It’s our last day with Priscilla Shirer, reading One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. During our six week study, we’ve followed the path to the Promised Land, looking at obstacles as well as the provisions of the journey. Today we conclude with a view of the leader-the One in a Million-and how he serves God by leading others to their own promised land of inheritance. On page 147 of the workbook, you listed the names of three people you hope will join you in claiming their promised land living. Be sure to pray for them and ask God to spark their own desire to have intimacy with Him.

Prayer Requests

We thank you Father for the six weeks of Bible study we’ve just completed. You’ve enriched our lives with your Word and You have filled our hearts with peace and love. Your presence sustains us as we reach our promised land living. With gratitude and praise, we acknowledge Your gifts and thrive in the promised land. Bless us each, as we walk in faith, sharing the living Word with others. In Jesus name, amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• When others see God operating in our own lives, they’ll want to embark on new faith expeditions of their own.
• Let your confidence in God shine as a light that increases others determination to follow after Him.
• God puts people in our paths who will find spiritual encouragement in what they see happening in us.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

And they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt 5:16

Group Discussion

What are some of the ways that you can encourage someone to reach their own land of milk and honey?

Following Him,

Today’s lesson is about walking in the Spirit, an “Action” word. We’re not sitting still and we’re not waiting, we’re now moving and taking action as we continue to read One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. Our faith has moved from passive faith to active faith in our journey to the promised land.

On page 144 of the workbook, author Priscilla Shirer writes “active faith requires two things. The most obvious is courage to act on God’s promises regardless of what others think or say. The second and most important is the development of a keen ability to correctly hear God’s voice.” When we lack courage, we seek other believers for verification of our supernatural experience. We’ll ask a trusted friend “Do you think that could be God speaking?” and the friend will play Devil’s advocate with you. When we lack a keen ability to hear, we’ll seek those with better hearing, such as a person in ministry, assuming they are closer to God than we are. We’ve been conditioned by Satan to doubt and mistrust and immobilize when God calls, rather than moving forward in blind faith.

Earlier in our study we learned that sharing God’s calling with others will have a negative effect on their own spiritual journey. When God speaks, His message is for you alone and not for others. It’s His love language to you, as He speaks to you through your five senses, through dreams, through music or anything that captures your heart. When you listen to His voice, you are walking in faith. When you follow His words, you are living in faith.

As Priscilla reminds us in the study, three things need to happen when you discern the voice of God:

1. Wait and be willing to hear His voice
2. Weigh His words against scripture
3. Follow His voice

Prayer Requests

Psalm 95:1-8

¹ Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

² Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

³ For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.

⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

⁷ for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if you hear his voice,

⁸ do not harden your hearts

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Our spiritual inheritance is recorded in the pages of scripture. We must weigh anything we think we hear God say against the authority of His written word.
• Although the Spirit is in each Believer’s life, you claim your spiritual inheritance only to the  extend that you walk in faith on it.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. Joshua 1:3

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8

walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Group Discussion

Are you ready for your Promised Land? If not, what needs to happen for you to feel ready?

Following Him,

We’re on day three, week six with Priscilla Shirer, reading One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. The lesson today is about becoming a willing servant when called by God. Since we don’t know when He will call, it’s important to be prepared and willing to serve. Satan, the Father of Lies, has been preparing you all along, not to serve the Lord. He’s filled your mind with toxic thoughts such as:

• I’m not qualified or educated at seminary school
• My past will disqualify me to serve
• I’m not healthy enough
• I’m too busy
• That was not God’s voice, I’ll wait and see if He calls me two more times
• I’ll do it only if God will do something for me

Do you hear the voice of the enemy in the battlefield of your mind? How easy it is for Satan to convince us we’re not being called, and how hard it is for God to get his children to listen. That’s why, only One in a million entered the Promised Land. Joshua, the trusting servant, listened to God’s voice and followed it.

Today on Twitter I received a request to listen to a new song called Rise Up by Beyond the Veil. The song is perfect for our study…with the words “sons and daughters, rise up the army of the Lord.” You can listen to it when you click here.

Prayer Requests

Heavenly Father, we are called to serve and to honor you. You’ve bathed us in your love, and you’ve been patient as we walk this journey. Open our hearts to any lies, bring us into your army of servants and empower us to serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Many believers tend to give more weight to their fears than the supernatural power of God.
• When we submit only to the physically observable and to the judgment and advice offered in this world, we lose sight of God.
• We must not live as people more directed by human reasoning than by faith.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.”Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Numbers 13:27-28

Group Discussion

Are you walking in doubt, or are you willing and ready to serve God? Please discuss.

Following Him,

We’re completing our last week of  One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. In today’s lesson, we learn what is required to be a willing servant of God. We are all gifted unique identities and now we discover what elements are necessary to use those gifts to serve Him. Our lesson begins with a historical look at Moses, Aaron and Joshua and how each filled a servant role in leading God’s people to the Promised Land. When called to serve, each had a unique response to their calling.

Are you willing to take your post, and heed God’s calling to serve for the church? Who or what gets in the way of your calling. We can see how strongholds will close our minds to His calling, leading us in the wrong direction and away from promised land living. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to read a Bible study or book on strongholds. I’d recommend Breaking Free by Beth Moore or Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer or Who Switched Off My Brain by Dr. Carolyn Leaf. As long as you permit strongholds to center themselves in your mind, your willingness to serve and heed God’s calling is quite limited.

Prayer Requests

Beloved Father, we thank you for calling us to serve in Your name and gifting each of us with a unique talent. We pray for strongholds to be removed from our minds, so we willing embrace that which you call us to do. Give us the strength and courage to preserve under the stress of doubt and fear, and embrace us with tender love that never fails. You created us and from the beginning you equipped us to become servants. We pray for the courage to accept our post.  Thank you for all you are and for all you’ve gifted us in Jesus name, amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Often we become so consumed with envy over what God asks someone else to do that we fail to get around to what God asks of us.
• When a believer exercises her gift, she builds and encourages the entire body.
• Contentment with our circumstances comes as we rest in and utilize the gifts God provides.
• Whatever our specific calling in this specific moment, we must grow satisfied and confident in our God-given ability to handle it.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Joshua 1:6 NIV

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Joshua 1:7 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;I have appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

Group Discussion

Is there a task you are being called to serve, and you now realize that you are getting in the way of your own calling? Please discuss.

Following Him,

We’re on week six of One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land as we finish our last week of study. Be sure to listen to Audio Session Six for another powerful session with Priscilla Shirer. In this session, she discusses what modern day promised land living looks like. This is an important audio session, so if you can, make sure you listen. On page 160 in your workbook, there is a list of promised land living and Priscilla tells us to make a plus sign besides those items you expect to experience and a minus sign besides those you don’t.

Two million Hebrews followed Moses to the Promised Land, and only two realized their full inheritance. Joshua was one of those two. He was one in a million and revealed the inheritance to us through scripture. Joshua had the courage to listen when called, and follow the commands of God.

What did the rest of the people do? Imagine a scene where a child does want to go to her new preschool, no matter what her Mom says. So the child clings to the door frame, hanging on with all her might, to frightened to obey. She does not have the courage to follow her Mom’s voice.

How do we respond when we hear God’s voice call us to the promised land?

• We call our husband, mom or girlfriend and seek approval for the journey
• We immediately think it cannot be true, and we look for signs of Satan’s presence
• We seek proof, verification in the form of a miracle or supernatural experience
• We are immobilized with fear
• We make excuses or we need to prepare ourselves
• We are gripping the wall, not letting go of our comfortable past

When God says “Come” we listen and we follow. Anything that blocks your path to the promised land is a stronghold that needs the be found and removed.

***I highly recommend the Beth Moore study Breaking Free if you seek to remove your own strongholds.

Prayer Requests

Father, we thank you for opening the door to the promised land of living. You’ve prepared the table before us and we listen to your voice. May we accept the full bounty of your gifts, the fullness of your love, and the beauty of your grace as we humbly accept that which is offered to us. Remove the strongholds that keep us from crossing the threshold and embrace us with your JOY. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Neither Moses’ nor Joshua’s background made them likely candidates for the roles God choose for them. The Lord enabled these faithful men to handle their assignments. Both sovereignly asked to lead without prior training.
• Joshua’s quick acceptance showed more than just a willingness to obey; it pointed to an unwavering courage in the face of risk.
• Courage is not the absence of fear. Its the will to move forward in spite of it.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Exodus 17:10

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11

Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” Exodus 4:1

Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10

Group Discussion

Why do you think it is difficult for Christians to really believe God and expect to experience the promised land gifts He offers them?

Following Him,

It’s our last day of week five with Priscilla Shirer, reading One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. Our focus of the lesson is moving on from grief, so we can go forward in the journey of promised land living. God wants to do something new for us, and can only do so when we leave the sackcloth behind and move on. There is an excellent chart to fill out on page 125 of your workbook, as you record the specifics of your loss, how you grieved, actions you need to stop and hindrances to your progress. I hope you found time to do this exercise, reflecting on your answers.

We learn in the lesson that our journey requires “we leave behind the familiar and embrace the new,” as written by Priscilla Shirer. She uses the example of the death of Moses, who lived to the age of 120, leading God’s people and earning their trust. A new leader would arise for the remainder of the journey. Maybe you’ve experienced a similarity in your job, when a favorite boss retires, and you’re anticipating the new replacement for your leader. Or like Priscilla, you’ve entered motherhood and are adjusting to the transition. Or possibly you care for an ill child, knowing that life changes are necessary in order to care for her. Many are unaware of the grief and loss associated with these seemingly innocent transitions. It takes a loving God to reveal the loss to us through the Spirit, and then to help us heal and move on in the journey to abundant living. A favorite Priscilla Shirer quote from today’s lesson is “Grief comes in seasons. Don’t allow it to define your life.”

Prayer Requests

We pray that our hearts will heal from any grief and loss, so we can experience the joy of the promised land.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Grief comes in seasons. Don’t allow it to define your life.
• Make a wise decision to stop the actions of mourning so that your heart can be encouraged and begin to heal.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NKJV

Group Discussion

Please complete the chart on page 125 of your workbook. Feel free to discuss anything you want to share about it.

Following Him,

We’re learning today about an invitation from God, as we read lesson four in the fifth week of  One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. Author Priscilla Shirer lists eight invitations from God at the top of page 119 in your workbook. Below this, she has listed resources (scripture verses) showing God’s invitation for you. During the exercise, we listed those things which you felt exempt from. As we continued in our study, we had an opportunity to learn that these invitations are always available to us. Sometimes, trough the work of Satan, the Father of Lies,we do not see the invitation from God, or we are convinced that the invitation does not apply to us.

The lesson today is a reminder to keep your eyes focused on God, reach for the invitation, and take part in the abundant life He offers you.

Prayer Requests

Dear Father, we are in awe of your invitation to the promised land, living an abundant life filled with your blessings. Open our eyes to the Satan’s attempts to distort our invitation, reveal to us the dark shadow that blinds us to Your word. We come to you God, in obedience and in love, accepting your gift in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• God’s invitation to eat at His table and live in His grace belongs to all who accept it.
• Satan blinds people’s minds so they can’t see the light of the gospel.
• Satan’s goal is to keep believers from fully recognizing all that their relationship with Christ can offer them.
• God doesn’t revoke invitations to a dynamic relationship with Himself.
• Whether you have a tainted life like Rahab or have wandered from the Father like the prodigal son, God still offers you full access to the abundant life.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board. Ephesians 3:6 Message

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Group Discussion

What changes do you need to make in order to accept God’s invitation for you?

Following Him,