Hello, I am a guest blogger and Laura’s sister! She has shared with me the awesome power that God has been revealing in her life and the lives of those who have gathered for Power Source. I have been studying the book of Joshua in recent weeks, so I wanted to blog a little bit about what I have been taught about the power of our God!
I love the book of Joshua! The book begins with God giving Joshua a serious pep talk about what is coming as he leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. God repeatedly encourages Joshua with the words “Be strong and courageous.” (I don’t know about you, but if someone says that over and over to me, then sends me out, I’m thinking that I may be in for a tough time!) The story continues as Joshua willingly follows God’s leading to cross the Jordan, conquer Jericho and Ai, and finally to defend the Gibeonites against the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon who had all joined forces against them.
Joshua then continues his conquest over all the area until finally we read in Joshua 10:40-42:
So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. 41 Joshua subdued them from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza and from the whole region of Goshen to Gibeon. 42 All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
Wow! Be honest. When you read stories like this, do you feel like that was a little bit of overkill… literally! I mean, really… did Joshua and the Israelites really have to completely destroy everything in all of those cities? Couldn’t they just take over the cities and make the inhabitants their slaves? It seems so violent, right? Besides, they could use some of the good stuff that was in the cities, right? (To see how well that turned out, check out chapter 7!)
Fast forward to my life. What can I learn from a story of utter destruction, killing, burning, etc.? First, I have to ask, “What is my promised land?” What has God promised me? It is the abundant life that I am living right now in Jesus Christ! Remember when Jesus said in John 10:10 that he has come that we may have life and have it abundantly! I believe he is talking to his chosen people (us!) and that he is talking about NOW! We don’t have to wait until Heaven to live in eternity with God. We can start right now!
God called Joshua to action when it came to defeating the enemies in his promised land. So why wouldn’t he call us to action to do the same in our promised land (our abundant life right now with God beside us). God called Joshua to defeat Jericho and Ai. He then was to destroy many other cities in the land. What are some of the enemy cities in our promised land? Where has satan held you in defeat, whispering that you will never be free? Pride City, Hidden Addiction-ville, Greed City, The City of Bitterness, Anger City...
I believe it is time to take no prisoners and utterly defeat those cities. But beware… do not try to simply take the inhabitants of the cities captive. They must be destroyed. We are asking God to remove them from our lives. They may seem too big to defeat or you may have been beaten up after trying to defeat them in the past. Take a look at Joshua 1. Read the words of the pep talk that God gives Joshua, and then take action! You never know, once God and you have conquered one of your “cities”, the others may follow. Rest assured, it won’t be easy. It was a lot of work for Joshua and the Israelites, but it was definitely possible. And it is for us too!
“Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1:9 (MSG)
Shared by Paula Holsberry, Wichita Falls
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Notes From March Power Source Study
Here are the notes from the March Power Source study. We thought it would be good to post them on the blog so that we all can have a place to find more truths from the word when we need some of Him! Blessings...
Watch Out Big Mac, I’m Hungry For Something More!
Power Source March 1st, 2010
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”
Psalm 107: 1-9 “For He satisfies the thirsty & fills the hungry with good things.” (verse 9)
Story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well John 4:1-26 “Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (verses 13-14)
Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit & the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters....”
How do we satisfy that part in us? LIVING IN FREEDOM WITH HIM!!!
*Beth Moore says in her book, Living Free, that whether we seek to be filled through approval, affirmation, control, success, or immediate gratification, we’re miserable until we fill ourselves with Him. When we draw daily from His well of unfailing love we will be filled.
*Don’t listen to false strongholds. God is our ultimate stronghold (fortress, rock, refuge, blanket of protection) but it is very easy for us to make other things our strongholds that steal our focus & cause us to feel feel overpowered, controlled, or mastered. These are lies & deception from Satan. When satan wages war against us, the primary battlefield is the mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds....We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
But, great news! Satan lost all rights to have authority over a believer’s life at the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). The VICTORY is WON! Christ disarmed the forces of evil. Satan makes us believe that he has power but NOTHING is bigger or more powerful than God!
Going to Battle Example - Be Prepared! Claim Him everyday and the Power He has, not only on the day He calls us to heaven, but the Power He has today to live in freedom with Him & not in fear. Choose Truth through the Word of God and Spirit-empowered prayer. He wants to be our Heavenly Daddy in a relationship not some far away thing!
Our Power Source: “Proclaim the power of God, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God. The God of Israel gives power & strength to His people. Praise be to God!” Psalm 68:34-35
Watch Out Big Mac, I’m Hungry For Something More!
Power Source March 1st, 2010
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”
Psalm 107: 1-9 “For He satisfies the thirsty & fills the hungry with good things.” (verse 9)
Story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well John 4:1-26 “Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (verses 13-14)
Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit & the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters....”
How do we satisfy that part in us? LIVING IN FREEDOM WITH HIM!!!
*Beth Moore says in her book, Living Free, that whether we seek to be filled through approval, affirmation, control, success, or immediate gratification, we’re miserable until we fill ourselves with Him. When we draw daily from His well of unfailing love we will be filled.
*Don’t listen to false strongholds. God is our ultimate stronghold (fortress, rock, refuge, blanket of protection) but it is very easy for us to make other things our strongholds that steal our focus & cause us to feel feel overpowered, controlled, or mastered. These are lies & deception from Satan. When satan wages war against us, the primary battlefield is the mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds....We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
But, great news! Satan lost all rights to have authority over a believer’s life at the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). The VICTORY is WON! Christ disarmed the forces of evil. Satan makes us believe that he has power but NOTHING is bigger or more powerful than God!
Going to Battle Example - Be Prepared! Claim Him everyday and the Power He has, not only on the day He calls us to heaven, but the Power He has today to live in freedom with Him & not in fear. Choose Truth through the Word of God and Spirit-empowered prayer. He wants to be our Heavenly Daddy in a relationship not some far away thing!
Our Power Source: “Proclaim the power of God, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God. The God of Israel gives power & strength to His people. Praise be to God!” Psalm 68:34-35
Monday, March 15, 2010
Being God's Gals
"A capable, intelligent, & virtuous woman-who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels & her value is far above rubies or pearls." Proverbs 31:10
Sometimes I think it is hard for us as women to see ourselves as God sees us. We might see ourselves in ways of past experiences or what others have said or done to us. We might see ourselves in our roles as wives, moms, sisters, daughters, friends or in our role at work. We might see ourselves in the world's eyes and value ourselves based upon how much we weigh, how much we've accomplished, others' approval, or outward appearance. We have so much thrown at us in media that it is easy for us to confuse our minds on what really makes us valuable. Even checking out in the Albertson's line I can get distracted by the magazines telling me what my body should look like.
Satan tries so hard to distract us from what truly brings us real joy and peace...the relationship we have with the Creator! Connie Witter says in her workbook, Because of Jesus, "Basing your self-worth & self-esteem on these things leads to an unhappy life; but if you base your self-worth on your relationship with God & what He thinks & feels about you, your life will be filled with joy & peace. You are precious & valuable to God because He made you & He purchased you with the precious blood of Jesus. Because of Jesus, you are a virtuous woman."
I know that doesn't mean that if we have a relationship with God that challenges & pain won't come our way. What it does mean to me is that when those challenges come, God as our Heavenly Daddy, will pick us up, give us hope, and amazing strength & insight through the Holy Spirit. What an amazing gift!
It's time we set our eyes on who we are made to be...God's Gals. The Creator wants to be friends with us. He's longing for us to talk to Him in a personal way and have a relationship with Him. Today I am claiming this verse for us:
"We were fearfully & wonderfully created by God. We are His masterpieces." Psalm 139:14
Let's hold our heads up high & live like God's Gals!
Laura
Sometimes I think it is hard for us as women to see ourselves as God sees us. We might see ourselves in ways of past experiences or what others have said or done to us. We might see ourselves in our roles as wives, moms, sisters, daughters, friends or in our role at work. We might see ourselves in the world's eyes and value ourselves based upon how much we weigh, how much we've accomplished, others' approval, or outward appearance. We have so much thrown at us in media that it is easy for us to confuse our minds on what really makes us valuable. Even checking out in the Albertson's line I can get distracted by the magazines telling me what my body should look like.
Satan tries so hard to distract us from what truly brings us real joy and peace...the relationship we have with the Creator! Connie Witter says in her workbook, Because of Jesus, "Basing your self-worth & self-esteem on these things leads to an unhappy life; but if you base your self-worth on your relationship with God & what He thinks & feels about you, your life will be filled with joy & peace. You are precious & valuable to God because He made you & He purchased you with the precious blood of Jesus. Because of Jesus, you are a virtuous woman."
I know that doesn't mean that if we have a relationship with God that challenges & pain won't come our way. What it does mean to me is that when those challenges come, God as our Heavenly Daddy, will pick us up, give us hope, and amazing strength & insight through the Holy Spirit. What an amazing gift!
It's time we set our eyes on who we are made to be...God's Gals. The Creator wants to be friends with us. He's longing for us to talk to Him in a personal way and have a relationship with Him. Today I am claiming this verse for us:
"We were fearfully & wonderfully created by God. We are His masterpieces." Psalm 139:14
Let's hold our heads up high & live like God's Gals!
Laura
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Are You Thirsty?
Are You Thirsty?
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1
Have you ever been extremely parched and in great need of water? How did you feel? Did you find yourself consumed with thoughts of negativity and your great need for relief? What happened after you were given a drink of water? Was one glass enough to quench your thirst or did you crave more?
Life in the flesh can be full of parchment and dryness. Where do we go to quench our thirst from our struggles and receive renewal, guidance and love? Do you need a fountain of love that never runs dry? You will find that fountain, overflowing abundantly, at the foot of the cross where Jesus gave His life for your eternal salvation. The fountain is a gift – it is free!
As we seek Christ in our spiritual dehydration and develop a closer walk, He quenches our thirst. But then what happens? The more we drink from His source, the more we want…..just like that first glass of water. His fountain overflows daily and washes over our worries, pains, and sorrows and loves us unconditionally.
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
God loves YOU! He wants to quench your thirst and meet your every need. His desire is that you never thirst again, so come to His W-E-L-L!
W – Receive His Work
E – Receive His Energy
L – Receive His Lordship
L – Receive His Love
COME TO THE WELL, FILL YOUR CUP AND DRINK DEEPLY!
The Prayer of the Thirsty
Lord, I come thirsty.
I come to drink, to receive.
I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection.
My sins are pardoned, and my death is defeated.
I receive your energy.
Empowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.
I receive your lordship, I belong to you.
Nothing comes to me that hasn’t passed through you.
And I receive your love.
Nothing can separate me from your love.
From the book, “Come Thirsty”, by Max Lucado
Shared by Catherine Walker
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1
Have you ever been extremely parched and in great need of water? How did you feel? Did you find yourself consumed with thoughts of negativity and your great need for relief? What happened after you were given a drink of water? Was one glass enough to quench your thirst or did you crave more?
Life in the flesh can be full of parchment and dryness. Where do we go to quench our thirst from our struggles and receive renewal, guidance and love? Do you need a fountain of love that never runs dry? You will find that fountain, overflowing abundantly, at the foot of the cross where Jesus gave His life for your eternal salvation. The fountain is a gift – it is free!
As we seek Christ in our spiritual dehydration and develop a closer walk, He quenches our thirst. But then what happens? The more we drink from His source, the more we want…..just like that first glass of water. His fountain overflows daily and washes over our worries, pains, and sorrows and loves us unconditionally.
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
God loves YOU! He wants to quench your thirst and meet your every need. His desire is that you never thirst again, so come to His W-E-L-L!
W – Receive His Work
E – Receive His Energy
L – Receive His Lordship
L – Receive His Love
COME TO THE WELL, FILL YOUR CUP AND DRINK DEEPLY!
The Prayer of the Thirsty
Lord, I come thirsty.
I come to drink, to receive.
I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection.
My sins are pardoned, and my death is defeated.
I receive your energy.
Empowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.
I receive your lordship, I belong to you.
Nothing comes to me that hasn’t passed through you.
And I receive your love.
Nothing can separate me from your love.
From the book, “Come Thirsty”, by Max Lucado
Shared by Catherine Walker
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Jiggy" for Jesus!
Is everyone feeling "Jiggy" for Jesus this week? Wasn't that a beautiful picture that Laura painted for us Monday night? Have you just wanted to be wrapped up in a comfy blanket with Jesus ever since?
I am so excited about what God is going to do in the lives of this group of women. I am so grateful that Laura answered the call to have this study.
I thank God for each of you and look forward to getting to know each of you more intimately.
Father, thank You for blessing us with the gift of relationships. Father, thank You for using others to encourage us and sometimes to challenge us. Father, thank You for fashioning us in such a way that we are able to breathe, to think, to feel, to move, to speak.... You knew exactly what You were doing when you created us and You continue to know exactly what we need to grow and serve You.
Father, thank you so much for loving us. Please wrap your arms around each of these women this week. We love you,
Amen
Scooter
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
About The Blog
This Power Source blog is a way for women to share the Lord anytime of the day or night. I love that we can use technology to grow in our walks with Him! Several of us are meeting once a month (the first Monday of every month) from 8-9 p.m. at my home (Laura Drury). If you've been given this blog by a friend feel free to leave your email address and I'll email you directions to the Bible Study. If you're not able to meet with us, feel free to use this sight for encouragement and a way to dive into the Word of God.
This blog is for all of us wanting to grow in our walks with the Lord. I'd love for you to post verses that mean something to you or a way God is working or has worked in your life. He is so amazing & powerful! Let me know if you haven't already & I'll make you an administrator to be able to post. You are also welcome to write something anonymously. However, as the administrators, we will ask that all things posted are for Him and done for His purposes. We will try to have at least one new post a week as well as notes from our Monday night study if possible. This is a way to share what He has done for you to encourage other women. Following & experiencing Him doesn't mean our life will be free from challenges or pain, but it does mean that we can live & dance in FREEDOM WITH HIM even in spite of those challenges.
Thank you for journeying with me to experience Him more!
Laura
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, & where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM!!!" 2 Corinthians 3:17
Monday, March 1, 2010
Praying For Power Source
I am so excited to see what the Lord has prepared for this new Bible Study! Father, I am asking for your blessing on tonight as we meet together & focus on you. Father, I ask boldly that you make your presence known tonight as this group of ladies meets for the first time. You promise in your Word that if we draw close to you that you will draw close to us. We ask that you be present tonight. You are amazing & powerful! You are our true source of joy & power in our lives. I claim this verse today, Heavenly Daddy, and ask that transformation takes place as we proclaim you as our Power Source. In Jesus Name...Amen
"Proclaim the power of God, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God. The God of Israel gives power & strength to His people. Praise be to God!" Psalm 68:34-35
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