[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
In the midst of the holiday celebrations, we have had both exciting and disheartening news.
The exciting news is our son got engaged on Christmas day. We are overjoyed at the news and looking forward to our family growing. It was a fulfillment of him choosing to believe the promises of God even when things in the natural didn’t always seem to look hopeful.
The not so great news we received had to do with several family members and friends in need of a miracle concerning serious health issues. We are standing in faith and choosing to believe God is our healer.
The last few days, I have had to hold on to the very things I wrote in parts 1 and 2 of the Just Believe series. If you missed either one, you can read them by clicking on the pictures below.
I have found myself standing on the promises from the verse I shared last week
As we read the story and events leading up to the birth of Jesus, we do find that with God nothing is impossible. However, there are some things in our thinking that may have to change. God’s plans are not our plans, and His ways are not our ways.
In order for us to “Just Believe” it may require a few things.
3 Things Believing May Require of us
Believing May Require Letting Go
Mary had to let go of her plans and her dreams in order to fulfill Gods plan. She had to let go of what others might think about her and trust God. Others would look at her and make judgements based on her “condition”. An unmarried woman who suddenly became pregnant, brought a whole world of issues for her.
Even Zechariah and Elizabeth had to let go of the things in their lives. Zechariah had doubt and unbelief he needed to let go of in order to participate in God’s plans. Elizabeth had to let go of years of hurt, pain, rejection and reproach.
“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:25 NIV)
As we close this Christmas Season and end the year, ask yourself: Is there anything I might need to let go of?
Tweet ThisBelieving May Require a Change.
In order for us to cultivate the dreams and promises of God sometimes, we may have to withdraw to a safe place. Both Elizabeth and Mary moved locations. Elizabeth withdrew and secluded herself for five months to cultivate the promise with in. Mary, on the other hand, changed physical locations as soon as she heard the news of Elizabeth, she went to her with haste (Luke1: 39).
As soon as they greeted each other, the Spirit of God in one of them recognized the Spirit in the other.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1: 39-45 NIV).
Do you need to change something in your life in order to cultivate the promises of God in your life?
Believing May Require Help from Others
We were built for relationship. This is evident throughout Scripture, and we see it here in Christmas story. Together Mary and Elizabeth helped each other in letting go and moving forward toward the destiny and purpose God had for them.
Both Mary and Elizabeth were women with dreams. Dreams of having a family and children. One a teenager and one an old woman BUT both were on the verge of their destiny and calling.
Elizabeth, though older in years had a dream of having a family and a baby in her young age. She could have easily been resentful or felt as if Mary was stealing her moment and ruining her dream come true moment. However. Elizabeth showed no resentment and exhibited no competition. She knew God had a plan and destiny for her, just as much as He had one for Mary. Elizabeth was grateful to have someone to talk with and celebrate with that understood what she was going through.
If Elizabeth had dismissed Mary, she would have missed… literally missed a fresh move of God and the same is true of Mary. The people God appoints to be with us may not be the people we expect. We are called to love and honor each other – outdoing one another with honor
We need to help each other and cheer one another on. Elizabeth cheers Mary on with words. They were truly happy for one another. They were not competing with each other but honoring and helping. Elizabeth may have been older in years, but she was only a few more months along in experience what it was like to be an expectant mother. Yet, she was willing to pass along her experience to Mary. We too have a responsibility to pass on what we know. We must choose to build relationship above and beyond anything else.
Do you have someone who will walk through things with you ?
Remember: Blessed is the one who believes what the Lord has spoken!!!
Did you hear the news? I will be doing a FREE 6-week online Bible Study with my book, “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement” beginning January 18, 2019. I am excited to journey with you as we go deeper in relationship with God and learn how to #BeTheGift of encouragement the world needs today. Please consider participating in this study.
You are invited to join me, Debbie for this FREE 6-week video series and guided discussion on The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement. Together we will learn how Jesus modeled this gift and how we can #BeTheGift of encouragement others need.
To participate in this free online Bible study you will need a copy of the book: The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement, 10-15 minutes once a week, and an e-mail address.
THIS FREE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY WILL HELP YOU…
- Build your faith and increase your boldness.
- Deepen your relationship with God, open a direct line of communication with Him, and share His words with others.
- Break out of your comfort zone and embrace a lifestyle of encouraging others–just as Jesus did.
- Experience an interactive experience of what it means to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need.
- Understand the gift of prophetic encouragement
Throughout this 6-week study, you will receive weekly e-mails from Debbie including exclusive teaching videos and a guided discussion through the activation exercises. The weekly video can easily be completed in 10-15 minutes once a week. Plus, you will need additional time each week to read the assigned chapters, pray through and complete the weekly activations.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I would be honored if you would display my badge, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story, The Reluctant Encourager and #TeamJesus were featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Rejoicing over the engagement and lifting you in prayer in the difficult areas, Debbie! These are three powerful and truth-filled points…Thank you for this! And I’m excited about your upcoming study! As much as I’d love to dive in, I’m struggling through a difficult pregnancy and only get about one hour of functional time each morning, so it would probably be too much! We’re thrilled to be expecting our third child, but I’m three months into sickness that’s left me completely debilitated and generally glued to the bathroom floor! I’ll be praying over your study weekly from afar!
Thank you so much Stacey! We are so excited for our son and his soon to be wife. I greatly appreciate the prayers, it is a tough season and praying, believing and interceding for our loved ones waiting for God’s miracles. I am so sorry to hear your pregnancy is a difficult one for you. I am pray ing for you.
SO with the study, still consider signing up since you mentioned you were excited about it. The video’s will be delivered to your inbox and you can go through them when you are feeling better and participate at a later date once the baby is born, or the sickness subsides. Just a thought fo you. But I so appreciate your prayers over the study even if you aren’t able to participate. Blessings and lots of prayers coming your way.
I am enjoying this series. Rejoicing with you in the engagement and praying with you right now for the healings. laurensparks.net
thank you Lauren. It has been a challenging one but a fun one too. Thanks for rejoicing with us regarding the engagement and prayers for the healing!
Amen, Debbie! I believe that nothing is impossible with God! May the Lord help our unbelief and may we also believe He has the power to do anything, even if He chooses not to. May we believe in Him and on Him while trusting in His sovereignty too.
Congratulations on your son’s engagement! Just said a prayer over the health issues of your loved ones.
Karen, thank you for the congratulations on the engagement and for the prayers for my loved ones. That means the world to me. I am so standing upon and clinging to God’s promises that nothing is impossible with Him.
Thank you so much for hosting again this week. You always do so much for bloggers! Have a relaxing week! I am off to see some posts. Looks like a lot of inspiration tonight. Happy New Year!
thanks Marilyn and thanks for being here. Happy New year to you too
Just what I needed to hear today, Deb! Thanks for encouraging me to let go of my expectations of HOW God will answer my prayers (and when!) Happy new year!!
Sue, I am so glad to hear that this post ministered to what you needed today. God is so good that way. Happy New Year to you as well.
Boy, did I need this today, Debbie! I especially appreciated what you said about withdrawing to a safe place. So glad I stopped by from Let’s Have Coffee! Thank you so much!
I am so very glad that you were able to stop by today and get the encouragement you needed. Thank you so much Elizabeth.
Great insights on what it takes to believe. I think the hardest for me is letting go.And if I can’t let go of future plans . . . am I really believing?
Lots to think about this morning!
Thank you, Amanda!Letting go is a hard one, especially when it comes to looking ahead at what’s to come. I say, take it one day and a time of choosing to “let it go” and trust God, and sometimes, you can hear me praying – I believe help my unbelief in the process, Lord. Blessings to you