link: Living Proof MinistriesOn Day 2 of Deeper Still: The Event, we were priveledged to hear from the woman who, by her example, helped me break free to be a dynamic woman of God without shame or fear. Personal testimony time:
Those who know me already know this: I have a very strong personality. When I was younger, this got me into trouble. I would assert my opinions over everyone else's no matter the circumstance. I had the courage of my convictions, but not the discernment necessary to know when to speak and when it was appropriate to be silent. As I moved into adulthood, my limited Bible study and comments from others led me to believe to be a Godly woman, I needed to be meek; that whole "gentle and quiet spirit" thing. I went through my mid 2os-to mid-30s frustrated and confused. I knew what God's word said, but I did not want to be judged as pushy (which would be equal to ungodly in my thinking at the time), so I kept my thoughts about how scripture applied to our lives to myself. I threw myself into the busyness of doing church. I sang in 3 choirs, worked in AWANA, taught a children's Sunday School class, taught VBS, led praise and worship time at our church's women's events, and anything else anyone threw at me. And I kept my mouth shut regarding my belief about scripture.
It wasn't until I began to do a Beth Moore Bible study that the light began to turn on in my mind. Mrs. Moore is not a meek person, but she is an incredibly loving person. She knows the Bible and through God's Mercy and Grace, shares Truth in love....in the very real sense of the term. As I grew to know Mrs. Moore through the videos I watched and grew closer to my loving heavenly Father as I benefited from her teaching, I realized that a gentle and quiet spirit was not the same as a gentle and quiet personality. God made me exactly who I am for a reason. He has blessed me with the ability to share truth in love! He has matured me to be able to understand and share the truth from the scripture with others! Most important, I know God loves me exactly the way I am. To be anything other than what He made me to be would be to spit in His face. I would be telling him I didn't like the way he made me so I'll just be something else. Trust me, I spent years in that mode and it is depressing and unfulfilling.
Mrs. Moore's influence, along with other people and circumstances God has brought into my life, has allowed me to begin to embrace the person Christ made me to be. This freedom I am experiencing in Christ is why my blog is called "Singing Like Myself." Mrs. Moore helped bring me to a place in my life where I understand God created me to sing a song that he gave only to me. He wants me to sing that song in my unique God-given style. And when I say "song", I don't mean a literal song, I mean the song that is seen in the way I live the life God gave me. Thank you for that, Mrs. Moore!
Mrs. Moore's teaching at the Deeper Still event was incredible! She spoke about David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to it's proper place...the second time. The first time, David tried to bring the Ark back his own way, not God's way. As a result, sombody died. David became angry at God for taking someone's life over it. Mrs. Moore reminded us that many of us might be angry at God for something He did. Oh, I wish I could share what she shared, word for word, but it is too much to type here. Read 1 Chronicles for the account of David returning the Ark properly. He learned that God is sovereign. God is loving, and He is Holy. There are consequences to our disobedience, even though God loves us, and we simply have to accept that. Parents who love their kids discipline them. God loves us. He is our Father. He disciplines us.
She asked us if we were holding an offense in our lives against God. If so, we needed to surrender that offense to God's sovereignty and restore our relationship with Him. Look at David's life after he returned the Ark the way God intended. He grew to have an even more intimate relationship with God. He was blessed and his family was blessed.
God has so much more to show us in this life. If it weren't true, he'd take us home to glory right now. But in order for him to take us where he wants to take us, we have to be willing to go with Him. If you are hurt and are blaming God, I pray you will let it go. God is sovereign and He loves you. He has so much to show you. Let Him!
1 comment:
Suzanne,
I can relate to your testimony of being a strong personality in a “keep your opinions to yourself Christian world”. I got a deep message from God from Beth at Deeper Still. I did have an offense against God in an area and didn’t even realize it. Between her message and Kay’s I was able to “give up the offense to the Lord” and I have not had this much freedom in my spirit in this area in several years. God is good…All the time. Yes?
I loved all three speakers each one ministered to me in a powerful way. I have never been a woman who cares much for “fluff” when it comes to ministry.
I believe that the spiritual gift of prophecy is still valid for today. Not prophets like in the Old Testament receiving “new revelations” but those who speak forth the truth of God’s word as He has given it to us in scripture. All three of these women Kay, Beth and Pricilla fit this bill. I believe you do too and so do I. I can’t NOT speak the truth; it comes out at the most inopportune times! I have learned over the years that trying to suppress what God has put within me only allows the enemy to gain ground. There is nothing magical about it. God’s word is complete, but the application of God’s word must be worked out with fear and trembling as He reveals His truths to His children. I praise God who pulled me from such a dark place and set my feet to dancing!!!
I love you sister! Go forth and proclaim the light!
Kathy
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