- I love my Field Guide to (N. American) Mammals. I study a little bit every day. -I’m enjoying the Women of Impact podcast that my coach recommended. Has a plethora of information on narcissists, manipulators, gaslighting, boundaries, etc. I’m going to share some of my written notes on what I learned later.
- I want to share some of my notes from our Church Behind Bars “Training Leaders Transforming Lives” book from class, which resonated with me:
Lesson 5: INHERITANCE, LEGAL AUTHORITY, AND REINSTATED DESIGN.
“Entitlement is self-imposed rights, where the rights of inheritance are given by God. We not only have the right to our inheritance, but He’s given us the power and authority to back up those rights!”
(These are my favorites):
- I have the right to an abundant life! -John 10:10; Ps. 66:12
- I have the right to God’s favor!
- I have the right to be blessed and to BE a blessing!
- I have the right to inspiration and creativity!
- I have the right to boldness (God’s children do BIG things!), courage, fearlessness… -I have the right to JOY and laughter!
- I have the right to hope.
- I have the right to it next to my Father.
- I have the right to my Father’s army.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Purpose: Be a leader, bring others to Jesus. Be an example.
5 Fundamental components for operating fully in God’s original design: Identity (know your position, know who you are), position, purpose, provision, and communion.
“The enemy AGGRESSIVELY attacks these truths.” He doesn’t just attack. He aggressively attacks.
Even after their disobedience breaks communion with God, His love and mercy provided a way for these key components to be reestablished, because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, we can be REDEEMED, RESTORED, and reinstated to God’s original blueprint.
It’s interesting to me how I know some people in prison who have truly been saved and I know people who are living in freedom outside of prison who don’t feel God’s grace, love, or blessings. They’re there, they just don’t recognize them.
- Identity: I am anointed, I am His, I am redeemed.
- Position: What better place to witness for God than right here, where I am. No one is “just” anything. I’m not “just” a felon. I am not “just” a student. I’m not “just” a wife. I’m not “just” a drummer.
- Provision: Not saying “yes” to every opportunity is a goal of mine. Even positive ones. I am praying on this, getting counsel, and making pros and cons lists. I am working on eliminating distractions (almost impossible living with 85 other women). I am working on spending less time w/some people.
- Purpose: I am being patient, praying daily, and waiting on God.
- Communion/Fellowship: I do ALL day long, every day.
Challenge from today’s class: Connect with someone I don’t normally and commune with God even more.
Lesson 6: NEW CREATION IN CHRIST
Jesus did not die FOR me…He died AS me. That is such a powerful statement. In class, we discussed this and some shared how I’m sure many of us feel; that it’s almost impossible to wrap our heads around how someone could love us that much to go through the terrible death that He did. For us.
“A new creation…”It is an inner change that reflects itself in *every area of our lives.*” I thank God and pray when I first wake up, every morning. I listen to the still, small voice. I take everything to Him. I choose my company carefully.
“God didn’t just do the next thing, He did a brand new thing!”
Includes our walk with Christ. The things you once did repulse you. Not all is a flip of a switch, some things fade slowly.
The only time God remembers our sin is when we bring it up, our teacher says. I know He’s forgiven me. He’s shown me and tells me often. It took years to forgive myself, especially before doing the Journey To The Heart class. If God forgives you, who are you to not forgive yourself?
When caterpillars change into a butterfly, it is an excruciatingly painful process. It literally turns itself inside out! Change isn’t easy. Christ never said it would be.
We talked about what righteousness means. It means “right standing with God.” It does not mean SELF righteous (putting yourself higher). This is something we see very often amongst the other people around us.
There is also character attached to righteousness: Integrity, virtue (moral standards), purity of life (approaching things with no preconceived judgments), correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Remember, God tells us to be HUMBLE.
“When you chase Jesus, He will chase you.”
“You can always do better and you can always do more.”
