Apr 11, 2016

Lord, Send Me

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives. Isaiah 61:1


These past weeks I have been studying, praying, and preparing, for my workshop which I will be leading at our Women's Retreat. I have done many workshops, but this one seems the most challenging of them all. I had to write a description of my workshop for the program here it is:

Sistah Soldier.. Basic Training 101 Empowering Women For Spiritual warfare.


Commanding Officer: Jesus Christ
Platoon Leader: Holy Spirit
Training Instructor: Me

A Sistah Soldier: Does not give-up, she will not turn around, she is a soldier in God’s Army, marching heaven bound.

What does it take to become a Sistah soldier.
What does the Lord require of her
What does she need to be equipped for the battle.
How can she reclaim what rightfully belongs to her, that the enemy has stolen, and held captive for so long.


Together we will find answers to these questions and more.
Empowering you to face each battle with courage and strength.
To make a difference wherever he places you.
A special award awaits those completing their Sistah Soldier basic training 101.


I know this workshop will be intense, no holding back, I promised the Lord that much. He took me deep into revelations and the holy spirit directed me into places that only he could lead me. The hidden secrets in dark places, I felt his words so deep within as I read his word, telling me this is what was he had been preparing me for. He said you've been trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. Now is the time, your time as my servant, for you have been faithful in the little things.

Behold I release you now fully in the spirit of my might and my power to go forth in boldness. This has always been your desire, your soul cries. I heard you and you never gave up on these desires, you never gave up on me, but most important of all you never gave up on you. Go in my strength, have your prayer warriors interceding on your behalf, you are worthy because you are my soldier.

Maybe you are wondering why these words spoke so deeply to my spirit, it's because my desire and passion has always been to minister to women. The Lord paved the way for me to be able to fulfill this desire by allowing me to be involved with some of most broken women I would ever meet. Women of all ages, in prison, homeless, on the streets, those with addictions, battling mental illnesses, abused physically, emotionally, mentally, leaving so many of them feeling so unworthy, ashamed, and with no self confidence at all.

You see when I asked the Lord to use me to help women, I had no idea he would lead me to minister to these precious women first. I saw myself ministering to women in a nice church setting, or sitting in a lovely living room sipping tea, and being involved with women in ministry committees. But God had other plans and I said okay Lord have your way in my life, send me and I will go.

God knows where we are needed to do his will, and sometimes it will be in places we may not want to be at, or go to, it may be with people we may not feel comfortable being around. I discovered after all these years what the Lord was trying to make me see. These women did not wake up one morning and decide to become addicts, to live on the streets, to be abused, end up in prison, to battle a mental illness, and so forth.

These were once little girls, teenagers, women who once lived normal lives, sure majority came from broken homes, or grew up in a bad environment. But many of them also came from good homes, grew up in a good neighborhood. They lived in the suburbs, had a family, kids, husbands, and the house with a picket fence. Some were involved in their church committees and functions, and yes some were wives, and daughters of pastors. They were also young women who came from respected families, and very well educated.

What changed their lives? well spiritual warfare is real, the enemy is real, he does not discriminate, his mission is to steal, kill and destroy. No one is immune, it knows no boundaries, color, culture, or age, this spiritual battle cannot be fought with earthly weapons. We as women must be equipped and always ready to face the enemy, we must be prepared at all times, for we wrestle not against flesh but the spirit of adversity that comes against us all.

So what is it that God has been preparing me for? To represent him once again in a room full of woman, the only difference is that some of these women will not be from a broken environment. There will be women who may have never experienced such brokenness as the others, or may have never lived in such an environment


But they too have had their share of struggles and issues in life, and I get to share a message of hope with them all. The Lord also prepared me awhile back, because today women very close to my heart are now struggling in these broken places, and I am able to be a support for them today.

My point is that we are all God's creations, he loves us all, he does not discriminate as well. Let's not be so quick to judge, or look down on that sistah who in on the streets, who is homeless, addicted, or experiencing depression or other mental disorders. She is someone's daughter child, sister, mother, and wife, but most of all she is a child and daughter of the king.

We need to remember whatever backgrounds we all come from good, or bad, we are all fighting a battle of our own. Let us pray for one another, and unite, as sistah soldiers for the Lord. Coming together in one accord. The battle is not mind or yours, we must stand together and fight the fight, with Jesus Christ the Lord.

I am planning on doing a number of posts regarding spiritual battle.
Next weekend I will be at the retreat, and will share more with you on Sistah Soldiers Basic Training 101, when I get back on Sunday. Pray my strength in the Lord to do what he has prepared me to accomplish for him for such a time as this.


God Bless: Sistah Soldier Lorie: Reporting For Duty!


30 comments:

Peggy said...

Blessings Lorie...ready to report for training!!! Looking forward to
any posts you do on Spiritual Warfare. Looks to me like you have the basics! Looks also like you've had some very practical experience.
Looks to me like you are ready! I wish I could be in your Basic Training 101 workshop. Are you doing it with your local church?
We all have a mission! A Yahoo group, I've been a part of has been weekly building on Prayer to enter Spiritual Warfare, but so far
no warfare tactics...just basics of prayer, praise, worship,etc.
Thank you for sharing how the Lord is using you! I'd like you to consider linking this post on Monday to my Mission4Monday! or I could if you say it's alright! I will pray for God's covering over you as you advance toward this Women's Retreat for you have heard His voice and you have responded accordingly. God bless you! Enjoy a wonderful Spiritual Sunday & be refreshed & blessed by others as you have blessed us! Thanks!

michelle said...

Wow! Your retreat sounds awesome! Praying for you to speak God's message with power!

God Chaser said...

Lori you are an awesome woman and so close to me in spirit-you just don't know my sister. God ordained for us to meet, I know that in my heart. Let the Lord continue to use you. I know you will do well, for god has prepared you and given you everything you need. May the retreat be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and take you and those women you minister to a new level in Christ. Be bless my sister and thank you so very much for sharing. I can't wait to hear more about the retreat and for you to teach me the basic 101.

Joyfulsister said...

Hey Sistahs!!

Peggy..Thank you for stopping by and sharing your heart and thoughts with me today. Welcome sistah Soldier *smile*.
Yes! you can link this post to your Mission4Mondy.
I look forward to sharing more with all of you.


Hi Micey..
What a cute name *smile* Thanks for stopping by and sharing your words of encouragement and prayers. I pray the Lord will have his way and his name be magnified.


It is good to meet new sistah's in the Lord.

Hugz Lorie

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

The Lord surely has plans for your life and ministry, Lorie, and I know that He will be with you as you minister to these women. I'll be praying for you!!!!!

And thank you for visiting me today! Your words are always such an encouragement to me. And I love coming here for an extra special blessing through your words and your music!

Cora

Angela Baylis said...

Now is the time, Lorie... Go forth in Boldness. You are making God smile! You are a faithful servant and I am honored to call you my friend! I'll look forward to hearing how it goes! You are such a Blessing!
Much love,
Angie xoxo

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I wish I could be in your training as well. We all need to have extra workshops in our life from time to time. Thank-you so much for taking the time to share this with us.
Ginger

sailorcross said...

Hi Lorie!

You just don't know how you have touched my heart today. I live in spiritual warfare--my own family does not speak to me because of my beliefs. Saddens me, but I continue to pray for them--that is all, the most and the best that I can do.

Your workshop sounds so interesting--I wish I could be a part of this!

Beth

posting at:

http://www.sailorcross.blogspot.com

and

http://wwwthepowerofyourlove.blogspot.com

Edie said...

Hi Lorie! We need more lessons on spiritual warfare. I think a lot of people don't realize how much they are truely being attacked or how to battle the enemy.

I pray your retreat goes well. God bless you sistah!
(((hugz)))

Kay Martin said...

I want to be there!!! OH, well...at least God gives me this wonderful window to open to have His Spirit flow through your words into my spirit.

Loved every word of this post!!! Loved it. When your world slows down you can drop over to my blog and see I'm spending most of this weekend in high security women's prison for ministry.

Similarly God has had me in the severely broken women situations for ministry. Once I prayed "Why was His presence so much greater in some of those situations?" I sense that in the "valley of broken pieces" is where He has always shown up in the greatest magnitude. That is certainly true of Jesus.

Bless the Lord and those women. Try to remember everything and give us a full report. WE will all lift you up in prayer. May everyone connect in their spirits and you will all be in one accord and God will wonderfully meet each one's need and everyone's needs!!!

You are an inspriation beyond words!

Debra said...

Lorie,
You are so dear to me. I felt like your comment today was almost a "How are you doing? Come on, tell me really.." So I came over here, and read that wonderful post. You really have been in training to be His warrior, and I can't wait to hear more. It is so good to be reminded of the battle. The enemy is still slippery, and will use any crack to gain entrance into our hearts and minds-sometimes un-noticed. His Word is our main defence, but sometimes I just say "HELP!" He always does. And today it was right here that He sent His help. It was just a little reminder that I needed that we are all in this battle together. I love Sistah-hood, don't you?!
Love, Debra

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

Lori, you are a woman after God's own heart...I know you will come back with awesome testimonies and stories. My prayers are with you!

Blessings,
Kathi :)

Musings of A Minister said...

Wow! To be honest, when I realized that you were writing about your work with women, I started to drop out. I hung in to the end of a rather long post. I'm glad I did. It was inspiring to me, an old, 73 year old retired minister to know how God is using you. God bless you in your work for HIM!

marine's words said...

I have been in real vallies of broken pieces felling all along wondering if I would ever get through it and I have ,God has shown me spirtual warfare I have use it alot taking back what belongs to me.
I know these women well be bless by you Lori! you are a blessing, marina

From the Heart said...

Hi, Lorie,
Your post is great. I really need to know more about fighting spiritual warfare. We have had some in my immediate family, but today I felt like I was slapped in the face. The enemy is trying to finish tearing up things that have been going on between myself and another person whom I have loved dearly. I wish I could tell you what has happened but it would take a book probably. What happened today has been coming for a very long time. Please help me pray for healing in this relationship and forgiveness on both sides.

I look forward to your future posts. My prayers will be for you to have a very successful retreat & that many souls will be blessed and relationships will be restored especially relationships with the Father.
God be with you,
AliceE.

Renna said...

Lorie, it is very exciting to contemplate the eventual fruit that will be produced in the lives of the women attending the retreat.

You go, Sistah; you are making the devil shake in his boots!

cinnamongirl93 said...

As I was reading your post I kept shaking my head in agreement. Amen sister!
I pray that the Holy Spirit fills your mouth with His word. I thank the Lord that each woman is ministered to in a way that speaks to her heart. I also believe that the teaching that is brought forth produces fruit in every life! I thank God that you and your family are protected in Jesus Name!

Joyfulsister said...

Willnette..
I know the Lord put us together as well. You always uplift me when I visit.


Cora..
You are an inspiration of courage and strength. You are a warrior as the Lord leads you through each battle.


Angie..
You are a cheerleader for the Lord and his daughters.
You make my heart smile.


Ginger..
It was good to see you this morning, I sure am glad to have met you and Charlotte. Spiritual Sundays have been a blessing to me and inspires me to write more.

Sailor..
I can totally relate to your comment. Spiritual warfare hits so close to home and that is the first place we need to cover with the word of God.


Edie..
Spirtual warfare is not a popular subject to some, I don't know if it's fear. But how can we fight against it if we don't know what we are dealing with. That is why we need to study and know how to be equipped.


Kay..
I know you will be with me in spirit *smile*. I will be coming over to read about the prison ministry.


Debra..
You know me so well lol, I always want to know how you are doing!! My kindred sistah!!

Kathi,
Thank you for your prayers, I am going to need it. I will be over shortly.

Pastor Clif..
You made me smile when I read your comment. I'm glad you decided to read on lol. I do have a few brothers in Christ who visit me occassionally and bless me as well.


Marina..
I am so glad the Lord has brought you out and you know how important it is to be equipped and ready.

Alice,
I will keep your family in prayer. I too have relatives who need prayer and there is a spiritual warfare of unforgiveness as well.


LOL Renna..
Thanks for the battle cry of victory my Sistah!!

Joyfulsister said...

Cinnamon..
I think I walk away just as blessed because leading workshops I have come to learn that I don't know everything, and I do learn alot from the women who attend. So I always tell them that we will all grow and learn togther in the workshop.

Leaon Mary said...

WHOOhOoOO LORIE!
I SAY YES LORD TOO!
I'LL GO WHERE HE LEADS!
I'M PRAYING FOR YOU SISTAH!
LOVE LEA

Joyfulsister said...

LOL Lea..
You go Sistah Soldier, report for duty and let the Lord lead.

Becky said...

Hello Lorie, thank you for coming by my blog because I had not realized that I forgot to add you to my followed blogs. Your most recent poems are beautiful as usual. I love your gift of putting the right words together for His glory. God Bless :-)

Carol Van Atta, Princess Warrior said...

Great post. We have much in common fellow Princess Warrior for Christ. One of the very first workshops I did years ago was on spiritual warfare. Believe me I didn't "pick" the topic, God did. My title was: Stop Stealing my joy, Satan: Learning to fight. Please, come on over to my blog. I will certainly visit here again. God bless you, sister.

sailorcross said...

Hi Lorie!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me!

You wanted to know which site to link to--I would probably say "The Power of Your Love". WarmHarte is basically about my everyday stuff, knitting, etc.

It really doesn't matter to me, though. You choose!

Beth

Juri said...

Lorie...I will be praying for you!!!

Juri

Cathy said...

Bless you, dear Lorie. The Lord is using you mightily to spread His love. It sounds like you are well prepared, and I pray you will be a tremendous blessing at the retreat.

Anonymous said...

Hey Lori.
Thank you always for checking on me. It makes me feel so good to know you care! I am doing better, I had a moment this weekend but I fought my way through and I feel so good about myself that I was able to get up and keep going on joyfully!
Your prayers and encouragement means so much to me.

Debbie

Rev.Aaron Holcombe said...

Great Post. God bless you in your continued serve to Him!

Maxine said...

Lorie, I had no idea that you had such a ministry! Looking forward to hearing more about it. God bless you in this; I am postive that you will continue to be used mightily of Him.

Deborah said...

Lori, You are so right...the enemy is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour, and he never rests. He has been very busy this past week attempting to destroy a family very close to me.
There are so many wounded soldiers.....I'll be watching for your posts.