Champions align themselves with the right company. Esther joined hearts with Hegai, the custodian of the women. The minute Hegai met her, he liked her. Esther became his "project," teaching her the in's and out's of palace life.
Champions also walk in favor. We see favor on Esther's life as she received special treatment, extra blessings, and privileges. Her whole life may not have been that way, but all of a sudden, things started to happen to her benefit.
As well, champions have to be willing to change. We can not expect to become a champion, walk like a champion, or even live like one unless we make changes in our lives. Esther went through changes of location, of internal thinking, of environment, and of dress, clothes, and perfumes. She also had to change her mental image of herself from an orphan to a queen. Can you imagine the wrestling that went on in her heart and mind as God worked these changes in her?
Good company.....favor.....willingness to change.....how do any of these championship qualities ring true with you and your experiences?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Letter from Rev. Kathy Sprague of Lady Lake, Florida
I am Rev. Kathryn Sprague. I joined WIMN after 17 years of international missions trips and graduating from Bible College in 2000. For the past year I have been on staff at St. George Episcopal Church in The Villages, Florida, functioning as the Director of Pastoral Care for a congregation of 800 elderly (age 75+) retirees. : )
Today I come to WIMN, asking members to consider making a pledge to pray for America every day for the rest of 2009. Together, let’s see what God will do on behalf of this nation. I know that all of us TRULY LOVE America, but we must come together in the spirit realm and PRAY for God's hand to move, not only on our behalf, but also on the behalf of our children and their futures.
II Chronicles tells of the reign of Solomon, the building of the Temple, kings, wars, and civil strife. But as we look at chapter seven, we find a moment when God answers Solomon’s prayer and fire comes down and consumes the burnt sacrifice. The glory of the Lord fills the Temple and the priests of the Lord can not enter the house of God because the glory had filled it to full measure (vs. 1-2).
We observe that all the children of Israel saw the fire come down and the Glory fill the Temple. The Scripture says that they bowed themselves low with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped. From this experience of God's Glory, Solomon and all the people began giving finances, sacrificing burnt offerings, and praising the Lord for a festival of dedication for 23 days. In the unfolding of II Chronicles 7:14, God’s response to a leader who built and dedicated his work to God was that fresh revelation begins to unfold.
God appears to Solomon alone at night and teaches him the “IF” lesson. Verse 14 becomes a revelatory Scripture, releasing enlightenment concerning the answers and provision for which we are all searching. "IF My people, which are called by My Name, will HUMBLE themselves and PRAY, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Each phrase of this Scripture is significant. I would like to share one phrase that changed my spiritual life forever.
Over two years ago, my husband Randall and I ministered on a regular basis in Council Bluffs, IA at Victory Fellowship Church. Senior Pastor Lonnie Parton felt led by the Spirit to conduct a program called "The Divine Experiment.” We were instructed to “FAST” all normal entertainment such as TV, movies, video games, etc. Our time outside of prayer/work hours was to be actions that would bring family members together. Families were to spend time together doing loving actions such as picnics, board games, talking together, singing…anything that was a face to face interaction between all family members.
Yet, the KEY FOCUS for each person in our church was the II Chronicles 7:14 prayers. As a Church body, we watched God start to do extraordinary things! Family relationships were healed, prodigal children returned home, and a man who walked with two canes was healed. I was fortunate to be the scribe that penned all the miracles the Lord performed in that three week period of “separation before God.”
As I began to meditate the first sentence of that Scripture day after day…"If MY PEOPLE who are called by MY NAME will humble themselves and pray”…the Lord began ministering to me in a deep way. He revealed to my spirit that the current level of humility at which I was praying could only bring a low level of prayer effectiveness. God is such a loving Father! When He chastens or gives you correction, He does not leave you sad, but is willing to immediately give you the answer to your dilemma. He was showing me that it was not the “form” of prayer that was affecting the Heavenlies, but it was a core attitude level within me that would affect my prayer’s yield.
IF I WOULD JUST BOW MYSELF LOWER (body, soul, and spirit) and then pray out of that lowliness, God would hear and answer. What an illumination!
Did you know that each one of us have within us dregs of religious pride, unforgiveness, ego, hormonal aggression, etc.? For 21 days I forcefully meditated that first phrase of II Chronicles 7:14, repenting day and night of anything and everything the Lord brought to mind that would keep me from the lower position. I would hear Him say, “NO, KATHY…go lower.” It became a passion to see how low I could go. I knew there would be gold at the end of the trail!
Experiencing this Scriptural illumination, I did two things that were seemingly effective:
1. I gave God my "time" for three weeks. I seriously sought the Holy Spirit’s help every day for at least an hour, asking Him to help me humble myself to the level that HE could effectively move upon my prayers.
2. At the end of the third week of fasting and praying this first phrase of II Chronicles 7:14, I was roused out of my sleep early one morning. I felt a shaft of Light move through my being, unlike anything I've experienced before. I sensed a crystal sword enter my spirit, soul, and body, moving and undulating to its holy presence . The presence of the Light was so clean and so pure that my being vibrated with its glorious attributes. I could only imagine that praying out of this atmosphere would change my life and those around me. I oozed life, overwhelmed in the loving presence of God. I loved everyone and prayer was like a river of gold.
In that wonderful experience, I truthfully learned the lesson of HUMILITY. The Holy Spirit revealed the "Light of Christ" when I humbled myself and prayed.
Today I am asking you to set your heart upon praying II Chronicles 7:14 as you have never done before. True revelation will ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, bring demonstration. Go get yours! And please, e-mail this WIMN Blog when He moves on your behalf to share with all our WIMN members the goodness of our God!
What do you need God to do in your family, your church, and your nation today? I submit.....humble yourself and pray.
Today I come to WIMN, asking members to consider making a pledge to pray for America every day for the rest of 2009. Together, let’s see what God will do on behalf of this nation. I know that all of us TRULY LOVE America, but we must come together in the spirit realm and PRAY for God's hand to move, not only on our behalf, but also on the behalf of our children and their futures.
II Chronicles tells of the reign of Solomon, the building of the Temple, kings, wars, and civil strife. But as we look at chapter seven, we find a moment when God answers Solomon’s prayer and fire comes down and consumes the burnt sacrifice. The glory of the Lord fills the Temple and the priests of the Lord can not enter the house of God because the glory had filled it to full measure (vs. 1-2).
We observe that all the children of Israel saw the fire come down and the Glory fill the Temple. The Scripture says that they bowed themselves low with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped. From this experience of God's Glory, Solomon and all the people began giving finances, sacrificing burnt offerings, and praising the Lord for a festival of dedication for 23 days. In the unfolding of II Chronicles 7:14, God’s response to a leader who built and dedicated his work to God was that fresh revelation begins to unfold.
God appears to Solomon alone at night and teaches him the “IF” lesson. Verse 14 becomes a revelatory Scripture, releasing enlightenment concerning the answers and provision for which we are all searching. "IF My people, which are called by My Name, will HUMBLE themselves and PRAY, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Each phrase of this Scripture is significant. I would like to share one phrase that changed my spiritual life forever.
Over two years ago, my husband Randall and I ministered on a regular basis in Council Bluffs, IA at Victory Fellowship Church. Senior Pastor Lonnie Parton felt led by the Spirit to conduct a program called "The Divine Experiment.” We were instructed to “FAST” all normal entertainment such as TV, movies, video games, etc. Our time outside of prayer/work hours was to be actions that would bring family members together. Families were to spend time together doing loving actions such as picnics, board games, talking together, singing…anything that was a face to face interaction between all family members.
Yet, the KEY FOCUS for each person in our church was the II Chronicles 7:14 prayers. As a Church body, we watched God start to do extraordinary things! Family relationships were healed, prodigal children returned home, and a man who walked with two canes was healed. I was fortunate to be the scribe that penned all the miracles the Lord performed in that three week period of “separation before God.”
As I began to meditate the first sentence of that Scripture day after day…"If MY PEOPLE who are called by MY NAME will humble themselves and pray”…the Lord began ministering to me in a deep way. He revealed to my spirit that the current level of humility at which I was praying could only bring a low level of prayer effectiveness. God is such a loving Father! When He chastens or gives you correction, He does not leave you sad, but is willing to immediately give you the answer to your dilemma. He was showing me that it was not the “form” of prayer that was affecting the Heavenlies, but it was a core attitude level within me that would affect my prayer’s yield.
IF I WOULD JUST BOW MYSELF LOWER (body, soul, and spirit) and then pray out of that lowliness, God would hear and answer. What an illumination!
Did you know that each one of us have within us dregs of religious pride, unforgiveness, ego, hormonal aggression, etc.? For 21 days I forcefully meditated that first phrase of II Chronicles 7:14, repenting day and night of anything and everything the Lord brought to mind that would keep me from the lower position. I would hear Him say, “NO, KATHY…go lower.” It became a passion to see how low I could go. I knew there would be gold at the end of the trail!
Experiencing this Scriptural illumination, I did two things that were seemingly effective:
1. I gave God my "time" for three weeks. I seriously sought the Holy Spirit’s help every day for at least an hour, asking Him to help me humble myself to the level that HE could effectively move upon my prayers.
2. At the end of the third week of fasting and praying this first phrase of II Chronicles 7:14, I was roused out of my sleep early one morning. I felt a shaft of Light move through my being, unlike anything I've experienced before. I sensed a crystal sword enter my spirit, soul, and body, moving and undulating to its holy presence . The presence of the Light was so clean and so pure that my being vibrated with its glorious attributes. I could only imagine that praying out of this atmosphere would change my life and those around me. I oozed life, overwhelmed in the loving presence of God. I loved everyone and prayer was like a river of gold.
In that wonderful experience, I truthfully learned the lesson of HUMILITY. The Holy Spirit revealed the "Light of Christ" when I humbled myself and prayed.
Today I am asking you to set your heart upon praying II Chronicles 7:14 as you have never done before. True revelation will ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, bring demonstration. Go get yours! And please, e-mail this WIMN Blog when He moves on your behalf to share with all our WIMN members the goodness of our God!
What do you need God to do in your family, your church, and your nation today? I submit.....humble yourself and pray.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Women Champions - 7
Esther is my favorite woman champion, maybe because she had so many odds against her as an orphan, or maybe because she was such a powerful queen. I do not know, but I love Esther and everything she represents. Whether we see her as a symbol of the Body of Christ or of ourselves personally, does not matter. Either way, she represents a champion of righteousness.
Esther's story begins around 438 B.C. The King and his Queen Vashti had been partying for six months! The party lasted so long in order that everyone in the kingdom could attend. The culminating banquet was seven days long, ending with Queen Vashti making an entrance.
For some reason, when she was summoned by the King, she refused to come. Some scholars say she was pregnant, some say she had her own party going. Others think she was not in the mood to be paraded around in front of drunk men. No matter what her reason, Queen Vashti said no, and the King ended up dismissing her as Queen. This led to a search for a replacement, and through that process, Esther became the choice of the King.
Where do we find the champion in this story? What do we see about a champion in the making? First of all, champions get into the race or enter the contest. There is no champion made unless a battle is won, unless a competition takes place.
Esther joined the fight for a queen. Even with all the odds against her, Esther entered the contest. She was an orphan, a foreigner, a very young girl, and completely inexperienced. Yet, she did not allow those barriers to hinder her.
How about you? What examples do you have from your life where you chose to "enter the contest" or "get into the race?" I'd love to hear how your willingness to join a battle ended in your winning a championship crown!
Esther's story begins around 438 B.C. The King and his Queen Vashti had been partying for six months! The party lasted so long in order that everyone in the kingdom could attend. The culminating banquet was seven days long, ending with Queen Vashti making an entrance.
For some reason, when she was summoned by the King, she refused to come. Some scholars say she was pregnant, some say she had her own party going. Others think she was not in the mood to be paraded around in front of drunk men. No matter what her reason, Queen Vashti said no, and the King ended up dismissing her as Queen. This led to a search for a replacement, and through that process, Esther became the choice of the King.
Where do we find the champion in this story? What do we see about a champion in the making? First of all, champions get into the race or enter the contest. There is no champion made unless a battle is won, unless a competition takes place.
Esther joined the fight for a queen. Even with all the odds against her, Esther entered the contest. She was an orphan, a foreigner, a very young girl, and completely inexperienced. Yet, she did not allow those barriers to hinder her.
How about you? What examples do you have from your life where you chose to "enter the contest" or "get into the race?" I'd love to hear how your willingness to join a battle ended in your winning a championship crown!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Women Champions - 6
Hannah was another woman champion of persistence, perseverance, passion, and prayer. She was not going to give up until she got her blessing. A woman, scorned and barren, wanted desperately to have a child, and she took her care to the Lord, pouring out her heart at the altar.
Women champions are also women of prayer. Hannah knew her situation was hopeless unless God heard her. Comparison was torturing her mind, and she knew to conquer her pain and barrenness, divine intervention had to come. Thank God the prophet saw her and spoke life to her?
Hannah, a champion of prayer, gave birth to a son, Samuel. As well, this son Samuel also became not only a champion of prayer, but a champion of God's voice to the earth. (1 Samuel 1: 1-28)
How has God answered YOUR champion prayers? I'd love to hear how you have been blessed from the Lord through your persistence, perseverance, passion, and prayer as a woman champion!
Women champions are also women of prayer. Hannah knew her situation was hopeless unless God heard her. Comparison was torturing her mind, and she knew to conquer her pain and barrenness, divine intervention had to come. Thank God the prophet saw her and spoke life to her?
Hannah, a champion of prayer, gave birth to a son, Samuel. As well, this son Samuel also became not only a champion of prayer, but a champion of God's voice to the earth. (1 Samuel 1: 1-28)
How has God answered YOUR champion prayers? I'd love to hear how you have been blessed from the Lord through your persistence, perseverance, passion, and prayer as a woman champion!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Women Champions - 5
The Bible character Abigail ( 1 Samuel 25 ) is a tremendous example for us of a woman champion. Married to a foolish man with a total lack of common sense, she overcomes the enemy of death.
David, the future king of Israel, in the process of running from Saul, finds himself and his men in need of food. He sends his messengers to Abigail's husband, Nabal, for help. Nabal responds in a crude, disrespectful way and refuses to help David and his men. The young men return to David and tell him Nabal will not help. Angry and upset, David calls on four hundred men to go to war with Nabal to destroy his sheep and land.
Abigail hears about the problem and immediately takes action. Champions know when something must be done! She hurries and gathers two hundred loaves of bread, two jugs of wine, five sheep already prepared, five measures of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, twenty cakes of figs, and loads it all on donkeys. She then sends the men and the goods ahead of her and she follows on her donkey.
When she meets David, she humbles herself and begs for mercy with a heart of humility and wisdom. Thankfully, David listens to her and bloodshed is avoided. Abigail took a risk putting her own life on the line, but in turn she saved her family and herself by doing so. She was a woman champion in the midst of a difficult situation.
I have met many women like Abigail who have had to divinely intervene when husbands were making foolish choices. Some women have had to take the checkbook and become the one who paid the bills because the husband gambled their money away. Other women have had to dress the children for church and get them to services on their own because the husband like to stay in bed. There are women I know who sent to work to pay bills because the husband sat home on disability and was content to watch television all day. Abigail was married to a drunk, and she knew she had to intervene when his drunken behavior was costing others their lives!
I'm sure you know women who are champions like I've mentioned here -- women who step up to the challenges of life and bring success into the most difficult situations. Perhaps that even is YOU!
David, the future king of Israel, in the process of running from Saul, finds himself and his men in need of food. He sends his messengers to Abigail's husband, Nabal, for help. Nabal responds in a crude, disrespectful way and refuses to help David and his men. The young men return to David and tell him Nabal will not help. Angry and upset, David calls on four hundred men to go to war with Nabal to destroy his sheep and land.
Abigail hears about the problem and immediately takes action. Champions know when something must be done! She hurries and gathers two hundred loaves of bread, two jugs of wine, five sheep already prepared, five measures of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, twenty cakes of figs, and loads it all on donkeys. She then sends the men and the goods ahead of her and she follows on her donkey.
When she meets David, she humbles herself and begs for mercy with a heart of humility and wisdom. Thankfully, David listens to her and bloodshed is avoided. Abigail took a risk putting her own life on the line, but in turn she saved her family and herself by doing so. She was a woman champion in the midst of a difficult situation.
I have met many women like Abigail who have had to divinely intervene when husbands were making foolish choices. Some women have had to take the checkbook and become the one who paid the bills because the husband gambled their money away. Other women have had to dress the children for church and get them to services on their own because the husband like to stay in bed. There are women I know who sent to work to pay bills because the husband sat home on disability and was content to watch television all day. Abigail was married to a drunk, and she knew she had to intervene when his drunken behavior was costing others their lives!
I'm sure you know women who are champions like I've mentioned here -- women who step up to the challenges of life and bring success into the most difficult situations. Perhaps that even is YOU!
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