Well, time for my annual trip to the mountain of Joyce Meyer, this  time appropriately  nestled in the  Cascades of Portland,  Oregon. She  was "on fire" all four sessions this  week! Preaching  and teaching from  her upcoming book,  "God Is Not  Mad At You,"  on  Thursday night, Joyce taught sin  was  not our  biggest  problem,  unbelief was.  Imploring the audience to simply take God at His word and BELIEVE HIM. Joyce also traced  the  roots  of our  false  belief  that  God is mad  at us.  Angry or demanding  parents, church  rules and  regulations,  and rejection from others all contribute  to our skewed  and flawed belief system.

Friday morning, Joyce expounded more on "What Our Attitude Should Be Toward Sin." A mature believer can face their sin, head on, and not be or feel condemned. A mature  believer understands that sin doesn't hurt God, it hurts us! God gives  us guide lines for our  benefit, not His, so we grow to know that  God's  way for us will only encourage us and benefit us in all areas of life!

Friday night,  Joyce  shared  the message, "A Performance Mentality." Joyce exhorted the  crowd  to "stop counting what you do wrong, stop counting what you do  right...just rest!" Matthew 11:28-30, the familiar passage, "Come unto me (Jesus) all who are weary and I will give you rest...etc" Just knowing  the truth and  love of  Christ, that  even  if you don't do everything right, God will still be there to work with you!"

On Saturday, Joyce  wrapped up  the meeting  with  the  message, "A Cure for the Insecure." Teaching us to move from our own insecurities and failures, into  trusting Christ who  will truly bring us confidence, joy and security. Again,  believing the  Word of God  and acting on it.  We have authority over the devil; God's grace IS sufficient everytime; I am the  righteousness  of God in  Christ and finally Jesus said, "He would never leave us or forsake us."

Just got back from  a three day trip  to Kentucky. Primarily went to see the ministry of Joyce Meyer in Louisville. This is my third conference with her, and teaching-wise the best! She  taught  on "Faith  vs. Fear". Thursday  night  she  gave  an overview of the conference  beginning on  the  three  things that  releases faith.  Prayer, speaking the word  of  God  and  actions  all release  our faith. Friday morning she emphasized the shield of faith and the importance  of keeping  your faith  full and  ready. Friday night, she  introduced  how  doubt  and  fear  always  war  against  faith. Also  how  we  as Christians have to truly understand the depth of love God has for us, in order for us to remain secure in our faith.

She wrapped up Saturday mornings teaching with "7 Fears to Avoid in your  Life." Fear of  trouble, rejection, never-changing, fear of change, fear you won't get what you want, fear of failure and fear of being hurt. As always Joyce was very upbeat, plain-spoken with much animation and humor through out the conference. Worship was "Fuzed Worship" whose guitar driven worship was genuine and easy to follow. Kudos to her video and  sound crew which  were  excellent  in every way! I was refreshed  and   renewed,  and   blessed  in  many  ways  during  the conference.