Sunday, May 12, 2013
Day 7
Happy Mother's Day!!! I hope you all are having a wonderful day.
Today is the last day of the 7 day Challenge!!!!
Day 7 lesson is a letter of encouragement. I know you all learned some wonderful things through the lessons God placed on my heart to prepare each day. Continue doing what you did during the challenge. Practice renewing your mind daily until its as natural as brushing your teeth or taking a bath. The benefits of it is ALWAYS rewarding. I know everyone was excited about doing the challenge. I have been receiving messages stating how the challenge has been helpful and hard. You all were determined to overcome the obstacles in order to finish. Most of you have stated that the challenge helped you reflected on the things that you were thinking and it helped you pay attention to the words you were using. The hold purpose of this challenge was to show each of you that whatever you set your mind to do, you can accomplish it spiritually and naturally. The question is, are you willing to put the work in? Nothing comes without effort. Philippians 4:13 reminds us , we can do all this through him who gives us strength. In order to get through this challenge, you had to pray, read your word, and apply it to your life. As believers, this challenge NEVER ends. We have to be willing to examine our lives daily to see what needs improving. Then work towards that change until we are free from whatever is keeping us from being like Christ. Look at yourself in the mirror and say GREATER IS HE THAT IS WITHIN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORD; I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST; I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR; I AM ABOVE AND NEVER BENEATH; I AM THE HEAD AND NEVER THE TAIL. You can do it! It's in you!
Ladies, you stayed focused for 7 days because you wanted to get through the challenge and come out a winner. Take that view everyday, except, you are running a race to win for a greater purpose. 1Corinthians 12:37 reads, No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Here, Paul is saying he disciplined himself so in the end he would not be disqualified for the prize. It's good to get a pat on the back when we complete a challenge in the natural, but it will be a sad day to get to the end of our lives and be disqualified. I'm aiming to receive my prize (crown and robe of righteousness) from my Heavenly Father. I desire his reward, therefore, I will disciplined myself so I can receive it.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. KEEP PRESSING TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS! YOU CAN DO IT! The bible has given a daily challenge and that is to renew our minds, sanctify ourselves, and live holy. Remember righteousness NEVER ends. I love you all! Continue fighting the good fight; it's worth it.
Prayer: Lord help us to walk in all your ways. Amen!
Faith confession: I can do all things through Christ!
Enjoy this beautiful day,
Love Amanda
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Day 6 Lesson
Focus Verse: 1Samuel 15:22
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Key word Obedience- An act or instance of obeying; the quality or state of being
Daily Insight
10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
19 If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.
Prayer: Lord help us to be doers of your words. Help us to apply what we learn in every situation. Amen
Faith: I will obey the Lord all the days of my life
Watch my video on "The Power of Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOrOrG6v-w
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Key word Obedience- An act or instance of obeying; the quality or state of being
Daily Insight
Our actions can create blessings or curses. I provided the whole chapter of Deuteronomy 8 so you can understand what I mean by create blessings or curses. Everyday we have to ask ourselves,"Are my actions in alignment with obedience or sacrifice. Obedience says to renew our minds daily. Are you renewing your mind daily? Whatever God tells us to do, no matter how small it may seem, we have to be obedient and do it. God knows what's best for us naturally and spiritually. For instance, one might think, well, I'm not fornicating, gossiping, serving idols or lying so I'm good. Not sinning is good, but that's not all there is to our spiritual life. For instance, He warns us about taming our tongues, renewing our minds, loving each other, forgiveness, praying, fasting and meditating on His word day and night. I won't go into all the reasons that He require us to do those things. However, continual practice of reading the word, renewing our minds, praying and fasting helps remove the desire to sin and mature us spiritually. Nothing that the bible tells us to do is vain, it's to help us become more like Christ. Being that this challenge was tailored around what we think and say, I will encourage you to focus on the renewing process of the mind as you move into other areas that needs development. Are you sacrificing time doing other things, instead of spending time in your word. King David said that he hid God's word in his heart to keep from sinning. Meditating on God's word, daily, will help you stay focused on the things of God, and it will train you how to walk in obedience. Meditation is a form of training whatever you meditate on trains the mind. This is why it's important not to sacrifice your time with God. Obedience will show up in your lifestyle. What have you been doing that's causing you to be disobedient to God? What's blocking your renewing process?
Deuteronomy 8
Do Not Forget the Lord
8 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.
6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
19 If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.
Prayer: Lord help us to be doers of your words. Help us to apply what we learn in every situation. Amen
Faith: I will obey the Lord all the days of my life
Watch my video on "The Power of Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOrOrG6v-w
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Friday, May 10, 2013
Day 5 Lesson
Lesson 5
Focus verse Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Key word Seed- A Source of development or growth
Daily Insight
What are you producing with your words? You will reap what you sow!
Words are like seeds that are planted in the ground. They will grow and produce a harvest of peace or conflict. If we sow apple seeds, we will grow apples. It works the same with words. What we speak is powerful. Our words will become our reality. We have to make sure our words are parallel with scripture. Understanding what God said about a situation will teach you how to view it. How we think plays a big part in what we speak. Negative thoughts produce negative words. On the contrary, positive thoughts produce positive words. When we speak the word of God our situation will turn around.
Stop using self defeated words like:
I can't.
I will never be anybody.
I'm worthless.
I'll never get a promotion.
No one loves me.
I'm broke.
Start saying what thus says the Lord:
I am more than a conqueror
I am above and not beneath.
I am the head and not the tail.
I have more than enough.
I can do all things through Christ.
Prayer Lord help us to control our tongues. Teach us how to speak according to your will and purpose for our lives.
Faith ConfessionThe Word of God is alive and powerful. I will use the word to speak into my situation. I will speak God's outcome. I will not speak what you I think the out come will be. I walk by faith, and not by sight.
A good book to read concerning the tongue: Charles Capps "The Tongue A Creative Force" (It's available on kindle) or You can order it from Amazon.
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Enjoy your day,
Amanda
Focus verse Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Key word Seed- A Source of development or growth
Daily Insight
What are you producing with your words? You will reap what you sow!
Words are like seeds that are planted in the ground. They will grow and produce a harvest of peace or conflict. If we sow apple seeds, we will grow apples. It works the same with words. What we speak is powerful. Our words will become our reality. We have to make sure our words are parallel with scripture. Understanding what God said about a situation will teach you how to view it. How we think plays a big part in what we speak. Negative thoughts produce negative words. On the contrary, positive thoughts produce positive words. When we speak the word of God our situation will turn around.
Stop using self defeated words like:
I can't.
I will never be anybody.
I'm worthless.
I'll never get a promotion.
No one loves me.
I'm broke.
Start saying what thus says the Lord:
I am more than a conqueror
I am above and not beneath.
I am the head and not the tail.
I have more than enough.
I can do all things through Christ.
Prayer Lord help us to control our tongues. Teach us how to speak according to your will and purpose for our lives.
Faith ConfessionThe Word of God is alive and powerful. I will use the word to speak into my situation. I will speak God's outcome. I will not speak what you I think the out come will be. I walk by faith, and not by sight.
A good book to read concerning the tongue: Charles Capps "The Tongue A Creative Force" (It's available on kindle) or You can order it from Amazon.
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Enjoy your day,
Amanda
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Day 4 Lesson
Focus verse Psalm 139:24
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Keyword Search Try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.
Daily Insight
Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Pray and ask God to search your heart and reveal anything that's hindering your spiritual walk.
Today is self examine day. Pause from your regular activity. Look at the last three lessons to see what you need to work on. Have you been using your words to glorify God? If someone watched your life for a week, would they know you were a believer? It's important that we live a life that's pleasing to God.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What can I do to make my spiritual walk better? Gal 5:16
Do I have an effective prayer life? 1Thess 5:17
What is hindering me from having an effective walk with Christ? Gal 5:7 Eliminate anything that is coming between you and God.
Do I spend time in my word? 2 Tim 2:15
It's time to take action! Read Philippians 2:12
Write your plan: How are you going to make changes? Identify the behavior and find out what the word says about it?
Prayer: Lord search my heart and reveal me to myself. Amen
Faith Confession: I will live a life that's is pleasing to God
Watch my video for 5 study tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahHUGRK8y1E
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Keyword Search Try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.
Daily Insight
Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Pray and ask God to search your heart and reveal anything that's hindering your spiritual walk.
Today is self examine day. Pause from your regular activity. Look at the last three lessons to see what you need to work on. Have you been using your words to glorify God? If someone watched your life for a week, would they know you were a believer? It's important that we live a life that's pleasing to God.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What can I do to make my spiritual walk better? Gal 5:16
Do I have an effective prayer life? 1Thess 5:17
What is hindering me from having an effective walk with Christ? Gal 5:7 Eliminate anything that is coming between you and God.
Do I spend time in my word? 2 Tim 2:15
It's time to take action! Read Philippians 2:12
Write your plan: How are you going to make changes? Identify the behavior and find out what the word says about it?
Prayer: Lord search my heart and reveal me to myself. Amen
Faith Confession: I will live a life that's is pleasing to God
Watch my video for 5 study tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahHUGRK8y1E
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Day 3 Lesson
Day 3 Lesson
Focus verse Matthew 12:36 I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Key word Reflection-the act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
Daily Insight
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
or employed. Let's take a look at what James 3:9-10 says about this: (With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be). A born again believer words should not mirror ungodly chatter, gossip, profanity, malice, and fits of rage. AND then in the same sentence try to quote a scripture, praise God, and witness. If you are godly, everything about you will reflected godliness. Ask yourself, am I comfortable with saying any and everything? If your answer is yes, it's time to pray for conviction. We all fall short, I know, but falling short is different from a LIFESTYLE. Lets review the meaning of lifestyle ( a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group). 1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."Your lifestyle is a reflections of what you value. We cannot photoshop holiness because our fruits will reveal us. Every believer lifestyle should reflect the mind of Christ. Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Lukewarm believers are offended when these issues are confronted, however, the bible gives us permission to examine the fruit within the body of Christ (Matt 7:17-20;1Cor 5:11-13; Gal 5:13-26) We must understand that some people just resemble the truth (2Cor11:14)... They have the appearance of godliness, but when you examine their fruits, you will see they lack holiness. 2Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The verse is clearly giving permission to correct these issues when they arise among believers. Later today read John chapter 15 and meditate on it. We are Christ's representatives, and we have to represent Him from the inside out.
Prayer: Lord help us develop the spirit of self-control. When we act wrongly towards others, stir our hearts so we are moved towards repentance. Help us to say things that will bring honor and glory to your name. Amen
Faith Confession: I will edify and build people up with my words; I will say things that bring honor and glory to God.
Enjoy your day,
Amanda
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
#PrayerZone Pray Quickly
#PrayerZone I love the life of King David... No matter what situation he was in, He turned to God first. So wonder he was titled "A man after God's own heart". When he sinned, he was quick to repent. When he was in trouble, he was quick to pray for a solution. When he lacked understanding, he was quick to pray for knowledge. When he felt lonely, he was quick to pray (prayer puts you in the presences of God and removes the feeling of abandonment). When he was happy, he prayed, praised and worshiped God. When God corrected him, he was quick to respond and get it right. When God sent Nathan to him to reveal his ungodly fruits (concerning Bathsheba) and the consequences for his actions, he didn't say stay out of my business or don't judge me (he knew he was wrong) he REPENTED and prayed. David didn't dwell in ungodliness nor did he make excuses for it. We have to take on this view and stay before the presences of the Lord so He can cleanse us over and over again until we reach heaven. We should always have a heart that's willing to repent and do the will of God. God said if we love Him we will obey Him. When we're not doing what we know we're suppose to, it should make us remorseful and move us towards repentance. "A man/woman after God's own hearts" understand that sin separates them from God. Therefore, they hurry to get things right with God. David said when he sinned that it was against God and Him only. when you do wrong, you're doing it against God. Hurry and repent! Stay in His presences! Pray Quickly about everything.
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
Day 2 Lesson
Day 2 Our focus Verse Roman 12:2 (Key word): Conform -Comply with rules, standards, or laws.
(Daily insight)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. In order for us not to conform to the patterns of this world, we have to understand the mind of Christ. Only then will we be able to (test) and (approve) what His good, pleasing and perfect will is.... He provides us with information about His good, pleasing and perfect will in the B-I-B-L-E. We must test our thoughts, actions and words against the mind of Christ (daily) to see if He approves it. If our thoughts aren't in alignment with His perfect will, it's our job to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought (actions, behavior, words), to the obedience of Christ.
Our thoughts will eventually become our actions and words. As a man thinketh so is he. If you plant a apple seed, you are going to grow apples. You can't feed yourself corruption then expect to produce Godly fruits. Read Galatians 5:19-21 to learn more about the sinful nature. The bible says that the sinful nature is obvious; it's not hard to understand. You have to make a choice to give up the world's patterns and stop living by their standard. Take time to review the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-24. Proverbs teaches that the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Are you going to stop conforming to the world's pattern? Or Will you be like the simple and pay the penalty? It's your choice! God doesn't force His will onto people, but (for me and my house), we are going to serve the Lord with our whole heart. Take refuge in God!
(Prayer) Lord lead us down the path of righteousness for your name sake, Amen
(Faith Confession) I do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. My delight is in the law of the Lord.
SN: In Feb I taught a lesson on "The Mind of Christ" here's the link if you'd like to listen for more insight http://www.buzzsprout.com/
Enjoy your day,
Amanda
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
(Daily insight)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. In order for us not to conform to the patterns of this world, we have to understand the mind of Christ. Only then will we be able to (test) and (approve) what His good, pleasing and perfect will is.... He provides us with information about His good, pleasing and perfect will in the B-I-B-L-E. We must test our thoughts, actions and words against the mind of Christ (daily) to see if He approves it. If our thoughts aren't in alignment with His perfect will, it's our job to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought (actions, behavior, words), to the obedience of Christ.
Our thoughts will eventually become our actions and words. As a man thinketh so is he. If you plant a apple seed, you are going to grow apples. You can't feed yourself corruption then expect to produce Godly fruits. Read Galatians 5:19-21 to learn more about the sinful nature. The bible says that the sinful nature is obvious; it's not hard to understand. You have to make a choice to give up the world's patterns and stop living by their standard. Take time to review the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-24. Proverbs teaches that the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Are you going to stop conforming to the world's pattern? Or Will you be like the simple and pay the penalty? It's your choice! God doesn't force His will onto people, but (for me and my house), we are going to serve the Lord with our whole heart. Take refuge in God!
(Prayer) Lord lead us down the path of righteousness for your name sake, Amen
(Faith Confession) I do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. My delight is in the law of the Lord.
SN: In Feb I taught a lesson on "The Mind of Christ" here's the link if you'd like to listen for more insight http://www.buzzsprout.com/
Enjoy your day,
Amanda
www.amandasunshinewilliams.com
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