ACE #447: The Still Small Voice

For the last few years, God has given me a song, a word (or words), and a specific study each year.

• In 2015, the song was "Worth Fighting For" by Brian Courtney Wilson. My word was Loyalty. I studied Judas, Delilah, Jezebel and Laban Spirits along with the minor prophets. God was really showing me the character of my enemies, but also the ins and outs of my own character. It was a time where I had to be the most self-reflective.

• In 2016, the song was "Send the Rain" by William McDowell.  My word was Integrity. I studied the process of reaping and sowing. It was a time I had to be very intentional about the seeds I sowed and the soil in which I sowed them. I was especially generous to those who were in need.

• In 2017, the song was "You Will Win" by Jekalyn Carr. My words were Peace and Quietness. I studied and taught the book "Golden Fruit" about the Fruit of the Spirit. I worked extremely hard to remain obedient to God's will and His way. In the second half of that year, I only said what God told me to say when up against my enemies.  More often that not, He wouldn't let me say anything. But God declared that through Him I would be victorious over my enemies; He would make it so.

• In 2018, the song has been "A Great Work" by Brian Courtney Wilson. My word continues to be Transparency. I studied about purpose, ministry assignments and, particularly, hearing God's voice. I read and taught the book "Who Speaks to Your Heart: Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers." I will tell anyone, whether they ask or not, this book changed my life. It changed my life so much, that it encouraged me to finish my first book, "From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Faith Stories." I am grateful for the women who saw the project all the way through to end...even after three years of waiting. But God's timing is always the best timing. We launched our business this year and held our first women's conference. Those things developed over a five-year journey of figuring out our callings. Again, God's timing is everything.

As the close of 2018 is quickly approaching, God has given me my word, in a still small voice - Surge. I can't wait to see that thing manifest. Even if I imagine it, it won't be adequate for what God can and will do. Ironically enough, as I was driving, I ran straight into a sign that said Surge and I took a picture. I wasn't even looking for it. I know I am on the right track.

As you set your annual goals for 2019, steal away to a quiet place, a secret place, and get into the presence of the Lord so that you too can hear that still small voice give you your song, your word, your study, and your instructions for the year. All you have to do is listen.
 

  The REVIEWS are out on "From the Test to the Testimony".

ACE #446: Simply Grateful

Anybody who REALLY knows me, knows I'm content to stay in the shadows and just do the work. I'm cool with being in the back of the room serving in a watchman position. (But God is shifting that).

In this last week alone, I have gotten THE BEST and most unexpected messages, cards, emails, etc. from people who see what God is doing in my/our lives. 

Some have thanked me for a seed sown in their childhood (my 20's)...when I didn't even have any grace about me. I would just say anything...I mean anything...with absolutely no filter...and they still listened.

My LinkedIn page has had more traffic in a week than it's had in five years from folk I haven't seen or heard from in years - former classmates, former co-workers, acquaintances from years past, and even strangers.

I appreciate, the most, the folk who walked with me and prayed for me in my valley moments, my Joseph dark pit days, my unsure how to get to purpose evenings...you know, even when I was trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cent days.  

"From the Test to the Testimony" is touching the hearts of people. I am SO thankful for the women who shared their faith stories and trusted me with them. I can honestly say that the three-year wait was well worth it.

And women have shared how the Level Up Women's Conference was life-changing for them in some way. (I have no idea how to top that in 2019).

I'll tell anybody, I've learned to accept THY will over MY will over the years and it makes all the difference. Obedience is the key to unlocking doors, windows, and crawl spaces! 

God is awesome...and my hubby is cool as a fan❗

I'm simply grateful.

#grateful
#lookatGod
#2019iseeyou
#timetoRESET

Psalm 136

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

From the Test to the Testimony is available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Test-Testimony-Anthology-Womens-Stories-ebook/dp/B07K2KGX3Q

ACE #445: Are You Ready to 'Level Up'?

Philippians 3:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[a]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

This past weekend, Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries Inc. hosted our first women’s conference with the theme, “Level Up: Reaching for the Higher Calling.” Saying it was awesome is an understatement. God truly got the glory!

We focused our workshops in three areas:

·        Mental Health and Wellness

·        Spiritual Growth and Development

·        Personal Growth and Purpose

Our primary goals were to shed light on personal, cultural, and spiritual topics that are relevant for individual growth and to our local communities. Further, we wanted to encourage the attendees to make new connections and embark upon new relationships – personally, professionally, and spiritually. I believe the goals were accomplished…and then some.

As I reflect, what I realize most is that God prepares us for our next level through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We might think that life has dealt us a bad hand when, in fact, God is helping us to hone our skills and our gifts, and also strengthening our prayer lives and our faith to elevate us to the next level – a higher, more challenging, more rewarding position. It’s been said on many occasions that the crushing brings the oil. The crushing position keeps us humble, but truly allows that anointing to flow much more freely. While there is often pain in the crushing, there is great value.

Don’t say that you want to “level up” if you’re not ready to endure the crushing; it’s part of the process. Are you ready to ‘level up’?

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV).