Phase 1 week 6 chapter 6 & 7 page 65-98
New York Youth Leaders Association
2. Do the exercise on page 97 EXPERIENCING GOD TODAY
New York Youth Leaders Association
On Feb 13, 5:44 pm, New York Youth Leaders Association
Najwa
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Charlesette C
Blackaby
2. Do the exercise on page 97 EXPERIENCING GOD TODAY
From: New York Youth Leaders Association <youthlea...@gmail.com>
To: New York Youth Leaders Association Level II <new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: Phase 1 week 6 chapter 6 & 7 page 65-98
divine...@gmail.com
1. Write a reflection on chapter 6.
God is always at work around us. We need to be aware, alert, vigilant, watching, waiting and praying every day to see where God is working.
If God shows us where He is drawing someone closer to Him, seeking God or showing an interest in the things of God and asking questions then we must recognize that this is God at work. This is only something that God can do. (John 6:44) "No man can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." It is so sad when Christians do not know how to experience God and recognize His work all around them. The Holy Spirit will instruct us band help us know where God is working. Then we should adjust our lives to join Him in His divine purposes.
We must be persistent in faith, trust, surrender our lives totally to Him and be obedient to the will of God. Jesus is our best example. Jesus recognized that His Father is always working to accomplish His divine purposes through, for and in His prized possession-Man and Woman. In agreement with Blackaby, "God is actively working to redeem a lost world. He chooses to invite us (as His ambassadors of the Word of God) to carry out His redemptive plans" (Blackaby, 67)
2. Do the exercise on page 99. EXPERIENCING GOD TODAY.
I enjoy taking quality time out to walk and talk with God alone. Several days out of the week, I walk for an hour or more. I'm so focused on God, that I loose track of time when I'm in His presence. That's the best place I'd like to be. My favorite place away from our bedroom (my sanctuary) is at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. I love to walk and talk with my Father God and His Son Christ Jesus among nature. Its like a heavenly retreat for me when I can be closer to God in this natural environment, away from the noise pollution and toxicity of the world outside. In this place I can take quality time to praise, worship, and glorify The Lord.
It's a two way conversation with my Abba Father. I don't just talk "at" God, but I like to pause, and Listen for His "still small (but strong) voice in my heart's ear" and "the mind of my soul". I am silent and meditate in His Presence for a while as God speaks to my spirit and His word resonates in my heart through His Holy Spirit.
It's such a wonderful time of communion and inspiration to reflect on the countless blessings of God in me, for me, through me and around me. I reflect on His faithfulness, grace, favor, and mercy, His love and His promises, as I dwell in that secret place of The Lord. Ps 91:1 says. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
As we walk and talk alone, I am drawn closer to God, in a deeper loving and nurturing relationship; and a sweet and peaceful fellowship, that is I find is especially fulfilling and joyful. It is a sacred time to empty myself of all the burdens, cares and worries of my life in this world and be clean, received deliverance and healing in my soul and spirit. Its a time to be refreshed, renewed, and revived and re-energized by communing with The Lord. He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:30)
In quiet times alone with God, I feel privileged to be His child and gratefully obligated to obey His commandments and do His will as He desires. On these walks I conduct a Spiritual inventory to see and understand where and why I've fallen short. I am genuine and sincere as I repent of my sins (conscious and subconscious) as I ask for His forgiveness. Then I agree with Him in prayer to get my life back in line with His Holy Word.
On these precious walks of quiet times with God, I find that my faith in Him soars. I find that I am bolder and I have increased strength to go through my day; and I have the courage to trust Him that everything will work out for the best, for His glory and for my good as in Romans 8:28.
These are special times of renewal and restoration as I walk and talk with God alone. He gives me clarity and the mind set to know what He is doing in me, for me, through me, and around me, in various areas of my life and in the lives of my family and others. Intercessory prayer is an important part of these walks with God.
As a result of these close and personal encounters, my desire is to please my Father God and to live for and with him eternally. I find that I am being more diligent in my prayer life, consistent in reading and studying and meditating in solitude on His Word and more faithful in obeying God and loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, soul and strength, (Mark 12:30) in doing God's will in my life.
In our special times together, I experience God more intensely, as He invites me into His work and gives me my assignments to bless others. He gives me direction, guidance and instruction to lead like Jesus, as I experience God.
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From: New York Youth Leaders Association <youthlea...@gmail.com>
Sender: new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:44:18
To: New York Youth Leaders Association Level II<new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com>
Najwa Clay_Edwards
sort of a protected place where I feel safe, but God is rearranging my
whole identity and I am becoming who he has actually purposed me to
be. I guess you can say that I am at a crossroad and I find it very
difficult to put my views about this particular chapter into a
sensible pattern so I guess I’ll just share with you a portion of my
journey that this chapter has affected and in some cases corrected.
I grew up in church all of my life and I received the call of God for
ministry by the time I was 10. I’ve always known that my life has a
purpose; however I admit that I’ve never really been able to fully
understand it.
Life for me has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows both in
my natural and spiritual walk. There have been times of great pain
inflicted on me by my own choices, the choices of people who are in my
inner circle, as well as the choices of my spiritual family; even the
choices of my spiritual leaders both past and present. Often I’ve
felt intimidated by the responsibility that comes with being greatly
anointed, but not actually having a sense of direction for where God
is leading. I’ve also experienced times of both natural and spiritual
triumph when God has chosen to show himself strong in my presence. It
is at those times I can hear his direction so clearly and as I move in
accordance to that direction I have been able to witness the awesome
power of God work through me as well.
Two years ago while working on level 1 of this certificate program I
realized that my perspective of who God was not accurate. I realized
that I had been allowing my giftings, the ideas of others, past
experiences and what seemed to make since to direct my thoughts on
where God was working around me. I discovered that although my life
seemed to be headed in the correct direction it actually wasn’t and if
I wasn’t careful I might be held accountable for passing my wrong
views on to yet another generation. I felt my direction in life
shifting, but I didn’t know exactly how.
For two years I have been on a journey and going through a process of
spiritual growth, however I must admit that this chapter challenged
me. Yet again my thoughts and ideas were confronted. I had been
looking for ways to work for God and not allowing myself to actually
discover areas where God was already working and then partnering with
the work he is already doing. I also discovered that I still have a
few issues with my views talents versus spiritual gifts and how they
relate to assignment. I realize that God is causing the chapters of
these books and the subjects of these lessons to reconstruct me.
Although certain chapters challenge me I still love God enough to
accept his correction when he reveals that I am in error and to try
and submit myself daily to his will.
Part 2
As I walked and talked with God I felt so appreciative of his love and
his creativity in constructing nature. I felt so honored to be among
his creations and I was just overwhelmed with appreciation for being
blessed enough to have the ability to take in the awesomeness of his
ability, strength, power and love for humanity.
On Feb 13, 5:44 pm, New York Youth Leaders Association
divine...@gmail.com
May God continue to lead you through the valleys and on the mountain tops of life. His grace is sufficient for you. In all of your weaknesses, He alone is your strength.
Be Blessed,
Debbie Derrick
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From: Najwa Clay_Edwards <najsa...@yahoo.com>
Sender: new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2012 15:02:06
To: New York Youth Leaders Association Level II<new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: new-york-youth-leader...@googlegroups.com
Najwa
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
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