Come see me March 10th in Concord only $10 breakfast included

Women of Joy Ministries
 
​​​ WOJ Breakfast Fellowship
​​​​  March 10, 2012
​​​​10:00 am – 1:00 pm
 
​​​ SPEAKER OF THE MONTH
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Susanne Lucas is a leader among women. She has a passion for serving and helping women grow in Christ. She has served as a teacher over a group of 12 women in California for nine years. She was a part of administrating a woman’s ministry serving at New Hope International Church for over five years as theDirector of Hearts on Fire Women’s Ministries. She also served on short-term mission trips to the Philippines and Africa. Today she lives in Montana with her family and is the Director of Women’s ministries called “It’s The Cowgirl Way.”
You don’t want to miss this anointed woman of God. She is strong and is respected by the people and she looks forward to the future with joy.
 
​​​​Crowne Plaza Hotel
​​​​45 John Glenn Drive
​​​​Concord, CA 94520
​​​​(925) 825-7700
 
The cost of the continental breakfast will be $10.00. Please rsvp for the sake of the caterers! For information contact Chris at (925) 336-6988 or email at wojminisries@att.net

IMPACT

I'm guest speaking tonight; Friday, March 25th at 6:30 pm for Hearts On Fire Woman's Ministry

at New Hope Int'l Church in Concord, CA    2120 Olivera Ct. in the Tuscan Room

It's a Western Theme with a $100 Chili Cook-Off and the Cutest Cowgirl Hat Contest

Dust off your Cowgirl Boots and join us for some down home country fun....

"It's the Cowgirl Way"

Thank you Pastor Paul Arends of The Flathead Valley Cowboy Church in Kalispell, Montana http://www.flatheadvalleycowboychurch.org/

 for teaching me how to live in God's glory and sending me with the vision of God painting me with colors.

I feel amazing royal colors of HIS glory.

For those of you who can't make it, here are some notes and highlights...

...I know I just couldn't help myself.

For the longest time my heart and soul has been on one thought.

Rope them in~Make an Impact and leave a legacy!

God wants to give us the desire of our hearts.

Did you ever stop to think who gave us that desire in the first place?

He wrote our story from start to finish before time began.

I want to be a women of excellence! Someone who makes an impact on everyone I meet.  I want to leave a legacy for everyone that God assigned me to rope in.

We have been called to make an Impact.  I love acronyms so I set one up for you so you can remember the word impact and apply it to your spiritual life.

I ~   Identity in Christ.  Do you know who you are?

M ~ Mount up and ride Cowgirl.  Get Free from fear!

P ~  Power and Authority.  What?   Really?

A ~ Alignment with your assignment.  Do you know what it is? Get one!

C ~ Commissioned with confidence.  Why not?

T ~ Truth to stand on.  Be unstoppable!

With all the disasters all over the nations or in peoples lives.  Do you understand that an impact is being made?  What kind? ____________________________________________________

How does that effect you? _______________________________________________

It's time now to make an impact on the lives of others

• Our children need an impact
• Our family needs an impact
• Our nation needs an impact
• Everyone needs an impact!

1 Cor. 2:7 says God destined for our glory before time began... Our glory?

What does that mean? __________________________________________________

I ~   Identity in Christ.  Do you know who you are?

Isaiah 55:5 (New King James Version)

⁵ Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
      And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
      Because of the LORD your God,
      And the Holy One of Israel;
      For He has glorified you.”
   
Can you see what I see?

• We are glorified! God created us to shine in His glory

Shine and Glory double bonus
Isaiah 60:1-4 The Gentiles Bless Zion
 ¹ Arise, shine;
      For your light has come!
      And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
       ² For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
      And deep darkness the people;
      But the LORD will arise over you,
      And His glory will be seen upon you.
       ³ The Gentiles shall come to your light,
      And kings to the brightness of your rising.
       ⁴ “ Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

Glorification ~ alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; Thesaurus says ~ elevation, advancement, promotion.

Take me to another level because I just found out that I have been glorified.

Romans 8:18 says ...glory shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits for the revealing of the sons/daughters of God.

Eagerly awaits?

Cowgirl up! Unstoppable daughters we carry the same glory as Jesus.

M ~ Mount up and ride Cowgirl.  Get Free from fear!

• Mount up daughters! 

He is waiting for us to understand who we are.  The other day I was praying late at night while I was trying to go to sleep.  I drifted into a dream type vision of the sky looking like liquid glass.  Suddenly a giant eagle's head slowly poked through and was looking down with it's amazing strong eyes.  It was glancing back and forth just the head was all I can see.  But the eyes are what caught most of my attention.  When I woke up I remembered this vision/dream thing and thought what was that?  I don't know?  It didn't really say much and all I could remember really was this giant eagle head poking through and those strong eyes searching.  I thought and prayed and finally the interpretation came.  The sky of liquid glass was a heavenly realm and the eagle eyes was He was showing me eyes to see what He see's.  Bring it on!

Eyesight
      All eagles are renowned for their excellent eyesight, and the bald eagle is no exception. They have two foveae or centers of focus, that allow the birds to see both forward and to the side at the same time. Bald eagles are capable of seeing fish in the water from several hundred feet above, while soaring, gliding or in flapping flight. This is quite an extraordinary feat, since most fish are counter-shaded, meaning they are darker on top and thus harder to see from above. Fishermen can confirm how difficult it is to see a fish just beneath the surface of the water from only a short distance away.
An eagle's eye is almost as large as a humans, but its sharpness is at least four times that of a person with perfect vision. The eagle can probably identify a rabbit moving almost a mile away. That means that an eagle flying at an altitude of 1000 feet over open country could spot prey over an area of almost 3 square miles from a fixed position.

John 17:22 when Jesus prayed for all believers ....the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one

He wants us to see what he sees and be free from fear.

Do you hear lies playing old tapes in your ears saying this is not for you.  Be FREE from that lie~drop it off your shoulders like a heavy coat.

Several years ago I was spoken over in prophesy.  She said that I had a Lion caged up behind a locked gate.  This lion was waiting to be loosed.  For years I've been trying to find a way to release this lion.  I don't know what it meant or why but I wanted to let him out.  I did know it was the power of God in the vision of the Lion of Judah but I didn't understand the power at that time. 

Today I am reading Lisa Bevere's book Lioness Arising and she quotes:
Alexander the Great said, 
      I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.

He goes before you!  You stand and follow the mighty Lion of Judah.  He's got your back.  He is waiting for your call~ sick-em

Now I saddle up that lion and ride into battle without fear.  Get some cowgirl boots and stomp on scorpions.  Or if you live in California just use your sharp heal of your stiletto's.


P ~  Power and Authority.  What?   Really?

John 17:20-22 (New King James Version) Jesus Prays for All Believers  
²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will^[a] believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

Peter understood the glory.

Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

• Power and Authority he gave us through the gift of Holy Spirit.

Is your shadow working?  Peter walked in glorification!

Acts 5:14-16 (New King James Version) ¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

A ~ Alignment with your assignment.  Do you know what it is? Get one!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New King James Version)

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

• Get in Alignment with your assignment

2 Peter 1:3-11  Confirming One’s Calling and Election   ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Get about your Fathers business.  If you don't know what that is then make it your business to find out.
Ask Him to reveal his plans for your life.  If you are walking around waiting for a prophesy that was given to you years ago to take place.  Start moving forward in the prophesy.  Line yourself up.

Romans 8:28-30 (New King James Version) ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Definition of CONFORM

transitive verb

: to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord <conform furrows to the slope of the land>

intransitive verb

1

: to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony —used with to or with <changes that conform with our plans>

C ~ Commissioned with confidence.  Why not?

The twelve did have a one up on us as they had Jesus standing there in front of them giving the commission and then sending them out.

Matthew 28:18-20 (New King James Version)

 ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^[b]

He commanded us so why not?  Fear?

Luke 10:18-20 (New King James Version)

¹⁸ And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather^[a] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

This is big!  Go with confidence~the power is in Gods word and the word is power!

Psalm 27 A Psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?
 ² When the wicked came against me
         To eat up my flesh,
         My enemies and foes,
         They stumbled and fell.
 ³ Though an army may encamp against me,
         My heart shall not fear;
         Though war may rise against me,
         In this I will be confident.

T ~ Truth to stand on.  Be unstoppable!

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 (New King James Version)

Stand Fast

¹³ But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Are you ready to make an impact?  Be unstoppable!

CHOSEN ~ Esther becomes Queen

ESTHER BOOK 2              

All young women of the land were called by King Xerxes decree because of Queen Vashti’s dishonorable act.  (God uses all types of situations and circumstances to call ~ be alert)

Esther was taken to the Kings palace with all the others.  God began to move immediately as Hegai the custodian of women found favor in Esther.  He was pleased by her and gave her special beauty preparations, besides the allowance offered to all the other women.  Each young woman was portioned six months of oil of Myrrh and six months of perfumes and other preparations to beautify women.  He also gave her seven choice maidservants from the King’s palace.  He moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.

Favor is already upon Esther and she just arrived.  What an amazing God we serve!  He gave her a year of special spa treatments and seven new friends.  On top of all that, he gave her a beautiful Penthouse.  He really does know what we women love and has great plans for us.

Mordecai asked Esther to keep a secret and not reveal her people or family so she would not arouse suspicion of disloyalty to the Persian Empire.   He asked her to keep silent about the Jewish culture and the insistence that their God was the only true God and they were His people.  Mordecai paced the front gates daily to check on Esther’s welfare and what was going on with her. 

Even though he was faithful that God would protect her he was still on guard. Mordecai was using wisdom and following the instructions of his heart.  We need to listen when God is speaking to our heart about our circumstances.  Remember to pray about any decision and ask God to direct you.  If it is not His will you don’t want to waste your time trying to stumble through something.   He is right there and willing to gently lead you if you would only ask.

According to the regulations written in the decree the twelve months of beauty preparations were coming close.  The young women were given whatever she desired to wear from the women’s quarters when it was her turn to go to the King.

Esther watched as each woman adorned herself with more than enough.  This was their only chance to be recognized and they did not want to go unnoticed.  Once she was with the King, the next morning she would return to the second house for women and she would stay with the concubines and never see the King again unless he called her by name.

Now the year of beauty treatments do not sound so inviting do they?  These women were to live their lives in the women’s quarters with the chance that the King would never call them again.

Esther was wise and she listened to her heart.  Yes~ all the dresses and jewels were lovely but she was after he King’s love.   She asked “what pleases the King”?  She did as Hegai the kings eunuch advised.  Her beauty captured the king and he loved her more than any other women.  She obtained grace and favor above all others.  He wasted no time crowning Esther queen chosen for such a time as this.

It’s your turn to become royalty ~ at such a time as this!

·        Listen to your heart

o   Psalm 121:2

·        Answer the call

o   Ephesians 4:11-16

·        Pray and ask God for direction and trust in Him

o   Psalm 33:20-22

·        Take the step to align yourself where God is leading

o   Psalm 139

·        Watch and see as he adorns His favor on your life

o   Psalm 126:3

·        Thank Him for all the things He has done for you

o   Deuteronomy 28:1-14

·        Praise Him because He is due. 

o   Romans 11:33

Read Ephesians 1:3-6 and enjoy spiritual blessings

Don't forget to become a Follower and have "It's the Cowgirl Way" emailed monthly. 

Thank you and be blessed every step you take.

Love in Jesus name,

Susanne

A slice of heaven in 2011 ~ a guide to setting spiritual goals

Well here it is~ 2011 “Happy New Year” I know I’m a little late.  I have been kicking off the New Year with many new adventures in my life.  Before I continue the CHOSEN chapter, my story of Esther.  I want to share with you something that is very high on my priority list every January and hope you will try it out this year.

Each year I take a new note book and name it a word that the Lord has put on my heart to move toward.  In the past few years I've named it “humble” or “faith” this year it will clearly be..."Still”. 

I believe I named it "Still" because GOD has moved me into a new life.  A place where know one knows me and does not have an opinion of who I am.  He is showing me how “humble” I am as I sit still.  I won’t lie it’s hard for me and I have had many days that I feel lost.  I ask Him, Lord why did you train me for all these years to lead, teach and mentor women just to have me sit and be still. It’s killing me… please give me something to do.  I want to minister and don’t want to be useless.  I am a vessel waiting to be poured out. He just says be still.  So here I am in Montana on a mission to be still and know that He is GOD.  And I am okay with it because I get to minister through “It’s the Cowgirl Way”.

This year my notebook “Still” began in prayer and writing out my spiritual goals.  People don’t like the word “goals” but I find purpose in setting goals.  It allows me to move deeper in knowing GOD and he likes me to rise above what I am capable.  He moves me up above the heavenlies into His realm of the unknown where I am not comfortable. 

Next I write out prayers for each one of my family and friends as the Lord leads me.  I stand in faith on each one of those prayers.  It’s my way of speaking life and blessings over my family and friends.  Above is a picture of the house my husband has been building for the past 6 months. My main prayer now is to get that finished without debt.  We should be moving in February and my husband Craig will begin to look for a full time job.

Then I set my financial goals; I always think of Jabez and how all he did was ask and God blessed him.  I love that story  so I never miss my chance to pray for prosperity and I commit my tithes.  I decide what I want to pay off and how much I want to save. I decide if I am taking any vacations and my strategy to afford it.  I also pray for work and safety.  I pray for people I work with and anything else I can think of.

I set goals for health; last year I stopped buying premade dinners and made a goal to only cook homemade.  This year I am changing my kitchen back to alive, fresh, organic, raw, natural, wild and healthy foods.  I am getting out the juicer, dehydrator and sprouting.  I will be canning and preserving.  I want to grow a small root garden this year and set up a root cellar.  I will begin a core exercise program once I get moved into my own home.

My education goals is to take the Montana State Therapist License and transfer my California State Therapist License while I am babysitting Sonny I can study.  I will also take the leadership classes at the Cowboy Church as they come up.

My scripture of the year is… Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doe’s.

My 2011 Chapter is Psalm 119 read, memorize and live it.

I print out a schedule off the internet to read the Bible through the year.  I choose my own order and I check it off as I finish each one.  I don’t get hung up on only reading what the plan says per day.  I just read as long as I want and check it off as I read it because some days I just don’t get to it and that way, if I miss I probably already read my daily reading for that day anyways.  It’s a challenge and I love it.  I make a commitment to read every morning, night or when I can spend good quiet time.  I also keep my notebook with me and write down scriptures or prayers that coincide with the reading for that day.  This is how I keep my journal and find my secret place with my Father in heaven. 

I hope by sharing my little journey of what I do will bring a hovering peace over your life.  I am expecting “Double Blessing’s” this year.  I pray over each and every one of you today.  I would appreciate any feedback or let me know if you want prayer and encouragement as you begin this year of prosperity and abundance.

I love you all and be blessed in your slice of heaven in 2011.

Accept the call for you are chosen

Hadassah woke every morning before the sun shown through her window.  This time was her appointment with God she went to her secret place and wrote to her heavenly Father, her best friend her confidant.

This morning was particularly special, she was about to make a giant step and wanted to follow his lead.

Dear Father of heaven and earth,

You placed me here O’ God.  I feel your Heavenly Spirit pulling at my heart.  Lead me in your direction as I am faithful to do your will.  Continue to guide me, open the way so clearly that I might see your light shining before I enter.  Block the road that may lead to destruction so that I won’t be tempted to walk the wrong path.

Fill my heart with gladness and restore my thoughts of any hesitation to hearing your voice.  Rejoice over me this morning I am your obedient daughter who serves the most-high God, Lord you are my King.

Prepare me Lord as I obey the decree set from our earthly King Xerxes.  I know you direct his steps and I will follow after you.  I am anxious and afraid of the unknown.  Father, cover me with peace and comfort. 

Blessings to my dear cousin Mordecai he has always been like a father to me ever since my parents died, he raised me as his own.  He has been so wonderful to me, he loves me like a daughter and I love him more then I can express.  Lord shower Mordecai with double portions of favor while I am away.  Keep him under your wing of protection.  Guide him in every direction.

I feel your spirit all around me.  My heart is warm and happy with anticipation of what you are doing at this very moment.  It’s overwhelming!  I praise you that you always hear me when I call and you always answer me.

Thank you, Lord that I may serve you with my whole heart.  I accept your call on my life. I am ready Lord….send me.

Who is Hadassah? __________________________________

Read Esther Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: 1-8

What is your opinion of King Xerxes request to Queen Vashti? _______________________________________________

Did Queen Vashti over react?  __________________________

What decree was sent out because of Vashti’s behavior? _______________________________________________

Read Chapter 2:1-8

Why was a second decree sent out? _______________________________________________

Where was Esther brought and under who’s care? _______________________________________________

Read Esther 2:9 although all these circumstances seem like the fault of Queen Vashti, who was God strategically placing in the Kings palace? __________

Esther had the favor of God over her life.  She was obedient to the call and God began orchestrating his plans for her “at such a time as this”.

Begin today…set an appointment with God each day.  Enter into his courts with praise and adoration.  Write a prayer journal and begin speaking a favored life over you and your family.  Watch as God changes earthly circumstances into strategic plans for making your life more then you expected.

Stay tuned for what’s next… “Esther is Chosen”

How did it all come about?

Most of us define a cowgirl as a horseback riding lady with fancy sparkles on her hat and matching bolo, riding as “cowgirls” in Wild West Shows and rodeos.   The ladies are skilled performers, demonstrating riding, expert marksmanship, and trick roping while entertaining audiences around the world, such as Annie Oakley whom in my eyes is a hero.

My cowgirl warrior is a woman in the west who worked on cattle ranches.  Women ran them while the men went to war or on long cattle drives.  Wives and daughters of men who owned small ranches could not afford to hire men so they had to do the hard work.  They needed to ride horses and be able to perform tasks what you and I would agree was a man’s job. Keep in mind, these women also planted their own gardens, hunted, cooked, sewed their own clothes and many of them gave birth on their own, then had to get up and stoke the fire and feed the children and teach school and about living a life trusting in God.
These women were strong and able to take on anything.  They needed the hand of God, his direction and covering to able them to perform the necessary tasks of everyday life.  Sometimes God was the only strength they had and they trusted in him, “It’s the cowgirl way”.

Years ago, I was visiting my family in Montana.  We went to The Cowboy Church in Kalispell.  That night a woman teacher at the church was giving a message about relying on the strength of God not our own during times of trouble. During her message she gave an example of a woman who was trusting in God. She smiled and said “It’s the cowgirl way”.  Instantly the Holy Spirit hovered over me and begin speaking and showing me visions of ministering to women in the Flathead Valley.  That night he gave me an outline of topics to teach and an acronym for “cowgirl”. 

A cowgirl is:

Called ~ many are called but few are chosen

Obedient ~ Jesus is master of my life

Warrior ~ Divine wisdom of the Holy Spirit the ability to discern right from wrong

Grace ~ God’s free and unmerited favor

Inherited ~ Identified by Christ, receive a legacy or promise; possession as a rightful heir

Redeemed ~ refined replica of the most high God

Loved ~ God’s ultimate expression of loyalty, purity, and mercy

The Lord continued to birth His vision in me for hours, weeks and years.  I would write and listen as he excited me with the thought of a ministry for women called “It’s the cowgirl way”. Just one problem…. I lived in the Bay Area of California and had no thoughts of moving to Montana.  As the years progressed I wrote notes and heard him directing me to study women of the Bible who trusted in God with all there heart and soul.

Less then five years later, here I am living in Montana and He is racing through my head at all hours of the day and night feeding me about women and the need to minister his strength to them.

 Stay tuned..... Esther will tell us a story about being called and chosen.

Don't forget to become a follower and recieve updates automatically in your email.

One

***Take One day at a time...... One foot on the step-stepping stone to lift ones heart..., One thought is sufficient 4 peace,...... One of many kisses for the face will do... One spoken sentence  "I love U" can release the song...One model of light can make darkness flee,.. One pat on the shoulder will add courage to another,One moment of "united we stand"...can establish wonders again & again...One look upwards...will remind us..."In God we trust" while one...more kiss,..still says there is room for one more......(hugs/kisses) xoxoxoxoxoxoo