Visit our New Family Enrichment Resource Center
101 W. Clinton Ave - Rm 26
Fresno, CA 93704
A special New Year address:
“HAPPY NEW YEAR” This is our last week for 2009. You know, the last week of the year is often a time of reflection upon the past year - and appropriately so. As you prepare I would like to share with you a model or framework for reflection which I believe the Spirit of God gave to me just days ago. This model is designed to give you a point of reference as you reflect upon your life, work and ministry to ensure accurate discernment as to where God is moving and what his will is for your life. 1John 5:14 lets us know that the will of God is a crucial thing to understand, relative to prayer. While many believers are concerned about having their prayers answered, scripture reveals that only prayers that are heard by God get answered and the prayers he hears are the ones within his will. Therefore, a well focused reflection should reveal what one can discern is the will of God from what they can see, what they spiritually sense, and what they’ve received as fruit from their inspirations. This model is formed upon three ingredients:
MANIFESTATION
REVELATION
INSPIRATION
The Manifestations of God are the things in 2009 that God has made manifest. It is a clear tangible and concrete and his handiwork is all over it. Manifestations of God provide direction. There is no question what the will of God is because it is revealed to you, you see it, faith has become fact, and God has revealed it and made clear the direction and wisdom he wants for you. Next there is Revelation. Revelations are those things God has revealed to you through your prayers, his promises to you, his word, divine impressions, a confirming word through his ministers and prophets, your dreams etc. Your year’s journals might come in handy at this time. These revelations have the presence of God on it and you know it. They have the ability to lead us and serve as a pathway for our steps of faith. Finally, there is Inspiration. These inspirations give us divine lens to see in the spirit and see beyond our capabilities. They are the experiences that have stirred us up, birth new vision and life in our spirit. It is the substance upon which faith was and is produced yet also challenged because once we see these things we often become fearful and perplexed to walk in it.
I encourage you to clearly identify the Manifestations, Revelations, and Inspirations of God that has taken place throughout 2009 in your life, work, and ministry. These elements reveal where God is moving, what was authentic and what wasn’t, simply, where was the will of God revealed in your life. This kind of reflection is also the best way to evaluate your walk of faith, how clearly you heard God, where you are missing God, how you are ignoring or running from God. As you prepare for 2010 conduct an “MRI”
Manifestation – to know your Direction
Revelation –to know God’s Leading
Inspiration – to know where to position your Faith
These will not only give you clarity about your life but it will also encourage you by seeing how God is with you, loving you and ordering your steps. These will enlighten you in understanding more deeply the heart and mind of God as it pertains to your life. It puts natural expectations into perspective, and heals you from disappointment and empowers you with a refreshed faith and a fresh start for the new work ahead. As you reflect, write down what is revealed to you; let it become the focus for your New Year’s consecration. These spiritual filters are divine, healthy and appropriate ways God lays his foundations in our lives. Foundations to grow us, equip us, prosper us and establish us as godly lights (leaders) in this kingdom of darkness we also live in. Finally, after your time of reflection take the next step and declare in prayer the truth you’ve discovered. Declare it to yourself, to God, and your spiritual adversaries. Then through the vehicle of testimony share the fruit of this experience with someone else, to the glory of God!
Have an inspiring and blessed New Year!
Love,
Karen
MINISTRIES IN THE MAKING INTERNATIONAL
Ministries in the Making is a Christian leadership development organization for women. Our program utilizes discipleship, education and spiritual support to advance women into purposeful roles of service. Our program is designed a for women who are certain about the call of God on their lives, those who are still searching or those who simply desire to live a life of influence in all they do. Our philosophy of development is a unique Christ-centered approach that revolves around eight key areas:
- Intercessory Prayer
- Online Network
- Accountability
- Professional Development
- Redeeming Good Health
- Ministry of Giving
- Monthly Fellowships
- Fasting
For some, pursuing God's purpose for their life can be a haphazard experience and for others a never ending journey. We understand and want to assist you in your process and help you become a true, "Ministry in the Making."
"The Harvest is Ripe but the Laborers are Few"
IGNORANCE . FEAR . COMPLACENCY ... WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
MINISTRIES IN THE MAKING'S "DIVINE DESIGN"
Intercessory Prayer: Lays the foundation of love through the commitment of covering someone other than ourselves.
Online Network: Recognizing intercession unlike general prayer is a constant surveillance. Therefore, online network serves as a weekly tool of connection to touch and to be touched by a host of committed spiritual partners.
Accountability: “We are our brother’s keeper” Recognizing the Christian believer is under a biblical mandate to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, exemplifying his ways socially and professionally.
Professional Development: Recognizing the Christian believer is submitted to the Government of God and therefore lives by a different code of ethics in life and business than those common to society.
Redeeming Good Health: Recognizing the Christian believer’s health was a condition redeemed second to their salvation. Therefore, their physical body is considered sacred and becomes the second most valuable tool in fulfilling the work they have been commissioned to accomplish.
Ministry of Giving: Recognizing the salvation of the believer was established upon compassion through an act of giving. This heart of compassion is the biblical illustration of true ministry and the blueprint for every Christian leader to follow.
Monthly Fellowships: Recognizing that unity of the heart, mind and spirit is cultivated through fellowship. It is a biblical mandate and a tool of refreshing in the life of the believer.
Fasting: Recognizing monthly prayer and fasting breaks unnatural yokes and strongholds. Only through this process are authentic leaders formed and their works manifested.
)
