Pure Joy

I have just spent the most intimate four days with my King. I truly have not had such a personal time with Him in all my life. It was provided through a new favorite ministry-Pure Joy International. This ministry works to 'Lift the hearts of women around the world'. And it has truly done just that in my life. I was Blessed to have spent four days at a fantastic retreat center outside of Kampala-all expenses paid. It was four days of teaching, worship, prayer, fellowship and falling into the arms of my Lover. There was a statement made at the end of the time: Good ministry occurs when a person receives conviction, affirmation and challenge. Well I received all three of those attributes from the Lord through this venue. I'd like to share just some bits of the weekend. It may seem sporadic, but only because my heart is still so lifted that words cannot express. If you would like to hear more specifics, feel free to ask. Please check out this ministry's website.
http://purejoyinternational.org/
-Faith is the epitome of 'I'm just not 'feeling it'" And that's ok, that is what faith is. "Not feeling it". Faith is moving past the feeling and making a stand anyway.
-Our ability to let go is directly relational to what we believe about God.
-You can't live both in the present and the past, or in the present and the future. Live in the present!
-God has the past and future covered-but He doesn't live there.
-'I am a little pencil in the Hand of a writing God who is sending a Love letter to the world.' Mother Teresa
-'I am here by God's appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.' Andrew Murray
-'It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.' Deut 31:8
-'Never be afraid to trust an unknown future with a known God.' Corrie ten Boom
-Ex 16:1-3 The desert brings out what is inside us. It is also where the Lord tests and builds our character. There are no shortcuts to maturity. But God always provides in the desert-check out verse 4.
-A person is forever dealing either with salvation or lordship.
-God never created until He made provision for what He created. Grass before animals, sea before fish, man before woman.
-Adam believed he had everything he needed. God was the One who said 'its not good for man to be alone'. Adam was clueless. Then God marched the animals by-possibly 2X2. Now Adam saw he was alone and now he has the desire for someone like him.
Then the Lord brought Eve to Adam.
-Functionally, man becomes the provision for woman.
-Our desires have 4 sources-God, self, others, enemy. Which voice do you know and recognize the best?
-Gain intimacy with your mate by growing closer to the Lord
-We're no longer sinners. We're now Saints that sin. 1 John 1:8-9
-When we become Christian, we trust God with our eternal life. Why don't we trust Him with everyday issues?
-God's Purpose is bigger than my pain.
-Remember what He has done! 1 Sam 12:24
-Marriage should and could be as beautiful and graceful as partner ice skating. But this takes constant work and practice. Also, each must know their role- 100% leader and 100% follower
-What is good leadership? To recognize the strengths and weaknesses of both partners and humbly place responsibility on the stronger partner.
-When we are rightly aligned with God, we as women have an innate need to follow and be his helpmate. (This one brought many a tear to my eye)
-Would my husband be a better man and leader if I let him? (This one I'll save for later :-)
-The family is the nuclei for everything in existence; city, business, schools, church. So when we see the world falling apart, it is truly because what is at the center has fallen apart.
-As parents, you are like guard rails. Your children need enough room to learn to drive through life. But also need a strong boundary with consequences so they don't fall off a cliff.
-In life, everything has an order. God should be #1. Then your husband #2. Then your children #3. Ministry and others must come after those.
-Eph 5:33 This respect should be unconditional!
-Try to one-up your husband in terms of giving and serving.
-Make sure your husband feels like your husband, and not your son.
-Best things to say to your husband- 'I'm proud of you' and 'I respect you so much for....'
-1 Cor 7:3-5 We as women have a sexual responsibility in our marriage. It's for our own protection.
-Anybody can be passionate with someone new, it's a challenge to keep the passion year after year with the same person.
-Every day you say 'last words' to your husband. Beware of that and take caution in your words.
-Sex is a spiritual issue-denying it is a sin. 1 Cor 7:5
-Don't pass on a negative aspect of sex to your children. Express to them it is a great thing, created by God, but to wait and keep it pure.
-Sex is the only thing which makes you and your husband's relationship uniqueness.
-Have a weekly date night!
-God intended us to be needy for Him!
-We act out what we believe, not what we know.
-The worth and value of anything is equal to it's identity.
-When we become defensive, there is usually an element of truth to what was said.
-If we are walking around in defeat, there is a lie we're believing somewhere.
-The belief in our identity is like a grid we are surrounded with. All comments and gestures must pass through before reaching us. What is your identity? When you invited Jesus into your heart your identity changed. John 1:12-13 At your best, you are a child of God. At your worst, you are a child of God. You cannot do anything to make God Love you any less. You cannot do anything to make God Love you any more.
-Don't bring the lies of performance into your relationship with God.
-Whether a quarter is clean or dirty, it is still worth 25 cents. However, a clean quarter when hit with light, will reflect the Light to others.
-God doesn't condemn, He convicts.
-Learn to respond and not react in communication.
-Be virtuous before you become married!
-The Word of God + Adversity = Hope
-God is not only to be worshiped because of the Blessings He bestows, but for who He is.
-'God is still God and God is still Good. To God be the Glory!' Zac Smith
-Ps 84:5 Set your heart on the pilgrimage
-Gen 26-Isaac didn't retaliate against those who came against him. Instead he moved on. And in doing so, left a trail of blessing and refreshment everywhere he went. Move on, and dig another well!
-When there is no authority from on high, there is no power and therefore no change.
-Our authority from Heaven is on loan. What will it look like when it's time for us to turn it back in? Better? Worse?
-The proper order- God-Intimacy-Marriage-Sex. Intimacy comes as a natural part of life in getting to know another.
-Live in the present. Stop worrying and wondering about the future. The Lord won't let you miss this if it's meant to be.
-Check your heart motives when encouraging. But be yourself. Don't manipulate.

So those who I've lost in the process, probably missed out on some amazing Truths, but I understand it was alot. I pray that at least one of them spoke to your heart as they all spoke to mine. Ah, words cannot express the new level of intimacy I feel with my King, my Abba, my Lover and my Lord.