Highlights from True Woman '22: Heaven Rules

Dannah Gresh: Last week thousands of women from across the United States and around the world gathered to be reminded of a simple two-word phrase: Heaven Rules.

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth: Do we really believe that Heaven rules? Do we live as if earth rules or Heaven rules? Do we live as if mankind rules or God rules? And how will our lives be different if we truly believe that Heaven rules?

Dannah: We’re in Indianapolis for True Woman '22: Heaven Rules. True Woman is a movement begun in 2008 by Revive Our Hearts.

Woman 1: I started coming to True Woman back in 2014, and it has made such an impact on my life! I’ve come every year to Revive or True Woman conference.

Woman 2: It’s just different when you’re not filled with emotions but filled with words—God’s Word!

Nancy (at conference): God’s going to speak to all of us in different ways this weekend through His Word, through His servants.

Woman 2: It does something in you.

Nancy (at conference): When He puts His finger on something in your heart—I don’t care if you’re the woman in her eighties or you’re the youngest teenager here or somebody in-between—will you say, “Yes, Lord!” Will you let Him change you?

Woman 1: He’s changed my marriage; He’s changed my home; He’s changed my heart, my attitude.

Woman 3: We’re here to really learn. We had a great time driving, we have had a great time in the hotel and everything else. But when we come, here we are ready and prepared to learn!

Woman 4: I think that to be recharged and to find that deep truth that can help me to continue in my walk with the Lord . . .

Woman 3: That’s why we’re here.

Girl: This is my first True Woman.

Michelle Hill: How old are you?

Girl: Eight.

Dannah: This is the Revive Our Hearts podcast with Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author of the new book Heaven Rules, for September 30, 2022. I’m Dannah Gresh.

Now, I know it doesn’t take much looking around our world to be tempted to feel discouraged or even feel despair. We all need to be reminded that God is completely in control. My hope is that today’s episode of Revive Our Hearts will do that for you.

Were you able to attend True Woman last week? If so, you’re going to love reliving some sweet moments from the conference today on Revive Our Hearts, and if not, you’re about to hear some beautiful highlights. 

Over the next months, we’ll be featuring many of these messages in greater detail, but for now sit back and enjoy this overview of some of what went on last week at True Woman '22. Our theme was Heaven Rules.

Dannah (at conference): Welcome to True Woman '22! (cheers and applause)

Erin Davis: Robert Wolgemuth, what do you think Nancy’s highest hope is for this weekend?

Robert Wolgemuth: If women leave this conference with an appetite for the Word of God, that will be a ten on her scale of one to ten.

Michelle: My name is Michelle Hill, and I’m on staff with Revive Our Hearts. I’m here with Erin Davis. Now, Erin, you and Betsy Gomez hosted our livestream for us. In her first message, Nancy hit the high points in the book of Daniel—which is where we see the phrase, “Heaven rules.”

Erin: Only Nancy could teach through the entire book of Daniel in almost a single session, because that is a complex book. There’s a lot of cultural nuance that can be hard to understand, but she kept hitting the point of the book home—which is that God is sovereign!

Nancy (at conference): “Heaven rules, Heaven rules, Heaven rules! Your kingdom will be restored to you [Nebuchadnezzar] as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules!” (see Dan. 4:26). Two words.

I want this to become a reflexive response from you. In fact, just turn to someone who is sitting on either side of you and just say, “Heaven rules!” (response) Say it to someone else. (response) I can’t hear you. Say it again! (response)

I love that! I want you throughout this weekend as you’re talking with people, strangers, getting on the elevator with somebody, let’s just have those words reverberate throughout this convention center. Heaven rules! We’re going to affirm it, and we’re going to deepen our conviction about that in our hearts.

Now, it’s not just enough to say those two words, it’s not just enough to know them in our heads. Believing that Heaven rules will transform the way that you think about everything. It will transform the way that you live!

My sweet husband and I have just looked at each other, I don’t know, maybe thousands of times over the last couple of years—through Covid, through cancer, through ups and downs and the news reports (my goodness!) at night. We’re looking at each other and we’re saying, “Honey, Heaven rules. Heaven rules!”

Jani Ortlund (at conference): I love those two words in new ways: “Heaven rules!”

Dannah: This is speaker and author Jani Ortlund. 

Jani (at conference): They’re a challenge to me, and they’re a comfort. They challenge me because I’m tempted to want to rule myself and to step out from where God is ruling. They comfort me because I can’t, really. That’s a great comfort to me—that Heaven does rule. It’s a rule of wisdom and kindness.

Nancy (at conference): Do we really believe that Heaven rules? Do we live as if earth rules or Heaven rules? Do we live as if mankind rules or God rules? How will our lives be different if we truly believe that Heaven rules? 

Jani (at conference): We get to follow a King who has shown us how to live by serving us. What a joy to claim that that kind of King is ruling in Heaven! Not a king who is pointing His finger at me and scolding me, but opening His arms and saying, “O, come! Let Me help you, let Me love you! You will find real happiness and joy here in My reign. Come! Heaven rules!”

I loved what Nancy has taught us this weekend. I’ve needed it. I’ve been encouraged by it and I’m going to take it home with a new spring in my step and a twinkle in my eye and say, “Thank You, Lord!” I think those two words will come to me often over the next few months—and hopefully years—when I come to a hard situation, a discouragement, a question.

One of the questions Nancy has been talking about this weekend, that we often ask, is, “Why?” And that question can be answered with, “I’m not sure, but I do know that Heaven is ruling in this.” I can land there, so I’ve been very deeply encouraged!

Dannah: Joni Eareckson Tada joined us by video. 

Joni Eareckson Tada (at conference): I want to help you take these rich doctrines of God’s goodness and His sovereignty, and I want you to actually live them out when you need these amazing truths the most! Great doctrines like: “God is sovereign,” and “God is good,” I mean, these things look pleasing on your conference notepad. You instinctively know that they are important and precious fundamentals of your faith, but how do you live out the reality of God’s sovereignty and His goodness in your life?

Erin: I want to be like Joni when I grow up—and I don’t—because you do not get that depth without that level of suffering. It is so evident that she learned that in the fire.

Joni (at conference): Living on God’s promises is the surest way to bring the greatest glory to your God and Savior. It’s the way I live in this wheelchair. It’s the way I live with pain. It’s the way I trust my sovereign and good God!

Erin: She speaks Scripture as if she’s speaking her own thoughts. It is so natural. It’s memorized, obviously. She’s not reading from anything; it’s just in her. She told this story . . .

If you don’t know Joni, she’s a quadriplegic, so in the night she can’t readjust herself in her bed. She told this story of having debilitating pain in the night.

Joni (at conference): Let me show you what living on His promises looks like, okay? This past summer Ken and I had a chance to spend a few days up at a friend’s lake house in the Sierra Mountains. I really needed the rest and so did Ken.

When we arrived at the lake house, I insisted that he take the bedroom at the far end beyond the kitchen while my helper stayed down the hallway with like a baby monitor between our rooms.

That way if I awakened in pain during the night, I could call for her. As she was helping me get ready for bed, I noticed a large slatted wood plaque hanging on my bedroom wall and I admired it.

It was a calligraphy of Joshua 1:9, where God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I remember being comforted by that verse as my friend put me to bed, raised me up on my side and tucked pillows behind me, getting me as comfortable as possible, what with my pain.

She left and closed the door on her way out, and as she went down the hallway. I almost called her to come back and just leave the door ajar, but then again, if I did need her. I could call her in her room using the monitor on my bedside table, so I drifted off to sleep.

But at 1 a.m. I was jolted awake by excruciating pain. It happens a lot at night, given that I don’t move and must lay in one position. In the dark I could see the tiny green light on the monitor, and so I called softly for my friend to come help me reposition my hips.

When she did not respond, I called again . . . and then a little louder. I reasoned to myself, “She must be sleeping very soundly.” So I yelled, but no answer. After a few minutes, my pain was really piercing! 

I said, “Lord, I’m never going to make it to morning laying here in this position in so much pain. Please help me wake her up!” And that’s when, in the dark, I drew a deep breath, and I screamed, “Help! Help me!” And the house was silent.

Now my heart was racing, because I was in terrible trouble, lying paralyzed in one position—stiff—knowing that morning was hours away. But before panic seized me, I recalled that promise on the slatted wood plaque: Joshua 1:9.

And so I prayed, “Jesus, it’s a promise. You told me to be strong and courageous. You’re going to be with me, and I need You to make good on this verse. Please help me keep anxiety away and to have courage!”

My head scrambled to remember other promises, and suddenly Psalm 18:6 popped to mind (I’m so grateful for all the verses I know by heart!) It says, “In my distress I called [out] to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” (NIV)

Well, being one who takes the Bible literally, God was telling me, “You’re to cry out to Me.” And so, lying in bed on my side and facing the wall, I cried out every Bible promise I could think of. I screamed them, hoping that my helper would hear me.

[Yelling] “Lord! You are my ever present help in this trouble! Your grace (I’m screaming) is sufficient! Your Name, Jesus, is a strong tow-e-e-r!” But still no answer, no response from my helper. And keeping as calm as I could, I continued to call out, cry out, to God for help, screaming to Him: “God! You! Will keep me! In perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee!”

“The one who stands firm to the end will be saved! I love the Lord, for He heard my voice! (yelling and panting) He heard my cry . . . for mercy!” I’m blaring out these promises for nearly an hour and my lungs were beginning to get tired. I mean, it would have been so easy for me to panic, but I encouraged myself.

I strengthened myself in the Lord knowing that if He chose not to wake up my helper (because we have a sovereign God, don’t we?) then He would give me enough grace to get me through until morning.

Krista Kirkendall: My name is Krista Kirkendall, and I’m from Lincoln, Nebraska. Joni was so good for me to get to even see the overflow of her life being in Scripture. It’s something we’ve been talking about as a group, just how special that is for her to have been building on that. It didn’t just happen overnight, but she’s been building for her life to be centered on the Word.

It’s just so cool to see that even in moments where she’s squeezed or hardships come up, that’s what comes out of her, God’s Word. That’s been a huge highlight of being inspired personally to really run hard after [His Word], memorizing it, and hiding it in my heart, and just knowing God’s Word really deeply.

Joni (at conference): But before my strength gave out entirely and I just gave up, I yelled one more promise: (deep breath) “God is for me! Never against me!” Just then, I heard a click on the monitor. I looked at the digital clock on the ceiling, it was almost two o’clock in the morning.

I heard footsteps running up the hallway. My helper burst into the room, breathless, apologizing and explaining that she had set the volume too low on her monitor. She quickly repositioned me. She thought I would be angry, but I told her it was okay . . . because God had given me what He had promised!

Dannah: We’re listening to some of the highlights of the recent national women’s conference, True Woman '22, sponsored by Revive Our Hearts and held last week in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our theme focused on the sovereignty of God through the simple phrase; Heaven Rules.

Dr. Karen Ellis (at conference): Do not miss these words!

Dannah: This is Dr. Karen Ellis. “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 ESV) We see Christ—the One who rules Heaven—submitting to Heaven’s rule! He’s in agony because He voluntarily took on flesh and experienced the worst of the worst in this life.

Now, this means that none of us can raise a fist at Him and cry, “You don’t know what it’s like to be me! You don’t know what it’s like, the darkness I feel!” No one can ever look at Jesus and cry out, “You don’t know my pain, my sorrow, my sadness, my confusion, my loneliness, my fear!” 

He knows! He took on flesh, and He walked the joys and the sorrows of our lives. Beloved sisters, He knows!

Nicola: My name is Nicola, and I’m from Scotland. Having watched the conferences on the livestream, it’s been such a blessing to be here in person, in that room, when all those women were together singing, and under teaching. It was just . . . what a privilege!

Women singing:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Michelle: The worship at True Woman '22 was led by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Here’s Kristyn.

Kristyn Getty: There’s something very special about these big events where there are lots of people singing at the same time. There was a gap there where we weren’t able to have it and where there wasn’t the same degree of congregational singing, so getting back into things it’s just such a joy to lead so many women in singing to one another and singing to the Lord.

Women singing:

Only thou art holy, there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Callie Archer: I am Callie Archer and I am from . . .

The time of worship has been really impactful for me, just singing the truths and the hymns that have been sung for thousands of years and knowing that so many believers before me have sung those same words.

Women singing:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.
All thy works shall praise thy name
In earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace.

Dannah: On Friday evening Shane and Shane led us in worship. It was a time dedicated to crying out to the Father on behalf of our country and our world. 

Women singing:

Call for songs of loudest praise . . .

Blair Linne (from conference):

Where are the wailing women?
Call for the wailing women to come and cry out
Since our nation lay in a casket
Tell them to come and mourn over her

Blair: My name is Blair Linne, and I’m from Philadelphia. I’ve had the privilege to be here this year and to be able to share readings and spoken word and also breakout called “Finding My Father.”

I just love being able to minister alongside these women who love Jesus. And the conference is bathed in prayer. I always want people to be pointed to Christ and know that Heaven rules!

Blair (from conference):
So, where are the women? 
The wailing women who will not be ashamed at His coming?

Blair: This concept of the wailing women which we see in Scripture . . . these women who are willing to come and pray, I think is needed now more than ever!

Blair (from conference):
Courage in their blood
Conviction in the back of their throat
Canon between their teeth
Ready to cut and cure

Blair: Something that I talk about in the piece that I wrote titled “Wailing Women” is just the state of our country in particular, here in the United States, and how many of us have really turned away from the Lord. And because of that, we see there is a moral decline that has happened in our country.

Blair (from conference):
See, we live in a world that tries to convince us
That a baby is not human life, because it’s in the womb 
But the secrets that America houses in her belly turned-morgue
In an attempt to deny Imago Dei
Will come back to haunt her on Judgment Day

Blair: Thank the Lord for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but my heart is that there are still women who need to see that this is human life and need to have options so that they will choose to say, “I’m going to keep my child,” and “This is a child!”

Blair (from conference):
Women, where are you?
It is time to pray!
It is time to weep and cry out to the Way 
Where are the women?
Call for the wailing women to come and cry out!

Michelle: I was extremely encouraged by Kay Arthur’s session, hearing her love for God’s Word, hearing the many years that she has put into spiritual disciplines of wanting to know God. It was just so evident in even her recall of Scripture and her encouragement to us as the younger generation.

Kay Arthur (at conference): One of my favorite truths about God is the fact that He rules over all, that He is the sovereign ruler of all the universe! Blessed are we who belong to the Lord and know and realize that we are daughters of the living God, and that God does according to His will in the army of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. None can stay His hand, and none can say to Him, “What doest Thou?” What He does is good and perfect and acceptable! (applause)

Dannah: Here’s Pastor Chris Brooks.

Pastor Chris Brooks (at conference): How many know today that it is God who is faithful? (applause) I’ve got an announcement to make that some of you are here because you want Jesus! Well, I have graduated beyond that point. I’m not here because I want Jesus. I’m here because I need Jesus! I need Thee, oh I need Thee. Every day andevery hour I need Thee! We need to grow in greater dependency upon God!

The difference between growth and natural age in the world and growth spiritually is, as you grow in natural age in the world, you grow more independent. But as you grow spiritually, you grow more dependent!

Dannah: Well, it’s no stretch for those of us who were at True Woman '22 last week to say, “Our hearts are full! Oh, so full!” In fact, in some ways I’ve gotta say it was like drinking out of a firehose! But each woman who attended left with some things that stuck, memories to hang onto, lessons to apply, and above all, the reminder that God is in charge—Heaven rules!

If you were there, I hope you are participating in the post-conference Cry Out! Challenge. We’re calling you to thirty days of earnest prayer for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.

If you already signed up you should be receiving an email each and every day with a Scripture passage, a brief devotional thought, and prayer prompts to direct your prayers. If you haven’t signed up though, it’s not too late.

Also, if you weren’t able to attend True Woman '22, you can still register and watch the entire conference online sometime between now and December 31. You’ll get full access to the full conference, including audio of all the breakout sessions.

To sign up for the Cry Out! 30 Day Prayer Challenge or register for full online access to True Woman '22, just go to ReviveOurHearts.com, or the number to call, as always, is 1-800-569-5959. 

Well, today is the last day of September—ah, time flies, I know! October is officially Pastor Appreciation Month. Have you thought about special ways you can reach out and honor those who shepherd your soul? Next week, Nancy is going to encourage us to do exactly that in a series she calls “Follow the Leaders.”

Have a great weekend, and then be back Monday for Revive Our Hearts.

Revive Our Hearts with Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is reminding you Heaven rules, and we’re calling you to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ!