I was privileged to attend the Bishop TD Jakes International Leadership Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, March 31 To April 2. O MY God it was awesome!…
There were over ten thousand of us that gathered together and it felt like I was at a place of destiny! Everything for me was divine. The people I spoke to, the sessions I went to, the worship and the Word were all a part of this life-changing experience.
I had gotten an instruction from the Lord to go but I did not immediately jump on it because of all that it would have required of me, my family and the new ministry, Truth Speakers Ministry International (TSMI). However, when I consented to go the Lord literally caused everything to fall in place and the way paved for me to go.
The atmosphere that I walked into on the first day was very powerful on several levels. The worship was intense, impactful, energetic and sweet. It felt like the people that came to that conference were all on a mission and had a divine mandate that this conference would facilitate its furtherance. There were people from all over the globe and though we all had different agendas the unitedness of the worship made the sessions potent.
What was amazing for me is that the feeling of greatness was tangible. I knew that the persons that the attendees were all among God’s “greats”. The place was literally oozing greatness! I remember crying at several points just in gratitude for being considered to be amongst those there.
What I was floored by was the level of humility that many of these great people displayed. Bishop Jakes got the best of the best for that conference and each presenter, though great in their own right were “casting down their crowns” just as the four and twenty elders in Revelation 4:10. They had accomplished much, they were influencers, world changers, among the elite of society, A president, millionaires and trillionaires but they all had such an attitude of servanthood and gave God glory for their accomplishments. They were not trying to exalt their victories and successes over the One that gave them the opportunity.
They openly shared their highs and lows. I really appreciated how the presenters easily made themselves vulnerable and were willing to answer questions of varied sorts. One theme that rang true amongst them all was their devotion to God, His Kingdom and His people. They spoke repetitively about the value of integrity and their unwillingness to compromise or sell out their Jesus for fame or fortune. They shared what they had to walk away from as opposed to what they fought for. I saw in them the rewards for the humble on display. I tell you the lower you go and the more willing you are to serve, the Higher you will be taken.
Marja Gay Smith
May 1, 2022 - 8:12 pm ·Hmmm…. much to think about…I pray that when Jesus trust me with much i too will have the character of meekness, humility and integrity to serve according to his mandate!
Nicholeen Williams
May 3, 2022 - 10:23 am ·Amen, My prayer too Marja Gay! And I believe He will answer us
Doneilia
May 1, 2022 - 8:40 pm ·Wow wow wow what an awesome experience indeed the Lord is good and faithful. I can only imagine what that atmosphere was like and I pray that God’s willing I can experience such an atmosphere. In regards to the question can God trust us with money, fame and fortune? It is a cause for deep reflection as it brings back to mind a quote that said ” The greatest test comes not in adversity but great prosperity. For it is in prosperity we begin to lose the sensitivity to sin in our lives. As adversity really motivates us to righteousness out of a desire to see our adversity changed. But prosperity fails to provide this motivation for obedience as we can fall into satisfaction and confidence in a life that is based on our prosperity verses God” thats not only facts but food for thought!!
Love these blogs keep them coming!!
Nicholeen Williams
May 3, 2022 - 10:37 am ·Evg. Doneilia that’s true. Psal, 106:14-15 says “14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” We have to ensure that our pursuit of things is not greater than the pursuit of the Giver of things. When the material desire becomes greater, you will still get what you want but at the expense of having a healthy soul! We need a healthy soul to make it home!
Shelly-Ann
May 3, 2022 - 4:11 am ·Your description of the atmosphere you basked in, transitioned me there for a moment. Is God good to not only facilitate but to put everything in place in order to feed the hunger He puts in us, for His glory! I’m glad you made it and I’m even more grateful for the lessons of humility on display. It’s beautiful to see and even more so to experience it in others and in ourselves. The more I dive into looking like Christ, the more I realize how far I have to go. As I read through your blog posts, I can feel the richness in your teachings on the topic of humility. It is an eye opener as I once thought I was humble. More and more, however, my desire is to look like Jesus; from His entry to this world and all the way to the cross, He subjected Himself to being humble – a lesson worth learning, but not always easy. I pray for His grace to become more and more refined in this area of my life. Thank you for serving!
Nicholeen Williams
May 3, 2022 - 10:42 am ·Oh Shelly-Ann, it’s my heart’s desire too to be like Him. I am confident that if we keep this desire burning within our hearts, He the God that gives us the desires of our hearts, will ensure this happens. Let’s enjoy the journey in Jesus name!