"AWAKEN TO THE FATHER’S LOVE"

Many of us have grown up in all sorts of different family situations. Father’s Day may cause us to examine or remember our own relationships with our natural fathers. Some have grown up with fathers who loved limitlessly making us feel loved, nurtured, safe, and protected. However, countless numbers of people have grown up with Dad’s that may have been abusive, distant, legalistic, or even those who neglected or abandoned us.

Sometimes, when we try to get into a relationship with our Father in heaven, we reflect some of these characteristics onto Him. The danger in this is it keeps us from seeing God for who He really is. This will limit us from experiencing God’s abundant love, presence, freedom, and peace.

Oh, Daughters of the Most High God, we must begin to see God through His amazing character and nature. Only then will we be able to let down our fears, inhibitions, and guards enough to encounter His overwhelming limitless love!

I urge you today to know and understand the following;

· God is Love! God created us and sent His only Son to the cross in order that we could be with Him and encounter this love.

· God wants to protect us and make us feel safe and secure in His arms!

· God wants us to be free to live for Him without insecurities, inhibitions, and fears.

· The Father wants us to be healed of all pain, rejection, and hurts from things that have happened in our past.

Ladies, it is time to LET DOWN OUR GUARDS! We have a loving Father who is waiting and wanting us to run to Him. He loves us sooooo much….just call out to Him and He will show up in your life pouring out His awesome presence in such a way you will NEVER be able to deny His love!

Jeremiah 31:3 (Message) God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!

Proclaiming His Awesome LOVE,

Sheri Deobald

"AWAKEN TO HONOUR"

As we see in the media today, there are many in the world who get honoured because of the family they were born into, the works they have done, or because they have some special gift or talent that causes people to admire and look up to them. However, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, I want to challenge us to be a people who honour Him above all and also become vessels of honour in His kingdom!

Honour (definition) means Heaviness or Glory

Hebrew (Old Testament): A person who is honored is regarded as being weighty or as amounting to something.

Greek (New Testment): Esteem, value, preciousness.

We, as believers are called first and foremost to honor God. In our western culture, we have lost the true understanding of honour and must reteach and retrain ourselves how to truly honor God.

God is the head of a kingdom, not a democracy! As Westerners, we often understand things from the point of view of a democratic society. Therefore, when we become Christians, we often bring this way of thinking into our religious beliefs. However, God doesn’t run a democracy, but a kingdom. Eastern cultures tend to understand this better and understand the true definition of honoring God.

To truly learn to honor God, we must change our thinking and understand that Jesus is the head of all things and He is the king in our kingdom. What He says goes. What the Word of God says goes! It is not subject to democratic debate and cannot be twisted to adjust our lives. We must be the ones to adjust our lives, thoughts, & behaviors in order to be successful and become honorable vessels in His kingdom.

Eph 1:19-23 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

How do we Honour God?

By Giving Him Our lives!

Luke 9:23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

Ways we can adjust our lives to become Honorable Vessels:

· Spend our lives helping others to get set free to serve the Lord

· Realize God created us to show His power through us.

· Don’t live for ourselves or promote ourselves, but serve in the body of Christ to see the power of the Lord work in us, through us, and out to others.

· Have soft hearts towards the Lord and others

· Be hungry for the presence of God

· Be humble

· Stay teachable- take correction from those who have laid down their lives for the Lord and learn from them.

· Listen to, obey, and serve God wholeheartedly

· Change our hearts, minds, attitudes, plans, time, talents, finances, and use them for the kingdom of God

· Allow God to rule our lives; not people, money, or other wants/desires

Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

God desires for us to be vessels of honor in His kingdom. Therefore, all dishonour must go! We have a choice in the kingdom of God to become a vessel who will honour God or dishonour Him.

Vessel- Container, bowl, cup, something that can hold something.

The purpose of a vessel is to hold something so others can use it. It is useful, practical, and much needed in the kingdom of God. God is looking for vessels of honour He can entrust to carry His presence so we can pour it out to a lost and dying world. In the natural, honorable vessels hold the best food and drink, while dishonorable vessels hold awful things like slop or toilet water. What kind of vessel would you rather be?

God will not entrust His presence to dishonorable vessels! As we allow Him to do a work in our lives and yield to the Holy Spirit, we are making room for His presence.

Rev.4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Yours for His Honour, Glory, & Fame,

Sheri Deobald

AWAKEN TO 'SPIRITUAL HUNGER'

Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Why is the story of Zacchaeus significant?

Zaccheus was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were hated by society, often seen as thieves who no one wanted to be around. In other words, the guy had a bad reputation! Zaccheus also had limitations. He was short, unable to see through the crowd. Because he was unliked and small, he was probably pushed aside by many.

Why did Jesus notice and want to be with Zacchaeus?

Hunger & Willingness: Jesus saw a great desire within Zacchaeus to be in the presence of the Lord. He didn’t let people’s opinion stop him. He also didn’t allow his own limitations stop him. Zacchaeus also recognized he had done some things wrong and immediately addressed them before the Lord. He was willing to change his ways!

Although there was a large crowd to see Jesus, he bypassed many to find one who was willing to do anything just to get a glimpse of Him. In other words, there were many people who came to see Jesus as a spectator or just out of curiosity from things they had heard. But, Jesus overlooked them. Perhaps, he sensed they were there for the wrong reasons!

Now, let’s look at this in a way that is relevant to us today! Many go to church, watch spiritual TV programs, or have some type of religious beliefs, traditions, or acts of service. However, how many of us are actually interested in meeting with Jesus Christ? Remember, Jesus bypassed most of the crowd to get to the one who would do anything to be near Him. Meeting with Jesus must be our first priority as a believer in Him. If we go to church out of duty, curiosity, or as a spectator, chances are we won’t get the Lord’s approval much less his manifest presence in our lives.

Examine your hearts and start to become hungry for the presence and the things of God. What are your limitations? Is it your past, reputation, fear of man, passivity, shyness, laziness, or timidity? Do you care too much about what others think? Are you willing to put aside your limitations to seek Him and grow in all He has for you? Stop caring about what others think! If you have a chance to get in his presence….do it! Be the one who cries out to Him with all your heart. Run to the altar at every opportunity. Don’t just sing songs about the Lord…rather, worship him with all your heart, soul, and strength. Be like Zaccheus, be willing to climb to get a glimpse of Him and forget about others opinions of you. The only opinion that should matter to us is that of Jesus Christ!

Matthew 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who ‘hunger and thirst’ for righteousness, for they will be filled. 'Hunger and thirst’ are strong words! If you translate them from the original Greek definitions, they mean: an ardent, eager, famishing, all consuming craving, desire and passion of the soul for God and his righteousness. Rise up ladies! Become eager and passionate about the presence of God! Start to crave, desire, and have a consuming urgency to get the Lord’s attention! Even right now, you can start to call out to Him and say ‘Jesus, I need you in my life! Help me be who you have called me to be. I don’t care about what others think…I only want you! Forgive me of my past and help me change my ways. I want to get your attention….not just go through religious motions. Give me a greater hunger for your presence and righteousness! Notice me Lord….I am not going to let limits stop me anymore!’ HUNGERING FOR MORE OF HIS PRESENCE, SHERI DEOBALD

AWAKEN TO RELENTLESS PRAYER

Prayer is a powerful gift and privilege given to 'all'! Yet, it seems it is rarely used or sadly, never used. Statistics from 'Outreach Canada' concluded that 62% of Canadians call themselves Christians but only 45% pray daily. Other studies have revealed that over 80% of those who pray only do so for 2 to 5 minutes a day or less. This number includes pastors and those in forms of religious leadership.

Perhaps we aren’t convinced of the powerful results prayer brings. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NIV) If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

The Bible says God is waiting for His people to get on our faces and pray with persistence, passion, and a pure heart! Then, He will come bringing forgiveness and healing.

Breakdown of Statistics: Outreach Canada has also done a breakdown of statistics for evangelical type churches across Canada. Out of 9,150 evangelical type churches:

900 are in excellent shape, fulfilling the Matthew 28:19 “disciplemaking” mandate. 1,300 congregations have serious health concerns and are in a state of decline. 450 (5%) churches are battling the forces of disintegration. 6,000 (65%) fellowships are plateaued with an inward focus that is characterized by a maintenance and a loss of mission.

In other words, the church today is in serious need of healing and restoration. If the churches aren’t operating out of health and wholeness, there is little hope to reach out to the rest of our nation bringing the good news of Jesus Christ.

We must be convinced and willing to stop only ‘talking’ about the need for prayer but be a people who will pray for our families, churches, and country relentlessly!

Relentless means: unyieldingly, unrelenting: persistence, never ceasing, unstoppable determination. Also, adamant, unyielding!

Ladies, if you believe in the power of prayer- I urge you to not just believe or put it aside. Relentless prayer needs to be a ‘normal’ part of our lives as believers if we want God to bring health, wholeness, and restoration to our land!

James 5:16 (Amplified) The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man (or women) makes tremendous power available- dynamic in its working.

Yours for Restoration,

Sheri Deobald

Awaken to His Word

I was recently thinking about how important it is to maintain our lifestyle of faith and personal holiness. It occurred to me the more I spend time reading the Bible and personally applying and practicing it, the less I struggle in different areas of my life. In fact, I become infused with life! My desire to pray, be with the body of Christ, and fulfill my destiny in God increases.

Shortly after, I heard some ladies talk about how difficult it seems these days to take time and really spend time in God’s word. It seems people are too busy these days. Time slips away and one of the first things to get put aside is our time in personal devotion and prayer. The Bible seems irrelevant to our world and makes it difficult to place as a priority.

Many recognize the importance of church attendance but all too often rely ONLY on what is being taught to them from the pulpit. This is important and the Lord wants us to ensure what we are being taught is true.

Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

However, God created us to be spiritual beings needing spiritual food (the Word) more than once or twice a week. What about the rest of the week? Have our appetites been adapted to enjoy more carnal or spiritual delights?

I have read many biographies of strong Christian men and women who stepped out to make a difference in the world. There seemed to be a common thread throughout all their different stories. They consistently spent time in the Word and prayer! Although they had influential pastors and teachers in their lives, they never let it replace their own desire to get in His Word! They disciplined themselves and adjusted their appetites for the things of God.

I encourage you to become a woman of the Word! Re-adjust your appetite until you enjoy and crave the things of God. It may be tough at first, but to become a spiritually healthier and stronger woman of God, it is absolutely necessary. The Bible is real and totally relevant. In fact, with all the darkness in the world today, we need His Word to help us more than ever. Struggles with sin will decrease and may even disappear. Those areas you thought you may always be your weaknesses will transform into great strengths. You will be encouraged, strengthened, and infused with His life!

Wow ~ what an incentive! It will also make your journey of faith a lot more fun!

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment!

Loving the Word and all it’s benefits,

Sheri Deobald