Just got back from Austin! It was a fun event, and I loved making new friends and discovering new speakers and resources. God showed up and big and small ways, as He always does. He is faithful.
It was a powerful statement to see over 2,000 women gather, get equipped and be unleashed to live God’s calling on their lives. And there were over 100 countries watching from over 2,000 live streams all around the globe! It is quite the community.
Here are my notes from a number of the speakers. And if you’d like to watch the live stream recordings, they are free until tomorrow evening at www.live.ifgathering.com. Enjoy!
- Jesus is the redeemer of your life. Jesus is the one who restores your purpose.
- When you have nothing to prove and nothing to protect, you have freedom.
- We are like Peter. We are zealots and sinners.
- There is a space and place for you at the table. There is no disgrace.
- Jesus first miracle was at a table, a gathering.
- John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There are a lot of theological issues we can disagree on, but this isn’t one of them.
- Is it possible that we’re more in love with the idea of follow Jesus than actually following Him?
- John 13-17
- To follow Jesus is to know that He loves you.
- To follow Jesus means that we hear His voice.
- To follow Jesus is to love people.
- To follow Jesus is to usher in the Kingdom of God. (Gal 3:28)
- Listen to the Holy Spirit first.
- If you believe the grass is greener on the other side, maybe the Holy Spirit is telling you to water the grass you’re standing on!
- In following Christ, and in times of trial, we may not understand the why, but we must know the Who.
- John 11:1-32 (Lazarus)
- The challenge in the midst of the chaos is to still believe.
- When we change our posture, and fall at the feet of Jesus, we are changed.
- If he doesn’t heal, will you still believe?
- Let the Bible be your primary source of Truth.
- Read your Bible with intention.
- Read like the Word points you to God, not for what you can get out of it for yourself.
- We tend to think of the fruit as the blessing, but the vine is the real blessing—our relationship with Christ.
- The Bible gives you what you need to push back the darkness.
- There is a boot camp required for the next phase of what God wants you to do.
- When time is short, pick one scripture to meditate on throughout the day. Also try an audio version to have the Bible on the go.
- What would happen if we didn’t care about being known (famous), but only about making God known?
- Color or mark up your Bible, if needed. Make it yours.
- It takes seven years to produce the first fruits/wine at a vineyard. It takes perseverance.
- Luke 8:1-3, 17:11-17
- Mary Magdalene was cured of demons, and she was also present at the death and resurrection of Jesus. He surrounded himself with all kinds of people.
- John 19:25
- Sometimes we don’t know what to say or do for hurting people, but we can simply be near them.
- John 20:11-18
- We can be saved by Jesus, but sometimes we don’t recognize Him.
- Mary didn’t recognize Him until He called her name.
- The next thing He said to her was, “Go.”
- Your role in the Kingdom is at its best when you can tell people about Jesus.
- Believe. Engage. Respond.
IJM Staffer (We were asked not to give her name.)
- Isaiah 61 (a garment of praise from brokenness)
- Pain turned into hope.
- If the speaker’s life had gone perfectly, or as she wanted, she would never have been part of this work.
- Sometimes we are more ok with letting our flesh rot than showing another person and asking them for help.
- We’ll search for anything, even garbage, to cover up our pain. (part of her personal story)
- Giving a garment of praise to someone else, sharing it, is life-giving.
- We need to be a source of God’s love to those without hope.
- Quoting Gary Haugen, “If the bad guys are ganging up, why can’t we?”
- IJM is making slavery too hard to do good business.
- Holding people accountable to crimes is what will change the system.
- Jesus told his disciples to love well again and again. It sounds easier than it is.
- Some people we find easy to love, and can easily leave God out of it.
- Loving the hard people is what points others to God.
- Jesus loved everyone with touch, presence, proximity, dignity and as a friend.
- When we love people well, we love them as friends and equals. There is no agenda.
- Power, fear and superiority keep us from loving others well.
- God’s Truth will provide you with the how and why of loving well. If you get push back, you’re probably doing it right.
- Jesus was scandalous and reckless with His love!
- I don’t want to have spent my life trying to look like other Christians instead of trying to look like Christ.
- Story of Isaac’s almost sacrifice (Genesis 22) is the first time the word, “love” is used in the Bible. And the same word/context is used later to describe Jesus’ sacrifice.
- 2K years later, Jesus was crucified in the same area as God provided the sacrifice for Abraham and Isaac.
- In times of testing, have you been more focused on the thicket or the cross? We aren’t promised the ram, only the Lamb.
- John 17
- Where has God placed you? Recognize your unique place.
- God loves people not only so much that He gave us His son, but He sent you our uniquely and with authority. Don’t keep this love to yourself!
- Realize what’s at stake for those around you.
- It may sound hateful to say to others that Jesus is the only way out of Hell, but if you believe it, it’s hateful not to share it.
- Remember the simple purpose God has given you: make disciples.
- Jesus’ revolution revolved around 12 men.
- You don’t need a blog or movement or website or to be famous: you just need to make one disciple. What if we all just made one each?
- Love makes you do strange things!
- We exist for the glory of God and the good of the people.
- Jesus walked in surrender and obedience.
- Acts 2:42
- Its not about what happens in this room at this event. It’s about what happens when we leave.
- People need to see a compelling reason in you for why they should know Jesus.
Sponsors:
- IJM
- Moody Publishers
- Givington’s
- Waterbrook Multnomah
- Bristol Lane
- Africa New Life
- BrightPeak Financial
- Phoenix Roasters
- DTS
- Noonday Collection
Marketplace:
- Consider the Wldflowers
- The Giving Keys
- May Designs
- Go Rings
- JOYN
- YouWood
- Raven + Lily
- Krochet Kids International
Special shout out to Be The Bridge! Join us in racial reconciliation!
Mental Post-Its 