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Friday, April 24, 2009

It Was Worth Shoutin' About

I recently had the privilege of attending the Extraordinary Women's Conference here in Baton Rouge (thank you, Susan) and sit under the teachings of Thelma Wells - she said we can call her Mama T. ;)

Mama T was without a doubt the one who spoke to my heart the most. She walked on stage, joy permeating from her very being, and she was sporting an ensemble from Wally World (you know the place). The theme of the conference was "Free To Be Real" and let's just say God provided lots of examples for the speakers with the experiences they had just 48 hours prior to the conference. Don't you just love it when He does that? You see, the airport had lost her luggage and everything she brought along for the trip was gone for the moment. She also had a loooonnnngggg layover from Dallas to New Orleans. In fact, she was rerouted to another state before she could get to LA and even then she had to fly into Lafayette. So when she finally arrived at 2 AM the night before she was scheduled to speak, she set off to go shopping at the 24 hour discount store.

Did she seem on edge? Strangely, not a bit.

She said she started to get into a tizzy but then she decided to just rest in God's peace. She said she had every reason to exhaust herself with negative emotions but she just wasn't going to give the devil that foothold.

"Every decision you make goes through a filter. We call that filter the Holy Spirit."
Mama T
That is some words of wisdom y'all.

I admit that I have made some pretty rotten decisions even after hearing the Holy Spirit instructing me to do otherwise. Emotions, flesh, peer pressure, and judgment were all allowed in to sway me. I got a breakthrough as Mama T spoke.

Jesus says,

"But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."
John 4:14

"If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."
John 7:38
As she spoke I recalled these scriptures and I envisioned myself cooking my favorite soup. Full of lots of flavorful components but having to be drained for those who need healing from illness. I had just done this weeks ago when we all shared our strep throat so the memory was vivid in my mind. As I poured the soup through the strainer all of the particles and chunky things that seemed so appealing were held back. Only the shimmery liquid passed through. With it went all of the vitamins, minerals, and probiotics - the healing components.

Sometimes life is like that. Plans don't go our way. Obstacles come and we must choose how we will react. We can either chew on those seemingly appealing bits of chicken and celery (emotions, flesh, peer pressure, and judgment) or sip on what brings life.

When you use the Holy Spirit as a filter for all of your decisions, you receive life. Thanks, Mama T and praise you, Jesus!



I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: Amy Bayliss.com

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11 Comments:

Blogger Mel said...

Oh wow that is great way to visualize decision making through the filter of the Holy Spirit.

April 24, 2009 at 7:53 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Amy, I loved this devotion. It filled my heart and I prayed sitting at my computer to be filled with that living water. Awesome. Love you girl. Hugs.

April 24, 2009 at 8:37 AM  
Blogger Susan said...

Oh Amy, this was GREAT. And she is worth shouting about!!

When you get a chance listen to her other teaching, you're in for another blessing!!

So many good memories. Miss you already.

We need to get together more often!

Blessings♥

April 24, 2009 at 8:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing, Amy!

April 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

I absolutely love this woman. I met her in person at the Christian Book Expo, and she was the same way. JOY spoke through her eyes and her voice and her body language. No edge, no wall at all. Yet she was real.

How I long to have that kind of peace and joy like fragrance for everyone to recognize. I am easily enveloped in my stress and circumstances. So thankful to see someone share the opposite response.

Thanks, Amy!

April 24, 2009 at 10:27 AM  
Blogger Laurie Ann said...

I never thought of the Holy Spirit as a filter but that's exactly what He is. I love this new aspect of Him I am discovering through you via Mama T. Awesome devo. Interestingly the verse makes me want to keep bottled water in my hand so I can picture the filter helping me make the right decisions...

April 24, 2009 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger lori said...

That colander image is STILL with me!! Been with me ALL day!!

Loved it!!
lori

April 24, 2009 at 6:48 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

I really enjoyed this, bless you.

April 24, 2009 at 10:36 PM  
Blogger Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

This is so true. I honestly wish I could learn to just let the Holy Spirit lead instead of ME trying to do everything. I exhaust myself sometimes, but as soon as I hand it over to Him I have such peace.
Blessings,
Kim

April 25, 2009 at 5:38 AM  
Anonymous michele said...

This was a wonderful devotion this morning for me. I pray that I will always filter my ways and let the lord ultimately shine through in me. Help! me lord to be full of your soup!

April 25, 2009 at 6:03 AM  
Blogger Free2BeReal said...

I really needed this post! Thank you for the reminder.

BTW - I went to the conference when it was held in Tulsa back in March. It was wonderful!

April 29, 2009 at 1:44 PM  

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