To get me started on this path, God placed a sweet Kingdom connection in my life to disciple and mentor a hungry, teachable spirit. Vickie led a group of us in the Master Life study which is a four-part, in-depth, study with a commitment of one year to complete. This study literally lit a consuming fire in me and ignited an eternal flame for studying and learning that I hope never goes out. Beth Moore says that when the oil of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in us comes in contact with the Word of God – you get an ‘internal combustion’. I like that and I know God placed a desire in all of us for that.
“If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38
A number of bible studies followed this one, some of which I was honored to lead. Just as God had placed Vickie in my life, I now had a heart to see other new believers not only accept Jesus as Savior, but to have a rich and full intimate relationship with Him and to rely on Him to be Lord of their lives. A pivotal scripture in my life that I know God wants every believer to embrace is “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind then you will be able to test and approve what His will is; His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
I want to share three of the most profoundly important life lessons that I have learned over the past 10 years of following Christ and studying His Word.
(1) Bring what is in darkness into ‘the light’. Don’t keep anything that is disturbing you even slightly… hidden inside or in secret. satan loves for us to do this because he can then grow it into something that hinders your effectiveness for the Lord. Tell someone – hurry – run and tell someone you trust quickly. Have someone pray with you about it and hold you accountable. You are 99% of the way to victory when you speak and bring a darkness into God’s glorious light. “The enemy comes only to steal our joy, kill our enthusiasm, and destroy our purpose, but Jesus has come that we may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
(2) Be thankful ‘in all things’. It is easy to ‘be thankful’ for all the many wonderful blessings in our lives. But God’s Word tells us in numerous scriptures to thank Him for ALL things – Do you get it? Not just the good and positive things. It took me a long time to really get that. But we can always thank Him for being all powerful and knowing what we need in our lives. We can thank Him for not giving up on us and still caring so much for us that He wants to teach and train us through our circumstances. Once you have become grateful for even a problem, it loses its power to drag you down and your thankful attitude will lift you up into heavenly places. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 in the Message translation says, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”
(3) Commit to 30 days of prayer for healing of any stronghold or bondage in your life – this can be any type of wound, infirmity, affliction, or sin such as hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. It can be something that has been revealed to you by God or it may be verbalized to you by a relative or someone that cares enough about you to tell you truth – an accountability partner. Enlist a prayer partner to join you on this journey on your behalf. I have done this several times and I usually think of it when I get to the end of my rope and become sick and tired of being sick and tired of something. I begin by telling God that I am committing 30 days of prayer to ask Him every day to speak healing into me concerning this. I continue by asking Him to minister straight into it through everything – every devotional, every time I read my Bible, the worship music I listen to, every sermon I hear, and every word of encouragement from family and friends. The incredible truths I’ve realized about this is that I am released from the guilt of carrying this around because I’ve truly given it to God for healing instead of trying to constantly deal with it myself and…..you will not believe how you will literally see with your spiritual eyes His hand at work on your behalf. After 30 days reevaluate – if there’s victory and healing – CELEBRATE! If you feel a need to continue for another 30 days, do so until you’re free and then, of course – CELEBRATE!
to be continued...
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