Freedom.

Luke 7:36-56

This was such an awesome text for me and God revealed so much to me through it. 

Just to brief you, one of the Pharisees had invited Jesus over for dinner. A sinful woman heard about Him being there and she went there with her alabaster box of perfume. She came in and she was pouring out to Jesus. She was so desperate for a renewal and refreshing. She was at Jesus' feet crying, wiping her tears off with HER HAIR. (She wasn't worried about being cute, she wasn't worried about a fresh flat iron or curls falling.)  She poured her good perfume on His feet. To me that showed surrender. That showed that she was willing to give Him her all and show Him just how serious she was!  When the Pharisee that invited Jesus over to dinner saw this, he was trying to figure out how he was letting this "sinful woman" be all over Him like that.  (Verse 39) The awesome thing about what happened after that showed me that you don't always have to fight your battles. He will intervene for you. You don't have to prove yourself to people looking on the outside. When everyone else writes you off, He comes in and intercedes and comes to your rescue! He shows His power! Let Him fight your battles. Just keep on pressing into Him! Keep on worshipping with all you got! Keep giving your all and watch HIM elevate you, heal you, free you, love you like no other in spite of! 

Jesus gave Simon a straightening. He basically told him that from the moment that woman came to Him, she was showing how desperate she was. She had been at His feet crying and pouring out to Him. She was giving her all. She honored Him. She kissed His feet and poured her perfume on Him. He was like ummmm you didn't do any of that. Jesus gave Simon a good reminder that He came into HIS house on HIS invitation, and he didn't even greet Him that way. 

People will try to bring up all your bad when you're trying to do good! When you're trying to push through and get past all the old things, people will try to remind you and others of WHAT YOU USED TO DO! They will see all your wrong, but won't even be sweeping up their own mess. Don't worry about who's spectating. Stop worrying about and being ashamed of your past. Stop being ashamed of your process. Don't worry about who knows what because if you go to Jesus and sincerely repent and turn away from the old things, YOU ARE FORGIVEN AND FREE!  Don't let people keep you in bondage just because they have a problem with LETTING GO! Honey if you want to keep replaying my past, know it's just that, MY PAST! I'm stepping into something new. Every human is flawed in one way or another. There's NO EXCEPTION. 

JESUS told her "your sins are forgiven." (Verse 48) Then he told her "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." I love how he told her to "go in peace" because He knew there were still going to be people talking. There were still going to be people trying to downtalk, downplay, and discredit her encounter with Him. There were still going to be people that couldn't accept her moving forward. There were going to be times where people and things tried to get her to feel bad about her past. BUT NO! When JESUS freed her, that was it. All that mess was forgiven and she was no longer in bondage. That old person was no longer her. I can't say this enough, DON'T LET PEOPLE KEEP YOU BOUND! Don't let your negative thoughts keep you bound. Rejoice over your past. You know why? Because your past is OVER! 

Instead of feeling bad about the things you've done, say thank you Jesus for opening my eyes and allowing me to see that what I was doing was hindering me and not helping me. Thank You Jesus for loving me unconditionally and seeing how bad I wanted to be free. 

He sees your heart. Even if nobody else sees when you're in your quiet time praying and crying and speaking over your life, He does. When you put your faith into action, He will show up and do His part. 

It doesn't matter if it was just yesterday that you were doing something you know you had no business, if you want that true change, GO TO HIM! Even if the people who you were doing it with try to say "weren't you just out here last night doing such and such with me?" Again, DON'T LET PEOPLE KEEP YOU BOUND!!! Yes it's going to take consistency and dedication, but when you want it, YOU GO GET IT!!! 

I pray that these scriptures encourage you. Let this woman and Jesus' encounter help you to realize that at the end of the day, He sees the heart! Even if not a single soul on this Earth ever believe you're genuine, keep pressing into Him! Keep going to Him with all you have and know that He will meet you right where you are. 

I encourage you to read the text for yourself. The word is so awesome. Let Him take you deeper and give you wisdom and understanding that no man can! 

Get free and stay free. 

Who the son sets free, HE IS FREE INDEED! 

Reminder.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don't Stop!

Don't stop now. Don't stop fighting now. I know you're overwhelmed. I know you're burned out. I know you're tired. I know it's hard to find that inner motivation at times. I know you're working your butt off and trying to do things the right way. I know you're wondering WHEN? HOW? WHY? I know it seems like nobody truly understands. I know it's seems like you just can't catch a break. I know it's seems like the people that purposely pursue wrong are on the come up. I know it seems like things work out so flawlessly for others. I know it seems like you just always end up getting the short end of the stick. I know you desire more. I know you desire better. I know you want things to just FINALLY WORK OUT! 

Listen. I hear you. I feel you. I get it! BUT! Please don't give up. Please don't keep looking around and comparing because you probably wouldn't want "that" if you knew the real story behind it. Please don't let the words of the enemy's negativity linger. Please don't stop trusting. Stand firm! Lift your head back up! Decide that no matter what it looks like, you're going to KEEP GOING! Remember that God is greater than whatever it is. Remember that there are lessons to be learned. Remember that God can't prune you and build you if you aren't willing to grow and push through the less than ideal situations. This test that you're encountering right now HAS TO BE PASSED! You have to get through this stage to get promoted to the next. 

I know it seems rough right now. Heck, God knows it IS rough, but as long as you're still breathing, please know IT'S NOT OVER! 

So again, keep going! Keep praying! Keep praising. Yes right here in the midst of it all! 

You are more than a conqueror and where you are weak, HE IS STRONG! 

 

 

 

We Need You.

It's not always easy to continue pushing. It's not always easy to reframe your thinking when that fear and doubt creeps up. It's not always easy to think positively when so much negativity surrounds. It's not always easy to be patient. It's not always easy to pray. It's not always easy to have faith. It's not always easy to get up and take action. It's not always easy to have to self motivation. It's not always easy to not let the opinions of others affect us. It's not always easy to not conform to the ways of this world. It's not always easy to be strong. It's not always easy to just let God be God...

BUT GOD! Thank You for replacing your strength with our weaknesses. Thank You for allowing us to freely cast ALL of our cares on You because You care for us. Thank You for providing in big ways and in small ways. Thank You for understanding that we are so imperfect, yet you still LOVE us. Thank You for breathing an extra dose of patience on us when we're at the end of the rope. Thank You for stepping in right on time. Thank You for protecting us even when we don't protect ourselves. Thank You for your wisdom and understanding. You see the bigger picture. Thank You for constantly being a light in such a dark place. Thank You for Your spirit. Thank You for the constant reminders that YOU ARE GOD AND NOTHING OR NO ONE WILL EVER COMPARE. 

Please help us. We need You. Even when we think we have things under control, we still need You. Help us to run to YOU before we run to anything or anyone else. Help us to truly know You for who You are. Give us an understanding that only you can give. When you reveal Yourself, make it crystal clear. Help us to be on alert and not miss You. 

Amen. 

Day 17.

YOU'RE THE JOY NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY.

YOU'RE THE PEACE INSIDE I CANT EXPLAIN.

Day 12.

Thank You for helping me to reframe my mind. Thank You for constantly bringing me peace when I feel overwhelmed. Thank You for revelation when reading Your word. Thank You for helping me to feel hopeful in a seemingly hopeless situation. Thank You for an extra dose of patience when dealing with the struggles of raising my son on my own. Thank You for the time I'm able to spend with Him. Thank You for completely changing my outlook on his "nagging" and constant need for attention. Thank You for His health. Thank You for everything you've done, everything you're doing, and everything that I have to look forward to. Keep me rooted in You! Keep me focused. Keep me humble. Thank You for the wait. Please don't let me miss the lessons in this all. Thank You for Your strength. Thank You for Your favor.

No matter what, help me to press on! Help me to keep the zeal. Help me to get back up when I fall. Help me to cast down EVERY single thought of negativity. 

Thank You for my life. The good. The bad. And the not so pretty. Just simply...THANK YOU! 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Day 8.

Keep Fighting 

Today was such a great reminder that although the enemy is definitely real, GOD and His power is SO much more real. 

Instead of Pastor Raley preaching today, there was a little skit presented that emphasized on the scripture that he read. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This also just makes me think about the verses 

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes we don't even realize just how the enemy is trying to ruin us. We get so down and don't even want to fight back. I was reminded today that even at your absolute lowest, God is still able to make a complete turn around in that situation. 

Praying that we continue to call on God even when we feel defeated. Even when it looks like we've messed up too badly. The enemy would love for you to stay in a slump. He would love for you to stay down and out. He would love for you to turn from God instead of running to Him. DON'T give into His plan. No matter how many times you fall or make the same mistake over and over, don't allow that to make you feel like you can't go back to God because you've already asked for forgiveness in that area. 

God is so gracious and that's the beautiful thing about His UNCONDITIONAL love! So get back up! Get out of that slump! Get your fighting gloves back on and stop running! With God on your side, YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED!!