A Charge for Women

“Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6

About two weeks ago Michelle Swanepoel, a daughter of the Living God, sent out an email that landed in my lap.  After an email conversation, one Michelle to another she gave me permission to share.  I find it intriguing to see how God is speaking to others.  Michelle is a German living in Africa, this message is one that she believes God is calling her to share with the women of the the world.

Michelle Swanepoel writes:

Hi there,

Sjoe - where do I even start with this message to all women. I will simply ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in writing this email to you. Please feel free to send it to any other women that you believe should be made aware of this. Also please pray about this message and share with us anything that The Holy Spirit might reveal to you. 

I am now 36 weeks pregnant and the little one is rearing to come out….so far we have managed to keep her in, with lots of prayer from an amazing group of women, friends and Godly people all around. But God has been talking to me and comparing this pregnancy to birthing a revelation that He wants to share with others. I have been struggling to understand this revelation and have been praying and asking God to be more specific, to provide me with more clarity wrt this revelation that needs to be birthed…..aside from me having to birth a little girl.:-) 

I asked God, who is the revelation for, what needs to be revealed, when does it need to be revealed - what is the revelation - but for the past few months, I have been dreaming, I have been getting mixed messages, I have been praying for clarity….and then this morning, while in the shower - it suddenly started pouring into my mind - as if God had finally decided that today was the day for me to understand. Please forgive me if I am jumping all over the place in this email - but I do hope and pray that the message will come across and that you will take up your responsibility as a woman, a lioness, a person of substantial worth and authority and fulfill one of the biggest purposes that God has for us.

A couple of months ago, I had a dream where I parked my car (a silver Honda) and in the next instance my car was gone - I was however totally at peace, as if I knew that the car had to go because something new was coming - God has been talking to me a lot of establishing me in my purpose, etc etc. so a lot of my prayer time has been spent asking God to show me this "Purpose" - and things have just remained a mystery….a very frustrating process! Anyway, in the dream I then found myself walking in the Southern Industrial area of Windhoek and I saw a man walking with a bunch of keys…I immediately recognized my Honda key in the bunch and stopped the man to ask him if he knew who had taken my car (cars in dreams and visions represent a ministry, a business, a lifestyle). The man said that I should follow him - and suddenly I noticed lots of men following me as well. WE walked around the corner and came to a massive warehouse with lots of brand new cars….you can probably imagine the excitement on the men's faces:-) Then one by one each man sat down at a table and signed a sales document to receive a new car (i.e. a new calling, a new ministry, business or life)…..no costs involved, in fact the sales docket stated that the cars were fully paid for. I also saw my new car - a brand new Honda 4x4, in green with two long range tanks - I won't go into the interpretation now, as it has no bearing on the message that God has for us as women. So, I got stuck on asking God what this dream meant and what my purposes was - will I help men find the keys to unlocking their new ministries, lives, businesses, etc????? And guess what God said this morning - those keys represent the women in the men's lives (wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, granddaughters, aunts, cousins, etc.) God wants to use women to unlock the blessings that need to flow through the men and into the families and the communities and the entire Body of Christ, to unlock men's true identity and purpose in God's Kingdom.

There is a Godly order in God's kingdom - first the men, then the women, then the children. So at this point I need to repent - because for most of my life  I have been waiting for my Prince Charming, that man that would look after me, love me, take care of me, protect me and basically rescue me and do all the things that fairy tales have taught us about the prince on the white horse:-) But you know what - this morning God also revealed to me that our prince does indeed exist….it is Jesus - I dreamt of this man a month ago - he was dressed in white, He pursued me the entire dream, he wrote poems to me, he showed me sunsets and flowers, he spoilt me and He helped me take care of my children - He was so gentle and kind and considerate that I didn't want to wake up. I woke up in tears and asked God why I have never met such a man……and He said, my child you have - this is Jesus, who pursues you like this every single day - but you are often too busy to notice!!!!! I was so so overwhelmed - and obviously asked God for more of those dreams….I think all of us as women desire to be spoilt, cared for tenderly and loved wholeheartedly - but let me continue……

Another part that God revealed to me is that women are continuously ridden with guilt and shame, and seem to be running around to try and compensate for these feelings - why I asked. Well, think about the Garden of Eden - what did Eve do? Her disobedience left all of us women cursed with guilt and shame for being disobedient to God's very clear instructions. And the devil (and yes, some husbands as well…..:-)) keep reminding us women of how we started this entire sin-filled downfall. Well, guess what - just as the devil used us to bring destruction - God had a plan all along - and through Jesus's death on the cross, which has the power to turn darkness into light - women are now God's biggest secret weapon to releasing God's blessings into His people. My sister once recommended an amazing book to me. It is called "Lioness arising" and it is written by Lisa Bevere - she studied the behavior of lionesses - and guess what she found - they never hunt alone. And they are in fact a lot more vicious and cunning and strategic than the male lions. What I took from this book is that women need to stand together in this final struggle - they need to hunt the devil together, they need to strategize together - they need to pray for each other and for God's Kingdom to be established. Eve might have seemed alone - but none of us are alone - we have God, we have JEsus, we have the Holy Spirit and we have many many women around us to stand with us.

So what is this strategy - if you are anything like me, you have probably often grappled with this idea of finding your purpose in Christ - and it is a struggle to find clarity, mostly because our wordily qualifications tend to confuse matters. Or it might be financial pressures that force us to move in a certain direction, or maybe it is your past - maybe no one ever thought that you would be capable of achieving anything significant.  Or maybe you are just too busy and overwhelmed by an endless to do list - so the thought of having a specific purpose just seems too good to be true. What God revealed to me this morning is that our purpose will only be revealed through His divine order. What does that mean? Well, if God builds His foundations on families then that is how our true purpose will be revealed to us. A family does not just consist of a husband a wife and children - a family is much more than that - and God's family is even more diverse, incl different cultures, age groups, genders, qualifications, backgrounds, etc. But one thing that stands is that the men are first in line, then the women and then the children. So where am I going with this…….again, I will be very honest and will admit that I have been trying my entire life, to be independent from a man…..hurts, disappointments, rejection, whatever the devil could find, he used it to reinforce this message that men are not to be trusted, will never live up to my expectations and will always hurt me. Can anyone identify with this? Or how about strong mothers - who also got hurt and who taught us that men are unreliable, etc. Or maybe your dad was never around, he left, or passed away before you could even get to know him properly. Or maybe your dad was very gentle but your mom was quite strong and she sort of managed the household? So all of these experiences have caused such confusion in roles and responsibilities and now when I listen to most women, they are disillusioned about the men in their lives. We read the descriptions of Godly men in the bible and we all pray that our husbands would change, or we pray for a Godly husband to come into our lives. We become so focused on our unfulfilled needs that we are even praying for the wrong things - I am drifting again - what I am trying to say is that our purpose will in fact come through the man. We will struggle to find our purpose on our own, men need to bring us to our purpose - that is God's divine order. Just as Christ will bring order into his bride - the men in our lives will bring order into our lives as women….I can see that  a lot of women will probably ask how that can be possible…what if my husband is not even a Christian? what if my husband is abusive? What if the men in my lives have all been absent or passive or totally oblivious to my needs? What if men are just too busy with work, ministry, sport or whatever they have chosen to build their identity upon. Well, God will reveal this to us in due time. 

Another important factor that we as women have never understood - we are supposed to be the "helper" in the lives of our men - again, my mind would say "A Helper" what is that???? It sounds like a cleaner or a 2nd grade person….well, maybe only I wonder about that. So I asked God, what about the things you have taught me, what about the knowledge and wisdom You give to me - how do I use that as a HELPER???? Yes, let me repent of pride right here……...then we attended a women's conference and the speaker informed us that the original Hebrew word that was used in that specific scripture was in fact not Helper but Warrior! I don't know about you - but this got me excited. And here God is telling me all the time that we must take up our authority and I just struggled with this concept of being a Helper and having to take up my authority - the scripture says : "My people perish because of a lack of knowledge" - no wonder, if we don't grasp the fact that we are in fact strong warriors - fighting for and defending our husbands and families - then we really lose sight of one of our most important purposes.

So, to get to a point: Pray for the men in your lives, pray that God would unblock them - to release them from the blockage in their systems, the blockage that is causing family blessings to be blocked (remember blessings flow through the husband, father, men into the rest of the family and into the rest of the Body of Christ). Pray for your sons to even now be unblocked from anything that could cause their future wives and children to not be blessed because of these blockages. Pray for your fathers - to be unblocked (imagine the double blessings - from our fathers, grandfathers and husbands). Imagine a plumbing system where fresh water needs to flow through - imagine the water to be the heavenly blessings that God has for His children (health, purpose, identity, significance, provision, etc.) and then know that once these mighty men are unblocked then God's orderly water flow can be established. Now imagine one woman (one gentle dove) praying for one family……and then imagine millions of women (millions of doves) praying for millions of men and families, rising up in the spirit and causing the darkness to flee through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us. If you want to find out what your true purpose is……. start praying for the men in your lives - not for them to become Godly men….but for them to be unblocked so that they can become Godly men. Also ask God for specifics - let's not treat the symptoms, let's fight against the root causes: Father show me specific root causes of the blockages in my Father's, Husband's, Son's, Brother's, Uncle's, Cousin's, etc lives - and then ask other women to pray through these together with you. God is always faithful - and He will guide us through this process - can you imagine the ripple effect of all the women standing together in prayer!!!!!

Father - I would like to bring to you every single woman that has read this email - I pray for your supernatural and divine intervention in their lives. Open the eyes of their understanding and reveal to them your will in this strategy. Bring us as women closer together and help us to support each other and love each other and stick together in this time of warfare for the lives of our men and families. Establish in us the power and authority to take back what the enemy has destroyed and help us to move only when instructed to do so by your Holy Spirit. I pray for your truth to be revealed in all of us, so that we can stand in unity and in strength as we fulfill your Will Father God, Jesus, we acknowledge that You are the King of Kings and that you lead us every single second of the day. Open our hearts to hear you and help us to become submissive to your divine order. We thank you for the revelations that You bring, we thank you that our husbands WILL indeed become the men that You describe in your word and we thank you that You have a plan and a purpose for every single one of us. We love you and adore you and we believe by faith that you are in control. Amen

Michelle Swanepoel

Cell : +264 81 323 3756

Email : virtualconsulting@mtcmobile.com.na

4 Traditions 4 Fourth of July

4 Traditions... Issue: 4th of July

In This Issue Mural I love my Country Appreciation Only Red, White & Blue Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International.    Want a quick prayer encouragement on the first of every month? Click "Join our Mailing List" and start recieving Michelle's iPray eVotionals! iPray eVotionals... iStretch iHold On iListen iRest iPray in one accord iNeed a Reminder iFinish Strong iThank God for That iFollow iWork Out iReminisce iPray 4 Protection iPray 4 Purity iSmell a Stain iEmbrace iPraise iLove Deep and Wide iPray 4 Newness iTeeter-Totter We live in a world where we wear many "hats".  Even though we all have many parts of ourselves trying to survive... Many Parts of Me (click link for "hats" script) Traditions do not have to make our world even more hectic!  It's not about doing more... it's about doing less!  It's about doing what matters!

Greetings! Throughout the years I have come to have a deep respect for the role family rituals and traditions have on the healthy state of our family. For many years I worked as a Family Consultant with Once Upon A Family and picked up a few ideas.  Although traditions in our home have had seasons of success and seasons of rest or have had to be modified and/or changed to fit our family's needs, they still exist!   Each issue of 4 Traditions features ideas I have gathered and/or created that you can use or modify to fit your family's needs. M u r a l Decorating for the Holidays is half the fun.  This year, invite the neighborhood children over to create a 4th of July sidewalk mural.  This is a great way to bring out the artist in all your neighbors.  On the day of the big event, supply colored chalk and set them loose on the driveway or sidewalk in front of your house.  Have them work as a team to create a giant flag or colorful fireworks.  The older kids can sketch the outlines, while the younger ones fill in with color. Don't forget to take photos of these masterpieces (with the artist standing in front) and include the picture in an annual Fourth of July photo album. I Love My Country Because... Before you celebrate the 4th of July, sit down with your children and discuss the importance of our freedom, and the truly amazing Country we live in.  Ask them to share why they believe our freedom is so important, and let them know your feelings as well.  Create a lasting family tradition, and save their wonderful comments by writing them down on stars cut out of red, white, and blue construction paper.  The older ones can write on their own stars and even help cut them out.  On the top of each star write I LOVE MY COUNTRY BECAUSE...and then leave space for wonderfully spontaneous answers you will collect over the years.  You can use these patriotic declarations to decorate the tablecloth at your 4th of July Bar-B-Q. Appreciation Visit your local fire department, police department, or any other public service based organization.  Bring them cookies, lunch, or a red, white, and blue Fourth of July cake to let them know that you appreciate their hard work.  Talk to your children about the service that these men and women provide and how blessed we are to live in a courntry where it is available.  Don't forget to mention that they have to work on holidays when the rest of us are having fun.  Your children will learn a valuable lesson and will enjoy visiting a different public service organization, each year.  A photo of your children standing with the policemen, or sitting in the Fire Truck will help keep this wonderful memory alive. Only Red, White & Blue Create a neighborhood tradition and organize a potluck that no one will want to miss.  Invite all of your family and friends to this casual party and give them each a food assignment.  Include all the necessary foods for a successful celebration, and don't forget to mention that everything must be RED, WHITE, AND/OR BLUE.  Foods of any other color will not be permitted, so your guests will have to get creative.  Year after year, people will invent more outrageous recipes.  Just seeing what clever dishes everyone comes up with is more fun than actually eating them.  Add to the festivities by having a contest for the most original dish, and be sure to take a photo of  the patriotic champion with his/her prize-winning recipe in hand. All 4 HIM, MICHELLE FOZOUNMAYEH My Blog

Quick & Easy Praise Guide

I praise you Lord, for you are...

Able

One who has sufficient ability and resources

2 Corinthians 5:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Accessible

One who calls us to Himself and hears our prayers

Deuteronomy 4:7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

My Comforter

One who consoles, reassures, helps and assists 

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Compassionate

One who is caring, loving, empathetic 

Psalm 103:13-14 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 145:8-9 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

My Creator

One who created all things

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

Psalm 104:24 How many are your works, Lord. In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Everlasting

One who is eternal; the same yesterday, today and forever; one who has no limits

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Isaiah 44:6 This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Faithful

One who is reliable, constant, loyal, unwavering, steadfast, dependable

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

My Father

Our parent, protector, provider

Proverbs 3:12 the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in

John 14:26  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

My Fortress

One who is a fortified place, a stronghold, a place of security

Psalm 59:16-17 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 

Glorious

One having or deserving glory, fame, beauty, splendor, magnificence

1 Chronicles 29:12-14 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Psalm 72:18-19 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Good

One who is virtuous, right, benevolent, kind

Psalm 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Gracious

One who gives undeserved favor

Nehemiah 9:17  They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.

Ephesians 2:6-9  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

My Guide

One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising

Nehemiah 9:19 Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness.  By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

My Healer

One who restores to original health, integrity, or purity

Psalm 30:2 LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Holy

One who is spiritually perfect or pure, sinless, deserving adoration

Isaiah 6:3 And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ 

Revelation 15:4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.

Just

One who is right or fair, impartial, correct, true, upright

Psalm 9:7-8 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

Romans 3:25-26 People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Light

One who is our spiritual illumination, enlightenment, truth 

2 Samuel 22:29 You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 119:105, 130 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’

Love

One who has intense affection, benevolence, benevolence, kindness, tenderness and shows it through sacrifice

Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

1 John 4:7-12 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Merciful

One who compassionately withholds just punishment

Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy

Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him

Omnipotent

One who has all power, who is able to accomplish everything he desires

Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Omnipresent

One who is everywhere always

Genesis 28:16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Patient

One who is longsuffering, tolerant, understanding, persevering, constant

Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Perfect

One who never makes mistakes and always does what is good and right

2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Matthew 5;46-48 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

My Provider

One who supplies everything we need and more

Psalm 34:9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

Matthew 6:25-33 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

The One Who Reigns

One who is above or superior to all others, controls everything, can do anything, and exercises sovereign power, rule 

Psalm 47:6-8 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 

My Rescuer

One who saves or delivers

Psalm 34:22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Galatians 1:3-4 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

The One Who Reveals

One who makes known or brings to view; discloses things that are hidden

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. 

Job 12:22 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.

Righteous

One who is just, true, honorable, blameless, upright

Number 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill?

Psalm 71:19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

My Rock

One who is a firm foundation; stable, dependable, support, refuge

2 Samuel 22:2-4 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior--from violent people you save me.

Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

My Savior

One who saves, rescues, preserves from harm or danger, keeps safe 

Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

A Servant

One who answers our needs and performs duties on our behalf 

Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

John 13:14-17 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

My Shepherd

One who cares for, guards, guides and tends sheep

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 

Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

My Shield

One who is our means of defense or protection

Psalm 3:2-3 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

My Strength

One who has firmness of will, character, mind or purpose; power to resist force

2 Samuel 22:33 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

My Teacher

One who guides, instructs or imparts knowledge

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Trustworthy

One who worthy of confidence; reliable, faithful, dependable

2 Samuel 7:28 Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Truth

One who is real, actual, fact, full of integrity, honest

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6 Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

Understanding

One who knows all things and has empathetic or tolerant recognition of somebody else’s nature or situation

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Wise

One who has perfect discernment, knowledge, and understanding

Job 12:13 To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Daniel 2:20-22 Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

iStretch

June/2013

iPray eVotionals Greetings! iPray eVotionals exhorts those who pray.  It's the glass of water held out around each month's turn for the runners who can use a quick and easy quench in order to finish strong.   iStretch (Approximate reading time: 10 Minutes)   Stretching First... Missy meets Jacky "I can do the splits!" All of Missy's sisters and her brother just looked at Jacky, not exactly knowing how to respond to her statement.  It's not like they wanted to judge the honesty of Jacky's word, but she didn't quite fit the typical I-can-do-the-splits physique.  The children's faces must have told Jacky what they didn't dare say. "I know what you're thinking."  Jacky burst out while she placed herself in the center of the room, "Just because I'm chunky does not mean I can't do the splits." Chunky?  Missy thought her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Farlow was chunky.  She was sure that you could fit at least three Mrs. Farlows inside one Jacky.  Missy watched as Jacky stood as tall as her body would allow her to stand with her arms out, as if she was an eagle perched high on the edge of a mesa, waiting for the perfect moment of an upwind from the valley below so that it could jump and take flight. Jacky had only been renting Missy's family's spare room for a few weeks.  Since they barely knew Jacky it was impossible to know if this was a joke or not.  Missy waited anticipating the moment Jacky would step out of her pose and put everyone at ease, saying that she was just a big joker. From the doorway Missy's mom broke the silence, "Jacky, are you sure you can do the splits?" Jacky cheerfully kept her stance, "Sure I can, I use to be a cheerleader."  She gave a smile and without much warning Jacky jumped as high as she could, threw her legs out to each side and BAM!  Her body slammed hard on the floor as her legs landed in opposite directions.  Jacky had indeed landed in the splits. Missy couldn't decide if she should cheer or laugh.  Knowing that laughter was not really appropriate she joined the others in their cheers, sort of.  Her little brother Ralph's cheer seemed to be flavored with chuckles.  Her little sister Candy's cheers sounded more like a cross between congratulating and reprimanding.  Missy's older sister Sherry spoke up first, "That was really surprising Jacky..." her voice cracking just a bit as she tried her hardest to give an honest reaction.  Missy didn't want to make a mockery out of Jacky's efforts but it was becoming increasingly funny by the minute. Jacky's eyes sort of turned inward and her forehead wrinkled up.   As she sat in the splits position her smile seemed to resemble the smile Candy use to have when she was a toddler still learning how to pose for a picture.  A "frowning smile" as her mom put it.  Jacky froze, her arms up high as if she had just stuck a landing as a gymnast in the Olympics, with this interesting not-so-pleasant but trying-to-be-pleasant disposition. Was Jacky stuck?  Missy wondered how Jacky was going to get out of that position.  Her mom walked up to Jacky, "Are you all right?  Do you need help getting up?"  Now that would be a sight... Missy's mom, in her 8th month of pregnancy with her 5th child, helping Jacky, who could be 400 times heavier than the 10 pound limit Missy's mom was allowed to carry in her third trimester, stand up from a full splits position.  The situation seemed to get more funny as Ralph looked at Missy trying to hold back.  Soon all the children were trying not to laugh with their lips closed tight.   Jacky forced a frowning smile at her audience and said, "Oh I'm fine! I guess I could have stretched first, I haven't really done that in years."  She rolled her body back slowly into a sitting position. "Okay kids, it's time for bed."  Missy's mom hurried everyone off into the hallway and towards their bedrooms.  Missy glanced back as she saw Jacky lifting her legs up with her hands and guiding them together. For the next month or so Jacky walked slowly with a slight limp.  When asked if she was okay Jacky insisted she was just fine and did not get hurt at all when she tail-dived into the splits.  Candy asked Jacky if she would do it again, Jacky cleverly changed the subject. Jacky's body was far removed from what it had once been.  Missy thought about those splits and the spectacle Jacky had made of herself.  She thought about how hard it was not to laugh.  Missy wondered how that could have been avoided and finally concluded that being aware of the condition of her body was probably essential before Jacky's butt dive...even if the dive had been made before.  Missy was sure that if Jacky had stretched first she would have realized that her body was not prepared to do the splits. The Karate Kick I have never been flexible.  In high school I watched my sister Cari as a cheerleader stretch every day until she was able to do the splits.  When I visited my best friend Maria's house she would sit in front of her mirror and stretch as if she had no bones at all.  My poor excuse for not stretching was that I couldn't even get my hands to touch my feet.  Over the years I have had moments where I really worked at it and would manage to touch my toes only to stop the progress and return to my safer and more comfortable inflexible state.  As an adult I have always dreaded the stretching portion of a step aerobic class.  I could match the class until it came to that moment when suddenly I looked like a stiff dried out brown branch that could snap at any moment while everyone else's green twigs bent in all sorts of interesting directions. This year I started taking Karate classes.  It's been a wonderful challenge to study the discipline and attempting to mirror what I have been shown.  It is quite satisfying to work at a certain combination of moves and after working hard being able to execute.  As the months pass there has been a certain kick that seems to give me trouble.  It is a side kick where I am to kick with my heel, my hip turned forward and my toes pointed slightly downward.  It looks great when others do it.  I can't seem to get my toes to point slightly downward. A couple of months ago this bothered me so much that when I went home after a class I stuck my leg up on a table and forced my foot to face downward with my hip turned forward.  Yikes!  I was not flexible enough to make this move.  I realized that there was no way I could ever execute that kick the way it was to be kicked until I stretched out and became more flexible. The horror of failing flexibility yet again haunted me.  For the first couple of weeks I stretched before class.  That did not make much difference.  It seemed to be inevitable, I had to stretch every single day in order to make that kick.  When a day goes by without stretching I can tell that I have taken two steps back in getting to where I need to be. "Lord, why is it so hard for me to be flexible?" I finally cried out. His answer?  Because I don't stretch.  Ouch!  I couldn't help but find out as much as I could about stretching. iStretch for Flexibility The Right Position First of all, according to my research, flexibility comes from several factors (joints, ligaments, tendons and muscle) and some factors should not be stretched.  Tendons can be damaged permanently being stretched just four percent beyond their length while muscle can stretch up to one-and-a-half times it's own length.  The focus in stretching is on the muscle itself. Therefore it's important to be aware of how your body is moving and what position you are in.   Proberbs 3:5-6 tells us the right position, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path."  Trusting in God is our muscle.  I can't change that my ligaments are limited.  It only hurts me tostretch the moral God-factors that can never be changed.   Hey, I get it...tell this little girl (yes, I'm talking about me) that she can't and she has a notion to prove you wrong.  Did that counselor really say I had no chance to go to a 4 year college?  That's not what my Pepperdine degree says!  Still, no matter what my inner drive is I will never become flexible if I am stretching in my own understanding. He made us with certain gifts and talents...stretching them according to His Will results in maximum flexibility.  As we get into position to stretch we should be asking ourselves, "Do I feel the sanctification stretch of a calf muscle or am I instead leaning on my own understanding which puts pressure on my knee joint?" The Right Mindset Secondly, stretching takes time.  Over stretching means tissue damage.  That is not very appealing for this get-it-done-now girl.  I want to do that kick now.  Be that perfect God glorifying leader now, make that impact for His kingdom now.  Have full understanding now, be flexible with my situation and with those around me now!   "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them- every day begin the task anew."  ~ Francis de Sales I'm thinking Francis de Sales must have come face to face with someone just like me!  Only God knows when I'm ready.  Every day begin the task anew, then I'll become ready.  It takes diligence for a long time... small steps in a new direction rather than gigantic steps done the wrong way.   When this here gal (I'm talking about me again) lost the use of her legs after experiencing a pelvic split, she found that pushing too hard caused an inflammatory response that made her recovery longer.  Nikos Apostolopoulos, director of the Microstretching Clinic in Vancouver explains why this is so.  "Any time you cause pain, you actually cause tissue damage," he says. "You don't want to generate any form of pain and discomfort when you are trying to become more mobile and increase your flexibility."  A gentle stretch that lets the muscles release and grow longer is the way to go.   God uses time to work out everything that needs to be worked out so that our full flexible potential is realized. The Right Reaction Finally, stretching in the right way with the right timing will result in a lengthening reaction.  While I work on my Karate side kick it's essential to remember that it's not enough to be strong, muscle flexibility determines how high I can kick while my toes are still pointed downward.  Right now I can kick pretty high with my toes pointed in the wrong direction, but the effects of the side kick is zero to none if my heel can't make contact.  I want a muscle lengthening reaction so that my toes point downwards while side kicking with my heel.  Holding a stretch for a prolonged period of time allows this lengthening reaction to occur, helping the stretched muscles to relax.  When I am flexible enough and my muscle memory kicks in my toes will automatically do exactly what they are supposed to do.   God made it clear to the Israelites that it is His Will to stretch for length, "Enlarge the place of your tent, Stretch your tent curtains wide, Do not hold back; Lengthen your cords, Strengthen your stakes."  Isaiah 54:2 In the same way I want a spiritual lengthening reaction.  My effectiveness for God's kingdom means nothing if my efforts are not pointing up.  When I stick with the stretching program God will expand my territory, He will bring to mind His Word hidden in my heart and my efforts will automatically point up.  If I kick before I diligently "stretch my curtains wide" I am likely to get hurt while missing the target.   For most of my life I have wanted to be flexible but avoided being stretched in the areas that needed to be stretched.  Jumping up and speaking out of turn like Jacky did, thinking I don't have to stretch first, makes a mockery out of me.  If I jump up like that, kicking out my own opinions and agendas in God's name then I am the fool and I'm hurting the purity of God's ministry through me.  Wanting to be flexible means being willing to get down on the ground and stretching out in between classes.  Not just right before class but a little bit every single day.  I want to make that Karate kick more than anything, no more avoiding being stretched out. Slide-up and KICK!  Wonder how I made that kick?  It's not me, it's God working in and through me.  I'm going to keep stretching because I wonder, how much territory can be reached and how much range am I able to have while my efforts are pointing up? iPray 4 you... iPray that you will have a willingness to allow God to stretch you in new ways. iPray that if you have let your prayer life go and feel a bit chunky that you will start stretching again so that you can be ready when the opportunity arises. iPray that your stretches are stretching muscles and not ligaments, may every stretch glorify God. iPray that you will have patience as God sanctifies you.  May you not go before him but receive what He has for you at His appointed time. iPray that God will expand your territory and your range as you become flexible. iPray that God will protect you from jumping up and into the splits without praying first to see if it is God's will. iPray that you will get on your knees every day and stretch, reach out and be prepared to run the spiritual race. iPray your every effort points upward and your every kick hits God's target for His kingdom. In Jesus Name, Amen All for HIM, Michelle Fozounmayeh

In This Issue Stretching First The Karate Kick iStretch for Flexibility iPray 4 you... Join iPray eMailing List Michelle Fozounmayeh Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International. Blog: 7tothirty7.blogspot.com Website: http://7tothirty7.com/ 4 Traditions 4 Father's Day iPray Links Dec. 2011 iPray link: iTeeter-Totter  Jan. 2012 iPray link: iPray NEWness Feb. 2012 iPray link: iLove DEEP and WIDE March 2012 iPray link: iPraise April 2012 iPray link: iEmbrace  May 2012 iPray link:   iSmell a Stain June 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Purity July 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Protection August 2012 iPray link: iReminisce September 2012 iPray: iWork Out   October 2012 iPray:  iFollow November 2012 iPray: iThank God for That December 2012 iPray: iFinish Strong January 2013 iPray: iNeed a Reminder  February 2013 iPray iPray in One Accord March 2013 iPray: iRest April 2013 iPray: iListen May 2013 iPray: iHold On Poem links: Time to be Free Ms. Marry McMoo Only You I Delight in You A Bat's Perspective The Ins and Outs Green Things Treasures in the Darkness To My Mom No Longer Hidden 70 Years of Marriage Saint Sadie Discovering Little One Wide Long High and Deep My Son Knowledge Hoard    Short Stories Cream of Corn Battle of the Food Face Singing the Night Away See You Later, Alligator Don't Touch Fried Nuts Annoying Brother Missy's Puppies High Dive Something Big! Stretching First Encouraging Words Afraid of What? Ring Chronicles, Lesson 1 Ring Chronicles, Lesson 2 Ring Chronicles, Lesson 3 Ring Chronicles, Lesson 4 Rainbow Promise Creative Point-Making The Thanksgiving Gameshow A Christmas Play Many Parts of Me