This week in my Whole Woman Revolution Bible Study, my teacher, Denise Hildreth was such a blessing to me. Really, every week, I am walking out with so much depth and so much to "chew on" that I have to re-listen to it at least once. After the study, we have an opportunity to purchase the CD to listen or to get to a friend who didn't make it that week. I would love to share them with you. I have all of last season's on FAITH...and so far all three from this study. You can also go online to her website at http://www.wholewomanrevolution.com/ and there will be a link where you can download the message.
This week she covered Rev 2:8-11 dealing with the church in Smyrna.....Jesus was telling them he recognized their suffering.....
8"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
Several things struck me as she taught..
Just like the Church in Symrna did, when we are in the middle of our pain, we forget who God is.. We question if anyone at all even knows we exist at all....we forget who we are. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It does to me. I know in my pain, in my "stuff" I tend to go to a place of just a frantic thought process. I think I am worthless, not even worthy to serve...I know I begin to rename myself....I forget who God says I am....and I believe the lies of the Devil. Sometimes the Devil's lies are louder than the whisper of the Holy Spirit.....the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. This happened to the church of Smyrna...they felt insignificant because of their pain.....How many of you have had that? Maybe you haven't...but I sure have and to be completely honest, last week, I had a hum dinger of a week like that. But Jesus said, "you are rich, you are significant...you do have things to offer." He said to them, like he says to us, "I know your suffering....I get it...I did that...I died on the cross and suffered for you...I KNOW first hand, your suffering." I don't know about you...but for me...that is comforting. He knows and gets me.....
I have at times felt that in my yucky stuff....when I listen to the lies....when condemnation comes in.....that I have nothing to offer...that what good am I to serve in any capacity. It is a lie....
But......when I settle myself or what two women in my life like to say to me..."calm down" they are telling me to settle....to quiet myself...to hear the voice of the Spirit......Kinda like, "Be Still and know that I am God" And when we don't settle.....we only hear the lies, and then those feelings of insignificance lead us to believe we are too insignificant to fight for important things, like:
This week she covered Rev 2:8-11 dealing with the church in Smyrna.....Jesus was telling them he recognized their suffering.....
8"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
Several things struck me as she taught..
Just like the Church in Symrna did, when we are in the middle of our pain, we forget who God is.. We question if anyone at all even knows we exist at all....we forget who we are. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It does to me. I know in my pain, in my "stuff" I tend to go to a place of just a frantic thought process. I think I am worthless, not even worthy to serve...I know I begin to rename myself....I forget who God says I am....and I believe the lies of the Devil. Sometimes the Devil's lies are louder than the whisper of the Holy Spirit.....the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. This happened to the church of Smyrna...they felt insignificant because of their pain.....How many of you have had that? Maybe you haven't...but I sure have and to be completely honest, last week, I had a hum dinger of a week like that. But Jesus said, "you are rich, you are significant...you do have things to offer." He said to them, like he says to us, "I know your suffering....I get it...I did that...I died on the cross and suffered for you...I KNOW first hand, your suffering." I don't know about you...but for me...that is comforting. He knows and gets me.....
I have at times felt that in my yucky stuff....when I listen to the lies....when condemnation comes in.....that I have nothing to offer...that what good am I to serve in any capacity. It is a lie....
But......when I settle myself or what two women in my life like to say to me..."calm down" they are telling me to settle....to quiet myself...to hear the voice of the Spirit......Kinda like, "Be Still and know that I am God" And when we don't settle.....we only hear the lies, and then those feelings of insignificance lead us to believe we are too insignificant to fight for important things, like:
our marraiges, our purpose, our vision, or even our life."
Job 36:15
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction
Job 36:15
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction
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