Freedom Workshop Wrap-Up Week FIVE!

Pastor Kevin Opening us in prayer

We are very grateful to have a lead pastor who loves God’s Word and supports ministry that encouragers others to read through the most beautiful love story ever written...the bible❤️   He leads like King Jepsophat in the early years of his reign...he models his own love for God and it is from there that he teaches others humbly.

God has been so good to me...He moved Lani here literally days after I lost my grandmother.  After 25 years of friendship we get to live in the same area for the first time in 12 years.  I’m so grateful for this season of having her near.  It was a blessing to have her friend Lynn visit from North Carolina.  They both played Forever and lead us in ...His Love Endures Forever!

My greatest blessing this workshop has been co-leading the teen and young adult table.  These girls are AMAZING!  Lucy was sharing how she had to take captive her thoughts last year, as foxes were running through her mind one morning.  

It was her first day with her drivers license and as soon as she got in her car to drive herself to school...she started having thoughts and hearing voices telling her to panic.  God brought to mind Song Of Solomon 2:15:  Quick!  Catch all these foxes before they steal the fruit of your vineyard, and turned and cried out to God.  

He rescued her and she was able to experience the fullness of JOY as she drove herself to school that very first time..The JOY of the Lord was her STRENGTH!   #Victoriousnotvictim

Last night Maddy brought tears to my eyes as she shared how the Lord had her take a section of scripture and personalize it.

“But Madison will not even need to fight.  She just needs to take her position and stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.  He is with Madison.  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  Go out tomorrow, for the Lord is with you, Madison.  Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low to the ground.  And Madison did the same, worshiping the Lord.” — II Chronicles 20:18-18

My favorite table activity last night was defining, comparing, and contrasting the Fruits of The Spirit and the Deeds of The Flesh! #powerful

DEEDS OF THE FLESH

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: Sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and others sins like these.  Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.—Galatians 5:19-21

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of FRUIT in our lives; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  There is no law against such things!  Those who have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. — Galatians 5:22-25

Comparison-What do the fruits of the spirit and the deeds of the flesh  have in common?

• They both give birth
• They both bring pleasure (one temporary and one Eternal)
• They both start with a choice (Obedience Verses Disobedience)

Comparison-What do the Fruits of the Spirit and the Deeds of the flesh have that are NOT the same and completely different?

• Deeds gives birth to DEATH and BONDAGE
• FRUIT gives birth to LIFE and PEACE
• Deeds starts with obeying the flesh
• Fruits start with obeying the Spirit

Yes, I am the vine; You are the Brandice’s.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

We must set our soil up to be at it’s richest so that our tree can give birth to ripe, healthy, supernatural fruit.  We do this by obeying the Holy Spirit, Ignoring the foxes, Worshiping the Lord, knowing our position, standing firm and looking at HIM and not our circumstances.

When we recognize that Deeds of the Flesh lead to death...we understand that not everything is a satanic attack.  When we disobey the spirit....or obey the flesh...it gives birth to sin:

• Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. James 1:14
• These desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death —James 1:15
• He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true Word. —James 1:18a

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things.  But those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think abo9ut things that please the Spirit.  Romans 8:5-7



“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  FIX YOUR THOUGHTS on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  THINK ABOUT THINGS that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8