Spiritual Life

When God placed the opportunity for an Austin WOV chapter in front of 7 very diverse women, it was not a foregone conclusion that we would listen & respond.  What He knew (but we didn't!) is that the initial doubts in our hearts would gradually be overcome with a passion for the oppressed, and a joy in uniting to DO something for Him.  The following are examples of some of the guidance He provided as we prayed, fasted, and listened.  

From: LORA W

To: WOV Austin Leadership Team
Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: WOV 12.06.10 meeting minutes- Austin chapter

Good Afternoon Ladies,

I wanted to express that I really enjoyed meeting with everyone. It is so refreshing to be around women who desire is to serve God truly. Not only through living right before Him , but also through serving others. I took notes as everyone expressed why and how they got connected with WOV Austin. I wanted to share some words that each of us expressed last night.

Sharon - Growth, Vivian - Obedience, Gloria - Newness, Kathy - Availability & Developing her Heart, Cathy - Divine Arrangements, Lora - Fulfillment of my dreams.

Some of the words you stated [were clear calls & responses] and for others like Cathy it was because of the  arrangement of places and experiences that she answered God's call.  We all did!

I was reminded of Mary the mother of Jesus.  How the angel visited at a time of inconvenience in her life and the culture around her was not too accepting of what was requested of her. Aren't we glad that she did not ignore the voice of the angel who was sent to bear a message for God?   The very purpose and role she was asked to play was big at that! But, she stated as we did "be it unto to me thy will". She said Yes! Because of her response to the call she birthed the greatest King of all, Jesus...the very reason we are here today is because of Him.

So every word that we stated above is what God desires us to do, and walk into.  

He wants us to Grow, walk in obedience, receive newness, be available, He will develop our heart, He is the Author of Divine Arrangements, so that He can  Fulfill those God given dreams.

As we do these things, we will also do amazing things for God's Glory!

As Sharon expressed so well, let us not forget how and why we are here.

Blessings to you today....

Lora W

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In April 2011, our leadership team scheduled an overnight retreat to discern God's call for the selection of our International Project through World Vision.  In preparing the agenda for the retreat, we stumbled upon the subject of fasting;  then on how to prepare for a fast by confessing our sins...to be in right relationship with Him as we seek His guidance; lastly, we discovered the concept of "listening prayer"…how to be still to listen for His guidance.  Here are the scriptures that God put on individual hearts during our listening prayer time: 

Numbers 20:8 (NIV) ⁸ “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

2 Kings 2:19-22 (NIV) ¹⁹ The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”   ²⁰ “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.  ²¹ Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” ²² And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

John 4:14 (NIV)¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

Isaiah 58: 6-7 (NIV)  6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 

These scriptures along with the sudden realization that a previously closed door to a Matete, Kenya project in Women of Vision was now open to us, allowed us move forward in unity.  Unity to partner with Matete, Kenya via Kenya WASH...a water project.  Despite our different backgrounds in education, health, business, God led us all to the conclusion that water is the first step in God's provision of hope & lasting change.  

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In Jan 2012, the leadership team sought God's discernment regarding a local project for our chapter. We agreed that God had put human trafficking on our hearts over the past year, but now what?  

Listening Prayer Recap (with paraphrased verses):

Lora – Esther, Mordechai “do not think that you will escape, if you remain silent, relief & deliverance will arise from elsewhere.  You have come for such a time as this!"  The Queen found favor in the King’s sight.  She was not aware, but her uncle made her aware so it became her issue, her burden, her time.  We will find favor.  Micah 6:8  “He has shown you what is good… And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”

Joy – patience, turning back and looking from where we’ve come.  Others look to us for guidance.  David & Goliath, He will conquer & be victorious.

Gloria – Pslam 63.  Words: thirst, body, love, live, lips, hands, food, mouth, sing, health, life, earth, food, mouth.  These are all human parts of the body or have to do with nourishing the body.  Psalm 60 vs 12-13.  "Give us aid against the enemy for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory and He will trample down the enemies." Psalm 61 "...hear my cry oh God listen to my prayer, I call to you, lead me to the rock, you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe, I long to take shelter in your wings..."  Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Vivian – Kings 19  Elijah ran away from Jezebel…“I might as well die for I cannot go back and face Jezebel’s threats.”  God sent Angels to provide food.  God is not in the wind, storm, or earthquake.  He reminded Elijah that He is with us always…go back and do the things I tell you to do.  Don’t be afraid.  Isaiah 49 – you are my servant, in you I am going to display my splendor.

Sharon – to proceed without fear, do I trust my Lord to lead me? Psalm 23 He leads His sheep.  Psalm 121 "...Where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord..."  Psalm 97, The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad…(victory). 

Judy – Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46:10);  Lord, all things were created for Your pleasure. (Rev 4:11);  Being His hands & feet.

Sally – Psalms – God is all powerful.  The supremacy of the Son of God..it’s possible for all of us evil doers to be reconciled to God  (Colossians 1:17-23).

Fiona – James 1:19 Be quick to listen, James 1:27 Religion that God accepts is to look after widows & orphans and keep oneself from being polluted by the world (how do we create time for what’s important); James 4:15  If it is the Lord’s will…!

Cathy – Joshua 20 Justice through Cities of Refuge and the concept of “innocent until proven guilty,”  (many see sex trafficking victims as criminals/prostitutes, not to mention the traffickers who God also desires to be saved.)  

Did you hear what we heard?  Victory, no fear, I am with you, shelter, refuge, justice, listen, He has shown us what is good, trust, Do. 

As we continue ahead in 2012, our focus will be on continuing education (of ourselves & the chapter) around the issue of human trafficking.  We will work closely with partners here in Austin to dovetail with their education efforts.  We will seek out opportunities to be His hands & feet locally, trusting that He will lead us step by step where we need to go.