The Oasis: Semester 4: Part II

here is part 2 of my latest blog. feel free to read the titles and choose to read what sticks out (I know it's sort of a lot between the two blogs ;D)

KEY LESSONS LEARNED

Here are some of the main ideas God has been trying to get across to me this semester…many of them life changing.

Kingdom Mindset

--Son identity…we live like kids relating to a Papa.

--Work from [the place of] rest.

--Stay set in His presence.

--Instead of complaining that roses come with thorns, be grateful that thorns (what we deserve after the Fall) come with roses.

--Longing for Eden. Recognize Eden daily & be blessed. Take heart + hope!

--Human being vs human doing. We are created human beings.

--I always have an A+ in His book… (the cross is the + sign) Let go of human grades & approval.

--no false humility/inferiority complex…leads me backwards (still learning)

--We need each other. Being unbalanced (as we all are) drives interdependence, which facilitates knowing the fullness (different sides, ways, manifestations, etc) of God.

--He’s not part of my plan, I’m part of His!

--It’s not on me. It’s still grace. I can’t do anything valuable apart from my Vine, my Source, my enablement.

--If you go by God’s blueprints, it’s gonna work out. Guaranteed.

Here’s a snippet from an internet article that really hit me hard…in a good way. It’s where God’s taking me and I’m very grateful:

One of the most important principles we should understand is that it is wrong to compare ourselves with other men. It is indeed a mistake to compare ourselves with others. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” 2 Cor. 10:12). It is too easy to look upon the outward appearance and accomplishments of others and then to feel either superior or inferior. ” . . . For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). No matter how accomplished one may be, we must remember this: “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor. 4:7). The fact is: We are debtors to all men, and whatever we have, or whatever we are, came from others, even our capabilities, appearance and intelligence. Arrogance has no place in this physical life and certainly not in the Kingdom of God.

TRACK CHANGE: MINISTRY TO WORSHIP LEADERSHIP

Here’s another big happening in The Elim Life….a track change!

Now here at Elim we all major in Bible, but we have the choice of 4 different minors or “tracks.” They are Ministry, Missions, Youth, and Worship. I have been in the Ministry track these 4 semesters, but lo and behold, God used the classes I’ve taken in Ministry to equip me there and now He’s ready to take me somewhere new!

I encountered the Lord after one chapel service mid-week and He made clear to me that I was to be a worship leader. I kinda decided to put that Word aside until confirmation came “just in case” it wasn’t Him (though I was almost certain it was). See, while I love worship, it takes MUSIC THEORY and BEING RATHER EXCELLENT in a musical instrument (along with calling and anointing of course) to actually lead worship. I was (and still am) pretty sure that Music Theory and instruments aren’t up my “easy peezy sure I can do that” alley. Nuh uh. It’s work! And maybe that’s why God’s calling me into it…to make sure I always remember when I’m formed and functioning that it’s Him and not my innate talent.

It’s pretty neat how confirmation came out. Kent Henry was here at Elim Gospel Church across the pond leading worship at the Kingdom Conference and in between services that Sunday morning he sat me down beside him and prophesied and prayed over me & directly confirmed what God had told me. SO uplifting and encouraging!

Also, Brother David, a teacher here, came up to me within a few days of that confirmation and asked me if I wrote songs. I said yes and he said that the Patmos Project is going to record a CD of Patmos worship and that he wants me to be a contributing songwriter! Woah! We’ve already had our first meeting…a team of about 8 of us…and I’m super excited!

BLESSINGS

God has been providing for me financially in amazing ways. I was so overwhelmed at how you took the time to contact me and ask how I was doing and then to send me money. I need it, too- and my faith just builds and builds as He provides for me and keeps me going.

So many of you have prayed for me too- once, twice, or much- it all does SO much in me and for me! Thank you for your love and investment in my life. I’m again, overwhelmed.

I’ve been blessed this semester, too, by already having two breaks where I was able to go home and visit my family. I love you guys so so SOOOOOOOOO much & I’m amazed at God’s work in each of us.

Thanks to everyone, too, who sent me snail mail or emails. Sweet sweet reminders that you are thinking about me and care.

Well, that about sums it up- though I could probably write a novel about the awesomeness of God and the blessing that is Elim. Thanks for reading this and thank you for caring.

May the God of all peace fill you.

Amen!