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( This personal post appeared first on @LiveLifeWell Linkup)
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I stood in line not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. I hated this part, it was the worst feeling ever. Why in the world would a teacher subject kids to this kind of humiliation? The entire class was lined up in a straight line at the edge of the gymnasium. I glanced to my right and left as I was looking at my classmates’ shoes. “Don’t make eye contact with the teacher,” my mind said, and at the same time is shouted, “but don’t look like your avoiding it either.” As the teacher chose two classmates to be captains, we all immediately knew if we would be chosen first or last.
Everyone knew the athletic and popular kids would be chosen first. However, if one of your friends were chosen to be captain, you would be close to the top of the pick (even if you weren’t athletic or popular). If we were playing softball or volleyball, I wouldn’t have worried about being chosen last, but we were playing basketball. Ugh – so not my best sport, and while I was pretty athletic, and could adapt to most sports, basketball was not one of them.
Maybe you have experienced the dreaded act of choosing teams for gym class?
To me, it’s one of the most awful experiences ever, and I many a child is often left with feelings of rejection. When we are all lined up and waiting to be chosen and picked to be a part of a team, any team really. We want to fit in, feel like we belong, we are loved and chosen. These feelings never go away. We were wired with a desire to be loved, noticed and chosen. On the inside we are all saying “Pick me! Notice Me – Choose ME!” We want to belong, to be loved, chosen, and picked for a purpose.
We all long to be given an opportunity to be ourselves and use our gifts and talents for God, our Master. However, sometimes, we feel unqualified, or disqualify ourselves because of our past or current situations.
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Have you ever been asked to step out in an area of ministry, yet felt completely unqualified and worse, not called?
This is why I wrote the book, The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement.
For me, I often felt unqualified and would disqualified myself because I did not fully understand God’s nature. If you’re experiencing these feelings, I want to remind you to read the list of Biblical Giants in Hebrews 11. Then remember what they used to be:
✔ Moses had a stuttering problem
✔ Gideon was afraid
✔ Rahab was a prostitute
✔ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
✔ David had an affair and was a murderer
✔ Jonah ran from God
✔ Peter denied Christ
✔ The disciples fell asleep while praying
✔ Martha worried about everything
✔ Paul was too religious (and, as Saul, was a murderer)
✔ Lazarus…well, he was dead!
God created us for His Glory and purpose. He wants us, and He chooses us; each and every one of us has been chosen by God.
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (1 Peter 2:9-10 MSG).
Meditate on this truth. Understand that God not only has chosen you, He has a high calling for you. You are His chosen, His beloved, and His instrument. You are His hands and feet on earth. He has picked you to be on His team! Which is all the qualification anyone needs.
Don’t discount yourselves from being chosen.
Know, you were handpicked and chosen by God for a purpose!
Remember, you are on #TeamJesus – He has Chosen You!
Buy “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement” here: https://amzn.to/2N3wcPO
To get some extra order bonuses go here: http://debbiekitterman.com/gift-of-prophetic-encouragement/
About The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others
“The gift of prophetic encouragement is a necessary gift, one that the Church is in great need of during these last days.”—from the foreword by Wayne Cordeiro, president, New Hope Christian College; author, The Divine Mentor
The book clears away the confusion about the prophetic gift today, pastor and ministry leader Debbie Kitterman reveals the good news about the gift of prophecy in this practical, powerful book: We are all prophetic because we all have direct access to God. Prophecy is an ordinary part of the Christian life. In fact, it is God’s way for us to encourage and strengthen the Body of Christ.
So, open your ears to hear God and break out of your comfort zone to deliver His messages to those who need them most. Act now—His words can’t wait!
Prophetic Encouragement is Full of powerful testimonies and practical application, this book will help you break out of your comfort zone and embrace a lifestyle of encouraging others–just as Jesus did. You will learn how to deepen your relationship with God, open a direct line of communication with him, and share his words with others.
The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is completely unique in challenging believers to be the gift of encouragement others need today. This book is written to give an interactive experience. Here are the book’s features:
- Teaching on the gift of prophetic encouragement
- Activation Prayers and Activation Exercises to take you deeper.
- Testimonies that will build your faith and increase your boldness.
- A profound foreword by Wayne Corderio
- Chapter questions for personal study or discussion
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
Follow Debbie Kitterman
Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram :: Pinterest :: FB Ministry Page :: LinkedIn :: Google+:: YouTube
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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.
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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 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 Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story was 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:
Good words, Debbie!
Thanks for this encouragement!
you are most welcome Michele 🙂 thanks for being faithful to comment and linkup each week
Great analogy Debbie! We can all probably relate to that dreaded “team captain” experience..
And your mention of Lazarus— well, I had a good giggle. 😉
But it’s so very true— we ARE, each one of us, handpicked byGod to do good works! What an awesome thought! Thank you for this encouragement today!
Thanks Rachel! The whole Lazarus thing does make for a good laugh, but also a profound truth too. I love it. You are most welcome for the encouragement today – thanks for sharing your thoughts with me and leaving a comment.
Hi Debbie! Don’t we all have these feelings of just wanting to fit in?! It seems that we count ourselves out when God says go get it. I love this list you made of some heroes of the Bible. We look to them for inspiration but forget that they had their hangups too. I agree with Rachel, your mention of Lazarus made me laugh. Thanks for a healthy dose of encouragement today. God bless!
Hi Connie! Oh boy, don’t we all have these feelings at least at one time or another. 🙂 You are so right – we often count ourselves out the moment God says – “Hey – You – It’s your turn – get in the game.” I am glad you laughed about my Lazarus reference too. 🙂 You are most welcome for the encouragement – thanks for being here today.
I am chosen. Balm to my soul today. laurensparks.net
I am so glad it brought some balm to your soul today, Lauren. It’s true – you are chosen!
Okay Debbie, I am having flashbacks of falling flat on my face on a hard basketball court again,really, they tried to make me a basketball player. But your list is cheering me up.
Oh boy, I did’t mean to cause flashbacks like that, but I am glad the list cheered you up. You are awesome Rebecca – and hey, basketball was so not my thing then or now. LOL Oh well. I can deal with it. Blessings to you.
Thank you for hosting this opportunity to bring bloggers together and share their posts. I look forward to your party each week. #OverTheMoon #WWBlogHop #ThursdayFavoriteThings.
you are most welcome Marilyn 🙂
Debbie, thanks for sharing the beautiful truth that frees us from those last-to-be-chosen memories.
you are most welcome Linda 🙂 no more being chosen last for anyone who is on #TeamJesus
I had always wanted to fit in but in the last couple of years I have decided just to me and not worry about others.
Great words. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.
Patrick – I think the older we get the wiser we get and we come to realize that we don’t need to fit in with everyone – we just need to find our tribe and not worry about the others. Blessings
I felt that way when I met w/ the publishers at She speaks ! (they didn’t pick me…) Thankful that God picked me long ago to be His! Thanks, dear Deb.
Oh Sue, I am so sorry you felt that way at She Speaks. I have had that very same feelings at other conferences and it is not one I care to remember. I am so thankful that even though others may not choose me, God always will! Blessings to you
Yes, that experience was awful for the kids here in Aussie too!
I’m glad we have Jesus who picked us all equally first!
😀
Jennifer
Oh Jennifer, it was one of the worst feelings ever – thanks for letting me know it’s not just a USA thing, but that it’s a universal experience too. I sure hope they have changed it now, but even if not- Jesus will always pick us! 🙂
Such a great post, and one that we can all relate to! Thanks!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
Thanks Amy! and thanks for letting it appear over on your site first! That was such a huge blessing to me. I am blessed by you and your @LiveLifeWell Community
This is such an encouraging post. We all have the opportunity to be on Team Jesus. What a gift! I needed the reminder that none of us are disqualified by God. Love and hugs!
Thank you Mary. I appreciate that you always take the time to stop by each week after I link up with you. What a huge blessings it is to have you here.
I hated waiting in school. Would I be the one picked last? Your post was so encouraging though. Blessed to be your neughbor at Coffee for your Heart this week.
What a great word. I was often the unathletic one, chosen last for the team. I am glad Jesus didn’t base his choosing of me based on my athletic-ness or abilities. He chose me out of love and then gave me the skills I needed to be successful on His team. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week. I was so encouraged by your words that I selected this post as my favorite this week.
Thank you so much Mary! Thank you for choosing this post as this weeks feature over at #LMM and also thank you for sharing how my post touched and encouraged you! 🙂 I am honored