Dear Reader,
There are so many moments in life that feel like a snapshot that we return to over and over again. In some seasons, the burning passion and calling of the Lord weigh in our hearts. What happens in the space between hearing His voice and the promise to come… and seeing it fulfilled?
Waiting.
We know so many of you have different areas of your life where you are waiting on the Lord to intercede. Whether that’s provision, a spouse, a job, ministry and more—the burdens in your heart are there. Sometimes the waiting feels exhausting and disheartening—why does it feel so long? Why does it feel as if we are walking down a long and empty road with doubt shadowing our footsteps? Some days, it doesn’t even seem like we are taking a step forward, we are in a desert of stasis.
The day-to-day feels challenging when you can feel a soul-deep tug toward what the Lord has planned for you. But we promise you—even when it doesn’t feel like you are going anywhere in your season of waiting, those moments are often when the Lord will create major breakthrough.
To come to that breakthrough, though, we often have to persevere and entirely surrender our own plans. Waiting takes patience. The Lord isn’t calling us to something easy, He’s calling us to something good.
If you are waiting, there is still hope—because nothing is finished until God says it’s finished.
As you wait, we want to encourage you to wait well.
Here are three reminders to guide you in your waiting season:
- How we wait matters in the eyes of the Lord. It’s shown through the entirety of the Bible, echoed in Jesus’ teaching. From keeping a lamp lit for Jesus’ return to Abraham waiting for a child, the importance of patience and trusting in the Lord is something we have to remember. Just because there is an area of life that you are waiting on the Lord for does not mean the rest of your life stops, nor does the calling He has for you. You have to grow. Waiting is not a season of stagnation! If it is anything, this should be your most active “heart-work,” season. Keep pressing in. You have a beautiful opportunity to truly bear fruit from learning to surrender and abide in the Lord above all else. You are NOT just “passing time,” but instead preparing with purpose.
- Waiting shows exactly where you are at with the Lord. Layers are peeled back and it exposes you in your entirety to Him. What level of faith do you truly hold when He is on the water and you have to step out of the boat to get to Him? Will you let the Lord draw you near to His heart? When you move past the discomfort vulnerability brings, there is a beautiful depth and intimacy the Lord uses to completely change your heart. Expect JOY beyond the unknown, friend. Our God is a good and loving God who is working everything together for your good.
- Expect your faith to be challenged and deepened. We believe faith and diligence are required for the fruit of patience to grow in your life. When you have to wait, and focus on the Lord, you’re standing on the water with Him, just as Peter did with Jesus, and you are dependent ENTIRELY on Him. There’s courage in stepping out and asking yourself the soul-searching and challenging questions. The beauty, though, is the freedom that follows you walking your faith out and releasing what you may be wrestling with back to the Lord. In the Word, we see over and over what a little mustard seed of faith can do—most of all, faith in the Lord is what changes everything.
Take heart, friend! What if the waiting season of your life is where He heals you? Frees you? Transforms you? There is so much value in your here and now. Don’t be afraid to reflect today and ask the Lord if there are areas of your heart that need to be softened or surrendered.
We want to encourage you to keep walking the course that He has called you to, even if it doesn’t make sense right now. Persevering and producing patience are tough things to do. Remember, He sees you, in every moment—and He has not forgotten you. Our God is compassionate and so gracious—and He wants to meet you where you are at.
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 NIV
|
Awakening Hope Ministries:
Upcoming Events
We are returning to Brazil! We are ready to hit the streets to win lost souls, heal the sick and free the oppressed! To make these events happen, we need YOU. You, with a heart burning to reach people for Jesus. You, who rises in the morning with a fire in your soul to pray and intercede. You, who lives on mission for the kingdom through generosity and sowing into the lives of missionaries.
If you feel called to come with us, please reach out to us for details. You can reply to our email to learn more!
If you aren’t coming with us, would you send us? By supporting these crusades you are helping us change a city and generations to come as we equip the saints to continue the work we begin.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars ladies—our very own powerhouse, THE Cassie Goossen, is the main speaker at Restored, PLUS there will be AWESOME breakout sessions, times of fellowship and lots of fun! We are so honored to partner with Heritage Church in Baxter MN for this amazing women’s conference!
Register NOW for the early bird discount ticket!
IT’S STARTING!
We want to invite YOU to be a part of Awakening Disciples! Remember our good friends Megan and Nicolas, who spoke about it at our last Night of Hope? This is your chance to experience what they were telling you about!
Starting: January 30th; 6:30pm—Every Thursday for 8 weeks!
Do you ever feel like there’s something… missing from your faith?
Maybe there’s this terrible loneliness between you and other believers, and a distance that you feel is between you and God. Maybe you struggle to hear His voice and you want to be confident in what He’s telling you. You’re not alone.
We know how it feels to wonder what it’s like to actually feel settled in your relationship with God. To feel confident and content in who you are and in where the Lord calls you.
In our own walks with Christ, we remember how it felt as a Christian. It was so disheartening to want something but not even have a place to start!
The answer to start that process is closer than you think!
We want to invite YOU to recieve foundational teaching from a course created by Awakening Hope Ministries, to be poured into, and personally discipled by mentors who have done the course there to walk with you!
This course is 8 weeks long and starts at the end of January—can you commit one evening each week to grow?
This round is ON SALE! Normally $199, we are rolling it out at $80 for the whole course. What could $10 per week do for the eternity that you walk with Jesus?
(Please don’t let funding stop you from reaching out—if you have concerns please shoot us a message!)
Please sign up to get in touch with our team and to recieve info on the location!
Got questions? Reply to our email and we will assist you!
We want to thank you for your support, replies, and prayers!
Like what you see here? These emails are made possible by YOU, Friend!
That being said...
We want to hear from you!
Do you have questions about God? Or a testimony of His impact in your life? If you have questions, requests on topics you want to see, and more, contact us here!
We are overjoyed to be able to directly share with you about all the Lord has been doing through Awakening Hope Ministries and to send a little encouragement right to your inbox. Please continue to partner with us in prayer as the Lord leads us!
WANT TO SEE US IN ACTION?
Upcoming events:
JAN 19th - Freedom Church
Ramsey, MN • 10:30am
Join us for a fantastic time of preaching, ministry, and more—stay tuned to see all the Lord does!
FEB 3rd - Deliverance Training
Lakeville, MN • 6:00-8:30pm
The location is closed due to limited space. If you are interested in attending please reach out to us. If there is still room we would love to have you join us!
|
|
|
What is Awakening Hope Ministries?
We are here because we understand what it’s like to crave intimacy with God. We built this ministry out of a belief that we’re always growing and becoming more aware of Christ working in and through us. In 2011, Awakening Hope Ministries was born out of the overwhelming passion that God has put in us to use the gifts He has given us to impact the body of Christ and to be a witness to the world. Our mission is to preach the uncompromising Word of God, worship with abandon, pray, and minister to anyone willing to receive.
We want an awakening.
|
It's not just a revival, it's an awakening.
