Freedom!

Oh, Lord, You have freed me from my chains!

Hallelujah!

Thank You, Jesus that You came, not only to forgive me for my sins, but that You also came to free me, heal me, and restore my joy!

When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed His intentions by quoting Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed
me

to preach good news to the
poor.

He has sent me to bind up
the

brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom
for

the
captives

and release from darkness
for

the
prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the
Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of
our God,

to comfort all who
mourn,

and provide for those who
grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of
beauty

instead of
ashes,

the oil of
gladness

instead of
mourning,

and a garment of
praise

instead of a spirit of
despair.

Are you experiencing any chains in your life? Anything that is holding you down, keeping you imprisoned?

A sin that you cannot break free from?

Doubt?

Fear?

Unbelief?

Jesus came to set the captives free- to break any chains that bind us.

Jesus came so that, in a relationship with Him, we find freedom. We experience joy. He wants to heal us, restore us.

Breathe on Me, O Breath of God

Looking over some of my older posts, I found this one and decided to republish it. It is still the CRY of my heart!
Oh, Lord, how I need You. How I want to be purified in You, by You. Lord, I want to pour out all of me and be filled with You. Lord, create in me a new heart. I have a vision of who You created me to be, who I want to be....... How I want more of You. How I want to be more like You, Christ Jesus. Change me, mold me, transform me. Draw me to You, Lord.

Words from "Father, Blessed Father" by the Newsboys

"Will You take what we have
A sacrifice unto You
Then create clean hearts
And, Lord, make our spirits new"
Oh, Lord, take my heart and make my heart and spirit new. There are so many things I want to change. I know You have created me to rise above these things. I am an eagle flying above.....
Take what I have as a sacrifice, I make myself a living sacrifice..... I fall so short, I need You.

"Father, blessed Father,
Lead and guide us for Your name's sake
And keep us in the shelter of Your presence
'Till we see Your face"
Lord, yes! Lead me and guide me. When I am foolishly going my own way, stop me and guide me in the right direction. I want to hide in the shelter of Your wings- in Your presence. Oh, how I long for Your presence..... How I want to see Your face........ I need You, God!

"Let us hear what You say
Let us know Your voice and all Your ways
Take our hands, lead us home
To the refuge that we find in You alone"
Father, I long for Your voice, leading me and guiding me. I know it is in You and You ALONE where I find refuge. Let all the other voices around me become so dim so that I can only hear You.... How I love You, Father!

"All adoration
To our Lord Redeemer
To our Shepherd
Who carries us forevermore"

All adoration to You, my God! I adore You! You alone are worthy of my praise! I am speechless, I can't find the word that would be worthy, adequate to describe my love, gratitude, amazement that You are my Savior. You save me over and over......... Will I ever stop needing to be rescued? Thank You that You are the Shepherd that carries me forever..... I thank You that I am not walking alone, but being carried by You, my precious Lord.

"Breathe on me
Breathe, oh, Breath of God
Breathe, oh Breath of Life
Breathe on me
Till my heart is new
Oh Lord, oh Lord
Till my heart is new"
Until my heart is new............


Father, thank You. Thank You for loving me, someone so unworthy. You make me new. You wash me clean. I am righteous. I am holy. Not because of me or anything I could ever do... Only because of Your love. Your love, it amazes me. No matter how many times I mess up, stumble and fall, You are there, picking me up, brushing me off, making me clean. How can You love me so? Oh, Lord, I am nothing without You. Thank You. Thank You.

Father, change my heart. Purify me. Take away every impatient attitude. Every selfish motive and desire. Take away my critical spirit. Take away my love of SELF. Take every jealous thought, every ungrateful attitude.

Make my heart like You- generous, gentle, kind, long-suffering and patient. I long to be gentle and humble and compassionate. Help me to react to people the way You would. Help me to be slow to speak, slow to get angry, and quick to listen. Help me Lord, to radiate You, Your love, Your gentleness, kindness, goodness........ I want Your rivers of life to overflow from me unto everyone I touch, everyone I meet. Breathe on me, O Breath of God. Breath on me until my heart is new. Breathe on me.....Breathe on me.........Breath of Life, until my heart is new. Breath on me……breathe on me……….breathe on me………….

Thank you, Jesus!

Spiritual Mothers.....

Let's ponder together these questions:

How can we mentor in ways that are pleasing to God?

How can we be sure the word of God is not maligned in the way we mentor and learn?

One of the most important aspects of mentoring is the motive behind what we are say. Are we mentoring in love, building strong, healthy relationships and sharing authentically, or do we tend to be a self-righteous, bossy "know-it-all" because the attitude of our heart is not right? Do we live what we say? Are we encouraging? Are we trying to point out others' flaws (like Joyce Meyer will put it- are we trying to be "Holy Ghost Jr."?) just for the sake of "being right"?

The most important way to mentor in a way pleasing to God is to LISTEN to God! We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, following His lead. There will be times when He calls us to open our mouths to encourage, but also to rebuke, challenge, train, and correct by His Word (2 Timothy 3:16). But, there will also be times when the Holy Spirit calls us to SHUT UP and just live out our example, loving and serving those we mentor. They will SEE with our deeds. They will learn by our love.

One of the ways to make sure the Word of God is not maligned in the way we mentor is to LIVE what we say. As Titus says, "Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good."

God gave me quite an example over the weekend. My girls and I had a "Girls' Night" because all the boys in our home had weekend retreats. So, my 10 yr. old invited 2 friends and my 8 year old invited a friend and we went off to the Hannah Montana movie. Well, I had purchased the tickets in advance and there was a miscommunication. I thought I bought 5 kids' tickets and 1 adult. The lady behind me and I laughed at how "brave" I was. When we arrived, we running a little late and needed to buy the popcorn and get in quickly before the previews began. The girls were excited and when I handed the tickets to the usher, we were laughing and we didn't notice that I was one short.

But, I noticed in the movie theater. The movie was starting, so I decided to think about it afterwards. At first I kind of brushed it off, thinking that I probably had enough tickets. But, during the movie, I kept thinking it. At one point, I told myself, "Tracy, would you risk losing your anointing, your blessing, your close walk with God for a $6 movie ticket????"

So, as soon as that show was over, we made our way to the manager's desk to pay for the ticket! I told the girls what I had did. What I was showing them was to be honest, even if you "get away" with something. Even if no one else notices, God knows and it is important to do what is right. Living out honesty made much a greater impact than any lecture on honesty ever would. Not to mention, the young girl at the desk who I explained the situation to was "blown away" that a person would actually come up and try to pay for a movie once it was over!

We can't just "talk the talk" but we MUST "walk the walk". And, when we make mistakes (notice I said WHEN not if!), we need to be real and share those as well. Authentic relationships share the struggles and challenges.

One more thought about mentors. Lisa Bevere says she prefers the term "spiritual mothers" instead of spiritual mentors. A mentor wants the person she is helping to do well, but not "too well." A mentor doesn't always want the person to do better than her. Thinking about it in the business world- a mentor wouldn't want the person he is mentoring to do BETTER than him because that person may take his job!

BUT....a MAMA always wants her CHILDREN to do even more than she even did! A MAMA wants her children to have more, do more, be more than she could ever imagine.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

I have written about spiritual mothers here and here also. I hope you have a few minutes to read these as well! Please stop by the well to gain insight and wisdom from many other "Spiritual Mamas". We can learn much from one another!

Be the LIGHT!

“Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world;they don’t make a difference by being the same.”from Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian

I LOVE this quote!

Jesus told us that we are “the light of the world.” He said, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

When we were out in the desert in Arizona, we were staying at a remote resort outside of Phoenix. At night we could go out on the balcony and look out into the darkness. It is so DARK in the desert. But, when we turned towards Phoenix, the city was a shining light in the darkness. It was BRIGHT and could be seen for miles and miles and miles. Jesus says WE are to be that light…..

The world is HUNGRY for something different. The world is lost and hungry and suffering and debilitated and ailing……it is darkness. Flip channels to any variety of reality shows and watch for a few minutes and you will see people who are empty…searching…needing…

The world looks to the Church to be DIFFERENT. Yes, the world is quick to condemn us as Christians. But, usually it is because we are hypocritical…saying one thing and doing another…. If they were honest, they would tell us that they WANT us to be DIFFERENT.

When you are in the dark, what is it that you stumble around for? What is it that you are searching for? What is it that you desire more than anything else?

LIGHT

Are we shining? Are we shining the Light of Christ?

Or…are focused on BEING LIKE THE WORLD? Are we allowing the world to seep in…little by little…so that the lines are blurred and we can’t be distinguished from the world?

"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor….In your anger do not sin. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, vulgar talk or coarse joking, which are of out of place, but rather thanksgiving…..
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (Ephesians 4 and 5)

Lord, may I be a Light shining for You. When the world looks at me, may they see something different…holy, set apart, separate. Lord, be big in me. Lord, I choose to put ON YOU. I love You, Lord.

When "they" say SHUT UP, I will shout louder...

Have you ever read about my friend "BART" in Mark 10?  How I want to be like blind "Bart"!  Here is his story:

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
I love that he SHOUTED. He is not afraid to cry out to Jesus. Listen to what happens next...

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 
Isn't that always the way? Someone is always there to tell us to be quiet....don't bother Jesus....He is too busy.....He isn't concerned with our "little problems."

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

Jesus STOPPED.....stopped what He was doing....stopped where He was going.
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Don't you love that? Jesus asks each of us, "What do you want Me to do for YOU?"

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 

That is the cry of my heart- Jesus, I want to SEE. Give me eyes to see You. Give me spiritual eyes. Like the words to "Amazing Grace," I was blind, but now I see." Look what happens next.

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 

Notice that the man's FAITH healed him. Lord, may I have faith like that! And, what does he do next?

He FOLLOWS Jesus.

May I always follow You, Jesus. May I always follow You.

Father, thank You that You are ever ready to heal me....all I have to do is ask. May I always seek hard after you, no matter who or how many are telling me to "shut up." May I be like the man and SHOUT LOUDER! Lord, may I have that kind of faith! Lord, thank You for Your compassion. Thank You that You open wide my eyes to see You. Thank You that, although I was blind, now I see. Thank You, Jesus. Praise You.