Let’s take a walk…
We won’t go far, but I do my best thinking…walking.
Oswald Chambers wrote, “Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict.”
I usually scan the page before I dive in. Sort of like testing the waters, looking for the best place to wade out into the cool refreshment for the hot, weary body. On the day of this devotion (August 29th if you are following along), I read the passage of scripture first.
John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (NIV)
If you have the book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, I urge you to go to the day marked, August 29th and read it all. It’s all about faith.
Chambers asked the question, “What is your faith up against right now?”
When I read that I knew immediately what my faith was up against. The Bloggers Retreat.
Do I have the faith? That’s easy. Yes. I have the faith to believe that God laid this right smack-dab on my heart to do for Him this year. He was even more specific. This fall.
What had bothered me, was my lack of faith for the “who” would attend. Last year, for the “Sisters Retreat”, I prayed about the “who” to invite. The Lord told me rather plainly. I had no doubts. But this one, has been different.
After mulling this over for days and weeks on end, causing a great amount of acid reflux. I stopped. I prayed. I did what I was taught. I gave it up to God.
The “who” has already been decided. Those who have the faith to believe God can.
God can— what?
Anything.
Do you actually believe God can do anything?
Yes. Anything that He so choses to do—He can do.
What about the other stuff?
What other stuff?
The stuff He can’t do.
Is there stuff He can’t do?
The angel, Gabriel said to Mary, in Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” (emphasis mine)
In the almost 48 years I’ve lived, I’ve never been in a place where God could not be. Where God could not do. Or, where God could not go.
He has reached down His mighty hand–extending to me the gift of grace when I was most undeserving.
He has been in the driest desert place with me when I thought I was all alone.
He has gone the distance with me when I thought my feet were traveling solo.
I know–and believe with all my heart that God has a plan for particular women who are ready today, to give it all up for Him and walk on a higher place. They are ready to see things they’ve never seen before and feel the power of God coursing through their veins, that perhaps they’ve only read about before.
I believe there are women out there ready. I believe there are women ready to see the miraculous in the everyday. The journey is not going to be easy. Ease is not promised. As a matter of fact, trouble is what is promised. But friend, take heart! He is your deliverer! Your high tower! Your fortress!
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
On our trip to Lake City a few weeks ago, as mother and I were reading to each other, I paused and asked her at what point in her life did she feel that she had finally laid everything aside—and was ready to walk wherever He called? Her reply startled me.
“Sixty. When I turned sixty years old I think. I don’t know exactly why, but I had gotten to a place where I just knew God had more for me and I was ready.”
Mother has been a follower of Christ Jesus longer than I’ve been alive. She has done everything from keeping the books for the church, to playing the piano for the women’s jail ministry, teaching classes, and sewing costumes for church productions. The list goes on and on. BUT she felt that God had more. And He does.
Tears fill my eyes now as I think of the years I have wasted not being willing to lay it all down.
I decided a few weeks ago to get my passport ready. I’ve never had a passport, nor have I ever been on a plane. But now, I believe I am at the “willing place” in my life. I’ve never been here before. Not in this exact spot. Oh, I’ve been “willing”—but there has always been something that I held back. Some part of me I didn’t trust Him enough to let go of.
Today I’m ready. I trust Him—not my circumstances. Not my finances. Not my job. But Him.
News flash! I’m not worried about the “who” any longer. The who has been decided. The “who” are the ready. The “who” are the willing. The “who” has the faith to believe for mighty things of God!
Is the “who” you?
I’m just asking….
© The Knightly News 2007-2009
Jeff and Angie Knight 
August 31st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Oh, Angie! I'm so fired up after reading this I can hardly stand it!
I stopped being disappointed this weekend about “the who.” I'm quite content for it to be those that are already signed up and speaking. If a few more decide to hear His voice and come along, that's great!
This way, we should all be able to rotate around and be blessed by each other and not miss one session.
There are women and children in crisis around this world that need us on our faces in the prayer room together.
We have been called out. We are the who. He wants us to be obedient and follow Him not worry about who is going to follow us to the retreat.
Faithful in the little things. That's what I want to be. Will that little be 30 women? Praise God!! That's 30 women that God will have their undivided attention so they can be free to be who He wants them to be.
Angie, you have put out SO much of yourself and your finances. What I'm doing is a drop in the bucket compared to you. But what matters is we're doing what HE has called us to do and asked of us. We have laid ourselves down on the altar and said, “Lord, use me!” THAT's what counts.
I love you beyond measure.
Oh, and I'm so glad you are working on your passport. The next retreat may be a Sisters of Faith over seas somewhere, you never know!
August 31st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I love you sis, and very much appreciate everything you have done to make this retreat a reality. Be encouraged sis, God sees your efforts, and He is smiling really big right now. Remember, where 2 or 3 are gathered, He will be there. I cannot wait to see you face to face, hug you, and pray with, and for you. I love you so very, very much.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:21 pm
WELLL….my passport is up-to-date and ready for lots of new stamps!!!
I have to tell you, the question that you asked Valeria just makes me so excited! I was in Angola, in 2005 (which means that I was 54 yrs. young!) Since we had only a small community of believers there to fellowship with, I committed to doing a Beth Moore on my own…don't even remember now which one it was! lol
I was sitting at my desk one morning and was 'whining' to the Lord that I really didn't know what my purpose was, or my calling…the waters had gotten muddy! He spoke to me loud and clear…”what are you holding back?” My heart was filled with such love at that moment that I told Him…”you can have it all! I totally trust you! Help my lack of faith and trust! Come in like a flood and get rid of all the cobwebs…”
Life has not been the same since that day. The waters are now crystal clear…my purpose??? To be all that I can be in Christ…filled with His Spirit and full of His Word! My calling…working with,and mentoring women for the Kingdom, helping them fulfill their purpose and find their calling.
I.AM.A.WHO……
I will be there with my sanguine personality primed and ready to rock the house for the Lord!!!!
Love you, my sweet sister,
Susan
September 1st, 2009 at 5:49 am
Angie,
The revelation of why GOD purposed you as my on-earth sister and for eternity sister is more realized each day in my life.
As I read the Email first and then came over to your blog (I will reply to the Email later…as you know I'm preparing for the family to arrive tomorrow and it's a crazy busy day and I've been up already since 5am) but I wanted to come on over here and join in with the other ladies in encouraging you and in PRAISING THE LORD!, as I read both the Email and Blog what kept coming into my spirit was two things:
“to whom much is given, much is required”
“I would have fainted had I not believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good cheer and he will strengthen thine heart, wait I say on the Lord.”
From our sharing off line you already know my heart on this and by the reaction of the ladies to your Email my response was dead on that EVERYONE WHO SAID THEY WOULD BE THERE WOULD STILL BE COMING! IT'S A GOD THING not a people thing! Hallelujah!
I learned long ago in ministry that it's never a #'s thing only a GOD thing. Oh yeah, as people we'd love to see #'s in our lives but that's NOT the way GOD always does things. I have also found as I shared with you at your house, that it is often in the smaller settings of Ladies that the MOST power of GOD is felt — it's the intimacy.
I have been praying for you since you reached out to me in March I believe, via Email about the Retreat and I've been praying for the Retreat and each person ever since.
Here's what I know for sure – we are all, who hear and obey the voice of the LORD, BREAKING NEW GROUND IN HARD TIMES! Hallelujah!
For many this will be a time of brand new preparation, for others a season of further preparation, for others a time of clarity and wisdom, for another a time of emotional and spiritual healing, for another a time of physical healing and for ALL of us a deeper even MORE deeper awareness of GOD in our lives — His presence, peace, power and GLORY! His amazing beauty and abounding GRACE and most especially HIS unconditional overflowing love!
I want to share with you that in my times of prayer I see a group of ladies with NO agenda other than WORSHIP and HEARING GOD through PRAYER, His Word and sharing with transparency. I see women from different backgrounds, cultures and stages of life grabbing hands and running to the feet of our JESUS together for in HIM we live and move and have our being.
This Retreat is a time of refreshing, renewal, recommitment for some and refreshment for all.
All that you have done Angie is pleasing to GOD! He gave you the vision to oversee it but HE is in charge and all will happen according to His divine plan. All that the team of ladies is doing who were called to be by your side will also walk in the fruits of the blessing of their obedience and for each of us we are just BLESSED to be included in what GOD has for all of us.
May HE BE GLORIFIED. Long comment but necessary.
I love you Angie!
September 1st, 2009 at 6:52 am
O and I don't have a passport. All my flying has been in state BUT…LORD, I want to be ready for whatever you say so I'll get the passport.
September 1st, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hi Angie,
Thanks for this post. If I am not there, I think I am close to giving it all to Him. I want to have all that God has for me. I'm praying about your retreat. The name of your retreat is the same message I have for women. Free to be who God created you to be. Thanks for you authenticity. I believe God is stirring women to rise up in Him. It is very exciting.
Blessings,
Tammy
September 1st, 2009 at 7:55 am
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September 1st, 2009 at 9:17 am
Very touching and moving post, Angie. So much in it to ponder. Very raw and honest what your mom shared.
The Upmost is quoted so often. I have the Streams devo and hope to add Upmost to my collection sometime.
Just very moving…
Love ya,
Paula
September 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I am one of the Who's from God's land of Who-ville!
Count me in.
Love you.
September 1st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Were you a cheerleader when you were younger? This post should make anyone that is undecided just grab their bags and start packing…I know that lives are going to be changed at this retreat…what a time it will be….
September 1st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
The Lord has been teaching me this lesson of trust, quite literally, all my life Angie. I think it is a process – life-long process. As the circumstances in our lives change there is another surrender, another laying it all down, another trusting.
I want to have an open obedient heart – that is totally yielded to His will. He is growing me into that. I don't think the years are wasted Angie. I think He uses everything to work out His purposes in our lives. You are a beautiful daughter of His, and He is well pleased with you.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Oh sister, been there, felt that…got the T-shirt. We live in a world that measures success in numbers….the feelings you have had….I remember vividly, just a few weeks ago. Worried that so many people give so much and it would not be “successful” if there were not a lot of people. God had a lot to say about that and he spoke thru His word and thru the confirmation of godly women and he whispered in my Spirit. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU A VISION, AND EVEN AN APPOINTED TIME…the only thing that matters is that you are being obedient. His word to you was not “Angie have 100 women to meet together”…No…instead He told you what to do and you have been and continue to be obedient…that is all He requires. He will provide the ones who need to be there. God already knows Who like you said and He has a plan for them. I am a Who and I am expecting to receive…I can hardly wait to see what God will show me through this and through the wonderful women who are sharing. Be encouraged…”God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him”. It's gonna be great besides if God can change the world with 11 disciples………….well, I can hardly wait.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:56 am
Sis, posted this on FB and reposting the F2B Me blog on FB again today inviting people.
Love ya! K, D and the girls are traveling right now. It's 5:55 am. talk soon. Thanks for your prayers.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Hi Angie,
Sometimes when God tells us to do something, we add our expectations of what that means and what it looks like. (I am guilty of that anyway.) Yes, we heard Him clearly but we don't see what He intends to do. God has a plan for us at this retreat. I believe He is calling us deeper. Let's put our expectation in Him. I believe God is going to meet with us in an incredible way. We need to write a prayer for this retreat and have all of us attending pray it daily. Our hearts need to be prepared for what He wants to do there. I can't wait to meet everyone and worship together!