YadaFactor

Working in ministry, or any non-profit setting, is not for the faint of heart. And when you combine the two, oh boy! It’s so rewarding but takes many hands. I’ve been working in Christian radio for the last three and a half years planning events, running social media, and co-hosting an afternoon show. It’s a fast-paced environment where I’m thankful to use my passions and skills for the Kingdom. Growing up in the world of social media has been a blessing in my career path. When I learned that I could use these passions to help expand a ministry that has grown so dear to me, it was a very easy decision! I’m excited to play a small part in helping the social world learn about YADA.

It wasn’t until I met Cindy, almost three years ago, that I first discovered YADA. I was intrigued because of the way Cindy lived her life and I knew she had something that my heart needed. She talked about Jesus like He was someone she’s had coffee with everyday for the last 40 years. I had never experienced Him like that but I wanted to in the most desperate way. Five years ago, I wrote these words on the first page of my brand new journal: “My only desire in life is to walk in accordance with Christ…to embrace a life of freedom that He has set apart for me. I can do this because I am His. I am chosen.” That became my mission statement as I began to journey through one of the darkest seasons in my life. It sounded great at the time but, realistically, I had no idea how to walk in accordance with Christ or embrace a life of freedom. I’ve been in my own Yada group for over a year now and I’ve been blown away by the way Jesus has spoken to me. In this past year, I’ve laughed with Jesus and cried with Jesus all in the pages of my journal. I’ve seen what YADA has done in my own life and I’ll do whatever I can to help others who need to hear from God too.

Cassie loves spending time with her adorable niece, Evie.

Cassie has recently joined us as an amazing volunteer helping with our social media marketing plan!

Seek Wisdom for Renewed Hope

by Christine Davis, YadaFactor Coach

Wisdom.  Is it the same as being smart? The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom, and I believe God’s wisdom is an amazing source of hope for Christians. 

In First Kings, Solomon succeeded his father David as King of Israel. He was a very young man, and he lacked the life experience he knew he needed.  Near the beginning of his rule, God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon asked for God to give him a “discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”  God agreed to give him “a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never be anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”  Moreover, God gave Solomon what he did not ask for, including wealth and honor, because He was pleased with the request.  Under Solomon’s rule, the great temple was built, and he ruled wisely and justly. 

In the book of Daniel, some of the smartest, strongest, and handsomest young men of Israel were taken captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.  They were given the finest training and education Babylon had to offer, in hopes of their serving Babylon well.  Four of these men, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, accepted everything the king offered to them, except for eating the king’s rich food.  I believe their decision to eat only vegetables and water was wisdom from God, a daily reminder that their true citizenship was not in Babylon but in Israel, worshiping the one true God.  When their faith was put to the test, these men refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar or his false gods.  Again, God granted them wisdom.  As a result, God spared them from death in a fiery furnace and from the mouths of lions.  

The book of Proverbs consists of writings by Solomon containing bits of knowledge and wisdom across a wide variety of topics, but most frequently about man’s relationship with God and with his fellow man. Over and over again, the book urges the reader to get knowledge and to desire “her” above all else.   People from far and wide flocked to King Solomon to ask him questions about all kinds of topics, and the book was preserved as scripture by the Jewish people because they recognized the value of the wisdom it contained. 

At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he promised us “another Comforter” who would be with us always – The Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:17, Paul prays that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” This indwelling Holy Spirit, which we receive at the moment of our conversion, gives us indwelling wisdom.  Here are my favorite verses in the whole Bible, James 1:5-8:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double minded and unstable in all they do.

This passage is a clear promise that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it, provided we receive it in faith, believing and not doubting wisdom has been given.  Using the Yada practice of reordering vertically, we bring our concern to God. We pray for wisdom and listen fiercely as we read scripture. We read, journal, and pray, wrestling truth fully, until we “know that we know” God’s wisdom has been given. Then, we act in faith, obedient to God’s revealed wisdom and not doubting it.

The hope and freedom this practice creates is truly miraculous.  Should we buy that house? Marry that man? Go back to school? Accept that responsibility?  God is ready and willing to give us an answer.  I have to wonder why we all don’t have more peace, and I would have to guess that it’s because we do indeed doubt when he reveals His wisdom. For me, the best solution is to allow enough time to listen.  More Yada! 

Why do you suppose only a few received wisdom in the past, and now all believers are given access to God’s wisdom? Could it be God’s wisdom provides the hope to which we need to hold fast, both now and in the days and years ahead? These are troubled times.  There are going to be hard choices to be made.  I am grateful that I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom as I face a very uncertain world.  God’s wisdom is a priceless treasure.  She is worth more than gold or silver.  Let us seek her, Yada sisters and brothers, hoping and trusting in the wisdom found in our precious Lord Jesus Christ!

The Bible is essential for God’s people to grow and mature to do the work Jesus commissioned. Yet, many believers have no idea where to start or how to stay consistent and effectively engage with the Bible. Scripture engagement is learning the life-giving benefits of intentionally “immersing” ourselves in the Bible to experience God’s presence and truths flowing through us to a broken world.

Our culture seems to be spiraling out of control as biblical values are diminishing. We believe there are important correlations here that can no longer be ignored. God has propelled the ministry of YadaFactor for such a time as this!

YadaFactor provides the guidance needed for real life change around biblical practices. Our discipleship model puts each student at the feet of the Father, learning not just how to read the Bible, but how to immerse themselves in Christ, while growing in deep relationship to know God and hear His voice.

By God’s grace, and your generosity, YadaFactor is impacting hundreds of lives across the nation and globe.

CLICK HERE TO READ A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!

“I love you, Pegi.”

These were the first words I distinctly heard God say to me. I was in the middle of cleaning dishes and wiping up breakfast spills as I prepared to take my boys to school, then hand in my letter of resignation at work. His voice caught me completely off guard, interrupting the mental rehearsal of the conversation I would soon be having with my boss. Surprised by the peace I felt, I paused my busy activity to listen…closer. “You’re going to write a book. Name it: Revelations of a Housewife. I winced in bemused disbelief. Seriously? Yeah, me, a dyslexic housewife, write a book? I knew I was hearing the One I’d been praying to, only now He was speaking directly and specifically to me while proposing the impossible.

I remember this experience as if it were yesterday, but it actually happened 25 years ago. I’m still listening to His voice of love, but the writing He inspired has lain dormant for many years. Family priorities, YadaFactor ministry, life events, and other excuses have crowded it out. But there’s also something deeper and more daunting that discourages and derails me. Writing words for others is risky. You can’t take them back. Busyness and writer’s block guard against criticism, failure, and vulnerability. Yet the loving call of God remains.

Recently, I stepped down as Director of Training at YadaFactor ministry to manage the changes and logistics of moving three times since COVID began in 2020. Somehow, between downsizing a lifetime of family memories, boxing up our belongings and building a new home, I made my way back to a writing routine three days a week. During it all, there’s been one constant: Intimacy with God when reading His Word, journaling, and sharing with my two sisters, Debbie and Cindy. Loving God first and loving my sisters as I love myself has provided a steady foundation and reminder that no matter how I’m feeling or failing, serving or flailing, I can stand.

Most recently, I’ve been reading through the Book of 1 Chronicles about David’s life. Being with David daily, I’ve plodded along through lots of lists of names, tribes, wars, job descriptions, and preparation for building the Temple. But when I arrived at chapter 17, God showed me something worth all the trudging. This is when David hears the full revelation of God’s plan for his life, spoken through Nathan for the first time.

The Holy Spirit jumped within me, prodding me to stand at spiritual attention as if to say, “Did you get that Pegi? Did you? I gave you the revelation of my plan for your life and asked you to write it so that you may inspire others, just like I did with David.”

Our testimony is powerful! In fact, the loud voice speaking to John in Revelation 12:11 says, “They (believers) overcame him (Satan, the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Debbie, Cindy and I have witnessed the power to overcome in each other’s lives for the past 18 years. This is why we’re so passionate about helping others experience this gift of Yada intimacy that God gave us!

Pegi with her husband Joel.

Because the Living God has radically transformed her life, Pegi desires to see other women’s lives changed and she is committed to giving them tools to do it. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and has been passionate about sharing YadaFactor with others for 18 years. As part of a mission’s team, Pegi traveled to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where she taught YadaFactor and trained leaders. Pegi and her husband Joel have been married for 40 years and have two grown sons, a daughter preparing for college, and two grandchildren. They enjoy family time, travel, kayak adventures, beach walks and nature watching from their home on the Banana River. Pegi’s 15 years of experience as an Al-Anon member has greatly influenced the forming of YadaFactor and her years of listening to God and journaling in Yada have equipped her to persevere in her call to write stories of hope for others.