The journey I've been on so far has been quite new to anything I'm used to. Since I grew up in a very conservative church, the things I saw here in the first week or two were new and unusual to me. The culture is very different. If someone from my old church came here, they would be able to sense the difference right away. It's the way people talk, act, and express themselves.
I would describe the Bethel culture as honoring-by seeing people how God sees them, very open for the creative move of the Holy Spirit, encouraging to dream big, do big things, and live big. It's not unusual for people you haven't met before to come up to you and pray for you and encourage you and call out any good thing they see in you. We learn to call out the gold in people, meaning seeing something special in them, even amongst the dirt in their lives. That's how we live out 1 Corinthians 14:3- speaking to strengthen, encourage, and comfort people. It's definitely life-changing! Its building people up and empowering them, which changes their perspective and changes their life. BAM!
Another big thing is living in freedom, free to worship in art, singing, dance, freedom to be vulnerable and even the bad things(using discretion), free to love and accept love, free to be yourself. I think the freedom comes from the honor and respect that is so valued.
As a class, we declare these words:
I am REVIVAL, and at my core, I know God is good, and by nature, He is in a good mood.
Salvation creates identity. Through Christ's death and resurrection, I am a new creation, a Child of God, 100% righteous.
I am responsive to grace.
His live is EPIC. It empowers me to live a supernatural life and do what I couldn't do before.
I focus on His Presence because He is focused on me.
So I walk in His glory for the sake of the world.
I am creating healthy family because everything in life flows through relationships and family houses revival.
God's Word transforms me. It's a doorway to the feast of knowing Him.
God still speaks. I hear His voice and I respond quickly.
Jesus empowers supernatural ministry.
He has called me to do greater works, so I preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead.
His kingdom is advancing because I am co-laboring with a BIG God and the enemy is defeated.
I am free and responsible.
I am free from sin and live a responsible life.
Honor affirms value so I recognize the Christ in others and celebrate His glory in them.
I have hope in a glorious bride.
I live with an overcoming, victorious mindset.
Of the increase of His government and of peace, there will be no end.
I am REVIVAL.
Give it a try. Say this every day for a week, believing it, and see if your mindset changes:) Maybe it will, maybe not. Mine did, because this is true and so powerful. You can't take ownership of something that you don't know exists or can be yours, but now you know(if you haven't before;)).
This is just a small glimpse into how I am experiencing the new season in my life:)
If you want another glimpse of how I'm experiencing it, try to imagine reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, eating the perfect, rich piece of chocolate cake, having your favorite person with you, and being surrounded by a flock of the cutest puppies while having jazzy Christmas music playing all at the same time. Thought-provoking, delightful, so much all at once, it's overwhelming!
In my AMT, in class, in revival group, work, new thoughts and ideas and questions are coming up, like, How do I know what my spiritual gifts are?, What would 'greater works' from John 14:12 look like?, How the heck will I remember everything to do for closing at work?, What should I make for lunch?, What's my vision?, Where do I find mentors?, WHY do I have to register my car and get a smog test?!:(
I think that when there are big questions in my life, and small things come up, I can unintentionally amplify the small things into things that are bigger than they should be. Then I remember to remember that my questions will be answered, everything will work out for the good, and life is great and the air is fresh and I CAN DO IT!
So that's just skimming the surface of the inside of my world. Welcome to my life!
ALSO! Someone suggested that I put some sort of 'subscribe' button here so ya'll can receive a notification as soon as I put up another post, but I e-mailed the Weebly people and they don't have a button like that! Am I in the 21st century? I wish i could make it happen, but I can't. I'd just say stop by here once a week, maybe Sunday, and see what's new:)
Flerf,
Diana.
I would describe the Bethel culture as honoring-by seeing people how God sees them, very open for the creative move of the Holy Spirit, encouraging to dream big, do big things, and live big. It's not unusual for people you haven't met before to come up to you and pray for you and encourage you and call out any good thing they see in you. We learn to call out the gold in people, meaning seeing something special in them, even amongst the dirt in their lives. That's how we live out 1 Corinthians 14:3- speaking to strengthen, encourage, and comfort people. It's definitely life-changing! Its building people up and empowering them, which changes their perspective and changes their life. BAM!
Another big thing is living in freedom, free to worship in art, singing, dance, freedom to be vulnerable and even the bad things(using discretion), free to love and accept love, free to be yourself. I think the freedom comes from the honor and respect that is so valued.
As a class, we declare these words:
I am REVIVAL, and at my core, I know God is good, and by nature, He is in a good mood.
Salvation creates identity. Through Christ's death and resurrection, I am a new creation, a Child of God, 100% righteous.
I am responsive to grace.
His live is EPIC. It empowers me to live a supernatural life and do what I couldn't do before.
I focus on His Presence because He is focused on me.
So I walk in His glory for the sake of the world.
I am creating healthy family because everything in life flows through relationships and family houses revival.
God's Word transforms me. It's a doorway to the feast of knowing Him.
God still speaks. I hear His voice and I respond quickly.
Jesus empowers supernatural ministry.
He has called me to do greater works, so I preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead.
His kingdom is advancing because I am co-laboring with a BIG God and the enemy is defeated.
I am free and responsible.
I am free from sin and live a responsible life.
Honor affirms value so I recognize the Christ in others and celebrate His glory in them.
I have hope in a glorious bride.
I live with an overcoming, victorious mindset.
Of the increase of His government and of peace, there will be no end.
I am REVIVAL.
Give it a try. Say this every day for a week, believing it, and see if your mindset changes:) Maybe it will, maybe not. Mine did, because this is true and so powerful. You can't take ownership of something that you don't know exists or can be yours, but now you know(if you haven't before;)).
This is just a small glimpse into how I am experiencing the new season in my life:)
If you want another glimpse of how I'm experiencing it, try to imagine reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, eating the perfect, rich piece of chocolate cake, having your favorite person with you, and being surrounded by a flock of the cutest puppies while having jazzy Christmas music playing all at the same time. Thought-provoking, delightful, so much all at once, it's overwhelming!
In my AMT, in class, in revival group, work, new thoughts and ideas and questions are coming up, like, How do I know what my spiritual gifts are?, What would 'greater works' from John 14:12 look like?, How the heck will I remember everything to do for closing at work?, What should I make for lunch?, What's my vision?, Where do I find mentors?, WHY do I have to register my car and get a smog test?!:(
I think that when there are big questions in my life, and small things come up, I can unintentionally amplify the small things into things that are bigger than they should be. Then I remember to remember that my questions will be answered, everything will work out for the good, and life is great and the air is fresh and I CAN DO IT!
So that's just skimming the surface of the inside of my world. Welcome to my life!
ALSO! Someone suggested that I put some sort of 'subscribe' button here so ya'll can receive a notification as soon as I put up another post, but I e-mailed the Weebly people and they don't have a button like that! Am I in the 21st century? I wish i could make it happen, but I can't. I'd just say stop by here once a week, maybe Sunday, and see what's new:)
Flerf,
Diana.