As summer begins to wind down, we are nearing the beginning of a new season, fresh with possibilities and moving forward towards a great awakening because of the pressing needs that are being confronted because of a godless culture that is collapsing before our very eyes.
READ MORE FOR AUGUST’S PROPHETIC WORD AND A DECLARATION OF BLESSING.
It’s crazy that a teenager named David was the only one who had the courage to fight and kill a giant when all the fiercest warriors were afraid (I Sam. 17). Courage and having faith like David are the key ingredients for raising up children and youth to slay giants that stand up against them in the cultural pressures and wars that are now raging around the world for their identity.
Let me share with you what made me a giant killer when I was young.
Join me this summer for an interactive live online summer camp for children and adults!
Most of us have had an occasion in which we were publicly ridiculed for being different in some way. The feeling of embarrassment, humiliation, and shame that resulted taught us to avoid being different at all costs. Our need for acceptance and approval may have even sacrificed our uniqueness to the point that we are now unable to fully express ourselves creatively.
Our true identity is expressed in our differences, not our conformity.
It was electric. Over 1,000 people attended the School of Creativity here at Bethel Church in Redding, California, as well as many joining through Live Streaming from around the world watched as dancers, spoken word artists, filmmakers, artists, and an array of cutting edge speakers, who are impacting culture. Over 28 countries joined us plus so many Americans from different states nationwide.
It’s crazy how communities come together through celebration. All of heaven is still celebrating and worshipping Jesus for His triumph over the enemy, death, and sin.
All of the Angels in heaven celebrate when one person turns to Jesus (Luke 15:10).
Our responsibility is to bring heaven to earth, so let the celebration begin!
If you have ever seen a child weed in the garden, they tend to pull the weeds out from the top without the proper tool to get the root. In a matter of weeks, that same weed will start to peek out of the dirt because the roots were not removed.
In the same way, we need tools if we are going to root out things that seek to prevent our garden growing into fruitful creativity.
Most of us have a picture of what Jesus looks like, whether it is a painting we have seen, or an actor who played Jesus in a movie.
Obviously, Jesus didn’t walk around with an iPhone taking “selfies”, and publishing them on His Instagram account.
The view we have of Jesus will be determined by the way He reveals Himself to each one of us.
You are not some ordinary lump of clay, but you carry the breath and brand of Creator God, being from a Heavenly source — God, Himself.
Not only has God breathed His life into you, He has also made you creatively unique, and is proud of the way you are created.
He has made you with dreams, desires, and gifts because you are His delight. He doesn’t want you to try to fit into someone else’s mold or destiny, but wants you to be proud of the way He has created you.
I want to encourage you to let God in to your pain and let Him speak creatively to you through what others create and how you can create.
Redemption and restoration is a promise you can creatively declare today for whatever traumas you are facing today or in the future, knowing that my testimony can be your testimony, no matter how dark your season is presently.
I believe it is time for Kingdom-minded believers, who follow the footsteps of Jesus, to bring our creativity into the forefront, so that people can see the Good News.
If Jesus used parables to lead people to truth, if Paul’s handkerchiefs healed the sick, and if Moses’ bronze serpent staff brought people healing who looked at it, then what are we waiting for?
We can literally dream our way to our destiny. Our dreams can change us, and the world around us.
Helen Keller observed that, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.”
Dreaming is simply envisioning the possibilities for the impossible to become possible.
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and changed the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it you can do it.” He also believed that, “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
With all of the health information available and various fads advocated, it can be easy to feel discouraged. But a journey to a healthier life does not have to be a hard, confusing one. There is hope to be found and joy to be experienced!
We often seek the voice of the Lord about the major aspects of life: our purpose, calling, destiny, etc. But what if we were to ask the Holy Spirit what we should have for breakfast? He cares about every aspect of our lives, including the minute details of our day. He is excited to walk on this journey with you!
As I heard about the tragic deaths of students and teachers in Florida, who lost their lives to a teenaged gunman, firing in yet another school on American soil, my heart was so grieved.
My heart goes out to all of those who lost loved ones and family members in tragic terrorist attacks.
On the news, we see angry and distraught parents, students, educators, law enforcement, and politicians trying to make sense of gun control, safety in the classroom, and how our schools can be safe again.
My husband, Kevin and I chose Valentines Day last year as the day we renewed our marriage vows in a ceremony with our closest friends. It’s amazing how each year I fall more in love with my husband and know my marriage is stronger with each passing year!
Here are some creative ways that you can love your spouse on Valentines, and throughout the year.
When I was around five years old, I had an encounter with God on my front porch that set me on a journey towards my creative destiny.
In that moment, I knew I would grow up to be a pastor and a teacher.
The voice I heard that day enabled me to embark on an adventure that I would have never considered before that day.
Hearing from God regarding your life purpose will be the most important factor in fulfilling your creative destiny.
Knowing God’s call on your life is the foundation to build the framework of your life.
We were in Africa and had just witnessed an entire church get healed of all kinds of diseases. It was like straight out of Acts. My eyeballs questioned the miracles I saw. Medically impossible things happening by the minute. When we were done that night I looked at my friend Rex Crain and said, "Wow, that was amazing!"
He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Annette, you can do everything I can do. You have the same Jesus living inside you."
All of us face various difficulties, challenges, and obstacles that we have to navigate throughout the process of fulfilling our creative destiny.
The world, with its many pressures, family life, jobs, personal struggles, and other outside pressures can take a toll on our desire to move forward to achieve our creative dreams.
Kingdom creators are real people with real problems and struggles in every sphere of life.
Lighthouses were built along rocky coastlines to give captains a point of references to safely navigate around obstacles threatening their voyage.
At night, a seasoned captain would constantly keep his eye on the light to ensure he avoided the potential hazards keeping him from his destination.
Similarly, we must continually keep our eyes fixed on the promises that God has given us if we expect to reach the resolutions we have made for 2018.
2018 will mark a new era for Christians to access heavenly wisdom that will be demonstrated by the Spirit’s power and will unleash creative ideas and strategies that will take believers to the next level.
2018 will be marked by those whom the Spirit will anoint and rest upon so that they can bring hope and restoration through creative solutions in social media, creative pathways, and through centers of hope and healing.
