Living the Journey

My love for God was non-existent, I was living in secret sin, and I knew that what I was doing was wrong.

I tried as hard as I could to stop sinning but I was attempting to do it in my own strength. My intellect was on the throne of my life. I thought I could fight off the devil by myself.

While I was on the Journey, I heard Paul Washer speak about how being a Christian is not only praying a prayer but living for the Lord and seeking first His Kingdom. That really meant a lot to me. That is when I truly gave my whole life to the Lord and first saw Him working in my life. As a result, I made several vows not to do the things that I was doing while I was in sin. I asked God to take back the ground in my soul that I had surrendered to the devil by believing his lies.

It was after this complete surrender to the Lord that He became real to me and I experienced a filling of His Spirit. Since then the Lord has kept me far from the sins that I used to commit on a regular basis.

On the “day of delighting in the Lord” God’s Word spoke to me: “Seek first My Kingdom, follow My commands, and go and make disciples unto all nations.” During the hour of prayer God revealed more of Himself to me. I was loving it so much that I prayed for two hours and was an hour late for dinner! This was after we had been fasting the whole day.

While we were singing that night as a group, I had the awesome feeling of actually praising God through my singing.

In the past, reading the Bible has been a lot like eating dog food—it was not enjoyable at all! But now, after giving my life to the Lord on the Journey, I love to read the Bible like it is really God’s Word. And I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to use me. Praise God!

~ Stephen
July 2009 Journey

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Last week we learned 7 things that we can give to others, most of which cost no money. Today we take a look at the 6th of 7 keys to overcoming a fear of rejection.

6. Understand Your Worth to God.

The fear of man’s rejection loses its importance when we realize the value that God places on our life. There are hundreds of statements in Scripture that describe our position in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we focus on these truths, the praise or approval of people becomes very insignificant. Paul declared, “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

Take a few minutes every day for the next few days to meditate on the following truths that apply to us as Christians:

I am God’s child, born of incorruptible seed.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, butof incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in His blood.

“In whom we have redemption through hisblood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

I am a new creature.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17).

I am free from the power of darkness.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of the law.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13).

I am strong in the Lord.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Corinthians 12:10).

I am accepted in Christ.

“He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).

I am a saint.

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Romans 1:7).

I am blessed.

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2).

I am beloved of God.

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (I Thessalonians 1:4).

I am qualified to share in Christ’s inheritance.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).

I am chosen by God.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).

For many, many more similar Scriptures, download Who I Am in Christ.
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I sit here contemplating what wondrous things God has done—such things that eye hath not seen nor ear heard!

I was privileged to be one of the team leaders on the young ladies’ Journey this past week. I met all of my eleven precious sisters in the Lord on Saturday and we enjoyed getting to know each other that evening not knowing to what extent God was going to move and work so mightily in our hearts the forthcoming days.

The drive up to the Northwoods on Monday was special. We shared what we were anticipating for God to do in our hearts, sang praises, read Scripture, and listened to the dramatized recording of “The Hiding Place”. As we listened, God softened our hearts as we began to see our lack of trust, confidence, and gratefulness in our Almighty God. We realized our insignificance in and of ourselves and began to desire more of a fervent zealous love for our Saviour.

Our hearts burned with an earnest passion to pursue after Jesus Christ that week. We desired to fully know what it was to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It was a blessing to put aside all activities and schedules just to spend time in the Word and prayer. Each day was special for its own reasons but Tuesday was the most significant of all.

After dinner, we gathered in the Lookout to study and pray. As we opened our hearts to the Lord desiring for Him to search our most inward parts, He gave us grace to share our struggles and disappointments with each other. Brokenness was seen; openness was felt; and oneness was experienced. While weeping with contrite hearts, there was a peaceful stillness in the room. It felt as if God was walking amongst us. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would rest upon each of us. At one point during sharing, we laid hands on a girl and cried out to the Lord that she would be released from the powers of darkness that she had been living in for the past few years. Through her tears, she was filled with joy.

To see girls broken and contrite before the Lord and finding lasting freedom and fulfillment in Jesus Christ alone is something that cannot be fully described but only experienced firsthand.

Rising to see a sunrise and singing praises, spending 3 1/2 hours in prayer, receiving rhemas from the Word of God, memorizing a Psalm, searching our hearts, learning key principles to live a surrendered life—these all hold such special memories, but the most wonderful event of all was falling in love with Jesus again! I praise the Lord for His goodness is drawing near as we drew near to Him. It was a Journey to never be forgotten and it is a Journey that will continue by the grace of God and His power within each of us! Soli deo Gloria!

~ Sara
July 2009 Journey

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In addition to an enthusiastic greeting, discover seven valuable things that you can give to those God brings into your life every day. Most of them won’t cost you a dime! This is the fifth key in our series on conquering the fear of rejection.

5. Give Valuable Things to Others

Everyone likes to get gifts, (if you’re honest, you’ll admit that you like to get them too. ) But people don’t just like gifts, they like those who give them. Proverbs 19:6 tells us that “every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.” Here, God is giving us a very effective way to overcome our fear of rejection, but we do need to act on His instructions. After all, gifts don’t give themselves.

There are many types of gifts, some that are material and practical, and others that cannot be bought or sold. No matter what kind of gift you give, the key is that you give it in genuine love. (See I Corinthians 13:3.)

Here are a few gift ideas that can bless people immensely, while costing you barely anything, except a thought and some time.

1) A word of praise or recognition

This does not mean flattery. It is commending someone for acting in a way that honors God (even if they didn’t know it!). This priceless gift can go a long way in building others up and motivating them to do what is right. It also makes them feel safe around you, which is the very opposite of them rejecting you. (This gift is especially vital with brothers and sisters.)

2) Notes or cards of thanks, exhortation, or encouragement

For some people, a handwritten card is a gift that will be kept and treasured for years. It takes some thought and some time, but it is a gift that God can use in many ways. The Apostle Paul taught us how incredibly powerful written letters can be. Without his “gift” of writing, we would not have the amazing books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and so many others.

3) Remembering significant dates and events

Birthdays, anniversaries, spiritual birthdays, there are many opportunities to show others that we care about the special times in their lives. How many of us have had that pleasant feeling of happy surprise when someone unexpectedly remembers a day that is important to us?

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Ray thought his Christian life was just fine. However, as he allowed God to search his heart he realized how sinfully wicked it really was. He also discovered the secret to being “quickened” or “revitalized” that the psalmist shares in Psalm 119.

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~ Ray
July 2009 Guys Journey

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