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The Journey of Obedience – Journal Entry #2 (March, 2018)

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I don’t know about you, but when things don’t go as I plan, I normally want to change the plan (which is a NATURAL thing to do??).  However, when we’re in the midst of a SPIRITUAL Journey, the rules change!  The Lord will ask us to do things that are a tad uncomfortable (like WAITING until He tells us to take the next step!).  He takes us out of the realm of reasoning and into the spiritual realm of FAITH.  Contrary to popular belief, when we operate in faith, it does not mean that there’s the absence of doubt.  I’m now two months into this new journey and I’m struggling!

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, …  II Corinthians 4:13 NKJV

So, I ENCOURAGED myself with this Facebook Inspiration post…

EVERY DAY….. Your journey will only get Better!!

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… knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.    II Corinthians 4:14 NKJV

Resurrection power come forth, as we speak to all the lifeless things in our lives!

Then, as the month draws to a close, this Facebook memory pops up!!!

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DO YOU?????

 

NEXT JOURNAL ENTRIES (April, 2018)

Journey of Obedience – Journal Entries #1 (March, 2018)

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My day started with a Facebook memory for March 21st, 2012…

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The Holy Spirit reminded me that my true purpose is MINISTRY, which was birthed through Order Your Steps in September of 2011!  I had to be mindful of the task at hand and allow the Lord to lead and guide me along the way.

A very dear friend and minister sends me the Spirit of Prophecy bulletin for my daily devotional.   It never fails to hit me exactly where I am in that moment and today was no different…

SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

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Revelation 19:10b “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

                           SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND    by  Marsha Burns           

March 21, 2018:  Beloved, I want to help you see and hear spiritual truth.  To do this you must look without fear, prejudice, or expectation.  You cannot allow anything to color or distort what I show you, but rather take it at face value.  When you see something do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.  Look with eyes wide open, ears ready to hear, and a heart ready to receive, says the Lord.

 John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Coincidence?  I think NOT!!

biblical quotes

NEXT JOURNAL ENTRY:  March 23rd of 2018

Journey of Obedience – My Journal (Introduction)

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In late January of 2018, the Lord impressed upon me to host an Order Your Steps event.  It started as a Fall season event with a “New Beginning” theme, but evolved into a Mother’s day weekend event, which may not have been the best time!?!?  But interestingly enough, as I lined up the venue, vendors & even the speakers, everything seemed to fall into place.  So I published the Save the Date and I was off and running!!

Shortly thereafter, as you recall from my previous blog posts, the Lord said “Plant the Seed”, so I searched the scriptures and the Holy Spirit took me to Zechariah 8:11-13.

But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.  For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

In Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible, it states that “While in Babylonian captivity, the people had been subject to God’s discipline.  Zechariah encouraged the people to focus on God’s chose of Jerusalem and that God had promised to come among His people and completely restore them.  Because of their obedience with regard to rebuilding the temple, they could now anticipate His Blessing”.

Mind you this was NEVER about me, nor the event itself.  God has a Purpose and a Plan for His people and we are called to be diligent in our efforts to serve Him.  So the Lord gave me a task … But when things didn’t happen the way that I THOUGHT they should, I began to wonder “What did I do wrong?”  

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Did you really hear God?

Did you say something wrong?

Did you do something wrong?

DOUBT AND FEAR TRIES TO TAKE OVER!!!  BUT GOD’S WORD WILL LITERALLY BOMBARD US!!!

 

In early January, I found a new zeal for God’s Word, even before the real journey began.  So I decided to start a journal to truly see what the Holy Spirit was saying…

Here’s my first entry  on February 25th, 2018:

“Peace comes after obedience.  We may NOT experience God’s peace until AFTER we do what He tells us to do!”  I’m not exactly sure who said it, but it was either Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church or Bishop TD Jakes.  I’ve been listening to them A LOT.

Then God’s Word said ….

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

So, whatever happens from this point forward,

I gotta see it through,  BUT…

it’s NOT gonna be easy!

Now, a whole ‘nother month goes by and not ONE ticket sold.  What do I do now?

NEXT JOURNAL ENTRY #1:  MARCH, 2018

Stay Tuned….

 

The Conclusion of the Matter… For Now!

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As you may remember from my post on April 5th, I experienced several periods of doubt and uncertainty for months leading up to my Order Your Steps event in May.  Many of you may be thinking, “It was just an event, why is she trying to make it a deep spiritual experience?”  For me, it has been a True Walk of Faith and unfortunately, it’s been very difficult to explain.  So, the fact that on May 12th, my Ordering Your Steps, A Mother’s Perspective finally took place, I realized that the outcome of the event was NOT the most relevant part of the process.  The major learning and my spiritual growth took place all along the way.  So when the event was over, I was still wondering if I’d done it “RIGHT” (by God’s Standard).  However, this is The Conclusion of the Matter, For Now! … and if this pic is any indication, I think I did OK!  😀

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In addition, here are a few comments from our survey:  “What did you like best?”

  • I enjoyed everything!  So Helpful,  Informative, Encouraging
  • Nice size of venue and relaxed environment
  • I like the intimacy of the event and the openness of the women  
    • So I guess, it wasn’t about having a lot of people!?
  • All the speakers were informative and motivating
  • The ease in which each presenter shared their testimony, gifts & abilities — Down to earth.  All speakers shared their talk using the Bible
  • Topics were spot on.  Focus on various areas related to organizing life!

Recommendations:  “What did you like least?”

  • Allow More time for fitness! 
  • The fitness speaker should have been at the beginning to get us motivated and moving
    • Yes, Mocha Lee, our fitness pro, had us exercising.
  • Choose a different day
    • Day before Mother’s day may not have been the best choice
  • Too many desserts!  😀
  • Break out groups of 3-4 for ice breaker and to introduce ourselves to each other

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“WHO WOULDA THUNK IT??  😀

Yes! … We are already planning next year’s event.  Stay Tuned…

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2019 Ordering Your Steps:      Spring into Action!

In the meantime, over the next few months, I will be sharing more details on my walk of faith,  My Journey of Obedience – My Journal!

Don’t Doubt, even if you don’t SEE the ram!

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Today I am/was having an Abraham moment!  Although I KNOW, what I thought was beyond a shadow of a Doubt, that the Lord has given me an assignment to accomplish, during the past few days, my Faith has begun to wain…because I DON’T SEE the ram!

Allow me to explain… Back in January, I woke up with an idea to have an organizing workshop.  I’d conducted workshops before, but this one was different.  This event is truly more about ORDER.  I prayed that morning and the Lord said, “Plant the Seed”.  So I went to my bible and I came upon this scripture:

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.  Zechariah 8:12

So I set out to organize this workshop, which evolved into, “Ordering Your Steps: A Mother’s Perspective”, scheduled for May 12th.  I approached the speakers, who readily accepted and secured a venue.  Now I’m off and running!  I KNOW what the Lord said and All is Well!  I advertised, printed postcards, posted on Facebook and there was an enthusiastic response (I thought?!?!).  BUT THEN…Tickets started to sell and then STOPPED!!!!!!  

That was the end of February, which brings me to my Abraham, our Father of FAITH moment, sorta.  In Genesis 22, we are told that out of obedience to God, Abraham took Isaac, his only son, up one of the mountains in Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering.  Now I know that my workshop assignment doesn’t come close to sacrificing my son, but work with me :-/.  Abraham went up the mountain, knowing that the Lord had a plan, but he had no clue as to what would be the outcome, EXCEPT that they (he and Isaac) would be going back down the mountain… BUT Abraham did not know HOW!

And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.  And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I … And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Genesis 22:10-11,13 

I could tell you of MANY situations, when the Lord stepped in right in the nick of time and I’m sure that you can too.  My situation at the moment is this Mother’s day event that I KNOW God told me to do.  BUT because of what I SEE, doubt and uncertainty have reared their ugly heads! 

Although I don’t SEE the ram, I know that the ram was on the mountain BEFORE Abraham and Isaac even got there.  In FAITH, I must SEE the ram, before I SEE it!  It’s a little more than a month away and I am going to see this event through…and even if the Lord doesn’t appear until my 11th hour and I’m just about to call it quits, I believe that the ram is already in the bush!

god-grace-Ram in the Bush

If perchance, you’re interested! 😀

Ordering Your Steps: A Mother’s Perspective

 

Connect The Dots

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Our Steps are Ordered, but are we CONNECTING THE DOTS!

Psalm 37:23 says, The steps of a good man[woman] are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Proverbs 3:5-6, the Book of Wisdom says, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I’ve discovered that God speaks to me in many different ways and many times, I don’t always understand the true meaning, but I will put a DOT on my life map, because one day the Lord will connect it.  In this message, a number of DOTs were connected and I hope it helps you to connect some too.

Now don’t raise your hands, but how many of you are fairly bored with life right now? It’s interesting, we are sooooo busy, but we have time for television, the telephone and texting, staying connected to the outside world, but what about our world inside?  How much of what we do, are things that are truly fulfilling or are they only things that others expect us to do.  I know! We have responsibilities and obligations and we just can’t go around enjoying life or can we??

In John 10:10, Jesus says that I am come that [we] might have life and that [we] might have it more abundantly (paraphrased).  Was He just talking about things/stuff or was He talking about our quality of life, His love for us, our love for Him and the people around us.  Has life become so routine that we just follow through the motions?

Remember the Connect the Dots books.  There were dots all over the page, but in the center of the page, the dots had numbers on them.  When you connected the dots by the number, a picture appeared.  So now hold that image in your mind as I share my testimony.  I have shared bits and pieces of my journey before, however, for those that may be considering taking a Leap of Faith, I believe that it’s worth repeating.

DO WE HAVE THE KEY?

Several years ago, I felt stuck and I remember saying “God, I really need to do something different, but it doesn’t have to be easy. To be totally honest, I didn’t even think God was listening, yet acting upon what I said, but then what appeared to be random dots on a page started to take shape.  In the midst of everything else that was going on in my life, God was connecting the dots… Order Your Steps was born! God has allowed me to touch 100’s of lives, in numerous homes and through my blog and Facebook page.  I’m learning to flow with God in a way that I never have before. I’m truly living on Purpose!  But don’t misunderstand, it’s been a journey, but with each step I take, I see my path a little bit clearer!

Our lives may appear to be random dots on a page, but Our Steps are Ordered.  When we think we can’t, God says that we can.  God is taking us places where only we can go.

So are we excited or are we scared?

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

Or is it Doubt?

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 6:13

God is waiting on us to make the first move!  It’s time for us to be like David….We might as well run towards Goliath, cuz the Lord is with us, every step of the way.  CONNECT THE DOTS and let nothing, not even your giants, stand in your way!