Christians, and we must BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN HEAL US.
Remember…Jesus’ purpose in healing is to point all to God the Father. Our belief, in this lifetime, generally grows bit by bit. God understands that we sometimes doubt, but He will take that belief we do have, and grow it by His faithfulness to us. One prayer I pray often is “Lord, help my unbelief.” And do you know what? He always does! Sometimes I have to be patient, and sometimes His answer comes in unexpected ways. Sometimes God will grow my belief by putting me through the whole process again… by giving me a need that only He can fill … perhaps a healing that can only be accomplished by Him … reminding me to be aware of His presence, to go to Him with my request, to tune out the world, to rely on other Christians and prayer partners, and to believe that He can meet my need.
As you are healed in this life – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually – remember there is a final step…
Luke 18:43 from The Passion Translation tells of the aftermath of a blind man who regained his sight…
Instantly he could see again. His eyes popped opened, and he saw Jesus. He shouted loud praises to God and he followed Jesus. And when the crowd saw what happened, they too erupted with shouts of praise to God.
What a beautiful picture that is!
We will all need healing…and God WILL heal us if we go to Him. Because He loves us SO much! We may not completely understand the healing process, but we CAN trust it. Sometimes, it will seem like the cancer or another disease has won as it takes the life of our loved one. But we can trust that God always wins…because there is an eternity beyond this life where we, as lovers of God, will rest forever in His presence. And THAT is ultimate healing. THAT, from the beginning, was Jesus’ whole point in healing the blind, the sick, and the lame. So we must never forget that after each healing, big or small, we are to give God the glory – we are given permission to erupt with shouts of praise to our God who is always present, who wants us to come to Him with our needs, who guards us from the nay-sayers of the world and surrounds us with those who will lift us up into his presence, and who gives us reason after reason to believe Him. We CAN believe for healing! We can stake our entire lives on the fact that our God will never leave us nor forsake us, and who, if we let Him, will usher us into an eternity where healing will never need to take place again. Let’s pray!
Dear Most gracious and loving God! We thank you and praise you! We give you all the glory, knowing that you WILL heal us, right into eternity. Thank you for continually guiding us, even when that guidance hurts, thank you for giving us exactly what we need in this life that we may be a beacon of light for all, pointing the way to you. As your followers, that is our ultimate goal, because we know that it is your ultimate goal. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Today's guest, Tina Kadolph, was sex trafficked at age 4 and lived her childhood life being a human slave to others which is indescribable in words. BUT GOD... God had a purpose and plan for Tina's life from her birth. Rescued and miraculously led to Jesus in her 20's, Tina now shares encouragement with others, showing that with God, all things are possible. Hear her interview today. The ability to share her story publicly helps draw others afflicted with pain and tragedy to the healing arms of a Savior who loves them. (Originally aired December 2020)
God is with us in the times of celebration on the mountaintop as well as when we find ourselves in the deepest of valleys. The Sovereign Lord is our shelter and our ever presence in both life's hills and valleys. We can be aware and seek Him in all circumstances of our lives.
We have witnessed Jesus’ sovereignty over nature and evil, and now, as He heals two women, we see His sovereignty over illness and death. (Matthew 9:18-26 Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56)
Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders’ podcast. I’m your host Julie Jenkins.
We are praying for you at Women World Leaders. Our mission is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose – and part of that mission is to pray! We invite you to join with us in prayer by visiting our Prayer Wall at womenworldleaders.com where you can submit a prayer request or let others know that you are praying for them. We also have an amazing prayer team who bends their knees daily to God. I recently went through a tough season in my life, but I was able to walk through it peacefully covered by God’s presence thanks to my amazing sisters who lifted me up even when I didn’t have the words to say to God myself. If you would like to delve deeper into prayer, please email us at prayer@womenworldleaders.com. Let us know how we can meet you where you are – whether that be a one-on-one phone call, through email, or perhaps you are being called to join our prayer team. However God is leading you, I encourage you to connect with us – there is nothing like being surrounded by the family of God!
Today we continue our systematic walk through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as we together, delve into God’s Word and ask Him to show us what He wants us to learn. Today’s teaching comes from Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, and Luke 8:40-56.
Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for meeting each of us where we are today. It never ceases to amaze me that you are ALWAYS there for us…waiting expectantly for us to decide to spend time with you. Thank you for your patience, your diligence, and your love! Guide us today as we study your Word. Help us understand more of you and to become more like you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
In the last couple of weeks, we saw Jesus cross the Sea of Galilee where He encountered a storm through which He proved His sovereignty over nature, then He exorcised a multitude of demons from a Gentile man, proving His sovereignty over evil, and then Jesus and the disciples boarded the boat once again and sailed back across the Sea of Galilee after the townspeople ran Him off. As continue the scripture reading today, Jesus is again stepping off the boat, this time back in Jewish territory, when He is met with a crowd and is about to showcase His sovereignty over disease and death.
I want to pause here to recognize that God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect! Jesus and the disciples had a LOT going on…and yet God gave them a solid opportunity to refresh themselves and reflect as they sailed across the water. How quick are you and I to dismiss all that God is giving us as we are on our way to somewhere WE have deemed important? Some of the best conversations I have had have been when I was in the car driving a long distance. And some of the most valuable lessons I have learned have happened when I was in a season of waiting and processing. Don’t ever begrudge those moments of silence. Always remember that God’s plan is PERFECT, He is ALWAYS working, and every moment is filled with His grace – we simply need to trust Him and open our eyes, expectantly asking to be receptive to all He has for us.
Let’s begin reading today in Mark 5:21 from the New Living Translation where we meet two important characters – Jairus and an unnamed ill woman. These two people are as polar opposite as we can imagine. One is a high-powered Jewish synagogue leader, the other is an unknown woman who hadn’t been able to worship in the synagogue for 12 years. But they are both in desperate need of Jesus – and they are both waiting on Him – with humility and faith. Mark 5:21…
21 Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, (JAI rus) arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
As a synagogue leader, Jairus would have been well respected, and as many Jewish leaders were turning their backs on Jesus, Jairus may have felt peer pressure to do the same. But Jairus had faith and humility. He was desperate. His only daughter was dying. And yet he had faith that this JESUS could save her. He reacted in pure humility, in the midst of a large crowd, claiming his own dependence on this not-well-esteemed Jesus, he threw himself at Jesus’ feet. And Jesus responded – because that’s who Jesus is…verse 24…
24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him.
But meanwhile, we see yet another soul reacting in pure faith and humility. A woman who had been sick for 12 years. For 12 years, while Jairus enjoyed the companionship of his now dying twelve-year-old daughter, this woman struggled with an illness that kept her continuously ceremonially unclean, therefore unable to worship in the synagogue. She saw Jesus’ respond to Jairus, the distinguished leader, and she could have turned away, but she pressed on in faith, knowing that Jesus alone could cure her. Verse 25…
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
This weary woman, who perhaps did not have the energy or confidence or strength to actually speak to Jesus, believed with her whole heart that if she could just touch the hem of His robe, she would be healed. And her faith was well-placed, verse 29 continues…
29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
Can you imagine her joy? Her elation?
Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus where you just know that things were different from that moment on? I pray that you have – and if you can’t recollect one right now, I pray that you will give yourself FULLY and COMPLETELY over to Jesus right now. There have been times in my life when God’s presence has just been so palpable that it could not be denied, and I’m telling you, there is NOTHING like it!
At one point I had been going through a season where I wanted to serve God SO BADLY, but no offer to serve Him was working out. I kept being denied the opportunity to serve God. I was dumbfounded. I wasn’t doing this for me after all, I was doing it for God! But as I searched my soul, I realized that maybe I WAS doing it for me…somewhere deep within I wanted to be important, to gain the notoriety that a position of service would bring. I will never forget the moment of my conviction, confession, and release. I was sitting at a red light of all places. And I released my service to God…saying “if you want me to clean toilets for you, that is what I will do. No job is too menial.” The light turned green, and I literally and figuratively put my foot on the gas as my trajectory changed and I drove into my future. Later that VERY day…in fact within an hour, I was offered a serving opportunity of a lifetime.
I know what I felt like then – having my life completely changed by Jesus. So I can KIND of imagine how this woman felt – knowing that she had been healed by the power and grace of Jesus Christ. And as her trajectory changed, she was immediately asked to boldly come forward…verse 30…
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
No one understood this question, no one except Jesus and the woman, that is. Sometimes in life you WILL have encounters with Jesus that only you and He will fully understand. I encourage you to open your ears to hear what Jesus has to say to YOU! And open your heart to respond to Him. It won’t always be easy…but it will always be worth it! Verse 31…
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Jesus…busy Jesus…who had calmed the storm, driven out demons, and now was on His way to help the esteemed Jairus…was not too busy for this woman…and He will NEVER be too busy for you either…
But things were probably not feeling as perfectly timed on Jairus end…who was likely fighting frustration at Jesus’ delay. And, in fact, verse 35 continues…
35 While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
36 But Jesus overheard[a] them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Jesus always is intentional with every minute. He has a purpose and a plan that is often far beyond our understanding, but we need never worry. Our job is to continue to come to Him in faith and humility, trusting His goodness. Verse 37…
37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,”(TAHlly tah KUUM) which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. 43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.
Faith and humility. Trusting in God’s perfect timing. Jairus and the woman certainly didn’t have a lot in common, but they did have faith and humility in common. They both exercised faith and humility in the face of what the world would deem as hopeless and despairing situations. They both exercised faith and humility and did the one thing they knew to do…and that was to seek out Jesus. And Jesus was all they needed. Jesus had demonstrated His sovereignty over nature, demons, and now He demonstrated His sovereignty over illness and even death. We don’t have to know what to say or what to do…we only have to know who to trust. Step with humility and put your faith in Jesus, the true Sovereign King. He will never let you down.
Dear Most Holy God – we DO come to you with faith and humility. We confess that you are all we need, that your plan is perfect, and we vow to trust your perfect timing. Help us to allow YOU to plan the trajectory of our life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The Goodness of God. Health, Beauty, and Wellness Entrepreneur Janet Berrong shares about the "Goodness of God" during some of her darkest moments of life. The Goodness of God is everywhere around us. We just need to open our eyes to see it. Even in life's difficulties. God is good all the time.
Join Michelle Redden as she shares her experience hearing from the Holy Spirit. God wants to shower us with His wisdom, giving us the ability to respond obediently.
You can be assured that as you walk through the difficulties of this life, Jesus takes your troubles seriously and goes out of His way to walk with you. Allow this story to remind you to open your own eyes to witness the wonder and glory of God’s protection over you! (Matt 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39)
Currently we are walking chronologically through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Recently on our journey, we saw Jesus get into a boat with His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. You may remember that Jesus slept in the boat as a storm came upon them, and you may remember, that we learned that it was important that Jesus was sleeping, because He knew that there was work to do when they got to their destination. Today, we see that work up close as we study Matthew 9:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-39. Let’s begin in prayer…
Dear Most Holy God…we don’t know what today holds for each of us, but you DO know! And we know that you are here at this moment to prepare us, because you never leave us alone. So we give you this time. We ask that you open our hearts that we might each be receptive to the teaching that you have for us. I pray that your words will penetrate each listener’s heart, and that we would each be obedient to your guidance and your will for us today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s begin reading in Luke chapter 8, verse 26 from the New Living Translation…
Luke 8:26-39
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes,[a] (JAIR i scenes) across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town.
Jesus had instructed His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee despite the fact that He knew a dangerous storm would threaten to overtake them, not just to show His sovereignty over nature, but to get to this man who needed His help. And not only did Jesus brave a storm, but He went DIRECTLY to a burial area to seek out this man even when it was considered unclean for a Jewish man to have contact with the dead. Jesus moved mountains to meet this man where he was and save him from his hurt and pain…
Mark 5:3-5 describes the man this way…
3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
When WE see someone overtaken by evil or hate or drugs or mental illness, it can be very difficult for us to see them as they were created to be. But Jesus ALWAYS sees our inner soul…our spirit…who we were created to be. And although we, as humankind will often give up on each other or even ourselves in fear or frustration, Jesus will NEVER give up on His children. Jesus sailed through a storm to meet this man…so that He could meet Him in His peril…and liberate Him…empowering Him to live the life that He was created to live. The man was so out of his own mind that he didn’t understand what was happening, but the demons who possessed this man immediate recognized the power of Jesus…Luke 8:28…
28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil[b] spirit to come out of him.
We just saw Jesus sovereignty over nature as He calmed the storm, now we see Jesus’ sovereignty over the demon world as the evil spirits recognize Him, fall before Him, and BEG Jesus to NOT torture them. …verse 30…
30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons.
We don’t use the word legion much, and you may have learned somewhere along the line that legion means ‘many’….but the truth is that a legion was the largest unit in the Roman army…and consisted of between 3000 and 6000 soldiers. This man was possessed by thousands of demons. And yet, they only had to look at Jesus to know that His power was so much greater than all of their power combined! They knew their days of inhabiting this particular man were about to come to an end, but they weren’t willing to give up, so they proposed a deal to stay and continue to torment the region.
Verse 31…
31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.[c]
32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs (Mark tells us there were about 2000 pigs) feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.
So Jesus gave them permission.
But the trick was on them…Jesus knew exactly what He was doing…and Jesus had complete control of the situation…verse 33…
33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
While the drowning of the pigs is a testament to the power of the demons, showing that rampant evil WILL lead to death, it is also a tribute to the strength, control, wisdom and power of Jesus who forced the demons, who now no longer had a host, to vacate the area.
This was Jesus’ first exorcism in a Gentile area…although the demons had known who Jesus was at first glance, the Gentiles – or non-Jews – had likely never heard of Jesus…but obviously, word spread quickly…verse 34…
34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran.
Let that single phrase sink it…When the herdsmen saw it…actually…just let the word “it” sink in. That single word it is a prime example of why we need to read scripture slowly and thoughtfully. When the herdsman saw it…let’s remember what they saw…
For a “long time” scripture says…years…months…we don’t know…but for a “long time” there was this man…running around the cemetery naked…he was unruly and scary…forcing people to avoid the area. The authorities had tried to shackle and chain him, but he kept breaking away and causing havoc…I imagine children needed to stay indoors…people had to walk in groups…only the pig herders dared to go in the area…
The “it” the herdsmen saw was a small boat coming ashore with a ragtag group of men who had been out in a storm. One man was in the lead…and he was approached by that town madman, running toward the boat…but then the crazy guy bowed before the man from the boat, and begged Him for mercy. The man from the boat then commands the evil to leave this madmen, and the demons …thousands of demons…rush out of the man and into a herd of pigs…who, by the way, were worth a pretty penny to the pig farmer and made up the financial structure of the area….the demons rushed into these pigs, who start going crazy, probably squealing and running into each other, likely foaming at the mouth…and then, as a whole run themselves over the side of the cliff…leaving a cloud of dust and making a huge splash as they vanish into the sea…and then it probably got quiet for a moment as the once naked crazy madmen was left behind, calm and peaceful..
It’s no wonder that the herdsman ran away shouting their tale…and its no wonder that people came running from where they were to see if the tale was true…
Verse 35…
35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.
And then something that you might find surprising happened…verse 37…
37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes (JAIR i scenes) begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.
We can’t quite imagine what made them so fearful…except that the force that formerly had control of this man was crazy powerful…and now it seems that this one lone man from the boat had a power even greater. They may have sensed Jesus’ sovereignty, but what they clearly didn’t understand was His goodness.
I can remember being in a Bible study one day and hearing a woman marvel at our fortune, that the God of the universe, who is omniscient, omnipotent, sovereign and in complete control…is also good! He loves us each of us individually and would brave ANY storm and confront ANY demon for us. He would. And He does. And He will win EVERY. SINGLE. BATTLE!
The townsfolk didn’t understand yet understand this…and Jesus graciously gave them time for it to sink in.
Verse 37 continues…
So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.
But the man himself…now calm and FREE, understood completely…and Luke tells us that he BEGGED to go with Jesus…but Jesus sent him home, saying…
go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.”
And he became the first evangelist of that area…Luke says…
So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
Not only did Jesus love THE MAN so intensely, He also loved THE PEOPLE of the area enough to leave them a witness. The formerly possessed man was a daily, visual reminder to the people in that town that a God they didn’t quite yet understand had come for them as well as for the Jews. He was sovereign, in control, and offered His power to save THEM from any evil that would come THEIR way. Jesus reached across the Sea of Galilee to save the man and the town, and today He has reached across time and space to save you and me. His power, love, and grace are so far beyond our scope of understanding – but we need not be afraid. He is GOOD! And He wants us to join Him in joy – to GIVE Him the control – and to live our lives sold out in obedience to Him.
Unchecked evil does have the power to kill, but, thankfully, we have a God whose power is stronger than any other, who is perfect in goodness, AND who loves you more than you can possibly imagine. He will battle ANY storm and ANY force of evil on your behalf…and He will win…EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Dear Most Holy, powerful and good God! Thank you for calling us your own. Thank you for going before us, for battling on our behalf, and for claiming victory and holding on to US as your prized possession. God…you are beyond our understanding…so we accept in faith and say thank you!! Help us each to remember as we walk through today, that there is nothing that you cannot and will not overcome. We can always count on you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Our guest today is a Prophetic Artist from the Gold coast, Queensland, Australia. Lynne Hudson shares her story of God healing her from breast cancer and leading her into painting prophetically. Her art has been recognized in the New York Museum of Art and around the globe and God continues to use her paintings to minister to hearts and lives as she paints and speaks throughout the world. (This episode originally aired 9/21/2020
Be refreshed and renewed in 2022. Emotionally, spiritually, physically, and from the inside out, we all need to examine our bodies. God cares about every detail and we should, too.
As we study today, God encourages us to make the most of every moment – that includes taking advantage of all that God has us for us every day. (Ephesians 5:15-20) (Originally aired in 2020)
Today's interview is with guest Michelle Redden. A life coach, international best-selling author, speaker and entrepreneur, Michelle discusses the various ways God provides for you, the listener. Whatever bondage may be suppressing you from being "fully alive" in Christ, surrender it to God. God is "Jehovah Jireh," our provider. You may contact Michelle at Maedae.net (originally aired in 2020)
Listen as Cindy Jacob Southworth, AACC Certified Relationship Coach, shares how to effectively communicate in marriage and avoid communication barriers.
As we walk through life, there will be storms. But as Christians, we can trust our sovereign God and experience peace even when the waves are crashing around us. (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25)
We welcome today's guest, homeschooling bootcamp mom Jessica Prukner. As a successful business partner with her husband Ian, both national speakers, Jessica's first passion is raising her children to be world changers. She encourages the homeschooling mothers to embrace the special calling and hear Gods voice of direction specifically designed for each child. (This episode originally aired on 9/14/2020)
Rusanne Carole welcomes in the New Year, 2022! As we reflect, respond, and move into the new year ahead let us remember and celebrate the gifts we receive from our Father as believers.
What do a mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a pearl, and a fishing net have in common? Allow Jesus to teach you as we study together. (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52; Mark 4:30-34; Luke 13:18-21)
Meet the lead actress in the upcoming Kendrick's Bros faith-based film on adoption. Rebecca Rogers Nelson shares about her "secret closet." We all have areas of our lives we don't give anyone access to. Rebecca shares how releasing her very last "secret" to God brought her to her Dwelling Place with Christ. You don't want to miss this interview. (Originally aired on 7/12/21)
What does it mean that Jesus was born so that He could die? Listen as host Michelle Redden helps us understand this difficult concept.
Despite our surroundings, we will each answer to God individually. How is God calling you to prepare for that moment even as you walk through this season? (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
As persecution of her people in Pakistan burdened her heart, guest Hannah Ratnam clearly heard God's voice instructing her to bring help to her people. Hannah shares her true-life story of a dream she had. God delivered this dream and it has now become a movie, "Hannah's Dream," which is the recipient of numerous festival awards and is now on its way to a greater purpose.
Sometimes we must do simply what we are called to do. Mary understood this. Joseph understood this. And Jesus understood this. This Christmas, trust the God who is in control! (Matt 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-7)
Known as the "UNcoach," Traci Warren helps women UNRAVEL the kinks, UNCOVER hidden resistance, and UNLEASH their confidence so they wake up every morning to a life they love.
On this podcast, Cindy Jacob Southworth shares ways to keep the true meaning of Christmas in your home.
We are called to sow seeds in obedience to God’s call. Let’s explore together what this means and how we can joyfully obey as we study Mark 4:26-29.
Life is hectic, and our lives are often encompassed by busy times and self-focused attitudes. Michelle Hiatt, known as the "Nourishing Mompreneuer," believes the most important work you'll ever do is within the walls of your home. Today she share about the "Joy of Surrender" and how to bring joy into your life, your home, and your heart this new year of 2022.
Over 2000 years ago an angel visited a young Jewish girl and she was told she would have a baby. Not just a baby but the Son of God. Join us as we look at part of her journey as the mother of the Saviour of the world.
Jesus taught the Parable of the Soils for you! God wants YOUR life to blossom in HIS nutrient-rich soil. (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-25, and Luke 8:4-18)
Best-Selling Author, Clarity Coach, and Graphic Artist Kelly Williams Hale speaks on the topic of "Forgiveness" and how she shared a very private story openly with the world for God's honor and glory.
Join Michelle Redden as she offers practical tips for healing from heartbreak and expounds on the value and benefit of submitting to God's healing grace.
What does it take to experience complete acceptance and love in the family of Christ? Jesus teaches us in one simple sentence! (Matt 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21)
Sharing a shameful past takes courage. Amber McDaniel testifies of her story and the results of experiencing freedom through a personal relationship with Christ. From dancing to cover pain to now dancing for Jesus, this precious woman shares her Relational Redemption Through Creativity.
Join host Janet Berrong as she guides you into Spiritual Wellness in this, the last of her three-part series on Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness.
God’s wonders are all around us! Jesus is calling us to choose to open our eyes and see all He has for us! (Matthew 12:38-45)
When chaos is in control and life is just super busy busy busy- we need to slow it down, way down! Today's guest, Holistic Hormone Educator and Lifestyle Planning Strategist, Melissa J. Kessler, takes us from the "hustle to unhustle" with God. Go from burn-out to feeling alive in five simple steps. Best-selling Author, Speaker, and Strategist, Melissa will explain the five points she has learned through her own life journey.
In this podcast, Cindy Jacob Southworth shares with us how to implement a Mini Marriage Retreat to keep our marriage fresh and strong.
If speaking against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, am I doomed? To understand this, host Julie Jenkins walks us through who the Holy Spirit is! (Matthew 12:31-37)
Mental Health and Wellness advocate, author, and speaker Elaine Sephton shares her 2x suicide-attempt story with us in hopes of raising suicide awareness. God will work out His plans for your life, Psalm 138:8. We just need to TRUST and surrender control.
On today's episode of Celebrating God's Grace, host Rusanne Carole Jourdan speaks about how we can love and serve God as we "do" for Him out of a deep "being' with Him. We often speak of "being a Martha or a Mary." Jesus told us that Mary choose the better thing to do. To sit at our Saviour's feet allows us to serve Him from an overflow and be obedient to what He wants us to do.
Get ready to celebrate the best gift ever as we study Ephesians 2:1-10. God wants to transition YOU from defeat to victory to exaltation!
Through our darkest moments, God carries us through. (Deut.1:31)
Today's guest, Anita Setran founder of "Prayer Stations" and "Spark New Life" shares a near-death experience and miraculous story of God's divine intervention of a life through Covid.
Join us today as Michelle Redden encourages us to follow the biblical teaching to take every thought captive by intentionally monitoring what influences our thoughts.
We live in an evil world, but God has prepared each of His children to stand strong! Revisit Ephesians 6:10-18 with Julie Jenkins and remember whose army you are in!
Please join us for today's podcast interview with Ashley Korth from Kappa Studios in Hollywood, California. Ashley talks about the importance of God in film productions and ways that Christ-followers can support faith-based movies like The Chosen, Unplanned, and Selfie Dad. (This episode originally aired on 10/26/2020.)
Join host Janet Berrong as she shares that in life's ups and downs, Jesus is the solid rock and refuge which you can count on.
In this passage, Jesus delineates the two sides – and only one is pure, lasting, and true. Which side will you choose? Join Julie Jenkins as we explore together Matthew 12:22-30, Mark 3:20-27, and Luke 11:14-23.
Today's empowering interview is with Kristen Clark, Co-Founder of "Girl Defined," a ministry that reaches hundreds of thousands of young women for Christ.
Today, Kristen will empower you by sharing some of her story and how she found fulfillment in Christ as she talks about keeping Jesus at the head of your marriage and life. (This interview originally aired on 12/14/2020.)
Cindy Southworth shares ideas for fostering a stronger emotional connection with your spouse.
John the Baptist doubted. And Jesus reacted in kindness. Our prayer is that as we study Luke 7:18-35 and Matthew 11:1-19, you will be empowered to go to God with every question and doubt.
Our past does not define us. Today's guest, Peggy Sperling - certified human behavioral consultant, teacher, and missionary to China 41 times - encourages us with her story. Please join us today as Peggy shares the importance to rise above past circumstances that may hold us back from fulfilling what God has for our future.
Today, Rusanne Carole looks at how women can overcome adversities and challenges we may face in today's world and to look forward and not back, for God has a good plan for all of us! We must adorn the armour of God and trust His plan.
We can dance, assured that Jesus will meet us where we are and provide the miracle we need. A study of Luke 7:11-17
Our guest, celebrity and author Tina Gallo from General Hospital, shares about life in the acting world and how acting became an idol in her life. We can all have idols. Listen today how Jesus came in and brought Tina's life from "Confusion to Clarity" through a phone call as she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. God is now using her, a sold-out champion of faith in the industry and for Women World Leaders. (This episode originally aired on 11-30-2020.)
What will God teach YOU as we study Jesus’ miracle of the healing of the Roman centurion’s servant from Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10?
Our guest for today's interview is Bethany Beal, co-founder of "Girl Defined." Please join us today as we discuss 10 tips to keep your heart focused on Christ despite the distractions and divisions caused by every everyday life. You won't want to miss this motivational young woman of God with her encouraging words. (This episode originally aired on 11-17-2020.)
Jesus implores you to seek a relationship with Him. He is our strong foundation and offers the best ending to our story! Enjoy our study of Matthew 7:21-29; and Luke 6:46-49, 13:23-30
Dr. Jia R. Conway openly shares her personal story of sexual abuse and the debilitating damage it caused for many years. Dr. Jia also shares the POWER of forgiveness, which brought freedom to her life and a calling from God, leading her beyond the clenches of a broken past! (This podcast was originally released October 19, 2020.)
Today Cindy Jacob Southworth, an AACC certified relationship coach and part of the Women World Leader’s leadership team, takes us to God’s Word and discusses ways in which you can become your spouse’s best friend.
How do we know what steps to take? And who to trust? Jesus gives us His wisdom on the subject in our study of Matthew 7:7-20; Luke 11:9-13 and 6:43-45 with Julie Jenkins.
Today's guest is Kimberly Hobbs, Founder of Women World Leaders. Kimberly is interviewed by another Woman World Leader, Janet Harlee. Kimberly shares her own testimony on "Faith in an Ever-Changing World."
We have an exciting announcement that we are sharing on today's podcast! We are introducing four new hosts-- Cindy Southworth, Janet Berrong, Michelle Redden, and Rusanne Jourdan!
Join us as we explore Matthew 7:1-6, Mark 4:24-25, and Luke 6:37-42, focusing on the truth that God’s job is to judge, and our job is to love.
Developing a closer walk with God is a daily intentional choice. In today's podcast, Singer/Songwriter Sara Sahm openly shares her story. Sara talks real about hearing God's voice through tragedy and how He guided her to a daily walk with Him. Listen all the way to the end to hear Sara's original release, I Believe. You can connect with Sara at Sarasahmmusic.com
Why should we put our devotion on God above all else? Let’s learn together as we study Matthew 6:19-34, Luke 11:34-36, 12:22-34 and 16:13.
"SHUT UP" were the only words Dana Cryer heard for days upon days into months upon months into years upon years. Kidnapped at age 5, taken into the deep woods Dana shares her detailed story of sexual abuse, terror-filled days and nights, and excruciating pain in her body. It was all this little girl knew as she was held prisoner in a shack in the woods.
Until....
Hear this incredible God story of rescue, restoration, forgiveness and God's love. The horrific journey of pain- to the POWER of God through forgiveness and love. (Part 2 of 2)
What does it mean to be righteous in our giving, prayers, and fasting? Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:1-18 and Luke 11:1-4
"SHUT UP" were the only words Dana Cryer heard for days upon days into months upon months into years upon years. Kidnapped at age 5, taken into the deep woods Dana shares her detailed story of sexual abuse, terror-filled days and nights, and excruciating pain in her body. It was all this little girl knew as she was held prisoner in a shack in the woods.
Until....
Hear this incredible God story of rescue, restoration, forgiveness and God's love. The horrific journey of pain- to the POWER of God through forgiveness and love. (Part 1 of 2)
As Labor Day is approaching in the upcoming weeks, let's celebrate God who gives us rest!
God calls us to reflect His perfection. Learn what that means as we walk through Matthew 5:33-48 and Luke 6:27-36
God has given each of us as believers a story to share with the world. Today's guest, Janet Harllee, talk show host of "Faith In An Ever-Changing World," discusses the importance of sharing your faith story with others to bring about encouragement, inspiration, and hope while sharing the gospel message of Christ. Please join us to hear examples of why your story might make a difference in another's life.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to trust and depend on God, no matter our circumstances!
What does Jesus really want us to know about the law? Find out as we study Matthew 5:21-32.
Great favor is upon you when you believe every word spoken to you by the Lord. Recognize the will of God for your life as author, teacher, and speaker Dr. Karen Bethea of "Set The Captives Free" outreach center shares her story and the promise of blessing she recieved from Luke 1:45. You can receive the blessing as well as you learn about how to hear from God.
Never underestimate the way God can reach people, He can do it in the most unlikely ways!
The Law requires strict adherence to attain perfect righteousness…or does it? Learn from Jesus' words as we study Matthew 5:17-20.
The painful aftermath of an abortion can be fierce. Guest Victoria Robinson, author and national speaker for over 20 years in the pro-life movement, shares the need for abortion recovery for both men and women. Victoria shares her own abortion story and how her struggle with traumatic memories led her to what she does today. Called by God, Victoria became a sought-after abortion recovery speaker for men and women who battle the ongoing pain of "after abortion" trauma.
What do salt and light have to do with following Jesus? Find out in this study of Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:49-50, 4:21; and Luke 14:34-35, 8:16
The spirit of fear can immobilize you. It can come upon us in an instant or sometimes through decades of past trauma in our life. Today's guest is an author from British Columbia, Canada. Wendy Arelis shares her story and provides helpful advice on how God saw her through the layers of built-up fears that gripped her during her life. She's an overcomer and full of helpful ways to encourage others.
Join us as we celebrate what God is doing in India with seeds that have been sown through the Voice of Truth magazine!
The "grip of addiction" is a claw of the devil. Today's guest, Brenda James from Iowa, shares her personal story of battling addiction. Hear about the protection God provided to bring her out of the clenches of an ongoing battle of darkness and into the freedom of His amazing grace.
As athletes around the world gather for the Olympic games, let us also run the race God has set out before us!
What did Jesus teach about the Kingdom of Heaven? Join Julie Jenkins for The Beatitudes - Part I to find out as we study Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26.
God gave us the ability to use prayer and our guest, Dr. Chidi Kalu - speaker, author, empowerment life coach, and corporate trainer - shares the importance of using this powerful tool in your life. Please join us as Dr. Chidi unleashes a "prayer of declaration and promise" over you today!
Walk with Julie Jenkins and discover God's control and perfection as Jesus appoints His apostles. (Matthew 12:15-21, 10:1-4; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-19)
Meet the lead actress in the upcoming Kendricks Bros faith-based film on adoption. Rebecca Rogers Nelson shares about her "secret closet." We all have areas of our lives we don't give anyone access to. Rebecca shares how releasing her very last "secret" to God brought her to her Dwelling Place with Christ. You don't want to miss this interview.
Join us in using the spiritual gifts God has given you to strengthen the faith of others!
Learn of God’s perfect wisdom as we see Jesus confronted about healing on the Sabbath from Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, and Luke 6:6-11.
Today's guest, international best-selling author and certified relational-marriage coach Josy Cartland, speaks about struggles and how to persevere. Josy shares 3 key ways to overcome some of life's toughest struggles and find God's comfort through rough waters. Josy's full story can be read in Tears To Triumph, which is available for purchase at womenworldleaders.com (This is a replay from October 2020)
As we celebrate our various independence days across different nations at different times, let us also unite to celebrate the freedom found in Christ!
God’s way is love over law. Listen as God teaches us to let love be our driving force in Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, and Luke 6:1-5.
Join Kimberly Hobbs as she interviews author Kim Meeder.
At a young age, Kim was orphaned when both parents were murdered. What God did with her life through her incredible faith led her to become a sold-out Christ-follower, best-selling author and speaker, operating an incredible rehab Ranch ministry that helps over 5 thousand children a year in Bend, Oregon. Today she encourages the listener to reach beyond the pain to find God's Purpose for your life. (This is a replay from 08-2020)
When asked about fasting, Jesus teaches so much more! Join Julie Jenkins on this walk through Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; and Luke 5:33-39.
Kimberly Hobbs interviews author, dancer, and actress Robia Scott. (This is a replay from 8-2020)