June 19, 2013

About Martha Bush

Martha Bush — Blog Contributor
Martha has been married to her amazing husband for 46 years. Together they have two grown daughters, and three grandchildren, of whom she is very proud of! She lives in Orange, Texas. Martha has been involved in ministry with her church for 20 years. Some of her favorite hobbies include reading, walking, and playing with her grandchildren.

Girls with Swords: Chapter 12 Weekly Review – “Sword of Silence”

June 14, 2013 by 8 Comments

 

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Picture this scene: There was an eerie silence among the townspeople as a vast army invaded their city.  No doubt the people feared for their life as this army marched around the walls of their city without a word.  

Sitting up in the window of one of the buildings in the city was a woman they all recognized from her occupation.  But today, there was something different about this woman.  As the townspeople peered from behind their windows watching the scenario unfold before them, they could tell she looked peaceful and content as the army marched.  And what was that thing she was holding in her hands?  A long red thread?  Wonder why she is holding that?

You see, the lady in the window had, shall we say, CONNECTIONS with the commander of the army, and was just following his instructions.  “Sit still and be quiet, and when the walls of the city are all down, we will come in and rescue you.  But——-if you go out into the city to try to save yourself, your blood will not be on our hands.”  (Joshua 2, paraphrased.)

Yes, Rahab—the harlot, one whose name ended up in the Hall of Faith for her obedience of wielding her Sword of Silence as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.  

Let’s go on down to the bonfire and learn more about this Sword of Silence from my girlfriends.

Teresa:

Some of us are “basket cases” and some of us are “cool cucumbers”  as we face major trauma.  If we look at Jesus’ example, we will find He sought silence to be alone with the Father before His major battles. 

  1. He was fasting and praying when He was confronted with Satan in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-2)
  2. He sought silence and seclusion after the death of His best friend, John the Baptist. (Matthew 14:10-13)
  3. After ministering to the crowds and pouring Himself out, Jesus sought solitude and quiet in the mountains. (Matthew 14:23)
  4.  Jesus dealt with His popularity and the crowds by taking times of silence to reconnect with the Father.
  5. He dealt with this fear and anxiety through quiet time with the Father. (Matthew 17:1-3)
  6. Before Jesus faced his death, He went alone to pray to His Father and ask for the coming events to be taken from Him.  (Matthew 26:36)
  7. When questioned by the Pharisees, Jesus was controlled, reserved, and thought before He spoke. 
  8. When Jesus appeared before Pilate, He was asked very direct questions which would cause Him to be put to death and Jesus remained silent. (Mark 14:61)
  9. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”  (Isaiah 53:7)

If we follow Jesus’ example, we will seek the Father BEFORE we get into hard and traumatic situations.

Jennifer 

Wielding the Sword of Silence is very tricky, especially when the battle we are fighting is personal. There is so much wisdom regarding quarrels, friendships, and revenge in Proverbs as it relates to wielding the Sword of Silence during our individual struggles.

1.  Quarrels and Gossip

  • Proverbs 26:20 – - – Fire goes out without words and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
  • We have to make a choice to stay silent, to not be angry, and to entrust the situation to our God.

2.  Friendships and Strife

  • Proverbs 16:28 – - – A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
  • We must recognize that “we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against the powers of the dark world” (Ephesians 6:12).

3.  Revenge

  • Proverbs 28:29 – - – Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
  • Revenge is the way of the world; it is not God’s way. Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, and put to death an innocent man. During the course of His trial and conviction, He had many opportunities to plead His case, but He remained SILENT. He knew that His Father was taking care of everything.  

We all have our individual struggles, but we were not created to handle them on our own. God is right there, waiting for you to call on Him. He wants to change our hearts. Be still; be silent. Let God speak to you and then do what He says.

Tonya

The sword of silence seems too heavy to bear when we have been wearied by altercations of life, relationships, and responsibilities.  As Lisa said:  The trick is choosing to allow those critiques to refine, not define us.

Keys to remember:

  1. God alone establishes houses.
  2. When we live under the directive of God’s Spirit, God protects us.
  3. God knows how to settle matters with our enemies.
  4. We should never use our position with God to protect ourselves.
  5. We are not to take judgment or salvation matters into our hands; both of these matters belong to our God.    

I remind myself to step back in prayer and allow God to handle the situation; I’m supposed to bite my tongue.

Kim

I’ve never thought of silence as a weapon, but I can think of countless situations where silence would have definitely been my best weapon.

  • As a mom, when that precious child you’ve nurtured, built up, loved and protected comes home wounded by the words of her friends.
  • When a husband isn’t doing things the way I would.
  • Because of my past, I was the topic of conversation at many dinner tables even after I had a few years of a transformed life under my belt, rumors and yes, the facts were still spoken about me, hurting my children and me.

As much as I wanted to set the record straight, as much as you may want to set a record straight, we are to be different and choose a different weapon!  

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Exodus 14:14

***

Let’s Pray:

Father God, how wonderful it is that You have given us a sword to use for every battle we face.  How I thank You for the Sword of Silence.  Though it is our natural tendency to want to “fix” our problems.  May we allow You to train us to be still, hold our peace, knowing that You are the one fighting the battle for us.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 11 Weekly Review – “Sword of Song” (with a SURPRISE Guest!!)

June 7, 2013 by 21 Comments

 

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

________________________________________________

“Sing unto the Lord a new song!”  Did this group ever worship the Lord in song this week and bring joy to Campground USA!  Music, music, music could be heard blaring from our cabins, and women singing all up and down the nature trails as they went on their morning walk.  Guess who else was singing with us?  Why, the birds, of course!  They seemed to be saying:  “It’s about time you all joined in with us!”

Even the other campers didn’t seem to mind the sound of music and songs filtering throughout the campground.  Yes, music is a universal language everyone seems to relate to.  But, as a sword??  Who would have thought?  I can’t wait to see how my girlfriends explain this one.  Let’s check them out!

Teresa

Lisa begins this chapter with the introduction of a truly amazing sword.  (The flamberge, which means “flame blade.”) This sword causes vibrations which loosens the opponent’s grip and causes them to lose footing.  The vibrations give the sword-bearer the upper hand. 

The same thing happens when the created ones praise the Creator.  The power is in the praise.  Lisa says, “as we sing…especially when we sing the Word…the airwaves begin to vibrate with sound, and the grip of the enemy slips as the friction between light and darkness increases.”  

When we sing praises to God the Father, the Creator, we join our vibrations with other humans, animals, and His creation to return thanks and worship to One worthy to be praised.

Jennifer

Exodus 15:1-2 says:  I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; He has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him – my father’s God, and I will exalt Him!

This song marks the origin or beginning of song.  It came after the Lord had just parted the Red Sea for the Israelites allowing them all to cross; then the water rushed back into place, sweeping the Egyptians away with it. 

Music:

  • draws us closer to our Creator
  • it invites Him into our space and allows Him to work
  • provides a means of coping with a difficult life situation
  • declares our trust in the One who is trustworthy; the One who loves us beyond comprehension; and the One who seeks to meet our every need in His perfect time
  • God is magnified, His dominion is declared over our situation.  As He inhabits the praises of His people, we are before Him even as He is within us.  Our hearts begin to swell with His courage as they overflow with gratitude.  (Lisa)

Lift your voice to the King.  He is waiting to hear your voice!

Tonya

Isaiah 54:1 says: “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. (NKJV)

Just as Lisa has described it:  “The sounds of music helps to create a type of joyful strength and the ability to remind us of just how awesome the Most High is.”

There are times in our lives when we need to pick up our sword of song, we need to wield it, shout and sing.  The song of battle needs to be one of our tools as a warrior of Christ, and as a girl with a sword.

Diane

There are some things I feel compelled to share with you about this chapter.

1.  Revelation 4:9-10  Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The first time I read this passage —-

  • It helped me solidify who God is in my life.  He is worthy of all of my praise, glory, and honor.
  • It challenges me to make sure that in everything I do, there are elders on their knees in Heaven worshipping our One and Only.

2.  Music invites your body to move, but remembering all that God has done for you will move you.  (Lisa) It will move you out of darkness!

3.  The song that moved me out of some of the darkest hours of my life is:

I love you Lord, and I lift my voice

To worship you, oh my soul rejoice.

Take joy, my King, in what you hear

May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

4.  Is the song you sing every day the life you live for God? 

********** 

After Diane spoke, I stood before the group and spoke.

Ladies, I believe the Sword of Song has touched all of our hearts in a powerful way.  Tonight, as we enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, we are very blessed to have a very special Guest; one of our very own GCH group members leading us into God’s presence.  

Would you please welcome Coleen Hayden and her husband Robert, as they minister to us in song. Coleen is our Prayer Ministry Leader, and we just love her to pieces!  Sing to Him a New Song!

Thank you Robert & Coleen for blessing us with such a beautiful song!

 ____________________________

Let’s Pray: 

I come into agreement with Diane’s prayer that seems to sum up the whole chapter.  I thank You for orchestrating the songs of our lives.  Help us to play back to You the music You created in our souls from the very beginning.  I pray we desire to bring You praise and glory and honor.  I thank You for the melody You are playing in our lives.  Help us to always let our lives be a sweet, sweet sound to Your ear!  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 10 Weekly Review – “Sword of Light.”

May 31, 2013 by 8 Comments

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Yes, here we are at the campground listening to the birds chirping every morning, as well as sipping coffee, taking walks along the nature trail, and above all, learning so much about our Sword from Lisa Bevere.  No doubt each woman has their own special chapter that might have ministered to them the most.  For me, it was Chapter 10, our current chapter.  So, let’s head on down to the bonfire to see what my 4 girlfriends have to say about it.

Teresa 

“We can’t see the whole picture NOW (the earthbound temporal realm). Because there is more than what meets the eye, “we need the sword of light and discernment”  to see what our eyes are missing in the Big Picture.  (Lisa)

If we do not recognize the Light, the darkness will overtake us and the ones we love.  Paul’s letter to Timothy described the last days as:

People will—-

  • love only themselves and their money 
  • be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful 
  • consider nothing sacred 
  • be unloving and unforgiving
  • will slander others and have no self-control
  • be cruel and hate what is good 
  • betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God
  •  act religious, but will reject the power that could make them godly (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

These are not issues brought about by circumstances of where you live, but about where your HEART is.  Just as Lisa said: 

  • The Word of God is the lamp that lights our paths while it judges our actions as surely as it discerns our hearts.  Without the light of God’s Word, we would all be running around in the dark, afraid of what we cannot see. 
  • Without the insight of God’s Word, it is easy to mistake an enemy for a friend and someone’s past for their future, because the shadow realm distorts our perspective.  But when the light is brought to a situation, you see what is actually before you.

Jennifer 

Satan uses his schemes, plots, and tactics to divide us from God and each other.  Lisa presents three methods of countering Satan’s attacks.

1.  Love - - Biblical love teaches us what true love really is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Mark 12:31. 

  • “Hate lives in the dark; love lives in the light.”  (Lisa)

2.  Power – - Satan attempts to make us think we are not worthy or good enough by using our past sins against us.  Remember:  “We are descendants of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession”  (1 Peter 2:9). 

  • Our #1 assignment is to be an ambassador for Christ and to let His will be done in our lives.
  • “You are his prized possession, redeemed to proclaim all that He did when He called you out of a life of darkness to live forever in the glory of His light.  That’s the power of your testimony.”  (Lisa)

3.   Sound Mind – - Our thoughts can breed a multitude of negative thoughts.  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is”  (Romans 12:2).

  • “The Word of God has the power to renew your mind and change it from unsound to sound.” (Lisa)

 Tonya

We are a society that almost automatically labels those around us; we label ourselves just as much. Often times these labels focus on our negative characteristics, what we or others may see wrong on the outside, or on our brokenness. But there is more beyond those labels.

Lisa says:  “Discernment is about knowing what is really going on, so that heroic daughters can turn what others see as a disadvantage into an advantage. The discerning warrior will know how to turn evil around for good.”

God gifted us with discernment so that we could see the good and the bad, so that we could help encourage the good and help us see ourselves and those around us for what He created us to be. 

As the much loved scripture says: ”And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Diane

The following words from Lisa are ones that stuck out the most to me:

  1. Discernment and true intercession have the power to release restrained captives into their destiny.
  2. Throughout His earthly walk, Jesus discerned the work of the Evil One, then interceded by bringing light, truth, and healing into the darkened days of earth.
  3. Discernment realizes when others are blind and then intercedes based on their ignorance rather than on their actions. The cross ended our separation from God, but his intercession didn’t stop there; Jesus not only rose from the grave; he ascended into heaven and is interceding for us.  (Romans. 8:33-34)

(Diane’s testimony sums up ‘Discernment and Prayer’ beautifully)

  • I was once held captive, restrained by Satan’s slithering grasp. I was so blinded by the darkness my life was quickly becoming. 
  •  I cried painful tears every single day.  Every time I cried, I wished someone would see me crying, and then maybe someone would pray for me; I had no strength or words to pray for myself.
  • Then I came across this passage:  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.  (Romans 8:26-27)
  • I then realized that God saw every tear that fell from my eyes, not only did He catch them in His hands, but He also prayed each one away.  In those teary moments, God’s spirit interceded for me. He was the One I was wishing for all along to pray for me – -I just didn’t know it at the time.
  • Because of the dark we find God’s light.
  • Because we have found God’s light, we are able to help others find God’s light.

IntercedeForOthers.jpg”

**********   

After Diane spoke, Praise and Worship began.  This is usually the time I reflect on what my friends have just spoken about.  As I said, this chapter really touched my heart.  To be honest, I have never considered myself an intercessor. Oh, I talk to God all day but, sometimes I have this vision of intercession as being on your knees hours at a time.  But, Lisa listed other ways we intercede:  speak up for another as an advocate, speak into a conflict that needs resolution, stand up for the downtrodden and silenced. 

Oh yes – -I am an intercessor!  I get great pleasure doing that!!  I walked back to the cabin in the moonlight and felt the presence of the Lord all around me. 

Let’s Pray: 

Father God, how we thank You for Your Sword of Light.  May we become a discerning daughter, and ready to be a vessel to set free those who are being held captive by the enemy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 9 Weekly Review – “Sword of the Harvest”

May 24, 2013 by 3 Comments

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Picture this scene:  You are sitting around the pool at the campground, soaking up some warm sunshine with other women from our group studying Girls With Swords.  Ah, how relaxing! 

I was sitting there with you.  As the sun beamed down upon my face, tears of conviction rolled down my cheeks.  You see, I was reading over the handout sheet Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane gave us for Chapter 8 in regards to WORDS—words that I had spoken unkindly to others, words others had used to persecute me, and words that I had omitted speaking as a witness for Jesus.  It was a time of judging myself, and asking forgiveness of the times I had grieved the heart of God.  It was also a time of blessing others who had persecuted me.

Though I didn’t realize it at the time, God was untangling me from some of the weeds I had allowed to grow in my heart that had gotten me off the path of holiness that we would be discussing further in Chapter 9.   Oh yes, those tears actually felt good.  Not only did they seem to serve as a cleansing stream, but cleared a path to go forward.

Before I knew it, it was time to head on down to the campfire to hear what my friends had to say about Sword of Harvest.  Come, go with me.

Teresa: 

Lisa points to the fact that there is only one native North American, all-purpose sword—the machete.  It is made to be used for hard work…clearing a path to walk on, insuring safety, as a tool for many purposes, and even food preparation.

Our sWord is much like a machete—it clears our path and ensures our safety.  For example:

  • Deuteronomy 5:33   Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow.  THEN you will live long and prosper in the land you are to enter and occupy.
  • Psalms 1:6   The Lord watches over the path of the godly, the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
  • 2 Samuel 22:29   God, your light floods my path; God drives out the darkness.
  • Proverbs 3:6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
  • 1 Kings 2:3  Do what God tells you.  Walk in the paths He shows you. 

At some point in your life, you will find yourself with a choice.  Which path will you take…the one that ascends to light and life, or the one that descends to darkness and death?  There is no middle way.

I urge you to get to know the Leader and follow His path. Let Him carry the machete and clear your path.  He has a plan that is best for you.  

 

Jennifer:

According to Jeremiah, God’s people have wandered off the path of holiness (Jeremiah 18:15).

Lisa tells us how to get back on the path:

  •  Just as a machete clears paths in the wild, the sword of God’s Word has the power to sever what entangles us.  
  • Through the power of His Word, He makes a way where there seems to be no way.
  •  Sometimes you need to make a radical environmental change – turn off your television, get off the Internet, and hang up the phone. When all these voices are silenced, you have a chance to quiet yourself as well. This isn’t an invitation to meditate on a deeper revelation of YOU but to experience a deeper revelation of HIM.
  • To avoid a hostile re-invasion from the enemy, you mustfirmly establish a new lifestyle and environment 

What changes do you need to make today in order to return to the ancient path…to be a trailblazer like Jesus?  God does not really want us to be comfortable. He wants us on a mission, to reach the lost and hopeless, to be trailblazers for His Kingdom.

 

Tonya

Lisa examined the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist.  (John was the herald and Jesus was the heralded.)

Herald means:  an official crier or messenger, one that precedes or foreshadows, one that conveys news or proclaims, one who actively promotes or advocates—messenger, crier, foreshadows, proclaims, conveys news, promotes, advocates.

Quoting Lisa: 

  •  ” In times of harvest, paths must be cleared and maintained so the harvesters can get to the fields”
  •  “John was a forerunner who understood his season and purpose; like him, we should herald the One to come.”

We have been assigned many titles—woman, wife, mother, daughter, friend, employee, girls with swords, warriors—and now we are also heralds. 

Are we clearing the paths or are we adding more barriers for those trying to reach Him?

 

Diane

Genesis 3:15 says:  Satan will strike His heels (referring to Jesus), but He (Jesus) will crush Satan’s head. 

When we are on God’s path for us, we will encounter Satan, the snake, in many forms. The snake wants us on his path. He will pull out all of his tricks to discourage us on our path for God.

Lisa said:  “Even if the snake is not positioned to strike, it must be removed. Snakes are a threat, but not to God. When we are living our life for Christ, snakes lose their threat to us.”

We have all power and all authority of God behind us, ready to take on that snake! Philippians 3:21 The Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

We have God’s mighty power behind us, the work has already been done, Satan is already dead, we must continue on God’s path and be prepared princess warriors with the machete of God’s word in our hands and on our tongues at all times!

************   

After Diane spoke, I sat quietly while Praise and Worship began.  I was letting all the words that each lady had spoken sink in. But, tonight God was driving home to me something Diane said about the snake slithering around trying to have us.

It brought me back to a time a few years ago when I was unloading several bags of groceries out of the trunk of my car onto the driveway.  I was going through a hard situation at the time, and I was singing to the top of my voice as I unloaded the groceries:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation.  In whom shall I fear, in whom shall I fear.”

About the third bag I picked up to carry into the house, a tiny lizard jumped out of the bag.  I threw the bag up in the air.  When it met the ground, jars of mayonnaise, pickles, and grape jelly, splattered all over my driveway. 

The Lord spoke ever so gently to me:  “Satan is no more than that tiny little lizard, but yet you allowed it to scare the living daylights out of you.” 

As I recalled that memory, suddenly I began to laugh and laugh and laugh.  My laughter caught on with the other ladies, and suddenly Holy Laughter began to spread all around that bonfire. 

I believe we all were set free and our eyes were opened to see the fields that surround our lives that are white and ready for harvest.

*****

Let’s Pray: 

Father God, how I thank You for Your Word.  It is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  As Lisa said:  I want to use Your Word to create environments that encourage others to flourish.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.  

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Girls with Swords: Chapter 8 Weekly Review – “Sword Words”

May 17, 2013 by 10 Comments

Psalm19_14

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Our review of Chapter 8 in Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere, will be a little different than usual.  I am going to “pretend” that after Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane spoke around the bonfire, they gave each of us a “handout sheet” summarizing what they had spoken about.  They encouraged us to take it back home with us once we departed from our stay together.  It is the summarized “handout sheet,” that I wish to post. Great information to keep with your Bible.

Teresa

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • We are ministers of hope whose words are seasoned with salt and light and sound foreign in a world peppered with darkness.
  • Words are invisible, but if misused, they can prove deadly.
  • If we knew we were going to live out the rest of our days in a foreign country, we would take the time to learn the language to communicate.  It makes sense to learn heaven’s language NOW.
  • We lift swords when we lift His Word.

Teresa’s Questions:    

  1. If the Bible is my guide book to life does that mean I should follow all the ideals set forth?
  2. Do I pick and choose which ones I like and which ones I don’t?
  3. If I do have to follow all of them, how do I translate those stories to apply to modern day living?

Challenge: It’s time to break camp, Warriors! We have been called. We have been trained. We have been forged into a weapon to be used against the forces of darkness.

Scripture:  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  (Proverbs 18:21)

 

Jennifer

Lisa’s quotes:  

  • Out of the abundance of God’s heart, He spoke the universe of galaxies into existence; this power lives within us.
  • When we truly have something to say, God finds a way to interpret it for all who need to hear. When we yield ourselves to speak His words by the power of His Spirit, astonishing things can happen.
  • For far too long the Word has been interpreted rather than proclaimed.
  • Our God Most High is triumphant. His glorious love and wondrous mercy know no bounds. The gift of salvation is through faith in Him alone, and all who seek Him find grace and hope.
  • Unifying ourselves with our Father’s purposes and language will initiate, or begin anew, God’s plan and unify a people around His purpose.
  • When we root ourselves in God, in His Word, our sword grows stronger.  It finds substance.

Jennifer’s Questions: 

  1. Have you unleashed God’s power in your life?
  2. Will you choose to use your words in a way that removes yourself from the picture and glorifies God?
  3. Will you speak in your flawed manner or tell of His flawless works?
  4. Will you be part of a unified voice by allowing His Spirit to fill you?

Challenge: Have a conversation with the Lord and be honest when answering each question I have posed.

Scripture:  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  (Matthew 12:34)

 

Tonya

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • Far too much is lost in interpretation when we pass the words through the filter of earth rather than fashion the earth with the words of heaven.

Tonya’s Questions:

  1.  Are we allowing our words to become earth-based?
  2. Are we allowing them to become catchy or cliché?  
  3. Are we trying to make the sacred words common?  
  4. Are our words lacking wisdom, and hurting instead of healing?
  5. When we say things, are we saying them because they sound good and will grab the attention of others?
  6. Or have we passed what we are going to say through God’s filter?  
  7. Have we asked His advice about what to say and how to say it?  
  8. Have we sought out His Scripture?

Challenge:  What are we doing with our words? 

Scripture:  The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

 

Diane

Lisa’s Quotes:

  • How awesome that our Father not only gave us a language but gave us Jesus, the example of how to live what we speak.

Diane’s Questions:

  1. When is the last time you have prayed God’s will for your life over your own desires?
  2. Do you desire to be the tract lady for Jesus, giving people His words that they are in desperate need of?
  3. What words are we using when we fearlessly share the saving grace, love, and power of Jesus Christ with the lost and the hurting—God’s words or our words?

Challenge: Let God’s words transform your actions to line up with what He is showing us to do.

Scripture:  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

**********

After the ladies spoke, there was a hush all around the bonfire.  It seemed as though every woman was in serious thought and prayer concerning the handout sheet that they had received.  And then, as if to confirm the whole message that had been spoken to us, Christi stood before the group and began to speak.

Christi

I want to share something with all of you today. It is a message that I hope and pray ALL parents grab a hold of and meditate on. For years, words have scarred my life. From the time I was 5 years old words have produced scars and they have created me to be who I am today.

I can remember the first time I was called a whore by a loved one…I was 8 years old. I didn’t even know what the word meant, but I knew it had to be bad because of the look on her face when she said it. For years, I was told I was stupid, and worthless; I would never amount to anything. I grew up “knowing” I was all of those things, and more.

My actions throughout my teenage years were, I believe, the product of the words that were spoken over me. I became very promiscuous. From the age of 15 to 25, I honestly can’t tell you how many men I slept with. I’m horrified to even admit that, but it is truth. I was so naive to believe that a guy “loved” me, only to find out that he only wanted one thing. It just began to prove to me over and again that the words this loved one spoke over me were truth. I was unlovable, and I had actually become what my loved one, and many others would call a whore.

When Jesus came into my life in 1984, I devoured God’s word day and night. I was learning something totally new: God Loved Me! Within time, my thoughts began to change; I began to allow God’s word to go deep into my heart. I began to see that I was truly worthy, and lovable! I’ve never experienced a love like that before! I began to start loving myself because God was showing me that I was lovable.

My message to parents today: PLEASE watch the words you speak to your children. They truly will form the belief that your child will develop in themselves. Tell your kids how proud you are of them. Make sure they know that you love them! Make sure you tell your daughters just how worthy and special they are! Make sure you speak truth, God’s TRUTH, into them! I truly believe that by doing this, it will definitely make a difference in how they believe in themselves, and in the choices they make in life!

**********  

 Let’s Pray: 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my thoughts be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  Only then can we be the warrior that you have called us to be.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.  

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Girls With Swords: Chapter 7 Weekly Review – “Forging a Sword”

May 10, 2013 by 16 Comments

 

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Trivia anyone?  Aren’t we having so much fun in the midst of our study on Girlfriends With Swords by Lisa Bevere!!  I know I am.  This Christian life wasn’t meant to be drab, that’s for sure.

But, let’s get serious for a moment (if that’s possible with this gang) while we do a recap of where we are in our study.   In Chapter 6, our status changed: we went from being just an enlisted soldier in Basic Training to being a Warrior.  Oh yes, we are now on the front line of duty! 

My four girlfriends explained  our promotion in this way.

  • Teresa:  Using the teaching of the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 6, Teresa added:  Once a new believer understands the basic lessons, it is time to practice what was learned and “move forward” toward spiritual maturity. 
  • Jennifer reminded us that warriors are not hired, they are called.
  • Tonya emphasized the importance of being tempered to form character.
  • Diane talked about the importance of warriors getting rid of fear.  She reminded us that where God’s love is, fear doesn’t stand a chance.

That takes us up to tonight’s study on Forging a Sword, being led by my 4 girlfriends. Aren’t they amazing writers and speakers?   Let’s head on down to the bonfire and see what they have to say about Chapter 7. 

 Teresa 

What does it take to “Forge a sword?”  The word forge is a verb for a process much like the word mold. The dictionary defines these words as:

  •  Forge: (1)Make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it.  (2)Move forward gradually
  • Mold: (1)A hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material (such as wax or metal) when it cools and hardens.

To mold a product, the product has to be melted, or softened, from its original form and poured into the mold to obtain the desired shape and size.  The mold then has to be shaken to remove all air bubbles from the finished product.  These bubbles can cause the product to crack, fall apart and ruin the end result.   

To forge something, take separate metals, heat them to a molten liquid, burn off the impurities, and prepare to meld them into the final product.  This intense heat leaves a liquid virtually free of imperfections and no “bubbles.” The original metal is not changed from what it originally was, but is so much more useful now. 

What does this have to do with you and me?  If we have made the commitment to follow Jesus, it’s time to submit to the original Blacksmith and let Him forge you into the character He needs you to be.

(Martha’s Note:  Lisa states that FIRE, WATER, and PRESSURE are the tools used to refine metal, temper steel, and create swords.  “The process of making a sword is a whole lot like the process of making a life.”   Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane speaks to each one of these ‘tools.’)

Jennifer

Fire and Water:  What does the Bible tell us to do when trials come into our lives?

  • Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)         

Refinement is painful.  But these trials will strengthen us and, in turn, help us to forge the sword we will ultimately wield – the Word of God.

Friends, God is our Source of power and strength. He is trustworthy. What affliction are you struggling with today that you need to bring to God’s feet?

Tonya

Pressure:  What does the Bible tell us to do when pressures come into our lives?

“Count it all joy.”  (James 1:2-8)

  • Pressure and joy are not two words that are normally paired together in the world, but we need to remind ourselves that we only live in this world, we don’t think like it.
  •  Joy is something that is unaffected by circumstances.
  •  It is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart.
  • Joy is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.
  • Joy doesn’t mean that it is going to be easy.
  •  Joy isn’t happiness; it’s the knowledge that we are where we need to be for a season in order for us to be formed into the woman He wants us to be.

Lisa said:  “God wants us to thrive whether we are under pressure or free floating” and in order to thrive in all situations we must be prepared, we must be tempered. Tempered daughters of God are resilient.  We have the capacity to flourish under all types of trials in every season.

Diane

Pressure:  As Lisa tells us about her “doubtful moment” (John’s faith to give away 250,00 books) it brings me back to one of my very own doubt-filled moments.

It had been several months after my very last therapy session. I knew in my heart of hearts that I was healed, but as I stepped into my counselor’s office that day, the doubt that had been filling in my heart since the last time I was in that room followed me in.

As I was explaining all of my doubts, my dear counselor asked me a simple question. What are the things that you know that you know that you know are true?”

  • I am safe (Proverbs 18:10)
  • I am loved (John 3:16)

Knowing the truth is just not enough to keep the doubt away. The more we “know” something, the more Satan tries to convince us that we don’t know anything at all.

As a princess warrior in training we cannot let doubt consume us. We must empty ourselves into God so that He can consume us. No two princesses of the King are the same. We are all created for a unique and important purpose.

  •  It is time to wash away the doubt caused from past hurts or current hurts and hold tight to God’s promises that will never shift.
  • All we must do is empty our hearts of the doubts that have been filling up at His feet.
  • He will fill our hearts with HIS blessings. No more room for doubts, only His love.

*********

After Diane spoke, Praise and Worship began.  As I lifted my hands and face toward heaven, suddenly my mind took me back to a children’s church program my girls were in years ago.  Like the rest of the parents, I sat in the audience beaming from ear to ear as we watched our children singing and marching to a song. 

Tonight, I became that little girl.  I stepped away from the bonfire, and began softly singing and marching to the same song.  No longer was it just a cute little song to me.  It was as though I was coming to God as a little child, accepting His call on my life to be on the front line of duty in His army.  I could hear Him whisper in my ear:  “I yoke myself up with you and the way you go, I’ll be there to hold you up!”

Will you join me in singing this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDIy5TUXovo

Let’s pray:  Father God, I come into agreement with my sister, Teresa, for the prayer she has already prayed over this group:  “We thank You for loving us enough to want to forge us into a unique creation and not just a molded image like so many others.   We submit our lives to the refining fire of Your love.  Remove the impurities and make us strong. In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.”

***** 

Last Day of our Anniversary Giveaway!!

I hope you have enjoyed this week of celebration with us!  It has been such a blessing to see so many of you come out and post your comments on our blogs! I know it has truly blessed our bloggers!  Your words of encouragement have blessed all of us!

As we pray Martha’s prayer above, this brings me to the giveaway that we have for today.  It couldn’t have been scheduled for a better day. Between Teresa’s prayer that started our week, and Martha’s agreement in prayer with her that ended our week, this giveaway just fits perfectly!

As you go before the Lord each day, we would like for one blessed winner to cover herself with this amazingly beautiful, handmade Prayer Shawl that was made by one our very own Leadership members – Amy Butterfield.  Amy was such a blessing to put her crochet hook to work and get this gift ready for our Anniversary Giveaway!  Thank You so much, Amy!!  It is beautiful!!

PrayerShawl(2)

PrayerShawl(1)

How do you enter to win this beautiful Prayer Shawl?  All you have to do is read today’s blog and make a comment in regards to what the Lord said to you in today’s message.  That’s it!  

One blessed winner will be chosen and all winners for this week will be announced on our Facebook Community page TOMORROW!!!  So be sure to check out our page to see if YOU are one of the blessed winners!

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE COMPLETED BY 8PM CST TONIGHT.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY PAGE ON MAY 11th.
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Girls With Swords: Chapter 6 Weekly Review – “Becoming a Warrior”

May 3, 2013 by 29 Comments

Click Here for Next Week’s Reading Schedule

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Here we are again – -continuing our study in Girlfriends With Swords, by Lisa Bevere. Tonight, we will try to grab hold of what Becoming a Warrior means.  But, first let’s play a game with Chapters 1-5.

You might say these chapters took us through Basic Training, preparing us to be a warrior in God’s army.  In an effort to make sure their groups are spiritually fit for the front line of duty, Amy, Christi, Laurie, and Kim devised a Girls With Swords Trivia Game.

Here’s how it works:  Christi made cards with words or scriptures taught in Basic Training. A contest is going on between Group 1 and Group 2 to see who can be the first to answer all the questions on the cards.

If you missed the games, take a minute and play.  On your mark!  Get Set!  Go!

 

GWS_TEST_Chapter1

GWS_TEST_Ch2

 

GWS_TEST_Ch3.jpg

 

GWS_TEST_Ch4

 

GWS_TEST_Ch5.jpg

Wasn’t that fun?  I need to review several of those scriptures.  I think I’ve been grazing and not feasting on the Word.  (Ugh)  Time to head over to the bonfire. I’m anxious to hear Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane speak on Becoming a Warrior.

Teresa

Lisa gives us words a WARRIOR would understand:  strategy, intuition, vision, wisdom, patience, persistence, tenacity, a unified voice, and concerted effort. This requires us to develop Maturity as a Spiritual Warrior.

The Apostle Paul spoke to people in Hebrews 6 about becoming mature Christ followers. 

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.  You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”  (NLT)

The basic teachings are very important.  Once a new believer understands the basic lessons, it is time to practice what was learned and “move forward” toward maturity. 

We have a CHOICE to believe, a CHOICE to mature,
and a CHOICE to live in a way that brings Honor and Glory to God the Father.

Jennifer

Girlfriends, warriors are not hired; they are called. David had an elite group of men fighting with him. They were not soldiers, hired to do a particular job. They were called to the task.

As Lisa said:  ”You are at once a daughter and a warrior.”  There is no separation between the two. If you are a part of God’s family—a part of His army—then you are one of His warriors.

I think many of us are scared to be warriors.  We want to just “get by.” But, I am challenging you today to rise up!

Face Your Fear Today and
Put Your Trust in God!

Tonya  

All soldiers are trained, but in addition to being trained, a warrior will be tempered.  For example:

  • A warrior isn’t quick to teach a lesson; they aren’t quick to avenge a wrong done.
  • They are compelled to offer grace and compassion, and to show God’s love.
  • They are led by God to do what is needed when it is needed, whether it is to offer grace, or to stand up and fight.
  • Warriors seize the opportunity to make a difference in an area where they can bless others and where God’s love can shine through them.

Lisa said: “the processing of tempering may not be pleasant or quick,”  but the outcome is this:  “the warrior woman, not only sees what our enemy is doing, but can follow God’s lead into battles with His promises in our hearts.’”

Are you ready to sign on to be
more than a soldier?

Diane

Have you opened your ears and heard the Lord call your name?  Are you covering your ears with fear of the unknown after you hear Our Mighty King whisper His warrior-princess’s name? 

  • Fear will always be a part of our lives, but it does not have to be the driving force behind our actions or lack thereof. 
  •  Fear, when placed in the right manner, will only drive us closer to God Himself.
  • We must fear God and keep His commandments.  We do this by coming to a revelation of Who God truly is and what He has truly done for us.  This revelation drives us to be obedient because of the deep love we possess for our One and Only King. 

All of us have a perfect will for our lives, and also a perfect love that drives out any fear that tries to prevent us from living out God’s perfect will for us. 1 John 4:18 says:  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

As warrior-princesses-in-training,
we all possess God’s perfect love in our hearts.
Where God’s love is, fear doesn’t stand a chance.

**********

After Diane spoke, praise and worship lasted into the midnight hour under the glow of the heavenly lights. 

Something else very exciting has been taking place at our meetings.  Word has gotten around the campground about “those women” who gather nightly at the bonfire.  First there were one or two outsiders who visited the meetings, and now a big crowd has joined us.  Lisa said:  “Warriors will lead and irresistibly compel others to join the cause.” 

You go, girlfriends!  MIGHTY WARRIORS YOU ARE!

Let’s pray:  Father God, I thank You that You have called us to be warriors.  May we not take Your calling carelessly, but serve You with honor, and free of fear.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

*****

If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page.  Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details.  We hope you will join us!

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Girls With Swords: Chapter 5 Weekly Review – “The Cross as a Sword”

April 26, 2013 by 18 Comments

Click Here for Next Week’s Reading Schedule

 

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

Yep, that’s the sign entering our campground where we gather around the bonfire nightly to discuss Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere. 

How about that meeting we had last night discussing Chapter 4!  The Holy Spirit moved upon Christi, and it was as though fire came down from heaven as she spoke about taking back all that Satan has stolen from us. Didn’t we have a Hallelujah time dancing on top of the old devil’s head! 

And speaking of a fire within them—Jennifer, Teresa, Tonya, and Diane did as they answered the questions:  “Where is the Battle?” and “Who is my Enemy?”  

  • Jennifer put it to us straight!  Our war is not with each other; it is with Satan.
  • Teresa laid out God’s plan of Redemption: “One Heart, Vision, Purpose, Name, Kingdom, Mandate.  We could be the answer to Jesus’ prayer He prayed for us at The Last Supper by becoming ONE. 
  • Tonya reminded us that we must battle to become ONE, using the tools God has given us in Galatians 5:22-26. 
  • Diane told her testimony of how the thief had come to steal, kill, and destroy her. But, Jesus came to give abundant life, and she didn’t listen to the lies of the enemy.
  •  Praise and Worship ended the meeting with Heaven’s angelic choir joining in.

 I just gotta tell you about a childhood memory I had as I was walking back to my cabin after the meeting.  I began thinking about the cattle farm I grew up on in Georgia.  I loved watching Daddy’s herd of cattle grazing out in the field.  The old cows would fill their bellies full of hay and then lie down under the shade trees and wait until it was time to get up and graze some more.  It was as though they lived only “to be fed.”

A thought suddenly hit me as I recalled that memory, and I stopped and prayed: “Father God, help me not to just graze on the things I am learning.  May I feast upon your word, and really ‘get who I am in Christ.’ May I not lie down like Daddy’s old cows after feasting.  Instead, may I rise up and use my Sword as a weapon in my daily life.”

Well, the sun has gone down here at the campground.  It’s time to make my way on over to the bonfire.  Tonight we are discussing Chapter 5—“The Cross as a Sword.” 

Teresa pinpoints the Crossroads.

Lisa says: “Just as Adam stole the fruit of a forbidden tree and caused all within him to die, Jesus died on a barren tree and thus became its fruit that all in Him might live.”  

You and I are part of the fruit of Adam, and if we accept Jesus’ gift on the cross, we are His fruit as well. Because we are Adam’s fruit we have a sinful, hurtful part of us.  Many of you have been hurt.  Your hurt is holding you back from the freedom and abundant life Jesus Christ has to offer.  If you have buried secrets, living in shame and regret, you are at a crossroads. 

  • One path leads to…loneliness, embarrassment, shame, pride, just getting by. 
  • The other path leads somewhere new and scary, feels vulnerable and shakey.
  • It requires us to walk one step at a time lighted by faith, trust, hope, and love.
  • But,it binds us to other travelers who are ready and willing to share their life story.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Could we get together, talk, and share our stories?

Jennifer spoke on Transformation.

Isaiah and David prophesied that God’s chosen people would kill His only Son. The religious leaders thought that by killing God’s Son they would get to steal His inheritance.  ”None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified The Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8). 

Lisa asks the question:  “What blindsided each and every ruler of that age? They could not see the transforming power of The Cross.”

What about you?

  • Do you see the transforming power of The Cross?
  • Do you live a transformed life?
  • Do you live fully believing that Christ died for you?
  • It is one thing to know about The Cross and what happened that day on Calvary.
  • Do you live in a way that your life represents this knowledge?

We were saved, forgiven, healed, loved, graced, empowered, and restored “in Christ” at the Cross.  It was the dead tree that brought us all back to life. 

You were already transformed because of the Cross.

The question is - Have you accepted it? Are you living it?

Tonya spoke on the power of The Cross.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Ephesians 2:13-16).

Lisa said:  “On the cross God leveraged all that He was for all that we could be.”

  • Jesus died on the Cross, so that we could one day fulfill our potential.
  • The Cross brings us together.
  • The Cross lifts us up above any attack used against us.
  • Christ created the bridge needed between our neighbors and ourselves, between races, between genders, between ages, between classes.

The Cross has the power to unify all who are willing to embrace it.

In Christ the far-off and the wandering come near.

Diane spoke on the Scapegoat.

Everyone’s journey to The Cross is different.  We can all relate with the scapegoat in different areas as we journey to The Cross.   

Guilt     Lonely nights     Oppression     Rejection

Jesus knows the pain and the hurt behind each and every word used to describe what a scapegoat represented.  Yet, this pain was all taken with Jesus on the Cross as He became the ultimate sacrifice. Lisa is right:  The Cross is a Sword of Love.

“Yet it was our weakness He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.  And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins!  But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).

“Ladies, we must pick up His Sword and follow Jesus to Heaven!”

After Diane spoke, many women shared their painful past as Teresa had suggested.  Suddenly, a woman spoke out boldly:  “Let’s lay hands on these women that God would restore the years that the locusts and canker worm has eaten up!”

This lady has “got it.”

She knows who she is in Christ and is applying the Sword to the hurting.

Praise and Worship followed with old hymns of the church flowing throughout the campground: Near the Cross, At the Cross to name a couple.  

The smell of s’mores roasting nearby filled the air, and what’s that other smell I smell?  Could it be the aroma of Christ?  (Ah, how sweet it is!)

Let’s Pray:  Father God, may we become a living testimony of who we are in Jesus and know that, because of the Cross, You have equipped us to walk in You and defeat anything the enemy might throw at us.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

*****

If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page.  Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details.  We hope you will join us!

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Girls With Swords: Chapter 4 Weekly Review – “The Battleground”

April 19, 2013 by 13 Comments

Welcome to Campground USA

Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,

Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing

That’s where we are – over 125 women – camping at Campground USA, studying Girls with Swords by Lisa Bevere. During the day, women huddle in small groups throughout the campground, becoming “doers of the Word.”

  • They have grabbed hold of Lisa’s statement:  “We are a TARGET of the enemy, not because of something we have done, but most likely because of something satan knows we are going to do.”  (Do I hear an “AMEN”  to that!)
  • A sight to see that will “bless your socks off, is women walking the nature trails quoting God’s Word from their Pink Bedazzled Sword.  (Diane, the devil doesn’t stand a chance when he sees PINK coming at him!)
  • Excitement has filled the campers’ hearts with Teresa’s urging to become a HERO in this battle, and join Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab listed in the Hall of Faith.  (After all, they are cheering us on!)
  •  Tonya put to rest any fears the women had of becoming a superhero:  “It’s not by my might, nor by my power but by His spirit.”   (You got that right, Tonya!)
  •  PRAYER is really shaking things up!  Would you believe I saw Coleen, Erin, and Merol doing cartwheels?  It excites them seeing women putting their armor on everyday and linking it up with prayer. (Check’em out behind Cabin #4 – -woohooo!) 
  •  PRAISE AND WORSHIP at the end of each nightly session is just out of this world. Even the “city girls,” who would never set foot inside a campground think they are in heaven!  (Let’s don’t tell them any different.)   

As night approaches, they gather around the bonfire to discuss the assigned chapter.  Tonight, Chapter 4,  The Battleground, is the topic of discussion. My girlfriends will answer the questions “Where is the battle?” and “Who is my enemy?”

Jennifer 

What I have to say may sound harsh, but I’m going to give you 8 points that are a reality!  

  1. We spend our time and energy fighting each other.
  2.  Our war is not with any political party, alternative lifestyle, social issue, family member, pastor, President of the United States, or any other worldly circumstance.  
  3. Our war is with Satan.
  4. When he sees us fighting with each other, he laughs; when he can cause division and strife, he wins.
  5. Unbelievers are watching Christians. They are trying to see if we live our lives differently than they live theirs.
  6. We cannot have a negative spirit toward anyone and be right with God.
  7. We must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
  8.  We must model our leader, Jesus Christ, who tells us to:

This, girlfriends,  is the answer to how we defeat the enemy.

Teresa

 Did you know that there is a prayer that Jesus prayed that has not been answered YET?  How can that be? In John 17:20-23, at The Last Supper, Jesus prays for you and me:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent me.  The glory that You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me and loved them even as You loved me.

God’s plan for redemption includes: One Heart   One Vision   One Purpose   One Name   One Kingdom   One Mandate

 I submit to you that we would then become the answer to the prayer Jesus prayed.

Tonya

Jesus fought a battle larger than any we could imagine.  He died on the cross and won that battle so we could handle the battles He knew would follow.  This means, that sometimes we must battle to become ONE.

Satan uses adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelries to divide and separate us from our Heavenly Father (Galatians 5:19-21).

But, God created a list of tools to fend off these attacks: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-26).

There are times where we have to hold up our swords to protect our joy and peace.  As Lisa says:

“You don’t set up camp in hell…you journey through it.”

 All of a sudden, Christi, jumped to her feet.  Ladies, I feel on FIRE tonight! God WANTS you to hear this!

Never be afraid to enter the enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen from you!! God has already won this battle, and He will restore the years the locusts has eaten!!! Do not fear! We serve a Mighty God!!! He will never ask you to stand for something if He thought you were not able to!

Enter the enemy’s camp, get mad, put the enemy under your feet, and take back what he has stolen from you!! It is yours!! Stomp on his head and tell him NO!!!! No more satan!!!! You are defeated!!! You have not won this battle, God has, and I am standing with my God with the sword in my hand, and I send you back to the pit of hell where you belong!!

Ladies, please get this!!!! You have ALL authority, not just some authority, but ALL authority over the enemy!!! Don’t let him lie to you any longer and tell you that you are defeated!!! You are not!! You have victory in the name of JESUS!! Please get that!!! Take your marriage back, your rebellious children back, your health back!! Stand in victory with your sword in hand, and dance on the enemy’s head!!!

Oh baby, I’m preaching myself happy!!! Dance with me on satan’s head tonight!! I stand with you as you take back what he has stolen from you…what is rightfully yours!!!!

 I (Martha) am a very conservative person, but something got a hold of me! I heard myself saying: “Preach it, Sister Christi, preach it!  Come on ladies, let’s dance.”  And with that, such dancing like you never witnessed went on around that campfire as we danced on satan’s head, and took back what he stole from us.  They all began to sing “Look What the Lord Has Done”:  

 Diane finished the chapter with her personal testimony.

I would like to focus on the following TRUTH.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

This reminds me of my past. At one point in my life it was easy for me to blame the someone who robbed me of my innocence and even easier for me to blame myself. I learned that the roots of my problems were not people or my own thoughts; they were the lies Satan was feeding me.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Jesus has come so that WE MAY HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE.  Satan will try to bring back the pain and memories of people who hurt you.  BUT —

The more you grow in your relationship with God, the stronger defense you will have against Satan.

And so it was – -Diane, through her own experience, had been able to join Jennifer, Teresa, and Tonya in answering the questions:  “Where is the Battle?” and “Who is my Enemy?” 

Women lingered by the bonfire and continued to worship the Lord.  The sounds of other campers filtered in and, what’s that other sound I hear?  Could it be Heaven’s Angelic Choir joining us in Praise and Worship?  (Breath-taking.)

*****

Let’s Pray:  Father God, we are so grateful that You have taught us where our battles are and who the real enemy is.  May we realize Your Word equips us for this battle.  You and You alone are our strength, our shield, our strong tower.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

*****

If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page.  Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details.  We hope you will join us!

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Girls With Swords: Chapter 3 Weekly Review – “You Might Be A Hero”

April 12, 2013 by 11 Comments

Click Here for Next Week’s Reading Schedule

What a road trip this has been for the five girlfriends—Jennifer, Teresa, Tonya, Diane, and Martha—who started out going to a women’s retreat!  As they traveled down the road toward their destination, their “side-splitting giggles,” suddenly came to a halt as they saw a road sign that read:

Prince of Darkness

 

Voting unanimously to continue their journey, despite knowing they were a TARGET, they realized the key to being victorious in battle against the enemy was choosing the right WEAPON.  To get their thoughts together, they pulled over at a rest stop.

It was here that they had a surprise visit by approximately 125 women.  “We’ve heard about your decision to enter into the Prince of Darkness Territory, and we want to join forces with you,” Christi said.

Much discussion went on between the two groups about the choice of weapon, ranging from the purchase of  heavy artillery guns to God’s Word.  The five girlfriends stood their ground about their choice of weapon—God’s Word.

Finally, Christi stepped up on top of a picnic table, and gave a roaring speech:

“We should be seeing the sick healed, the lame walk, the blind see, cancers falling off of people, lives miraculously changed because of Him!!  We should be laying hands on the sick and through the power of the Holy Spirit, see them become whole again!  We should be spreading the gospel so much more than what we are.”

It was then that the two groups were united and a choice of a weapon was decided upon:  God’s Sword (God’s Word).

After a time of worship under the moonlight in that roadside park, these two groups, who had met as strangers in the night, realized that this had not been a chance meeting. It was as though God, Himself, had ordained this meeting, and they all felt that their previous plans should be canceled, and they were to spend an extended time together.

It was decided that they would check into a nearby campground, and study Lisa Bevere’s book, Girls With Swords, which some of them had brought along with them on their trip.  The others, whipped out their Kindles, and quickly ordered it.

And so it was, on the first night they gathered around the campfire at the campground,  their discussion centered on Chapter 3 in Lisa’s book, You Might Be a Hero. Lisa defined a female hero as:  superwoman, champion, conqueror, star, protagonist, lead, and brave woman.

Jennifer started the discussion off by giving her own personal testimony:

“At age 24, I was told I would never bear a biological child. Too stunned to form a coherent thought, the next eight years of my life went by in a haze of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I was lost, and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. My lifelong dream was to have a baby who looked like me with my husband who loved me. I had plans! I had dreams! I had hopes! In an instant, all seemed lost.  But, He alone rescued me the moment I turned my burden of infertility over to Him, and decided not to carry it on my back anymore.

Just as Lisa says: “Your journey toward becoming a hero begins when you simply grant God permission to have His way.”

Ladies, I share my story with you because I need for you to know something very important:  “Right now, where you are, you are living part of God’s story.”

Teresa:  I don’t know about you, but when I read Hebrews 11 and recount the heroes of the faith, the last thing I see is ‘nobodies.’

Each of the people listed in the Hall of Faith died not even knowing the impact their life would have on the world.  All they knew was that they were chosen by God to go wherever He asked, do whatever He needed them to do, protect whomever He needed them to protect, feed whoever was hungry, build what He said build, stand when He said stand and FIGHT when God said fight.

THESE are our ancestors.  They passed the torch on to us normal people of God to continue the fight.  This mild-mannered Jesus girl may look ordinary on the outside, but I have a HERO living inside me that needs to save the world.  We cannot lead people spiritually where we have not gone. 

Tonya:  What does it take for us as women to feel like heroes?  Is it our ability to multi-task throughout our day, our ability to utilize the sixth sense that women are said to possess?

It all boils down to this:

Zechariah4_6

Yes, we are called to be heroes in our day, to wield swords, to be superhuman, and to be brave. This can be terrifying. But, our superhuman abilities come from—His Spirit, the power of our sword comes from—His Word and, in times of fear, we need to remember who we can run to, who we answer to—the Lord.

Diane:  Each night before I close my eyes for the day I am reminded of these words: TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION  with the words, “live by these, apply these” underneath.

Some days I imagine myself with the prettiest pink, bedazzled sword you could ever imagine.  I picture my perfectly pink armor filled with sparkles, and I get this joy deep down in my heart because I imagine so clearly God’s words and actions of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation covering every inch of that bedazzling pink armor and weaponry He has handpicked for me to use.

Ephesians 6 says:

  1. God is strong, and He wants His daughters to be strong.
  2. His weapons are supreme.
  3. With these weapons in hand, nothing the enemy throws at you will knock you off your course.
  4. You are in a spiritual battle between life and death.
  5. If you prepare now, you won’t be caught off guard.
  6. You can’t do this in your own human strength.
  7. True, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are life’s applications.
  8. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
  9. Prayer is not optional.

I picture all of us: swords in hand, shields in place, bedazzled in GOD’S TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, AND SALVATION; standing tall, shouting prayers of all kinds to our Holy God in Heaven, as we leave behind all of Satan’s lies that kept us tied down from the something we have been craving:  God Himself.

 After Diane spoke, other women in the group spoke up:

  • What I loved about Jennifer’s story was that, not only are our lives a gift, but also the story that we are in.  God has already written us into the story of faith heroes—we all have a story He can use.
  • I liked what Lisa said about having to fight a battle more than once to win. Most of us want to give up when we don’t succeed the first time.
  • Tonya’s words were spoken like a true hero.  Sometimes it is hard to remember that we do have the source and strength to be superheroes if we would just ask.
  • I’m not going to be able to envision putting on my armor again without it being pink and bedazzling!

And on into the night, as these women sat around the campfire, many women spoke out about their desire to be a hero. They agreed to meet back the next night to continue their study. This group who were once strangers in their natural habitat, had now been united “in one accord as sisters in Christ.”

*****

Let’s Pray:  Father God, we are so grateful that You have united us together. As we study Your Word, may we become “doers of Your word, and not just hearers.”  As we do, we rest with assurance that we can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

*****

If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page.  Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details.  We hope you will join us!

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