Mother’s Day

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Now Women (A Mother’s Day Message)

Now WomenI would like to address the men for a minute. Yes, this message is geared towards Mothers/Women, but I encourage you to be praying for your women. Your women, in this message, might be receiving a wonderful revelation that will minister to them and will possibly be transformed and changed. Please encourage your women today and let them know that you love them and support them in life. Give them freedom to be themselves.

Role of Woman

Defining the role, as a woman in this world, is a hard thing to do. Tradition has placed women in a less equal role than God has ordained for them.

The “feminist” movement has left a bad taste in our mouths and Godly women do not want to be associated with the views and tactics of this movement. They just want to be treated well and given the same opportunities as men.

History has not been kind to women. Women in third world countries are still being viewed as “less than” and treated as a material object instead of a human being that was created by God.

In the past, Satan has caused women to retreat for fear that he would bruise their heels. But God is raising them up NOW to crush the enemy’s head.

After Adam and eve sinned, God told Satan, who had appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent and deceived her:

Genesis 3:15 NIV

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He (Jesus) will crush your head, and you will strike his (Jesus’) heel.”

Many women lose sight of the fact that Christ in them will crush the enemy’s head. They shrink back in fear that Satan will bruise their heels or their “seed”.

We as women are called to be women of purpose. This call has been given directly by God.

Women of Purpose

*Women of purpose consider it a privilege to be Ambassadors for Christ.

*Women of purpose understand the bigger picture of life.

*Women of purpose respond to responsibility, giving 100%.

*Women of purpose daily set priorities, placing God first in all things.

*Women of purpose see family and community as opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love.

*Women of purpose model servanthood to all in the body of Christ.

*Women of purpose, by the Holy Spirit, manifest excellence in every part of their lives.

Some Facts:

▶Over 60% of the people in a given church are women.

▶75% of families are from single mother homes.

▶The first 5 years of a child’s life is influenced by the mother more than the father.

Women have great influence in this world. They have influence with their family, work, church, and community.

Women have nothing to fear from Satan, but Satan has reason to fear women. Why? We have Christ living in us and He will crush the enemies head! We win! It is because in this “now” season, God is calling WOMEN to rise up as “NOW” women and help usher in the new thing God is doing.

The New Thing God is doing amongst women:

▶ Giving the freedom to be who they were created to be. It is time we as women become happy with ourselves and walk in the freedom it gives us.

▶God is bringing reconciliation between genders.

▶Women uniting with other women to do a mighty work for God. An army of Mighty Women Warriors to do unimaginable things for God’s glory!

▶Raising them up with mantles of authority and wisdom to build the Kingdom of God together.

Now Women

1.  Now Women Initiate the new thing!

What does a NOW woman look like? Studying the account of Jesus’ first public miracle gives us a clue.

In John 2:1 – 11, The wine had run out at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, determined the need of more wine. She responds and immediately went to Jesus and informed Him of this need. Mary goes to the Only one who could help. She knew the miracle working powers that were available in the Son of God, and accessed them.

Notice Jesus’ response to His mother: “Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Basically Jesus was saying; “Why are you telling me this? It is not time yet for Me to display My glory.”

Mary initiated the “new thing” by going to Jesus. Mary was a NOW woman who knew it was time for something new to happen, and she was prepared to initiate it.

Mary told the attendants; “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5). Here is an example of a NOW woman initiating a new thing. In response to her initiation, Jesus gave instructions to the servants to fill the stone water pots with water so He could create the needed wine.

Many times, women initiate the next move of God on the earth, just as Mary initiated the beginning of Jesus’ ministry of miracles.

2.  Now Women conceive the new thing.

In the natural, only women can conceive and give birth to a child. Women are created that way. Hebrews chapter eleven is known as the “Hall of faith.” Sarah is recognized as the first woman of faith.

Hebrews 11:11 NKJV

“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

Though Sarah was old, she conceived the “new thing” God wanted to birth; Isaac, the child of promise.

Like Sarah, Now Women conceive the “new thing.” Even in your old or young age you can conceive and give birth to a new move of God. Such women are desperately needed in the church! If there is one thing wrong with us right now it is that we’ve lost the passion to be able to conceive the new thing God wants to do on the earth for this very hour! We need to cry out to God for conception of the New He is doing and say, “Let it begin in me!”

3.  Now Women announce the new thing.

Mary Magdalene announced the resurrection of Jesus to the Disciples. The bible tells us that Jesus chose her, a woman, to appear to first.

Mark 16:9 NKJV

“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.”

Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that Jesus was alive. She was the first preacher of the Gospel, a woman. Why did Jesus appear to a woman first? I believe it was because Jesus knew the others were too filled with fear and unbelief. to announce His resurrection. In fact, they didn’t believe Mary when she made the announcement, but she knew she had seen her Lord.

Mark 10 – 11 NKJV

“She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.”

In this situation, Mary was not afraid to tell others of what she encountered. She was a mouth piece for Jesus letting His followers know that He was alive and well. She had the courage to announce the good news because she knew what it meant. He truly was the Son of God! She realized all what Jesus said was true too. History was forever changed and she was chosen to be the announcer of this miraculous event.

Like Mary, women are about to become the next trumpeters of faith throughout this land. Don’t be surprised if criticism comes and people do not believe what God has shown you. It happened to Mary, and it may happen to you. Continue to initiate, conceive, and announce the NOW thing, the NEW thing God has shown you.

4.  Now Women Intervene for the new thing.

Abigail had the ability to circumvent trouble by intervening at the right moment. She was married to Nabal, a wicked, evil person.

In 1 Samuel 25:2 – 42, Nabal was a rich business man. David and his men protected Nabal’s men and wanted to get provisions for his men from Nabal. David’s young messengers approached Nabal and asked for food and water. Nabal rejected their request and didn’t give them anything. This made David mad. He immediately went with 400 men to go and destroy Nabal and all that he owned. One of Nabal’s men, who David helped, went and told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, what had happened and that David and his men were coming. Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys She sent her servants on before her. She didn’t tell her husband, but went undercover behind a hill and saw David and His men. She dismounted quickly and fell on her face before David and bowed down to the ground. She fell at his feet and took all the iniquity her husband did towards them. She explained how her husband is exactly what his name means; folly and evil. She expressed “as the Lord lives,” she prophetically decreed how David would hold back the bloodshed and from avenging what Nabal did and any enemy who seeks harm like would experience what Nabal will experience. She asked for forgiveness for what her husband did. David received all the gifts and vowed to not harm Nabal. She waited to tell her husband in the morning, after he had his feast and all the wine was out of his system. When she did, he experienced a heart attack and died ten days later. David heard that Nabal died and took Abigail as his wife.

Abigail did several things that were correct: She positioned herself correctly, she humbled herself correctly, and she interceded and intervened correctly. Her prophetic declarations showed boldness and insight into what God would do for her.

God has placed many NOW women in difficult situations in which they have the opportunity to intervene. When they do, God intervenes on their behalf. When they acknowledge the anointing of God on a person, God blesses them and they will receive the respect and favor of God on their lives. Not only do they recognize the anointing on their leaders, they have an anointing on themselves also. NOW women not only intervene, but they are given eyes to see and ears to hear what is needed in any situation. They are anointed with an anointing that breaks any yoke of bondage!

5.  Now Women activate the time of change for the new thing.

Naomi is another example of a NOW woman. She was a woman who knew it was time for change. In the Book of Ruth Naomi had moved to Moab from Bethlehem with her husband. But then she lost him as well as both her sons. Realizing that Bethlehem held the key to her future, she decided to return. On of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, chose to leave her native land and go with Naomi. Together they began to rebuild their lives. Ruth went to work gleaning the fields of a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband. When the harvest ended, Naomi realized that it was again time for change. She felt that Ruth needed a more stable situation. She told Ruth she wanted to secure a future for her and sent her to Boaz, hoping that he would take care of her because she was a relative.

Naomi was a NOW woman because she seized the opportunity to activate a cultural law of redemption in order to protect her daughter-in-law. She gave Ruth several instructions; to wash and anoint herself, to put her best garment in place of the widow’s garb she had been wearing, and wait for the right timing and to lie down at Boaz’s feet.

The result of Naomi’s taking action at the right moment and Ruth’s obedience was that Boaz got up and blessed Ruth. He also promised he would abide by the law of redemption and would take care of her if a closer relative would not do his duty. He became her “Kinsman Redeemer.”

Now women know when it’s time for change and activate it. If they step out in courage and move to initiate the change at the right moment, they will secure their future.

Why is this important? Because if Women can discern, but the spirit, what God is doing and rise up to pray, His plans will be fulfilled through them.

6.  Now women complete instead of compete for the new thing.

We as women have always seemed to compete with each other. Sometimes it feels like we have to have a “one up” on every other woman we see. Women compete for looking the best, for men, for position, for relationships, and so much more.

It is time we stop competing with each other and start completing one another! Where one lacks in strength another can pick up the slack. Each of us have different gifts and talents. Too many times women use those gifts against each other. It only brings strife, division, hatred and hurt feelings. When women lock arms together mighty things can happen. There is no stopping what God can do with a group of women who have their hearts set on helping each other succeed.

Women have to rise up and see the bigger picture. There is strength in numbers. The devil wants to destroy anything and everyone that is connected with you and God. He wants to cause division and hatred. He fuels the fires of competing with one another. He places thoughts and lies in our heads for us to act upon. Let us recognize this and stop falling for his schemes of trickery.

We are sisters! My fellow sister is not my enemy or competition, the enemy of my soul is. Let us join together and win souls for the Kingdom of God. Let us come together and unite in love, God’s love. And because it is perfect love from God, it drives out any fear of rejection from others. It drives out any worries of being replaced or someone getting a “one up” on us.

Let’s be women who support one another and encourage each other. Be quick to have mercy and grace for each other. There is always room for my fellow sister to make mistakes. Remind yourself that you are not perfect and make mistakes too. Treat each lady as if she was your best friend. This gives freedom for relationships to grow, heal and sore to new heights. I have done this and it has helped me forgive my sister.  Choose to love in spite of your feelings. We need to build a community of loving, caring, supporting, encouraging, and never back bitting women in our church today!

Recap:

  1. Now Women initiate the new thing.
  2. Now Women conceive the new thing.
  3. Now Women announce the new thing.
  4. Now Women intervene for the new thing.
  5. Now Women activate the time of change for the new thing.
  6. Now Women complete instead of compete for the new thing.

 Beauty Tips

By Audrey Hepburn

▶For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

▶For lovely eyes, seek out the GOOD in people.

▶For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

▶For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

▶For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

▶People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.

The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

If you are woman, always remember you were created for a purpose. Be a NOW WOMAN for God’s glory to change your world!

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

www.krisbelfils.wordpress.com

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You Were Created For More (A Mother’s Day Message)

Have you every felt you were created for more then what you are doing and experiencing now in your life? Do you feel empty? Are you watching others experiencing more and desire the same things? I am here to tell you there is more for you. God wants to pour the “new” into you. He wants you to walk in it.

Women today have come a long way to experience freedom to be who they are in Christ. God created you for a purpose. More then what you think you are. More then how others see you.

God Created You For A Purpose

1. You have a more Abundant Life waiting for you.

John 10:10 (NKJV)

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

“…more abundantly.” This is the main reason why Jesus came to the world, so we could have everlasting life with Him eternally. He came for us to have a more abundant life on earth and walk in this “more” every day.

This “more” is gender friendly and race friendly. It is not just for the rich, it is for everyone.

Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

It is for “they” or “those” who will grab it and walk in an abundant life and make it their own.

Knowing we are to live an abundant life, and to walk in it are two different things.

Women have been abused, treated less then, and overlooked for generation after generation. It is time for women to realize who they are in Christ. It is time for women to rise up and fulfill the calling or destiny they were created for.

It doesn’t matter what your past mistakes have been. Everybody makes bad choices in their life.

2. You are more then your past mistakes.

What Christ did on the cross for you is complete. We don’t have to add to it. The cross applies to all of us.

You can never sin too much to take that away. God’s grace is not grease to slip and slide in it. We walk away from what God doesn’t like. But, once we have walked away, and ask forgiveness, we are washed from all the wrong we have done. Your mistakes do not define you. Your mistakes do not dictate your future. You are a new creation and have been remade!

Tenth Avenue North has a song that really sums up that you are more then your past mistakes, or the choices that you make. Click the link to listen:  “You Are More”  (Donehey, Mike/Ingram, Jason)

We have to get past what we think of ourselves. We have to ignore what people think of us.

3. You are a new creation! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Message)

“Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!”

Burgeons:  “to send forth new growth (as buds or branches), sprout, bloom, to grow and expand rapidly, flourish, blossom.”  

We are brand new, valuable, and blossoming into beautiful things. This is our life! God doesn’t create junk, no, He creates wonderful people to do extravagant things for His glory, and to impact their world for Him!

4. You are royalty.

We are God’s princesses. We are a royal priesthood. We are royalty.

We need to know our place! Our place is a daughter of the Most High God! Take a listen to the song:  “Royalty” by Kimberly and Roberto Rivera

It is hard to see ourselves as royalty or priceless. I remember a time in my life where I was broken. I didn’t see any value in myself. I made some bad choices and had to endure and walk through the consequences. A lot of my healing came through Women’s retreats and seeing who I was in Christ through other women. At one retreat, the entire theme was about being God’s princess. I couldn’t wrap my brain around that concept because of what I had done. My book: “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays” was written during that time (click on link and scroll down page to “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays”). One of the leaders of this retreat had a Tiara and was using it as an example that all of us were given this sparkly crown by God. There were several speakers and many sessions to glean from. When we went to lunch, One of the leaders gave me the Tiara she was using in her talks. I was shocked. I was just there to lead worship with the band. When she gave me the Tiara, she told me “I was God’s favorite, and that He sees me whole and shinning for His glory.” I cried! I didn’t see myself that way, on the contrary, I saw myself as a mess and that I blew any chance of being used by God ever again.

We are royalty. It is easy to believe this for other people, but when it comes to our own life, we seem to be blind. What causes this blindness? I believe it is the culmination of circumstances and experiences we have walked through, also the thought that we have no value, and maybe we have junk in our spiritual/emotional life that needs to be dealt with.  It could be listening to the negative, critical words we are feeding ourselves or that the enemy is feeding us. It doesn’t matter at this point, what matters is to change our viewpoint and to have our spirit healed.

5. Your Spirit can be restored.

Proverbs 15:13 (KJV)

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 18:14 (KJV)

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

These verses express that our spirit can make or break us. The word “spirit” is translated: “roo’ – akh, to blow that is, breathe.” (Strongs Hebrew and Greek Definitions)

The spirit of a man is the very essence of himself. That is why when we experience sorrow of heart our spirit is broken. When our spirit is broken, we have no strength to be all God created us to be. We have to have our spirit restored so we can move on into our purpose and fulfill our potential.

Steps In Restoring Your Spirit

(Taken from my book:  “Revive, Rebuild, and Restore” pages 147 – 149)

a. Be truthful to God about how you feel. 

God already knows, but telling Him yourself helps. It frees your spirit up to relax. You will soon feel safe in God’s arms as you rest in Him. He might change the circumstances, or He might change you. Either way you are being changed and that is a good thing.

Many times I have to run to God and cry out to Him about the circumstances. That brings release in my spirit.

b. Be sensitive to God speaking to you.

God is always speaking to us, we just need to dial in our spiritual frequency to hear Him. We need to quiet ourselves to hear His still small voice. Open your heart and mind to His voice. Remember His sheep know His voice. Spend time with Him in prayer and soaking. Learn to listen to Him and be obedient to what He tells you to do.

c. Be quick to admit your sin and repent.

If your spirit is in need of restoration because of something you did wrong, be quick to ask forgiveness, and repent. That means totally turn from what you are doing (the sin) and get far away from it. Don’t stay in your sin. Don’t think there is no hope of ever getting out of it. There is always hope. The truth is how bad do you want to be set free compared to the bondage you are experiencing in the middle of the sin. We have to come to a place we want to please God more then our fleshly desires.

d. Be Forgiving.

Forgive others and forgive yourself. Un-forgiveness will kill your spirit. It will cause you to become old and bitter. Forgiving yourself is just as important as forgiving others. Your spirit will not be restored if you hold onto un-forgiveness.

e. Be willing to accept your circumstances.

Don’t live in denial. Your life is what it is. I have a saying I say to myself, and to others often; “It is what it is!” This statement really says a lot. You can’t change what happened, you accept what happened, and you are not going to stay in what happened. Live your life determined to move on and be healthy. Don’t harbor anything in your heart. This will only lead to a broken spirit.

f. Be willing to change your circumstances.

Don’t settle for anything less than what God has planned for your life. The only person who can change your circumstance is you. If you feel worthless, go look for a job. If you are not getting any jobs, go back to school. Pursue every avenue to better yourself. Don’t be lazy and expect life to come to you. Go out and grab it. If you are lonely go out and find friends. Get involved at a church. Be friendly. Be willingly to help out at a charity. Find something or someone worse off then you and pour yourself into it. You will feel better for it, and you will be a contributing member to society.

g. Be thankful for your restoration.

When you start seeing your spirit/life being restored, be thankful. Better yet, be thankful before you start seeing anything. Cultivating a thankful heart is so crucial to restoration.

Don’t complain, but pray. Don’t criticize, but encourage. Make sure your words uplift instead of tear down, not only to others, but speak encouraging words to yourself as well. Thank God continually for what He is doing in your life. Remember where you were to where you are now. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. Give all glory to God for your restoration.

Walk Boldly In Who You Are In Christ

Once we see who we are in Christ, it empowers us to walk more boldly everyday. It is not our ability, but God’s power, that enables us to be more then what we see ourselves to be.

There will always be nay sayers. Surround yourself with people who see your potential! Protect your heart and destiny by connecting with people who will build you up and not bring you down.

Build up the Kingdom of God. Give value to others. When we serve in leadership, people will trust you. True leaders don’t dominate, they lift up other people.

Women complete each other, not compete with each other. Yet, far too often women criticize other women. Most criticism comes from fear. We criticize what we don’t understand or don’t know. We criticize if we feel threatened. But being critical of others only brings bondage and destruction. It never builds the Kingdom of God. Why do we shoot each other in the body of Christ. We are of the same body, yet we shoot criticism when someone makes wrong choices. We shoot our wounded.

“We frequently stop or minimize one another. Instead of supporting and encouraging one another for the cause of Christ, we perpetuate an oppression that renders us ineffective to be all we’re supposed to be as women and as Christians.”

Lisa Bevere

Lionness Arising 

You would never see an army soldier, who is shot in battle by “friendly fire” be shot at again. No, you will see them being rushed to the medics. But this is what we do to other Christians when we don’t have compassion, or mercy and grace. Our criticism is like shooting them again and again thinking they will change. Reality is they are wounded more and more to the point they want nothing to do with Christians.

Let us be people who encourage one another. Try to see the good in others. After all, isn’t that what you would like them to do to you?

People may label you. Remember what people say about you, or what they think about you does not dictate who you are. God’s opinion is the only opinion that matters. We might even be judged as arrogant by walking in God’s power and agreeing with what His word says we are. I have two words for you;  “Who cares!” Who cares what people think or say! Who cares what man, or this world may say! We, as God’s creation, have a mighty work to do. Each one of us were created for a specific purpose. Each one of us, male or female, have great potential.

Don’t let the naysayers stop you from being all you can be in Jesus! Their opinion doesn’t last throughout eternity, only God’s does. This is who we should please!

You Were Created For More

All of this said, I pray your eyes have been opened to see the potential that lies dormant inside of you. What are your dreams and desires? Do they line up with God’s Word? I have found my true desires, those things that I am passionate about, are really given by God.

Psalms 37:4 – 6 (NKJV)

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

As you are walking faithfully with God in life? God will bring those desires to pass. This is a promise! This promise is for you! Commit your life, plans, and desires totally to God. We can trust Him with our “precious” things. Those things we keep secret in our hearts. Those things we ponder and hope for.

Remember what Christ did for you on the cross was not just for your redemption, but also for your future. What He did is complete. He has made all things new.

Be the one who grabs ahold of this message today and change your world for Christ! Be the new creation Christ gave His life for and walk fully in the new He has for you.

From one new creation to another;

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com