November 5th, 2007

November 5, 2007

November 5th, 2007

 

GATHERING TO CELEBRATE

The image on this page is from: http://www.hisimage.org/

 Our Heart to Heart group met this past Saturday, November 3, 2007.  As we gathered, we knew we had to set the atmosphere, for after all, we were gathering to celebrate what God had done in our lives, and to welcome him into more lives. We had prepared with prayer and fasting to set the atmosphere, next came the visible atmosphere, Liz prepared the house as if for a “party for the Lord”, worship music, tableware, flowers, etc. The women brought edibles to share. It was obvious that the women who had gathered on this day, were all pressing in. Pressing in with the same desire, the same anticipation as the women who touched His garment. We were believing that our Guest of Honor was showing up, and he did in a big way!  He was a most gracious guest. He had a blessing prepared for each one of the attendee’s. He knew the position of each woman, and met her where she was at.  We had all given up something that had cost us.  This past year we had talked about it being our time and our season, and how we were changing a garment of pain for a garment of praise. We had seen faith move and been on faith journeys. God had opened and was continuing to open doors for us that no man could shut. As Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.“

The message was on 1 Samuel Chapter 1. There was a woman named Hannah who dared to dream a “God dream.”  Something that was bigger than her. She was a faithful woman, who made a promise to God, and he answered her prayer, and she kept her promise.  She was barren, but she committed her request to God before he answered and after he answered. She brought her son to the temple and dedicated him to the Lord. Our coordinator Liz, pointed out that when you dare to dream a “God dream” then he will equip you, and blesses you far more than what you requested. It is important to note that when we speak of a “God dream” that we point out, that we know God does not sleep or slumber, for he is not man, rather we use it in the context, that we dare to dream something that is bigger than ourselves, and something that is far beyond our reach, and something which is totally sealed with the hand of God.  It is also important to note, that just as Hannah did, in giving back to the Lord, that which he had given to her, and we who had dared to step out in faith and run with a vision, well God gives back a hundred fold.  We just have to look at 1 Samuel Chapter 2, where it reads, “And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of The Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:19-21).

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