Psalm 34:5 (AMP) They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.

The last weekend of April I go to go to Women of Joy in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This is now an annual thing for me and another Amanda that I met nearly eighteen years ago. We bonded over our oldest being the same age, and me being the person she trusted to watch her children when she and her husband worked. Many years ago, I was a director of a childcare center that had up to fifty-eight kids at one point. Friends can go long times without talking, but that does not mean that they are not cared for. I have a few that I call friend like that. We get together and it is like we have never been apart. This year she brought one of her work friends. What would you do if that happened? Would you be secure in who you are in Christ to be okay with being on the outside sometimes? I was able to reassure my friend that I am secure in Christ. I had a wonderful time. We stayed up late talking and even went on some shopping excursions. The best was hearing some of my favorite speakers like Lysa Terkeurst, Lisa Harper and Hosanna Wong.

Lysa Terkerust spoke on Simmering Resentments. She pointed out that we need to pay attention to these little feelings of bitterness because left unattended they can grow. A whole nation was affected because of the bitterness of ten brothers. Joseph was sold into slavery over jealousy that turned into hatred (Genesis 37). Even though the place they ended up saved them as a nation. In Exodus 1:6-11 we see that they were a gentle people, it was their potential that Pharoah feared and enslaved them. We go all the way back to the unchecked hatred that Joseph’s brothers felt. Duke University came out with a study that the number one killer in America unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is linked to heart disease and cancer in the body. Unforgiveness and bitterness is the enemy crouching at the door of our hearts. Check out what happened to Cain in Genesis 4.  “Why are you angry?” the Lord asked him. “Why is your face so dark with rage? It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you, longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it! (Gensis 4:6-7 TLB)” Surrender your heart to the will of God. Do not invite the enemy in and allow him to recruit you through bitterness and resentment. Our choice to forgive is linked to our will to live. Jesus becomes our healing when we choose to release it.

Susie Larson (my first time hearing her) spoke on Made for More. We cannot be more secure than we are in Christ. To know this love is to be filled with the fullness of God. We are a people that works to feed our appetites, but your soul is also hungry. God wants us to know Him and encounter Him. We do not want to feel pain or struggles, but why are we trying so hard not to. We have to feel to heal. The lies believe reveal the storms that will know you down. We have a high capacity for self-sabotage because of our fears. She told the story of three women in the Bible, you can read them in Luke 7:11-17, 2 Kings 4:8-16 and Luke 8:43-46. Make space of hope, this is where joy is found. Your pain is real, but your conclusion is wrong. The way you tell your story is what is keeping you down. Reframe your story. Pull down those strong holds and allow Jesus in.

Hosanna Wong talked about the Battles that We are Fighting. Some of us are fighters, but we end up fighting the wrong thing. The enemy of our soul wants us fighting lesser battles. She used the example of Eliab and David as found in 1 Samuel 17:28,  “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard what he said to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down here? With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption (overconfidence) and the evil of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” There are four lies the enemy likes to tell us. 1) the lie that you have no value. For me this struck regarding our church, so many walked away so easily and they enemy tried to tell me that Connect was not good enough, that we have no real value. What we think about ourselves determines how we live. I think about the ones that we have made a lasting impact in and the growth I see in those that have stayed. 2) the lie that you are not doing enough. We hurt ourselves trying to prove ourselves. We are to remain faithful where He placed us. 3) someone else can define you. We give the power to others when we worry about others think of us. No one has the power to define us other than the Person who created us. 4) the lie that your past disqualified you. The list of what you did wrong may be true. The full truth is that Jesus redeemed our past. Once we put our faith in Christ we became a new creation. We may have made some mistakes in the past, but that is no longer who we are. It was a good thing that David did not stop to fight his brother at that moment, because a Goliath was standing before him. You will know what battles to fight when you spend time with God. Fight to spend time there.

Lisa Harper spoke on Radiance. If you spend time with Jesus you will stand out. Moses spent time with God and it showed all over his face (Exodus 34:29-33). Moses was fasting food and water for forty days and came back radiant from being in the presence of God. We are called to shine for Christ. We are His ambassadors. Daniel 12:2-3 (AMP) Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever. It is not based on our personality; it is based on the goodness of God. We are to exude radiance. We are called to shine.

I love me some Bible, so this was just a confirmation on what the Word says we are to live like. We are to forgive and keep watch over our hearts. The enemy wants to distract us, and he is good at it. Keep your eyes on Christ. Fight to spend time with God. We are His ambassadors, so let your face look like it. We were made for eternity and God desires us. We are secure physically, mentally and emotionally because of who Christ is within. I am looking forward to my time next year.