Well, it is crazy that we are half way done with another week. WOW! I feel like since I have been back time has been going pretty fast. I slept in today, and then listened to a message online this morning and finished it up tonight. Today we were supposed to practice at 2:30 p.m. and on the way to practice we get called and told that we will not practice until 4:00 p.m. And then when we make it to practice at 4:00, we find out that we aren't practicing, but rather we are playing a "friendly game" against a junior boys team. So, we did that for practice today.
This evening I chilled some with Juliana, and then went to Mado for dinner with Juliana, and my other 2 foreigner teammates :). It was a fun time of food and fellowship.
Here are the notes from the message that I listened to:
The Love Revolution Message Series
Perry Noble
New Spring Church
Message #1 – The One Idea that Will Revolutionize My Life
Genesis 37 – story of Joseph
Matthew 22:36-40 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…”
How to LOVE God?
· You will never love someone that you do not know, and you will never love someone that you do not trust.
o If you get to know God, you can’t help but LOVE Him. He is indescribable and irresistible and the more we know Him the more we will love and trust Him.
God loves me, is always with me, and has greater plans for me!
“Allow your belief in God to shape the circumstances that you are going through rather than your circumstances you are going through shaping your belief.”
Barriers to DREAMS:
1. The Pit
a. Things that happen to us
b. Choices that we make
c. Nobody can stop the dream put inside of you.
i. LONELINESS
- Victims never walk in victory.
ii. DOUBT
- God loves you, and is always with you, and has greater plans for you.
- God owes no one an explanation.
d. We shouldn’t ask for explanation, but rather revelation!
e. We can see God a lot more clearly in the pit.
f. Don’t ever doubt in the dark what God declared to you in the daylight.
2. Problems
a. We all have problems.
b. Joseph refused to give up what he wanted the most for something that he could have in the moment.
c. Satan can only destroy you with the weapons you place in his hands.
3. Prison
a. Sometimes God puts us in a place “like prison” not to punish us but to protect us. God is pursuing you!
b. Genesis 39:20
c. Maybe God is “preparing you” for something greater.
What you lose in the pit God will restore in the present. And He always gives us more than what we lost in the pit.
· Ex. Joseph goes from a wearing a robe to receiving many robes.
God loves YOU!
God is bigger than your “pit”, bigger than your “problems”, and bigger than your “prison”.
January 23rd - "Jesus Calling"
IT’S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN. When your mind wanders while you are praying, don’t be surprised or upset. Simply return your attention to Me. Share a secret smile with Me, knowing that I understand. Rejoice in My Love for you, which has no limits or conditions. Whisper My Name in loving contentment, assured that I will never leave you or forsake you. Intersperse these peaceful interludes abundantly throughout your day. This practice will enable you to attain a quiet and gentle spirit, which is pleasing to Me.
As you live in close contact with Me, the Light of My Presence filters through you to bless others. Your weakness and woundedness are the openings through which the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines forth. My strength and power show themselves most effective in your weakness.
1 Peter 3:4 – “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
Check this song out below...love it!