I Knew You

God knew us before time began. He knew all about our birth including everything about our great grandparents, our grandparents as well as our parents.

We read in Romans 8:29 for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Our birth was foretold in Genesis as we read in Chapter 1 verse 27-28  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

We were to be part of that multiplication that would be used to replenish the earth. The command God gave to Adam and Eve. As you are well aware Eve was deceived by the serpent, and Adam joined her in partaking of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Thus causing their spiritual death or separation from God’s grace, mercy and covering, and were removed from Eden.

Then sin began. Adam and Eves introduction to sin was our introduction to sin, or our separation from God. If you read further into Genesis you read of God destroying the earth by flood. Noah, his wife their sons and their wives were the only people that were saved from the flood. After the flood waters receded they received the same command as we read in Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

We read once again of Gods desire for the earth to be populated when he tells Abram, his name at that time in Genesis12:1-3 get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

As we continue reading in Genesis in chapter 15 verses 5-6 God responds to Abram when he asks Him about the long awaited heir that has not yet come. Let’s take a look at Gods response.

God brought him (Abram) forth abroad, and said, look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. ⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

So we see our birth and our life was foretold way before any of us were even thought of by anyone other than God.

Not only did God know of our existence in the beginning of time. He also knew we would not be born in the Garden of Eden. He knew Adam and Eve would fall into Sin. He knew He would send His Son, His only son to die for our sins.

We read in Isaiah 53:5 but he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus Christ died for each and every one of us. I want to share with you a little bit about my inspiration for writing this song. I’ve always rooted for the underdog and have a heart for those that have a broken heart. I have a heart for people who are obviously broken and those that camouflage their brokenness. God has placed in me a desire for souls to be saved, healed, set free and delivered.

It grieves me greatly when people are depressed, oppressed, feeling hopeless or helpless. I’m concerned about people that believe no one loves them. It bothers me that both children and adults are bullied and that some are tormented so badly that they take their own lives.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select I Knew You – Conference Call.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Don't Be Defeated By Unforgiveness

I’m just going to ask you right off the bat. How many of you are carrying a grudge, anger or angst against someone? You may not even realize it. Sometimes incidents occur in our lives that we may brush off at the time, but they linger in the back of our minds and at that moment that we least expect these thoughts come back to us out of what appears to be nowhere and we ask ourselves where did that come from.

These feelings or thoughts may cause us to lash out at someone for no reason that’s apparent to us or the person to whom we lash out.

Have any of you had something said to or about you or done to you that has caused you so much pain that you have not, or feel like you cannot forgive the offender?

Perhaps you’re the offender. Have you said something to or about someone that you should not have said or done?

Have your thoughts about yourself been damaging? Have you caused physical damage to yourself?

Are you carrying feelings of guilt and unforgiveness? Oftentimes when we are angry with someone they may not even know it. As a matter of fact they may not even know that they have offended you. Don’t carry anger or unforgiveness in your heart. It only hurts you.

Think about a time that you may have been angry with someone, or had trouble forgiving them. This may even be that time. When you are angry you expend time and energy on thoughts and or behaviors that are unproductive. The enemy may even try to convince you of things that are not true. Have you ever caught the eye of someone that you may not have a good relationship with only to see them and another person looking at you? Did the enemy try to convince you that they were talking about you? Maybe they were and maybe they weren’t. He will use anything to distract you.

When we are distracted we lose focus, when we lose focus we get off track, when we get off track the enemy has us right where he wants us. We’ve taken our eyes off of Jesus as Peter did and we allow what’s going on around us to cause us to sink, to move us away from our goal.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Don’t be Defeated by Unforgiveness.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Act Like It's So!

I believe that everything that occurs in our life is part of who God created us to be, the good, the bad, the ugly. The things that only God knows, as well as the things others know but you wish they didn’t. The journey is what gets you there. It’s part of your story and your testimony to encourage others. Besides, who can tell your story better than you?

We have all said and done things we wish we hadn’t said or done. We all have things we would change if we could, but if we changed those things how would God use them to testify of his grace, mercy and glory? I’m sure some of you may be thinking, well my story has so many things in it that I could have done without I’d gladly pass them along to someone else. Unfortunately that’s not the way God planned it. He is able to use every encounter to encourage someone else and prayerfully to prevent them from making some of the same mistakes, or as I prefer to call them opportunities for growth that you have experienced.

Each of us are walking in our own journey. Some of us may have progressed to points that have us closer to our destiny than others, but remember wherever you are you are still growing. I don’t believe any of us will reach the end of our journey until we meet our Lord and Savior, which is when a new journey begins.

But today we are talking about the journey, plan, vision and destiny God has for us on earth.

We have talked about different things that we encounter along our journey that may slow us down. We’ve also talked about how quitting is not an option.

Well here’s something I’d like you to think about. I’d also like for you to make a few notes and if you feel comfortable post your thoughts on the Sisters Steadfast in Faith Facebook page.

As I’ve mentioned our journey is part of our destiny. The last milestone that you reached is just as important as the next one. Now here’s my question. What things would you be doing differently if you were at the next milestone, or further into your journey than where you are currently?

For example, let’s say you have a product that you have created and you are sharing it on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You believe God’s plan is for you to employ others to sell your product. Have you done research to find out what is required to have someone else sell your product? Is there someone you have sold your product to that continuously purchases, rants and raves about your products and provides you with referrals?

Maybe God wants you to share you testimony on a major platform to encourage others. Are you only sharing your testimony with Christians rather than with the people in the world that need to know Jesus?

Are you taking advantage of each opportunity He presents to you? Are you taking his talents and multiplying them, or have you buried them, afraid someone will steal them, or take advantage of you?

If you were at the next milestone or even further in your journey, what would it look like? How would your behavior change? Would you have more faith because you are further along? If your answer to this question is yes, then shame on you. Let me remind you of Hebrews 11:1 now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Regardless of where you are in your journey your faith should be the same.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Act Like it’s So!

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

Join Sisters Steadfast in Faith Thursdays at 9p.m.EST for E2E, Empowered to Excel

Dial 641-715-3610 access code 215480