A Captive Set Free

For now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. Nahum 1:13

Ever feel like your life is under someone else's control, manipulation, or influence? Ever feel like some habit has you in its grip? Nothing leaves us more defeated then when we are held captive by strongholds. It can be a person, a habit, a generational bent, a thought pattern, or strong desires that rear their ugly heads.

We hear a lot today about addictions. Something that has a grip on your life of which you are not free. I use to buy into the lie that certain things would always have me in bondage. But today, Scripture reminds me that God is still in the business of setting captives free. It is not His desire that I stay bound. As I raise the shackles of my life to Him, He not only possesses the key to unlock them, He takes them away and destroys them. Their presence and effect on me need no longer hold sway.

Every day can be an emancipation proclamation from those things, attitudes, and people who have me enslaved....or rather that I have voluntarily put myself under their control. May I be honest enough with myself and God to admit my bondage and addictions. May I be willing to confess any known sin that feeds the stronghold. And may I allow God to do His work of freedom and restoration in me. The truth does set me free indeed!

God, You alone can help me live in freedom. I come to You. Amen.

Darkness Into Light

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them undone. Isaiah 42:16

There was a time I walked in spiritual blindness and darkness. Before accepting Christ, I was blind to God, His Word, and His gift of salvation. My only Bible knowledge was that God had created the Heavens and the Earth, and that Adam and Eve were the first two people whom He created. That was it! I could not have told you anything about Jesus and what He did on the cross for each of us. I could not have told you a book of the Bible, the name of a person from the Bible, or the simplest Bible story. However, once I accepted Christ, I began reading the Bible and a whole new world was opened up to me.

Thirty years later I found myself with spiritual blindness and darkness once again. Although I knew many stories and principles from Scripture and I knew Jesus as my Savior, my Christian life was empty and what I believed about God was distorted. I could not walk in joy and peace when (to me) God seemed like a harsh judge with folded arms and One who tolerated me more than loved me. I feared Him, seldom read His Word, and sporadically prayed. From time to time there were brief moments of spiritual highs but they did not last.

I was blind to God's love for me. Blind to the fact that His love was NOT dependent on what I did. Blind to seeing His heart in Scripture. Blind to true freedom in Christ. Blind to living my life daily connected to the heart of God. The day I began to learn and embrace the truth about God and the Christian life was the day I sensed God's leading and guiding in my life. The light came on and the terrain changed.

Meeting with God each morning is now a high-light of my day. Prayer is now a conversation that runs both ways. Opening Scripture is now looked forward to and regular. My identity is found in Christ and I am guided by His Spirit instead of a list of do's and don'ts. My eyes have been opened as the "scales" of legalism have fallen. My hearing is no longer dulled to the voice of God.

Father, this is what You have always wanted for me. I am not the same person I was two years ago. Continue to do Your work in me. Amen.

Feeling Like I Belong

This one will say, "I am the LORD'S," and that one will call on the name of Jacob; and another will write on his hand, "Belonging to the LORD," and will name Israel's name with honor. Isaiah 44:5


It is important to not only know who we are but also to Whom we belong. We live in a fallen world where some nations are ruled by tyrants and dictators. They are known for their cruelty, harshness, bondage, and greed. Their subjects are wanted only for what they can contribute. Worth and value have to be earned but are not permanent. They can be replaced at any time and rarely get a nod of approval.

Some animal owners are known for their cruelty as well. The pets are not cared for, talked to, enjoyed, or loved. Neglect and shame are the "blankets" they curl up on.

Some employers rarely acknowledge a job well done. Compliments are unheard of while condemnation and criticism abound. Workers strain under the weight of disapproving stares and cold shoulders. Encouraging words would go a long way!

The list could go on and on. As you ponder the people whose authority you are under and you look at the kind of leaders they are, you either smile or groan. But in today's verse I can sense the joy and security that abound as people proclaim who they belong to! Scripture is full of God's character qualities that leave us feeling very much loved and cared for.

God is shown as a loving Father, a tender Shepherd, a solid Rock, a safe Shelter, a compassionate King, a close Friend, a triumphant Savior, and a protective Brother. When life gets hard and no one seems to be able or willing to give you what you want or need, it is imperative to look to your Restorer, Redeemer, and Reconciler. His internal work in you starts a chain reaction that is incredible!

Father, may I learn to truly brag on You. May I proclaim with passion that I belong to You! Amen.

He Has Me Covered

I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you. Isaiah 42:6

Each of us wants to know that we are not alone in this life. When I first began this journey with God two years ago, God brought a person into my life to encourage and instruct me. She metaphorically took my hand and said, "I will walk with you." All along, I have appreciated her wisdom and counsel. It has made a huge difference in my life.

How precious it is then for me to read this verse and see God's tenderness toward me as well. While these words originally pertained to Christ, they are whispered to each of us as believers. I sense a gentleness in God's voice as He reassuringly says, "I have called you, I will hold your hand, and I will watch over you." I have sensed His hand and His watchful eye during some of the darkest moments as well as the mountaintop experiences.

This morning I am touched by His individual, personal involvement in my life. What I failed to find in my earthly father, I embrace and adore in my heavenly Father. His tenderness, compassion, and protection leave me in awe. I picture a daddy with a toddler who is just learning to walk. He towers over his little one, bends over him from behind, holds his hands for support, and watches every move he makes.

I remember when my spiritual legs were wobbly. Each step felt uncertain. There was so much I was letting go of but His hands were there to hold on to. Now the journey has gotten more intense and my grip has tightened. God's hands have remained available and strong. He has not taken His eyes off me. His presence has been felt.

Father, I feel at times that I am so young in You. May I never walk independently of Your hand or Your eye. Amen.

A Change of Teachers

A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40

In the spring of 2004 I came across a person who possessed everything I lacked in my own Christian life. She was secure in who she was in Christ, she knew God loved her in an incredible way, she was free to be who God called her to be, and she lived connected to the heart of God. It took all of 5 minutes for me to say, “I want what she has!” It became my passion to learn everything I could from her. The questions I had for her were endless. The answers and suggestions she had for me were endless as well.

A student/teacher relationship has the most powerful results when the desire to learn and the passion to teach are both present. The thing I wanted to learn the most from my “teacher” was how to have a walk with God like hers. I wanted to know how to go to God with my needs. I wanted to allow God to give me my identity. I wanted to know what it was like to talk to God and hear Him speak to me as well. I wanted God’s Word to come alive to me. I wanted God to be everything to me! And these were the very things she was willing to teach me.

For two years she mentored me and it was intense. Many emails, phone calls, and discussions later I had taken in more information than I knew what to do with. She had poured life lessons into me and I walked equipped for a journey I had no idea I was about to enter. There came a time though when she stepped back as my mentor and placed me in God’s classroom. My first reaction was terror because of how dependent I had become on her. But with time I saw the necessity of her decision. For in order to have what I first saw in her I had to learn to look to God as my Teacher. Ultimately for me, walking with God was only possible when there was no longer another source to whom I could look.

Jesus’ words of being like my teacher are an encouragement to me when I see God as my Teacher. No amount of rubbing shoulders with others will give me what God desires to give me on His own….one on one!

Father, the most painful time in my life has led me into a relationship with You that I never dreamed was possible. Thank you for the wisdom of a mentor who knew when to step back and place me under Your instruction. Teach me! Amen.

Available Now

I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3

I find it interesting that God sends the refreshment of water and streams to the thirsty and dry places. Each of us have times when we are in a spiritual desert place. God does not say, "Hold on and as soon as you get through this season I have refreshment waiting for you." NO! He is a loving heavenly Father who refreshes us IN THE MIDST of the desert and wilderness. I have experienced this very thing many times.

Not too long ago, I found myself in a place of doubt, discouragement, condemnation, and fear. I don't like being there! When it is over I can see where the attacks come from and who is behind them. But in the midst of such times I cannot see it. I rest in the fact that as I mature in my faith I will see what is happening when it is happening. Even so, God is faithful to send refreshment.

He uses encouraging emails from friends who say they are praying for me. Those reminders bring tears to my eyes because I have come to experience the comfort and strength of such prayers. Refreshment comes from a good night’s sleep. As I wake throughout the night I am able to ask God to once again hold me and help me. By morning my strength is renewed. There is also the music. Musical reminders of God's presence, guidance, and love!

As I write this, I know I am still facing circumstances that are uncomfortable but I feel like I have come upon a well. I have stopped for a moment, drawn some living water, and taken a long, deep drink. I reflect upon the love of God and friends and once again sense the nearness of Christ. I know the attacks from the enemy will come again but each time a well awaits me.

Father, many times You have ministered to me in special ways. May Your voice always be more apparent than the voice of my enemy. Amen.

A Victor Instead of a Victim

That they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:20

It is a comforting thought to see God's involvement in our lives. Many people live under the dread of feeling they are victims to the control of others. I can think of many Bible characters who could have easily felt like pawns and puppets forced to endure other people's treatments, whims, and choices for their lives. Joseph from the Old Testament and Paul from the New Testament easily come to mind as well as Jesus Himself. But each was able to see God's fingerprints in every circumstance and situation they found themselves in. They desired to keep their eyes on Him until the full story was revealed.

I know God is up to something in my life as well as in my family. How reassuring that He wants me to see His hand and creation in all of it. I may not be able to trust every person I come into contact with. I may not enjoy the consequences of my choices and other people's actions and choices toward me and for me, but there is a peace and strength that come from realizing they are not really in control. Compared to God, they have small parts in the drama of my life.

It is an amazing feeling to realize I no longer feel like a nobody in God's kingdom. Like a lost face in a crowd. Each one of us holds a special place in God's heart and mind. We are precious and unique to Him. I don't want to miss any part of His plan for my life. I want to sense that each day is an adventure with Him. Each difficulty is an opportunity to draw close to Him and be strengthened by Him. If I go through a situation now and feel attacked I know He will not reject me. When I face the uncertainties of life I know He is my security. In His kingdom, in His hands, and in His design I am not a victim ~ I am a victor!

Father, I am Yours and my life is Yours. I love You. I trust You. Amen.