Encouragement

Encouragement

Sometimes we just need a shot of encouragement along the way

PURIFYING SEASON

As a watchman on the wall for families, I can tell you that you are one of MANY who feel flattened by circumstances and profound inner turmoil. God is purifying us – you are not alone. The topic may be different, but the battle is the same. This is God cleaning us in and out of anything that isn’t of Him. Seriously, count it pure joy that you are being so radically transformed. Do not let the enemy speak an ounce of lies to you that you are the only one, can’t handle it, or won’t make it. God’s got you, and He WILL finish the work as He prepares His Bride.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FAITH FOR?

Many of you know our incredible housing testimony of years ago. It was an incredible faith walk that inspired many to increase their trust in God. The moment our house sold, a wise mentor said to me, “Lisa, now what do you have faith for?” I remember telling him I didn’t want to return to that place of utter faith. It was scary, and I wanted to go back to a place of comfort and security. He encouraged me that God just grew my capacity to trust Him and to take that trust and pour it into the next thing so that my faith and dependence would become a lifestyle and not just an event in scary times. Whoa! I began to journal… “Lord, I have faith in the air I breathe (like seriously, I never worry or think about it. I just do it naturally). I have faith for water. I have faith that You love me. I have faith that I will always have clothes on my back. I have faith that You are my Savior. I have faith that You care about my housing needs. I have faith that You want to raise these children with me.”

I was walking down the areas I already had great faith in and was allowing Him to build my trust for more. One of my greatest responses when life throws me curveballs, ups, and downs, is to ask, “Lisa, do you have faith in God for  this situation?” It feels like a renewal of my vows each time. Yes, Lord, I have faith and trust in You for this particular situation.

BUSYNESS IS NOT GOD’S TOOL

BUSYNESS is the enemy’s tool to get you distracted, worn out, and without hope. Let me say that in reverse. Are you feeling worn out? Are you battling discouragement? Are you feeling exhausted? Are you overwhelmed? Are you feeling stretched too thin? Are you panicked and anxious? Before you check your heart, check your schedule. Busyness, even filled with the ‘good stuff,’ is NOT your friend. Guard against this trap of the enemy. I have had to be super diligent in not overextending myself, especially in this hour, because it is so easy to become distracted by the things that don’t matter, be filled with worry and the ‘what-ifs,’ and crowd out the voice of the Lord.

KNOW THE SEASON

Seasons are so important. If you walk out the door in your swimsuit when it is -3 below, you will suffer. If you attempt to plant in the scorching heat, you will not reap a harvest. We have personal spiritual seasons, as well as corporate seasons. We must discern our season; there is a time for everything in its proper time. A friend reached out about the heaviness all around her and said, “I just want breakthrough!” I asked her from what, and she said, “Everything.” I told her I didn’t think that was the right position. I honestly do not believe breakthrough in the form of world peace is coming. I think God wants us to find our PEACE, JOY, and AUTHORITY in the midst of the chaos because we are in a purifying and strengthening season. The heat, pressure, and tension so many feel is the purification process of the Lord. Lies, wrong mindsets, hurts, offenses, wounds, trauma, false beliefs, doubt, fear, etc., are coming to the surface in the midst of the squeeze. If we do not understand this, we will MANAGE the uncomfortable season and come out the same. Yet the purpose is to purify. Don’t say NO to the season; KNOW the season. You CAN have peace, joy, and hope, but it comes from the process, not hoping circumstances become light and easy again.

GOOD FRUIT

I once heard a leader say he never once responded to his children in anger (not once, people!) At first, I thought he was bluffing as he has three children. Never? Not once? In all honesty, it agitated me for a few weeks. Maybe because I knew I couldn’t say that, or maybe because him saying that cut him off from anyone else being able to relate to him. I wanted to ask him further about it when God spoke this to me. He said, “Lisa, this son is a FIFTH-generation believer. His life is what it looks like when generations honor and follow me.” WHOA. I became deeply encouraged that my children and children’s children will do it much better than I did because of what I am sowing into. Give yourself some grace for how God has chosen to use your generation to impact future generations.

DEAR LORD

Dear Lord, I declare that I am more than enough for my children and that I was hand-picked for the job to train them. God, You have entrusted me with much, and I will steward it well. Amen.

BABY MOSES

Baby Moses was the answer to the Israelites’ plea for help from their bondage that lasted for generations. So, what is God birthing through your child? Time will tell. How you steward the calling on their life is the difference between slavery and freedom for others.

PERFECT PARENTING

If perfection was the goal in parenting, then even Mary messed up because she lost the Savior of the world; just saying.

GLORY TO GLORY

This mom owned her partnership with Jesus while taking our JOURNEY class:

“Yet this is my confession: HE was not ignorant of my woundings and shortcomings when He entrusted me with these little men. He has never called me perfect, just HIS. I can clean up any mess I’ve made by the power of the Spirit that lives within me. My God LOVES to redeem my mistakes and gives all the treasures back WITH interest. I declare that my children will not only be HEALED of any past or future wounding they might receive from me or anyone else, but they will also GAIN AUTHORITY in the process to set many captives free in the same areas. I declare that what the enemy intended for evil, my God turns to MORE good in our family. I declare that we are on the fast track as a family toward the greatness God deposited in each of us in our mother’s wombs and that we will be iron sharpening iron as we move from glory to glory!”

I AM GOING TO BE OKAY!

Some of you need to repeat this out loud until your mind and heart believe it.

I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY! I AM GOING TO BE OKAY!

Because I am a Daughter/Son to the Creator of the universe. He cares about me, knows how to protect me, and leads me to still waters. I am under His wing, which shelters me from all that comes my way.