Faith Journeys

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Punch worry in the face 

Worry is stupid. 

Seriously, there’s no greater waste of time than to worry. It’s taken me 25 years to grasp this simple truth…

Today I faced a situation that could’ve taken the wind out of my sails, but I made a decision:

I chose to believe the Bible instead of all the negative junk. 

This one choice  made all the difference. 

I’m still not sure how everything will play out, but I trust God. 

He’s my provider. 

He knows all my needs. 

There are times my control freak, what’s-going -to-happen self fights for my attention. 

But I continue taking my mind back to God’s Word. The more I stay in the Word, the less the little things throw me off. 

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Living Bibles

Fahrenheit 451 is one of my favorite books because it highlights the importance of reading. 

Bradbury said, “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”

At the end of Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag finds the Book People whose entire purpose is to preserve books by memorizing them, becoming a living book. 

Ms. Lynette asked us earlier in the week how much Word was hidden in our hearts. 

God could’ve chosen any medium to express himself, but He chose a book. 

I don’t think many of us understand or even think of the significance of reading enough. 

Sure, I enjoy reading different genres of literature–reading is my favorite thing to do–but Father God expressed His will for us in a book…

We need to read the Bible!

Jesus said, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father” (Matt. 4:4).

In Fahrenheit 451, the Book People’s goal was to be a living book. Their whole existence was wrapped up in remembering their books. 
What a great parallel for us as Christians!

We should know the Word enough that we’re living Bibles–walking, talking testaments of God. 

And Christians  have it even better than Bradbury’s Book People because the Holy Spirit lives within us and one of His jobs is to remind us of the Bible’s truths!

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Faith for the Vision

I carried the Peruvian flag tonight during the Parade of Flags. 

It’s amazing the reach Rhema has around the world! 

Brother Hagin was given a charge by the Lord to “Go teach my people faith.”

Rhema Bible Training College is a fulfillment of that charge to take the gospel to all of the world!

Brother Hagin knew he couldn’t do it alone. This would be something that would continue after his death. 

Hundreds of schools and thousands of graduates later, Rhema is going strong!

And the gospel is being proclaimed throughout the world. 

It’s amazing how one man’s willingness to obey God has made such an impact…

Here’s my question to you: 

Is your vision big enough?

Or do you try to limit God by saying, “This can’t be done”?

Of course, nothing can be done alone, but God’s not asking us to do all these things by ourselves. 

God’s asking you to have faith and to leave the rest up to Him. 

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Rhema Connections

I hung out with some new friends today.

 Arland and Barbara met my dad and stepmom several years ago when my dad officiated their vow renewal ceremony. 

They reached out to me after my dad saw they were here for Winter Bible on Facebook. (Thanks, Dad!)

We ate lunch together, along with one of Arland’s close friends who is also a fellow Rhema graduate. 

Talk about a great time!

After our time of fellowship, I was encouraged and excited. 

It’s always good to make new friends because friendship is designed for each person to add something to the other person’s life. 

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WBS 2: Understanding the Times

Pastor Hagin prayed for several international directors tonight. 

He spoke words of encouragement and change from the Lord. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for those regions!

This time of edification is necessary because of the times. Our world is not a tame, safe place to live. 

My friends, Jesus is coming back. 

This is not a hell, fire, and brimstone message. It’s simply the truth, but I want to point out something:

Hell is a real place and the punishment for not accepting the free gift of salvation is not just an embellished scare tactic used by Christians to “convert” you to Christianity. 

I put convert in quotations because Christianity is more about a relationship with God than anything else. 

Like I said before, Jesus is coming back! 

He’s waiting on his cue from Father God to take the church up to Heaven with Him. And Father God is waiting as long as possible because it’s His desire for all to be saved.

So, the reason the Rhema family is talking about taking a stand for the truth is simple:

Rhema’s mission is Jesus’ mission. We want to spread the gospel through all the world and see many come to know Christ. 

The gospel will be confirmed by signs, miracles, and wonders. The Holy Spirit’s power accompanies the message we carry! 

Jesus scolded the religious leaders of the day for not understanding the times. Therefore, I’d say the church needs to understand the times as well. 

As Ms. Lynette said this morning, “This is the season of declaration.”

Why do we need to declare?

Because Jesus is coming soon and the world needs to hear the message. 

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Winter Bible, Day 1

The world is here at Rhema! 

Winter Bible Seminar Day 1 was a success. 

Pastor Hagin and Ms. Lynette preached on strongholds being broken and our authority as believers over every dominion of darkness. 

Wow!

Talk about a powerful word from God…

We came together today as a family to pray with and for each other as chains fell off. 

Fears are gone. 

Strongholds are broken!

We needed to be reminded of these powerful, yet fundamental messages on authority because our school and church is reaching the nations. 

Places where you have to stand strong and assured of your authority because the missionaries are literally carrying the light into darkness. 

I’m so thankful to be a part of a school that has such reach around the world and that brings the family back together to encourage each other. 

This is only Day 1, so I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store!

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Why giving matters

I have a friend who always has granola bars in her backpack. 

She’s generous, too. If you need a snack, just find her! 

I’m actually going to buy her a box of granola bars this weekend because she’s helped me–and many others–out this week. 

My friend’s genorisity got me thinking…

Shouldn’t all Christians be known for their generosity?

It’s in the Bible. You see passages about:

  • Hospitality
  • Giving
  • Prayer
  • Miracles
  • Healing

And all of it was done for the purposes of evangelism to the lost and edification for the body of Christ. 

Nothing was ever done for selfish ambition. 

Christians are not supposed to be stingy–in any area!

In my class on the gifts of the spirit, we’ve talked quite a bit about how none of God’s gifts are for us. 

This makes sense to me because in light of the bigger picture, it’s kind of comical to think anything is ours to begin with. 

It all belongs to Him!

Plus, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He is our Redeemer and our pardon was purchased with His blood. 

How can we not give freely when He is our example?

Jesus has given us everything. 

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Soaring into the weekend

Teamwork is awesome. 

It is fun to see people working together, using their gifts and talents to help others. 

Winter Bible Seminar is next week. The world is coming home to Rhema! 

And with the world coming home, we’re going to see the power of family working together. 

I am excited!

There’s been so much prayer surrounding next week, too. 

The hearts of all the students, staff, and church members are anticipating all that God has in store. 

After prayer school this afternoon, I’m ready to soar! 

I know that the people who are coming–nationally and internationally–will receive all that the Lord has for them. 

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Gifted to Serve

Don’t forget who you are–ever!

The comparison trap is a snare that many of us step in. 

It’s so easy to look around at others and think, “There’s just no way for me…”

First off, that’s stinkin’ thinkin’ from the get go. 

Secondly, no one’s asked you or even expects you to be anyone but yourself. 

As Christians, we understand that there’s unity in diversity. 

Think about the list of ministry gifts and manifestation gifts. 

They’re all different! And everyone has a job to do within the body of Christ. 

The goal is the same: share the gospel and make disciples. But the means required to do so demands a diversity of methods. 

I know this topic is a bit elementary in nature. It’s just that I found myself forgetting these fundamental truths today. 

The biggest reason I run far away from the comparison trap is that there’s no room for encouraging others when you’re busy comparing yourself. 

Plus, you waste time and wreck relationships. 

Do you know what I did during my prayer time today?

I thanked God for who He made me to be.

 I thanked Him for opening doors of opportunity to minister to others by using the gifts He’s given me. 

And, no, it isn’t prideful arrogance to pray in this manner. If the goal was to puff yourself up it would be different. 

The goal is to thank Him for using you in His kingdom. 

The goal is to recognize that God made you to be a vessel that serves others.

Understanding your identity in Christ takes away the need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

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Living by Faith

Pushing through when you’re tired is hard. 

This was my first real day of having to keep moving forward when what I wanted to do was take a nap. 

Everything is going well, but some days take more out of you than others. 

It’s always weird, though, when you experience your first long day in a new place. 

And that’s where being focused helps you out. 

The whys keep you motivated because not every day will be a picnic. 

This is the reason Christians must learn to live by faith and not feelings. 

My feelings are all over the place; my faith has not moved. 

Because here’s what keeps me excited: 

I’m learning so much and it’s barely been 2 weeks! Every day I wake up so thankful to be walking the halls at Rhema. 

Living by faith and not feelings means seeing through a tough situation–in my case it was a long day–to the plan of God unfolding around me.