Lean In
Hey gorgeous ones,
Wow - it's been a while since I blogged anything - which is neither by design nor intention. Anyway, trust you are well, trust you've had an amazing New Year period, trust your heart is feeling confident about the new decade before us.
Sometimes we can look at people who we admire or perceive as being on the forefront - and think that they are so amazing, so incredible. We can think that they never feel inadequate or incapable of the task before them. We can think that they "wake up" with profound twitter thoughts resounding in their spirits, that then to your amazement, get posted hours before you've even surfaced (let alone had a coherent thought for the day). Sometimes we can think that THEIR CONFIDENCE is never challenged.
Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret - there isn't one who feels like this. We're all human and we're all facing the same reality of living our individual lives to the best of our convictions. There are times when it's easy and there are times when it's a walk of faith.
This morning I read (and twittered, ha) about the simplicity of faith! Paul says in (1 Timothy 1:19) to "Hold fast to faith"... and then the Amplified Bible enlarges the meaning of faith as being "that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence".
I'm a simple girl. By nature I grew up shy and not overly confident about my contribution to anything... but many years now with Jesus and many years that have proven Him and His Word TRUSTWORTHY in my life, positions me differently when it comes to confidence.
When your confidence wanes, do what the Bible says again and again and again and again... LEAN IN!!! Lean your ENTIRE HUMAN PERSONALITY into Jesus. If it helps, physically imagine yourself leaning, resting, taking a deep breath. Imagine yourself cuddling up with God, with your BIG heavenly Father, with a God who has been around the block a few times and then some! Cuddle up in a way where you DRAW STRENGTH from simply being near to someone much stronger than you.
Hey, I'm leaning in today. God's got a big chest... and if all of humanity leant in, He could handle it. And not only handle it, but LOVE IT !!!
Take care,
Bobbie
(xoxo)
Your Testimonies
Thanks for those words..your blog is one thing that I know i cn count on wen i'm down n depressed..livn away frm ma mom n dad is often too hard an experience to go thru, coz livn alone omes wid a lotta situatons wer I don't have ma dad or mom to run to n take refuge..but I've learnt over the 2 years I've lived here(wooowwhhh!!!! it's been 2 yrs n I didn't evn realise it..thnks to HIS amazing love n protection n grace ovr me), that der's nthn more comfortin than leaning onto ma heaveenly fathr who I noe is capable to take away ol ma troubles..at tyms wen i really don't wanna talk to ny1 but feel hollow inside the one thing(n probably the ONLY thing) ma eyes fall on is the Bible n ma favourite Psalm(Psalm 121), wer it talks of a God who will not let ma foot slip n He who doesn't slumber nor sleep...instead watches over me day n nyt..evry minute of ma way.. it's so amazin to hve a God on whom we can lean n noe we're gonna b strongr than before..
Oh how funny, i didn't realise we had loaded a thingie where people could reply ... thanks girls for your love and encouragement. You are all amazing ... and even more so, He is amazing. Have a brilliant day where ever you might be! xoxo Bobbie (now the challenge to do the maths equation!!)
Thank you Pastor Bobbie for yoour encourgement just too lean into Jesus.Couple of weeks ago i have been going thru' alot of difficult circumstances.But thru it all i just love to open my email and read inspirational words from you.As a single parent and overlooked at,judged and condemned which made me so little a few weeks ago.Thank you for being a mother of the single parents like us.
Thanks for choosing to step up and rise up, while leaning in!!
I'm joining you all by praying for a wonderful Conference again this year, and for you personally, Bobbie. Thanks for being so beautifully you! We love you and the encouragement and blessing that is Hillsong collectively.
Bless you Bobbie.This has also been an encouragement to me like many others.Sometimes when ministering in the house, we get a little discouraged by the lack of real christian love from brothers and sisters in the faith when things dont seem to be going there way.Your comments continue to encourage me to press in and lean into the FATHERS HEART even more, so as to love those in the house that are somewhat hard to love in our own strength and so that our spiritual heart continues to beat loving and strong .I feel as if I have met you personally but we havent.You are such a mother of the faith in this nation and abroad Im sure.I have been to about four colour conferences and always come away feeling like Ive had an intimate weekend with you personally as well as the thousands of other precious ladies.God is amazing like that.He cant but help to bless the those that gather in His name. Im unable to attend this year as im becoming a grandmother at the same time as conference for the fourth time.Im 53 this year and have been married for 33 years this year.I will continue to pray for a wonderful colour.Bless you again for your continued words of wisdom.
Thanks Bobbie for this incredibly timely msg! I was struggling at work when in popped your encouragement that was so inspiring yet practical all at the same time! Thanks for being so real, and for helping me see God in everything - the big, the small, the drama, the ordinary - He is present at every moment. It's been an incredibly difficult season at all fronts, but I am determined to lean in and hold onto Daddy God through this ride. love,cassilda
Am leaning in today
I can relate to what you wrote. yesterday I said to jesus i just want to be in your arms and imagined being with him. I felt his love gace and mercy to me.The house was quite children asleep no one awake nothing to be done. For me I felt like it was a small glipse of heaven. Sometimes I feel so alone as my life gets so busy though in the night when all is quite I can speak to Jesus and I know he cares and is there the conforter.I thank Jesus that he came into my life when I was 17yr old and I accepted him.He has saved my life and blessed me abudently. Thank you for all you do and sharing what God has put on your heart it encourages me and I too will encourage others to lean in on jesues our confiter and strengh God bless love frances
When I was very young, I had a very traumatic experience. For many years even into my adult years i was very insecure and afraid in certain areas. But praise be to God I have found my security in him who has loved me and taken care of me, and can defenitely lean close to him without fear! Thank you Bobbie, for speaking forth the word of God to bring encouragement to many.
Love this..I so would like so much to come attend a Colour Conference or even the Hillsong one - hoping for 2011- like someone said - God willing - will be praying about it. Thanks for the encouragement in life.
Thank you for your encouragement, so much! I'm just your average seventeen year old girl, but inside I am so much more, and over this past year I have finally been learning that. There is so much I can do with God near me individually, and strung together with other women, there is no stopping us! Each and every human is beautiful- please, always keep that in mind. Thank you for your words. They're so powerful, so beautiful- they remind us all that we are never alone. There is ALWAYS someone there with us, someone giving us strength through OUR GOD! There is no greater gift than having a pure, helping, compassionate heart.
Thanks for the strong revelation of truth. Life can create challenges. Sometimes, people we respect. Only the strength of Christ can see us through. Then, you discovered your true love, in GOD because he has made everything perfect in the blood of his son. Therefore, we continued to stand in beauty and in grace.
Oh That was just what I needed. Your words were like a healing balm to my spirit.
Oh that was just what I needed. What a refreshing thought.
Thankyou so much. I will miss not coming to colour this year as my daughter is just about to have her first baby and my first grandchild. But I will be there next year God willing. Gods richest blessings on all the 'Colour' team. May many souls be won for the kingdom of God during the conference.
Bobbie, I will never forget my first experience of cuddling into God, I had been a Christian since I was 16, but had never known what it was like to really trust God. Then at 61 years of age I had a revelation of His unmeasurable love and I found a 'Daddy God' I could lean into, who would always be there for me. Thanks for inspiring me to share an inspire other. Lyn
"By nature I grew up shy and not overly confident about my contribution to anything.." i just see myself in this word.. thank you mam for your word, your heart to encourage your many sisters.. its encouraging me.. LEAN IN!! nice pic, beautiful view - togetherness, love it.
That was the best explanation I've ever heard of how to gain confidence and draw strength from God. To lean in... so simple.... I really needed that today (and every day). Thank you!
I just read this at the very moment that I am questioning why I keep trying. When I feel like giving up, letting go. I will try leaning.. please pray that I can. Thank you Bobbie
Bobbie, A history maker you all are. A friend paid and dragged me to the the colours conference 2008. You spoke from Hosea 2. I kept that word in my heart of heart. My dear husband Pastor Ropati Amosa at age 46 yrs, died form cancer in Oct 2008. This powerful word has carried me strong into a new season of confident and assurance that, As a women I can keep on making the difference in the world we live in. In Sept 2009, I was asked to help with a reconciliation in an all African church. I remembered standing in your conference and saw all the black women from Uganda and felt God was spekaing to me, I had not idea what was to come. The pastor resigned and I walked with the church for the next few months. I am still there today pastoring them. I am not black amazing God. I am today different than I was, while my late husband was around. As a widowed I know God has esteemed, and put me on this earth to make a difference. Bobbie, over the years Ropati and I have come to hillsong, Brian, You and your team build us up and took us further. I sincerely thank you for extending your lives and in investing your precious time giving out over and over again. God pour forth a new wine upon you this season Love Julia Amosa
Oh how encouraging! I always draw strength from people who are never afraid to admit their weaknesses and at the same time are leaning in on God. Thank you Bobbie for the constant encouragement I receive from you. You truly are my distant mentor and I am grateful that you have allowed our amazing Father in Heaven to work wonders through your life. I am always inspired by you to draw closer in to our Dad. Xx
Thanks so very much Bobbie and it is a Blessing that I read this as I always ached for the hugs and cuddles to come to me by husband, but after reading this I closed my eyes and asked God to show me in a way I could understand that a cuddle from him and resting in his arms mean so much and very comforting to know that I don't have to beg for hugs and love from God his affection and love comes with no conditions. Thank you God for Bobbie showing me this through her message. Your an inspiration to all of us Bobbie. Thank-you and Blessings Sending you a huge hug xo
Thanks Bobbie, I really needed to read that, it's great. When I was in primary I was told the old adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again" but in God we don't need to try but be faithful and he'll do the rest, so I'm changing it to: "If your confidence wanes, lean, lean and lean into God" and he will do the rest! Blessings, Jo
This has lifted my spirit and I pray that as you are the blessing to many others, God will enrich you this year with wisdom, knowledge and increassed understand. Brizzi girls are florishing in your God ordained destiny. As you fly we fly with you, because we ascribe greatness to our God for His work is perfect and all His ways are just. I pray for God's greatness in your life as you touch a life at a time. love from Savita
Hey Bobbie, Just for some of the girls I thought I was confident really I was loud and arrogant untill I sat under your and the amazing teachings of the hillsong team I have been blessed to have had beautiful earthly angels holding my hand now I have real confidence in the quiet place of gods grace I now know who I am. Thankyou I love you for showing me God x0x0
Thank you for so much what you revealed. I used to attend hills church (over 10 yrs now) but circumstances took us far away. I struggle daily with how God could love me, and what you blogged, was and is my daily payer, (for a long time) though i struggled with that being ok. Thank you for letting me know that im not alone, not from God, and that there are others alone like me. Thanks again.
Bobbie, you are just absolutely amazing. I have learnt so much from you since I began at Sisterhood in 2002. I arrived absolutely broken and not knowing where to turn. You made me realise that God is just so real and cares so much about each and everyone of us. Since arriving at Sisterhood my life has changed. My marriage is almost restored - it has been nearly 10 years - BUT I have learned to walk in faith and keep trusting no matter what the world and enemy throws at us. God is so faithful and has poured incredible blessing and favour on me, even during the times when I felt that I just could not go on. I remember coming to Sisterhood on my own some weeks and not knowing anyone, but each week you or another pastor would preach and encourage and then I could do the next week and the next week! I just love it and encourage all girls to not miss a week. I can't wait for Colour again, as it is so powerful and impacting. Lots of love always to you and all your gorgeous team. xxxxxx Virginia (aka Vee)
WOW! so amazing.... Loved it. Thanks Bobbie, your words are a gift.
Hi Bobby, thanks for the encouragement. There's nothing like a big "Heavenly Hug" from our Daddy on high. Counting the days till I'm in Sydney for Colour. Group of 20 girls together for 5 days. WOW!!
Thank you for being real Bobbie and sharing from your heart in order to encourage all your Sisters in Christ. You are an amazing woman of God!
Thanks Bobbie, this is so encouraging. May the good Lord continue to strengthen you and give you more!
Thanks so much Bobbie, I needed that ~ praying for you & Colour 2010 team. :-)
............Im imagining myself leaning into my Fathers chest, its safe, its warm and I know everything is going to be ok...... what a perfect place to be. Bobbi you are such a beautiful reflection of His grace. Thankyou
Thank you so much for your inspiration. It was something I really needed to read today and put everything into perspective
Thanks Bobbie , for your words of wisom , they are comforting . Being someone who has overcome shyness also , it is always great to remember that we are all walking the same road . And that when we lean in , we will find all that we need , to walk in the fullness of His making ! "Praise God" , we have a heavenly father , who is far greater than any earthly limits! xxoxx Marina '
Thanks Bobbie, I'm going to lean in too. Thankyou for your encouragement x x
Bobbie, thankyou for your VERY timely email/blog! I just needed that today!!! Much LOVE ♡ Kate x
Hi Bobbie, What a beautiful post. I just breathed in that comment leaning into Jesus ; it is exactly what I needed. The aroma of Christ just calms me down. Thanks for your words of encouragement. Love Rose-Marie
I love this!! I am leaning in.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. You are a great example to all women. This is always a timely reminder.
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