Chosen Women

I have been blessed to share a wonderful friendship and sisterhood with this month's guest writer, Sis. DeAnna Featherstone. She has been a committed friend to both me and my family. She, her husband and children could not be more family to us if they were blood relatives. They have been there for us through good and bad times. I have watched her grow through the years as a wife, mother, daughter, niece, sister and, most of all, a woman of God. She is a founding member of Chosen Women, Inc. We had an interesting conversation a few weeks ago in which she began to share about "The Cinderella Syndrome," and I asked her to take my place this month in ministering to you as I found such truth in what she shared. Please enjoy this message from my girl, DeAnna:

Praise the Lord Women of God;

In this walk I've had the pleasure of meeting woman of many ages, races, and backgrounds. Some have been stay at home moms like me. Some have taken different career paths. Others even have both a family and a career. Though we might seem to be on opposite ends of a spectrum, I find that we as women are all very much the same.

I think at times we can be in denial about the things we really desire to have from the Lord. For example, it is easy to say, “I would never want a Rolls Royce!”, if you feel in your heart you will never have the means to acquire one. All the while the truth is that if your budget allowed you would have that Rolls Royce along with everything else your heart desired. Why is it that we would rather pretend that we don't want it when we do? Is it that we are embarrassed to admit that we are still working toward our goals – that we still have some work to do -- that we do not have it 'going on' like we would like others to believe?

We would rather give up on a thing and pretend we never really wanted it because it has not manifested within the timeline we set. We would rather give up than just admit, “I’m still holding on” or “I’m still waiting patiently on the Lord!” If you have asked the Lord for anything and it seems like you have been waiting so long, you must not grow weary. The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong, but to the one that endures to the end! How many times have we heard that? But do we really believe it?

We do not have the right to just abort the vision because we grow weary! Has it ever occurred to you that maybe God has that Rolls Royce waiting for you? He might just need you to have some more experience before He can entrust it to you. You might need to go through some more experience and training. You want a Rolls when you have just started learning to drive a standard automobile.

A Rolls Royce is very expensive and the last thing you want to do is be inexperienced before taking on such a vehicle. Can you imagine wrecking it before you get it out of the driveway? This message it not really about a car, but I believe that is a perfect example to symbolize us looking for God to bless us with something rich in our lives. For those looking for God to do something in your life, let the Lord finish the work He's started in you first. You need to wait on Him – He knows when you are ready. And it will be worth the wait because when He gives, He gives His best and you need to be in position and experienced enough to receive (and maintain) what He has for you.

Now there are some of us that are not at all in denial. You know clearly what you so desperately want the Lord to do for you. Some even look with envy when they see others have already acquired that thing or that position that they themselves desire. If you are a person experiencing that envy or jealousy because someone else seems to be ahead of you in the blessing line -- make sure you understand that the one who has acquired that thing that looks so great and wonderful has likely had to go through a great deal in order to get it. This is what I call the Cinderella Syndrome.

All some people see when they look at other women’s lives is that wonderful, handsome Prince Charming and that fairy tale ending. What I need to have you do is go back to the beginning of her story and remember how it all began. I need you to go back long before the Prince was on the scene. If memory serves me correctly Cinderella was a slave. She waited hand and foot on an Evil (wicked) stepmother and stepsisters that were full of hatred and jealousy. They made her wear rags while they wore the finest. I remember reading the book as a child and seeing her on her hands and knees scrubbing their floors. Now that isn't an ideal situation for a woman who is on her way to becoming a princess. I can say in reading this story as an adult my understanding of this story has changed.

In the mist of her trials she went through them with a smile on her face. She had faith that this would not always be her life. Who was sent to encourage her but a Godmother? Now this may be a children's story but I think we can all take a lesson from it. You have to be willing to go through some major, hurtful things sometimes in order to attain the things you want from God. It may look like a person has it all. But if you take the time to find out their story I'm sure you will learn that they went through some trials. But trials that the Lord allows in our lives (not those we put ourselves in) are always presented to bring us to a greater purpose in Him. We serve the True and Living Savior, Jesus Christ. He will never leave us. If you think about it, our job in this thing isn't that hard. We just need to trust and wait on Him, that's it. Just wait on Him. I am a living witness God knows . . . and He cares.

"Praise the Lord, Chosen Women!"

This month's inspiration is being rewritten for you at 4:13 a.m.  Why? I was sitting last night enjoying some Mary Mary (God in Me -- my new favorite) and had just finished writing when my son politely walked over and turned off the computer before I had time to save. Something very scary must have appeared upon my face because my husband immediately said, "Lisa, just go lay down . . . I will keep him with me!" I think he feared for Amir's little life! (smile)

I pray that your March was a month of March Gladness and not March Madness! My March was truly awesome in God! First, I want to thank those that came out to support me at the United Women in Christ Fellowship in Rialto hosted by Evangelist Sylvia Daniel. We had a phenomenal time in the Lord. God moved so profoundly and we were all so blessed. Special thanks to Evangelist Yevette Waters of Carson, CA and Evangelist Shelley Taylor of Rosamond, CA for your assistance. We will continue to inform you of upcoming speaking engagements for myself and friends of Chosen Women in hopes that you will keep us in prayer or even come out and support.

This month's message 2inspireU actually came to me through an HBO television pilot! I had been waiting for the premiere of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. Although it was classified as a comedy I was surprised to find myself tearing as the Lord ministered to me through the life of the main character, Precious. The story is set in Botswana where Precious is a private detective.

In the show we see how the seeds for inquisitiveness and adventure are planted in her youth through her close relationship with her father. He taught her how to pay close attention to details and to really listen. We see a young girl full of life and confidence gained through the love of her father. Later as an adult she marries a man that she loves and that she thinks loves her. He turns out to be an abusive man. One of his many beatings takes place while she is pregnant with their child - and she tragically loses that baby. Precious is a woman that knows heartache.

Later her father dies and leaves her an inheritance. Instead of remaining broken by the tragedies of her life she continues to pursue her passion and vision -- to move to the city, purchase a home, and open a detective agency. Precious did not allow the trials of her life to steal her ability to hope, to care and to love.

The gifts that were nurtured by her father did not die with her child. Because she continued to care and to love and to live she was able to impact the lives of others as the No. 1 Ladies Detective. She made a difference through a sensitivity that largely came from what she went through -- her suffering.

This character blessed me because I was reminded that the desert experiences in our lives are not intended to destroy us -- but to show us how strong we are through Christ Jesus. How many of us have been faced with situations that nearly took us out of here? I am not talking about a hangnail or a late cell phone payment -- I am talking about that thing that finally made you say that living one more day is not worth it. I am talking about a trial that seeks to destroy your body and soul. Yet, here you are -- alive and well!

It is through those life-altering seasons that you can TRULY discover that the Greater One is inside of you. It is through those seasons that you can TRULY discover the power of prayer, faith and the love of God. It is how He keeps us when we no longer want to be kept that can make us fall in love with Jesus all the more.

I do not think that the Lord could have ministered to me any more profoundly through a Sunday morning sermon or a weekday Bible Study. I am so glad that, like Precious, I still have my joy! I still have my smile! I still have a passion for life! I still want to share my gifts with the world and see people be blessed and enhanced!

The tests and trials did not steal my ability to believe! And most of all -- they have not made me bitter. I can still love. I do not backbite. I am not a hater. I love to see others be blessed. And (here is a big one) I am not living to prove anything to my enemies! I have found that so many wounded people live, speak and act with a mostly unknown agenda to prove somebody wrong. I am not trying to prove anything to anyone that did me wrong -- I have truly given them and those situations to God. I am not seeking vengeance or recompense from man -- I trust God! Besides, He said that vengeance belongs to Him. I am simply enjoying my life in Christ, growing with my little family, and embracing the opportunity to send out some encouragement.

If your tests have caused you to be hardened or salty or not so nice to be around or to listen to because you are the No. 1 Ladies HATER (really ask God to show you yourself -- it really could be who you are) -- then give it to Jesus and let Him give you your REAL smile back! Have a wonderful month in Him!

In Service for the Master,
Evangelist Lisa Y. Mitchell

Hello My Dear Sisters (and Brothers) in Christ!

I have not written to you collectively since December 2007. Why? I HAVE BEEN BUSY IN THE FIRE!  My mouth was singed shut! (LOL)

It feels so good to be able to put a "LOL" (laugh out loud) after that statement! Even six months ago I was not ready to "LOL." But now, I am learning about "resting in the flames!" It is amazing that a thing that starts out excruciating can turn into something good.

The truth is, the flames have not changed at all. They are still hot and unrelenting. They are still burning up things in my life that I thought I could not live without. They are still mercilessly taking things away. So what has changed? ME.

I preached a message some years ago called, "The Cost of Obedience to God." It is a good thing that God does not show us everything we will go through in advance -- because I would likely have never preached that message. I thought that I had already paid the cost. As I ministered that message, I thought I was preaching something I had already lived. But there was an even greater cost that I knew nothing about.

In that message I talked about the respective price paid by some of our brothers and sisters from the Bible. It was about what it cost each of them to be called "obedient to God." I remember speaking of the prophet Hosea, and what it must have cost him to marry the harlot in obedience to God's Word. I went on about him losing his reputation, probably losing his own dreams and plans, possibly his standing amongst his Jewish brethren in light of the law, etc. [Hosea 1;Deut. 22] How many of you know that when God gives you instructions sometimes going forward with them can give the appearance that you are actually going against sound teaching. Even Jesus was accused of being, amongst other things, a lawbreaker.

I spoke about Ezekiel and how he had to lie restrained by God on his left side, then on his right side for a space of two years with a representation of the sin on his body. [Ezekiel 4] MY GOD! Individuals that are set apart to serve God's people often have to endure HARD things just because he or she is chosen. Sometimes you have to carry the burdens of others so they can see them more vividly, and be challenged to change.

Also there was Isaiah who was required to literally expose himself so that the Word of the Lord could be brought home to God's people. (Isaiah 20) Any of you ministers of the gospel ever had your lives turned into object lessons for God's people to learn something God wanted them to know? Ever had your life put out there in such a way that it felt like your hindparts have been exposed? I know a God that will allow you to go through embarrasing things -- not because of sin in your life, but to be an example for His people.

Through your circumstance, through your trial they are are able to see the power of God at work as you stand in the flames and still push out a praise. They are able to see that God is really real when you still pray for them and they know all hell has broken loose in your house. Can you still preach when the car is being repossessed? Can you lay hands while your own baby is sick? God will allow whatever is necessary for His people to be equipped, and also for His will to be established in the lives of his ministry gifts -- the bishops, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, intercessors, etc.

That life altering message even spoke of John the Baptist who, in spite of his allegiance to righteousness and abstinence from all aversions, in spite of him fulfilling purpose and destiny unto death and, even in spite of Jesus Christ Himself asserting that no greater prophet existed than he, John was accused of having a demon! (Luke 7:28-35) MY GOD! Have any of you given your all to ministry, to seeking the face of God and giving it your best only to have your leaders or the sheep question your allegiance and make a mockery of your stand for Christ? Don't worry -- we are in good company. John the Baptist went through it -- and the One for whom he was a forerunner did too.

Women of God, I am living out my message. I am paying a price that I thought at first was too high. But, I am finding strength in the flames. Is this season over yet? No. Then why am I writing you now? Because God told me that it is almost over! He told me to get ready! He told me to prepare myself! He told me that like so many of you, I am about to be that phoenix rising from the ashes!

He told me that the Refiner's fire produces more purity. He told me that it produces more anointing. He told me that I will be able to encourage more of you, because I have now been some places with Him that I had not been before. He told me that I will make it, and that He is surely going to bring me out. He told me that there will not even be the hint of the smell of smoke. He told me that I will recover all, and gain even the more.

Evangelist Menette Young (Praise Him MeMe) prophesized to me some time ago that Chosen Women was going someplace else than where we were. I did not realize at that time when she looked at me in my eyes in such a sobering way that I was going to have to through a firestorm to get there. But, I am almost out, daughters of Zion! If you have been in your own inferno, be encouraged -- He's about to bring us out!

Keep looking up . . . the King is COMING!