Stiletto Army

WHAT YOU WILL FIND

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:54:00 +0000

Thanks for coming over! If you are looking for some great Bible studies to do on your own or with a group, simple scroll down the right side of the blog and take a look! Thanks for coming by!

The Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Good morning Stiletto Peeps! This year I am running The Gift again over at my personal blog I AM (not)! Please come over there, grab you some hot cocoa, and enjoy the wonders of Ariana opening her gifts from the Father again this year!

Tell your friends!

Key #5-- Health of Body

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Let's wrap up this study!

As we have learned, or bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. He operates in and through us and we, I hope, have discovered that this truth will affect all areas of our lives. We have come to the one that it should affect as well, but it just seems more difficult.

Let me pose a question: If the Holy Spirit is in our bodies, shouldn't they reflect that?

In other words, are broken, overweight bodies a good reflection of a person under the influence of the Holy Spirit?

Hear me out, I realized that we have an enemy and we are in a broken world that will not receive full, redemptive healing and "new bodies" until Jesus comes back. BUT, if our spirits, minds, heart, and souls can become healthy under the power of the Spirit, what's to say our bodies can't?

Our bodies can, and to some degree should, be a reflection of our humility to God. If we have very broken, overweight bodies that are never attended to, then there is something in our belief system that tells us we aren't worth it...and well, that's just a lie.

Just as brokenness in us can manifest as bitterness or unforgiveness, I believe brokenness and a faulty belief system about who we are can result in a broken and unfit body; a reflection of what we believe about ourselves.

Again, a little pudge is no sin, it's what is in the heart. How we treat our bodies might give us an indication of how much we believe the Spirit owns us and might show if we do love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Some reasons a healthy body is important:

-You will have a better and more healthy mind.

-You will have a better body to follow through with the calling of God.

-You will be using your temple to it's fullest to honor God and his calling.

-You can show the devil who owns your temple!

We know the reasons to be healthy physically. Shoot, Oprah can tell us that! But, think about why God might want our bodies healthy. Give it some time. Weigh the pros and cons to both.

What if your body was under his control?

What if you body was fit enough to do all you feel called to do and be?

What if you could say, "This entire body; heart, soul, mind, and strength are really his."?

Answer those questions and you might find that your sick of the world and the devil telling you how to treat your body.

Some Tips and Tricks

1. Get before Jesus and talk to him about this. Ask him if there is anything you need to confess, change, hear, or understand. Then, take the steps to obey.

2. GET A JOURNAL! I cannot stress enough the value of journaling!

3. Read some books. All sorts of books. Go to the library. Learn, ingest, understand.

4. Get an exercise program that works for you without taking up too much time or thought. We don't want to give our bodies too much attention in the name of "health".

5. Find a friend you can do this with. Talk about it, but don't obsess. Do what is necessary. Intense focus for a season might be necessary, but then get back on task of fulfilling God's calling.

Anything we give thought to that is more than our relationship with Christ is pert near idolatry.

6. Find out what you need to be focused on and how your health can facilitate your purpose. Write it down. "If I was healthy, I could do more with _____________________"

7. Start with some short goals. 2 weeks of _______. 4 weeks of __________. This is about changing our thoughts about our temples. New discipline for the work of the Spirit.

8. Plan your menu. Saves on budget and helps you make good choices.

9. DO NOT OBSESS!

10. Stay humbled before the Holy Spirit of Christ and remember this is so that he is glorified, you are satisfied, and his kingdom multiplied!

I hope that this journey (although I ended it very late!) was one you found truth in. I pray that we are a people that honor God in all ways, in all areas, to the fullest!

I love you guys!!

Resources:

"Lose it for Life" by Stephen Arterburn. Sooooo good!

"The Maker's Diet" by Jordan S. Rubin

"The Seven Pillars of Health" by Don and Mary Colbert

http://www.stickk.com/ A personal goal setting website

Couch to Five K Program http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3?181.shtml

http://www.winsorpilates.com/ GREAT Pilates program. I love it!

THE BIBLE!!

Oops!

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I'm in Colorado this week wasn't able to get this weeks final lesson on! Be sure to come back next week so we can wrap up Keys to Godly Body Image!

Oops!

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I'm in Colorado this week wasn't able to get this weeks final lesson on! Be sure to come back next week so we can wrap up Keys to Godly Body Image!

Keys to Godly Body Image--Key #4 Health of Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Keys to Godly Body Image--Health of Soul from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.

Key Thoughts

Soul: represents our calling. It is the Inner Court where the Holy of Holies, the Holy Spirit dictates our service. It will be at it's best service according to the amount of control we allow Him to have.

What does this have to do with a healthy body image? A lot! How can we serve to our best when we are undisciplined, tired, sick and unable to get our body to match our calling? Health of body and soul are bound together, relying on one another.

How can your love, or lack thereof, of our body help or hinder your calling?

What are you doing physically in your temple to support your soul?

Our enemy is out to destroy the work of God and he will do it by any means possible. We have to realize that yes, he's real, but our distraction with body image is a smoke screen; a way to get our focus off of God and what He has planned for us, and on to ourselves.

Honestly, the enemy doesn't care what we struggle with as long as we are distracted. He's happy with the fact that we glorify something other than Christ, good or bad.

Here's some reasons to be healthy in body and soul:

-to be able to serve

-to be able to care for our children

-to be able to care for aging parents

-stay OUT of the hospital

-help keep our bodies off a bunch of meds

-have sharp minds

-hold back disease

The list goes on and on.

You are a minister of the new covenant. What can you do today to uphold your body so that your soul can flourish?

Keys To Godly Body Image --Key #3 Health of Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Keys To Godly Body Image--Key #3 Health of Mind from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.

KEY THOUGHTS

Remember the commercial, "Your mind is a terrible thing to waste."? Well, it's true. If our minds are neglected and we stuff in them everything but the Word of God, how can we expect to think Godly thoughts about life, much less how we think about ourselves.

Our minds, as Joyce Meyer's call them, are battlefields. It's where the Truth of God and the Lies of Satan duke it out for control. Get the mind, get the person.

Recently I watched a National Geographic documentary on the suspicion of mind control tactics by the CIA years ago. There were people who believed that if programmed long enough with the right force and the right repetitiveness, they could make people do things they didn't want to do and without their knowledge. Fascinating...but impossible.

The mind is powerful enough to overcome influences of that magnitude, but we let the simplest lie of the enemy determine our moods, our views, and ruin our understanding of the Truth.

Don't let the enemy convince you that he has control. Just like the accusations against the CIA, they never really did have control of the person. They caused much damage and pain, but never really took control. If you are a follower of Christ, the Bible says you are sealed in the Spirit. The enemy will cause you much damage and pain, but only you allow him to have control.

Kick him out of your mind with the power of the Word.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

You have at your fingertips the very weapon that will demolish all things set up against the Truth. Take time to exchange the lie for the Truth and be set free from everything that tells you you're not good enough, not pretty enough, skinny enough, or whatever, and get the truth that you are a workmanship designed to do good works!

You have great purpose and the enemy knows it. Beat him at his own game.

Keys To Godly Body Image --Key #2 Health of Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:01:00 +0000

Keys to Godly Body Image-- Health of Spirit from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.

Key Thoughts

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Now, last week we did the work of dedication, of consecrating ourselves to God. This week, we are going to get out of the way of the Holy of Holies and become people yielded to Christ and to His Holy Spirit inside us. Right? Right.

Yielding to the Spirit will cause us to follow in obedience more easily and more readily in the inner and outer courts. Meaning, the more you yield to the Spirit, the more you will honor and obey him in all areas of your life.

Come back to the concept of the priest leaving the Holy of Holies so that the glory of God could fall.

In what ways do you need to remove yourself from the throne room?

In what ways do you take control of your body that might be His job to lead and guide you?

Consider again the magnitude of the original temple and the indescribable honor to have God come down on in and in it. This is how I want you to view yourself: a vessel, a house, a place where God's Spirit has descended.

In light of this, how do you need to respond?

What does this do to your thoughts about yourself?

About God?

This is where we begin. This is where change starts. Not just for body image, but for all things. Having our lives dedicated to God will, in turn, affect everything We're focusing on body image, so think of ways you could see that playing out.

How could you see your view on body image/health change if ruled by the Spirit?

Keys To Godly Body Image Week 2-- Dedication!

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Ummm, sorry, it's so not shorter than the first week. It's about 7 min. So, I lied. There, now you know. :)

Keys to Godly Body Image---Dedication from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.

KEY THOUGHTS

Dedication. Any thoughts? Any ideas on how you can dedicate your temple to God? What does that look like for you personally?

Here's a great prayer to use that Solomon used when he built the temple:

2 Chronicles 6:19-21

Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

Remember, YOU are the temple of God, and having a statement like this will help you stay focused on the things of God and not the things of the world. Remember, Solomon built the temple for one purpose, God's glory. If we keep this our purpose, we will find that much of our perspective will change.

You might start eating differently. You might do different things. Maybe you turn off the TV more often. Get out and walk. Whatever it looks like for you, you will be different. You will learn to honor yourself more and your physical body if you have a clear understanding concerning your temple as Solomon did the one he built.

God's glory.

If this is our focus, what changes can we make? In what ways does this inspire you to reconsider how you look at yourself?

Be like Abraham: offer yourself as a sacrafice

Be like Araunah: offer yourself freely to be used by God

Be like David: humble yourself and repent. Make it cost you something.

Be like Solomon: dedicate yourself to the renewal of your temple from the inside out.

Now, offer your own prayer of dedication.

Keys to Godly Body Image--Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Keys to Godly Body Image--Introduction from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.

Key Thoughts

If you’re like me, you know there is plenty out there to teach us how to be healthy. There is plenty out there to guide us in the way of exercise and food. I want you to use those resources, but I want more than that, for those resources to be just that…a resource.

What I want you to find life-changing is the Word of God! Take note of the verse I used just now in the video and then answer the questions below. Either answer them to yourself, or go ahead and leave me a comment.

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him.” 2 Chronicles 2:5,6

Now, we are not going to “build” the temple. If you’re breathing, God has already done that. Our focus is on giving it back to Him. I want you to take a look at your whole self: heart, soul, mind and body, and see if you could say, “Yes, I want a temple that is great because my God is greater than all gods.”

Can you say that?

Are you at a place where you want Him to be honored just because He’s God?

How can you begin today?

The last part, “Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him” will become a wonderful place of freedom for us. You see, God is the builder in us now! He has given us a tool for His glory! He is the one who has placed His Spirit in us, we then, become the ones that humble ourselves before Him and bring “sacrifices before Him.” How that looks in all practical ways will be uncovered more and more as we go on our journey.

What does it mean to “burn sacrifices before him” now as a New Testament follower of Christ? What does that have to do with us being a temple?

Okay, next week: The week of Dedication! UGH! Just kidding!

It's July! How'd that happen??

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:28:00 +0000

Hello, dear Stiletto Readers. Here it is July 1st, and what do I have for you dear reader?

nada

zip

zero

zilch

How has the month of June flown by so fast?? How has this time slipped by us in the heat and hustle and bustle of swimming and playing in the water hose? Well, probably exactly that way, huh?

So, in order to "feel you out" I want you to talk to me. Where are you? What can I do for you? What do you need?

I don't know about you, but for me July and August are sort of difficult months. They're not normal, they don't have the "flow" like the rest of the year does. There is just something a bit more flowy from September to May.

So, to help with that, what do you need? (assuming you need anything from me ;)

Any topics you're interested in? Anything bothering you? What if we just did question and answer?

You question, I'll try to answer?

Then, when fall rolls around we'll kick off in September with something wonderful? Who knows, maybe through our talks here, we'll find we need to study something!

So, start asking...........

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:23:00 +0000

Hey guys and gals! Looks like Stiletto Army will be taking sort of a summer break. Not for too long, mind you, because I lurve teaching! So, I should have something new for July, but June is going to be a time of rest!

I hope you ALL take one too! Enjoy your summer!

Do It

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:01:00 +0000

I'd like to say it's not hard, but I think we make it hard and our brains make it harder. We talk about it. Our pastor's preach about it. We desire it, or at least I think we do. It sounds good in theory, but it actually is more difficult in reality.

It's necessary. It allows the Spirit of God to come in closer and do His work more deeply. It's an act of obedience. It shows a desire for Christ to be a priority. It makes Him a priority. It's cleansing. It centers us for the day, the week.

Being Monday we all begin again in the hustle and bustle and we all need to do this, not just because it's Monday, but because it's the only time we have to do it. Now, is our reality so what are we going to do with it? We need to do this because it's a New day, not just Monday, but a New day. Tomorrow will be another New day and we need to do it then.

Find time today to do it. Find time everyday to do it. You will discover it is the greatest treasure next to knowing His great love. However, by doing this, you might discover that even more.

Be still and know that He is God.

Grow a Brain

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:18:00 +0000

I love that saying! I used to use it all the time with my brother and sister. We'd laugh and laugh.

Now, however, I wonder how many of God's created don't use the one He's given them. If you are a follower of Christ, you have an obligation to use your brain, not just your emotion, which are wonderful, not just your experiences, which are vital to our growth, you must use your brain.

Here's what I mean. The Bible teaches us that we, through the Spirit, can have wisdom, insight, knowledge, understanding, discernment. These are all found in our intellect. However, these are wrapped up in the Spirit and many times fall outside the parameters of our own human knowledge. The point is that we need and should make the study of God's word, and outside sources, something we love, something we desire, and something we give priority to.

I'm not saying we should all go get a theology degree, but I do believe that we need to be able to answer to anyone why we have our hope. We also need to have the humility to say, "I don't know...but I'll find out."

The Bereans, in Acts, were commended for their study of the Scripture to see if what they were being told about Jesus was correct. Many times believers will take a Pastor's word or a teacher's word for it without having a clear Biblical understanding of a topic. Thousands follow false teachers and false prophets because of a lack of Biblical knowledge.

Biblical knowledge goes beyond knowing chapter and verse. God has provided many men and women who understand the original language of the Bible and have taken great pains to make sure we get those resources in hand. On top of that, there are many other resources that, though might need some explanation, are easy to use: concordances, study books, commentaries, web sites. Each of these will not only enhance your study of the Word, but enrich it!

Finding out the original words or the author's original intent, or even the connection between the ancient Jewish beliefs and our beliefs, is only found in taking time to study the works of those who have given their time and careers to offer us such great resources.

All in all, study of the Word is valuable, necessary and down right awesome!

Microwave Mentality

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that it seems like God does not, or will not, move at the speed we'd like? I mean, He created light, certainly He could move at the speed of it now and again.

Let's take a look-see at our culture:

Cell phone's that text, email, find your favorite restaurant, take pictures, blog, and could track Dorothy in a tornado.

Microwaves make our food hot and toasty in a matter of seconds.

Computers connect us with one another in lightning speed.

We have fast cars and drive thru's.

We have everything so very convenient. So very fast. (That is to say, at least in the US we do.)

But the Bible teaches that our ways are not His ways. Our ways might be quick and we might get responses faster than a click of a mouse or keypad, but in the ways of the Spirit, life does not always work like that.

It's something we know, but we might not like it. Even the idea of waiting on God for weeks is hard. What about months? Years? Has it ever occurred to us that God might with hold something for more than a day?

He sent Moses to go get the Israelites FORTY years after He met him at the burning bush. 40!

Jesus didn't start his ministry until he was 30. Paul waited 14 years before he really hit the scene.

Time in our minds is not like God's. Things do not always happen quickly and we must heed the word when it tells us to Be still and know that He is God.

In our waiting we must learn to see Him, and know Him, not for what He's going to do, but really learn His character. Listen for His voice to direct you.

It could be hours, it could be years, but we must learn to be still and wait. The work is not what is going on around us, the real work of God is what's going on inside of us.

The Taming of the Shoe

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Learning how to walk isn't easy. I've watched my baby girl figure this out just recently. One afternoon after her nap, she took off walking. It was like she thought, "Welp, I'm going to start walking now." It was crazy!

Since she is a little human, it's perfectly natural for her to start walking. And even though she had figured it out, she still has some troubles. Balance, stability, strength, turning, stopping. She simply has to practice. What I notice in babies, however, is they don't get mad about it. They just get up and keep going.

As followers of Christ, we can learn a lot from toddlers. We too are admonished to learn to walk in the Spirit.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

If you have given your life to Christ, it's perfectly natural for you to start learning how to walk with Christ. Even if you have followed him for years, there is always more to learn. There are always new places to go, bigger faith to learn, disappointments to go through, and joys to run in.

Keeping in step with the Spirit looks much like a toddler at first. We hang on and fall down...but we get back up. Soon, walking with Christ becomes the norm. Walking in the Spirit becomes so natural that falling down is surprising and difficult. However, as we grow in Christ, just as a baby's body grows, we become stronger, more determined and more able to discern what will cause us to fall.

If you feel you are still a toddler in Christ, keep walking. Get up, look up at your Father and keep going. He loves you more than you know.

For those of you who have walked this road with him for a long time, reach back and help the newbies, will you? Oh, our Father loves you more than you know too. Don't let being all grown up cause you to forget!

Punk!

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I've heard people call someone "Punk!" usually in fun. For instance, I was wandering into my bedroom to go to bed, and on the way I was picking up random things off the floor. So, my head was down as I entered the room. As I turned into the room, my husband had placed a blanket over his head and was standing very still just around the corner. Need less to say, it startled me.

Perfect example of a "punk." It was a punk move and I might have to retaliate.

I wonder, however, if too often I give the label "punk" to too many undeserving people. Someone who cuts me off in traffic. The teller who might be moving a bit too slow. The person on the other line wanting to sell me something.

Feeling that someone is a punk or is being punk-ish shows us that we are being easily offended.

Now, that's not to say there aren't things to be offended by. What I'm talking about is the offense taken when it inconveniences us. I wonder if being offended all to often is simply an indication that we are feeding our ravenous flesh and those who get in the way or slow that self-gratification down are worthy then of being labeled "punk" in our book.

Consider then going after the things of the Spirit. Feeding the appetite of the flesh for things to go our way in our time will make us quick tempered, prideful and easily offended. Before you call someone a punk (either out loud or in your mind) consider this:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19,20

and

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 6:16

Zip It, Lock It, Put It in Your Pocket

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I have three kids, two of which talk well. I have to remind them in certain situations we must "zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket" when it comes to talking. Library, movies, you know the drill. However, it's a great reminder for you and me.

There are too many times I should keep my mouth shut and I just don't. For instance, someone really bugged me the other day and instead of keeping it to myself and Jesus I decided a few friends needed to know about the audacity of this other person.

First of all, it was at a grocery store and I didn't even know the person. Secondly, it did nothing to bring any kind of encouragement to the group I was talking to. It was just ugly. Of course, I justified it telling myself that anyone in their right mind would have felt the same way, so I just kept on talking. Talk, talk, talk, blah, blah, blah, complain, complain, complain!

Next time I feel the need to complain about someone I don't know and about something that has no relevance what so ever, I need to "Zip It, Lock It, Put It in My Pocket!"

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Cornnuts or Peppermint

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome back! It's a new month, May, obviously, but that means that school is winding down and summer is winding up. It's sort of like Christmas. There seems to be a lot to do in the month of May and so for this month, I thought I would do short, yet thought-provoking posts for you.

We'll stick to the three times a week, but hopefully, you'll be able to read them in about two minutes. Whew, that will be a challenge for me to keep them short! Still, the point is to get you to focus on God in all things. Picture these as though we have met on the sidewalk, you have a map in hand, and I point down the street. We've briefly exchanged information, but it points in One direction: to Christ.

So, this weeks?

Corn nuts or Peppermint

Have you ever been in the car when someone opens up a bag of Corn nuts? Oh mercy those stink! What's worse is the person's breath when they start talking after they've consumed the already stinky food. They speak after corn nuts and we scrunch up our face. Eew.

I have to be honest, I like them. But, to save my family from dragon breath I don't buy them. I stick to little waxy chocolate donuts and all is well.

On the other mouth, peppermint is never really a bad thing. Someone starts sucking on a little peppermint and the whole car smells better, not to mention their breath. (Note to self: buy corn nuts and peppermint.)

They speak after peppermint and we smell the freshness. Aww.

Both flavors produce strong, bold scents. They are not subtle or inconspicuous like lettuce. I mean, you don't really know when someone has been chompin' on a bit of iceberg.

Read what James 3:5 &9-10 say:

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but is makes great boasts (think corn nuts and peppermint, boastful scents). With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.

So, the next time you open your mouth consider what the other person might be smelling.

Praise (peppermint)
or
cursing (corn nuts: gossip, bickering, complaining, etc.).

It's your choice.

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:22:00 +0000

New Study will start Monday, May 4th! Come back later to find out!

The Spirit of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:12:00 +0000

We have chewed up so much stuff concerning the Holy Spirit that I hope we have enough to live on for awhile! I pray that you have been encouraged in your life with Christ and that this has been something that has pointed you closer to Him! That's my goal: to point others to Him.

This is our last day and it seems fitting that on a last day I leave you with the Spirit of Hope.

In all the days when we feel our flesh has gotten the best of us, we have a Spirit of Hope.
During the seasons when our lives deal out difficult and possibly unbearable circumstances, we have a Spirit of Hope. When our kids walk away, we have a Spirit of Hope. When loved ones get sick, we have a Spirit of Hope. When our dreams come true, we have a Spirit of Hope.

And what is this hope? Everything.
Life
Peace
Joy
Fulfillment

This hope is what we hold on to when we don't feel hope. This hope is what we cling to when we're falling off a cliff. This hope is what we hold close as we watch our dreams come true. This hope is what keeps us telling others about the One who gives us this hope.

In all things, rest in the love of Christ in His Spirit and look to the hope He has given us.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

I pray sweet blessings on you in Christ.

Power

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:00:00 +0000

This is the last day (not counting Friday's wrap up) on our study of the Holy Spirit! What an amazing God we have!

I have to tell you what happened just yesterday morning! It has everything to do with listening to the Spirit direct us in the Word.

I have been praying about something for well over six months now and really do have some pretty good confirmation on it. However, I'm not sure when to step out in it so I was praying again yesterday. I had the whole house to myself so I was walking around with my coffee praying and talking with Him about this.

I stepped back into my office and literally prayed, "Lord, I don't want to step up to the Jordan and step in if you're not telling me to." Then I sat down and waited for Him to send me to the Word if He wanted to.

I listened quietly and sensed that I was to go to 2 Kings chapter 2. Who goes to 2 Kings!? Well, when I got there, would you believe it was the story of Elijah and Elisha at the JORDAN and it was about the passing of Elijah's mantle of ministry to Elisha and how the Jordan opened with Elijah touched the water with his cloak!?!?

I just about did back flips through my house. If I was limber and a gymnast I might have done so. Instead I called JT and my best friend and we laughed at how cool God was!

This stuff is real! I couldn't have even told where that story was, much less get the right book and chapter! Amazing.

Humility.
Waiting.
Listening.
Yielding.
Reading.
Hearing.

They all work together for Him to do His thing: reveal Christ and His will in power.

That moment yesterday was one power-packed moment. I was so thrilled, excited, overcome, and full of wonder that there is nothing on this earth that could produce the same thing. Powerful. Our God is powerful and He is more than willing to produce His power in us.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms... Ephesians 1:18-20

Pray that your eyes will be opened to:

hope
the riches of his inheritance
and his POWER for us who believe.

This power is above all things. ALL things. This power in Christ through His Spirit is above your fear, doubt, failure, strength, idols, sin, nation, government, complacency. His power is above all of that and we would be wise to find our position at the feet of that power. In such a position we recieve all the riches of Christ! In such a position do we find ourselves able to be lifted up by Christ! There is the power--Christ in us, The Indwelling.

Recieve it. Honor Him. And watch Him do His wonders.

The Spirit and the Word

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Only three more days until we end our study on the Holy Spirit. I most certainly did not do Him justice and this wasn't even close to what can be uncovered and discovered about Him. I just pray that maybe there were a few nuggets you took away as choice gold from Him. Thank you for being here. I know you're out there reading and I'm praying for you!

Today we'll be talking about one of my most favorite things: the Word. Just recently, I was with a group of women and personal Bible study/quiet time came up. Many of them confessed that they struggle with consistent Bible reading and prayer time. I've totally been there for sure! There is that feeling that I should be reading and praying, but either I didn't have time, or I didn't feel like it, or both.

Those issues, sadly, are pretty much a norm for many Christ followers. I used to be that way, but I'm not anymore, and lemme tell you, I'm not tooting my horn here, I'm tooting HIS!! There is no way I'd be who I am today if He weren't boss.

In 2000, I sat at the feet of Becky Tirabassi, who (at the time) had met with Christ every day for 16 years. SIXTEEN YEARS! I was amazed. I couldn't meet with Him two days in a row! She said something that changed my life forever,

"Make an appointment with the King and keep it."

Huh, really? That works? It did for me. I didn't make it all the time, but it was the launching pad, no, it was the spiritual hands on my shoulders turning my focus, my priorities, to Him all the time, every day. Those words began my journey with Him and has brought me where I am today.

I've had other people say, "Natalie, you know the Word so well!" To which I say, "I don't know enough, and it's only because my face is in it so often." Again, I tell you this because I want you to know that He is the power, not me. He is the amazing thing, not me. I'm normal with weaknesses, failings, issues. If I don't strive after Him every day of my pea-pickin' life, I would not even be close to what I am and I'm not even close to what He is!

What does this have to do with the Word? Everything.

Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6: 17

The Word is the weapon of the Spirit. The Word, when we feed our own spirit, becomes that which the Spirit uses to do His job of reminding us of everything Jesus said. The Word, in and of itself, unless fallen on fertile soil of a Spirit filled life, is not just the power. The Word of God, used by the Spirit of God in and on a humble Child of God--that's the fullness of it's power.

Many unbelievers have read the Bible and nothing has happened. Many unbelievers have read the Bible and their lives were changed. What is the difference? A person bent toward knowing Truth. A person, even if it's just a tiny bit, interested in the things of God.

I'm going to stop typing my own words for a bit and let Andrew Murray take the stage. He really says it much better than I do.

It is the Spirit that comes from God, the Spirit that brings life, and through the Word assimilates truth and power in us.
In our study of the work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot be too diligent at gaining a firm hold on this truth. It will save us from error. It will keep us from expecting to enjoy the teaching of the Spirit without the Word or to master the teaching of the Word without the Spirit.
In the Holy Trinity, the Word and the Spirit are intertwined-one with the Father. ...The Holy spirit has for all ages embodied the thoughts of God in the written Word, and lives now for this very purpose in our hearts--to reveal the power and the meaning of that Word. If you would be full of the Spirit, be full of the Word. If you would have the divine life of the Spirit within you grow strong in every part of your nature, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. ...Think not for one moment that the Word can unfold its life in you, except as the Spirit within you accepts and appropriates it in the inner life.

We must go to the Word with a keen awareness of the work of the Spirit. We need to approach the Word as though God has taken a moment to lean down specifically, every time, and tell us something. And even if you don't "feel" it, that doesn't mean you don't keep going back. We go to it humbly, in expectation of what He will do, not in expectation of what we will feel. Let the wonderful feelings that come with truth be the icing on the cake, not the other way around.

I pray that when we approach the Word of God, we picture ourselves handing it right to God's hands and saying, "Do with this what you will in me, Lord."

Take the time. Do the reading, and wait for the Spirit to guide you into all truth.

Praying in the Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0000

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. Romans 8:26

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18

Looking back at Monday and Wednesday's study on having no confidence in the flesh, we get the idea that there is an opposite Person to put confidence in! Of course, that is an understatement! We must learn to put all our confidence in the Spirit of Christ. It begins and ends in humility, faith, and love. And that practice between us and Christ, is prayer.

Oh man, prayer is all sorts of wonderful things. You know this: songs, quiet, thought, spoken words, tears, a sigh, laughter. We can pray in so many different ways on so many occasions and have a consistent, open conversation with Christ.

So, what does Paul mean when he says "pray in the Spirit?" Well, my Christian background would certainly say it's not praying in tongues, while your Christian background could say it's most certainly is praying in tongues.

However, I believe speaking in tongues, or your "prayer language" (if you have one) is more than that. I believe praying in the Spirit is about learning how to involve ourselves so much in the things of the Lord that our lives become an attitude of prayer. That our minds and hearts are set on waiting for the Lord through the work of His Spirit to even guide us in prayer.

There are many times I am quiet before the Lord. There are other times I have told Him, "I simply cannot put into English what I hear in my heart, but I know you are speaking it for me." I've been unable to verbalize what was being expressed in my spirit. What is so wonderful about that is the promise of Romans 8:26 up there. Go ahead, slide back up and read it.

Prayer cannot be something that gives our flesh the chance to flex it's muscles. Prayer is meant for us to relinquish ourselves to the Father and guide us into His presence. We cannot force God to behave certain ways because we have great, flowery words to pray. We come to Him in faith and humility, wrapped up in His great and amazing love and do two things: Lay our requests before Him and wait in expectation. (I stole that from David)

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

We can develop an expectation for what God is going to do. Not what He is going to do for us, but that He is just going to do. He's a promise keeper, and the more we know and rely on the love God has for us, the more we will see when He fulfills a promise. Prayer is not about getting what we want, it's about knowing who He is.

How you do that is up to you. Journal, dance, whisper, talk out loud, what ever you do, learn to pray. Learn to pray in the Spirit. Learn to bow in your spirit to the wonderful promise that He will pray with you and for you. Wait for Him to reveal Christ to you in what ever way He wants, even if our little brains are straining to figure that out.

For whatever reason, God designed that our prays would be the conduit of His power through His Spirit. Our prayer in Him and with Him can release what is in heaven. Our prayer can remove the enemy from our lives. Our prayer, in faith of the Holy Spirit, can change our spiritual DNA.

Relinquish your strength in prayer. Be weak so that He can be strong and fill you with words and prayer and thought that you never thought possible. Let Him fill you so that you become a powerful pray-er for Him, with Him, and because of Him. Carve out time in your day to be still before Him. Strive to make it the first-fruits of your time (morning), if you can.

Prayer is a life-long commitment, let's have the One who invented it teach us well.

No Confidence in the Flesh

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Witcher) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Here's Part 2 of No Confidence in the Flesh. Just thought it was time for another video!!

No Confidence in the Flesh from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.