Living in the Supernatural — VOUSCon 2023 — Stephanie Ike

Welcome to the Voo Friends and Family Channel

Introduction by Luke

• Luke welcomes viewers to the Voo Friends and Family YouTube channel, emphasizing the importance of community and sharing knowledge.

• He encourages praise for Jesus, setting a spiritual tone for the gathering.

Opening Prayer by Pastor Stephanie EK

• Pastor Stephanie acknowledges pastors Rich DC and the team at Voodoo, expressing excitement about being present.

• She leads an opening prayer, inviting God's presence and asking for guidance as she prepares to share her message.

Personal Testimony: A Journey of Faith

Pregnancy Complications

• Pastor Stephanie shares her personal experience of discovering her pregnancy shortly after encountering an angel.

• Despite initial recommendations from doctors regarding potential complications, she expresses determination to continue with her pregnancy.

Overcoming Pain Through Faith

• She recounts experiencing severe pain during her pregnancy but felt compelled to fulfill her preaching commitment despite this challenge.

• In prayer, she seeks God's permission to step back but receives reassurance that God is with her through difficult times.

The Power of Obedience

Healing Through Action

• Pastor Stephanie emphasizes that healing was found in her obedience to God’s call rather than as a mere favor from Him.

• She articulates that obedience serves as a pathway for supernatural possibilities in life.

The Importance of Hunger for God’s Word

• During a conversation with Pastor Don, she highlights how hunger for spiritual nourishment opens one’s heart and mind to receive from God.

• She references Jesus’ response to temptation in the wilderness, illustrating that spiritual hunger should take precedence over physical needs.

Conclusion: Expectation in God's Presence

Anticipating Fresh Words from God

• Pastor Stephanie concludes by expressing anticipation for what God will do during the conference, encouraging attendees to remain open and receptive.

Living in the Supernatural

Expectation in God's Presence

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of being expectant when entering God's presence, urging attendees not to let life's distractions diminish their focus on divine moments.

• A single word from God has the potential to radically transform lives, setting the stage for a message centered on living in the supernatural through obedience.

The Story of Elijah

• The narrative begins with Prophet Elijah declaring a drought that lasts three and a half years, challenging the worship of Baal, who was believed to control rain.

• The speaker draws parallels between ancient worship practices and modern-day beliefs, highlighting how people often mix faith with other influences rather than relying solely on God.

Divine Provision During Drought

• Despite the drought, God supernaturally provides for Elijah by sending ravens to feed him, illustrating that even animals can obey God's commands.

• Elijah is instructed to go to a specific location where he will be fed by ravens; this "there" signifies a place ordained by God for provision.

Understanding Your "There"

• The concept of "your there" is introduced as essential for receiving what one needs; it suggests that individuals must seek out their divinely appointed places.

• Attendees are encouraged to recognize that what they seek may already be seeking them if they align themselves with God's direction.

Encountering the Widow at Zarephath

• As Elijah arrives at Zarephath, he meets a widow gathering sticks; this encounter is pivotal as she represents another aspect of divine provision.

• The widow expresses her dire situation but follows Elijah's instructions despite her lack. This act demonstrates faith and obedience leading to miraculous outcomes.

Prophetic Authority and Obedience

• The speaker discusses Elijah's role as a prophet beyond mere prophecy; it involves acting under divine authority and guidance during times when the Holy Spirit did not dwell within all believers.

Understanding the Spirit of Prophecy and Personal Revelation

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prophecy

• The speaker emphasizes that after Jesus' sacrifice, the Holy Spirit was made available to all believers, allowing them to receive direct communication from God, known as the spirit of prophecy.

• There is a warning against believing that one needs a prophet to hear God's word; every believer has access to the spirit of prophecy within themselves.

Emotional Influence on Spiritual Discernment

• Emotions can closely mimic God's voice, leading individuals to mistake their feelings for divine guidance. This can result in dangerous decisions driven by anger or conviction.

• The speaker highlights the importance of knowing God's nature to discern between genuine divine communication and emotional responses.

Deception in Spiritual Leadership

• In today's world, deception can come from those within church leadership who may not be sent by God. Recognizing this is crucial for spiritual safety.

• Believers must understand that they can hear from God directly; failing to do so makes them vulnerable to manipulation and deception.

Divine Appointments and Preordained Paths

• The discussion shifts towards understanding how God commands certain events or people (like a widow providing for a prophet), which may not always involve real-time conversations with those individuals.

• The concept of divine ordination is explored through biblical references, indicating that God has preordained paths and purposes for each individual even before their birth.

Realization of One's True Self in Christ

• The speaker encourages listeners to recognize that there is a version of themselves known by God—a self that aligns with His purpose and calling.

• Drawing parallels with Jesus’ life, it’s noted that He lived undercover until His appointed time. This serves as an analogy for believers discovering their true identity and purpose in Christ.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while linking back to specific timestamps for further exploration.

Understanding Procrastination and Divine Instruction

The Nature of Jesus' Humanity

• Jesus exemplified a perfect balance of divinity and humanity, coming not in divine strength but in full human dependence on the Spirit of God to demonstrate how to live righteously.

The Role of Obedience

• Procrastination often stems from misunderstanding God's instructions as mere suggestions rather than commands, as illustrated by Elijah's interaction with the widow.

• Elijah approached the widow humbly, asking for water instead of asserting his prophetic authority, highlighting that obedience is not about doing God a favor but fulfilling one's purpose.

Misconceptions About God's Glory

• Many believe their obedience is solely for God's glory; however, it also serves personal growth and fulfillment. Delaying action can stem from thinking they are doing God a favor.

• Individuals may procrastinate because they feel unprepared or inadequate, mistakenly believing that their actions only benefit God without realizing their own potential is at stake.

The Importance of Eternal Perspective

• Life should be viewed through an eternal lens; understanding one's divine purpose helps combat feelings of inadequacy and procrastination.

• Environments that remind individuals of past divine instructions can reignite motivation to pursue what God has called them to do.

Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy

• Acknowledging that life’s journey involves remembering one’s divine calling can empower individuals to act despite fears or doubts.

• Each person possesses inherent potential and capacity for greatness; recognizing this truth is crucial for overcoming challenges and pursuing goals.

The Widow's Struggle with Despair

• The widow expressed her lack of resources while preparing for despair, symbolizing those who feel overwhelmed by life's burdens.

• Many face moments where giving up seems easier than continuing; yet hope remains even when circumstances appear dire.

Divine Communication Amidst Loss

• Elijah reassured the widow not to fear, emphasizing that God's word brings hope even in desperate situations.

• The widow's reliance on God rather than seeking external solutions illustrates faith amidst loss; she had already experienced significant hardship.

God's Word in Times of Hopelessness

The Struggle with Control and Disappointment

• The speaker reflects on feelings of helplessness amidst uncontrollable circumstances, such as famine, emphasizing the emotional weight of these experiences.

• In moments of disappointment and hopelessness, God sends a transformative word to uplift individuals, urging them not to fear.

Embracing Faith Amidst Sacrifice

• The importance of faith is highlighted; obedience often requires sacrifice, as illustrated by Elijah’s experience where he was fed after the widow acted in faith.

• God promises new beginnings through His word, encouraging individuals to act in obedience for supernatural possibilities.

Recognizing the Cost of Deception

• The speaker challenges listeners to consider the cost of living a lie versus embracing God's truth and instructions.

• Living beneath God's word leads to spiritual death; true existence comes from aligning with divine guidance.

Divine Empowerment Through Obedience

• Obedience brings grace and divine empowerment; believers are not alone in their journey but supported by God's strength.

• Personal dependence on God is essential; His grace sustains believers through trials and tests.

Jesus' Example of Endurance

• Jesus’ 40-day fast exemplifies reliance on divine grace during testing times; He remained strong due to this support rather than physical sustenance.

• The unseen work during periods of trial is crucial for spiritual growth; completion comes through patience and obedience.

Assurance in Ministry and Calling

• Ministers experience divine backing when fulfilling their calling, reinforcing that they are not alone despite personal struggles or exhaustion.

• Trusting in God’s presence provides reassurance that He equips individuals with what they need for their purpose.

Overcoming Fear Through Perfect Love

• A call for silence allows individuals to hear God's voice clearly, emphasizing His love which casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

• Fear often stems from questioning God’s support; recognizing His unwavering love can dispel doubts about moving forward in life changes.

The Mirror of God's Word: Understanding Your True Self

The Concept of Divine Reflection

• The word of God serves as a mirror, revealing the true self that has always existed and urging the current version to align with it.

• Before birth, each person's life is already documented in a divine book, emphasizing that our existence is preordained and known by God.

Observations from Genesis

• In Genesis, God's focus on Adam naming the animals illustrates the importance of understanding one's identity and purpose as aligned with divine intention.

• God tests Adam's ability to name the animals to confirm whether he perceives them correctly, reflecting a Creator's desire for their creation to think and act wisely.

Call to Commitment

• Acknowledging one's true identity involves recognizing that God places a mirror before us not just for His glory but for our revelation.

• Individuals are encouraged to approach God without fear or anxiety, committing themselves fully and embracing obedience as they seek fulfillment.

Prayer and Transformation

• A collective prayer emphasizes commitment to faith over fear, encouraging participants to embrace their identities as known by God.

• Participants are reminded that God knows each person intimately and has seen their entire lives, reinforcing the idea of divine awareness and care.

Overcoming Despair

• Some attendees may feel hopeless or on the verge of quitting; this moment serves as an opportunity for renewal through faith in Jesus.

• Instead of speaking death into their situations, individuals are urged to proclaim life by calling upon Jesus' name during moments of despair.

Declaration of Faith

• Attendees are invited to shout "Jesus" loudly as an act of defiance against negativity and despair, symbolizing a choice for freedom over validation.

• This declaration aims at reclaiming mental strength from adversities while affirming trust in Jesus’ power over life's challenges.