When Freedom Is What We Want, Repentance is What We Do

The first pre-teen/teen Whisper Gathering was utterly amazing. Seven young people joined me. We ate pizza, laughed, sang funny action songs, and learned about praying in a deeper, bigger way. 

We studied the experience of Isaiah in 1 Kings 6. He walked into the temple and a glimpse of heaven rocked his world. He saw God high and lifted up, and Elijah was never the same again. 

We learned that prayer and hearing the voice of God should begin with seeing God as He is,seeing ourselves in relation to His majesty, and repenting of our sins. In a very real sense, praying God-sized prayers must start with sincere repentance.

With that in mind, we had a period of beautiful confession before each other and before our Lord, gave our sin to God, and left it with him. We studied Elijah's life to see how a prophet prays with God-sized results. We pondered the biggest requests we could make. Then, scattered around the room, we prayed huge prayers and staked our claim on world-wide revival. 

Afterward, I asked them what they'd learned and what they'd do different going forward. One young girl answered, "Repentance is kinda fun." Another said, "I learned you have to repent if you want to have answered prayer." 

When they got ready to leave, one pre-teen ran over to me. "Miss Leanna, is it okay if I go repent of one more thing before I go?" 

You know it was.

I watched from the door as that little blonde-haired girl knelt at the altar, gave her sin to God, and left it with Him. She headed home with a smile on her face and joy in her heart because she'd learned an important truth. 

When freedom and answered prayers are what we want, repentance is what we do.

It's that simple. 

Want to restore the joy of your salvation? Begin with repentance. Need answered prayers? Start by repenting. Hungry to hear from God? Repentance should be first on the list.

"And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3 nasb

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 nasb

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In case you missed the most recent post, here's the link: The Vineyard Behind the Gate

If you feel led to partner with this ministry, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

After The Whisper Gathering: The Lingering Glow

My assumption that I could write about something other than the recent Whisper Gathering was wrong. On Friday, seventy women arrived for the first-ever Whisper Gathering prayer retreat at FCR Christian Camp/Crow's Neck. We'd prayed God would move, and we assumed He would, but our expectations were so far exceeded that I don't think we'll ever get over it. I hope we don't.

The Spirit of God was so present with us that we spent the weekend, really only 21 short hours, repenting and allowing God to cleanse and heal us of sin and hurt. We went to our knees broken and wounded. We arose healed and whole. We were sent out, ready to serve and love and proclaim the grace and mercy of Christ to a lost and perishing world.

Here are just a few of the comments I've seen so far:

- It was an amazing time with sweet sisters and the strong presence of the Lord.

- Such a blessing. Still in awe of God's handiwork!

- Thank God and you all for a wonderful time.

- I'm rarely without words but wow, just wow!!!

- "God cannot use me while I'm wrapped up in entitlement." Truth!!!!!

- Had an amazing time @Whisper Gathering...Such wonderful Christian fellowship.

- Amazing! God's Grace is sufficient! Hallelujah!

- Such an awesome blessed time.

- Wow, what a sweet Whisper.

- It is amazing how God can tie the hearts of women together in such a short time. As I reflected over my time at the Whisper Gathering, I thought about how special those women have become to me after spending the week together  And, it hit me - we didn't spend a week together. We spent 21 hours together. Only God can graft hearts together in that time frame. I am forever changed and am excited to move forward in life with my Heavenly Father. Thank you for your obedience and servant's heart. 

- My soul sings praises!

- Ahhh, freedom feels so sweet!!

- Amen! The Power of the Lord is my strength! Amen!

- I am still just amazed, what a powerful God we serve!!!

- Such a beautiful start of a weekend.

- Thank God and you for the weekend!!!

- Just AWESOMENESS!

- God is so good.

- Wonderful, amazing sweet sweet time with new friends, previous ones and God! The presence of the Lord was evident in worship!

- Wow, wow, wow! God was awesome!

- Beautiful weekend full of beautiful God-loving women!

- It was amazing!!

- Wonderful weekend!

- I went to have fun and fellowship with other ladies but I never expected such an amazing experience! I laughed and cried and felt the precious presence of God! Wow!!!

As you can see from the comments, the focus is not on any one person. It's all on God and the encounter each person had with Him. 

I believe this is how we're to live. Forgiven. Free. Ready to serve. We can't live this way, however, if we don't begin with repentance and a willingness to relinquish our sin.

Even if you weren't able to attend the first Whisper Gathering, you can respond today by bending your knees, bowing your heart, and humbling yourself before the mighty God we say we serve. Admit your sin, repent, and ask for the forgiveness that's so freely offered, then rise and live in the freedom you've been given.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..." Galatians 5:1 

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Fighting Back With Thanksgiving

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

When God Whispers

In 72 hours, I'll finish packing my car for the drive to Crows' Neck (FCR Christian Retreat) for the Whisper Gathering. We've been planning and praying for months, and it's nearly here. I'm excited, nervous, and full of anticipation about what God will do.

When Vivien Lee called me to ask me about speaking at a Women's Prayer Conference, I knew two things pretty quickly. To pray, we need to be able to hear God speak. Hearing God speak requires that we get still. 

There are so many things we could have added to the agenda, but what we've tried to do is give opportunities for stillness, time to be quiet and hear God's voice, and time to pray together. There are several sessions with amazing worship, led by Toni Armstrong, and I'll be teaching. I hope those who attend will be interacting with me, because that's my preferred way of teaching. 

My focus passage as I've prepared has been the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19.  James 5 tells us that Elijah was a man just like us, but when he prayed, huge things happened. I can believe that in general terms, but it's taken some years to believe it specifically applies to me.

The day Elijah had a showdown with the prophets of Baal, he had superhuman strength. I don't know if God used a burst of adrenaline to help him or some other empowerment, but Elijah did more than ten men should've been able to do that day. After the showdown, he dealt with the prophets of Baal, then raced Ahab's chariot to Jezreel. 

It's no wonder Elijah was tired, and his response to Jezebel's challenge is how I know Elijah was a lot like me. After an enormous victory and a demonstration of superhuman strength, the evil queen threatened him and Elijah quivered with fear. Instead of thanking God for the victory, he whined and wanted to give up.

If I were God, I might have been impatient with Elijah, but not our Father. I love this interaction:

"You need to eat, Elijah." Elijah ate. 

"Now, take a nap." Elijah took a nap. 

"Time to eat again." Elijah ate.

Rested and refreshed, he whined again. God responded by speaking to Elijah with the sound of a gentle whisper, then sent him back to work.

I believe in God's remedy for servant exhaustion. Eat good food. Sleep until you're rested. Eat again, then get quiet and listen to God speak. We're using God's formula this weekend and I can't wait to see how He uses it.

Registration closes this morning, so contact Vivien Lee or Wendy Shumaker early if you're interested in signing up. (You can tag Wendy on Facebook) 

Even if you're not going to the Whisper Gathering, you can hear that still small voice. Be still. Be quiet. Listen until you hear God speak. 

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:12 niv

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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Living Ready

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.