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Dwelling Place

Ephesians 3:17 (AMP) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love

It has been nineteen years since we moved into our home. I was pregnant with our second child (our youngest) and we were looking to move to the city our church had planted roots. At the time we lived twenty miles away. That is not a bad drive for a Sunday. We were not at church only on Sundays. We were at church six, maybe seven days a week. We had to be there at six in the morning, and we did not leave until after six in the evenings. That is a huge tole on young family. So, we decided to sell our starter home and move.

Did I tell you I was pregnant? I had specific wants for our new home. We were looking for a house with a back yard and mature trees. So that took out the new construction. I also wanted something with character. My husband and realtor were troopers. We physically went to nearly eighty houses that summer. I was in my third trimester and we were getting desperate. We decided to ride around neighborhoods and found a home for sale by owner. We called and made an appointment to see the house. We took our then three-year-old and when we knocked on the door he asked, “Can we buy your house?” It was our house. We moved in just weeks before our baby arrived.

My boys got to grow up in this house. They have had birthday parties and friends sleep over. We have had camp outs in the back yard. We have a pool, so the kids would come over every summer. Bikes were in our driveway in the summer. Our home is a welcome place for anyone who needs a hot meal, a listening ear and a place to just hang out. This is where we dwell.

Ephesians 2:22 (AMP) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The church community we belong to is also a very important dwelling place for us. As I was in prayer I heard “dwelling place” and I started to list all the parts of what a dwelling place needs. First, our dwelling place should be a place of rest. This is where we sleep and release the stress of the day. Second, this is where we cook and eat our meals. This is where we are nourished. Third, we bathe and or shower in our dwellings. This is where we keep clean. Fourth, our homes (according to the word) are where we provide hospitality. We invite the community and give freely of ourselves. Finally, it is where we abide. This is where we get to know the others we are residing with. Our dwelling places are secure because of the foundation it is on.

Look at all five of those characteristics I laid out, and can you apply them to the home you live in now? What about your relationship with Christ? What about the church you belong to?

Psalm 23:6 (AMP) Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

Psalm 27:4 (AMP) One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

Dwelling place is three-fold in my life. It is the home that I have created with my husband and children. It is the relationship I have with Christ. I have invited Him to dwell with me. That means He has full access to every area and permission to rearrange His dwelling. Also, my church is part of my dwelling. Although my husband and I are pastors, we find rest there, it is not a burden to get to serve the way we do. We are nourished in the presenting of the Word and the corporate worship we are a part of. The washing of the Word is an essential part of our lives. Our faith grows every time we hear the Word, from our mouths and those around us. The community we have and the way we freely give of ourselves is the hospitality that we are called to (Romans 12:3, Romans 16:2, Hebrews 13:2). The abiding with Christ should give us a desire to get to know those we worship with. I once heard that you will not grow any more in your vertical relationship unless you learn to grow in the horizontal relationships, in the place God has planted you.

I am so very grateful for the dwelling place. The foundation of my dwelling is secure so that I can be planted and grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually] (3 John 2),” is a scripture that I hold close to my heart. My soul needs a dwelling place. Yes, I have a soul, my soul dwells within me. However, what is feeding my soul? All five of those characteristics of my dwelling place are what feeds my soul as well. If my dwelling is messed up, then my thinking is going to be messed up. My heart will be self-centered in the wrong dwelling place. I have found a dwelling place that has strengthened me in my growth with Christ. He dwells within me and has full access to His dwelling.

I have taken Psalm 84 as our prayer for today. Read it, speak it, and meditate on it:

How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul (my life, my inner self) longs for and greatly desires the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
The bird has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence;
They will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.

Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power];
Each of them appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Listen, O God of Jacob! Selah.
See our shield, O God,
And look at the face of Your anointed [the king as Your representative].
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else];
I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God
Than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation].

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Prayer Request

Mark 11:24 (AMP) For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

I never want to pray selfish prayers. My prayers are for growth to happen within others. I pray for my family to seek their daily bread from Him. I pray for my church to seek His face daily. I pray for unity in the body of Christ. I pray that I am a good steward with everything that He places in my hands. I pray for courage and opportunities throughout the day to show others love in unique ways that points to Him. I pray over my mind and ask for Him to search within me for any way that is not pleasing. I pray for the needs of others as they share them with me.

These are prayers that I know lines up with His Word. That is what He means by praying in accordance with His will. I have also been praying for us a place for our church to call home (one of our very own). In the natural it looks like we keep making steps backwards. I have to stand firm on His Word. We are keeping our eyes open. We have set the vision before us. We have written it down (Habakkuk 2:2). Our focus is not on the lack, but on the desire for growth within those who have connected. Praying for those that have walked away and that they are planted somewhere that seeks to direct them to the Father’s heart. We have sown seed in others with building programs and seen them receive their land/buildings (2 Corinthians 9:10). We have even helped other ministries in their starting phase.

Matthew 6:33-14 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We have been praying for a place of our own for six years now. We have leased longer than we thought we would and can tell that the one thirty service time is wearing on some. I pray for strength in their resolve and keeping the focus on the bigger than us vision.

Galatians 6:9-10 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Although our need is a building, people need to be our focus. The two greatest commandments are to Love God and to Love people (Matthew 22:37-39). We are looking and we are keeping our ears open. So here is what I am asking. Would you be in prayer with us for a building of our own? Would you pray for us to keep our focus on the vision that God has given us for this community? I know this blog is not about some deep spiritual revelation. This is part of desiring for more. To step out of our comfort, to not be complacent (not saying I am not content), but to desire to step into the fullness of why He has me in this place that He has me at this moment.

I do not believe that prayer is a getting God to do what we want. I believe prayer is aligning our hearts with what He already desires for us. I know that our vision, “we exist to touch the world through our community,” is a God statement (Acts 1:8). We are seeking out opportunities to see our community grow as a church (spiritually) and outside of our church walls. Our desire is for people to come as they are, allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work in them. We do not want a polished place to show as a monument. We are the temple, not a building. We want a place that says come and be loved and grow. We want a place that discipleship can take place without a time restraint and without a fear of getting messy. We want a home to call out to the highways and byways (Luke 14:23).

There are many types of prayer. So, if you want to join with us in agreement, please do so. If you add us to your intercession list, we would love that to. Prayers of petition are also welcome. Above all, we are already thanking God for what He is doing now. We thank Him that we are healthy and a place of healing. We are thankful that those that are allowing us to, will grow deeper in their love of God, and receive His love in a deeper way. We are thankful that we are a church that desires the heart of God, that we reverence Him and stand in awe of His Glory. We are especially thankful that He is building us up together and we are allowing the work to be done within us to bring unity to His body (Ephesians 2:21). We are thankful that the Holy Spirit still speaks and has freedom at Connect Church. We are thankful for you.

Father, Jehovah Jireh, You are so Wonderful and Marvelous. We stand in awe of You. Thank You for Your Son, that we may be in right standing with You once again. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to teach us Your Love. Thank You for clothing us in Your Love once again. We thank You for being a God who desire to see us face to face. We grow stronger under Your mighty arms as we reach deeper for You. Thank You for the needs of those who are reading this blog today. We stand in agreement with them as they stand in agreement with Your Word. Your Word hold all the precepts and promises for this abundant life that You desire for us. We repent for us trying to make our own way, we want Your way. Thank You for the vison that You have planted deep inside of us. We desire to bring glory to Your Name. We thank you in advance for our building. We choose life today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If you want to help with our building fund, give here. Most of all we appreciate your prayers.

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Celebrate People

My oldest, Ari, and I

Romans 15:2 (AMP) Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMP) Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

Romans 1:11-12 (AMP) For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you; that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

We had a busy weekend at the Brogdon house. Our oldest son (my mother’s first born grandchild) graduated from high school. We spent the weekend celebrating him. We prepared the home to have family and friends over to celebrate. We put steaks and chicken on the grill. Friends came early and helped pitch in. It was a wonderful time. He felt so loved and is looking forward to going out into the world…because that is what we have been preparing him for.

There were some family that did not come. We did not leave our focus there. We cannot focus on those that do not show up, we have to appreciate the ones that do.

The same is true in all aspects of our lives. Some of you start a business and would love the support of your friends of family. They do not always show up for you the way that you hope. Appreciate the ones that do.

On the other hand, if you are one who struggles to show up for people, why? There are times that I do not feel like it, but I do not want to be known for not being there. I want to be someone that people can count on. I want to be a person that people look forward to coming around because they know that I will celebrate them. Honestly, I am one that avoids the people that want to put me down by comparing what others are doing. I will duck and hide, I will quickly walk the other way and I will even move in a hurry.

We recently have had someone in our lives that is constantly telling us about how much they enjoy attending this other service before they attend the afternoon service we have on Sundays. For the past three years we have been in transition and having to rebuild financially. The place we are able to meet in gave us an availability for us to have Sunday services at one thirty in the afternoon. Some really enjoy it. We have never discouraged anyone from watching or attending someone else’s church. We never imagined how much it would hurt to find out that loyalty and honor are not a part of culture anymore. How easy it is for others to tell you how much they are learning at so and so’s church. We tell them, good for them, but honestly it makes me want to hide.

Hebrews 11:24-25 (AMP)  Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

I do not give myself permission to hide. My heart goes out to all those who fight the same battles that I do, and that are not longer in the five fold ministry. We know many who have left the assembly of a church and gone to online church due to just what I have described above. Online church was not meant to replace assembling together, it was meant to supplement when you could not (not choose not). It hurts to not be encouraged. So here is my encouragement for you today, learn to celebrate people. Learn to build people up. When you get in the middle of a life giving community, the ones that did not show up for you and the ones who try to tear you down with comparison, will not have the power to keep you from doing what God put you on earth to do.

God created us unique. God created us with a purpose. Jesus was accepted by everyone, so why should it surprise you that you are not. Celebrate each other and encourage each other. We are stronger together. Do not allow the discouragements to put you into hiding. You are called out to be a light. Why would He bring us the light for us to hide it? You are wonderfully and beautifully made. The glory of His being is within you. You are celebrated!

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Help Needed

Nehemiah 2:17-18 AMP Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in—how Jerusalem is desolate and lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, and let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”  Then I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they thoroughly supported the good work.

Nehemiah is the personification of the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah means Jehovah Comforts. John 14:16 AMP, Jesus tells us, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever.“

The Holy Spirit was sent by God to be your helper. Here we see the Holy Spirit as a person, because He is a person. He is not a thing. He has a purpose. He restores, heals and builds life back into our bodies and souls. He will also point you to Christ. In this verse we see the need for our community. We are not called to do the “good work” alone. We need support.

Ephesians 2:10 AMP For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Nehemiah is the one who had the original burden for the rebuild of the walls of Jerusalem. He was the one who let his king know the need of his people. Nehemiah was living as a captive and serving as a cup bearer to a distant kingdom (Nehemiah 2:2-5). He was not even a first generation captive. He was living the good life, but still had a heart for those who were left behind. Nehemiah 2:3 AMP it was reported to him when he inquired, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its [fortified] gates have been burned (destroyed) by fire.”

You may be living the good life. You may be living the blessed life! You may even be one who identifies with the remnant that you feel like your life is in complete ruin. Here are two things I ask someone when they tell me they want to know God more: 1) Do you have a Bible that you can read (understand), and 2) have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? I am going to add a third: are you a member of a life giving church? The church is your support, they build you up, and they disciple you (that means yes there are areas of correction…not control).

The Holy Spirit will never tell you to be on your own. That is some other spirit. If you are looking for a perfect church, let me know when you find it this side of Heaven. Church is not meant to be perfect, it is meant to be a place where we can grow in this relationship with Jesus together. Nehemiah (a personification of the Holy Spirit) could not rebuild that wall on his own. You should not do this life alone either. If you do not have one, I encourage you to become a member of a good church. Membership is not just attendance, a member is involved. They allow their pastor to know them. They get out of their comfort zone and attend small groups. They will support their church. Members are not spectators, they are active participants. Get involved!!

If you want to know more about the baptism of the Holy Spirit message me at amanda@desiringformore.org

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Isolation is not your purpose

John 17:17 (AMP) Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.

This was the key verse in my Smith Wigglesworth devotional yesterday. The devotional was talking about making the Word the authority in your life. He wanted to convey that instead of praying whether you should obey the word (which is just disobedience), do the Word. He questioned the heart of the believer for having to pray whether God wanted them to do what was written in the Word.

This got me thinking about the “set them apart for Your purposes,” as it is written in the Amplified Version. Since the beginning of man, Satan has taken God’s Word and twisted it (taking it out of context). Taking this Word out of context we can justify us isolating ourselves from the community of believers. A person can attend a weekly service and still be isolated, because they choose not to get involved with each others lives. They have been “set apart for a purpose.” Really they have a deep rooted fear of not feeling important to the community of believers, but only important to God, therefore, they are “set apart.” I know, because I used to be one of those. Fear will tell you that you are not wanted, not needed and not loved.

Let us put that key verse into context. John 17:15-21 (AMP) I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world. For their sake I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth. “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.

I took the liberty of underlining some very important elements. First, Jesus is talking about a group, not an individual. He did not say “some believers,” He said a blanket “believers.” To me that means there is not room for me to not be included in these verses, if I am called a “believer.” So therefore, I should not be praying if this is God’s will for my life. If I am a “believer” then, that is an automatic yes I should be obeying this.

“I do not pray for these alone (it is not for their sake only that I make this request),” I believe these words are written in red in some Bibles. This means that Jesus did not single anyone out. This is meant for ALL who will ever believe. He has sent us out to be apart of this world, not of this world. That means I have to allow the messy part of the world to be a part of my life, so that He can shine bright in it.

“That they all may be one…so the world may believe (without any doubt) that You sent Me.” This right here should give us a heart check in why we are called to a Body (a church, a community of believers). What if I have a gifting that can be done alone? Does this verse say you should? Jesus sent the disciples out two by two (Luke 10:1). When we read about intercession in the New Testament we read about it happening in groups (Acts 12:5). Yes, you can do things on your own, but does that mean you should? I have to remind myself that time and again. It is not “I” that is set apart, it is “we” that is set apart.

Praying that you know that you are needed, that you are wanted and that you are loved. Do not let fear hold you back from really being a part of a community any longer. There is purpose in community!

Hebrews 10:24 (TPT) Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.