I’ll never forget the night I encountered God in the most radical undeniable way at the North Georgia Revival. I had no clue at that moment my life would never, I mean NEVER be the same. Today as I think back to meeting Jesus on the floor in the most tangible way I’m still in awe. Just remembering that night, I feel homesick for heaven. (Read my testimony in Igniting Revival Fire Every Day devotional)
That night as I stood to my feet after this life changing event I met Pastor Todd Smith for the first time. He looked at me and simply said, “Get into the Word. Read the Word.” As I walked away, I shook my head and thought that man knows nothing about me. I am in the Word. I do read the Word.
Well …
Looking back two years later I now fully understand what Pastor Todd was speaking into me that January evening. He was encouraging me to become a disciple, a student of God’s Word. At that point in my life, I did not realize the magnitude of being a student. I did not understand how freeing life would be once I learned what I’ve had all along.
I later discovered KINEO Ministry Training Center and became a student. I am currently in my second year. Now before I lose you, this program is for EVERY BELIEVER. This is not for leaders and pastors only; this program is YOU TOO!
Please watch the below interview with the President of KINEO Ministry Training Center (even if this is something you are not considering). This lady has played a huge role in my life in learning scripture and how to study the bible. Her passion is contagious. I believe you will be greatly blessed by this video.
Sign up here for my March Speaking In Tongues book study!
If you are struggling to live out your faith and healing through an intimate relationship with Jesus, I recommend contacting me for Christian Life Coaching. It is vital you have support, biblical understanding and accountability to create a solid foundation. Click here to be added to my new client list.
It’s one of those times when I took a long hard look at myself and saw my outright mess, rebellion and disobedience staring me face to face. How could I let it get to this point I ask myself?
Regret, shame, guilt, condemnation weighed heavy on my mind.
Ugh.
Can you relate? Have you ever had these same thoughts and feelings?
What do you do when you struggle with these kinds of emotions? Feelings that tell you how awful you are? Do agree with them? Do you have strength to fight them off? If you agree with these demeaning feelings, you’re only going to sink deeper and deeper in the pit of shame. But how in the world do you not allow these thoughts and feelings to control you?
This whole “feelings battle” is something that we will deal with our entire life. It is a war that never goes away and that is why we must learn how to fight it. To know how to fight effectively to win a battle it takes training. Also knowing the opponent you are fighting is key. It is when we don’t know who we are fighting that we are in great danger.
Recently after engaging with this “feelings battle” yet again, I found myself sinking quickly into that pit of shame. In the midst of all my emotions I allowed myself to wallow in them. I knew it was not a good place to be. After about 48 hours of letting myself agree with my feelings and sink deeper into the pit, I noticed even while in my misery I was still putting one foot in front of the other the whole time. I was fighting the battle even though I felt like I was falling deeper.
How was I actually fighting? I kept pursuing God through His word. It was not easy, and I did not immediately “feel” better. I still felt a heaviness of regret and shame through the process. But I did not quit. As I continued moving forward while feeling weighed down, God began showing me clearly, He was here with me every step of the way.
Text message, after text message were unexpectedly popping up left and right. Friends, mentors, clients, and even strangers were speaking life into me. They were speaking the very words of God to me to remind me that God loved me, and He was proud of me. God showed me through them that He was still using me for His divine purpose even in the middle of my mess. He showed me that His grace and forgiveness was irrevocable. That is what the blood covenant is all about.
Dear reader, I share this with you today to first encourage you. Don’t give up on yourself. God loves you and He will never reject you or give up on you. Extend the same love and grace to yourself as He does. Secondly, always remember you are in a battle and the enemy is sneaky trying to still your joy. Do not give him a foothold. Continue to fill your mind with truth every single day. READ THE BIBLE. Find ways to incorporate more scripture throughout your day. For example, download a bible app such as YouVersion on your phone that will notify you with a scripture verse for the day or place scripture around your home. Building a stronger intimate relationship with Christ doesn’t come by chance, it takes intention, but the rewards are far greater than anything you can dare to ask or imagine.
TAKE ACTION: Take the next 5 minutes to add scripture to your life. Place scripture around your home, download a Bible App or replace your phone screen saver with a verse. It’s the little things that will help you renew your mind and create deeper intimacy with Christ.
Linda Kuhar coaches women around the globe in building stronger intimate relationships with Christ. As your Christian Life Coach I will empower you to dig deeper than ever before in your relationship with Christ. We have all asked ourselves: “How can I really hear from God?” or “What’s God’s plan for my life?” but struggle to confidently find the answers. During our coaching sessions you will learn how to push through resistance, doubts, fears and uncertainty and immediately begin to move forward. A new life in Christ awaits.
If you are struggling to live out your healing through an intimate relationship with Jesus I recommend contacting me for Christian Life Coaching. It is vital you have support, biblical understanding and accountability to create a solid foundation. Click here to be added to my new client list.
Currently I’m taking a class on How to Study the Bible in my KINEO Ministry Training Class. One easy method I’ve used for years is the devotional method. This method is the first one taught in Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods, Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word book. Reading and studying the Bible can be intimidating to many believers. As a Christian life coach, I pray that I can help break down those walls of intimidation and bring an excitement and hunger for everyone to get into God’s word daily.
Okay, so the devotional method is super easy! Be sure to check out Rick Warren’s book to go deeper into this method but for today I want to give you an example of what I like to do.
First, I grab my journal, write the date and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me and speak to me through God’s word.
Next, I find scripture that speaks to me.
Where do I find scripture to read you might ask? You may be reading a devotional book with suggested bible reading, you may have a bible reading plan you’re following, or you may have scripture your pastor taught on this week and you’re looking it up. These are just a few places I get scripture from.
Once I find the verse(s) that I’m drawn to, I write it in my journal. Today I found these verses as I was reading through my bible reading plan for my KINEO class. As I looked up the cross-reference scriptures (noted at the bottom of the page in my Bible) I came across this passage that jumped off the page to me. Ex. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
Next I meditate on the verse(s). I read it over and over. Rick Warren says, “Meditation is essentially thought digestion.” As I read it over and over, I process what the scripture means to me through journaling. I might paraphrase the passage, personalize it or write down what it’s teaching me. Ex. Linda, you are chosen, you are a royal priesthood, you are holy, you belong to God. I praise you God because you called me out of darkness into the light, into your truth. Your truth is that I am chosen. I am royalty. I am holy. I belong to you. Once I was no one, but now I am someone! I am your daughter. I have now received your mercy! Thank you, Jesus for your blood shed on the cross. Thank you, God, for having mercy on me, on my sin. Your mercy removes my misery. I do not have to live feeling miserable because your mercy has covered me. Your mercy frees me.
Then I write out how I will apply this to my life. The revelation of the scripture must be lived out. No application of the Word is like we never read it. Ex. Recently I felt overlooked by three different people in my life that are very important to me. When feelings hit me that I’m not important or I don’t matter to others, I will remember this truth. I am chosen. Also, there are times lately when I’ve felt really bad for not remaining disciplined and following through in areas I know I need to change. Because of this scripture I refuse to agree with condemning thoughts of not being “perfect”, instead I will thank God for His mercy! I no longer have to agree with miserable condemning thoughts, but instead I praise Jesus for mercy!
Finally, I will memorize the verse or a key phrase. In order to live out the Word we need to know the Word. I’ve not spent much time on memorizing scripture word for word (even though that is a goal of mine), however I do have key words and phrases that bubble up in my spirit that I often recall. Ex. I am chosen, I am royalty, I belong. You called me out of darkness and I have received your mercy!
Now if you are reading this, I challenge you to grab your calendar and schedule a 20-minute block of time to practice what you just read or shutting down your electronic device now and do it immediately. Studying the bible will not happen unless you plan too. In order to have an intimate relationship with Christ we must be in His Word. We must know His Word. God tells us in in Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge”. The truth is the more we know God’s Word, the more we know about ourselves, who we truly are, and that brings an undeniable confidence that cannot be shaken. As Pastor Todd Smith from the North Georgia Revival told me the day I met him, “GET INTO THE WORD”. It will change your life.
Learn about KINEO Ministry Training Center from Pastor Karen Smith at Christ Fellowship Church Dawsonville, GA.
Linda Kuhar coaches women around the globe in building stronger intimate relationships with Christ. As your Christian Life Coach I will empower you to dig deeper than ever before in your relationship with Christ. We have all asked ourselves: “How can I really hear from God?” or “What’s God’s plan for my life?” but struggle to confidently find the answers. During our coaching sessions you will learn how to push through resistance, doubts, fears and uncertainty and immediately begin to move forward. A new life in Christ awaits.
If you are struggling to live out your healing through an intimate relationship with Jesus I recommend contacting me for Christian Life Coaching. It is vital you have support, biblical understanding and accountability to create a solid foundation. Click here to be added to my new client list.
Do you have set apart holy time to build your relationship with the Lord? As your Christian life coach I want to challenge you for 2019 to make this a number one priority in your daily life.
Also if you struggle with what to do in your set apart time with the Lord, I encourage you to read the bible. Below I’ve linked a few resources that can help you with understanding scripture.
I love praying for you! Please leave a comment or email me at linda@lindakuhar.com with your prayer request.
Linda Kuhar coaches women around the globe in building stronger intimate relationships with Christ. As your Christian Life Coach I will empower you to dig deeper than ever before in your relationship with Christ. We have all asked ourselves: “How can I really hear from God?” or “What’s God’s plan for my life?” but struggle to confidently find the answers. During our coaching sessions you will learn how to push through resistance, doubts, fears and uncertainty and immediately begin to move forward. A new life in Christ awaits. Click here to be placed on new client waiting list.
Enjoy this song I’ve been listening to all week by Bryan & Katie Torwalt, My Hallelujah.
