A Heart of Holiness

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday was not our typical Sunday morning service. It’s nice to switch things up. Keeps us on our toes and the familiar spirit of routine from settling in.

However different this past Sunday was, it was still good. As the men exited the main room and had a time fellowship and prayer. I had the blessing of speaking to the women of Hope about 2010.

Back in October of 2009, while in prayer, the Lord revealed 5 things that we were going to see regarding women in the Body of Christ. As I wrote them out I could a great advancement in the Body of Christ as many (both men and women) found their places because they chose to live a life of honoring God and others.

Before we took the time to lay these out on Sunday I made a little disclaimer. “This is only the beginning, the knowledge of these truths don’t equate to immediate fruit. I am handing you a baton to run with as the Lord leads you. You will have to chose to run the race and reap the fruit of what God is making available.”

Here are the 5 insights for women to take a hold of and walk out in faith:
1. It’s all about God’s love for us: you must know that you are loved and that it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. (Phil 2:13) Women have had to work to hard to find their place in society and the church. God never intended for there to be a hierarchy of men ruling over women. The result of women having to work to find acceptance in society and the church has led to much of the witchcraft and manipulation we see in the church today. So if anyone is going to stand up for setting things in order let it be the male leaders who have ignored and restricted the giftings of women in ministry. Women, you must let go of the “works” approach to advancement and promotion. Trust that God loves you and sees you and will work things out for His glory.

2. I want to establish peace in your life: This is the fruit of letting God work on advancement in your life verse you working for placement and acceptance. Romans 8:15 says you have received a spirit of adoption. You should be walking in peace when it comes to your role in the family and ministry. The question that I encourage you to meditate on is “who have you allowed to hold your destiny?” If isn’t God, chances are it’s you are someone else (ie. Father, husband, siblings, pastors, etc.) Either you trust God with your life or you don’t.

3. Honor will open doors for peace, rest and healing: In order to receive honor we must sow honor. It’s the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. The hurdle here will be to recognize that honoring is not about being a door mat. To honor means to: respect, admire, recognize, and esteem. It doesn’t mean to let yourself be run over time and time again and justify it by saying I’m honoring the other person by being humble.

This also requires you to examine how you see yourself. Maybe you haven’t had the benefit of being around people who honored you, but Jesus has called you His own and with that calling comes an honoring. Choose today to look yourself in the mirror and honor yourself, value yourself, tell yourself you are beautiful. You’re not lying or deceiving, you are speaking what God has already said about you.

It thought it important to make a note of something that I struggle with when it comes to seeing women honor each. I notice that some of the honoring that takes place is out of a spirit of manipulation and control. The motive of our honoring one another has nothing to do with ones advancement. I realize that all people wrestle with this at some point, but I find that most women use honoring or validating as a latter to gain advancement. This isn’t true honoring, this is a very destructive game. If get the first two points our honoring will truly come from a heart of love and compassion. Just beware of your motive when honoring others.

4. Experience the power of covenant: Covenant is key to a life of peace, joy and righteousness. Though we are not defining covenant here, it’s important to understand covenant so ask questions. Many women have been faithful to keep covenant in their relationship with God and their marriages. Many have not. Our faith was intend to follow out of covenant. My hope is that as we pursue greater understanding of covenant, we will also experience the power of covenant. Here are some mental imprints/strongholds you must start facing if you haven’t already. (2 Cor 10:5)
a. Fear of authority
b. Anger
c. concerns over money
d. relational blind spots (understanding how you receive love and show love)
e. sexual issues – I elaborated on this topic – you’ll want to get the CD to fully understand what God is saying here.

5. I will use you to promote: it the notes this is all I gave out. But to the women I finished the statement, I will use you to promote men, because I have revealed to you what they cannot see themselves. Beware of power in this statement. The unique design and gift of women is to satisfy a man. That satisfaction is not just sexual. It’s also the ability to see what they can not see because that’s how you’ve been gifted. I believe that next to physical intimacy with my wife, this is the next greatest expression of God’s creative nature in women. This gift has long been used as point of manipulation and control. The ability to see things that men can’t has caused many women to advance through means of unrighteousness. But now I believe we are going to see righteousness arise and promotion come to many in the Body of Christ because men and women honor one another’s gifting and ability.

The closing quote of hope for this year is this: Women of honor, who honor, shall experience great honor; for honor will flow out of covenant that is honored.

May the Lord bless you.