April 16, 2015

This week, Mercy residents in the Nashville home had the privilege to hear from international speaker and bestselling author Lisa Bevere. Known for her transparent style, Lisa shares God’s Word woven with personal experiences to empower lives with freedom and transformation.

Lisa told residents about her dysfunctional home life and how she used writing to process her emotions—that is, until a story she wrote for school was deemed a “bad example” in front of her entire class. For many years, Lisa believed she would never be a good writer, until she realized it was a lie from the enemy. Since 1996, Lisa has written several bestselling books, including Fight Like a Girl, Out of Control and Loving It, and Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World. Her books have been printed in over 20 languages worldwide.

“If you have been targeted by the enemy, it isn’t because of a failing on your part, but a sign of strength in you that is threatening to him,” said Lisa. The very thing that Satan wanted Lisa to believe was her weakness, God had destined for strength.

Lisa encouraged each girl to evaluate the areas in her life where Satan might be trying to distract or diminish her assignment or calling from God. She said to go to the Word and write down scripture to counter those lies. Lisa also encouraged each resident to write down her life story with the end in mind. She said that writing our stories backwards focuses on our destiny, not our history.

The residents were grateful for and inspired by Lisa’s hopeful message. Here’s what a few of them had to say:

“I liked when she said that we should ‘write words that will create a life into your future.’ I will start doing that! I loved when she said that God loves us uniquely and that doesn’t mean more or less. I really got a lot out of this message.” –Ivette

“I like when she said to write our story backwards. The devil does not come to steal what we don’t have. The Bible has always been boring to me, but I liked when she said that the Word of God is not a reading but a weapon. It brought purpose and meaning to the Word of God.” -Leanne

“I really liked how Lisa said that if you listen too long to what people say about you, you will eventually forget who you are. So many people said I would be like my family and never be good enough. She said that is the enemy trying to steal from me and God’s plan for my life. I also liked how she said that God loves me uniquely. He doesn’t see me as not good enough or a failure.” -Skylar