That Which Sets Us Free

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." He said to her, "Go, call your husband and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have correctly said, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." John 4:15-18 (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus pinpointed the area of struggle and shame in this unnamed woman’s story. It was the turning point of the conversation as well as her life. What she may have had no intention of sharing with a “stranger” was exactly what she opened up about to Him. What was hidden in the well of her heart flowed out with her words. Her sense of freedom, forgiveness, and wholeness was only possible with her honesty. When a person has no more to hide, it is then that they stop hiding and start living. It was true of this Samaritan woman and it is true of us as well.

So knowing this, what makes it so difficult for us to be honest and open with the people in our life? I am pondering that question in the early hours of this morning. One year ago today was my “woman at the well” experience with a trusted friend. The one thing I vowed I would NEVER discuss with her became part of our conversation and I sat in disbelief at what was coming out of my mouth. I was sharing not only a very personal aspect of myself but one that housed me in a robe of guilt, shame, disgust, and cringing. It was my personal demon of struggle and admitting it put me in a place of vulnerability and fear. I felt exposed, weak, defenseless, and susceptible admitting my well guarded secret and I was gripped with fear that sharing it would cause this person to walk away and sever the ties of our friendship. I was prepared for the worst but it never transpired. Instead of rejection I received acceptance. Instead of a lost relationship I received the assurance that we would walk through this issue together with God in the center. Instead of seeing my expectations played out I was given the hope of friendship, freedom, and a fresh start. I feared the worst but got the best and my mind desperately tried to wrap itself around the preciousness of it all. I am not the same person I was a year ago. The friendship has continued and slowly but surely more victories are coming. Neither is possible without honesty.

I learned that fear is my greatest hindrance to living the full life. It hinders me in my relationships, in taking risks, in being adventurous, and in living the life out of each moment. To be ruled by all the “what ifs” that I can think of is imprisonment of the worst kind because it places me behind walls of distrust and lies. Last year, Jesus gave me the key to my own freedom and I used it. Each time I choose to take continual steps forward the result is always best! May I never go back again!

Father, quiet any voices in me that would seek to recapture and imprison me. May Your love continue to cast out any and all fear. Amen.

Who Am I? - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Gaining Control

Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, even because of my inward agitation. Job 20:2 (New American Standard Bible)

Zophar’s words to Job speak volumes to me this morning, for I, too, can find myself responding to my own disquieting thoughts and inward agitations. I am amazed how frequently I can allow those very things to control me, my outlook on life, my view of others, and my opinion of myself. The odd thing about it is that it usually has to do with things I don’t really know for sure but perceive to be true none the less. Case in point, what another people might or might not be thinking of me. Due to my own weaknesses, internal wounds, and inconsistent emotions, I can often decide that others think the worst of me, yet the truth of the matter is that I don’t really know what they are thinking. The enemy loves to see me play mental gymnastics that lead no where but down. He loves for me to draw the conclusion that I am not loved, wanted, or even liked by others, and then proceed to withdraw into my own little world of self loathing, fear, and abandonment. Unmet needs, expectations, and longings become the fodder that I can mentally feed upon and the scene plays out like a tragedy.

A conversation with a friend via the internet last night helped me to see the dangers of this tendency as well as a way to get myself back on the right track spiritually and emotionally. I was reminded of the necessity to let go of past hurts and disappointments, to think on what I know to be true, and by the grace of God, to live out the things God has been teaching me. For me, each of those things become decisions I have to make regarding where I allow my mind to dwell. I cannot afford to review unchangeable history. The whys and what ifs are too numerous and unproductive at best. When I presume to know what another person is thinking I must see that as a form of judging on my part and take myself off the throne upon which only God has the ability to sit. I have to choose to meditate on what God says and thinks about me, which is ultimately where my true identity is based. Freedom and growth will come for me as I implement these things into my life the NEXT time the battle of my mind is raging, I am faced with unfounded perceptions, or I am tempted to withdraw into my own emotional cocoon.

Life is too short and the opportunities to live an abundant life in Christ are too many to continue living in a defeated mode. It is time once again to put on the armor of truth, righteousness, peace, and faith so that I can move forward in my Christian life, enjoy and love the people in my life, and be productive in the kingdom work of my Heavenly Father.

Father, help me to now live what I have just written in this devotional. Help me to make the right choices. The wise choices. The necessary choices. Amen.

JESUS,Lover of my soul (it's all about You)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Letting it Show

And Mary said, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46,47 (New American Standard Bible)

Mary is not waiting until she holds her promised child in her hands to start rejoicing…..she is expressing her praise now! She knows the importance and necessity of giving voice to the truth. Her very words are the expression of the praise already felt in her soul and spirit….the very essence of who she is. I am trying to picture in my mind her body language and facial expressions as she speaks such words of and to her heavenly Father. I picture her to be much like David in the Old Testament who had very lively moments of praise to God.

When we are passionate, excited, and intense about something or someone it shows on our faces. It is seen in the way we walk and talk. It affects our whole demeanor. I often wonder how the same people who are so animated and expressive at sporting events, get togethers, and special activities can be so passive and stoic in a worship service. I realize personality plays a lot into this, but even an introvert will laugh at a good joke, smile at the greeting of a dear friend, and reveal the joy of their heart by the expression on their face.

When you go to church, look around at others. What do their faces tell you? Is there a look of celebration over the goodness of God? Is the joy evident? Is there a hint of a smile? Most of the time? Some of the time? Any of the time? Or does it more resemble a funeral? I don’t say any of this to be harsh or judgmental. I actually say it with sadness and confusion. I really wonder why many worship services have been reduced to such somber and solemn assemblies. If our eyes are truly windows to our souls than our whole face (expressions and all) must be wide open doors!

Each day we should ask God to give us the outward expression that denotes a passionate, excited, and lively internal world that is consumed with Him. I am not talking about a fake, plastered on smile. I am talking about authentic joy spilling out of us in an evident, noticeable way. Take my word for it, people will not only notice it but they will comment on it as well. Why? Because it is so rare out in the world as well as in the house of God. May God help us to change!

Father, may You ignite such a passion in us today that there is a noticeable difference in our expression, words, and countenance. Amen.

Come, Now is the Time to Worship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELdQ66LK5Qw&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Fulfilling His Word

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1:45 (New American Standard Bible)

We have many promises made to us in Scripture. Our hope of salvation and spending eternity in Heaven is one such promise. Many are the moments in our life when we remember God’s promises to protect us, never forsake us, carry us, deliver us, work in us, glorify Himself in us, and direct our paths. We are assured that His will and purpose are definitely going to come about in our life. As nice as these are and as much as I rely on them to settle my heart, there is a part of me that envies the people in the Bible who got direct words spoken to them from angels. They were told specific things that would come about and they lived to see the fulfillment of those promises. What a blessing that would be!

While I have never had an angel interrupt my day or my life I did have an experience with God’s Word that I love to revisit from time to time. I went to a ladies’ event in the spring of 2005 which required an overnight stay in a motel room. I had been on my journey with God for about a year and was learning truths that astounded me! When I got to my room that night I knelt by my bed, opened my Bible at random, and without looking at the page I simply rested my head on my Bible and began praying over a number of things. I was hungry to hear something specific for me! I wasn’t in the practice of opening my Bible at random and I was so grateful for the many things God had already been doing in my life. When I did finally look at my Bible I was surprised to see that I had opened it to a part in 2 Chronicles.

My eyes fell on the last phrase of 2 Chronicles 25:9 which says, “The LORD has much more to give you than this.” Although I didn’t know the full ramifications of that phrase for me personally, I took it as a promise none the less. It was my assurance that God would continue to stretch my faith, teach me more about Himself, open up knew opportunities to serve Him, and keep me going on an incredible journey with Him that would only get better. This was over four years ago and I can’t wait to see what the “much more” is for me!

Father, You were so gracious to give me such a special verse. I follow You with abandon and anticipate Your good intentions toward me! Amen.

God Will Make a Way - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

　

From Within the Womb

For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Luke 1:44 (New American Standard Bible)

I find this verse to be interesting because it shows me a precious womb experience. In her sixth month of pregnancy, Elizabeth knows that the baby in her womb responds with joy to the sound of Mary’s voice. The greeting that reached her ears reached her baby as well.

I have read how much is being discovered about the experiences of infants in their mother’s womb. There is much that affects them. They react differently to soothing music as opposed to harsh, loud, heavy beat music. The stress or peace of a mother affects them. Just like the food a mother eats, the drugs she takes, the alcohol she consumes, the cigarettes she smokes affects her unborn child so do the emotional environments. It is said that even the feelings the mother has toward her own pregnancy are felt by the infant.

As I study Scripture I see the preciousness of God’s involvement with us when we were still in our mother’s womb. There are numerous verses that tell me that while I was in the womb God called me, held me, carried me, formed me, covered me, guided me, and made mention of my name! This tells me that God has a special message for me to embrace about my own conception and womb experience. I was planned for, wanted, desired, and willed into existence by a loving heavenly Father! That is meant to over ride any negative messages I may have taken in before I took my first breath. In other words, God’s re-parenting skills can even go back to the womb.

While all of this is precious to know I was reminded this morning of how quickly Satan can counterfeit this teaching. I decided to see if the internet had sites pertaining to womb experiences. I had the option of two sites. While they said some interesting things I quickly saw some danger. One site led me to the idea that we don’t need to search for God because we are God. The other wasted no time in introducing the concept of reincarnation. My knowledge of Scripture showed me the error of both schools of thought. I must always compare what I hear and read with the Word of God. Then and only then am I safe.

Father, Your Word remains the litmus test for truth. May I be quick to see the counterfeits that are out there and embrace what You say. Amen.

He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkw3a4raWfg

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

The Certainty of Departures

And Mary said, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 (New American Standard Bible)

Mary’s questions have been asked, her heart has been settled and the next six words have a profound effect on me. I am not sure how long it took Gabriel to deliver his message, walk through the process of Mary digesting his message, and then depart. It may have just been a few minutes. No longer than it took me to read the thirteen verses that cover the event. But his visit was life changing and life defining for Mary. I wonder how often she replayed this day in her mind and delighted in the uniqueness of it all.

People come and go in our life. For some it is a brief encounter. For others it may span many years. I am one who enjoys relationships! I love to recall how God allowed my path to cross with particular people. My memories of them are sweet and I revel in the times we have shared. I marvel at the many friendships that have come my way. Some have blown my mind! But all are marked with the words found in this verse. Eventually they depart. Whether it is through death, a move, or a change in the relationship our involvement in each other’s life is diminished, altered, or discontinued all together.

As I learn to analyze these moments in my life, I begin to see the patterns each relationship goes through. I am convinced God has specific purposes for the individuals He brings into my life. Many times I may not fully realize the purpose until I look back over the time frame of the relationship. It is then that I can see specific messages they were meant to deliver to me about God, myself, or life in general. I also begin to see the intensity of the relationship is usually for a certain amount of time. I must be as willing to release this person as I was to embrace them. I must come to the place when I can fully accept God’s time frame for their involvement in my life and vice versa. Then they become a gift to be treasured instead of a loss to be grieved. It is a process I have to work on and I don’t always walk in victory, but it is worth it when I embrace the truth of it all.

Each change also reminds me of the constant presence of God. He never departs. As I cultivate my relationship with Him I am more able to fully appreciate the relationships with others in the ways He meant them to be.

Father, thank you for the dear people you have brought into my life. May I see them as Your messengers and hear their messages clearly. Amen.

Love That Won't Walk Away - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZioqjmmtK3U

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

God's Invitation to Trust

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:3-5 (New American Standard Bible)

Sandwiched between the double use of the word trust are the practical aspects of our trust. Dwelling in the place God has put us. Cultivating faithfulness to Him. Delighting ourselves in Him. Committing our journey to Him. When any of those things is missing from our daily relationship with Him we flounder and stumble.

I find myself struggling the most with the steps of my faith when confronted with my weaknesses and the reality of present heart issues. When the truth of where I am at on my journey is not as far as I would like to be. When my actions and reactions reveal flesh more than faith. Those are the times disappointment in myself becomes my foe and my focus. Those are the times when I need to once again review the heart and character of my heavenly Father.

Last night, one small (seemingly insignificant) item grabbed my attention and caused an aspect of my heart to be revealed. That exposure turned into a battle which played out like so many before it. Disheartened by the heart issue as well as my response to it, I quickly resumed the very attitude I want so badly to avoid. It became a test whereby I had no trouble seeing exactly where I was at spiritually and emotionally. Why? Because God requires truth in the inward parts and unless I see the truth of my internal world I will mistakenly live with a false sense of security and seeming victory. He was simply showing me what He knows to be the true state of my heart. In time, that revelation always brings me back to a fresh awareness of how much I need Him.

This morning, He is calling me to trust Him once again. Trust His unconditional love. Trust His compassions and mercies toward me. Trust His willingness to forgive. Trust His acceptance of me. Trust His ability to bring victory. Trust His promise to never leave me. Trust His readiness to welcome me back. Trust His patience. Trust His methods. Trust His timing. Trust His ability to satisfy. Trust His availability. Trust His heart.

Father, it hurts to see the truth and yet it is the doorway to freedom. Trust is the key that opens that door. Help me to trust You in ways that will bring about the freedom and healing I seek. Amen.

Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You? - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.